Labels

I always tell my children to use their words. I like to reiterate this by reminding them just how powerful words are. Words can become labels that attach themselves to characteristics in good ways and, unfortunately, (and many times) in bad ways.

People like to take advantage of the fact that words have different interpretations for all of us.  For instance, "bad" can be BAD or "bad" can be very, very good.  The context is what's important here.  

Advertisers know, too, that words are powerful.  Powerfully misleading.  They count on this, coupled with an uneducated public, to take advantage of the fact that we (the uneducated masses) have been dumbed down to the point that our society is... numb. 

Brain dead anyone?  It's so commonplace that people actually buy things with labels because they're so ridiculously brain dead to what they're buying.  I mean, GLUTEN FREE doesn't equate to healthy although mainstream nutritional feeds want you to BELIEVE that it's GOOD to be gluten free so they label.... a fucking bag of GUMMY BEARS... as gluten free as if they want you -- the uneducated consumer -- to believe that those a healthy alternative to eating a piece of bread?!  

So, yeah, labeling -- I'm about to derail my own post going off on the nutritional label rant rather than aiming for the bottom line which is literally what this post is about.  The bottom line of labels -- the labels on TOILET PAPER. To which I scream WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE!?!

Photo source

I don't exactly consider myself uneducated by any stretch of the imagination.  I do, however, appear to have a general lack of understanding as to the actual definition of the adjectives applied to your average roll of toilet paper.  My general understanding is that there is one-ply and there is two-ply.  According to my grandmother, you should never buy one ply as it's like rubbing your butt with sandpaper and that will not do.

But...(or should I say butt) what the actual hell does ANY of this really mean?

double rolls

quilted ultra plush supreme rolls (24 = 90 regular)

ultra comfort big roll 

1000 sheet rolls (I laughed at this because... well, nevermind)

ultra comfortcare family roll

mega roll

cleancare family roll

ultra soft & strong

gentle care

sensitive

Is there an industry-wide standard for the amount of squares included in a regular roll? If so, does any member of the general public actually know what this magic number is?  If you can buy 24 rolls of one that equals 90 rolls of another -- is that compared to the regular or the big rolls?  Or, would it be more advantageous to purchase less mega rolls for the same amount of sheets?  If someone sells ultra comfort does that mean that the others aren't "ultra" comfortable. Who wipes their ass with tons of random sheets to determine just what defines "ultra" butt wipe?  How big IS a BIG roll? Why do you have to declare one a "family" roll?  Does it come with a toy in the middle?  Is mega more than double or less than big?  I mean, shouldn't they all be sensitive?  You're utilizing this product on the most delicate parts of your anatomy.  You would think that they would all be quilted ultra super comfortable absorbent plush sensitive mega family sized big rolls, right?  

I'm curious... what do these labels actually mean.

Thursday 13

I've never not had music in my life.  It's always been the way to put emotion into words when there were none.  Music can bring you down.  Music can buoy your spirits.  It saves, it savages.  It's pretty powerful stuff.  Music moves.  Words are powerful.  Words set to music... it's some good stuff people!

My playlists are plentiful but there are 13 songs I love right now.

1) Justin Timberlake, Can't Stop The Feeling
It's catchy, it's feel-good.  I love him.  I love to dance.  I love to sing.  It's just super great! I can't stop the feeling I get when this song comes on.  If you see me and it's on, I'll be dancing in my car.  Believe me when I say that I don't give a shit what you think about that.  You need to loosen up and live a little.  


2) Hinder, All American Nightmare
While I'm not a fan of the video because I think the featured bad girl overdoes absolutely everything to the point of it just being ridiculous, I adore this song.  Plus, it makes me want to drive fast.  Really fast.  Plus, it's traditional bad ass party rock and roll. April likey.


3) Rob Thomas, Hold On Forever
I love Rob Thomas.  I love his style. I love his voice. I love his talent.  I love him in Matchbox 20.  This song, too, speaks to me... It's one of those great matches where the videographer successfully captured the essence of the song in his vision for the video in a way where others can relate.  


4) Florida Georgia Line with Nelly, Cruise
This is complete corn-ball "country."  (Notice how I put country in quotes? That's because this IS NOT country but it's called country.  Trust me, I know the difference.)  However, it IS FUN and that's why it's on my list!  Plus, I love Nelly so it's just a fun song to blare on the radio and drive to.  (Oh, and don't forget the dancing!  You must dance in the car when you spill Nelly lines!)


5) Shinedown, Sound of Madness
Another rock and roll staple in my scream-it-at-the-top-of-your-lungs-play-it-as-loud-as-you-can repository.  The video fucking rocks, too!  Shinedown are badass.


6) Hunter Hayes, I Want Crazy
Hunter looks like he's all of about 16 years old (maybe) but this is just the absolute sweetest song ever.  And, face it, who doesn't want that kind of love?  I want crazy!


7) Sugarland, Stuck On You
Jennifer Nettles is completely adorable in this video.  It cracks me up.  Again, it's more "pop" than country although it's played on country stations... it's still fun!  I like fun.  Fun is good.  


8) Three Doors Down, Here Without You
This is just a beautiful song that speaks to my heart.  I'll leave it at that.


9) The Calling, Wherever You Will Go
This song was definitely one that got me through losing someone very close to me. I still can't read the lyrics without my eyes flooding.  Some holes I suppose are never supposed to be filled; some breaks in your heart may never mend.  


10) A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
I never saw the movie Twilight.  In fact, I never ever read the books even.  However, when I heard this song and was telling a friend about it she had said OH MUH GARSH -- it's from the Twilight series!  I wasn't sure if I should still like it then.  Ha!  However, it's beautiful. It's timeless.  Her voice is amazing.  You can't not like this song.  


11) Elvis Presley, Jailhouse Rock
Dude, it's Elvis.... I could have filled this entire LIST with Elvis songs that I love.  But I didn't.  However, since he's THE KING, he definitely has a place in my 13!


12) Frankie Ballard, Sunshine & Whiskey
I love this song.  I'm not a fan of sunshine...but he makes it sound so good that you have to like it.  ;) You don't wanna get a DWK... 


13) Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles, Who Says You Can't Go Home
This is another fun sing-a-long songs. Truth be told, I had never seen the videos before today but I love it!  I especially love how he incorporated the Habitat for Humanity crew. Too fun. Always been a fan of Bon Jovi... cause, you know.. he wants me to lay my hands on him as he lays me down in a bed of roses.  ;)

Thursday 13

I have a confession -- I absolutely abhor to see a movie before reading the book.  I've tried to explain in great detail to my children the atrocities of giving anyone creative liberty over your imagination by allowing yourself to be sucked into a trailer before giving your imagination a chance to step it up a notch.  

Therefore, I have a list of books I'm wanting to read before the movies come out.  Besides, books are so much better than movies.  Especially since Hollywood is completely impotent when it comes to originatility now as they remake EVERY fucking thing under the sun or create yet ANOTHER sequel rather than... I don't know -- BE ORIGINAL!

So, here are thirteen books on my list.  If you click on the books, they will take you to the Amazon links where you, too, can buy them and enjoy them with me! 

   

   

   

and last, but certainly not least...

Welcome back to me

I have taken a much needed (though far too long) break from the emotional purge known as blogging. I've missed the therapy tremendously and decided that since I have unplugged from the time-waste known as Facebook, I can now continue to hone my craft and tickle the keyboard letting my fingers do the walking and share my love of this crazy thing called life through the written words.  

In short, I'm back.

Please secure your safety belt and do keep your arms and legs inside at all times.

Enjoy the ride.