Mr. President

I am really PISSED OFF about something.  Well, okay, I'm pissed off about a lot of things.  My husband and I piss and moan about all sorts of things on a daily basis to each other.  Misery loves company I supposed.  But this one particular thing is really starting to get under my skin...

Donald Trump is the President of the United States of America.  Therefore, as president, he is to be addressed as......drum roll please..........PRESIDENT TRUMP or MR. PRESIDENT.  Not, and I repeat, no, never, not ever, no way, is he to be addressed as Mr. Trump.  He EARNED that right by being elected president.  I don't give a rat's ass if you do or don't like him.  If you live and work in this country, then you should be, at the very least, showing the respect for your country and your president.  And yes, yes, he IS your president, even if you didn't elect him.  If you can't accept that fact, then I suggest you pack your bags and move to another country, we won't miss you so feel free to go.  You don't have to like him, you didn't have to vote for him, you don't have to agree with him and you can even campaign against him in the next election.  But by God, you need to refer to him properly and respectfully, period.  

Now I know a lot of people didn't vote for him, think he did something illegal to get elected, want him out of office and continue to,  just in general act like spoiled little children when they get all riled up.  Fine, show what asses you are to the public, act like spoiled children who didn't get their way and show the WORLD that you continue to drink the Kool-Aid supplied by the liberal left because you're too stupid and pathetic to think for yourself.  But, for the love of God, at least be respectful of the office of President.  Do you realize that the entire world is laughing their asses off at us?  They are either laughing because they think President Trump is an idiot OR they are laughing at the American people who continue to piss and moan about how he shouldn't have won.  For the love of God, get the fuck over it already.  It's been over a year ago.  

What prompted me to write this is the continued disrespect I see in all forms of media, both broadcast and written, that refer to President Trump as Mr. Trump.  No, you fucktards, he stopped being Mr. Trump when he won the election; he then became President-elect Trump.  Then, on that glorious day in January, 2017, he officially became President Trump; and the entire liberal sector of the population collectively shit their pants and began crying and whining like the little bitches that they are.  And if you people want to show what asses you are, fine, be my guest; but quit making the rest of the country look bad.  Refer to him as President Trump.  Even if you don't like him.  You enjoy the freedoms that you have by living in this great country, including the freedom to pitch a collective temper tantrum because he won, so please at least show you appreciate those freedoms by giving the office of the president the respect it deserves.  

And DO NOT for one single MINUTE think that I'm going to believe you don't realize you are doing it or are doing it mistakenly.  Professional journalists (and I use the word professional loosely here) are very well aware of these things.  You wouldn't call Queen Elizabeth Mrs. Windsor, would you?  Even though I'm NOT a citizen of the United Kingdom, I recognize the respect due to the crown, whether or not I subscribe to it.  I'm not going to make an asshole of myself by disrespecting it.   So tell me why President Trump is not allowed the same privilege?  You say the Queen was born into it?  Why yes she was.  Mr. Trump was born into a country made up of men and women that FOUGHT AND DIED for the values and beliefs upheld by the office of the president.  And you think you deserve to be able to disrespect our president AND our country by calling him Mr. Trump?  SHAME ON YOU!!  

I didn't like President Obama, in fact I did and do detest him and everything he stands for (socialism) but in spite of my personal feelings,  did I refer to him as Mr. Obama?  In private I referred to him as a lot of things, none of which are very flattering.  Behind closed doors, do whatever the fuck you want to.  But if you're in a public forum, and particularly if you do that shit for a living, do it right.  You're making an ass of yourself and embarrassing the rest of us.  Cut it out, grow the fuck up and show some courtesy and respect for yourself, your profession and your country.  Otherwise, well, get the fuck out then if you can't behave like an adult and an American.  I'll even help you pack. 

Captain Spandex - to the rescue!

Have you ever noticed those guys and gals (although it's mostly guys) who ride bikes and have all the latest and greatest equipment the world has to offer?  You know the ones I'm talking about.  The crowd my husband and I refer to as "the spandex wienies."  The ones that have the $300.00 skin-tight, brightly-colored spandex outfits and the $200.00 shoes and the $4,000.00 bicycles.  Oh and don't forget the helmets that cost no less than $180.00 and the water bottles that are $30.00 and Ray Ban Sunglasses that were $150.00 (on sale) and the list goes on and on and on.  The ones with the attitude that speaks VOLUMES about who they are with a mere sentence or two.  "ON YOUR LEFT" they shout as they go whizzing by you on the bike path.   Yes I know they are trying to let me know they are there, for safety.  I have a little bell that I tap once or twice to do that very thing when I come upon someone walking or riding in front of me.  A little bell is far less abrasive and does the job just as well.  Granted it doesn't call attention to me and all my "stuff" as much but I'm honestly concerned about safety, not strutting my stuff. 

