The Fine Art of Being Wrong

It happens to almost everyone, at some point or another. You react to a situation in your life, the best way you know how to at the time, and then somewhere down the road, it hits you. The way you reacted was possibly not the best. When you get that sinking feeling in your gut, the knowledge your actions were less than stellar, how do you handle it? Do you keep going moving ahead with confidence, unwilling to let the uneasy feeling get you down? Or do you take a moment to reflect on your actions, hoping to gain a new perspective? I am at that cross-roads right now. I know that I made a hasty decision amid a storm of painful and emotional chaos, and I am taking this moment to reflect.

Its funny how an individual can grow and mature when given the right circumstances. Years ago I wouldn't even pause at this moment, even knowing I may have been wrong. I'd smooth it over and keep going. I don't know why it's different now, I don't feel like I'm a totally changed person. Yet here I am, still paused, still searching for the way I can re-write the path I made for myself.

The wrong I committed, while not life threatening or completely evil, ultimately consumes me more with each passing minute. It must be the guilt that I cannot shake. I can explain it pretty simply I believe. Picture me in a medium sized rowboat. Now picture a bunch of people crammed onto that boat with me. Over the years, I've pushed certain people out of that boat. I've never regretted those losses. Those who've used me, stepped on me, and even a few who abused me, all shoved into the water. It takes a lot, a huge amount of stress, for me to toss someone overboard, it isn't something I do lightly. However, recently there were a few events so painful, so achingly cruel, that instead of pulling people closer in order to help deal with that pain, I think I pushed out harder. It was like a tiny explosion actually. I rocked the boat so violently, I ended up pushing just about everyone out. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time! The less people near me, the less people to hurt me, right?

There it is. That 'seemed right at the time' moment was actually the big wrong. There are people I threw into the water, that never should have gotten wet in the first place. A few of those lost souls have actually always had my best interests at heart, even when I was too blind to completely see it. So, at this new cross-roads, or cross-rivers, to fit the theme, how do I pull a few people back into my little ship of fools? Is it as easy as reaching out a hand? I'm not sure that it is, but then again I'm not sure that I've ever rocked the boat this hard. If I threw out a life preserver now, would anyone take it?

Death By Message Board

There have been a few things I've learned, being a frequent poster on parenting message boards over the past few years. I've been lucky enough to be part of a group of particularly passionate women for a number of years now, and I've seen a lot of interesting things posted. One such interesting event happened tonight. It was another case of parents failing on purpose, which for whatever reason, seems to be a trend on my blog so far. A regular member of the board posted a facebook link, one that directly connected to a facebook user's personal picture album. This particular album featured pictures of an infant, not more than a few months old, if that, being unrestrained in a moving vehicle. One picture even showed the baby sitting on the dad's lap in front of the steering wheel, the road blurred beside them, clear evidence of the moving vehicle. Another shocking point against the parents was a picture at the beginning of the album documenting their road trip, the driver clutching a beer bottle and the steering wheel at the same time. That was strike one and two, and no one needed to find a three before reacting.

For a huge group of very well-meaning parents, the images were extremely shocking. I myself was caught up in the disbelief, and the anger that followed. How DARE people mistreat helpless children that way? That was the general consensus. However, not content to simply view these pictures, I, like many others took it upon ourselves to send messages to the mother of the infant. Some were nice, some not so nice, and others were just plain old "How the HELL can you be so IGNORANT and IDIOTIC with the life of a baby?" The post that the original link was presented in grew to three pages of comments, all various degrees of disgust, where calling CPS was brought up, calling the police was also offered.

What amazes me, beyond the obvious stupidity of certain parents, is the ability for people to use sites like facebook to over share and document their blatant stupidity. Its one thing to go off and do something that has questionable morality, but its a whole other level of moron who will then POST that behaviour for everyone and their uncle to see. Showing those pictures to a group of relatively ethical moms was like throwing a lit match into dry brush. We erupted just that fast.

I wonder, if our well-placed anger may have actually made any difference. Is a group full of venomously passionate mothers enough to get someone who is ignorant to begin thinking? Or did the woman in question simply block everyone from seeing her photos and go about enjoying her night? Maybe none of us are that good a parent, we're just mostly smart enough to conceal any photographic proof of our shortcomings! Maybe there are tons of unrestrained infants in vehicles with drinking drivers out there. Maybe loads of kids are getting beaten behind closed doors. What can a truly good parent actually DO about those things? You could lead by example, and hope that people strive to be a good parent like you. Or, you could be a part of a parenting message board mob, and hope that a trial by fire will burn some sense into certain less-than-stellar parental units. Personally, I'll take a little from option A and B, mix em up, and see what develops.

