Pierced....Inside, For Life - Outside, For Now.

Someone once asked me why I had a whole in my tongue. The same person has holes in her ears, but explained, rather vehemently mine was different. The conversation went no where.

There is a point to this!

There are so many people who are pressure or forced into things (like having their ears pierced as babies) that they just accept. They don't question it, or wonder, it just is.

To those people who are told "Because I say so" and accept it...you dear sirs or madams are the reason this society is declining at such a tremendously God-aweful rate!!!

WAKE UP! Be accountable! Question authority!! I'm not saying to riot in the streets and to become criminals here, but let's be honest! Our society has become a "fix it mommy, take away the bad people!" screaming child!

Gas prices too high? No one considers car-pooling, biking, public transportation, or even *GASP* BOYCOTTING the gas stations. Nooooooo, we cry to everyone we meet how our lives are ruined because we can't afford a twinkie to go along with our lunch! Or that we can't go on vacation. Grow up. Life is hard. *shrugs* Whining doesn't do anything about it, except maybe make me want to slap you. =) Get another job, where you can afford gas! Don't have skills? Go to school! Can't afford it...God only knows that everyone else gets financial assistance. Work for it!! Approach schools, churches, businesses, and scholarship funds and work it out!

One of the girls at work just had a kid. She's on Medi-Cal. Wal-Mart does not offer great medical insurance, and she qualifies. Some woman has the nerve to walk up to her and say "That comes out of my taxes!" I love this girl...she just stared at the woman and said "Yeah, so? It comes out of my taxes too!"

At least she's working. And 90% of the people who started at my store under federal or state assistance have been able to wean themselves off of it. They have jobs, they are working, they are functioning members of society! Some of them even have holes in places that aren't socially acceptable! :o

Ever wonder why pierced ears are cool, but tongues aren't? What about lip piercings, or tongue mutilation? Isn't it all the same thing? Where do you draw the line personally? Why? Don't have a reason? Do you even think about it?

I pierced my tongue because I wanted to. Piercing has always been something I've been really interested in, Pat's a stick in the mud, or I'd have many more!!!! MANY!

I kept my tongue piercing because it is now part of who I am. Like my car, my piercing has been with me through difficulties in life that I never imagined I would face. It is a badge I wear to remind myself to always question, respectfully. Whether it be a Dr who recommends a treatment that you don't agree with, a friend who tells you that the man you're with is worthless (so not talking about Pat here!!!), or a boss who tells you that you're failing miserabley. Question! Why? Why is best for this treatment? Why is this man possibly not good for me? Why am I not doing as well as I could do at work?? And what do I want to do about it?

You don't fault the dr, or the friend, or the boss for causing you to do something stupid. It's your own darn fault!

I thought about taking it out. Once, for a day or so, I did. But it was a part of me that went missing. Like taking off my engagement/wedding rings, after wearing them for almost 2 years, even though they themselves represent something but mean nothing...It was a strange feeling I wasn't ready for yet.

Pat doesn't like my piercing. I rarely wear earrings. Always had trouble with my ears, and earrings are too (for lack of a better word) trendy. Everyone has them, because everyone has them. I don't have a reason for having mine, I don't want to call attention to them or celebrate them.

Maybe one day I'll think about it, take it out, and never think about it again. Maybe I won't miss it, maybe I will grow out of it, and move on with another part of my life. Maybe I'll wear it until I'm old and gray, to remind me that other people's authority running my life a way I don't like, is my fault. And that I have the power and abbility to change it, if I am strong enough.

I'd be pierced out, with at least one tattoo now, if it wasn't for Pat. And I respect his stance, and I respect the fact that he's thinking through WHY it is that he doesn't like things that aren't traditional. That is his right. Since something I do to my body affects him as well, I've respected his request that I not pierce anything else, or get a tattoo. I will however, cut my hair.

But that's a conversation for another day.

Sand and Sun Take On A Whole New Meaning In The Desert

Went outside to tan today. I spent maybe 20 minutes out there (10 minutes per side....sounds like we're cooking beef!), slathered myself with sunblock (40 spf), came in, rinsed off with some ice cubes on my shoulders (to keep the skin from continuing to cook while I was cooling off, drank a ton of water to keep myself from getting dehydrated, and to moisturize my skin, should I have spent to much time out there....and decided it's not worth it!!!

I'm an inside girl now. Used to be a tan little monkey! Now I'm a computer geek who doesn't go to the beach, and doesn't have any outside activities to lure me there.

It's 2pm, and between 80º-85º depending on which site you link to. It's been a cool summer so far! Last night as Pat and I left the theatre from seeing Cars we weren't hit with the blast of heat that says "HEY! You still live in the desert, and it's 90º at 9pm!" It was HEAVEN!!!!!

This summer has been the coolest since we've been out here. Of course it helps that we're not in the apartment anymore, though we spent last summer in this house as well, it still feels nicer!!

