Memphis Zoo, Sept. 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
What I Want
Right now all I want it for people to take personal responsibility for their actions. I'm sorry for her pain - really. And yes the drive through worker should have affixed the lid more carefully. What about checking the lid as you receive it because we all know about the McDonalds lawsuit. $250,000 - C'mon!!!!! Can you say "Frivolous Lawsuit". I knew you could.
Knoxville News Sentinel
Woman sues Starbucks; says scalding coffee, unattached lid caused disfigurement
Jordan Triplett went for a morning pick-me-up from Starbucks and wound up with first-degree burns.
Now, she's suing the Seattle-based coffee house empire for $250,000 in a Knox County Circuit Court lawsuit that blames Triplett's burns on a barista's lid snafu.
"This case involved real and significant injuries, unlike other cases where individuals have sought compensation from similar vendors," attorney Gregory P. Isaacs said. A lawsuit over McDonald's coffee that burned a woman in the 1990s spurred national debate over the need for tort reform.
"It's significant to note Ms. Triplett attempted to resolve this in a reasonable fashion without litigation and received no response," Isaacs said.
A Starbucks representative did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment.
The lawsuit alleges that the 23-year-old Triplett drove to a Starbucks on Kingston Pike on July 13 and bought coffee via the store's drive-through window. The lawsuit is silent on what Triplett ordered.
Whatever she ordered, she knew right away it was hot, the lawsuit states. There is your first clue to not sit it in your lap!
"She experienced extreme heat radiating through the cup and protective cardboard sleeve," Isaacs wrote. "(She) balanced the extremely hot cup of coffee on her thigh with her hand on top of the cup as she pulled away from the window and negotiated a turn onto the roadway." And to me that is all there is. Extreme heat radiating through the cup. Hint Hint Hint (get it off your leg). Since she apparently knew it was "extremely" hot then she should have put it into a cup holder. And of course no mention of the fact that she wasn't concentrating on her driving.
Once on Kingston Pike, Triplett noticed "the lid of the coffee container was loose and not affixed properly," the lawsuit states.
"Before Triplett could achieve a better grasp upon the cup, the lid dislodged from the cup, thereby causing scalding coffee to spill and splash onto (her) lap, right thigh and right hand," the lawsuit states. Should have taken care of that before she started to drive. Parking lot would have been a good place.
The coffee soaked through her denim jeans, causing her to cry out in severe pain, according to the lawsuit.
She drove to a nearby friend's house and disrobed.
"She discovered that she had severe blisters and burns on her hand, inner thigh and vaginal area," the lawsuit states. Through Jeans and underwear? Ok, so I'm a tad skeptical.
A doctor later classified the injuries as first- and second-degree burns, Isaacs wrote. She racked up hefty medical bills and suffered "severe and permanent injuries (and) cosmetic impairment, scarring and disfigurement" as a result of the burns, the lawsuit alleges.
"Triplett immediately contacted the Starbucks franchise where she purchased the scalding coffee to inform them of the incident and to request that the employees be more careful in attaching the lids to the container and monitor the temperature of the coffee," the lawsuit states. "The Starbucks agent was incredibly unresponsive."
She later filed a complaint with the firm's corporate headquarters that netted her a gift certificate offer instead of restitution for her medical bills, according to the lawsuit. So her medical bills for burns were $250,000. She saw lawsuit immediately and went to the doctor I bet. Regular people would have put burn cream on it and a large bandaid and moved on. Maybe even called in sick if the burn was bad enough. I wish I could be on that jury!!! I'd give her $20 bucks for cream and the bandaid.
Knoxville News Sentinel
Woman sues Starbucks; says scalding coffee, unattached lid caused disfigurement
Jordan Triplett went for a morning pick-me-up from Starbucks and wound up with first-degree burns.
Now, she's suing the Seattle-based coffee house empire for $250,000 in a Knox County Circuit Court lawsuit that blames Triplett's burns on a barista's lid snafu.
"This case involved real and significant injuries, unlike other cases where individuals have sought compensation from similar vendors," attorney Gregory P. Isaacs said. A lawsuit over McDonald's coffee that burned a woman in the 1990s spurred national debate over the need for tort reform.