There's That Husband Karma Again!

There are some days when I love the cosmic order of things. Like the belief in Karma, and how I will never doubt it exists. It hasn't yet shown itself in a huge horrifying way (like those Karmic instances I believe are waiting for my child-abusing ex-friend and her boyfriend) But on days like today, I cant help but laugh when someones actions come back to bite them in the butt. Today started out fairly well, unlike two days ago, which began with a fight with my husband. I put that behind me, we both did I guess, and I went about normal morning routine of getting the kids dressed and ready to walk to school. It was one of those mornings where my husband was around to help out, as he didn't need to be at work till noon.

There are downfalls to having toddlers who climb, have I mentioned that yet? That detail is pertinent to the morning's events. The kids were confined (thanks to the ever-present baby gate) to the kitchen and living room as usual. I made my way back and forth over that gate several times, getting my own breakfast, checking computer-related things, getting the kids clothes, etc. I didn't think about my absences too much, as I normal don't worry when my husband is in the living room with the kids.

I had just gotten the stroller out, and was going to grab the first toddler I saw to buckle into it, when I witnessed 'the karmic event of the day'. As I hoisted myself over the baby gate barricade into the kitchen, there is Hannah, standing on a kitchen chair pushed against the kitchen counter. She is giggling. That is not a very comforting sound when I knew instantly it meant something naughty, as they are not SUPPOSED to be at counter-level.

Sure enough, as I took a few steps over to her, I spied the source of her amusement. Her Daddy's cellphone was now 3/4 of the way submerged in her big brother's cup of soy milk (ironically put up there to keep out of the girls' reach). The phone bobbed around rather comically as Hannah poked at it with her chubby toddler sized index finger. Then she caught me watching her. "Phone!" she exclaimed gleefully.

"Ummm... Jon? Do you know what Hannah is doing?" I asked him, already knowing that the wall separating the living room and kitchen prevented him from knowing the fate of his beloved cellphone. I'm just helpful like that. I plucked up Hannah as he rushed forward to rescue the sodden technical device that now reminded me of a very expensive Oreo. Once again folks, Husband Karma strikes again!

So My Husband Read My Blog

I was surprised he could navigate the Internet so well as to be able to find my little online writing outlet here, but he did. I suspect he was led here, but that's a rant for a different day! His summation of the time I have spent pouring my feelings out here? "Well there are things that I don't agree with..." No shit.... really? You mean after almost three years of marriage, 8 yrs of being together, there are things we don't agree on? I. Am. Shocked. For all of you who don't know me, that last part was called sarcasm. The main difference between my husband and I, after all this time, is that I stand up for what I believe in. I would much rather get my feelings out there and run the risk of upsetting people, then keep all my beliefs to myself so that no one knows my true opinion. Why would I want to surround myself with superficial friends? People whom I could never share my true feelings with for fear of rejection or ridicule? On the contrary, there are a great number of people who I wish DO read my blog, in the hopes that something I write one day could possibly illuminate their small-mindedness.

Not just blogs, but the Internet as a whole, is a study of human nature in vast proportions, and growing every second. This is my virtual diary, for sure, but in plain view of the public, and why? Because I have nothing to hide. I put my problems out there for everyone to see, and who knows, maybe someone other than me might one day find an answer I couldn't. Maybe someone who took advantage of me long ago will see I am no longer a push-over. Maybe strangers will relate to some of my experiences, and in turn feel better about their own. Maybe some day my husband will learn to accept that writing and the Internet are therapeutic to me. That is a lot of Maybes for one paragraph!

The best trait I have ever developed over recent years, is my ability to stand up and take action. I will not sit still, and I will not be silenced by people who have overlooked me in the past. I am far removed from that mild-mannered chick who let those with bigger ambitions walk all over me. I may not be surrounded by people calling themselves friends any longer, but I'd rather keep the few that are left who love me, then try to hold on to those drones who once paraded about pretending to care.

Its late, and now I think I am becoming repetitive. It seems to me that I have come to this revelation before. Even so, it's worth noting again I guess! I'm feeling very positive tonight, in spite of some of the fighting I've been doing. Its the feeling like maybe I am actually making a difference, slowly but surely.

