Obvious Insight

Friday — Week 10

    I honestly believe there is a time and place for most things ... and well, quite frankly a lot of people have a hard time putting that common sense to work.
    There is a time and place to tell a joke, laugh out loud, cry and even scream. There also is an appropriate time for messages, teachings and information.
    As a people we have grown all too accustomed to having everything we want, when we want it — especially information and news. However, in our immediate need for answers, we also are the first to say that "damn media" doesn't get anything right. While I agree mainstream media has taken a difficult turn, I think it is as much the consumers as the journalists that are to blame.
    Yesterday's constant misinformation was a perfect example. How many of you turned the channel if you wanted more information. Unfortunately, this is where the burden falls on journalists. I cannot tell you how many stories I read released by AP and other mainstream media publications that quoted anonymous sources this morning.
    I personally understand sometimes there is no other way, but with every unnamed source you get closer and closer to fiction.
   At one point yesterday there were 11 dead, then 12 and then back to 11 — Now, let me just say I understand numbers going up, but not up, down and back up again.
    If official sources had been used, this could have helped clarify. I believe using official sources could have helped a lot of misunderstanding yesterday. It is the media's fault for trying to convince people who didn't know the full story talk in order to gain viewers. It is the viewers' fault for accepting shoddy coverage.
   The one other thing that struck me yesterday is also the problem of misinformation coming from reliable sources. I'm not sure we can do a lot about that as long as it is a source and not Joe on the street who doesn't want to give his name. If you want some more unidentified sources, read this piece.
    If you want to know more about the situation read it here, here and here.

• He failed at PR yesterday according to NBC in Chicago following the shootings.

• I always thought this was ridiculous when it first passed.

• I saw a very disturbing piece on the news that when the SuperBowl comes to Arlington it will bring an additional 100,000 prostitutes to the area. Can you say creepy.

• Don't forget this Saturday Kaufman County military officials, civil servants and citizens will dedicate the only 4/5th replica of the Vietnam Wall at its new home at Kaufman.

• Also, the Lady Lions take on Argyle in their first playoff game of the season at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at Wylie High School.

• The Lions travel tonight with a playoff spot on the line to Ferris. If Kennedale beats Crandall the winner of the Kaufman-Ferris game will advance to playoffs. If Crandall wins, it will all come down to those dreaded points.

Make today great because no one guarantees tomorrow.

Sing for the moment

     Life isn't always about doing what is fun. Sometimes it is about going to work, paying the bills, doing your homework, doing the dishes or washing laundry. Most normal people never really want to do those things. Most people don't wake up an say "I think today I will wash clothes."
    The reality is these are the things we do as grown ups that are simply a part of life — but that isn't all there is to life either. There is the moments that take your breath away. The moments that make memories and the moments when you just get to be yourself.
     It would be easy to say life is about doing what is right, or doing what I want. Life is all that and more. It is about doing the have-to's in order to enjoy the want-to's.

• Last night voters turned down KISD's request to adjust the allotment of taxes. I know it came as a disappointment to officials, but I am curious what the reasoning was.

• Last night the guys in my house watched the premiere of "V" They loved it — me, not so much. It was good to get confirmation though I wasn't the only one who didn't enjoy it.

• I got a call the other day asking for mine and my husband's Christmas lists. When did Christmas season get here and I miss it?

• No new toll roads.

• OV mentioned this the other day, but I too am excited for this guy and ready to see what he does next.

Friday — Week 9

Sigmund Freud revolutionized the study of dreams with his work The Interpretation Of Dreams. Through dreams, you are able to get a glimpse into your unconscious or the id. Because your guards are down during the dream state, your unconscious has the opportunity to act out and express the hidden desires of the id.

I am in no way claiming Freud a perfect practitioner, in reality he was quite strange, but he was one of the firsts to tray and understand dreams.

I say all this to say I have been having really weird dreams lately. The kind of dreams you actually remember most of and wonder about all day.

So here's my question if one dream spawns other dreams, is it really an unconscious desire or merely a coincidence?

• I think people do want unbiased news to an extent, but I think it doesn't exist in large media form anymore. Here's another view.

• Cleanup has already begun from this. Unfortunately I think it is going to be a lengthy process until things get back to normal.

• This morning S-RHS had its first ever Shattered Dreams. It always moves me the way the students react. Look for pictures in next week's edition of the Herald.

• Brian has a nice shot of some flowers that reminded me why all the rain is good — and right now I need reminding.

