what i learned from reality tv

I've traveled all over the world.  I've lived in four (soon to be five) different countries.  Over the course of my life so far, I have learned and spoken a total of four languages.  I have a history of volunteer work that includes being a Candy Striper at a hospital.  I've read a lot of "the classics", and can quote from Wordsworth, Frost, and Jane Austen.  I love nothing more than going to live theatre or an art house film.  I've got two University degrees.  But you know what?  I also love me some trash reality TV.

Now I know this post may generate a lot of judgement.  Hell, it may even cause any new-readers to stop visiting this blog.  So I'm putting in a disclaimer.  Yes, I watch reality TV.  Yes, it's trash and I can feel my brain cells committing suicide every time I watch.  But what can I do?  I love it.

Ok.  Now.  Having got that off my chest, let's get down to business.  What I've learned from reality TV.

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1.  Always forgive.
     Nobody fights like the Jersey Shore girls.  Seriously.  Hair extensions are pulled out.  Nails get broken. Words that even sailors wouldn't say get thrown around.  And talk about vindictive spite!  Yet at the end of it all, they always apologize, forgive, and hug it out.

2.  Routine is key.
     Again with Jersey Shore.  This time, it's the boys.  They've got their routine down pat.  There are two distinct routines the Jersey Shore Boys follow: t-shirt time and GTL.  GTL (gym, tanning, laundry) happens in the morning , and it's all part of their plan to look good at the clubs at night.  T-shirt time happens just before they go out at night.  They wear undershirts until the very last minute, and just before they head out the door they put on their t-shirts.  I may not take things as seriously as they do, and I certainly don't find any of them attractive, but I do appreciate a good, disciplined routine.

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3.  Choice isn't always a good thing.
     Have you ever watched The Bachelor/Bachelorette?  Those poor folks.  Why they would put themselves through the torture of dating multiple people at once - in a fantasy land - is beyond me.  No thanks.  I'll stick to dating one dud (oops, I meant dude) at a time.

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4.  Integrity is everything.  
     Following close on the heels of The Bachelor/Bachelorette is Bachelor Pad.  This is an addictive show that's just designed to cause drama (well...aren't they all...).  But in season two, Michael Stagliano showed endured the heartbreak from hell, and never once took anything but the high road.  He showed that although it's often easier to act on the pettiness of hurt feelings, it's never the best thing to do.

And last but not least.....

5.  Don't do something you're unwilling to admit to doing.
     Just once more for good luck, this life lesson is brought to us from the good (?) people at Jersey Shore.  One girl has an intense lesbian experience she tries to downplay.  Another cheats on her boyfriend with two (two!) of the housemates.  And one of the guys instigates about 90% of the drama in the house and then refuses to be accountable for his actions.  And all this does is show just how stupid and short sighted they can be.  If you've done something bad and you don't want anybody to know about it, then don't do it in the first place!