And we wonder why they hate us...

Let me start this off by saying: I fully realize that, in posting this, I am admitting to being a total hypocrite. But, hey, most of the best writers are, right? ;-)

Still, I am obsessed with how much I hate the new "YouTube Sensation" Friday. First off, there's the origin. Some rich man spilled a lot of money to give his daughter the means to create a video for her original "song." As for content, it outlines the important crisis' of choosing the front seat or back seat, what to wear and suffering through school in order to make it to Friday so you can Party.

And this is getting press at a time when Japan is admitting the earthquake/tsunami will be the most expensive recovery effort ever, new information is surfacing on the BP oil spill, a no-fly zone is being inforced over Libya and collective bargaining rights are being whittled away...

Here's where the hypocrisy creeps in...

Yesterday, I was in the shower at the gym where I am steadfastly combatting bra overhang. Yes, I am committed to the battle against gravity and fat grams. It's MY hypocritical war...

In the shower stalls next to me were two girls, loudly discussing whether they should bring Jaegar or Capt Morgan to the party tonight. And how wasted they were at the New Years party, which is why they ...
probablyShouldn'tBringTheCapt.BecauseSheHadNeverGottenSoDrunkBecauseSheWasPartyingSoHardButThenSheGotGerSecondWind AndWentToJake'sAndThenTheyWereDoingShotsAndSheLostCountAndHerMomGotSoMadBecausShe MissedCurfewButThereWasNoWaySheCouldGoHomeBecauseSheWasSoDrunkAndThrewUpSoMuchAndTotallyRuinedHerDressThatSheGotAtAbercrombieAndHerMomWouldHaveBeenPissedAnywayBecauseThatDressTotallyCost100Bucks ...

Look, I know we all have our unique problems that occupy our minds. I want to look good at the beach, I'm still angry at my shitty ex-boss, I hate cleaning out kitty litter. And I know we can't live our lives entirely and completely concerned with the pain and destruction happening outside of our control.

But shouldn't we try to balance the two? Shouldn't we work to alleviate both our own suffering and the suffering of the world? Or at least work to alleviate ours in awareness of the other?

I don't have the answer to that. I don't come close to thinking I'm anywhere near approaching Ghandi or Mother Theresa. But I hope that some of their wisdom and understanding can penetrate my Universe...