Jon & Kate Plus 8 + Cancellation = Sadness

When I have the time, I like to watch a select few shows on TV. One of those shows is "Jon & Kate plus 8" on TLC. J&K+8 is about the Gosselin family, parents with two sets of multiples, 8-year-old twins and 4-year-old sextuplets. It's nice to see a reality show on TV that isn't a C-list actor narrowing down std-ridden admirers to find his one true lust.

However, spouses Jon and Kate do have their share of disagreements and arguments. Plus, their kids are just so darn cute! This is a good combination for a TV show. TLC has aired 4 very successful seasons of the show. But on the season finale, Jon and Kate revealed to viewers that their marriage was struggling. Rumors are that Kate wants to do a 5th season but Jon does not.The way Kate constantly snaps at Jon, or just having 8 kids would cause any marriage stress. This comes as somewhat of a shock to viewers because the couple just renewed their vows in Hawaii in August of 2008.

About a year ago, Jon quit his job as an IT director to stay home full time. The family has earned enough income from just the show; not to mention food, toys, and clothes for the kids from every brand who wants the Gosselin family to use their product on TV. Further scrutinizers say that the parents are, in a sense, making the kids work, since the show is the family's source of income. The latter may be a little bit of a stretch; if you've seen the show you know the kids are pretty well-cared for.

Well, what I think is [and yes I get a say, because it's my blog] that if doing the show is hurting the family in any way then it is not worth it to continue. Is it more help than harm? We'll have to see if the Gosselins sign on for a 5th season. I'd like the show to continue just to see the little kids say "On this episode of Jon and Kate plus 8." - Naawww

Ketchup Kraze

I wish I were this artistically talented! Heinz has hired a new team of freelance desingers - kids in grade school. The Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest is a contest for students in 1st through 12th grade to design a ketchup packet. From 45,000 entries, artist Burton Morris has narrowed it down to 36 finalists. From here it's up to America to decide which designs will be on the next ketchup packets.

Go to http://www.ketchupcreativity.com/voting.aspx to vote for your favorite designs. I'm amazed. The artists in first grade would beat anything I could scribble on a page. They're so good. Voting only goes through the 25th, so vote NOW! It only takes a second, and it's fun.

Here are some teasers:

My thoughts on riding the bus...

As much as I dislike riding the bus, it sure has given me some good blogging material. =o]

1. They do not make the seats big enough. Today I sat next to a big-boned gentleman who took up all of his seat and half of mine. The term "rubbing elbows" has never been so accurate. I believe these seats were designed to fit the physique of a third grader - one without obesity.

2. To the two Indian men sitting in front of me: You smell bad. Wash off the curry, please.

3. Whoever deliberately scratched off choice letters on the sign that used to say "A little farther back please," but now says "A little fart please," - THAT'S HILARIOUS

4. To the woman in a different fur coat every day: 1.) If you're wearing a fur coat every day, do you not have enough money to drive? 2.) If you're trying to help the environment by taking the bus, don't kill little furry animals. 3.) ick, fur

5. Note from Kelly: To the loud group of women: Use your six-inch voices, please.
- She's right. Especially in the morning, no one wants to hear your conversations about your kids, dogs, and dying mothers. While I understand it is a cramped space, [see #1.] the people you're talking to are not that far away from you.

6. My usual driver looks like the creepy, bald guy in Scary Movie. It makes me grin every time.

7. And finally, to the same people on my commute who smile at me every day because we're in the same boat [bus], thanks. You make my trip a little bit easier.

*** disclaimer - my intent is not to vent or complain... just sharing what's in my head. We should make this into a Public Service Announcement! Someone call Isaiah Washington!

I've been bitten!

It's finally happened. I've been willingly sucked in to the Twilight series (pun intended). I sat back and watched as the entire series consumed Brittany for a few weeks, thinking she was a little obsessed. She'd stay up most of the night reading them, even hauling them to work to read on her lunch break. The whole time I thought "I'm never reading those childish little teen novels." I didn't get caught up in the whole Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings buzz either. It's just not my genre.

Brittany had finally given up on convincing me to read them. But now, yes even I have not been able to put it down. I've been dedicated to it every morning and evening on my commute to and from work - no, I don't read and drive like some mega-multi-taskers; I take the bus - relax.

It's actually very well written. Stephenie Meyer creates compelling characters and relationships and makes it okay that the plot is make-believe. Edward Cullen is so mysteriously sexy, too!

I can't wait to see the movie now. I feel like a teenie bopper again. Most likely it was college that messed with my mind. Being an English major, those with Ph Ds forced me to read Jane Austen, Faulkner, and Hemmingway; boy are they missing out! Twilight is a good, entertaining read that goes pretty quickly despite being close to 500 pages. Bring on New Moon.

Pure Craziness

So right now there is so much going on in my life I'm getting whiplash. I was thinking I need to update my blog, and I don't really know where to begin. So I think I'll mush it all into one. Hold on tight!

- I get 4,000 texts and phone calls from Brittany. "Someone got killed in our complex!" That's right. Good ol' Hickory Hills Homicide happened right across the parking lot from us. Scary.

- Even though I have a job I love right now, it's not promised. I have to start looking for a full-time gig even though I don't want to leave where I am. I could cry thinking of writing more cover letters and relying on Monster emails every day. Especially now that I'm going to start getting some PR experience.

- Chris Brown is a great singer and a very bad person. Disappointment.

- A happier note: Yesterday was Anthony's birthday and we had a fabulicious dinner at PF Changs. Today is my big brother Chris' birthday.

- Also happy: Tonight is Katie Zeak night at LRC! I can't wait to hear her sing. She is so great.

- I have a fun-filled weekend. Friday: Drinks with YASMINA! :-) Saturday: Work then drinks with Anthony :-) Sunday: Home to do taxes and see my sister Laura

- When do I get to see my favorite roomie? I miss her. I need to talk to her about the strange mountain lion that has taken over our apartment. Kinsa-Winsa

- I'd like to bring orange back. I'd also like to start dancing again - but on my terms...

- Sleeping in is such a foreign thing to me anymore. I'm not sure I remember how to.