CSV: "Common-Sense Violations"

I had dinner out last night with a very old friend. He is not chronologically old but rather old in wisdom and old in the length of time he has put up with me as one of his best friends. I always direct the conversation because there are times when I choose not to talk at all and would rather people watch. (You would be amazed at the incredible, soap-opera-like lives I create for perfect strangers. It is also important to note that I sometimes introduce myself to these strangers and share my created stories. This usually happens following a very large glass of wine, but my point is that in all cases, their real lives were much more incredible than I had imagined.)

Last night I turned the lead in the conversation over to Sir Strutherford (pseudonym to protect the innocent) and he decided to engage in a game of "Truth." I had convinced him in previous settings that we are much too old now to play the full game of "Truth or Dare" because his dares included singing the full national anthem in quiet restaurants and speaking to every person I saw in a crowded mall for one hour and calling them each "sweet honey muffin." His first question: "Name what you like best about my mind?" My reply: "It works slower than mine so I have the ability to mind control you." Then came his answer: "Your unduplicated way of being real about the day-to-day insanity of life and making common sense seem so profound." That was his answer. Sir Strutherford in all his glory made me smile like a Cheshire cat.

I have actually not stopped thinking about it as you can see by this lengthy blog sharing the gritty details. In fact, I made a commitment to myself to stop being superficially nice and start being as "real" as logic would allow. The gloves have come off, so to speak, and I am just going to say everything in the way I would say it to my friend when no one else can hear.

What are these things? Let's start with a few, and I promise to share at least one CSV--"Common-Sense Violation"--a month. I hope you will share yours as well.

CSV: Women who walk around in air-conditioned malls or outside on rainy, cold days carrying their babies who are wearing nothing but a onesie--no blanket, no jacket. We should all have big red warning tickets so we can just hand these out without having to say anything except to write the violation on the back. Let's face it, they need it spelled out. HELLO, if you are wearing pants and a long-sleeved shirt, maybe it's a good idea to keep your child above freezing temperatures.

CSV: Men who really think they are spending quality time with their kids when they are watching television, handing off random toys while never shifting their eyes away from the television. HELLO, placating your children is the reason they always seem to prefer mommy when you are trying to be Daddy of the Year in social settings.

Common sense is underrated, but not in "50 Success Classics." http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857883330
This book is a compilation of the 50 most important and inspiring books that have helped readers unleash their potential. See how many times the term "common sense" is used in it.