krishanna.com :: as the crow flies

What About Free Speech & Responsibility?

Okay, people. Can we please ease up on the political correctness here?

First, there was the outcry this week over Don Imus again:

I noticed it this week only because hearing about it vaguely annoyed me. But I was pre-occupied with more pressing matters so I didn't linger on it.

This morning, I checked my morning e-mail and found an e-mail asking me to sign a petition to let Kathy Lee Gifford her latest dumb ass crap had pissed off a bunch of pagans.

Oy Vai.

Here's what Kathy Lee Gifford did and said:

Now, because I identify as a pagan, I am automatically supposed to get my bloomers bunched up over this?

FIRST:  I say bullshit. So you don't like what Kathy Lee Gifford said. Big deal. That doesn't mean you get to shut her up. Sorry. You can bitch about she said. You can start petitions to make her apologize for what she says. But that doesn't mean she will shut up or her employers will censor her or force her to apologize.

Last time I checked, I live in America and you know what? I can say whatever the hell I want about anyone I want because we have a little thing here called Free Speech. I may not like what people say but they have the right to say them without fear of losing their jobs or harassment or censorship.

SECOND: So Kathy Lee referred to pagans as "bad and nasty". Does anyone in this country not know what an ignorant, vapid, dunder-headed ancient bag of dusty wind Kathy Lee Gifford actually is? Hello? Is KATHY LEE GIFFORD'S  uneducated, narrow-minded stupid ass OPINION really that big of a deal?

THIRD: As a pagan-type person, I want to  know who the bad guys are.  I want to know who doesn't like me. I don't want them hiding off in the shadows making idiotic, insipid dumbass comments where I can't see or hear them.  I want them front and center for all the world to see.

"Well", said someone today as we were discussing this, "with that logic I guess it would be fine with you if a pedophile moved into your neighborhood because they have a right to live, right?"

Would I be "fine" with it? No. I wouldn't care to have a pedo in my neighborhood, especially if I had kids. BUT, the pedo has a right to live anywhere he wants as long as he follows the rules, goes to therapy AND DOESN'T DO ANY KID TOUCHING OR RAPING OF ANY KIND. We live in a free society and because it's free, all kinds of people get to live wherever they want.

What about what happened to that guy in California, recently? He only said he was obsessed with kids and thought about touching them and they ran him out of the fucking state. True enough, he was wacko- certifiable. True enough, he got put in the pokey because he wouldn't keep away from the grade school after the court order forbid him to be within 400 yards or something of it. But chasing him out of his home because of what he might do? That was wrong. Better safe than sorry you might think but I think we tread on dangerous ground when we begin participating in mob mentality. Very dangerous ground.

So I may not like it and it may worry me but the pedo still has the right to live wherever he wants to live. Once he violates the rules and touches ANY kid, I'll sign every damn petition that comes down the pike and do whatever I can to get him and keep him out of my neighborhood. Get the fuck out and don't come back. Have a terrific, incarcerated life, you piece of shit rat bastard.

"You'd feel differently if you had kids. You'd want to know your kids are safe".

Uhm, wouldn't that be my responsibility? As a parent it'd be up to me to protect my kid, right? I'll tell you, I'd have ZERO FUCKING PROBLEM telling my kid:

"See that person who lives in the green house on the corner"?

"Yes, Mommy."

"Well, stay way from them. You have my permission to ignore that person. You don't have to say hello or be polite to them. If they touch you or come near you, scream your head off and run away from them as fast as you can. That's a bad, sick person and they hurt children so stay away from them".

And if they didn't stay away from the weirdo on the corner, we'd be having some chats and some grounding going on at my house.  Sometimes, a little healthy fear is good for a kid.

So, do I like what Don Imus or Kathy Lee said? Not particularly. I also consider the source. Kathy Lee Gifford is an ignorant sack of aging wind and Don Imus is a dinosaur. I'd tell my kid to run away from them screaming too.

What about you?

More Dear Doctor Fun

Well, just to show me... Dear Doctor's office returned my call about 4PM.

I still did not speak to the doctor directly.

NURSE 1: I got a message here that you called Dear Doctor for a referral for a new doctor?

ME: Yes.

