Positive role models are lacking in the media, period, for boys or young girls. As far as role models on young girls, just stop and think of who we have right now influencing our youth today. There is Brittany Spears, Christina Aguilar, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Madonna and Jaimie Lynn Spears.
Who should I start with? Paris Hilton maybe? Oh yes, I believe that the anorexic, ultra intelligent blond beauty has contributed lovely to our youth, she has shown them it is not a good idea to make a porn movie with a guy you just met, and also that anyone can get a job as a nanny, farm girl, dental assistant and who knows, maybe even a lawyer! we should applaud her for such a stand up...or rather lie down job of being a role model.
I would like to maybe discuss Brittany, but am afraid that if I do, that creepy man or was it a woman? will call me up screaming, " Leave Brittany alone!" in my ear. However Brittany should be excused from this topic because she did have a rough childhood you know, therefore excusing all bad behavior, or at least our young girls today are believing this. Well then, let's move on to her sister, beautiful and smart at the tender age of 16, oh and wait, she is pregnant too! Millions of teens tuned in to watch her "Goodbye" episode on Zoey 101, and what do you think these young girls thought? They probably thought, "How cute" she is having a baby, great now I have to go and tell my daughter's to read my article on childbirth to wash any residue of "cuteness" out!
But let's not forget about our young boys too. Sports today is a classic example. A young boy idolizes an athlete, that Athlete gets busted for steroid use, receives a slap on the wrist and put right back into the game, this tells our young one's that it is OK, you might get fined, or hollered at, but you will not lose your "Athlete Stardom", or money! The media is out of control these days, and I truly believe it should be them that is held accountable, as they are the one's presenting it to us and our children. I think we wouldn't here as much of the bad stuff, if the media ignored it or didn't emphasize on it so much, how would we know if they didn't report it? It is a shame that the youth of today are left to idolize pregnant teenage stars, we have even made a movie about this or be shown how cool it is to be a helpless, uneducated Celebrity.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
NATURAL CHILDBIRTH VS. DRUGS
Call me crazy, but Natural Childbirth is the only way to go,on so many levels! I have had four children and each one of them was delivered naturally, not quite the "home birth" but definitely without drugs of any kind. Was it easy? No, however when it was all over, it was FABULOUS! 8 1/2 minutes after delivering my 9lb 8oz son into the world, I was sitting up and having my first meal (dinner) since the ordeal began. The nurse cleaned him up, cleaned me up and said, "Are you hungry Dear?" and I replied, "You better believe it!" I had no pain and I was wide awake and alert, actually felt somewhat refreshed!
I was 19 when I had my first daughter. I was scared and did not know what to expect at all. I had taken natural childbirth classes (Lamaze) but all that did was cause me to hyper ventilate and have more pain. The labor had lasted 18 1/2 hours, partly because I went in at the first signs of early labor, very early labor! I guarantee that I was screaming for drugs by the sixth hour, which I call the "bewitching hour" but held strong, or should I say my husband, who I could have killed at the time, stayed strong. By the time I was yelping for any drug they could find in that little metal cabinet, the nurse just sheepishly smiled at me and said, "Sorry love, it is too late for that, we need you to stay alert for pushing" pushing? Were they kidding? I barely had strength to call my husband terrible names, and they want me to push, without any enhanced help? That should be against the law actually!
Well at 7:09 AM I delivered a healthy, 7Lb 8oz, 22 inch long beauty into the world and called her "Lauren Alicia". You would think after this whole ordeal that I would have never wanted anything that even resembled a baby, ever again...But in late February, 2 years later, I did it again, this time in only 6 hours and the "Bewitching Hour" never did come, but left me a proud mother of another little girl "Amy Kathleen". Then another few years came and went bringing me two very active boys that if ever in my life I needed drugs for it was them, still do!
