Okay, I recently upgraded my cable to a bundle package.  It took me something like 2,000 promotional offers to make the leap.  I felt badly because my other cable service was fine (no complaints) and I felt like I was breaking up with someone for no valid reason.  It was all about cost and I felt cheap!  When the cable guy was explaining the features, he said, “Let me show you the ‘On Demand’ feature.”  Short of yawning, I said, “Okay, but I really won’t use it.”  Boy, was I wrong there!  Once I got over my unrealistic fear of never getting my regular television back from the ‘On Demand’ mode, I was hooked.  My latest obsession is AMC’s “Mad Men” show.  This is a show I just feel smarter after watching.  I feel more sophisticated.  And kind of cool.  Like I am in the exclusive Ad Men/Mad Men club.  Only I wouldn’t be if I were actually there.  Because I am a woman and they were mostly in the secretarial pool or cavorting with the boss!  In the show, that is. That never happens in real life, right?

I worked at a couple of ad agencies in my day (not that far back) and it captures the atmosphere well.  There are a ton of smart people who work there and they don’t stay in one position very long.  Which makes them seem unstable. To the rest of the working world anyway.   Even the mailroom person is an aspiring copywriter but then again isn’t the smartest person in a company always sorting mail?  What is up with that?

And then there is Don Draper!  How handsome is this guy?  And the writing is so sharp and smart.  Here’s an example:  Don Draper is in an argument with copywriter Michael Ginsburg.  Don says, “Don’t forget that you work for me!”  Michael replies, “I really don’t care for you right now” or something close to this.  And Don retorts, “That’s funny because I don’t think about you at all.”  Ouch.  It is that type of dialogue that makes you feel empowered, like you might be able to summon that type of comeback if given the chance.  I was feeling all sophisticated and wordy and I decided to google the show and find out more about the writers and the cast.  The first line said the showed aired in 2007.  In 2007?  I am six years late to the latest rage?!  How did this happen?  This is the last season?  I am on the cutting edge of something that is almost on the cutting floor?  That is so not sophisticated!  Until next time and my next “latest” obsession……

Like most of you, I have been hearing all over the news how parents and parent’s groups are furious with entertainers like Miley Cyrus (in particular) and Lady Gaga about their performances at the MTV music awards.  For the record, I did not watch the entire performance, but there is something about a young lady doing the tongue thing that I don’t like. It was a trademark look of the band Kiss and I didn’t care for that either.  But here’s one idea:  Don’t let your children watch the MTV music awards.  Then you don’t have anything to be mad about.  It’s that simple, right?

Although I agree with the premise that celebrities should be role models since young children look up to them, there is nothing in their entertainment contract that demands that type of behavior.  They are in the music business to be creative, outrageous and get ratings, reviews (good or bad – it’s all press) and sell concert tickets, albums, T shirts and so on.

Miley Cyrus twerking with a foam finger is about as classy as the mother doing a naked yoga handstand while breastfeeding.  You can call either of these behaviors good or bad but ultimately, they are both attention-seeking, bizarre acts.  I wouldn’t ask either one of these characters for parenting advice.  Nor would I condemn them for seeking media attention and getting it.  Let’s face it – some people want to see this stuff.

I would expect my children to look to me as a role model and not Miley Cyrus.  I understand the impact of social media but really?  We control the remote button.  If you don’t like what an entertainer is doing, turn them off and don’t buy the album.  To me, this is truly a case of ‘it is what it is’ and nothing more…..

Once in a while, I find a fabulous place or product and I cannot resist sharing it with you all.   I don’t take any money for the referral but I am not opposed to it either!  Hint, hint.  Wink, wink!   A girl’s got to earn a living, right?

I have to tell you about a gem of a place, if you have kids and live on the South Shore of Massachusetts.   My son was recently invited to a birthday party at Dalby Farm in Scituate and it was a nice departure from the usual kid party.  There was a barn with picnic tables, farm-themed trinkets and hay bales as decoration or additional seating.   It is awesome for children of any age but kiddos under 10 would really appreciate it.  They have rare animals like chinchilla rabbits and a goat with antlers of which breed I cannot recall.  It is great because the animals are real, the owners have a genuine, obvious affection for the animals and the place is spotless!  And this is coming from someone who prefers cities over the country any day of the week and once felt a bit squeamish near the pig pen at Drumlin Farm.  Let’s just say it is never a good idea to be digesting food at a farm when the animals are doing the same thing!   P! U!  Anyone have a clothespin?  I didn’t have any of that at Dalby Farm although the pig pen is, well, a pig pen.  I never found out how many pounds the pig weighed but they do have 100 or more chickens and the colors in the afternoon sun were magnificent.  It didn’t hurt that the humidity was low.   On a humid day, I wouldn’t want to be downwind of the port-o-potty which is the only downside of the experience (in my humble, slightly germaphobic opinion).   My recommendation is don’t overindulge in the iced coffee before visiting! And if you do sit on the hay bales, check the rear view for dangling hay….never a fashion statement….even down on the farm!!

It is great fun, a great theme and a hidden treasure….check out the website for more activities and visiting information….http://www.dalbyfarm.com/