"It's significant to note Ms. Triplett attempted to resolve this in a reasonable fashion without litigation and received no response," Isaacs said.
A Starbucks representative did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment.
The lawsuit alleges that the 23-year-old Triplett drove to a Starbucks on Kingston Pike on July 13 and bought coffee via the store's drive-through window. The lawsuit is silent on what Triplett ordered.
Whatever she ordered, she knew right away it was hot, the lawsuit states. There is your first clue to not sit it in your lap!
"She experienced extreme heat radiating through the cup and protective cardboard sleeve," Isaacs wrote. "(She) balanced the extremely hot cup of coffee on her thigh with her hand on top of the cup as she pulled away from the window and negotiated a turn onto the roadway." And to me that is all there is. Extreme heat radiating through the cup. Hint Hint Hint (get it off your leg). Since she apparently knew it was "extremely" hot then she should have put it into a cup holder. And of course no mention of the fact that she wasn't concentrating on her driving.
Once on Kingston Pike, Triplett noticed "the lid of the coffee container was loose and not affixed properly," the lawsuit states.
"Before Triplett could achieve a better grasp upon the cup, the lid dislodged from the cup, thereby causing scalding coffee to spill and splash onto (her) lap, right thigh and right hand," the lawsuit states. Should have taken care of that before she started to drive. Parking lot would have been a good place.
The coffee soaked through her denim jeans, causing her to cry out in severe pain, according to the lawsuit.
She drove to a nearby friend's house and disrobed.
"She discovered that she had severe blisters and burns on her hand, inner thigh and vaginal area," the lawsuit states. Through Jeans and underwear? Ok, so I'm a tad skeptical.
A doctor later classified the injuries as first- and second-degree burns, Isaacs wrote. She racked up hefty medical bills and suffered "severe and permanent injuries (and) cosmetic impairment, scarring and disfigurement" as a result of the burns, the lawsuit alleges.
"Triplett immediately contacted the Starbucks franchise where she purchased the scalding coffee to inform them of the incident and to request that the employees be more careful in attaching the lids to the container and monitor the temperature of the coffee," the lawsuit states. "The Starbucks agent was incredibly unresponsive."
She later filed a complaint with the firm's corporate headquarters that netted her a gift certificate offer instead of restitution for her medical bills, according to the lawsuit. So her medical bills for burns were $250,000. She saw lawsuit immediately and went to the doctor I bet. Regular people would have put burn cream on it and a large bandaid and moved on. Maybe even called in sick if the burn was bad enough. I wish I could be on that jury!!! I'd give her $20 bucks for cream and the bandaid.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Just Some Reminders
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Psalm 57: 1-2 (New King James)
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed."
Psalm 23:1-6 (New International Version)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Psalm 57: 1-2 (New King James)
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed."
Psalm 23:1-6 (New International Version)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Invisible Bumps
Have you ever been walking and just tripped? Nothing was there, you basically tripped on air. I just did it this morning as I was walking to the mailroom. Nothing there but me and my trippy little self.
It happens - I walk and I walk and then all of a sudden a stumble. Now sometimes there is something there - don't go thinking I'm a clutz (be nice Diana). But sometimes there doesn't seem to be anything there. Doesn't matter what shoes I'm wearing or where I'm walking. Sometimes I think air gets chunky in some places and you just trip - but that's another blog and another tangent.
Where am I going with this (Oh - I am going somewhere and here it is). Life is like that. Well my life anyway. I go walking along and then stumble. What keeps me from totally falling on my face or butt is my faith. I try very hard to keep God on that path so if I do stumble I have him there to catch me or set me right side up. For instance, I haven't been to church in awhile and I miss it. I miss the heartfelt singing, hearing the word and the fellowship. That is one of my bumps in the road right now. I don't have a reliable car to get me there and back. But I have been feeling so close to God lately that I know that he understands that I worship him wherever I am throughout the day. Home, work or bus.
