Reality Shows

I just finished watching a reality show that made me think: are reality shows really a good idea? From the perspective of a viewer, it is easy to forget that the people we are watching are not following a script, but are letting cameras follow them around while they go about their daily activities.

Personally,I would probably go crazy if cameras were ready to roll when I wake up in the morning, go to class, hang out with friends, or just relax in my room. Some people say that reality shows give them exposure and help them achieve other aspirations, but couldn't it be argued that reality shows exploit people and encroach upon their personal lives? For instance, Jessica Simpson regrets doing the show "Newly Weds", as the cameras began rolling at the beginning of her marriage to her now ex-husband, Nick Lachey. Although the show helped Jessica's career, it also put a strain on her marriage.

What do you all think? Do reality shows exploit people and hurt their personal lives? Would you mind being on your own reality show?

THIS IS IT!

"This is It." It's a simple phrase that was supposed to mean something along the lines of "This is What You've Been Waiting For." Unfortunately, Michael Jackson named his last tour "This is it", and ironically, "it" really was "it". He was working on "This is It", his first tour in years, when he suddenly died from mysterious causes. The world was shocked, and there was a global outpouring of grief that lasted for weeks. As many people made fun of the Prince of Pop for his plastic surgery and weird antics, it is sad that he had to die for many people to realize how much they really appreciated him as a person and an artist. Even those who were not fans of his music can not deny the impact that he had on the world, as almost all the songs we hear on the radio today somehow imitate a style that Jackson created.

On Friday, I am going to the movies with some friends to see "This is It", a film that documents Jackson rehearsing for his upcoming tour. I'm ecstatic about seeing this film, but I can't help but feel as though it will be laced with sadness due to his untimely death. Even though he was a superstar, he seemed to be down to earth and remarkably humble for someone of his status. I think he was a misunderstood individual who could have really made a difference had he lived longer.

What do you all think?

Going Random?

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a friend who was divulging the various problems she is having with her roommate, whom she was assigned to randomly. I am also living with a roommate who I let housing choose for me. Although my roommate and I get along, we haven't become the best of friends, and we don't see eye to eye on certain things. However, I have heard worse stories. I know one girl whose roommate has not done any laundry since they have been at school, and refuses to clean up after herself.

On the contrary, I also know people who chose someone they knew from high school or face book who are also having roommate issues. Then, there are those who went completely random and have grown close to their roommate.


During my conversation yesterday, my friend asked me if I regret having a roommate chosen at random. Honestly, if I had to do this all over again, I still would have gone random (as a first year at least). I think that when people choose to go random, they are allowing themselves to potentially go out of their comfort zone by living with someone who could be completely different them then. Although it can be annoying at times, I think I am definitely learning a lot by living with someone that I didn't know before.

What do you all think? Is "going random" a good idea"? Will you pick a random roommate in the future?

Stress?

Being a first year in college, it's oh so easy to let the stress of school take over your life. Over the past few days, I have barely done anything but study for tests, and I feel as though I just need one day where I can relax and not think about language conjugations, the different types of accounting, and what to research for various research papers.

Since I have been in college, I have found that it's important to take breaks, and let your mind rest from all of the processing it has to do. To my sup rise, I have started watching a lot more TV lately. In high school, I barely ever watched TV. I was never up on the latest TV show, but that never bothered me, because I was out doing other things. Now that I am in college, I feel like I actually need to watch TV. Even though television is not conductive to my learning in any way, shape, or form, I have found that it is okay to let myself mindlessly watch a TV show for an hour or two. Honestly, watching random TV shows has helped me ease my stress.

What do you all do to relieve the pressures of school work?

"Don't waste your time,or time will waste you" -- Muse

A huge problem I have encountered recently is time management. No matter how much time I put aside to simply study or do homework, I never seem to be able to get enough done, or I subconsciously end up letting myself get distracted. So, here I sit in my dorm room, like I have been for the past few days. I have canceled so many social opportunities so I can outline chapters and memorize terms for a finance exam while also attempting to write a ten page research paper.

Even though I have set aside copious amounts of time for studying for this exam and writing this challenging paper, I still do not feel prepared or as though I have really allowed myself to memorize the material. What am I doing incorrectly? What do you all do when you have so much work but so little time?

Can Celeb Gossip be Beneficial?

In the olden days, people could go grocery shopping and have a pleasant experience free of flashy tabloids at the checkout counter. Now days, you can’t escape from any convenience or grocery store without seeing ridiculous magazine headlines about reality TV stars like Kim Kardashian or teen heart throbs like Robert Pattinson. Is it really important if we know that “Kim K”—as people like to call her—supposedly had work done to her face? Or, that Robert Pattinson, the sparkly vampire from the Twilight movies, may be in love with his co-star?

Earlier today, I found myself scrolling through a celebrity gossip blog as I procrastinated studying for a finance exam. Sure, what I was reading was entertaining; I felt like I was getting an inside look at the secret lives of celebrities. However, I wasn’t long before I realized that I was simply wasting my time. Yes, it was interesting to look at pictures of Britney Spears hanging out at a secluded beach in Mexico, but it was in no way conducive to me learning the ins and outs of a financial balance sheet. Right as I was about to x-out of the site, I came across a blog entry that had me questioning whether paying attention to celebrity news media is a waste of time.

A new post was posted not about a celebrity, but about a twenty-year old Virginia Tech student. The student, Morgan Dana Harrington, was recently declared missing after disappearing outside of a Metallica concert this past weekend. Of course, I heard about this incident a few days ago, as the student disappeared at an arena only minutes away from my dorm at UVa. However, I was impressed that someone outside of UVa had taken the time to post about this girl on a celebrity gossip blog. Who knows? Maybe, someone reading that blog will be able to aid the police in finding out what happened to the student.

As a result of this, I am left wondering: Is media gossip a waste of time, or can it potentially be helpful?

Working Mothers

In my sociology class this semester, we have been discussing different aspects of the family, and how the modern family has come to be shaped into what it is today. One particular subject we have touched upon in this class is the role that the mother plays in family life. In the past, women have been seen as the main caregiver of the family—the person who stays at home, tends to the children, and oversees all of the tasks that help the household function. However, now, women are starting to branch out of the home and pursue full time careers. This fairly new phenomenon has inspired me to contemplate how I will balance my career with motherhood, as I eventually hope to have a full-time job and a family.

Out of a poll of the females in my sociology class, an overwhelming amount answered that they would also like to have a full-time career and a family. I think it would be interesting to research how women can juggle working while simultaneously nurturing a family