What society needs: Chapter 1

Now and then, I might write a few words about what I think would make our society a better place. Don't expect these to be enlightening, rather my outlook on some of the issues I have with this big ball where we're spending our days.

Today, boys and girls, I would like to address a little feature that would make some businesses much better -- the drive-thru window.

I'm sure you're already thinking, "Molly, the liquor store has a drive-thru window. What more do we need?" Much more. I have compiled a list. Enjoy.

1. The post office -- The U.S. Postal Service has stated that it is losing money, which equates to less people are using the post office. I can tell you two reasons why people don't use the post office: 1. There are ALWAYS lines. 2. The hours are inconvenient for anyone who works during the day. I think more people would use the post office if they could go to a drive thru window and pick up a few stamps, or have their package weighed. I don't think there would be lines at the drive thru because the older folks would still go inside. Therefore, those of us in a hurry could get our stamps, keep the post office in business, and still send our mail on time. Of course, there would have to be a limit on the amount of mail you can send, including a max weight for packages, but I think it would work out quite well for those who just need stamps or want to send a small box.

2. Subway restaurants -- Yes, I do realize that some Subways have drive-thru windows, but not all of them. Therefore, it's a huge pain if you're in a hurry and you want to eat relatively healthy to go to a Subway. They need to catch up with the times and get a drive thru. Maybe a nearby liquor store can let them use their window during the lunch hour. Sandwiches and booze? Sounds like a sure-win!

3. The grocery store -- You may think that this isn't plausible, but I think it could happen. You know those times when you need two things to get you by until you have to go to the store to restock your shelves? That's when the drive thru would come in handy. Someone could be at the window, ready to get you the two things you need from the little mini version of the store. You couldn't go and get extra virgin olive oil, but you could pick up a loaf of bread and some eggs, or some milk and toilet paper. Those things that we call the staples would only be available in the drive-thru, thus saving you that 30 minutes of going into the store.

4. The Department of Motor Vehicles -- I'm pretty sure there is no way that this place could get a drive-thru, but if it could just get more automated, I think the world would be a much better place. I think nearly every aspect of society has advanced in the last 10 years, except the DMV. Heck, I'd be happier if they just got better chairs. Small steps must be taken before this place can even think about a drive-thru. I think an updated DMV is a sign of the apocalypse.

5. An over-the-counter pharmacy -- I know you can pick up your prescriptions at the drive-thru, but if I'm on the verge of death, the last thing I want to do is walk into Walgreens and pick up a bottle of cold medicine. Heck, I don't think they want me coming in there either. I think a mini pharmacy -- kind of like the grocery store -- would be quite convenient. Just grab your over the counter drugs and keep your sickness in the car. Also, the over the counter drive thru could sell condoms, which would be much more convenient for those teenage boys out there sexing up those teenage girls. Therefore, the over-the-counter pharmacy could help reduce the number of teenage pregnancies. Then, problems in the world would be solved.

Places that should never have a drive thru:
1. The gynecologist
2. A furniture store
3. The dentist
4. Lawyers
5. Salons

This concludes Chapter 1 of my thoughts on what society needs. Tune in next time when we will discuss another exciting topic.

