Category: Uncategorized (Page 54 of 188)

What you see is what you get

February 5, 2013 / Michele Minehart

I’m hearing through the rumblings of FB and the Today Show -my only outlets to know that indeed the planet didn’t get sucked into a black hole of nothingness while I was laundering the puke out of every sheet we own – that folks thought Beyonce wore too few clothes. Scantily clad, they say. “Not a family-friendly event.” I’m sure youth directors everywhere wonder what kind of damage control is necessary.

I’m a bit appalled at tossing the performer out to take the heat. She may have had veto power to her wardrobe decisions, but I’m guessing that probably wasn’t mentioned in the contract. What came from Superbowl officials probably sounded a bit like, “Beyonce, you rock. We’d love for you to be our halftime performer this year. If possible, please help me relive my sophomore year and bring your friends from Destiny’s Child. Sincerely, People with a lot of money and power.”

So, Beyonce did what she does. And she did it well. Did she scale back on her coverings? Not any more than her usual garb. A few pictures from 2012 (thanks to Google Images search. Any wrong dates are the fault of whoever tagged it as such. I did no further research as to date reliability):

And 2011:

Even 2009:

I’m seeing a trend in her threads. Namely, few of them.

So, when she arrived in near-neglige attire, we shouldn’t be surprised. This is what she does. And based on sales and raves and my facebook feed, she’s good at it.

“She should wear more clothes. It’s the superbowl!” I hear.

To which I say, if you want a well-covered performer, then call Sandi Patty and see if she’s free. But don’t ask an artist (dare I call a superstar that?) to be something she’s not. If you want accountability for a family-friendly event, tell your local Superbowl talent-booker. Or change the channel, because it’s probably not going to happen. Or write Pepsi an express your frustrations at the choice of performer, not her choice of clothes. Even more so, stop buying Pepsi until they listen.

But don’t tell Beyonce that what got her to the point of being requested can no longer be a part of what she puts on the stage that night.

**The nature of a scantily-clad superstar role model for our young women or as a temptation for our young men is a separate argument. We can discuss modesty issues, but that’s not my point. Beyonce’s reputation isn’t based on a modest, moral appeal. Should it be? Well, that’s up to you, your family and the music you purchase and the concerts you watch. If you ask me.

Timing is everything

February 4, 2013 / Michele Minehart

The special addition of Destiny’s Child at the Superbowl last night evoked quite the near-memory of almost-encounters. It seems that JJ and I had our own special Adjustment Bureau at work in our lives during the years prior to our first introduction. As we count up the number of times we “could’ve” met, but didn’t, I find a special sentiment toward the idea of “perfect timing.”

If you were to make a movie of our relationship, it would probably be most interesting to have us literally crossing paths in the hallway of the second floor of Boyd Hall. I lived in the co-ed dorm my freshman year and the floor was split in half (yes, I lived with young men on my floor. I know it sounds preposterous to parents now). So it wasn’t uncommon to meet guys in our hallway, especially on the weekends when girls would have guests. Which was the case for JJ’s appearance – he dated a girl that lived across from me.

I met Natalie and her roommate, Amber, early in the year and enjoyed them; we occasionally ordered DP Dough together. I remember coming into their room one evening and Natalie was working on a letter to her boyfriend who lived at a distance. Who knew that I might come across that same letter later in life as I sorted all of JJ’s keepsakes before moving.

Later that year, I joined my sister and one of her best friends, Katie, at a Columbus Clippers game because Destiny’s Child was preforming afterward. We had discount tickets because Katie’s sister, Pam played for the ONU softball team and they had a block of seats. Pam’s teammate, Lindsay, joined us as well as Lindsay’s brother Bo (Beau?) and Bo’s roommate… JJ. (Sidenote: the same Lindsay also dated my cousin, Brad, but this connection was inconsequential to the particular Destiny’s Child experience).

JJ and I found out about these non-encounters much later in life (how did Destiny’s Child and the Columbus Clippers game come up in conversation? I have no idea.) and I sat a bit in awe that the Bureau opted for my first job to actually bring JJ into the light of my existence.

Upon review, I find the timing perfect. Had I met JJ at that point in my life – and in his – I never would’ve dated him. Our paths were so different that it simply wouldn’t make sense. I was judgmental and idealistic. He participated in extra-curricular activities which I would find distasteful. We simply had nothing that would bring us, let alone keep us, together.

I used to tell “my kids” that the right guy at the wrong time was still the wrong guy. I still believe it. I found the right guy at the right time. What developed in each of us over the course of the following 4 years before I crossed the aisle in church and asked him to help at open gym became absolutely necessary in the functioning of our relationship. It goes to confirm the other mantra I would recite to my kids – you have to be Me before you can be We. The Me that each of us were living couldn’t come together to form the We that exists today.

Living at extremes

February 1, 2013 / Michele Minehart

Allow me to introduce you to a look at our January:

Week 1 – Mama and children catch the flu (real flu, not the stomach virus). Two of us are down for a week before feeling fully functional.

Week 2 – Massive catch up in work/home life before I leave on Momcation

Week 3 – Return midweek from Momcation for a similar massive catch up in work/home life. Followed by a trip to Hardin county / Akron / Hardin county / home in 2 days.

Week 4 – Mama catches a stomach bug, kids ooze snot and H boy tosses in a few of his “cookies” sporadically throughout the entire week.

It seems like I lived the month at both ends of the extreme. I / we would be unable to move from the couch, capable of nothing more than a WOSU marathon, resting to the point of functionality, then jumping back in full swing. There would be 800 loads of laundry, an empty pantry to fill, packing to do, visits and appointments to make.

My Momcation to Portland came seemingly at a great time as the work of catching up weighed down on me. While away, my hosts spoiled me with good food, visits to beautiful places and wonderful conversation to make me feel like a grown up again. Not to mention, I wiped no buns other than my own. I read books and stayed in my bed except to pee.

I returned home appreciative of my life and those who made the trip possible (ahem, JJ). JJ greeted me with appreciation for my daily grind. I was ready to begin 2013 anew, give my energy to growing my “business” with a few new clients, get better at my endeavors and be a better, more present, mom, wife, friend, sister and daughter.

And then I puked.

So this week didn’t start great, and it continued to digress to new levels of frustration. None of the kids were at the top of their game. The sick one only wanted to cuddle. Any cuddles given meant a complete pile-up of children on my lap for extended periods of time because of course I can’t show preference and it must be doled equally. And while I know that I have “nothing better to do” than care for them, as it is my primary responsibility, I wanted to be needed a bit less. I yearned for my kids to live to the level of patience and understanding and creativity and self-sufficiency that I normally hold them to. And for naptime to be more than an hour of respite.

So I greet February with open arms. May it bring health for the whole household (and yours!). May it bring peace in me and among my children. May it bring joy in all streams of my daily work. May it bring contentment for this place rather than simply endurance.

Category: Uncategorized (Page 54 of 188)

What you see is what you get

Timing is everything

Living at extremes

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