I do a fair amount of volunteering at the kids' schools, and I'm a Girl Scout leader. I save the class parties for other parents who have judgmental, perfect ways of doing things. The girl's class party was yesterday.
They had a gift exchange of a sort. Apparently, one of the moms had the bright idea to play that game where someone picks a random gift, opens it, next person chooses a random gift, but if second person doesn't like the gift, that person can "trade" gifts with someone who's already chosen a gift.
Did NO ONE see the combination of this game--that I've seen go poorly with ADULTS, resulting in bad feelings--and third graders could, maybe, possibly, end badly? Cuz as my sobbing daughter talked about how one girl influenced another to "steal" her gift, I had more than a bit of a clue.
These people HAVE kids, right?
Friday, December 21, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Common courtesy--GONE!
I think we can all agree the times, they are TOUGH economically. Here in this house, we're living that reality with our main breadwinner out of work. Having still not recovered completely from his three year long stint of joblessness that ended only two years ago, any time of joblessness is to say, definitely unpleasant. But I gotta say, the lack of common courtesy from employers is ticking me off.
Realizing that many people, in this day and age of instant gratification and the endless internet at their disposal, may apply for jobs they perhaps aren't truly qualified for, because, hey, it's only a click away, I get that not every inquiry will be acknowledged. I even understand that phone interviews (of which Hubster has had at least three) that don't move to the next cut may not be acknowledged. I think all the phone interviewers even said he'd only be contacted if he went to the next level. Fine. People are busy. I get it. But Hubster had one interview that went beyond phone to face-to-face. It was a GREAT opportunity. Good hours, stunningly close to home, working days, no weekends. In short, I really didn't even expect he'd get it, it was just too perfect.
Hubster met, on this interview, the HR Flunky, HR Big, Warehouse Manager, and MR BIG BOSS. It lasted over an hour, there was laughing, there was discussion of various scenarios. It went as well as an interview could go. Near the end, Big Boss let loose two facts, one that Hubster was Candidate Uno, meaning first interviewed. Hubster acknowledged that could be good OR bad. Big Boss then conferred with Warehouse Manager and HR Big, and said he'd be contacted EITHER WAY within about two weeks. Excellent! Hubster came home and emailed HR Big, thanking him for the interview, hoping to hear from him soon.
Two weeks came and went. No calls, no emails. Week three was Thanksgiving week. Hubster called HR Flunky, leaving a message that he realized their time frame had passed, if there were any other info they needed, he'd be happy to supply it. No calls, no emails.
This is what burns me. Multiple people committed to the "either way, we'll let you know" sentiment. Even if they "forgot" to call him, his message to HR Flunky should have generated an email immediately afterward. Given this day and age of email, three sentences could have both informed Hubster he was no longer in the running and stopped us from hoping. In this day and age of people hoping to get jobs, wouldn't it be nice if those in charge of hiring exhibited common courtesy? All I know is this company talked in the interview about how they were a "family company" but I just see them as a RUDE company.
Realizing that many people, in this day and age of instant gratification and the endless internet at their disposal, may apply for jobs they perhaps aren't truly qualified for, because, hey, it's only a click away, I get that not every inquiry will be acknowledged. I even understand that phone interviews (of which Hubster has had at least three) that don't move to the next cut may not be acknowledged. I think all the phone interviewers even said he'd only be contacted if he went to the next level. Fine. People are busy. I get it. But Hubster had one interview that went beyond phone to face-to-face. It was a GREAT opportunity. Good hours, stunningly close to home, working days, no weekends. In short, I really didn't even expect he'd get it, it was just too perfect.
Hubster met, on this interview, the HR Flunky, HR Big, Warehouse Manager, and MR BIG BOSS. It lasted over an hour, there was laughing, there was discussion of various scenarios. It went as well as an interview could go. Near the end, Big Boss let loose two facts, one that Hubster was Candidate Uno, meaning first interviewed. Hubster acknowledged that could be good OR bad. Big Boss then conferred with Warehouse Manager and HR Big, and said he'd be contacted EITHER WAY within about two weeks. Excellent! Hubster came home and emailed HR Big, thanking him for the interview, hoping to hear from him soon.
Two weeks came and went. No calls, no emails. Week three was Thanksgiving week. Hubster called HR Flunky, leaving a message that he realized their time frame had passed, if there were any other info they needed, he'd be happy to supply it. No calls, no emails.
