Guns for Circus Tickets: The Nashville Incentive

by Jillian @ http://blueshelled.com . August 13, 2009 . 12:41PM

Back in July, a Nashville church offered an interesting incentive to people in the area to decrease violence: bring in your guns and for every gun you turn in, we’ll give you 5 free tickets to see a circus that is coming to town.

When I initially heard about this program, the skeptic inside of me smirked and thought “what kind of ghetto wannabe is gonna give up their piece to go see some lions, and tigers and elephants?”

I got mine.

Apparently, A LOT. The program was a HUGE success. And when I say huge success, I mean 84 guns were collected, and 420 tickets were distributed.

The Care for the Kids gun drive took 84 guns out of commission in Nashville. As a citizen, I’m thankful. As a mother, I’m elated. There are plans to do this in other communities and to possibly do it again in Nashville.

My initial skepticism didn’t account for the number of family members who would bring in guns to get them out of their homes. Many of the folks that brought them in were people that were housing people who carried these guns. I don’t know what crimes were prevented by this action. But I know that there are 84+ potential news stories that I don’t have to worry about seeing on the News.

I can’t wait for the circus to come to town again. I wonder what other incentives we could use to decrease violence in our communities. The creativity and ingenuity of others astounds me. Never underestimate the power of simple pleasures.

Coca Cola just rocked my world

by Jillian @ http://blueshelled.com . August 9, 2009 . 9:46AM

My life just got INFINITELY BETTER. And so did yours. However, what will happen to those people that have trouble choosing just ONE option out of six when they have the knowledge that they can now choose from over 100 hundred options? I see waiting lines at the drink station.

It’s worth it to have Grape Fanta whenever I want. You know I love some fanta.

Zicam causes loss of smell? What now?

by Jillian @ http://blueshelled.com . August 5, 2009 . 1:20PM

Way back in June, consumerist.com had an article out on how Zicam didn’t release complaint reports that over 800 people had experienced anosmia (loss of smell) due to the use of its products. In July, the law suits began.

I have some pretty big issues with this story. Mainly because I use Zicam and, let’s face it, we’re more inclined to be impassioned about a cause when something affects us directly or someone we care about in some way. Or someone we pseudo-care about. Why do you think so many celebrities get paid to endorse things or they support causes? Because if they care, you will, too.

I care because when I get sick with a cold or a flu, this has been one of the first things that several different doctors have touted to me as a recommendation. “Get zicam, take zinc, drink orange juice and stay hydrated. Lots of rest.” It’s become part of the “general prescription.” I don’t like sticking things up my nose, but I use the Zicam because it’s supposed to help shorten my symptoms. I’ve used the kids version for my son.

I’m not a ship jumper or a lemming and I don’t get unnecessarily unraveled at small things. I have the heebies about this. I only use it once or twice a year, thankfully, but I wonder if it would affect me if I was a more sickly person. I want to know more about what’s happening here. The company that makes Zicam is suppressing information. If their product isn’t causing anosmia, why do that?

Most people believe that they can live without their sense of smell. Let me tell you this, your sense of smell is connected to your sense of taste. If you don’t have a sense of smell, your food won’t taste the same, if you have a taste at all. Why do you think you can’t taste food or don’t eat as much when you are sick? Food smells are memories for us. The smell of baby shampoo can take me back to the time when my son was an infant. I hate it when my husband wears cologne because then I can’t smell HIM. That unique makeup of pheromones and sweat and whatever chemical makeup is HIM. What would I do without that?

Why am I writing about this? I wasn’t affected by it, but I won’t be using it until I get the “all clear” and the company provides information about why they didn’t report findings to the FDA and why these people are losing their sense of smell. It didn’t affect me. It might affect you. I care about you.

I think I’d rather be sick an extra couple of days than lose my sense of smell. I’m just sayin.