Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Eve of History
Tomorrow, history will be made - not only here in America, but in the world. FINALLY. Not only are we rid of the talking monkey who for 8 years made most of the world dislike (if not despise) Americans; he who has brought this country to the brink of economic meltdown; he who has embroiled us in 2 simultaneous wars with no obvious mission or end in sight, and worst of all (to me), made me EMBARRASSED of my country of origin. Yes, he shall go retire to some zillion dollar home in Texas, to spend the rest of his life doing what has been doing all along - i.e. whatever the fuck he feels like with no regard for anyone else.
There is renewed hope, and it begins tomorrow. I feel honored to be a part of this time in history, where our new leader brings feelings of pride to the forefront. Of course it is a big deal that he is the first black president. An even bigger deal, to me, is that I feel confident that he will make this country, if not this world, a better place to live in. My biggest concern in this life is that of the future for my daughter (and should I be blessed enough to have other children at some point, for them too) - and I FINALLY feel that the future is bright, and I am PROUD to be an American again.
I can't wait until tomorrow - I am already bursting with anticipation! Until then, here's some images of my future.
Catching snowflakes...
...and making snow angels.
4 generations in one photo - how cool is THAT?
Nanny and Ella
Video of Snow Angel manufacturing.
There is renewed hope, and it begins tomorrow. I feel honored to be a part of this time in history, where our new leader brings feelings of pride to the forefront. Of course it is a big deal that he is the first black president. An even bigger deal, to me, is that I feel confident that he will make this country, if not this world, a better place to live in. My biggest concern in this life is that of the future for my daughter (and should I be blessed enough to have other children at some point, for them too) - and I FINALLY feel that the future is bright, and I am PROUD to be an American again.
I can't wait until tomorrow - I am already bursting with anticipation! Until then, here's some images of my future.
Catching snowflakes...
...and making snow angels.
4 generations in one photo - how cool is THAT?
Nanny and EllaVideo of Snow Angel manufacturing.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
A New Season
As all of you probably know, I am (for obvious reasons) a fan of "The Biggest Loser" TV show. For my international readers, "The Biggest Loser" is a very popular show in which obese contestants are taken to a secluded location and shown how to eat right and exercise and by the end of the season...WHAM...everyone looks fabulous.
Tonight, a new season of the show began. And for the first time in several seasons of watching the show, rather than feeling excited about the potential for the contestants, I felt pure sadness. Here's why: Obviously, every season they choose obese people for the show, but this season, the morbidity of the obesity in almost every contestant overwhelmed me. They had 2 teenagers, one was nearly 400lbs and the other was over 450lbs. It seemed like every contestant was well over 300lbs (I know this isn't the case, but it is what it felt like while I was watching). They had a man on who had gastric bypass surgery in the past, which failed, and his skin on his abdomen was all messed up. They had on a 63 year old couple who's average weight was over 300lbs. I could go on, but the point is, this season, the contestants seem bigger than ever. As I watched, the enormity of the obesity epidemic that is sweeping through our country (if not the world) overwhelmed me. I felt SO SAD that people have to turn, in desperation, to a television show for hope of a long life and education on healthy living. I feel even MORE SAD for those millions of people who were not fortunate enough to make it on to a TV show, and therefore have no hope, and they continue to spiral downward into oblivion.
Don't get me wrong - I feel so blessed to have been able to overcome the adversity that I have, and I do not blame anyone for my previous weight problem but myself. But the state of the world alarms me, in that obesity continues to skyrocket, and people sit and pray that they will be chosen for "The Biggest Loser," thinking that will solve all of their problems, hoping for the magic answer to weight loss, rather than recognizing the problem and doing something about it. I was one of the lucky ones. So many others are not as lucky. And I think society is partly to blame as well - ever see any commercials on TV for healthy restaurants? Gyms? No? I can't think of any off the top of my head. How about fast food restaurants? Coca-Cola? Beer? Ever notice how you can engorge yourself at McDonald's for under $5, yet you can't get a healthy meal for under $10?
How are people expected to know to do the right thing? Especially kids, when they are surrounded by commercials for sugary cereals and drinks and Happy Meals that they will demand their parents buy for them? Ever wonder WHY they put TOYS in cereal boxes?? How about people who can't afford to buy healthy food? What are they supposed to do?
I am adamant that this problem is expanding as fast as our collective waistlines (thank god not mine anymore), and it makes me so very sad...and furious. I think people need to be educated, and something needs to happen to make healthy living less of a bank-breaking expense. Putting an "obesity tax" on fattening items is not going to help matters, in my opinion.
I have to help do something about this. I can't start my own TV show, but hopefully there is something I can do. Any ideas?
Tonight, a new season of the show began. And for the first time in several seasons of watching the show, rather than feeling excited about the potential for the contestants, I felt pure sadness. Here's why: Obviously, every season they choose obese people for the show, but this season, the morbidity of the obesity in almost every contestant overwhelmed me. They had 2 teenagers, one was nearly 400lbs and the other was over 450lbs. It seemed like every contestant was well over 300lbs (I know this isn't the case, but it is what it felt like while I was watching). They had a man on who had gastric bypass surgery in the past, which failed, and his skin on his abdomen was all messed up. They had on a 63 year old couple who's average weight was over 300lbs. I could go on, but the point is, this season, the contestants seem bigger than ever. As I watched, the enormity of the obesity epidemic that is sweeping through our country (if not the world) overwhelmed me. I felt SO SAD that people have to turn, in desperation, to a television show for hope of a long life and education on healthy living. I feel even MORE SAD for those millions of people who were not fortunate enough to make it on to a TV show, and therefore have no hope, and they continue to spiral downward into oblivion.
Don't get me wrong - I feel so blessed to have been able to overcome the adversity that I have, and I do not blame anyone for my previous weight problem but myself. But the state of the world alarms me, in that obesity continues to skyrocket, and people sit and pray that they will be chosen for "The Biggest Loser," thinking that will solve all of their problems, hoping for the magic answer to weight loss, rather than recognizing the problem and doing something about it. I was one of the lucky ones. So many others are not as lucky. And I think society is partly to blame as well - ever see any commercials on TV for healthy restaurants? Gyms? No? I can't think of any off the top of my head. How about fast food restaurants? Coca-Cola? Beer? Ever notice how you can engorge yourself at McDonald's for under $5, yet you can't get a healthy meal for under $10?
How are people expected to know to do the right thing? Especially kids, when they are surrounded by commercials for sugary cereals and drinks and Happy Meals that they will demand their parents buy for them? Ever wonder WHY they put TOYS in cereal boxes?? How about people who can't afford to buy healthy food? What are they supposed to do?
I am adamant that this problem is expanding as fast as our collective waistlines (thank god not mine anymore), and it makes me so very sad...and furious. I think people need to be educated, and something needs to happen to make healthy living less of a bank-breaking expense. Putting an "obesity tax" on fattening items is not going to help matters, in my opinion.
I have to help do something about this. I can't start my own TV show, but hopefully there is something I can do. Any ideas?
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