Five Reasons Why Pokemon GO Isn't the Antichrist

Let me tell you a story...

Once upon a time, there were two children who grew up from humble beginnings.  Just about all of their technology was a hand me down, and likely a generation behind, but that did not stop them from enjoying what little they had.  The really cool Game Boy Advance came out, and guess what these two children found whilst garage sale-ing one hot, summer day?

Yes, that's right.  NOT a Game Boy Advance.  It was new, who in their right mind would give it up at a garage sale?  It did force people to pawn off their old OG Game Boys, though, so each child received a hand me down, beat up, but workable portal of electronic dreams, complete with games such as Paperboy, Mortal Kombat, and Contra.  Life was good.

Then Pokemon came out.  The children realized they HAD to have the games.  They watched the show each morning they could, and were instantly entranced by the little pocket monsters.  The young girl got Pokemon Blue, while her older brother got Pokemon Red, once they had saved up enough money of course.  These were the first NEW games for their Game Boys, and boy were they excited!  They even found a way to be able to share, and trade the Pokemon that they caught!

If you haven't already realized, the children are my brother and me, and we lived our modest Pokemon dreams fiercely until, like most children, other things in life got in the way.

Fast forward about 18 years and Pokemon GO comes out.  Are you kidding me?  This game gives you the opportunity to catch Pokemon in your own backyard?  Sign me up!  As with everything that gives some immense joy, however, there is another soul-sucking percentage of the population which has to demean and criticize what others are doing rather than minding their own business (click here for more of my thoughts on that), which has finally prompted me to share with you "Five Reasons Why Pokemon GO Isn't the Antichrist"

1) It's attempting to get people out and on the move.

   The whole point of Pokemon GO is to get outside and move.  If you're new to the game, read up on it here.  While yes, there are ways you can play while as a passenger in a vehicle instead of walking/biking, or more creative ways of cheating like this, the premise of the game is to get people out and interacting with the world while enjoying what was likely a childhood pastime.  I mean, let's be honest, if this game didn't force people to be outside and they were instead at home behind computer screens no one would give a damn about it, but because it has become a public phenomenon, all of a sudden everyone has an opinion on it.  I don't remember the average American posting memes and being up in arms when college students were dropping out because they skipped class to play World of Warcraft all day.  Yet this harmless, kid-friendly (and did I mention FREE?) app has the Poke-haters' panties all in a bunch.  What gives, world?

   I know what you're going to say.  "Harmless?  I think not!  People are blindly walking into the streets, getting hit by cars, getting in accidents left and right, and we are putting our children in danger of trespassing and potential encounters with child predators."  There's one thing I can say to really address all those points at once and it's this: teach your children to not be idiots.  Kids can learn- I know, I do it for a living.  If your kids know not to run into traffic, or trespass, or commiserate with strange people, they won't do it regardless of if a person, game, or sign prompts or invites them to.  Regarding vehicular accidents?  Well, let's just boil it down to anyone playing Pokemon GO in the car and getting into an accident because of it was probably bound to get into an accident anyway.

2) It's  kind of brilliant.

   I remember a few years back, my husband was playing something called Ingress, which was also an augmented reality type game.  He explained it to me, and it sounded so fun!  It, unfortunately, did not come on iPhones, so I jealously watched him play on his team and try to "take over" landmarks in the town.  It seemed like such a blast!  Mixing that concept with a well-known and catchy 90s game that had developed and grown over the last decade wields Pokemon GO, and I am actually surprised that this idea hadn't developed sooner.

   The idea of going out and "catching them all" is a riveting one, and one that got so many people intrigued that it currently is the most downloaded free app (beating out apps like Snapchat and Facebook) and also the highest grossing app (beating out contenders like Candy Crush and Game of War).  Some true-blue fans are upset that the game deviates too much from the original, which having played the original I can attest to, but I'm not at all butt-hurt about it.  The nature of this game is so different from the original that it can't really be expected to mirror it.  It's also not made by Nintendo, a point that many stockholders are bummed to realize, which likely contributes to some of the differences.  I guess my point is if you want to play the original game, that's what the original game is for.  This version can't properly address the points of an augmented reality game effectively without also compromising some of the traditional aspects of the original game.  Plus, it likely wants to separate itself, and let's be real: trying to turn a profit (which it seems to be doing quite well) is a factor, too.

