AND IRVING IS IN THE NEWS - AGAIN! HOW EMBARRASSING!

If you haven't heard the story about a freshman arrested at MacArthur High in Irving, Texas for bringing a home made electronic digital clock to school, you must be in hibernation! I'll post more later:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/09/17/man-i-went-viral-my-day-with-ahmed-moahmed-the-most-famous-boy-on-earth.html

WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING? From WiseGEEK: 'Critical thinking is the ability to apply reasoning and logic to new or unfamiliar ideas, opinions, and situations. Thinking critically involves seeing things in an open-minded way and examining an idea or concept from as many angles as possible. This important skill allows people to look past their own views of the world and to better understand the opinions of others. It is often used in debates, to form more cogent and well-rounded arguments, and in science.'

Open-Minded Approach

'The ability to think critically is essential, as it creates new possibilities in problem solving. Being "open-minded" is a large part of critical thinking, allowing a person to not only seek out all possible answers to a problem, but to also accept an answer that is different from what was originally expected. Open-minded thinking requires that a person does not assume that his or her way of approaching a situation is always best, or even right. A scientist, for example, must be open to the idea that the results of an experiment will not be what is expected; such results, though challenging, often lead to tremendous and meaningful discoveries.'

There are several additional paragraphs expounding on the definition of critical thinking: Rational Considerations, Empathy, How to Apply It, Common Uses and Teaching the Skill. Here's the link I used for this information:

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-critical-thinking.htm
This missive is to point out to the sanctimonious local readers (you know who you are!) that they are NOT critical thinkers if open-minded, rational and empathetic are not in your vocabulary. Here's a telling sentence: 'Effective critical thinking often begins with a thinker analyzing what he or she knows about a subject, with extra effort made to recognize what he or she does not know about it.'
WHAT? Does NOT KNOW?

Ah, but some think they know everything and spout that nonsense daily. Degrees, titles and certifications mean nothing if the tenets aren't applied to how you interact with others and how you move about your daily life. Please don't try to impress me or beat me over the head with the people you 'know,' all the countries you've visited or taught in or all your so-called 'degrees.' You're wasting your time. I read your words and see who you align yourself with. That speaks volumes.

How can you be an effective parent, teacher, minister, city leader or drug counselor if you think you know it all? How can you be a positive motivator if you have a closed mind or lack the empathy to 'walk a mile' in someone else's shoes?

 Well, that's all from my brain wave today.

RUH-ROH! CURSES, FOILED AGAIN!

A certain faux warrior-type just keeps pushing my 'page views' up, up and up! Honestly, I'm just a little blogger with her own opinions. Read them or not. Agree with them or not. Last time I looked, there was still free speech in this country.

I WISH I had all the IT tools - and time - available to troll someone else's profiles and websites. Of course, I use my own name and pictures, so must not be too hard for one so versed in 'Media Production' to find things I've written, posted or reviewed. Lost track of where on the 'nets' I go, but someone has put together an aggregate. Cool!

Learned some new vocabulary, too. Doxing. New word for this etymologist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doxing

Do you think if I hadn't impugned his manhood, he would be reacting so vehemently? In the event I DO use real names, I intend to invoke the 'the small penis' rule.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_penis_rule

Anyhow, what started out as...I don't know...gentle ribbing from the 'pile-on group' feels like bullying to many of us. It's gotten increasingly nasty and personal. Hope the novelty has worn off and that they turn their attentions elsewhere. Like a personal relationship, a job, a hobby, church, charity, SOMETHING! Otherwise, they end up looking like small-minded individuals with no life.

STUCK IN LITTLE CRAZY TOWN! Working title of my experiences & indentured servitude in Irving, Texas. Yes, names will be named! Places will be pointed out! If you live around these parts - or if you check out the Facebook page 'Keep Irving Accountable' (a misnomer, I might add) - you'll probably be able to figure out the characters WITHOUT even buying a program!

Latest dust-up is the fact that I've blocked a number of people who are annoying and add nothing to the conversation. They are the 'low information voters' who sit in the front pew on Sunday and spew ignorant - yes, even hateful - slings and arrows at anyone liberal or anyone who doesn't agree with their narrow mindset the other six days of the week. Think 'White, Christian, Bible-thumpin', gun totin'' individuals who don't try to expand their world view.

