parenting | Piss and Moan

Same

Posted on December 2, 2019 by backuphill

Photo by Djordje Petrovic on Pexels.com

Well, it seems Cyber Monday is more of the same when it comes to sales.

So far, I haven’t seen anything that would lead me to believe that the sales today (Cyber Monday) are any better than they were for Black Friday, just three days ago.

To me, it looks like companies have just recycled and re-branded their websites with “Cyber Monday” sales banners. As such, many of the items that I was browsing around on Friday are the same exact price today.

I guess Cyber Monday got me underwhelmed just like Friday.

Ho-hum.

Bah-humbug.

Underwhelmed

Posted on November 29, 2019 by backuphill

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I don’t know if this is possible, but I think it probably is.

Is anyone else so overwhelmed by the Black Friday sales and ads and commercials and flyers and emails….that they are actually underwhelmed?

There is so much! So much. I found myself going through emails yesterday morning and then actual printed ads yesterday afternoon (you know the ones that come in the paper?) and I just found that I was so overwhelmed that I was underwhelmed.

There just wasn’t anything in the ads that made me go, “Whoa! I gotta get that!” Nothing in the ads that made me want to get out of bed, to either go to a store or to shop online.

Anyone else feeling it too?

Dear Readers

Posted on November 28, 2019 by backuphill

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My Dear Readers,

As I pause a moment to give thanks for all that I have been given (I have not visited my computer this morning), I have to remember you.

It is because of you that we have created a little community where I have a voice to complain about things in my life, life in general, things in your lives, society, people, culture, smart and stupid people, and the list goes on…etc., etc., etc.

Essentially, you have allowed me to be your voice and in turn it has given me a voice too. I can’t always express the way I feel or think to the people who occupy my everyday life, so this has been an outlet for my frustration (and dare I say, anger?)

Some of what we talk about around here is for real and some of it is just for fun. Either way, it gives me something new to do each day in the hopes of entertaining you…or giving you something to ponder…or maybe giving you a silent fist bump knowing someone out there feels a little like you do.

So, I humbly say thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

With gratitude,

The Chief Grump

Like sheep

Posted on November 26, 2019 by backuphill

focus photo of brown sheep under blue sky

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

I was reading a little this morning and I couldn’t help but agree entirely with a paragraph in a book that was published in 2004. The commentary is just as relevant today as it was back then. Maybe even more so today.

…people [are like] sheep because we humans have a tendency to follow. “The crowd” has a very powerful effect on us, and popular opinion is far too effective in shaping our thoughts and behavior. We prefer consensus to conviction, tolerance to truth. We can even be persuaded to be critical of some of the most impressive things on earth.

How true it is that people tend to go along with the crowd rather than stand out and stand up for something they feel/believe strongly about/in. And even more true, people and society don’t want “truth” any longer. Instead, they avoid conflict at all cost and call it tolerance. We often hear people say, “It is MY truth.” Sorry, peeps, there is no such thing.

The paragraph caused me to ponder for a bit. Where do I fall? Am I a follower, just another sheep in the flock, or am I standing up for what I believe in? That can be a hard question to evaluate myself against. Sometimes, I don’t think I like the truth. But, the truth is what is most important.

In the context of the quote above, where are you? How do you see yourself?

Watch out

Posted on November 22, 2019 by backuphill

scam

Watch out. Someone is trying to jack your stuff and it ain’t cool.

More specifically, after doing a little research (not the info is a little old, but still applies), they are trying to jack your wallet via your phone bill. This is actually called “SMiShing.” Walmart has a whole page about different scams they have seen.

The scary thing here is that the text message had my correct first name and middle initial, I have used the Walmart app and have an online account, and I have recently shopped at the store. So, it would appear legit at first glance.

I am a suspicious person (as in I don’t trust easily) so I didn’t just click on the link they included in the text. However, if you aren’t a suspicious person, you may have just gone right ahead and clicked to see what it was all about – even if you didn’t intend on following through with anything once you got there. Don’t do it.

I have no idea who or what the phone number at the top of the screen shot is. Didn’t call it, but if you are brave you could do it if you like and let me know what happens. I don’t advise it, however.

People who try to scam other people are losers. They are big time jackwagons. They are (insert desired word here). Whatever you want to call them, it just ain’t cool.

Not even a little.

Team should be spelled with an “i”

Posted on November 19, 2019 by backuphill

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You know that whole cliche saying about there being no “i” in team?

How many of you have experienced a situation where if there were no “i” in team nothing would get done? I think I see at least a few hands raised…

I know as a teacher I saw it happen all the time in the classroom for group projects. Students are assigned or grouped together to work on a project together and produce something for a grade. Inevitably, I could watch as the groups worked that at least one group wasn’t really functioning and the work would fall on one or two of the students in the group.

