All the news unfit to print

I saw on the news this morning that the paprazzi were chasing Prince William and his flame for photos . . . again. The press, and particularly those who hold cameras, claim that the "people" want to know about celebrities. I don't know anyone who gives a rat's patoot about Prince William's love life. I don't know anyone who wakes up in the morning and thinks, "Gee, I wonder what Madonna is up to today." or goes to bed at night wondering if Lindsey Lohan would get into more trouble during the nightime hours. Most people really don't care. If nothing was ever said again about Pitt and Jolie, would anyone notice? If poptart-no-longer Brit Spears or Tom Cruise's family were never to grace another magazine cover, would they be missed and their careers end? If their careers ended, then maybe there was no talent there to begin with. So, why do we continue to subsidize the talentless. Those with talent will continue to sell tickets. Tom Hanks doesn't get this kind of publicity and he is a successful actor who sells tickets at the boxoffice. If we stopped buying magazines or newspapers with rude or embarrassing photos and stories about famous people, perhaps those publications would eventually have to print real news - important news, such as more about the laws that Congress passes (how they affect you as an individual) and the state of our infrastructure, or where are tax dollars really go. Either that or they would go out of business. And that would be a good thing, don't you think?

Customer Complaints #1

I positively hate clothing labels, especially those on the back of the neck of blouses, dresses, skirts, and trousers. Long ago, these labels were made from natural fibers and they tended to become softer with every wash. Today, the labels are made with various synthetic fibers and, as they are washed, they become stiffer. When I wear a blouse that has been laundered a few times, the tag corners are hard and curl so that it feels like I am being poked by a needle. I encourage the use of imprinting label informatin on fabric, like some of the mens T-shirts from a famous manufacturer. If anyone in the clothing industry read this, STOP using synthetic fibers for those tags or find someplace less painful to locate the tags - like on the bottom hem.

I would like to see the use of plastic "thread" too. Not only do the ends poke like needles, but they come unraveled far too easily. The "thread" does not knot well. Even for the least expensive clothing items, we are not getting what we pay for - a level of quality. No one should have to practically remake hems, and resew buttons because of cheap thread and poor workmanship. Yes, I know that many clothes are made overseas where tradecraft is not taught. Well, I didn't ship the jobs there.

Speaking of synthetic fibers, am I the only person who thinks that many synthetics feel scratchy? I have purchased dresses said to be crepe and they feel like Brillo on my arms and back. Eeewwww, that is very uncomfortable. And now, it seems as if I can't find a garment that does not have spandex in it somewhere. I certainly appreciate that spandex has a place in some garments, but it is like wearing a plastic bag on your body. Along the mid-Atlantic coast, in the spring, summer, and fall (when it is hot or warm and muggy), we want COTTON blends (only enough polyester to keep down the wrinkles so that we don't have to iron. Ditch the Spandex!

So long until next time. Linda