It's that time of the year again. Raving parties, people covered in alcohol, people passing out in the middle of some random club...
You guess it... New year's eve.
My eve will be a quite one this year, but many of my friends are going to be out drinking.Now I'm not going to go on about how bad it is to drink and drive and all that, cause I'm pretty sure most of you are sick of hearing that (even though there's a vast majority of people who still choose to ignore it).
Instead I'll give you a few alternatives to avoid being in a situation where you think "Shit... I should have listened..."
Tip 1:
If you're the designated driver... you're probably going to regret drinking tonight. Think ahead. Wouldn't it be better to go there by bus and return by taxi? It'll save you the trouble of parking and you can drink without the worry of having to drive home. If you still choose to take your own car, at least have the sense to sleep in the car if you're badly intoxicated. If you need a failsafe, make some elaborate lock around your car's ignition so that you wouldn't be able to start the car if you're drunk. A friend of mine use to add beer can tops to his key-chain so that he would have to hunt for the real key, and if he was too drunk to find the key, he would just sleep in the car, and I think that's a pretty good failsafe.
Tip 2:
If you're going to drink for the sake of getting drunk, take the liberty of saving the phone number for a taxi service (if you add more than just one, it would be useful since taxis are usually booked on new year's eve) and save the number of someone who can bail you out of jail under "emergency contact". Your phone isn't going to complain for adding 2 more numbers. If you think it's too much trouble to look for the number, save it to speed dial (along with the ambulance number if need be).It's a very easy precaution that can help you if you get into shit.
Tip 3:
If you know you're going to need a taxi beforehand, call in advance and book one before they're all taken. They're not going to care if you tell them to come at 3am, it's money for them, but if you don't tell them beforehand, you can be left there for quite a while.
Tip 4:
If your intention is to have fun and not get drunk, that doesn't mean it's alcohol free night. Just try sticking to one type of alcohol, maximum two. Don't mix with different types or you'll end up shit drunk before you realise it. Take the liberty of deciding your favorite before you attend the party. It'll save you the awkward silence of trying to decide later.
Tip 4:
Have a lookout buddy. Pair up with someone who will look out for you if you do get drunk, and vice versa. If the both of you get uncontrollably drunk, this will be a problem, so try and pair up with someone who you can rely on. You don't have to stick together all night, but make sure that you at least have each other's phone number in case something goes wrong.
Tip 5:
Last but not least, make sure someone knows where you are. Whether it's a post-it note on the fridge, a Facebook status or simply telling someone where you're going. If something had to go wrong (and hopefully nothing will!) at least people know where you were supposed to be.
These are just a few tips to help us avoid the annual tragedies that always somehow link to being drunk. Stay safe people!
P.s I took this for granted when writing the tips, but if you're on medication, don't frikken drink AT ALL!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Acting Crazy In Public
We all like having fun and acting crazy once in a while, and let's be honest, I don't think it's the first time any of us made a fool of ourselves in public just for the hell of it. Though, it makes me wonder why we do it, and should there be a limit to how crazy we can act? Is there a non existant line that we shouldn't cross? What is considered crazy after all?
I ask these things because I'm not sure what is crazy after all. Psychiatrists always say that the first sign of madness is talking to yourself, but who hasn't done that in reality? We all talk to ourselves once in a while, or talk to our appliances and computers when they refuse to work the way we want them to. Does this make us all crazy? Well, if it does, then I like being crazy.
Then there's a whole other kind of crazy. This is what I was mentioning earlier. People who act crazy in public, and often make the people around them look on in disgust. Let me give you an example.
A couple of days ago, I was on a direct bus, waiting for the driver to start the engine when I noticed a group of four girls, around the age of sixteen, acting stupid and loud in the seats opposite mine. I didn't mind of course, cause they looked like they were having fun... that is until the bus finally started moving. These girls proceeded to open all the windows (and it was freezing that day) and point their digital camera out one of the windows. They then began screaming and waving at people whilst recording their reaction on their camera. At first I thought it was funny, but it got very annoying after a whole 15 minutes of nonsense. They even had the nerve to complain that there weren't enough people to harass in the streets. When I was at the end of my journey, the bus driver got up and yelled at these four girls, who in turn laughed in his face up until I got off the bus. I'm not sure what happened after that, but I left the bus with a lot to think about.
"Do we only take pleasure in making fun of others?" I thought as I walked away from the bus stop. Then I wondered what it was that made these girls have so much fun, and I realised it was just the act of craziness itself. People somehow like acting crazy, just cause it's fun... and this bothered me.
