Sign of the Times (10/09) Bachelor Finale (03/09) Bachelor Jason vs The Return of DeAnna (02/09) Cigarette Taxes (02/09) Patrick Swayze's Grace (01/09) Momma's Boy (12/08) It's Okay To Be Gray (06/08) Me and Him (05/08) Shocking Print Errors in "Big Name" Books (03/08) Trace Adkins on Celebrity Apprentice (03/08) Make It Work (03/08) Everyday Rudeness (02/08) Britney Spears (01/08)

Old Blogs Two and a Half Men (12/07) Style/Dress Sense Seen on TV (12/07) What to Blog About (11/07) The Bachelor (10/07) Car Renters - WARNING! (10/07) Survivor (China) (9/07) My New Book! (8/07) America's Got Talent Finale (8/07) Fat March Brat (08/07) Thumping Music (08/07) Victoria Beckham (7/07) Age of Love (7/07) Other People's Kids (6/07) Hell's Kitchen / Creature Comforts (6/07) Driven by Altruism (5/07)

Miss U.S.A. (2007) Gifts and Thanks Getting Ahead in Life Golden Globe Awards (2007) People's Choice Awards (2007) Hairdressers American Idol (2007) Survivor (Fiji) Amazing Race (2007) Dancing with the Stars (2007) The Bachelor (4/2007) The Bachelor (2006) Skinny Models Tobacco vs Alcohol Old Blogs

      When I started my own blogs, I'd never even read a 'blog', but I got the gist behind the idea.  In October 2006 I decided to air my gripes as a new addition to my website, and I seemed to concentrate on television commentating.  Now I'm going to pick topics out of a hat and gripe about them.  That's not to say I don't appreciate (or notice) the nice things in life, I do, but I wanted to get people thinking about the things that irritate them so that they can help eliminate them from their lives in an attempt to try and make life more harmonious.  Not to sound hostile, but rather selective and discerning.  There are enough ghastly things out there to contend with (I can't possibly associate myself with everything), so I've narrowed things down somewhat.  I'm still going to comment on television.
      I'm pretty much a run-of-the-mill gal and I've proved that my opinions are not necessarily mine alone - there are plenty of people out there who feel the same as I do.  These pages will be updated on a regular basis on topics that I feel strongly about.

SIGN OF THE TIMES
October 19, 2009
    Trying to make a buck in this economy is proving more and more difficult.  Is it really because people don't have money to spend or because they really don't give a hoot?  I know money is tight, believe me I know.  I barely have a dime to my name.  But, I don't ask for handouts, don't spend what I don't have, try each and every day to find ways to earn a living, and watch how others are living in this economy.
    I decided to put myself in deep debt when I knew that I had to help myself get a job.  A difficult decision but one I don't regret as the end result is a beautiful book of my wildlife photographs which I am selling to raise funds, not only for myself (I need to pay rent and eat), but for wildlife and animal charities.  A noble cause but one that's not reaching many interested recipients, and I know that there are zillions of animal lovers and fanatics out there!  I've had numerous book signings but don't seem to attract much more than raves for my work.  The book is only $12.00 for heaven's sake, with $2.00 of that going to charity!  What could be more appealing?
    It's not that people don't have money, I've seen them lining up at those expensive coffee shops just dying to hand over more than $12 for a few cups of coffee which is gone in about ten minutes.  Or those long lines at drive-throughs — lazy doesn't begin to describe the way people sit in their cars, hand over their money to someone at a window, drive to the next window and pick up a bag of nosh.  My goodness, that's one reason so many people are grossly overweight and have so many health problems.  At least get out of your car and walk to the counter!  My book will last a lot longer than it takes to scarf down a hamburger, and it will give you endless pleasure as you enjoy what I wish to share with you, and it will help good causes too.
    Just look at people's shopping carts in the grocery stores and see what crap they pile into them.  Crap they stuff their faces with and line their thighs with, but would they help our animals?  No, at my signings, most of them just walk by as though I had a table full of smelly stuff which they'd rather not come near.  I always have a smile on my face and try, gently, to encourage them to come and have a look at my book.  Some are amazed at the variety of wildlife I manage to capture within just a few miles of where I live, while others say nothing as they flip through the book, which is fine, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to, I respect that.  But what irks me no end is when I hear "I don't have the money right now" but you see the person a few minutes later with a giant soda and some plate of food they've just picked up, or they arrive at my table with a take-out bag of food!  If they didn't have any money, why are they wasting whatever was in their purse on junk food?  I also know and respect that not everyone is an animal lover, but isn't helping others just as noble?  People need to stop wasting money on junk stuff and invest in what matters; our planet and ourselves.  If you would like to help me help our wildlife and animals, please visit this web page.  I also sell my book (and wildlife greeting cards) at the Etsy.com website.  Thank you.

