She's Nabbed Me Twice Now

I suppose it only makes sense that if they're crap on the inside, there's going to be crap on the outside. I submit to you the following from a box of Reese's Puffs.



Now while it's admirable to have goals, do they have to be goals that simply don't do anything for you? Goals that don't enhance your knowledge or build your character or prepare you for the adult world in any way? Okay, maybe numbers 5, 10, 14 and 15 aren't complete crap but meet your idol? Ride the world's biggest roller coaster? Own a pointless collection? Why not just aim for being vapid? What do you want to do, Suzy? Why I want to have a permanently vacuous look and have really, really shiny lips!

So a meme has sprung up (I know, I know...just hush and keep reading, okay?) for us to suggest a better list of goals. And once again Southern Muslimah has tagged me 'cause she's my buddy.

Rules. More rules! Maybe the first goal should be for us all to either shuck off the rules that chain us down or just learn to shut up and follow them. Guess which one I'll be doing.

1. Post these rules before presenting your list. (I suppose doing it after presenting my list will lead to an uncomfortable encounter with a cattle prod.)
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.
3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list. (Except, I suppose, anything as stupid as what Reese's Puffs could dream up.)
4. At the end of your blog, choose 6 people to get tagged and list their names. (You know right now that I'm going to break this rule into tiny, tiny bits.)
5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged. (Is this an actual rule or merely a friendly suggestion?)
7. Optional: You can include the image of the ridiculous Reese’s Puffs list in your post as a reference. (Oh, do it. You know people love to peek at the pics!)

1. Learn to swim.
Maybe it doesn't sound so noble to learn to swim but in my family, learning to swim wasn't optional. You learned to swim just like you learned to read and learned your phone number. If there's an emergency that causes you to be in water, you'll be damned glad you learned how to keep yourself afloat. Flailing around in a panic is not something you're going to want to be doing.

2. Work regularly as a volunteer.
It doesn't have to be the same old thing all the time but volunteer to be on committees and clubs that help improve your community. Visit assisted living centers. Clean up a roadway. Collect money for a worthy cause. Mentor a younger student. Learn to give of yourself and of your time and learn that a great way to feel worthwhile is to help others.

3. Learn how to earn money, how to save it, and how to spend it.
So many people, especially these days, are up shit's creek without a paddle because they've never learned how to manage money. Before heading out into the big world a person needs to know how to earn money - get a job or do chores or whatever but do something that earns you money so you can learn the satisfaction hard work and being rewarded for hard work brings. Learn how to save up for something, how to handle a budget and learn how credit works - how to get it and how to not abuse it. Get in the habit of always paying your debts and paying them on time. There's honor in saying you'll pay your debts when you promise to and dishonor in not paying your debts.

4. Learn a second language.
And not just learn it but use it. Find others learning the same language - it should be easy since you're sitting with them in your 3rd period Spanish class - and speak it together. Later on you'll be glad you did because that's when you'll be traveling and you won't be kicking yourself because you spent all that time learning another language and you let it go to waste because you no longer remember it. And it's a heck of a lot harder to learn another language when you're older.

5. Get in the habit of regular exercise and proper nutrition.
Like learning another language, it's hell taking this on when you're older. If you learn to take care of yourself properly when you're young then you won't spend your later years trying to reverse the damage. And never, ever under any circumstance take up smoking! I promise you, you'll regret it later on.

6. Take up a hobby that you can pursue all through your life.
No one should ever be bored and a great way to fight boredom is to have a hobby. Personally I believe that hobbies that allow you to create something are most satisfying. Take up quilting or knitting. Photography. Play a musical instrument. Write. Cook or bake. There will be times in your life when you'll be alone and if you can't entertain yourself, you're going to have a lot of lonesome hours because, believe me, no matter how many channels you get, there will still be plenty of times when their ain't shit on TV.

Okay, time for me to tag. Jeez, I hate tagging. I can never remember who has done a certain meme and who hasn't and who hates to do them at all and then I tag the wrong people and the folks who wanted to be tagged don't get tagged. It's. Too. Much. Pressure! You're all tagged! All of you! Hey you in Minnesota! You're tagged. You over there in London! Tagged! And you! You in Hamburg! You're tagged as well!