I was thankful for things yesterday; I just didn't want to type on my phone. Because I am on a computer so much during the week for work, sometimes just turning on my laptop at home is too much for me. So one thing I am thankful for (and I am sure I am not alone) is weekends!
This weekend I was thankful for a lot, actually. Saturday was a rare weekend day when I had nothing scheduled. I felt amazingly liberated and had plans with a good friend who is always down for an adventure so we kind of made up our minds as we went along. We made an outstanding, memorable day out of a road trip to Wegmans, a half hour in one direction, and a mall that is an hour away in the other direction-even though we passed two other malls en route. I am grateful for finding fun in the small things. I am also grateful to be in a financial situation that allows me to have enough gas in my car to make extraneous journeys like that. Of note, I was also pretty thankful for the free cider and pumpkin bread that I got to sample at Williams Sonoma. Yum!
Sundays are for church and spending time at home. I was thankful that my husband helped me with some tasks around the house that would have been insurmountable without his assistance. I was thankful for the fabulous shoes I wore with my church dress. And, most of all, I was thankful for having a faith community. I can honestly get why "religion" can turn some people off-I can see where they are coming from on some of their points. But, for me, there is such a great benefit to the group of people that comes with the religion. It's such a joy to me to see people each week who have known me my whole life; people I really enjoy knowing.
Finally, I was extremely thankful for last night's episode of The Walking Dead. Laugh if you must but watching tv is one of my favorite escapes and a good episode of a good show is kind of like getting a present when it's not a holiday. That show rocked my socks off last night. I would go so far as to say it was the best episode of the show, period. I don't want to give any spoilers for people who haven't watched yet but WOW.
What are you thankful for today?
Showing posts with label Reality TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reality TV. Show all posts
Monday, November 5, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Theme Thursday: My Dream Job
This week for Theme Thursday I had to think about what my dream job would be. Oddly enough, this isn't a topic I have given much thought to as I have been at my real life job for 7 years now. It's good work and though it's exhausting, I enjoy it. There's also a big part of me who wants to bounce this back to the stay at home moms (and a dad) who are blogging about this topic alongside me and tell them that their jobs are awesome because they don't have to wear bras if they don't want to and they don't have to pencil in trips to Target. Also, I assume they love their kids so that helps.
So when I started brainstorming my dream job, I really entered a land of fantasy in which prior training and experience are not at all considerations. You are judged solely on enthusiasm in the job interview, in which case I would ace my way into all of them.
First pick: Reality TV show casting director.
No humility here. I would be AMAZING at this. Having watched ever y episode of Flavor of Love, I love New York, Rock of Love, I love Money (need I go on....) and email critiqued them all afterwards with my bestie, I know who makes good tv. My psych experience will only help to inform the best combinations of people to create volatile and entertaining interactions. Not a dating competition show? No problem. I am also loyal to Survivor and catch The Amazing Race from time to time. I know how to tone it down if we are on a non-cable network, don't worry. And if the casting is already complete when I show up for my interview, I could always step in as an editor. I could help to omit just the right portion of the conversations to make the bad guy look worse and the good guy look better. And I would never miss a shot that would be totally humiliating to the average person, upping the shows odds of being featured on Tosh.O.
I would be VERY proud of this work.
Second Pick: If the world of reality tv crashes like the written word jobs of the characters in Gone Girl that lead them to their eventual demise (if you haven't read this book yet, run out and get it. You can refresh this page upon your return and keep reading), my backup plan will already be in place. Admittedly, it will have to be put on hold until my treatment for serious depression in response to said crash is completed. Assuming travel information shows don't count as reality tv, I want to replace Samantha Brown. She has the life! She gets to visit fun places, continent at a time, picking through the major cities. She sums each city up in a half hour segment including descriptions of the swank hotel she stayed at, the delicious food she ate, and the unique cultural experience she had. I can do that! In fact, I could one up Samantha. She is a little weak sauce for my taste most trips so I would throw in some scandalous interaction with a local like the time I went on a drug deal in Central America inadvertently or the time I decided it would be a good idea to have a Rastafarian pen pal or the time I crashed a prom and another time, a stag party. Does Samantha do that? Nope, that's the flavor I bring. If, somehow, travel shows are deemed part of the reality tv crash, I will be a travel blogger. I will write some brilliant post and hit it big instantly, with companies just throwing money and offers at me to promote them. The bottom line is that I am going to be traveling and making money doing it.
(YouTube was on strike from me or I would have a nice, mundane clip of Samantha in her hotel room in Rome right here)
If all else fails: I am applying at Barnes and Noble and Bed, Bath and Beyond. On my hardest days, I have an image of myself folding towels in the corner of a linens department. And I like to read a lot and give my opinions so I could be put to use in the young adult section of the bookstore, reviewing trilogies and series with Armageddon scenarios and pictures of girls in ruffly dresses to the young minds of America.
So I guess the moral of the story is that I should never have invested in graduate school since all of my favorite things include watching tv, going where I want, reading and relaxing, and hopefully only putting on a bra or mascara when I feel like it.
If you want to read what some other bloggers have to say about their dream jobs check out the following:
Something Clever 2.0http://www.somethingclever2point0.com/
So when I started brainstorming my dream job, I really entered a land of fantasy in which prior training and experience are not at all considerations. You are judged solely on enthusiasm in the job interview, in which case I would ace my way into all of them.
First pick: Reality TV show casting director.
No humility here. I would be AMAZING at this. Having watched ever y episode of Flavor of Love, I love New York, Rock of Love, I love Money (need I go on....) and email critiqued them all afterwards with my bestie, I know who makes good tv. My psych experience will only help to inform the best combinations of people to create volatile and entertaining interactions. Not a dating competition show? No problem. I am also loyal to Survivor and catch The Amazing Race from time to time. I know how to tone it down if we are on a non-cable network, don't worry. And if the casting is already complete when I show up for my interview, I could always step in as an editor. I could help to omit just the right portion of the conversations to make the bad guy look worse and the good guy look better. And I would never miss a shot that would be totally humiliating to the average person, upping the shows odds of being featured on Tosh.O.
I would be VERY proud of this work.
Second Pick: If the world of reality tv crashes like the written word jobs of the characters in Gone Girl that lead them to their eventual demise (if you haven't read this book yet, run out and get it. You can refresh this page upon your return and keep reading), my backup plan will already be in place. Admittedly, it will have to be put on hold until my treatment for serious depression in response to said crash is completed. Assuming travel information shows don't count as reality tv, I want to replace Samantha Brown. She has the life! She gets to visit fun places, continent at a time, picking through the major cities. She sums each city up in a half hour segment including descriptions of the swank hotel she stayed at, the delicious food she ate, and the unique cultural experience she had. I can do that! In fact, I could one up Samantha. She is a little weak sauce for my taste most trips so I would throw in some scandalous interaction with a local like the time I went on a drug deal in Central America inadvertently or the time I decided it would be a good idea to have a Rastafarian pen pal or the time I crashed a prom and another time, a stag party. Does Samantha do that? Nope, that's the flavor I bring. If, somehow, travel shows are deemed part of the reality tv crash, I will be a travel blogger. I will write some brilliant post and hit it big instantly, with companies just throwing money and offers at me to promote them. The bottom line is that I am going to be traveling and making money doing it.