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THE BACHELOR FINALE
March 3, 2009
    Thank goodness this tripe is now over, and if I can contain myself, I am going to ban myself from the next series.  Jason has really put himself in the crapper now, after all that "niceness '.  (Ladies, look beyond what you see - there's usually something lurking in the background.)  The impression I got from the finale last night, was that he was so aware of the cameras and kept checking to see if they were rolling, and then put on the balling act of his life.  Always checking to see if he was on camera.  Totally off-putting and so very insincere.
    I could not believe this little twerp dumped Melissa on television, and then had the audacity to tell Molly about it on television (putting her in a very awkward position), and then want her back!  This has to be the most degrading thing he could have done.  No wonder Melissa told him not to contact her as she left.  Being dumped is not the nicest thing, but being dumped on national television is just tasteless, and proves to me once again, that money conquers all, including morals and decency.  He could have called her aside in private and told her of his intentions, sleazy as they were, and then just announced to Chris Harrison the outcome.  But no, he had to make a spectacle of himself, and Melissa, and then cry his tiny little heart out on television.  Boo bloody hoo, idiot!  How dare you insult and humiliate Melissa in public, the woman you chose (in public) to be your wife, the woman you told you loved (in public), and the woman you felt comfortable enough with to bring into your child's life?  You're nothing but a money-grabbing doofus.
    I still think he will go on to dump Molly as well, for whatever reason, and that he and DeAnna (or "me and DeAnna" as he would probably say) will end up together.  I just hope he doesn't do it on television.  He and DeAnna deserve each other, the self-obsessed duo that they are.
    I also had to wonder at the example he was setting for his son when it comes to women.  Oh, you can have whichever "one" you like, and oh, you can just toss her aside and take another "one" if you choose.  And it doesn't matter where or when you do it, just as long as you're happy, son.  I've always thought that the name Jason was a good name for a dog.

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BACHELOR JASON vs THE RETURN OF DeANNA
February 25, 2009
    Because of the trailers shown on television about DeAnna returning at the last minute, I just had to pen this blog.  I hope I'm not wrong.
    How pathetic is this woman?  She's had to appear three times to find a man and she still hasn't succeeded.  Give up and find a hobby, woman.  And now we have to endure more of her patronizing and condescending blinking (you're not always talking to idiots, you know, and you look like a half-wit doing it) and her feeble attempts at landing a husband.  How desperate does one have to be? I don't know the reasons for her pitching up in New Zealand (money, no doubt) to upset Jason's applecart, so I'll surmise from the TV trailer.  She made a mistake?  Has he proposed yet?  So it's not too late?  Just who does this woman think she is?  Not too late for whom?  Back off and leave us alone and get the heck out of Jason's life - you don't belong with him - you walked away from him before, just do it again.  I wish she'd subscribe to Match.com or any other dating website so she will be off television and we wouldn't have to look at her anymore.  [Okay, so I jumped the gun.  Those promos really led us astray, just as they were intended.  However, for a few minute's (that we saw) chat to Jason, just to tell him she made a mistake and chose the wrong person - WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY, people!]
    And finally, if Jason abandons both Melissa and Molly and heads off into the sunset with DeAnna, it'll be a few million thumbs down, and he will deserve whatever he gets with and from her.  Good luck, Jason.  Oh, and please, won't someone point out to Jason the correct way to use "so-and-so and I" and "so-and-so and me" - it's getting on my nerves as he constantly uses "so-and-so and I" instead of "me" - read my blog.