Track: 1, Molly: 0

I like to think that I'm pretty hardcore... sometimes. I mean, everyone has their moments.
My moments of hardcore antics have consisted of running (and walking) up Mt. Nebo in Dardanelle, completing a triathalon, running (and walking) a marathon, along with some other athletic accomplishments. While this may not qualify me as being an badass, I like to think that these achievements are notable.
On Monday, I decided to add to my list of conquests, but only by mere coincidence.
Every Monday since the end of February I have been volunteering at the Women Run Arkansas clinic in my town. I had told the director I would help before I switched jobs, and I decided to stick to that promise.
If you're not familiar with the clinic, WRA helps women build endurance and strength in order to be able to run or walk three miles at the beginning of May at a statewide 5K race. The race is one of my favorite races because it's all women, and it's quite empowering. For some of the women, walking three miles is their biggest accomplishment -- even if it takes them an hour and a half. Finishing the race is a HUGE deal to these women and I'm really excited to be a part of it.
So anyway... back to Monday... I had left work with just enough time to get to the track. You see, it's not the getting from Big City to Little City that is difficult. It's the getting from Big City to Little City's track that is the problem, as the track is kind of off the beaten path, as most tracks are. I mean, there aren't a lot of high school tracks with interstate frontage.
Well on Monday, I was in route to clinic and changing my clothes as I drove down the interstate. (Yes, I know it's unsafe. But I wanted to be on time). I had to be even more on time than usual because the other leader in my group wouldn't be there on Monday, so I needed to be on time.
As I was driving down the interstate, I had finally changed my clothes and was just about to put on my socks when I grabbed my bag and realized -- I forgot my running shoes.
I panicked and quickly went through my options. Okay, I could go back to my apartment real quick and get my shoes, though I would still be late. I could just run with socks. I could run in the cowboy boots I wore to work that day. Or... I could just run barefooted.
I chose to run barefooted. I don't mind being barefooted, so surely running barefooted wouldn't be that bad -- right?
Wrong. I was very wrong. Not only did my speed (the little I have) decrease dramatically as I shuffled along the track, my feet were enduring the track the best they knew possible, which meant my feet were developing blisters. And huge blisters at that. Of course, I didn't realize I was getting blisters until we were done running/walking our 2 miles. That's right, I ran/walked two miles without shoes.
Once we were done, everyone finally realized that I didn't have shoes. I received much praise, and even a "Wow Molly, you're pretty hardcore." Damn straight, I am.
But at the end of that day, none of that mattered. My feet were torn up. My feet hated me. And then, to make things worse, I popped the blisters... and tore off the skin. Extreme pain. Now my blisters were just open wounds.
Now I'm sitting here with my feet -- well, just my left foot because it was my inside foot while I was running -- all bandaged up. I have open wounds (former blisters) on both of my middle toes, since they are freakishly long, and two big blisters on my left foot.
I should have just gone to get my shoes. But then, I wouldn't have something to blog about. So what's the moral of this story: Every good screw up makes for a great blog post. And don't peel the skin off your blisters.

I have the madness

Every year, there is a magical time before baseball season kicks into gear when 64 of the top NCAA Division I basketball teams in the country meet at various arenas around this great land to decide who will hold the title of National Champion.
For as many years as I can remember, I've watched a few of the games. I can remember staying up late at night, watching the championship team cutting down the net, which is a tradition that is only special to basketball champions.
But in the last couple of years, I have partaken in the pastime of filling out the bracket. And this year, I have become a little obsessed, to say the least.
Last year, my managing editor asked me to join his NCAA bracket group on the ESPN website. I thought, "Sure, why not. It will be fun." I clicked on the teams I wanted as I read each team's stats. Important questions had to be answered before one team was chosen over another: Does having a higher points per game make this a better team? What about their overall record -- does that matter?
Once I resolved these issues with each second round team, then the third round was picked, and eventually, I had to pick a champion. Duke won last year, though I don't think I had them picked as my champion.
Picking this year's bracket brought its usual challenges. My only girly pick was choosing Butler to make it to the Sweet 16 because of some friends of mine -- the Butlers -- are good people. Surely, the Butler team would do as well.
This year, ESPN added another aspect to their online bracket -- some sports spectator site basically told you what team would do better. Example: "There's a 98% chance that Ohio State will beat UTSA. You should pick Ohio State." I listened to this nugget of advice on some picks, but then again, you can't predict the future, despite how high the percentage may be. 
After the second round, I had only a handful of upsets. Of course the Louisville/Morehead game was one of them. A lot of teams that I had picked to win -- with hopes of a Cinderella team -- ended up losing by only a few points. Memphis, Michigan State, and Temple made that list of hopefuls. Well, there's always next year.
As the third round played out this weekend, I was met with even more upset. And my obsession became a little more clear. The fella and I went out Saturday night and I continued to check my scores on my iPhone via ESPN.com as we were driving through Little Rock. I was anxiously watching the Butler/Pittsburgh game. We were standing in front of the Rave, debating on what movie to see when Butler tied the game at 70-70. I loudly declared, "Butler just came back!" Then when Butler pulled away for a 71-70 victory, I was more than delighted.
And all of this was just so my bracket would continue to do well. Just for a little grid on a piece of paper. I don't even have money on my bracket. I just don't like to write down the wrong answers, like on a test. I want to be right, gosh darn it.
Another upset came on Saturday night as Kansas State lost to Wisconsin. Heartbreak. I had picked K-State to go all the way to the Elite Eight, especially since they had beat Kansas University earlier this year. Once again, my bracket was a little more torn up.
As the tournament enters the Sweet 16, I actually correctly picked half of the teams that are still playing. Will this little bit of success continue? Eight more games of 40 minutes each will decide their fate.
But it's oh so exciting. The last five minutes of each game -- especially if it's a close game -- are what keep me coming back each game. I love when a team is behind by 15 points and comes back within 5 points by the near end of the game, making their opponent sweat a little more. It's a true test of human character.
And the best part is -- these guys are just college kids. They aren't overpaid NBA stars who date/marry the Kardashians. They're younger than me (which is weird considering they were always older than me). They are playing with heart for the glory of their school. They are playing to bring back a trophy and some nets back to their campus, and for their place in sports history.
But by the beginning of April, it will all be said and done. One team will be celebrating. Another team will be disappointed. And I'll be ready for baseball season, which will get my by until it's time to fill out another bracket.

