It’s actually fitting that this is my 100th post on my beloved blog (for all of you who are still here reading, thank you!). Today, something very interesting happened in my side of the blogosphere. The lovely Miss Lizzy Marie of It’s Unbeweavable won the 20 Something Bloggers’ Featured blogger of the month. This is incredible and I do not know of anyone more deserving of this honor.

However, amidst Liz’s undeniable excitement, a certain someone deemed it appropriate to rain on her day. I’m not going to go into details of how he did this, but let me just say, it hurt me in a deep way to see someone so quick to judge one of the most amazing people I have ever known.

I, among many others, came to Liz’s rescue, showing this certain someone that she has many, many people on her side supporting her.

See, I have always loved to write. Blogging has given me the opportunity to reach others. To write for myself, but so others can hear and be affected. I have always believed that words are incredibly powerful - they can affect the lives of others. That, alone, is why I write. That, alone, is why I blog.

Liz is one of the most open, honest and entertaining writers I have ever encountered. She talks about real-life stuff that so many people can relate to. Not to mention, she is a wonderful friend. I am so blessed to have found her in this huge blogging universe.

So, I stood up for her. That someone who ruined Liz’s day and represented everything I hate about stereotypes, insensitivity, disrespect and ignorance, posted a blog post about the events of the day, and I, among many others, responded. Here is what I said:

I know I don’t know you, so I won’t assume that these comments are falling on deaf ears. However, I just wanted to reiterate what many other people are saying. It was wrong of you to judge Liz with little to no information. I know you know this, thus your apology, however, I wanted to share a little story.

I joined the blogging universe almost a year ago. I joined because I love to write. I love to write about anything and everything that moves me. That’s what is so wonderful and free about blogs and the Internet in general. I have met some amazing people (both male and female) through their blogs, and Liz is one of them.

I stumbled upon Liz’s blog in the usual way, you know, following some links and such. On that particular day, she had published a blog post that linked back to a previous post from a few months back about being single, combatting loneliness and not settling for less than one deserves in a relationship. Liz’s open and emotional writing reached out to me, touched me, affected me, and helped me through a tough time in my own life. I reached out to her to let her know her words inspired me and how much I appreciated her honesty and openness. We’ve been very close friends ever since. That’s the beauty of writing and why I like to write - you can touch people’s lives just by being honest about your own. I admire Liz for that and I encourage you to embrace the idea that there’s something, someone, some blog, out there for everyone and Liz’s, while it may stray from your personal taste, can and obviously does touch the lives of many. She deserves this award.

I sincerely hope that this has been a learning experience for you as you go on your own respective journey defining yourself and your writing. Never underestimate the power of words - whether positive or negative, yours or others’.

Let this lesson that he (hopefully) learned be a lesson to all. Whether blogging, writing, speaking, etc., choose your words wisely because you never know who’s life you are affecting with each one.

Oh, and don’t mess with my girl.

On the final day of the photoblog-off, I decided to show off the beautiful Golden Gate bridge…

I hope you enjoyed the competition - the winner will be announced tomorrow!

Thanks for voting!

See Justin’s photo here.

Missed yesterday’s photo?

Toast 1

Ali is my very best friend. She has been a great friend in so many ways. Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs. But, without fail, we have come out on top. I am so honored to stand by my best friend’s side tomorrow on the most special day of her life.

When Ali fell in love with Justin, she didn’t really have to say much to make it clear to me that he was The One. All the signs were there… the special looks … the way her face would light up when he was around. I could just tell.

Saying we have been through a lot together is an understatement. I’ve seen her with plenty of old boyfriends (no, I won’t reveal any embarrassing moments, don’t worry). But, until now, I’ve never seen her truly happy and in love. That is how I knew that Justin was the one for her. The first time I saw them together, she was a different person. She was relaxed, happy and carefree. She was able to completely be herself. Justin made her feel like the princess she is. He has shown her that she is special. If I am half as happy and loved as Ali is when I get married, I will be blessed. It’s hard to put into words how seeing you together, so happy, makes all of us here today feel.

One week before Justin proposed, Ali called me early one morning, near tears. She told me she had a dream the night before that I got engaged and didn’t tell her. At the time, I wasn’t dating anyone, so it was a silly dream, but she was livid at the idea that such a big moment would take place and I would leave her out of the loop.

The very next week, I received a phone call standing in line to check in at the airport. Justin had proposed at his graduation party. Of course, tears ensued in the middle of the Southwest line and then a beautiful picture message arrived showing the diamond he put on her finger asking her to spend the rest of her life with him.

I am ecstatic for both of you. You truly belong together. You met as friends and it evolved into a love that so many people rarely find today. It all felt right as it happened, it all feels right today, and I know that the life you have ahead of you will feel just as right.

So I’d like to make a toast. To you, Ali and Justin, and a wonderful life together. To love, laughter and happily ever after.

Toast 2

I’m Lauren and I’m a friend of Ali’s from way back when in high school.

