if your dog could only talk

I occasionally get emails from my Grandma and this time, I had to share it.

These poor pups. (yes, I still want a dog!) but other than the necessity for warmth in the winter time on a shaved dog, I would never dress it up. Thus, this website, These are your dogs and this is what they are thinking.

The poor pups that endure this. I mean seriously, the price that the owners dish out on pampering their dogs... could you donate that instead to my 'I need a new laptop' fund?

put out your cigarette!

I haa-aa-ate cigarette smoking. It stinks! It’s a rude, inconsiderate thing: they toss the cigarettes out of their cars, etc, causing litter. When people smoke inside a restaurant it stinks up the whole place, it gets on your clothes, in your hair. UGH! It’s unwanted. If people wanted to stink like that they’d go stand by a smokers outpost. Thirdly, the smokers themselves reek of it, it emulates off of them, their breath, and it oozes out of their pores. And if you’re standing anywhere close to 3feet of them you smell it too. It’s all I can do to not cover my nose & mouth b/c when they speak out comes this choking smell that goes directly into my face and I’m tasting nicotine. YUCK! Noooo thank you! Sorry smokers, I understand it’s an addiction, but is it really worth the hefty penny?

It’s just the worst smell ever.
I am so sooo glad Illinois has finally decided to make restaurants smoke free as of Jan 1^st 08!! Yess!!!

tape face

I want a dog for Christmas Charlie Brown

So I'm watching the Charlie Brown special on TV "I want a dog for Christmas Charlie Brown" and I'm getting such a kick out of it. It seems the kids are a bit older and for the first time I actually grasp the characters and their personalities. It is so cute! Apparently Lucy & Linus are brother & sister and they have a younger brother named ReRun... I relate as the youngest and I also relate b/c I want to get a dog!

ReRun rides on the back of his mom's bike and is worried about running into things. He goes over to Charlie Brown's house everyday and asks "can you ask your dog if he'll come out and play?" and ReRun gets "fired" (as he called it) from Kindergarten because he said to another little girl "let's go to Paris" so he got 'fired' for harassment. Spike, Snoopy's brother from Arizona comes with his cactus, has a mustache and hat (he looks Hispanic!)

I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown! centers on ReRun, the lovable but ever-skeptical younger brother of Linus and Lucy. It's Christmas vacation and, as usual, ReRun's big sister is stressing him out, so he decides to turn to his best friend, Snoopy, for amusement and holiday cheer. However his faithful but unpredictable beagle companion has plans of his own, giving ReRun reason to ask Snoopy to invite his canine brother Spike for a visit. When Spike shows up, it looks like ReRun will have a dog for Christmas after all... but then the real trouble begins.

How Rude

I've dealt with some rude people this last week and inspired the following...
First, let's review the definition of RUDE: 1. discourteous or impolite, esp. in a deliberate way 2. without culture, learning, or refinement 3. rough in manners or behavior; unmannerly; uncouth.

so I was at work, confined into a small area with just a bar stool for seating. grateful for the seating I used it most of the day. However, a co-worker marches in there and just about takes the stool right out from under me. I wanted to say "who do you think you are? what are you doing?" but this lady (who seems to have some attitude issues, but I'm sure she's working on it) in her self-awareness of her actions she did provide an explanation "this stool used to be in my area, so I'm taking it back"... and to that I say, in the words of Stephanie Tanner, "How Rude!"
In another instance, a recruiter I had been in contact with, in her frustration of a personal decision I made, cut me off on a phone call as I began to say something to her. She abruptly said "ok bye bye," I was left with my mouth open... needless to say, I am no longer dealing with her.

I'm sure everyone reading this has their own endless counts of stories. I'd like to hear them!

Dealing with rude people... unfortunately, it's a fact of life. It's like they leave a bad taste in your mouth. Upon moving to Chicagoland 10 years ago I was shocked at the amount of rude drivers. (I have since learned more defensive driving skills). Having my share of "customer service" work and dealing with the public, it's evident - rude people are everywhere. They are perturbed. They have other issues of their own. When dealing with these "ruin your day" suckers, remember these timely tips:

• The aggression they show towards you is 90% an outburst of other frustrations going on in their personal lives. Don't take it personally. Keep your cool (b/c they've lost theirs).
• Their anger/ non-courteous is an outward explosion. Or, they've just had bad role models.
  
• Don't let them steal your joy. Don't let them get the best of you.
  
• Be glad you're not them. Their actions are unfortunate.
  
• Be the bigger person. Ignore it if possible. Be sure in your offended state you don't become like them or stooping to their level. It's tempting to want revenge.
  
• On behalf of all the rude people of the world, I'm sure most of them regret their outbursts and would say sorry, but are too insecure/embarrassed/proud to say it to your face.
  

Rudeness is a bad quality. it can make you loose a job, loose friends, get in car accidents, or should I say road rage... not many good things come from it.
Anger Issues? Dial 1-800-CHILOUT (disclaimer: I made this up, I have no idea if it's a working number.)
*book recommendations:

• Alex J. Packer has a series of books for teenagers that look great. I stumbled across them while searching for pics. "How Rude: The Teenagers Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, Not Grossing People Out"
• "Coping With Difficult Bosses" by Robert Bramson, Ph.D. as well as "Coping with Difficult People"
• "Don't Let Jerks Get The Best Of You" by Paul Meier, M.D.