NURSE 1: Well, Dear Doctor cannot automatically refer you to a new doctor. Can you SEND US A LIST (emphasis mine) of the physicians in your network and if he knows any of them, he will be happy to recommend them.

ME: I need to provide you with a list? Are you telling me Dear Doctor doesn't have the name of a doctor who can provide me with the level of care he can without looking at a list *I* send him?

NURSE 1:  Yes.

Motherfucker. I even have to provide a name for my own fucking recommendation.

ME: Well, you know, I really don't think I care to go to all the trouble to do that. You guys have already inconvenienced and insulted my intelligence enough for one day. But, perhaps he knows of the new physician I intend to visit. Her name is Hopefully Competent, MD and she works of the Hospital Dear Doctor left to be a part of your retarded three-ring circus family practice.

NURSE 1: Well, I'll pass this information on to Dear Doctor and give you a jingle back.

ME: I'll wait with baited breath.

About 10 minutes later, another nurse from Dear Doctor's office called me.

NURSE 2: This is Perky Unhelpful Nurse 2 at Dear Doctor's office.  Unfortunately, Dear Doctor doesn't know Hopefully Competent MD.

What a fucking surprise.

NURSE 2: I am sorry this has happened. Unfortunately this does happen sometimes when you switch insurance. My husband had to go through this very thing last year so I know it is devastating.

Uh, hello ? You fuckers STILL aren't listening to me and if it's so "devastating" why the fuck do you do it?

ME: Wait a minute! Just hold it! this has nothing to do with MY insurance company.  My insurance company called YOUR business office and wanted to make it so I could continue to see Dear Doctor.  YOUR BUSINESS OFFICE has refused to accept my insurance. It has ZERO to do with my insurance and everything to do with YOUR business office.

NURSE 2: Oh. So this has to do with our policies and not your insurance?

"CLICK" goes the lightbulb.

ME: That would be correct.

(long pause)

NURSE 2: Oh. Well. I'm very sorry we cannot help you.

ME: Well, a few hours ago I might agree with you. But I don't now because even if Jesus came down and visited your business office and made them see the light, I would still need to take a big pass on ever being treated in that office again.

What is too bad is that Dear Doctor is a good doctor and I was very pleased with  his medical expertise and attention; it's your business office that sucks big time. I have had to see a lot of doctors in the last 10 years regarding my spinal cord injury and I have NEVER been treated so poorly or not been allowed to speak with to my doctor when I specifically asked to do so. And as long as Dear Doctor is hooked up with your outfit, I'll seek medical treatment elsewhere. I have enough going on without being treated like an inconvenient commodity.

(long pause)

NURSE 2: Well, I wish we could help but apparently we can't. Oh and the doctor says your prescriptions will need to be refilled by your new physician.

No surprise there, either.

ME: I figured as much.

And that was the end of that.

So, once I have calmed down enough to write a decent letter, I will once again write to Dear Doctor because I am not at all sure he ever received the first one. And to make sure he will receive it, Manthing said he will have a chat with him at his next appointment and hand deliver a copy of the letter to him, in case Dear Doctor never receives the second one.

Because as Eden has pointed out in the past, there's a chance he doesn't know what is going on. Still, it seems to me that he'd want to make it his business to know. I'll post a copy here once it's done.

Dear Doctor

Dear Former Primary Care Physician:

Since you didn't respond to my first letter regarding your business office, here's another. Your business office manager is an asshole. The "patient services representatives" all need a pole right up their ass. Your business office's best practices suck. Your business office is not at all accessible for people with disabilities disability friendly. In fact, I'm surprised it's set up to see sick people at all.

Signed,

Me, your former patient.

DISCLAIMER: Please note there is some explicit language in this post. If you can't take swearing, pass for the day.

Because I thought he was a great doctor and I was happy with the level of medical care he gave me, I was willing to take a cab to my appointments because I cannot drive and his office is not on a bus line. I was willing to accept the surly and unprofessional receptionist as she was.  I could overlook the nurse's attempts at bullying me to climb on the scale and their impatience with me for wanting to discuss my health issues with the doctor and not them. I could look past the paper signs in the exam rooms that told patients that referrals had to be picked up at the office and not faxed because "too many of them had been lost".

