Ann Curry Leaving The Today Show Has Changed The Show

So anyone who knows me knows I love Ann Curry and I also at one point loved the Today Show. I had a morning routine. I would get up, go for a walk, have a cup of coffee, and watch the Today Show before I went to work. I always enjoyed the stories and the people reporting the stories. Ann Curry was my favorite because I felt she was the most genuine. You could really feel the compassion from Ann when she was reporting.  She is passionate about what she does and you can see that she cares in her eyes. When I caught wind of her leaving the Today Show right away I thought it was a TERRIBLE move. There is NO ONE on that show who can bring to the table what she brings by her just being who she naturally is.

Of course the rumors I had read were true and she was leaving The Today Show I remember her last day and the tears in her eyes. You could tell she was heart broken to have to stop doing what she loves.  More importantly I remember Matt Lauer and his overall demeanor towards her. I lost pretty much all respect for Matt Lauer that day. I had read rumors about why Ann Curry was being fired and a lot of the rumors said it was pretty much Matt Lauer's doing. It was his demeanor towards her and her genuine sadness that leads me to believe those rumors are true.  Then The Today Show has the audacity to replace the amazing Ann with Savannah Guthrie and no disrespect to her as she was good at her prior role and I know she is trying but she is NO Ann Curry and the show absolutely has not been the same since.  I know I am not the only one who feels this way. NBC I am sure has seen the drop in viewership since that debacle.  Has anyone felt the same sense of compassion on stories since Ann has left that show?

Fast forward to today and the only segment on the show I want to see is Kathie Lee and Hoda. Sad when I used to enjoy hours of the show. I recently read that Matt Lauer gets picked on and called names and he doesn't like it. While I am not condoning that type of  behavior from people towards him I don't think he realized how his actions affected other people. If I was a part of a news team I would want to have the best news team. I would want the best people possible around me so that we collectively as a whole could be the best. For whatever reasons he didn't really care about that or how his actions affected  a wonderful person like Ann.  Even still I say let's follow Ann's lead and be compassionate. Let's not call him names or pick on him. Trust me NBC has already had massive backlash from these shenanigans and they know they messed up.

The bottom line is Ann Curry leaving the Today Show has changed the show completely. It is not the same show  and doesn't have the same feel. I hope NBC has better judgment going forward. If Ann went to a different network I would be watching that network.

Should Teachers Be Allowed to Carry Guns?

Obviously with the horrific event at Sandy Hook the question of gun control and/or other solutions has been a topic of choice for a lot of people. I've heard both sides of the argument and I understand the concerns for both sides. While I understand both sides my opinion leans heavily  towards allowing Teachers to be able to carry weapons concealed (with a permit obviously).

I know some of you already are thinking "that's a terrible idea" probably because the fear of a Teacher going off the deep end, the fear a student accessing that gun and using it themselves, or students feeling uncomfortable.  I understand these fears and I am definitely not dismissive of them.  My thinking is as such if a teacher is going to go crazy they are going to go crazy regardless of their ability to carry a weapon to school legally. Have you ever seen on the news a mass shooting at a school that was done by one of the teachers? Yea.. Me either.  My suggestion is that the weapons be allowed to be carried but concealed therefore students wouldn't see the gun and be unaware of where any guns may be.  I was speaking to someone on Twitter about this and he said regarding their comfort that students shouldn't have to wake up and feel like they are going to prison and I understand this completely my response is students also shouldn't have to worry about someone coming into their school and shooting up an entire classroom with no one to PROTECT them. Which is the lesser of the two evils? The only person who can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun!

I've spoken to my friends with kids and asked how their children would feel about teachers carrying guns. What I've found is the families that own guns and who have taught their kids about guns and gun safety these students are fine and fully support the idea. The parents who do not own guns those children do not have that same comfort level therefore they are hesitant. My suggestion is gun education in schools.Get police officers or vets in their to properly educate them. We CAN NOT ignore guns so we might as well educate them on guns!  Gun education should be no different than sex education.  I had a lady say "my son would be uncomfortable around a teacher with a gun" I asked if he is also uncomfortable around armed police officers. We must educate that NOT every person with a gun is a bad guy and in fact they are necessary to protect good people and the country. People kill people. Guns are controlled by people.

When it comes to automatic weapons I do think there needs to be tougher laws on who can obtain one. I mean realistically you do not need an automatic weapon to protect your home. A shot gun will do just fine. The right shot gun will take 2 or 3 people down at one time and you only need to aim in the general vicinity of that person. Anyone who knows me knows I love my guns. My husband and I collectively have several guns. Our guns are for protection. While an automatic weapon might be cool just for collecting purposes I know it would not be necessary to protect myself or my home. I am not expecting war in my house.  My only issue with tougher laws is that criminals don't care about laws. That's why they are criminals. They are going to get those guns regardless.

I also offer different solutions why not have armed guards in the schools or 2 to 3 assigned police officers to patrol the school grounds outside and inside. I work in a busy shopping mall and in addition to mall security they have several police officers contracted to work and patrol the mall. Why would schools not be equally as important or more important?  While I do have my opinions I am always open and want to hear the opinions of others. I always want to see things from different perspectives so that I can continue to form my opinion based on valid points. What do you think? Should teachers be allowed to carry guns? What is your solution for preventing as many horrific crimes as we can?

