You Are Not The Father

Another day, and another Maury Povich DNA show.  I can't believe that there are enough people who don't know who the father of their child is that they can have a show on this topic nearly every day of the week.  While it makes for entertaining TV, it is very disturbing.

I am not saying that I have never made a mistake.  If you are reading this and believe that you have never made a mistake, then nice meeting you, Jesus.  Making a mistake, though, is one thing.  Being totally irresponsible is definitely another.

The thing that is most disturbing about these shows, besides the fact that I continue to watch them, is that these women and men are so irresponsible.  Having a one night stand or cheating on your significant other carries its own consequences, but you don't have to participate in these actions while being even more irresponsible.  It is called using protection.  Besides a possible unwanted pregnancy, there are diseases that you can contract that will change your life forever. 

I think that most are under the assumption that if you get a STD, you can get a shot of penicillin and be done with it.  That is not always the case.  Herpes, HIV, hepatitis (just to name a few) NEVER go away.  Granted there are those diseases that can be treated with antibiotics, however, if left untreated they can result in adverse consequences including sterility.  Maybe these people should get a lesson in safe sex.

The other thing that is disturbing is how the mother's dance and get in the faces of the men when they "Are The Father" and run and throw their bodies on the ground when they "ARE NOT THE FATHER".  Instead of perfecting dance moves and body flops, maybe these people should work harder on trying to remedy the situation and ensuring that the child is supported financially, mentally, and emotionally. 

The bottom line is that we are going to have a generation of children where many do not know who their father is.  While that does not make or break the future of a child, it is my guess that if you don't know your father, you are generally raised in a less than stellar environment.  I am concerned for the future of our society.  My only hope is that these children will be strong individuals who learn from the mistakes of their parents.

The Grammy's

Ok, I know that the Grammy's took place two days ago.  Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and I spent the day with my husband who was kind enough to take the day off to spend with me.  I also didn't feel like writing during the show, so I just took notes so that I could write later.  So, this blog is two days late and two dollars short.

In my opinion, which I am sure is not unique, there are too many awards shows.  With that being said, I still believe that those in the music industry consider winning a Grammy to be an honor.  If I were in the music industry, however, I would wish that the actual "show" had more award presentations and less performances.  I do wonder, though, if because music sales are down, they feel that this is a way to advertise their product.

We live in a society where we do not feel satisfied without over the top antics.  Every performer tries to push the envelope, but there is only so much left to be done.  I found that in trying to be edgy, the artists are often "ripping off" past ideas and performances.  

So, here is my list of thoughts from the show.