What I want to know is this.  Do they get more exercise by spending that much money?  Do they ride faster because of their equipment?  Is it more fun?  Do they feel superior?  What's the big draw here? Is their self-esteem so low that they have to try to make up for it with all this expensive stuff?  Do their egos need that boost?  Are their dicks that tiny?  I just don't get it.   I'm thinking a few hours at the office of a therapist would be a helluva lot cheaper for them.

I would like to go on record here and now and tell each and every one of them that I am NOT, I REPEAT, NOT at all impressed, in awe, intimidated, spellbound, jealous, fascinated or dazzled by them and their ass-load of asinine accessories.  The truth of the matter is, we actually laugh and mock and make fun of these idiots and their entourages.  We can barely hold in our laughter and keep from mocking them within earshot.  Not because we want to be mean necessarily.  Just because it's so damned funny.  We get just as much exercise on our economy bikes.  We are just as comfortable in our shorts and t-shirts, with our 30.00 helmets protecting our brains just as much.  Our sunglasses shade our eyes just as much and our water is just as cold and refreshing.  Oh and we have the added enjoyment of making fun of the spandex wienies.   And really, honestly, dude, if you want to spend your money on those things, I really couldn't give a rat's ass, but do not for one  minute, think it makes you better than me in any way, shape or form.  You may have more money than me, good for you, but there are truly some things money can't buy.  Self-respect, self-esteem, and good manners for starters. 

Now granted, there are some things that are worth spending the money on.  A decent bicycle of course being paramount.  But, let me go on record right here saying you don't have to spend THOUSANDS of dollars to get a good bicycle.  Good bikes can be had for $300.00 to $600.00, maybe less.  And, if you're lucky enough to have someone who knows their bikes, you may even score a yard-sale bike for less than $100.00.  And trust me, when it comes to putting a bike to the test, I'm as hard as anyone else on my bike.  First, it has to hold my arse when I'm riding, no easy feat to be sure.  Then it has to be able to withstand the test of time as I put hundreds of miles on it yearly.  And as if that isn't bad enough, I'm fortunate enough to live in a climate where we can ride almost year-round so my bike is subject to hot, cold, dry & wet.  And last, but not least, the best part is that we have these lovely little thorny things known as goat heads which serve no other purpose except to puncture bike tires.  Specifically, MY bike tires.  The little fuckers are EVERYWHERE around here.  And you wouldn't think something the size of very small tack and made from organic matter, not metal or even plastic, could do so much damage.  Think again.  Those little cocksuckers can work their way into the rubber of your tire just far enough to gently, and ever so subtly, prick the inner tube.  Then when you put any amount of weight on it in the course of riding, it drives it in further and bam, you're pulling into a front row parking spot in "flat city." 

Oh and one more thing, Captain Spandex, when you come whizzing past me, pumping your legs for all your worth, again, I'm not impressed or intimidated.  You go buddy, have at it, go with God.  I may not ride as fast or as far but I can guarndamntee you that I have as much or more fun than you ever will.  You see, I have something you don't have.  I have the appreciation of being able to do it.  I have the advantage of know how it feels to sit on the sidelines and watch others and not be able to participate or at least not think I could.  There's no better motivation.  So in addition to being appreciative and enjoying it, I also am grateful that I can do it.   I daresay my gratitude is worth far more than all of your extravagant, upscale accessories.  Next time you wienies gotta whiz past me, shouting, "ON YOUR LEFT" don't be surprised if I graciously acknowledge your obnoxious presence with a single tap on my bell, ding.  (Take that ya filthy animal)

Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining

I'm a woman, as such, I don't know much about cars and the things that go on with them.  I like it that way, I don't want to know much more than I do about them.  I harken back for the good ole days when dealing with cars was one of those grubby tasks deemed "mens' work."  So whenever anything out of the ordinary goes on with my car, immediately my blood pressure rises and my mood intensifies and I get ready to bend over and take it up the rear.  I own a Honda, I love my Honda.  It runs good, it rarely gives me any sort of grief AND it has heated leather seats.  Oh hell yeah, nirvana.  But...whenever the Honda needs something, there's always a chance I'm going to have to sell a kidney on ebay to pay for it. 

