Americano beauty

I admit instead of doing something more productive with my Saturday night - we stayed in and I watched (and Peds half-did-half didn't) the Miss American Pageant. Miss Michigan won; and let's just say she looked smoking in a bikini, her evening gown and with the vocal practice sang well.

It's not that there was nothing else on TV, because there wasn't; but I watched this to reminisce of my yesteryears. I remember slumber parties of dressing up and casting our votes. This year was yet another disappoint, however; on a much more mature level. When I was 8 I was said that Miss Minnesota/Wisconsin/Illinois did not win. This year I was more disappointed that as hard as the organization tries to do good - they lack the key elements to do so. *It's called brains* And yes, I do not doubt the contestants are all smart and educated women. They are also all size 0 and wearing push-up bras. That is fine. What is not fine is that over 80% of the pageant is based on sheer looks.

The final 10 contestants get 20 seconds to answer a rhetorical questions I swear 6 of the 10 questions either had Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and her lil' sis and Lindsay Lohan. Are these individuals even worth getting more national publicity? Is it necessary to have questions about this? How about our country's political system, health care, repression, unemployment rate (*hello - you're from Michigan and you didn't mention it?), war, pollution... etc. etc. etc. I think these are much more current and, dare I say, important questions.

Should Lil' Spears still have a job on Nik since she's preggie?
How it is that Paris does nothing, but gets so much publicity?
What would you do about binge drinking - like that of L. Lohan?

Come on America. Who gives a shit! Are these really the important issues? The best questions was ... 75% of America don't think the country is heading in the right way - what would you do about this? What the H - E double toothpicks do you say to that? Well the brainster starting talking about rolemodels and then proceeded to waste her remaining 15 secs gabbering on about the infamous names of above (of the Spears, Lohan and Paris variety). **ARRRGG!!!

Frustrating - very frustrating. But, alas, there is mainstream media for ya'll.

Put a pretty face, not to mention skinny, in front of the young audience that is watching the program. (And us closet watchers who had nothing better to do - I know you're out there too!). And what do they see? Young women prancing around in bikinis, revealing and highly impractical evening gowns and singing. The perfect ingredients for a true role model.

Where is my barf bag anyway?

All right, so I am resentful. I always wanted to be in the pageant business. I had my shiny moment once at the 'Sconie State Fair. As I was the summer intern and helping out the chef - we had a guest appearance from Miss Wisconsin. Well, when they announced her name - I oblivious to the announcement, walked out on stage to deliver some things for the chef. Everyone clapped, as I stood there is a baseball cap and over-sized apron. I think the crowd quickly realized that I was not Miss Wisconsin, just the summer intern. Not made-up enough to be the real things. And sure enough, the "real one" walked out moments after this wearing her little skirt and heels. So close... so close.

And the newspaper says..." Usually tame by modern TV standards, the swimwear competition kicked it up a notch. Most contestants wore black bikinis, and some struck provocative poses and twirled as the audience howled."

Enough said. I digress...

Plu-empleada

Seguro que no he escrito el titulo bien -- ni esa frase. Es que a penas uso mi espanol. Me case con un espanol para hablar ingles - o mejor dicho - para hablar spanglish. aycaramba ;o)

So back to the native tongues we go.

Well as of this week I will be employed at three different locations. Call me crazy. Call me an overachiever. Or call me 'working in the non-profit world' and trying to make a living. *s* No, but really I am extremely happy. It finally seems like all my lucky stars are in line. Now we just have to stay here so I can make it all happen - I have a vision - and I know I can make it happen. (Peds si estas leyendo esto - ya sabes ;)).

