Workplace safety rules a part of ND death probe

According to Yahoo news, state regulators are investigating whether The University of Notre Dame violated safety rules when it allowed a student to vidoetape football practice from a tall hydraulic lift that toppled in high winds, killing the young man.

These types are things that I have bad dreams about. Why in the world would this young man risk his life just to videotape this football practice and where was safety / risk management to stop it?

Being a little scared of heights I would NEVER get in a lift especially if the wind was blowing in gusts of 51 miles per hour, I call that common sense. I have also learned that working in the trucking industry that not everyone has it and that is demonstrated by the young man who lost his life. I know that there are certain regulations to follow and it sounds as if someone dropped the ball by not doing proper training and monitoring. Notre Dame has not said alot about the death due to an ongoing investigation. What a way to die and how preventable this was. What about all the football players and coaches, did they not know it was dangerous for him to be up there?

This young mans life could have been spared only if he had the proper training. It is so sad that he died in this horrific way. This makes me want to scream "Use your head people" If it is not safe, don't do it. Hopefully students and employees of the University will take safety more seriously to prevent this type of thing from happening again.

Washington referees may face ban for charity pink whistles

According to KING 5 news a group of football officials in Washington were trying to support breast cancer research while working this week's games, so they made a pledge to donate all game checks to the Susan G Komen Foundation. Then, to top off the charitable gesture, they announced they would all use pink whistles during the games. Now, there's a chance those whistles could cost the refs a chance to work state playoff games and a fine accessed.

Okay, I am all for following the rules but couldn't the referees be warned instead of missing a playoff game and fined? Come on, these guys were doing a selfless act and the punishment I think is very harsh.

Being that my husband referees volleyball and basketball I really took this attack personally.These men and women take abuse from the crowds and really work hard out on the court. In the article it stated that "It sends the wrong message to the kids that are playing the game. If they broke the rules why can't I do the same." Okay, first of all how is being charitable sending the wrong message and how many people actually know the "rules"? It is so unfair that these refs would be losing an equivalent to three checks that they would have normally earned by doing the games? Do you really think they are going to be charitable in the future? I think they should be reprimanded but not have any money taken away from them. Isn't that going back on the contract that they had with them? Do they not have to be paid for services rendered?

Shame on the WOA: what was supposed to be a supportive, charitable gesture that was intended to help in the research and cure of cancer has turned to a disciplinary situation. I hope these referees don't let this event deter them from being charitable in the future.

Viva Las Vegas

For my daughter's 21st birthday we took the family to Las Vegas to celebrate this past weekend. The "kids" had never been before so we thought this would be a great way to do something a little different and make it memorable for everyone.

The trip started off with my husband waking up and running a fever. I medicated him up and prayed that his fever broke and stayed away while we were on the plane. At the airport we ran into the 3 of the Osmond Brothers , which was pretty cool. I made my daughter take a picture with them just because they are famous but she had never heard of them before and wished we had ran into Justin Timberlake instead.

After arriving in Las Vegas my husband was really sick so we dropped him off at the motel and decided to do a little sightseeing. Later that night he started feeling better so we went down to Freemont street to see the light shows, which was an awesome experience.

We rented a car but it is hard to drive and park at all the different properties so we ended up walking the strip. I'm not sure how many miles and steps we  walked but we were all hurting by the end of the day, but it was worth it. We had a great time and plan on taking my son  when he turns 21 so watch out Las Vegas....we'll be back.

Things don't always go as planned

A few weeks ago I wrote about my car getting backed into at church and causing damage to the front end. Well, I dropped my car off last week to have it repaired.The rental company put me in a 2010 Chevy HHR which was kind of cool, but it used alot more gas than my Hyuandi.                                                         After dropping my car off Monday the repair shop called me Thursday to let me know my car was ready to pick up. My husband went to pick up the car and said he saw something on my car but was going to let me look at it and see what I thought. Oh my goodness, I pick up my car and the bumper / fender assembly was not fitted together and is noticeably loose. There are three noticeable rough paint runs (one piece was still primered) and the pin striping is a different color than the untouched side. I went ahead and took my car and let the mechanic  at work look at it and he told me to take it back and demand the fix it right. The car was taken back Monday and the body shop agreed this was not acceptable and wanted the car again so it could be fixed. I was nice even though I was so angry that they had sent my car out looking like a piece of junk. Not to mention the rental car had already been taken back. This time they say the repair will only take a day and I am borrowing my daughter's car. So we'll see...hopefully it will look like it did before the accident. I am trying to put a positive spin on a negative situtation.

