Own It

When did people stop being responsible for their own actions?

I’ve never been addicted to any type of drug, so I realize I’m not speaking from the most knowledgeable point of view, but still. Are we a bunch of animals that can’t be held accountable for anything we do?

It blows my mind that people who are alcoholics can’t get fired from their job because alcoholism is a “disability” and the company can be sued if they fire someone for being a drunk while on the clock. Yes, seriously. It happens. Or I guess I should say it (being fired) doesn’t happen.

Um, pardon my French, but did you not put the bottle to your lips and gulp it down? Did someone hold a gun to your head and force you into a constant state of inebriation? Oh, you just wanted it really bad. Well, I want Little Debbie Cakes really bad, and when I eat one and gain another 10 pounds, you don’t see me suing Little Debbie for giving me the disability of fatness.

And why can people erase entire weeks, months, even years, from their lives and blame it on a particular medication or feigned illness?

Hmm, I can’t be held responsible for anything I said or did for the past five months because I was sick…..OR……I was on some type of medication.

Yes, I do know that some medications can alter your mood, but do you still not make a decision to behave like a child or act like a lunatic? Or do you become possessed by a devil? That must be it. The devil. That’s why you’re not responsible for your actions.

Right.

When I was in high school I took diet pills like every other teenage girl with body issues (who should have embraced the awesome bod she had while it was still rather toned and youthful—ahh, hindsight’s 20/20). My step-mom was obsessed that the diet pills made me irritable. Anything I did or said was attributed to the diet pills and my monster-like behavior because of them.

I stopped taking them, but I didn’t tell anyone. I maintain that I’m a bitch anytime. Yeah, diet pills might make me a little bit bitchier, but it’s not like I’m a gentle, kind girl in the first place. I was making decisions to show my irritation. I didn’t have to snap at casual criticisms, but I did. I could have kept my mouth shut. But I didn’t want to. Either way, it was my decision to behave the way I did.

Three weeks later, I was still being accused of behaving like a witch because I was on diet pills.

It made me really happy to say “Actually, I haven’t taken a diet pill in three weeks.” See, I’m naturally bitchy.

I’m totally responsible for all my actions. Yeah, I might fly off the handle every now and then, but the whole time I’m raging, I’m aware of what I’m doing. Those who say otherwise need to be at bit more honest with themselves.

It's Always About a Dog

I don't believe people change. I don't believe in second chances. If I were a Native American and had a traditional name, it would be Holds-A-Grudge.

However, I'm sitting on my couch watching Cell Dogs on Animal Planet. It's a show that chronicles prison inmates as they train dogs from humane societies and rescue groups that will someday help people with disabilities.

I find myself seeing things a little differently than usual. These hardened criminals are different people around a dog. They care for and about the animal and feel like they have a purpose in life and are contributing to society. It makes me think that people who have done horrible things are not necessarily all bad. I remember Dr. Winterhalter's Virginia Woolf class and the importance placed on there being neither good nor bad charcters, neither black nor white in real life. Most of life's a gray area and most people are both good and bad. Maybe some people are more bad than good while others are more good than bad.

These (mostly) murderers put ribbons in their dogs' hair, brush them, and treat them like treasured children. I think all dogs should be cherished, and maybe the inmates' devotion and care for these animals is what touches me most. I would normally write these people off as worthless and no longer serving a function in society, but maybe they just need more help and sturcture than others, but that's a whole other post.

I Love Bigfoot and I Love Britney

What Happened to Her Eyes?

It always bothers me that Renee Zellweger's eyes have become progressively squintier as she becomes a bigger star. Here' s her high school pic.....with normal sized eyes. Perhaps she has a medical condition.

Well, That Didn't Work Out At All

Turns out my horse, who was such a sweetie the first day at the barn, is mean. He tried to buck two people off and kick them in the head as well as started pinning his ears back and snaking his head when approached. Needless to say, he's going back to the farm he came from.

However, my friend who owns the stables the bad horse is currently being kept at is letting me ride another horse (Dixie--a very nice mare who's well peopled) until we find another one that will be more suitable for such an inexperienced rider as myself.

Albino Dolphins Are Actually Pink

I'm Usually Not One To Say "I Told You So"...

....but I finally got a horse!

He arrived at my friend's stables yesterday, so I just had to drive out there after work and meet him.

He's a little thin right now but will look healthier soon. I haven't had a chance to ride him since my friend wants to make sure he doesn't have any quirks before I get on him.

(I forgot my camera, so this pic was taken on my friend's cell phone. Better pictures to come soon.)