Shattered Sun

There’s been a lot of conversation going on about Jamie Lynn Spears recently. I suppose that it’s good reason. I mean, it’s a great conversation starter if you haven’t talked to your kids about teen pregnancy. But I’m inclined to agree with Angela in the fact that just because I was a teen mom doesn’t mean that my opinion on the situation really amounts to much. And yet, ever since the news broke, people who know me remember me being a young mom.

And you know, I’m pretty fine with that. I do not shy from letting people know that I was a teenage mother. Nope, it’s not my most shining moment when it came to decision making but I would not trade my Two Terrors for anything. They are simply amazing. I had always wanted to be a mother and with single parents raising me, I had always felt like I was mothering from a young age anyhow. But you know, I don’t think it was good for me to have children at a young age and it probably isn’t good for any teenager. But it happens. And it’s probably going to continue to happen.

My thinking though… I’ve talked to my Terrors. Well, the older one, the younger one is a bit young. But really, I hope he doesn’t go out there and make a wee munchkin when he’s only 15/16 but if he does, I’m sure not going to kill him over it. Sure, there will be consequences but honestly, as a society, other people are going to be beating him up enough. As for me, I’ll be supportive. Someone has to be when you’re having babies at a young age.

I guess with all that rambling, my point is that I have no opinion on Jamie Lynn. She’s going to face her own challenges. Money won’t be solving everything for her. But you know, I think she’s strong enough and she’ll do just fine. As for teen pregnancy, well, don’t be silly. I’m not going to villanize it but I’m not out there promoting it as a lifestyle either. And truly, I hold out hope that my Terrors won’t follow in my footsteps.

I live about 1.5 miles from my work. That means that not only can I actually ride a bike (once I buy it, of course) but I can also take like 5 minutes to get to work should I take the truck. What kills me is that I was reading in the newspaper today about these extreme commuters. They basically spend 6 hours of their days on the road. Could you just imagine? Is a commute that long really worth it? Maybe if I didn’t have children, I might. Actually, no. I wouldn’t. I dislike even the idea of spending that much time in my vehicle. On top of that, most of them do not drive economical cars. Nope, they’re in these big honking SUVs. One guy was talking about how he spends $200 a week on gas alone. Forget adding in the maintenance, etc. I don’t know. It seems like an immense waste of valuable resources, starting with a person’s time. Why do people forget that sometimes, money isn’t all there is to consider. The time that is lost when we’re out there in the rat race is gone forever. That’s all there is people. I am so glad I live not far from work.

What about you guys? How’s the commute? Anyone lucky enough to telecommute? That’s like my dream!

There’s a growing trend in medicine to pay a bit extra (relatively speaking) to have your doctor return to the care your ancestors used to get.  The services include at home visits, taking you personally to the emergency room, knowing your voice (by actually talking to you), keeping the client list small enough to spend more than five minutes with you, etc, etc.  That would so rock.  However, with all the expenses in this world, who on earth has the money to pay for extra medical ones?  They’re expensive enough as is!  It bites!  I know how it goes though.  Medical care is an industry and just like in the industry I work in, you have to pay a bit extra if you want great service.  Good service is not cheap and great service is worth a lot of money.  So, in a nutshell, I’m thrilled that it’s coming back into style for doctors to give that level of personal care.  I just wish I could afford to participate in it! 

Seriously, does it?  Yes, it’s unethical and completely showy.  On the other hand, it’s politics and do you really expect anything less from that type of crowd?  I believe that government works and for the most part, it works well.  However, I don’t believe the campaign promises, etc.  And you shouldn’t either.  Past experience should show almost anyone that few (if any) politicians keep their promises once elected.  Sometimes I think it’s because of others in Washington and sometimes, it’s because the lifestyle there is so alluring.  Where else can you serve and get an extremely good paycheck, benefits, and retirement?  And the raises they keep voting for themselves are pretty awesome.  But I digress.

Clinton planted a question in one of her meet & greets a week or so ago.  And while it’s unethical, I don’t think it really bears much on what’s going on.  She wanted to talk about the environment & global warming.  Maybe it wasn’t on the young man’s mind.  Maybe it was.  Maybe he just needed a push or the right words to paraphrase.  We won’t really know.  And I’m sure this has happened before and it’ll happen again.  This isn’t a new trick at all.  I think it completely got blown out of proportion.

On a side note, I’m not likely to be voting for Clinton at this point.  I thought McCain was my choice, but he’s lost a lot of momentum and I don’t think he’ll have the staying power he needs at that level.  He makes one heck of a Senator though!

On another tangent:  Why can’t they take all the money their raising for their campaigns and put it to good use where it really matters?  With all the people in need in the United States alone, you’d think they’d get their priorities straight and perhaps leave a more lasting legacy other than a string of advertisements.

I’m not totally sure. Of course, I tend to gear myself towards doing this more frugally, and maybe that’s my problem. But seriously, is she worth that much for one concert? I’ll admit, she can sing. Seriously sing. I’d like to see where she goes once her voice matures. I worry that she’ll have the same issues that Leann Rimes had with transitioning into adult songs. But I digress. She’s in town tonight playing at the Jobing.com Arena, which is a good sized venue (and she’s expected to have 13k people there to see her tonight). But, honestly, I can’t think of one artist that I’d want to see for $250 bucks. Or more. Heck, I have a hard time putting down $50 for one concert. I know, I’m a cheapskate. There’s just other things I’d rather spend my money on.