Will It Go 'Round In Circles?

True life conversation:

"He's seen you angry ... right?"

"Yes."

"No. I mean ... he's seen you really angry ... right?"

"Yes. He has. It's not a problem."

"And ... he's seen you freaky-scary angry too? Because that's kind of important ..."

"Of course ..."

"Let me elaborate to make sure I have a bead on this: He's seen you the kind of angry you get when you're freaky-scary angry ... the 360° head-spinning, pea soup-ejecting Linda-Blair-in-The-Exorcist kind of freaky-scary angry ... right?"

"... well ... not exactly ..."

"So ... I'm just putting this out there for your own good. Not having seen that? And having it thrust on someone all of a sudden? That could be a real sticking point in a relationship. I've seen it ... and it ain't pretty. You might want to consider that ..."

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP scaring people )

A Little Improvement ... Perhaps

Out with the old and in with the new they say.

And that's what I'm going to attempt once again with the start of two thousand fifteen.

I did my fair share this year of the "out with the old" part. I made that exact statement one year ago this very day. And (here's some of the preaching part) I didn't do half bad a job of it, either. New ventures, different attitude, etc.

But I'm not going to gloat and back slap myself for the year's accomplishments, great or small.

I am going to rid some of a bad habit of mine, though - yapping about things incessantly. I'm going to attempt to slough off some of the niggling things I've harped on and squawked about throughout 2014. And do a little bit more of that preaching at the same time.

Understand, however, I'm not completely delusional; not all I am going to crow about will magically disappear or change miraculously with the shedding of the old year. But maybe, just maybe, in putting it out there the intention (at least) of putting some of these things behind me I can fool myself into starting start fresh.

So ... people ...

Use The Turn Indicator On Your Vehicle. I don't know what the deal is of late but over the last several months I seem to have the "good fortune" of getting behind motorheads who have no clue how to use that stick on the side of their steering wheel. And, naturally, I make comments out loud to myself (and others if driving with passengers) about the folks ahead of me. "Must be one of those economy cars that comes without a turn indicator." "I get it. The 'need-another-bite-of-my-Big-Mac' was more important than letting me know he was going to turn right." "See that chick there? I trust she saved a bundle when she bought that Mercedes by nixing the 'turn indicator option' on her purchase." "Buddy? If you're going to turn left, let those behind you know your actually going to turn left. No ... I mean your other left ... not right as indicated by your blinking right light." "I'm just going to pull up alongside Mr. Backward Cap up there and politely let him know his turn signal lamps are out and he might want to take a quick trip to Auto Zone and get them replaced." Yeah ... you get the idea.

Diet Soft Drinks. Stop drinking them. Remember when Sweet 'N' Low came out and there were those studies done on lab rats concluding cancer was more likely to develop from Sweet 'N' Low's consumption rather the use of sugar? That was back in the 1970s ... and the studies continue to come forth today for not only that product but all the sucralose additives in soft drinks and gum and baked goods and more. Besides, seriously ... diet soft drinks taste like crap anyway. Develop a taste for iced tea without sugar. You'd be surprised how good it tastes ...

Taking The Lord's Name In Vain. Stop it. One of the ten commandments says not to do that. What? You don't practice Christianity? So why not use some other deity's name in your epithet? Here's a thing: How about respect for any religion or faith, not just those who believe in God? That's just good manners. You're an atheist so it doesn't make a difference to you? I understand that ... but still, good manners if nothing else. Good manners are universal, you know.
 
And ... speaking of epithets ...

Stop Cussing So Much. You sound ignorant when you use them to excess. Blurt epithets for emphasis. You'll get more mileage out of them, trust me. Their minimal use will punctuate your intent with a lot more *umph* if you curb their frequency.

And, speaking even further about words ...

Stop Saying "Like" Every Four Words. You're not a teenager. And while you're at it, stop with the overused "awesome." And "awesome sauce." And "crap ton." (What is that, anyway?) Thankfully, we saw the death of "Oh, snap!" long ago. Remember how annoying that phrase was? "Like" and "awesome" are right there with it.

See? Just a few little nippy things are all I have to complain about. Little things that are fixable. At least I think they are. Now? I'll stop barking about them.

On the flip side, how about doing some things for your ownself? Again, little things, completely doable by your lonesome ...

Learn Something New Everyday. Use your cell phone much? Good. How about utilizing it to better yourself instead of SnackChat (stupid kids) or gaming or inane texting or whatever other dumbass application you have on your phone and download Dictionary.com. Use the "Daily Word" feature, program it to pop up every single day so you increase your vocabulary throughout 2015. No ... you're not going to remember each and every funky word that pops up, Nor will you use them in everyday conversation. But you just might become a little bit smarter. And becoming a little bit smarter every day just might ward you from Alzheimer's disease. (You're welcome.)

Talk To Strangers. Speaking of cell phones, get off them and converse with a stranger when you're in the grocery line ... or in line ordering that Subway sandwich on the run. Or in the checkout at a department store. Climb out of your social cocoon and live a little. You just might learn something from someone new. It won't kill you.

Hold The Door Open For People. And be conscious of doing so. Courtesy: Exercise it. It makes you look good. It makes you feel good. And - good news - it's free.

Slow Down When You Drive. You don't need to go so fast, trust me. You'll save gas. Your sanity. Your nerves. You'll have a better outlook on life, too. Life is fast enough ... isn't it? Take it easy.

Set Your Clocks 10 Minutes Fast. Seriously. In your car. Your watch. Your phone clock if you use that. The clock on your stove, in your living room, in your bathroom. Guess what? When you're late? You'll realize you have 10 more minutes. It sounds kind of stupid, I know. But you'll find it's liberating. And you'll feel better about yourself. And? It's free as well.


