Rachel: Contributing to Social Decline since 1984

Kim Kardashian takes to bashing "Teen mom" in a continued effort to be a worthless human being.

 

"Oops, I accidentally made a strategically done sex tape and SOMEHOW it got out" has decided that she is the authority on teen pregnancy. Specifically, REALITY shows about teen pregnancy (funny, doesn't Kim have a reality show herself?). Kim Kardashian responds to a high teen pregnancy rate reported in a Memphis high school by bashing anyone who's procreated before Kim Kardashian feels appropriate. According to bimbo Kim Kardashian, it's Mtv's fault.

"It seems that shows like 'Teen Mom' are all of a sudden making teen pregnancy seem cool in the eyes of young girls..The kids from these shows are all over the news, even on the covers of magazines, and have been become almost like celebrities, but girls, these are not people you should idolize!"

Let's talk about people we shouldn't idolize starting with the Kardashians. Lets see, they have a reality show where they parade their shallow lifestyles and show off how they give NOTHING back to society. Kim Kardashian sluts it up on a daily basis and produced a sex tape "accidentally" making her a porn star. Having sex for money, THAT IS SOMETHING ONE SHOULD IDOLIZE? Better yet, idolizing someone who's uneducated and ditzy is somehow better than girls who found themselves in a difficult situation from one bad choice?

"When I think back to when I was 16, there is no way I would even have considered having a baby...That thought wouldn't even have entered my head. Having a baby is one one of the biggest, and most life-changing decisions a person can make and while I'm not saying that no teen is in the position to raise a child, having a baby so young shouldn't be seen as the trendy thing to do."

First of all, most of these girls aren't like, "gee, I want to get fat and have a kid". These are children who aren't responsible who make a poor decision and end up pregnant. Okay, unlike miss Kim Kardashian, some girls don't have the $$$ or loose morals to "take care" of an accidental pregnancy. Kim Kardashian has enough money, resources, and connections to make sure she never carries a pregnancy to term and no one has to know about it. These girls were dealt a difficult choice and they did what they had to in order to get through it. It's not an easy choice and not all these girls are willing to ride up to the local clinic for a dose of "removing fetal tissue". Some of us, myself included, have beliefs. I had both my kids before the age of 20. Was it "ideal"? No. But I am not the kind of person who pretends they are superior to such unplanned events while whoring around Hollywood. Kim Kardashian is.

Kim Kardashian is a prostitute. Plain and simple. Nothing about teen pregnancy or teen motherhood is glamorous. However, if Kim Kardashian can gain fame and fortune from selling herself, surely a teen mom can have the opportunity to bring home a paycheck for telling her story. Mtv is trying to show the true face of teen pregnancy while giving girls in a tough situation the chance to earn a decent living. God forbid those babies of the girls have diapers, bottles, or a mom who can afford the basics, right?

My message to Kim Kardashian?

Kim, you are a heartless, idiotic, tramp. Talk about things you know like make up, shopping, and being a slut. Please stay away from any topic that requires more than a couple of functioning brain cells. Leave the thinking for the smart people. Try reading a book that isn't a magazine.

My message to teen moms?

Tell other girls your story and reach out to younger girls. Let them know it doesn't have to be the way it was for you and be their friends. Teens WILL continue to have babies, but you can help it happen less and empower girls by sharing your story. I support you and feel you should have all the available resources to help you raise your babies. Go, MTV!

How does Britney Spears keep regenerating? Anyone else AMAZED yet?

Let me preface this with stating, I have NO vocal or theatrical talent. I can sing ONE song without my voice cracking.So I have no right to dis, but I will anyway.

Anyway, how does Britney Spears keep regenerating? She's like a fricken alien who can regrow limbs and inflict mind control on the masses! She's had repeated career-ending disaster dramas, and yet, here she is. Newly minted single ready for that #1 spot. And dare I say, I will probably end up liking it.

Really, when she isn't marrying random losers, having kids, gaining and losing weight, getting into fights, being rushed to the hospital, crying, or having wardrobe malfunctions, the woman is churning out one hit after another. It's the ultimate slap in the face to Hollywood and the nation. Britney Spears dares you to challenge her not to have yet another comeback. (which comeback are we on by the way? 35?)

We're talking about a woman who SHAVED HER HEAD after a mental meltdown, then came back with an AWESOME album! Talk about a tortured artist. From television cameos to the red carpet, Britney Spears stays relevant while doing everything possible not to stay relevant. This must defy some natural law, no?

Well, one thing is for sure, every time Britney Spears makes yet another comeback, I feel like a total underachiever. The woman is NOT human.

The question on my mind right now is this: Why can't Lindsay Lohan make a comeback?