Remembering The Little Angels

Today in Connecticut and across the nation there is mourning for 20 little Angels and 8 brave adults.  Today they have laid to rest some of the children who had their lives cut short by the horrendous tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook elementary. As the details of this horrific event unfolded I couldn't help but to literally feel extremely sick to my stomach and overwhelmingly sad with tears for the victims, their families, and also tears for what the world is coming to.  

Since this event every child seems more beautiful to me. Every laugh I hear and every tear I see seems more precious.  Being that I work in a busy shopping mall I get to see babies and small children all the time. Children right now are excited about the Holidays. The joy and innocence in their eyes is priceless.  I can't even begin to understand why or how any person could be so evil to take the life of innocent helpless children.  What happened in this boys life to prompt this? Was he simply crazy or did he in his mind have some sort of reason that justified this awful event? The only solution to evil and hatred is to love more. You can't take away hatred and evil with more hatred and evil. We must love. Love each other, love the planet, and love ourselves.    

If you take anything from this event understand to never take anything or anyone for granted including your time on this earth, to love your family and friends, to say you love them, and to be grateful for everything you have in your life.  These tragedies however awful have the ability to make us appreciate what we have more. In order for our soul to evolve and to become a more whole person we must experience all aspects of living. Could you appreciate a sunny day if you have never seen a cloudy rainy day? Could you appreciate winning if you have never lost?  Living an attitude of gratitude is something everyone should live by all the time but when these events occur it serves as a reminder to be thankful and appreciative for what remains in our life. Care more. Be compassionate. Smile more. 

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way"  

Below is a poem I came accross online and wanted to share. 

I’m only a small child, not much do I know.
God holds onto my hand as I look down below. 
I’m here with the Father in the most beautiful place

yet I can’t feel much joy when I see your sad face.

Your heart has been broken, I can see from up here
as you struggle along and you wipe every tear.
If I only had words I could send you today
that would tell you I’m home and I’m really okay.

Heaven is beautiful with sparkles and white wings,
and the angels are teaching me so many things.
I’ll grow and mature in this Heavenly land
while holding on tightly to my Father’s soft hand.

Then one day you’ll join me in this home in the skies.
Our joy will be full with no more goodbye’s.
So don’t grieve for me now but find peace in your soul,
and know God has finally made your little one whole.

Now, even if you can’t seem to understand why,
please know in your heart that our love didn’t die.
He tells me that just for a time we must wait
and then I can meet you at Heaven’s front gate!
-Ferna Mills

Black Friday on Thanksgiving Night? Ridiculous

Can corporate America care even less about their employees? Clearly that answer is yes. After years and years of Americans shopping early on black Friday giant reatailers like Walmart and Target want to open their doors on Thursday night to the shoppers eager to save a few bucks. Why has it come to this? What was so wrong with early morning deals for Friday. The last few years some stores have opened at midnight and I thought that was excessive. Thanksgiving is a day for giving thanks and spending time with loved ones. Why would you cut into one of the only holidays these people get to spend freely with their families? Is Christmas next? Where do we draw the line? 

Clearly the answer is money. Why else would they close their doors for less time. They are like wolves eager to take your money at the expense of in their eyes "the sheep". Do you think any of the CEO's of Target or Walmart will be working on Thursday night? I'm willing to bet they will be all cozied up in their awesome houses with their families and friends amongst other things one would be grateful for on Thanksgiving.   

 

^ 10 pm stores open. Good luck parking!                                               

Let's all be honest here cooking on Thanksgiving is exhausting. Lot's of work and cleaning to do. If you're a family with kids running around to other family members houses etc just to spend some time it will tire you out by the end of the day. People deserve some time for their selves. People can wait to shop and employees can wait to work. Period. Corporate greed is getting out of control. 

I fully support all retail employees who refuse to work on this night! To all the shoppers ask yourself this, will the crowds and hassle just to save a few bucks be worth the strife? How would you feel if you had to work on a holiday you usually have off? Support  your fellow Americans and help protect them from future corporate greed. Do not shop Thanksgiving night. I refuse to buy anything on Black Friday. I'm so disgusted with some of these retailers whose ideas are simply that people are cogs and not real people. They are NOT just a number. These are peoples with families and real feelings and emotions. Let's not desensitize ourselves so much where this stuff becomes unimportant!

Bitter Dallas Cowboy Fan

I've been a Dallas Cowboy fan since pretty much birth. I remember their glory days in the 90's when I was a little girl. Those are times clearly long past. Funnily enough people will still say "you're a bandwagon fan" which is odd. Why would I bandwagon fan a team that has won only one play off game in what like 15 years-ish? Truth is my Dad was born and raised in Texas so as a little girl I would always watch football with my Dad and the rest of my family.

