Don't Pee On My Leg And Tell Me It's Raining

This next book was written by someone with a "balls-to-the-wall" outspokenness. Someone who has seen the detailing of the very cracks that bleed through our ENTIRE society. From someone who's seen it decline for over 40 years, here comes the story/experiences of America's Toughest TV Judge, Judy Sheindlin.


Beginning w/ a career that started in 1972 when she was hired by the city of New York to prosecute cases involving juveniles. Originally born in Brooklyn, Judy, still in law school, married her first husband at the age of 20. They divorced 12 years and 2 kids later. Remarrying at the age of 33 to Jerry Sheindlin, also a judge. It was a match.

In 1982, Judy was appointed to the family court bench. Six months later, Jerry was assigned, after 20 years, to the criminal court bench. Now it's a two-judge family. When it comes to rule in family court, all of the B.S. excuses would ASTOUND you, the only reply is simply: "Don't B.S. me, as a fair excuse as to why you're here!" At what point IS IT FAIR to say "enough is enough?"

Here is something, women damaging their children, not just by drugs, but by having HIV, then contacting it to their child? Is that fair? For kids who commit VIOLENT crimes w/ a lawyer to get them off, try a detention center for 3 days!? Send the harsh message to wake them up!

Judy also regales stories of her own children and their incidents. Stories in this book, some are about kids who commit crimes and destroy people just for sport. Remember it's just not kiddy court; it's criminal college. When it comes to Judy dealing w/ delinquents "Kids may be getting over on the system, but they don't get over on me"

One thing that is pure B.S. is juveniles who commit crimes just to say - "They told me too!" They made me! How about putting REALITY back into the system? Beginning w/ improving a kid's English ?? As well as THE SYSTEM'S ? For example - a juvenile is a "respondent", his crime is "an act" and his sentence is "a find". WHY NOT CALL IT FOR WHAT IT IS? DON'T B.S. IT! CALL THINGS FOR WHAT THEY ARE!! Curfews also cut back on worry and state dollars. If your kids home when the time comes for them to be - NO WORRY OR EXPENSES! It's a win-win!

Something else screwed up is that NYC courts ruled that Railroad stations CANNOT eject the homeless. Fine! But what about someone homeless there assaulting someone for cash or worse. The ruling made it possible for the criminal to come back and do the same. How Fucked Up Is That? What about 3-hots-and-a-cot? Something else is: that courts making a mugger out harming someone else out of their money and "technicalities" make the mugger a millionaire due to system cracks!

When we are parents, doesn't it bite you in the ass when our kids are/do the same exact shit we did that drove our parents NUTS?! When it comes to foster parenting, why not consider someone who has gone through COMPLETE & RIGOROUS training? Someone who matches the criteria in every inch? The same principal that's used in organ donation should be applied to foster parents? NOT BLOOD - BUT THE COMPATIBILITY?  NOT just someone who looks good on an application! Remember looks CAN BE deceiving! A REAL-LIFE example is the case of Jerry Sherwood.


When it comes to parents fighting ENDLESSLY in a courtroom over custody/visitation, REMEMBER THIS: All it's doing is harming the child even worse! Hate to sound harsh, BUT, when you HAVE kids, you ASK FOR IT! Prevention prevents problems! Just remember this: Custody wars are battles w/o winners. Instead of playing "victim", GET REAL AND RESPONSIBLE! One irritation is women who do have a kid and act like it was "put upon her!"

When it comes to media morality. it can be BOTH a blessing AND a burden. A double-edged sword for example is the MTV show 'Teen Mom'. Some say it glorifies teen pregnancy, but others say it shows the REALITIES of parenting and what it TRULY costs you! What's your opinion?

Do you notice how you see stories ALL-THE-TIME of kids who have kids committing crimes to "support the family"? One glance someone could say "Doing for the family". Digging deeper you see their excuse is "I didn't have a dad. Or I didn't have a mom" So in response to that - .   .   . "And your point?" Just remember . . . sometimes these stories of foster care DO have a good/successful ending!!