(YouTube was on strike from me or I would have a nice, mundane clip of Samantha in her hotel room in Rome right here)
If all else fails: I am applying at Barnes and Noble and Bed, Bath and Beyond. On my hardest days, I have an image of myself folding towels in the corner of a linens department. And I like to read a lot and give my opinions so I could be put to use in the young adult section of the bookstore, reviewing trilogies and series with Armageddon scenarios and pictures of girls in ruffly dresses to the young minds of America.
So I guess the moral of the story is that I should never have invested in graduate school since all of my favorite things include watching tv, going where I want, reading and relaxing, and hopefully only putting on a bra or mascara when I feel like it.
If you want to read what some other bloggers have to say about their dream jobs check out the following:
Something Clever 2.0http://www.somethingclever2point0.com/
Cloudy With a Chance of Winehttp://cloudywithachanceofwine.com/
I like beer and babies.http://www.ilikebeerandbabies.com/
Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom http://modmombeyondindiedom.blogspot.com/
Mommy Rotten
http://blog.mommyrotten.com/
The Next Step http://lorihokie.blogspot.com/
A calibama state of mind http://calibamamom.wordpress.com/
Shit I Don't Tell Most Peoplehttp://shitidonttell.blogspot.com/
Mom With Her Running Shoes On http://momwithherrunningshoeson.blogspot.com/
Who Woulda Thought? http://whowouldathought-kevin.blogspot.com
The Insomniac's Dream http://hypnoticbard.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Worst
I realized that I could write a whole blog-not just a post- about the anecdotes that occur commuting to work. Not coincidentally, it's also the place I do some of my best thinking and lots of post ideas bud behind the wheel. That could have something to do with the often snarky tone I put forth here.
Lots of bloggers do weekly happy posts, about the highlights of that week or the things for which they are grateful. I feel like my least kind self when I am in my car, which is where I was yesterday when I started making a mental list of the things that are just the worst this week.
Lots of bloggers do weekly happy posts, about the highlights of that week or the things for which they are grateful. I feel like my least kind self when I am in my car, which is where I was yesterday when I started making a mental list of the things that are just the worst this week.
- When a cop car pulls behind you and all of a sudden you feel like you are 16 and just got your permit again.
- The new Bruno Mars song. (I think this is actually what launched a line of negative thinking)
- When you fill up with gas and then find it for a cheaper price a mile down the road.
- When you cry at non-celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.
- When you leave a Taylor Swift song on with the specific purpose of singing along. And you know the words well enough to do a flawless karaoke performance.
- Rich ladies in SUVs. I know they are rich because of the town I am in and their patented fleece/scarf combo I can see as they pull behind me and honk when I am the one who is 3/4 of the way done backing out of my parking spot.
- When you go someplace you used to love and realize you have outgrown it. Sorry, Dave Matthews concerts.
- When you nobly bring a change of clothes for the gym only to realize you forgot an essential item like a sports bra.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Follow Up about Skippy
Skippy, the breakout star of The Virgin Diaries that airs on TLC Wednesday nights and who blew my mind this week with his belly button lint collecting and excessive talk about sweating has his own website. I Am Skippy.com. Additionally, you can buy Skippy shirts on the TLC webpage.
Yes, I was doing follow up research on the relationship status of the people featured on the show this week and yes, I am a little ashamed:)
Yes, I was doing follow up research on the relationship status of the people featured on the show this week and yes, I am a little ashamed:)
I am the Reality TV Whisperer Part 2
I knew you'd be back for more! This stuff is too good to pass by and I know you don't have time to find all the most scintillating reality shows on your own so let me do the dirty work for you!
Ok, so I had just finished the Virgin Diaries and was actually heading upstairs to start settling down for bed. My DVR has been really full lately so I like to go through it at night to see what I can weed out to make room for the other gems I find along the way. As I was doing this, the tv turned itself on to VH1 (which has been in my top 3 favorite channels for years and is my personal hallmark for reality programming). It must have been recording a show there recently or something but it just delivered me a gift by tuning into the very first episode of a new reality show.
Let's pause there for a minute. How did VH1 making a new reality show sneak by me in the first place? I'm a little ashamed that I wasn't in the know.
But, thank goodness, I'm up to speed now. The new show is called Mama Drama and it features mother/daughter pairs moving into a house Real World style (and all other reality shows based out of a house nowadays style). While this show didn't have the shock factor that Virgin Diaries and belly button lint collecting had, this brought some good, old fashioned appalling people factor that VH1 does better than anyone else. Well, VH1 and MTV are sister channels and it should be noted that the creator of this show is none other than SallyAnn Salsano, creator of the The Jersey Shore.
The best experience for me was that Hubby came home while I was watching and somehow, miraculously, got sucked in by said appalling people. (He is not normally a reality tv watcher like I am, a difference that might be larger in our marriage than our different religions, truthfully). But mothers and daughters who dress alike, more swear words being bleeped out per minute than South Park, and a public throw down in the first episode is kind of irresistible. Oh, I forgot to mention the race war that is brewing in the house before our very eyes. When you tune in, it will be hard to miss Loren, the most foul mouthed woman with a Master's degree known to man. She is there with her twins daughters who she had when she was 16. So yeah, this is basically Teen Mom: The Adult Years. One of her best quotes of the night was "Just cuz you dress prissy don't mean you more classy than another m***er f***er".
So let me break it down for you: Clear your Wednesday nights. Clear your DVR. These shows will make you feel better about your life, make you laugh, make you cringe and bring couples together. What's a better ending to Hump Day than that??
Ok, so I had just finished the Virgin Diaries and was actually heading upstairs to start settling down for bed. My DVR has been really full lately so I like to go through it at night to see what I can weed out to make room for the other gems I find along the way. As I was doing this, the tv turned itself on to VH1 (which has been in my top 3 favorite channels for years and is my personal hallmark for reality programming). It must have been recording a show there recently or something but it just delivered me a gift by tuning into the very first episode of a new reality show.
Let's pause there for a minute. How did VH1 making a new reality show sneak by me in the first place? I'm a little ashamed that I wasn't in the know.