3) It's no worse than the other games or activities in which the "haters" probably indulge.

   Let's be real, here.  You could say "Why do people waste their time playing Pokemon GO?"  but insert just about any game or activity in the blank and you could justify why it was stupid.  Point being, we all have different tastes in how we choose to spend our free time.  Some find it a waste of time to work out, some think quilting is a dumb hobby, and others believe the Candy Crush games are utterly pointless and stupid.  They are all right, and they are all wrong, depending on who you speak with.  My philosophy on this is much like my philosophy on doughnuts: in moderation, they are ok!  And it is so true.  No one judges POGO haters for what they do in their spare time, so why all the backlash for POGO players?  Oh, because it's public.  I see.

    This hurts my 11 year-old heart.  :(  It's not even so much because this criticizes the game, so much as it unabashedly demeans those who choose to play it.  So it's stupid to play POGO, but cool to lounge in your PJs and play Criminal Case behind a computer screen all day?  Pokemon Go is stupid, but golfing in 90 degree weather drinking beer and and getting sunburned for six hours is cool?  I'm not condemning any of these activities, but the point is that this childish rationale of what is "stupid" can be applied to anything; it's just about perspective.  Everyone has hobbies, and some of your friends think those hobbies suck, and some of them think they are great.  Let's all play nice and not make fun of what others choose to do with their time.
   I have seen and experienced what I like to call PokeShame.  This is when, while playing POGO (usually at a well known PokeStop or Gym), you see or are approached by a person or persons, so you casually hold your phone by your side as if you're not trying to get a super potion, three Poke balls and a Razz berry.  Be proud of your Pokemon quest, young friends!  There is (or should be) no shame in taking advantage of a clever, and harmless app that thrives with imagination!  Again, I did use the word "moderation", so while I don't condone the 24/7 sitting by the gym defending it and wandering around streets aimlessly with no consideration of others, the occasional POGO session is by all accounts, a refreshing and healthy break from reality, which is what a good game should be.

4) It's collaborative.

   I watched a set of parents go Pokemon hunting with their kids the other day, and I thought it was darling.  News stories have covered local gatherings of people who plan Pokemon hang outs at specific times.  Siblings, friends, and significant others can go on walks together capturing Ratattas and Pidgeys.  Life is good, friends!  For once, interacting with others in a video game actually requires you to interact with them!  I don't exactly see the harm in this.  Oh wait, do you actually like getting Candy Crush invitations and FarmVille requests?  Oh, then by all means, carry on...

5) It's allowing 90s kids to live a dream they thought was only attainable from behind a screen.

   Again, I feel like I know what you are going to say, "That's the point!  All these damn millennials are walking around with their faces buried in their screens with no regard for the world around them!"  While that's not exactly a glowing review of how one should probably play the game, the point is that they aren't explicitly behind the screen anymore, but focused on what's in front of the screen, which is the real world!  There's just an animated Charmander there, too

   The bottom line of this point is: who wouldn't want to live their childhood dream?  Girls who played with Barbies always wanted to be the Barbies.  Boys playing with Ninja Turtles wanted to drive a Turtle Van and fight crime like the TMNT.  We all had childhood games we played, and childhood fantasies that went with them.  So now we get a taste of our younger selves' dreams, and you're going to write and share memes that criticize use for wasting our time?

   Do you know what I think is a waste of time?  No, you don't, because I generally don't post about it.  Your business is your business, and mine is mine.  I guess I would have just thought more of my social media peeps than to bash and belittle people for playing a game that is so innocent and rooted in childhood fantasy and play...and actually tries to motivate people to get outside for once!  The same people that find fault with this are the same ones that likely say "This generation never uses their imagination to play outdoors.  When I was young, we didn't have cell phones and had to make up our own games."  Well, now we can have the best of both worlds, and people are very quick to criticize.  I do wanna be the very best, people, and I do wanna catch 'em all, but your snarky posts and holier than thou memes make me feel like a heel for wanting to spend my free time doing this while I take my hella-cute baby for a walk.  What gives?

