Understanding? or Watching a train wreck?

I recently read an article in the Washington Post titled "Understanding the hoard mentality". It's basically a book review for a book called Stuff. I was immediately intrigued because I sometimes watch the TLC show Hoarders.

I must say I was kind of disappointed in the review. The writer focuses the article on "understanding" that this extreme habit is a medical condition, of which I agree. It's a disorder that can not simply be treated with a talented organizer. Her reaction to this book, which is basically an account of multiple extreme hoarding cases in America, is one of repentance?

She begins to apologize to those people in her life that have this condition and wants the reader to sympathize too and do the same. Then she tries to make it political (Thank you Washington Post) and throws a feminist twist on it complaining about how there is a sexist bias to this disorder where people naturally associate this condition with Women....even though the book clearly accounts equally on both Women and Men living with this disorder.

....Thank you for throwing in your opinion that has nothing to do with the book...hmm....so you want us to sympathize with these people, who may be our friends and family or co-workers and apologize to them for judging their uncouth ways? I get it...I agree...but then what? We don't want the near and dear to continue living with this condition do we? Aren't we just isolating them more? We should acknowledge that their way of life is alright? I don't agree with this one bit.

In fact, if you watch the reality shows on TV that account of people living with this condition and read the stories in the book you can see that many of these people live alone, or in the middle of a divorce. Their families abandon them because of this disorder... This breaks my heart. Yes we need to acknowledge that this isn't just a lazy neighbor who doesn't feel like cleaning, but Hoarding is an actual disorder. These people need our encouragement yes, but to get HELP. To CHANGE their way of life. WE need to be there for THEM.

How is it okay to just acknowledge that they have a disorder and live with the mindset that this is just how they have to live? Isn't that like giving up? Where is the hope in humanity anymore? I'm not saying I have the cure-all but abandoning these people and isolating them into another "group" is like adding another pile onto their already cluttered kitchen table.

I wish the writer would've gone a step further and encouraged action. What can we do to help? In my personal opinion, I don't think simply acknowledging and labeling the issue is enough. In fact it's a set-back.

Thoughts?

News bites...

This just in....Corporate Punishment (aka Paddeling or Spanking)to be brought back in a TX high school??


wtf? Sorry but lately I'm annoyed with retardo school administrations...yes I'm talking to you South Hadely High MA.

Top 5 Morning News Healines...

This is an old post that I never finished but I really liked the last story, kind of inspiring :)

~Russian authorities stop all US adoption processes until a new treaty can be made because of diot pyscho lady who shipped poor 7 year old back to Russia.
~Iceland Volcano erruption stops all Northen Europe Air Traffic for the day possible week?!

~My fav: 70yr old woman puts her carjacker in headlock...wins the battle!

Cat caught my tongue?

Ok so that's bad I know....

My life right now: Researching Pet eulogies...why you may ask?

For the open-casket kittie funeral I have to attend this weekend....


no I am not kidding.

Book Worm

Books I need to Finish:
~The Poisonwood Bible
~Green book of Inspiration

Books I'd like to read:
~The Girl who kicked to Hornet's Nest
~Diana Galbaldon's Outlander Series
~C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce
~Rob Bell's Drop like Stars and Velvit Elvis

Books/Plays I'd like to re-read:
~Rob Bell's Sex God
~Romeo & Juliet
~As you like it
~The Importance of Being Earnest

The list will surely grow!

Random Boredom a la work.

I want to make this:



Also I need to take more advantage of the gym membership I am paying for... desperately want to try this Zoomba class my sis keeps raving about...

He is Risen! Chocolate Crosses...

So I found some of those at wally-world and sent them down to boyfriend dearest in the bible belt of America... thought that was a little funny. What do you do when you really need a chocolate fix and all you have is a chocolate cross? haha. That's on you!

I turned 23 this past week. Weird....I know people older than me don't like to hear it but I feel OLD. Not much of a milestone either. Specially since I'm still living at home....(working on it!) I had made plans to visit with Seth's family in Bridgewater this weekend for Easter and so I went... completely unaware there was some scheming going on. Arrived friday afternoon after getting off work early, hallelujah! Played with Betsy and momma and babies for awhile and then pizza guy arrived at door.... I mean seth...WHAT? aww yes he surprised me and came home for Easter :) Yay! I love him and was soo happy and thankful to see him even though it was for such a short time it was greatly needed. Every little bit counts in long-distance relationships.

So the beautiful sunny weekend was full of family time and easter candy (freckled runts eggs...are my fav!) and cute boyfriends :)

I will try to channel this high during my commute to work tomorrow and through out this next week.

Also I apologize to those who are following me... note: seriously got excited to see that people actually follow me! haha.... when I said I suck at these things I wasn't lying. But hoping to get on here more often.

tiiiired past my bedtime which is usually 9:00pm. Yes I would not know myself this time last year at the end of my senior year...haha. wow how time flies by.....

Goodnight Blogging world!
xoxo~B