Have you ever noticed the phrase “with all due respect” is always followed by an insult? Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but if you’re trying to treat someone with the respect they’re due, assuming they deserve ones utmost respect, should you really be insulting them? I mean, it just seems so contrary. Of course, the aforementioned phrase may also be used sarcastically, throwing it in the recipient’s face that they are not worthy of respect on any level. So all I can conclude is that when one hears that phrase directed toward them, they should automatically expect either a so-called well-intentioned insult (one might say “constructive criticism”) or a flat-out slap in the face, figuratively speaking of course. In other words, when someone says that to you, you’re neither deserving of nor receiving respect at all. Hmm. Kind of negates the whole thing, doesn’t it.

Yes, it must be Strange Thoughts Saturday, cuz I sure am having some doozies, eh? What can I say, certain things just strike me as oddly funny - or just simply odd. Take for instance the story out of North Bonneville, Washington, where a 26 year old husband and father “was cited with fourth-degree domestic violence assault” for using a stun gun on his wife’s 79 year old grandmother! She wouldn’t leave when he told her to (after she had accused him of abusing his 7 month old by swatting him on his diapered bottom to keep him from grabbing electrical cords. I wonder if she began by saying “with all due respect”?), so “he shocked her on her right shoulder as she sat on the living room couch”. Now, I think we can all agree that what he did goes far beyond odd, and it certainly isn’t funny, but I’ll be darned if I don’t break out in giggles when I picture the scenario in my head. It’s just so stupid it’s funny. Or maybe I’m just suffering from a little brain twist today. Either way, I think we can all agree that truth really IS stranger than fiction!

Oh! Speaking of brains, lattégirl shared some very cool info on her blog yesterday about foods that help boost your brain. I read it and learned. It was good. And I ate some kippers today. I feel boosted already!

Happy Saturday!