Murder charges filed after off duty detective is killed

According to CNN first degree murder charges have been filed against a man who Baltimore, Maryland, police believe killed an off duty detective by striking him in the head during a dispute over a parking space.

When I heard about this story I could not believe that someone would become so angry to kill over a parking spot

Apparently the police officer was out celebrating his 38th birthday with a friend at restaurant. Sian James, 25, is suspected of the death of the off duty police officer. I know I have been at the mall, the holidays seem to be the worse, and have had someone take my parking spot but the thought never crossed my mind to kill someone over it. The alleged killer picked up a piece of concrete hitting him in the head, the victim later died at the hospital.Can you imagine going out for a fun night and having some jerk throw something at you and die from it? That is crazy.

If I was put in a situation that was confrontational I know that I would back down and let the situation diffuse. Come on, it was a parking so big deal, definitely not losing your life over. In no way do I blame the police officer but could he have just let this crazy person have to spot and find another one? It could have saved his life.

Bosses Day

Well, for those of you who don't know Saturday is bosses day. In fact I was reading something today and it said this whole week was bosses week. I really think that is taking it too far.What about an employees week or even a day for that matter? I'm sure most of you have one boss. At the company I work for we have four bosses. This means we have four people to keep happy on a daily basis and who don't always agree 100% of the time, this can create unique challenges. Anyways, being one of the most senior employees, not in age but tenure, I take it upon myself which I don't mind, to coordinate these types of events. The money dontations from the employees were a little slow coming in so I reminded them of how generous the bosses were by making sure we had our paychecks each week and allowing us to celebrate their birthdays at the companies expense. That must have worked because emails were flying and promises of money were being made. Eventhough our bosses can afford to buy whatever they want. Having someone think about you and take time out of their day to do something nice is priceless.

Woman turns addiction into ministry

According to the Joplin Globe Juliet (Hardee) Rose was born into an addiction from a heavily-drinking mother and a drug-addicted father. As a troubled 16 year old, she took off for Las Vegas and survived as a prostitute. The article goes on to say she was a "functioning addict", had three failed marriages and had her two children taken away. She hit her all time low when she was arrested for the ninth time on 11 felony charges. Since then she has turned her life around and has started a ministry where she can use what she has been thru help other people in the same situation.
When I read this story I was brought to tears. This woman, after everything she had been through, had the courage to pick herself back up and use her failures, as a witness to other people that were hurting in the same way. What a remarkable story.
This lady had been brought up in a home where drinking and drugs were acceptable and obviously had no stability. When she ran away to Las Vegas at the age of 16 that could have been the end of her. How scared and alone she must have felt. Having failed marriages and  her kids taken away must have been so painful for her. It is ironic that her father, who had been an bad influence in earlier years, had turned his life around and  came and posted her bail. For nothing short of a miracle, all charges were dropped and she kept good on her promise to GOD that she was going to serve him wherever she might be. What I think is awesome is that she began Guiding Light Ministries who helps women wanting to turn their lives back around. According to the article "They want to see these women learn to love themselves and, in the process, become responsible and reproductive members of the community" Rose has her sons back and is going to college and is setting a good example in so many ways.
This article reminds me of the first paper we wrote in this class. I do not know Rose but I am so proud of her accomplishments and I know that she will succeed in whatever she puts her mind to. I know I try to learn from my mistakes but the thing is you always have to keep pushing forward. We can ALL do whatever it is we want to succeed at. Maybe we screw it up the first time or it doesn't turn out exactly as we had anticipated but we can turn something bad into good. we can all learn from our past mistakes.

Police: Women targeted in party overdoses

According to CNN.com young women at a party, attended by college students, were the primary target of spiked drinks, authorities said. One of them was sexually assaulted and multiple overdoses were reported. Some of the victims said they had consumed only one or two beverages before becoming ill.

Being a parent of a 20, almost 21 year old daughter this really hits home to me. It wasn't that long ago I was going to parties and having fun but looking back now I know how dangerous it was and still is.

