Wednesday, March 24, 2010

comment fail

One of the things that interests me about blogging is the fact that you can share your random, everyday opinions with people you know and love as well as with those with whom you have no other connection save through this vast cyberspace we call the internets (yes, that was an intentional mistype). There’s something strangely exciting about posting your position for all the world to see and then having random strangers somehow find your blog. What’s even better is when these random strangers find something in your blog that elicits such a strong reaction that they feel compelled to make a comment—good or bad.

Now I don’t mind it when people disagree with what I have posted. I’m always open to other points of view. As long as there is a certain level of respect on both sides, I’m fine. Yes, even if we agree to disagree. What I find to be irritating, however, is when comments miss the boat entirely and then they hide behind the mask of anonymity. 

This morning someone responded to my “why????” post—a brief and perhaps snarky commentary on people’s immodesty at the gym. Here is the comment:

“This sentiment is unjustified. You are wrong. Get over yourself. We have every right to shower at our gym.”

Really? 


Now, if you will refer to the post in question, you’ll notice that I said NOTHING about gym-goers not showering. By all means, PLEASE shower. You’re doing the rest of us a favor, and quite frankly, you might as well take advantage of this membership perk. But, if the reader will kindly re-read the post--perhaps more carefully this time--he/she will notice that I was commenting on the amount of flesh and indiscreetness shown at the gym, not about the act of showering itself.


So despite the unsigned chiding, I stand by my original post and will not “get over myself”. Shower at the gym. Enjoy the convenience that it brings. But for heaven’s sake, cover it up. Allow me to reiterate: No one wants to see you or your girls at any age or any stage. You may think you have it, but you probably don’t. And even if you did, what makes you think that the rest of us want to see it? There is a way to shower at the gym without running around the locker room naked. I know, I know, it may be difficult to imagine, but believe me, it is possible. Check out the rest of the people around you…the ones with towels carefully tied around them. They’ll help you figure it out.

Friday, March 12, 2010

all happy lucky family food restaurant & gifts

This morning as I was walking to the train station I passed a Chinese fast food place, one of those tacky souvenier shops, and then another Chinese fast food place--all within 3 blocks.  The gift shop was named "Lucky Gift Hunting".  I don't quite remember what the names of the fast food joints were but other similar spots came to mind--Best Chinese Food, Happy Family Chinese Restaurant, All Happy Restaurant--just to name a few.  I started to think about how the owners actually came up with the names and then it hit me... 

Search engines! 

"I want to find a good luck gift." 
 SEARCH: luck, gift =  Lucky Gift Hunting

"I want to go to the best Chinese place in the city."
SEARCH:  best, Chinese = Best Chinese Food

"I'm in the mood for only moderately good Chinese."
SEARCH:  not very good, Chinese = OK Chinese Food

"My family is going through some hard times, what will make everyone happy?"
SEARCH:  happy, family = Happy Family Chinese Restaurant

"I want to meet new people, make some good friends."
SEARCH:  good, friend = Good Friend Restaurant

It all makes sense now...it wasn't just a bunch of happy words thrown together.  It was a carefully designed marketing scheme.  Who knew?

Sunday, March 7, 2010

i love black underwears!

The other day I was walking around during lunch.  I saw a man with a walking stick at the corner.  He turned his head from side to side and said, "Can someone help me?"  Of course I walked up to him and asked him if I could help him cross the street.  He grabbed my arm and we started to cross.  

"Thank you so much," he said.

"No problem."

"What do you do?" he asked.

"I'm a social worker."

"Oh.  What color of coat are you wearing?"

Odd...."Purple."

"What color of panties?"

"Yeah, ok.  Here you go...."

Thankfully, we had safely arrived at the other corner just as he had asked the  question.  Feeling like I did my duty and that he was safely delivered, I was able to return to my errand-running in good conscience; and he was able to, I'm sure, continue on his merry way...perhaps harassing other do-gooders in similar fashion.