This is what burns me. Multiple people committed to the "either way, we'll let you know" sentiment. Even if they "forgot" to call him, his message to HR Flunky should have generated an email immediately afterward. Given this day and age of email, three sentences could have both informed Hubster he was no longer in the running and stopped us from hoping. In this day and age of people hoping to get jobs, wouldn't it be nice if those in charge of hiring exhibited common courtesy? All I know is this company talked in the interview about how they were a "family company" but I just see them as a RUDE company.
Monday, December 17, 2012
I turned it off
I've done what I need to do, which is turn off the coverage of the horrendous tragedy that occurred on Friday. I can't watch anymore. I feel myself sinking into a place I know I wouldn't be able to easily get out of, a place that's unproductive and too sad to cope with my daily life. I've tried instead getting all worked up over idiotic posts people make about "hey, if only we could pray in schools, all would be well" or the "guns don't kill people, people kill people" mantra the NRA likes so much that are floating around on Facebook. The only thing that has resonated with me, instead, is a post that makes me sink deeper into sadness, that of the mom struggling with her son's runaway mental illness and the lack of options available to her.
This over-connection to sadness is something I've always had with horrific occurrences turned media events. I found I had to turn off coverage of 9/11, university shootings, and I was nearly beside myself knowing Hubbster's aunt was down the road teaching at Columbine's elementary school, watching the ambulances roll by for catastrophic that event. I've had to think what I would do if a gunman came into my classroom, and hey, I know intellectually my university is FAR less safe than any elementary school. I know I've dealt with students who were, if I'm being 100% honest with myself, off their very serious big time meds and exhibiting behavior I was afraid of. My colleagues have had stalkers and protective orders. I've had people screaming at me in my little office with no one else around about the unfairness of a grade. In the days before ubiquitous cell phones, students once called security (state police) over another student, male, aggressive, getting into my face, attempting to physically intimidate me. The risk is there. It's there every day. But that's the risk for ME. I take the risk because what I do is important, worthwhile, and necessary.
For my children? I cannot let risk, let alone the assessment of possible risk into my consciousness. I cannot assume they won't be coming through the door at the end of the day. The thought alone is enough to send me to my bed, weeping and unable to cope. That's why I cannot watch mothers and fathers on television emotions flayed, wailing their sorrow to God. The risk assessment starts then, in my head. If I even think it could happen to MY babies, I will be paralyzed with fear, and that will mean I'll paralyze my children with fear too. That's not a life I want them to remember.
So in the months to come, I may argue the necessity of increased mental health services and need for gun control with others. But for now? I feed them breakfast, remind my kids to take their lunches, button their coats, tell them I love them and to learn something fabulous. I send them out the door, expecting them to be home later, just like I do every single day. It's the only way I can continue putting one foot in front of the other.
This over-connection to sadness is something I've always had with horrific occurrences turned media events. I found I had to turn off coverage of 9/11, university shootings, and I was nearly beside myself knowing Hubbster's aunt was down the road teaching at Columbine's elementary school, watching the ambulances roll by for catastrophic that event. I've had to think what I would do if a gunman came into my classroom, and hey, I know intellectually my university is FAR less safe than any elementary school. I know I've dealt with students who were, if I'm being 100% honest with myself, off their very serious big time meds and exhibiting behavior I was afraid of. My colleagues have had stalkers and protective orders. I've had people screaming at me in my little office with no one else around about the unfairness of a grade. In the days before ubiquitous cell phones, students once called security (state police) over another student, male, aggressive, getting into my face, attempting to physically intimidate me. The risk is there. It's there every day. But that's the risk for ME. I take the risk because what I do is important, worthwhile, and necessary.
For my children? I cannot let risk, let alone the assessment of possible risk into my consciousness. I cannot assume they won't be coming through the door at the end of the day. The thought alone is enough to send me to my bed, weeping and unable to cope. That's why I cannot watch mothers and fathers on television emotions flayed, wailing their sorrow to God. The risk assessment starts then, in my head. If I even think it could happen to MY babies, I will be paralyzed with fear, and that will mean I'll paralyze my children with fear too. That's not a life I want them to remember.
So in the months to come, I may argue the necessity of increased mental health services and need for gun control with others. But for now? I feed them breakfast, remind my kids to take their lunches, button their coats, tell them I love them and to learn something fabulous. I send them out the door, expecting them to be home later, just like I do every single day. It's the only way I can continue putting one foot in front of the other.
Friday, December 14, 2012
You've GOT to be kidding me!
Remember the impending head explosion of the boy? Remember how the Popcorn Kernel (I know, I KNOW) from Boy Scouts was supposed to release the name last week? Did. not. happen.