But today was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. This isn't the first time I've had dealings with the business side of his practice and I am done with it and done with "Family Practice". I thought it might be easier to see the same doctor Manthing sees. How terribly mistaken one can be.

When I called to reschedule a missed appointment today, I was told there was a "restriction" on my account. Evidently, even though my new insurance pays out of network benefits, and his practice is not affiliated with a large health care management group to restrict what his practice can and cannot do, the business office refused to talk with my insurance company and make it so that I could continue to allow him to continue to be my health care provider.

ME: "Well, jeez, what would have happened if I had been able to make the original appointment?"

BUSINESS OFFICE: "Let me check your chart. Ohhhhhhhhh, you are a Medicare supplemental patient. You would not have been seen by the doctor."

ME: "Uh, why didn't your office contact me about this problem?"

BUSINESS OFFICE: "We have a busy practice and don't call patients about their accounts. That is their responsibility."

ME: "How does one know there's a problem if the business office doesn't let you know?"

BUSINESS OFFICE: "Office policy is that we don't call patients about their accounts. We don't have time."

Nice. Fuckers.

Obviously, I was going to get nowhere so, I moved on.

ME: "Okay. You know, I am really tired of all this shit crap with the business side of things there. For months we have gone back forth over this issue. I'm done. Obviously, the business office could care less about accommodating patients with special needs. I have health issues that need addressing so I'd like to talk with the doctor. to see if he can refer me to another doctor who would a continue to provide me with the quality of care he provides." 

BUSINESS OFFICE: "Ma'am, all you need to do is contact your insurance provider who can refer you to a physician in your network."

ME: "I would like to speak to the doctor regarding a referral. I realize you don't think that's what I should do however, I would like to speak to the doctor to get a referral. I will look up the name he gives me to see if they take my insurance".

BUSINESS OFFICE: "Well, I'll send the message back but really all you need to do is call your insurance provider. Our medical staff is very busy."

ME: "What is the issue with talking with the doctor or his nurse? Why does this need to be so difficult? What is the problem?"

BUSINESS OFFICE: "Fine! I'll send the message back!"

ME: "Thank you. Now I need to speak to a nurse about the prescriptions that need to be refilled so I have a little time to find a new physician".

BUSINESS OFFICE: "I can only send that message back as well".

So instead of waiting around for phone calls that I know will never come, I called my pharmacy who informed me she had called my doctor's office last week and gotten refills on my current medications. Nobody called to let me know that.

How fucking bizarre is that? Walgreen's did a better job of getting scripts for my refills than the doctor's office!

Deciding luck might be with me for a few minutes, I decided to roll the dice, do some research on a new primary care physician and make an appointment. In doing that, I realized I'd need my medical records.

Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker and Tits to quote a great philosopher.

ME: "I need to speak to someone in medical records to have my  records sent to me. How do I go about it?"

RECEPTIONIST: "Medical records doesn't speak to patients. You need to drop by the office and pick up a form to request your records".

WTF?! The medical records department doesn't talk to patients either?

ME: "The form cannot be mailed? I am disabled and unable to drive so dropping by is not really something I can do easily."

RECEPTIONIST: "I'll send the message to records. Where do you want the form sent to?"

I gave her my address but I have no real clue if the form will be sent.

Call me persnickety but I like the idea of being treated like a person instead of a inconvenient commodity. And maybe, I'll think twice about continuing to see a physician who allows his patients to be treated that way in the future.

Interestingly, the new physician has patient forms on-line so you can download them and have them ready for your appointment or send them back. And she's a woman.

I need a nap.

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I'm Back And It's Finally Over

I've been on vacation with Manthing's family in the Outer Banks, Duck, NC to be more exact.

It was a nice vacation lots of doing nothing in particular. I read, did a little research for an article, some cross-stitching, lots of laying around, kid- wrangling (we have 6 nieces, ages 3 to 12), swimming, movie watching and video game playing.

I also got together with some dear friends also down on vacation for an afternoon of shopping. Manthing and I took a trip to the Aquarium at Roanoke Island , where I delighted in watching the Otters. I got used to nothing in particular, quickly. Photos forthcoming.

But now I am back and I got my Rantipants on.

