Why Do I Watch?

I have a guilty pleasure television show. I am almost embarrassed to admit this, but I can't seem to stop watching the Road Rules/Real World Challenges. But though this is on my Tivo Season Pass list, there are a few things I can't seem to understand about these shows:

1. Why do we care about these people?

The majority of the people on these shows are selfish, greedy, shallow assholes who have centered their lives around being on MTV. There is nothing remotely likable about these people, and yet, somehow they continue to recruit new idiots to join this lot. How? Do they bribe these people with lots of money? Are these lonely folks who have no other method of creating a community? I truly can't think of why, after almost two decades of these shows, people would still want to become a part of what they know will become a hot mess.

2. Why do they make so much money for being asses?

I work my ass off everyday in my job. I work for others...to help others. And yet, these people make in four weeks what I make in a year (if not more). And they get to run around and act like fools. Many times, they don't even need to exercise morals. So why are we paying these people? Isn't there something better we could be doing with this money? Shouldn't we encourage these folks to go out and earn their money like the rest of us?

3. Are their parents proud of them?

I can't imagine the parents of these people tuning in to see them in action and beaming with pride. Is it just me? Lying, cheating, tormenting others. Most of the guys are degrading to women and completely sexist. The number of STIs within that group must be incredible. And how many of them have had to leave midseason for punching someone else? Seriously...do these mothers boast to their friends about what their kids are up to these days?

4. Does anyone actually watch these shows without contempt for the participants?

I loathe these people. It's like a train wreck. I can't stop watching. But it's not because I am getting anything fulfilling or reflective from these shows. Many times, I'm barely paying attention except when I am watching with my mouth hanging open at the way these people are treating each other. Is there anyone who is tuning in because they find these people enjoyable and wish they were their friends? God, I hope not.

Despite this ranting, I am still watching. Therefore, it leaves me with one last question: What's wrong with me?!

Caught in a Web

I just finished presenting as a co-instructor at my first web conference! And, I don't mind saying, I think it went pretty well. Content, transitions and pace all seemed good, despite my nerves. But, more exciting than all of that, there are two things I noticed about myself during this process:

1. I thrive in a crisis! Right in the middle of me presenting on my case study, we experienced severe audio troubles. There was a loud static, and we all of a sudden lost all connections. I had to hang up, and try calling back in, which didn't work because there was a continuous busy signal. Fortunately, we were also connected through the web conference software, so the tech guy gave me the back door phone number to call in and get reconnected. Once we were all back and running, I felt a lot less nervous. What is it about crisis that brings me to a calm? I think it's a result of being in residence life for too long!
2. I talk with my hands...A LOT!! I've always known this about myself, but when you are sitting alone in a room talking aloud to a computer, it tends to become much more noticeable. In fact, at times, I was overwhelmed at how important my hand motions were to me feeling like I got my point across.

So, not only did I have a good professional development experience, but I also had some good personal insight moments as well. Now let's hope I was helpful to the paying participants!

A Hen and a Jiraffe

Last night was Stephanie's Hen's Night. Though she and Jason are officially married, their American ceremony is coming up in January, and tonight was the ladies' night that has been in the planning since May. Clearly, I was far from in the mood to go out and be social, but I was able to rally and at least get myself out the door for the festivities. The plan? To have dinner in Santa Monica and then karaoke at Max's Karaoke Studio. I had never been to Max's, but it was much like the traditional karaoke places in Japan, where you rent a private room by the hour. Naturally, here in LA, the place was a bit shadier than those in Osaka and Kobe, but it was still a lot of fun. However, the highlight for me was definitely dinner!

We dined at Jiraffe. I've been there before for Phil's birthday, so I knew that the food was outstanding. But right now, they are catering to folks who are headed to see the Cirque de Soleil in Santa Monica, so they have a Prix Fixe Menu for $44. With that, you get a choice of three appetizers, three entrees and three desserts. And after enjoying my own meal (and sampling the dishes of those around me), I was reminded of how good a fancy restaurant can be! So, the next time you are looking for a swanky night out (I'm thinking '12 Dates of Christmas,' Carmen!), definitely check out Jiraffe. It's well worth it!