All in all the birthing process is a natural process in life, and it is a beautiful thing when you can keep it natural. When one stops to think back to their own experiences, for most the actual "pain" associated with childbirth is over pretty quickly. The mind is a powerful tool and should be used at all costs in childbirth. I have used two different methods called "Lamaze" and "Bradley Method". The Bradley method was tremendously helpful, it taught self control and pain management in a very effective way, a natural way. When pain starts, you simply must remember that it is not going to last forever, it is not an illness. I understand this is hard to do, but keeping your mind away from the pain will make it pass more quickly, truly it does.
Drugs used in childbirth should only be used if no other resources can be reached or maintained such as natural childbirth methods or if there is a real emergency. Drugs slow down your heart rate as well as the baby's heart rate. Some drugs speed up the baby's heart rate which if not watched properly can result in heart failure. Babies that were exposed to childbirth drugs during labor, tend to sleep more after the "Grand Entrance" and can sometimes be burdened with jaundice too. Babies that have had a natural birth, are more alert when they arrive, their color of skin does not resemble an uncooked shrimp, that's always pretty! They also have an easier time of nursing immediately.
I have heard of stories that some women suffer long term back pain and back problem due to epidural during childbirth, no thank you, I like my healthy back and need it to work properly for all the gear one must carry around after their joyous arrival! Either way you choose, remember to try to stay calm because it really will make a difference.
I was 19 when I had my first daughter. I was scared and did not know what to expect at all. I had taken natural childbirth classes (Lamaze) but all that did was cause me to hyper ventilate and have more pain. The labor had lasted 18 1/2 hours, partly because I went in at the first signs of early labor, very early labor! I guarantee that I was screaming for drugs by the sixth hour, which I call the "bewitching hour" but held strong, or should I say my husband, who I could have killed at the time, stayed strong. By the time I was yelping for any drug they could find in that little metal cabinet, the nurse just sheepishly smiled at me and said, "Sorry love, it is too late for that, we need you to stay alert for pushing" pushing? Were they kidding? I barely had strength to call my husband terrible names, and they want me to push, without any enhanced help? That should be against the law actually!
Well at 7:09 AM I delivered a healthy, 7Lb 8oz, 22 inch long beauty into the world and called her "Lauren Alicia". You would think after this whole ordeal that I would have never wanted anything that even resembled a baby, ever again...But in late February, 2 years later, I did it again, this time in only 6 hours and the "Bewitching Hour" never did come, but left me a proud mother of another little girl "Amy Kathleen". Then another few years came and went bringing me two very active boys that if ever in my life I needed drugs for it was them, still do!
All in all the birthing process is a natural process in life, and it is a beautiful thing when you can keep it natural. When one stops to think back to their own experiences, for most the actual "pain" associated with childbirth is over pretty quickly. The mind is a powerful tool and should be used at all costs in childbirth. I have used two different methods called "Lamaze" and "Bradley Method". The Bradley method was tremendously helpful, it taught self control and pain management in a very effective way, a natural way. When pain starts, you simply must remember that it is not going to last forever, it is not an illness. I understand this is hard to do, but keeping your mind away from the pain will make it pass more quickly, truly it does.
Drugs used in childbirth should only be used if no other resources can be reached or maintained such as natural childbirth methods or if there is a real emergency. Drugs slow down your heart rate as well as the baby's heart rate. Some drugs speed up the baby's heart rate which if not watched properly can result in heart failure. Babies that were exposed to childbirth drugs during labor, tend to sleep more after the "Grand Entrance" and can sometimes be burdened with jaundice too. Babies that have had a natural birth, are more alert when they arrive, their color of skin does not resemble an uncooked shrimp, that's always pretty! They also have an easier time of nursing immediately.
