We are still in the United States, right?

Because I could have sworn that we, as Americans are free to express our views, opinions and beliefs. Lately it seems that there is an unspoken law that prohibits this if you don't hold the most popular view/opinion of the day. And the punishment for going against the grain? Public humiliation, bashing and judgement from any person needing to catch the media's eye at that particular moment.

I am blown away by the way that Miss California has been treated. First of all, why are political and religious questions being asked in this contest? If the contestants are required to hold certain beliefs, they should likely be told ahead of time so that they know that their opinion will be up for punishment. Second, no one in this country is to be persecuted for his/her opinions. She answered the question in a nice, respectful way. She did not call anyone names, she was not disrespectful to people that do not share her opinion, she simply answered a question that was asked of her honestly.

Now the media is asking any celebrity who will sit still long enough for them to get the question out what they think of Miss California's views. Well lets see... my career depends upon how well people like me and want to see my face, I should probably go ahead and go with the crowd on this. WHO KNOWS what anyone's opinions really are anymore, they are scared to say! I mean... do you really think anyone in the public eye is going to stand up for her after watching the stoning she has been through?

The same thing happened with Obama. If you were not for Obama as president, you must be against all people of any race other than Caucasian. Never mind the fact that you have been a Republican for as long as you could speak, never mind the fact that you have real problems with his beliefs, never mind the fact that you might have actually liked John McCain and Sarah Palin. None of that is relevant. Hollywood chose Obama- if you don't agree, you are an ignorant redneck, prejudice, or just haven't done your homework on him.

One of the school shootings a few years ago, I believe it was Columbine, had a story come from it that was amazing. The shooter asked one of the students if she believed in God. She said "yes," knowing that he would shoot her for that answer. It seems that this situation is playing itself out all over this nation, a nation that is supposed to be free. I know that the school shooting was much more tragic and severe than the Miss California and Election situations- but it is comparable. If your beliefs are brought into question, should you be in fear of persecution if answer honestly?

We seem to live in a society where the loudest person rules.

Little Miss Perfect

I have generally tried to keep my reality tv obsession a secret, but oh well... it could be worse right? I have even gotten David addicted, though he would never admit it to anyone. Among my (our) favorites are The Biggest Loser, The Bachelor, and lately... Little Miss Perfect. (Becca, you HAD to know this rant was coming!)

Little Miss Perfect is a reality show that follows parents getting ready to put their little girls into pageants. They range in age from literal infants to teen. The pageant travels all over the country and is in a new city every week- there are 2 or three different girls that the cameras follow the week prior to each pageant. Usually there is one family that is fun and whose child (somewhat) enjoys it, then there is a family that is NUTS and whose child hates it and/or is a little snot. (Not putting down children in this post, it is the parents' fault that their kid is a snot, not the kids fault.)

The things they do for these pageants is unreal. The girls they follow are between 5 and 9, and they have more done to their little bodies in one week than I have in my entire life! They each get spray tanned- most have a pageant coach, get professional (glamour type) pictures done and have a choreographer to put together a routine. Some even have a hair and makeup artist! They purchase a custom made dress and a second custom outfit for what is essentially the talent portion of the pageant. Some mom's have bragged on the show that their daughter's dress cost in the thousands. Then there are other costs such as false teeth and hair. When a little girl starts to lose her baby teeth, they cover her teeth up with what they call a "flipper."

Basically, each of these pageants would have to cost close to $5,000, if not more. There is money that is given to the winner, but it is only $1,000 which would not come close to even breaking even! The parents that say they do it to make money for their child's college is either lying or stupid, not sure which one. Why on earth would you put your little girl in front a panel of judges to tell you how pretty, talented and worthy she is? What do the little girls who lose think? "I am not pretty enough" would be my first guess.

I still watch the show though- and make mental notes every time of things I will never say or do to my children. If you are interested, the show comes on tonight on WE TV. By the way, the girl in the picture is 8.

(Stepping off my soap box and getting back to work...)

Encouragement

Second post in one day- strange I know, but things are just now slowing down and I have a lot to catch up on!