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CIGARETTE TAXES
February 24, 2009
    Last night's news revealed that yet another (the second this year!) tax on cigarettes will come into play in April.  I heard something about "smoke-free states" which caught my attention.  Why?  I've never heard of anything so ridiculous.  It's "socially acceptable" to have a drinking problem, yet you're perceived as a social outcast if you're a smoker.  I hate the double standards.  It reeks of favoritism.
    I wonder why it's okay for drinkers to drink in public and make complete fools of themselves, get into a car, drive home and threaten the lives of who knows how many people on the road, only to get home and fight with their families.  Detox facilities and rehab centers for alcoholics cost us, the taxpayers, so much money, just so that drunks can be pampered back into society, while smokers have to pay the brunt of taxes unfairly levied on their choice of vice.  Also costing the taxpayers money, are the extensive road blocks set up to catch drunk drivers - imagine the cost for the manpower for these operations?  Have you EVER heard of road blocks being set up to catch drivers smoking?  WHY ISN'T ALCOHOL TAXED TO DEATH AS WELL?
    Smokers have complied and don't smoke in public (I'm so relieved that restaurants do not allow smoking!), so why shouldn't drinkers also have severe restrictions (other than not driving under the influence) like not drinking in front of children so that they see the real you, not drinking until you pass out and are totally not responsible for your own safety, etc.  Smoking does none of these to a person.  Why the constant discrimination against cigarettes?
    I detest listening to a drunk person prattle on inanely, completely unaware of the fools they make of themselves, of being confronted by a drunk in the street trying to appear "normal", so annoyed seeing people sitting in bars guzzling alcoholic drinks until the cows come home, especially when it's 9 or 10 in the morning!  I'm so tired of hearing reports of college students binge drinking, passing out, and often dying from alcohol abuse.  This doesn't happen with cigarettes.  And finally, only a fool would argue that smoking is bad for you - let them smoke - they're only harming themselves.  They're not driving under the influence of alcohol, not lashing out at the family in a drunken stupor, not passing out in public, and in general, not being a pain in the butt to society.  I have to know why alcohol isn't taxed and restricted to the same extent that cigarettes have been maligned.
    Below is my first blog which I wrote back in 2006, also on the dispute between cigarettes and alcohol.  Just my point of view.
CIGARETTES vs ALCOHOL
October 13, 2006
      I've had enough of the constant talk about more tobacco taxes (last night's news discussion) and the "horrors" of smoking - not only in this country, but in many other countries too.  Smoking is not good for your health, or the health of your family and the general public, so if you can quit, do so.  The health risks of both cigarettes and alcohol are undesirable.  But, I have to say, that even though tobacco is bad for you, it does not alter your perception the way alcohol does.
    How many people have been arrested for smoking while driving?
    How many parents beat up their families after a few cigarettes?
    How many people pass out from a night of smoking cigarettes?
    How many people choke on their own tobacco-induced puke and die?
    How many people do you know go to Tobacco Anonymous (even though it's probably the hardest habit to stop)?
    Why is it that you have to be 21 to legally drink alcohol but you can legally smoke at any age (not that that's right, I have to add)?
    Why isn't alcohol being taxed to death like cigarettes?
    Why the constant tobacco bad-mouthing when alcohol has much more immediate and potentially detrimental consequences to all in close proximity to a drinker and/or alcoholic?
      Cigarettes don't interfere with most medications, unlike alcohol which could be fatal.  I'd rather socialize with a smoker than a boozed-up drinker.  Tobacco doesn't make you incoherent or impair your judgment, something you need at all times.  Why isn't alcohol being banned from being consumed in public places, i.e. bars and pubs?  Duh, too many people would go out of business.
      It's absurd that only tobacco gets so much attention.  It's inconceivable to think the same doesn't apply (more so) to alcohol.  Children see and feel the horrors of an intoxicated parent which, in my book, is more damaging than smoking - assuming you smoke outside the house and not around the children, or any children.
      My philosophy is that if you want to damage your health by smoking or drinking, go ahead, but do it in the privacy of your own space and where there are no kids around.  Whatever your personal vice may be, do so responsibly, and always be considerate of the people around you.
      Everything in moderation is key.  Preferably though, try and stop these bad habits altogether.