Riding the bus has been one of my bumps too and yet has helped me spend more time with God. I could nap, crochet, read or do something else on the bus (and some days I do). But more often than not I can close my eyes and pray and just talk with God about life, family or whatever pops into my head (and if you know me then you know lots of things just pop in my head). Some days that is 2 hours of just quality time with God. It can be very freeing and sometimes it can be very emotional (wiping tears away on the bus is a little embarrassing-but when you gotta-you gotta). Lately, I've been looking at my being car-less as one of those lesson thingies that seem to come up every now and then. I figure when I learn whatever it is I am supposed to learn I will get my car back. So far I think I might need a tutor to help me with this lesson - cause to me it is taking FOREVER! But then again time is not the same for us and meanwhile I am spending time with God. Now why didn't I just do that when I drove? Well one, I really can't just close my eyes when I am driving and two I focused on listening to radio programs or music. On the bus I am sometimes forced into inactivity because we are just little blobs of humanness that are all stuck together in a cramped little space rolling down the road at about 50 mph (70 on the highway).
Basically riding the bus has made me take that time that I should have taken to begin with. Sometimes it takes a large smack to get my attention. Riding the bus I'm in a confined space and not much world to interfere. We've had some good talks, God and I. I'm glad he is a GREAT listener - because some days I can be very chatty.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
In the "It's going to get worse before it gets better" category
I work for the judicial branch of the government and we had our money talk this morning. We listened to a description of 3 years of fiscal budget depressive dialogue. Past - the executive branch has taken all of our reserve money for 07-08 which my understanding is about $20 million. We are expected to give $500,000 back for 08-09 and $1 million for 09-10. Ok, so what does that mean for the worker bees. Well hopefully it won't mean a loss of a job - but as of right now there are no promises. We have been told to cut back on purchases (which we had already started doing) and we are cutting back on travel. Not that we won't have to travel but we will have to carpool and make other sacrifices.The article below mentions part of the states problem. Here's my question: How do you get $140 million dollars in debt. Why are you spending money that you don't have? Now I know a lot has to do with the fact that TN relies heavily on it's state tax. So when people stop buying then the revenue goes down. BUT, I also know that some of the bigger picture is the waste of things that government spends. Governors mansion comes to mind. The raises that judges received in the beginning of the year. The state cars that many judges and higher ups get and use.
One more thing... If one more person says "People just need to go out and buy. Cars, electronics, furniture, appliances then things will start getting better." I will personally haul off and hit them. And then when they are on the floor I will say "With What!?"
Anyway, that's my tangent.
********************************************************************************************************************WPLN Nashville
State Will Pull from Rainy Day Fund
State finance officials believe they will have to tap the rainy day fund to get through this budget year.
Just two months into the fiscal year, departments have been asked to reduce spending by 106-million dollars. Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz.
“Now, that’s 106-million against what is already a 140-million dollar shortfall. So we know that’s not going to be sufficient, and we’re looking for other ways we can in fact keep expenditures down.”
Goetz says the shortfall could reach 600-million dollars by the end of the fiscal year. That shortfall is compared with revenue projections that were nearly flat compared to last year.
The rainy day fund has 750-million dollars in it. TennCare has its own reserves amounting to 550-million. Goetz says he expects to use money from both accounts to help pad the sharp loss in tax revenue.
State Will Pull from Rainy Day Fund
State finance officials believe they will have to tap the rainy day fund to get through this budget year.
Just two months into the fiscal year, departments have been asked to reduce spending by 106-million dollars. Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz.
“Now, that’s 106-million against what is already a 140-million dollar shortfall. So we know that’s not going to be sufficient, and we’re looking for other ways we can in fact keep expenditures down.”
Goetz says the shortfall could reach 600-million dollars by the end of the fiscal year. That shortfall is compared with revenue projections that were nearly flat compared to last year.
The rainy day fund has 750-million dollars in it. TennCare has its own reserves amounting to 550-million. Goetz says he expects to use money from both accounts to help pad the sharp loss in tax revenue.
Monday, October 20, 2008
4th Tag
Tagged! Post the 4th picture in your 4th picture folder. (O.k. - now these are just getting complicated)
This picture is from 2002 and is of Patrick being a flag barer - he looks so happy doesn't he. I think he is just concentrating - this was a practice for a presentation at church.
I tag Michael, Diana, George, and Lori.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Bragging Rights
Forgive me while I brag on my son. He had an excellent day today. He got promoted in JROTC - he is now a cadet private and received his chevrons. He became squad leader of his row. He became squad leader of the freshman color guard team. AND aced his culinary arts test receiving an additional 75 points for extra credit answers.
