Needs and Wants

In this day and age there are endless things people can have such as fancy cars, shoes, clothes and jewelry and do such as such as going out to eat, shopping or to the movies. Of all of these things there is only a fraction that people actually need to live. All people need to survive is food and water on the most basic level. Then there is also love and companionship, shelter and health. Despite this tiny list of things people need, most of us find ourselves wanting much more than that. We want to look perfect and we want to have fun and feel good. For instance, in the name of fun, people want or need, depending on who you ask, the ability to buy new gadgets, toys for kids, new home décor, new clothes, movie tickets, admissions to amusement parks and Broadway shows, drinks at a bar or a bottle for their home, or another drug that alters your mood.

I and many people find all of these things I named can be really enjoyable and make life more fun. The problem is how we feel if we can't get any of these things for whatever reason. If we start to feel upset and unhappy just because we can't have the things we think we need to make us happy then it’s not fun anymore. I know I have been disappointed from time to time at the thought of missing out on a fun past time. It happens to most of us. So ironically enough, the things we think are here to make us happy can end up making people sad, angry or frustrated when they can't get them.

Happiness always comes from within. If you look for it on the outside you'll find there are plenty of pacifiers but none of them are ever enough because they only last but for so long. Once you’re done with one thing you have to keep going. You have to keep seeing more movies, get more clothes, and get newer gadgets in a never ending cycle. The solution is to never rely on anything other than yourself to make you feel good. Enjoy all of life’s offerings but never assign a value to them that is greater than the value of just being happy with yourself.

Thumbs Up for Boardwalk Empire

HBO's much hyped series Boardwalk Empire did not fail to disappoint in its first season.  Directed by Martin Scorsese, I find it to be a very smart drama-filled show that is highly entertaining.  For those who aren't watching, it is about the happenings of Atlantic City around the time of Prohibition.  We learn how politicians are chosen by those with wealth, the FBI is easily influenced and bribed to make prohibition impossible, and how woman struggled to get by in a time when they had slim low paying employment opportunities, newly granted voting rights, and were consistently exploited by the men around them.  Violence is very prevalent of course.

HBO shows seem to share a common theme.  They all seem to be very objective when telling stories.  There are no good guys or bad guys.  Everyone seems to have multiple sides to them and can be sympathized with for the most part. We do know that the people committing crimes are not exactly helping matters, but there is also a sense that the alternatives to this behavior would not fix the underlying issues.  Through trial and error the characters all strive to make the best lives for themselves under their circumstances. I in particular enjoy shows like this that are based on reality.  I am a reality show fan so it is nice to see how writers are working hard now to create fictional shows that are more reality based.  This Sunday's finale is sure to be a great end to a very promising new show. 

Sexiest Man Alive on TV

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the sexiest man on television Superman himself Mr. Tom Welling!  People Magazine just recently crowned Ryan Reynolds sexiest man alive so I figured I would do my own version.  Ryan is a cutie for sure.  But I think Tom is the best on TV and he ties with Brad Pitt as far as movies go. I know many women out there agree that he will be missed after this last season of Smallville ends.  Lets hope he graces us with his presence again in some new projects soon.

Bad Girls Club Shameful Exploitation

I get it.  These girls sign up for this show called Bad Girls Club they weren't forced on the show.  But I think any decent person would agree that the girls on this show have some serious emotional problems.  I watched the mayhem this season and Part 1 of the reunion last night.  Not one of these girls seem to have learned their lesson.  They are still angry, bitter and negative.  They are all about knocking the next person down to make themselves feel better.  I can't understand why a show like this is so popular when its blatant exploitation of woman who are unhappy and trying to make themselves feel better.  I must admit I watched myself but it was more out of shock for what I was seeing.  After watching this show its hard not to get sucked into the negativity.  Its not at all a feel good show.  My mood was dampened.  While there are some humorous moments that I laughed at I would suspect out of nervousness and shock, they really needed to brighten it up a little more.  In fact as far as I am concerned I will try my best not to watch another season unless something is changed.  Why can't they do something to help these women?  Even if its a very small part of the end of the reunion.  Have them speak to someone about their issues.  The network is making plenty of money off of women who don't know any better and want love and attention.  I'm I the only one who sees something wrong with that?

Diet Soda Drinkers Beware!

I was surprized the other day after reading various articles that suggested that drinking diet drinks can actually make you fatter. How ironic is that! You drink diet to avoid gaining weight, but too much can have the opposite effect.  Although the information was online and easy to find, I had to actually go look for it. Of all the articles I had read lately that help people lose weight that topic never came up. That really made me want to tell other people or make it a bigger deal than it currently is. I am not sure exactly how it works but for some reason studies show that large consumptions of diet soda, in other words drinking it when your thirsty like water because it has no calories or sugar, had a direct effect on the subjects appetites.  It made them hungrier and thus they ate more and gained weight. I was especially interested because I love the taste of regular non-diet soda. Turns out not only does it taste better but in the long haul its better in moderation than diet.

Election Day 2010

Today is yet another election day. So far all that meant to me was that I could come straight to work and not have to drop my daughter off at school. This year I have little to no interest in the election. Its pretty much common knowledge that Andrew Cuomo is going to win. Not a huge victory considering his competition, Carl Paladino, seemed to sabotage his candidacy with crazy antics. There is no way you can be both anti-gay and Governor of NYC.

At work things are dull and boring as ever. I had a conference call to join as soon as I got in. That killed some time. I have felt pretty happy today. I have been making an effort to change some bad habits I have had for a long time. I am trying to be enlightened. Allowing the world to work as it will and not fighting the inevitable or wasting my time on regret and worry about the future. It has made me much happier although I have my moments when I regress. But I can say I am happy with my progress. Now I am trying to find a way to change my career path by finding my passion! There is so much information out there it probably would turn most people off. I actually find that I like reading and getting as much information as possible. I know that's a clue right there of what I should be doing in life but alas I still don't get it.
So this was my first post! I have finally taken a step in starting a huge blog one day! Please feel free to post comments. Thanks!