I usually go to Starbuck’s once a week, on Fridays for my weekly Latte and Coffee Cake- (used to be daily, but hey, I guess we have all had to cut back.) So anyway, Friday morning I had a hard time dragging myself out of bed. Becca was in town for her Spring Break, and her and I had stayed up past midnight every night that week waiting for David to get home from class. I was beat down, and was starting to feel like I was picking up what Becca had been sick with all week. I finally made it out the door and dropped Hailey off. My weekly Latte was going to make me late, but I didn’t care, the caffeine was calling my name…

I got my order and went back outside to my car. Parked beside me was a lady I had seen there before. She was actually in line ahead of me and was already in her car about to leave, or at least I thought she was about to leave. Just as I reached my car she jumped out of hers. “Miss, I just want to tell you to have a wonderful day!” She said. Wow, “thank you!” I said back to her, but she wasn’t done. “The Lord told me that you needed encouragement, and I just want to tell you that everything is going to be okay. Don’t let this world get you down! The devil will try to get you down but you can’t let him!” I was a little confused at this point, but thought it was sweet that she wanted so badly to help me. She went on, “Sometimes people think I am strange because if I think someone needs God’s light I just give it to them whether they want it or not!” I said, “Oh don’t worry, I want God’s light! You are fine! Thank you!” She still wasn’t done though, “God doesn’t want you to be upset, he doesn’t want you to let this world get you down! Things will get better and he is always there for you! I am even here for you if you need anything!” At this point I am really starting to think that one of must be crazy. I am racking my brain trying to come up with things that would constitute God himself to tell this lady I needed her! All I could think of is, ‘Well, it’s been a fun week… We are worried about the economy but I think I have made peace with that. I think I am okay, right?’ I was literally doubting myself and my own happiness!

After a long conversation with her, I got in my car and looked in the mirror. Well, there is my answer! I hadn’t had time to put makeup on that morning, my eyes were swollen from getting sick and from the lack of sleep, and I pretty much looked like I had been beaten up! MAN! You know you look bad when a total stranger feels they need to “encourage” you!!!! I should make more time for sleep, AND makeup!

Mexico

So apparently all those cliche's about Mexico are true! You totally have to pay people off to get anything done!

David flew to Mexico for the first time on Friday. He learned all sorts of interesting things! First of all, to keep from having major issues you have to hire a "handler" to take care of your time there. The handler is in charge of paying everyone off that needs to be paid off- this way you are able to land, wait, and depart again without issues, supposedly. As David found out, the handler not only gets paid a rate for his services, he also gets a "tip" of $200 for each trip they make there. He was irate when he learned that David and the other pilot did not have $200 cash on them. He finally had to settle for the $60 they could scrape up between them and a promise that their next trip there he would get the remainder on top of the regular $200 he gets.... I guess this is what he has gotten every time there has been a flight there, but no one bothered to warn the guys before they went.

SO, he made it home in one piece, his eyes a little more open to the ins and outs of Mexico. He has another flight there today that he felt prepared for, he felt like he knew what to expect this time. Unfortunately though, a little wrench was thrown into things last night. David got a call from a co-worker that there was, basically, a rumor that the FBO they fly into in Mexico was closed. David called the company that handles things for them there, and they in turn called the FBO to see what issues, if any there were. Turns out that a factory next door to the FBO caught fire, and it spread to several other factories around it. The FBO did close for a time because of low visibility due to smoke.

Once we heard that we assumed there would be no problem with their flight since it was due to leave the next day- surely the fires would be out by then and the smoke would be gone. Only Mexico does not do things like the US. Their plan was to let the fires burn themselves out. No need to put out the fires when you know they will eventually stop on their own- right?

This morning, David got up, got dressed and headed to the hangar for his flight out. We both fully expected the flight would be cancelled due to continued fires and visibility problems- but turns out, they took off! I just talked to him, and while he is nervous about being there, (it is Juarez after all,) it looks like everything is fine...

By the way, if any of you are planning a trip to Mexico, ANY PART, I would put that on hold for a while. Men standing guard over anything that sits still with guns in hand kind of ruins whole atmosphere... you know?