I have had the same sound byte from our faithless leader in my head ever since it happened that I accumulated so many jobs. (By the way there are at least two others in the pipeline, but I have laid off the overzealous idea that I have 80 hours in a day. I conform with 3). Anyway - there is some clip during the campaign or something or another where he *literally* commends the woman for having two jobs and working 60 hours a week. "Now that is America. The american dream" No - ass wipe that is called making a living! Some of us aren't are fortunate to have one, rock star job that we can punch in a 9, punch out at 5 and drive a sexy sports car. Some people actually have to sweat and get dirty to make ends meet and pay rent at the end of the month. So I laugh at that "the american dream" bullshit. Who dreams about working their life away?

*Please note -- I am very happily employed at multiple locations.* I've just been thinking about all the people who don't have a choice to have just one job. They have to work days and nights. They sacrifice time with their family, friends, sig others, lovers, pets... etc. That is not right. Granted, I too sacrifice that time - but it's because half the time no one is around anyway. I'd prefer to use my brain in so-called "after hours' (Para los espanoles -- es a las 5. No hay siesta y no volvemos a la oficina despues de almuerzo ;) -- como me gustaria tener esto de nuevo...).

I am not sure if this post even makes sense. In a nutshell - I raise my glass (of water, it's Monday) to all those hard-working, crazy Americans out there. Those who work their butts off for the weekend.

~*a

~*Algo bonito*~

Thought I would make a post that is more appealing to the eye... ;).
I haven't had too much time to play with the camera, but when I do I will try to post something.

It is just the beginning of a very eventful week - and I guess that I can deal with beginnings. Life is just full of them. Guess that is what makes it so darn exciting, crazy, interesting, stressful and everything else.

Talk. Talk.. Talk.

Lots in the grey mass right now. I find that every time Peds and I watch documentary films it gets the juices pumping again -- not to mention I am at the turning point of my professional life once again. (For someone my age this isn't normal ;)).

We have recently seen two documentaries -- Who killed the electric car and Jesus Camp.

Each has gotten me thinking. The fact the car companies killed the electric car is moronic. I did not even know such a thing exists. I wonder what other crazy things are going around the street of L.A. these days? (Other than Ms. Spears in her wedding dress). Doesn't seem right to me that only the rich and famous (and communities surrounding those) get to know of these things. Oh well. I guess my life isn't that significant in the Midwest ;).

The other film perhaps got under my skin most. Kids being programmed to live a life without sin. Isn't childhood all about living in sin? Eating more candy than you should, staying outside playing after mom calls you in for dinner, putting your elbows on the table, eating with your mouth open, not brushing your teeth, playing 'make-believe'. I didn't think reading Harry Potter could be the Devil's will. Thought that was childhood. Don't get my wrong religion is great - and something, in my opinion, children should have in their life. However, it should not be force fed - mind-numbing and brain washing. Oh well. Off my pedestal I will go.

The thing that bothers me most about both of these films - is how easy it is for me to believe what I see and be affected by it. I do like documentary films, but it almost makes me crave the other half. It's not the full story - no matter how 'well' they think they do portray both sides. I do not believe everything I hear. But, I guess I do think about the things I see and experience - all too much -- on so many multiple levels.

It's like the Brothers K. -- the layered onion. As you peel away one layer you discover there is another. And another. And another. Etc. Etc. Etc. Sometimes the layers make your cry - blur your vision - pain with hunger.

In a nutshell - I like to think, whether it be relevant to my life or not. I enjoy thinking. :)

Como pasa el tiempo...

Como pasa el tiempo, verdad? Ya estamos en 2008 y ya despedi a mi ultima anno de ser soletera ;).

Nothing exciting to pass along. I had hoped that going back home would trigger some ideas for a post, but it did not. I can say that I successfully did not run into anyone that I did not want to run into while at home. Not that it should be a fear of mine -- but there are just some people from the many walks of my life I don't really care to hear about or see again.

It was pleasant to be home and not have to "pretend" like I wanted to be nice to someone. *Anyway*

It's been a white winter.

Dang - I am boring. I need some more excitement added to life. I don't even have another good gym story (and I have been going).

To my one or two readers -- happy new year. :o)