at last...

Friday night at last... the final day of August.
It's been a busy, hectic week ... you know how it is. You have to work extra hours so you can have a day off for the holiday.
But I'm looking forward to a "long" weekend, as I'm sure everyone else is.
The beginning of a long weekend is always deliciious, isn't it? You have these visions of how it will be, what you will do, what you WON'T do...
and then, just like that, it's gone.
But savor the hours ahead.. you'll never have them again.

How did we get here?

Most of us probably missed the "live" gaff by Miss South Carolina in the Teen USA contest, but we've seen it countless times since then on the Internet or TV.
One morning radio show host even called her a TWIT -- Trophy Wife in Training.
That may be a bit severe, but even with stage fright factored in, you just have to wonder about what was going on in her head...
See what I mean...

THE QUESTION:

Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can’t locate the U.S. on a world map. Why do you think this is?

THE ANSWER:
Miss Teen South Carolina: I personally believe the U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don’t have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and the Iraq everywhere like such as and I believe they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa or should help the Iraq and Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us.

give me a break

Sorry, but the "apology" by Michael Vick today just did not move me to tears in pity for him.
Gee, I'm sorry that I lied to everyone; I'm sorry that I was involved in such horrendous activities.
Maybe he's just sorry that he got caught?
I know people may accuse me of being nasty about this because I love animals and think their lives should be respected.
But there just is no excuse for this.
He says he's found Jesus now and his life is changed.
Guess we can only hope so.

heat wave

As predicted, the heat is back with a vengeance... and with humidity.
It's Saturday and, after having to wait for the phone repairman all morning, I then had to head out to run some errands.
You can tell it's hot; the drivers were even more short-tempered than usual around here.
Not that area drivers ever are courteous, mindful of the rules of the road or even paying attention to what they are doing.
My favorite today? The woman talking on a cell phone, with a dog in her lap, going through a red light.
Naturally if an accident had occurred, it wouldn't have been her fault.
The roads around here are becoming more deadly by the day.
Can't anyone remember that red means stop? And that multitasking is best left at the office?

can't wait for autumn

Haven't the last several days been wonderful? The cool weather, the much-needed rain... if it were up to me, these temperatures would stay. Autumn can't be beat, in my book.
But we all know that August is far from finished wilting us ... steamy weather ahead, by all accounts.
And that may mean tempers will rise with the temperatures.
Labor Day is fast approaching, and with it the end to kids' vacations. Back-to-school shopping, last-minute vacations, the thought of school buses back on the roads.
Just some musings on what may be the last superbly cool day for weeks to come.

A first post

You've found "By chance..."
As the editor of The Reporter newspaper, I plan to comment on the "chance" adventures we all experience and observe every day. Bad drivers, traffic nightmares, good deeds, the ordinary and extraordinary of life... it's all by chance, isn't it?
Check back as the blog grows... and feel free to comment on the postings.