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Patrick Swayze's Grace
8 January 2009
      Last night they broadcast Barbara Walters' interview with Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi, which was moving, sad, joyous, and encouraging.  Despite all the negative and hurtful media his illness has received, Swayze remains his usual confident and determined self.  With his devoted wife, they've tackled, and continue to tackle this frightening disease.  Pancreatic cancer is notorious for taking a quick hold, kicking patients in the butt, and then it's over.  I had a friend die from pancreatic cancer, a non-smoker, and it's scary.  Mr. Swayze's personable approach and belief that he can beat this battle was encouraging because it means that you don't have to lie down and die.  He's kept himself busy not only with TV work, but also on his glorious farm with their animals.  Of course they're sad, who wouldn't be, but they continue living life with dignity and grace.  I shed more than a few tears watching the program and felt compelled to blog about his attitude, which is wonderful.  I'm so tired of hearing people nag and complain about inane things in their lives, so when I hear another, in genuine pain and struggle, not complain, I shed a tear.  Swayze has the ability to draw audiences into his characters (think the passionate Orry Maine), to make us feel what he's portraying, and in life too, I could feel his passion for his life, which is no doubt what keeps him strong.  To describe these two people as good people, would be an understatement.  They are perfect examples of how we as humans should be living our lives: dedicated to each other, caring for nature, and doing something positive.  Thank you both for your lessons.  We need more people like you two.
And thank you both for all those beautiful trees.

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Momma's Boy
20 December 2008
      Shame on NBC for picking up such drivel and for having the audacity to actually show this pathetic program.  I have to ask the execs just who they thought they were catering to.  Because, in my estimation, there are more people with brains out there than there are without.  In my opinion, this program was a complete waste of time and precious money that could have been better spent elsewhere, like serving the community, instead of dishing up probably one of the most unpalatable shows in the history of television.  It caught me off guard last night, and knowing there is usually very little on a Friday night on TV, I channel surfed and hit upon this show, instead of going with my gut and putting in a DVD.  My mouth fell open at the inane blather from the ditzy girls, and I'll not comment too much about those smothering mothers.  I couldn't believe that there were people like this in this "advanced" nation.  What century are they living in?  As for the girls (they are not women in my opinion, rather giggling little girls), what can I say?  Shame?
      What person in their right mind would sign up for a program like this, one in which they are after a man, when you're up against a brick wall in the form of his mother?  What kind of life do you expect to endure should you actually land him?  If you ask me, a life of misery, and you'd deserve it.  The right thing to do when you come up against Mommas like those, whether on a TV show or not, is to run for the hills, leave the state, and never look back.  In fact, what kind of woman would even want a man(?) such as those on parade?
      I found this show an insult to my intelligence, and I could not believe that such nonsense was even considered at the time.  Americans have to feel ashamed at shows such as these, for they are also seen overseas, and audiences there continue to laugh at the absurdity of the American mind and way of life as portrayed on television.  Don't cater to the lowest denominator, when there are capable people out there who need jobs and could enlighten the populace instead of dragging them along like subserviant donkeys.  After about 20 minutes, I couldn't stand it and got up and went to do something else.  Shame on you if you watched it all.
      I so enjoyed the Secret Millionaire which I stumbling upon a couple of weeks ago on Fox.  Now, there is something distasteful about flaunting (or at least showing it off) one's wealth and excesses on national television, but when the end result is a helping hand to some deserving person in the form of a personal donation (not one from the show's budget), then my heart is glad and I'm happy to shed a few tears.  To me there is nothing more rewarding (and somewhat entertaining), uplifting, and encouraging, than watching others helping others.  This we need more of!  It's even reflected on the faces and in the hearts of the millionaires.

