Pink Polka Dot Thoughts

Express Yourself

I have probably spent too much time on Youtube tonight, but it seems like you can say a lot through Madonna music!

And just because it is my favorite Madonna song EVER!

And Because I LOVE My Glee!

Because I love my Webkinz...

hmmmm

They Blinded Me with Science

A while back, the SciFi Network became simply Syfy. No, it isn't pronounced "siffy" at least I don't think so. I assume it is still SCI FI just spelled some new fangled way.

To most of you, this might not be a big deal, but as an English major, I am absolutely horrified by this. Why? Because now we're going to have an entire generation of kids who will think science is spelled syence or worse.

The first time I saw it, I thought it was a joke. Then I thought it was a mistake. Then I thought it was temporary. Then I realized it was really and truly the new name of the network that's the home of Ghost Hunters.

SIGH.

It seems as though no one cares all that much about grammar or spelling anymore. In a time when we text things like R U Going 2night? LOL, OMG, etc instead of following grammar rules, it shouldn't be so surprising, but it still bothers me.

Is it another example of the dumbing down of our society? It certainly isn't helping it to look more intelligent. One would think that a channel that broadcasts shows about intelligent life in outer space would also want to keep its own name a little more...well... intelligent.

Sure, SciFi doesn't fit as neatly on a logo as Syfy, but gee...

I know. It's all about the branding...

Right.

Worse than the f-word to me...

My son has been annoying me lately. He's started using a word that I find most offensive.

No, it's not a swear word.

It's not one that he'd get kicked out of school for saying.

Heck, a lot of people use it on a daily basis, but to me, it's a bad word and I hate it. When I hear it used the way it's used by most people, I cringe.

What is the word?

Retarded as in "That's so retarded."

Maybe it's because I have a child with a learning disability--a child who has struggled her entire life to fit in and to overcome her own disabilities, but I don't like the word one bit.

To say something is retarded is to say something is stupid or dumb. To be mentally retarded means a person has a lower than normal IQ. So, would you call someone retarded to their face? I hope not.

Would you taunt a special needs child with that word? You'd better not in front of me.

Yet, many use the word in their own daily conversations. The word bothers me because it has such a harsh connotation. I just don't like the word, ok? I'm not being "politically correct," I'm being sensitive to the feelings of others. There's a difference.

I also don't like hearing "that's gay" come out of my children's mouths either. To me, those phrases are worse than any profane word they could ever say. The Boy has learned not to say them. It's a hot button for mom and words like those make his X-Box Live disappear for a while.

Crank Calling

When we moved, we all got new cell phones because our carrier wasn't in this area. Shortly after, The Boy started getting calls from what we first thought were telemarketers, but then it became obvious they were bill collectors.

At that point, I told him to bring me the phone when these numbers came up, but most of the time, the calls would disconnect as soon as I said hello. Finally, I spoke to a human and explained this was my thirteen year old son's cell phone and that we didn't know a Tanisha nor did my son have any outstanding bills. He promised he'd take us off the list and no one would call back. A few days later, I repeated the same thing.

A month later, I reiterated the same thing to yet another caller and was assured again that no more calls would be made to my son's number.

They did stop--for several months--but recently, they've started up again with a vengeance. I've tried to catch the calls because many of them come up as "unknown" or with a number that you can't actually call back. I've had no luck this time.

Apparently, however, they've left some voice mails. I didn't know that because I don't have his voice mail code. Not that he wouldn't give it to me--I've just never asked.

Today, after I got out of the shower, I heard him in the other room. His cell phone was on speaker and he was returning one of the calls. This was the conversation. I debated whether or not to put my clothes on quickly and race out there, but then I thought, if they're going to continuously call a 13 yr old's phone and harass him, maybe they should get some juvenile treatment. Yes, I know--childish and petty of me!

Bill collector: How may I help you?

The Boy: This is the doctor! (said with a very strange accent, I can't describe.)

 ...long pause...

Bill collector: Ummm...ok. How may I help you?

 The Boy: This is the doctor and someone called my number and said it was urgent that I return this call. Is someone there dying and in need of medical attention?

 Bill collector: Someone called your number from here?

The Boy: Yes and I need to know if you need my help.

 ...another long pause...

The Boy: Well? Does someone there need a doctor?

 Bill Collector: We called there for Tanisha(something or other...I can never understand the last name.) Is she there?

The Boy: No. She's not here, but she's a patient of mine. What is this regarding?

Bill Collector: We REALLY need to talk to her. Can you give her a message?

The Boy: What is this regarding?

Bill Collector: We can give you her file number, so she can call back.

 The Boy: Are you crazy?

 CLICK

At this point, I was standing beside him because it had gone on too long. I had to explain to him that NOW he'd said he knows this chick and they'll just keep on calling. Ahhhhhh!!!! I'm also assuming they had caller ID to see the number he was calling from because he never gave his number, but they knew Tanisha's name.

 I'm off to figure out if there's a way to just block a phone number from calling. Either that or I might have to swap phones with him.

Are YOU Rock Staring?

I hate this commercial with a passion. It bothers me on so many levels, I'm not sure I can communicate them all. First, a teacher brings up a word that basically tells the boys to look at the girls' asses. A teacher is an authority figure and should never be used this way. It's not funny. Not even remotely.

Secondly, notice how the camera zooms in on all the girls' behinds. We don't see any boys' butts. It's just the girls wiggling and posing for us.

These kids are all of twelve. Why are we sexualizing 12 year old girls? Appalling!

We wonder why children are kidnapped, raped and murdered. This commercial is eye candy for any pedophile. I'm willing to bet they have it saved to their DVR and that it's passed around the internet for them. To me, it's just disgusting.

The commercial has the opposite effect on me that KMart wanted. Now I have little desire to go there because the commercial leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Teen pregnancy is a reality and encouraging this kind of sexuality of twelve year olds certainly isn't helping anything. It's irresponsible.

It's not cute.

It's not funny.

It's just tasteless!

Or maybe I take things way too seriously...