Taking the "Lo" Road

While I've been very occupied following the news, and my mind is very stimulated writing blogs, I kind of miss knowing about the stuff that's really important.  Like--what is going on with Brangelina lately?   I've already admitted that I read People Magazine, and to distract from the pull of politics,  I'm feeling the need for a moderate dose of celebrity culture.

Plus I figure I can consider this blog a public service--for people who don't subscribe to People or don't admit they subscribe or don't flip through it in the checkout line or haven't been in a checkout line or a doctor's waiting room lately.  I'm one of those people who needs People.  So today I decide to take a break from Sarah Palin blogs and catch up.

The first thing I realize is: the news cycle in the information age moves really fast.  Huffington Post puts a blog up and 5 minutes later replaces it with 5 more blogs.  Your head spins from the pace of politics.  And the world of celebrity is spinning too.  The public taste is fickle and just like politics, you have to keep up with this stuff, or you fall way behind.  And after a few short weeks, I'm already out of touch.

I read People; I'm relatively intelligent and informed; but now there is an entire generation of new unfamiliar names ---and here I thought I knew all the major players : Jen... J-Lo...LiLo (Lindsay Lohan, for the completely clueless).  There's even another "Lo" I never heard of: "Lo" Bosworth.  Her claim to fame is being the best friend and sidekick of Lauren Conrad, who is the central character of a show which is either the real show about spoiled rich kids who grew up in Orange County or the fictional show about spoiled rich kids who grew up in Orange County. I can never remember which.

Anyway, another "Lo."  What a wakeup call that is.  But I move on from there and the same familiar faces are still around.  Angelina is still holed up in the chateau in France with the kids.  Brad is giving money to support gay marriage.  Katie is still married to Tom, poor thing.  And we'll always have Paris.  All's right with the world.  I'm on solid ground again.

And then...browsing around the People Magazine website, I find this.  (hang on, I'll tell you.) It's  almost too good to be true.  And before spreading gossip on my blog, I do struggle with my conscience.  An epic struggle lasting  maybe 30 seconds.  But I can't resist.  Because the title is: 5 (More)Things You Didn't Know About Sarah Palin.

Even without reading it, the title alone starts me thinking of how to mine this material:  5 (More)Things You Don't Want to Know.  Are There 5 More Things We Don't Know ?  500 Things You Wish You Didn't Know.  But let's face it; David Letterman would do a much better job.  And get paid for it. 

Besides, do I really want to go down that road, and take cheap shots at Sarah Palin....again?

Shouldn't I take the high road?

It's just too tempting, dropped in my lap like a box of my favorite Sees Candies (nuts and chews, of course).  My compromise solution is to just share the story and restrain myself from making my own lists or snarky remarks.  So here's the link to the People story.  For those who prefer to continue being people who DON"T read People, I'll summarize it exactly as it appears (the words in italics are mine--there are limits to the amount of restraint I could manage). 

 5 (More) Things You Didn't Know About Sarah Palin:

1.  She is frugal: as an example, she sent her friend a thank you note without signing it so the friend could re-use it. (obviously saving up to buy that $35,000 tanning bed)

2. She prefers texting to phone calls (with a separate Blackberry so she can refuse subpoenas.)

3. She named her baby Trig Paxton Van Palin so it would rhyme with Van Halen.(I am not making this up.)

4. She switched from Mary Kay to MAC lipstick. ( there's a news bulletin; worthy of a new crop of pig headlines)

5. Her daughter wanted to wax her legs but Sarah said, "What's wrong with a razor?" (I'm letting this pass without comment, in the interest of the common good) 

After learning how much Sarah prizes loyalty, it's interesting that most of this information came from her close girlfriends.  And after all, as America's current big celebrity, Sarah is fair game.  Just like one of those moose.

Comments

[Lon Landow]

Hi Darryle! Remember me from Beach High? Mark Yatrofsky gave me a link to your blog because it seems as though politically, we three are on the same page (or certainly in the same chapter). Congratulations on winning your fight against cancer!!!! My former wife was not as fortunate but that's another story. All the best to you and please keep blogging!!!! ...Lon

[Darryle]

Hi Lon,
Yes I remember you. I'm sorry to hear about your wife, but glad you found me here and glad to hear about your politics--and I hope you live in one of those states that's up for grabs.