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It's Okay To Be Gray
9 June 2008
      We all hate going gray but it's a fact of life - we all do, sooner or later.  For some fortunate ones, it's later.  For me, I guess I could be one of the fortunate ones.  Even though my mother was completely gray (almost white) in her late twenties, my father didn't go gray until some twenty years later.  I take after my father's side while my sister and brothers seemed to have gone gray many years earlier than I.  And I'm the eldest!  However, sooner or later has caught up with me and although I've noticed a few gray hairs under the surface, they are becoming more visible, mainly because I've just cut my hair rather short.  But you know what?  It's not so bad.  I took along a picture of Jamie Lee Curtis' short hair and had mine cut along those lines.  It was only once I showed the photo to the hairdresser, that she commented on the gray in Jamie Lee's hair.  I had noticed it but it didn't jump out at me.
      For years I used to highlight my hair because it was a mousy color rather than to hide any gray.  When I became poor and literally couldn't afford to color it anymore, I just had to live with mousy hair and it wasn't so bad.  It got a little lighter in summer because of the sun, and I have natural goldish hair which helps alleviate the mousy aspect.  The more I see women letting their hair go gray, the more I don't mind it.  As long as it's neatly kept and clean.  What I can't stand is seeing gray roots!  Eeeeek.  Especially one- and two-inch roots.  That's so ghastly, I can't stand it.  Rather show the naturalness of your hair than have a bad coverup job.  I think people forget that the rest of the world has to look at them from a completely different angle, and therefore they should be aware of what they look like from all aspects.  Not, of course, that we should dress for others, but please, be respectful of showing too much of anything - we don't have to be exposed to too much.
      Back to gray hair - it's not so bad, just look at Jamie Lee Curtis, and she's not even 50 yet!  And she's a Hollywood celebrity!  It's almost a thumb to the nose to the rest of the world and I applaud her bravery and the courage of her conviction.  She's not as slim as she used to be either, and so all the more applause Ms. Curtis!  She's nicely inbetween - what we should all strive for.  Not too thin and not too heavy.  Just right, the way it should be!
      It's okay to be gray - after all, I am fifty.  And you know what?  Men don't really care - just look how few of them color their gray!  Those who do color their gray?  Well, that's another blog entirely!

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Me and Him
30 April 2008
      Me and him, me and my friend, me and her, whatever, it's all wrong and painful to listen to.  You hear it everywhere, even on television where supposedly they have scriptwriters.  Or on chat shows or TV court shows where people are telling their stories.  My biggest buggaboo is the misuse of I instead of me.  You hear "It appealed to Jane and I," instead of "It appealed to Jane and me."  When I was growing up it was constantly pointed out that it's not "Me and Greg went bowling," but "Greg and I went bowling."  However nowadays, if you correct a kid, all you'll get back is "No it isn't!"  I have to wonder why parents and teachers don't correct children's speech.  It would be for their own good.
      It's so easy to remember: Always start with the other person, if there is another person.  For example: Jenny and I went to the store.  Never "Me and Jenny went to the store"!!!! If Jenny didn't go with you, you wouldn't say "Me went to the store" would you?  If you leave one person out, you can "hear" which word is correct.  Like "Me and him went to the game."  Eeeeee.  It's "He and I went to the game."  How can you check?  If either of you went alone to the game, it would be "I went to the game" not "Me went to the game," or "He went to the game" not "Him went to the game," so "me and him" is redundant.  I also wish that people would refer to he, she, her, and him, with the person's name.  It sounds kind of offhand saying "she" when the person is standing right there.
      This is a little irritation but it's used in every corner of the country by any and everyone, and it isn't challenged.  For heaven's sake, please teach people how to speak properly if they are to be taken seriously in this world.

