man's best friend?

If you've ever seen the popular A&E show Hoarders, then you're aware of people's alarming tendency to take it to extremes when it comes to their material possessions. Well, a show with a similar premise on Animal Planet, Confessions: Animal Hoarding, explores a different type of excess. The show focuses on people who have upwards of 50 pets..all at the same time.

One woman in particular had admitted to having over 250 pets come into her home throughout the period of the last 5 years, an average of 50 pets each year. She had good intentions and felt that it was her duty to help these animals in need by adopting them into her home. However, her compulsion had taken a toll on her entire family, as well as their living conditions. Things had gotten so out of control that the environment she was able to provide the animals was no longer any more desirable than their current situation.

With so many animals, she became unable to adequately feed and properly care for them, and she struggled to do the same for her family and herself. As a result, familial relationships were strained and the living conditions for all involved were less than sanitary. I understand that her desire to help came from a good place and that she had the animals' best interest at heart, but there came a point when she was doing more harm than good by taking on more than she could reasonably handle.

Below is a clip from an episode centered around a couple and their 65 cats.

'terrible teens'

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Discovery Health channel recently premiered a new television show "My Teen's a Nightmare: I'm Moving Out." The premise of the show involves parents who are frustrated with their teens' behavior. So frustrated that they are willing to move out and allow expert counselors to come into their home and take over. The new show has appropriately been referred to as "Supernanny for Teens" but instead of coping with the 'terrible twos', the focus is on dealing with teenagers and their unruly behavior.

The behavior on the show was so shocking to me that I couldn't continue to watch the entire sixty minutes. The swearing, shouting, physical and verbal abuse, and general disrespect that these teens had for their parents was unbelievable. However, the teens weren't the only ones at fault. As parents, I can't imagine that they ever let their children and family get so out of control that such measures would need to be taken. Many of the teens had absolutely no boundaries or consequences for their actions, so it's no wonder the parents feel taken advantage of and not in control. I firmly believe that often times the parents are just as much to blame by not enforcing rules and setting guidelines for expected behavior from the beginning. As the saying goes, Give somebody an inch and they'll take a mile.

facebook blues

Researchers have recently discovered a correlation between the popular social media outlet and feelings of depression. However, an agreement hasn’t been reached on the subject of whether this is merely an extension of depression or a different condition entirely. Those already suffering problems concerning low self-esteem and a lack of self-worth are at an increased risk of developing these feelings. Many obsess over the site and compare their lives with those of their friends, from friend counts to the status updates and photos that present a glamorized version of their day-to-day lives. Not only that, but Facebook has become a forum for rude comments and harassing messages which worsen these feelings of inferiority.

I can totally understand how someone might feel inadequate if their life doesn’t seem as fun-filled or exciting as others around them, but I also think it’s important for them to realize that Facebook gives a distorted perception of reality. The truth of the matter is that each person is in control of exactly what information is shared and often the minute details and mundane occurrences of everyday life don’t make the cut. It’s important to remember that you’re not getting the full picture and that appearances can be deceiving.

For years the internet has changed our way of life as we know it. But online shopping and electronic banking are one thing and social media depression is quite another. There are always going to be people better off and worse off than you, but as long as you constantly compare yourself to others you’ll never find your own sense of happiness. If there’s an aspect of your life that you’re unhappy with, only you can make the change. Once it gets to that point where one obsesses about keeping up appearances and allows the content on Facebook to affect them negatively, it’s time to get off the computer and get back into reality.

at a loss for words

Apparently that was the case concerning the most recent installment to the Oxford English Dictionary. As many of you probably know, last Thursday several Internet abbreviations made their way into the Dictionary. Among the additions are OMG, LOL, IMHO, LMAO, TMI, BFF WAG and FYI. Slang and other figures of speech were also included, such as Muffin Top, La-La Land, Dot-Bomb, Couch Surfing, and the unspoken Five-Second Rule. Not to mention the inclusion of the <3 heart symbol.

