"Glaringly Apparent"

I put my new glasses high up on a shelf
After getting a really good look at myself
The crows feet and wrinkles I could never see
Are now glaringly apparent. Oh, woe is me!

     I am really diligent about seeing my optometrist annually after a scare I had a some years back.  The year after my divorce, I made a much needed, overdue appointment to have my eyes checked.  After having this done over many years, I knew what to expect.  So when the doctor was lingering while inspecting my eyes with that super bright flashlight of his, I knew there was a problem.  He indicated that I have a condition that could cause blindness.  He also indicated that, 35 years ago, blindness probably would have been the end result.  But thanks to medical advances, I had a procedure that will prevent it from happening.  (That's one aspect of modern technology that I can appreciate.)

     Ever since that incident, I never fail to see the optometrist on an annual basis, usually at year end. About a month ago, I got new glasses, as is evident in my updated photo.  The doctor had indicated that my prescription hadn't changed that much over the course of the last year.  He was wrong!  Thanks to the new prescription lenses, I have discovered that there are lines on my face and creases in my eyelids, and, horror of horrors, crows feet, that I never new existed on what I mistakenly deemed to be my still somewhat youthful appearing mug. (I know-that was laughable!  Moreover, there is a reason why they say ignorance is bliss!)  Oh I knew that my cheeks had fallen down (when you have full round cheeks in your youth, there is only on place for them to go).  I know my bones are getting creaky and my memory at times is sketchy, but the eyes, oh, the eyes were a real shocker.  Planning ahead,  instead of transition lenses, I think next time I will invest in full blown tinted lenses.  They were stylish years ago.  Like everything else, they are sure to make a comeback.  They can serve as another aid to my age related state of denial.

"Questionable Quality"

     The great procrastinator is at it again.  I have yet to decide on a class for the upcoming Spring Semester.  Well, I had decided on a course, but then I procrastinated about paying for it.  Next thing I knew, I received a letter in the mail indicating that my course had been dropped, I needed to re-register, and to pay at the time of registration.  So I am back online browsing different courses and trying to come to another decision. There is varied criteria for my search-am I interested in the subject, will it apply to my major, is the professor a good teacher?  One tool I like to use is "Rate My Professor".  The site is comprised of students rating their professors in a number of pertinent categories: overall quality, helpfulness, clarity, easiness, and the most crucial of all, hotness!  I'm not kidding! These kids rate their professors on hotness! I found one rating particularly amusing.  A certain professor is rated as being "hot... for his age".  (He can't be more than thirty!)  As for me, the hotness rating is obviously totally inconsequential.  For one thing, any professor that I would find appealing would be considered elderly by these young students.  Additionally, I'm at an age where I am not attending college to find a husband.  What I'm really interested in is a professor's ability to actually teach.  I want someone who will push the class to excel, and not tolerate any nonsense.  But hotness?  No wonder a lot of graduates can't spell or write in sentences if that's the quality that is important to them.

"An Effective Tool"

     FB is supposed to be a "social network", and it is.  But it is also something else.  It is a very effective tool for inflicting hurt.  Whether posts are done wittingly, or unwittingly, a particular post may incite in others sorrow, anger, indignation, any number of negative emotions.  Most likely, people are not even aware that their posts  have the power to hurt someone.  I would venture to say that 99.9% of posts are not meant to be hurtful. However, ponder this when posting:  Is someone viewing pictures you posted from an event he or she was not invited to?  Is someone reading pertinent news that he or she had been completely unaware of?  Have you "unfriended" someone without providing an opportunity to discuss whatever issue you perceive has come between you?  I have had many wonderful experiences with almost all of my FB friends, especially being able to connect with distant relatives and friends that I never get the chance to see.  But there is a down side. I recently realized that the number of friends I have on FB decreased by one.  Strange thing was, I sensed immediately who, though I can only surmise why.   (And yes, I did verify that I was unfriended.  He didn't leave FB.)  All I ever did to this person was love him.  Does he know or even care that he hurt me?  Probably not. Has he ever elected to communicate with me on any level regarding our relationship? Negative!  Have I tried to communicate? You bet!  Has it been an exercise in futility?  Yes again!

     There have been a scant number of other incidents as well, which I choose not to discuss, the most important reason being that, in those instances, the person's intent was not to hurt. My point is, exercise  sensitivity and caution, and be cognizant of timing with your FB activity.   Someone's feelings may be at stake. More importantly, it is cruel to be blatantly insensitive.  Whether you care for a person or not, each of us is deserving of respect and consideration.