Just Talking: Celebrity deaths and the impact on society

It seems that when a celebrity dies, the internet goes crazy. The news outlets obsess, celebrity gossip sites dig deep into the dramatic final moments of their life and fans cry and mourn with each other. Numerous people play devil's advocate during the public mourning period, reminding people that cancer, war and tragedy strikes daily. While I don't intend to take away from the severity of these very important issues, I do want to play my own version of advocate and point out something about these spotlight deaths and what they do to the general population.

The entertainment business and (many) of our lives are tightly knit together. We listen to music, watch television and escape the chaos of life through a movies and the mix of it all. We become attached to the characters in our favorite show, pay money to go watch our favorite singer dance and sing for two hours, and for the really committed-- buy overpriced merchandise. We read about them in magazines, tweet them for a shout out, and well, I think you get the idea. Why we do this is for another time, but for the moment just realize that regardless of how they really are, celebrities are put into a spotlight and mean different things to different people. One of the larger meanings that celebrities and those in the spotlight have is that they remind us of humanity; even if they represent a skewed version of it. Some people heroicize celebrities, other strive to be like them, and some just enjoy the talents that they share with the masses. Regardless of where you stand, certain celebrities mean SOMETHING to you. Example: A few months ago the Glee fandom (and the world) watched in horror as the scene unfolded that one of the main characters, arguably THE main character, passed suddenly. Cory battled his own demons, and they won. The fandom and the world mourned, and masses of people took to social media and blogs to talk about what he meant to them. Some looked to him as a role-model to get clean, others looked to him as a normal guy who stumbled into acting. Others spoke about what his character meant to them, What the show meant to them. Some people spoke out that he shouldn't be mourned due to how he died or that there were far more important things to worry about, which may be true, but that doesn't discredit that to scores of people he meant SOMETHING. The same can be said for anyone who has passed in the spotlight. It's especially important that in today's world, you realize the impact that social media has on the relationship between entertainer and the general public. They can speak and reach out to them, even if it's nothing more than to get a retweet. Given that, celebrities are in a position of serving as a reminder of ourselves, a peer of sorts. Due to that, when one of them dies, you are reminded of just how precious your own (and your loved ones) life is.  You never really know when your number will be called, and I think that's where the impact of celebrity passings come into play. It's not that the celebrity is touted as perfect or THE only important death, it's that the celebrity is the realism OF death.

"Oh my GOD. I can't believe it!" Total shock comes to mind when we see the headlines. Most recently (and what has spawned this whole soapbox out of me) was the news that Paul Walker had passed away in a car accident. Here's the thing, Paul Walker isn't a name you see every day. He's not on television every week on a well-watched sitcom, he's not in the tabloids every day and he may not hold the most impact of celebrities in your every day life; but he is a representation of something. For me? He is a staple of high school. Varsity Blues reigned supreme in my small football town in it's prime, and ever since then, he's represented that just as much as James Van Der Beek's awful southern accent. After that movie, I followed him throughout his career. He's a reminder of a time that is fast fading and now that he's gone, a reminder that it can fade faster than we think. I was shocked, couldn't believe it, and then once it sank in that he had left the world, never to return again, I was overcome with extreme saddness for his family, for his only child. Regardless of his spotlight, he had a family; as do all the people, famous or not, that leave this world too soon.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that while many people fight against the public's mourning of a simple "celebrity", I think it plays an important role in the cycle of how we live our lives today. Our fast world doesn't allow us time to think about our own mortality. Our entitled invincibility doesn't leave room for time to reflect with and spend real quality time with our loved ones while they are here. We wait for a holiday, or worse, a death, to see some of the single most important people in our lives. People always joke that it takes a wedding or a funeral for a whole family to get together in today's world. Think about it though, how true is that for you? You never know what moment will be your last. What a better reminder, than to realize that even the people in the brightest of spotlights can fade in the blink of an eye?

In closing, go easy on the people who spend time mourning celebrities, hashtagging #RIP or reposting stories about the death. It may have been just the reminder that they needed of how precious life really is.

Now, go hug someone you love.

5 Tips for a successful Interview

Everyone gets a little nervous before a big job interview. You spend hours upon hours applying for jobs that you think you will excel at, only to hear radio silence on the end of the company. Then it happens, you get a phone call. They want to meet you and discuss your resume and the position in detail. SCORE! Don't be caught unprepared before an interview. Here are a few tips to help you succeed!

