So I ran out of gas on a busy street this week (Rte 18 in Weymouth for those of you who know the area). Weymouth is the town I grew up in.  My car stalled with my two kids in the backseat.  I was blocking one lane of traffic and my hazards were not quite visible because of the solar glare.   It was a fairly dangerous situation so I got my kids out on the inside door while my car was shaking as each new vehicle sped by.   The 18 wheelers were particularly loud and scary.  The power of the traffic was kicking up road dust.  My son with his 5 year old enthusiasm squealed, “This is cool!”  I am thinking, ‘Oh, yeah, this is really cool.’  In my defense, my gas gauge hasn’t worked for about a year.  I have been pretty successful guessing when I need gas (up until this point, of course!)

I have AAA but my first thought was to call my Dad.  I have Dad on speed dial.  We talk or see each other every day but in a crunch I could call my Dad, Mom or sister for anything at any hour and that is one of the best feelings in the world.  But when it comes to car issues, Dad is my ‘go to’ guy.  My father is one of those ‘old school’ guys.  He is patient, logical and super easy to deal with.  He was a U.S. Marine who fought in Korea and he was a dutiful soldier.  It translated into dutiful husband and father and he has not shirked those responsibilities for one day of his life.  He wouldn’t even think of it.

Within what seemed like no time at all, he was pulling up behind me.  He must have put down his turkey sandwich and picked up his keys.  He was wearing a pressed shirt with a notepad and pen in his shirt pocket as he does every day.  He got out, had a gas can in hand and was loading the tank on the traffic side.  He sent me on my way to the gas station.  He followed me there with my kids in his car in case it wasn’t actually a gas situation.  I hadn’t even thought of that!   Always prepared, always faithful.  Semper Fi.  That is just how my father lives.   It is an honor to be his daughter and learn by his example.

My Dad as a young soldier.

Me and my Dad today. I LOVE my Dad!

Okay, I recently upgraded my cable to a bundle package.  It took me something like 2,000 promotional offers to make the leap.  I felt badly because my other cable service was fine (no complaints) and I felt like I was breaking up with someone for no valid reason.  It was all about cost and I felt cheap!  When the cable guy was explaining the features, he said, “Let me show you the ‘On Demand’ feature.”  Short of yawning, I said, “Okay, but I really won’t use it.”  Boy, was I wrong there!  Once I got over my unrealistic fear of never getting my regular television back from the ‘On Demand’ mode, I was hooked.  My latest obsession is AMC’s “Mad Men” show.  This is a show I just feel smarter after watching.  I feel more sophisticated.  And kind of cool.  Like I am in the exclusive Ad Men/Mad Men club.  Only I wouldn’t be if I were actually there.  Because I am a woman and they were mostly in the secretarial pool or cavorting with the boss!  In the show, that is. That never happens in real life, right?

I worked at a couple of ad agencies in my day (not that far back) and it captures the atmosphere well.  There are a ton of smart people who work there and they don’t stay in one position very long.  Which makes them seem unstable. To the rest of the working world anyway.   Even the mailroom person is an aspiring copywriter but then again isn’t the smartest person in a company always sorting mail?  What is up with that?

And then there is Don Draper!  How handsome is this guy?  And the writing is so sharp and smart.  Here’s an example:  Don Draper is in an argument with copywriter Michael Ginsburg.  Don says, “Don’t forget that you work for me!”  Michael replies, “I really don’t care for you right now” or something close to this.  And Don retorts, “That’s funny because I don’t think about you at all.”  Ouch.  It is that type of dialogue that makes you feel empowered, like you might be able to summon that type of comeback if given the chance.  I was feeling all sophisticated and wordy and I decided to google the show and find out more about the writers and the cast.  The first line said the showed aired in 2007.  In 2007?  I am six years late to the latest rage?!  How did this happen?  This is the last season?  I am on the cutting edge of something that is almost on the cutting floor?  That is so not sophisticated!  Until next time and my next “latest” obsession……

Like most of you, I have been hearing all over the news how parents and parent’s groups are furious with entertainers like Miley Cyrus (in particular) and Lady Gaga about their performances at the MTV music awards.  For the record, I did not watch the entire performance, but there is something about a young lady doing the tongue thing that I don’t like. It was a trademark look of the band Kiss and I didn’t care for that either.  But here’s one idea:  Don’t let your children watch the MTV music awards.  Then you don’t have anything to be mad about.  It’s that simple, right?

Although I agree with the premise that celebrities should be role models since young children look up to them, there is nothing in their entertainment contract that demands that type of behavior.  They are in the music business to be creative, outrageous and get ratings, reviews (good or bad – it’s all press) and sell concert tickets, albums, T shirts and so on.

Miley Cyrus twerking with a foam finger is about as classy as the mother doing a naked yoga handstand while breastfeeding.  You can call either of these behaviors good or bad but ultimately, they are both attention-seeking, bizarre acts.  I wouldn’t ask either one of these characters for parenting advice.  Nor would I condemn them for seeking media attention and getting it.  Let’s face it – some people want to see this stuff.

I would expect my children to look to me as a role model and not Miley Cyrus.  I understand the impact of social media but really?  We control the remote button.  If you don’t like what an entertainer is doing, turn them off and don’t buy the album.  To me, this is truly a case of ‘it is what it is’ and nothing more…..