“I’m sorry” is something we hear an awful lot these days.  It’s not only for Canadians anymore!  You hear it when a polite person bumps into you.  You hear it when someone doesn’t hear you well and needs you to repeat yourself.  You will even hear it from children if they’ve messed up.  Well, those who have been raised correctly, that is.

There have been a good amount of people lately who are in the “spotlight” who have said it.  For instance, one or two people have used the Big-T word to refer to a transgendered person while on TV or on radio.  A few days later, Twitter, Facebook, and all other social sites were filled with apologies from these people saying they either didn’t know or they were so sorry they upset their fans.  I’ve also read apologies from politicians that have used offensive words or did something they eventually felt bad about.

Call me closed minded, but those public apologies, to me, carry no meaning at all.  When I open my mouth, the words that come out are from my mind.  They have obviously been in my vocabulary for a long time.  I can honestly say that I have used the T-word on many occasions.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that I have no transgender people in my circle of friends.  Actually, I don’t personally know any.

The reason I bring this topic up is because I have read at least four apologies in the news or on Twitter this month alone.  I can’t begin to believe that this apology is coming straight from their hearts.  After they are schooled by their PR people, their managers, or their fans, then the apologies start pouring out.  That pouring out of sorrow sounds like they are begging fans and followers to stop paying them attention.  Was this one word that they never say and decided to spit it out where the public could hear them?  I doubt it very seriously.

I would rather hear them say, “The other day on ____, I said ____.  I normally use this word and I have never known it was an offensive word to use to any group of people.  If it has offended you, I apologize.  I can’t promise I will never say it again, but it will not be on a publicly aired telecast when it is said.  Thank you.” 

If the person said this, I would totally believe him or her after that.  Telling me that they are “totally understanding and will never say it again” will turn me off in a heart beat.  How do you expect anyone to believe that?  It’s a tad far fetched, you know?

As much as I love this place, I am always disturbed and confused when I go to any location. The reason for that is I don’t know how I should gauge the staff. One thing to remember is that it is considered a fast-food joint…supposed to be. It’s not always that way. You would think that the management would be ready to deal with whatever comes their way. For instance, it is not Christmas Day, but it is still in the same week. People have cooked till they don’t want to cook any more. They would rather go get a bucket of chicken and some sides and call it a night. You should have all the stuff you need when the people get there. If you see you don’t have a type of chicken ready to package up for the customers, cook it before you run completely out. Don’t make people wait in the place till the stuff is done. If your place closes at 11pm, don’t act like you’re about to leave at 6:30. It’s still business time and there are some hungry people.

My second concern is the quality of the staff. I understand that you don’t have to have a degree to work in fast-food or even a high school diploma, but dad-gum, have some kind of organizational and personal skills to make the flow easier and without hang-ups. That goes for the managers and the staff alike. If you have crappy managers, the staff working under them isn’t going to have much motivation to be any better.

I’ve noticed other things, but if I start putting those into words…especially online…it’s going to get messy. All I will say is that if you are going to operate a restaurant that people in an area really love, make sure you have people working who are capable of satisfying in every way…customer service, a fast process, and hospitality. It’s not much to ask. Oh wait, I guess that is too much to ask for someone making $7.50 an hour, huh?

Christmas is, and always has been, my favorite holiday. I love the bright colors, the joyous singing, the warm greetings, and the feeling of warmth that this season holds. No other season has this power over me.

You may not celebrate Christmas, and it is your right to celebrate whatever holiday you observe. This post is about the holiday I observe, and whether it is different from yours or not, please open your minds and allow its meaning to enter in.

As a child, I was taught the importance of Christmas. Caring and giving without expectation of receiving anything in return were the two most important things to teach a child. This day in time, those things need to be shown more and more. After reading the article above, I was reminded of this. I am glad that Pope Benedict XVI discussed this modern Christmas celebration in his mass. Toppie Smellie (The Smellcast Podcast) discussed this on an installment of his Christmas series.

Commercialism has taken hold of this sacred holiday and has turned it into something selfish and vile. Instead of being taught to be humble, children are being taught that whatever they want, they can have. We saw the many stupid things that were done on Black Friday by parents who obviously believe this way of thinking. Instead of accepting the fact that she may not be able to purchase an XBox 360 for her child, the woman in California stooped to such a low level of inflicting pain on others to fulfill her own selfishness…and in the end, the selfishness of her child. That’s just the horrible side of the shopper.

