IT'S A JOE'S LIFE

On the spur of the moment I texted Kristen to see if they wanted to meet somewhere for dinner on Friday.  Mostly because the Burt man was fishing all day and I hated to tax him with making dinner after he got back.  Yes, I still let him make dinner even though I'm retired.  Which usually leads to the same discussion every day, "what do you want for dinner" at about 9:30 in the morning.  To which I respond I don't even want to think about it, it's 9:30 in the AM!  However, apparently certain preparations need to be made such as marinating, searching new and exciting recipes that I will critique (usually negatively) and, oh I don't know, for things to defrost.  As the routine is usually chicken, pork and beef with occasional side forays into other food choices, I don't know why we go through this everyday.  Well yes I do.  It  is to avoid issues later when I decide I don't want to eat what was prepared based on diet, mood and general bitchiness. Whereupon the cook can correctly point out, well you agreed.

Anyway Kristen and Joseph were available so we met at a local eatery. Arriving first, we had a short debate on the little booth or the giant booth that normally seats six customers or one Joseph. He tends to be a mover.  Sitting still for any length of time does not seem to be in his repertoire or skill set as 1) he is four, and 2) he is a boy, so obviously we grabbed the larger booth. An experienced Mom, Kristen slid the boy in first and took the outside guardian spot.  He is usually bouncy and full of joy and conversation after a hard day at work (preschool) so it is also a good idea to pick a generally noisy spot to eat so he doesn't stand out with loud conversation and giggles.

He loves to engage any and all so those around us are subject to his sparkling personality and happy smile; whether they want to or not. We usually spend our time apologizing and trying to explain that not everyone is here to be entertained.  Most are gracious once they realize we are not going to let him get too frisky.  My issue is when adults do not corral their equally active children when I am dining. Yes, your kids are cute, etc., but I don't appreciate them hanging over my booth or throwing food in my hair.  Yeah, bah humbug.  Guess what unless they're yours, they're not that cute.

Joseph does like to do his own ordering which is usually pre-suggested, and thus pre-approved by Mom. Usually does get a smile out of the servers who for the most part do their best to respond directly to him much to his delight. After ordering a perfectly acceptable meal and receiving basically a similar version of McDonald's chicken nuggets & fries though of a healthier version, he promptly turns his nose up and requests to be taken to "Old McDonald's" as he calls it.

After dinner he wanted to go to Nana/Grandpa house.  He knows there are frozen Otter pops there.  Mom agrees for "just an hour".  He immediately opens the freezer & discovers Nana's fancy expensive fruit and veggie frozen popsicles and promptly states his preference for those.  Great and here we are with literally dozens of the cheap ones!  He sits in the kitchen eating his popsicle as no food is allowed in the newly redone living room and continues to regale us with his day and dripping popsicle juice everywhere. Afterward we settle in to watch a movie and he acts all calm and sleepy. When Mom is ready to leave, he clamors to stay.  I offer to take him for the evening-it's already 7:30-8:00 and he's close to bedtime anyway and we have p-jays here. All is calm.

However within minutes of Mom leaving, Joseph wants to go outside.  Soon I am posting a picture of Grandpa and Joe out watering the tomatoes. Mom posts back "well that didn't take very long".  Never let them get a second wind I guess is the lesson there. Then he spends a few minutes exchanging stones through the fence with the neighbor boy until both sides are hollering to the boys it's time to come in.

It's good to be Joe.

NOT MY PROBLEM?

If you don't believe we are one world, look at the fallout from the U.K. withdrawing from the European Union.  It is affecting the economic markets around the world. Other European countries are now clamoring for a similar choice. Though we all want to feel we are independent and don't need each other, we do. If the world does not stand together against those that have no use for our way of life, freedoms or religions, the evil ones will separately pick each one apart. Like it or not, chosen or not, we are all connected in the current world economy.

This type of evolution was inevitable as technology improved to the point of instant communication and international business interactions. Might I suggest it was preordained that we would finally realize our similarities are more numerous than our differences.  Whenever people have access to education, and the internet, they are able to understand that even if their backyard looks different from another's, we are all engaged in living, loving, family and looking for opportunities to have a decent life for ourselves and our children. These are the universal truths we are finally realizing apply to all.