I have heard of stories that some women suffer long term back pain and back problem due to epidural during childbirth, no thank you, I like my healthy back and need it to work properly for all the gear one must carry around after their joyous arrival! Either way you choose, remember to try to stay calm because it really will make a difference.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Today's Subject...BOURBON WHISKEY
Even a good gossip girl can have a few informative articles, right? So being that I am in the Entertainment Industry and an experienced bartender let's throw out some interesting facts on whiskey. Most think of the lonely old man sitting at the bar when you say the word whiskey, some will think of a well educated man smoking a cigar while sipping bourbon, and then of course there is the old scotch and water, yes we all think of the distinguished white haired man in a silk robe. Needless to say there are so many great things that come from classic drinks and alcohol, that I felt it wrong to not have a topic on this.
Bourbon is one of those drinks that go extremely well with cigars. Cheese can have wine, candy can have soda, toast can have orange juice, but Bourbon is all about getting a good smoke. Despite this fact that Bourbon and cigars are a match made in tobacco Heaven, a lot of cigar lovers misconstrue what Bourbon is really all about: it’s more than a street in New Orleans.
Bourbon is a high maintenance alcohol, one that involves several regulations. The rules and laws that govern Bourbon production are strict. In short, manufacturers must follow the below criteria in order for whiskey to get its “bourb” on.
Some people may assume that Bourbon is just the same as whiskey or that it is barley, er barely, different, but Bourbon is very distinct; it is a whiskey made of corn. By US law, at least 51 percent of a whiskey must be made of corn in order to be called Bourbon. Most Bourbons are, however, made up of even more corn: they are made up of around 70 percent and, being cornier, often tell jokes that aren’t really all that funny. The remaining ingredients in Bourbon include wheat, rye, and malted barely.
Another key component to Bourbon is age: it must be distilled and put inside white oak barrels for a minimum of two years. This, like corn content, is rarely an issue as most Bourbons are aged in barrels for around four years. Once aging is complete, nothing can be added to the Bourbon to change the color, add flavor, or enhance sweetness.
Just as California is known for wine and Colorado is known for beer, Kentucky is known for Bourbon, though it can technically be produced in any US state where distilling alcohol is not illegal. In the past it has been produced in Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kansas. In addition to Kentucky, Bourbon is presently produced in Virginia.
Still, it is the Bluegrass State that is off to the races when it comes to Bourbon; it is a derby Kentucky has been winning since the 1700’s.
There is no single person credited with the invention of Bourbon – though Al Gore may claim to be the initial creator – but the history of it is known. The Bourbon name was derived from Bourbon County, a large Kentucky county founded after the American Revolution.
Bourbon County had a penchant for growing crops, and farmers soon found themselves with more corn than their livestock could eat. The extra corn was turned into whiskey, and bourbon was born.
Bourbon County was eventually divided into smaller counties and residents began to refer to it as “Old Bourbon.” When whiskey makers began shipping their liquor on the Ohio River, which served as a major port, they stamped their sealed barrels with the name “Old Bourbon.” The name stuck and Bourbon became a synonym for corn whiskey.
In 1964, the US Congress made Bourbon the "native spirit," sealing its place in American history forever.
Bourbon is one of those drinks that go extremely well with cigars. Cheese can have wine, candy can have soda, toast can have orange juice, but Bourbon is all about getting a good smoke. Despite this fact that Bourbon and cigars are a match made in tobacco Heaven, a lot of cigar lovers misconstrue what Bourbon is really all about: it’s more than a street in New Orleans.
Bourbon is a high maintenance alcohol, one that involves several regulations. The rules and laws that govern Bourbon production are strict. In short, manufacturers must follow the below criteria in order for whiskey to get its “bourb” on.
Some people may assume that Bourbon is just the same as whiskey or that it is barley, er barely, different, but Bourbon is very distinct; it is a whiskey made of corn. By US law, at least 51 percent of a whiskey must be made of corn in order to be called Bourbon. Most Bourbons are, however, made up of even more corn: they are made up of around 70 percent and, being cornier, often tell jokes that aren’t really all that funny. The remaining ingredients in Bourbon include wheat, rye, and malted barely.
Another key component to Bourbon is age: it must be distilled and put inside white oak barrels for a minimum of two years. This, like corn content, is rarely an issue as most Bourbons are aged in barrels for around four years. Once aging is complete, nothing can be added to the Bourbon to change the color, add flavor, or enhance sweetness.
