Dear NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, etc: I Have Questions, and One Request

Must we really see the graphic accident that killed Georgian Olympic luger Nodar Kumaritashvili? Isn't it bad enough to hear that someone died while training for the Olympics? If there were footage of the Alabama professors who were gunned down, would you show that as well? Or is this different because this isn't an American that was killed? If there was footage of an airplane accident and bodies flying out of the plane, would you be so compelled to show that as well? Repetitively? I don't understand.

I am disgusted, as a human being, that there are people who think it's newsworthy to see another person killed. There are people who do need to see that - such as Olympic track designers or others associated with making changes to the track so it can't happen again. However, I do not need to see this, and there are people I would hope not to see this, such as my kids, grandkids, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, neighbors, or worse yet his family, friends, and teammates.

If someone wants to see it, and that's another disgusting idea - there are actually people out there who want to see the video of someone getting in an accident and killed - all you have to do is Google "luge" to see what pops up. No surprise that in this day and age, people are not only Google-ing the luge accident, but video of it as well. Where is the humanity? It happened, you must report it, I understand that. Why do we need to see the video, over, and over, and over? That's not news, that's exploitation - selfish utilization - of something that took away someone's teammate, brother, son, cousin, and fellow human being.

It is sad and ugly truth that had to be reported. To use a disclaimer that "this may be hard to watch" is just a cop-out because not only do you show the video, you show stop action photographic images - repeatedly.

Hell yes it's hard to watch. Someone died. Had he been able to get up and walk away from it, that would have been incredible. What you are reporting is sensationalism. Shame on you. Quit showing it, please.

What's Important on Superbowl Sunday

Well here we are, a year later. I still hate football, but know that I'm in a minority as far as that goes. But let's focus on something else for a moment.

It's still Superbowl Sunday, but I'm talking about what's really important today? More than the Colts or Saints/Saints or Colts, I certainly have no preference, what is really important today?

Among other things, don't cross contaminate those goodies you'll be serving at your Superbowl party. I don't care what Ina Garten does, if you cut chicken with a knife, don't use it on your vegetables until you have cleaned it thoroughly.

What are your kids doing today? Will they be watching the game with you? Or are you going to tell them to be quiet and go play in their room? Surely this game can't be more important than your kids? Maybe you could get them interested in the game, too. Explain the plays to them. I personally don't care for the game because I don't understand it, and at my age, I just don't care anymore.

Speaking of the kids, don't yell at them if they make a mess, spill something, or ask for your help. Many households have DVR's these days, and you can always rewind a play, or even put the game on pause to go help your youngsters. It won't kill you to pause the game for a few minutes. You can always catch up during the non-Superbowl commercials.

Whatever you do today, please don't act like your life is depending on your team winning. There are much worse things that could happen if your team loses the Superbowl. Your TV could break down after the game and cost you hundreds to get fixed, and if you are unemployed, then sucks to be you! Your car could break down on the way home, and if you live in one of the snow-laden areas, it won't be much fun trying to get home.

My point is, there is always something much worse that could happen to you, regardless of who wins or loses the game. Try not to lose focus on the important things in life, like your kids or your life. Don't be a Superass on Superbowl Sunday.

The Loneliest Night of the Year

It's been a while (great song!) since I've decided I need to say something, apparently. But tonight is that big footblah game between the Patriots & Giants.

I hate footblah. I try to understand it, but I just don't get it. I think of myself as a fairly intelligent woman, who happens to have a slightly above average IQ, but there's something about the game and what it does to people that completely turns me off.

Over the years I've tried to analyze why I hate footblah so much. Perhaps it's the one boyfriend I had over 30 years ago that would shout at the tv at the players - wtf was that all about, anyway? Or maybe it's because there are so many people sucked in by the whole thing. Or maybe it's because the NFL is so retarded about certains aspects...you know...like letting bars have people gather to watch a game, but not churches. Now I'm no holy-roler, but honestly, what else could we expect from a game that plays the majority of its games on Sunday?

So I sit here, somewhat disgusted that they've ruined it for those of us who don't particularly like footblah. They've made it so absolutely no one wants to put anything decent on TV. And forget doing any online gaming with friends, because they're all at some big, oh-so-big (one might even say super, except that's not allowed either) party with other footblah loving friends.

blah blah blah......I hate footblah.

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful...

...because the shoppers are out and spiteful.

