Nicole Cardiff - Candid Expressions

As much as I do enjoy having the warmth of my dog beside me at night, waking up stiff all over just doesn't make my day. Sleeping is rather shallow since I do have to adjust to her sprawled body. There was no problem when she was still a frisky pup that preferred to sleep rolled up, its when her limbs got long and her lanky frame just wanted to occupy the bed. I never thought of buying a dog bed since there was no need, how wrong I was. I set out to buy a bed and I settled on getting a rectangular bed which had inclined edge that would serve as her pillow.

Setting out to buy a dog bed was my goal it was only later that I realized it benefited my pet dog more. It took her just 2 nights of tucking her in bed with her favorite toy and nightly treats when I'd have to tuck her in again. She is noticeably calmer and well rested, having to sleep on my sofa when I am out working in studies.

Dog beds are a great pet accessories that give pets their own space and 'domain' to stay in. It doesn't take much training since dogs do like having their own place, in time pets get into a rhythm. Seeing my pet's overly energetic dog have a behaved time when at her bed convinced me on getting another identical dog bed and putting it the study. Dogs are in good behavior and lessen their needy-ness when given something to chew on a puzzle toy to work on at their beds. I never thought a dog bed would more than solve my 'bedmate' problem, I ended up with a more mature dog too! After visiting a few sites, I believe an elevated dog feeder is the next accessory I will buy. But more on those later… I'm off to class.

When does beating up on someone become right? Does a person who's full of hot-air and empty threats better dealt with in a savage beating? Does being different mean you paint a target on your forehead that says “Go ahead, beat me. I wont mind…”? Does being a figure of authority make a persona victim of hatred of spoiled brats?

As dark as these questions are, I feel they need to be asked. Today, some acts of violence and assault are for vengeance, desire for notoriety or an outlet for tantrums so much tolerated by parents. Victoria Lindsay, does not feel safe anymore after the severe beating she got from several girls in a place she took refuge in. Sadly, the one who let her beaters in was her 'friend'who later claims she got scared of the main bully. The Bacup teens beat up a Goth couple for no apparent reason, the girl they stomped died. These teens have a rap video in YouTube and was said to have a stomp and upload next time- thankfully they were caught! 

Samantha Taylor did not plan to upload any video, but was caught on video lying about the situation she was in and probably showing off “I am cool!” in the school bus. Greta interviewed Samantha and her lawyer and just like the ones mentioned, never showed remorse. She is such a spoiled brat she even went as far as saying she wouldn't apologize for anything- why am I not surprised?

The point for this rant would be the parent's role in their child's life. Most of these hurting seems to be geared to pleasing peers instead of dong the right thing as Mum and Dad taught.  The idea of disappointing parents has hit an all time low, the need for peers validation of existence is a far better cause in the eyes of the youth. What is wrong with this picture? How can their peers take a higher priority in attention when parents clothe and feed and provide? The outside looking in, bury a child in a pile of tangible and material things will not make them better people. Teaching discipline and value versus being up to date with gadgets to keep them “happy” prepares a solid future. When push comes to shove, would you rather have a bully for a child or even tempered one? I'd rather be remembered for having the well behaved kid than the juvenile delinquent brat.

Is it  me or are felons getting younger and younger? Being middle aged, crimes of hate passion, race or just spontaneous acts of violence change names and faces but are done by the same people of the same psychological profile. Been subscribing to e-news and the news all over the world have headlines of gruesome crimes and premeditated assault by children as young as 8 years old and not older than 16.

My kids cover the age 'spectrum' these young offenders, and I can't help but double up teaching moments and keeping a majority influence over them. As a child of the 70's children were more of the silent victims, when society never dealt with the reality of sex offenders and incest or even harassment. Out technology was limited to the TV and newspapers where information and credibility was unquestionable. Personally, the link of technology influence and children being more assertive and violent should be tackled.

As much as I would like to shield my kids from what the world is coming to they have the right to know what some youngsters their age have done. It's surprising when I shared my disbelief on the 3 third-graders who planned an assault to their teacher, there was only a 5 second jaw drop and my eldest goes “They thought it would be as easy as a Detective Conan crime”…ouch, you mean there was an anime that dealt with how crime was done? In fairness that show always showed the mystery being solved, IF shows like these were what gave these kids the courage to do it then our homes need to brush up on parental guidance. Before anyone disagrees, the conclusion about the fiction kids watch and their acts of violence is strengthened by the case of a 10 year old boy whose head was held by his 'friends' in a sand box thought his struggles were a joke thinking that if the character Naruto survived it so can their friend (he died, drowning in sand). I could go on and on, yet the observation stays the same: too many households have trusted technology to babysit for the young ones and find out when it's just too late.

Hello and welcome to my blog… My name is Nicole and I am a somewhat "older" student at the University of Melbourne, in Australia. Consider this my second coming if you will.  I am studying Journalism and Political Science. Here you will find my rants & raves about various subjects I am interested in. While we may not always agree, please feel free to post your comments on the various topics I choose to splurge upon. Consider this an open invitation as I love to debate and carry on conversations with interesting people.

-NC