So where are you from?

I get this question a lot. Or my other favorite, "You're not from around here, are you?"
And the funny thing is, I really am from around here. Well, not technically, but I've had more Arkansas influence in my life than I've had any other state.
I was born in Wichita, Kans. and spent a couple years of my life in St. Louis. Then, since the ripe age of 4, I've lived in the great state of Arkansas.
But my parents were born and raised in Kansas, and since I grew up listening to them talk, I picked up their accent. I say things like, "you guys" and "boughten." I don't say things like "fixin'", "ya'll," or my least favorite "carried," as in, "I carried my kid to school this morning."
Whenever I hear that phrase, I instantly feel sympathy for the person because I could imagine it wore them out to carry their child to school. Then, I translate the phrase into Kansas-speak and realize "Oh, they took their child to school. That seems more logical."
I also try to avoid drawing out my vowels in a Paula-Deen-style. But for some reason, after I've been drinking, or I'm rather sleepy, that Southern accent comes out and I just can't ignore it. I guess it really is there, deep down in me. I'm sure I sound Southern when I'm not in the South, as I'm sure I have a slight twang. It's bound to happen to you when you've lived here 21 years. I just choose to control the little bit of accent I do have.
It's not that I hate the Southern accent, or look down on those who have one, it's just that doesn't fit me. I can't make myself do it. I even sound Midwestern sometimes, especially after I get off the phone with my cousins from St. Louis. But I just can't catch that full-blown Southern draw -- but I'm okay with that.
That's not the only Southern thing I can't catch. I don't like sweet tea. There, I said it. I prefer tea with ice and lemon, and that's it. I can drink sweet tea if necessary, since sometimes it is the only thing to drink. That also amuses me that when people bring tea at events in the South, they automatically sweeten it. I've heard that sugar packets just don't make it as sweet, but I would still like the optional unsweet tea.
I also don't partake in crawdads or catfish. I just can't get over the fact that crawdads are part of the bug family. And I don't eat bugs. With the catfish -- I just don't like fish. I think it smells bad and has a weird texture. To me, the best part of catfish fry events are the hush puppies. Mmmm... yes please!
But there are those Southern dishes I do enjoy and have even come to make. I have recently started to make my own cornbread from scratch after my former newspaper office kind of got me hooked on non-sweet cornbread. I'm also a big fan of chocolate gravy on biscuits -- but only if the chocolate gravy is made correctly (not in the Arkansas Tech cafeteria).
There's a lot about living in the South that I've grown to love. I also think Arkansas is one of the most beautiful states in the this region. Rolling hills, sparkling lakes and ponds, and glistening rivers make this place a great place to live -- despite the unpredictable weather.

So if having blood that is 90 percent sweet tea makes you southern, then I guess I won't qualify. But if loving this area for its hospitality, front-porches, and mosquito filled nights, then I'll gladly claim the South as my home.