Unplug Yourselves!!

The longer I have the Internet back, the more I am starting to get rather disturbed at the lack of communication. That is because it seems that Facebook is doing ALL of the communication these days ***my disclaimer here, is that I LOVE hearing from long lost friends and family, in any context, nothing brightens my day more like a supportive email!*** However, there are reasons to avoid letting Facebook and other social networking sites rule your life. Here are some signs that you might be a social networking junkie.

- Your gossip, family friend and celebrity, is always from an online source. By the time they show it on TV or print it in the paper, you laugh at how outdated it is.

-You're saving a fortune on birthday cards, because, saying "Happy B-day have a great one" on someones facebook wall is JUST as sentimental right?

-You need facebook or myspace reminders for birthdays, for your friends, even your parents and siblings

-You've re-tweeted more than 100 times in one hour JUST so you can make The Jonas Brothers a trending topic

-You expect ALL of your party invitations to come in the form of a Facebook Event Request, and that is how you create all your party invites as well. If anyone doesn't yet have facebook or check it enough, their loss!

-You know EVERYTHING that is going on with EVERYONE from High School, their kids, their pets, when they last ate and what time they plan on running errands. However you cannot quite recall the names of your neighbors, first or last.

-You've put off having sex or playing with your kids to plant something in farmville, knock someone off in Mafia Wars, or play with fish in your virtual aquarium.

-You accidentally make a profile change to facebook that goes from married to single, and suddenly your husband is confronted at work by several VERY concerned friends "How are ya holdin' up buddy?"

-You've taken quizzes that tell you What Twilight guy is right for you, What your boobs should be named, and What sexy movie starlet you are most like..... and you are a guy.

-When someone is not on your facebook or Twitter, its like they exist in a parallel dimension that no longer crosses paths with yours.

-You've ever thought to yourself "Its not stalking if they don't KNOW I'm browsing through their photo albums!"

-Either your twitter, myspace or facebook all have over 500 people on your friends lists, and you only actually communicate with 10% of them.

And the best sign of an addiction to social networking sites is:
-You have had a facebook chat conversation with someone in another room, or even better, sitting beside you on the couch!

Is it time for you to unplug?

The Final Decision

Everyone, at some point, has issues and problems they'd rather not deal with. Most people take things day by day, and some even minute by minute. Unfortunately, the less you deal with a problem, the more it tends to build up. So now I feel as though I am dealing with a most painful issue that is by now comparable to the mighty Empire State Building. Tonight is the night to deal with it once and hopefully for all.

All my life, I wanted friends. True friends I could count on for anything, people who could count on me just the same. When I moved to BC eleven years ago, I felt like one of the luckiest people ever. Here was this big group of amazing people, who welcomed me with open arms, practically no questions asked. For all of my twenties, I thought my group was the best. We've lived it up through so many weddings and countless birthday parties. Some of us even survived as roommates. We've cried together during memorials and funerals, and even suffered through the death of a friend from our very group. I was under the impression that we'd all be there for each other no matter what. Unlike most fairytales however, real life can be a bitch.

Are there deal-breakers in true friendship? I have always thought so. Somehow deep in my subconscious, I always figured things like rape, child abuse, and murder were most definitely friendship no-no's. That was, until the unthinkable did actually happen. Someone I was once incredibly close to was caught, charged, plead guilty to AND convicted of child abuse. This situation was so unbelievably close to my heart that I didn't think anything could possibly hurt so much. I don't think you even have to be a parent to see how incredibly wrong it is. I just cannot, under any circumstances, remain friends with someone who could commit such horrible acts against a little child.

I'm not sure what possessed me to believe that those in the group would feel the same, but that is what I thought. So here I am, hurting once again, because people from the group are now advocating for the child abuser. Its like pouring salt in a still-opened wound. In my pain-wrenched heart, I wonder, if one or two from the group could be swayed to become friends again with said abuser, what's to stop the rest of them? I don't trust my judgement anymore, and I cant stand to hear of someone else falling for such obvious evil. So, here's where the 'dealing with the issue at hand' comes in. I do not from this point forward, consider myself a part of any group of friends. I still keep an unwavering faith in a few people, but aside from them, and they know who they are, I am done. I never thought I'd see the day where I had to turn my back on so many people I love. I think it must be some kind of survival instinct, however it doesn't make it any easier. It doesn't mean I'm never going to be hurt again, but that ideal group of friends no longer exists. Its a painful lesson in human nature. Nevertheless, these people, this group, they don't define me. I define myself, and I am strong enough to stand alone for what I believe in.