Last night, I got an e-mail regarding my comment on Twitter about Obama. So far, I haven't made public comment on the DEM Race. I am so fucking glad it's over, I nearly wet myself. But now, it seems more than a little obvious to me that what the American people want (the popular vote) is not what is important here.

I belong to neither party. I see my political leanings as moderate. I vote my conscience, who I believe is the best person for the the job and as a famous Queen once said: "We are not amused".

The choices presented to me suck- big green ones. Obama or McCain: a choice between bad and worse.

There's a lot of talk about Civil Rights and how far we've come, "in just 50 years", now that Obama has enough Dem Delegate votes to win the nomination at the convention. It isn't only that he is inexperienced, Obama's speech/pandering last night was nauseatingly condescending and sickeningly hypocritical. To her credit, Clinton stuck to the topic at hand and thanked everyone who has supported her and continues to do so.

Just as I would not vote for Clinton based solely on her gender, I would not vote for a man or a woman based on their ethnicity. That's right I said ethnicity and not race. To refer to Obama as a different race, is stupid. Despite skin pigmentation and ethnicity differences, he is still a member of the human race is he not? 

This Dem nominee race has also seen a little history repeating itself. No matter how things change, they still stay the same.

In 1848 the first Women's Rights Convention was held in Seneca Fall, NY. 68 women and 32 men sign a Declaration of Sentiments, which outlines grievances and sets the agenda for the women's rights movement. A set of 12 resolutions is adopted calling for equal treatment of women and men under the law and voting rights for women.

The Emancipation Proclamation abolished American slavery in 1863.

The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, made abolition law and prohibited all forms of slavery.

" Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime where  of the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction".

 

The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1869 gave Black men the right to vote.

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Seventy years later, the 19th Amendment, ratified in 1919 gave women the right to vote.

"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this  article by appropriate legislation."

True enough, it is a historical first that an American woman campaigned for a presidential nomination and it only took 22 years. The first woman to run for "high office" was Ferraro in 1984.

I won't pretend I won't be disappointed if Clinton chooses to become Obama's running mate. In thinking about it, it does take the sting out of a nomination for Obama. If change from the status quo is what we are truly looking for then perhaps, tenatively and cautiously I would be open to voting an Obama/Clinton ticket. Once I quit retching, anyway. Worse than an Obama/Clinton ticket  would be a McCain/And Anyone He Picks ticket.

Given how history appears to repeat itself, I wonder if I will see another qualified woman run for and win the office of President of the United States in my lifetime. I sure hope it won't take 81 years to see a qualified woman in the office of the President of the United states.

In case you are interested you can find a pretty comprehensive list of Women Presidents Appointed Heads of state around the world here.

*Note: I used the candidates voting records instead of the usual wiki bios in the links.

***UPDATE***

For those interested:

You can find info about Victoria Woodhull here.

Info about Margaret Chase Smith can be found here.

Info about Shirley Chisholm can be found here.

NaBloMoPo 02 :: Depression & Recovery

Lotta was over on her blog today discussing depression and I went and found my rant-i-pants

She made a good point about how the process of 12 Step recovery would be helpful in dealing  with a depressed family member. I have 20 years of sobriety this year (it came and went in July, people) and I have to say one of the single most important part of the whole recovery process is honesty. 

I have had to sit and listen to people tell me how my addiction to drugs and alcohol affected them. None of it was pleasant but it was important for me to hear. I had to sit and tell others how their behavior affected me. Not all of it was pleasant to say but it was important for me to do it.

MM: Blechmoud I'minsanejad

1. The Misanthtropic: Name something about humanity you absolutely hate.

Wanton Stupidity

I'm thinking of Columbia University here. I'm thinking that if I were parent with a Freshman or maybe even a sophomore at Columbia, I'd have to at least consider paying tuition to another University next year. I am mot interested in supporting the the kind of bullshit that went on there over the last few weeks.

With tuition costs at Columbia University ranging from $17,000 to $34,000 per year, I think I could support an educational institution elsewhere that wasn't headed up by a board of dumbasses and a complete idiot at the School of International & Public Affairs at Columbia . Another thing to keep in mind is that most speakers and lecturers are paid by the institution that invite their lecturers. I don't know if they paid him to speak but I would not be at all surprised if they had.