The best experience for me was that Hubby came home while I was watching and somehow, miraculously, got sucked in by said appalling people. (He is not normally a reality tv watcher like I am, a difference that might be larger in our marriage than our different religions, truthfully). But mothers and daughters who dress alike, more swear words being bleeped out per minute than South Park, and a public throw down in the first episode is kind of irresistible. Oh, I forgot to mention the race war that is brewing in the house before our very eyes. When you tune in, it will be hard to miss Loren, the most foul mouthed woman with a Master's degree known to man. She is there with her twins daughters who she had when she was 16. So yeah, this is basically Teen Mom: The Adult Years. One of her best quotes of the night was "Just cuz you dress prissy don't mean you more classy than another m***er f***er".
So let me break it down for you: Clear your Wednesday nights. Clear your DVR. These shows will make you feel better about your life, make you laugh, make you cringe and bring couples together. What's a better ending to Hump Day than that??
Thursday, July 19, 2012
I am the Reailty TV Whisperer Part 1
I seem to go through thematic kicks in my blog posts. Right now the theme is reality tv. It all goes back to self care and the method I am preferring at the moment. There are still way too many travel posts I would like to get out to you but, seeing how it's summer and gorgeous out most days, I feel like I am betraying the lovely New England summer by talking up another place. My brain also goes on a skimmer mode, refusing to dive deep unless it's a special occasion. So I don't crave culture; I crave beach days, Panera lemonade and simple entertainment.
Lucky for me, last night I morphed into The Reality TV Whisperer. I had to bold it because if I ever have to choose the most likely superhero persona for me, that would be it and I want it to be all special like that. Like how Superman gets to be capitalized.
Last Wednesday I stumbled upon Beverly Hills Nannies and thought I had struck gold. The parents were outrageous and the nannies were far too entitled so it made for a great, catty hour. I liked it enough to set the DVR to record it so last night at 10 when I was looking for it but found something else I felt ok choosing the newer option. And boy, am I glad I did!!
It's rare that reality tv can shock me anymore. I mean what idea have the collective "they" not come up with yet? Pretty much every subset of people and animal has been exploited so far. We have gotten a glimpse into the lives of all sorts of taboo, unique, odd and interesting hobbyists and subcultures. Gross habits and obsessions have their own genre, even. But, alas, last night my jaw was on the couch. (it coulnd't make it to the floor because I was in a reclined position).
So what brought me to this state?
Virgin Diaries is a show on TLC, which also just earned a spot in my top 3 favorite channels. The only word that even begins to capture the awesomeness is awkward. So, so very awkward. Last night I was introduced to Skippy, a 34 year old Mormon virgin. I must admit that the Mormon factor is what hooked me in because I want to see how popular media is portraying a culture I identify with but that gets a lot of negative attention. Well, Skippy isn't helping the cause is all I can say. He was almost endearing in his puppy-like enthusiasm and lack of ability to read social cues but his penchant for collecting belly button lint and making self promoting tee shirts and stickers really worked against him.
Then there was the 33 year old moderately attractive girl who is dating a non-virgin but waiting for marriage to consummate their relationship. In theory, that would be fine. But in this dyad, it was painful to watch as the girl was overly confident about her boyfriend's feelings and his private narrative to the camera made it clear that he was only considering marrying her so that they could have sex. Sounds like a healthy plan to me? Um, no.
Finally, there was a follow up to a couple who got married last year, never having ever kissed anyone or each other before their wedding day. The wedding day kiss was seriously the worst thing I have ever seen. It made me physically cringe and want to burrow my head in the couch cushions. The follow up is that they have been working on their kissing but, trust me, the so called improvement is still pretty painful to view and, on top of it all, the two individuals involved are both the kind of people that make you support Darwin a little more. How did either of them survive in the world up until now??
Here's a link to a video of "Practice Makes Perfect"
I texted my bestie and recruited her to watch with me and engage in commentary with me throughout the show because just like misery loves company, so does mockery. And there was so much fodder here that I was legit beaming with glee.
I want to tell you about what I found next but I think you need some time to let this soak in so come back tomorrow for more....In the meantime, puhleazze check this show out and if you are one of my Utah based friends, let me know if you know someone who knows Skippy!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucky for me, last night I morphed into The Reality TV Whisperer. I had to bold it because if I ever have to choose the most likely superhero persona for me, that would be it and I want it to be all special like that. Like how Superman gets to be capitalized.
Last Wednesday I stumbled upon Beverly Hills Nannies and thought I had struck gold. The parents were outrageous and the nannies were far too entitled so it made for a great, catty hour. I liked it enough to set the DVR to record it so last night at 10 when I was looking for it but found something else I felt ok choosing the newer option. And boy, am I glad I did!!
It's rare that reality tv can shock me anymore. I mean what idea have the collective "they" not come up with yet? Pretty much every subset of people and animal has been exploited so far. We have gotten a glimpse into the lives of all sorts of taboo, unique, odd and interesting hobbyists and subcultures. Gross habits and obsessions have their own genre, even. But, alas, last night my jaw was on the couch. (it coulnd't make it to the floor because I was in a reclined position).
So what brought me to this state?
Then there was the 33 year old moderately attractive girl who is dating a non-virgin but waiting for marriage to consummate their relationship. In theory, that would be fine. But in this dyad, it was painful to watch as the girl was overly confident about her boyfriend's feelings and his private narrative to the camera made it clear that he was only considering marrying her so that they could have sex. Sounds like a healthy plan to me? Um, no.
Finally, there was a follow up to a couple who got married last year, never having ever kissed anyone or each other before their wedding day. The wedding day kiss was seriously the worst thing I have ever seen. It made me physically cringe and want to burrow my head in the couch cushions. The follow up is that they have been working on their kissing but, trust me, the so called improvement is still pretty painful to view and, on top of it all, the two individuals involved are both the kind of people that make you support Darwin a little more. How did either of them survive in the world up until now??
Here's a link to a video of "Practice Makes Perfect"
I texted my bestie and recruited her to watch with me and engage in commentary with me throughout the show because just like misery loves company, so does mockery. And there was so much fodder here that I was legit beaming with glee.
I want to tell you about what I found next but I think you need some time to let this soak in so come back tomorrow for more....In the meantime, puhleazze check this show out and if you are one of my Utah based friends, let me know if you know someone who knows Skippy!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Jersey Shore Awesomeness
The only appropriate way to begin this post is "OMG Y'ALL!!!"
My beloved coworker and Bodypump partner in crime just sent me THE MOST AMAZING JEZEBEL PIECE ON THE JERSEY SHORE. It's almost as if this friend was put on the planet to make each week a little brighter with the right amount of dirt. Just two weeks ago, she, herself, went on an actual summer vacation to the Jersey Shore. She stayed in Long Beach Island but made the trip to Seaside Heights to visit our friends Pauly D and Ron-Ron. She actually glimpsed them in the Shore Store and told me all about the security tents and waivers you have to sign and sent pictures to my phone to keep me up to speed in real time. Needless to say, it was all fabulousness. She even brought me home a shirt!! I owe that girl a Blizzard, fo sho.
