Coffee Talk {Living Outside the Stacks}Hi, if you’re a regular reader you know that on Fridays I write a little post that I like to call “Things That Leave Me Scratchin’ My Head”. It’s all about the crazy stuff that  I’ve read on the web or heard about on TV during the week. After writing that post for a year, I’ve learned one thing: there is a never ending stream of bizarre among the human race. And I love us for that.

With the new year I’ve decided to do a little revamping of these posts. The only things I’ve changed are the title and the picture. I like to think of these posts as if they’re conversations you and I would have over coffee. So I hope you’ll continue to join me each Friday for a cuppa and some head scratchin’…

1. Rape isn’t funny. And those who commit it, regardless of their age or athletic ability should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This past week a young lady who was gang raped in India died from her injuries. In Ohio an underaged girl was raped by members of a football team who videotaped the incident and then texted and tweeted about the incident. Reportedly members of the football boosters and others in the town helped to cover up the incident to protect the reputations of the football players. This is why Penn State happened. Stop giving athletes carte blanche to be jerks. Social media activists, the victims parents, and Anonymous are collecting information to help prosecute the rapists. I applaud them and the others who’re helping to bring this young lady’s rapists to justice.

2. I didn’t watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve show. I never watch it. And I’m glad I didn’t as it seems the big drop was Kathy Griffin falling to her knees and kissing Anderson Cooper’s crotch. Seriously. I don’t know who keeps telling her that she’s funny, she’s not. I don’t know who keeps telling her that she’s edgy, she’s not. I don’t know who keeps putting her on television, stop! This is one of  the reasons teens don’t appreciate the intimacy of sex.

3. When I was a kid I suffered from the ugly trifecta: thick glasses, braces, and freckles. I remember when I was about 15 years old a guy actually said to me “Someday you’re going to be irresistible.” I wanted to throat punch him. After nearly 5 years in braces and promises of all sorts of good things, my parents bought me contact lenses and I came into my own. But those braces were hard. And they hurt. That’s why I find it so mind boggling that there are people who’re wearing fake braces. Apparently, fake braces are all the rage in Asia and kids are dying from them. Black market braces I can’t believe I just typed that cost about $100 and can contain lead. Some teens are even putting them on themselves and then choking on the pieces when they come lose and slide down their throats. Hey, teens, you know what’s really cool and fashionable? Sending me your $100!

4. Another college student has nearly died because of hazing. deep sigh How many stories are we going to read like this before students get it through their heads that being whipped with a paddle, drinking as much alcohol as quickly as possible, or any of the other stupid stuff they do is not the way to acceptance? Of course, the parents are planning to sue the school because they didn’t watch their kid close enough; but my question is, Mom and Dad, what’re you planning to do to your kid? When are parents going to make their kids take a little responsibility for the dumb things they do? Theoretically, your kid is an adult meaning they’re supposed to be making smart decisions, and on some level they have to know that hurting themselves to join a sorority or a fraternity is ridiculous.

So what had you scratchin’ your head this week?