Reunions

Valerie here...

I have no intention of ever attending my high school reunion. I graduated with a whopping thirty-six kids in a town that was smaller than small. There was an IGA, a gas station, a local hardware store and it was big news when a plant nursery moved into town. Now, a new lingerie shop is conveniently located next to the school crosswalk.

I do not intend to revisit that past. Despite my resolve, I think it would actually be less painful to attend my high school reunion than sit through the "Real Housewives of New York" reunion specials. I almost reached for an aspirin halfway through because the constant fighting gave me a headache. I felt sorry for Andy Cohen, the host, who remarked that the women were acting "like beasts."

At one point, my husband, who was eating on the couch shouted, "I am going to throw my sandwich at that ..." I'm not sure which woman he was referring to — they all deserved a sandwich flung unceremoniously in the face.

The women, donning jewel-toned dresses, watched footage of themselves saying and acting horribly. And yet, they were still able to point the finger at some other than themselves. As a woman, it was mortifying.

Here's the thing: I am always — please, forgive the cliche — sticking my foot in my mouth. Open wide and insert. It happens to all of us at some point, perhaps a bit more frequently for me. I blame genetics. Regardless, I am pretty familiar with apologizing for my behavior. I find that most people apologize when they realize they've said something offensive or hurt another person's feelings. It's what keeps us humble.

These women, are not humble. Whenever Andy rolled the film, the women had smirks on their faces as if to say, "See how she treated me. Vindication!"

All of the women at some point, treated a cast mate poorly. I've been in arguments with friends where be both may have said things that were not fair, or kind. Yet, I can take responsibility for my part. I don't answer for their behavior.

These women, however, absolved themselves as having any part in wrongdoing. They were the victim. Even when Andy pointed out some of the things they said or did, it was like they were oblivious. The best we got was when the Countess semi-acknowledged that she may offend on occasion, unintentionally.

When confronted, most of the women would say something to the effect of, "It was never intended to be mean..."

Sure, insult someone's physical appearance, spouse, etc. and laugh it off. It means nothing. I think the ladies need a refresher course in empathy and manners.

I know, I'm on my soapbox. It's actually taken me some time to blog because I was processing that nightmare show. I'm all for Trash TV, but I may be leaving the viewership of the "Housewives." There are no redeeming qualities to it anymore — and these "high society" gals have truly epitomized trash.

I'm moving onto more comical reality shows. Any suggestions?