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Shocking Print Errors in "Big Name" Books
25 March 2008
      I read a lot of books, as you know, and I'm now at the point where I am thoroughly pissed off at the lack of attention to detail by many publishers.  Not just willy-nilly publishers, BIG NAME publishers.  There are far too many print mistakes creeping through in books (not cookbooks or travel books as much) these days, mainly in autobiographies and other general-type books, from big name publishers no less.  What irks me even more is that I do proofreading and have sent off my résumé and job applications to many publishers in the hope of making a few dollars to pay my rent and feed myself.  I don't get paid for reading and reviewing the enormous amount of books that I do for my website.  Ninety-nine percent of those to whom I apply for jobs don't even bother to reply, and the other kicker is that they often require a college degree!  I don't have a college degree yet I read and speak my own first language apparently better than those who do have college degrees and who work for big publishers.  I have a good work ethic and apply myself properly to the job at hand, and I pay attention to detail.
      I'm so annoyed at this sloppiness that I've started pointing out in my reviews the books (for which people pay good money) that have errors, often blatantly obvious errors.  I feel it's an insult to the readers' intelligence to have to bump up against, and halt, when confronted with print errors while reading.  It's an unnecessary distraction.  The other thing I find incredulous is that over the last two decades, at least, it's been so much easier to correct a book manuscript because of computers - so much quicker.  However, in the last two decades things have got worse in my opinion.  I never had this problem (at least to this extent) with finding so many errors back in the old days, and neither do I have this problem with many British-published books.  This is a bad reflection on publishers, who it would appear, don't have the dedicated staff to help put out quality books.  Don't people care anymore?  What happened to quality control?  Are we just going to sit back and take the sloppy stuff we're offered?  Why should we?  Money is tight and getting tighter by the week, so my suggestion is to borrow books from your library instead.  Incidentally, I'm not the only one who gets annoyed with these errors.
      Also, from now on I'm going to make mention of those books with errors when I review them.  Let me give you three examples right off the bat.  The Valerie Bertinelli book (Free Press/Simon and Schuster) is full of errors, such as no period after a sentence and the next sentence not starting with a capital letter, or a period but no capital letter starting the next sentence.  There were also spelling mistakes galore, and two errors appeared within the same paragraph!  The other book, which I reviewed, Mother Nurture (HarperCollins), had two horrible mistakes which I spotted quite freakishly.  I opened the book randomly and found myself at the story from Colin Cowie's mother.  Colin Cowie and I both hail from South Africa.  I read the story and was shocked, literally shocked, to read this sentence, after four mentions of "South Africa" - "Even now, he still comes home every June and July, when Australians celebrate the holiday [Christmas] because of the opposite seasons, to organize the dinner."  What has Australia got to do with anything?  And, incidentally, we (South Africans) don't celebrate Christmas in June and/or July.  We have it on the 24th or 25th of December, just like everyone else.  There are a few fun-loving people who like to have a Christmas-like celebration in the winter (June/July) instead of in the December heat.  Do you find this as inexcusable as I do?
      I've just reviewed Animals from Africa (Universe/Rizzoli) which had an inordinate amount of errors.  Do take a look for yourself.
      I know I could do a much better job at catching print errors.  I'm also searching for a publisher for my cookbooks to use as tools to raise funds for charity.  Publishers are notoriously bad at getting back to people, and are not known for giving someone unknown a chance, unless they happen to be related in some way to a celebrity.  And unless you are a celebrity writing a book for charity, and need all the publicity you can get, it seems publishers don't really give a hoot about giving money away.  The odd thing is that I always stipulate that the money for charity will come from my earnings.  I'm so tired of wanting to work, wanting to do good for others, and nobody bothering to listen or give me a chance.  Boo bloody hoo.
Paste this link in your e-mails to friends and book club members.  Thanks. 