Yesterday I had the misfortune of being in such a situation again. This time however, I was with the group of girls who were acting crazy. At first, it was funny... 15 minutes later it was annoying... an hour later I started to wonder what medication these people were on. How can one act so stupid and crazy for a whole hour without getting bored or possibly embarrassed. I honestly pity the people that had to put up with it whilst we were on the bus. I wasn't partaking in the craziness, and I didn't want to be seen with those people at the time, because honestly it was embarrassing and humiliating. I don't like that kind of crazy... not in the least.
Of course, then there's what is considered medically crazy. That is a subject I don't know enough about to be able to say anything. There are far too many different mental diseases to explain and I'm sure that the symptoms are divers and very complicated to understand. However, a friend of mine who works with mentally challenged patients explained to me once that we act no different to them when in these kinds of situations. When we're drunk, or just high on fun, we can be considered clinically mentally challenged. He also explained that he sometimes feels like his patients are more sane that the so-called "normal people". This lead me to think how scary it would be if they threw me in an institute, and the more I tried to act normal, the crazier I would seem.
So here's something to think about. What do you consider crazy? Is there such a thing as a borderline for how crazy you can act before being clinically crazy? One last thing, when someone is considered crazy, is that a good thing?
I ask these things because I'm not sure what is crazy after all. Psychiatrists always say that the first sign of madness is talking to yourself, but who hasn't done that in reality? We all talk to ourselves once in a while, or talk to our appliances and computers when they refuse to work the way we want them to. Does this make us all crazy? Well, if it does, then I like being crazy.
Then there's a whole other kind of crazy. This is what I was mentioning earlier. People who act crazy in public, and often make the people around them look on in disgust. Let me give you an example.
A couple of days ago, I was on a direct bus, waiting for the driver to start the engine when I noticed a group of four girls, around the age of sixteen, acting stupid and loud in the seats opposite mine. I didn't mind of course, cause they looked like they were having fun... that is until the bus finally started moving. These girls proceeded to open all the windows (and it was freezing that day) and point their digital camera out one of the windows. They then began screaming and waving at people whilst recording their reaction on their camera. At first I thought it was funny, but it got very annoying after a whole 15 minutes of nonsense. They even had the nerve to complain that there weren't enough people to harass in the streets. When I was at the end of my journey, the bus driver got up and yelled at these four girls, who in turn laughed in his face up until I got off the bus. I'm not sure what happened after that, but I left the bus with a lot to think about.
"Do we only take pleasure in making fun of others?" I thought as I walked away from the bus stop. Then I wondered what it was that made these girls have so much fun, and I realised it was just the act of craziness itself. People somehow like acting crazy, just cause it's fun... and this bothered me.
Yesterday I had the misfortune of being in such a situation again. This time however, I was with the group of girls who were acting crazy. At first, it was funny... 15 minutes later it was annoying... an hour later I started to wonder what medication these people were on. How can one act so stupid and crazy for a whole hour without getting bored or possibly embarrassed. I honestly pity the people that had to put up with it whilst we were on the bus. I wasn't partaking in the craziness, and I didn't want to be seen with those people at the time, because honestly it was embarrassing and humiliating. I don't like that kind of crazy... not in the least.
Of course, then there's what is considered medically crazy. That is a subject I don't know enough about to be able to say anything. There are far too many different mental diseases to explain and I'm sure that the symptoms are divers and very complicated to understand. However, a friend of mine who works with mentally challenged patients explained to me once that we act no different to them when in these kinds of situations. When we're drunk, or just high on fun, we can be considered clinically mentally challenged. He also explained that he sometimes feels like his patients are more sane that the so-called "normal people". This lead me to think how scary it would be if they threw me in an institute, and the more I tried to act normal, the crazier I would seem.
So here's something to think about. What do you consider crazy? Is there such a thing as a borderline for how crazy you can act before being clinically crazy? One last thing, when someone is considered crazy, is that a good thing?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
My Christmas Nightmares
Christmas has come and gone just like it does every year. People obsessively fuss about it only to forget all about it by the 26th. Kids enjoy their presents for the first week, then throw them in the pile of toys they have shoved in some corner of their rooms. Adults eat the probable gift of chocolates, puddings or cakes, then regret doing so when their summer trousers don't fit. Ah yes Christmas. The time of the year when people stop acting like douche-bags long enough to get gifts out of people they probably won't talk to for the rest of the year.
All this aside, I love Christmas. That's because I spend it with people who don't obsess over trivial things. My family and friends focus on good will and being together for the holidays (or at least most of them do anyway). Of course you will always find the people who choose to partake in the commercial part of Christmas.
Everyone likes gifts, and there's nothing wrong with buying, or better yet making something for your loved ones. However, if there's one thing I can't stand it's spoiling children with useless presents and over-hyped lame toys. Let me give you an example:
My 7 year old cousin was writing her Christmas list, like most children do to send to Santa. However, she knew this list wasn't for Santa. She wrote it to her aunt, who she knew always gives her great gifts. She wrote the numbers 1 to 5, skipping a line every time, ready to write down the toys she knew she wouldn't get from her parents. She promptly wrote, without hesitation, that she wanted the big, expensive Playmobil Hospital, since she already owns 2 of the Playmobil Mansions that she received before her 3rd birthday. She also said she wanted a "Fur-real dog" that doesn't poop since she didn't like her 2 real dogs' poo, along with several other useless and expensive toys.
