I'm Not Sure What it Means

It probably says something about me that I find this, hilarious, but if you have ever ridden a bus (or other form of public transport) and/or had someone question your hobbies, I suggest you go here. 

7 Things: Addiction

A roommate got me hooked* on "Intervention".  It sounded like train wreck television, but I think it does really attempt to show a balanced look at what addiction does both to the addicts and families, and then, of course, offer assistance to both the addict and the families.  Intriguingly, the addicts agree to get help far more often than the families, although certainly the addicts sometimes bail on treatment after a few days, or experience relapse.  "Intervention" continues to follow the families, providing new updates (and sneakily getting me to watch reruns over and over), and following the successes and failures as they occur. "Intervention"  - according to this article about it has a higher success rate than a lot of programs (and we're not just talking about TV programs here).
If it were up to me (which, you know, it isn't) I also think "Intervention" should be shown to kids as part of drug and alcohol awareness. 
So, here's my seven things I have learned from "Intervention".
1. Addicts do not look as cool drunk or high as they think they do drunk or high. 
2. Addiction is an equal opportunity offender - rich, poor, city, country, religious and not, famous or not, all races, and both good and bad parents have ended up with addicts in the family.
3. Siblings are often the most pissed off, both at losing a sibling and at their parents letting the sibling behave that way. Older kids of addicts will also be supremely pissed off.
4. Family members will often buy into the most ridiculous stories to avoid realizing that their relative has an issue.
5. Everyone's bottom is really different.  I have seen tales of addicts who at the start of the show were homeless.
6. I am about as good at predicting who will be most successful at staying sober as I am at predicting sports.
7. There is a certain sameness to it, that after a while you begin to see what meth addicts or opiate addicts or coke addicts or drunks look like.  It's not unique.  No matter how awesome they think they look or seem high.

*Sorry, couldn't resist.

Things People Should Know: Guardian & Godparent

First, I recognize the most common place I see this error is in fiction - be it books, TV or movies, so yes, I do understand that to an extent I am yelling at fake people.  However, these things are all put together by real people, and based on discussions I have had with real people, it seems that this confusion is not just fictional.
Second, I am neither a lawyer nor official representative of any religious organization.  If it turns out your lawyer and/or religious organization are calling these things contrary to me, they may be more right.  (Although I would check, they may be more wrong.)
Now, that we have that out of the way...
A guardian is a person who agrees (we will get back to the agree part later) to take responsibility for a child.  This can be because the parents (or prior guardians) are ill, incarcerated or otherwise temporarily unavailable, or sometimes because the parent/guardian/prior person looking after the child is deceased. 
A godparent is a person who agrees to assist with the child's spiritual growth. 
Now, the agree thing - you are supposed to consult with this person to make sure that this is a role they are willing to fill.  While you may think your child is the most special snowflake (and, you may be right, I am not disagreeing) that does not mean that all of your friends and siblings have a secret desire to take on this role for your child.  And let's face it, you not only want to pick the best person, you want to pick someone who wants to do this. 
So, back to the distinction.  This means that a godparent should be a person of the same faith as you. (Usually - some faiths work this a little differently).  This is not to be mean you your very best friend from high school who you love lots.  This is because one imagines that the faith you have chosen to raise your child as is the one you wish to have reinforced. 
And the guardian thing, well, that's pretty much up to you, but I think you should pick someone who likes kids.  (Actually that's probably a good idea for both.)  They don't have to love all kids, but it helps if they like yours. And they should be someone who is aware that you have designated them as such.  These are not the kind of surprises you save for will readings.  (Okay, sure, sometimes that makes a funny movie, but in real life, no.)

Don't Take My Anthem

I think the "Star Spangled Banner" gets a bad rap.  Yes, it is vocally challenging.  Yes, it has words that require some thought.  But, it's not like we want it to sound like a Eurovision song contest entry.  Also, the people who tend to have the most trouble, are often people who had months to prepare.  (And who's jobs involve, you know, memorizing things.)
However, I came across Christine Lavin a few years ago when searching for something for a character soundtrack and adore her.  (Seriously, go check out "Happydance".) So, combine the Post's Mr. Weingarten and Ms. Lavin in making the Bill of Rights (which, by the way, "It's Academic" kids, was not written by King John) into a catchy little tune, well, I must say, I am intrigued.
"Here's to us, let's not screw it up."

H/T to ALOTT5MA for the link.

Blocking the Box

As someone who received my first (and second - out of a running total of three I feel I should add) speeding ticket from a temporary camera, I have since tried to pay attention to camera placement. (Oh right, and to not speed, of course.) Intriguingly both DC and Montgomery County provide lists of such things, although not the temporary ones, since they roam.  Red light cameras I worry less about, since I work hard not to run red lights, although certainly in stop and go traffic sometimes one ends up sort of trapped (which yes, you should also avoid, but sometimes the folks in front stop a little sooner than expected) in the box. 
So, I was intrigued to learn in this breakdown of the results from one red light camera that you can both trigger the camera and receive a ticket simply by having part of one's car over the crosswalk line.  And yes, I remember from driver's ed, and from being a pedestrian that one should not block the intersection or the crosswalk, but I wasn't aware that the cameras measured such things.  I guess I assumed the sensors were placed farther into the intersection.  So, just a heads up there.