I might have even gotten around to writing about it and sharing her pictures but then Jezebel upstaged me and they have just a few more followers than I do so I will default to them and their well lit pictures. After feeling icky all day, I saved this for dessert at the end of my work day and it did not disappoint. Aside from the fact that I am going to promptly "forget" all of the talk about the show being acted or the concept that this is the final season, I loved this author's voice and think she could be in the competition for my new bestie if I ever get one of those shows like Paris Hilton had. So I'm going to go read every hyperlink from that posting now and you should go read the posting and then come back here and write me a thank you note.
My beloved coworker and Bodypump partner in crime just sent me THE MOST AMAZING JEZEBEL PIECE ON THE JERSEY SHORE. It's almost as if this friend was put on the planet to make each week a little brighter with the right amount of dirt. Just two weeks ago, she, herself, went on an actual summer vacation to the Jersey Shore. She stayed in Long Beach Island but made the trip to Seaside Heights to visit our friends Pauly D and Ron-Ron. She actually glimpsed them in the Shore Store and told me all about the security tents and waivers you have to sign and sent pictures to my phone to keep me up to speed in real time. Needless to say, it was all fabulousness. She even brought me home a shirt!! I owe that girl a Blizzard, fo sho.
I might have even gotten around to writing about it and sharing her pictures but then Jezebel upstaged me and they have just a few more followers than I do so I will default to them and their well lit pictures. After feeling icky all day, I saved this for dessert at the end of my work day and it did not disappoint. Aside from the fact that I am going to promptly "forget" all of the talk about the show being acted or the concept that this is the final season, I loved this author's voice and think she could be in the competition for my new bestie if I ever get one of those shows like Paris Hilton had. So I'm going to go read every hyperlink from that posting now and you should go read the posting and then come back here and write me a thank you note.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday night tv kills me
I can't decide which is more ridiculous: the bachelorette and its music or the fact that I'm watching it. AGAIN. Thank goodness I usually workout on Monday nights because the two that I've been home and watched this have made me question society a lot. How mean is it that she wants 3 guys to profess their love for her while she stays silent? Greedy. And she needs to start wearing tongue condoms because makeout sessions with so many people back to back is just germy. And don't even get me started on the fact that this bachelorette has a kid and we have to talk about "ricki" so much. Poor kid with her name all over tv and cute 20 somethings writing her love notes before they've met her and fantacizing about being her dad. Altogether creepy.
Then I just saw a commercial for a new Fall show, Nashville. I'm sorry but I already saw this. It was called Country Strong and it was an hour and a half movie. It kills me that the American Horror Story lady is in it because I actuslly respected her.
They are really hyping up this Glass House show, too. One commercial said "why should you watch it? Puppies!" And had the whole cast of the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl run in. The next one said "it's raining in the glass house" and showed multiple housemates crying. I did watch the first episode and thought it had plenty of fodder to mock here but it was so bad that I actually thought I was above ut. That's saying a lot for someone who wants to plan a trip to Vegas just to eat at Flavor Flav's new chicken and waffle restsurant.
Ok, the blond on tv us crying again....it's like a vortex sucking me in.
Then I just saw a commercial for a new Fall show, Nashville. I'm sorry but I already saw this. It was called Country Strong and it was an hour and a half movie. It kills me that the American Horror Story lady is in it because I actuslly respected her.
They are really hyping up this Glass House show, too. One commercial said "why should you watch it? Puppies!" And had the whole cast of the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl run in. The next one said "it's raining in the glass house" and showed multiple housemates crying. I did watch the first episode and thought it had plenty of fodder to mock here but it was so bad that I actually thought I was above ut. That's saying a lot for someone who wants to plan a trip to Vegas just to eat at Flavor Flav's new chicken and waffle restsurant.
Ok, the blond on tv us crying again....it's like a vortex sucking me in.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Happiness Is....
What do I write about most often? Things that relieve my stress, which tends to mostly be created at work. We call stress relievers "self-care" and, as cheesy as it sounds, it's actually an important thing to think about every single day, no matter what you call it. If you don't refill your proverbial tank, there is no way to be happy in the long term. And isn't that what we are all seeking, ultimately? Happiness.
So for me, a few things that relieve stress and I tend to write about a lot are reading, traveling, reality tv, and spending time with friends.For the 4th of July holiday, I took an extra couple of days off from work and was able to cover most of these bases. Here's a little recap:
Reading: I read "Before I Fall" by Lauren Oliver this week. She also writes the Delirium trilogy. All are young adult books but I think that's what makes them as yummy and addictive as gummy bears. Characters in high school are so relateable because we have all been through similar ups and downs and at the heart, they are all about identity and I think identity is something we spend a lifetime honing. I have been on such a dystopian kick that I actually had this book for months before finally giving it my attention. I think I read one too many dystopians and just needed a break and I could not be more pleased with this book. If you have ever visited the site www.foreveryoungadult.com (which you should), you might be familiar with the term "TEABS" The End of an Awesome Book Syndrome. I totally had that last night as I cried at least three times while reading the last chapter and felt a little hollow when it was done so I had to keep the book near me, almost to visually trick myself that I still had more to read and wasn't totally disconnected from the characters.
Traveling: I didn't get to officially travel this weekend. However, the pictures from my trip to Atlantic City two weekends ago were finally released by the team photographer and I got to live some moments over again as I scrolled through them, which was pretty awesome. It was a girl posse trip, for a friends bachelorette party and you know I think girl posses are the best way to travel!
Reality TV: It was really beautiful outside and there were lots of fun things going on to celebrate Independence Day so I didn't do a lot of tv watching. I do think I caught up on HGTV's Design Star and decided that I just can't stay committed to Pregnant in Heels even though it's a really cute show.
Time with Friends: This is really where I excelled this week.
On Wednesday, to celebrate the holiday, I went to a friend's house. The group is one filled with people I have known since high school and it's really cool to see people as the evolve through life. Seeing people who you used to party with parent their children is just precious. They also live on the water and when it got dark the whole neighborhood gathered, along with people on boats, to watch as a few local houses set off town display grade fireworks and people passed out glow sticks and sparklers.
On Thursday my bestie came to my parents pool for some down home relaxing and sun worshiping. I headed out in the late afternoon to get a long awaited massage. AHHHHH.
Friday I drove to Salem, MA, home of the witches:) My life long partner in crime/maid of honor was in town from St. Louis so it was great to spend some time with her and her family. I so appreciate that I love her family just as much as I love her and it felt great to be with such warm people.