Remember, a committee had to approve giving Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a platform in which to try and pull the wool over everyone's eyes, use the opportunity to further blast and impune the US in Iran and the Arab world by giving him a forum in which to share to his insanity.

Here are the two links I found with the complete transcript of the event:

Arizona Daily Star Online  and Zionation

The Washington Post published only Ahmadinejad's speech.

2. The Meretricious: Expose something or someone that’s phony, fraudulent or bogus.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; not that he needed me to expose him as any of these things.

US News & World Report found 10 Things about him I didn't know.

Here's  a new interview with Charlie Rose as published  by the International Herald Tribune.

BBC News did this piece on him last year.

And if you need  extra-special proof, here's his "blog". Be sure to check the "English" option to eyeball his blather.

3. The Malcontent: Name something you’re unhappy with.

Lee Bollinger, President, Columbia University

If you read his introduction, he makes it pretty clear that disagreed with John Coatsworth's (Acting Dean of the School of International & Public Affairs) decision to invite Ahmadinejad but it was not an especially bright or effective strategy to invite him and then insult him especially if the goal is to persuade Iran, Syria or the world of the case against him.

4. The Meritorious: Give someone credit for something and name it if you can.

Here are some good pieces regarding the Columbia debaucle:

New York Times: Middle East, New York Times: CityRoom Blog , The Independent (UK) , BBC News and The Jerusalem Post

5. The Mirror: See something good about yourself and name it

Authentic

6. The Make-Believe: Name something you wish for.

I wish people would think for themselves instead of blindly swallowing the rhetoric and bullshit the media throws at the public at large about most everything.

Now it’s your turn.

You can take part in The Monday Melee, even make it a regular feature at your site by visiting The Monday Melee page and following the steps. Kick-start your brain on Mondays and meet other bloggers.

Paris Contained

Paris was "reassigned" yet again. She never was "released", you know. So it's back to the klink. Apparently she is very traumatized by her "ordeal". According to TMZ.com Hilton left the courtroom in tears, screaming, "Mom, Mom, Mom." Hilton was also heard saying "It's not right." Poor, dear. Jail is tougher on some than others. I have not a doubt that this is tough for her. 23 hours a day alone in cell with only yourself and your issues to keep you company can be somewhat difficult. Perhaps, dear Paris, you might consider paying attention to your probation requirements to avoid boring us in the future. God knows the media, won't spare us. Her attorneys are burning the midnight oil writing an appeal to filed Monday. But until then she is in the hoosgau longing for the days when she was free to grab her crotch on the French Riviera. YAWN. At least Robert Downey Jr. was entertaining. And many thanks, Attie, for your shout out! You crack me up too!

Shut Up. I'm Busy.

I've been busy. My brain has been busy. I am doing real life important things.

Busy with adjusting to the summer pain level I learn to readjust to and tolerate every year. Busy with getting work done for the two art shows in August. Busy cleaning up the studio so I can be photographed at work.Busy with writing. Busy with the search for a new job. Busy stressing and obsessing about money stuff. Busy with Outside the Lines stuff. Busy attempting not to beat myself up for whatever I feel like I am not doing as well as I should be doing it.

I mean, I am busy with important shit here.

And PERHAPS it is because I am busy that I have found myself the last few weeks talking back to the television a lot more lately.

Do I care that Paris Hilton is in the clink? Or that Nicole Ritchie is knocked-up? Is it really necessary for me to have an opinion about David Hasselhoff's custody issues? Why do I care that Alec Baldwin and screamed at his child inappropriately? Do I need to be subjected to the toddler fights on the View AND not only pick a side but also have an opinion? I won't choose a side. My opinion is simply this: both sides are equally obnoxious and that there is some middle ground that they can meet on, if only they'd get their asses down from around their ears.

Why are any of these things NEWSWORTHY?

And what about this Andrew Speaker, Mr. TB Guy? Okay, it was enough when he got up on morning television and blubbered his apology while adamantly complaining about being unfairly cast as inconsiderate, irresponsible, thoughtless, and clearly self-absorbed. So you're a newlywed who can't kiss or bone your new bride for the next 6 months. I feel for you, buddy. I'd suggest using some the next six months determining if procreating is something you really need to do. I hope the honeymoon was fucking worth it, bonehead. Maybe you'll think twice next time when your medical team tells you they'd "prefer" that you not go anywhere until after you've been treated for a dangerous airborne disease.

