Mormon Reality Shows - A Call For Social Reform?

As a diversion from my endless amount of paperwork that I take home with me nightly, I logged on to Facebook (because that's the natural thing to do when you're bored), and I saw a notice for something that made my jaw drop.  No, not vitamin B infused Otter Pops (although that would be AMAZING) - The Mormon Bachelorette.

Now, I have no stones to throw - I did watch a few episodes of the secular one simply because I was bored one summer and needed a good laugh (I know, I'm horrible) - but really.... really?

Do we, of the YSA culture, really need to have something like the Mormon Bachelorette?  In my opinion, there's nothing special about the people they pick to be the bachelorette nor the suitors who apply to be considered (and I mean that in the kindest way possible).   In my relief society alone I associate with at least 20 beautiful, smart, ambitious, spiritual, creative, relatively normal daughters of God who are just as qualified as the young lady they chose (1 of which applied to be the next M.B. as well) and they don't have scores of guys vying to be their suitor.  As for the suitors, apparently there are amazing guys who are sweet, smart, and funny still floating around out there unattached and almost out of the singles ward.  What the he**??

Every woman of equal quality to the current M.B. deserves to have the following as she does.  So why don't they?  Now, this is where I get biased.

1. Not going to lie, I think half of those guys who applied to be a suitor are just looking for the fame of it all (what fame goes with a dating reality show who uses youtube as their TV network, I don't know, but I'm sure there will be some derived from it somehow), 
2. Some of them are likely are feeling brave because the M.B. is not in their ward (complying with the urban legend that everyone in your ward is a look at someone you'll never date because it would be awkward if you broke up),
3. Its a less covertly-condemned-by-society version of speed dating.
4. Disenchantment with what's readily accessible
5. They're too lazy to put forth the same effort to get to know the equal-qualitied women in their own area.

As I re-read this, I realize this isn't completely fair, and it's not meant to be.  But it does call into question: is YSA social culture in need of drastic social reform if this program is what we're resorting to to restore a proactive culture of dating instead of a culture of staring, wishing, hoping and waiting?

...Maybe this is what we need to get both parties to not feel awkward about asking and accepting dates from various parties and then proper acceptance or refusal of continuance....  Thoughts?

Me at 27

Dear Me-At-27,

My my my, how you have grown.  Maybe not so much in the waistline (I think you're still the same there), but that's okay - you lose it all when you turn 42 anyway, so you can save your energy for more important things.

I am so proud of you for finally making it out of school.  I know it's been a bit of a shock to you to be out in the "real" world since you've been in school since you were 3 years old, but now its time to get down to business.

Why haven't you taken over the world yet?
......
Honestly.    I know you said that you were slowly going to take over one batch of brownies at a time but I didn't think you were serious.  I guess you were.  Fancy that.  Anyhow, don't be afraid to make a stand when you need to and to stand down when you ought to.  You'll come to find in this world there are those Heavenly Father will need you to help and others to pave the way for.  You may not be able to help everyone, but you need to try.  You were blessed with so much - a loving family who has provided multiple opportunities for you, an education, a many gifts - that it is imperative you thank the source of all this goodness by giving to those who need them more than you do.

As you get further into the "real" world, don't forget to dance.  I sound foolish telling YOU this, but at the same time, I know how you get when you don't dance, and you're more use to me when you're happy.  So stop pussy footin' around.

On that same token, you need to trust your heart.  When your heart and your mind are in sync, the world sings, no matter how hard or how horrible.  When one of them gets out of balance, that's when trouble begins, but you already know that.  True, you haven't been dealt the kindest of those particular lots, but in the grand scheme of things you have nothing to complain about. Your time will come and when it does, expect to see your mind and heart to sync and sing like you've never felt before.  You'll know it when you feel it.

But a serious matter.  You need to buckle down.  You know what you need to do and the consequences of not following through are unfathomable.  You were blessed with a degree of wisdom, you've gained some more and now its time to stop forgetting what you've learned.  You're much too valuable to the work and what a glorious work you have ahead of you.

So...darling Me-At-27, the extra mile is down that way.  Lead on.

Much love.       Me.

Meaningful Play: The Transition of "Play" Across Maturity

Coming soon...

Ode to the Odoriferous

Note to self:  if your perfume or cologne leaves a scent trail long after you've gone...you've dabbed on too much.  That is all.