Saturday was the best as I went to my cousin's raucous cookout. It's my favorite party of the year! There are so many eclectic people and the family gets to sit down and share stories. Days like that just can't be replaced. Then I went out with another set of friends to watch the UFC Pay Per View. It was a late night but a great fight night. I'm kind of manly in my passion for MMA fighting:)
And then Sunday....a day to regroup. To reflect.
It's amazing to me how just a few days off from work can make such a huge, rejuvenating difference. And it matters less where you are than who you are surrounded by. And that it's so easy to get happy.
So for me, a few things that relieve stress and I tend to write about a lot are reading, traveling, reality tv, and spending time with friends.For the 4th of July holiday, I took an extra couple of days off from work and was able to cover most of these bases. Here's a little recap:
Reading: I read "Before I Fall" by Lauren Oliver this week. She also writes the Delirium trilogy. All are young adult books but I think that's what makes them as yummy and addictive as gummy bears. Characters in high school are so relateable because we have all been through similar ups and downs and at the heart, they are all about identity and I think identity is something we spend a lifetime honing. I have been on such a dystopian kick that I actually had this book for months before finally giving it my attention. I think I read one too many dystopians and just needed a break and I could not be more pleased with this book. If you have ever visited the site www.foreveryoungadult.com (which you should), you might be familiar with the term "TEABS" The End of an Awesome Book Syndrome. I totally had that last night as I cried at least three times while reading the last chapter and felt a little hollow when it was done so I had to keep the book near me, almost to visually trick myself that I still had more to read and wasn't totally disconnected from the characters.
Traveling: I didn't get to officially travel this weekend. However, the pictures from my trip to Atlantic City two weekends ago were finally released by the team photographer and I got to live some moments over again as I scrolled through them, which was pretty awesome. It was a girl posse trip, for a friends bachelorette party and you know I think girl posses are the best way to travel!
Time with Friends: This is really where I excelled this week.
On Wednesday, to celebrate the holiday, I went to a friend's house. The group is one filled with people I have known since high school and it's really cool to see people as the evolve through life. Seeing people who you used to party with parent their children is just precious. They also live on the water and when it got dark the whole neighborhood gathered, along with people on boats, to watch as a few local houses set off town display grade fireworks and people passed out glow sticks and sparklers.
On Thursday my bestie came to my parents pool for some down home relaxing and sun worshiping. I headed out in the late afternoon to get a long awaited massage. AHHHHH.
Friday I drove to Salem, MA, home of the witches:) My life long partner in crime/maid of honor was in town from St. Louis so it was great to spend some time with her and her family. I so appreciate that I love her family just as much as I love her and it felt great to be with such warm people.
Saturday was the best as I went to my cousin's raucous cookout. It's my favorite party of the year! There are so many eclectic people and the family gets to sit down and share stories. Days like that just can't be replaced. Then I went out with another set of friends to watch the UFC Pay Per View. It was a late night but a great fight night. I'm kind of manly in my passion for MMA fighting:)
And then Sunday....a day to regroup. To reflect.
It's amazing to me how just a few days off from work can make such a huge, rejuvenating difference. And it matters less where you are than who you are surrounded by. And that it's so easy to get happy.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday night revelations
I've never blogged from my phone before and it will probably take a month to type and be riddled with errors but I have learned so much on the last hour that I can't help myself. Sadly, most of them are about The Bachelorette.
First off, how can anyone think these people are for real? Where do I begin?! Guys sitting around talking about each others dating strategies? No. This girl is super cheesy. Why does anyone want to date her anyway? Of course she is beautiful but everything she says is irritating.
I think this show would be leaps and bounds better if they let me narrate it and mock them. Like when the single dad is crying about his kid I could be in the bottom right corner making faces like a crying baby rubbing his eyes and laughing that Rob Zombie wife laugh. She has the best make fun of you laugh on the planet.
Another idea I had was to be the next bachelorette. Now hear me out. Yes, I'm married and no I don't actually want to make out with those clowns. But it would be fun to hear their lame-o lines and to catch them in their insincerity. We could take it from vanilla to cotton candy pop rocks.
Side note that I just shamefully recalled: when my husband proposed he said "will you accept this ring?" and I made a Bachelor reference. DURING MY PROPOSAL. A moment I had dreamed about and I tainted it with this filth.
Ok, back to the rose ceremony and to eagerly awaiting the potential gem of The Glass House.
P.S. I just scored a 108 point word in Words With Friends. Booya!
First off, how can anyone think these people are for real? Where do I begin?! Guys sitting around talking about each others dating strategies? No. This girl is super cheesy. Why does anyone want to date her anyway? Of course she is beautiful but everything she says is irritating.
I think this show would be leaps and bounds better if they let me narrate it and mock them. Like when the single dad is crying about his kid I could be in the bottom right corner making faces like a crying baby rubbing his eyes and laughing that Rob Zombie wife laugh. She has the best make fun of you laugh on the planet.
Another idea I had was to be the next bachelorette. Now hear me out. Yes, I'm married and no I don't actually want to make out with those clowns. But it would be fun to hear their lame-o lines and to catch them in their insincerity. We could take it from vanilla to cotton candy pop rocks.
Side note that I just shamefully recalled: when my husband proposed he said "will you accept this ring?" and I made a Bachelor reference. DURING MY PROPOSAL. A moment I had dreamed about and I tainted it with this filth.
Ok, back to the rose ceremony and to eagerly awaiting the potential gem of The Glass House.
P.S. I just scored a 108 point word in Words With Friends. Booya!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Things that blew my mind this week
1. By now, you have probably already seen this piece about a NJ mother who brought her daughter tanning. It's trending on Facebook and a lead story on Yahoo. Of course the obvious main theme is that taking your kid tanning equals bad parenting but why aren't more people talking about the mom's face? Holy tanorexic!
2. One of the gems of being off of work to recover from my minor surgery is a plethora of free time to watch lots of tv. How has no one told me about the channel "Hub Tv" yet? It's an 80's baby's dream come true. Today, alone, I watched The Facts of Life, Fraggle Rock, My Little Pony, Pound Puppies and Strawberry Shortcake. Ok, the last three are remakes and didn't totally do it for me because I wanted the real thing. But Facts of Life was enlightening. It was like an experiment in tv evolution. They spelled the message they wanted me to learn out and then shouted it at me. No subtlety at all. But did I still almost shed a tear? But of course. Yet to come? Wonder Years is being DVRd in the very near future. Oh, and they are showing Gremlins 2 as their Saturday night movie.
3. Another treasure I stumbled upon is Total Black Out on the SyFy. While I discovered that I completely detest host Jaleel White and he annoyed me pretty much every time he spoke, this was a wonderful combination of hilarious and scary. It's like fear factor to the nth degree. Four contestants begin and the first challenge is to individually go into a pitch black room and stick your hand into four containers and identify what you are touching. Rats and snakes are not out of the question. They learn who is eliminated by all jumping on a platform, one of which gives way and dumps the person down a black hole. Awesome.