Anyway.....guess I should go accomplish something with my day!

I start my new job tomorrow morning! YAY!

Love you all!

B

Ben the Idiot

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in a motorcycle accident either yesterday or the day before.

He wasn't wearing a helmet. What an idiot!!!

He was driving the fastest streen legal cycle you can get, the Suzuki Hayabusa. Ben is the youngest quarterback to lead his team to a championship. Probably also the dumbest.

I haven't heard, nor do I care, who's fault the accident was. Does it matter? He broke his nose and jaw. He's a lucky bastige. He could have died.

Pennsylvania's helmet law was repealed in 2003. Not sure why. You can force someone to wear a seatbelt, but not a helmet. Smart!

Idiot people should not be allowed to drive vehicles. Period. If you're reckless enough to not protect yourself, then why should other drivers assume you're careful and smart enough to be able to drive defensively and not be aggressive and stupid on the road.

I wish the man no ill harm from his accident, in some small way I wish he would have been hurt more, maybe to FORCE people into seeing this as a true issue....yes, I'm a horrible person!! But I really hope that parents of little sports fans take this opportunity to explain why wearing a helmet is a REQUIREMENT for riding vehicles (even bikes).

Wal-Mart No More

Well, Sunday was my last day at Wal-Mart. It was heartbreaking to leave. I will miss so much everyone who I've worked with over the last three years at this store. This time around, my career at Wal-Mart lasted four years.

Tawnia set up a fantastic party for my last day. More people than I could have ever expected came. And there was more food than I ever thought we'd see.There are so many people I would like to thank that I can't begin to name them off for fear that I would miss someone. But there are some that I must name. If your name is not here. Please know that I still loved working with you and I only wish that I could have been closer to you......

(a day later)

I started writing out a personal thank you to everyone who's meant so much to me. After 3 pages of typing, and a box of kleenex later (I forgot to buy puffs!), I decided to just move on.I will write thank you cards and notes as I get to them, but since the ones from the wedding are still sitting on my desk......it'll be a while. :)

I just wanted to thank you all.

Especially though, I want to thank Pat.

I worked 7 days in a row, one day off, another 7 days working, one day off and yet another 7 days working. He put up with me.

Working overnights, he put up with me.

Laundry not getting done, bathrooms not getting done, can't walk when you get home because your feet hurt. He was patient through it all.

Being treated like I was a child and coming home in tears. Encouraging me to get up and deal with it instead of laying in bed crying that I didn't want to go to work. Being asaulted (If that old man ever throws anything at me again, he will be dead, I swear it.), being threatened to be assaulted.....

Pat has been there, done that.

He's watched me walk through the store on a day off and talk to everyone (customers even, cause apparently if I'm not wearing a vest and a name tag I'm still at their mercy), and he patiently sighed and waited while I caught up with what was going on in the lives of those I worked with.

I love you my dear sweet husband, for your support and your encouragement.

YOU are the reason I am so excited for this new step in our lives.Thank you.

I Got The Job! And Idiot Ridgecrest Consumers...

Well, I turned in my two weeks notice at Wal-Mart yesterday. It was bittersweet. On the one hand, I sometimes (ONLY sometimes), really hated dumb people. Both customers and associates. Mostly customers. Wednesday night I had some chick ask very nicely (and I appreciated it) that I store it properly. It was a thousand dollar LCD T.V. I could understand her concern. I told her I'd be careful with it and make sure it was taken care of. Then she proceeded to look at the box and tell me which way was up. Now contrary to customer belief, I can read. I tried not to take it personally, it kinda failed, but again, a grand is a lot of money.

When she wrote on the box "up" with an arrow pointing towards the top, in case I couldn't see the arrows printed on the box, I got pissed. Then she found the top and wrote "top" and circled it a bunch of times. Lady, I may work at Wal-Mart but I'm not a freaking retard. Her husband looked really apologetic and told her "(insert wife's name here), I think that's enough". The lady didn't even look halfway sorry. I swear to everything good if I hadn't been on the clock I would have given her a VERY loud and possibly violent piece of my mind.

Do people really feel it's necessary to treat others like that? Does it give you a kick to know I can't do anything about it, so you treat me like that? Well guess what...you'd better PRAY I don't come to your business and catch you there. The associates at Wal-Mart are customers as well...and we remember which repair shop owners are %$)%&*()$# jerks. We WILL not be visiting your place of business. Thank you.

ANYWAY! Sorry to rant...she REALLY offended me!!!! uhm, yeah. On the other hand, for the most part, I work with some really great people who work hard and do their best, get no recognition and get harassed by customers (see above) every day. I will miss all of my closers. I will miss the family that I have gained since moving here to Ridgecrest.

I am excited about the chance to do something I've always wanted to do, however. The challenge of learning something new, and of making a difference somewhere, where hopefully, I will be more appreciated.