Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. I first flew outside the United States when I was nineteen, and since then I’ve taken every opportunity to see more of the world. My greatest dream (besides happy, healthy children, blah blah blah) is to see everything else.
BUT. I gotta say that I love the United States. I’m guest posting next week at Politics for Mom, so I’ll save the rest of that spiel for then. I just want you to know that I’m happy to be an American, and that I have never pretended to be a Canadian, even when that seemed a more diplomatic option. (And even though I would love to be the same nationality as L.M. Montgomery).
One of the great things about America is the freedom we enjoy on the internet. Freedom from government censors. Who knows? Maybe the government is censoring things left and right; maybe “they” have taken down a website that would tell me how to build a cluster bomb in my garage. Maybe I should be picketing some agency about that and about the Patriot Act. Of course I don’t know everything the government does (and if I did, I’d probably be upset).
BUT, I do know that I have more internet freedom than the people in Egypt and China (for example), and for that I am grateful.
Also, I have the freedom to write whatever I want, which is why this post is now going to segue quite abruptly into Things That Must Go.
Things That Must Go
1. Tight black jeans and emo hair cuts. Just stop. Please.
2. The Fight The Ugly ads that are supposed to be anti-smoking. I can’t find an image online to save my life (Aaack, the internet has failed me!). Have you seen these? They have the word “Allure” or “Lover” or “Charm” and then an image of a cigarette positioned in the middle of the word. Do “allure” and “lover” have negative connotations that I am unaware of that somehow make this ad convey the message that cigarettes are bad?
3. Cheating, lying, and hypocrisy. Nobody’s perfect. I get that. I am very, very far from perfect. Still. Just don’t go there.
I’m sorry to say there’s no giveaway this week. To be honest, I’ve spent a lot of time and emotion in the past couple days on something that has left me with a very sour taste in my mouth about blogging, and especially about viewing blogging as a business. I don’t ever want to be in a position where making money or increasing my blog’s traffic or promoting my blog is more important to me than sharing my thoughts and experiences with anyone kind enough to read.
So I hope you’ll share your Things That Must Go this weekend, but only if you really want to. Not because there’s a prize to win (there isn’t) or because it’ll make you famous or rich (it won’t), but because you just want to share what’s been bugging you in a way that’ll maybe make us laugh or make us think.
Tags: america, freedom, independence day, Internet, things that must go
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1.) Customers who continue shopping after the store closes. Hello! I’m not here beacuse it’s a kick in the pants… I want to go home!
2.) The average American’s irrational fear of hippies. They are just dirty, friendly, people. Like me in the morning.
3.) Political commentary disguised as news. Tell it like it is people!
Cates last blog post..Fish Bash
Alrighty…here’s a few fun ones:
1. Manicures that involve reallllly long fake nails, more than one fingernail polish color, and fake sparkly stones. Ladies, less is more!
2. T-shirts for little girls/tweens that say things like Diva-in-Training. Can’t we aim a little higher?
3. Clothing for pets.
Have a good weekend!
Uh, maybe the point is that “allure” and “lover” have good conotations, but if you add cigarettes, they ruin it.
I’m tired of the hypocrisy and lying too. Will you be posting about the ugliness your diligent research has revealed about blogging?
1. Wearing super-baggy pants really low with very visible boxers underneath and a belt securing it around.. my guess… is their thighs. so gross.
Yesterday I saw a kid– maybe 17 or so, wearing crazy baggy pants and a super long sports/jersey type shirt over it. He looked like a little kid playing dress up in his big brother’s clothes. I wanted to say, “Do you realize how ridiculous you look?” But then I that would’ve indeed revealed that I am getting old.
2. Parents that don’t teach their kids to pick up after themselves and then send them to play, unannounced and uninvited, to my home.
Nikkis last blog post..Strep, Birthday, Contest!
Thing that must go- people that tell me my grandmother left early only to find out that in fact she did NOT leave early, causing me to lose a precious day with her, when I may never see her again.
Memarie Lanes last blog post..Someone at McDonald’s is reading my blog.
1. Seeing the generation above me squabbling about the care of their OWN parents.
2. Meteorologists who are usually wrong!
3. Long, long lines at the brand new H&M in Atlanta.
Cristans last blog post..TV TV TV!!!
People who multitask with you while you’re IMing them for a technical problem or while you’re playing Settlers of Zarahemla.
Tom Johnsons last blog post..Approaching Help as Solutions to Problems — An Interesting Format from the CSS Cookbook
Sorry you had a bad experience with a blogging situation…
Things that must go: Water (?) on the toilet seats of a restroom by the pool. I mean, COME ON. I know it’s probably WATER, but how can I be sure? If you use the toilet, please wipe it off if you drip ANYthing onto it. PLEASE.
traceys last blog post..Independence Day 2008
Hmmm.
1.) People who talk on their cell phones, or text on their cell phones while placing an order or talking with a sales clerk.
2.) TV commercials that have nothing to do with the product they are selling - in fact you’d never GUESS what they were selling if you didn’t see the product at the very end.
That’s just what springs to mind at the moment.
1. The “faux-hawk”. It’s over people, let it go!
2. Did I already say the word “MILF” in a previous Things That Must Go? I HATE that word, and it’s disgusting when I hear women describe themselves as one. Eww.
3. Seeing women’s thongs above their pant waistline.
3. Paris Hilton.
I’m sorry you have had disappointment w/ a blogger. It sucks when someone isn’t honest.
Things that must go:
1. People thinking it is impressive that (because they live in a big house) their water bill was $800 last month. Seriously, it’s not something to be proud of.
2. Tanorexia. Once your skin starts looking like a leather saddle bag, it’s time to get out of the sun.
3. People who treat their kids more like trophies than human beings.
Unfortunately, something that must go this week is all my sweet little girl’s dresses. While we were getting her ready for church, the dress I had planned for her to wear barely reached the diaper cover. Then I went for the backup and it had the same problem. To see the bright side of it, at least I have an excuse to go shopping next week.
Laura Williamss last blog post..The Best Chili Ever!
Skinny jeans must go. Only styles that flatter my body type deserve floor space in a store, right?
Carolinas last blog post..Gang Task Force Saves the Day
I’ve been reading your posts with interest. Although I don’t know about this particular situation that’s caused you such grief, I do think I understand the underlying methodology that you’re writing about. If you’ve read Freakonomics, or even watched the Matrix, you start to see a whole new world of truth. I struggle with what I see sometimes too, in marketing especially. I’m a very straight-forward person, so experiencing manipulation of any sort makes my head hurt.
Very thought-provoking posts.
And yes, it does matter.
Chit-chat in public restrooms. We work together. Talk to me in my cube, or in the hall.
And a big fat Amen to tracey’s public toilet comment.
EMamas last blog post..Chili