The Reality of Television

From time to time you may hear we whine about the ridiculousness that is reality television. Clearly, there is nothing realistic about racing around the world, mothering children of a different family for two weeks, or eating a windshield full of bugs.

But I must admit...I've been sucked in. I watch them too. Everything in moderation, of course, but they do grace the screen of our television...perhaps, on a daily basis.

Just last night I watched a very large round-cut diamond being slipped onto the finger of a very ecstatic Tessa in the season finale of The Bachelor. Presently, I'm waiting with baited breath to know if Joey Fatone or Apollo Anton Ono will be this season's Dancing With the Stars' Champion.

Tomorrow, the office pool will be buzzing about the impending American Idol Final Results Show, and I'm sure there are many more to come. The advertisements for this summers' awful line-up of second-rate reality have been rolling out (i.e. America's Got Talent...not sure how this season will go for David Hasselhoff, and The Ex-Wives Club...are you kidding me?), and I cannot even imagine what other ridiculous creations will surface in the coming months.

So what's the big deal? What is so appealing about reality television, and when will it ever end? Come on now...it's time to fess up. What reality shows are you hiding in your closet???

P.S. On a quasi-related note, let's talk about advertising for a moment. I just love BP's new ad campaign in which they attempt to portray oil as bright, cheery, and oh so whimsical. Clever clever clever...

Running Like Phoebe...

Yesterday we had a family picnic/reunion/gathering of sorts. Having done away with the annual Christmas party after my grandfather passed away last year, this was the new and improved alternative that was intended to alleviate some of the stress and strain from additional holiday parties. The event was held at Hagar Park, which happens to have a fabulous wooden playground called the Age of Discovery. The kiddos had a great time climbing, swinging, and hanging, and even I enjoyed a couple trips down the twisty slide.

"It's easier when you put your arms out like this..." ~ Olivia

The little monkey...

*Contrary to how the picture appears, she actually does have two legs!

Running around on the playground reminded me of one of my favorite Friends episodes. (Go ahead, roll your eyes, but all of life is a Friends moment and you know its true). I love "The One Where Phoebe Runs," during which Rachel is embarrassed by the way Phoebe flails her arms and legs as they jog through Central Park. After becoming increasingly bothered by the unorthodox style (Rachel: "You guys, I'm telling you, when she runs, she looks like a cross between Kermit the Frog and the Six Million Dollar Man."), Rachel finally asks Phoebe why she runs like she does. Phoebe replies by asking Rachel to remember when she was little, when you ran as hard and as fast, and as crazily as you could to get to the swings before the other kids stole them all...when you were little, and you didn't care how you looked, so long as you were having a good time. Phoebe says that she doesn't want to run unless it's fun (which in her case, includes the thrashing about of extremities)--a statement which Rachel accepts and later puts into practice as she joyfully flails her way down the trail.

I'm not really one for flailing these days. Sometimes I wish I was.

In all honesty, I think it's the diplomat in me, or maybe the Asian...I'm not exactly sure yet. But at any rate, there are times when I wish that my brain knew no concept of political correctness, appropriateness, status quo, or any other form of decorum. For I fear, that these things, these social constructs, forces, and influences, these self-accepted and self-imposed rules, may prevent me, and all of us for that matter, from truly experiencing some of the joy that may be found in everyday occurrences.

"But what will the neighbors think?"

"What will my friends think?"

"What will the other pre-school moms think?"

"What will my co-workers think?"

"What will my family think?"

Ever thought one of those things before? Ever uttered those words when considering a choice, a decision, or a course of action? Ever wished you didn't care what the answer was?

Yup, me too.

I don't know why or how we've somehow made our lives subject to the scrutiny and opinion of the world, but we have...at least I have. And perhaps you're much better at combating it than I, but still it exists. And quite frankly, I find it to be annoying. And bothersome. And constricting. And controlling. I live for the day when the actions of my life will be motivated purely by love, integrity, joy, and faith...when the only perspective that I consider is God's...when I engage in an activity, simply for the pure joy of it...when I speak my mind when and wherever because it springs out of the convictions of my heart...when I no longer arrive late to work because I've spent a full 7 minutes picking out the right pair of shoes to wear...

