She Did What?

She Did What?

 

I just read something in the news that has got me wondering.

A young woman in Florida…of course it was Florida…was arrested along with 20 others for solicitation and trafficking in heroin.  A serious charge, but this was only newsworthy on a national scale as this woman had won a million dollars in a lottery not long ago.

That is not what got me wondering.

What caught my eye was the additional charge filed against her.

“unlawful use of a two-way communication device”

WTF?

That’s a crime?  Selling and distributing heroin is pretty serious, why this charge?  Like if we don’t get a conviction for selling drugs, at least we can put her away for a long time for the crime of unlawfully using a two-way communication device?

What was it, a walkie talkie?  A cell phone?  How do you use such a device illegally?

I use a cell phone all the time.  I have never been schooled as to what is lawful use and what is unlawful use of such a device. 

Maybe she took a cell phone a smashed someone over the head.  Would that be unlawful use of a two-way communication device, or would it be assault?

I use my computer to send emails.  Is it a two-way communications device?  I can speak to front door guests on my “Ring” doorbell.  Perhaps I shouldn’t do that.

Please, someone let me know what is lawful and what is unlawful use of a two-way communication device.  Apparently unlawful use of such a device is as serious as dealing drugs.

Until I am sure that I am not breaking the law I will stop all use of any two-way communication devices, so this will be my last post in a while.

 

Wait, I just Googled and found this:

The 2018 Florida Statutes Title XLVII CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS Chapter 934  SECURITY OF COMMUNICATIONS; SURVEILLANCE View Entire Chapter 934.215 Unlawful use of a two-way communications device.—Any person who uses a two-way communications device, including, but not limited to, a portable two-way wireless communications device, to facilitate or further the commission of any felony offense commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. History.—s. 1, ch. 2001-114.

I should have known; it is only an offense in Florida.  So, if you are in Florida and planning to break the law, do not discuss or plan said law breaking on a cell phone or walkie-talkie.

 

This has been a Cranky PSA.

 

I Hate fill in the blank

I Hate fill in the blank

OK, Back to my cranky roots.  Those readers not on Facebook, you are missing out on a lot of good stuff, a lot of fun stuff.  Here is the stuff you are not missing out on. 

Please do not feel the need to tell me how or why you are not on Facebook, I get it, it is OK. I don’t do the pinter-thing or the snap-stuff or link-up.

As much as I like Facebook for keeping up with friends and family, and for connecting with friends from days past, I go bonkers over the memes designed to create clicks and hits for someone’s (I don’t know who or how) enhanced pocketbook.

“I Hate fill in the blank, like and share if you agree!”

If I don’t like and share does it mean I like fill in the blank ?  I hate fill in the blank, but why do I have to profess that to the world on Facebook?  Does it make fill in the blank go away? I have lost loved ones to fill in the blank like almost everyone, of course I hate fill in the blank!  I hate old men in raincoats that show their privates in public!  I hate bratty kids in restaurants! I hate stepping in dog shit!  I hate the bubonic plague!

I don’t need to express and share my hatred for stuff on Facebook!

“I love this country, 90% of my friends will not post and share, I know the 10% that will!”

If I don’t post and share, if I am one of the 90%, please don’t infer that I don’t love this country, or that I am ashamed to admit I love this country, please know that it is ridiculous to have to announce it on Facebook!  I love pizza.  I love TV.  I love my family.  I love my friends (well a few of them) I love lots of stuff and things and concepts…I love not having to announce it on Facebook!

“I love my Grand-kids!  Share if you love yours.”

Who doesn’t live their grand-kids, or their kids, or their parents?  Why post it on Facebook?  Send them a card, call them on the phone, say it to their face, it is not something you need to announce on Facebook.

Here’s the thing, Facebook is great for posting pictures of family and friends, it is great for announcing stuff of interest, it is terrific for funny videos of cats and people falling on their ass.  If you want to post what, when and where you are eating dinner go ahead, Burglars love to know when you are not at home.

Facebook is not so great for stirring crap with your opinions and stupid “I hate” and “I love” memes.

If you vote for a politician based on a Facebook opinion, you should never be allowed to vote again.  If you don’t hate fill in the blank, there is something wrong with you, if you don’t love your grand-kids, you did a crappy job raising your grand-kid's parents.

Stop posting the obvious and then acting like you are special and did something great.

“I hate farts in an elevator.” Share if you agree.

“I hate head lice.” I know which friends will share.

“I hate athletes’ foot.” Comment with a frowny face or you will have bad luck for a week.

“I hate Paris in the Winter, especially when it drizzles!” Like or you’re a jerk

Most of all I hate Facebook memes that state the obvious and expect me to confirm I am a compassionate human being by sharing!

Like and share is you agree.

Baby I Can Drive My Car

Baby I Can Drive My Car
or 
             HELP...either one

When I was younger, so much younger than today, everyone, bragged about, how fast they could make their way.  Those days are gone, so I find, I'm driving really slow. Now I find, I'll lose the time, for mileage that will grow.

Typical comment back in the day:

“I made it from New Brunswick to Atlantic City in an hour and forty-five!  Oh yeah, I had the hammer down on the Garden State Parkway from exit 105 to 38, then caught every light from the Parkway to AC. Beat my old record by 12 minutes!”

It did not matter if you were in a hurry or not, getting from point A to point B in record time was everyone’s goal.  Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, running the amber to beat the red light was standard practice.  Getting stuck behind a slow truck was infuriating.  Bad weather or a traffic jam would kill a record time.

Yes, we were reckless, crazy.  We had all the time in the world, but were always in a hurry, always wanting to brag, “You wouldn’t believe the time we made!”

Ah, that was years ago, Mrs. C and I drive a little differently these days.

Our new car keeps a running total of the MPG on a trip.  The car advertises 30 MPG on average.  We no longer are concerned with the time on a trip, now it is trying to break the MPG record.

Driving now involves coasting whenever possible.  It is important to accelerate slowly, stomping on the gas pedal ruins your average MPG. 

This driving takes a lot of strategy.

When approaching a traffic light; did it just turn green?  Will I make it?  Should I slow down and coast because I can’t make the light, or should I step on it and try to beat the light?  Will making the light make up for wasted gas by excessive acceleration?

It’s not easy.  Driving with one eye on the road and another on the MPG calculator to maximize efficiency is risky, but the reward, beating the manufacturer’s suggested mileage, is somehow worth it.

The current record for highest MPG is 38.  Mrs. C holds that record.  My best is 36.  A trip must be at least 20 miles to be official.

The other day we went to my grandson’s first Holy Communion, a one hour forty-minute trip.  When we arrived, my son asked how long it took us.

“Two hours and ten minutes.”

“Two hours and ten?  I make it to your house in under an hour and a half!”

“Yeah, but we did it at 34.5 MPG!”

"You need HELP!"

"Maybe, but baby I can drive my car."

Different generations, different goals.