If you watch and/or like the Courtroom TV show 'Judge Judy', then  I would recommend reading this book just for the mere reason of seeing the experiences through her eyes!


Here's MY Opinion:


 I DO AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY with what Judy does say in this book!
                                                                                                                             

No Wonder My Parents Drank: Tales From A Stand-Up Dad

This next HILARIOUS book tells of the tales, sad and joyous, of parenting told through the eyes of comedic actor, Jay Mohr. Beginning w/ the birth of his son, Jackson (Jackie for short) who was born 3 months premature.

Jay, to be honest, didn't really know what to expect. Tackeling such objects w/ a funny way to look at them, such as breast pumps and diapers. One of the most horrible jobs of having a baby on the way is naming it: Remember it's a name the baby will have for the rest of their lives. One of the cute mannerisms that we miss out on as kids get older is their "speech impediment". What I mean is the cute way kids mispronounce words, such as throw/"frow" or please/"puh-weze".  It's what you do/how you handle it. But, how do you handle it w/o the kid feeling bad about themselves? As of this book's publication, my nephew, he's 3 yrs. old, his words are clear, but some are the same as his mother, my sister, had at that same age, girl became "grurl" and some of his pronounciations, although we express corrections, he shouts that (in his own form) his way is correct. So like the book says, they will learn in time!

My nephew does this as well, as well as Jay's son, Jackie, does isn't it funny/cute when your child just rambles on-and-on w/ information? Starting to tell you one thing, then going into them telling you "everything they know so they an tell you". What might seem like RAMBLING ON is THIER WAY of telling you a story. Or if you don't understand the way they are explaining something to you, my nephew does this too - seriously, as in the book  if you don't understand, they will take you by the hand "here let me show you".

It doesn't matter ALOT to a kid on his firsts. But to the ones watching, it's amazing. Besides actually coming through birthing and potty training, isn't it something to see a child's first? Notice how kids have the worst sense of direction? You tell them here - they go there! Another milestone is that: Don't you hate it when your kid is BRUTALLY honest? Especially in front of strangers?

When it comes to a child's birthday party, you can never go wrong w/ Chuck E. Cheese. It's like Las Vegas for kids - which is TRUE! Whether it's a religious stature or in a family way, doesn't it warm your heart when your youngster happily/gleefully practiced and showed you what you taught them to the world? Ex. - a 3 or 5-year-old showing you giving to less fortunate or politeness to everyone they meet?

Jackson "Jackie" and step-mom Nikki

Another thing I wanted to point out is the GREATNESS between you and the kid is the private conversations you have: just the two of you. When everyone in the house is asleep or gone and you can have your "special time of just you and the kid"?
One thing that never fails are kids and their bionic hearing. You could have a piece of candy w/ the kid 3 doors down, they hear that wrapper and say "Can I have one?" Television is another thing that kids find fun. Granted it is, but nowadays kids STARE at the TV. Notice that? My nephew does that sometimes in my room (Bub-Bub's room) and I could leave him to do something, come back and just scare the SHIT out of him for fun. That's how in-tune to the TV he his.

Isn't it funny when kids NEVER take you at your word? You could say "You'll get hurt" as to warn them. They reply a "No, I won't" in gesture, then when the kid does it anyway, despite the warning, they cry the reasons why. Your response is simply "See, that's what you get!" Don't you hate when kids don't listen the first time?

When it comes to punishment, how far is too far? Some parents debate spanking. There are some who are for it, some are against it. Look at it this way: you CAN'T reason w/ a toddler/child. That's ALL I'm going to say! As far as it comes to kids and their attributes, some tell you everything about school, while others tell say NOTHING!


When it come to "heroes", one minute it's Spongebob, the next it's Liza or Bette .         .            . Here's a GOOD question, "At what age is the PERFECT age to teach about "The Talk"? Kids today either ask SOONER than later or they experience BEFORE talking. Then there are kids who are WAY TOO YOUNG to know or be informed, nor have ANY INKLING. But VISUAL HINDSIGHT says that they are OBVIOUSLY WAY TOO CURIOUS!

