All this for a Plastic Medal?!

You know, parents can be crazy when it comes to their kids. I am a parent so I understand this from a unique perspective. I am in charge (under protest) of a art program at my daughter's school called Inspirations. Basically, it is a contest once a year where kids send in their "theme" photos, art, film ,etc and I find judges to pick the winners who get a little medal/trophy. Sounds simple, right? Well, it is until parent's egos get involved. Than, the cheating begins. Or the accusation of cheating. Yelling matches insue and screams of "no fair!!!" fill the air. And that is from the adults. The kids? They are delighted with the chance to enter and the party afterwards that all the kids get to go too. Ya--the trophy part is neat, but not worth screaming over..that is unless their mother convinces them it is. Why do we create competition and future hurt when there is none? My daughter had a blast painting her picture and I need to remember THAT is the most important part of the contest. The rest is not worth screaming over. And that trophy would would just be one more thing to dust.

What will the new year bring?

And another year starts. Time does move faster as we get older, doesn't it? 2010 was a busy, unique year; the economy kinda decided to wake up but looks to be sliding back into that drunken stupor of 2009, the government made a lot of outward changes yet really didn't change anything that mattered, and Mother Nature got a bit grumpy at us with weather and earthquakes. What will 2011 brings us? Hopefully, more in the peace and calm department! Personally, I just hope 2011 brings less hospital visits, less raccoons/skunks, and less general chaos. But I probably just jinxed myself. Where's some wood to knock on...