Businesses are cashing in on this thought process. It’s as if the leaders of retail companies are sitting back and saying, “Hey, look at these people. They will do anything to get into our stores when we run these insane sales. I wonder what we can do next year.” I, for one, did not take part in this insane ritual. On Black Friday, my behind is sitting on the couch. That’s a day I let ignorance carry on without me. There is nothing in any store that means so much to me that I have to place myself in danger to get to it. NOTHING! I have told people this year that they would not be receiving anything from me. And, that’s the honest truth. We purchased something for the two kids next door. That was our donation to the economy this year.

Thinking back to my childhood, I am reminded how thankful I was to receive the gifts my parents were able to give me. We were not wealthy people. We were not poor as we had enough money for the food we ate, the clothes we wore, and our house. My father worked for us to have these things. My mother was a stay at home mom. We were asked at Christmas what we wanted and we would say a couple of things. It was understood that these things were only wishes and were not promised. My parents usually found a way to get most of the things we wanted. Many times, if they couldn’t find exactly what we asked for, something of equal purpose would be provided. The three of us had no issues with that.

As a young child on Christmas Eve, my mother would take chairs from the kitchen and sit them in front of the tree. She would take the presents brought to us by “Santa Clause” and set them up in the chair. It was a display on a country level! Beside the chairs, there would be brown paper grocery bags…one for each of us. In these bags would be nuts, fruit, and candy. In many ways, those bags and their contents were more important to me than the things displayed in the chair. These things were sustenance. These things could be enjoyed and also fill my stomach. Even at a young age, I knew there were thousands of children around the world who were not able to enjoy such things. I felt terribly blessed to have these things.

At this time of year, I for one, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the true meaning and observance of this season. Each year, I like to read in the Book of Luke Chapters 1-2. It brings everything back into view. The baby in the manger didn’t need the coolest new toy from Fisher Price. His mother wasn’t concerned if her husband was buying her a new shinny ring from Jared. Joseph was not worried whether he was getting the new rifle from Remington or any of the hunting gear to go with it. Whatever they had in their possession was all they needed…other than the little baby lying in that manger.

This Christmas, make sure to give thanks for the things you posses. You have clothes, a home, food, and if you’re reading this, you own some type of electronic device. Think of the unfortunate people in the world who aren’t even capable of having proper food. While you sit at a table in a comfortable home, remember those who are eating with their fingers while sitting on a curb somewhere. Think of those that are sitting in huts made from whatever they can find to stick together to form a shelter. It’s not easy for them but they have learned to deal. Could you do that? Today, all I ask is for you to stop and think.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

A great feature of this show is that it was filmed in Georgia. The first season was all shot in the Atlanta area. It’s great when you can watch a scene of a television series and say, “I know where that’s at! I’ve been there!” There’s a rock quarry in the Atlanta area that is currently being turned into a park. That was used in the show. The CDC, of course, was blown to shreds. That in itself was terrifying. Screw the zombies…save the CDC.

The thought of something like that happening is numbing. Millions of people could be turned into walking corpses. People think there are difficult decisions made today. They have no idea what kind of world we’d live in if that were to happen. In the episode I’m watching, the gang is split. Some are looking for supplies while some are stuck on a highway and then some are in a house in the country. None are particularly safe, but they are doing what they can with what they have.

It would definitely be a different world. Zombies can’t enforce laws on those who might not be infected. Those who aren’t infected have to find some way to stick together and not allow petty differences come between them. Since there aren’t millions of people to feed, support, or doctor, there would be plenty of supplies. The only issue would be the handing out of those supplies and getting to them when needed. Nowhere would be safe from the “walkers” as you can’t build walls around cities where the majority of populations reside. In this and previous episodes, walkers have made their way into the woods. I guess when they can’t find live humans on which to feed, animals in the woods will do just fine. Bon appetite!

I hope I never see anything of the sort happen in real life. It’s one thing to see this portrayed on television but I’m sure it would be ten times worse dealing with the real thing. People, I feel, would not be as calm as the people who are trying to find a safe place to exist.

I know what you may be saying already.  “I’m not wearing that thing!” or “Those are for old people.”

Let’s revisit Southern Snowmagedon 2011.  The city of Atlanta was practically shut down and we were all crippled for days.  Everyone was bundled up like the little kid on that horrible Christmas Story movie.  People were constantly saying how dreadfully cold they were…that is…except for me because I was wearing my wonderfully warm and comfortable union suit.

Some people may call it a onesie, but when I think of those, I think of the pajamas you can find at  Jumpin Jammerz.  They’re the ones with the feet.  Like those you remember from childhood.  Yeah, union suits aren’t those.

The one I have was purchased at Bass Pro Shops.  I absolutely love it.  It’s red and HOT!  I think they’re sexy.  What’s not sexy about them?  The butt flap!

