Taking Advantage of the Disadvantaged, a venting session by Becky W. Carlson

Okay... so I'm sorry that my (our) triumphant return to blogging has to include a couple venting sessions (see Jeromy's vent about labs' Westminster snub), but a situation the other day really got me going. Perhaps blogging will be a good way to vent it all out...

The other night Jeromy and I were headed into the Y for one of our regular workouts. As we were walking in we saw a nice looking gentlemen walking out towards his car. Fine. No big deal. However, the car he was walking towards was identified as handicapped. Now perhaps there was something that we didn't see, but this man looked, at least to Jeromy and I, quite able-bodied.

Perhaps his wife is handicapped in some way. Maybe he was on the tail end of fighting off some sort of injury. Maybe he was borrowing a car from a less able-bodied friend. But what it looked like was that he's taking advantage of something that's meant to help those at a disadvantage.

I understand. More often than not as you are driving through a parking lot most, if not all of the handicapped parking spots are vacant. I understand. At the end of a long day it's hard to want to walk through a cold, wet, snowy parking lot after a workout. I understand.

But here's what I don't understand. What on earth would make you feel so high and mighty to the point that you felt like you were some how entitled to take advantage of something that is simply not meant for you?! There are people, whether they are utilizing them at that moment or not, who greatly benefit from such things. Suck it up, dude. Walk the extra 20 feet and thank God that you have the ability to do so. Honestly.

A related vent has to do with the door opener buttons, which are also meant for individuals who are handicapped. I can't tell you how many times I've walked into Target...the Y...through the skyway and seen people who are completely able-bodied (mostly kids, although sometimes adults), push those buttons for no apparent reason.

Again, I understand extenuating circumstances. Perhaps you are pushing a stroller, are carrying a big bag of groceries or similar bulky items, have a hurt shoulder/hand/arm that prevents you from opening said door. We've all done it. But what if you have no reason? What if you are pressing the button for laziness' sake (or in kids' case...for fun's sake). In those cases, it's a waste of energy and abuse of something that's not there for you.

I'm not a parent yet...but when I am I hope that when my kid goes to press such a button (which I'm sure he or she will), I will take the time to explain its purpose. I will tell my child that God has blessed him or her with a body that can do things like open doors, go down stairs, etc. I will tell them that to abuse such a thing is a waste and quite frankly...lazy.

Perhaps they won't understand. Perhaps when it comes down to it when I actually have kids it won't be a battle I choose to fight. But every time I see situations as described in this vent, it makes me sad. Although it's "just a small thing," I feel like it represents a lot of what's wrong with America... taking things that aren't yours (or taking more than your share), laziness, and not appreciating what one has.

Okay...I'm done. Thanks for reading. Sometimes you just have to vent...

Feel the Love...

...of the CRAVE! That's right, folks - WHITE CASTLE!

Becky, once again, proved to the world that she is the greatest wife ever by making Valentine's Day dinner plans at White Castle. I'll give you a moment for that to really sink in...Valentine's dinner at White Castle. It's true. Every year White Castle restaurants deck out their dining rooms to celebrate V-day. Table cloths, candle light, soft music, printed menus, balloons and, of course, sliders.

That last one isn't so much romantic but that's the real fun of it all. That and the fact that B had to make reservations weeks in advance in order to get in. So, at 6pm Valentine's Day, Becky and I dressed up nice (we really did) and made our way to the White Castle on E. Lake St.

We started our meal with a couple fizzy cocktails (Sprite & Cherry Coke) then dove right in and ordered cheese sticks, sliders, chicken ring sandwiches, and fries. YUM!!! It really made me think that some of those snooty restaurants downtown might have something to learn from White Castle. We were promptly seated at our reservation time, the service was speedy and friendly, the food was prepared to perfection and the ambiance was unbeatable. If they can do it, why can't everyone else? Right?

It was the perfect date for Becky and me because neither of us is a fan of the holiday. There really doesn't seem to be any good reason to get stressed out finding the right card/gift while breaking the bank on an expensive date. Low key, low budget, original, a little bit humorous and fun...just how we like it. Besides, why do we need a "special" day to tell our significant other how much we love them? I sure don't. LOVE YOU, B!

My beef with Westminster Kennel Club

I know, the dog show came and went a week ago...but this article in the Trib fueled my fire to vent a little on this topic.

Labrador Retrievers get no respect.

Ok, so I'm a little biased. But REALLY - look at the facts (as pointed out in the article linked to above). 1) A Labrador has NEVER won best in show. 2) A Labrador has NEVER won the sporting group. 3) The year the Labrador was introduced as a breed at Westminster (1923), the "best in show" title wasn't even awarded. Pshaw!

