Potpourri

Ok, Clever Tribe, this post is called potpourri for a reason- my thoughts are racing today. I’ve had some interesting conversations lately regarding marriage- but I’m not quite ready to undertake the subject. It will require more ruminating.

So, that leaves me to touch on a few items we’ve been neglecting. Tiger Woods’ speech. Was it a speech? I don’t know- it was more like a reading. A reading of something someone else wrote. It has likely taken this long for his team of handlers to construct an “apology” that would begin to restore the public and private faith in him.

Undoubtedly, this was a difficult event for him- made clear by the fact it’s taken months for him to crawl out of the cave in which he’s been. A few things hit home for me-

1) Rehabilitation? For what?

2) Celebrities don’t get to play by different rules. Hmmm. Really? I cleary can recall being in L.A. waiting for a table at Mr. Chow only to have Angie Everhart (barely famous- actually less famous now for her beauty than for the fact she married Joe Pesci) waltz straight through the mire, discuss her desire for a table (no, no reservation) and be seated instantly. Funny, the response from the fellow diners was more fascination than irritation. Camera phones were whipped out. The younger diners took some education from older diners so they knew WHO was dining in the midst. I should note another celebrity couple was also seated close by and did not pay a bill- it was never presented. It’s good business after all to be a known celebrity hangout- pick up the check and keep them coming back. Then there is the clothing- the freaking underwear, phones, portable electronics, shoes and handbags heaped upon the famous by vendors hoping their products will be seen on their arm, plugged into their ears, etc. After all, if Sienna Miller has an iTouch, I need one. Right? If Britney Spears isn’t wearing underwear under her mini-skirts, there must be a reason. And the beat goes on. It is why there exists VIP rooms at bars (the famous shan’t be forced to mingle with the commoners). What goes on in these rooms you would NOT believe. There simply isn’t a request that goes unmet. Oh, and the doctor visits to hotels from drug-seeking celebrities with “back pain.” The back entrances, the curtained dining, private shopping, chartered jets and yachts.

3) Leave my wife and children alone. Hmmm. Your wife married one of the most well known men on the planet- it was never part of her agenda to be left alone. As far as the children are concerned? I wish he'd have had as much regard for them as he's asking the media to have. Perhaps there would be no story- nothing to pursue. Frankly, I am so freaking tired of famous people complaining about paparazzi. It's a vicious circle and it goes something like this. "Average Joe" wants to be famous, so he pursues fame by endeavoring in music, entertainment etc. ... Why does he want to be famous? Because of all of the attention. "Oh, NO! I'm famous. Everyone leave me alone!" Whine, cry, complain, beg, plead. Oh, and then tip off the paparazzi as to your schedule one day to bolster your ego. Hmm. When you weren't famous, you were aware of the allure of fame. You were likely quite taken with the attention- so you in fact are part of the problem, as the unwarranted public interest in celebrity drives the need for information, thusly the money available to photographers. Stop crying about it. Oh, and keep your nose clean- because as Tiger Woods has evidenced- few people can stay in their ivory tower forever.

In some respects, what Tiger said is correct- celebrities don’t get to play by different rules- rules in most cases simply do not apply. For every celebrity who gets a ticket or a DUI or does some jail time for domestic assault- there are 1,000 who don’t. Frankly, at times, some of the “antics” by celebrities are fabricated for attention or to garner publicity- it’s really a very fun game for them to manipulate the public.

I was thinking an interesting concept for a reality show would be “packaging.” Don’t reveal to the public the concept- then expose them for the sheep they are. Pick a random, average-looking guy- think Russell Crowe (gross)- let the marketing, PR, make-up artists, fitness experts, security, agents, managers and packaging experts descent upon him. Throw him in a few movies- small roles- and then hype him. Put him on the cover of magazines and laud him as the next great actor of our time. Tada- it will be done. We believe anything we are told. Gwenyth Paltrow is one of the most beautiful women of all time. Really? My gosh- even empirically I cannot accept that assertion. Matt Damon? Has anyone noticed he looks exactly like every other dude on earth? I am not disputing his acting talent and am actually a fan of the Bourne series- more because I was a fan of the books and of the writing that launched the movies.

Hollywood tells us who is hot and we buy it. Absurd. You could take absolutely anyone and clean them up a bit- put some fantastic clothing on them and SELL them. It really isn’t that difficult when you have a legion of people ready and waiting to be lead.

I do wish celebrities would not use their fame as a pulpit upon which to share their views. The Big H (my mother) always told me never to discuss politics or religion- it is tantamount to pouring lighter fluid on a raging fire (unnecessary, unstable and certain to get out of control). I have lived by those words- always keeping my views, convictions and opinions to myself. Even when asked, I try to remain neutral. I wish celebrities would stick to what they do best and keep their opinions to themselves. Frankly, anyone who uses their fame to defame others is GROSS. There are plenty of celebrities using their fame for good instead of evil- but they seem to be in the minority.

OK- fame as it connects to sports. USC is under investigation by the NCAA for allegations of supplying financial support and/or gifts to future players, current players and the families of both. Now, I don’t believe USC is the only school doing it, having done it or planning to do it. The fact is- natural athletes have power because colleges need to win, so the students need to be lured, wooed. Some schools have to overcome climate, or a losing record or a new coach (who sucks)- so I am not deluded it isn’t happening- but I do care. It’s not fair. This isn’t fair to the schools who DO play by the rules- they don’t necessarily get the commitments from players when they are 13 years old (David Sills). A Clever Girl will formulate an opinion about why this is wrong or why it isn’t and be prepared to stick to it (unless your opinion is swayed by a compelling argument). This is a great conversation starter- “What do you think about this USC investigation?”

A couple more things you should know- the NCAA penalties if USC fails to prove no wrongdoing are immense and will have a ripple effect. They could be forced to give up two major titles. The national championship might go to OU by default and the Heisman might retroactively be awarded to Vince Young (who I think should have won it to begin with instead of Reggie Bush).

There are serious allegations Bush accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts from two PR companies trying to woo him as a professional client. Now, the Downtown Athletic Club that awards the Heisman is not governed by the NCAA but stipulates a player must be eligible to receive the award. Bleacher Report cited that if Bush was declared ineligible due to NCAA violations- the Heisman would have to reallocated or the spot left blank in their annals. A true blight on college athletics.

A Clever Girl might ask a guy “If you were Vince Young (University of Texas quarterback who won the National Championship), how would you feel about being awarded the Heisman only because it was stripped from Reggie Bush?” I personally wouldn’t want it, but that’s me.

The NCAA strongly encourages schools to police themselves. How could USC not know Bush was receiving cash and goods? If they are found at fault for the 2004-2005 seasons, it could threaten their national titles.

It would seem Pete Carroll (former USC head coach) left at just the right time to move into the NFL (Seattle Seahawks). Clever Girls don’t wait on this- it’s about to become a hot topic- tomorrow.

I’ll have to warn you- I’m a little pissed off, so tomorrow might get a little heavy.