   Save for a few crazies in the group of POGO players around the world- which you'll also find in just about any other hobby- we're really not a bad bunch.  We don't hurt people, we don't fight (unless it's a Pokemon battle in a gym), and we certainly don't criticize you for your hobbies.  So please, before you share that snarky meme or post about how stupid and time consuming this hobby is, take a step back, determine if every single minute of your day is spent productively, and then reconsider.

Sincerely,

A budding Poke Master

Let's start a "thing" - 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

Despite the fact that it is 11:36 pm, and this post won't likely be available to your twinkling eyes until "tomorrow", at this point, it is officially only 12 days until Christmas, which seems to have a festively appropriate ring to it.  There are many things pertaining to the 12 days of Christmas, including the incredibly catchy and choreographable holiday tune, to the TV specials featuring seasonal shows and movies.  This year, though, I'm going to encourage you to do something a little different with this notable countdown, and throw in some of my deliciously random Christmas photos too.

Maybe not quite that different... 

Let me first start by clarifying my meaning of "thing".  "Thing" in this case would be pertaining to a trend, specifically of the social media variety.  Comparable social media "things" include the Ice Bucket challenge, the "truth is" posts, and the one I am more or less channeling, the "thankful for list" that is popular around the Thanksgiving season.  Other "things" I have tried to start to no avail include windshield wipers for glasses made of paper clips and napkins, and a reverse french manicure, which I haven't completely written off yet.  Suffice it to say, I am having much higher hopes for this effort, and to do it well, I need your help my internet friends.

These are some of my non-internet friends.  Sometimes we dress up like
Ravenclaws at Christmastime and try to win the house cup.

So what is it?  It's an idea that has been on my mind a lot this month, and that idea is the notion of

Our Jamaican Honeymoon Adventure - Day 5

August 22nd, Day 5

At this point I'm sure everyone reading this must think that Andrew and I filled our honeymoon with exciting adventures and thrilling excursions, but I'm here to tell you that day 5 is not one of those exciting, magnificent days chock-full of magic and wonder, so in opposition to my last post, this one will likely prove to be brief.

After waking up and eating my regular pound of Jamaican Bacon, we headed over to the beach to read, lay out in the sun, and partake in bikini envy.  Perhaps that last bit was just me.  Anyway, since there wasn't a whole lot going on, I took sone random photos.  Enjoy.

Are they hot dogs, or legs?  Even I can't be sure

My pretty piggies!

This is a good picture.  The better picture would be his face
filled with rage after I took it, though.

After beaching out, we went to the Bella Vista grill for lunch, and Andrew got the Jerk Burger, while I jumped out of my comfort zone and tried the exotic grilled ham & cheese sandwich.  Ha.  It was yummy, though.  While we were sitting discussing lunch, and possible other excursions, we were reminded of one of the couples who went to Dunns River Falls with us, because they said they were going to try snorkeling.  Andrew queried how we could contact them, since we didn't know their names, but lo and behold they were sitting right behind us! 

We had a nice chat, and discussed their not-so-great snorkeling experience.  Apparently the waters were choppy, which resulted in the water rising over the snorkel and getting into their mouths, which they admitted was not pleasant.  They did also say that the view of the reef was gorgeous, but that there was not enough time allotted to swim to the other side to see the sunken ship that was on the East side.  After hearing their pleasant and honest account of their trip, we decided that, given I feel I might die at any time whilst even partially submerged in ocean water, this might not be the best excursion for us.  We thanked them, and went on our merry way, as we had a busy afternoon planned.  Yoga at 3:00, meditation at 4:00, and a photo shoot on the beach at 5:00.

2:30 rolled around, and Andrew and I were in the room reading.  He says, "Do you really want to do yoga?  It's probably going to be really hot."  *Disclaimer- Andrew is totally allowed to complain here as, A) he gets extraordinarily hot in even temperate conditions, and B) he has been getting up every other morning to work out at the fitness center.  Try hard. *  To which I reply, "Honey, I didn't even want to really go in the first place."  Thus, the 4:00 meditation didn't happen either.  I mean, unless you count lounging around in a bathrobe mediation, in which case there was lots of it.  And then some nap time.