Everyone now knows what dick he is and that he isn't coping well with being held accountable for his own actions and choices. I was done hearing about his stupid-ass. He wasn't contagious and no one will probably get sick because of his poor decision making skills. And if someone does, I hope he gets what with surely be coming to him. But, really couldn't we just move on?

Hell no.

I turned on my television the morning after his weepy, crocodile tear-filled interview and was subjected to his family STICKING UP for the guy. I was amazed at how outraged THEY were that everyone in the world was ticked off because TB Guy was jet-setting all over Europe. What the hell? He may not have meant to put anyone in harm's way and he may be a nice guy. But he still made really, really, fucking stupid decision and you all supported him on doing it. Intent doesn't make the what he chose to do different. Just because he "didn't mean" to hurt or upset anyone doesn't change the outcome.

It's a real brain trust there, I'll tell you. It's no wonder the guy can't make reality-based decisions. Clearly his parents and in-laws are from another reality far, far away from the one most of us live in.

Just shut the fuck up, Andrew,  and take your medicine like a big boy.

Our Lady of the Perpetual Southern Teeny-Bopper

I was at the gallery last week when in comes a woman. I know who she is. I used to spend a great deal of time with her. You will soon see why I avoid her now.

She is in her mid 50's and wears lots of draping, flowing clothing when she isn't in jeans that are too tight and shirts too small, too short and too tight that accenuate her egg shaped torso. In summer, she wears straw hats adorned ribbons and scraps of fiber, above the knee georgette skirts and flip flops. Her bifocals are splashed with abstract designs and sport a hand beaded rope.

Anyway, in she comes swaddled in a wool cape and knit cap, talking like she was 12 freaking years old.

"Hi! I had come and see the exhibition because I didn't have time on opening night, " says she in a pouty, childish voice.

Like fingernails on a chalkboard, her voice grates on my nerves and I am instantly tired of her.

I think to myself, "Talk like a fucking woman with tits, would you"?

What is it about these aging coquettes that suspends their ability to speak like grown women?

These women regress into giggles and flutters. They bat their eyes and play wholly and entirely stupid and absentminded, as though they are still 16 attempting to get daddy to buy them a car they don't deserve. When they ask you a question, it is delivered as though you are 5 five years old. If you don't acknowledge their presence immediately, they will single you out making some inane comment about how they haven't seen you lately instead of just coming out and asking you what you've been up to.

For instance:

When she arrived at the gallery, I was not alone so I didn't stop stuffing envelopes and I didn't acknowledge her presence beyond a "Hello" tossed out into the air. She and the gallery owner exchanged pleasantries and small talk about the current exhibition. As they moved to the work area where I was, they continued talking over or around me as it were. I suppose she was giving me the opportunity to volunteer to participate in the inane conversation to which I had absolutely nothing to add.

So when I neglected to acknowledge her beyond a simple hello and faced with the knowledge that I wasn't going to participate in any social intercourse with her willingly, she forced the situation.

"Wow, Kris! You sure have your hands full there!", as though I was juggling fireballs instead of stuffing our current show prospectuses into envelopes.

"Yeah.  I do what I can to stay busy".

"Well are you doing okay?"

" Yes, I am. I apologize for not getting an Eggstravaganza submission in to you, by the way. I had to go to California unexpectedly and my focus was elsewhere". Sidenote: I mentioned this only because she specifically asked me to submit an entry. I won an award for one of my entries a couple of years ago.

"Oh that's okay! If you want to finish it, just drop it by and I'll keep it until next year. That way it will be there".

"Thanks for the option".

"So you're doing okay?"

"Yes.  You know I keep myself busy."

I could see she was dying to ask me what it was I was doing specifically but because asking something so pointed would involve some personal responsibility and because she probably did not really want to know, she did not ask. Had she asked, I would have answered her. I would have given her a watered down version to be sure because experience with this woman has told me that what you tell her, you often tell many people whether you want them to know or not.