http://www.geocities.com/pettprojects/blog.html#pub

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Trace Adkins on Celebrity Apprentice
8 March 2008
      I dig Trace Adkins.  I'd never heard of him before I encountered him on Celebrity Apprentice (I almost didn't watch this program because of the nauseate-factor of one celebrity wannabee), and I haven't a clue as to what he sings.  I like his quiet gentleman approach and his sexy deep voice - say no more!  Having jumped up and down in my seat last Thursday night, celebrating with the rest of the country watching a certain person under fire (aren't you sick of her double-edged sword and squirming way she tries to backpedal and defend her deplorable actions, words, and behavior?) eliminated from the show (finally!), I also had to chuckle at Piers' very funny response and Trace's obvious horror and typical Southern "man" reaction - got to love that British humor! -  But, he was controlled and took it like a man, which impressed me even more.  I'm rooting for Trace to win the show, just because.  However, Piers has done a sterling job in getting celeb contacts to come through for him and to pony up money for charity, which is what the show is all about.  Come on Mr. Adkins, use your celeb status to call on contacts!
      The other thing I want to mention is that I have just reviewed (I review non-fiction books) Trace Adkins' book, A Personal Stand, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  It's a collection of his observations and opinions on this country (and the world) today mixed in with a little about himself and his career.  There is clearly a sense of humor throughout the book along with constructive advice.  It's a lovely book and well worth reading, especially about all of his near-death experiences.

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Make It Work
3 March 2008
      I'm so tired of struggling, of being poor, and of the constant battle to be heard.  All I want is a job and a life.  Without a car it's difficult to find a job, especially one which involves driving to work.  So, I'm going to try and make it work.  How?  Because I don't hear back from so many people I apply for jobs with, or hear back from those I write to making suggestions for jobs, I have to make a job for myself.  At the same time, I don't want my heart to harden at the lack of response from others, and I do want to fulfill my dream of helping others too.
      That said, I am going to be publishing my own little books, from start to finish, sell them to try and make a few dollars, and use them as tools to raise funds for my dream charities.  These booklets are not going to be listed with an ISBN number (that costs money) or registered with the Library of Congress (that costs money), and neither will they be beautifully bound (that costs money).  They are to be basic and practical, the way I am.  The text inside will make you think about not only your own life, but the lives of others and the life of our surroundings.  The best part, after actually putting this project together and making a few pennies for myself (my new job), will be that I am going to donate $1 for every book sold to various charities.  I don't care that I am not a registered charity (that costs money and is difficult to do) - I will have a web page that I will regularly update where I tally the $1s and list the charities to whom I plan to send donations.  I trust myself implicitly, and I hope you will too.
      Please visit my website often and keep a lookout for a new link to the new web page where you'll be able to order a copy for yourself and your friends.  This little booklet will be great bathroom reading.  They will also make great little gifts, not only to the recipients, but also to the charities I plan to help.
      Please help me help myself and help others at the same time.  Thanks.
E-mail me at pettprojects@yahoo.com if you would like me to let you know when the book is available for purchase.