 

SoCal's Pineapple Express problem doesn't seem to involve weed or James Franco.

 
Rain. Pineapple Express is a rainfall pattern... Not the rare variety of weed that James Franco's character sold, but rain. Among the LA cries of "End Times" and "Global Warming" come actual facts about this bizarre weather pattern Los Angeles is in. Of course I was intrigued. Who doesn't love a good weather anomaly? (Minus any ensuing tragic deaths of course)

Right now, the normally bone-dry SoCal region is being inundated with typical Houston-esque type rains. It's as if a hurricane came to LA and all it left was the rain. Why call this the Pineapple Express? Probably because it involves Hawaii and it's riding the jet stream. Apparently, this happens every few decades and scares the heck out of Californians. Since the day I was born, California has literally been on the brink of total disaster so I'm rather immune to the "horror" of the disaster du jour. More or less, I am scientifically curious about how this all plays out. After all, living in several different "swamps", I have no idea why rain would scare the heck out of people.

Then again, I usually see rain on average, once a week. Not once a year or once a month.

*Interesting note, in Pineapple Express, there's a weather pattern referenced about how the weed is grown. I now have to go back and watch the movie to see if it's the weather phenomenon occurring now!

PeTA needs to stay away from children. This group is a cult!

I don't know when a parent wants to roll their eyes more. When their kids refuse to eat vegetables or when they declare they don't eat meat. Granted, my son still isn't totally aware of what IS and what ISN'T meat. He seems to think that eating tuna isn't eating meat and I am not so quick to correct him. Whatever the reason for this change of heart (we'll just say its a mysterious attitude change since I don't want to be accused of libel), I'd like to bring up an important issue affecting our kids, right now.

PETA. Peta is the "People for Ethical Treatment of Animals" and what I feel is a cult. Advocating for animals is a noble cause, spreading lies and propaganda isn't. Peta seems to have a war on fat people, a war on farmers, and a war on zoos. (I won't get into their Circus protest because I am not a fan of the circus because it's boring). Peta uses all sorts of tactics to get to children. In fact, it's their easiest target. From early elementary school to college years, PETA has saturation on all the kid hot spots. (Like concerts - every one I have been to in the past few years...) Here's a look at the shameless propaganda machine that is Peta.

The War on Fat Kids 

 

Peta supporters reproducing is child abuse. Some families eat meat, get over it.

The War on Milk

 

Targeted at early elementary school children. SHAME PETA! SHAME!!! Skim milk is also awesome and likely not to cause a "chubby charlie".

Peta War on Parents

 

Isn't this sweet? It gets better...

Peta is asking small children to take a 30 day vegan pledge with no mention about consulting a doctor or parents first. A stark contrast to other pro-vegan supporters, such as Whole Foods, who urge you to consult your doctor on all diet changes. Peta's sites aimed at small children and Peta2 at older kids is telling our children that they'll be fat unless they are vegan.

I think embracing more vegan lifestyles within reason, eating less fatty foods, and etc are great causes. I don't think PETA truly cares about any of this. Many farmers are not cruel to their animals and you can find meat selections such as free range and non growth hormone injected meats at many grocery stores today. However, not everyone is truly cut out for vegan living. Making better decisions is important, but people should become vegans out of true desire to embrace the lifestyle.

As far as the kids go, children need to discuss vegan living with a doctor and parent before even attempting. Ensuring that there are replacements for the nutrients lost is crucial. Some vegan diets are nothing but glorified anorexia if certain fats, proteins and vitamins are not present. Peta's scare tactics are also gross exaggerations if not total lies altogether. They have very strategic tactics to get to your kids when you aren't around. They even use other children to spread the propaganda. (If you've ever had a pushy vegan mom in the PTA who wants to "educate" the kids.. Or a kid in the class that uses rhetoric phrases about meat and milk.)

From the site (Peta2):

Fill out the form below if you need peta2 campaign materials-such as stickers and leaflets-to distribute in your school or community. If you have already requested that another pack be sent to you, please wait until you have received and used up that pack before ordering another. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please contact peta2@peta2.com. If you are a college student and would like to get involved, please send a message to College@peta2.com. Requested materials can take up to six weeks to arrive. If you need materials sooner than this, please e-mail us so we can help you out.

Watch out for Peta. They're coming for your kids.

Flying somewhere? The TSA Bad Touch: Your Privates!

 

Okay, I've read article after article over a three day period. I tried to ignore  "The TSA Bad Touch" stories that are on news outlets large and small. OH BUT I CAN'T! If you opt out of a full body screen, which emits radiation harmful to frequent travelers, the TSA gets to grope your genitals? Say it isn't so! Okay look, the TSA is just trying to do their jobs but the policy is ludicrous. Can't there be another way? We already scan our shoes, carry-ons, and are not permitted to bring bottles of liquids larger than a couple of ounces on board. What more can there be? If you are that convinced there are bombs in people's panties, can't we just bring in the bomb sniffing puppies?