Waking up around 4:00, I woke Andrew up and said, "Come on, babe, we have to get ready to do the photo shoot!"  To which he said, "This is going to be so awkward.  People are going to be around us and on the beach and we're just going to be in their way."  So we called the photographer, Kenesha, to tell her we would not be attending the shoot.  More napping.

The starlight dinner was slated to start at 7:30, so we un-comatosed ourselves to make ourselves presentable.  Despite having been to the beach party just days prior and figuring I knew the ropes, this gala was a lot different.  The chefs and decorators really pulled out all the stops, as there was arguably even MORE food than the first outdoor gala, and ice sculptures to boot.  Preettty snazzy.

As luck would have it, we sat next to the couple we were talking to at lunch, and (for the first time in four days) actually thought to ask them their names!  Nick and MJ are from a suburb of Chicago, and were very cool, and we had an awesome time hanging out with them at our table.  Another really nice couple from Poughkeepsie, NY joined us at the table, too, but despite them being really pleasant we didn't get their names.  Maybe we have a subconscious four-day rule?

Andrew is either ruining this photo, or making it amazing.
Probably both.

Meanwhile, a group called Ebony was performing in three part harmony to some killer songs, and although part of me wanted to dance, I was just too winded from the long and exhausting day we had.  That was totes a joke.  Andrew was too hot but assured me he would save some dancing for the after party on the Sunset Beach, so I let him off the hook.

Nick, MJ, Andrew and I headed over to the after party, but every spot was already occupied at the bar and tables, and they weren't playing any music we were super fond of dancing to, so we bailed pretty early and went to the Bella Vista bar where our good friend Brian was once again serving up tasty libations.

The four of us talked quite a bit, with some intermittent conversation with Brian, about the weddings we had, the stresses, their hockey teams and Stanley Cup themed wedding cake, and lots of other things, when Nick mentioned something to Brian along the lines of, "Do they get a lot of celebrities at this resort?"  Brian had to think for a moment, but then replied with, "Oh ya, mon.  Just last week Will Smith came to de bar."

Hold.  The.  Phone.  Will Smith?  Here?  Maybe even in the same spot I'm sitting?  I kind of lost it.

"Ohmigosh really?  Did you talk to him?  What did you say?  Was he super nice?  What room was he in?  Did he shake your hand?  Can I shake your hand?"

Brian laughed at me, but he was awesome and shook my hand AND answered all of my questions.  Will Smith is SO nice, he was not staying at the resort, but he did shake Brian's hand and he likes to drink Cape Cods, which is what I was drinking all week!  We're like, practically besties.

I GOTTA QUESTION I NEED TO ASK SOMEBODY/  WHY IS IT THAT WHEN Y'ALL SEE ME AT A PARTY/ Y'ALL BE LOOKING LIKE "OOH HE A MOVIE STAR, HE AIN'T SUPPOSED TO BE OUT ON THE FLOOR WITH EVERYBODY"

My infatuation infused conversation came to a close, and we talked about other, non-stalkerish things, until Brian had to make a call to another bar and I blurted out, "Oh my God are you calling him, Brian?  Can you ask him if he'll come back?!"  Again, laughs at me- not with me.  IDC.

We then parted ways with Nick & MJ and went back to the room, to rest up and get ready to tackle a (hopefully) much less lazy day ahead.

Hot Topic #1

So...after about a 5 month hiatus (and some nitpicking about my lack of keeping up) I have a new post to share, hooray!  To be perfectly honest, my plate of  life has been excessively full (think Chinese buffet-style full) and I haven't had a lot of time to devote to the art of blogging.  I make no promises, but I am going to do my best to try and update this beast a little more frequently.

So, what now?  I hate writing without a purpose, so I didn't want to just ramblog (ramble-blog, and yes, I made that word up).  As much as I know you'd just love to hear about my progress with our high school musical preparations of Guys & Dolls, I figured I'd spare you.  What I would like to talk about are some current events that I feel affect not only the world, but myself and my life as well.  I hope you enjoy Hot Topic #1.

