Things that are pissing me off today

The Cavs 1st 2 games of the season.  I didn’t think they would be unstoppable, but I did expect to see some good basketball. Other than the 1st quarter against the Celtics these 2 games were painful to watch.  I know they will get better as they improve their team dynamics and get a rhythm with their new players.  But I’ve been looking forward to this season all year and right now it sucks.
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The fact that every freakin’ class for preschoolers offered by my city is during the workday.  These are awesome programs (ballet, jazz dance, music, gymnastics, art & basketball) offered at great rates because they are supported with our tax dollars.  But hey!  If you dare have 2 parents working & still don’t make enough to have a full-time nanny then screw you!
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Old people driving cars.  I work across the street from a very large community center and if I leave at lunchtime I take my life into my own hands.  The amount of geriatric drivers leaving the center at that time is staggering and there not one turn signal in sight.  And forget about basic traffic laws governing 4-way stops or, you know, not driving in 2 lanes at the same time. Gesh…take the keys away from grandpa already!
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I hate the fact that 11 years ago Mattel took over a very cool little doll company that made reading and history fun and turned into the crazy consumerism-driven American Girl that we know today. American Girl Place and all the insane things that happen there – live musicals, bistros with doll chairs, hair-styling classes and a flippin’ doll hair salon that will pierce your doll’s ears(!!) – started the same year Mattel took over. Blech.

I got my Kirsten doll from the Pleasant Company when she was introduced back in 1986 (my friend’s aunt worked for the company, so we knew about the dolls before they got really popular). I spent the next few years sacrificing all other birthday and Christmas gifts so I could collect the 3 original dress and accessory sets.  Now, they are discontinuing Kirsten, just like they discontinued Samantha at the end of last year. I’m sure that in 2010 they will do away with Molly and thus be done with everything that the Pleasant Company created.

Yes, I still would rather have my daughter play with an AG doll over a Bratz doll, but everything about Mattel’s AG seems so obscenely material to me.
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The fact that after over a year with nearly no issues, all of a sudden M’s daycare/preschool can’t seem to send the correct items home with her.  Last week her blanket went home with another family.  Yesterday her dirty clothes didn’t even make it into her cubby to come home which means her crapped-on pants have now been sitting in a sealed plastic bag for over 24 hours…I’m sure that will smell awesome.
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*end rant*

5 thoughts on “Things that are pissing me off today

  1. Did you happen to see when I LOST MY SHIT on American Girl after I visited one of their stores? It was disgusting. Like, DISGUSTING. I’d never seen anything like it, and now my husband is insisting he’d rather see our kid play with Barbies (!!) than an American Girl doll. Which is totally backwards, but you know, it’s hard to argue with the man after having been in a store where they encourage $30 DOLL FACIALS. For dolls who, last time I checked, DO NOT HAVE SKIN.

    And yeah, Samantha. Bugger, considering my daughter is Samantha. They DID introduce Rebecca Rubin, though.

  2. Amy says:

    I spent 3 years working for Pleasant Company during their Christmas season (which started in August or September and went through Jan or Feb). This was in the early 90’s when the dolls JUST gained super popularity. The last year I worked them just before moving to MN, was the year Pleasant Roland sold the company to Mattel. They made the announcement and you would have thought Ms. Roland had sold her soul to the devil. No one could believe it. People quit over it. It was scary and appalling. At the time the powers that be assured everyone that NOTHING would change. That Pleasant’s high commitment to intellect, history, value, and service would continue. No one else seemed as sure. I am sure the sales contract stipulated keeping things as they were for a certain number of years. I was surprised they discontinued Samantha. She was our most popular seller…every year. Anyway, I understand your rant and couldn’t agree more.

  3. Oh. My. Gawd. The first two things pissing you off are currently pissing me off! Honestly, all of the classes around here assume that there’s always a parent at home during the day. Ahem. I think a household with both parents working isn’t too out of the norm… And yes, LeBron and Shaq have disappointed like no other the last two games. What the heck?!?

    BTW, found you via Mom Central. I wasn’t able to make the Circus festivities, but I wanted to meet online the other mom bloggers 🙂

  4. kakaty/Kate says:

    jonniker – I commented on that post because AG used to be so neat and now they just make me want to vomit. I’ve successfully blocked 2 attempts by my mom to get my daughter a Bitty Baby, and I think she will just play with my original doll when she gets older. I really don’t want to buy into the machine Mattel has created.

    Amy – what a awesome job! I do think Ms. Rowland sold her soul, I just wonder what she thinks of her creation today? Although I’m sure she made a fortune on the sale. The dolls used to teach American history (Molly is from my mom’s era and I learned so much about her childhood through those books) and now you can get a damn cell phone for your doll – GAH!!

    Mom2Amara – I’ve lurked around your site before…found it through another CLE mom blogger I think. Thanks for stopping by!

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