TMZ and Other Things Celebrity

I don't know about you, but personally, I'm rather tired of hearing about celebrities and their latest troubles with the law or with their spouse or whatever. Erik and I have long felt that there is too much attention paid to celebrities and it's really just a shame. I think the worst thing I saw was in a magazine and it's a section entitled "They're Just Like Us!" Of course they are, they are human! Goodness sakes!

Anyway, all of this comes about from hearing every day about the Tiger Woods situation. First of all, we don't really know that much information, so why is it a top story all the time? I just don't get it. Whatever problems he and his family are having are their problems. Maybe report on the story after we know all the facts. Just a thought.

The more we think and talk about celebrities the more of a pedestal we put them on. I heard a story a few months back on The Story about this woman who worked at Graceland. One of the stories the tour guides were supposed to tell was about how Elvis really enjoyed going to get his own burgers but as he grew more famous he couldn't do even that because he would get mobbed. Elvis pretty much became a prisoner in his own house, due to our obsession with celebrity. Isn't that so sad? Now, think of all the times you've seen a bad photo of a celebrity or doing something that seems out of character or like they aren't being a good parent. These moments happen to all of us and it's just wrong to sit and focus on the mistakes and faults of others while completely ignoring our own.

A few years back, I used to watch the Today show almost every morning. I enjoyed being in the know and having some time to feel like a grown-up. I noticed that it became increasingly less about news and more and more about celebrity and fashion. While these things have their place, it seems like having a 4 hour show devoted to it, is a little much. When Timmy became old enough to watch PBS and be engaged by the shows (with me watching too and helping him along), I stopped watching the Today show. You know, I don't really miss it at all.

Remember, celebrities are people too and would enjoy doing the same things we do without constant scrutiny. Would you want people camped outside your grocery store taking pictures of what you buy all the time? I didn't think so.

Quick Thoughts

I wanted to get this down before I forget.

Today on the way home from the zoo (gorgeous fall day by-the-way) we were listening to The Story. While we only heard the last 15 minutes, it almost made me want to cry. It was about a lady whose mom was in the Holocaust (I think...) and her attempt to find any relatives. Having a mom who has done genealogy for the majority of my life and knowing the work that she has put into researching her family, I can't imagine how much harder it had been for the person from The Story. I'll provide links and such later.

She made a comment about not feeling like she just appeared anymore, feeling like there was some validity to her life. That made me think of Fresh Air from Monday when Rosemary Cash (I think that's her name...again I'll do research later) talked about her battle with a brain tumor and feeling angry at her parents for not being there for her and feeling so alone because she didn't have that connection to anyone right then because no matter how old you get sometimes you still want your parents there with you.

Just interesting how these two programs intersected in my mind. Oh my crazy way of thinking!

The Story--Schwartz Books

When I take my lunch at work, if I leave, 'The Story' is the NPR show usually on at that time.  A few weeks ago, Dick Gordon had the story of Schwartz Books, a local bookstore in the Milwaukee community that had to close down.  I always find it interesting to hear stories about local events, places of interest, or happenings around the area, even when they are sad.  To hear the story of Schwartz Books you can listen here.  The audio should be at the bottom of the page.