Like Quicksand

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly things can just crumble. I woke up this morning ready to tackle some errands and work up the social energy for Stephanie's hen's party tonight. So I rolled out the door in hopes of doing a little Christmas price tag shopping and maybe find something cute for the evening's event (since apparently folks were planning to wear dresses). Though originally I was hoping for some company, I was excited to head out with my own agenda and get things done.

Halfway through the Galleria, I could feel the dark cloud shifting overhead. Before I knew it, every thought in my head was self-deprecating. With every breath, I felt like the hideous person that I see in the mirror each morning. It was terrible. It took everything in my power now to burst into tears in the middle of commerce central. I tried to walk it off, and even grabbed a Starbucks in hopes of filling myself up with a little warmth (literally and figuratively). But none of it worked.

Then, my mindset started to impact my reality. I left my purse in a fitting room (fortunately it was there when I returned). I accidentally ran a red light (fortunately all cars were at a stop and no cops were around). And I finally lost my strength not to cry and started tearing up on the way home (fortunately I was alone, so no one noticed).

So now I am home. I turned the Christmas tree on and lit my new candles. I have two hours to find some cheer before I have to get ready for the evening's events. But for now, I'll just sit in silence and let it all soak in.

Dodging Balls

Each year, on or near the last day of classes in the Fall semester, the professionals from the offices within the Division of Student Affairs gather for a friendly tournament of dodgeball. And each year, I sit back and watch (and cheer, of course!) at the wonder that is my colleagues running around the court throwing balls at each other. It makes me laugh. It makes me smile. And it is one of those moments when I am eternally grateful for working at a place like LMU. After all, I spent the last hour of my work week getting paid for hanging out with fun people and laughing a lot.

It Lights Me Up

I am really excited to come home from work these days. And this isn't because I'm dreading work and can't wait to leave the office. This is because my Christmas tree is officially up and all decorated, and it makes me happy to come home and look at it. I have never thought of myself as someone who was overly into the Christmas cheer. I like Christmas and all, but I'm more of a Thanksgiving girl. But somehow, once that tree is up, it truly does light up my world. I can stare at it for hours, taking in the ornaments and the lights. It makes me wish I had a family here so that I can put presents under the tree. I might start buying gifts and placing them under anyway! But, for right now, putting up my tree was definitely a present to myself.

NaBloPoMo Reviewed

So, somehow, I did it. From the day that I learned of NaBloPoMo (November 10) through the last day of the month, I managed to blog once a day. Not bad, eh? In fact, not only is it not bad, but I would say that I am quite pleased with myself and my blogging this month. And here are some of the things that I learned:

• In order to blog, I don't need to do a long novella of information. I just need some thought from the day that I can expand on as little or as much as I'd like. So rather than shy away because I feel like I don't have a lot to say, I should blog something little.
• Blogging is something simple that I can do right before I go to bed. It might mean 15 minutes fewer on Farmville, but my crops will survive.
• Once I got into the habit, I found myself thinking about what my make a good blog entry throughout the day. It was almost fun for me to give my typically swamped brain something fun to focus on.
• I really like to blog. Even if no one is reading, I'm still writing and getting some of my creativity flowing. This is something that I miss in my everyday work, so blogging is a small outlet to bring it back to me.

So, now the question, can I keep it up? My first goal is to make it until December 10, since that will officially be a month of blogging. Once I get there, then we'll see what the next goal is. As I tell my staff all of the time, I have to make tangible steps for myself to accomplish so that I can set me up for success.

An LMU Wonderland

Tonight was the Christmas tree lighting on campus. And, like many things that happen here at LMU, I left filled with wonderment at getting to work at a place like this.

In addition to the ASLMU mugs and free hot chocolate, Iggy the Lion was in full Santa costume. Behind the tree was the ice skating rink, where your donation to take a few laps around the faux ice went straight to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. And if that wasn't enough holiday cheer, there were also horse-drawn carriage rides around Alumni Mall. There were a few hundred people both from LMU and the Westchester community gathered around. There were students spontaneously caroling and folks hugging everywhere. If snow had miraculously started falling from the sky, I wouldn't have been surprised.

And just as Fr. Lawton finished his blessing, the Christmas tree was lit, right on cue. Even Rockefeller Center could learn a thing or two from LMU.