Jersey Shore

Who else is glad that this sickening show is now over for at least this season?!

Can I just start by saying that most of these "Guidos" and "Guidettes" are not even from Jersey? Please, please, please do not associate them with my homeland of New Jersey. These Long Island and Staten Island schmucks should be outlawed from Jersey as far as I am considered.

Now to give credit where credit is due, I have found myself actually watching this train-wreck of a show for pure entertainment purposes as these messes make complete fools of themselves. Not very Christian of me, I know, but please do not plan on making a fool of my heritage, state and favorite shore spot in Jersey and then expect me to act sweet and loving...just not in my nature.

Now here is a cultural difference to point out. While at school at Eastern University in St. Davids, PA the Jersey Shore show was accepted as entertainment and sometimes fact. Back home in North Jersey, my parents were furiously complaining about this outrage as the first conversation I had upon arriving home for Winter Break was a two hour one discussing how the Jersey Shore represents Italian-Americans and Seaside Heights. We then proceeded to watch an episode just to make sure my parents were still as infuriated as they were at the inception of the conversation...which took place over homemade raviolis and a heaping amount of steaming meatballs and spicy Italian sausage.

The mission my mother created for me upon heading back to school in January was to kill any misconceptions that people have about Jersey life and what it means to be an Italian-American. So for all those reading my rants I hope you are a little more aware of how offense this show was to me and my family. On that note, if the weather holds out, I think I will take a weekend trip to my Shore House in Seaside Heights. Just so I can take in a deep, deep salty gulp of ocean air...there is nothing much else like it.

Here is a good question...Since I am a resident of Pennsylvania now, am I still allowed to say, "I am going down the Shore."? Then again, who really cares if I am allowed to or not...I'm still going to do it.

Ti Amo

Work, work, work...

A little old lady approaches me and in the sweetest of voices asks me to pick up another shift at work today. I smile and as cordially as possible explain that my schedule already has me at work and class from 8 AM until 2:30 PM. The sweetheart of lady then uses her super mind powers to tell me that I will now be extending that schedule until 4:30 this Thursday. I sigh in acceptance of my defeat and begin to pray that the money will compensate for the hours of life I will never get back...

Let me explain one little detail to everyone out there. This little occurrence would never have come close to happening back in North Jersey. Pennsylvania has made me a weak push-over. My personality and rough accent encourage me consistently to stand up and walk out from my little booth of hell while brushing my shoulders off. Something new and strange prevented me from getting angry and has softened my heart towards the needs of others. Call it what you want, but I do not like it very much. How I long for the days in Jersey where stepping on other peoples' toes was a penalty punishable by lynching.

Update: I just received a call explaining that I no longer have to take the extra hours. You would think that would make me feel better. Ha! I am from North Jersey and am Italian, good luck getting me to let things go.

Fare Thee Well, My Friends
Ti Amo