Now in the work “regular” work world, I see it happen too and those feelings for people who get stuck doing all the work come back to me. I saw it in the classroom and it would appear that some people never actually grew out of that behavior. Not the one where someone takes over when everyone is trying to work together, but the one where there is always someone in the group that is perfectly happy allowing someone else to bear the load.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the “i” in team most of the time isn’t a good thing. We should be working together and lightening the load for all. However, as adults in our professional settings we have all experienced the times where it is just easier if team was spelled with an “i”. Teim. Or teIm. Whatever, however you want to spell it.

If you want it done right, I am going to have to do it myself. Another cliche saying, but oh so true.

Takers

Posted on November 18, 2019 by backuphill

Photo by Wallace Chuck on Pexels.com

I could be wrong, but I think there are really two types of people in this world.

I believe all people fall into two categories: givers and takers.

Which are you? Which do you surround yourself with? Or, maybe better put, which do you attract?

Sometimes it takes a hard evaluation of the people around you to realize where they fall, but also where you fall. I don’t believe that you can only be one, as I believe it is possible to be both.

Ultimately, I have heard (and maybe I believe this) that we should be givers first and always. That can be translated many different ways, but a quick run down will suffice – time, money, compassion, empathy, knowledge, listening, etc.

A taker, on the other hand, is someone who takes and takes and takes and quite literally could probably suck the very last breath out of you if you let them. They are the kind of people who are in constant need of everything – money, possessions, time, attentions, etc.

Honestly I try to be both. I don’t like taking, but I don’t have a problem doing so either. I don’t like giving, but it does have a limit. As such, I try to find a balance between the two and, if I am entirely honest, I like the people in my life to have a pretty good balance the the give and take as well.

Unfortunately, I must attract a lot of takers. There are several people who I can’t seem to let go of….or, can’t get rid of…they cling. They take. They need. They ALWAYS need. Thus, they always WANT and always TAKE.

It’s exhausting. Give. Give, and give some more. I am tired. I am spent.

I don’t want to do it anymore.

Get off

Posted on November 15, 2019 by backuphill

bird s eye view photography of road in the middle of desert

Photo by The Lazy Artist Gallery on Pexels.com

“Get off me!”

Every hear anyone yell that at someone?

Of course you have! You may have even yelled it yourself.

Well, today, it is so busy I just want to yell it at life.

Seriously, Life, get off me.

I have enough stuff to do without you bothering me, which is why this post is so late today….

GET OFF ME!

Admission

Posted on November 1, 2019 by backuphill

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OK, I’ll admit it.

It’s hard for some to admit, because of their age, and likely it has also been hard for me too, but I have come to the realization that I jut have to admit it. I am 47, and coming up on 48 rather quickly and it is time for me to put it out there.

I like to play video games.

Well, let me rephrase that.

I like to play FPS (first person shooter) games.

Specifically, I really like the Call of Duty and Modern Warfare games. I have also played games in the Halo series (these were really what got me hooked), a few of the Ghost Recon series, and some in the Far Cry series. But, I would have to say my favorites out of all the games (at least of late) are Call of Duty:WWII, Call of Duty: Black OPs IIII, and now the new Modern Warfare.

Why? I don’t know really. I like the stories. I like the competition. I like the shooting and the challenges they pose. I like the temporary escape of being able to do something mindless for a while.

Am I a violent person? No. Do I know they aren’t real? Yes. Do they make me want to be violent? No. Do I know the difference between real and fantasy? Yes. Do I believe that it has desensitized me to violence? No.

Do I waste time doing it? Yes. Are there better things I probably could be doing? Yes. Do I care? No. I am able to balance my time and allot free time as necessary while still maintaining my responsibilities.

Am I very good at it? No. Am I competitive? Yes. Do I play competitively? No. I like the feeling of being able to improve and it is really a competition against myself and my own skills rather than other people, though I do play online with other live players.

Am I out of the ordinary? Maybe; but I have a feeling I am not.

What do you think? Am I alone in this enjoyment? Are there others of you out there that are “old” like me but still like to play video games? If so, what do you enjoy playing?

(Un)Invited

Posted on October 29, 2019 by backuphill

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Don’t you hate it when people don’t RSVP? What’s the deal?

In today’s day and age, there really isn’t any reason to not RSVP. There are so many different ways that invitations get set up and sent out that it really couldn’t be any more convenient.

I mean really. It seems everything is done through social media any more so when something is planned using one of the many different options available and all one has to do is hit the button to instantly respond, there really is no excuse.

Look at the invite date and time, look at your calendar, look at the invite again, and then press a button – Yes, Maybe, No.

It’s that freaking simple!

So, when you are planning something and you get little to no response it’s rather infuriating. Perhaps I just won’t invite any of them the next time.

Maybe it’s time for new friends and family…