This is how I felt after listening to the AIG Congressional hearings today.I happened to turn them on before heading out. At first I could not tear myself away but there came a point I decided I could not make it to the finish line.
I am frustrated.
I am angry.
I am exhausted.
If I wasn’t feeling all these things I would actually be encouraged by the non-partisan collective of those on the committee.
Recently a friend shared with me her mixed feelings about blogging of handbags when people were losing their jobs and homes with the feeling so tenuous across the country. I understood what she was saying and I had to agree somewhat. I also mentioned to her that the happiest music and the golden era of Hollywood in the 30’s were born out the darkest period.
According to my parents who lived through this, people appreciated the little they that were able to have. There was more effort to dress a little nicer and when they could go out on the town it was truly special and something to celebrate. Nothing was taken for granted, not eating together as a family, not what we would consider a menial job to help out and take some of the burden off of others. Nothing. I hope we can find the strength of our parents and grandparents and be happy with less than we are used to having. Although it is easy to be discouraged with everything that is thrown at us, I hope it renews faith in both our own capabilities and resourcefulness and can awaken us at profound levels.
Along this jouney, it helps me to see pretty ‘things’ whether or not I can pursue or purchase them at this time. I encouraged my friend to keep blogging about colorful, bright handbags, shiny baubles and playful trinkets because it is what I intend to do.
It is hopeful.
It is happy.
It is the golden era of yet another age.
what a thoughtful post. I agree with you that even if a certain item is not in one’s current budget, that they should still be able to find joy in it and sharing it with others through blogging.
wow… you almost brought tears to my eyes, so well said.
I had to stop watching so much Fox news during the day, it was making me too angry and frustrated, also. That’s about the same time I started blogging. I see it as an outlet, a way to network and vent, and I love the people I’m meeting. People I’d never have met in real life, mostly due to geography, but women of all ages and from all walks of life.
Yes, our posts are light, but hopefully that’s giving the reader (and the writer) an outlet, a reprieve from their troubles. So I agree, keep doing it! It makes me happy and I am hopeful.
Thanks for this post.
Chloe – Thank you. I don’t know what it is but it certainly makes me feel better to connect. 🙂
SJN – I too began blogging when everything started to hit the financial fan. Blogging was my late night entertainment and reprieve so I didn’t have to watch inept TV or fall asleep reading a book. It has definitely become not only a creative outlet for me but a joy to connect with intelligent, thoughtful women and as you said, of all ages and walks of life. I find everyone I’ve ‘met’ inspiring and truly interesting. It uplifts my spirits on a daily basis. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in greater depth too. 🙂
You so have the right attitude and perspective on this whole situation. Unfortunately (and I think I may be blogging on this soon) most people today have such a sense of entitlement that they will only look at what they are losing or what they think they deserve through this whole thing. Just like the war in Iraq. It’s divided people in this country in a major way. My mom was born in 1927 and has lived through WW
II and the Depression and she says this generation knows nothing about sacrifice and patriotism. We’ve become so consumer driven and so materialistic that if we have to give up or sacrifice anything, we have to blame someone. So sad. And I think it will only get worse.
This is a good post Pink Martini. It is true that one could appear selfish and superficial by blogging about topics such as “my new clothes” which I am guilty of for sure. I purposely keep most of my posts fun, light, and colorful because I see enough of the dark, dreary, depressing subject matter on tv, in the newspaper, etc. everyday. I look at it this way: we are a bunch of girls just having girl talk about girly things. And if necessary every single one of us would reach out and help one another! That is evident with our comments to one another when someone posts about a bad day or losing a job or interviewing for a job, etc. And I will say that I am a firm believer that things will get better! Do you agree?? xoxo
P 101 – Thank you. I had hoped this topic would invite good conversation and it has. I love this blogging community and I too feel the sincere support of others. I think we can be true to our girlie gender’s nature and ‘ooh and ah’ over what makes us girls and it is perfectly okay, needed and wanted. It’s like belonging to another sorority and I so enjoy the camaraderie. As you said there is too much darkness prevalent at every turn and we look to a lighter and more colorful world to counteract this. I am grateful I have found such a place in which those who wish to belong and have fun, can.
Do I agree things will get better? I certainly hope so and eventually I believe they will have to. I just don’t know when so I am in the same boat with all the experts on that prediction. I am a small business owner and am feeling the pinch in a big way right now as the ripple effect of the financial waves are lapping up on my personal shore.
Of course, this afternoon I received notification that my Lilly Bermuda purse and interchangeable covers were shipped. (eye roll) I had to pre-order months ago. What was the universe trying to tell me after I finished this post? I figure I could look at this one of two ways… I prefer the light. 🙂
Jillian – Welcome and thank you for your comment too! I now look at that rubber band ball that my mom would make in a totally different light. Can you imagine rationing out food like coffee, butter and sugar? We have no idea. Not a clue. The attitude of entitlement is out of hand from drivers on the road to people waiting in line asking to go before you because they are in a hurry. I’ve had both happen to me many times and it still amazes me. If it does get worse, and that is also my fear, I hope we can rise to the challenge to be helpful and kind. I think those two attributes would take us far into recovery but that is just my opinion. 🙂
Hi! Love your post and couldn’t have said it better myself! I agree with P101 too. There is nothing wrong with posting pictures of beautiful things. It’s true, we are girls and love girly things. Half the time it a fantasy. Who doesn’t fantisize about having beautiful clothes, shoes, handbags, jewlery etc…?
And don’t get me started about AIG!
Question—-how do I delete a picture from a post that just dissapeared, leaving a red x in a square? I know it is right in front of me, but it is just one of those things that I must be overlooking!
XOXO
Ronda – sorry this is so quick…at work..the picture is there but sometimes it blocks out. Fresh your site and see if it comes back again. Or go into the edit page and click on the pic to where you see the corners and frame appear around it and delete it and start over by adding the picture again. Does this makes sense? Let me know if this helped so I can learn something too. 🙂
I know this sounds crazy, but I see the corners around the frame, but how the hell do I delete it??!! Sorry, just trying to figure this out. I don’t see a delete button. Like I said, it is probably right in front of me.
XO
Ronda – Try the delete button on your computer when the picture is highlighted by the corners. It should work. 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Loved your post Pink Martini! I, for one, have decided I’m not “going to quit livin’,” and although I don’t spend as much now as I normally do, I simply have to buy “pretty things” from time to time.