Shame On You!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We've managed to raise a generation of kids with significant entitlement issues. Kids (and adults) who think television, gaming systems and cell phones are constitutional rights. This shouldn't come as a surprise to any of us. We've morphed into a society where anonymity is as simple as setting up a bogus MySpace page, where making a fool of yourself gains instant celebrity status on YouTube and American Idol, and where spanking a child in public can elicit numerous phone calls to Child Protective Services. Yet there is one form of punishment that creative parents are exploring again - public humiliation.

If you read my recent Sunday Secret regarding internet usage in a public venue, you know that I experienced a bit of that type of discipline myself recently. Embarrassment is an amazing motivator. This kid here? According to the Arizona Reporter, young Jerry had several problems with lying, stealing and fighting at school. His parents have him seeing a counselor privately, and at school, and he has participated in an intensive behavior modification program through the local hospital. Unfortunately, they were not seeing results, so when young Jerry found himself in a pickle at school again - with stolen property - his parents decided to approach things a bit differently.

Just this past December, Dennis Baltimore, Jr., 16, walked the streets of Long Beach and Signal Hill for five hours wearing a sign that read: "I have wasted your tax money with dumb acts of vandalism in the public schools."

Seems Jr.'s father (Sr.)received a phone call from his son's school telling him about Jr.'s artistic abilities - the ones he spray painted on school property. The damages would cost Sr. $875. In addition to Jr. being suspended for four days, and ordered by the school to spend several days of his holiday vacation doing community service on campus, Sr. thought a little public shame would be in order.

And just this week? Trenton O'Neal found himself standing on a very public road in Chesapeake, Virginia, a large sign touting his bad grades dangling from his neck. Trenton's response? "It sucks. I don't want to be out here again. I know that much."

Apparently Trenton hadn't been showing much effort in his freshman year of high school. He suffered from the do-your-homework-and-never-turn-it-in bug (some of you know that ailment well). His parents decided yelling, screaming and grounding weren't working, but maybe a healthy dose of public humiliation might.

There are those who stand firm in the fragile egos of children camp - the ones who would dial 9-1-1 and report this "abuse." My guess is, they are the ones raising those entitled kids - the kids who will be living in mom and dad's basement when they are 32, spending their waking hours going up a level (*EDIT* leveling up - thank you Turnbaby) in World of Warcraft.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Brought to you by the letter "J" - A special thanks for the meme intervention.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

TMI Tuesday - Back to TMI Basics

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

1. On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your sex life?

My fantasy/cyber sex life, or the one that sits in the chair in the living room, falling asleep while watching "The Bourne Identity" for the 4,764th time? I'd give fantasy/cyber sex life a solid 7 (it is difficult to reach out and touch anyone through that damn monitor) - the chair warmer? I know some of you are bothered by me saying "negative" things without him having the opportunity to defend himself, but seriously, sex once every 3 or 4 months? He gets a 1.

2. If someone shoves you up against a wall while kissing you, your reaction is?

Is that all you've got? You had better be prepared to follow through, or it will be me shoving you up against the wall and I *will* follow through!

3. What is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done or said to you?

Hmmmm ...

I think I talked about the Thursday gifts that Alan used to give me each week. Sometimes they were silly (something from the dollar store wrapped quite pretty, a handful of wild flowers picked on his way home) and sometimes they were were more substantial (my first tattoo), but they were always thoughtful and chosen specifically with my needs and desires in mind.

4. Where is the most unusual place you have ever had sex?

Sex sex, or Bill Clinton sex? The Army offered many opportunities for clandestine sex - sex sex in a GP medium (Hubman might be the only one who knows what that is), on a cot, with about 25 other soldiers sleeping near by.

Bill Clinton Sex? The bars in Korea were ... well ... let's say accommodating to deviant behavior. Yes, I gave a blow job while seated in a corner booth in a bar. Remember, I was *much* younger and SINGLE!

5. How do you liked to be kissed?

Right this moment I can't seem to get my mind off being slammed up against the wall and kissed passionately and "hard." But sometimes, a gentle nibble kiss is just what this body needs.

Kissing turn offs? please do something with your mouth, lips and tongue other than just letting them sit there like bologna waiting for bread and cheese. And sloppy, drool-y kisses? EEEUW!

Bonus (as in optional):Most embarrassing sexual moment?

I had a recent embarrassing moment that involved a sexual act that I think I'll keep under wraps until I'm ready to give it a spot on the Sunday Secret list, however, I did have a sexual escapade that involved tequila many years ago that resulted in a bruise about the size of a baseball on my forehead. Yeah ... that one was pretty embarrassing - for the entire 9 days it took for the bruise to heal!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday Secret

I suffer a great deal of anxiety over everyday tasks. Things as simple as making a phone call to order pizza, or going to the market to pick up a few items, take a great deal of emotional energy as I have an extreme, consistent, and sometimes, nearly debilitating fear, of being judged or embarrassed by my actions, words or appearance - especially by strangers. I know how unreasonable and illogical this is, making the situation even more difficult to confront rationally. The internet, and blogging, have made it much easier to interact with "real" people.

Sunday Secret

At the age of 12, I knew I had become a "big, fat" embarrassment to at least one of my parents when my "mom" asked me to start calling her by her first name when we were in public places so that people wouldn't know I was her daughter ... and yes, she was serious.