Guilty Pleasures

I've been using the term "guilty pleasure" a lot lately to describe my hobbies. But once I realized how often I was using the term I started wondering why. Why should the things that I find pleasurable (gossip blogs, BAD reality TV, Starbucks, Mexican food, etc.) make me feel guilty? I mean, I understand they aren't glamorous or dignified hobbies like volunteering to feed the homeless or reading some really important book but they make me happy. Isn't that the most important thing about hobbies? If you spent all your time doing stuff that you felt like you had to do you would miss out on all the fun stuff that you want to do. I guess my point is that I think it's time for me to stop referring to my hobbies as "guilty" pleasures and refer to them only as hobbies. And girls, have I been having a really good time lately.

OMG- So can we just talk about the Britney debacle for a minute? That girl is batshit crazy! Seriously, what the hell is wrong with her? I've been on Perez all day checking in on the latest in the drams that is Britney's life. How in the world did that girl make it so long seeming so normal? I seriously hope that someone can help her. I mean, if the prospect of losing your children forever doesn't snap you into shape I don't know what will. I just wish she'd go away for like 6 months and reemerge as her glorious former self. I don't think that she's just "white trash" like a lot of people seem to think. I think she has serious mental issues that need to be addressed. I just hope they get addressed before she dies because that doesn't seem that impossible at this point. Sad, sad, sad.

Speaking of sad. I may actually have to downgrade this "hobby" back to a guilty pleasure because this one really does make me feel guilty. I know last summer I discussed my love for the show Rock of Love with Bret Michaels. It was just such bad reality TV and I allowed myself to get sucked in to all the trashy, stripper, drunken craziness. In the end, I was kind of sad but also kind of relieved that things didn't work out with Bret and Jess because I really liked her and thought she was too good for him. But, when I heard that Bret was coming back with Rock of Love II I really cringed at the thought. Well, Rock of Love II premiered last night and guess who was plopped in front of the TV just engrossed with all the drunk, naked ho's? Yes, me and my husband. If you don't watch the show, please don't let yourself get sucked in. No pun intended. Blech. The girls they found this time are twice as trashy and ten times as bitchy. It's going to be a crazy season. I was really disappointed in myself for watching it last night. TV like that just shouldn't be encouraged.

I do have one pleasure that I don't have to feel as guilty about anymore. My favorite drink from Starbucks is a grande vanilla latte. All in all, it is one of their lower calorie drinks. Even with whole milk it only tops out at 280 calories. But, that is a lot of calories in just one drink. So for the past year or so I've been ordering it with non-fat milk. It cuts the calorie count down to 200 calories. Not great, but it's a little savings. I guess this one is a guilty pleasure for more than just the calorie count though because those 16oz. cups of heaven are almost $4 a pop. So, for the monetary aspect I had to cut back to Starbucks only occasionally. Heaven must've heard my prayer though because my mother-in-law sent me a gift card for Christmas. Well, I popped into Starbucks on my way to work today and found that they now offer my beloved Vanilla Latte as a "Skinny Latte". It's non-fat milk and sugar-free syrup and it's freaking delicious!! I actually like it better than the original. And it only tips the scale at 130 calories (90 if you get a tall)! I am so totally pumped! You guys definitely should try one.

I guess my new position is to enjoy all the things that I take pleasure in without letting myself feel guilty for enjoying them. And if you have guilty pleasures, I think you should let go of the guilt too. Life's too short, right?!

I guess I also should give you all an update from my post-op appointment today. Everything is healing up well. I will be able to officially start back up with treatments sometime in February. So, at least there is a light at the end of that tunnel.

TTFN!