The ladies room at work

I know. It's an odd topic. I said random.

When you enter the restroom at work and the two stalls are already full, do you:
a. Wait
b. Leave and come back later
c. leave and try another restroom

I seriously don't know. If you go with B or C it seems like inconveniencing yourself.
If you go with A, it always seems impatient to me. When I am in the stall I feel like I need to hurry up for them as well as hurry up so they don't judge how long it takes me to go while they wonder if I am checking my e-mail while in there (yes I bring my bberry in the stall with me so nothing happens to it on the sink edge and no I don't answer your e-mail while in there as I don't ever want to think about how I was in the stall when I wrote what you replied to). I try not to judge people when I am waiting, but when it's more than a minute or so, and I know they were in there before I walked into the room... well, it makes me not want to wait any longer.

Parenting and the 2008 presidental elections

I was in the lobby of the oil change place yesterday, crocheting away and half listening to the news on the television that was being played way too loud. Two stories came out of this experience, one sort of funny so I'll start with it...

The brother and sister sitting to my left were intently watching the television for lack of anything better to do and a commercial came on for a blood tester one touch portable or something similar. The commercial actually used the phrase "in croud pleasing colors." I asked my husband if I heard it correct and the brother sister couple started laughing. They had heard it but weren't sure what to do with it. So they then started making up stories of how in a restaurant you need to check your blood sugar and you pull out your mini pink tester and everyone applaudes. Wow, that's a croud pleasing color.

Story two was the father and son to my left, the son was reading his book but would pick up small things from the news and ask his father about them. Such as stem cell research and why it's so contriversial if the stem cells can help heal people. Or why there was an argument about whether a comment was racist in the debates. I realized I didn't know and easy answer to these questions and was impressed by the way the father to my right handled it. He lowered his paper, looked at his son and gave his best answer with explanation of both sides of the issues letting his son know that people have different viewpoints depending on their beliefs and upbringing. Agree or disagree with the father's stance on the issues, I was proud to see that there are parents who are willing to treat their children like people and tell them the truth even when the truth is I don't know. Unlike the lady at the detroit zoo who told her child that the zebra was a reindeer.

Shouldn't we all be a little Stuart?

With the primary elections into full swing and the future of the country dangling in the balance, I wonder if we focus too much on the media and need to take a little time for ourselves... Instead of filling our heads with whatever horrible news has just occurred in the world let's take a page from an old SNL character. Although humerous to watch, I bet if you listened to him you might just feel a little better, a little happier, and it could brighten your day.

Go on... give it a try: "I deserve good things. I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am attractive person. I am fun to be with."

Now, don't you feel better?


"Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley". Stuart Smalley is a caring nurturer, a member of several 12-step programs, but not a licensed therapist.