I do understand some of the Brits reasoning such as paying a lot into the EU and not always getting a return on what they spend.  Often like the States sending money to Washington that does not make its way back for the State's benefit.  Also the expectation that every country will take unlimited refugees which impacts every working man and woman.  These are real issues and apparent to even the most uninformed.  However the ability to stand as one, trade without barriers, defend each other and help keep each other strong should be the goal of all civilized society.

Contrary as it sounds, each country can only maintain their own unique identity and way of life when there is partnership and support from others. The sooner we realize that we must stand together on issues that impact us all for the common good, the sooner we will create the wonderful world we desire.

THE LION SPEAKS

Took an impromptu trip to the "D" to visit the Detroit Zoo.  I haven't been there "nigh on 50+ years" as the old fogies say. As always with a nostalgic-based trek things are so much smaller than I remember.  But then so was I.  The 1.7 mile stroll around the zoo peninsula was not all that daunting with my Dr. Scholl cushioned shoes. Of course the stops for the occasional wild animal sighting do tend to break up the walk. 

We were warned to come after 1 p.m. as the summer-minded school children usually ended their field trips by then. Apparently the last few weeks of the school year are basically a write-off so teachers are frantically looking for ways to entertain their soon to be liberated brood and hard core learning is off the table.  Another reason for year-round schools with generous vacations interspersed. If a couple months of freedom are not beckoning from the distance, apparently school-agers can keep their minds focused on the prize so to speak.  However, air conditioning is a must if we expect them to learn in any kind of comfort.

Dutifully appearing after 1:00 pm did little to mitigate the flood of small fry running, jumping, screaming and basically getting in the way of anything interesting. (There is a reason we travel in late September, early October.) However that did not hold true either when we took a cruise in the middle of January. We were amazed at how casually parents pull their babies out of school to partake in an off-site educational experience (swimming, playing, movies, eating, etc.) that are found on-board. Yep I don't get it either. When I was in school - oh no uphill both ways; it took an act of the almighty to be out of school a day or two with all teachers signing off and homework assigned.  No wonder the kids don't feel it is important,

Anyway as usual we bring the worst weather when we travel which actually suits me fine as I hate the heat.  Coolish in the 60's was ok with me. However the animals were scarce and those who appeared to entertain were frantically searching for any sunny spot or hiding in their respective dens.  Don't blame them.  The two lions visible - male and female - were stretched out like any respectable house cats in the one big rock smack dab in the sun. I believe the zoo personnel taking pity on the mobs of people straining to see, well anything, decided to provide a little mid-afternoon snack for the cats.

As is in the wild, the female immediately jumped up and loped to the chunks of meat being tossed from a very high point of the den - protected by electric fence I'm guessing. As the hunter in the family she was of course bringing home the bacon, frying it up in a pan la la, but I digress.  Those hunks of meat were looking rather toothsome I must admit and we had missed lunch.  Anyway as she was not bringing it back for Daddy Cat, he of luxurious mane and lazy butt, slowly, majestically made his way over to the food wall.  Though he moved a little more quickly when he saw his ravenous mate grabbing all the choice bits.  Good for you Mama.

Another high point was the Australian outback exhibit. Only a certain number of people are let into the enclosure at a time which should have made me suspicious after we were locked in and told "now you'all don't stray from the path and someone will let you out at the other end".  Whaa? Too late the door is closed behind you.  Well I have no problem with koalas and sloths as one sleeps all day and the other is not known for its ambitious actions. Then we saw them...dum dum dum dum - the Joeys jumping and hopping all around the yard.  I especially like the convenient way they recline by resting on their very muscular tails, leaning back and taking in the sights.  After seeing how energetic they were and how outnumbered we were, I definitely did not "stray from the path".  We were eventually let out of the confined area and I am convinced that we were considered entertainment for the kangas. But I definitely did not take any food from them. 

We ended our tour with a penguin retreat which consisted of a bunch of tuxedo clad participants who apparently party continually.  Though I appreciated the pristine black and white suits, I longed for a lady in a red dress mixed in.  After climbing down several levels of stairs in pitch black I might add, and with a little misty water thrown in we made it to the bottom of their lair. With my background as a safety professional I bitched the whole way down that this was a lawsuit just waiting to happen and clung to the guardrail when I could find it with the grip of a octopus suction cup.