Just as California is known for wine and Colorado is known for beer, Kentucky is known for Bourbon, though it can technically be produced in any US state where distilling alcohol is not illegal. In the past it has been produced in Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kansas. In addition to Kentucky, Bourbon is presently produced in Virginia.
Still, it is the Bluegrass State that is off to the races when it comes to Bourbon; it is a derby Kentucky has been winning since the 1700’s.
There is no single person credited with the invention of Bourbon – though Al Gore may claim to be the initial creator – but the history of it is known. The Bourbon name was derived from Bourbon County, a large Kentucky county founded after the American Revolution.
Bourbon County had a penchant for growing crops, and farmers soon found themselves with more corn than their livestock could eat. The extra corn was turned into whiskey, and bourbon was born.
Bourbon County was eventually divided into smaller counties and residents began to refer to it as “Old Bourbon.” When whiskey makers began shipping their liquor on the Ohio River, which served as a major port, they stamped their sealed barrels with the name “Old Bourbon.” The name stuck and Bourbon became a synonym for corn whiskey.
In 1964, the US Congress made Bourbon the "native spirit," sealing its place in American history forever.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
How to throw a great Karaoke party!
Karaoke, ahhh yes, the joys of fantasizing you are Brittany Spears, Justin Timberlake or Frank Sinatra! I have been in the Music Industry for 7 years now and I can take you on a party journey that will leave your guests speechless, hopefully.
There are no general rules when hosting a Karaoke party but there are definitely a few do's and don'ts if you wish to keep the party jumping. A really great idea is having a "Theme Party" in where your guests must come dressed as their favorite pop star, rock star or country singer, who knows maybe you might end up with a "William Hung" look-alike! You must make sure you have a decent collection of music for this style of party though.
Another wonderful and kind of funky idea is to host an "American Idol" audition party. Guests come to the party knowing that they are going to "perform" for their hosts and friends. You can designate a panel of "judges" to critique their musical karaoke talents.
Whatever style you decide on, be sure to have the video camera ready to shoot the whole extravaganza. You tube and AFV are always looking for home made funnies to broadcast! Check out Best Buy for the latest karaoke machines and musical Cd's. Target also has a nice selection of players and music. An important factor when purchasing or renting karaoke equipment is to make sure your television has the required av outlets to support the cables. No need for high definition models, as most are just lyrics being displayed on the screen.
There are a few Companies that can arrange and host these types of parties for you. Choosing that option takes away a lot of the stress in planning but can also be costly. There are a number of bars out there that hold weekly karaoke nights, but it has been my experience that the patrons take this to a serious competition fashion. Karaoke is meant to be fun and a way for individuals who are not professional singers to be able to test out their pipes, so check out the location thoroughly as it could be a very embarrassing situation if you end up at the wrong place at the wrong time! SouleD Out Music & Entertainment located in San Pedro, CA is a great place to book and host your karaoke night. A few of my favorite picks for Artists would be, Brittany Spears, INXS, Madonna, Fall Out Boys, Backstreet Boys and Prince.
There are no general rules when hosting a Karaoke party but there are definitely a few do's and don'ts if you wish to keep the party jumping. A really great idea is having a "Theme Party" in where your guests must come dressed as their favorite pop star, rock star or country singer, who knows maybe you might end up with a "William Hung" look-alike! You must make sure you have a decent collection of music for this style of party though.
Another wonderful and kind of funky idea is to host an "American Idol" audition party. Guests come to the party knowing that they are going to "perform" for their hosts and friends. You can designate a panel of "judges" to critique their musical karaoke talents.
Whatever style you decide on, be sure to have the video camera ready to shoot the whole extravaganza. You tube and AFV are always looking for home made funnies to broadcast! Check out Best Buy for the latest karaoke machines and musical Cd's. Target also has a nice selection of players and music. An important factor when purchasing or renting karaoke equipment is to make sure your television has the required av outlets to support the cables. No need for high definition models, as most are just lyrics being displayed on the screen.
