I have a confession: I love cop shows. Not comedies or dramas about cops, but the real thing like Cops, Campus PD, Alaska State Troopers, Manhunters, Border Wars...I could go on and on. I love to see the bad guys and the criminally stupid get what's coming to them. I love a good car chase, and I really love it when the good guys prevail. I have respect for law enforcement and the shows just reinforce it.
But as I watch all of these shows, I've noticed a disturbing trend: an entire generation of young adults who have zero respect for law enforcement. Campus PD is filmed on or near college campuses across the country. Most of the kids are getting in trouble for loud parties, minors in possession, or public intoxication - charges that aren't going to ruin them but should be taken seriously. I can't begin to tell you how many kids I see smarting off (yes - showing my age) to these officers. They have zero respect, zero manners and don't comply with the officers.
There was one episode where a female student was having a party that apparently got too loud and neighbors called police. When the officer showed up, she slammed the door in his face and wouldn't come out. When the door opened and she stepped out, the officer asked her to step to the side of the porch and she SCREAMED for the officer to take his hands off of her. Then her brother started yelling that their dad was a federal agent and this cop was going to lose his job. This rant went on and on. Wouldn't it have been easier to take the $100 ticket and move on? Then I started to wonder what their federal agent father thought about it? Did he condone it? Did he tell them that their behavior was unacceptable?
You can always pick out the pre-law and law students on the show, too. They want to argue the law with the officers; they know their rights. It just seems to me that if they would accept responsibility and close their mouths, they can have their day in court without the responding officers adding on extra charges.
Another guilty pleasure that I reluctantly admit to is Bridezillas. I don't plan my week around it, but I've seen a few episodes. I am disgusted by the behavior of these women, and of the friends and families who support it. You can see brides berating their friends who don't look perfect in a dress; one bride sent her bridesmaids to boot camp while her fluffy butt went out for donuts. I've watched brides throw tantrums unlike any I've ever seen when something doesn't go their way. They openly manipulate and humiliate all of those around them.
What does this have to do with the kids on the cop shows? They're all (usually) about the same age - late teens through mid to late 20's. Have we really created and encouraged that generation to behave that way? When did we, as a society, say it's okay to throw a bouquet at the florist because you don't like it? When did we say it's okay to spit in the face of another person?
I'm glad these shows are merely my guilty pleasures and that I don't have to deal with these people on a daily basis. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't end well for the college students or the brides. Maybe we need a combination show - Cops chasing Bridezillas. I'd so watch that.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
A letter to Charlie Sheen
Dear Charlie,
Oh how I've enjoyed you over the years, from movies such as "Major League" to the incredibly funny sitcom "Two and a Half Men." You have made me smile and laugh. I even jumped into the fray and started following you on Twitter. It was fun...for a minute.
What happened to you? Did the drugs overtake you, or did your ego tell you that you were capable of handling all drugs? Now, the more I read, it seems to me that you need help. I never knew that you shot Kelly Preston (yes, I know...an accident). We won't even talk about the knife you allegedly held to Brooke's throat. Fine, we'll leave the personal problems alone.
But let me explain how the rest of the world works: you don't bite the hand that feeds you. What does this mean? This means that interviews, without the consent or knowledge of your attorneys or publicist, are never a good idea, even if they are from Sober Valley Lodge. You don't rant and bitch about your bosses, no matter how crappy they are. We've all had crappy bosses, man, but you have to just go bitch in private, not public. You don't wield machetes from a roof in Hollywood when you don't get your way.
But the last straw for me? When you publicly lashed out at Jon Cryer. Jon has respectfully kept his mouth closed (a lesson you'd do well to learn, albeit a little late). Did it occur to you that he has his own family to provide for, that maybe he needs to put HIS interests ahead of yours? Just because he doesn't publicly support your latest temper tantrum or rant, it doesn't mean he doesn't support you. It just means that he has wisely chosen to keep his mouth shut.
It was a good run. Thanks for the laughs, but I'm done following you on Twitter and reading about your antics. Good luck, Charlie. I sincerely hope you get the help you need.
Oh how I've enjoyed you over the years, from movies such as "Major League" to the incredibly funny sitcom "Two and a Half Men." You have made me smile and laugh. I even jumped into the fray and started following you on Twitter. It was fun...for a minute.
What happened to you? Did the drugs overtake you, or did your ego tell you that you were capable of handling all drugs? Now, the more I read, it seems to me that you need help. I never knew that you shot Kelly Preston (yes, I know...an accident). We won't even talk about the knife you allegedly held to Brooke's throat. Fine, we'll leave the personal problems alone.