Don’t get me wrong!  Butt flap = easy access.  That is, if the person wearing the suit welcomes the advances.  The flap on mine, however, would only be good in that situation.  The old suits with a larger “flap” that unbuttons and uncovers the entire rear end are the ones I like.  With those, if you need to take care of business, you unbutton some buttons, drop the hatch, and pop a squat.  Not so easy in the ones I have.  It’s one button and then you have to part the Red Sea of material and hope that’s enough.  Well, it’s not enough and I still have to pull down the whole thing.  That’s why I go with my gut feeling that morning…hence if my stomach doesn’t feel right, the union suit stays put.

Other than the previous reason, the union suit is very warm and comfy.  I like to put it on, pick out a great pair of long socks, like over-the-calf or even longer like the Browning wool wader socks.  If you wear long socks with the union suit or a pair of long johns, they don’t ride up.  You can actually feel comfortable all day and not have to correct your underwear over and over again.  Hint: The wader socks are really awesome if you’re a sock fanatic!

Next time the snow decides to cause confusion and much unwanted bitter cold, think about looking for total body comfort and warmth.  It’s light weight cotton material and won’t make you feel like a mummy…but possibly a cowboy!

Summer quarter has started and it has definitely proven to be a monster in the way of eating up my time and not giving any area for free time. Alas, that is school and that’s what I’m paying for!

Until a little later in the week!

But, getting back to the present, each year should be full of lessons learned. As the saying goes, you are never too old to learn.  Life is full of lessons to be learned and if we sit back and just slide through the year, you most likely won’t pick up the high points unless they stick you in the ass.  That’s when things hurt!

This year has been one of many lessons and it isn’t over yet.  So, on with the list of lessons!

1) Before considering someone your friend, do background checks to make sure this person has no record of times served in a mental hospital or jail for assault, stalking, excessive lying, or simple craziness.

2) Before having relations with someone (friendship, sexual, anything), make sure that there is NO ONE in the background who could possibly become an issue in the future.

3) Just because someone has a large penis does not make them a great person to hang around.

4) European Pentecostals aren’t the same as American Pentecostals!

5) The “gay death” is truly not something that happens at age 30.

6) Before diving into a new venture, read-up on the simple terms and descriptions of it.  You will find that when it begins, you are far ahead of the others starting with you.  It also shows how determined you are to accomplish the goal you’ve set for yourself.

7) Change is NOT always bad.  You sometimes find a change in things only make it better.

8) Word 2007 wasn’t designed by Satan to undermine everyone loyal to 2003.

9) Windows 7, however, is a demon right from the pits of Hell.

10) Mac computers aren’t bad.  Remove all hatred you harbor toward Apple Computers because you were stuck with Apple IIe systems for the majority of your education.

11) If you think of something you want to do, research it and see where you could begin. Don’t hold back and let it fester in your brain.  For example: Creating a blog and podcast.

12) It can be the beginning of a cheerful day when a boxer jumps into your car while you’re trying to leave.

13) Pride celebrations were meant to be held in the summer time.

14) The old saying is true…”Once you leave home, you can never truly go back.”

15) Some jobs are like boomerangs. You can try to leave them, but you end up being thrown right back into it.

16) It is not good for one’s soul or well-being to be an emotional sponge for others. Especially for those that really aren’t true friends.

17) Nuts can be a bitch to one’s intestinal track.

18) Jagger is the bomb, but Moonshine is even more of a bomb substance.

19) Disney World is a great place to visit.  It has great rides and great food.  Not that great of prices for those who don’t sleep in money.  Six bucks for a bottle of beer….please!

20) Those people you hold near to your hear could pass from this world at a minutes notice. Love them as much as possible while you can.

21) Friends can come out of no where.  Even snarky girls sitting in a cafeteria can become good friends! LOL

22) The Internet is a large animal with a life of its own, but through that animal, friendships can be formed and old friendships can be rekindled.

23) Hardwood laminate is not such a hard thing to install.

24) Every now and then, give your wife/husband/partner a once over.  You never know what new things you can find in various places. “Where did that piercing come from?”

25) Whether it is 2 years or 10 years, if the love was there to begin with, it will be there forever.  True love does exist.  It’s like a puzzle piece…it needs the adjoining piece to help make a pretty picture.

It's The Big Fatty...Online....with bodily soundtrack!

Miss Wes Stone...cookin' up a storm!

Kim Beaver's Lodge...does it have beaver dams?

Terminally Single Tim......or better yet, the baby arm!

I hope I can get out and meet many more podcasters.  This is such a fun thing to take part in.  If you haven’t listened to one, go out and find the best one for you.  I’m sure there is one to get you going….in any way possible!