• According to Amazon, my Ultimate Beatles collection is should arrive between Nov. 3-4. I'm not holding my breath since I ordered it 9-9-09 when it was released.

• I do not share food with people. I might order something and split it before touching, but I do not eat off the same plate as another. I have shared with two people, but it's usually a hard and fast rule. That's just how I role.

• I also do not eat food from unknown places, i.e. potlucks.

• I would like to go to this, but it won't happen.

• Tonight Kaufman hosts Venus at what should be a very sloppy and wet Lions Stadium. It is also senior night so get there early.

• Up top is the new Performing Arts Center. I like my husband's description of it best — "It looks like a borg ship."

Getting back in the habit

    With all the bad weather lately it has been extra challenging to remain positive. Let's face it, I think every now and then we need a little sunshine and blue skies. With the rain we tend to hunker down inside close the blinds and watch TV — at least I do. It seems like a long time since we've had a decent stretch of good weather.
    Normally this time of year I have the windows open with a slight breeze freshening the house. Instead I'm cooped up like a caged pigeon and feeling quite restless.
    So anyone with some good ideas on how to stay entertained right now drop me a line — I am certain I am getting to the end of my rope playing games on-line.

• This week Michael did a great story about one woman's concern over the Warsaw dam, which is causing flooding behind her house. I can't help but think this won't help matters any.

• I have been very skeptical about Oncor's push for new smart meters. First of all they have signs saying they are coming, but the reality is not until 2012. The other part of that is they were waiting on grant money from the government. According to this that money isn't coming. So I wonder how this will change their plans for these new smart meters, that are over-priced and will put people out of work in a time when there just aren't many jobs.

• Thanks to Don, I can share these great photos.

• I think Wal-Mart has crossed into every retail market now.

•Up top is the Winspear Opera House. Most people have seen the view from Woodall Rodgers, but this is the other side. The levers on the cover rotate back and forth to provide shade throughout the day as the sun moves. It's pretty cool. Since hubby and I didn't want to wait in the ridiculously long line to go inside, he said we could just go to a performance. I am hoping to go and see this.

read more “Getting back in the habit”

It's a moment

I have had a bit of a busy time getting going on the blog lately as life has been extra busy for the last week. I'm not complaining though, just need to get back in the habit. Scientists claim it takes two weeks to create a habit, why then does it only take a few days to drop a bad one?

• Every weekend for the last three weeks, the hubby and I have attended one charity event or another. While I am glad to support these varied causes, I have to admit I am ready for a little home time.

• People keep asking me about the Stars this season. I've gone back to my roots this season, which means East Coast hockey. Quite honestly I just can't get behind this man. (Note: Scroll down to Moore incident)

• I like what the SPCA stands for, but I have to wonder if they have usurped power that belongs to law enforcement agencies. Here is an update where animals are being returned, but does it really clear these people from the bad wrap they've gotten.

• Because I am a geek, I think all this is really cool stuff.

• Don't forget that after your recover from a sugar-induced coma on Sunday to set your clocks back an hour.

• I'm pretty much loving this! For anyone that has considered joining and hasn't, I would say it is definitely worth it if you like expanding your knowledge.

• This is never a problem in my house.

• I really dislike water chestnuts. I equate them to Styrofoam.

• The picture I took up top was simply a snapshot. I know photogs hate to claim that happens, but I do take them, because sometimes life is more about the snapshots, than the perfectly posed photos. Either way, I liked the color and lines.

Tuesday Tidings

     The saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."
     I would agree, but I think you need to show it where the water is, how to get there and be willing to lead him back a few times when it needs help.
    What I am really saying is you cannot make anyone do something, and no one should make you do anything you don't want. However, as a friend you should always be around when that person needs a drink so to speak.
     And a real friend will be around when you change your mind. It is all a matter of patience and perspective.

• I wonder how much of this will end up in my office this week.

• My husbands firm deals with commercial construction or right now, the lack there of. That makes this news a bit scary for me.

• My Ultimate Beatles Collection is still on back order and it is driving me nuts.

• Don't forget early voting is under way across the county.

• I have Halloween off this year and quite honestly can't figure out what to do with myself. If anyone has any good suggestions, let me know.

• The tree up top is at Nasher. I headed out to the Arts District open house last Sunday and have to admit I had a great time. I would recommend taking in a show sometime and see what Dallas has added lately.