Chardon, Ohio - School Shooting

What happened at Chardon School is a tragedy. It's absolutely awful and it bothers me when people call the shooter a victim, it's insulting to the families of those with children in the hospital fighting to live.

I'm not saying that bullying is ever OK, please don't misunderstand me. I know that kids can be cruel and it's wrong. At one point or another I think every child has been picked on, myself included. You're not going to be friends with everyone and not everyone is going to like you - just like there will be people that you don't like. That doesn't justify mistreating anyone, to any degree. It's not right and we need to fix it, but the truth is there are lots of kids who are picked on every day who would never dream of killing someone because of it. This wasn't a feud, the shooter didn't go in the school and confront a bully he's had issues with or repeatedly been abused by, he walked in and shot recklessly at groups of innocent students. This was premeditated, he bragged about it online and he wanted people to fear him. He wanted attention and to be remembered. What these shooters don't think about is the aftermath. They don't think about it because they don't care. Until they are sitting in cell at 17 and it hits them that they will probably never live outside of a cell again.

I heard a spokesman for the family of the shooter this morning on the radio state that he was "remorseful". Yes, I'm sure he is.

His actions speaks volumes to what damage he wanted to inflict. What is the progression from being picked on to wanting to be a murderer?

Another interesting thing about this student is that he has good grades, he wasn't struggling there, in fact he was known as a smart kid. He was also "Gothic", which by interpretation is usually someone who wants to be seen as different, and separate. On December 20th he wrote this chilling post on Facebook:

"Now! Feel death, not just mocking you. Not just stalking you but inside of you. Wriggle and writhe.Feel smaller beneath my might. Seizure in the Pestilence that is my scythe. Die, all of you,"

I find this very disturbing!

He lived with his grandparents who, I'm assuming but can't say for sure, were not aware of this posting, so where were his friends who saw this? The spokesman this morning also made a statement that there was no way this could have been predicted. I beg to differ.

There has got to be more courage in young people today, why didn't they inform the school? A counselor? Their own parent who could have contacted the grandparents and let them know or warned someone of how potentially dangerous this young man was BEFORE he acted on his threat.

A posting like this is not normal. It shocks me that no one was alarmed enough by it to do something. Whether it be reaching out to him, to his grandparents, to a school official, to the local police, ANYONE.

I hope that schools and students everywhere will learn from this and past shootings and realize that putting metal detectors in the entrances and sending a grief counselor in AFTER an incident are not enough. There needs to be communication and awareness before something tragic happens and before more lives are lost and ruined.

I hope you will keep the students and families of those hurt in this incident in your thoughts and prayers. I cannot imagine what they are going through. I cannot begin to understand all that is happening but I hope that this does not become a familiar headline. There has to be some prevention steps taken.

A Hero in the Midst of Terror: http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/133622/chardon_high_school_shooting_already

The Daily Record's article on the media being to blame (GREAT article!!):

http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/5161843

WOIA News Report:

http://www.woai.com/news/national/story/Police-Shooter-doesnt-attend-Chardon-High-School/FdAGUendiEi8sSLRdC_0rA.cspx?rss=70

**Update: Current status is that three have passed away and one is home with her family now, there is only one remaining student in the hospital.

New Year's Resolutions

Like many well-intentioned highly motivated and enthused new year resolutioners, I set a pretty lofty goal for myself at the start of 2012. Of course, like probably 95% of American women, I decided that this would be the year that I get rid of my "wobbly bits" (thank you Bridget Jones for making it OK to say that) and just live a healthier lifestyle. Not a big deal, I was going to achieve this by simply doing two things.
Nothing carbonated.
No fast food.
So, as I sit here on February 13th. The day before Valentine's Day. Debating whether or not to get back on Facebook and read a few more of the Anti-Love posts from depressed people and drinking my carbonated "Go Ape" energy drink. I am pleased with myself.
Although obviously I have not kept 100% to my goals I have, for the most part been keeping my resolution. Except for an occasional cup of chili from Wendy's and Polar Pop from Circle K or Red Bull, I've kept away. Granted, there will always be cravings, slip ups, and downright rebellions, all-in-all I think it's going to be a great year. By summer I plan to be off the sauce completely.
We'll see.

