The planning skills of Andy’s mom

Posted 5 Dec 2011

Daily Life, Language, People | 4 Comments 

Over a recent weekend, I read a Toy Story book to a child. As I read and reflected upon the tale, I was struck by a rather profound concern for the planning skills of Andy’s mother.

If you are not familiar with the plot of Toy Story, the relevant details are this: Andy and his family are moving tomorrow. Andy’s mother, who may be a single mom, has planned for Andy’s birthday party to be on the morning before the family move. From there, an adventure involving the toys develops, bladdy, bladdy, blah. The important fact here is that Andy’s mother planned a birthday party to be held at their house on the very day before the entire family moves to a new house.

That struck me as either an incredibly well-organized attempt to minimize the disruption that a family move will cause her children or a well-intentioned misstep that can lead only to a calamitous disruption of the relocation process.

For our readers: discuss.

The Accuracy of Charles Schultz

Posted 2 Dec 2011

Daily Life, Language, People | 2 Comments 

Over the Thanksgiving weekend here in America, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a young relation of mine. This little fellow is four years old and currently attends pre-school. During my many conversations with the boy, I was surprised to realize just how accurate Charles Schultz was in his Charlie Brown cartoons. More specifically, Schultz’s descriptions of how young students here their teachers was spot on.

If you’re not familiar with Charlie Brown and his teacher, check the video below:

CMD Dictionary: Define ‘Self-offense’

Posted 1 Dec 2011

Daily Life, Language | 4 Comments 

In a recent conversation, my friend was discussing self-defense and it got me wondering about why one always has to play defense? What about the saying “the best defense is a good offense”?

I think it’s time the creative community that you’re a part of, the readers of chickenmonkeydog, go ahead and define self-offense.

A call for US tax reform

Posted 30 Nov 2011

Language | Leave a Comment 

Don’t get too carried away here. No, we are not calling for an increase in taxes, or a decrease either. Leave that to those more politically oriented than us. All we’re suggesting is that when a tax-related form calls for a signature from U.S. person, it becomes painfully clear that tax code writers have lost touch with reality. Signature of U.S. person?!? Really?!?

Girls are smarter than boys

Posted 22 Nov 2011

Language, People, Signs | 1 Comment 

At a local high school, it seems like the girls are more intelligent than the boys … or at least they are more likely to be able to read, if these bathroom signs are anything to judge by.