Although I understand that these "terms" are a sign of the times, I think that these updates are quite possibly some of the most ridiculous that I've ever heard (and even some that I haven't heard before..ie: WAG). I'm embarrassed that these non-words and text lingo are the profound additions that our generation has to offer to the world of vocabulary.

In high school, my senior English teacher had to come up with a policy against what she referred to as "text speak" because she would receive papers that were laden with incorrect spelling and word usage typical of text messages. The sad thing is that the students who were guilty of the infraction had become so accustomed to their informal way of communicating that they were increasingly unable to retrain their brain in order to communicate effectively and formally. Communication is a basic component of human life and if we lose the ability to communicate adequately with others we are losing something far more essential to life than we realize.

The complete list of revisions and additions is available here.

is ignorance bliss?

Recently, 1,000 Americans took the U.S. Citizenship Test provided by NEWSWEEK. 38% of those 1,000 Americans failed the test. This staggering percentage raises valid concerns for the future state of the country. According to the NEWSWEEK article which compiled the test results, "29 percent couldn’t name the vice president, seventy-three percent couldn’t correctly say why we fought the Cold War, forty-four percent were unable to define the Bill of Rights, and 6 percent couldn’t even circle Independence Day on a calendar." Although this ignorance and lack of interest in civic affairs has been increasingly apparent for centuries, it's argued that the current, rapidly changing times cause this "civic ignorance" to present serious problems for future generations.

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I feel that this lack of concern and utter disregard is inexcusable. Under certain circumstances, the vice president may serve in the president's place and yet 29% of the 1,000 Americans who took the test don't even know his name. For the 6% who didn't know the date of Independence Day, it's sad to think that people celebrate a holiday without even knowing the reasoning behind it. The date honoring the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and our resulting independence from Great Britain has become overshadowed by cookouts and fireworks and people seem to lose sight of the purpose behind the celebration.

Although, with the changing times, priorities too, have shifted. We tend to place a greater emphasis on unimportant and useless information. Celebrities have become household names, yet we struggle to identify our country's leaders. We go to a party and know whose birthday it is, yet we celebrate the Fourth of July without understanding why and without the acknowledgment of the birth of our nation as we know it. We only take the time to care about the things that seem to directly affect us.

However, whether or not we choose to realize it, everything that is happening around us affects us in some way or another, whether directly or indirectly. History is being made every day and it's important to be aware of the past, as well as the present, because history does repeat itself and it will affect our future.

how much is too much?

Life is really simple, but men insist on making it complicated-Confucius

In today's materialistic times, many overindulge in unnecessary purchases while others struggle just to survive day-to-day. I'm talking about those who only have "stuff" for the sole purpose of having it and those who try to keep up appearances and end up living beyond their means. A perfect example of this idea comes from the TLC television show, Hoarding: Buried Alive. Admittedly, the circumstances and living conditions seen on the show certainly aren't typical, and there are usually deeper rooted issues behind the compulsive behavior.

The reasoning behind their excess and the need they feel to hold onto their belongings at all costs is irrational and illogical because they have so much "stuff" that it's impossible for them to even get to it all. Often, years have gone by and they haven't been able to make use of their possessions, proving that they obviously didn't need to hold onto them in the first place if they've been able to get along without them for all of this time.

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Personally, in my home we learned as kids the importance of minimalization when it came to material objects. For example, for each new item purchased, we would donate an existing item. To read about minimalization and the benefits of living simply, you can check out this article.

pricey party

The premiere of 'Outrageous Kid Parties' on TLC on Monday centered around the planning of Gracie's 6th birthday. The "fairytale fantasy"-themed party was complete with a pumpkin-drawn carriage, a castle, and all her princess guests. Gracie was expecting between 150 and 200 guests (I'm pretty sure that at the tender age of 6 I didn't even know that many people) and the budget was originally set at around $15,000. However, in this case budgets are made to be broken.



