May the best mom win

This summer, I tried with all of my heart to go running before work. However, every now and then when my alarm went off at six a.m., and it was still dark, and my bed was so warm, and our apartment (AKA the icebox) was oh-so-cold, I let myself roll over and save the run for the evening.

On these days, though, it almost never failed that as I drove to work I'd see some young pregnant mom bopping along with a double wide stroller stacked with two toddlers. Or some old old man shuffling along, sweating on those hot Atlanta mornings.

And before I even had time to process just how impressive it was that the little pregnant lady was able to get those two kids out the door by seven thirty, I'd be consumed with guilt. If they can do it, why couldn't I? I'm younger than them, one hour earlier shouldn't make me that much more tired.

I think my guilt is similar to what a lot of women feel when they see Sarah Palin. As a mother of five, including an infant with Down syndrome and a pregnant 17-year-old, how does she have time to hold what is considered the second most important position in America? How can she do it all? And if she can be the Vice President and take care of all five (soon to be six) kids, why can't someone else work a nine-to-five with just two kids?
Of course, I find it impressive to have even one child and no job, seeing as I often feel overwhelmed with no children or job, but, hey, some ladies out there are still comparing themselves to Palin, and the guilt that encircles them upon such comparison, forces them to decide that no, Palin cannot do it. It's not possible.

There are a number of other reasons that Americans are objecting to McCain's decision. However, I think there are a quite a few women hiding behind the idea that Palin would either have to neglect her job as the mother of five or neglect her job as the mother of America if she is elected to this position. But in actuality, they're just feeling guilty about the fact that they are not doing quite as much.

Of course, I think this guilt is unnecessary. Within the last week, since both of my brothers have arrived at IU with me, I've been consumed with worry. Constantly, I've been concerned about their well-being, or if they're doing enough on campus and going to class and being careful...it's exhausting!

And, seeing as I'm not their mom, but instead their sister, I can only imagine how much energy my mom spends worrying about all five of us. Having them both at school with me has given me a new take on motherhood: 1) I'm not even close to being ready for it and 2) Simply worrying about your children, not even including taking care of them, is at least a part time job (if not an FTJ).

And with my revelation comes the lesson that those feeling guilty about Palin's success need not compare themselves to her. Maybe she's one of those lucky people that just let's her worries go, and therefore she's spent all that extra energy pursuing the White House. Or maybe, she doesn't sleep...

Either way, one woman's success should never be a source for insecurity in someone else. Granted, I wouldn't have believed it if you'd told me this on my morning commute this summer...

But I guess that's why they say that those who can't do, teach.

It's a pleasure doing business with you

"We flyin' first class, up in the sky, poppin' champagne, livin' the life, in the fast lane...oh the glamorous..." Fergie

Lately, when I've told people that I'm a Journalism major, a sad look has crossed over their faces. It's as if they almost feel bad for me, because as many know, times are tough in the print world.

And while I appreciate their sympathy, I generally try to explain to them that I don't plan on doing newspaper, but instead magazine, or maybe even PR. And that I have enough faith in the system to believe that the magazine world is not going to take the dive that the newspaper world is clearly taking.

I believe this for a lot of reasons. One being that when you read the newspaper, you mean business. You read it to learn your current events and stay up-to-date. Whereas, when you read a magazine, it's for pleasure. Therefore, when you want to do business (read the paper) it's logical that you'd do it as efficiently as possible: online. Alternatively, when you're seeking pleasure, you'd be more inclined to relax by the pool with a cocktail and a glossy magazine (pleasure does not equal lugging around a laptop while poolside).I once heard that the type of people who truly support the magazine industry are the type of people who like their plane tickets first class and their champagne vintage. Sure, it may be cheaper to look online for the latest beauty finds or fall fashions. But why would you waste time at a computer when you could be getting a massage while flipping through an enticing magazine- which happens to give you a detailed list of beauty and fashion advice?

Of course, when people give me this look of pity, I don't have time to tell them all of this. Nor would they probably want to hear it, because while they did care about what my major is, I highly doubt they are truly that concerned about my financial stability. Maybe they just wanted to show that they're up with current events, that they have, in fact, looked on the New York Times Web site to discover that the economy is bad. That the Chicago Tribune can no longer afford to distribute outside of Chicago. That newspapers are letting go more and more people and expecting even more from those still on board...

But, I hope, I pray that computers will not continue to get so small that they are really just as convenient to carry as a magazine. I hope that spas do not begin to offer laptops instead of magazines while clients get a pedicure. And of course, I hope that the economy gets so much better that people not only continue to indulge in a magazine here and there, but also decide it might be worth it to smell the fresh ink on the Washington Post once in a while. Because really, the Internet is convenient and all, but there is nothing quite like the feeling of unfolding a fresh newspaper while eating breakfast at the kitchen table on a beautiful morning. Reading the newspaper may mean business, but if you ask me, sometimes it's OK to mix business and pleasure.

Keeping up with the Joneses

"Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper." Quentin Crsip

When I graduated high school and began at UChicago, I thought, "Ohh, this is the crazy party scene I've always hear about."

When I transferred to IU from Chicago, I realized, "Ohh, no, these people really know how to party. This is the crazy party scene."

But, today, when I read about Dune Southhampton, I discovered actually, that this is really a crazy party. Thousands of dollars being spent on cars required to arrive in, clothes required to get in and drinks required to stay in.

I cannot imagine spending $50,000 in one weekend just to party. That's a lot of money. I mean, you couldn't go to the moon or anything for that price, but it's still quite a hefty sum.

Last night, we decided we would not begin our evening at Kilroys because the drinks were $8 a piece. I fear that those charging a $2,000 drink minimum in Southhampton would not welcome us with open arms (but hey, you never know).

But I guess you do what you have to do to stay in. At Chicago, it didn't take a lot of effort to stay in. I just had to dress the part. When I came to IU, it required a little more money and a slight wardrobe enhancement, but it's easy to keep up. At Dune Southhampton, it takes a whole lot more money, clothing and schmoozing. But if it's worth it to them, it's their choice. They're just keeping up with the Joneses. I guess I just didn't realize the Joneses were models and millionaires...

...maybe keeping up with the Rockefellers is a little more accurate.

I spy a newbie...

There are the ones that are easy to spot (lanyards around their necks, campus maps in hand).

There are the ones that would blend right in but are still easy to spot because of their parents (running around Bed Bath & Beyond with the actual checklist the store offers online, pen in hand, wondering out loud if the outlet strip or the outlet with flexi-arms is really better...and in which color?).

And finally there are the ones who think they blend in, but are actually act so apathetic (oh too cool) that they stand out. Really, it's OK to care about your bedding, you are going to sleep on it most nights. And it doesn't make you cooler if you mock your parents when they ask you if you want a minifridge or a microfridge.

Without a doubt, they're the freshmen.

Because I remember my first day on campus (someone pointed me about a mile in the opposite direction of the most well-known class building...), I have a lot of sympathy for them. It's hard being alone in a new place, especially living in the dorms. And while the pictures of friends and family cover the walls and the rug on the floor covers the stains on the (kind of) carpet, you still remember the depressing image of the tiny cream colored room when you first unlocked the door. It's that sinking feeling of: I'm living here? Where do I put my stuff? Is that the closet?

We've all been there. We've all been a freshman. As classes start, I'm definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for any lost-looking little soul. I'll certainly help him out, by pointing him in the correct direction. I might even drop him a hint about wearing the lanyard around his neck. I mean if someone would have told me that lanyards were not OK a little sooner, I would have appreciated it. But I guess sometimes you just have to learn the hard way.