How Are You Doing With Your New Year's Resolution?
	Completely changed person, held to my goal 100%
	A few slip-ups but overall I've been doing well
	50%
	I've long let go of any hope of sticking to a resolution.
	I never make New Year's resolutions.
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Health Care Reform Act's 3.8% Tax - Know Your Facts

"The PPACA creates a new Code Section 1411, which will generally impose a 3.8 percent tax on the lesser of "net investment income" or the excess of modified adjusted gross income over a "threshold amount" (generally, $250,000 for taxpayers filing a joint return, $125,000 for married taxpayers filing a separate return and $200,000 in all other cases). Net investment income generally means the excess of (i) interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents, income from passive activities, income from trading financial instruments and commodities, and gain from the disposition of certain non-business property, over (ii) allowable deductions properly allocable to such income. In determining the amount of net investment income, special rules apply with respect to dispositions of equity interests in certain partnerships and S corporations, and to distributions from certain qualified plans. This additional tax applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012"

A lot of people have been talking, emailing, and warning each other about this part of the health care reform bill that passed seemingly, unnoticed. Today, I was "informed" via email that this was a "ploy to steal billions from unsuspecting homeowners". It is commonly explained as a sales tax but that is not correct, the best way to describe it would be a tax on profit. Basically, if you sell your home for a profit of more than $250,000.00 you will be required to pay a tax of 3.8%. The amount is $500,000.00 for couples selling a home. In reality, only a small percentage of Americans will be affected by this. The question then is, do you think it is right to be penalized for making a high profit.
Personally, I know that this tax will never apply to me however, I am able to look past myself and do believe that it is wrong. Based on the idea that no one should have to owe the government for making a large profit on their $400,000.00 home. However, this is not a perfect world and America is in a financial crisis. I do believe that compromises have to be made for sure and yes, certainly it is easy to say that those in the upper class should pay more than anyone else simply because, they can. Last time I checked though, they already do. So how far are we as a people willing to let that go? This was not something that was "snuck in", the America people have not had the "wool pulled over their eyes" by President Obama, this was open to the public and could have been discovered and researched by all. The problem is, no one thinks of that. No one cares until they are unhappy with something that effects them and then they decide to depict and study things. If even then, most of the time people never research things on their own, they simply hear about it from one of their friends and react how they are told based on the half-facts they were given. I'm sure we have all been guilty of that at one time or another, myself included.
I believe the majority of America needs to wake up and stop complaining about things after the fact. Actually research a candidate, bill, or issue for yourself before forming an opinion or making a decision, or God forbid, voting.
These are confusing times and we can't make decisions based on what we have been taught or what sounds good on the surface.


Learn about the Health Care Reform Bill:

http://www.healthreform.gov/index1.html

http://www.healthcare.gov/

Read the President's budget for the 2012 fiscal year:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/

"Top 10 Pros and Cons" of the Health Care Reform Bill:

http://healthcarereform.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=003725

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

http://ppaca.com/


Quote taken from the "Boulder Real Estate Blog" (http://www.boulder-buzz.com/health-care-bill-and-real-estate-tax/). Sources include Eons.com, (http://www.eons.com/groups/topic/2208705-REal-Estate-Sales-Tax?page=1), CNNMoney.com, (http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/22/news/economy/medicare_tax_increase/index.htm), sorry FOX fans... and, Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=IP:US&sid=a70ouHuhCn5Y).

Ohio State Tax Filing Link

For all of my fellow Ohio residents, please see the link below to file your state taxes electronically. This is through the Ohio Dept. of Taxation and is fast, secure, and free.
Happy filing everyone!

http://tax.ohio.gov/divisions/ohio_individual/individual/filefaster.stm

Sallie Mae Applying An "Unemployment Penalty"

Recently I heard about Sallie Mae's "Unemployment Penalty". This is a $50.00 fee applied every three months per loan to those who have student loans that they need to pause payments on because they are out of work. This strikes a personal chord with me since I have student loans through Sallie Mae as well as many of my friends.
This is a tough economy with a frustrating and for some, crushing job market. Life is uncertain, especially now. You never know what will happen and anyone can find themselves without a job. Loan companies already make money off of interest, this added fee punishing those who can least afford it is greed at it's simplest.
Per Change.org "...the company administers federally-funded loans too, but those are subject to additional regulation that means people can pause repayment without penalty. The forbearance fee charged to private loan customers is just extra profit for Sallie Mae..." Click below to sign the petition on Change.org to have this penalty fee removed. If enough people get involved, change can happen.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Change.orgStart an Online Petition »

