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School woes

Posted by tzimmerman | 09/03/08

My soon-to-be 6 year-old nephew began his first day of first grade in tears this morning. He put on a brave face until he saw that monstrous yellow bus heading his way, and he just couldn't pull it off any longer. Tears streamed down his face and he clung to his mom in hopes she could make it all disappear.

There is no age that isn't difficult. We as adults sometimes wish we were kids again when "things were oh so easy" but if you really think back, I mean really think back - were they so simple? We like to think so. That's how we remember childhood - no bills, no relationship woes, no cares. Just have fun with friends and know that mom and dad are there for you...

CATEGORY: General Society

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My old stomping grounds

Posted by tzimmerman | 08/21/08

In just two months, I have the chance to hang out with people I haven’t seen in 20 years. Do I want to? Not necessarily, but high school reunions are almost as popular as the prom – you’re expected to be there.

My graduating class was comprised of more than 800 students so chances are high not everyone will show that weekend. But I can’t help think it might be worth the effort.

Over the weekend, I interviewed some people who came from far and wide to celebrate their 50th reunion. They saw friends they hadn’t seen since sock hops and pep rallies. It even took them time to recognize each other at first meeting. But once they did, it was like old times all over again...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: high, school, reunion

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A bond that lasts a lifetime

Posted by tzimmerman | 08/13/08

Last week I inadvertently found out Aug. 5 was National Sister’s Day. Out of the blue, I sent an e-card to my sister Elaine and a few days later she sent one back to me, but her’s read Happy Sister’s Day. Sister’s Day? I had no idea one even existed. Hallmark did, though, and so too did Elaine.

As I opened the card and watched the pictures appear and fade, fade and appear, I saw two little girls ride their bikes, two young women laughing in the pool and drinking lemonade, others hugging, dancing and sharing special times together. I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.

Elaine is my only sister (older, too, by the way) and the only one I could ever dream of having. She’s been my very best friend since I can remember and I can’t imagine my life without her...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: sister's,day,national

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Clowns are not my cup of tea

Posted by tzimmerman | 08/08/08

While I was trying to think of a topic for this week’s Editorial, I went online to see what’s up for the first week of August. Much to my dismay, I found out it’s considered National Clown Week.

First, I can’t write a serious editorial about clowns, and second, they’re scary. I can’t help it. Clowns scare me. Something about their painted faces, red noses, oversized outfits – not to mention all those horror movies back in the day that took place at funhouses and carnivals. Maybe it’s the music that follows them around. Disturbing.

Clowns to me are as frightening as the movie “Willie Wonka.” I couldn’t watch that movie then and I still can’t watch it now...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: clowns

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Haircuts: Women versus men

Posted by tzimmerman | 08/04/08

An interesting conversation took place the other day with a neighborhood friend. Hanging out in my sister’s pool, a group of us were enjoying the sun and engaging in small talk. I mentioned I bought a swim cap, and it all started from there.

Last week, I got my hair cut, colored, highlighted and low lighted. I walked out of the salon with $150 less in my wallet.

Next I bought a swim cap. I thought, if I’m going to pay this much for my hair, I want to protect it from becoming bleached by chlorine in the water...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: haircuts, hair, women, cut, prices

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Why why WHY do they do this to me?

Posted by tzimmerman | 07/23/08

I ask for decaf whenever I want coffee and what do they give me?. Regular. I always ask for decaf. Except when I don’t, which is extremely rare – and it’s then when I expect and ALWAYS get what I ask – it’s NEVER confused with decaf.
So why are workers deaf to my decaf requests, constantly pouring me pure hell, which is what I go through, whenever I drink caffeine? Do they not get it? Is my request really that unreasonable? Don't they care about me??
“I’ll have a decaf iced coffee, please.”
“Decaf?”
“Yes, decaf.”
About an hour later, I notice the memory of the word left their mind as soon as it left their lips. I end up shaking, can’t sit still and half the time have to pop an anxiety pill to calm me down...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: coffee, decaf

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What? Go skydiving?

Posted by tzimmerman | 07/23/08

When I first got back from Costa Rica at the end of May, I was sad to have left my boyfriend Tim behind. He stayed on to travel the rest of Central and South America for another two months, due home in just three more weeks.
At one point I text his friend, looking for words of consolation, only to get a response that read, “Go skydiving!”
Go skydiving? I thought. That’s not what I wanted to hear. And by the way, what does that even mean? I don’t skydive.
So I asked. He uses that phrase to emphasize the need to live life to the fullest. Instead of pining over something I can’t control, he was saying enjoy the time you have and place you are – live your life, basically.
It was a slap in the face for me. Initially, anyway...

CATEGORY: General Society

TAGS: skydiving, traveling, separation

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