~A Bitter Swallow~

For those of you keeping track of my writing prowess (or lack thereof), you will be happy to know that I actually completed(ish) and submitted a piece!

I saw an ad for a gentlemen looking for submissions of father-daughter anthologies from the daughter's point of view. He wanted the story, as well as how that relationship continues to influence the daughter's everyday life.

The piece I submitted I cannot say I am happy with. I have a very hard time writing about my father. However, I finished it. I submitted it. It may not get chosen, and that is okay. I am proud of the fact that I have gotten as far with it as I have. It was not a long piece- only roughly 3500 words. But, again, it's done. That is the highlight.

So, wish me well if you like, but celebrate my completion more. Now, the next deadline I have is for sometime in the Fall of this year. This one I need to start pushing myself more on, because this one is to be an actual book-long story. It will involve copious amounts of research on my part, and with my procrastination level, I need to really strive to keep on task. But the fact that it is per request of a friend perhaps will boost my motivation level. If only to appease.

In any event, there you have it. One down- about 4 or 5 more I'm working on.

My enchantment with the human race is slowly dwindling to a point of non-existence. Maybe it's because I'm off the happy-pills, so I am more agitated more easily. Maybe it's pre, during and post PMS syndrome... who knows. Regardless of the cause, people's stupidity is grating on my nerves at a near neck-breaking pace. The race car is the fingernail, and the wall the chalkboard, and that puppy is just flying those sparks down that sucker!

The school parking lot is probably one of my more illuminated irritants. The way these parents act is enough to turn my stomach into knots. The drive-by pick up I am part of, simply because I tried to park to go in, and when I tried to leave, I could not get out of the parking space. But I bring my book to read while I wait, and I am considerate and let people out when they are ready. Especially those who actually parked and went in. But some of these parents are just bullying for the front of the line, to jump up front and get out first. They block people in, do not let others who are finished out, and cause huge congestion areas in an already tight parking lot. Some parents will circle around in the thoroughfares way and stop in the middle once their child comes out. I cannot believe that the school employees (who stand with the kids) allow this. If I ran that school.. heck no. You must be in one of the designated pick up areas. That is for people who are leaving. NO BLOCKING! lol.

Or for instance, right now, as I sit here, there is a parent, who is letting their child - who cannot be more than 2-3- run unattended through the library while they mess around on the computer. This child has run through the back area here twice now, almost ran out the front door (right into the street), and is running aimlessly throughout inside. He is talking to everyone, which normally isn't a problem as long as there is supervision. I like to think the library is a safe place, but you never know. Through all this, the parents have made no notion of noticing the antics of this young man, and it worries me to think about what could have happened if none of us had been standing up front and seen him almost dart out the door (it was one of our employees who stopped him, not the parent). Sadly enough, this is not the first time I've witnessed this kind of "parenting", nor do I believe it will be the last.

Just driving is enough for me to tear my hair out. Just being around large groups of people. The lack of attention, respect, consideration. It blows me away that my children act better than some of these "grown adults" I run into. What happened to compassion and camaraderie? A thing of the past, it seems, and it's sad. I hope that I have brought my children up to at least be somewhat aware and mindful of others. To think before they act, and take into account those around them.

Ok, that is my rant for today. It was something for me to write about, so I got that out of the way. I really need to go work on some of my actual story telling. But I've come to a place that reminds me of dirty water. If that makes any sense. But I will try.

Some parents just amaze me at their utter disregard for their children. So many people seem to view the Library as a large daycare. They bring their kids in and just let them run rampant, usually while the parent cruises around on the Internet. Meanwhile, their child starts to get bored, and cranky. Often-times it's little tike, a toddler or baby, stuck in their stroller or on the parent's lap.



Then the parent gets irritated because the child is interrupting their Internet usage. It flabbergasts me that they bring in these young kids and expect them to keep still and quiet for son long. Usually there is not even anything brought in to entertain the child.



Now, I can understand the parent that is here because they have no Internet access at home, and need to check email or apply for a job or work on a resume.. etc etc . But most of these parents I see are just browsing their MySpace pages and looking at other people.



Many of these people, stereotypically I know, seem young and rather uneducated. Not ready for having a child but with one anyways. Now, I'm saying nothing against that.. I was not ready and had one anyways. Hell, I had two. But I don't bring them out in public and expect them to act like angels when they are bored and tired. Especially when they are at an age where anything that is not selfish is not even cognitively possible for them. When I take my kids out, I try to make sure I am aware of how tired they are, or may get. How bored they will be and if I have to be out, try and find them something to do that is entertaining, even if it's letting them bring a toy or something.



Parents.. your kids come first. Even before you. Respect them. Do you enjoy being dragged into someplace where you are stuck and unable to do anything even remotely enjoyable while someone else screws around doing nonsense stuff? Think about it.