I comply happily with the TSA when I travel because I want to live like most people who aren't sick suicidal terrorists. Will I comply with this? Yes and no. Yes in the way that I'm not going to refuse to get a body-scan or even pat down... No because I won't have to refuse. I am limiting flying altogether. If it's in a 24-hour driving distance and not required by work, I am not flying. Next years meeting is in Orlando... I can easily drive if I am asked to attend and we'll just stay an extra day or two so it's me driving on my personal time. Or, if push comes to shove, I WILL fly and get the body scan because it's not often I fly for work anyway. Have you seen the body scans though? I mean pretty intrusive stuff. I am afraid I'll be laughed at because my last c-section left my stomach uneven and I am big so it's really obvious. :(

What infuriates me though, what really upsets me is this: Muslim women are being encouraged to opt out of the whole ordeal. WHAT?!?! No offense to the moderate Muslims, but aren't Muslin extremists (all 5% of ONE BILLION of them) the reason our air travel is like this? Let's see. Things really got intense after 9/11 - caused by Muslim extremists. Worsened by underwear bomber - Muslim extremist... Oh, remember the shoe bomber? Muslim extremist. Sure there are extremists in every religion but no other religion is opting out of this. So spare me your religious dress cries. Christianity calls for modesty too. You think Jesus wanted women to have their bodies exposed to random TSA agents who may or may not have lewd or inappropriate thoughts? No!

Either everyone gets violated or no one does. For now, it looks like driving is a less invasive option.

This Thanksgiving? Boycott Sears. Abusing Retail Workers is not cool.

 
Sears isn't the first place to be open on Thanksgiving. After all, there are several grocery stores open Thanksgiving as well. The difference from my experience? Grocery stores aren't open ridiculously early the next day demanding the same employees come back for another day of heck. Also, many grocery store workers get paid time and a half or double time to work a holiday. From what I know, many grocery stores offer the OPTION to work Turkey Day and generally it's more voluntary with a financial incentive. From what I know of retail (a whole fricken lot), Sears offers no incentive outside of "not getting fired" to work that day. You see, Sears and Kmart merged under the direction of Julian Day. Julian is a snarky little brit who thinks he can outsmart retail work horses when turning around a company. Except, Julian Day doesn't really turn around the company. He cuts "overhead" (read: pay) to insanely low levels and a high turnover rate quickly ensues.

When Julian Day took over Radioshack, I worked my first New Years Day ever. EVER. I had already worked the day before. That year, I got off two days during that season. Christmas and Thanksgiving. And while I did get the actual DAY off, the days before and after, I worked literally 16 hour shifts. I only got time and a half once i went over my 40 hours. Thanks to what I call "creative breaks" (when your a-hole manager or district manager makes you come in early for a couple of hours then break for 3 hours midday), I didn't get very much $$$ for all that effort and schedule restriction. Julian day makes 8 million dollars a year. By the time I finally found a replacement job from Radioshack, my pay had been cut three times and I made $26,000 a year to work 65 hours per week as a manager AFTER commission. I made $7.69 per hour by the time I quit. When I started, I made at times between $30-$40 per hour with my commission. The pay was changed so dramatically, that I was maxing out $7.69 per hour after commission in the ultra expensive DC suburb. Julian Day? DOWN. RIGHT. EVIL.  

Retail employees matter. They have families too. Some people are only good at retail, and lets face it, not everyone is meant to be a lawyer or doctor. Why should they be punished? Don't they deserve family time too? As you so selfishly waltz into a store on New Years or Easter because you are "bored", remember, those people probably wouldn't be bored and are in much need of a break. Instead of providing incentive for retailers to shamelessly abuse their employees who may not have other employment options, you should vote with your wallet. Make those companies lose money for opening on days people should have to spend with their employees. Retail employees nearly always work weekends, days and nights, and on average get only 1-2 holidays per year to spend with families. By shopping at Sears on Thanksgiving, you'll be saying that it's okay. That they really don't deserve that time off. Sears sucks anyway, it's not like they are selling anything other people won't be on black friday. Just wait 16 hours for goodness sake!

It's you, the shoppers that control how retail treats their employees. You decide whether to support good retailers or bad ones. Be a smart shopper and remember that on your days off, these people are still working like dogs because you are "bored". Spend time with your family instead of satisfying your need to shop. That's what matters.

And finally... We find a home.

After much agonizing, explaining, and bargaining, we are set to move into our first apartment together in the Washington DC area. I'm thrilled as can be because now we know what our bills will look like most months and can relax a bit. No more spending outrageous amounts of money on gas. We're close to my job and Anthony can transfer closer to where we'll live.

