The Musings of an Analytical Diva

So, one of my friends was running in the Chicago Marathon, and to show my support I stand out there, rain or shine (or EXTREME cold) with a sign and her photo, cheering her on!

Where's the story right? Actually, the catalyst for this particular post is a sign I saw while standing out there, waiting for her to run past. Yes, a sign. See, I noticed that people around kept commenting on a very "clever" sign being held up a few steps away. Curious, I peered around, since I take pride in my signs and wanted to know what someone had done so well for signs I make next year. And that's when someone told me what it said: "Unleash the Kenyan in You."

But I've allowed myself to be consumed with the images and media around me. The struggle, increase in unemployment... And then, I'm suddenly agonizing over things I wasn't exactly tripping over before. However, because of the state of our country, I feel like I should fret and be concerned.

Then, a friend posted this NY Times Op-Ed on Facebook and suddenly, I'm humbled. It's written by a woman who doesn't have a job, and what her career struggle has been since then. But, she talks about working for free, and realizing that while she does need a job, any job, her time is valuable - even if she can't "measure" that in paychecks. In the process of these unpaid jobs, she's keeping her skills fresh and making the most of it.

Truth is, we can all go either way, and it's not until a situation has to get much worse for a person to realize that you need to do what it is you need to do to get by. I mean, I wonder (and hope) that I would have the strength to do it if I needed to. After all, we're never given anything we can't handle right?

In the meantime, though, I will keep perspective and stay grateful for what I do have - because you never know when it will all change.

But then you read stories like these, of a man who lived the high life, now struggling to make ends meet by serving the high class food he used to eat. It's things like these that make it much more real.

And it's sobering how quickly things change at the drop of a hat, and out of your control. To think that one day you have it all, and then the next - nothing is like you know it. 

But, I'm still a fan of living life the only way you know how and with the information you have - realizing that we'll all need to rebuild at some point.

Anyway, I'll skip that jazz for now. That's not what this is about. 

Instead, in watching my reruns of all the VH1 "faves," I'm finding that there are several things I just expect when watching reality TV. This is NOT an exhaustive list, but just some of the things I tend to notice on these types of programs. Also welcome any other things you're used to seeing!

1. Exposure: Yes, you know what I'm talking about -- the person on TV trying to "promote" something, or "is just there for the cameras." They can sing, dance, whatever... But just need that "big break" to catapult them into the fame they deserve. Countless wannabe models make it onto Rock of Love, I Love New York, For the Love of Ray J... Yeah, it's the quest for fame. (My take? Why you would choose a show like THAT to launch your career? Something else entirely...)

2. Fakeness: Honestly, this is my personal favorite. It seems to be the easiest tactic -- accuse someone of not being "who they are," and it causes more cat fights than a back alley battle over the last scrap of food in the garbage. It works though -- the fights that blow up are SOOOO worth watching.

3. Keeping Walls Up: For some reason, "dating" someone for a few weeks on national television makes you an expert on the walls they are keeping up. Because, of course, in the middle of the booze and table dances, all these "celebs" want is love... Right? Um, yeah... 

4. Having "Another One" on the side: This one is tried and true. As far as I can tell, on almost EVERY show I've seen, at least one contestant is hiding a secret -- they have a live in boyfriend, they're "separated," they're in a committed relationship. BUT -- things are SO bad with this partner (with whom they've been with for YEARS) that they need to come on a reality TV show to find love without finding closure with the other person in their lives.

5. Not Ready for Something Serious: This one cracks me UP. With the volumes of partying that happens at these houses, it's amusing that these people are talking about professing love and wanting others to do that in such a short window of time. It doesn't help that these things are greatly intensified on TV, and reason for which most of these relationships don't last.

These are just my take on it. Doesn't mean I'll stop watching though...

But, I can also say the environment around me has played huge part in my motivation. Which, I know can seem like it's all in a person's head when you hear all the press, but seriously! Gallup says it's possible... And then stories like this one AND this one don't help it any.

Hard times to live in -- but times that we must plug through. I know that many people have felt the sting in some fashion, and it's even come close to home... However, I find myself saying a quiet prayer for those carrying the difficult burdens of now, and silently waiting for the day when things are a little lighter in the atmosphere again.

While our economy is on the decline and motivations drop, I've found a strange solace in Twitter, once unknown, has soared in popularity and great news fodder. And, it's amazing what I'm finding on here. People talking about anything -- and in quick and to the point ways, when the urge strikes them! Small, but simple and practical idea. A room to sound off and in real time. AND you can do it from anywhere. Doesn't get much better than that.

Here's the truth: Twitter is on a great upward trend and may continue to do so. And admittedly, I was a little thrown. Human thought, down to 140 characters? A post? That could make chatty people like me nervous...

But there's a dynamic about it -- like text messages, you're forced to get to the post and provide bite-sized digestible pieces of news. You know what? It's actually quite possible to do.

Granted, this is no news flash. How often have we heard about celebrities and drunk driving, or lashing out at the press or something? 

No, but domestic violence. This is pretty touchy. If it happens, it happens behind closed doors. Not cast out in such a way for public scrutiny. The sad thing is that they're so young - but it doesn't mean they're exempt from the same things that make us tick. And that includes sordid pasts or trouble with family.

No, the difference is that they're expected to convince us of the illusion that it is possible to have it all and look great doing it. 

But as this incident will prove it, illusions are just that - illusions. And maybe it's not so much sweeter on the other side. 

No matter which way you slice it, all this is unbelievably laughable. The man goes on a full scale media blitz to prove his innocence as opposed to proving himself to the people that matter most. The American public sure weren't the ones voting on his future.

In all honesty, I thought the whole situation, including his treatment of it was disrespectful to those that actually voted him in office, and to his small but supportive public.  

Not to mention the fact that all this really was publicly embarrassing. It's bad enough that Chicago has a rep for corrupt politics. Throw in his wrongdoings and it proves everyone right! There's no winning this one for Blago.

In all honesty? I can't wait for the movie/book/musical - whatever. You know the offers will likely be pouring in to buy the rights to this stuff... It'll be like Amy Fisher and the 5 versions of the "Long Island Lolita" story that ran all over television! I think every network had that on, and in New York, every newspaper reviewed each movie to determine which one was the most factual.

Either way, I guess he figured he would go down swinging if he was going to go down. I just wished he hadn't done it by tarnishing a political system and people he was supposed to serve.