Unplugging Your Kid

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My daughters, Princess and Diva, are typical teenagers.  By typical I mean that a cell phone and/or iPod is always attached to them like an extra limb.  This fact is relevant to the story.  Let me back up for a moment.

Diva got into trouble at school.  Trouble that required a phone call from the assistance principal.  I hate getting those phone calls.  Consequences had to be suffered.

I did what any parent would do.  I did the gadget strip.  Gone were the cell phone, iPod and school issued tablet.  Access to the home computer and phone were restricted.  She was on a major timeout.

And she was miserable.  Which played into the genius of my plan.  Having a gadget junkie for a kid means that the most effective punishment is one that deprives her of her stuff.  (Insert Dr. Evil laugh here.)

However, there was one side effect that I didn’t anticipate.  Diva got on my last nerve.  The kid was utterly lost without the technical means to entertain herself.  She was bored.

I suggested reading a book (books are boring) or watching TV (my show isn’t on).  I told her to write in a journal (we do that in school) or clean her closet (I already did).  My suggestions were shot down in rapid succession.  Her solution was to find me no matter where I was in the house and tell me she was bored.  Then we had to have the discussion about choices and consequences.  She would disappear for a while only to reappear and we would have the same conversation.

I’m losing it, people.  But I must remain strong.  The punishment must be complete.

(Here she comes again.)

“Hi, Mom,” she says.

I silence a scream.  “Hey, Diva.  Want to read “The Hunger Games”?  I have it on my Nook.”

“No, I don’t like to read.  I just want to mess with you.”

I ask you.  Who is really be punished here?

Failing Versus Quitting Or, “Your Lack Of Confidence Is Neither Interesting Nor Unique”

Failing Versus Quitting Or, “Your Lack Of Confidence Is Neither Interesting Nor Unique”.

 

Seems as if the universe is trying to tell me something.  Will I listen this time or die a slow death?

Is It Thanksgiving Already?

 

Wow.  Where did the time go?  October, we barely knew you.  Now here comes November being pushy as usual and flaunting two holidays (Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving).  Okay.  Fine.  I’ll honor the traditions and celebrate the day of thanks with friends and family.  I’ll eat the turkey and listen to the same stories that get told around the table.  I’ll overlook that one cousin that gets on my nerves and I’ll hope no one notices that I haven’t lost any weight from last  year.  I’ll spend time with my large and loud extended family and I’ll miss not having my Hubby home for this holiday.

And even though life isn’t perfect, I’ll take comfort in knowing that I am blessed to have a family to visit and a meal to eat.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and may your family be safe.

Flight – A Movie Review

For a change of pace, I took myself to the movies yesterday.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie, Flight.  For those that haven’t seen the trailer,  here is a recap.  An airline pilot (Denzel Washington) crash lands a malfunctioning plane saving the majority of people on board, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling.

This movie was about much more than a plane crash.  The crash only set events in motion that reveal the secrets our “hero” has been hiding for years.  Washington’s character, Whip Whitaker, is a study in the complex parts that make up a person.  I don’t want to give away too much of the plot but the movie deals with addiction in a realistic way.  The movie shows the many ways in which a person can lie about a problem to everyone.  Even themselves.  The writing and the acting are excellent.  As a writer, it was a case study in developing a fully formed character.

I highly recommend going to watch this movie.  Just don’t view it before you plan to catch a flight!

Has anyone seen the movie?  What are your thoughts?

 

 

Veteran’s Day – Thank You

 

 

To all military personnel (past and present), a heartfelt “Thank You” for your sacrifice.  This is an under appreciated job but these individuals make a difference every day.

 

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