The Hubster took the kids to the meeting, as I had a leader's meeting for Girl Scouts. I was even texting during MY meeting to find out the results. The results were simply that the dude now needed to check with council about when he could announce. Ok, um, shouldn't that have been cleared up FIRST?! Now, a week out from the whole debacle, Cubby seems to have forgotten for the moment. That actually seems to be a theme in his life, more on that later. I, on the other hand, have righteous indignation that we don't at least KNOW! Ugh.
I'd simply be off to read, since I'm officially done with grades, but my Nook is out of juice. There is a downside to this electronic age.
The Hubster took the kids to the meeting, as I had a leader's meeting for Girl Scouts. I was even texting during MY meeting to find out the results. The results were simply that the dude now needed to check with council about when he could announce. Ok, um, shouldn't that have been cleared up FIRST?! Now, a week out from the whole debacle, Cubby seems to have forgotten for the moment. That actually seems to be a theme in his life, more on that later. I, on the other hand, have righteous indignation that we don't at least KNOW! Ugh.
I'd simply be off to read, since I'm officially done with grades, but my Nook is out of juice. There is a downside to this electronic age.
Friday, November 30, 2012
In the spirit of giving, let's teach them to gamble!
So I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to buy the boy for Christmas. He's almost 12, so his list is a bit pricey, and that's not happening this year with Hubster's job loss. I was trolling evil Walmart's site for some inspiration, and I popped into the 12 and over area, realizing some things would be a bit too old for him, but he's 12 in April, so 12 and over seemed an appropriate place to be.
As I'm scrolling through electronics, bikes, Lego sets, I start noticing something disturbing. I'd already passed many, but I started counting and came up with at least 13 entries for poker chips, full-table poker covers, Texas Hold 'Em sets, etc. Now, I realize that this is the 12 and over area, but it was still in the "kids" advertised section. That means I'm going to assume we're talking 12-17, heck, I'll even go 18. With all the information about how gambling online has exponentially increased, and Dateline, 20/20, and every other news show out there talking about how hard core gambling has trickled into high schools, wrecking some serious havoc on kids, who in their flipping right mind is going to buy a full-table cover and say "here dear, I knew you wanted to really hone those dangerous habits while you're young"?! I mean, it's not other kids going online to Walmart's "12 and over kids" area, is it?
I'll say, I've never been a gambler. Never bought a scratch off until I was in my 30s, went to casinos only as entertainment in my late 20s when I was working nights and nothing else was open when I got off work, and to this day, even with the big jackpots, I've never bought a real lottery ticket, don't even know how. The only poker I've ever played has been with a max loss of $10. It's not something I've stayed away from purposefully. It just doesn't interest me. But I remember back in the dark ages when I was in college a couple guys who were pretty hard core into sports betting. I think the only thing that probably saved them was that they could fund it with mom and dad's money. Don't know if mom and dad ever came down like a ton of bricks on them, but I hope so, just like I would if Cubby or Brownie ever did heavy gambling.
This soft sell to a younger and younger crowd of very serious looking gambling accoutrements just seems like paving the way for some truly dangerous behavior later on.
As I'm scrolling through electronics, bikes, Lego sets, I start noticing something disturbing. I'd already passed many, but I started counting and came up with at least 13 entries for poker chips, full-table poker covers, Texas Hold 'Em sets, etc. Now, I realize that this is the 12 and over area, but it was still in the "kids" advertised section. That means I'm going to assume we're talking 12-17, heck, I'll even go 18. With all the information about how gambling online has exponentially increased, and Dateline, 20/20, and every other news show out there talking about how hard core gambling has trickled into high schools, wrecking some serious havoc on kids, who in their flipping right mind is going to buy a full-table cover and say "here dear, I knew you wanted to really hone those dangerous habits while you're young"?! I mean, it's not other kids going online to Walmart's "12 and over kids" area, is it?
I'll say, I've never been a gambler. Never bought a scratch off until I was in my 30s, went to casinos only as entertainment in my late 20s when I was working nights and nothing else was open when I got off work, and to this day, even with the big jackpots, I've never bought a real lottery ticket, don't even know how. The only poker I've ever played has been with a max loss of $10. It's not something I've stayed away from purposefully. It just doesn't interest me. But I remember back in the dark ages when I was in college a couple guys who were pretty hard core into sports betting. I think the only thing that probably saved them was that they could fund it with mom and dad's money. Don't know if mom and dad ever came down like a ton of bricks on them, but I hope so, just like I would if Cubby or Brownie ever did heavy gambling.
