10.9.8.7. . . Count Down to Giving Up.

I recently was the victim of a new advertising campaign. In all fairness, this particular campaign is not aimed at my demographic. It is for birth control and I am long out of the bc market. But I still have to sit through this and all other ads irrelevant to me (i.e. gas guzzler cars, sports events and ED meds) . I think advertisers have an obligation to make all media palatable to viewers. This product is called 10 something and the premise of the spot is that if you use it, you are a "10" (hence the need for immediate birth control). Sure enough, the women in the commercial are lovely examples of all that is physically beautiful as sanctified by television. This approach seems narrow minded both in the universal and the business sense. If only "10's" are their target audience, they will not have much business. I hate to burst their bubble, but most of us are sub-ten. In the universal sense, it offends me. It perpetuates the premise that only the physically beautiful "10's" of this world are viable candidates for a relationship. Recently, the airways have been cluttered with Charlie Sheen o'mania. Covering his every insane utterance. It is just the latest in a long history of insane celebrity/celebrity wannabe coverage. Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, Octomom et al, (all) have inflicted their personal demons on the world. I admit to following the antics with mild, morbid interest in the train wreck that represents life in that world. It is hard not to look. Spectacles are like that. But recently my patience with it all, has diminished. (Old people are like that. Bah humbug and all! ) There is so much need in the world. There are so many children with so little hope, so few of the basic necessities, so deprived of simple affection that my sympathy for the "10's" of the celebrity world is all used up on the 10's of thousands of children who are not afforded millions of dollars to squander, infusing their tiger blood with drugs and alcohol. I hope Charlie Sheen and his ilk get a soul awakening, see the light and turn away from traveling down the self absorbed path of hedonistic no return. I pray that they take a page from the book of Clooney and use their fame and fortune to help and care about someone else. Anyone else. But I refer you back to where this post began. The ad campaign that seeks to glorify the "10's". It is soon the lenten season and it has been many years since I have had something meaningful inspire me to participate in "giving up" for lent. But this commercial, coming on the heels of being sick of hearing about Charlie Sheen and his winning ways, inspired me. I am not a 10 and I never was a 10. I do not have tiger blood or a puppy who lives in my purse or any quality or quirk that is remotely worth a reality tv show. My lenten decision is kinda like a drinking game. For every time I succumb to the temptation to give one second of my life to listening to tv trash about celebrity self indulgence, I will donate ten dollars to helping someone in need. In other words, I will take a drink from the cup of compassion. So good bye Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and all other celebrity obsessed media. I bid you adieu, auf weidersehen, au revoir. I choose to give my attention to the helpers of the world. We may not be 10's or movie stars but we are worthy. Hey Charlie, I heard that the Red Cross is low on tiger blood. Care to donate a pint? On second thought, 90 proof tiger blood might be more potent than mere sub-ten mortals can stomach.