It’s All About the Money

      9.5 million dollars, apparently that’s what an off-colored joke or comment is worth. CBS recently paid actress Eliza Dushku because she was uncomfortable with the remarks Michael Weatherby (Bull) made in between scenes.
      I struggle to understand how any joke or comment no matter how off-color could be worth 9.5 million dollars. It’s interesting how actresses are happy to do a nude sex scene but are offended by a dirty joke. Seems like a double standard. Here’s a clue, it’s all about the money.
     How many women have made off-colored sexual comments to a man? Do you ever hear of a man suing because he was offended by comments a woman made? If you want to hang with the big dogs maybe it’s time you put your big girl pants on and learn to laugh it off. 
     My one wish is that some famous rich woman would tell me a dirty joke, I too could use 9.5 million. That could be a new hashtag, #IToo. 
     Harassment is serious crime but so is fraud. “Just Saying . . .”
     

What’s wrong with living more responsibly?

     One of the big topics these days is about climate change and how we, the world population, contribute to the problem. There are two sides to the argument. One says human beings and their lifestyle are the reason for these changes. The other side says climate changes are exaggerated and that the changes occurring are not unusual and have little impact from humans.
     I’m not an expert but I see the pictures of polluted oceans and skies. Still I’m not sure how much of that contributes to climate change, but what’s wrong with us living as responsible individuals.
     Leave no trace is an guideline for outdoor ethics to promote conservation. It simply means minimize you negative impact on this earth by leaving only your footprints in nature.
     How much effort does it take to make responsible choices? How will this help I can’t answer? But I know it won’t hurt. There have been other times in history when pollution was worse and changes were made with a positive impact. Preserving our planet is worthwhile goal. Small changes to our lives will have a positive impact. How big is to be determined but isn’t worth the effort? “Just Saying . . . “

Do you have a chip on your shoulder?

     Life is different today than when I grew up. Today a lot of people have a chip on their shoulder with a short fuse to their emotions. I’m not saying things were perfect when I was young. Bad things happen in life, it’s not right but it’s that way because our planet is filled with people. Some will say, “I have no control over what others say.” That’s true but you can control your reaction.
     Some people are so easily offended it’s almost impossible not to touch their trip wire. Name calling is not new. The Polish, Jewish, Blacks, handicapped, short people, overweight people have all been on the butt end of a joke, or negative comment. There is really no one safe from harassment, but in order to survive you have to turn a blind eye toward these comments. Learn to laugh at the comments and own your differences. Be proud of who you are.
     Many people choose to be angry, but it’s just as easy to choose pride and happiness. Some say, “How can I be happy when negativity is thrust upon me?” First, take the chip off your shoulder and look at the positive side of life. I promise you taking a positive approach will change your life and others reactions toward you.
     That doesn’t mean you will be immune from harassment, but if you have a positive attitude you will be better equipped to handle it. All of us make thousand of choices daily, why not pick the positive ones. “Just Saying...”
     

Little Courtesies

     Are you an Ace or Ass? There are a lot of simple ways to be courteous to others with little effort on your part. Many of us do a lot of these like, hold the door for the person behind you, let the person with two items check out before you, help someone load a heavy item into their car, etc. Not doing these things doesn’t make you an ass, it just might be you are consumed with your own thoughts at the time and not aware of your surroundings. Wake up and join the world.

     Drivers darting and weaving through traffic like they’re driving a stolen car are the definition of an ass. They have an FU attitude and seem to care about nothing but their self. Merging on to the highway from an on ramp is not always easy when the access ramps are short. I’ve noticed some drivers will move to the left lane if it’s empty, to allow the cars entering the highway easier access, but some don’t. I’m not sure if the drivers that don’t move over are oblivious or just an ass. It’s a small gesture that cost you nothing but could prevent an accident. Legally the car entering the highway must yield to oncoming traffic, but there are situations when being courteous is the right thing to do even if it’s not legally required.

