Jiggle the Handle

That’s just the way it is. Sometimes you have to jiggle the handle. Everything is not perfect in life nor should it be. If we expected perfection in everything we do very little would get done. Very often answers and improvements are found in the mistakes. 

     There are times when perfection should be the goal, like a space launch with astronauts aboard, but even those perfect launches have there imperfect moments. I’m sure while in flight some switch or lever doesn’t work as originally designed, but do the seasoned pilots fret. No, because they have experience dealing with these type of problems. There are many engineers in Houston supporting them with alternate solutions, but sometimes it just comes down to jiggling the handle. I can easily imagine an astronaut jiggling a handle, then exclaiming “It’s fixed.”

     We all have experienced minor problems when we jiggled the handle and got a positive result. I guess what I’m saying is live your life to your best, but don’t despair when things aren’t perfect. Sometimes you need to be satisfied with  “jiggle the handle” results. “Just Saying . . .”

How Common is Common Sense?

What’s wrong with people? Don’t they have any common sense? I’ve heard this said many times. I’ve said this recently, but it made me wonder. Is there such a thing as common sense that is truly common to everyone in the world? The term, common sense, implies that it’s knowledge known worldwide. It’s common, therefore everyone should be aware of it.

     Common sense is a learned ability. A newborn doesn’t have it. They learn that fire is hot, ice is cold and a knife is sharp. They can learn this the hard way or the easy way, but after awhile this falls into the category of common sense.

     If you live in a household that doesn’t have electricity, you might not know that sticking a metal object in an electric outlet will give you a shock. To most people this is common knowledge, therefore your common sense tells you not to do this.

    Your upbringing, experience and social status contributes to what you believe is common sense. It all comes down to what is common among the entire world population. The only things common among all the people of the world are our basic needs: food, water, shelter and self preservation. Common sense is not included in our basic needs.

     If you agree that common sense is a learned ability then, you will understand that it’s different for each of us because we have had unique learning experiences. Men and women with the same background will have a different common sense. So what I’m saying is there is really no such thing as common sense because we are all different. We should call it, good sense. If it’s good, then it makes sense to do it.

    There are people that chose to ignore their good sense. We may have all done this at times. It’s when you do something, then say to yourself. Well, that was stupid. Each time you throw your good sense to the curb, you increase your chances to unlearn this sense.

    Although the question about common sense sounds simple, I believe it’s more complex than it seems. So from now on when I wonder why someone doesn’t have any common sense, I’ll need to consider their background, upbringing or if their just making bad choices. If it’s my next door neighbor with a similar background then my initial question maybe valid, but if it’s someone in a foreign country or even the kid living in the inner city my judgement could be off.

     These are my personal beliefs so you are free to disagree. Your opinion is valuable to me. If mine is welcomed by you then we have that in common. “Just Saying . . . “
   

Smart Food

We were at the grocery store yesterday doing our weekly shopping. I noticed ground chicken was advertised as organic smart chicken. I understand that organic means free range and no antibiotics, but I’m struggling with the term smart chicken. Especially, when it’s now in the ground meat section of the grocery store.

     Doesn’t seem like it was smart enough since it didn’t evade the meat market. Maybe the chicken needed more smart water. I’ve always associated smart with intelligence, but apparently my thinking is skewed because you can buy many different foods that are labeled smart. Interesting that it started with smart popcorn. Who knew popcorn would garner the the term smart as a moniker?

     We have many smart devices these days including phones, TV’s, plugs, doorbells, light bulbs, etc. but smart seems to be more appropriate for those than they are to food.  Smart foods imply healthy, but I guess smart is a more marketable word, so they changed the definition. Of course, why not screw with the English language, no one will notice. Many of the smart foods are snacks, so not typically on the healthy chart. Eating healthy is smart, but I question that eating snacks are smart, so if we call them smart snacks that makes them okay.

     I snack now and then, but I don’t think I’m any smarter because of it. You might be a smart-aleck or smarty-pants, but you probably came by that naturally. “Just Saying . . .”

Squirrel

I had setup an interview with the lady who ran a retirement home. Her name was Shirley. Since it was a nice day we decided we would do the interview outside in the garden.

