Annoyances

I was listening to a podcast earlier today at work. One of the topics that was discussed was what mispronounced words annoy you. The word that started the whole topic was mayonnaise. It was being mispronounced by hosts as mannaise so someone called in to complain.

Here are some of the other words that were mentioned:

1. February - mispronounced Febuary
2. specific - mispronounced pacific
3. across - mispronounced acrost
4. for all intents and purposes - mispronounced for all intensive purposes
5. ask - mispronounced axe
6. kindergarten - mispronounced kindygarden or kindergarden
7. Valentine's day - mispronounced Valentime's day
8. moot point - mispronounced mute point
9. frustrated - mispronounced fustrated

There are so many of these that I can't list them all here. I would bet that there is even a regional and cultural influence on some words that could appear on this list. I know that some of these bug me, so it was funny to hear them discuss them. My particular pet peeve is pronouncing the word comfortable as comftrable. I even have Meg saying that one correctly.

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When Did Life Become No Fun?

I was listening to a radio show on my drive to work this morning. They were discussing a paradoy song that they wrote about a song that their station plays a lot. They were not happy that their station management cannot make a decision on their bits and that anything that is prerecorded has to go to the corporate lawyers for approval.

The show I was listening to was Kevin and Bean. If you know anything about their show, part of the humor is that they offend people. They routinely complain that anything they send to the lawyers gets rejected because they are so careful to not offend anyone. This flies in the face of what they show is all about. Why would their company continue to air their show if they don't want to offend anyone?

This brought to mind the fact that life itself is becoming boring. We are always told that we cannot say things because they will offend people. While I am very respectful of people's feelings, I think we have gone too far.

I see a parallel in my daughter's life. AYSO has removed goal keepers from the field until you move beyond the under eight level. Goal keepers are an integral part of the game. I don't know the exact reson for this decision, but it seems to be rooted in the feelings of the players. Goal keepers often get blamed for a goal that is scored. When I coached my oldest daughter's team, I did not allow that to happen. I was always telling the players that it is not the goal keeper's fault. After all, the team made it though all the rest of them before getting the shot on goal.

I see the same things happening in our schools. Teachers now must embrace positive discipline. In most instances this does work, but when you are dealing with a child who knows you cannot make them do anything the system begins to break down. If a kid knows that their is no punishment, or "easy" punishment, for their actions then why would they change their behavior? It is a tough situation for our teachers and administrators to be put in.

Life is not always going to be easy. People will offend you and hurt your feelings. Everyone who puts themself out on a line and pushes their limits will fail sometime, and their feelings will be hurt. I think our society is failing to teach people the skills to deal with these situations. This just makes it hurt worse when it does happen.

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Famous for what?

I think that we are living in a unique age where reality TV and tabloids are making people famous for no reason at all. People like Paris Hilton, the Kardashians, John and Kate, Spiedi (Spencer and Heidi), Sarah Palin, the reality show millionaire who killed his wife and even Levi Johnston. These people may not be interesting at all, but we make them famous and someone like Palin can ride it all the way to a career so lucrative she doesn't need to be governor anymore.

What is so special about these "stars" that makes people want to read about them or see them in magazines or on TV? I can't explain it and for the most part I have no interest in them at all. Spencer is always saying outlandish things and the media plays right into his hands and gives him the attention he is seeking. His most recent stunt is that he is talking about changing his name to King Spencer Pratt.

Now, I have done exactly what the media has done and given them the attention they are seeking. My mistake!

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The Summer of Death Update

Senator Ted Kennedy passed away on August 25. The Summer of Death just keeps rolling along.

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The Summer of Death Revisited

The Summer of Death hit close to home for me. I attended the funeral of my Wife's great uncle this past Saturday. I did not know him as well as I would have wished, but I am glad I did get to know him. He was a busy man. He had a successful ranch and had several hobbies. He also really loved to spend time with his family. He raced Jeeps, built Jeep trails in the mountains, used his Jeep for rescue and recovery in the mountains and built and flew RC airplanes to name just a few of his hobbies. He was described as being 'elegantly casual' at his funeral. He will be missed.

Two more famous people also died in the last week. Eunice Kennedy Shriver was the founder of the Special Olympics, the sister of JFK and the mother of Maria Shriver. In addition, Les Paul died today. Many consider him the 'father of modern music.' It sure seems like the Summer of Death will never end.

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The Summer of Death

Kevin and Bean have been calling this summer the Summer of Death. David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Billy Mays, Fred Travelena, Karl Malden, Steve McNair, Walter Cronkite, Gidget (Taco Bell dog), Corazon Aquino and now John Hughes. I thought this was going to be a long, hot summer. I had no idea it was going to be the Summer of Death. Here is a link to a slide show of all the people who have died this year.

John Hughes made some of the most iconic movies of my lifetime; The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink to name just a few. I think most people my age can quote lines from some if not all of these movies. Here is a link to some of them.

I thought celebrities died in groups of three. This would be four groups of three. Maybe that old adage still holds true. Anyway, this has been a really sad summer.

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