Home Based Learning

Below is a link to a great article on "Parentables". It is actually a list of 10 celebrity parents who homeschool their children. Being raised in an "educated at home" household, I of course am a little biased but there are reasons given by many of the parents that explain why homeschooling is becoming more and more of a popular choice and I'd like to take the time to share them!
Please understand that I am not saying that homeschooling is the right choice or that it's the only choice, I would never say there is a right or a wrong choice in how or where all children are taught, it is different for every family and every child.


http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fparentables.howstuffworks.com%2Fslideshows%2Ffamily-matters%2F10-celebrity-parents-who-homeschool-their-children%2F&h=tAQFguodaAQGYe-gocr4uznrc7FEDv6NnOZk3Jjdw0uEs6w

There is a new website in cyberspace that I wanted to share with everyone. The site's intent is for members to meet new people, discuss topics, ask/answer questions, read blog posts, post photos, ect. There are a few ads on the site (just along the top that I've come across) but it has a simple layout and it is easy to follow. The name of the site is, "Be Only You" and it is free to join. It is BRAND new so if you have a second, check it out!

Only You:
http://be-only-you.webs.com/

If You've Ever Wondered...

Bacon Popcorn. For the true bacon lover:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/bacon/cf26/

And if that doesn't cure your bacon cravings... you can try this Bacon Hot Sauce:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/zombies/e6ae/

Literally, you can "inhale your chocolate":

http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/wacky-edibles/e67f/?srp=1

Finally, an adult pixie stick....

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/c0bc/

You though spam in a can was strange, how about a whole sandwich in a can?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/e9ed/

Speaking of Spam....

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/ea1c/

A "Do-It-Yourself" wooden knife kit: Why?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/eb3d/

This item is actually pretty cool...if it's Halloween, other than that, I'm not sure why you would have this in your bathroom:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder20/b9b2/

Because you never know when you may need to whip it out:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/9c42/

Unicorn Chopsticks, which I guess if you're 12 they're not so bad. I do like the sales pitch on this one though, "For a Magical Mealtime":

http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/exclusives/e9ff/

This item is a joke but really, just creepy:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/ea64/

Also, creepy:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/d1ef/

And lastly, I just have to throw in one more bacon phenomenon:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/ce85/

What is the obsession??! haha Obviously the site is a lot of fun!! And, although there are many items that I cannot imagine anyone actually buying, there is also a TON of really cool items!!! To the geek in all of us, enjoy!

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

2012 - Year of the Dragon

Everyone around me knows that I have been PUMPED for 2012! Super excited and ready for a great year, I am over 2011!
Usually I check up on the new year Chinese horoscope. It started a couple years ago at work as a joke that we would all see what each year had "in store" for us and then it stuck! Well, this year I should have skipped the quirky tradition.
There are four areas that you can read a prediction on:

Career
Love
Money
Health
The first three were so-so, no big promises or gleams of optimism. Rather bleak in fact. Mostly they just said to play it safe, not take chances, and "follow the guidance of the Dragon" blah, blah, blah...
Then I got to the last category.

"Health: There is an Unlucky Star showing in health area. That's a sign of injury. Therefore, Horse people need to pay attention the safety at work, to drive carefully on the road and to avoid conflict with strangers. Also, if Horse people have physical fights with others or do dangerous sports (like mountain climbing, car racing, diving, ski or even riskier activities), it might cause a bloody injury. Some fortunetellers suggest that doing a blood donation or teeth cleaning will help people escape accidents or injuries. Also, Horse people shouldn't ignore their health in 2012. Otherwise, a hospital door is opening for you."

So..I guess I'll be staying home in 2012.

