Woe! It’s Wednesday

“Adult” content has never been more available and more readily seen by so many.

Smoking, drinking, R-rated movies, Three’s Company, and dating were all kept from the kids until it was deemed they were ready for “the real world.” That wall was smashed years ago. Our children, adolescents, tweens, and young adults are exposed to more stuff than at any time before.

You’d think that means they grow up sooner. But I’m not so sure.

Yes, they’re more aware of sex, and the opposite sex, and vices that used to be off limits for kids.

And that knowledge has made them almost world-weary. They aren’t naive. They aren’t innocent.

But instead of growing up more quickly, I think it’s delayed their maturing into adults.

Of course, this is a gross generalization and I’m sure there are lots of very mature young adults. I know I raised two of them.

But in many of their contemporaries and the offspring of my friends, I see lots of Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers who don’t want to finish their education. They can’t get a job that pays a living wage and they’re okay with it. They know they will still have a bed at Mom and Dad’s.

We’ve given kids a boat-load of adult fare and kept them perpetual teenagers.

That’s my rant for the day.

Woe! It’s Wednesday

Lesson learned: When you write a blog post in Live Writer to be published later, you can’t use the same header and title, delete the body, and write a new post.

The new post publishes, but not the first one.

So. Where was I?

Oh yes. This was about the Emmy awards show Sunday night.

I watched bits and pieces and had mixed feelings.

Some of the bits were great, others… not so much. I came to the conclusion that when humor is crafted to fit a 20-30 second window, it just feels forced and unfunny.

The best humor grows organically from its foundation.

The opening song and dance number was great because it started with a tried and true premise (Hey, Kids! Let’s put on a Show!), grew with familiar and likeable characters (the Glee cast), and finished with an over the top conclusion.

The banter between Matthew Perry and Lauren Graham bombed because it was scripted repartee and it felt uncomfortable to the viewer.

The George Clooney and Modern Family bit worked because it was set up well. You don’t have to watch the show (I don’t, but I might in the fall) to get it. They set up the characters and situation. The payoff grew naturally.

Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.”
       Said by Peter O’Toole, playing the washed-up actor Alan Swann in the 1982 movie My Favorite Year

So true and illustrated so well by the finest television performers of the year.

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Today, I’m praying for Ellen, Amber, Dee

Currently reading: The Spoils of Eden by Linda Lee Chaikin

Last movie: I’m finally finishing up Lost. I have three episodes to go.

In It Together

Praying for the UN High Commissioner on Refugees António Guterres, the Travolta family, and Taryn.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is in town this week. They revealed the family this morning after announcing there were several possibles in the greater area.

There's been mostly excitement in the media about the boost this will bring to the local economy as well as exposure in a national marketplace.

One local columnist gave a platform to one disgruntled neighbor (it wasn't known if she was in the neighborhood chosen, or just in a potential area - I still don't know if she's being directly affected) who was upset that the city is making concessions to the production. She says they are circumventing regulations and rules and permit issuances in order to get publicity.

I disagree. I don't think it's about getting free publicity or garnering good will. I think it's about doing something nice.

This family (http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/extreme_makeover&id=6591588) deserves something nice. And given the current economic outlook and how it's effected charities, this is the community's opportunity to bless someone.

If the city can make it easier for anyone, a tv show, a neighbor, a charity, to help someone in need, that's great.

Maybe there will be a ripple effect and others in need of quick plan approval, or permit issuance will be helped as well.

The publicity and money infused into the local economy is just a bonus.

I say "Welcome and get to work!"

The Long Haul

Today I prayed for Ted Turner and Amber.

I first tried to name this blog The Long Haul but it was taken.

It seems that we're in everything for the long haul. Marriage. Parenthood. Faith. Relationships with cars.

I kind of get why the divorce rate is spiraling up. I've got many divorced friends (including my parents) so I'm not pointing fingers, just kind of thinking out loud.

We've got so much that is disposal in our society. Lighters, food containers, even major appliances are designed to wear out far sooner than they used to. So if all of our stuff is lightweight and meant to be thrown into the recycler, then why not marriages as well? Why not a baby? We told the mom she could get rid of it before its birth, why not in the first few minutes as well?

We give up on children and drug them.

We give up on marriages and say, "God doesn't want me to be unhappy." I don't see that in my Bible. My Bible says God is making me into the image of Christ and that's painful and hard work. And has nothing to do with my happiness.

We give up on toasters and buy a new and bigger one that will fit four bagels at once. Who needs to toast them many bread products at the same time? Have they never heard of Atkins??

Anyway, yeah, I'm in it for the long haul.