Today for Thoughtful Thursday I gotta tell you, I love a good prank, but when does a prank go too far?

I absolutely love watching Punk’d and The Jamie Kennedy Experiment and I absolutely love listening to Nephew Tommy on the Steve Harvey Morning Show. But my heart goes out to the people being punk’d and pranked. When I am at work and one of my coworkers is teasing/playing a trick on/pranking another coworker, I find myself spilling the beans on them because I can’t stand the look on the other person’s face! They look so innocent and I know deep inside they are, in essence, being made to look stupid! Sometimes I am the victim, but it’s all good. It’s just a little joke and no harm is meant right?

This morning I was listening to the Steve Harvey Morning Show as Nephew Tommy pranked a woman. He told her that her business, a cake shop, delivered a cake to his 13 year old daughter’s school donned with a part of the male anatomy. Now, it was funny but when it was over I felt sorry for the woman. She maintained her composure for quite a while during the conversation. She talked very professionally and didn’t say one cuss word until….he threatened to come to her shop, with the police, and shut down her 13 year business. All bets were off! She began the “every other word” cussing marathon and her professionalism went out the door! It was funny but…… And you know the first thing she said when he revealed himself to her and revealed her girlfriend had set up the prank (and this is why I felt sorry for her), “Oh no. Please tell me I am not on the radio, my preacher is going to be listening”. She is apparently a Christian and was instantly ashamed of herself and her behavior.

One day Nephew Tommy pranked a man that was audibly older. After getting him all worked up and pranked to the limit, Tommy revealed what was going on. The man said he had to sit down and couldn’t go to work right then because he had to get himself together. Awwww…. I felt sorry for him. It had a physical effect on him!

And Punk’d, one of my favorite shows, takes people to the brink! I have seen people’s cars (or so they thought) be demolished, people’s houses being emptied out, expensive pieces of artwork destroyed, integrities challenged, etc. I have seen people crying, panicking, looking bewildered, calling their mammas, loosing their minds, acting crazy, etc., all because Aston Kutcher decided they were the victim of the day! But what would happen if one of these people started hyperventilating or had a heart attack or worse?!

And even the ABC hit show, Primetime: What Would You Do? is a prank show of sorts. It may not be intended to make people laugh, actually quite the opposite, but still, they are setting up false scenarios and exploiting people’s reaction on national TV. Is that alright? Although unlike the humorous Punk’d or Nephew Tommy, some of the setups have brought people to the brink of publicly acting out in a way they wouldn’t normal act. I understand that in this case, with this show, many of these scenarios are intended to make society stop and think and be the one that speaks out for equality, (many of the cases are about racism and equability) but still.

So here are my two questions and one warning for Thoughful Thursday.

Question I: when does a prank go too far? Is it alright to take advantage of a person’s unawareness, drive them to behavior that is non-typical and do it publicly, many times nationally?

Question II: (this is basically a rhetorical question) shouldn’t we all be on guard with our behavior at all times, never knowing who is watching or listening? (My dear Lord is on post at all times on both counts!)

Warning: if you don’t know who you are talking to and what he is saying sounds crazy, ask him if he is Nephew Tommy from the Steve Harvey morning show!

Please talk to me on this one!

Holla Back!

lol.  Some of you probably got real excited when you saw the title of today’s post!  As I say so often, even with disclaimers, the assumption always is, I’m talking about myself!  Not today. 

Yesterday Deborah visited us on kleverkathy.com and asked that we talk about divorce. Of course we will!

I am married and not divorced so I can’t intelligently speak on divorce from a first hand perspective as a divorcee, and my parents were married to each other exclusively for some forty years until my mother’s passing, so I can’t give my viewpoint from the perspective of a child from a divorced home but… I know lots of people who are divorced.

What I do know is it is not fun for the couple or the children or the supporters of the family. Anything regarding relationships always has so many sides and aspects to it. And opinions are overflowing, especially when it comes to a couple separating or divorcing. The one thing I have always recognized in situations of this nature is; the opinions of the advice givers are opinions that are given with no real feelings invested. The advice givers do not have the deep, romantic, man/woman commitment/covenant connection the couple has, or used to have, for each other. Their connection is that of an acquaintance, coworker, neighbor, friend, or family member. And their reasoning behind their advice is usually quantified only as “wanting the best” for the couple in question. So their advice on whether the couple should stay together or get a divorce is subjective at best.

All the advice givers have to go on is their logic based on facts they know from what they have been told by the couple and what they have witnessed of the couple. They give advice based on what they (SAY or THINK) would do. The thing is, when advice givers tell the struggling couple what they should do or what they think they should do, so many, many things aren’t taken into account. There are the children, the dogs, the house, the cars, all the things they own together, spousal support, bank accounts, pensions, retirement, the ability for each spouse to make it separately in these financial times, etc. There are so many things that must be taken into consideration.

