Suddenly, red is everywhere

Published 12:41 am Wednesday, September 15, 2010

There are just some things that try one’s patience and make you say, “Really?”

Most of the time I’m a go-along, get-along person. It really takes a lot to get under my skin, but I have got to complain about some of the things that have gotten me going here lately.

First, when I think of high fashion, I do not think of sirloin steaks. By now, everyone in the world has heard of Lady Gaga’s meat dress from television Sunday’s MTV’s Video Music Awards Ceremony. If not, you must have been living under a rock.

In my house, we eat meat. We do not wear it. So, when I turned on the television, the flash of marbled, blood red made me stop.

I grew up in the country, and I have seen enough red meat to know that woman was wearing something that a good portion of America would kill to have on their grill.

When asked about it, she said, “It has many interpretations but for me this evening, if we don’t stand up for what we believe in, and if we don’t fight for our rights pretty soon, we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones,” Gaga said.

Did I mention she had a matching purse and shoes, as well as what appeared to be a round steak for a hat?

I don’t call wearing that sort of creation an act of “standing up for what we believe in,” I call that an act of “I want to make sure I get my picture taken – repeatedly.”

That aggravates me.

If someone wants to make a statement of that nature, do something positive. Besides if you’re a vegetarian, wouldn’t you have rather have worn a dress made entirely of corn stalks? I’m just saying that cow died all the same, and for what? A dress? That’s a brilliant statement.

More importantly on the list is the River Falls Street project here in Andalusia.

Now, I have no complaints about the scope of the work – despite the fact that it puts an additional five minutes between me and the wonderful chicken ravioli at Ophelia’s.

In fact, I think it will be a fantastic enhancement to the city as a whole. However, what I do have a gripe about is how people don’t know how to navigate a flashing red light. It drives me bonkers, and well, makes me see red.

Monday morning I sat there I know for a good 10 minutes watching the steady stream of traffic from the Court Square. Not one single car even slowed as they approached the intersection. Not a one.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was taught to approach flashing traffic lights cautiously and as if it were a four-way stop. That means I stop; you stop; I go; you go. It’s not a difficult concept. Remember it, please.