Sometimes...

...I feel like I'm at the edge, looking down at all that is.  Sometimes, I'm hanging on for dear life trying not to plunge over the side.  Other times, I'm merely glancing at all the going-ons in wonderment.  And yet, there are times I'm simply lost in a daydream not even aware of the world around me.  Those are my favorite moments.

Monroe vs Einstein

I wish everyone could have a big brother like this.

Dear Customer Who Stuck Up For His Little Brother

You thought I didn't really notice. But I did. I wanted to high-five you.

Yesterday I had a pair of brothers in my store. One was maybe between 15 and 17. He was a wrestler at the local high school. Kind of tall, stocky and handsome. He had a younger brother, who was maybe about 10 to 12 years old. The only way to describe him was scrawny, neat, and very clean for a boy his age. They were talking about finding a game for the younger one, and he was absolutely insisting it be one with a female character. I don't know how many of y'all play games, but that isn't exactly easy. Eventually, I helped the brothers pick a game called "Mirror's Edge." The youngest was pretty excited about the game, and then he specifically asked me, "Do you have any girl color controllers?" I directed him to the only colored controllers we have, which include pink and purple ones. He grabbed the purple one, and informed me purple was his FAVORITE.

The boys had been taking awhile, so their father eventually came in. He saw the game, and the controller, and started in on the youngest about how he needs to pick something different. Something more manly. Something with guns and fighting, and certainly not a purple controller. He tried to convince him to get the new Zombie game "Dead Island" and the little boy just stood there repeating, "Dad, this is what I want, OK?" Eventually it turned into a full-blown argument complete with Dad threatening to whoop his son if he didn't choose different items.

That's when big brother stepped in. He said to his dad, "It's my money, it's my gift to him. If it's what he wants, I'm getting it for him, and if you're going to hit anyone for it, it's going to be me." Dad just gave his oldest son a strong stern stare-down, and then left the store. Little brother was crying quietly. I walked over and ruffled his hair (yes, this happened all in front of me). I said, "I'm a girl, and I like the color blue, and I like shooting games. There's nothing wrong with what you like. Even if it's different than what people think you should." I smiled, he smiled back (my heart melted!). Big brother then leaned down, kissed little brother on the head, and said, "Don't worry, dude."

They checked out and left, and all I can think is how awesome big brother is, how sweet little brother is, and how Dad ought to be ashamed for trying to make his son any other way.


This piece was originally published on Kristen's blog, www.sweetupndown.tumblr.com.

German Hackers Are Building a DIY Space Program to Put Their Own Uncensored Internet into Space

Music=Love

Chaos vs Order

How true...how true...

Such a wise woman!

That's like what I've been saying all these years - I only run when I know my life is in danger.

I like what if's

Bus Driver

Bus Driver - "You can't drink that coffee on the bus."

Me - "I've almost always have coffee in the morning on the bus and none of the drivers have ever said otherwise."

Bus Driver - "The sign clearly says no food or drink on the bus."

Me - "How about I put it in the bag and hold it on my lap until I get to my stop?"

Bus Driver - "You can't bring food or drinks on the bus."

Me - "So, you're telling me if I had to go grocery shopping and had to take the bus, I couldn't bring that food and drinks on the bus because the sign clearly states that there is no food or drinks allowed on the bus?"

Bus Driver - "......."

Me - "That's what I thought."

Small triumphs of wit make me feel better about my day.

...

"It's a great job", she says. 

"Don't do anything to get fired," she says. 

"You've got a good thing there, so don't  screw it up for yourself," she says. 

I do everything I possibly can to step up at work, help out when needed, do what I need to do.  The oldest is in school, set up a bus to take her there and back and afterschool program.  The baby's day care I've had since she was 3 months old.  Yet, I have to go back to work tomorrow, found out yesterday that the schools and day care are closed and when I originally asked yesterday if she could watch them and I would leave early, she said yes.  Now, 15 minutes ago, I'm being told she can't watch them because she thought I said I wasn't going to go in.  How can I not go in on a first day back from a 2 week break?  I have no else to help me yet I'm always expected to drop and help everyone.  I don't know what to do.  What a way to start off the new year...