Tires..........such a basic, simple thing, every car needs them, can't run without them.  So why in the ever living FUCK do they have to be so damn expensive?  And what is it with that whole bait and switch crap in ads about matching prices and tires on sale and buy 3 get one free, etc...

Now maybe it's just MY piss-poor luck, but I NEVER, let me repeat that, NEVER EVER, get what is advertised.  It's always something like, "Oh we're out of stock on that one but for just 20 dollars MORE, you can get THIS one we do have in stock."  (20 bucks times 4 tires equals 80 freaking dollars MORE)  Or there's always some reason why my car can't use the particular one advertised or, my personal favorite, "The advertised tire has been discontinued and they were just using up the ones in stock in the warehouse so now we only have THIS one here which is only another 15 dollars per tire," and on and on and on and on.  Even if it's 8 fucking AM on the FIRST day of the sale, the warehouse stock is depleted.  What, did they only have 4 of those in stock and the assistant manager pre-ordered them as soon as the sales flyer came out?  And while I'm standing there fuming, trying to decide if I would rather go to prison for beating the crap out the guy in front of me or for robbing a bank to pay for the aforementioned tires, Mr. Tire Guy offers me an option.  "You know you can just get 2 tires now and come back for the other 2 when we have our sale next month."  Really?  Can I really?  I don't know about anyone else, but I have always replaced all tires at once unless I had a bum tire that got mangled in some sort of accident/flat type of thing.  Because I do what they tell me and rotate my tires regularly (so they wear evenly) they all NEED to be replaced at the same time.  And then there's always the "extra" charges.  Like the disposal fee (5 bucks per tire) and cost to put them on and balance them (15 dollars per tire) so again, the tires you thought you were getting for 500 dollars are now 680 dollars.  It's really interesting to note that sometimes they advertise a "special sale" where you get FREE installation and disposal of your old tires - but then the tires themselves are not on sale. Whatever...

 

I apparently ooze stupidity when it comes to cars and tires and repairs, etc...  Again, I freely admit having little to no working knowledge, however, this ain't my first rodeo cowboy.  Do NOT try to sell me something as a good deal when it's clear that you are trying to "sell me a good deal."  I may not know about cars but I do know about people and I can smell a verbal blow job a mile away.  Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.  Nothing infuriates me more than having someone treat me like I'm dumber than a box of rocks.  I may be ignorant when it comes to some things but I'm not stupid and I sure as hell am not going to sit here and let you talk down to me because I have a zipper instead of a fly in my slacks. 

 

I could go on and on for pages, but I think one of my tires is low and I need to get some air put in it.   Or the latest was that I need nitrogen in my tires.  WTF?  My tires need nitrogen instead of air?  They were running on air just fine last week.  What's next, will my tires have a problem breathing and need pure oxygen?  Is my health insurance going to cover the durable medical equipment or am I going to have to pay out of pocket for it?  Will that count toward my deductible?  Fuck, it's all too confusing, I have a headache now. 

The Pumpkin Spice Life

And here it comes, the once a year unavoidable pumpkin spice crusade of mankind.  I blame Starbucks for staring this phenomena.   They started it when they created that chemical shit-storm in a cup known at the Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I'll freely admit I made the yearly pilgrimage to Starbucks on the day that Pumpkin Spice Latte showed up on the menu, every year, for several years, until I became educated as to what is actually IN that chemical concoction.  Once I read THAT list of chemical creativity gone to hell in a hand basket, I never put one of those things to my lips again.  Being rather fond of the taste of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, or the PSL as it's known in Starbuckland, I missed the fall tradition of having that yummy taste.  So I decided to google a recipe for my own homemade PSL and guess what, I actually found several such recipies, readily available.  I picked one that sounded easy and delicious enough and embarked on my very own latte-making experience.  I must admit it turned out to be rather good and quite a tasty treat.

That said, just because I like the occasional PSL in the fall that doesn't mean I want to have EVERYFUCKINGTHING in Pumpkin Spice flavor.  I mean you can even find Pumpkin Spice soda, for Christ's sweet sake.  Gross...  Every baked good known to mankind can, and mostly likely will, be made in a pumpkin spice flavor.  While that's not an entirely BAD thing...I just don't want it all to taste like Pumpkin.  And what crazy psycho thought up Pumpkin Spice Oreos?  Is NOTHING sacred people? 