This soft sell to a younger and younger crowd of very serious looking gambling accoutrements just seems like paving the way for some truly dangerous behavior later on.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Explosion watch update!
Oh, interNOODLES! The stress has ratcheted up!
The Popcorn Kernel (don't judge, I don't come up with these things) has decreed the deadline for this extended sale has been, well, extended. Now there are TEN boys eligible for this Ipad drawing. BLAST! His chances have gone down exponentially.
Oh, and instead of being announced tomorrow, the grand announcement will now be delayed until NEXT Thursday. GAAAAAHHHHHH!
I don't think the house can take the anticipation. Will update later.
The Popcorn Kernel (don't judge, I don't come up with these things) has decreed the deadline for this extended sale has been, well, extended. Now there are TEN boys eligible for this Ipad drawing. BLAST! His chances have gone down exponentially.
Oh, and instead of being announced tomorrow, the grand announcement will now be delayed until NEXT Thursday. GAAAAAHHHHHH!
I don't think the house can take the anticipation. Will update later.
Monday, November 26, 2012
The boy's head WILL explode
The explosion will occur before Thursday evening. He definitely won't make it. . .
Popcorn sales haven't been great for this boy scout family. Weekends available to canvass the neighborhood had other things planned, and many family members have scouts of their own. It's life in the big city. To try to up his personal sales, Cubby has been doing "show and sells" where scouts stand outside store entrances and annoy, uh, I mean ENCOURAGE people to buy popcorn. It's been ok, but he's not the salesman he used to be, tiring and boring easily. His sister has helped to the point of almost doing more than he does.
Apparently, things are tough all over. Council has seen sales dip, and has extended the dates for selling, including some extra show and sell times. I encouraged him to do this, at my own peril, might I add, because a parent has to go along and keep the whining to a minimum. Even though I wanted him to sell, because it meant more money for his scout account, which we can tap to pay for activities--something we need right now--there was also an additional incentive of an IPad being offered to those who sold at least $100. I didn't know if that counted only for orders taken or show and sells too, so I kept my mouth shut about that little prize.
Come to find out, after the last show and sell date, Cubby and the Hubster dropped money and extra stock off only to find only ONE other scout had sold at least $100, and show and sell items DID count. Cubby sold $115 of popcorn. That means he has a 50/50 chance of winning this Ipad. The name has already been chosen, and I don't know who it is. The name will be announced at the Thursday meeting. Hence, the danger of head explosion. The good news is, this has led to some important life lessons:
Popcorn sales haven't been great for this boy scout family. Weekends available to canvass the neighborhood had other things planned, and many family members have scouts of their own. It's life in the big city. To try to up his personal sales, Cubby has been doing "show and sells" where scouts stand outside store entrances and annoy, uh, I mean ENCOURAGE people to buy popcorn. It's been ok, but he's not the salesman he used to be, tiring and boring easily. His sister has helped to the point of almost doing more than he does.
Apparently, things are tough all over. Council has seen sales dip, and has extended the dates for selling, including some extra show and sell times. I encouraged him to do this, at my own peril, might I add, because a parent has to go along and keep the whining to a minimum. Even though I wanted him to sell, because it meant more money for his scout account, which we can tap to pay for activities--something we need right now--there was also an additional incentive of an IPad being offered to those who sold at least $100. I didn't know if that counted only for orders taken or show and sells too, so I kept my mouth shut about that little prize.
Come to find out, after the last show and sell date, Cubby and the Hubster dropped money and extra stock off only to find only ONE other scout had sold at least $100, and show and sell items DID count. Cubby sold $115 of popcorn. That means he has a 50/50 chance of winning this Ipad. The name has already been chosen, and I don't know who it is. The name will be announced at the Thursday meeting. Hence, the danger of head explosion. The good news is, this has led to some important life lessons:
- Be a good WINNER! Hey, you win and you'll be thrilled, but someone will be the loser, and nothing is worse than a bad winner. I know, the Hubster is a trash talking, in your face loser. It annoys me.
- Be a good LOSER! I had to remind Cubby that as excited as he is, the other kid is just as excited to win. He did an awesome job too, and it's simply luck of the draw, so it's important to go up and offer congratulations. Sobbing can be done in your own room at home.
- Putting extra efforts into things pays off! It won't always be an Ipad, but generally, extra efforts yield good things, be it an extra point or two of credit, a nod of thanks from someone, or just the satisfaction of a job well done.
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