There are a few Companies that can arrange and host these types of parties for you. Choosing that option takes away a lot of the stress in planning but can also be costly. There are a number of bars out there that hold weekly karaoke nights, but it has been my experience that the patrons take this to a serious competition fashion. Karaoke is meant to be fun and a way for individuals who are not professional singers to be able to test out their pipes, so check out the location thoroughly as it could be a very embarrassing situation if you end up at the wrong place at the wrong time! SouleD Out Music & Entertainment located in San Pedro, CA is a great place to book and host your karaoke night. A few of my favorite picks for Artists would be, Brittany Spears, INXS, Madonna, Fall Out Boys, Backstreet Boys and Prince.
JUMPING FISH
So I had this party last weekend and this client has been working with me on her event for the last 6 months...yep I said 6 months! Anyway, she was so particular about everything being perfect and in place that I thought, "Oh my God why did she pick me?" So clipboard in one hand and a valium in the other (just in case)...off I went to survey the location, pick out colors and centerpieces for the 300+ person gig. My client is a sweet lady and made this a very fun event, but just listen to what takes place and I bet you think twice about having a 300 person party! I have just recovered from a surgery so I was unable to really partake in the fun of this event or at least in the way I am used to.
So the party is held at The Elk's Lodge, the color scheme is black with oriental tones and the centerpieces goldfish bowls...sounds pretty huh? Well read on....
DAY 1: Sit down with a couple Bloody mary's and discuss bar details, decorations, entertainment and price. Things get twisted and she decides against the bands we have scheduled, so I scurry to find the DJ instead.
DAY 2: Meet again and finalize the decorations and entertainment (Comedians, Polynesian Dancer, DJ), goldfish centerpieces...beautiful! Now we did discuss a few different times between beta fish and goldfish, and my brilliant self suggessted goldfish...bad idea! Did you know goldfish are very active? I didn't.
DAY 3: Met with client again and reassurred her everything was in place and set to go...a couple more bloody mary's just to finalize the deal. She decides that maybe a band would be nice just for a little while...no.
DAY 4: Pretended my phone was broken, pretended I lost email service and proceeded to find 100+ gold fish, oh and attempt to do damage control with the bands that were supposed to show up, while convincing the DJ he wanted to do this grand event. I Opted for the Irish Coffee this time.
DAY 5: Grand Finale!! I went to the fishstore grabbed all the fish and headed up to The Elk's Lodge, happy as a clam. I arrive at the lodge, hands full of fish, gravel and 20 bottles of distilled water. I walk in and what do I see? No fish bowls but rather martini glasses...yes GIANT MARTINI GLASSES! Now how in the world does anyone expect me to put a couple goldfish in a martini glass? Well I am determined that this party is going to go well, considering it has been a disaster from the get go. So I continue on with my mission, to fill each martini glass with water and add fish...and LEAVE!
I leave to go enjoy a day with my daughter, I get a phone call from a grumpy old man with an Italian accent yelling that there are goldfish jumping out of glasses and hopping around on his tables tables and floor! Now why me is all I can seem to focus on at the moment! I return to the lodge to find NO goldfish but instead giant martini glasses filled with different colored water and 4 straws in each one..pretty, but probably not a good idea, so i'm thinking. My worst fear happens...an old lady decides that the contents in the glass look tasty and that the straws in there must be for drinking...yes folks...she drank it! Now why, uh...never mind, why bother I think to myself. Well as the night moves forward I find myself sitting down and enjoying the hysterical comedians we have there, that is until SHE sat down at my table...the blonde, seasoned wife and grandmother who enjoys coors light in the bottle, who's outgoing bubbly personality is sure to be a hit, you know the type.