But let me explain how the rest of the world works: you don't bite the hand that feeds you. What does this mean? This means that interviews, without the consent or knowledge of your attorneys or publicist, are never a good idea, even if they are from Sober Valley Lodge. You don't rant and bitch about your bosses, no matter how crappy they are. We've all had crappy bosses, man, but you have to just go bitch in private, not public. You don't wield machetes from a roof in Hollywood when you don't get your way.
But the last straw for me? When you publicly lashed out at Jon Cryer. Jon has respectfully kept his mouth closed (a lesson you'd do well to learn, albeit a little late). Did it occur to you that he has his own family to provide for, that maybe he needs to put HIS interests ahead of yours? Just because he doesn't publicly support your latest temper tantrum or rant, it doesn't mean he doesn't support you. It just means that he has wisely chosen to keep his mouth shut.
It was a good run. Thanks for the laughs, but I'm done following you on Twitter and reading about your antics. Good luck, Charlie. I sincerely hope you get the help you need.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
In my mind
In my mind, I'm not 41. In my mind, it hasn't been 23 years since I graduated from high school. It hasn't been 25 years since the music of the 80's rocked my stereo and parachute pants were cool. In my mind, I'm somewhere between college and 41.
The Class of 1987 had its dreams (apologies to the Statler Brothers). I don't recall thinking there would be any tough spots on the road ahead. After all, everything had been great up to that point! No one plans for the bad stuff; it just happens.
But then I get a dose of reality and know that we are truly adults. We're spouses, partners, parents, friends, grandparents. We have grown-up jobs and responsibilities. We care for sick children and parents. We've lost classmates and parents and grandparents. And tonight, we have a widow in our class. It just seems so strange; we're so young to face the big issues...in my mind.
The Class of 1987 had its dreams (apologies to the Statler Brothers). I don't recall thinking there would be any tough spots on the road ahead. After all, everything had been great up to that point! No one plans for the bad stuff; it just happens.
But then I get a dose of reality and know that we are truly adults. We're spouses, partners, parents, friends, grandparents. We have grown-up jobs and responsibilities. We care for sick children and parents. We've lost classmates and parents and grandparents. And tonight, we have a widow in our class. It just seems so strange; we're so young to face the big issues...in my mind.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Fame should be fleeting
When I call your name, please step forward: Jon & Kate, Lindsay, Paris, Any Kardashian, Heidi, Spencer, and the entire cast of Jersey Shore. Your fifteen minutes are up. You may now resume your lives that were, and continue to be, uninteresting to most of us.
There is no one listed here that has done something so fabulous, so wonderful as to garner all the attention he or she currently garners. Ugly divorces, continued bad decisions, reality shows....these do not make you important in my life, or in the lives of my friends and family. When you cure cancer, feed the hungry (and don't use it as a photo op), help out someone less fortunate, or patrol a perimeter, then you can have my attention.
Some people crave attention and fame. Some need it more than others. But when your fifteen minutes are up, they're up!
This post is dedicated to Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante, from Houston, who was killed in Afghanistan on August 30th. I didn't know him or his family, but he was doing something worthwhile. He was looking out for us. Rest in peace, soldier.
There is no one listed here that has done something so fabulous, so wonderful as to garner all the attention he or she currently garners. Ugly divorces, continued bad decisions, reality shows....these do not make you important in my life, or in the lives of my friends and family. When you cure cancer, feed the hungry (and don't use it as a photo op), help out someone less fortunate, or patrol a perimeter, then you can have my attention.
Some people crave attention and fame. Some need it more than others. But when your fifteen minutes are up, they're up!
This post is dedicated to Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante, from Houston, who was killed in Afghanistan on August 30th. I didn't know him or his family, but he was doing something worthwhile. He was looking out for us. Rest in peace, soldier.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Grief is a bitch
Grief sucks. There's no getting around it. And just when you think you're moving to a good place, a tidal wave of grief overcomes you and drops you to your knees.
Last week, my grandmother died. It was expected - she fought lung cancer for 13 months prior to her death. We had even been called home the weekend before she died so we could say goodbye. But when that call came last Wednesday, I was crushed. I knew it was coming. I even knew it would likely be that day. But it was still a fresh wound.
On Friday, we decided to remove the valuables from her house to beat the burglars to the punch. I walked into her bedroom, like I had done 100 times before. But when I saw the pewter box filled with coins from her travels around the world, I sat on her bed and cried like a child. A few minutes later, I was fine. Hours later, I burst into tears when I thought about her birthday in March we won't be celebrating with her.
I know that grief has stages, but can I fast forward through this? I don't want to be sad.
Last week, my grandmother died. It was expected - she fought lung cancer for 13 months prior to her death. We had even been called home the weekend before she died so we could say goodbye. But when that call came last Wednesday, I was crushed. I knew it was coming. I even knew it would likely be that day. But it was still a fresh wound.