Anyhow, I'm working on the characters: curmudgeons, harpies, karate-types, Tea Party joiners, disgruntled ex-City employees, out-of-towners and interlopers, trust fund babies, Confederate flag wavers, Muslim haters, unemployed attorneys,  faux preachers, pseudo drug counselors, part-time Santa impersonators, bearded motorcycle riders, failed City Council candidates - all led by a blonde female Pied Piper who whips her following into a 'fear frenzy' in order to further her political career. I don't even have to make this stuff up! 

What great fodder! It's been said 'Write what you know.' Well, I've had several years to get to 'know' some of these players. This should get interesting...

WHAT? NO COMMENTS TO MY LAST POST? Of course not. Not a big enough audience to read the snark. This 'game' has gotten really tiresome. Some Irving, Texas residents (and some interlopers) have waaaaaaaay too much time on their hands. Anyone with a different view is called out & piled on. Whaaaaaaaaaaa!

Caught a snippet of Dr.Oz today & a professional was talking about 'not sweating the small stuff.' THIS is definitely small stuff. However, when things get overwhelming or there's a decision to be made on an issue that feels 'pressing' (think unfriending or blocking people on Facebook or otherwise removing certain individuals from your life -  whether you're related to them or not) - ask yourself this question 'How will I feel about this in 5 years?' Gosh, will I even remember their names? Probably not!

So there you go... People I've never met in person - belittling, haranguing...dare I say - bullying me or others who have the chutzpah to voice an opposing opinion. 'Pack mentality.'

I'd call them out by description or post another unflattering meme, but that would only fan their self-righteous flames. Ironic that if you met some of these people out around town, they look relatively normal.

That reminds me...isn't it time to watch 'The Walking Dead'?

(I'd almost forgotten about this old blog. Perhaps it's time to revive it. Thanks, ninja!)

IT APPEARS THAT SOME OF MY ONLINE ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN HACKED! Unusual activity & the screen grab of my 'Faux Geisha' picture that was posted to a rabid Irving, Texas group Facebook page has compelled me to tighten my security settings. (Keep Irving Accountable - my ass!)

'This person' who purports to be a martial arts expert, has way too much time on his hands. He's a prolific poster on a city page where he doesn't even live. Methinks his current town of Richardson wouldn't put up with his insipid crap. He must not have a job as he posts all hours of the day & night.

Anyway, I've reported him to Facebook & Yahoo as a possible suspect in the hacking of my accounts. This is an embellished photo illustrating his lack of prowess in martial arts (why else do you need a gun?) & indicating he is not at all confident about his manhood. (I did not doctor this photo) If you see him, run fast & run far. Be forewarned!

ANNUAL POSTING? BETTER STEP IT UP, GIRL!

I think about posting something new quite often. Suppose that when the desire meets the action, I'll get exactly that... a little active posting. KInd of like 'when the rubber meets the road.' Now, THAT was profound!

Got a 'blast from the past' a couple of days ago. Heard from a former 'boyfriend' (I use that term verrrrrrrrrrry loosely). Last saw him almost 15 years ago - right before I moved up to Pittsburgh. He was STILL in school & had not yet achieved 'the Next Stanley Kubrick' status as had been his trajectory back in the 1990's.

Oh, yeah - he DID call my mother's number back around Christmas of 2003. I GUESS it's flattering that someone seems to thinks of me fondly, but, since the relationship ended badly... well, I always wonder what he wants.

Towards the end of the ill-fated, short-lived partnership, he called my parents to inform them of my alleged drug use and, oh, by the way, 'I got a ticket in Cynthia's car & could you pay it? After all, even though she warned me that the registration had expired & she had no auto insurance, I chose to drive the car anyway. You see, one of her headlights was out & I got pulled over driving after dark. Yeah, I have my own car, but hers had a/c. Anyway, I'm just a struggling student & it was Cyn's fault that I got the tickets. Plural. Three, to be exact - uh, yeah, I was driving without my license, too. But it was HER fault. If her car had been up to snuff, I never would have been stopped.'

Thanks, Mom & Dad. You paid all three of the jaggoffs' tickets & I had to pay you back. And thank YOU, Paul.

Now, why is it that you're calling me?

I keep saying that it's been so long, BUT IT HAS!

Rahlly rathah tired, but did want to begin, what I hope will be, a habit. I really must figure out another, more comfortable way of positioning my laptop & writing. WOULD facilitate matters. Ya think?

I want to embed something in this blog, but not sure how. ?????

Journey of a thousand miles - take the leap - pip-pip & all that rot. Here we goooooooooooo...