When Deborah wrote yesterday this is what she asked we talk about:

• What are some of the things to remember when getting a divorce?
• What are some tips to getting the most for your children and yourself?
1. child support
2. spousal support
3. support for college
• How do you get over someone who tells you they love you but they are not in love with you?
• How do you deal when they want to continue living with you even when the divorce is final?

Those are some heavy questions! The floor is open! For those who: are divorced, are children of parents who divorced, are contemplating divorce, know someone who has been divorced or are about to be divorced, and even for those who are not divorced but would like to share their thoughts with Deborah, please…

Holla Back!

So what about Facebook? Isn’t it something? Have you joined this exciting, worldwide, internet sensation?

A few years ago I went to a funeral of a man who was very popular and well known. It was the longest funeral I have ever attended and it was one of the largest funerals I have ever attended.  It was such a sad occasion but it was also quite the celebration.  While there I was bombarded with continuous blasts from the past!  I saw dozens and dozens of people I hadn’t seen in probably 10 – 15 years or more! It has got to be in the top 25 most fun weekends I have ever had in my life! Why? Because it reunited me with so many old friends and memories! It was an amazing weekend! It was such a pleasure seeing old faces and catching up. Well now, here we are with Facebook!

I have either been found or found so many friends, acquaintances, coworkers, classmates, etc. from yesteryear on FB. It is fascinating! Fascinating that this venue affords me the opportunity to reconnect with so many people that touched my life at some point.  It tickles me when somebody is on “Face”Book and doesn’t have their picture/face on there but still, isn’t it something! I don’t do all the daily talking and whatnot, I’m more a 3 – 4 times a week “Facebooker”, but still, I do it! I am also not one to give blow by blow accounts of my day, e.g., ”I am getting up now to take a shower and get ready for work” or “I am going to bed now”; to me that is sad because it seems like a lonely person who utilizes FB as a companion but still, I am there! I am not an intelligent user yet and I have to ask about some of the functions and features but still, I will continue to be there! I only have two pictures on my page but soon, I will add some and become a little more hip, but still, my face is there!

I must say, every time I go to FB I am anxious to see if anyone has requested me as a friend. lol. Yesterday I told my new coworker to find me on FB and add me as a friend. I told her she didn’t have to talk to me; I just want to rack up on my friends and have a long impressive list of friends. dlol (double laugh out loud) I will say, I like to know all the friends I have. I don’t accept people as my friends if I don’t know them. Why would I? I guess it is an opportunity to get to know people. I do have a two part question. Is FB exposing too much of our lives and who we are and is there any aspect of FB that could be dangerous? I don’t know. To me, I feel it is pretty safe.

Recently I found someone on FB that let’s say, is an undesirable, or at least they were years ago when I knew them! They had a very, very bad impact on my life and owe me. Well lo and behold, there they were as big as day on FACEBOOK for all the world to see! As far as I’m concerned, they should be in hiding! tlol! (you got it, triple laugh out loud!)

So what about Facebook? I like it and an enjoying it immensely. I am not a dedicated user or a regular user; I am just a social user and do it for entertainment purposes only. I know it is a great vehicle to do networking and business, but for now, I just use it for fun! What do you think about Facebook? Are there any drawbacks or dangers of being part of this fast growing online community? Let me know what you think, how and why you use it and… if I am not your friend, request me, I want to be!

Gotta go see who requested me today!

Holla back!

I know Las Vegas is called “Sin City” for numerous reasons. The excitement and adventure of Las Vegas, with casinos galore, can sweep you away and, I believe, cause addictions, especially gambling…but there is so much more!

I just returned from a weekend in Las Vegas. I went for my niece’s first birthday and a surprise retirement party for my brother. Believe it or not, I didn’t drop as much as one nickel in a slot machine and it’s Vegas, they are everywhere! I could have begun gambling as early as my arrival to the airport but surprisingly, I wasn’t even tempted. Will I go back? Certainly. But not for the shows or gambling or the excitement, all that is nice and one day I will experience some of that excitement, God knows, they have it in abundance; I will go back for the calm serenity I felt and the spectacularly beautiful landscape I encountered.

I have been there once before but this time I soaked it all in. That is, the overwhelmingly and undeniable picturesque piece of the world called Las Vegas. We did the strip and even that was a perfect work of lights, sizzle and Bling Bling! It will make anyone sit up and gaze in amazement, but the part of Las Vegas that is so severely understated is all the rest! E.g. – the mountains and the trees and the rocks and the backdrop and the gorgeous homes and equally gorgeous neighborhoods, etc. It was a piece of serenity and breath taking beauty I thoroughly enjoyed.