The Best with the Worst

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction" That Newton quote completely and utterly sums up my day.
The action, in my analogy, was Dakota's first day of Kindergarten. It was something that brought such joy to my life, seeing my little boy so happy and proud of being a 'big boy', and how well he did. He was pretty much beaming all day, and had so many stories to tell of his new adventure. Evidently, the universe, in keeping with the balance of all things, felt the need to also bestow on me some misfortune today. I keep with me the satisfied knowledge that all the unfortunate events of today have NOT been enough to overwhelm the euphoric feeling I have been carrying. So to the universe, I say "HA! nice try," for it is only 30 minutes till a new day. Merely half an hour until the balance of all things is reset, and once again good and bad will battle for control on equal footing.

To my so-called friend, who is once again speaking with, and advocating for a convicted child abuser, I say: "Too bad you're so desperate for friends that you'd go down the path of the damned for attention! Although it upsets me, it will not break me, I have no need for friends who abuse kids OR those people who would willingly associate with them"

To the father of the little boy who is in the loving and caring embrace of his grandmother, I say: "You haven't been around since he was an infant. He does NOT know you, nor did you ever care about that before now, he is no more your concern now than 4 years ago when you let his mother take him away with no further contact. He's in a loving and supportive environment beyond your wildest dreams, so BACK OFF"

To Patrick Swazye, taken far too soon by a disease that is possibly the number one evil, I say: "I am glad you are no longer suffering, no longer fighting a losing battle, and are at peace. I will continue to cherish the work you did, and dream about that which you could not accomplish in your short life"

And finally, to my dryer, who chose TODAY of ALL days to stop blowing hot air completely, I will say this: " The only thing today (and last night) which should CEASE blowing hot air, is/was Kanye West, YOU on the other hand, have only given me 4 years of service, and are leaving behind the endless laundry of 3 kids, two step kids, a workaholic and a desperate housewife. However, if you think this is the easy way out, you are wrong, because, dear dryer, you are STILL UNDER WARRANTY!"

Take THAT, universe!

The Mood

Have you ever gotten yourself into such a funk, that it is nearly impossible to find your way back out of? I am in the midst of one such mood currently. I don't even know what I did to get into this state of mind, but I don't really think I want it to continue. Everything for the past week or so has been just blah. There are things I should be happy about, Dakota starting Kindergarten on Monday for example; but I'm not completely. There are things I should be upset about, the girls being sick and feverish, and I'm worried for sure, but even mild illness doesn't pull me from the surrounding fog. I know it will pass, as the 'blahs' always do, but I keep wondering why they come back. Its far from the depressive state I once fumbled around in, but its close enough to unhappiness to make me really wonder.

I should be happy almost all the time, because, except for stress about money, I have a somewhat perfect looking life, right? I have the devoted (sometimes sarcastic) husband, three adorable (mildly rebellious) young children, and a number of great family members and friends (even though most of them are a distance away). See, I cannot even write about the good stuff without interjecting the not so good stuff. I'm wondering if that makes me a realist, or a pessimist.

I have a theory that looking into my own past too much this past week has really brought out the gloom full-force, because, lets face it, I was NOT a happy adolescent. So in order to get back to my semblance of real life cheerfulness, I will be needing to make a small change somewhere. Its not going to happen over night. Seeing Dakota to his first day of school on Monday will bring me back a bit. Possibly getting a part-time job at the new Tim Hortons in town could be an even bigger step in the right direction. Maybe all along I've just been lacking some sort of motivational purpose. I'm doing great as a stay-at-home mom, but maybe I've reached a point where that's not just all I should be. I'm not saying a Timmies girl is the be all and end all BUT it throws me out of my comfort zone for awhile, its been so long since I worked outside the house.

I am going to get over 'The Mood' somehow, I owe it to my husband and children, and most of all, I owe it to myself. My "Live each day like it was your last" motto has been a bit dusty lately, so I'm thinking I should embrace it once again and see what happens. I'm not going to go jumping out of planes or anything, but I do need to LIVE life, instead of just letting it pass by in endless shades of gray. So... What should I wear to win over the Tim Hortons people?