Well as I watch carefully over this woman in hopes that she does not attempt to taste the water centerpiece or become toxic with alcohol enjoyment...it happens, she finds a victim...the comedian! Now of all 30 tables I am at hers, as if screwing up the centerpieces with jumping fish, causing food poisoning with the martini glass centerpiece and worrying about where all 100 fish have disappeared to (worrying thatthey became appetizers) is not enough...I'm sitting with the outspoken, drunk heckler! Now I am sure you have all heard that commercial, "Wanna Get Away?" I should be a stock holder for that commercial! So I now know the night should be coming to an end and despite all, the client was pleased, the guests happy and intoxicated and the fish, well they are in a better place now is all I'm going to say about that, so it is time for me to say my goodbye's, but not without a grand exit, yes and exit to remember. I stand up in my beautiful short revealing black dress and shiny 4 inch stillettos only to take a step for the worse...down goes Erin, shoe flying, dress tangled in the tablecloth around my midriff and a stupid but yet sober look on my face while holding a giant martini glass!
MORALE OF THIS STORY?
FISH CAN JUMP!
So the party is held at The Elk's Lodge, the color scheme is black with oriental tones and the centerpieces goldfish bowls...sounds pretty huh? Well read on....
DAY 1: Sit down with a couple Bloody mary's and discuss bar details, decorations, entertainment and price. Things get twisted and she decides against the bands we have scheduled, so I scurry to find the DJ instead.
DAY 2: Meet again and finalize the decorations and entertainment (Comedians, Polynesian Dancer, DJ), goldfish centerpieces...beautiful! Now we did discuss a few different times between beta fish and goldfish, and my brilliant self suggessted goldfish...bad idea! Did you know goldfish are very active? I didn't.
DAY 3: Met with client again and reassurred her everything was in place and set to go...a couple more bloody mary's just to finalize the deal. She decides that maybe a band would be nice just for a little while...no.
DAY 4: Pretended my phone was broken, pretended I lost email service and proceeded to find 100+ gold fish, oh and attempt to do damage control with the bands that were supposed to show up, while convincing the DJ he wanted to do this grand event. I Opted for the Irish Coffee this time.
DAY 5: Grand Finale!! I went to the fishstore grabbed all the fish and headed up to The Elk's Lodge, happy as a clam. I arrive at the lodge, hands full of fish, gravel and 20 bottles of distilled water. I walk in and what do I see? No fish bowls but rather martini glasses...yes GIANT MARTINI GLASSES! Now how in the world does anyone expect me to put a couple goldfish in a martini glass? Well I am determined that this party is going to go well, considering it has been a disaster from the get go. So I continue on with my mission, to fill each martini glass with water and add fish...and LEAVE!
I leave to go enjoy a day with my daughter, I get a phone call from a grumpy old man with an Italian accent yelling that there are goldfish jumping out of glasses and hopping around on his tables tables and floor! Now why me is all I can seem to focus on at the moment! I return to the lodge to find NO goldfish but instead giant martini glasses filled with different colored water and 4 straws in each one..pretty, but probably not a good idea, so i'm thinking. My worst fear happens...an old lady decides that the contents in the glass look tasty and that the straws in there must be for drinking...yes folks...she drank it! Now why, uh...never mind, why bother I think to myself. Well as the night moves forward I find myself sitting down and enjoying the hysterical comedians we have there, that is until SHE sat down at my table...the blonde, seasoned wife and grandmother who enjoys coors light in the bottle, who's outgoing bubbly personality is sure to be a hit, you know the type.
Well as I watch carefully over this woman in hopes that she does not attempt to taste the water centerpiece or become toxic with alcohol enjoyment...it happens, she finds a victim...the comedian! Now of all 30 tables I am at hers, as if screwing up the centerpieces with jumping fish, causing food poisoning with the martini glass centerpiece and worrying about where all 100 fish have disappeared to (worrying thatthey became appetizers) is not enough...I'm sitting with the outspoken, drunk heckler! Now I am sure you have all heard that commercial, "Wanna Get Away?" I should be a stock holder for that commercial! So I now know the night should be coming to an end and despite all, the client was pleased, the guests happy and intoxicated and the fish, well they are in a better place now is all I'm going to say about that, so it is time for me to say my goodbye's, but not without a grand exit, yes and exit to remember. I stand up in my beautiful short revealing black dress and shiny 4 inch stillettos only to take a step for the worse...down goes Erin, shoe flying, dress tangled in the tablecloth around my midriff and a stupid but yet sober look on my face while holding a giant martini glass!
