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.