American Diabetes Association 2011 Accomplishments

In the spirit of wrapping up 2011 take a look at all the great things the ADA, it's volunteers, and all your donations were able to accomplish this year!
Check out this link, http://www.diabetes.org/assets/pdfs/advocacy/2011-advocacy-accomplishments.pdf to see the see the full list of 2011 highlights. Below are a few of my favorites:

~The "Advocates in Action" initiative celebrated it's first year anniversary.
~The ADA expanded it's "Safe at School" campaign for children with diabetes.
~Instead of restricting access to glucose monitoring for children in Washington State, due to advocacy efforts access was expanded.

Hopefully the win against cutbacks in this area will discourage future attempts! Here's to a successful 2012!

All of the Other Reindeer: A Bad Influence?

Last week there were a couple news stories where parents were advised not to let their children listen to the classic Christmas song about Rudolph this year. The debate is whether or not it teaches children that they should only be friends with someone who can do something for them.
This is absurd.
Songs like this are not what is ruining this generation of children. Parents of this generation are the problem. Media is the problem. Making excuses for bullying instead of disciplining and consistent training at home are the problem and parents who expect the school to raise their kids rather than themselves. An excuse should never be made for a child who is making fun of another child. Kids will be kids, and they will pick on each other from time to time, that's the type of behavior that should be corrected immediately so they learn the difference between what is acceptable treatment of others and what is not.
I submit that the reindeer actually learned a lesson that day. That they shouldn't judge someone just because they are different and that we all have different abilities that were given to us to accomplish a purpose. The reason for Rudolph's red nose was to lead the way. Santa recognized that.
With that being said, I will continue to listen to Rudolph for this year, as well as many years to come and I hope that if I ever become a parent I will be a good enough one to teach my children the true meaning of the song as well as Christmas, not just during the holiday season but all through the year.

The Compassionate Friends

While we are all celebrating the holidays and enjoying time with family and friends eating great food and finding amazing deals, I wanted to take a moment to share with you about this special day coming up! So many families have suffered from the loss of a child and I can imagine that during the holidays is it especially hard.

Recently I learned about a national self-help support organization, The Compassionate Friends. Fifteen years ago they created a Worldwide Candle Lighting to be held on the second Sunday of December in honor of all families grieving the loss of a child. Services are held in communities across America and the globe that you can attend and/or light a remembrance candle in memory of a lost child. You can visit their website (http://www.compassionatefriends.org/), to find the service nearest to you. The event officially begins at 7 p.m. on December 11th!

Recent "Occupy" Media Story...

Why is it OK to storm into a bank, shout hateful slogans and slurs at innocent people (i.e. tellers
just doing their jobs who have no say in what they are complaining about
anyway), and try to set up "camp" in their lobby! I have no issue
with the "occupy wall street" groups using their freedom of protest
and speech, I applaud that, HOWEVER they are going about it the wrong way, it
is not an excuse to break any laws - I find it interesting they then cry the
victim when they are carted off to jail. This tells me that they are obnoxious
and have no character.

Dear McDonalds

To Whom It May Concern,

Previously I contacted you to ask when the McRib would be returning and was elated a few weeks later when it did in fact make a national reappearance. Your sandwich is under constant fire from my fellow coworkers who vary from saying that it is kangaroo meat to the actual truth, pig intestines (let's face it, there's no pretending it's quality meat, but it IS pure deliciousness), critics even going so far as to rename it the "the McDeath" sandwich. In spite of the controversy I have been able to gather a few followers of the McRib. I know that writing to you regarding this may seem pointless but I do believe in positive feedback when a company offers a great product, especially one that inspires such a "cult-like" following. I am not one of those mega-fans who waste time signing petitions and searching for blogs requesting to add the McRib to the full-time menu, I believe that part of the McRib's charm is it's elusiveness and would hate to see that ruined.

I admit I was a skeptic at first and it truly won me over. Thanks for offering such a fun product and keep up the great advertising!

Thank you for your time.

TP the Seat!!

Some call it, "nesting".
Some call it, "paranoid".
Some call it, "unnecessary" and "silly", but for me, it is not even a question.

Some people only toilet paper the seat when at a rest stop or a port-a-potty so they don't understand why I do it all the time, even at work or in a restaurant, "Don't you know they clean it??" Um, yes. I do, (although the standard of "clean" is sometimes questionable depending on where you are...), I just have a problem putting my butt where someone else just had theirs.

I guess I'm just weird like that.