Know the company. Research them! You can often times find interview questions and processes on Glassdoor.com as well. You would be suprised what you can learn from a short internet session. Glassdoor even has a section that allows you to get salary information and projections. Indeed.com also has an excellent review section from real (keep in mind, sometimes they are disgruntled) employees.

Dress for success (and the job you're applying for). Don't wear a 3 piece suit to interview for McDonald's, instead, opt for a nice pair of kahkis and a polo. If you're a girl, a modest sundress or dress pants set will do the job. Let your personality shine through your clothing. Don't apply for a fashion consultant or trendy retail job without looking the part when you walk in. One giant misconception is that you need to be a cookie cutter "dress for success" example when you walk into the interview doors, but fashion is an excellent way to express who you are before you even open your mouth. This can also be a curse, so use common sense!

Show emotion. Smile, laugh, and partake in active conversation at your interview. Allow the interviewer to guide the conversation, but don't let your nerves or shy nature take away from them seeing you for who you are. If it comes down to two people with the same exact skill set and expertise, they will always choose the one who will mesh the best with the team. Be that guy!

Know your strengths... and weaknesses. Be honest about them. When you know the company (tip #1) you also learn what they expect and need as a part of their team. Know what skills you possess that make you a great asset. On the same dime, know your weakness. They will 9/10 times ask you what your weakest quality is. Be honest about it, because when you get the job, they will find out quickly that you fibbed your way through the interview. I feel it is important to add to this that you want to sell your strengths that are important to the company. If you're applying for a retail management job, and you have some background in design... they probably don't care so much about your ability to designate CMYK from RGB as they do how you can manage a staff while handling customers. 

It's a give and take. You can ask questions too. Ask questions that you have found after researching the company. This lets them know that you not only DO know the company and didn't just walk in off the bus with no direction and that you care enough to want more information about them. Don't be shy!

BONUS TIP:

Don't forget to say thank you. Have a firm handshake. Be confident. Hold your shoulders high and let them know you look forward to talking to them real soon. Follow up in a few days via email or phone.

Yummness: Chicken & Wine Sauce

I think I'll make this a series from time to time. Keep in mind, I'm a simple single mom working type.. so a lot of the things I cook "cheat the system".. nothing is too thought out, but its nice to have meal ideas! I'm also not big on measuring, and I don't use recipes.. so yeah.

Yumness.
No pictures, because it was consumed before I remembered.

You will need:

Chicken breasts
1 can of cream of chicken soup
Herb seasoning stuffing mix (dry.. uncooked)
White (cooking) wine
a casserole dish
8-10 slices of swiss cheese

Pre1- Preheat oven to 350
1- Remove your clean dish from the cabinet, dish washer or box from the store
2- Wash your chicken, in whatever form you see fit to eat. I also cut the chicken breasts in half, makes it go farther and keeps it from being as dry with this meal.
3- Spread your breasts (shut up) in the pan/dish/contraption for cooking
4-Evenly and fully cover the chicken with swiss cheese slices. Really, swiss is the only one you can use. Sorry cheese snobs.
5-In a separate bowl/mixing contraption mix up your can of cream of chicken with approx. 1/4 cup of cooking wine.
6- Distribute your wine sauce mix over the top until everything is covered.
7-Cover completely in herb seasoned stuffing mix and bake @ 350 for about 45 minutes.

There are different variations, mostly using mushrooms in it as well.. however... mushrooms NEVER come in my house. Ever. Disgusting

Anyway.. that's it and its super good.. my grandma used to cook this all the time, so maybe its more awesome than other people think.. but my guy is a snob with food and he ate it up, so yay chicken!

Tell me how it works out for ya!

Good side options:
Green beans
Broccoli
Rice
Etc.. all easy

FREE STUFF! I'm an Influenster... wanna know more?

I've been a member over at Influenster since March of last year, and while I haven't been the most active (I'm working on it... much like this blog!), I have been able to reap the benefits. I recently recieved a 'Holiday VoxBox', which is basically a box of goodies that I get to use, play with and keep... and it's been a really fun expierence. I've also had the chance to test out some household goods before as well. Why am I telling you this? Well... because it's FA FREE! It costs you nothing but time and some reviews... and it is SO worthwhile. You won't qualify for every box, but when you do it is literally like Christmas hit your mailbox!

