06 August 2012

Things I Don't Understand

Not all of them, of course, but there are so many all at once over the last few weeks, I'm hoping to get them out of my brain  ...

1.  Why, after writing about starting new projects when there are so many unfinished, I have not knit a stitch in over a week?

2.  Why anyone could possibly care about Olympic gymnastics champion Gabby Douglas' hair, when she has accomplished something that not even 10% of all humankind will even come close to doing?

3.  Why people like hot and humid weather?  I was dismayed at the wimpy winter we had (I know other parts of the country had a terrible winter, though), but then the summer came along with a vengeance.  Oh well, who needs to breathe, right?

4.  What is the deal with guns?  I don't think anyone should have a gun (well, OK I guess if you have an army you need to have guns), much less several.  And NO ONE needs assault weapons if you ask me.  I know this is not always a popular opinion, but if anyone reading this is offended, I am expressing my own opinion.  Whereas, I would like everyone to think like I do, I am not so naive as to think they do.

5.  Why people have to kill other people because they are different?  I am not by any stretch of the imagination the world's most noble, perfectly tolerant person.  But I learned that from a very early age that a) not everyone was just like me, and b) if they were not, and I didn't like it, that was my problem, and c) if I felt it was just so terrible as to be unbearable, I should stay away from them, move, or anything other than even think of harming them.  My parents were not necessarily enlightened, they were however, quite practical, and did not suffer fools gladly.  (In which case, Apple meet Tree ...)

6.  Why it's considered so weird/unnatural/selfish/fill-in-the-blank not to want to have children?  The world has plenty of people, and isn't it actually better not to have children if you don't want them, than to have them because it's the societal norm?

7.  Why the assumption is that if you don't want children, you will want to hurt them?  Plenty of people who have children they wanted do that, thank you very much.

8.  Why it is OK to answer a call on your cell phone while either talking to someone else in person, or ordering your food and drink while others are behind you in line?

9.  Why people who have been waiting to check out of the grocery store or for the bus for more than 5 minutes suddenly have to rifle through their purses/bags/pockets for the money or tokens to pay?  Really?  Did they think that somehow, it would be free??

10.  Why it is a bad thing in America to be smart?  If you show any intelligence at all - about anything - you are suddenly a snob, or elitist, or live in an ivory tower.  Which always amuses me, because you don't need to be smart at all to fall into those categories.  And yet, smart people are apologetic, as if it's a failing.  Don't we want smart people to be doing things, leading us, making discoveries?  Stupid people do plenty every single day, and some of them are famous for it.

OK, I'll shut up and move on with my life.  I do, however, feel a little better now that I've gotten that off my chest.

Which reminds me ... oh never mind. :-)

11 comments:

Lorraine said...

Bridget- The cell phone thing makes me nuts. Or worse, when I am paying for something, and the clerk answers the phone in the middle of the transaction.

Like, wtf?

Marie said...

I agree with every single thing you wrote, especially the ones about not having kids. You go girl!

kathy b said...

Your point about CHILDREN is well taken. We as a society must embrace our aunts, uncles, neighbors for the wonder they are. IT TAKES A VILLAGE>..no one raises a child alone. Everyone doesn't WANT to be a parent and that is to be admired.

Jenn said...

I like hot. Humid can go suck an egg. My thoughts on winter are well documented.

I feel like cell phones are the downfall of society. That, and the five-ish year old kids who were sitting behind me at the baseball game on Monday who referred to each other as "dude" non-stop, sometimes several times per sentence.

Nancy said...

I, too, agree with all you said. Really, no one in the general population needs semi-automatic weapons, which are made for ONE purpose, and don't give me the lame excuse they are sportsmen because who wants to eat wild game riddled with shrapnel. I have a love/hate relationship with cell phones and only use and answer if the time is convenient; after all, if it is important, the call can leave a message.

Dianne said...

I second all of your points!!!!! I feel better just reading your post!

KSD said...

And why are children the only species sharing the planet with us that we are allowed to hit? Hit an animal: abuse. Hit a grown-up: assault. Hit a child: teaching discipline.

Mereknits said...

I agree with you on all points. The guns thing really gets me going, do we really need them to protect ourselves? I think that having kids is a choice, I work with delayed children, many born drug addicted, really what a horrible way to start your life. Have a great day,
Meredith

Brigitte said...

I could not agree more.

If I had a buck for every tool who looked at me like there was something wrong with me because I never wanted to have children, I'd be a rich, rich girl.

Oh. And ditto for #1. I have knit so precious little this summer I hardly recognize myself!

Sally said...

I love you, Bridget.

Bridget said...

Thank you Sally (whoever you are ...)

:-)