And how far will they go?  How far will this madness expand into our culture?  I've already seen it jump from food to beauty products.  I can buy pumpkin spice lotion, hand sanitizer, bar soap, hand soap, candles, etc...  I'm waiting for pumpkin spice dog food to show up next because of course, Fido, wants his fall tradition as well, right?  Of course, the obvious most insane product would be a pumpkin spice scented tampon.  Yeah, I want my hooch to smell like pumpkin spice.  What am I gonna do, go to work beaming and declaring that my crotch smells like a latte?   And when am I going to see pumpkin spice gasoline at the pumps?  And will it be cheaper or more expensive?  Or God-forbid, will it make my car run better, or, will my car turn into a pumpkin at midnight?

I think the real issue here is not just pumpkin spice.  No, it's that people have forgotten, or may have never learned, that just because a little of something is good, doesn't always mean a lot is better.  Case in point...liver & onions.  Now I know most people won't even touch it with a 10-foot pole, I get that, it is somewhat of an acquired taste.  But, just because I like it once or twice a year, doesn't mean I would like it once or twice a week, or even a month.  And makeup, dear Lord, sweet Jesus, a little goes a long way.  Try telling THAT to the under-20-crowd.  And when did stamping your eyebrows on become a thing?  I mean, hey, it worked for Tim Curry in Rocky Horror Picture Show, but otherwise, not so much.  Plastic surgery is another one, have you SEEN the human Barbie Doll chick?   Again, it's that whole moderation thing. 

But back to the pumpkin spice conundrum.  I suppose, in retrospect, it's probably good for the pumpkin farmers.  And the maybe the dudes that grow the spices, and even the dairy farmers that provide the  milk and the coffee producers of the world and let us not forget, that almighty tabernacle on every street corner known as Starbucks.  So whether you like it or hate it, it's here for the season.  Tis the season to be jolly and watch the marketing madness that will barf up pumpkin spice everything.  I even saw pumpkin spice beer the other day.  I have no words... 

It's Not Personal?

I wish I had a nickel for every time someone told me, "It's not personal, it's just business."  What the fuck is that supposed to mean?  I mean I understand the words and the intended meaning behind it but really...it's NOT personal?  Then how come your decision is affecting ME?   And 99% of the time when someone says, "It's not personal, it's business," it's a signal to me that there is a crock of shit about to come my way, that there is a negative consequence in there for someone and that someone is usually me.

I get it that sometimes you have to make decisions at work that do affect other people negatively and you don't necessarily want to cause that kind of grief but you have to.  I totally get that, but cut the crap.  Quit taking the coward way out by saying, "It's not personal, it's just business."  Yes, yes it is personal.  When it's happening to ME, it's personal.  When it's affecting ME, it's personal.  When it causes ME additional work, it's personal.  So quit making excuses.  You had to make a hard decision that causes me some kind of grief in one form or another.  Often times, it involves absolutely nothing that I did or didn't do, it just happened, I get that, but it's still personal when I'm the one having to deal with it.  I find it far easier to accept and deal with when you are straight up honest with me about it, rather than the cop-out "it's not personal, it's just business" bullshit.

Why can't people just own their shit?  I mean really, just own it.  Nobody is perfect, not a single one of us.  No one expects you or me to be perfect.  So when we screw up or inadvertently have to cause someone distress in some fashion or other, just own it.  I have no problem whatsoever telling people that I totally agree with them about how something or other sucks or isn't right or makes life harder or whatever, but the bottom line is it's got to happen, for whatever reason. 

Sometimes people accuse me of being too blunt and straightforward.  Well, okay, maybe I am blunt and straightforward but do you really want me to sugar-coat everything for you?  Do you really want me to tell you what you WANT to hear?  I personally have too much respect for others to want to shovel a load of shit just to pacify them for the moment.  Guess what, life sucks, that's just a part of it.  No getting around that.  It would be nice if we could but unfortunately, that's not the case.  So, while I don't want to hurt you or cause you grief, I'm probably going to because that's just the way the cookie crumbles.  And so we can either sit around and bitch and piss and moan about it - which is sometimes warranted - or we can just suck it up and go on.  And the last thing I want to do is hurt someone or cause them additional work, but sometimes...it just has to happen.  And you know what?  It IS personal (unfortunately) because it's affecting YOU, and yes it is business too.  So, let's all be adult and realize that as the old saying goes, "shit happens, and then you die."  I think I can deal with that much easier than someone trying to sell me a load of horseshit telling me, "It's not personal, it's business."  Yeah, whatever dude.  I didn't just fall off the turnip truck yesterday.  I know a good snow job when I see one. 

Incidentally, I had a roommate in college who used to get the terms "snow job" and "blow job" mixed up.  OH BOY did that make for some interesting and extremely awkward conversational moments.