Friends, I wish I could run like Phoebe. All the time. Everyday. That may mean different things, in different places, at different times...but the freedom that exists, that empowers, that is ours for the taking...it cannot and should not be held captive by the perceptions of the world. For then it will be wasted. On lives that had the potential for so much more. On lives that were meant to be truly LIVED.

Here's to living our lives with wild abandon...arms and legs flailing the entire time :)

A "No" Thank-You Moment

A couple years ago I experienced one of my best summers ever. It was my first summer home after returning from Greece, and I spent it in Traverse City living with my fabulous friend Jessica. She and I had a summer to remember. The weather was particularly spectacular that year, and when we weren't at the beckon call of hungry guests in a certain establishment, we could be found baking in the sun, on a boat, riding bikes, walking the bay, carousing downtown, and grilling-out with friends.

It was out of this summer that the term "Thank-You Moment" was born between she and I. So many times throughout that summer we felt overwhelmed by the goodness of God...as seen in the lake, the sun, the sand, our friends, our health, and overall...in the massive amounts of blessings we have experienced in our lives.

We LIVED off those Thank-You Moments, and we continue to even now. Jessica recently moved to Florida, and when we chat on the phone we always share about the TYM's that may have taken place since we last conversed. Though we have both seen our share of trials and struggles, God's grace has abounded and the TYM's have been numerous.

Today, after learning about this news, I experienced something contrary to the welcomed Thank-You Moment. Rather, it was more of a NO Thank-You Moment. And I'm pretty upset about it.

My dear dear friend Simplicity, who I have lauded as my hero in some circles, is facing a battle that I wish I could politely, yet firmly, decline on her behalf. A simple "No Thank-You" to this situation would do the trick, and all would still seem right with the world.

You see, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the goodness of One, I am wrought with grief and sadness about this sudden development. I do not know why tragedy of this sort is allotted to some, and not to others. Why some may never have to associate this word with members of their immediate family. Why others have uttered it more times than they would have desired. Why the ones who seem to have done everything right are forced to carry the burdens that might seem more fitting for those who never cared, never nurtured, never loved...

I don't understand this life, the things that go on, the events that transpire in the lives of those that we love most dearly.

I don't understand why some days are so awe-inspiring that I struggle to pass two common syllables across my lips, and why other days it's all I can do to keep myself from turning and cursing at the sky.

Like today...

which has become a really angry, confused, frustrating "No Thank-You Moment"...

Three Cheers for Mothers

I am so thankful for the myriad of mothers in my life. Of course, there is my own, and many more sprinkled throughout my collection of family, friends, and co-workers. They are a blessing to myself and all those that they interact with, and I am happy to celebrate their lives on this special day.

Apart from the mothers themselves, I am so grateful for the reasons that make them mothers...their children! My nieces and nephews, in particular, are some of my favorites. Here are a couple clips from our evening celebration...

To close, here's what one very wise individual has to say about mothers:

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

~ Proverbs 31: 25-29

Moving On...

So good news everyone. I'm a real, live, college graduate. Amazing, I know. And to think that when I left North Park in 2002 to pursue other things, there were many naysayers who thought I would never arrive at this point.

But, much to my delight, I have proved the critics wrong and attained my B.A. in International Relations from Grand Valley State University. And this fall, I'll start my Masters. More school...who knew?

In an effort to join the "real world," I have accepted a grown-up job working in the City Manager's office at the City of Wyoming, MI, where I currently reside. I love my bosses, and I'm confident I'll learn much from them over the next few years while I earn my next degree. I realize that this current plan seems to have deviated greatly from the aspirations I have always touted, but there is time, and I'm sure that these experiences will serve to spur me onward and upward. If nothing else, three more years in West Michigan will probably have me dying to get outta here by the time I finish :)

For now, I plan on traveling as much as possible. The end of this month will find me in Minneapolis to visit and certain someone, and in Florida following that. A US Open trip is being slated for the close of August, and Thanksgiving in L.A. might be on the docket as well. If any of you have any more suggestions, I'd certainly be open to hearing them. Just let me know...

Thanks to all of you who have supported me in my various endeavors up to this point. I am so grateful for each and everyone of you, and I look forward to all of the good times that are to come :)