That’s My Story

When I was growing up I had several dreams. One was reached last year when I traveled to Italy with my family.
By my age most people have been to the ocean, whether it was a family vacation or a spring break adventure.
But not me.
That changed Thursday when I found out a surprise trip to Wildwood, N.J. was planned for my birthday.
The ocean was absolutely beautiful. One of the first things I did was kick off my flip-flops and run through the sand and ocean. I even attempted my best effort at a Baywatch run across the beach.
Every morning I got up early to try and find as many seashells as possible. Now I know you are supposed to sit on the beach and relax, but anyone who has met me knows sitting and relaxing is not in my DNA. I played in the sand and walked in the water and tried to relax while taking in the atmosphere. I was probably acting more like a kid than an adult, but I have been told that is one of my more adorable qualities.
Now some may argue that the off-season weather was not suitable for a bathing suit. But I am from Somerset County — all we have is off-season weather.
I trekked the boardwalk dozens of times, ate some great seafood and even took a monster truck ride on the sand.
For most people my age going to the beach is an annual tradition, something they do with family or friends. For me it was a dream come true. The beauty and serenity of the ocean was not wasted on me. It was my dream come true.
(I welcome any comments, suggestions and criticism at michelleg@dailyamerican.com)

On a side note, while strolling on the boardwalk many places had shirts that said “ConVICK” “Hide your hound Vick is in town” and “Hide your Beagle Vick’s an Eagle.” These made me laugh since I have such strong views about felon Michael Vick playing in the NFL. In case you missed my two Daily American Debates against one Rick Kazmer here are some links.

Daily Debate: Should Michael Vick be allowed to play football again?
No - http://dailyamerican.com/articles/2009/06/08/opinion/columns/column516.txt
Yes - http://dailyamerican.com/articles/2009/06/08/opinion/columns/column515.txt

Daily Debate: Is Philly the wrong city for Vick?
No - http://dailyamerican.com/articles/2009/08/17/opinion/columns/column414.txt
Yes - http://dailyamerican.com/articles/2009/08/17/opinion/columns/column415.txt

Mindless reality television and talent shows step aside, the fall television line-up is back.
On the top of my list is the return of Michael Scott and the rest of Dunder Mifflin crew. I am anxiously awaiting the news Jim and Pam and expecting a little bundle of joy. I am sure Dwight will be giving lots of advice to the expecting couple as Michael asks questions that would get most fired.
There is something shows like The Office and 30 Rock do so well — help you escape through comedy.
It seems a lot of television shows today are unscripted and get reactions from people making fools of themselves or are scripted and need surgeries, shootouts or sex scandals to make an impact.
I was a huge Friends fan. Still to this day I choke up a bit when I think about Rachel getting off the plane and returning to Ross.
After Friends left the air, I was worried nothing would replace it since so many networks are putting ridiculous people on-air hungry for 15 minutes.
But, for the first time ever, I was so wrong.
The Office format is pretty simple — a show mocking reality television taking place in a small town called Scranton. You have the boss who doesn’t realize he is out-of-touch and a crew of characters ranging from the cat-obsessed accountant Angela to the prank-loving Jim Halpert to Dwight, the guy that drives you insane. Most people who work in an office have a few of the characters in the cubicles next to them.
Their story lines are funny, without being too over-the-top.
Here is my favorite quote of all time. To set up the scene, Pam’s ex came to the office to beat up Jim Halpert. Dwight whipped out a can of pepper-spray to save the day.
“No, don’t call me a hero. Do you know who the real heroes are? The guys, who wake up every morning, and go into their normal jobs, and get a distress call from the commissioner, and take off their glasses and change into capes and fly around fighting crime. Those are the real heroes.” — Dwight Shrute.
Maybe other networks should leave the reality shows alone and bring back the writers to put together good comedy sitcoms. It is the one thing we are truly lacking on television. There are plenty of medical dramas, cop shows and talent competitions, but we all need to laugh — it is the best medicine.

In other news Thursday is my birthday. I am turning 27 and was feeling a little old until this exchange at a rabbit club function this weekend.
A woman was asking me questions and the last was “How old were you when this happened?”
“16″ I replied.
To which she said.
“I thought you were a teenager, you are like a real person.”
I’ll be mistaken for a 18-year-old any day.

(I welcome any comments, suggestions or criticism at michelleg@dailyamerican.com)