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Everyday Rudeness
1 February 2008
      It never fails to annoy me.  It never fails to happen everyday.  What am I talking about?  Rudeness.  Everyday I encounter some form of rudeness despite my happy disposition and good manners.  I know that Americans are not known for their manners and appear uncouth, loud, opinionated, condescending, and arrogant to the outside world, but when you confront them on their own turf, it's another matter completely.  The vast majority of regular people can barely string together a sentence in their native language, can barely write properly (witness the borderline illiteracy in zillions of blogs and message boards for a reality check), and yet they think they are above everyone else in the world.  In fact, many Americans have no clue whatsoever about any other country other than Canada to the north of them and Mexico to the south.  The rest of the world is a blur.  Witness Kellie Pickler on "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" when she asked if France was a country, and when she thought Europe was a country.  Alarming!  How can Americans be so conceited when they have so much to work on before they can even compare themselves to others?  Why be rude on top of this?
      The rudeness I want to talk about in this case, is in business.  Quite apart from the rudeness you encounter in other places, I would have thought that with the economy as fragile as it is at the moment, business people would go the extra mile and be nice to potential customers and/or clients.  Not.  (Being nice all the time to all and sundry should be second nature, regardless of who you are dealing with.)  I'm in the business of writing books and looking for a publisher has not been an easy task.  I am well aware that publishers are inundated with writers and authors looking for a deal, but that is no excuse for not replying, favorably or otherwise, especially nowadays with the immediacy of e-mail.  You don't hear one way or the other but you are cautioned against submitting manuscripts/proposals to more than one publisher at a time.  No wonder it takes about five years to find a publisher.  The waiting is unbearable.  I've waited a year before I actually heard from a publisher, but in the meantime I had given up on them and had written to other publishers.  I need a job.  I need to hear back.  The few publishers who bother to reply, sometimes bring a tear to my eye because they took the time to make contact.
      I would think that publishers would be able to get a feeling right away whether or not a manuscript or proposal will work - if the writer can actually write without spelling mistakes, that's the first hurdle overcome.  If they can write a comprehendible paragraph, surely they deserve a yes or no or even a thanks, but no thanks?  That's all I'm asking for.  I can't speak for overseas publishers as I've not had that much to do with them, but I know it never took six months to a year to get a reply.  However, if the shoe were on the other foot, and the publisher wanted something from you, they wouldn't hesitate in contacting you until you got back to them.
      Now, I'm not publisher bashing, as I am in dire need of another writing job and am actively seeking a willing company.  I'm also talking about potential employers to whom I write proposing an idea whereby I could possibly be employed.  No one gets back to you, not even to say no thanks.  It's as though you don't exist.  How rude!  I also don't want to have to wait around for three months while my book proposal lies in a pile waiting to be glanced at and then rejected, and to not be able to send out multiple proposals in the meantime - whoever gets back to me first, wanting my work, will be first in line.  My motto: If you snooze, you loose, and that applies to publishers too.  This might sound arrogant, but I've been in this country for five years now, so perhaps some has rubbed off on me.
      I detest the rudeness in people not having the decency to get back to you at all.  There is no excuse for being impolite, no matter who you are and where you are in the world.

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Britney Spears
12 January 2008
      Am I ever tired of seeing Britney Spears on Entertainment Tonight!  Please, how much more can we stomach?  It's becoming as bad as the Anna Nicole Smith obsession.  I'm getting a little peed off with the excessive way the media reports on celebrities - it's borderline mania.  Leave Britney alone.  This poor woman is obviously in crisis mode; why else would she be actively seeking attention?  Especially from the dreaded and sometimes hated media?  Of course she's seeking it - why does she drive herself to the gas store for cigarettes at 3 a.m. knowing full well that the pack of hounds is lying in wait?  Surely she could get someone else to do her errands for her.  Or buy cigarettes by the carton so she doesn't have to go out in the middle of the night.  Seeking attention is just what she is doing - why else would she get out of the SUV and dance around in front of the cameras?  This is not normal behavior.  Do you see Julia Roberts behaving this way? Or Nicole Kidman?  Or anyone else?
      And why she's hooked up romantically with one of the "enemy", is food for thought in itself.  If she's supposedly fighting for her sons, why on earth isn't she concentrating on doing just that instead of driving her attention-getting car in the middle of the night to the video store and gas station to fill up with gas and/or buy ciggies?  It's not normal behavior, and I for one, am sick and tired of seeing her face on my television screen.  Please, somebody, pick this woman up, put her in a facility, and get her some mental health!  Her parents are obviously not too perturbed.
      You know what, "television media"?  There are many, many more important things going on around the country (and the world) which desperately need airtime and are not getting any.  Things like hungry children, spousal abuse, animal abuse, the environment, etc., etc.  And it's an election year where all candidates deserve airtime!  I know we are all guilty of wanting to see who got married, who's wearing what, which new movies are coming out, and the like, but I can't stand this overkill anymore.
      Get Britney help or get out of her face!  And then, if she fails to seek help herself, she only has herself to blame.

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