Blog of Josh Hall

I had a weird dream that my 4 sisters, my mom, and I were all watching old slides with my step-grandfather (pap-pap) and grandmother.  We’re flipping through the slides and we get to one of people posing around a birthday cake on a table.  It’s from the early 80’s.  I don’t recognize anyone in the picture and ask who a certain man is.  Pap pap responded that it was my Uncle Charlie  (I have no Uncle Charlie).  I was confused, and asked how I was related to him.  Pap pap and my grandma looked at me perplexed, as if I should know already, but they said it was through my step sister.  I think her name was Amy.  They went on to explain that my dad had a daughter out of wedlock before he met my mom.  Uncle Charlie was really her mom’s brother.  I flipped out.  How can my sisters and my mom live knowing there is another sibling out there that we don’t talk to?  How come I was never told about her?  I think J’aime or my mom said they thought about telling Amy when my dad died, but they didn’t know how to get in touch with her.

Carpets do not belong in bathrooms.

That’s just nasty.

Why do they check babies at the airport? More practically, how do they reasonably justify their actions to check babies at the airport as worth while? What are they trying to prevent? What are they really able to prevent?

Think about it. A baby is stolen from a hospital or a family. doesn’t matter where. The first question asked is do you have any idea who the suspects are. If so, then you’re looking for the people, not the baby. If you have no idea who took the baby, what leads do you have?

photo ID checks don’t tell if you have a baby or not. COPIES of birth certificates can be pretty easily doctored or created.  I’m not even sure they check birth certificates.

I’m not saying don’t check.  I’m just asking, in reality, what are the checks actually capable of revealing?  What are the statistics around people being caught with a baby they stole at an airport versus people who get their airport security with a baby that is not theirs?

How much attention do you pay to what people wear around you?  Do you look to see what everyone is wearing all the time?  Do you only notice the flashy ties, bright dresses, or notable tops?  Do you EVEN notice the flashy ties, bright dresses, or notable tops?  I know I barely can keep track of what I’ve worn for more than 2 weeks, and I couldn’t tell you what anyone wore at the end of the day.  There was 1 guy that had a couple shirts with some notable stains and tears, so when I saw those with regularity, I knew it, but that’s about it.

Friday is not a holiday.

Don’t treat it like one.  Don’t wish me a happy Friday unless you’re willing to embark in wishing everyone a happy Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday just as much.  Notice I didn’t say Monday, because there’s probably some bright eyed and bushy tailed jerk out there that might actually think that sounds like a great idea.  I’d fear legal ramifications as an accessory to murder if I encouraged someone to say “HAPPY MONDAY!” to everyone every week.

Look, it’s almost the weekend, I get it.  There’s a reason to be positive.  Don’t take away from the weekend though and celebrate Friday.  That’s just premature.  A little like counting your chickens before they hatch, but more like declaring the war in Iraq over while you still have troops there.

What do single people with no friends do when they have to get an operation? How about people from out of town, either as exchange students or just long term work assignments? How do you get yourself to and from a place while you’re under anesthesia? When I had to get foot surgery, It required me to go to a place off the bus route without even knowing exactly what time I needed to be there. Before this turns into a medical industry rant (fighting hard to hold it back) how can someone make this happen on their own? It just seems like there would be a huge industry for “friends for rent.” Not a professional, just a place to go or someone to help you when you need it. Drives you there, takes you home, maybe even stays at your house and watches tv while you sleep just to make sure you’re OK. I mean, it’s not even a service needed in necessity, I’d sign up just to make everything simpler logistically. None of my friends or family need to call off work, I’ll just rent a friend to take care of me that day.

Maybe there’s a need beyond medical/surgeries too.  Maybe someone just needs a ride to work.  Or to the repair shop to pick up their car.  Things like that.