Why is it Called Common Sense?

It really isn't all that common.  It's actually quite rare I've discovered.

While I was at the tack store yesterday, they had a huge sale going on.  They also had a neat thing that if you bought three items with a clearance tag (bright orange, really hard to miss) you can get a 4th free, and then every item after that is 25% off.

Simple and easy to follow, yes?

Well apparently not.

While I was standing in line, (I was 3rd) thinking this wouldn't take too long, the people in front of me kept just not getting it.  They had four, regular priced items and were like: we get the 4th free right?

Okay seriously?  I thought.  The funniest was that I was staring at a fluroscent orange sign with big black writing that clearly explains how the sale works.

The next person in line goes, this time it's someone with three sale stickered items.  These are yellow, not orange.  He also asked if he got the 4th free.

Nope, not bright fluroscent orange people.

It made me really, really happy that I don't work in retail.  I'd rather get bitten on the arm than deal with people who just don't get clearly explained and really bright orange with black letters things.  Like my mom said, I'd probably throw things at the customers, which probably wouldn't go over well.

Other than that though I had a lovely week!

I got to sleep in both monday and tuesday morning.  Monday I actually slept in (till 8! woo!)  Tuesday I woke up at 5:30.  But that's okay cause I read till eight then continued my day!

Work was good, just brutally hot.

Then saterday I got to go on a nice trail ride with a great friend and awesome weather!  I was also relieved that my wild child from a few months ago left and my usual, level headed awesome trail riding pony was back!

So, about this stop bullying thing...

See, the past little while people have become louder with their rallying cry of stop bullying.  I've read articles, listened to what they have to say and find myself, uncomfortable with how their going about it.  I can't quite pinpoint why.

But I think part of my issue is that they're still spouting that (quite frankly) nonsense about telling someone, a teacher, a principle, they will help stop it.  Yeah no.

You see, I spent most of my school years being bullied, by strangers, so called friends, yadda yadda, lots of teasing, pestering and mean jibes for reasons I don't even know.   When I was in kindergarden I was being litterally pushed around by a girl.  I went and told the teacher who flat out refused to help (she was a gem).  So, this whole thing of go tell someone, they will stop it.  Don't tell kids that, because when they try it, and the people who are supposed to help do nothing?  It kind of ruins your trust in authority figures.

But you know what did help?  Telling people about what I was going through.  My parents, friends, people you would listen.  It didn't stop the bullying, but it made it bearable.  It wasn't until high school that I finally clued in that if I didn't get riled up, they'd stop.  But I think I only managed that because I had people supporting me.  And it was really satisfying laughing in the face of a bully who kept trying when I'd finally just stopped caring.

To me, bullying is not something that can be stopped.  I think it's always going to be a part of society.  Because the biggest problem with bullying, is that most of the time, the bullies are also being abused in some way.  These kids too need help.  But they're often being hurt where others can't see, where teachers can't step in (not that it helps anyways).  And some kids act out on others because they're angry, scared, depressed.

I think really I'm bothered that they portray the bullies as these mean thugs, as the bad guys.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure some of the people out there are, but I really think they are in the minority.

I also feel strongly that instead of trying to get these kids to go to people who "can stop it" they should encourage them to seek help to deal with it.  Cause let's face it, sometimes life sucks, but if you're brought up in a bubble, how will you ever deal with the real world?  Sometimes your boss will be a bully, who do you tell then to stop it? hm?

Anyhow, just my two cents.

Oh Hey I'm 23!

This week, I've now realized, was kind of a blur.  Probably because there was the 48hours of waiting for my nephew to be born, then there was the excitement of the afterwards, and then suddenly the week was over.

And it kind of just finally clued in that my birthday was tuesday.  Not that no one said happy birthday, plenty of people did that, got a lovely card with awesome chocolate from my boss at work!  I even got a nephew!  But it just finally clued in like: Oh... I'm older!

Then I got distracted again when my brother and sister in law popped over with the little guy (even forgot about church!)  Gosh he's adorable!  I'm gonna have to snag my dad's phone and steal the pictures from it when I get the chance.  Seriously love that kid!

So this week...  Yup became an aunt, on my birthday, pretty darn awesome if you ask me! :)  Work was great, pony was a superstar, except when she rolled after her bath....

Yup, that's my girl, stayed clean for maybe half an hour.

All in all a fantastic week though.  But must say I am greatly looking forward to the next two days.  Two days IN A ROW I can *sleep in!!  And see my nephew again!!

If I'm motivated enough I'm thinking a nice tuesday morning ride would be great!  But my plans are to do whatever I feel like, woohoo!  (And sadly do some groceries I forgot to do cause I forgot stores are closed on holidays.  Pfft whimps! :P)

*And by sleep in I mean wake up at the usual time and stubbornly stay in bed till I feel like getting up.

