We all make the standard resolutions about losing weight / exercising more (I resolve to renew my membership at the gym and actually go at least twice a week, in an effort to drop the remaining 10-15 pounds), and the standard resolutions about job / personal aspirations (I resolve to complete a literary project I've been working on for the better part of six months now).
But very few us us make resolutions to accomplish something that would make the world a better place or help our fellow human beings. So this year, in an effort to do just that, I resolve to become a regular volunteer for Winnipeg Harvest.
What are your resolutions (personal, humanitarian, or otherwise) for 2007?
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Folks, I am not disappearing from the blogosphere. I am just taking a bit of time to turn the site into something a little more upscale than the standard blogger template, and something a little more interesting than a glorified on-line diary.
In the meantime, here's today's column for your perusal - thoughts?
_________________________________________________________
Life is so much easier for beautiful women.
Take your best-looking girlfriend out for an evening on the town and you'll see what I mean.
Get her to flash her pearly whites and lineups will disappear, free drinks will materialize and the cool guys will fall all over themselves to get close enough to say hello to her.
It's a sad fact of our materialistic, image-oriented world. Good looks may not be everything, but they certainly grease the wheels for those lucky enough to have them.
Take Miss USA 2006, Tara Conner. Amid allegations of wild partying, underage drinking and substance abuse, speculation abounded as to whether Conner would be the latest victim of the now infamous Trump trademark, "You're fired."
But Donald Trump, who co-owns the Miss USA pageant, must have been heavily into the eggnog this holiday season himself, letting the blonde bombshell off with a slap on the wrist and a trip to rehab.
After all, "The Donald" reasoned, "I've always been a believer in second chances. Tara is a good person. Tara has tried hard. Tara is going to be given a second chance."
Um, Donald ... from all reports, the only thing Tara did hard is party. But hey, she is cute, and she did cry. Enough to melt any man's heart, I suppose.
But even good looks don't always prevail. While Conner escaped her misadventures with a new lease on life, Miss Nevada, Katie Rees, wasn't as lucky.
Following the Conner incident, Rees was forced to give up her crown after "racy pictures" of the Girls Gone Wild wannabe appeared on the Internet. So far, her pleas for a second chance a la Conner have gone unheeded.
As they say, timing is everything. Rees is every bit as pretty as Conner. But unfortunately, her escapades came to light in the immediate wake of the Conner incident and undoubtedly even "The Donald" couldn't overlook the same mistake twice.
No sense in crying foul over the inconsistent consequences. In reality, neither of these fallen heroes should be serving as a role model for young women.
According to the official Miss USA website, pageant winners are supposed to be "savvy, goal-oriented and aware ... (they) display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals, who compete with the hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who seek to improve the lives of others."
But the behaviour exhibited by Conner and Rees was more fitting of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears than future leaders of tomorrow. Certainly not role models I'd want anywhere near my children.
In fact, the very notion that a person can attain role model status by winning a pageant set up primarily to judge external beauty further highlights how twisted societal values have become.
The Miss USA website states that "currently, Miss USA is experiencing a rebirth, playing a critical role in making the next 100 years 'The Century of Women'."
If the brains behind the pageant really want to advance the cause of women, they would cut out the swimsuit and evening gown competitions and throw in a Jeopardy challenge instead. That way, even "ugly Bettys" like myself might have a shot.
After all, most women don't have the looks of a Tara Conner or a Katie Rees. But many have inner beauty, intelligence, maturity and wisdom that far outweigh external features that will fade over time.
And those internal characteristics are the qualities a true role model is made of.
In the meantime, here's today's column for your perusal - thoughts?
_________________________________________________________
Life is so much easier for beautiful women.
Take your best-looking girlfriend out for an evening on the town and you'll see what I mean.
Get her to flash her pearly whites and lineups will disappear, free drinks will materialize and the cool guys will fall all over themselves to get close enough to say hello to her.
It's a sad fact of our materialistic, image-oriented world. Good looks may not be everything, but they certainly grease the wheels for those lucky enough to have them.
Take Miss USA 2006, Tara Conner. Amid allegations of wild partying, underage drinking and substance abuse, speculation abounded as to whether Conner would be the latest victim of the now infamous Trump trademark, "You're fired."
But Donald Trump, who co-owns the Miss USA pageant, must have been heavily into the eggnog this holiday season himself, letting the blonde bombshell off with a slap on the wrist and a trip to rehab.
After all, "The Donald" reasoned, "I've always been a believer in second chances. Tara is a good person. Tara has tried hard. Tara is going to be given a second chance."
Um, Donald ... from all reports, the only thing Tara did hard is party. But hey, she is cute, and she did cry. Enough to melt any man's heart, I suppose.
But even good looks don't always prevail. While Conner escaped her misadventures with a new lease on life, Miss Nevada, Katie Rees, wasn't as lucky.
Following the Conner incident, Rees was forced to give up her crown after "racy pictures" of the Girls Gone Wild wannabe appeared on the Internet. So far, her pleas for a second chance a la Conner have gone unheeded.
As they say, timing is everything. Rees is every bit as pretty as Conner. But unfortunately, her escapades came to light in the immediate wake of the Conner incident and undoubtedly even "The Donald" couldn't overlook the same mistake twice.
No sense in crying foul over the inconsistent consequences. In reality, neither of these fallen heroes should be serving as a role model for young women.
According to the official Miss USA website, pageant winners are supposed to be "savvy, goal-oriented and aware ... (they) display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals, who compete with the hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who seek to improve the lives of others."
But the behaviour exhibited by Conner and Rees was more fitting of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears than future leaders of tomorrow. Certainly not role models I'd want anywhere near my children.
In fact, the very notion that a person can attain role model status by winning a pageant set up primarily to judge external beauty further highlights how twisted societal values have become.
The Miss USA website states that "currently, Miss USA is experiencing a rebirth, playing a critical role in making the next 100 years 'The Century of Women'."
If the brains behind the pageant really want to advance the cause of women, they would cut out the swimsuit and evening gown competitions and throw in a Jeopardy challenge instead. That way, even "ugly Bettys" like myself might have a shot.
After all, most women don't have the looks of a Tara Conner or a Katie Rees. But many have inner beauty, intelligence, maturity and wisdom that far outweigh external features that will fade over time.
And those internal characteristics are the qualities a true role model is made of.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
New Format
Much like "the Hack", I'm taking some time to revamp the format and look of the blog, and will bring in the new edition in the New Year! Hope everyone is having a great holiday season, and I look forward to chatting with you soon!
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