So.. without wasting more of your time that you could be using to earn free stuff... here's a picture I snapped with Instagram of my Holiday box!

As far as reviewing things... I don't eat oatmeal, but I will be having a family member try that out for me. The EBoost energy powder is not good in my opinion... it just didn't taste right. The Quickstyle brush, I LOVE. I think it's great on dry hair, because it tames my frizz monster. I will be trying it on wet hair soon. The lipgloss is now a favorite of mine and the stick on nail stickers are AMAZING. You can see them the night after application below.

So... I suggest you get on with it and go sign up for Influenster RIGHT NOW!

www.influenster.com 

Tis the season.. [playing catchup] Pt.1 (The Living Room)

To come back to the blogosphere? To get back on my weightloss train? To craft? TO MOVE??

Welp blogworld.. I'm back. I'm back for the day at least, and then hopefully I'll be back for good sometime before Christmas. Life has happened fast, and I've been super busy (not a bad thing though, right?). Halloween came and went, work has been busy; because let's face it, the news never sleeps people!

I wanted to stop in for a moment though, and share with you some of my creations that happened over this past weekend. As I briefly mentioned, I am moving. We're all moving to be exact.. into my grandparent's house. It's weird, and it will probably never feel like home, but for the moment when money is so tight I don't really have time to fuss over things such as that. We aren't officially in yet, but we have been working on getting decorations up so that we aren't decorating the week before Christmas. You see... one thing you don't do while continuing on with your grandmother's legacy is NOT decorate for Christmas. Now, given everything going on.. it's not going to be nearly as decorated as she would have been, and the style isn't quite that of hers... but it's the thought that counts. I've still got a ways to go, but I did get a few things up and wanted to share.

I'm going to break this up into different posts as I get everything up and done.

 This is a living room centerpiece that I put together from unused ornaments. There's really no science to it.. I just put some stuff in a bowl and hopefully it doesn't look too cray cray!

The mantle. This is the first time I've ever had one I could decorate, but unfortunately because of time, energy and just all around a lack of time to plan.. this is what happened. I just threw some things together, and it also has lights.. so that's festively delicious.

The tree topper. We have a angel that we've used, and last year we had a sad looking bow.. but I decided to try something different since we're using a much skinnier tree.. I like it, and I think it's fun!

The outdoor wreath. I didn't have any of my crafting stuff.. so I'm hoping this thing holds up in the wind because they are attached by the wreath itself.. that's usually how I do it though, because I never do the same wreath twice. I plan on adding a bow to it once I can get some of the appropriate ribbon.. but there she goes for now!

So.. that is it for now! I'm not sure when I'll be back over to the house this week.. but the plan is to be sleeping there by next week.. so hopefully I'll have some updates for you soon !

I made a skirt!

Look for an OOTD with this soon!

Homeschooling Again

So the day has arrived.
The day that I have pretended wouldn't come.

My baby went to 2nd grade.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? WHERE IS MY TINY BABYPOWDER SMELLING LOVE?? 
 
Now.. keep in mind, he didn't physically go anywhere. This is year 2 of homeschooling.  Last year we did a little structure, but primarily took part in the highly frowned upon unschooling community. It's something that most people give the stank eye to, but if there's anything I can tell you about parenting decisions-- it's that YOU know your child. Nobody else knows your child. YOU know what they need. Last year, it's what we needed. He taught himself the things that he wanted to learn, when he wanted to learn them. We talked about everything from the solar system to what other kids do in other cultures; all without any particular curriculum. We took mini trips, conversations, read books... everything that a well balanced child should do.

This year we are doing Connections Academy online. Here's the kicker. I now work Mon-Fri. Mondays won't be so bad as I only work an hour or so early in the morning... but all of the other times, he will be under the care of my mother or a babysitter. I am being very particular about how keeps him, and am still interviewing. To this point, friends have kept him... so we'll see how that goes.

Anyway, I just wanted to throw a post in here to let you guys in the world know that we ARE homeschooling again this year, but it's going to be a big scary adjustment!

Here's to prayin' it all works out in the wash!