The Gossip.

My office gets People magazine delivered every week. This is fun because it gives me an opportunity to catch up on the latest celebrity gossip & it is a nice brainless activity to split up the day a bit. I think that my favorite thing about these types of magazines, however, is the 'sources'. I've noticed that in almost every article the information cited is from 'a source', 'a relative', 'a friend', 'an onlooker'. So this makes me think...how accurate, really, is this information? Not very. Yet, as interested Americans we dive into these gossip magazines & live vicariously through the stars. Their fancy cars, gifts, party life, & turmoils...all to make us feel better about our own problems. With the help of these publications we can forget that we may be having problems at work, with family, or just life in general. Through these articles we can avoid getting into deeper conversations about ourselves & merely say "did you hear about Jen & Vince?... Brad & Angelina?...did you know that Bennifer2 did get married?" Yes, I am guilty of making comments like this too, but COME ON PEOPLE!!! (you, people...not People) lets try & be genuinely interested in one another & see what is going on in each other's lives. Community, interaction, support, love, meaningful conversation... these are all essential ingredients to help us get through life. It makes us stronger & it's a lot more healthy than talking gossip about someone we don't even know (well, any gossip for that matter is not good either-- whether we do or do not know the person). So, tell me about yourself! What were your parents like? Where did you grow up? What are your dreams, desires, passions, secrets? Tell me some of your hobbies, things you do for fun. And I will tell you mine. I don't want the 'onlooker, source, friend' to tell you that I was "seen eating soul food with friends at Sylvia's in Harlem last night".

Where are the humans?

I am looking for human beings. Has anyone seen them? When I make a phone call I usually get voicemail. When I check-out at the grocery store, buy a Metro Card, or buy a movie ticket...I can do it myself without a cashier. If I lived in the suburbs & had a car...the old school days of someone getting your gas & washing your windows for you are gone (that is, unless you live in Jersey). When I call customer service, I get the automated voice on the other end prompting me through a series of choices. I like people, I like human interaction. I don't always want to have to do things online. I like to speak to the voice on the other end telling me that "it will all be taken care of." Would it be possible to go back to having a human answer the phone rather than Ms. Automated Lady? Or the simple service of the nice cashier at the store. Along with this goes the fact that we need each other. We need the support, ears, hearts, hugs of the community around us. Hugging has even been used as a 'presciption' for some in recovery from surgery or for depression. (I read this online somewhere...don't have a footnote). I am SO SO grateful to have my network of friends & family .... they are my support group & I am happy for that. Maybe I could get one of them to work at the grocery store so I could chat to someone when I check out....! :)