Full of Thanks

Tomorrow is a day to remember all the graces, the gestures, the kindnesses of all sizes, and to be thankful.

While I'm not a pie-eyed, rainbows and unicorns, "all the world is wonderful all the time" type, I'm well aware that my outlook, in general, is silver-lining lined.  Heck I'm actually thankfull my tire blew out when and where it did because it was followed by general niceness by lots of folks.

I believe in "Thank You".  I believe in smiling.  I believe in being gracious, if at all possible.  Some days it takes a LOT of energy to be gracious and even just to smile.  I know that.  I'm a realist.

My health did NOT turn out as I'd ever thought it would, but I'm thankful that, since I have Parkinson's, I at least have access to the health professionals who help care for me.  My career did NOT turn out as I thought it would, but this path opened up so many other doors for me.

Last week, (and now I'm crying) last week I made a pledge and sealed a life-long bond.

Hell yes, I'm thankful.

Take a minute.  Stand up.  Listen.

Give thanks.

It is SO worth the energy.

Bears Do NOT Use Toilets

One semester in college, I took a course in advertising.  I wanted to learn the basics of why we see (and hear) what we hear (and see) on television.  I don't recall why I chose this exact course, perhaps my parents had said something about me watching too much TV.  (If they didn't, they should have.)

All these maaaaany years later, I still notice more about advertising because of that course.  I notice colors, sooundtracks and actions that subtly (and not-so-subtly) drive home the message we're supposed to get.

So when I see ads that show cartoon bears who don't shit in the woods and have problems using toilet paper, I make a note to never, ever buy that product because I find their line of advertising distasteful and stupid.  There were many ways they could've gotten their message across - this wasn't a good choice.

When I hear ads that feature insipidly sweet-voiced singers telling us to drink their magic pink beverage for an energy boost and they'll donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, I get irritated at the overall stupidity of the agency who got the account.  Having lots of energy (and being pink, for that matter) has - trust me on this - NOTHING to do with cancer.

And while we're at it, showing your sports car skidding sideways across the TV doesn't show me how cool and sleek your car is.  It shows me you've designed a product that can go fast and lose control at the same time, even with a professional driver behind the wheel.  So thanks, but I'll pass.

Lately there's been advertising for Microsoft Internet Explorer 9.  I know it's for IE9 ONLY because I just looked it up.  It could have been for a laptop or a video game or an animated series.  Anyway, the ad shows all the cool things you can do, create, watch, post, find, and listen to using their product.  My issue is the soundtrack.  Yes, having  thumping, energetic background music was a good call.  But did anyone in the agency listen to the lyrics?

"And it feels like I am just too close to love you", warbles the singer.  Wait so I'm supposed to LOVE IE9?  We're just being introduced.  And yet I'm already too close and I can't love it?

"There's nothing I can really say", continues the song.  Isn't IE9 supposed to help me communicate better?  And now I can't say anything at all because I'm too close?  Or don't love it?  Wait- what?

"I can't lie no more, I can't hide no more, got to be true to myself".  So letsee - pre-IE9, I was lying and hiding and faking myself out with other products?  And now, with IE9 (which, again, I'm too close to and can't love) I can be real and honest.  That's convoluted, at best.

"And it feels like I am just too close to love you, so I'll be on my way" which very much makes it sound like I don't get to use IE9 and I'm walking away without it.  The exact opposite thing the advertiser wants me to do.

While it's not part of the advertising being aired currently, later in the lyrics is "I must leave without you.  You know we're headed separate ways."  Nice going, Microsoft - way to get your customer base locked down.

Now the old Meow-Mix ads ... THERE was some great advertising.  Gosh, those were talented felines ...

A Message To Those Who Ran

This morning marked the first time (in a long time) that I didn't hear any ads for "Prop. X" or "Re-elect Senator Smith", etc.  I realize that there were folks in the US that had such ads for nearly a year.  Those people are easy to spot in a crowd - they're dancing with glee in the silence of the morning.

I did my best to avoid the debates and the proclamations and the cheap shots and the out-and-out lies.  It wasn't easy - especially  toward the end where it was all the news reports would cover.  (Don't get me started on "legitimate rape".)  And just when it couldn't get any stranger, someone angered that thing on the top of Donald Trump's head, which woke The Donald up.  (Whomever is responsible for that should just leave the country quickly and quietly.)

I'm enjoying the peace this morning.  This is not at all what I expected.  I anticipated teams of lawyers and hanging chads and finger pointing.  I expected recounts and recalls and ... and I'm just so glad that's not happening.

I do, however, feel compared to say the following to all who ran for any post in any facility at any level:

You spent time, energy, probably money, and brain power (all not necessarily your own) coming up with plans of action and designing solutions to situations that our country, our states, our cities and townships face.  Homelessness.  Out-Of-Control National Debt.  Equal Rights.  Economic Cliffs.  Job losses.  Benefits cuts.  You - or someone whose message you approved - said you had the answer.  You knew the path to take.  You had it all figured out.  You stood there, with the American Flag pinned on your collar and the National Anthem blaring from loudspeakers, rallied the troops and promised you had found the light at the end of the tunnel for this country you love so much.

It's November 7th.  The confetti has been swept from the floor and the banners have been taken down.  Those problems I listed still exist and you, whether you won or lost, still have the answer.  If you won, you now owe it to those who voted you into office to implement your brilliant plan.  No excuses,  We, the people, hired you for this task and we'll be reviewing your progress regularly.  And if you lost?  Well, if you lost, you now have a choice to make.  You can either share your solution with those who can put the wheels in motion, saving your beloved country, and you'll be the hero who did what those in office couldn't do.  Or you can keep your solution as your own secret weapon for the next election, while the problems continue to grow and your beloved country continues to flounder.

The choice was ours.  The choice is now yours.