MORALE OF THIS STORY?
FISH CAN JUMP!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
"SKATEBOARDERS"
A very interesting thing happened to me last week. Both of my boy's were out playing, skating to be exact when one of them came running home asking for my help. Apparently an elderly man was "threatening" them to stop skating near his home. Now if this had been the first time something of this nature has happened, I might be inclined to say, "Son please move away from this gentleman's house." but it wasn't. We live in a very upscale, nice neighborhood and I would probably say the majority of residents here are in their late 60's or older. Can they really even hear these skateboards? Apparently so.
I am unclear as to when skateboarding has become illegal, but I do know that I didn't vote on that. I understand that these kid's do tend to congregate in bunches of 4 or more and sometimes up in the 8-10's so it can get noisy, all that clunking and grinding that they do but let me ask you, Is it worse than graffiti? How about drive by shootings? Oh wait I know, it is worse than home or car burglaries right? People, these are KID'S doing what you used to do when you were a child, get over it already!
I for one am thrilled that my two boy's have taken up skateboarding, surfing and video games rather than gang affiliation, drugs or murder. I have always raised my children to respect their elders, and to this day, they do, so much so that they have felt like giving up on a favorite classic childhood past time because there are no places left to skate without being yelled at, called name's or chased off like some homeless bum. The community needs to start recognizing the good these kid's around our neighborhood do and stop focusing on the bad they think they do. Most of these kid's open doors for the patron's of the local coffee spot, water lawns for pennies and keep the streets cleared of hoodlums that are outnumbered here. I really want to thank Peggy of the Corner Store for helping these youngster's to have a safe haven around her place of business and a special thanks to James See for allowing these kid's to hang out and skate around his surf shop.
I sure hope people around here appreciate the absence of graffiti, ding dong ditch and empty beer bottles thrown in their yards. If not they should spend a couple nights down on 13Th street, I bet then they would be buying these boy's new skateboards!
So in closing I am designating Tuesday's as "HUG A SKATEBOARDER DAY"
I am unclear as to when skateboarding has become illegal, but I do know that I didn't vote on that. I understand that these kid's do tend to congregate in bunches of 4 or more and sometimes up in the 8-10's so it can get noisy, all that clunking and grinding that they do but let me ask you, Is it worse than graffiti? How about drive by shootings? Oh wait I know, it is worse than home or car burglaries right? People, these are KID'S doing what you used to do when you were a child, get over it already!
I for one am thrilled that my two boy's have taken up skateboarding, surfing and video games rather than gang affiliation, drugs or murder. I have always raised my children to respect their elders, and to this day, they do, so much so that they have felt like giving up on a favorite classic childhood past time because there are no places left to skate without being yelled at, called name's or chased off like some homeless bum. The community needs to start recognizing the good these kid's around our neighborhood do and stop focusing on the bad they think they do. Most of these kid's open doors for the patron's of the local coffee spot, water lawns for pennies and keep the streets cleared of hoodlums that are outnumbered here. I really want to thank Peggy of the Corner Store for helping these youngster's to have a safe haven around her place of business and a special thanks to James See for allowing these kid's to hang out and skate around his surf shop.
I sure hope people around here appreciate the absence of graffiti, ding dong ditch and empty beer bottles thrown in their yards. If not they should spend a couple nights down on 13Th street, I bet then they would be buying these boy's new skateboards!
So in closing I am designating Tuesday's as "HUG A SKATEBOARDER DAY"
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