A Mother's Balancing Act

Bullying - Celebrities Speak Out

Bullying is certainly in the news this week. Good Morning America ran a story this morning, interviewing one of my favorite actors from Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. He said that his situation got so bad in junior high that he had to change schools in 8th grade. They aired a quote from Tim Gunn (Project Runway), who said that he had such angst as a young gay male at 17, that he tried to commit suicide.

A public service announcement about the gravity of this issue will be aired sometime later this week or early next. I have seen comments where people have asked why there is the sudden outcry only now, when a string of homosexual young men have committed suicide. From what I understand, this particular demographic is particularly at risk over all other teens (even lesbian teens) due to pressures and bullying that seem to be worse for them than their other teen peers.

Every home, every public school, every college must be a safe place for our sons and daughters to be.

Balanced Babe - Molly Wendland

 

Runway Is Back!!!

The long-awaited Season 8 of Project Runway has arrived, and it is looking stellar, my friends. As usual, the first episode packed a punch – and a few surprises:

• 17 contestants showed up instead of 16
• The contestants arrived only to discover that they were to face their first challenge before they'd even moved into their living space – and in just 5 hours! To top it all off, they asked everyone to take their favorite article of clothing out of their baggage…and then made them pass it to the person to their right. That piece became the inspiration and the base for their 1^st design. Ouch. Not only did contestants lose their favorite item from their suitcase, they had to stand by and watch helplessly as their opponent tore it up! Aggghh! I feel their pain!
• I could go on, but I want you to keep reading!

The designers are from all over, as ever, including:

• 2 from the St. Louis area
• 2 from San Francisco
• 51 year old Peach from Lake Forest, IL (ritzy Chicago suburb)
• A Puerto Rican with a questionable sense of style (his model nearly went out without her top last night!)
• Darling Portland Hippie girl who uses sustainable resources for her designs
• NY Ivy with the big head (always have to have a few of those, right?) who immediately announced that "This is the Ivy show!" but then wound up in the bottom 6 when she made ill-fitting ugly pants out of ugly pants)
• Nicholas the soft-hearted architect turned designer who said he was sorry when the judges said they didn't like his design (Awww…)

The thing I'm most excited about this season is the meshing of the personalities. I love them! I can't wait to get to know them better!

Priceless lines from Episode 1:

• "She looks like a pole dancer from Dubai!" (Michael Kors' reaction to Casanova's skimpy design)
• "Side cleavage is a rare thrilling moment for any woman." (Michael again, referring to Utah girl's shirt turned cocktail dress that left too much skin and not enough to the imagination)

Seriously, this show is worth watching, just to hear Michael's catty comments!

But when did sweet Heidi become so edgy and, well…mean? Ouch! She said things like people's designs were "butt ugly", "a hot mess", and of Jason's backward kimono: "like my hairdressing cape".

Shake it off, contestants, and prepare yourselves for the next challenge…because the fans can't wait!!!

And let's face it. Heidi can get away with it. She looks fab-u-lous – as ever!

By the way, if you haven't already seen the first episode, you can already find it on Runway's site.

Balanced Babe – Molly Wendland