Teacher Suspended After Second-Graders Perform Sex Acts in Class

Yes, you read that correctly, and here's the link to the story:  Can I say I'm outraged?  No, not really.  Not that I'm not upset, but that's not quite the right word to describe it.  Disappointed, disgusted, perplexed- the list could go on and on.  As a relatively new teacher I have a fairly recent memory of the classes and training I received in order to get my Bachelor's degree, so my reaction to this is more of a: How?  How could any certified, reputable teacher not notice what is going on in his classroom?  That being said, this Monday is my third and final observation as a first year tenure-track teacher, and in my pre-observation meeting I mentioned that my classroom management is a concern of mine.  Before I become labeled a hypocrite, lets put these two situations into perspective.

As a chorus teacher, I often find myself doing two jobs at once: musician, and teacher.  Relying on purely voices to create the music in our class, guess who gets to portray (a really REALLY bad impersonation of) Beethoven at the piano?  Moi.  I love teaching and I love music, but I often find myself struggling to do both justice when faced with my 60+ students in senior high chorus.  I can't read piano music, turn pages, adequately listen, conduct, juggle flaming bowling pins AND be a fantastic disciplinarian at the same time.  If I could, I could probably have landed a fantastic time slot on America's Got Talent, but it's just not in the cards...

...back to my point.  Yes, I struggle to maintain a distraction-free environment while I'm working with my students, but when I see gum chewing- I address it.  When I see cell phones- I confiscate them.  I have trained myself to be able to know both my students and my environment to a degree that I can spot things while I am simultaneously sucking at piano and listening to my ensemble.  Can I also take the time to say that my students ROCK and they usually don't present any catastrophic sorts of problems for me to address in the first place.  Let's re-focus, though: 60 14-18 year old co-ed students going through puberty with an often times distracted teacher.  It could, at times, get ugly.

Now, let's fast forward to the situation at hand.  A second grade classroom  in Oakland, California.  There were TWO instances found of students performing sexual acts on each other.  Really?  REALLY?!  Like one wasn't enough?  The explanation from the teacher was that he did not see it happen, which in all honesty isn't that bad of a response when you think of what circumstances could have been, but is still not an excuse.  Not at all.  As someone who has willingly chosen to be an instructor, role model, and supervisor of young, impressionable minds it is his responsibility and job to make sure that things like this don't ever even have a foundation to begin, let alone occur in the classroom on two different occasions.  There is not one moment where any of those students should have been out of his supervision, and the fact that they were for a long enough period of time to "experiment" is just plain lack of responsibility.

Maybe the kids saw it at home.  Maybe they saw it on TV.  Maybe they really wanted to experiment because they were very curious.  All potentially true statements, however, the only definitive "maybe" in this situation is that just MAYBE, that teacher should have kept a close eye on his students.  "Not seeing it" is not an excuse. If I assess that there are students missing that should be present, a big 'ol red flag jumps out at me and I take the necessary measures.  I don't care how you spin it, he was just plain negligent and should be held responsible for not maybe what the students did, but that they had an opportunity to do so.

The word "teacher" is such an understatement.  As I was taught in my methods classes, we wear many hats.  We are teachers, but also disciplinarians, counselors, coaches, advisors, mediators, listeners, and supervisors.  Any person that thinks for a second that teachers (and their actions, for that matter) do not have a lasting impression on their students need to take a large dose of reality, because this is what we sign up for when we get our degree.  We help mold and shape our students to meet future challenges, (oh yes, I did just quote the General Brown mission statemet) and to be positive influences on society.  Any lapse in our vigilance, no matter how brief, can have an effect on our students, and I sincerely hope that this teacher takes his (paid!) suspension to start thinking about other career options.

One chapter ends, another begins...

Hello there,

Web-logging, or blogging- as it's more commonly known as, is something that has intrigued me since the ancient days of MySpace when I was in middle school.  Never having the guts to actually start one, I guess you could say this is my feeble attempt to live vicariously through the internet.  Having prefaced you with that, I can now update you on the goings on in my life and in my cluttered little head.

The title of this post is what I consider a pretty standard comment used when something in life doesn't go exactly as you had planned.  Well, it's no exception in this situation.