Below is a picture of me and my sisters. You may not be able to make us out very well but what you can see and sense is the beauty surrounding us. Really, if you haven’t been, you must go and do Vegas and what will happen in Vegas, you won’t want to stay in Vegas. You will want to bring it back with you!

Vegas rocks!!!

Holla back!

Vick is an Eagle! Yippie! Finally! I am so proud of the Philadelphia Eagles for embracing Vick and giving him a home. Yes, there are still naysayers – those who love dogs and hate what Vick did – and they probably won’t forgive him or give him a chance. The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was quoted as saying they were “incredibly disappointed” at the news of Vick’s signing. But who cares? That really isn’t up to them is it? I cannot believe the arrogance and judgementalness of so many.

According to this article on CNN:  Ed Sayres, president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said in a statement that “Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Philadelphia Eagles have granted Michael Vick a second chance, and the ASPCA expects Mr. Vick to express remorse for his actions, as well as display more compassion and sound judgment this time around than he did during his previous tenure with the NFL.”  Omigoodness! Seriously???

In the scheme of things, it was dogs. He did his time and life goes on! He is an entertainer, not the Pope and now he can do his job and entertain millions. I predict Michael Vick’s first game (whenever that will be since they reinstated him on “a conditional basis”) will be the most watched game of the season, barring the super bowl!

There are many stories on line; this particular one is from CNN, (http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/13/vick.eagles/index.htmlhttp://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/13/vick.eagles/index.html. Read all about it and please tell us how you feel about Vick finally settling into a team and how you feel about him being an Eagle!

Congratulations Michael. We are glad to have you back!

Holla back!

Happy Thoughtful Thursday to you! Here is my question/thought for the day:

Are successful people really more talented and gifted than the next guy?  Or are they:

• Bigger risk takers and able to recover from failure better?
• More dedicated with endless perseverance?
• At the right place, at the right time, talking to the right people, about the right thing?
• More blessed and highly favored of God?
• Luckier? (btw: I don’t believe in luck but this one is for those of you who do)
• A harder worker with a clearer focus, a deeper drive and a more relentless determination to reach their goal?
• A nicer person that karma is rewarding?
• A more generous person?

(I know two of these sound the same but determination doesn’t always equate to dedication so…)

I know there are more scenarios I could add as to why one person succeeds and one doesn’t. Let me ask you this:
• Have you ever been at a family gathering and heard your cousin clear his throat and belt out a song in perfect tune, tone, rhythm and melody and wonder why he didn’t make it and Bo Bice did?
• Have you ever heard a man preach in an “out of the way”, tiny strip mall, store front in Montgomery, AL (to about 20 people) and you shake your head because his method, message and charisma are off the Richter scale and you wonder why he is there and not in the ranks of TD Jake and Joel Osteen?
• Have you ever seen a young man that can buy two cars by age 19 and maintain his life financially by buying and selling on Ebay and wonder why the Google idea didn’t come to him first or entrepreneur-ness hasn’t completely caught hold of him?
• Have you ever wondered how one person’s bachelor’s degree yields them a career at one level, and the same or lower degree yields another person a career where the sky is the limit?
• Better yet, how do you settle within yourself, someone making more money, without a degree and a “walk in off the street” job, than you are making with a degree and the student loans to go with it?
• Have you ever wondered how one person could raise their children without God in their life and those children grow up to be great contributors to society with wonderful careers; while other children have low aspirations, teeter between jail, prison, trouble, multiple babies mammas, more jobs than you can count, etc. but they grew up knowing God?

Why does life seem so unfair or should I say, why is life unfair? Why do so many never realize their dreams and achieve their goals? But even more importantly, why do so many never reach their full potential? Is it pure laziness? Is it misguidance? Is it ignorance? Is it a lack of intelligence? Is it not being in the right place at the right time? And I know, some people are satisfied and content with life “as is”. They just live. They wake up in the morning. Go to work. Come home. Pay bills. Eat dinner and they are happy. But what about the one that wants so much more but can’t catch a break? What about the one whose whole life has consisted of (forward) baby steps and some successes, but knows there is so much more to be had and sees others so far ahead of them?

I trust and believe; you reap what you sow, what goes around comes around, hard work pays off, etc. and I truly believe; all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. But when in life do you say, where do I go from here and what do I do to unlock MY greatest God promised success and potential?

Holla back.

(For those who haven’t read the comments below, you won’t understand this picture.  Please read the comments and you’ll understand!)

Happy Monday to you! How ya feeling this morning? Me too! I had a big event with my job on Saturday.  I worked from 10:30 am until 10:30 pm. I’m glad it’s over.

