Running Red Momma

I have never been a big fan of Two and a half men. I find the show tasteless. Much of reality tv has a sameness to it I do not find interesting. I despaired after reading this take on current ( contains not nice words ) culture . So, now we are in the post-Empire world. As bleak as I felt post-modernism was/is, I was downhearted to read what WE want. According to this article, we want raw, unapologetic "artists". It goes on to describe how Eminem has courage to talk about wanting to kill his wife, while Bruce Springsteen is so Empire. I'm wondering what this says about how we process emotional struggles. Am I to understand that real people are beautifully open when they are violent, dishonest and dismissive of most others? Am I to accept that today's "culture" is really the TRUTH? Instead, I think we are in an age of artificially pumped up anger, violence and sexuality. Everyone seems to be searching for their ten seconds of fame...usually throug...

I have been volunteering in my son's room at school. Years ago, I was dismissive of elementary teachers. I did not think that type of work would be enjoyable or demanding. However, my work required me to supervise and observe elementary teachers. Thereafter, I quickly learned how much an elementary teacher needed to know. I realized that these teachers had to be aware of multiple topics and disciplines. It switched to a realization that it was an incredibly difficult job. Once I had my own children in school, I started volunteering. There, I discovered the power of a young learner. Every child wants success and opportunity. I was accustomed to either blank, bitter stares of students taking pre-algebra for the fourth time or to kids thinking "what hoop is it this time?" Instead, I saw smiles, hope and interest. It was amazing. I wondered how I had never known of this world before. My son's teacher is kind enough I get to teach the class for 20 minutes so...

I've been doing the same-old kind of thing which many moms do. Laundry, carpool, ballet, piano, homework, cooking and paying the bills. My hip has been so sore, I now I have not run for over six months. My usual outlets have been removed. It has been difficult to replace that relaxation I crave. Two months ago, I signed up for a local German class. It has been so much fun. I am relearning things I thought I had forgotten. While doing ordinary household jobs, an old phrase will just pop in my head. I come home from class and feel almost as relaxed as I did from running. I have learned some things from this experience. First, one can relax even taking a class. I think I find this relaxing because I am exercising something. Clearly, I am not used to using my brain anymore because I found it to be so much fun. Secondly, I can only handle one additional thing in my life. It is not the time to get accredited in something. I am only able to do the homework for this cla...