There is no season that excites me more than football season but the last few years I've become very bitter towards my favorite team.  For the last 6 years at least I've watched a team that has had and still has an immense amount of talent yet EVERY year it's the same thing. They can not win consistently. There are games when Tony Romo and the bunch look like a Super Bowl winning team but literally in that same game it could all end terribly by not playing with consistency.  They don't play with consistency and most importantly they are not playing with conviction. Every year they are a highly penalized team and consistently have several turnovers (I'm talking to you Tony Romo.. and not just turnovers but you love to throw pick 6's).

I will hear people praise Romo and how his numbers are great stat wise and while I am now very nuetral with my support towards him as my patience  is running extremely thin I always remind them, It doesn't matter what his regular season stats are. His stats can be better than a Troy Aikman all day long but there is one important stat everyone is forgetting. 3 Rings baby. Not 1.. not 2.. but 3!   Tony has had many chances to take us to the next level. Yes it is a team game but he has talent around him. Single handedly (seattle playoff game a few years back when he botched the snap) he lost that game for us. I'm thinking it's time to start thinking about drafting a long term QB who is going to take us to that next level of play. I have a feeling that Tony would probably excel on another team. A team that isn't as high profile as the Dallas Cowboys.  If you disagree, tell me why you think the Dallas Cowboys should stick with Tony Romo?

Yesterday the Cowboys beat the Cleveland Browns (barely at that) and that is supposed impress me as a fan? Is this supposed to mean we have a good shot at "making a comeback" to win the NFC East.  Some of these announcers need to call it like it really is.  Come on Cowboys you're supposed to beat the Browns (Sorry Browns fans). Don't act like this is a meaningful victory. Yes every victory counts but not if you can't beat the teams that matter. The teams you will have to beat in the playoffs. The best win we've had this year is opening game against the Giants. Bottom line is I am NOT impressed. I want to see that talent pulled together and I want to see that winning spirit.

Absurd Waiting Times To Vote! 3 and a Half Hours To Cast My Ballot!

I've voted in past presidential elections and it's never taken 3 and half hours to vote. Aren't these new snazzy machines meant to make this system more efficient? How is it possible that there are 10 machines with 3 not working and only 2 people checking names on their small little laptops with thousands of people in line? I've done my fair share of asking around and not everyone is waiting that long. I did have someone tell me 4 hours and 2 other people say an hour and a half. 

I'd really like to see the demographic information for areas and there corresponding wait times in their polling facilities.  so that I can see which areas had the longest waiting times. People in my line had to leave because they couldn't be late for work. Who realistically plans a block of 3 and a half hours of time to vote? 98 percent of the people in my line to vote were middle to low income families and the majority African American. Could just be sheer happenstance that my area just so happened to have  terrible voting procedures but who really knows? So I ask all of you how long did it take you to vote and what is your demographic area like? 

Theresa Caputo Is She The Real Deal?

Anyone who knows me closely knows I love Long Island Medium which features Theresa Caputo a "typical Long Island Mom". I am absolutely intrigued by this "gift" she has. With that being said I don't like to feel like I'm a sucker. So I ask you fine people your opinions. Is she real or is she a fake? Have you had any experiences with mediums? Maybe even Theresa herself?

Watching her show she always seems spot on! I am clearly aware of editing capabilities but tell myself that she is too precise on some things for it to be fake. However playing devils advocate here I saw her also on the Anderson Live show and I was NOT as impressed as when I watch the show. Wondering though being in a room with a lot of people who would certainly all have lost loved ones if it would be much more difficult to pin point whos loved one she is talking to.

Any mediums that can shed some light on how that works?

Family

Too often I think people take for granted the very thing that gives them support and a sense of purpose in life. Too often people take for granted the people in their lives who would give them endless support in a time of need and love for their hearts always. I know one thing, I'm not married yet and I realize that my family I was born into isn't getting younger and I have the full desire to have a family that I can create. I think about those times maybe 40-50 years from now when I may be old and gray. It is family who I will want around me. Not being alone.

How Many Times Should I Ask For The Sale?

I had someone ask me how many times should I ask for the sale? Well first I have to ask the question what is your goal? Is your sole purpose to make money? Or are you trying to build a brand for yourself and build client lists and referrals? You have to decide what kind of salesman you're going to be. Many people will encourage you to ask as many times as it takes to close the sale. I disagree. Asking 2 times will suffice. For me the first rule of sales is you're selling yourself before you're selling the product. If they do not like you or feel like you're pushy and forcing them to buy chances are, they will not buy from you or return to you if you didn't close the sale that day. Listen to the customer and respect their decisions, build a rapport and follow up! Following up is imperative and often forgotten about. Get their contact information and always give them yours. Build relationships with your customers this way they will absolutely come to you when they are ready. You build your pipeline with follow-ups! These people will also talk to others about their experiences with you and thus giving you referrals. Sales People are customers too. Think to a time where YOU were the customer buying something important to you. How was your sales rep? Was he pushy and forceful or not? How did you respond to him? As a salesman you need to be able to relate to you're customers. I don't think I have come across any person who says "I love being pushed to buy things buy a pushy sales rep" A good rule of thumb is to treat people the way you want to be treated professionally and personally. Make sure to follow up with your customers and to listen to them. Hear the unspoken things being said. Be Respectful and not pushy. Always ask for the sale never force the sale.