High School is agreeing with him. Can I hear a Woo Hoo!!
Ok I'm done.
For now....
High School is agreeing with him. Can I hear a Woo Hoo!!
Ok I'm done.
For now....
Monday, October 13, 2008
Photo Choice "Hangin On"
As you may already know - I love to take photo's. My camera would be permanantly attached if I could actually live that way. So I have decided to do a Photo Choice section - only rules are that it has to be one that I have taken. Here is the first: 
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Depression
It's hard to describe depression. Sometimes it is so heavy that you can't breath. Sometimes it just feels like something swirling around you. Other times it is just something in the back of your mind nagging at you.
I have depression. Looking back I can see certain periods in my life when it consumed me. I was still functioning and most people probably didn't notice because it was something I kept well hidden. Even from myself. I can look back and see those periods and recognize what it was. For example I can remember at least 2 occasions when I could not get to sleep unless the room was pitch black. I covered windows in several blankets and in one instance surrounded my bed totally in blankets as well. These seasons of depression did not last long and were the only sign at the time that I was depressed. During the day I don't remember being very different. I still functioned and life moved on.
Lately though I have noticed that it has been bad at times. Depression is like a very heavy blanket - kind of like those lead blankets that they use when you are having an x-ray. It weighs you down. Sometimes I notice the blanket and can function very well. I just ignore it. Those are the days when I have more will power I think and can force myself up and out. I can lift it off of me on my own. Other days I don't notice it as much and it weighs me down. It takes control and I seem to just be along for the ride. Depression is like a needy child. It always needs attention.
Lately it seems to be a daily thing though. Not just coming and going, but always there in my peripheral vision. A daily fight that sometimes I win and sometimes I don't. Some days it feels like a swirling mass inside of me and I can almost see the blackness surrounding me. It smothers me and makes it hard to breathe. Other days the swirling mass is still there but it is not so much a whirlpool as just a little flow or current.
This morning I woke up and it is lighter today. I don't know what is so different about today. Things seem brighter right now. It's a constant battle though. I can feel the depression sitting and waiting for an opening. I have to be vigilant on not just a daily basis but an hourly basis. If I let it get a grip it is hard for me to let it go. I have to keep my thoughts focused on not thinking about it, not letting anything add to the weight. If I give up an inch it starts to take control again. Problem is that sometimes I don't know that I am giving in and before I know it I have hit the bottom emotionally and all things seem lost. I sit there for awhile and then I start to climb out. Although lately it doesn't seem like I get totally out. I get away enough that things start getting better emotionally but I can still feel the weight wanting to pull me down.
It does almost seem to have its own being, its own existence. Like some phantom that always hangs around. It's a type of possession. Not other worldly. More like swimming. When your in the water and you decide to swim under the water. You hold your breath and go in. It feels just like that moment when you almost run out of air and you charge to the top and let that large breath of air out. That pressure that your lungs feel in wanting to breathe. That is depression.
I've tried some medicine that is for my fibromyaglia, because depression makes it worse, so the doctors have given me some medicine to handle both. One made me suicidal and the other made me loose a month and a half of my life. I have to go back to the doctor and see what else he has for me. That seems to be a gamble too. I need something that will give me my life back without all those nasty little side effects.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Stress
Stress is in the eye of the beholder. I have what can be considered by some people as a minimum amount of stress. Of course on my side of the fence it looks pretty rough to me. Bear with me as I complain for a paragraph or 2.
I do not have a car. It no worky. It is at the mechanics. I can't even afford to have it looked at. Thankfully he is a very nice man and is looking at it on his spare time. Of course this all happened after I spent $700 to get it fixed for something else. Anyway, bottom line is that I do not have a car. My husband's car is on it's last legs and actually has been for some time now. I really thought his would go first. Now thankfully I can take a bus into Nashville to get to my job. Of course the added stress of having to get up earlier to get in line for the bus as well as the stress of how am I going to get to the bus stop if his car dies too. Ok, so not having a car is something that I can live with - I mean I have to. But it adds that little bit of stress to my shoulders. Ok, so next we have the money problem. At least I don't have to pay for gas right? But that worrying about how to pay the bills and having enough to live on is another little stress adder to the shoulders. High prices of everything and not sure if we will have enough money to get through the rest of the month is just another other. Now it doesn't just end there - there is a whole lot more and I could probably go on a couple more paragraphs with my woes. Basically my mind set is "I know something else is going to happen, I just have to wait and POOF there it is."