According to the article no one seems to know how the date rape drug, roofies, got into the vodka that only the girls were drinking. What a sick individual to put a drug in a drink in order to make the girl unconscious so he could do whatever he wanted to with her. What a violation! Being a woman I think this is one of the worst crimes that could happen to a female. Being forced to have sex and not even being awake to know what was going on or to cry for help. How disgusting, think of the venereal diseases you could get or becoming pregnant. According to the school "Students identified as being with the party will have a conduct hearing that could result in an intensive education course" Are you kidding me? A girl gets raped and there is no punishment besides being reeducated? That is ridiculous.

If you are going to a party, bring your own alcohol or drink  beer or wine coolers that has not been opened and keep the drink with you. Do not set the drink down or that might give the creeper a chance to slip in a roofie. If you are the DD keep an eye of eveverything for the sake of your friends, you might notice something out of the ordinary and be able to save a sexual assault from happening. Better yet don't go to parties or drink that way you won't have to worry about it.

Abducted California 8 year-old was sexually assaulted

According to CNN the remarkable recovery of an 8 year-old-girl in Fresno, California --which combined solid police work with the efforts of good Samaritans -- turned bittersweet Tuesday when authorities said the victim had been sexually assaulted.

When I read this story I felt sad for this little girl that her innocence had been taken away but so happy that her life had been spared.

This story was absolutely incredible. This random person, who could have been you or I, recognized this pickup truck from the news and decided to follow this truck. The driver initially saw only a man in the truck but then a child stuck her head up. The man then pulled in front of this truck and cut the driver off and the girl opened the door and ran. What courage this man had to not only to be perspective and then to take matters into his own hands which ultimately save the girls life. According to the article the officer said "We beat the odds today, most often abduction victims aren't found until it is too late. Of those killed in an abduction, 74 percent are killed in the first three hours. I don't know about you but that is nothing short of a miracle that guy was in the right place at the right time.What a hero!

I don't know of a punishment that could fit this type of crime but i'm sure he will get his in prison. This sick individual needs help. I once heard from a police officer that a child predator is the worst kind, he is never fully rehabilitated. This girl and her family will never be the same but at least she is alive and can heal from what has happened in the past.

No laps for warm laptops; skin damage is possible

According to yahoo news you have ever worked with your laptop on your lap, it could lead to "toasted skin syndrome". This syndrome has been described by "an unusual-looking mottled skin condition caused by long-term heat exposure, according to medical reports

When I read this article I could not believe they had actual medical terminology for a burnt skin condition caused by laptops. How could anyone have burns from a lap top?

I'm not sure how many times I have worked with my lap top on my lap but it has been quite a few and I have never been burnt. According to the article these people it had affected, had the laptop on their laps for an extended amount of time. The temperatures can reach up to 125 degrees. Wow, that is hot! I would think that after a while it would become uncomfortable. Now computer companies are placing warnings in user manuals that placing lap tops on laps or exposed skin for extened periods of time because of the risk for burns. Ha! Okay, if something is that hot and is buring my skin why would I not have enough common sense to remove whatever is causing the discomfortmant?This reminds me of the McDonalds warning on coffee that it might be hot and to use caution. You think?

Since I use the edge of my couch for a lap top desk or a table, depending on where I am at this really doesn't really concern me. If I did have the lap top on my lap I would move it before it leaves discoloring burns on my skin. Ouch! This just goes to show that some people do not have any common sense about a problem that should be easy to solve. Okay people, this is your warning do not leave you lap top on your lap for extended amount or it can cause burns to your skin. Crazy!!

Motorcycle Accident

Well this Sunday did not turn out to be any better than  the last. Last Sunday my car was backed into in the church parking lot. This Sunday I opened an email from an old friend telling me that a mutual friend of our had died Friday. Apparently he and his girl friend had been riding his Harley and he lost control. I don't know all of the details but it physically made me ill.  I had flashbacks of the motorcycle accident my husband and I had. This past Labor Day weekend we took a trip to Eureka Spings with two other couples for a day of shopping and just enjoying the beautiful day. Right as we got to Eureka my husband lost control of the bike and I was thrown head first over the front  of the bike and my husband jumped to the left and the bike wrapped around the tree. I remember hitting my head on a rock and just rolling and grasping at anything I could, I thought I was going to the bottom of the revine. That was the absolute scariest thing I have ever been through in my life. I am so thankful for our helmet's which I know saved our lives. Our bodies were bruised and covered in roadrash but we were OK. My friend Ty had just turned 40 a few months back and he was a very lively guy to say the least.I'm not sure if he was wearing his helmet but  Please, please wear your helmet if you ride a bike, it could really save your life, it did mine.