However at the bottom was a magical tube where the tuxedos dove, swam furiously and captured fish thrown in from some unknown magic feeder.  At least I never figured out where they came from.  Maybe fish just wandered in from the Detroit River looking for food and uh-oh-penguins.  I also found it fascinating how they would turn the fish around before they swallowed it whole. Those that did not accomplish the maneuver quickly were destined to have their meal snatched away by another player. Cool.

ACTIVE SHOOTER AGAIN

As I listen to newscasts detailing the most recent mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, I am frustrated by this continuing wave of violence that wracks our country. Some have forgotten the ability to resolve conflicts with dignity and respect and instead choose their own form of punishment with those whom they do not agree.  Or perhaps they were never taught, when I read about the bullying that occurs on school buses by children as young as kindergarten and bus drivers helpless to intervene as they face the wrath of "entitled" parents.

Unfortunately every workplace safety professional needs to prepare employees for this type of conflict which can occur both at work and other personal venues. Today, people are more apt to take their frustrations out on those they work with, or those their spouse works with, another's religion, lifestyle or gender identification. They are cowards all.  Nothing like being the only one prepared to take others' lives when they are not expecting it. Their choice of venue isn't identified as a kill zone or war to the victims they attack.  A little different if the man or woman on the other side of your gun site is aiming back at you.

We are all still new to this unexpected crisis and are still surprised at how quickly and lethal the situation can become. Most of us (besides military or police) are not trained to dive for cover and/or prepared to defend ourselves nor do we expect to. Most of us would stop and stare and try to figure out what is happening before moving - sitting ducks. I am not advocating we all arm ourselves and go everywhere hand on our weapon waiting for an opportunity.

Again most of us are not trained on when and where to shoot if the situation arises. Many innocents could be injured if everyone starts shooting indiscriminately. Case in point.  Already I hear questions being raised by the media of why the police took three hours to move in and why can't they get the deceased out of the building quicker. There was intel of an explosive device brought in by the perpetrator. The police were trying to avoid further bloodshed as well as death and injury to first responders by assessing and moving when it was the right time. They still need to clear the building of any hazards before letting people in. But the armchair quarterbacks with their 20-20 hindsight will continue to criticize.  A situation I am well aware of as a safety professional who needed to "make safe" before I could render aid.

I still think though we can take the example of the planeload of heroes in Pennsylvania who knew what had already happened and "swarmed" the cowards who had commandeered their plane. Though they all died, heroes, they saved who knows how many on the ground. I hope I will have the courage if I am ever in an active shooter situation to lead the charge.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

It would not be me if I didn't comment on the fact that Ms Clinton is now the presumptive democratic candidate for the Democratic party. YAY. Long time coming and why is that?  This is America. Why has it taken so long to finally nominate a female to the highest office in the land.  Now young girls truly can believe that the can be anything they want to be. Something I actually aspired to when I was in middle school. Other countries have admitted that the genders are equal in intelligence and ability for many years.  Why is this so shocking in the United States of America?

Love you Bernie, but you now need to step aside. Incorporate your ideas in our platform absolutely, but we all need to stand behind our presumptive candidate to overcome the disgusting candidate put forth by the other side.  Serves the Repubs right that they finally got what they asked for. A complete fool who they are twisting every each way to try to support. A bully who accuses anyone who questions him as not playing fair and "pickin on me".  Really what a coward.  Attacking a federal judge because he has a Mexican heritage because things aren't going his way is merely the latest in DT's strategy of winning at all costs. Is this who we want leading our country? Maybe that is a business strategy, but running government is not business.  It is created by and for the people which means swallowing a massive ego and doing the right thing.  Something he will never understand.

All we got from the Dems was health care for those who did not have it, low unemployment and a stock market that is roaring.  And nobody came for my guns.  What a surprise.  And this without any support, in fact, active roadblocks from the other side.  Just think what these last eight years would have been like if everybody had acted in the best interests of this country.  We succeeded in spite of the bullies and childish behavior.

Long live the American dream!

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

I find it interesting that 20 years after safety and health people (like myself) realized it, the news reports today that young people are showing hearing loss similar to folks in their 50's.  A big duh-uh.
I always said that loud concerts and other entertainment venues, loud car radios, MP-3 players, earphones and the modern equivalent headphones lead to a hearing loss.

This was proven by my noise testing of young new employees subjected to pre-employment baseline hearing tests before they were put in a noisy environment. I found what are called permanent threshold shifts indicating hearing loss in the high frequencies in 20 something people and even younger. Of course the hearing losses in older people were always attributed to industry-work-related noise exposure.  In fact, in the automotive industry it is practice to pay out for hearing loss no questions asked.