I hate the day after Thanksgiving. People flock to the stores to buy things at discount prices, when in reality the prices could be discounted year round if Mr. Moneyman CEO didn't feel the need to screw us the other 364 days of the year. The morons are acting like they've been deprived their entire life. Like that somehow gives everyone the excuse to be pushy and rude, not to mention acting like they never drove a car before, because they're idiots on the road as well.

I hate crowds, so I won't be joining in the alleged fun of finding that just-right deal. I'm going to stay home, watch the snow fly outside, and think of what the hell I'm going to do for Christmas this year.

On a brighter note, it is the opening day of tree season.

Happy Holidays!

Hello, I'm Yvonne, and I'm A News Junkie

I think many people are news junkies these days, but some might not like to admit to it. I don't have CNN on all day or anything...well not everyday...but I do like to know what's going on, which is why I put the Voxant News Feed on my page. Go ahead, if you're a news junke, too, feed your habit.

Besides, news is a great source of trivia!

Where have you been?

I truly meant to keep posting things more frequently, but you see, I've got this group of friends at Chatgames, and one of them started a Chatgames group on Facebook, so I've been spending more than a lot of time there, besides at Chatgames. Just what I needed...another addiction!

To read more about how Facebook started and more about its overall functions, this site explains it all.

If you have friends who like to do and play different things, there is a vast variety of applications you can use. You can share your pictures, videos, music, play different games (I have found the word games to be particularly addictive), send virtual gifts, celebrate holidays, keep track of who's doing what...busy, busy, busy! But very much fun.

I was not ever going to start a MySpace page or anything even remotely like MySpace. But I have found Facebook to be truly enjoyable. While many of my friends have also said MySpace seemed "annoying" to them, Facebook has become somewhat addictive to them as well. Give it a try! It's free, and if you don't like it, you can delete your account!

Chatgames Live Trivia & Word Games

Chatgames.com began back in 1995 on the old MSN as PubQuiz. It's progressed from there into what it is today, and a form of what it's always been - a great place to have fun, meet people, make friends, and learn all sorts of things. Chatgames has always been free, totally supported through contributions from its players.

I came to Chatgames sometime during 1996 - last half I believe, as it was the July 4th holiday when our 16 year old daughter was left home alone for the weekend (because she was old enough), and she decided to sign us up for internet access. She somehow managed to talk the neighbor lady into using her credit card to do so (I confirmed this with said neighbor lady). We had thought about connecting anyway, so the result was we had internet access, and she got grounded (the daughter, not the neighbor.)

I always enjoyed playing different games, and ended up finding this live trivia venue with people from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia all answering trivia questions from a live host. I was blown away. MY GOD - I couldn't believe how smart they all were!! Only to find out later, that you don't have to know the answer in order to answer. Just 'copy' someone elses answer. It's called 'lemming', after the animals who aimlessly follow one another over a cliff - which is exactly what it was like if you 'lemmed' someone who gave the wrong answer. Well I felt much better knowing this since I sure didn't know the answers to many of these questions that were asked!

There were, and still are, some of the brightest people on the planet playing at Chatgames.com. But none as bright as the developer, who holds a game every Sunday night at 9 p.m. EST. Vladsmith is not just another host. He's the guy that's brought his baby from the old PubQuiz days to what it is today - brilliant. There are also web games to play in case there isn't a live game to keep you busy. He settles for nothing less than the best, I'm certain. Facts are verified before web games are developed to playing status. If anyone does find an error, he's certainly open to suggestions and changes to make sure any errors, misspellings, etc, are made correct.

I have learned more in the 11+ years I've been there than I did my previous 40. And not just book stuff. I learned about cultures, and comaraderie, and that people a world away are just like I am in many ways, whether they want to admit it or not *grin*. I personally had a life altering change for the better (which I may or may not go into at some point) and because of that, I will always be thankful I stumbled upon Chatgames.

There is both live trivia and a live hosted word game that is played. A Game Schedule is available at the site with the days and game times listed, as well as the host.

In order to play, you must first sign up with a new player account. Then you download the file, as Chatgames is a stand alone application, and can only be played by opening the chatgames.exe application that downloads to your C:/Program Files/Chatgames folder. For ease in use after that, a shortcut can be made on your desktop to open the .exe file next time you want to come play. If there are any problems you can send an email with your questions and/or issues.

If you've come across my blog by accident, then by all means, do yourself a favor and check out Chatgames.com!