Don't Wear Your Play Clothes Out in Public

When did I miss the memo that it's okay to go out in public in your damn pajamas?  Now I'm usually on top of these kinds of things, because hey, I love being comfortable just as much as the next person.  But seriously, I work with people all day long, I live in the real world, I'm forced to run errands, grocery shop and just in general interact with John Q. Public.  So I'm noticing more and more that  people seem to think a pair of "pants" (and I use that term loosely) with a cartoon character printed all over them, are sufficient to wear out in public.   Not even necessarily with a t-shirt that also sports a cartoon character.  Nope the t-shirt is usually some really high class act with a logo that says "Marlboro" or "Coors."  Oh yeah now we're talking.  And if you're a girl, it has become obligatory to wear a shirt that shows off everything but the nipple.  Now if I want to see boobs, all I gotta do is look in the mirror.  I don't need, want or desire to see every boob belonging to someone under the age of 30.  And it seems predominant in that age group.  Not that I don't see an older age group sporting the aforementioned attire (or lack thereof), but it does seem to be more prevalent in the pre-30 age group. 

Now we all know that this particular generation, millennials, are already a bunch of whiny, self-entitled, self-important group of pussies who feel like the world owes them a living and they are entitled to get their feelings hurt over anything and everything that doesn't fit their view of the world as it should be.  Granted, I agree with one thing...anyone is entitled to their own opinion - absofuckinglutely - but no one is entitled to force their opinions on me, or demand that I cater to their desires and perceived needs.  You don't want to drink out of a plastic bottle?  Dandy, then don't, I don't give a rat's ass what you do or don't drink out of, but don't tell me I can't do it.  And if my drinking from a plastic bottle "offends" you, well, dude you got bigger problems than plastic bottles. 

But back to the pajama brigade.  I get it if it's 2:00am and you've got a sick baby and ran out of tylenol.  You throw on a pair of shoes and run to the nearest 24-hour store.  Absolutely, if you're decent (as in appropriately covered) then by all means, run and get the stuff you need.  But, at 2 pm on a Saturday afternoon, get your ass dressed.  Do these clowns have no self-respect at all?  Let's not even go down the road of respect for others, it's clearly obvious they don't have that, but you would at least think they might have enough self-respect to dress before going out.  It doesn't have to be formal attire, a t-shirt and blue jeans, or shorts and a tank-top even, but for the love of God and all that's holy, put some real clothes on and not "lounging clothes" (a trendy name for pajamas).  And IF you just gotta wear your "lounging clothes" because you're so trendy can you at least wash the fucking pizza and beer stains out of them once in a while?  But I digress...

And ladies, did no one ever tell you that leaving something to the imagination is far more enticing than displaying the goods for anyone and everyone to see?  And by the way, while that "hot" guy working in the food court is eyeballing your cleavage, just remember, the pervert who plays with himself in the men's bathroom and doesn't wash his hands when he's done is also eyeballing your cleavage.  And HE is making a mental image to conjure up the next time he decides to choke his chicken.  Think about that one for a minute!

Unless you are actively breastfeeding a baby, then I don't need, want or expect to see your boobs exposed.  It's not cute, it's not sexy, it doesn't make you look cool, it's just plain slutty and trashy.  I don't care how young and perky, big, small, whatever.  I'm not talking about a lowered neckline or a fancy dress that shows a bit of cleavage.  No, what I'm talking about is tank tops that are 2 sizes too small with everything busting out.  And while we're on the subject, I don't care what color underwear you are wearing or if you are even wearing it so....maybe don't wear your black undies with the yellow pants that fit you like a rubber on a watermelon.  And I sure as fuck don't want to see your camel-toe either so how about swallowing your pride and just buy a pair of pants that actually doesn't cut off your circulation when you put them on.  Just a thought..

And if you really can't help yourself and just can't put on clothing and gotta stay in your "lounging clothes" all day long because you are so fucking cool and relaxed and what-not, then order your shit online and save us all the visual pornography of looking at your in your kool-aid stained pajama pants and mismatched shirt.   After all, isn't that why Al Gore invented the internet, so we could do our shopping from home?  Consider the possibilities here...you can shop completely naked in all your glory without subjecting the rest of the world to your poor choices in tattoos and piercings, or your vast wardrobe of various super hero and cartoon character inspired "loungewear."   I mean really, you don't have to get dressed, you don't have to brush your teeth or comb your hair, you can drink kool-aid with vodka and wipe your flaming-hot cheeto stained fingers on your shirt with nary a care for anyone else.  Oh but wait, how is that different from any other day? 