Auntiedome

So yesterday at work I kept checking my phone.  It went off a lot because of facebook birthday wishes, and everytime I got I text I was like: YA-oh....  Cause I was eagerly anticipating news about the arrival of our newest family member!!

I gotta say, the kid gave me a great b-day present! :)  I'm so excited about being able to share a birthday with him!  His name's Callan, he's got red hair and I already totally adore him.

Normally I don't actually like babies, they freak me out and I feel like I'll break them.  But with that little guy, I happily held him for a good 45min!  Slept most of the time, little cutie!!  Can't wait to see more of him!

Also quite happy I'll be able to spoil him.

When you're old enough Callan, we're so gonna race to wish each other happy birthday.

TGIS

Thank goodness it's Sunday.

I love Sundays, they're my anchor in this constantly spinning world.  I can recharge, do my laundry, and there's church.  Not that I went today because my ward doesn't have it today so we can be with our moms, and since my mom doesn't go to church I stay with her.  (Plus I have many cookies to restart baking)

This week was interesting.  Can't go into details, but there was definitely a lot more action than I'm used to.

Belle's doing really well, we now have more control in the canter (thank goodness), and she feels really really good!

Yesterday me and some friends went to Pinto Valley Ranch to go riding on some professional trail horses.  It was a lot of fun!!  Though I'd forgotten I tend to freak out when I first go on these things ever since I got kicked while on a trial ride.  But once we were out in the forest I relaxed and let my horse do all the work.  I had no choice anyways, she was automatic!  We did a bit of trotting, and then one of the guide came up and separated us from the rest of the group for a canter.

At first I was like: Say what?  I wanted to walk on this thing!  Trotting was enough for me.   But my friends were game and I was not going to be the only one to say no so away we went!  It was fuuuun!!  Quite exhilarating going through a pretty big puddle, through some woods (mainly open spaces).  I also discovered Clydesdales are pretty fun to ride!  I'd definitely recommend that place. :)

My Brain Child!!

So, currently I'm extremely thankful I visit my parents once a week (sometimes twice).  Not only do I get at least one free meal (sometimes three or four), get their company, but I get INTERNET!!!

And with internet I can watch the Legend of Korra.  Fantabulous that show is!!

I have just one issue with it.

THEY STOLE MY BRAINCHILD!  Aman = one of my villains.  (Me keeping name hidden :P)

Seriously, the similarities between them are eerily accurate.  Even the appearance!!  Hood + face mask.  Every episode I watch with Aman in it sends shivvers down my spine, not only cause he's also a fantastic villain, but because he's soooo much like my villain that I literally feel like I'm watching my own brain child at work.  And after the last episode there's no doubt in my mind they somehow cloned him.

But it also freaks me out for an entirely different reason.

See, this whole not being able to write my own stories for months on end leaves me with stress, which also makes the block worse.  But, lately more and more stories I see (either in book, show or movie form) echo ideas and characters I've had in my brain for years (this villain has been in my head for at least 4 or 5 years, perhaps more) and I keep thinking that when I finally get them written people will think I've ripped off the ideas.

It seriously scares me so much!  But it doesn't help me get my stories written and it's so frustrating.  I wouldn't be so scared and frustrated if I was at least making progress.  But there has been none.  Sometimes I feel so incapable of doing anything I have to motivate myself to do.  (ie selling Avon = complete and total fail... as with selling old tack... doing paintings... yeah...)

Like I really, really, really wish I could just connect my computer to my brain.  Because the stories are there, the characters are there.  And they are so alive.  They're itching to come out into the world and I feel like I'm failing them.  (And I do very much consider characters and stories to be living, it's what helps me write).  But their voices have been so quiet for so long because I repressed them thinking I was going nuts.  (Well I had so called friends tell me they thought I was nuts.  Great self esteem boost right there let me tell you).

There are still so many mental demons in my head I have to fight with and I keep ignoring them and backing off instead.  Ugh seriously, I can be so frustrating.  I have such a hard time letting go of things and moving on.

But, this is also partly why I've forgiven Nickelodeon for taking my brain child because for the first time in years he spoke to me.  Clearly and plainly.  I'd been talking to a friend about how I could not for the life of me figure out his motivations, and he just up and said it.  I was like WOAH! Long time no chat buddy.

Anywhooooo.  I saw the Avengers today, it was totally worth getting up early to start work extra early and be in ottawa in time for an 11am showing.  See it now, NOW!  It completely surpassed my expectations, and they were high let me tell you! :)