In attempts of being like her sister, my 5 year old cousin also started to write what she wanted. The first on the list was a Hula Hoop. She wrote this one because she heard the chipmunks say they wanted one in their Christmas song. My thoughts were "At least, something that makes her do some sort of exercise". Of course she wrote this one completely unaware that she has to make the effort to keep it up, unlike her multitude of electronic toys that do all the work for you. She added a lot more things, most of which talk, light up or require some sort of power to work. She also requested a computer. Unlike her sister, who stopped at just 5 things, she filled in the skipped likes with more requests and useless gadgets that she would throw a fit over if she didn't receive.
I would cringe at the sight if my own children (if I ever have any) would act this way. Back when I was 5 years old, I would have been overjoyed to get a simple non-battery operated soft toy, but nowadays if it doesn't do everything for you, it's not a cool toy. Your imagination is very limited with these specified toys that do all the talking, and I think it's stopping creative thinking in kids...but that's a rant for another day.
My whole point is that kids everywhere (not just my cousins) are starting to take the holidays for granted and act like complete divas. I'm pretty sure their aunt was horrified at the list of their requests, but I'm not sure she held back in buying the gifts anyway. I think it's a pity that these gifts will be long forgotten and tossed.
My boyfriend came across a couple of posts online that I thought made a lot of sense and I think you should take a look too:
Here
And here
Both posts explain my point in a little bit more detail. Lets not fall into the trap of commercial holidays. Let us give gifts that are relevant to the receiver...something they will cherish... something they will use... and most importantly, something that will always remind them of you.
All this aside, I love Christmas. That's because I spend it with people who don't obsess over trivial things. My family and friends focus on good will and being together for the holidays (or at least most of them do anyway). Of course you will always find the people who choose to partake in the commercial part of Christmas.
Everyone likes gifts, and there's nothing wrong with buying, or better yet making something for your loved ones. However, if there's one thing I can't stand it's spoiling children with useless presents and over-hyped lame toys. Let me give you an example:
My 7 year old cousin was writing her Christmas list, like most children do to send to Santa. However, she knew this list wasn't for Santa. She wrote it to her aunt, who she knew always gives her great gifts. She wrote the numbers 1 to 5, skipping a line every time, ready to write down the toys she knew she wouldn't get from her parents. She promptly wrote, without hesitation, that she wanted the big, expensive Playmobil Hospital, since she already owns 2 of the Playmobil Mansions that she received before her 3rd birthday. She also said she wanted a "Fur-real dog" that doesn't poop since she didn't like her 2 real dogs' poo, along with several other useless and expensive toys.
In attempts of being like her sister, my 5 year old cousin also started to write what she wanted. The first on the list was a Hula Hoop. She wrote this one because she heard the chipmunks say they wanted one in their Christmas song. My thoughts were "At least, something that makes her do some sort of exercise". Of course she wrote this one completely unaware that she has to make the effort to keep it up, unlike her multitude of electronic toys that do all the work for you. She added a lot more things, most of which talk, light up or require some sort of power to work. She also requested a computer. Unlike her sister, who stopped at just 5 things, she filled in the skipped likes with more requests and useless gadgets that she would throw a fit over if she didn't receive.
I would cringe at the sight if my own children (if I ever have any) would act this way. Back when I was 5 years old, I would have been overjoyed to get a simple non-battery operated soft toy, but nowadays if it doesn't do everything for you, it's not a cool toy. Your imagination is very limited with these specified toys that do all the talking, and I think it's stopping creative thinking in kids...but that's a rant for another day.
My whole point is that kids everywhere (not just my cousins) are starting to take the holidays for granted and act like complete divas. I'm pretty sure their aunt was horrified at the list of their requests, but I'm not sure she held back in buying the gifts anyway. I think it's a pity that these gifts will be long forgotten and tossed.
My boyfriend came across a couple of posts online that I thought made a lot of sense and I think you should take a look too:
Here
And here
Both posts explain my point in a little bit more detail. Lets not fall into the trap of commercial holidays. Let us give gifts that are relevant to the receiver...something they will cherish... something they will use... and most importantly, something that will always remind them of you.
New Blog
So this is my new blog. I will be writing my personal views on things that most people ignore writing about. You'll get to see my thoughts, but feel free to disagree with them :P I welcome all new ideas.
Well... that's all for now. Hope you like my new blog.
Well... that's all for now. Hope you like my new blog.
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