2010: Year in Review, Part 3 Dear Daughter and other Loved Ones

Dear Daughter Seriously, I sometimes think I think my wonderful, thoughtful, giving, deeply insightful, kind, innocent six year-old daughter doesn't deserves a mother as flawed as I am.  I am in awe of her miraculousness.  I'm not the most maternal of women.  I would not be mistaken for a martyr.  I do not have infinite patience, endless capacity (or even desire), to nurture, boundless energy, and constant cheer.  I savor and pursue my adult life, sometimes at her expense.  I'm far from a helicopter mom or even a doting one.  My fuse can be short; my attention divided.  I sometimes half-jokingly refer to my mothering as "benevolent neglect" - that I hope will foster independence, scrappiness, and a provide a good adult women role model.  Despite my "bad mom" persona, I do make sure she always knows she is loved, safe, and secure. So far, so good...knock wood.

Quite honestly - between you and me -

(Narcissistic stunts + Teenage invincibility + Reckless parents)/Reality TV = Recipe for Disaster

When Abby Sunderland decided to set a record by becoming the youngest person to sail around the world, I was already bothered.  This culture of the first, best, fastest, youngest at any cost, at any risk, and any poor judgement is already just plain unfathomable to me.  She is still a child - or worse - a teenager! - and teenagers already think they are invincible - which is why they can't drive or drink, let alone take on the forces of nature...on the Indian Ocean...in monsoon season...solo!!!  For what it's worth (file under Lessons Not Learned), the Sunderland eldest son, Zac, has already circumnavigated the globe solo at the age of 17, and returned to a hero's welcome.  I'm not sure if its her or her parents, or a horrific combination of both, but the sheer narcissism is mind-boggling.  This is what happens when you have too much money or too much time (or a reality tv show producer following your every move).

*KKGGKSFGINGWEPFOJ*  [sound of banging head on keyboard].

And then, she almost dies.  In a massive storm with 20 foot swells, her wee boat gets jostled about around, and the mast gets knocked off.  Abby activates an emergency locator beacon, and waits for help with her Girl Scout Emergency Provisions Kit.   Never fear!  The government of Australia charters a  plane to go search the high seas for her 40-foot speck of a boat, and establishes contact. The nearest seaworthy vessel is dispatched 20 hours to go rescue our Dear Abby.

Of course, I'm relieved that Ab is OK; and would not wish otherwise.  And yes, I'm fine that search and rescue works, no matter the reason for the pinch we're in.  But it does seem like the additional expense (estimated at $300,000) to divert national resources because of an attempt to be in the Guinness Book of World Records, or more likely Bravo TV, seems horribly wasteful, presumptuous and wrong.

And while perhaps it should not be part of this rant, the Sunderland family consists of mom, dad, 6 home-schooled kids, with another one on the way.

*JFGIRLGHEIORGHEGJRGJRLG* (Ouch.)

Postcard from Wisteria Lane

Having a blast with Bree, Edie, Gabby, Susan, and Lynette!  The kids grow up so fast - hard to believe!  Learned that Dear ex-Husband has been re-married for 2 years, and neglected to tell me.  Seems DxH did it before our divorce was final.  Found out through Facebook - what a small world!  Wish  you were here...
Xox, V

Fuming mad

But this completely infuriates me! Narcissistic, publicity hounds who crashed the State Dinner?!?!? WTF? While clearly, there was a security breach, the gall of these self-obsessed, classless idiots just horrifies me. They are currently "auditioning" for a reality TV show - Real Housewives of Washington - and apparently thought this would be a *good* idea to demonstrate their drama-worthiness. I'm so mad, I'm sad; I'm so sad, I'm mad. Seriously, what is this world coming to? It just takes advantage of *everybody.* I'm speechless.