Which leads me to this point:

God help you if you run across these aging teenagers in a group. If you are anything like me, you avoided these groups of girls in high school. If you were smart, you attempted to kick their asses in the girls locker room after P.E. or least got in a good slap and a nice sized of hank of hair. I hated these girls in high school and hate them now because the dynamics of these groups hasn't changed much with one exception. Now when these aging coquettes talk about you behind your back, they do it because they are "concerned" about you and only want to help you improve your life. Even if you didn't ask for such assistance or concern.

However unlike a 16 year old they know precisely what they are doing. Rarely do they share all of the information they have. They share only enough with those with whom they gossip to leave an unfavorable impression, at best.

Good friendship is an act. Feigned care and concern is the way they manipulate the world and the people into giving them what they want without ever having accept responsibility for their choices or behavior. They victimize themselves and when it backfires, they blame the world for the situations in which they find themselves.

It makes me sick.

And you know?

There are people who buy the act this woman plays. They believe she can't hold a thought in her head. They believe she's flighty, air-headed, and unaware. They don't remember she used to be in computer programming before she became a full-time artist. They don't seem to remember that she is co-owner of a vanity driven arts center that keeps her in the lifestyle to which she has become accustomed.

I don't know what's worse. These 50-something women pulling this phony-ass shit or the people who buy the bullshit they deliver in pounds. It's amazing.

Please Untease Me

I was supposed to deliver a Gasbag last week but alas I was too blurped to get it up because I had been in California for 10 days visiting my mother and sister. So, now, here, today is my first Gasbag installment.

What many of you might not know about me is that I am a fan of bad television. Bad reality TV. Many Sunday afternoons find me watching bad reality tv while I do laundry or surf the internet researching all manner of interests and ideas for writing or art.

I used to watch the Anna Nicole Show as close to faithfully as one can watch a train wreck in slow motion on a weekly basis.   I watch the Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency, the Bad Girls Club as frequently as I can stand and even less frequently The Hills and Engaged and Underage. I also eyeball the Real Housewives of Orange County and the Girls Next Door, both of which I actually enjoy, for reasons not entirely clear even to me so don't ask.

So toss in frequent American Idol the occasional Wife Swap now you have my credentials in bad reality TV and you will not only trust me but believe me when I say, Tease is probably the single worst and most stupid show, since Mo' Nique's FAT Chance.

WFT is up with Tease ? Touted as "the ultimate battle for hair supremacy as home town challengers face off against Master Stylists in outrageous hair challenges – all in front of a live studio audience", I have to interject. Since when is coloring and cutting hair AS FAST AS YOU CAN EVER a good idea- all in front of a live audience? And this pretty much what this show is all about. Two stylists "compete" in a preliminary round for the honor of competing against a "Master Stylist", read as a moderately talented hairstylist with a hugely overblown ego and sense of self, at least from what I saw the episode I forced myself to sit through this week.

The hairstyles this episode produced made me wonder. The theme of Episode 105: Rock and Roll. One hairstyle was identical to the stylist's and was the same old tired, 90's shoulder length shag, complete with fringe around the face, colored in a flat auburn red. The other style was shorter, asymetrical and PINK. Clearly the hair model was UNHAPPY. Both hairstyles sported bangs that completely covered one eye- AHOY Matie! Yohoho and bottle of rum.

Unfortunately, there were no images to share with you on the website from the episode so I can't show you pictures. Aside from the hairstyling, the set is ugly and the producers and/or director have decided to use cheesey "suspenseful" music in the Deal or No Deal genre to "enchance the experience" or some shit like that.  I think it's stupid.

And what is up with Lisa Rinna? I swear she is turning into the poster child for collagen lip injections and hoochey mama clothing. Manthing saw her and asked, " What is wrong with her lips"? While it's obvious the makeup is troweled as TV is wont to do with women, but aside from that no woman Lisa's age has giant, mishapen yet full lips. I'm sure she's a great person but she's so perky I want to drive a nail through her skull. Lisa Rinna might be becoming a caricature of herself... think Joan Rivers.

If you are struggling to remember just who the hell Lisa Rinna is she was Billie Reed on Days of Our Lives and was Taylor McBride on Melrose Place. She is also married to Harry Hamlin, which might explain a lot. Most recently she was the Tart In Residence on Dancing With the Stars and she co-hosts Soaptalk.

All in all, Tease is something watch when you have absolutely nothing else to do and you want a something to nap by.