ANTM

I made a realization today while at the gym. I had forgotten my Ipod and only had headphones in my car, so I plugged into the T.V. so graciously provided by my friends at la gym.

The channel was Vh1, the show was America's Next Top Model, the trap was laid.

I became so engrossed in ANTM that I was on the treadmill for 30 extra minutes. Oh, the drama, oh, the fashion, oh, the....Tyra?

Much like a drug addiction begins, first socially, only with friends, then an aching need to get high, then sneaking around behind everyone's back to get your fix.

I figured I had better just come out now and say, "Hi, my name is Jayne, and I watch America's Next Top Model", before I found myself setting up the DVR to record every episode. (First run and repeats please)

My husband did stage an intervention as soon as I got home and told him about my new found euphoria with reality T.V. He immediately switched to "Dirty Jobs", oh, that Mike Rowe. I heart him.

I think I may have a problem.

Sex and the 12 Year Old

I have always been an advocate for personal choice. Humans should be entitled to certain inalienable rights. I also believe that it's impossible for a person to do the right thing if they have never been taught the right way. I also suppose that the "right thing" is a matter of perception. However, I am extremely disturbed by a Portland Maine middle school's decision to offer birth control to sixth graders.

Is it the fact that 12 year olds are having sex that bothers me? No. The things that bother me are that parent's aren't involved enough in their children's lives to know that they are having sex in the first place.

The issue at hand is not necessarily that children are having sex, but that parent's let their children run amuck (amuck, amuck, amuck) in the first place. Part of parental responsibility is have open lines of communication so that your children can come to you with questions and draw on your life experience.

Perhaps if parent's were more involved in raising their children, instead of over indulging them, some of the issues we see in today's world would be non-existent. I know, I know, I vocalize my dissatisfaction with parenting regularly. I just feel so strongly that children are a product of their environment, which begins in the home.

Anyway, all I am saying is that should a school be providing birth control without parental consent , probably not. But they are and the best way to counteract that is to make sure as a parent you have raised your children to share your personal moral beliefs so that they can make the right decision or come to you first to discuss the decisions they are about to make. Monitor your children. Know where they are, who they are with and what they are doing. I don't understand why that's so difficult to do.

And, I Ponder

After a long and decidedly lazy vacation from employment, I begin my assimilation into the working world once more, I stop to ponder these things.

Why is it that in all Sci-Fi material people wear stiff clothing and have outrageous hair that requires at least two tubes of Paul Mitchell hair gel and a half a can of super hold hair spray? I like to think that as we progress into the future, we will become more organic, allowing our locks to grow long and flowy while living off the fruits of the earth and weaving our own materials into clothing. Why must we always progress toward technology and latex? I consider that a set back.

Fall has finally arrived in my part of the country. I was beginning to suffer from PFSOSS. (pretty frickin' sick of summer syndrome) Unlike those people who need a dose of Cymbalta during the winter (because WHO does depression hurt?) I become deliriously unhappy when the summer seems to have no end. I need the chilly air to fill my lungs and to partake of the aromas that fall and winter bring. These things make me happy. No, they make me downright giddy. Now that time is here and I can be happy once more.

I am no longer going to deny my love for polka dots and pretty bows. I don't care what anyone says.

Is it safe to remove the "private" from my profile now that I have a job or should I wait a few more weeks so that my new co-workers don't find out I am a freak prematurely?

I really wish guys would place a greater value on intelligence as opposed to big boobs. I am also really glad to possess both attributes.

Will You Be My Friend?

Have you ever not said the things that need to be said for so long, that when it is time to express yourself in words, you realize you don't even have the words that need to be said?

Yup, that's about where I am right now. A little wordless.

A few things I am craving right now:

Passion

Creativity

Fun

A soul mate (no, you do not need to remind me that I am married)

I don't need a soul mate in the husband sense, I need a friend, who lives close to me who understands my insanity. It seems, although I stongly disagree, that I am strange and a little "out there". Thus, making it very difficult for me to make and keep friends.

Well crap, I just don't know what to say to that.

Will you move here and be my friend?

Hello, I'm Enjoying Summer

Well, hello there. How have you been? Me? I have been alright, you know, just enjoying my summer doing things like going to the water park, the beach, "thrifting", my new favorite pasttime. I have become a gargage sell/thriftstore junkie. As if I don't have a million little things hanging around my house already, I have to go and buy more cutie pie nick nacks to take up space.

Most often, I sell them on Ebay because they are not near as cute when I get home as they were sitting in someone's driveway on a blanket. Something about a blanket just makes everything cuter. Think babies if you will.

Oh, and I am unemployed. It's nice, I needed the vacation. For more on that story please visit this link. It will tell you all you need to know, if you care to know. Short version, not last week, but the week before, I was working, all happy as a clam, when I was told to pack my stuff and not to return. Me and about 7,500 other people. Very Enron -y situation. I'm not bitter though, I had been thinking about a career change anyhow.

I have been puttering around the house on some days, feeling very housewifey. Doing chores, ironing clothes, scrubbing floors. Strangely, I like the feeling. Not typically one to go all Holly Homemaker, it has been a nice change from corporate life.

Now that summer is winding down, I am looking forward to going home to Reno in September. There are things about that place that insight a tremendous amount of joy. I am not sure what it is, family, friends, scenery, all of the above, I just love that little ole town. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Got News?

I am imposing a ban on television watching. Okay, perhaps not all television, but certainly the news. Although, I did see some very funny things this morning.

1. Miss Teen South Carolina

2. An anchor stating that gas prices have dropped three cents in the last week. "It's almost like the old days" she states.

3. Hulk Hogan's son in a car crash

4. Falcons trying to recover 22 million dollar signing bonus from Michael Vick

5. Zack Efron rules the Teen Choice Awards

These are the stories that MSNBC is featuring this morning. As I drink my coffee, I wonder, are CNN and Headline News covering these same stories?

Apparently, "newsworthy" is now synonomous with "gossip".

Miss Teen South Carolina can't help it. She is merely a product of her society.

Hire Me, I'm Great! (But my opinions may be offensive)

I am in the process of looking for a legitimate job. What does this mean to you? Nothing. What does this mean to the masses? Private profile baby.

Prospective employers are frequently searching Google, Myspace, YouTube, the Net in general for provocative information on their future employees. I find this incredibly amoral.

My personal life and opinions have very little to do with the mad skills I possess or my stellar work ethic and I will not be judged so.

This subject matter brings up a topic worthy of blogging and debate. Does one's personal life affect their ability to serve as a good employee? Does the fact that I perhaps harbor ill will regarding my government, spouse or child at any given time alter my employability?

Example:

Does the religious denomination of a potential presidential candidate have any bearing on his ability to be the leader of the free nation? If said candidate is married with children will that make them a better leader. What if they have had numerous extramarital affairs? Is that grounds for immediate disqualification?

Anyway, wish me luck in the job hunt. Or, if you would like to save me from all the pain and anguish I can arrange for a monthly deduction from your checking/savings account in the amount of $20, or you could send cash/money order. I also accept Paypal. That would be great.