The next round is smells. The three remaining players have to go up to holes in glass, sniff things and identify them. What would be the worst thing you could imagine sniffing? Now imagine you are doing that in the dark, through a hole, while being filmed to air to the world. Yup, that happened. A man bent over on the other side of the glass with a hole cut out of his spandex and the contestants walked up to the hole and inhaled. Interestingly, everyone got that one. Other smells to identify included hard boiled eggs off someones breath, dirty socks, and shoe polish.
4. Commercials. Those smoking commercials about stomas are clearly effective as they really disgust me each and every time I see them. More amusing are the Michael Jordan commercials on Sports Center with which my husband is obsessed.(Yes, I just changed that line to be grammatically correct even though a normal human would never say it that way. Unless that person was a professor in England because I think they have different rules). It follows a plain, boring man named Michael Jordan as he interacts with people who know his name and, thus, expect the celebrity.
5. Did you know on Conan's show when they show a website on the bottom of the screen they actually show a picture of Guns and Roses' Slash's face instead of putting in the "/" slash? He is just so cool. His cousin taught me a government class in high school, btw.
6. Which reminds me...I got the most noteworthy text of my life this week. A friend sent me a text to let me know she was at a party with Meryl Streep!! Really?? Her hubby is in an Off Broadway play in NYC and the post opening night party. But really, who goes to party where Meryl Streep shows up? My friend, evidently.
2. One of the gems of being off of work to recover from my minor surgery is a plethora of free time to watch lots of tv. How has no one told me about the channel "Hub Tv" yet? It's an 80's baby's dream come true. Today, alone, I watched The Facts of Life, Fraggle Rock, My Little Pony, Pound Puppies and Strawberry Shortcake. Ok, the last three are remakes and didn't totally do it for me because I wanted the real thing. But Facts of Life was enlightening. It was like an experiment in tv evolution. They spelled the message they wanted me to learn out and then shouted it at me. No subtlety at all. But did I still almost shed a tear? But of course. Yet to come? Wonder Years is being DVRd in the very near future. Oh, and they are showing Gremlins 2 as their Saturday night movie.
3. Another treasure I stumbled upon is Total Black Out on the SyFy. While I discovered that I completely detest host Jaleel White and he annoyed me pretty much every time he spoke, this was a wonderful combination of hilarious and scary. It's like fear factor to the nth degree. Four contestants begin and the first challenge is to individually go into a pitch black room and stick your hand into four containers and identify what you are touching. Rats and snakes are not out of the question. They learn who is eliminated by all jumping on a platform, one of which gives way and dumps the person down a black hole. Awesome.
The next round is smells. The three remaining players have to go up to holes in glass, sniff things and identify them. What would be the worst thing you could imagine sniffing? Now imagine you are doing that in the dark, through a hole, while being filmed to air to the world. Yup, that happened. A man bent over on the other side of the glass with a hole cut out of his spandex and the contestants walked up to the hole and inhaled. Interestingly, everyone got that one. Other smells to identify included hard boiled eggs off someones breath, dirty socks, and shoe polish.
4. Commercials. Those smoking commercials about stomas are clearly effective as they really disgust me each and every time I see them. More amusing are the Michael Jordan commercials on Sports Center with which my husband is obsessed.(Yes, I just changed that line to be grammatically correct even though a normal human would never say it that way. Unless that person was a professor in England because I think they have different rules). It follows a plain, boring man named Michael Jordan as he interacts with people who know his name and, thus, expect the celebrity.
5. Did you know on Conan's show when they show a website on the bottom of the screen they actually show a picture of Guns and Roses' Slash's face instead of putting in the "/" slash? He is just so cool. His cousin taught me a government class in high school, btw.
6. Which reminds me...I got the most noteworthy text of my life this week. A friend sent me a text to let me know she was at a party with Meryl Streep!! Really?? Her hubby is in an Off Broadway play in NYC and the post opening night party. But really, who goes to party where Meryl Streep shows up? My friend, evidently.
Monday, April 30, 2012
TV shows worth watching
Let me first begin by saying that DVR is the greatest invention of my generation, hands down. Ya, the internet has lots to offer but do you remember when you had to find a "tape" to record your favorite show so you could go out on a Wednesday night? Or worse, when you forgot to set up the tape or had to call your mom to hit record right at 8? The stress of that PLUS actually having to understand the Dewey Index System in order to research your book report....kids today shouldn't be having the troubles that they do because they don't even know what stress is!
So with unending gratitude to my DVR, I am able to sample lots of shows and decide which ones stay and which ones go from my weekly regiment. I won't kid you; most stay. There's a whole ranking system of what has to be watched on the night it airs vs. what can wait for the weekend and what needs my full attention vs what can be on in the background. Some shows are best enjoyed fresh while others should be savored marathon style when a few episodes have accumulated.
Let's dissect, day by day, what you should consider adding to your DVR repertoire.
Sunday: Mob Wives, Once Upon A Time, Tough Love, NYC 22
This is just right now. Two months ago, the #1 Sunday priority was clearly Downton Abbey.
For now, I stick with Mob Wives mostly out of loyalty, something very important to the ladies' way of life. Admittedly, I am like 5 episodes behind and have not enjoyed this season nearly as much now that new characters have been introduced to the posse. I'm a little mad at VH1 for assuming I will just accept them with no warning or introduction.
Once Upon A Time is really cute. It doesn't suck me in or get priority status but it's something Hubby and I can watch together and it'd definitely creative.
Tough Love New Orleans just started a couple of weeks ago. Week 1 was really great. Week 2 was vanilla. This will only be week 3 so the jury is still our. Generally, though, this show is a fun one and Steve Ward's no nonsense style is right up my alley.
NYC 22. I haven't actually watched it yet but I keep DVRing it in the hope that I will sit down one day and get into it. I think I initially set the recording for Hubby because it looks like a lot of the shows he has loved in the past but he has been watching them on demand so I don't know if this will stay on the list for long.
image from Wikipedia
Monday:How I Met Your Mother, RuPaul's Drag Race
HIMYM is one of the few sitcoms I care to follow regularly. New episodes are infrequent, it feels, but even catching a rerun is a good time. Let's be real, it's this generation's Friends. Good humor, characters you care about. Except Robin. I really don't like Robin. Am I supposed to?
RuPaul's Drag Race is super underrated. This show is the best combination of all things. It's funny and fluffy, catty as all competition shows should be, but also sneaks in valuable lessons about bullying and social equality. Not only that but they have their own lexicon that helps me feel like one "the girls".