     In heavy traffic, when someone uses their blinker to signal a lane change you can be an ace by letting them in. But if you race ahead with the sole purpose of keeping them from getting in front, you may be in the early stages of assholeism. I see many more aces than I do asses, but I tend to remember the asses. Be attentive when you’re behind the wheel and drive like an ace. “Just Saying....”
 
   

Guilty by Accusation

     Thirty-six years. How good is your memory about something that may have happened that long ago? Science says our memories change over time and can’t be relied on for accuracy. Eye witnesses are are no longer considered to be unreliable sources.
     No one can justify sexual harassment but how can you explain a thirty-six year gap of silence.This period of silence begs many questions. Why has this memory resurfaced with clarity thirty-six years later? Who should we believe and why? How can the accusation be proven?
     The answers may never be found but in these times answers aren’t necessary. All that’s needed to destroy a life is to be accused of a crime. No trial required. The public will gladly be judge and jury on your future. In my America you’re innocent until proven guilty.
     I don’t know a lot about Brett Kavanaugh but I know less about his accuser. Thirty-six years. Can your memory be trusted? Just Saying...?

Put your Brain on Autopilot

     A human brain is an amazing thing. It can accomplish multiple task and direct your body to move and react with precision. Many of the things our bodies do, seem effortless. We react without thinking.  It could be the repetitive motion that we have done over and over has allowed our muscle memory to take some of these tasks. Muscles don't have memories, it's really your brain that trains the muscle to react a certain way when you perform a repetitive motion. Walking, jumping, catching a baseball, are all repetive motions that we learn to do and become second nature.

     Training your brain to be on autopilot is a great. We couldn't accomplish the things we have, if we had to consciously think about every movement we made. Having our brains take over the routine task makes us more productive. 

     This makes me wonder. Can we train our brains to do task incorrectly or not at all? I think the answer is yes. Imagine performing the same movement incorrectly hundreds and thousands of times, wouldn't this be training your brain to automatically perform this movement incorrectly. 

    Here's a simple example: We have turn signals (blinkers) on our cars but I've noticed a lot of people don't use them. Why? It could be that we have accidentally trained our brains not to use them. There's nobody behind me so why turn on the blinker. I'm in the left turn only lane, so I have to turn left. I'm changing lanes but I'm at a safe distance from the car I'm passing, it's not really necessary. Do you see where this is going? There are so many reasons people have to justify for not using turn signals that over time they train their brain not to use them. The autopilot in your brain says, "Blinkers must not be necessary since you never use them, so this function is turned off."

     It's that way with any repetitive act. We can train our brain to help us or harm us. One way to retrain your brain is by conscious effort until the brain learns the new way to perform the task. "Just Saying..."

Saturday Writers 2017 Anthology

Sins and Virtues Anthology Signing

Monday, July 9th 6:30 pm at Spencer Road Library

Registration Link

https://tinyurl.com/ydeqsc2k

Throughout the year Saturday Writers holds monthly writing contest. The winning stories go into a yearly publication of the clubs Anthology. I have one flash fiction story in the book. All the stories are from local writers.

 

The Anthology signing for our 2017 Anthology, Sins and Virtues, will be held at the Spencer Road Library, Monday, July 9, at 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Come out and help celebrate the release of our latest anthology which includes 83 stories, essays, and poems from 28 authors.

 

All guests are encouraged to register via the library link included.

Pre-registration helps the library determine the room size and aids their planning of the event. Come over and spend an evening with Saturday Writers, even if you forget to register, we’ll still try to find a seat for you.

The format for this year's signing will start with a Q&A panel and several readings. Participants for the panel and readings were selected based on the number of winning entries and have already been notified. We will end the night with a book signing that includes all attending contributors.

If you would like to buy a copy of the 2017 Anthology but won’t be able to attend the signing, click the link below.

http://saturdaywriters.org/2017-anthology.html