Where am I going with all of these complaining? To this... The recent comments from people saying "The bite in these tough times ...". If I hear that one more time, especially from someone who doesn't understand what being bit means I think I am going to lose it. If your life is wonderful then I am very happy for you. If the economy situation is not hurting you then I am thankful. But I have to say I don't want to hear about how wonderful your life is and I don't want to hear how things are just unbelievably peachy for you. It is not that I don't care - to be honest I am happy for you. But I am also very sad for me. I am thankful, truly thankful that your life is going so well. But right now I have enough on my plate and I am having a tendency to be very selfish right now. Do I want your pity? No. Do I want your I'm so sorry's? No. Do I want to discuss how my life is sucking beyond recognition right now? No.
So what do I want? Heck if I know. Well other than a really good nap and the economy to get better, I don't know. Oh yeah, I guess I want my truck back and to have more money. So I guess I do know - well partially. Overall I want to feel less stressed. Even though compared to some I don't have it that bad.
So again, stress is in the eye of the beholder. I could have it worse. And believe me I am very thankful that I don't have it much worse. But for my mentality right now I think I have enough please.
I do not have a car. It no worky. It is at the mechanics. I can't even afford to have it looked at. Thankfully he is a very nice man and is looking at it on his spare time. Of course this all happened after I spent $700 to get it fixed for something else. Anyway, bottom line is that I do not have a car. My husband's car is on it's last legs and actually has been for some time now. I really thought his would go first. Now thankfully I can take a bus into Nashville to get to my job. Of course the added stress of having to get up earlier to get in line for the bus as well as the stress of how am I going to get to the bus stop if his car dies too. Ok, so not having a car is something that I can live with - I mean I have to. But it adds that little bit of stress to my shoulders. Ok, so next we have the money problem. At least I don't have to pay for gas right? But that worrying about how to pay the bills and having enough to live on is another little stress adder to the shoulders. High prices of everything and not sure if we will have enough money to get through the rest of the month is just another other. Now it doesn't just end there - there is a whole lot more and I could probably go on a couple more paragraphs with my woes. Basically my mind set is "I know something else is going to happen, I just have to wait and POOF there it is."
Where am I going with all of these complaining? To this... The recent comments from people saying "The bite in these tough times ...". If I hear that one more time, especially from someone who doesn't understand what being bit means I think I am going to lose it. If your life is wonderful then I am very happy for you. If the economy situation is not hurting you then I am thankful. But I have to say I don't want to hear about how wonderful your life is and I don't want to hear how things are just unbelievably peachy for you. It is not that I don't care - to be honest I am happy for you. But I am also very sad for me. I am thankful, truly thankful that your life is going so well. But right now I have enough on my plate and I am having a tendency to be very selfish right now. Do I want your pity? No. Do I want your I'm so sorry's? No. Do I want to discuss how my life is sucking beyond recognition right now? No.
So what do I want? Heck if I know. Well other than a really good nap and the economy to get better, I don't know. Oh yeah, I guess I want my truck back and to have more money. So I guess I do know - well partially. Overall I want to feel less stressed. Even though compared to some I don't have it that bad.
So again, stress is in the eye of the beholder. I could have it worse. And believe me I am very thankful that I don't have it much worse. But for my mentality right now I think I have enough please.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Losing the marbles
Have you ever reached your limit? You know THE limit. The time when you knew that if anything else happened, you knew that was it, all bets would be off, people would need to hide and you would need a straight jacket after it was all over.
You know...When Wheel of Fortune episodes make you cry. When you consider your next conversation as an act of hostility. When eating your weight in chocolate sounds like a good idea. When you look at someone and all you can see is your thumb and pointer finger squishing their head. When all you want to do is stare at your ceiling fan and marvel that it goes round and round. When you wish you knew where all the weapons of mass destruction were. When you are considered a weapon of mass destruction.
C'mon. Only me?
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