One more thing: Share this stuff with someone. Of the couple hundreds I know who read my blather, a few of you will act on a couple of the above things. And the fact of the matter is you'll be all the better for it, I know. Not "world changingly" better ... just personally. Just a little bit. 

Happy New Year, folks.

.......... Ruprecht ( won't STOP, even going into 2015 ... )

Whine Not

It's something I've come across often.

People who seem normal ... outgoing ... sociable. In general, they are pleasant to be around.

But some? They turn (and quickly) into whining, annoying, self-absorbed crybabies focused on the most miniscule of infractions.
 
I'm not talking about verbal body tackles to their person. Or snide remarks tossed their way debasing their characters. Nor am I talking about sarcastic one upsmanship. I speak of whining for whining's sake. You know them: It appears they have nothing better to do than complain about the smallest thing.

I'm sure they think they have a reason for it. But in reality it's simply for their justifications.

Or it's because the person is truly self-absorbed and believes they're entitled.

Or they're happy in their misery and uncomfortable when removed from it - they know the feeling too well and don't like when they're not inside that bubble.

Hey, I complain. I complain all the time. You've been to this blog before ... you've seen me do it. When I do it's with a comedic bent. Or with an incredulous "I had no idea." There are several other categories when I grouse, too ...

... but I don't do it just to do it. I don't do it simply for the sake of whining. It's not because I know whining intimately and it's my natural state of being.

Quite the opposite: I'm a happy-go-lucky sort of guy. I'm mirthful and upbeat and I enjoy smiling. A lot. It's too much trouble to be unhappy. It takes too many muscles to frown. It makes for an unpleasant air when I'm around whiny, unhappy people. 

I'm not stupid or ignorant of such, though. All situations and conditions cannot be joyous or pleasant.

But why in the world would you force such a state on yourself? When there is absolutely no need to do so? To hear yourself complain? To moan and foster that "woe is me" attitude ever forward?

Stop it. No one wants that. No one wants to be around that ...

... well ... except other whiners. Because misery does, indeed, love company ... and whiners support other whiners.

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP complaining )

Get It Right

People of Earth!

Get it right, already! It's "Daylight Saving Time" ... not "Daylight Savings Time" ... !!!

November 2nd we turn our clocks back an hour. We get an extra hour in the early morning to party a little longer or to get in an extra 60 minutes of our favorite program or absorb a smidgen more sleep for our overloaded bodies.
 
It's called "Daylight Saving Time."It's not time to visit the institution where deposits of daylight are stored away for a rainy day. There aren't any "savings," either daylight nor of time. In other words it's not "Daylight Savings Time."

Got it? Get it? Good ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP using it incorrectly )

Congratulations Are In Order

Apparently, not so simple a request after all.

Terrific pitching performances all around for both teams.

And, while the Royals have nothing to be ashamed of, to the victor go the spoils:

Congratulations, San Francisco Giants, on your 2014 World Series victory. And as well on your much deserved MVP, Mr. Bumgarner.

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )

An Open Letter To The Kansas City Royals

Dear Kansas City Royals:

I wonder if I can ask a small favor: Do you think you could keep me in mind during your pre-game preparations, when you take the field and all through tonight's final 2014 World Series contest against the San Francisco Giants?

I know it's asking a lot. I'm certain you guys will have tons on your mind going into the final and deciding game of the October Classic. But I would really appreciate it if you'd grant me this small consideration.

You see ... I don't like the Giants. I never have liked the Giants. They've always been the hated rivals of my beloved Los Angeles Dodgers. Winning tonight's game would grant me a small solace against the disappointment the Giants furthered themselves through the playoffs and to The Big Dance where the Dodgers did not.

I know, I know ... I haven't been a good spokesman of the American League. As a matter of fact, when talking about it I've usually spewed something to the effect "Nine men take the field at the top of every inning, those same nine men better go to bat at the bottom of it" or some such. It's a mantra I believe in heartily. Yes ... I realize the designated hitter position has not only prolonged some terrific baseball careers (with many men in the position being some of my heroes) but it goes against the grain of being a true sportsman. A ball club should succeed or fail on both sides of an inning without a batting order being jury-rigged. You understand where I'm coming from ... right? You really can't blame me; it's a mindset that's been taught to me since I was a youngster ... and it's something I hold dear and true. It's not like the American League is my enemy or anything. (But, even if it were, it's a "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing, that sort of bond. You get my meaning?)

Regardless of my position on the whole National League / American League issue, I'm willing to do this: I promise that conflict won't stand in the way of my rooting for you guys to win the whole enchilada tonight. I mean ... even your uniforms sport the proud color (Dodger) blue which makes things more comfortable standing and cheering on your side of the fence.

So just know I'm gunning for you tonight. I hope your bats and gloves are as hot as they were last night (GREAT game, by the way), your spirits are high, your sportsmanship exemplary and you maintain that focused and competitive edge as you go into tonight's contest.

But, you know ... also with extreme prejudice.

Best of luck. I'll be watching and vigorously applauding your efforts. Keep me in mind.

Sincerely, 

Rupecht

Dead, More Dead, Deader Still

As a selfless service (and as Halloween approaches), it falls on me to put a little informational PSA out there on the airwaves for your consumption.

Three classics of the horror make up cornerstones of the genre:

Night Of The Living Dead - the George Romero classic that began it all ...

Dawn Of The Dead - the long-awaited sequel to NotLD and a classic in its own right, and ...

Day Of The Dead - the twisted, interesting end piece to Romero’s "Dead" trilogy.

Peruse the reviews by accessing the handy, dandy links and please enjoy. Then? Go watch the films. You owe it to yourself.

Happy Halloween ...

.......... Ruprecht ( What's STOPping you from seeing these classics this Halloween? )