I was online this morning and came across 18 ways to make $100.00 a month. As I am always looking for ways to bring in extra income, I read the article. It was kind of interesting. Most of the things it suggested, I am not qualified to do. Then I came across this article called: 20 Ways To Waste Your Money. I found that even more interesting. I personally don’t know many people that are rich/well off but I do know people, including myself, that waste a lot of money stupidly. For instance, I have bought shoes that I have nothing to go with! Then I have to find an outfit to wear them with. I have so many shoes, and when I really stop and think about it, I could use that shoe money to either help someone or make that money work for me in a better way. Honestly, I think I have enough shoes to wear a different pair for 365 days. Hmmm….. as much as I like shoes, that is ridiculous and I’m wasting money!

Step one in my efforts to not waste money, reading this article and sharing it with you. I have told you about my wasteful ways with my shoe addiction. Share with us your wasteful ways but more importantly, PLEASE let us know of things you have done to save money! Maybe something you are doing can be helpful and useful for us all! Also, share with us some things you know about that we can do on the side to bring in extra money.  I  believe there are many ways to supplement our lives these days, we just have to find that ”on the side” job that works for you!  

Below is the article.  Holla back!

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/FindDealsOnline/20-ways-to-waste-your-money.aspx?GT1=33006

Today is Thoughtful Thursday and have I got a doozie for you to think about!  Listen to this.

My husband has a friend. He was talking to him and his friend said he and his wife went to the hospital to visit a friend who was in the hospital. It was a man. This man has 27 children. Twenty Seven! Of course, there are several babies’ mammas within that flock. Check this out, at the time the friend was visiting this man, FOUR of the babies’ mammas were visiting him also! What in the world!!! And… four of his sons are a junior! He has four sons, from four different mothers, that are named after him! ROTFL! (roll on the floor laughing) But is it really a laughing matter! This is not a National Enquirer half true, half false story, nor is it a fabrication someone made up, this is for real! All jokes aside, this man dropped his love seed most everywhere he went, or so it seems!

As with Octomom I ask the same question, how can one person do it? From everything I gathered, he is not a millionaire. He is not even rich! How does one person financially, mentally, emotionally, physically and lovingly support that many kids? I have no idea of the make up, e.g., how many kids are in each family, however, I do know this is ridiculous! If I was him or any of the mothers or any of the children, I would be so embarrassed! The kids have the least reason to be embarrassed but honestly, they will probably be the ones most embarrassed and most affected by this reprehensible sexual behavior!

Today’s question on Thoughtful Thursday: how much is enough, how much is too much and when does too much stink! At some point (maybe kid 10 or 15) should the government have stepped in and said enough is enough? I imagine that task is probably easier to do with overly fruitful moms than dads. I wonder how many of these birth certificates reflect this man as the father.

All I can do is shake my head….

Holla back!

For those who haven’t followed my wedding picture saga from the beginning, let me briefly recap. I got married July 14, 2007. I hired a photographer recommended by a family member. He was a Christian and grew up with family so I thought it was all good. I paid him $750.00, half of his cost, up front. The other half was due when I received the finished product. Because he considered me “family”, he promised to give me little extras. As of today, August 5, 2009 I have not received my wedding pictures or the little extras.

Did I share with you that I called the Peoria, IL Better Business Bureau and they sent me papers to fill out on my photographer’s business? Yep, they did. However, being the procrastinator I am, I haven’t filled them out and sent them back. But in the meantime, I kept trying! Periodically I have called him to no avail. I have hit *67 and made the call anonymously. I have called early in the morning and late at night. I have tried just about every method to catch him. The only thing that has worked in the past was using a phone number with an area code he is not familiar with. Last week I used one co-worker’s phone, with a different area code, and he still didn’t answer.

Yesterday I was talking to our IT guy about giving kleverkathy.com a facelift and new look and in the process he gave me his cell number. When he said an area code for Hawaii, a bell sounded in my head! Let’s try this! I called and my photographer answered! We did the small talk and formalities and quickly I said, hey, I’m calling about a $750.00 refund. Immediately he said “absolutely”! Hallelujah! He asked and once again, for about the tenth time, I gave him my address. He promised to send my refund by certified mail later in the day and I should get it Friday.

I’m hoping, trusting and believing for the best! If you would, in your prayer time, point your right hand toward Peoria, IL and your left southward believing with me, I’d appreciate it! And you don’t even have to ask, when I get that certified mail, with a (hopefully) money order, for the refund of my deposit on my wedding pictures from July 14, 2007, I will most definitely let you know!

Do you think he’ll come through? Holla back!

Happy 48th Birthday President Barack Obama! God Bless you to see 48 more!