• Did anyone else think Christina Aguilera looked like Snooki?  I get it, I am overweight and short, but there are ways to dress without looking like a meatball.
• I didn't get and wasn't impressed with the opening ceremony being dedicated to Aretha Franklin.  Does the industry know something we don't?  Were they hoping to honor her before her passing?
• What were you thinking, Ricky Martin?  Those pants were horrible and the fabrics don't match.  You can still be edgy without suffocating your man parts.
• Lady Gaga - enough already.  If you wan't to be shocking, try being "normal".
• I thought that Miranda Lambert's performance was wonderful, and I love that she can actually sing live. 
• We are now 40 minutes into the show and only one award has been presented.  I often get embarrased for the recipient with their long drawn out acceptance speeches.  I liked Train's comment - "Thank you Justin Beieber for not being in this category". 
• It is 8:50 and we are just now seeing Ryan Seacrest.  At the end of E! Red Carpet (it ended at 8), he said he had to run because he had to announce a performer.  Was he a 50 minute walk from the venue?
• Mike said that B.O.B. reminded him of Colonel Klink. 
• 9:00 and the second award is presented.  The winner is Miranda Lambert and I think she was most deserving.
• I admit it - I am a "Belieber".  I love that kid and can't stop singing "Baby".
• I didn't realize that Jaden Smith was also singing.  He was recently on Ellen and said that only one person in the family can work at a time.  I guess Willow's career is already over.  While I am on the subject, I am over the Smith's.  I used to like Will, NEVER liked Jada and I don't appreciate the "talent" of their children. 
• It is finally the end of the Justin Beiber, Jaden Smith, and Usher performance.  Usher is a "little" older than them and worked really hard trying to keep up.  He looks like he just took a bath in his costume that includes a drop seat in the pants.
• It is 9:15 and the third award is being presented.  Who knew four of the nominee's even had songs out - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Jeff Beck, Neil Young, and Pearl Jam.  The only "current" band, Muse, won the award.
• Wow, we are on a roll!  9:20 and the 4th award is being presented.  Don't know what the award was, but it was presented by Justin Beieber's girlfriend, Selena Gomez, and my first love, Donnie Wahlberg.
• Mike's take on the next performance?  "They have left no fossil unturned". 
• Did we really need a time filler?  Why are we watching David Letterman's Top 10?
• A "representative" of the Green Bay Packers (Why did the need represented at a music awards show?) introduces Lady Antebellum.  I was looking forward to this performance and they did not disappoint.  On a side note, men should not wear low-rise jeans.  They make it seem as if you will be short-changed when opening the package.
• 9:45 and the 5th award is being presented.  Lady Antebellum won!
• Cee Lo Green, the Muppets, and Gwyneth Paltrow.  There is too much to take in at one time and I noticed the Gwyneth is not coordinated at all.  Her performance would have only been more awkward if she had fallen.
• A random trio, John Mayer, Norah Jones, and Keith Urban, sing a Dolly Parton song and present the 6th award (10:05).  I don't get it.
• I really enjoyed Eminem's performance.  He is truly talented and is that last rapper that still raps about life.  Although I am enjoying the performance, I am really losing interest in the show, but I already started taking notes, and I always finish what I start, so I don't turn the channel.
• It 10:20 and the 7th award is being presented by Mo Williams - I mean John Legend.  Maybe that was the problem with the Cavs loss to the Wizards tonight, it was really John Legend guarding John Wall.
• The most amusing part of the show?  The lengthy "In Memoriam", without any introduction or hesitation is immediately followed by Mick Jagger.  The "In Memoriam" fades to black symbolizing the end of the package and Mick Jagger appears.
• 10:50 and the 8th award is presented.  I am glad that Eminem won the award.  Did anyone else think that he looked sick?
• Diddy (or whatever his current name is) is stuttering and trying to introduce Rihanna and Drake.  Either the teleprompter is not working, or he doesn't know how to read.  Either way, he was not prepared. I did not enjoy or appreciate the "creativity" of Rihanna and Drake's performance where they were grinding like they were at the Junior High dance.
• Marc Anthony and J. Lo are together to introduce the next performer (or something).  He is trying to be funny and ad-lib.  He is not funny and I am disgusted by his attention seeking behaviors.  Hey, Marc Anthony - get a life!
• At 11:25, the last award is presented.  Arcade Fire wins album of the year.  They seemed so excited that they decided to play another "impromptu" song.  I am not buying it, they just performed and everything is timed to nearly the second at these award shows.  They knew they were going to win, and then perform again.  In my opinion, once was enough.

I hope that you are still here and still reading.  If you are, thanks for hanging in there.  I know that it was long winded.  The show was long and "exciting".

What Makes A Man A Father?

Unfortunately for me, no matter how much I try to distance myself from my Dad, it just seems that I can't.  I still have two siblings under the age of 18, and I am often reminded of how he continues to shirk his responsibilities.  Today, I was again reminded of the person he is and why exactly I continue to have no contact with him. 

Needless to say, I am sad.  Even though I am no longer a child, I still feel the pain of my younger sisters and brothers.  I don't think that it matters how old you are, you likely still enjoy having a relationship with your parents.  Since my father does not hold up his end of the deal, in regards to being a parent, I have stepped in many times to make the burden of my younger siblings lighter.  I also want them to know that not all people are bad and that with hard work and dedication anything is possible.  I hope that I have been a good influence.