     “Tell me Shirley, what is the most difficult part of running a home like this?”

     “Well, that’s easy. You become attracted to the people who live here, so —Squirrel.” Shirley pointed to the squirrel that was running up the tree trunk. Then she continued the conversation without missing a beat. “when they pass it’s really difficult. It’s almost like a close relative has died.”

     I ignored the random comment about the squirrel and asked a second question. “What is the favorite activ—.”

     “Squirrel.”

     I tilted my head and started again. “The favorite activity of the residents?”

     “We’ll, that’s more difficult — Squirrel, — since we have so many. I think going to an outside activity like a ball game would be on top. She turned her head toward the bird feeder. “Squirrel.”

     “You seem to be fascinated by the squirrels. Tell me about that?”

     Shirley frowned. “What makes you say that?”

     “You keep mentioning them.” 

     “When? I’m not sure —Squirrel, Squirrel— what you’re talking about.”

     I decided to change the subject. “What’s your background? How did you end up running a retirement home?”

     “I worked at a taxidermist. Very interesting,” Shirley whipped her head around “ —-Squirrel—- but the owner was weird, kind of squirrelly, you know?”

      “Yes, I’m getting a sense of what you’re talking about.”

      Shirley stood up. “Thanks for coming over, but I need to break now. It’s time for my morning snack. I have a strict regimen with my diet.”

      “I understand it has been very interesting. What is your usual snack?” 

      “Nuts . . . I like nuts. You really can’t have too many. I never seem to get enough.”

      “Perfect.”

Tipping

What I was taught about tipping is that it was based on the service you receive. I’m primarily speaking about the wait staff at a restaurant. They take your order, answer questions, make suggestions, take substitutions, etc. They provide a service above and beyond what you might receive at a fast food location.

     The personality of waiters and waitresses can make your meal more enjoyable. They deserve and earn a tip based on how they serve you. Their hourly salary is minimal so a tip is vital to them. The low salary they make is an issue that needs further clarification in another post. 

     The hourly wage of fast food workers has increased to $18 - $20 an hour over the past few years, but the service to the customer has gone unchanged. In addition to the wage increase, many of these fast food restaurants have tip jars or an extra line on the receipt for a tip. Why do they deserve a tip? They do not provide any of the service that a wait staff does at a traditional restaurant.

     We are being guilted into tipping everyone even those that don’t earn a tip. All my life I have experienced people/groups trying to guilt me into doing something.  Now, every time I go to pick up a pizza, fried rice or a sandwich I am forced to address the tip question. I know it’s my choice to tip or not, but I feel it’s an imposition to ask when the only service they’ve provided is hand me the food I paid for. 

     Sometimes I choose to tip when I pick up a to-go order, but usually just a dollar and only when the person handing me my order shows me their personality with a smile or laugh. You’ll be surprised what a smile or laugh will get you. “Just Saying . . .”

Have you seen . . .

I’ve been around for 76 years and seen many things change, so I’m not surprised by most changes. But have you seen the commercials about deodorants. They imply that we stink all the time and all over. Do people stink more now than in the past? I mean when we grew up we used underarm deodorant but only under our arms. We didn’t cover our whole body. We bathed or showered and used soap, usually scented, which has a pleasant smell so there was no need to spray our whole body with deodorant.

     I find the commercials annoying if not insulting. To quote on ad, “I use this all . . . over.” Then she pulls her pants top out and sprays her crotch. Really? Is that necessary?

     Most people are smart enough to know you shower after a hard workout not before. So using more soap will allow you to use less deodorant. The truth is every body product is scented, shampoo, conditioner, creams, hair gel and then there’s perfume and aftershave. So why do we need another artificial scent on top of another artificial scent?

     Commercials sell products and help pay for television, but they don’t have to be annoying. The advertisers talk down to the viewers and try their best to influence us to buy what they are promoting. I understand how that works but your approach is irritating.

     Sorry about the rant, but while I’m at it, I don’t like the commercial with the guy advertising the razor, specifically designed to shave his junk. 

     Things change, I get that, but I’m an old guy so when I see something that bugs me I say it. You’ll be here someday. “Just Saying . . .”