Ffffuuuucccckkkk

Blood Is Thicker Than Water but Chocolate is Thicker Than Both

Family can be one of the most wonderful and most awful things in the world.  Some family members bring a smile to your face just to know that they are breathing, others make you wonder if Hitler has any living relatives.  What is that mystical bond that holds use together as a family?  Is it love?  Is it loyalty?  Is it a sense of duty or respect?  Honestly, I can't tell you.  To steal a verse from the Muppet Movie Soundtrack song, "The Rainbow Connection" seems appropriate here.  "...Somebody thought of that and someone believed it, look what it's done so far..." because I sure as hell can't think of any other reason why.  

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying I don't think families can be good or that I think families should be abolished.  Not at all.  I just think sometimes we need to be able to stand up and put our foot down and put an end to the nonsense of a particular person or branch of the family that causes nothing but drama and problems.  You know the ones I'm talking about here, we all have them.  That person you wish would hop on a slow boat to China or that particular branch of the family tree that you'd like to saw off and throw in the 4th of July bonfire.  Why we torture ourselves is beyond me.  Is it because we think we "have to" or because, "well, they're family."  So what, B.F.D. (If you don't know what BFD means, stick around for the blog about swearing.) You think if Charles Manson was my uncle I would have to invite him to Thanksgiving dinner because, after all, he is a member of the family, right?   I don't freaking think so.  And while I don't have a Charles Manson-like person in my family, that I know of, I definitely have a few members which make me want to go into full-on serial killer mode.  

So, what to do.  Do we suck it up and grin and bear it for the duration?  Do we risk our reputation and tell the offending person or persons to go piss up a rope?  In my younger days I would have played nice and tried to just get through it for the sake of everyone else's feelings, because of course, everyone else's feelings were far more important than mine.  Nowadays?  Yeah, not so much.   I would be inclined to tell Uncle Charlie he's not welcome or better still just not invite him.  I have "family" members that I haven't spoken to in years and have no desire whatsoever to do so.  The relationship between us is toxic to me and if I've learned nothing else in life, it's that life is short and I do NOT need any unnecessary toxicity.   I don't wish these folks  any ill will, I simply have nothing to give and want nothing from them.  Does that make me a bad person?  I don't think so, I think it makes me a genuine person.  I don't do well with superficial bullshit and I give as good as I get.  I don't want someone being fake with me so I'm certainly not going to be fake with them.   And to invite them out of a sense of duty is completely fake and just sets me and them up for a dysfunctional interaction at best and the potential for family drama and arguments.   So, just because we share the same genetic material, doesn't make us homies.  It just makes us genetically similar and even that is sometimes stretching it pretty freaking thin.  

I may have been born into a particular family and for a good reason I'm sure, but sometimes that reason, at least in my mind, is to learn to be able to disengage from relationships/people that are harmful or hurtful.  It's not easy to look back and realize a sibling you once loved and trusted is someone I wouldn't walk across the street to piss on if he was on fire.  But there you have it.  It is what it is.  Again, no bad luck or ill will is wished, I'm simply indifferent.  Some people might argue the "forgive and forget" principle.  I agree to an extent, I can forgive enough to say, I don't wish bad things for that person and forget enough to go on with my life without dwelling on that lost relationship, or harboring feelings of hate, but I have to remember it enough to keep myself from second guessing myself.  The Bible says to turn the other cheek but I never read anything about having to be stupid and make yourself vulnerable.  And I sure as hell don't think it condones being fake and superficial just for show.  And not all family members are off my list, in fact for me, precious few, but I do recognize that for some people sadly have more family members than not that they can't stand.  I'm one of the lucky ones.  

On the other hand, I have friends, with whom I have absolutely NO genetic similarities, that I would give the shirt off my back to or my last Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Soiree candy to.  Now THAT'S a bond thicker than blood - chocolate.  I've heard it best put this way, "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves."  I prefer to think of them as my "friemly."  People whose company I enjoy, people who I share common interests, beliefs, values and life experiences with.  People who were there for me when I needed them and I will be there for when they need me.   I may not agree with my friemly and their choices and/or views at times, but I will always be on their side.  I may not be able to condone their activities or behaviors, but I will still believe in them.  We may disagree and argue and fuss at times, but there's still that bond there; that super glue of life that holds us together through thick and thin.  Now that is something I can believe in.  That is truly a bond thicker than blood AND chocolate.