Another senseless death

An eighteen year old man was shot and killed here in a neighborhood that is usually quiet and definitely not known for trouble or violence. There have been a lot of shooting deaths here in Tacoma. Young people. Teenagers. Some of which weren't involved in anything illegal. Just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or came across the wrong person.

I'm truly at a loss for words about shooting deaths anymore. When all the facts are laid out it's been proven that less guns means less death. Having every person in the US armed is not the answer.

Why is that so hard to understand?

MIA, Super Bowl, Writing, Oh My!

Where has the week gone? Have I blogged once this week? I really couldn't say, I've barely known what day it was all week. It's been crazy...

The day job has been so busy. We have some big changes in the making, so I've been putting together a marking blitz to publicize them, which will come out next week. On top of that, I had two marketing events Martini Monday and  Legal Marketing Winter Social and Awards Night.

I enjoy my day job, but, Oy, it's been crazy busy lately.

I've been doing a little writing. I've been working on A Tattered Life, and I started a new WIP. I know, I'm crazy. It's women's fiction. Humorous. Well, I hope it is at least. I've been wanting to write the book for about 3 years. When I was on my vacation...wait...have I already told you this story? Anyway, when I was on vacation, I was lying in bed one morning and specific sentences came to mind. So I started writing it. Stupid, I know. But stupid is how I roll. *cough*

Of course I had to fit the BF in because I'd barely seen him.

Then there were the debates over gun control over Facebook and Twitter. Not going there now, nor am I ever going there again. Agree to disagree. Period.

House cleaning, exercise.

Thinking about marketing my book then not doing it.

I swear I'm going to this weekend.  It's selling without marketing it. Imagine what it would do if I actually told people it was out there.

Anxiously awaiting the Super Bowl. GO HAWKS!!!

Anyway, busy busy busy...

Have a great weekend, relax, don't play with guns, buy my book and root for the SEAHAWKS!!!

Friday Scribbles:

Pandora queue song: Not That Kind of Girl by Miss Li (Miss Li station)

Book of the Week: I'm reading Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Such a great series. Really have enjoyed it. Just started the book a little bit ago. Hope to finish in the next couple weeks.

Netflix of the Week: Damages Season 5. I cannot believe I already almost done with this series. At least it's almost gotten me to the last half of Walking Dead Season 4.

Quote of the Week:

Reported! Sensitivity and Social Media

I posted an image yesterday on Facebook that was reported as "graphic violence".  Here is the image:

Now, while I admit it's not in the best taste, and I even thought twice before posting it, it's a guy loading a gun, it doesn't show him gunning people down in the streets, people bleeding, whatever. I understand how someone could be offended by this, exactly why I thought twice about posting it, and I deleted it.

Let me say this: I am not an NRA card carrying member. I am a supporter of stiffer gun control laws. I don't own, nor do I ever have plans to own a firearm. I have in my circle of friends, acquaintances, family known of people who have:

• accidentally shot themselves with a firearm causing their deaths
• committed suicide by firearm
• been shot

My daughter was in a lockdown at school because there was a kid with a gun walking around. That was one of the scariest days of my life.

I'm not a proponent, okay. That's my point. I don't know that guy in the picture. He's just some guy in a Monday Meme to me. He could be an actor, a cop, a hunter, some pyscho...I don't know. If there is something particular about him, the colors of this meme, or the design that has anything to do with anything violent (aside from the gun of course) I don't know about it.

I was looking at other "Monday-shit just got real" memes to compare this one to others.  Here's what I found...

 Here is a woman with a gun. I'm not sure I would have been reported for this because...

1. She's a woman
2. The background of the picture isn't as severe.

But she still has a gun and she still looks pissed.

Then you have Christine Baranski. I don't know what this is from, but I think strictly because it's an actress with a gun, probably makes it more palatable.








Sesame Street. Cookie Monster has an assault rifle. Is the implication that he's going to gun Mitt Romney down enough of a reason for this to get reported? I don't know. I saw this all over Facebook and laughed my ass off.










Kitty in a pot. Surely this would be offensive to animal lovers and PETA?!?

Yoda has a weapon. He has a light sabre. That shit can cut you in half. I bet no one reports Yoda.











Let's not forget John Goodman in the Big Lebowski.

And this.  Really, I have no words.

The reason I used the meme I did is because it specifically mentioned "Monday". That's all. If I had to do it all again, I probably wouldn't post it. Gun violence isn't funny. It's only funny in the movies and TV, right? And when zombies are coming after you.

My point is, to me, it was just a Monday meme. It wasn't meant to offend anyone. Like I said, I'm going to be one of the first to the polls when they come out with stiffer gun control laws. And this blog isn't a commentary on gun control. It's strictly a commentary on being reported for "graphic violence" when you post a picture of a guy with a gun on Facebook.

I'd love to hear your opinions on this.

Lock Down

The other day I received a text from my 12 year old at about 2:55. She normally gets out at 2:45, then walks to her sister's elementary, where I pick them both up. I was at the grocery store picking up a few things, then moving on to pick them up.

The text said, mom this is Mary we are in a lock down don't text me back.

Scary.

It wasn't from her cell phone either, and she always has her cell phone on her.

What do you do?

I had another kid getting out of school shortly.

So, I head to the elementary and waited. I felt helpless. There was no sense going to the middle school, there was nothing I could do. I just hoped it would be over soon and I would hear from her and everything would be all right.

For 20 minutes I felt helpless. She called at 3:15. Once again not from her own phone. "It's over, I'm on my way."

Whew.

An 8th grader had brought a gun to school. I don't know what his intentions were, but apparently other kids saw it, reported it, and things were handled quickly and expertly. Things could ended differently. Another Columbine, who knows?

I've always been open and honest with my kids about everything. And I think it's so important to talk to our kids about school violence, and the importance of reporting if they see a weapon on the school grounds. It could mean their life, or the lives of their teachers and friends.