How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways...

Ok, so there is so much to complain about that this blog couldn't possibly hold it all.

But then again, who wants to read nothing but complaints? Nobody, that's who.

Moving right along.....

I have recently been increasingly intrigued by the common usage of phrases and terms, including "house on fire." So let us talk about that for a minute.

Have you heard this one? "I got a real house on fire here!" "Forget that other project; this is the house on fire."

We as messaging consumers are to consider whatever is labeled "house on fire" to be of the utmost priority. It would appear that without regard of any other outstanding known issues, we are to immediately engage this "house on fire" with as much gusto as is humanly possible.

So what's wrong with this terminology? I'll tell you what.... kinda moving from the metaphorical to reality.

Typically, a house or other structure ablaze is readily apparent to even the most casual of observers. Where there is smoke and that terrible smell, there is typically a fire (unless someone is rubbing their rotten sneakers together).

And there's ash and heat and firefighters and sirens from trucks and people standing around pointing at it and weeping family members or friends and helicopters overhead and countless other indicators that you are, indeed, in the presence of a flaming domicile.

And there are people efforting with urgency to subdue the conflagration. If you've never been up close and personal to a house fire, you might not get it. But believe me - when you've got a real house on fire in your face, it's hard to miss.

Here's what doesn't lead you to believe the whole "house on fire" routine. Someone shouting a directive or otherwise hastily providing "direction" regarding something you knew nothing about just moments ago.

Say you've got things - projects, ideas, work-related goals or whatever - that are exclusively in your head, daytimer or spreadsheet. Well guess what: the rest of the world likely knows nothing about them. You are seeing ashes, hearing the trucks and manning a hose.... the rest of us are going about our business because there is nothing to see here.

"Failure to plan on your part does not necessitate an emergency on my part." Firefighters, mercifully, are not trained to live by the motto, and apparently many others are keenly unaware of it's meaning....

So in short, I'm not your firefighter. And I don't smell smoke... So don't come around here trying to sell me your burning building business!

And now: A house on fire!