Now? The issue is how to furnish it. I'm determined to Craigslist, Thrift shop, and dumpster dive for the best bargains I can find. All we have is a bed and ottoman, which are nice, but will likely not fill a nearly 1,000 sq ft apartment. So I sent an email to some thrift store savvy friends and family. I am not sure how they will respond to this:

Hi, looking for cheap furniture that needs a little TLC but not built badly. No fabric... Holy Bedbug Batman, I don't want any used fabric furnishings... Everything must be narrow or able to be taken apart because my new place is -->  <--- narrow in places. It's an antique house, so don't judge. Craigslist not working out. Some idiot wanted $300 for a 1980's (ugly) oak dining room set and then I got frustrated and logged off. I mean really, it's a plain ugly set that was in about every John Hughes movie and I am offended that only the head of the table gets arm rests for their chair.

 
 Really, Craigslist? Shouldn't we have a screening for this type of stuff? The correct category would be "free".

So, yeah. We'll see how many bees I get with that honey.

Is the flu shot worth the risks? Apparently some clinics are overplaying its benefits.

 

As I am driving through Old Town Alexandria, I pass this clinic. It’s got this advertisement for the flu shot.

3 Reasons to Get the Flu Shot

1. Prevents Death
2. Prevents Severe Illness
3. Protects Other People

The marketing girl in me is reeling from the poor design and representation. The intellectual in me is really shocked this sign is posted (and has been for two months) at all. I don’t know if because it’s a neighborhood clinic or whatever that it’s okay to be this misleading, but it’s insulting.

Gee, I am glad I got that flu shot. I know I am not going to die this year! Even better, I will not get really, really sick. Can you imagine? If you really want to interpret this the way it reads, you might think that you can race your bro at 100mph. After all, should your car slam into a jersey wall and burst into flames, you won’t die. You got your flu shot and the clinic was pretty clear that it “prevents death”. Don't worry about helping that old lady across the street. You protected her enough just by getting that flu shot!

In a world where some C-list celebrity (Jenny McCarthy) can blame vaccinating her child (with long used vaccinations) for her kid’s autism, this shocks me. Jenny literally goes about telling people not to get tried and true vaccines, but I hear nothing on the flu shot. Honestly, Jenny McCarthy could have drank and drugged her body to such an extreme, THAT caused her kid’s autism. Autism isn’t something we know a whole lot about. Given some women’s desire to have kids later in life (after perhaps a few years of hard living), I think more answers can be derived from the mothers themselves. But heaven forbid you question any of the mother’s actions in her life no matter how extreme (insert mind blowing eye roll). I am not blaming the mother or making light of autism. I’m just pointing out the hypocrisy.

Flu shot? It’s a vaccine. Hardly what I would call “effective”. I think the most effective thing you can do is take care of yourself and see your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve in a timely manner.   

I'm not a doctor. This isn't a scientific study.

Jenny McCarthy? Not a doctor either. Or a smart person. Or self respecting. Just sayin'.

IT Company... FACEPALM! Attention to detail matters.

 

Just after the campaign fail... I get another fail. This invoice from a local IT company. I know it's the local IT company because the return envelope gave it away. You see, as an IT company, everything tech will reflect on you. Especially your in-house generated invoices. So... Pay attention to detail.

Any Given Sunday. NFL week 4 bucking predictions and screwing up fantasy football leagues.

I just wanted to put it out there, these past couple of weeks, the NFL has been bucking the laws of nature. Here are a few WTF games I witnessed recently that has me waiting until most of the bye week rounds are over to make my Super Bowl predictions.

Week One -

Detriot Lions v Chicago Bears; Wasington Redskins v Dallas Cowboys; Kansas City Chiefs v San Diego Chargers

Week one was a nauseating rollercoaster. From the bullshit call on the Lions to the Cowboys losing against themselves, it was pretty crazy. The craziest moment? When the Kansas City Chiefs owned the San Diego Chargers. That was totally out of left field. Week One sent fantasy teams into total chaos.

Week Two -

The teams from Week 1, cool off...

All I can say is, in week 2, most of the underdog teams who prevailed lost a bit of steam.

Week Three -

The St Louis Rams defeat the Washington Redskins... Pretty insulting, eh? About as insulting and odd as the Chargers losing to... the Seahawks? Are you fantasy team owners crying? I hear ya.

Week Four -

Even more confusing, after losing to the RAMS, the Reskins hand an L to the Eagles and the Colts fall to... The Jags? I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Predictions for Week 5? The Eagles fall to the 49ers?

I dunno. Somehow my fantasy team is doing well.