Rant: Bridge of Sighs

The big "Rachael Ray" and "Oprah" diet you have been hearing about is hooey. Seriously. First of all - look at both of them. Sadly, Big O's weight has been extremely unstable for about 25 years. It's quite unhealthy. And Rachael, well, seriously - she's chubby one day, thinner the next. It's obvious she has food issues. Neither one should be spokespersons for a diet in their conditions. Both exhibit signs of unhealthy obsessions/relationships with food.

longevity.about.com/od/antiagingfoods/a/acai_aging.htm Now, this man is not an expert, but he is a PhD. A little more leverage than talk show hosts, wouldn't you think?

The truth of the matter is, both Oprah and Rachael are looking for miracle cures. Ones which don't exist. It would be nice if we could drink 4 oz of a beverage a day and never have to workout, or diet, or eat healthily and STILL lose weight. Very nice. But, look at the REAL issue at hand. We Americans are lazy and looking for a quick fix. (Does Nutri System teach you how to make your own healthy food? Or are you stuck buying their crap forever?) It's not a quick fix; it's a process, and you will occasionally fall of the wagon, as I did last night (fish sandwich and cheese & broccoli potato), but I woke up this morning more motivated than ever. (And nauseous, but that's beside the point.)

It's called work. And focus. And more hard work. And abstinence. And exercise. And a few tears, but much sweat.

It's not in a bottle - it's in every one of us. Reminds me of a song:

It's in every one of us To be wise

Find your heart Open up both your eyes

We can all know everything Without ever knowing why
It's in every one of us By and by

It's in everyone of us I just remembered

it's like I been sleeping for years,

I'm not as awake as I could be, but my seeing is better,
I can see ... through the tears, I've been realizing that,

I bought this ticket and I'm watching only half of the show,

But there's scenery and lights and a cast of thousands,

Who all know what I know, And it's good that it's so ...

It's in every one of us To be wise Find your heart

Open up both your eyes We can all know everything

Without ever knowing why
It's in every one of us By and by By and by

(Incidentally, Clay Aiken DID do a version of this. But I default to John Denver and the Muppets.)

I look at my students lately. They seem so vacant, overall. Many are just coasting, assuming everyone else will tell them what to do. There is almost NO critical thinking going on. I see a spark here and there, but no fire can be lit. Why aren't people thinking for themselves these days? Why are they led along so easily - like lambs to the slaughter? The name of the old ramp leading up to the slaughterhouse in the Chicago Stockyards was called the Bridge of Sighs. Sigh. I think there is a connection.

I wish I were Ginsberg and could just Howl.