Here's MY opinion:

This book in a way is a sense for EVERY man. When/if you have kids, this IS one book you would want to pass down through generations. THIS IS NOT A PARENTING HANDBOOK! Just one to say 'I've been THERE and I see what you mean'.

For those of you with a young kid or are around one all the time, you could read this book and throughout it be thinking of the child and saying to yourself,   "This is SO you!!"

Tuesdays With Morrie

Mitch Albom

This next new book is one to find rich, empowering and somewhat moving. Based on a TRUE story comes the story of a young man, Mitch Albom, who spends the last class of his old professor , Morrie Schwartz, who only had one student, Mitch, learning life. This book is his report/paper.

Set in 1979, Massachusetts, after graduating from college, Mitch saying good-bye to his professor promises to stay in touch. Mitch knew something was wrong in 1994 when Morrie - who ALWAYS danced, suddenly stops, developing asthma in his 60s. Through time his health just worsened. After batteries-and-batteries of tests were ran, Morrie was diagnosed w/ ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), saying good-bye to simple everyday ordinary things. With troubles apparent, he could no longer keep this secret.

Since Morrie knew he was going to die, he used himself as a final project. Walking the line between life-and-death, Morrie would narrate the trip. As his health BECAME worse-and-worse, visitors came ALOT and Morrie listened to everyone else's problems, because that's what he did - he listened!


Meanwhile, after Mitch graduated, life wasn't what he thought! He was nothing but a slacker. Then after his uncle's death, he STRAIGHTENED UP AND GOT HIS LIFE TOGETHER. Mitch finished more school, got multiple jobs, met a girl, Janice, married her, promised children. Over the years, his old school would send him things. Thinking they were for donations, just always threw everything away. It would've just stayed that way .    .    . had he not flicked channels one night and something caught his ear  .    .    .

After refusing to let the worst get to him, Morrie kept mentally everything, writing everything down. One friend sent his stuff to a Boston Globe reporter who did a feature story . The article featured Morrie on 'Nightline'. When the interview aired on a Friday night, a thousand miles away Mitch heard the name Morrie Schwartz - and went numb.

When Mitch arrives he waits a minute and this is sighted by his professor that he had not seen in 16 years. After the initial pleasantries, Mitch unknowingly has just walked into his last class. Being w/ his professor and marveling at his idol, he/Mitch wondered what happened to the person he used to be? Seeing his professor throughout lunchtime, he seen what troubles his professor went though daily. But his professor, Morrie, was just so accepting. At lunch, something creepy got at Mitch, Morrie taught him a trick - that still haunts him to this day!! - When it was exactly Morrie was going to die.

Going through a HECTIC day, thinking about what Morrie had said about life around you, Mitch packed up and left. Calling Morrie in a hectic state of confusion, the only thing Morrie responded was "We'll talk Tuesday". Sophomore year Mitch takes 2 more of Morrie's classes while still attending sessions. That First Tuesday, they talk about the world and current politics. The second Tuesday was even more pleasurable - as were more Tuesdays that followed. On this Tuesday, after some conversation, Morrie had to go to the bathroom and as he was done, Mitch volunteered to help his professor get back in his chair and REALLY seen the shape this man was in, realizing that time was running out.

While the interview was going on on TV, Morrie is reminded of his childhood as a kid. On the forth Tuesday, going in as normal to speak w/ Morrie, Mitch sees that Morrie now needs oxygen to help him breathe better. Teaching Mitch one final lesson which was "once you die, you learn how to live" . Meanwhile, thanks to the 'Nightline' interview, letters started pouring in.