I remember Ms. Marsell’s English class, the class that brought us together, like it was yesterday. Ali has grown into an amazing woman. It is an honor to know the person she has become, and to have stood beside her today as her bridesmaid and best friend. Ali has a beautiful heart. For as long as I’ve known her, the most important thing in her life has been her family and her friends followed closely by her love for animals and chocolate. She is a fantastic friend - loyal, understanding, generous, and kind.

Ali, you look stunning……and Justin…. you look stunned! I’m sure you already know you are a very lucky man to have Ali as your wife. It has been a special day for us all, Thank you for making us a part of such an important day in your lives.

Today is a celebration of not only where you are now, and the road ahead, but the road that has brought you here. You have built a beautiful life and home together.

So, to Alison and Justin Jenings. May you live forever in love, and may love live forever in you.

My guilty pleasure. No, now get your mind out of the gutter. Ok, well, not completely.

HBO has stolen my heart again – and my Thursday nights.

Hung is a riveting series on HBO that centers on a father of two teenagers who goes through a messy divorce, deals with a custody battle, and on top of it all, his house burns down. As he is a high school basketball coach and detention supervisor, his finances are slim. And, of course, he never filed for homeowners insurance. He is left trying to rebuild his house and his family, alone.

The kids

After a one-night-stand with a homely yet interesting woman, he comes across an even more interesting opportunity – the chance to be a male gigolo. Yes, you heard right. He has the opportunity to GET PAID TO HAVE SEX. So, the show takes off switching between his life as a father and teacher and his life as a male prostitute. And, let me tell you, his sexcapades are anything but boring. Draws you in, right?

No, this isn’t a plug for Hung or for HBO, but, as a true writer, this show made me think.

How far would you go to get your family back? How far would you go to restore your home? Your life? Would you have sex for money if it was enough to rebuild your burned down house? To get your kids back?

The whole idea of prostitution strikes me.

Word association, “PROSTITUTE.”

• Tramp
• Colfax
• Red light district
• Fishnets
• Mini-skirts
• Drugs
• No self-esteem
• Dirty
• STDs
• Illegal
• Sex. With. Strangers.

But, this guy is normal! This guy is a SCHOOLTEACHER. What would you do if you found out your professor was a

PROSTITUTE?

The gigolo

I’d freak.

Of course, those words are generalizations and stereotypes that suburban kids are taught to associate with prostitution from the day they see broad daylight. And those kind of stereotypical prostitutes exist. I’ve seem ‘em.

But this guy, this guy, is just plain intriguing. I know, I know, it’s just a TV show. But I am a firm believer that TV shows can, and often do, stem from real life experiences. It makes me wonder if there is someone, or many someones, that partake in this yet are still able to lead normal lives. They become “creatures of the night.” And it must be exhausting leading this double life.

Back to the show.

The one-night-stander becomes his “pimp.” First of all, she’s female.

Word association: “PIMP.”

• Male
• Asshole
• Heartless
• Greedy
• Disrespectful (I wish there was a stronger word)
• Dirty
• 50 cent (had to throw that one in there)

The pimpess

Even Wikipedia is gender specific when it comes to defining a pimp, “A pimp (also called fleshmonger or Pander) finds and manages women (often young girls) who are vulnerable and susceptible, for what ever reason, to extreme manipulation and engages them in prostitution (in brothels and on the streets) in order to profit from their earnings.”

So, whoa. This show is redefining stereotypes all over the place.

Anyway, the pimpess calls their “business” Happiness Consultants. Wait. Hold up. Is this suggesting that meaningless sex with strangers will make you happy? Yes. Absolutely. And that’s how she pitches her business plan to potential clients. She convinces women that if they are lonely, unhappily married or seriously mentally disturbed (you should’ve seen that episode, holy crap) that the solution is to hire the Happiness Consultants and this strapping, “well hung” man will come to your house, have sex with you for a significant amount of money and *POOF* you will be happy.

Hmmm.

This seems problematic to me on so many levels. First, happiness doesn’t stem from meaningless sex. At least for me. When it comes to sex (mom, dad, grandparents, I’m sorry if you’re reading this), true happiness comes from having sex with someone you love. It’s an entirely different feeling than when you have sex with someone you don’t. When you sleep with someone you don’t love, or at least considerably care for, more times than not, it leaves you UNhappy. Wanting more. Wanting that emotional connection with that someone that you just can’t get when it’s just about the sex. Or the money (I’d imagine).

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had sex with people I haven’t significantly cared for (mom, dad, grandparents, I’m sorry again). But, as predicted, it didn’t leave me feeling any better about myself. It didn’t make me happy. It turned into an “oh, what did I do that for” moment.

And I could never, ever, ever, ever receive PAYMENT for having sex with someone. That’s when the childhood implanted stereotypes enter.

I can see the appeal, however. No attachments or strings attached. And that can definitely be exciting. But I guess I feel that is more about the immediate satisfaction. Not long term happiness.

Back to the question, though. How far would you go for your family? If you were dirt poor and needed to provide something, anything. What would you do? If the opportunity arose, would you have sex to make ends meet?

Think about it. Afterall, we are in a recession.