Child harnesses are NOT leashes

I was extremely infuriated by a comment I read tonight, saying that people who use harnesses on their young children do not know how to parent and take the 'easy' way out. How is ensuring safety somehow an 'easy' way out or bad parenting? Since that person assumed that I don't know how to be a parent to my own kids, I'm going to make some assumptions of my own. I assume, that someone so misinformed about child harnesses either A: has NO kids B: has one kid who has always been strapped into a stroller for walks or C: has some magic parenting ability that keeps kids within a foot away at all times no matter what age. For some of the rest of us everyday parents with other challenges facing us, harnesses are normal, useful, and most importantly ensure safety in unsafe situations.

So, to those who oppose harnesses, what do you do if you have a child who refuses to be strapped into a stroller all the time? Do you see the irony of harnessing a child in a stroller but being against harnessing a child while he/she is walking? For some children, learning to walk beside or hand-in-hand with their parents/guardians is a frustrating battle of wills. It is you against the toddler. There are toddlers out there who feel that they should be able to walk wherever they want whenever they want. If said toddler is met with an obstacle such as a stroller, or a hand firmly holding their own, they WILL rebel. Now I don't know about you, but shopping or walking when you have to constantly switch direction in order to re-direct your small child can be annoyingly time-consuming. It also gets dangerous. What's to stop that willful young one from yanking his/her hand from yours and taking off full tilt? Can you guarantee you're fastest, or faster than say a car speeding down the street that is inches from the sidewalk? I know I cant. Can you guarantee someone else isnt going to be quicker than you in reaching your child first?

Even when safety doesn't come into play, sometimes sanity does. Sometimes its both. Here is where I play the twin card. I have twin toddlers. If I didn't sometimes rely on child harnesses, we would never go anywhere. My double stroller and those harnesses are what keep my girls safe and secure while still being able to enjoy life. They can enjoy the mall without me having to rip myself in two trying to go two different directions at the same time. They can go hiking with us, without us having to worry about them tumbling down a steep hillside or mountain path. They can walk to the park without being able to reach the busy street before I can. I love my kids, and I love getting out and doing things, therefore harnesses are a great alternative to no exercise from a bulky stroller.

Little children don't automatically know how to hold Mommy and Daddy's hand while outside. They do not grasp the many dangers that are around them. If you are blessed with an obedient hand holding child right from the start, great! More power to you! I just try keep in mind that they wont be willful toddlers forever. I doubt very much I will be putting the harnesses on them to take them to Kindergarten, or High school, or College even. However I will rest a bit easier knowing I have a device to use to help me keep them safe until they understand how important it is to stay close.

Failed Parents

This one entry is so good, I'm re-posting it!
http://fatalfrost.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-08-13T08%3A53%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7

Birthdays Equal Depressing

Once upon a time, as a birthday would draw near, a little girl would get super excited. The little girl's parents always had a fun birthday cake and great presents awaiting her. Her friends would usually be over for a small party, and a piece of the yummy cake. By the end of the day, the little girl would fall into her bed, happy yet exhausted, and already anticipating the next birthday! Fast forward a few dozen years... Where did that super excited little girl go?

I hate birthdays. Okay, technically I only really hate MY birthday. I love celebrating everyone else's big day, but I'd rather eat road tar than be happy on mine. I haven't quite figured out why, or when celebrating the date of my birth went from happy and fun, to the equivalent of a root canal, but it did. I rarely get any calls anymore, just dozens of "Happy Birthday" notes on Facebook. I have come to loathe Facebook for that one particular reason.

I'm not opposed to getting old, that isn't the problem. Actually, I'm quite firm in the belief that 32 is not old nor ancient. I don't think I really look 32, but I don't mind actually turning 32. So if its not the growing older, what has soured my outlook on my 'special' day? I'm thinking it has a LOT to do with the fact that it has gotten downright predictable. I hate predictable. For example, I can count on at least one or two people I love totally forgetting about it completely. Last year it was my own husband who forgot. Also, when it comes time for my birthday, I start thinking about the rest of the year, all the invites I've gotten for other friends birthday celebrations. I am never going to understand why some grown-ups seem to have such fanfare surrounding their special day, while others go on unnoticed.

I'm too young for a milestone birthday, yet too old to be fussed over, and too tired of the 'go to the bar drink your face off' type fiestas of the past. So what's a gal to do? In the end, my dark mood will win out, I will end up alone, probably online, and more than likely slipping up and letting my inner bitch escape a few times. Happy Birthday to me, so who's next?