On the fifth Tuesday, Morrie and Mitch discuss family. On Morrie's bookshelf was a photo of his family and in discussing them, he shares that there is NOTHING better in the world than your family. In talking about his brother who, from birth, was a COMPLETE opposite from whom Mitch was traveling the world, living in Spain, he received the one thing Morrie feared he would, same as their uncle, pancreatic cancer. Not one who wanted family around, Morrie understood the reasons why!

On the sixth Tuesday, going over to Morrie's as usual, Mitch sees Morrie with his wife Charlotte and finds out that  ALL OF THE FOOD Mitch had brought him since day one wasn't touched. Morrie couldn't eat it due to it being too hard to swallow. Only eating soft things and liquid drinks now! Still coughing HARD and worsening, Morrie still finds time, in his worsening state to teach Mitch a life lesson. After that came a HUGE coughing spell from Morrie that you could tell scared Mitch. Officially realizing he wanted to die peacefully and NOT in a sudden panic like the one they just experienced.

One thing about Morrie as a professor was that he was the one that the kids came to and the one they idolized. The one they wanted to be when they grew up! That seventh day discussed Morrie lost his battle and was now dependent for everything. Already an independent person, he enjoyed the help he received. Looking at Morrie, Mitch suddenly knew why he enjoyed it .                .             . human touch.

Teaching Mitch a lesson about money - everything was of the same and yet the house changed drastically. Filling up on friendship, honesty, tears and more. No longer able to move his own head and had to use a urinal, voice ALMOST gone and Morrie STILL wanted to finish this thesis. On the tenth Tuesday, Morrie had discussed marriage and had wanted to meet Janine, Mitch's girlfriend. Wanting to meet Janine, Morrie heard that she was a great singer. Bringing  a tear to his eyes w/ her beautiful voice. On the eleventh Tuesday, Mitch was shown by Morrie's physical therapist to help more w/ his care.  When it came time, eyes glued, to the TV for the O.J. verdict, EVERYONE was watching. All except Morrie who was on the toilet.

When it came time for the third/final interview w/ Ted Koppel, Morrie stated "For me Ted, living means I can be responsive to the other person. It means I can show my emotions and my feelings. When that is gone, Morrie is gone". Sharing his last aphorism "Don't let go too soon, but don't hang on too long". Morrie, talking about forgiveness, relived a story he described where he, his wife, his best friend of 30 years ago parted ways and his friends' wife going to NY and a sculpture was done trying to get it right. Awhile later, Morrie and his wife, who was having surgery. His friend, Norman, and his wife whom they knew of the situation never contacted them at all. Although trying over the years .  .   .  years later Norman died w/o reconciliation. Morrie also tells Mitch if he had another son, he wished it was one like him - Mitch.

After talking, Mitch promised to visit Morrie every Tuesday, cause their Tuesday people, coming to his grave - even if it's just to talk. Morrie had come to terms w/ life in order to prepare for death. In all of the time that Morrie was sick, he was REALISTIC to a fault. Before he left, Morrie wanted to bring up a tough subject for Mitch - his brother. After discussing it, Mitch & Morrie realize that one day he would find and re-connect w/ his brother. Hey, he found Morrie didn't he?

On the 14TH Tuesday, going to Morrie's as usual, Mitch is told by Charlotte that his final days are arriving. Still adamant about finishing this interview, going as normal only to see that Morrie was as small as a child, Breathing very hard, telling him that it's good-bye and Mitch hugged him. Saying he would be back Next Tuesday. Morrie is crying like a baby. Kissing Mitch closely. Okay then said back-and-forth blinking back the tears, his professor had finally made him cry.

Morrie died on a Saturday morning. having died peacefully w/ family in another room, the way he wanted it on purpose. He wanted to go serenely and that's how he went. Morrie was right about everything. The funeral was on a Tuesday.



In 1997, a TV movie was made of this story featuring Jack Lemmon as Morrie and Hank Azaria played Mitch Albom.




Here's MY opinion:

This book/story just goes to show you what is TRULY missed between the generations. Doesn't matter what the relationship is!








  Did you ever have that kind of teacher in your lifetime?