The article goes on to explain that the purpose of the show is to expose the public to new or lesser-known breeds but why, oh why, can't the country's most beloved best friend win just once? It's a fact; according to the American Kennel Club, the lab has been the most popular breed in the nation for 18 straight years. They arguably make the best helping dogs, the best hunters, and the best family dogs - all while displaying amazing loyalty and patience (especially with kids) with a happy-to-a-fault demeanor. Seriously how can you say no to this face?

Seriously...the Sussex Spaniel ain't got nothin' on Luther (or any other lab for that matter).

Ok, time for me to get off my ranting soap-box. Don't get me wrong, I'm a lover of almost any dog out there but enough is enough. Let's get over the snooty foo-foo designer breeds and see a REAL dog get a chance at the spotlight. The end.

A Whole Hand!

Today is the 5th birthday of Charles Weston Hommen II aka C.J. (Jeromy's brother/my brother-in-law). Jeromy is the oldest of four at nearly 26, C.J., the youngest at 5.
Having a brother/brother-in-law so much younger (nearly 21 years to be precise) is an interesting situation. Jeromy and I are, very feasibly, old enough to be C.J.'s parents. In fact, that assumption has been made by strangers on more than one occasion. You become more of a parent, an aunt/uncle, etc. than a brother/sister... but loving him so much all the same.
Particularly because I don't have younger brothers or sisters, I'm finding myself very nostalgic today. Jeromy and I have been together long enough (about 6 1/2 years), that we were dating when C.J. was born.
I remember quite distinctly February 12, 2004. Jeromy and I left Luther College, and picked up a very excited big sister Gracia from school. The three of us trekked up to St. Mary's hospital in Rochester to visit Mary, Chuck, and newborn C.J.
I remember when they wheeled him into the room in his little bassinet. He wailed and cried and waved his little hands jazz-hand style (this is a story I will frequently tell him now).
Since Jeromy and I went to college (Luther College) in the same town his parents live (Decorah, IA), we were able to watch C.J. grow throughout the first year or so of his life. We remember his first words, his first steps, etc. It's been a blessing to watch him grow.
So here's to you, little bro! We love you very much. We are so happy to have watched you grow these last 5 years, and cannot wait to see what the next 5...10...15...20 and beyond years will bring. Here's to being 5...a whole hand!

New Job & Evening of Hilarity

FINALLY! I'm working again...and oh, it feels so good. For the most part.

I started my new job last Monday and am pleased to report that everything is going quite swimmingly. The tough part is making the physical, and somewhat mental, adjustment to getting up at 5:30 in order to make it to Chanhassen for work by 7:00. Scheduling is flexible and I chose to start early because I'm just not willing to give up those couple of hours in the afternoon to unwind before needing to worry about dinner, going to the Y, church, etc., etc.

Aside from feeling like a zombie when I wake up, there haven't been any difficulties jumping back into full-time work and it's been great getting to know my new co-workers while taking on new responsibilities and learning the nuances of a new job in a new industry (to me). I guess the only thing left for me to say regarding the job is thanks to the good Lord for impeccable timing.

Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention how the new job and schedule having affected Becky. Since I leave so early in the morning and have a longer commute, B has started picking up the bus a couple blocks from home to get her to the train. Believe it or not, this new system is getting her to work up to an hour earlier than when I dropped her off directly at the train station in the morning. She says it helps her motivation when I'm not around in the morning while she's getting ready...At least I was a good distraction, right, B?

Yesterday (Saturday) Becky and I had a great day away in Red Wing after dropping off Luther for a play date with Marty at the Getchius' (see photo). Thanks again, Jackie! We did a little bumming around downtown Red Wing for while, poked around a few stores, grabbed a DQ treat, then headed up to Treasure Island for the evening. We're not big gamblers so we split $20 and, to make a long story short, ended up losing a total of $0.18 by the end of the evening. I know - Big spenders. Anyway, after spending a little time at the slots, we ate dinner at the buffet then headed to the event center for the real reason we were in Red Wing for the day: Frank Caliendo!

In case you're not familiar, Frank Caliendo is an amazing stand-up comedian and impressionist who spent some time as part of the MadTV cast, appears each week on the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show, and has his own sketch comedy show, Frank TV, on TBS. If you know anything about the football world, check out his John Madden impression. It's something you've definitely got to see. We had a great time and lots of laughs at the show and even got a picture & autographs afterward.

So, in summary: Yay for starting the new job, yay for great entertainment, be sure to check out Frank Caliendo some time, and DEFINITELY be sure to continue reading out blog posts because (woot woot!) we're on a roll!!!