On Friday, we decided to remove the valuables from her house to beat the burglars to the punch. I walked into her bedroom, like I had done 100 times before. But when I saw the pewter box filled with coins from her travels around the world, I sat on her bed and cried like a child. A few minutes later, I was fine. Hours later, I burst into tears when I thought about her birthday in March we won't be celebrating with her.
I know that grief has stages, but can I fast forward through this? I don't want to be sad.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
BFFs forever....or not....
As children, we announce to our playground buddies that Amy or Susie or Bobby is our BESTEST FRIEND EVER! We declare proudly that we are best friends forever and ever. But sadly, that isn't always the case.
As we grow older, our lives change. Our cities change. Our priorities change. And even our friends change. We struggle to keep those old friends in our present lives, but at times it's so difficult. Fifteen years ago, I left my hometown and my bestest friends. We promised to stay best friends and visit often. But then the weddings started. Then came first houses. Then the cute kiddos arrived. Money was scarce for some of us. We missed each other's big moments although we were only 250 miles apart.
Over the last few months, I've thought a lot about these old friends. I miss them so much. I feel like I've lost out on the best years of our lives. I've tried to get to Houston to catch up, but I can't seem to find my way home. For a while I was dating someone who lived out of town, so my time was split between my current home, the town where my family lives, and the town where my boyfriend (now husband) lived. No excuses, just what happened. The other girls have their reasons, too. It's just life and sometimes it just gets in the way! As much as I enjoy Facebook, it's a window to all that I miss.
As I end 2009 and start 2010, this is just another way I feel out of sync.
As we grow older, our lives change. Our cities change. Our priorities change. And even our friends change. We struggle to keep those old friends in our present lives, but at times it's so difficult. Fifteen years ago, I left my hometown and my bestest friends. We promised to stay best friends and visit often. But then the weddings started. Then came first houses. Then the cute kiddos arrived. Money was scarce for some of us. We missed each other's big moments although we were only 250 miles apart.
Over the last few months, I've thought a lot about these old friends. I miss them so much. I feel like I've lost out on the best years of our lives. I've tried to get to Houston to catch up, but I can't seem to find my way home. For a while I was dating someone who lived out of town, so my time was split between my current home, the town where my family lives, and the town where my boyfriend (now husband) lived. No excuses, just what happened. The other girls have their reasons, too. It's just life and sometimes it just gets in the way! As much as I enjoy Facebook, it's a window to all that I miss.
As I end 2009 and start 2010, this is just another way I feel out of sync.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Got something on your mind? Say it. No worries.
I continue to be amazed at the words spoken and the actions taken by "role models" - whether we chose to look at them as role models or if these people self-selected as role models. I'm referring, of course, to the actions and words of Michael Jordan, Kanye West, and Serena Williams, and others. I can only hope it was a full moon that caused all of them to speak to people in a way that they wouldn't speak to their mothers.
Michael Jordan used his induction into the NBA Hall of Fame as a lashing out at many, many people including former teammates and other players. In particular, he admonished his high school coach for choosing to keep another player on varsity instead of him. Call me crazy, but don't you let high school issues go when you leave high school?
Kanye West rushed the stage and stole the spotlight (again) at an awards show (again) to say that Beyonce should have won an award instead of Taylor Swift. This wasn't the first time that Mr. West decided he was judge and jury on an award. Sure, he apologized to Taylor but she'll never get HER moment back. He took that from her.
Serena? She cursed a line judge and added threats. What about the esteemed senator from South Carolina? He showed no respect for either Mr. Obama nor for the presidency. What about the governor of South Carolina? Did he think he could run off to South America to see his girlfriend and there would be no consequences?
Have we lost all common courtesy in this country? Is it now acceptable to say or do whatever comes to mind and assume there will be no recourse? Actions have consequences but for celebrities and politicians, apparently not.
Michael Jordan used his induction into the NBA Hall of Fame as a lashing out at many, many people including former teammates and other players. In particular, he admonished his high school coach for choosing to keep another player on varsity instead of him. Call me crazy, but don't you let high school issues go when you leave high school?
Kanye West rushed the stage and stole the spotlight (again) at an awards show (again) to say that Beyonce should have won an award instead of Taylor Swift. This wasn't the first time that Mr. West decided he was judge and jury on an award. Sure, he apologized to Taylor but she'll never get HER moment back. He took that from her.
Serena? She cursed a line judge and added threats. What about the esteemed senator from South Carolina? He showed no respect for either Mr. Obama nor for the presidency. What about the governor of South Carolina? Did he think he could run off to South America to see his girlfriend and there would be no consequences?
Have we lost all common courtesy in this country? Is it now acceptable to say or do whatever comes to mind and assume there will be no recourse? Actions have consequences but for celebrities and politicians, apparently not.
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