Send the very best

If you were to ask a lot of my friends to tell you one thing that I do that no one else does, they would probably list the fact that I send greeting cards.
I'm not just talking about the yearly Christmas card, I'm talking about every type of card imaginable. Easter. St. Patrick's Day. Grandparent's Day. All of those and more.
I don't know how I got started on my card sending crusade, though I'm sure it has something to do with my childhood. Doesn't everything we do have something to do with our childhood?
When I was a kid, my mom was rather diligent about sending birthday cards to our family members. All of us kids had to sign the card and write in a special greeting if we wished.
Since then, being as I am an "adult," I now take the time to send cards to my friends and family members when the occasion arises.
Not only is giving greeting cards an act of days gone by, actually sending the card is almost a way of the past. If you haven't heard in the news lately, people don't really use the post office a lot. I can understand why when the line is often 10 people deep. But still, I trudge on through the wait in order to get some stamps for my cards.
To me, sending a card is about the best way -- without a gift -- to tell a person that you care about them and that you are thinking about them. Sure, an e-mail is nice, but at the end of the day, an e-mail is just words on a screen. You can't feel that. While you can print it out, it then just becomes words on paper.
A card has a story. In the far away land of card makers,  someone is dreaming of the next catchy saying for the inside of the card while another person is thinking of an attractive design. Once the two come together, they create a form of communication that has been around for hundreds of years.
Then the card is sent to a local store, where it is purchased, signed, and mailed. Therefore, someone had to pick out the perfect card for the recipient, write a message if they desired, and then address it and mail it. See how much personalization goes into sending a card? That's a little bit more personalization than typing an e-mail in 12-point font.

So I plan on continuing my card crusade until the post office officially closes its doors. After all, someone has to keep Hallmark in business.

Blogs Shmogs

I like to think that I'm interesting.
In fact, I like to think that I'm so interesting that you will take the time out of your day to read the ramblings I post on this wide world of webs.
With those ideas in mind, I have decided to start a blog, which will basically be a way for me to get my ideas about the world out of my head and into the public. Maybe you'll agree with what I've got to say. Maybe you won't.
I don't really know where I'm going to take this thing, but I do know some things it won't be:
1. It won't be about how to be a good mother in the high-tech world of today. I don't have kids. Or a husband. Or even pets. The closest thing I have to any of those items is a couple of cacti my grandmother gave me. And so far, they are doing quite well. Maybe I'll post about them and rave about how well they are developing into productive cacti of the world. (No offense to the MomBlogs. There really are some interesting MomBlogs out there.)
2. It won't be a blog about cats, dogs, or anything similar. It's way too expensive at my apartment complex to have animals. On top of that, I'm not home enough to spend quality time with an animal, so I'll just save that enjoyment for when I become a grown up with a yard.
3. It won't be political -- well, not often. While I like to pretend I know politics, I know a little about a lot of political discussions. I'm not an expert in any means. But there are a few topics that really ruffle my feathers, so I'll probably dedicate a few posts to them. I think I might start reading presidential biographies.
4. This won't be a food blog. I may occasionally talk about some new recipes, or even post pictures of something I make, but I'm not going to give you every detail of how something was made. Not that I like to keep all my recipes secret, it's just that I hate typing out recipes. They are quite tedious. If it's a recipe online, I'll give you the link. Otherwise, you'll just have to take my word that it was delicious. 
All of these topics may be thought provoking, or they just may be a way for you to kill time at work; nevertheless, I come to the number one rule of this blog -- don't leave mean comments.
I may post something that you may not agree with, but I'm not trying to start debate. I'm just putting my thoughts out there for all the world to read. If you disagree, just write "disagree" or something along those lines. Please do not go off on a tangent on my blog. This is MY opinion, and I'm entitled to it. If you have an opinion that you want to go off about, then start your own blog. Write a Facebook note. Twitter about it. Send an owl with the message to all your friends. Please do not get on here with the sole intent of "ripping me a new one." Like I said, I'm not an expert. I'm just a person who believes in the First Amendment, and I plan to exercise that right.
With that being said... Welcome to the blog!