Tuesday:White Room Challenge
This one is new to the list. Tuesdays were empty for a while after Teen Mom ended. I just can't do 16 and pregnant; even I have limits. It feels like it's one of 3 or 4 different depressing scenarios playing out each week. So I just discovered White Room Challenge on HGTV. It's an hour of fun with four designers tasked with one of the favorite challenges from each season fo HGTV's Design Star. They each have to transform a plain white room into something amazing using random things: sometimes it's restaurant supplies, sometimes it's flowers.
Wednesday:Survivor, Criminal Minds, America's Next Top Model, Couple's Therapy
Survivor is classic reality tv and I love it. Kudos to them for always trying to change some dynamic to make each season feel different, too. This season is filled with idiots and unlikeable ladies but it's still a priority.
Criminal Minds gets taped if there's time and space. It's totally not priority but can be a good compromise when Hubby wants to watch tv with me. It's a good show, don't get me wrong. But I don't need to follow it each week.
Top Model is also kind of weak this season with it's "British Explosion". But the weird photo shoots and crazy things that come out of Tyra's mouth keep me coming back for more!
Couple's Therapy is the first season of a new VH1 show. There are people who love reality tv Bravo style and then there are VH1ers, of which I fall into the latter category. I give most of what they throw at me a try. This show combines the therapeutic elements that we knew and loved from shows like Celebrity Rehab and it does involve D list celebrities, which is interesting because you get to see a totally unexpected side of their personas. I like this show most for the therapeutic interventions. Since that's my line of work, it's really cool to me to see how they "work" with the couples.
Wednesday is my favorite tv night of the week.
Image from Wikipedia
Thursday:The Big Bang Theory, Touch, The Pauly D Project
Big Bang is just funny. Like HIMYM, it's just a sitcom that is just as good to watch as a rerun as new. It always brings a smile.
Touch is more for Hubby. To me, it's background tv. It's clever but I don't think dramas are my thing.
Pauly D. is one of those best devoured as a marathon shows. It's not Jersey Shore. It's not wonderful by any stretch of the imagination. I kind of hope it doesn't get a second season. But on a day when you don't really want to think, you can down a few episodes effortlessly. It's the Skittles of the tv world.
Friday:Who Do You Think You Are, The Ultimate Fighter
I feel really passionate about each of these shows in totally different ways.
Who do you think you are inspired it's own blog post once. It tracks the genealogy and stories of relatives of celebrities. It's fascinating, enriching, and often brings me to tears. It's also really frustrating because so much hard work is done for them and I am jealous. There, I said it. I want to be on the show.
The Ultimate Fighter is the only sport I care about. It's Mixed Martial Arts fighting. All the guys live in one house and train as two teams under pro coaches, who also fight at the end of the season. The fights are live and exciting. I like that it shows that these guys have real heart. They are not just meatheads wanting to be violent; they have dynamic background stories and you see more of their personalities than what gets to the ring. It's such an odd thing for me to adore and I don't even watch it with my husband. But I'm a super fan and this gets priority.
Pic from MMA weekly
Saturday: nothing
Saturday is meant for catching up on last week's shows! Maybe watch some HGTV shows, a little Storage Wars, some Golden Girls or Roseanne.
Let me close by cautioning that my DVR is 70-80% full most of the time because I don't really get to watch all of this tv every week. I only feel safe revealing all of this to you because you know that I am not a 659 lb man that sits on the couch only reviewing the above shows. I read, travel, exercise, go to work, live an otherwise fulfilling life without all of this "junk". But I believe tv is great self care; sometimes you need to shut down your own head for a bit and watch the drama that ensues on the screen. That's my rationalization, at least. What are your priority shows?
So with unending gratitude to my DVR, I am able to sample lots of shows and decide which ones stay and which ones go from my weekly regiment. I won't kid you; most stay. There's a whole ranking system of what has to be watched on the night it airs vs. what can wait for the weekend and what needs my full attention vs what can be on in the background. Some shows are best enjoyed fresh while others should be savored marathon style when a few episodes have accumulated.
Let's dissect, day by day, what you should consider adding to your DVR repertoire.
Sunday: Mob Wives, Once Upon A Time, Tough Love, NYC 22
This is just right now. Two months ago, the #1 Sunday priority was clearly Downton Abbey.
For now, I stick with Mob Wives mostly out of loyalty, something very important to the ladies' way of life. Admittedly, I am like 5 episodes behind and have not enjoyed this season nearly as much now that new characters have been introduced to the posse. I'm a little mad at VH1 for assuming I will just accept them with no warning or introduction.
Once Upon A Time is really cute. It doesn't suck me in or get priority status but it's something Hubby and I can watch together and it'd definitely creative.
Tough Love New Orleans just started a couple of weeks ago. Week 1 was really great. Week 2 was vanilla. This will only be week 3 so the jury is still our. Generally, though, this show is a fun one and Steve Ward's no nonsense style is right up my alley.
NYC 22. I haven't actually watched it yet but I keep DVRing it in the hope that I will sit down one day and get into it. I think I initially set the recording for Hubby because it looks like a lot of the shows he has loved in the past but he has been watching them on demand so I don't know if this will stay on the list for long.
Monday:How I Met Your Mother, RuPaul's Drag Race
HIMYM is one of the few sitcoms I care to follow regularly. New episodes are infrequent, it feels, but even catching a rerun is a good time. Let's be real, it's this generation's Friends. Good humor, characters you care about. Except Robin. I really don't like Robin. Am I supposed to?
RuPaul's Drag Race is super underrated. This show is the best combination of all things. It's funny and fluffy, catty as all competition shows should be, but also sneaks in valuable lessons about bullying and social equality. Not only that but they have their own lexicon that helps me feel like one "the girls".
Tuesday:White Room Challenge
This one is new to the list. Tuesdays were empty for a while after Teen Mom ended. I just can't do 16 and pregnant; even I have limits. It feels like it's one of 3 or 4 different depressing scenarios playing out each week. So I just discovered White Room Challenge on HGTV. It's an hour of fun with four designers tasked with one of the favorite challenges from each season fo HGTV's Design Star. They each have to transform a plain white room into something amazing using random things: sometimes it's restaurant supplies, sometimes it's flowers.
Wednesday:Survivor, Criminal Minds, America's Next Top Model, Couple's Therapy
Survivor is classic reality tv and I love it. Kudos to them for always trying to change some dynamic to make each season feel different, too. This season is filled with idiots and unlikeable ladies but it's still a priority.
Criminal Minds gets taped if there's time and space. It's totally not priority but can be a good compromise when Hubby wants to watch tv with me. It's a good show, don't get me wrong. But I don't need to follow it each week.
Top Model is also kind of weak this season with it's "British Explosion". But the weird photo shoots and crazy things that come out of Tyra's mouth keep me coming back for more!
