Obligatory Debate Commentary (Debate 1)

Well, since no one reads this anyway, I thought I'd float my two cents into the ether. Simply, I think Bush lost the debate. I say that and not "Kerry won" because I'm not sure that Kerry really convinced anyone. What happened at this debate is what has been happening throughout the campaign season - even when Bush loses support, Kerry does not gain it. I personally think that if this had been a true debate, Kerry could have pushed Bush into losing his temper - something that rarely shows up in Bush's carefully controlled public appearances. I'm not claiming that Bush has a short temper or anything. I just get the impression that he doesn't take criticism well. There was a point at which Kerry said "The test is, are you doing everything possible to make America safe?". Bush sounded personally offended by this statement, like Kerry had just accused him of not trying hard enough to defend America. "Of course we're doing everything we can to protect America. I wake up every day thinking about how best to protect America. That's my job." Yes, Mr. President. I'm sure you do. But that doesn't mean the things you think up will work. (quotes from Washington Post transcript)

Pockets

Guys, when was the last time you bought a pair of pants, only to find it had no pockets or just one pocket? I didn't think so. You make me sick.

I bought a new pair of pants recently, being careful to select a pair with a back pocket that could hold my wallet. I wore them a couple of days ago only to find there were no front pockets at all. Ugh! I hate women's clothing.

The fashion industry seems to be assuming that women are perfectly willing to put everything they carry with them in a purse. Personally, I'm too forgetful to want to leave my wallet and keys in anything that I could possibly leave behind. If I put them in my pant's pocket, unless someone takes my pants (in which case I probably have bigger problems), I minimize my risk of losing them. I do carry a purse, but I put larger and/or less essential items in it. If I'm not going to work, I could leave my purse at home and not miss it. But that's only because I spend most of my shopping hours looking for women's pants with pockets (oh, and women's shirts that aren't revealing or form fitting and don't have messed up sleeves, but that's another rant). Yes, casual clothing such as jeans regularly have pockets. But more professional clothing, even a step above jeans to khakis, are hard to find with functional pockets. Dockers used to have a style with decent pockets, but I can't even find those anymore. I simply do not understand why this is the case.

For the guys out there who don't understand why I say "functional pocket", let me explain. Women's clothes often have false pockets or small pockets just large enough to hold a business card. To me, these are more frustrating than not having a pocket because the clothing designer obviously acknowledges that a pocket should be there and looks just fine being there, but they don't seem to think that pockets should be used. What the &*#$ are pockets for? Decoration? If the pocket is going to be useless, just don't bother with it. Please. It fools those of us who want pockets and are too tired check closely into thinking one is there (false pockets can often seem like true pockets that have been sewn shut).

Isn't anyone else frustrated by this? No? Just me? Okay then.