The Clock is Ticking

I can't believe I arranged my evening based on a reality TV show last night. That irks me.

I think what irks me more is that the show was "Jon & Kate +8." We all knew what was coming, how could ANYONE have been surprised. I can't believe I took pleasure in watching the disintegration of a marriage, complete with callousness and bitterness on air last night. But it was sold to me. I had to watch it.

I didn't realize just how ridiculous I was until much later last night. A good friend called. C. has recently gotten hooked on Jon & Kate. Who knows why--he's a boy and there are no good explanations for anything he does. *wink*

We got to talking about why the world has progressed to the point that we can't wait for the opportunity to watch someone else's pain, why we live for drama. Not literally all of us "we," but we, society in general. It's really rather sad that we've allowed ourselves to become this way.

We all know the why and the how. It's just really sad. And I understand that this is why some people don't mind not ever watching TV. It really isn't worth the drama or the pointless shows. Reality TV shows aren't for showing the world at it's best, they're for showing the world at it's worst.

Our whole conversation left me in a weird sea of emotions--the one I liked the least was having to admit that I'd succumbed to the ridiculousness. But if someone had to point it out (with out pointing and laughing, of course), I'm rather glad it was C.

So, yesterday, I'm flipping through channels yesterday and land on Oprah. I have to explain--I don't watch Oprah. I believe that she's disturbed and completely well...off her rocker.

Yesterday, she had a panel of people on. All I caught was that she was checking in with a mother who had called in about a disturbing series of text messages her 12 year old son had received from another 12 year old after a failed first kiss. The girl had texted him saying she loved him and offering him oral sex. The mother's question was does she or does she not address the girl's mother?

Okay, easy answer...yes. You're daughter has some issues if she's 12 and offering that. Chances are not good that she just doesn't realize what she's said. Sady, twelve year olds know these days.

As disturbing as that was, what really disturbed me was that Oprah was giving this advice. I work with teenagers every day, but I would never dare to tell someone how to parent his or her child. Why? I'm not truly a parent. Sure, for 8-12 hours a day, I'm "mom" to my kids at school, and they know they can come to me. But I'm not really a parent.

So...because that disturb-ed me...Some music for you. I realize that this song doesn't lend itself to this issue well, but..that's not the point.

There's a part of me that wants answers to questions that I fear have no easy answers.

I sat one day and listened to a teenager girl advise another teenage girl on how to "do right by her baby." Essentially, it amounted to signing up for every government aid program available--WIC, food stamps, etc. Why not just, I don't know, get a job? Graduate high school, get a better paying job? Be productive and not look for a hand-out?

Did I mention that both girls were wearing clothes more expensive than me? Me with my masters degree, full time job, and zero dependents I can claim on my tax return.


I chatted today with a former student. Actually, chatted isn't the right word. My heart broke over her. She should be graduating in May. She won't be.She doesn't have the credits for it--she doesn't have the credits to be in 10th grade. There's a baby story in there, as well as a family that sees little importance in education. I want her to graduate. I'll do whatever I can. She doesn't know how to use a computer, so even fast food jobs are limited for her. I think she wants better for herself and her baby. But how do you get it when no one who is supposed to love you tells you that you can have it? When no one at home thinks it's important?

I wasn't raised in a house like that. I don't know what it's like to grow up in home that doesn't want you to be successful, productive. That doesn't want you to feel good about who you are and your hopes and dreams. And now, because she doesn't know any better, will her child ever feel the way I did growing up--that the world is full of limitless opportunity, if you just look.

How do you take care of those kids when you can't get them into a school building? And not because they are resistant, but because you can't get through to Mom and Dad. I feel like I've failed her somehow.

Assault by Carrot

I can't explain it, but...this disturbs me.

I guess I'd never been aware of the existence of the stuff. Until today. Today, I saw it on the shelf at the dollar store.

This is the stuff bad dreams are made of.