Don't Judge Me

I know I use that hash-mark statement all the time: #dontjudgeme; I also say it often. There's a reason. People can be pretty harsh when it comes to their opinions of you. For the most part, I don't care what people think. Only a select few folks on this planet get that consideration. Everybody else.. well...too bad.

However, today I was reading a letter posted on "Dear Prudence." The letter writer was an older man, who found his wife to be "Super Hot, but Dumb"... The heart of the issue is that this guy got so excited by "incredible sex" and how gorgeous his wife is--not to mention the fact that he was overwhelmed and surprised that such a woman had given him the time of day--that he married her without ensuring that they were matched on anything other than sex and (her) looks.

Be that as it may, that was his choice. He got excited, thought with the wrong head, and married this girl.

What gets me, though, is that now, a year later, he's unhappy. WHY? Because he thinks his wife is dumb. His proof? She watches reality TV. Really? That's it? Not that she doesn't know the difference between six and half a dozen. Not that she put marshmallows in her pillow hoping to make it softer... but just because she likes reality TV, she's dumb?

Apparently, this guy is some computer brainiac, with deep-seated and profound political view points. He doesn't mention what he watches, but I can only assume that because he has such high intellectual standards, all he watches are PBS, CNN, and Instructional Videos. What a jerk!!

Look, I can hold an "intelligent" conversation with the best of 'um. I can even throw in a few graduate-level words, salient, ascertain, dearth, germane, and yes--exacerbate (those are a few of my fave's). But c'mon! I hafta take a break from that. I gotta be able to laugh at something just because its stupid or allow my imagination to be hijacked for a while, into highly intense situations that can't possibly be real. Ask me what I wanna watch for entertainment, you'd be surprised, maybe even appalled. Mindless, silly, crazy, funny OR intense, action, suspense, blow-um-up... will ALWAYS be my preference over the stuff on Lifetime, TBS, or even the regular TV networks.

Why, you ask? Because I deal with "smart" all day-- web code, drug regulations, legal documents, and smart-aleck clients (and colleagues for that matter)-- by the time I get home, I want to give my brain a REST! So yes, I watch shows that require as little brain function as possible, or shows that take my imagination, stroke it, twist it, and max it out*.  I detest sitcoms, especially the ones that come on TBS, and I rarely watch the news... that's for early morning radio listening, ONLY.

The fact that I think Squidbillies is laugh-out-loud hilarious, or that I absolutely crack UP at Nene Leaks, and even the fact that I get lots of great tips from America's Next Top Model, doesn't make me dumb. The shows might be, but that's why it's called entertainment! I think it would be depressing if I lived the challenges of life, business, and work all day long, only to come home and immerse myself in even more of the same drudgery. Instead, I prefer to escape into entertainment that just can't be real. I mean, how does Jack Bauer get out of EVERY situation?? I mean you just. can't. kill the guy!!** So what if I secretly wish to be a contestant on Survivor, and that I have seen every episode of Family Guy ever made (I think)! Those guilty pleasures don't make me dumb. In fact, I think they round me out. They cater to my sense of humor and provide a temporary escape from the trials of the day. Making me a better, laughier, easier to deal with person.

This guy, however, is so insecure that he has to flaunt how smart he is--even to himself! I mean, really. Who wants to be intellectual ALL the time??

Look, what I like to watch doesn't define me. And I am thinking that what this guy's wife watches likely doesn't define her either. He's probably just so "appalled" at her interest in such "mindless filth" that he hasn't even taken time to talk to her about anything beyond her behind, her boobs, or chandelier swinging... Honestly, he said nothing about what HE likes to watch, which makes me wonder... how much time does he spend watching Spike TV or "Skinemax"?? This guy was just too condescending for my tastes... and to think that he called HER dumb... Uh, excuse me sir. You married her!

Personally, I think if the woman knew what he'd written about her, she'd send her own letter to Prudie and point out how DUMB he was for not selecting someone based on long-lasting, meaningful qualities. Or maybe, she'll write in and say, "I may be dumb, but I am smart enough to get HALF on the way out...SUCKA!"

Once it hits the fan, the only rational choice is to sweep it up, package it, and sell it as fertilizer.

* I love Jack Bauer!
** For real, I think he's the last great superhero.