The entire TV being hazardous to the mind petition somewhat puzzles me. I agree, some programs are a total waste of time and I could seriously care less about what a selfish, over-botoxed New Jersey housewife does everyday. But there are some shows that I am pretty sure have made a major positive impact on the world. Like Grey’s Anatomy. I mean do you even realize how much more I know about hospitals and medicine now?
Of course it is completely unfortunate that all doctors do not look like McDreamy and McSteamy. I am certain that I would be much more excited about my annual breast examine if they did. But the show’s plots do get me thinking about if that stuff actually does go on in hospitals, and you know some of it does. I mean that thud you hear when passing the storage closet probably was not a roll of toilet paper falling off the shelf.
Another show is Law in Order. I mean, I realize I probably couldn’t pass the bar examine after an all weekend TNT marathon of the show, but I might possibly rank up there with the guy on the back cover of the phonebook.
And as far as the reality shows, if nothing else maybe they make us not-so-rich and normal folks a little happier that we lead simpler lives and less glorify those celebrities who we now see are unhappy, money-hungry, destined-for-divorce souls. Bless their hearts.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Alumni Life in a College Town
May I just start out by saying that I know, I was one of them not too long ago, but that doesn’t mean that I have to quietly unnotice the huge sunglass wear’n, tights under Nike running shorts, too big T-shirt with oversized bangles clad new-to-town college girls that are strolling the aisles of Wal-Mart.
Living in a college town for several years now, I have grown accustom to the school year seasons. Come August the town’s population more than doubles and (I don’t have actual documentation on this but am certain) so do the traffic violations. Mid-December to Mid-January it tapers off again, and come May, it has once again declined to retirees and working families.
I must say, though, that I find my trips to Wal-Mart much more enjoyable during the months when a school semester is starting. It is a great time and way to see the newest sorority and fraternity fashions. I especially enjoyed the flipped-up-collared Polo shirt with khaki shorts and Sperry shoes that seemed to be such a fashion hit this past spring. No doubt that look will continue into the summer and possibly early fall.
Back to Wal-Mart, as I stroll down the aisles getting my staples, Honey-Combs, Coke Zero, mini-bag popcorn, it is not unusual to pass two or three packs of the new litter. Never do they travel alone, and as they discuss “Well, what do you like? Ok, well I will get some of these and we can just split it all up at the register” I wonder how mad she is going to be when she discovers her empty box of Pop Tarts in the cabinet while rushing hungrily out the door, late to her eight o’clock.
The boys, now they are different. Each basket looks the same: five pizzas, some Oreos, a package of hotdog buns and links, and twelve-pack of cheap beer. Plain, simple and to the point. Besides, it isn’t the food the guys are there for anyway. They would be perfectly happy with a delivery pizza every night. No, it is the girls.
Now I do know research has been done concluding that grocery stores serve as a favorable place for men to meet single women. Some studies even narrow it down to particular stores that serve as better meeting ground than others (ah, the power of Google). Anyway, it is amusing to see the guys ‘accidently’ bump into the basket of a couple of hotties, which turns into a slight conversation, which turns into a party invite, which turns into a hook-up, optimistically thinking.
While I may cuss the traffic increase and longer lines at my favorite restaurants, I must say that I do enjoy the beginning and fresh start to every college semester. It brings back fond memories and allows me to feel like an extra in our own little reality show. Hmm, wonder what ever happened with that party.
Living in a college town for several years now, I have grown accustom to the school year seasons. Come August the town’s population more than doubles and (I don’t have actual documentation on this but am certain) so do the traffic violations. Mid-December to Mid-January it tapers off again, and come May, it has once again declined to retirees and working families.
I must say, though, that I find my trips to Wal-Mart much more enjoyable during the months when a school semester is starting. It is a great time and way to see the newest sorority and fraternity fashions. I especially enjoyed the flipped-up-collared Polo shirt with khaki shorts and Sperry shoes that seemed to be such a fashion hit this past spring. No doubt that look will continue into the summer and possibly early fall.
Back to Wal-Mart, as I stroll down the aisles getting my staples, Honey-Combs, Coke Zero, mini-bag popcorn, it is not unusual to pass two or three packs of the new litter. Never do they travel alone, and as they discuss “Well, what do you like? Ok, well I will get some of these and we can just split it all up at the register” I wonder how mad she is going to be when she discovers her empty box of Pop Tarts in the cabinet while rushing hungrily out the door, late to her eight o’clock.
The boys, now they are different. Each basket looks the same: five pizzas, some Oreos, a package of hotdog buns and links, and twelve-pack of cheap beer. Plain, simple and to the point. Besides, it isn’t the food the guys are there for anyway. They would be perfectly happy with a delivery pizza every night. No, it is the girls.
Now I do know research has been done concluding that grocery stores serve as a favorable place for men to meet single women. Some studies even narrow it down to particular stores that serve as better meeting ground than others (ah, the power of Google). Anyway, it is amusing to see the guys ‘accidently’ bump into the basket of a couple of hotties, which turns into a slight conversation, which turns into a party invite, which turns into a hook-up, optimistically thinking.
While I may cuss the traffic increase and longer lines at my favorite restaurants, I must say that I do enjoy the beginning and fresh start to every college semester. It brings back fond memories and allows me to feel like an extra in our own little reality show. Hmm, wonder what ever happened with that party.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Art of having Fun
The women in my family are what you may call extreme overachievers. My mother started it. She is good at everything she does, but her philosophy is "if you are going to do something, be great at it." For instance, if she is going to throw a party (which she does a lot of) it is done with decorations, food, drink, and entertainment that would leave a Las Vegas event coordinator in awe. However, she is not shy about asking for mine and my sister's help in the manual labor of what we call "the pre-party party." Since we know that this help and work is going to be asked for and expected, we make the most of it. Making the most of it includes the following: three bottles of wine, strawberries, melted chocolate, and usually another bottle of wine.
We will meet up after our day jobs, usually 6pm, and start the traditional activities of laughing, arguing, joking around, and coming up with the coolest decor ideas you've ever seen. Dad and my brother-in-law, know better than to come within half a mile of us due to the fact that our conversation topics get a little out of hand. So it just us three girls, all creative in our own right, yet different enough to generate several ideas for one task. In the end, we come out with something unique enough to earn several "how on earth did you think of that" compliments from guests.
Example: We threw a Luau engagement party last summer that consisted of about 75 guests. The tables had yellow table cloths with a center piece of tropical flowers and pineapples. We dug two different pits outside, lined them with large rocks and kept a fire going in each all night. Drinks were served in what looked like two huge aquariums with plastic fish and seahorses floating in them. Food was served on a boat turned upside-down and consisted of shish-ka-bobs made with beef and veggies and pork and pineapple. There was also potato salad, coleslaw, and as a joke mac-n-cheese (the groom always asks mom to make it for him). Dessert was grilled pineapple and peaches with homemade vanilla ice cream. Drinks were served in plastic cups that looked like coconuts and pineapples, lays were provided for everyone to wear, and there was a hoola-hoop contest once everyone had enough alcohol in there system to be good and loosened up.
Another party was a Barn theme, where we had hay bales for guests to sit on, food was served on a piece of old tin layed across two saw horses, and we found an old metal water trough to fill with ice and put beer and cokes in. We had burgers, and several homemade pies (my sister's chocolate meringue is the best). Tables were covered in butcher paper and crayons were available for kids to color on them with. We had horseshoe pitching and two metal roping dummies. We served tea in mason jars and chips in feed buckets. Very laid back and fun.
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