For those of you who know me pretty well, you know that up until very recently I was a very active participant in the Miss America Organization, as a competitor on the local level.  Well, once at the state level, but we won't go there quite yet.  At the ripe age of 17, and as an up and coming high school senior, I made the decision to compete in scholarship pageants for the MAO. 6 years, 12 pageants, innumerable friendships $1,000+ in scholarship money, and several Miss Congeniality awards later I have no regrets (well, maybe the red lipstick choice for evening wear in '05...) and owe so much of who I have become to this organization.  I had the thrilling opportunity to become Miss Thousand Islands in 2008, and represent my hometown at the Miss New York State pageant.

*DISCLAIMER*  I could probably create another whole entire blog based just on my pageantry experiences, but as a retiree, that's not what I wanted my blog to be about, so you may now sigh with relief.  I can't in good conscience, though, try to document how I got where I am without mentioning a good deal of it, so you'll have to bear with me there. 

As I continued competing after I had crowned my successor, the lovely Kristan Lettiere, I realized something about the other titles that horrified me- I didn't want them!  Please do not interpret this information any other way than it is meant to be.  Miss Finger Lakes, Miss Southeast NY, Miss Western NY, and Miss Lancaster were all PHENOMENAL pageants that made me a well rounded contestant and helped me grow in the organization.  However, the more I competed (and continued to place) the more I felt I was taking a spot away and, had the balloting gone another way, potentially taking a title away from a girl who wanted it more and could do the title more justice than I could.  It was then I decided that Miss Thousand Islands 2011 would be my last pageant, regardless of eligibility.

Well, I'd like to close this chapter with, "I won again, and got to represent my hometown my last year of eligibility..." yadda yadda yadda.  Well, that's a no go, and I would be downright lying if I said I wasn't disappointed about that.  I honestly worked as hard as I could have, and the answer to the age old question, "What could I have done better?" was blatantly.  "Nothing."

After I got over the fact that a hobby that took up 1/4 of my existence and ALL of my adult life was now over, I was able to put things into perspective, and I came up with this:  MY.  LIFE.  ROCKS.  It really and truly does.  I have a wonderful relationship with my mother, friends that would (and did) stand by me no matter what, a great relationship with God and my church, a FANTASTIC full-time job with students I adore and colleagues that make getting up at 6:00 am worth it, and a relationship with someone who I can't even BEGIN to describe with words and properly do justice.  I guess what I'm trying to say is, how much good stuff can I hog in life before I have to actually say, "Nah, that's alright.  Let someone ELSE have something good once in awhile.  I've filled my quota."?  Well, that answer came to me clear as day the evening of August 14th, 2010.  Maybe I worked my butt off, wanted it the most, and was the most ready...and maybe not.  The point is I may have wanted to win, but I didn't NEED to win.  I grew so much in my year as a titleholder, and when I start to get down on myself about not winning the coveted title again, I think to myself about all the other girls I competed with over the years who were more than worthy of a crown, but for one reason or another, never got one.

With all of this pageant rambling, I think now would be a more than appropriate time to give a huge congratulations to Morgan Bocciolatt.  I have competed with her for years, and she has a heart as gold as her shiny beautiful hair.  :)  I know she will do the Thousand Islands justice, and I look forward to being able to work with her this year as I start my journey on the Miss Thousands Islands Board of Directors!  Come on, you knew I couldn't say goodbye to pageantry for good, right?  Hee hee!  Anyway, Morgan has so much to offer, and I wish her the best.  Her crowning face will forever be stuck in my mind!  =^O  Haha, or something like that.

Okay, almost done.  Promise.  I think this next part is extremely important: thank yous.  For anyone who has ever been to a pageant, you have most definitely heard the infamous "farewell speech".  Since I can't deliver a formal one on stage, I feel it a huge obligation to thank those that helped me in my pageant career.  I'ma try to do this in chronological order, y'all.

Barry Pratt- for getting me involved in my first pageant, despite my scoffs and rolled eyes.  You are the catalyst that jump-started my pageant career, so thank you.

Ann Walck-Iannotta-  Your boobs look real.  (Haha, inside joke people)  You have always been the pageant "big sister" I needed, and my crowning was roughly 4000 times more special because you were the one doing it.  Thanks a million for all the support and kind words.