Couple's Therapy is the first season of a new VH1 show. There are people who love reality tv Bravo style and then there are VH1ers, of which I fall into the latter category. I give most of what they throw at me a try. This show combines the therapeutic elements that we knew and loved from shows like Celebrity Rehab and it does involve D list celebrities, which is interesting because you get to see a totally unexpected side of their personas. I like this show most for the therapeutic interventions. Since that's my line of work, it's really cool to me to see how they "work" with the couples.
Wednesday is my favorite tv night of the week.
Thursday:The Big Bang Theory, Touch, The Pauly D Project
Big Bang is just funny. Like HIMYM, it's just a sitcom that is just as good to watch as a rerun as new. It always brings a smile.
Touch is more for Hubby. To me, it's background tv. It's clever but I don't think dramas are my thing.
Pauly D. is one of those best devoured as a marathon shows. It's not Jersey Shore. It's not wonderful by any stretch of the imagination. I kind of hope it doesn't get a second season. But on a day when you don't really want to think, you can down a few episodes effortlessly. It's the Skittles of the tv world.
Friday:Who Do You Think You Are, The Ultimate Fighter
I feel really passionate about each of these shows in totally different ways.
Who do you think you are inspired it's own blog post once. It tracks the genealogy and stories of relatives of celebrities. It's fascinating, enriching, and often brings me to tears. It's also really frustrating because so much hard work is done for them and I am jealous. There, I said it. I want to be on the show.
The Ultimate Fighter is the only sport I care about. It's Mixed Martial Arts fighting. All the guys live in one house and train as two teams under pro coaches, who also fight at the end of the season. The fights are live and exciting. I like that it shows that these guys have real heart. They are not just meatheads wanting to be violent; they have dynamic background stories and you see more of their personalities than what gets to the ring. It's such an odd thing for me to adore and I don't even watch it with my husband. But I'm a super fan and this gets priority.
Saturday: nothing
Saturday is meant for catching up on last week's shows! Maybe watch some HGTV shows, a little Storage Wars, some Golden Girls or Roseanne.
Let me close by cautioning that my DVR is 70-80% full most of the time because I don't really get to watch all of this tv every week. I only feel safe revealing all of this to you because you know that I am not a 659 lb man that sits on the couch only reviewing the above shows. I read, travel, exercise, go to work, live an otherwise fulfilling life without all of this "junk". But I believe tv is great self care; sometimes you need to shut down your own head for a bit and watch the drama that ensues on the screen. That's my rationalization, at least. What are your priority shows?
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Reality TV: A social experiment
Back on my soapbox and my concerns for the future, today's topic is reality tv.
Now hold on, my dearies. I have not gone all righteous on you and abandoned my own personal love for this genre. In fact, if viewer's choice awards were reversed and the shows got to vote on their favorite viewers instead, I like to think I would at least get an honorable mention from a handful of the slimiest reality shows. In fact, I once earned a gift card from VH1 for sharing my opinions about the shows I Love Money and Rock of Love. Little did they know I went and spent it on real, live books! Oh, the irony.
So now that I have stated for the record that I flat out adore reality tv and find even the people who should be receiving substance treatment on Jersey Shore to be heroes in my quest for escapism by Thursday night, I would like to express some of my fears for the future generation. I admit that as a thirtysomething professional with advanced education and a life dedicated to eradicating violence in intimate relationships, I have actually used some of the catch phrases from the creme de la creme of reality shows to try to start a fight. Having seen a lot of fight scenes and heard the language used to escalate them, it all started to sound normal in my head. Thankfully, on these shows, post-fight, everyone goes back to being friends and such is the ending to my tale, too. My point is that if it could sink into my head, what is it doing to teens who don't know what life before dating competition shows was like?
To expand, I'm slightly less familiar with all of the "extreme" kinds of shows but, of course, have seen a few here and there. How do these looks at the private lives of strangers impact still forming minds? Will my niece or nephew become hoarders? Or extreme couponers? Or will the world watch as they struggle to lose weight? While it's great to break down barriers of shame, certain behaviors that people in the past may have kept under wraps are now being glorified. I love Teen Mom (sorry) and I've lost more than a few hours to Storage Wars but with the distance of adulthood, I watch in awe that people put themselves out there, not with any assumption of normalcy.
It IS really interesting to get to see how other people live and think, sure. But combine this voyeurism with the public chronicling of Facebook (from yesterday's rant) and how do kids today learn about boundaries?? How do they know what is private? Sacred? What is worth looking at just to see and not to take a picture of to post online? As the national treasure Betty White said when she hosted SNL, 30 years ago when someone wanted to show you a slideshow of their vacation, you groaned whereas now we look at other people's pictures without even letting them know we have done so.
What a funny world we live in, right?
Now hold on, my dearies. I have not gone all righteous on you and abandoned my own personal love for this genre. In fact, if viewer's choice awards were reversed and the shows got to vote on their favorite viewers instead, I like to think I would at least get an honorable mention from a handful of the slimiest reality shows. In fact, I once earned a gift card from VH1 for sharing my opinions about the shows I Love Money and Rock of Love. Little did they know I went and spent it on real, live books! Oh, the irony.
So now that I have stated for the record that I flat out adore reality tv and find even the people who should be receiving substance treatment on Jersey Shore to be heroes in my quest for escapism by Thursday night, I would like to express some of my fears for the future generation. I admit that as a thirtysomething professional with advanced education and a life dedicated to eradicating violence in intimate relationships, I have actually used some of the catch phrases from the creme de la creme of reality shows to try to start a fight. Having seen a lot of fight scenes and heard the language used to escalate them, it all started to sound normal in my head. Thankfully, on these shows, post-fight, everyone goes back to being friends and such is the ending to my tale, too. My point is that if it could sink into my head, what is it doing to teens who don't know what life before dating competition shows was like?
To expand, I'm slightly less familiar with all of the "extreme" kinds of shows but, of course, have seen a few here and there. How do these looks at the private lives of strangers impact still forming minds? Will my niece or nephew become hoarders? Or extreme couponers? Or will the world watch as they struggle to lose weight? While it's great to break down barriers of shame, certain behaviors that people in the past may have kept under wraps are now being glorified. I love Teen Mom (sorry) and I've lost more than a few hours to Storage Wars but with the distance of adulthood, I watch in awe that people put themselves out there, not with any assumption of normalcy.
It IS really interesting to get to see how other people live and think, sure. But combine this voyeurism with the public chronicling of Facebook (from yesterday's rant) and how do kids today learn about boundaries?? How do they know what is private? Sacred? What is worth looking at just to see and not to take a picture of to post online? As the national treasure Betty White said when she hosted SNL, 30 years ago when someone wanted to show you a slideshow of their vacation, you groaned whereas now we look at other people's pictures without even letting them know we have done so.
What a funny world we live in, right?
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