crazy monkey

Sometimes I wish I could be a monkey. Hang out in trees all day swinging and eating bananas. Sometimes I don't wish that at all.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Child gets kicked off airplane because of crying?

Children kicked off airplanes for crying too loud? How spoiled are we Americans going to allow ourselves to become? Recently on a short flight my 16 month old cried and fussed off and on for about 40 minutes of the trip. I pulled out everything in my arsenal to calm her but to little avail. After the flight, when she was running around the terminal, a couple stated that the baby looked happy now. I said, “yes, and I think that I need a drink”. As they walked off the man looked at me and coldly said, “I was thinking the same thing”.

If the idea of travel by flight is all about personal comfort I see no end to the limitations they could enforce. What about the slightly overweight man spilling just a little into my seat (“my personal space”), or the two ladies talking so loud that everyone can hear their conversation, or the guy killing his ear drums with the volume of his ipod, or the woman crying on her way to a funeral?? I’m sorry, are we going to ask all of these people to de-board the plane and try flying again when they lose weight, learn how to use their “inside voices”, get better sound proofing ear buds or get over their emotional issues?

Not only is this issue ageist but it is ridiculous. Since when do airlines advertise a nice, relaxing, uninterrupted flight? I think we all need to take a deep breath, pass on a little grace and just simply get over ourselves. The world as we know it will not end if we have to listen to a child crying for a few hours. Or better yet, why not get out of your seat and offer a hand, it’s called kindness.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

I've done it!

Yes, it's true, I have joined a "gym". YMCA of the Rockies to be exact. Okay not exact because it's really just the "Y" in Boulder but I like the way "of the Rockies" sounds. My first time felt, well, sinful. I drop off Bri in this wonder world of toys and other crazy, loud, playing children and venture off to "cardio". After 40 minutes on the treadmill, running like a hamster, I realize that I don't even feel like a hamster, I feel...Naughty. Steeling a little time during the day to zone out with some music and run my booty off (literally) and someone is watching my kid for me and will come and retrieve me if her head falls off or she catches on fire. Ahhh, the life of a mom going to the gym. I leave the "Y" elated, feeling like I could become the skinner, leaner version of myself and enjoy every hamster-like moment. I think I will return to said gym, often.