Mary Brabant- From day 1 you were there, supporting me telling me I should have won EVERY pageant (even though we both know I was way off a lot of the time, lol)  I'll never forget the rings you'd buy me after every pageant, and how I proudly flaunted my "engagement ring" at the state pageant JUST so that people would ask me if I had a fiancee so I could tell them the REAL story.  And remember prepping me for Miss Lancaster after I had gotten dumped?  Haha, what a mess!  You are the absolute best and I am so proud to call you my best friend.

All my friends that ever attended a pageant- Megan, Sarah, Janelle, Andy, Tiffany, Dan, Lorah, Clay, Fran, Jude, Rob-  Anyone I forgot I apologize.  You guys put up with a lot to watch me lose, more often than not.  'Nuff said.

Jennifer Stehlar- You taught me how to "work an audience" and gave me such helpful pointers.  There's NO way I would have placed at Miss WNY without your help.  Hey, ever since then I NEVER didn't make top 5 in a local- the adivce must've been pretty darn good!  ;)

The Miss TI Board- Your help was imperative toward me being a functioning human being the year that I won.  Your generosity and organization has helped all the contestants feel prepared and ready to do their best come time for the pageant.  You guys help run the longest running local in NY, and it shows.  I look forward to working with you all this year :)

All my pageant sistas- Stacey, Vicky, Kristan, Kieren, Ann, Kristina, Morgan, Carissa, and SO MANY others:  We all know what it's like competing, and your support and sisterhood keep me going.  I'm so proud to say I have made so many friends while competing, and you all have a special place in my heart.

My one and only pageant roomie (Amy, if you couldn't figure it out, lol)- I can't possibly write in a blog all of the memories we've shared and how close we've become through pageantry.  You are like a sister to me, and your love and support (and your family's as well) has helped me tremendously.  From your mom ironing my swimsuit, or your sisters cleaning out our dressing room space, or us rehearsing swimsuit in our pageant run-way apartment, we have created some insanely fun memories together.  I am so looking forward to watching you at state AGAIN this year :) and I can't wait for you to age out so we can start our own pageant consulting business.  I LOVE YOU!  JAI HO!

Sue, Gary, and Shelby-  Is it a coincidence that EVERY time I hear a Miss TI farewell speech people can't seem to thank you enough for all you do?  You are either great brainwashers OR truly phenomenal people.  I'll go with the latter. :)  I can't say how much of an asset you've been to me not only in my year of service, but in my personal life as well. You have taught me more about responsibility, organization, commitment, companionship, shoes, hair and wardrobe than I ever thought I'd need to know.  I'm proud to say that for the first time, as a 23 year old woman, I am now capable of doing my own hair and make-up.  Who'd have thunk THAT would have ever been possible?  You guys truly are THE BEST and don't ever forget it, or I'll have my mom make you EXTRA spicy Bloody Marys.  Haha.  XOXO

Momma D-  You are the definition of the COOLEST mom, which also makes you the coolest pageant mom.  For reals, ask Sue, Shelby & Gary.  Between the excessively long pageant interview questions, discounted pageant gowns, NON-discounted pageant gowns, slim-fast, pageant chats, trips ALL over to pick me up from God only knows where, hair styling opinions (yeah, I know you hate the poof), make up choices (red lipstick is a no-no) and everything else, you have been there for me.  You haven't always told me what I wanted to hear (you look awesome in your swimsuit) but what I needed to hear (you know you would look better if you dropped 5 pounds) but ALWAYS in a supportive, nurturing way.  You didn't want me to be good, you wanted me to be the best I could be.  I'm so glad I've gotten to share this journey with you, and your support and love has grounded me and meant more to me than I could ever say.  Most moms whine about forking over cash for soccer cleats, but you undertook the biggest commitment of all and never once complained about it.  I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my mommy you'll be.  :)

Well now that I got that out of the way, and wasted some tissues, I can now forge ahead in my blog-tastic rantings.  Thanks for putting up with the lengthy, cathartic pageant post, and I hope you enjoy keeping up with me.

Much love,
Corri