Fair Weather Friends

I think everyone must have some of these. You know, the ones who are only in your life when you're blowing sunshine and rainbows up their asses? Then when the storm clouds roll in, they're nowhere to be seen. I've had my fair share of these 'friends' for years and years. The problem is, you usually cannot spot them until it starts raining! While the sun is shining brightly, they'd have you believe there's nothing that can come between you. However, into every one's life, a little rain must fall (to quote a famous phrase). So I have learned, that the truest test of any friendship is hardship.

Flighty friends come in every shape, size, and gender. There is no age requirement either. Back as a teenager, I had someone I thought of as a great friend. Turns out my boyfriend was someone she liked. She got jealous and lied to me in an attempt to break us up. In my twenties, there were a few frightful examples as well. There was the one who begged me to drive across Canada with her, so she could move to BC from Ontario. Then when we arrived, she told me to 'go home' because the people in BC were becoming better friends with me than with her! (insert eye roll here) I've had a few guy friends who couldn't stand the heat either. Quite a few of them who would turn tail and run when it was known I wasn't 'easy'. The absolute hardest lessons from not-so-friendly friends has definitely hit me full force lately, however. You would think thirty some odd years would have me as an expert by now, but alas no.

So I am getting tougher in response. I have weeded out my friends list on Facebook, literally. I am quite capable of being supportive in times of great stress as WELL as in good times, but if you're not willing to do the same for me, I am done. Its hard for me to admit that I don't have as many close friends as I once thought, however its also made me treasure those who I do share a special bond with that much more. I'm very appreciative of the awesome people who don't flee at the first hint of danger, who will stand by no matter what stress I'm under or what stress they're under. That IS after all, what true friendship should be. To those who are friends, "Cheers!" to those who are not, "Sucks to be you."

Born-Again Internet Junkie

I think I have always been an Internet junkie. There is just something completely addictive about having all this information and these creative resources right at your fingertips. I wonder sometimes if artists are more susceptible to the addiction of the net, because it gives an effective outlet for positive (and sometimes negative) feedback. Whatever the reason, I've been addicted for years. I've been able to successfully manage my addiction quite well, even though my husband might disagree at times. Then came our move to our new place, and then the news that we would NOT be able to have an Internet connection, or even regular phone line, for an indefinite amount of time. I do NOT know how I managed. I especially don't know how I managed for over a year! I think possibly my house was cleaner though...

SO after a year long absence, I am back. Here comes the 'born-again' part. I thought I'd just be hooked back up, surf all my regular sites, and it would be like I never left. I was wrong. I don't know if it was the year away that changed me, or that somehow the Internet evolved a bit in my absence. Whatever happened, things do NOT feel the same. Sure I am chatting again with some old friends, made a few new ones, but its not like it was. I'm trying to put my finger on why. The 'net seems cooler to me now.

I don't think I'm imagining it, its not something that is easily explainable. Either I have somehow unconsciously distanced myself, or the Internet as I once knew it has changed, and not for the better. Suddenly my friends list on Facebook is at around 100 people, yet I only communicate with like 10% of it! The list of people on my message board has hit over 400, yet I only seem to know a few dozen people. And don't get me started on the kinds of things people SAY on the Internet now, even THAT has somehow changed. Again, not a good change. WHY do I need to know about sex quizzes that my 16yr old niece takes on Facebook? How in the world did my stepson get himself booted off of the net (by his mom) for videotaping himself lighting a skateboard on fire (and of course posting it).

Then there are the crude and indecent comments posted on sites like 'texts from last night'. Heck, even Twitter, which I still don't fully understand, has its fair share of incredibly selfish and cruel people. For example, last night, 'getwellmiley' was a trending topic, so I clicked on it. Not only did I find out she had a cold, but people were leaving messages like "Good, I hope you die" and "Just a cold, you're a retard, go to hell" WHAT is all THAT about, this girl, even though famous, is just a teen for gosh sakes.

So I have learned something, in becoming a born-again Internet junkie. Yes cyberspace is a wonderful resource, and I'm glad to have it back. However, just because you have a million opportunities online to tell it like it is, does NOT mean you should. I've decided that being somewhat anonymous gives certain people a Superman complex, and this IS NOT by any means a great thing. Are we, as a society, distancing ourselves by our reliance on the net? Come stalk me on Facebook and let me know!