Yet I was considered a hard a---  when I prohibited wearing earphones hooked to their noise producers (players) in lieu of hearing protection.  Let me think.  Noisy environment and I still need to hear the machines or the alarms or other people speaking. So I will crank UP my device even louder. Of course there is no way of measuring what decibel level the wearer is inflicting on their sensitive ears, but when I can hear the music over the other noises on a person, I believe we are certainly overexposed.  For comparison purposes, a normal office environment runs about 60-65 decibels. Hearing loss can occur in as little as 85 decibels - sound levels easily achieved and exceeded by running any powered equipment, motorcycles, etc. 

When I performed training on noise and hearing loss I would use a couple of examples. Go for the humor and they might remember what you were trying to convey. A popular example, especially for the mature crowd was my pointing out the loss usually occurs first in the high frequency or higher pitched sounds. Hence their telling their wives that they can't hear them was legit as women usually register a little higher on the pitch scale. That only goes so far obviously. 

The second example that was rather universal was when I asked "have you ever spent a few hours enjoying your libation of choice in a noisy bar or restaurant.  You cruise home enjoying your radio and probably singing along when you are alone.  Then the next morning, you hop in your vehicle, turn on the ignition and the noise that now comes out of your sound system knocks you right out of the car!"  I see heads nodding.  Wow, that sounded just fine last night. Voila - temporary hearing shift and you do it often enough, permanent shift.  Then of course you can enjoy your music at whatever volume you please.

What was especially galling was when I saw advertisement for a product that touted itself as looking just like legitimate hearing protection when it was actually earphones hooked to your music. Wow, fool your employer and catch your tunes. What a spectacular idea. And the best part is when you retire you can go back on your employer to pay for your sexy new hearing aids.  Win-Win.

TREND SETTERS VS TREND LEADERS

This time of year we like to peruse the latest over-priced, over-hyped domiciles on the local Parade of Homes tour.  Each year I desperately search for something different, imaginative or just not a carbon copy of every other house.  Granted using the same wall colors, kitchen accents and wooden floors is safe, but hardly interesting.

Question 1-who the "h" buys these things?  $400,00 for what? Who are you trying to impress and why would you want to pay that much monthly with nothing left over for anything else. A lot of young people with children apparently. Though I would think a typical parent would cringe as their children did their usual thing on those pristine walls and immaculate floors. Some houses had more than one laundry hook-up I guess for obvious reasons.

Question 2- why do people think white "subway" tiles are all the rage for kitchen backsplashes. I digress.  When did kitchen backsplashes become the norm and why do they need to all look the same? Has anyone ever heard of a sponge? Anyway why would I want my kitchen to resemble a subway bathroom and I ain't talking about the sandwich store.  Ugh.

Question 3- with their usual lack of imagination all the builders put in white cupboards, gray counter tops, gray or tan walls and dark brown hardwood floors.  Do they have these secret little meetings early on to decide what blah style they plan on pursuing each year? Boring. ...I suppose they are trying to appeal to the masses, whoever they are and bland is apparently in. But we found out that these are already sold so apparently there is no individuality, no imagination in the home buyer of today; they just want to look like everyone else in an over-priced, totally impractical residence. Six bedrooms, 4.5 baths-again who is buying these McCastles- in the middle of a farmer's field? They will be complaining about the barnyard smells this summer no doubt.

Question 4 - is really a statement. Booties, booties, booties.  Not wanting to be subject to "other people's funk" the B-Man and I snatch brand-new, sanitized booties at the first house and then carry them to each stop. I must say Mayberry has the nicest booties, dark blue and hardy. Able to withstand multiple trips. Just installing new carpeting myself I must admit I cringed at my recent party when people with shoes on actually walked on my floor. I thought if I advertised my own unshod feet on the new carpet, pointedly slipping off flip flops, others would follow.  But I hope I would never demand people expose their unholy socks or naked feet if they were uncomfortable about it. Carpet does clean after all.

All things considered it was an excellent night to cruise around the neighborhoods (recently farmer fields) with the top down on the convertible. Perfect weather and looking cool as we made our stops notwithstanding the BMer convertible that unapologetically parked itself half in and half out of a Parade home driveway blocking the street. Those Germans are pushy you know.