With all that said, I started searching the Internet this morning looking for "What Makes A Man A Father?".  There were a few good postings, but I figured that I could do better myself.  So, here I go...

Being a father is not simply being a sperm donor.  Nor is being a father simply providing financial support for the children.  Being a father is many things.  Being a father includes unconditional love and support.  Guiding your offspring in the right direction and helping to pick them up if (and when) they fall.  Being a father means being a decent human being, someone who the younger generations can look up to and strive to pattern their lives after.  Someone who, will still make mistakes, but hopefully mistakes that do not result in irreversible damage.  Even if a mistake is made, a real father owns the mistake and does not try to place blame on all others. 

I do know several good fathers.  For you, I am thankful.  If you are one of the good fathers, go home and hug your kids tonight, just because.  Remember, there are many kids who never get a hug, just because.

If It Is Garbage, I Will Watch

If it is garbage, and it is on T.V., you can almost guarantee that I will be watching.  There are only two sitcoms that I watch regularly - "The Middle" and "Big Bang Theory".  I also watch "Jeopardy" and "Chelsea Lately", but otherwise my television viewing is filled with various reality shows. 

My newest guilty pleasure, besides "Teen Mom 2" is "Jersey Shore".  Last nights episode did not disappoint.  Within the first five minutes, Ronnie was getting a rectal exam.  He said that he "messed it up drinking" and "needed some cream".  I don't know about you, but I generally don't come off a bender needing cream for my rectum.  While Ronnie is being examined, the cameras switch to the house, where Jwoww finally finds Snooki.  Not that anyone had been looking for her, but she spent the night in the dog "cage" with the dogs and the pee-pee pads that had been used (by the dogs I hope).  The rest of the show was filled with the normal drunk antics that keep me glued to the T.V. 

I know that a lot of people claim that shows like "Jersey Shore" are a sign of the devil and the downfall of all mankind.  However, I find it hard to believe that most have not had drunk nights like these.  The rest of us were just fortunate enough not to have it taped for all the world to see.  I think that I enjoy the show so much because it reminds me of times that I spent when I was younger.  Although I may have done some foolish, even downright stupid things, they were my experiences all of which made me who I am today. 

So, next Thursday at 10 PM lock your doors and turn off the lights, but be sure to catch the next installment of "Jersey Shore".  Remember the times when you, too, had little responsibility and the most important choices you had were what to wear and where to go.  You won't be sorry.   

Dedication?

Have you ever believed so strongly in something that you were willing to give your life for the cause?  I can honestly say no.  Watching the events unfold in Egypt, that today are turning violent, has made me think about the differences in cultures.

I am fascinated with people and their culture.  That is probably why I chose the profession I did.  Other than having a great desire to be a caregiver, I love learning from people.  There is no other circumstance in which you can learn more from people, than when they are ill.  It is really a no holds barred attitude that I get to experience in my daily interaction with patients.  I have come to find that when you are ill, especially terminally ill, you are more likely to share the intimate details of your life.  I like to believe that I am culturally competent, while at the same time knowing that I can never fully understand all the nuances of culture that I was not raised in. 

I grew up in "Small Town USA".  Believe me when I say it is small town.  As of the 2000 U.S. Census, there were around 10,000 residents in Moundsville, West Virginia.  The culture of that community is vastly different from the culture of my current community.  I feel privileged to have experienced two greatly different American cultures. 

I have experienced two different American cultures.  I still have not experienced a culture in which the people are so passionate about a cause, they are willing to give their own lives.  We have a very different existence and reality, in America, even when the overall theme is poverty and lack of opportunity, than residents of other countries and cultures. 

The people of Egypt want a change and are willing to see that change to the end.  How great would America be if our residents were more passionate about our government?  If instead of sitting around complaining, people actually got out to vote, volunteered for their political parties, and made sure their voice was heard in Congress and reflected in the change of America?

I do not condone and I am not advocating violence.  I just think it is inspiring to see people who are passionate about something and then do something about it.