Gracie's mother, Nicole, has two other teenage children, yet she admits that this is her first time throwing such an extravagent party. Gracie was considered to be a "special gift" when Nicole became unexpectedly pregnant at the age of 40, therefore she feels that she deserves the party. Although reluctant, Nicole gets her other children involved, by incorporating her daughter's cheer squad into the party and even having them create a personalized cheer for Gracie, while she gets bribes her son and a group of his friends to dress up in medieval clothing and hand out the party invitations to the guests. Nicole also keeps her husband in the dark when it comes to the ever-increasing budget, by having invoices of only half the cost sent to him while the remaining invoices are sent to her.

During the show there were some upsets and minor glitches like when Gracie didn't want to get dressed for her own party after all of that time and money were put into it. Overall, the party turned out to be a success and a dream come true for Gracie's mom Gracie, who shortly after the party was over was saying, "I want to have another party. I miss it!" The final price tag for the party: $32,304.28.

I understand the thought process that 'you're only a kid once' but I still feel this party was way over the top. Spoiling kids like this sets their expectations so high, at such a young age, that they then fail to find enjoyment in the little things in life. I hate to say it but I think the party was more for the mom than it was for Gracie. Nicole felt justified in spending as much money as she her husband did, because she said that Gracie would "remember this party for the rest of her life" but at the end of the show Gracie was already looking forward 365 days to next year's party.

skin-deep

The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw- Havelock Ellis

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The first season of the E! network reality t.v. show, Bridalplasty, recently came to an end. Each week the contestants participated in a series of events in order to receive various cosmetic procedures, and ultimately win the opportunity to have a dream wedding. The tasks they competed in reflected the wedding concept and each week the two contestants who found themselves at risk for elimination had their fate determined by the other contestants. Their fellow brides-to-be would R.S.V.P. and join either of the women at their table. The contestant with the least amount of guests would then be eliminated. The last contestant left would receive her wish list of plastic surgery procedures and a dream wedding.

Keep in mind that the groom won't get to see his revamped bride until she walks down the aisle. Forget blind date, how about blind wedding!? Call me crazy, but I'd like to know who to expect on my wedding day.

Although the idea of a reality t.v. competition show isn't new, this series caused quite a controversy during it's run. I personally believe the show's premise was one of the most ridiculous concepts ever. These women had found men who loved them and who wanted to marry them the way they were, but still they were not satisfied and they felt the only way they could achieve their dream wedding was by drastically altering their appearance. The perfect wedding should be determined by the amount of love that the couple has for each other and not by something as superficial as physical appearance.


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Don't get me wrong, every bride wants to look beautiful on her wedding day and that's understandable. However, I also feel that enhancing one's natural beauty is completely different than creating a false illusion of beauty. I think the show gives the wrong message and an unrealistic message at that, by promoting perfection at any cost. I  personally believe that everyone has qualities that make them beautiful and unique. God doesn't make mistakes; everyone looks the way they do for a reason, and I don't believe in playing God through unnecessary cosmetic procedures for the sole purpose of vanity. After all, vanity is the quicksand of reason.


cell phone confessional

A new app was recently released that is sparking quite a controversy. Confession: A Roman Catholic App is now available for use with the iPad and iPhone. Those behind the development of the $1.99 app maintain that it is not meant as a replacement for confession, but serves, instead, as an aid to guide users in the process of admitting their sins. Although the app is approved by the Catholic Church, I have to say that I personally disagree with the idea.

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I feel that church is a sacred place and confession is a sacred practice, therefore, cell phones and other electronic devices should have no involvement in either. Comments made in regards to the stories surrounding news of the app contain many valid concerns about privacy, due to the lack of anonymity upon registering your personal information. Despite password protection, some worry that information could fall into the wrong hands and even be used as evidence against them.  The biggest claim made against the app, however, stems from the apprehension that it will essentially make a mockery of the Roman Catholic religion as a whole, while many worry that this app only serves as yet another reminder of the growing rift that technology creates between interpersonal relationships.

welcome

In this blog I'll be discussing my personal beliefs regarding certain aspects of our society that I feel have gone too far, especially within the areas of today's entertainment and technology. I don't intend to offend others who think differently or even to persuade them to adopt my views, because I understand that not everyone will share the same perspective as I do and that they are entitled to their own opinion.