All I can say is, thank goodness that other people also find this a bit screwy. I can tell you now that I wouldn’t scatter my loved one’s ashes anywhere where other players would be playing, or even where other people would be walking. I just think it’s kind of grody to think about getting others’ burnt up bodies on my shoes, etc. And, on that volleyball pitch, those players fall down and get their bodies all down and dirty in that sand. Ick. I have heard of athletes’ strange superstitions, but this is too much, and frankly, is unlawful in most places.

I guess I will just have to tide myself over with the Twilight movie, which comes out on December 12, 2008. Wait. . . maybe that’s why they pushed it back? So it wouldn’t compete with Twilight? Ahhhh, it is all clear to me now.

“The success of U.S. women’s gymnastics can, in part, be traced back to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. That’s when the American women, coached by Bela Karolyi, won their first gymnastics team medal in a non-boycotted Olympics. The team members were Wendy Bruce, Dominque Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kerri Strug, Kim Zmeskal, and  Betty Okino. This great video documents the breakthrough through some never-before-seen home video.  Check it out. I think you’ll like it.

http://growingbolder.com/gbinsider/182702

Kelsey
The Growing Bolder Media Group”

Now I look forward to watching the USA women compete in their individual events. Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin are simply incredible in their events. And Alicia Sacramone will have a serious chance for redemption in one of her favorite events, the vault!

Let’s Go Girls! You *do* rock!

My. Freaking.

God.

Progressive Commercials:  If I have to watch that annoying chick from the Progressive commercials one more time, I don’t think I can be held accountable for what happens! Damage to the walls, furniture, you name it. Why did they pick her? You know the one I am talking about, right? OK, maybe you don’t. Here’s a link for you: Progressive Annoying Red-Headed Chick. Scroll down through the list and just choose a couple with her in it.

Alli Commercials: Alli is a weight loss product. Supposedly, if you take it and start eating just a little bit healthier, you can lose more weight than just with dieting alone. It blocks some of the fat from your food from turning into pounds. Nice concept, right? Well, from one of their commercials, which quotes a woman saying that she was “horrified” at a picture of herself as a mere 26 pounds overweight, you would think that Alli is only for those people who are basically thin already! Hell, if we all only had 26 pounds to lose, well, there wouldn’t be any obesity in the world. Who wants to use a weight loss product that’s marketed to basically skinny chicks? I was so turned off by the commercial that I emailed the company about the offensive marketing campaign. They answered me. Here’s their reply, which is fair:

Dear xxxxxxx,

We have received your e-mail on the alli™ website and appreciate your comments on our advertising efforts.

Since consumer reaction to any facet of our business is very important to us, we appreciate hearing from you. Comments such as yours personally acquaint us with individual consumers’ perceptions of our advertising efforts. Sincere, intelligent input allows us the opportunity to more critically evaluate our advertising messages while enabling us to view these endeavors from the viewpoints of our customers.

Please be assured that it was not our intent to endorse a specific point of view to the public by way of our product advertising. As you are probably already aware, whether in magazines, on television or as part of a product’s label, advertising, along with its other intended purposes, is used to educate the public by introducing products and their benefits by getting consumer’s attention.

We regret any concerns that our advertising placement has caused you. Your message has been shared with those people involved in the creation of our advertising campaigns for consideration and possible future incorporation.

Again, we appreciate your contacting us and expressing your valid opinions.

Sincerely,

Javier
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

OK, great, findy-dindy. I thought that in light of this problem with the commercial, it would air less. I mean, I can’t be the only person offended, right? Wrong. I see it at least 4 or 5 times a week. Score a loss for Alli. And I’ll tell everyone I know.

I thought I was a good, conscientious, caring, (and all other manner of positive adjectives) person. Well, I hope I am. Lately, though, whenever I start doing anything, I am reminded of how I maybe “shouldn’t” be doing it. Or doing it differently.

Examples:

1. Eating off any styrofoam product: Sometimes at social gatherings, one does not have the choice of types of plates used. Should I just reject any kindness I receive with the holier-than-thou attitude of “how dare you use styrofoam!” ? But, see, I would never do that. Perhaps I should ask for a ceramic plate? That’s just too much, don’t you think?

2. Driving a car: I enjoy driving. I live in a fairly large city, and some sort of ride is needed to achieve any purpose here. Well, other than walking to a small market, which is possible. Considering the state of the environment, though, I worry almost every time I drive that I am contributing to the poor atmospheric conditions. Not to mention adding to the current American dependence on foreign energy sources. What is an innocent citizen of the world to do when trying to reconcile a love of driving with a desire to preserve a healthy world? Walk everywhere, I suppose. However, some people cannot walk and must rely on vehicles to transport them, doubtless with the use of gasoline. If they do not change their mode of transportation, they must remain blameless, for obvious reasons. But, I AM to blame. I do not make enough of an effort to change my consumer-ish ways. . .

3. Throwing away rotting food: I purchase food at the store. I forget it’s there. It rots. I have to throw it away. I do not have a compost pile. I should. More guilt.

4. Using plastic bags to dispose of things: Because they are there, and they are convenient, I use plastic bags to dispose of things. But, plastic is problematic for the earth. See this and this and this. I feel the guiltiest doing this, I think. I mean, what’s the point of me recycling my plastic bottles and other containers if I continue to use plastic bags?

5. Whoa, I have to stop for awhile. Acknowledging this kind of guilt can really take it out of you. Really.