Sex, politics, and religion...

...are three hot topic subjects which I like to avoid, especially when mixed with alcohol. Discussions involving any one of these three can lead to raised voices and finger pointing, but as long as everyone keeps their hands to themselves, I am generally happy when you kids play amongst yourselves.

There has been a term floating around of late that bothers me, sex addict. It just smacks of another excuse as to why one does not control their behavior. Granted, a cheat has many of the characteristics of an addict, they destroy lives, decimate trust and tear apart homes. They lie, manipulate and make excuses, refusing to see or admit to the problem. They cause themselves and others financial strain and seem to be unaware of the pain they inflict. Indeed, they do no want to correct the problem as they do not admit to one.

Now saying that cheating is an addiction, is simply another excuse for bad behavior. A liar is a liar, an addict is an addict, and a cheat is a cheat.

We live in...

... a disgustingly litigious society. Frivolous law suits invite the government into our bedrooms to hold our hands; they scream take care of me for I am unable to make my own decisions or I am too lazy to work and am looking for that one big, easy score. Does anyone recall the woman who sued a restaurant chain for giving her a hot cup of coffee and WON? She sued an organization for giving her what she ordered and WON!

That opened the floodgates for every excuse to pursue someone else's almighty dollar. It has become standard that the world owes everyone who considers themselves different or unfortunate, fewer and fewer people seek career paths, more and more seek the settlement. It is one of the things that splinter our population and divide us into special interest groups rather than one nation, undivided.

This hostile environment has recently lead to a dear friend having her head put on the sacrificial lamb chopping block, undeservedly so. In a world where sensitivity training, sexual harassment awareness, and tolerance are widely considered life tools, we tend to forget they are tools that can be used to stab us in the back in pursuit of the greed dream.

We've all heard the quote, "All is fair in love and war". Those who love money are willing to wage war against your character in an effort to get it. Watch your back.

Are people blissfully unaware...

..or completely self absorbed? I am fairly certain that in a city this size at least of a few of its residents are aware of their surroundings. I would hope that most of you check traffic before crossing the street, step over the gap when entering and exiting the trains, are conscience of other people when manipulating revolving doors, and when negotiating the sidewalks.

So why is it that I must ask you to remove your inanimate objects from the barstool so that a breathing paying customer can sit down? You don't notice this parched trembling being hovering around, lusting after the seat occupied by your laptop? Why is it when you ignore me after I have greeted you or stood waiting for your drink order for some seemingly indeterminable length of time are you shocked when I simply walk away?

Did you not notice the piano music stopped an hour ago, when the piano player left, and 80% of the staff changed into their street clothes, accompanying the rest of the patrons out the front door? Do you not see the staff unfortunate enough to be stuck with you are silently praying for your departure? Of course they are agreeable, it means their jobs, you self absorbed jerk.

Unless you are leaving with a member of the staff, you should never be the last person in the bar or restaurant.

Taxi cabs are...

..a plague within NYC. They are more rampant than rats or roaches and usually driven by maniacal unsafe and discourteous horn honkers with a death wish. Indeed any sane person has misgivings getting into one of these bright yellow hearses.

I seldom subject myself to being ripped off by these ghouls, but like taxes, there are times that it cannot be avoided. Last week when I took a cab for about 90 blocks, I was not startled by the $15 price tag. I was more than dismayed last night when I went one third of that distance for more than half the price.

Here's the deal; I walked to the train station which was closed. There were no posted alerts for service disruption and this is not an uncommon instance. Now my choices are back track the way I came, plus another four blocks OR 19 blocks to the next express stop on the train.

It is 1 am, I am tired, so I hail a cab. Now most of you are probably aware there is a $1 service charge for each cab ride that goes to the MTA. I have to pay an extra dollar for a train that isn't running, has inconvenienced me incredibly, and cost me to take my life into my own hands at the mercy of someone is going to steal my hard earned money.

Like a friend of mine likes to say, "beyond the pale!"

NYC real estate is...

...considered some of the most highly valued on the planet. Maybe that is why I am so over protective of the tiny parcel where I earn my living. There are but a scant eight stools for me to ply my wares and pay my bills.

If your intention is to occupy one of these sought after vacancies while waiting for the rest of your party; keep in mind that drinking water and eating free bar munchies, with every intention of transferring your check to the dining room and thereby not tipping me, can and probably will provoke me into volatile action.

By the way, chewing with your mouth open is not as sexy as you seem to think: and sarcasm is only charming when I'm engaged in it. My stools are for paying and tipping customers.

The rest of you, please go wait at the table.

How far is ...

..is too far? In a world where satellites can project images to computer screens, where video phones are about to burst onto the market, where laser surgery is commonplace, and cars can now park themselves; how is it possible that things like child pornography and incest still exist? How is it possible women are still stoned to death and illiteracy runs rampant? Why do ghettos remain anywhere on this planet and how can we justify making assumptions about other people based on their looks alone?

Where are the great thinkers and innovators? Why have we focused on money as opposed to scientific and medical advancements? Our leaders have failed us miserably, and what is more, we allowed them to do it. Who cares what Tiger or Jenna and Tito are doing? It is time to reprioritize, refocus, and regain our footing.

We haven't come nearly far enough.

A man is only as good...

...as his word. I believe this quote is attributable to Theodore Roosevelt. I wonder if he meant that a man who spews obscenities, is just that; obscene. A man who spews hatred, hateful. A man who spews bigotry, bigoted. Or maybe he was referring to empty or broken promises, an unreliable man. Maybe he realized that a man late for an appointment essentially told the person waiting for him that his time is more important than theirs.

Of course, he never envisioned the invention of cell phones, Ipads & Iphones, Blackberries, OnStar, TomTom, or an entire slew of gadgets designed specifically to keep us connected and informed. These devices only magnify man's disregard for the person left waiting and wondering.

Don't wonder what impression you have left someone with if you stand them up, or spout negativity; because it is apparent to us that you don't really care. Do mankind a favor and stay home.

Hopefully, Teddy and my readers would agree, the operative word is MAN-KIND