What I Learned From Watching 82 Episodes of Gossip Girl
By · CommentsI have this problem…when I watch TV I can’t start a show in the middle of a sequence. For example, I have never seen an episode of Grey’s Anatomy because I would have to start at the beginning and work my way up until now. Therefore, I have to be REALLY committed to a show if I decide to watch it.
The joys of Netflix Instant Streaming has enabled this problem and has allowed me to watch every single episode of The Hills, Weeds, Roseanne, The Secret Life of an American Teenager, Switched at Birth and now Gossip Girl. In the past few weeks I have watched over 82 episodes of Gossip Girl. My friends told me that I shouldn’t admit that to anyone and here I am documenting it for all to see.
Gossip Girl has been on for a few years now so when you sit down and watch every season from start to finish you notice things you might otherwise miss.
Like what, you ask?
1. Technology has changed. A LOT.
We all know that there is a new phone, tablet, must have tech device rolling out every other month. Everyone always wants the hot new thing but I never realized HOW fast it changed. At the beginning of the show all of the characters had LG phones (hear that? NOT smart phones) and they had to text their submissions to Gossip Girl. Keep watching and you will see that soon the characters have new phones and are able to submit pictures to Gossip Girl and by the end they have iphones and are sending Videos! Videos! For real, Chuck Bass was carrying an LG Dare?
2. Product placements on shows have gotten weird.
Because I work in the world of PR I always seem to notice the product placements in shows. In the beginning seasons of Gossip Girl there weren’t any product placements other than mentions of designers and hotels. By season four they have piles of Vitamin Water on their coffee table and Lily Humphrey/Bass/Vanderwoodsen is shopping at Gilt Groupe in an un-comfortably obvious way.
Is it just me or is that WEIRD?
3. People are so predictable
My favorite part of this show is how they scheme everyone. They can map out step-by-step how a person will react in any situation. I have a couple of friends who can TOTALLY do this and I suddenly realized how valuable this skill really is. I mean, would Blaire be marrying a prince if she didn’t know how to scheme? Would Charlie be living in a penthouse? Would Serena have a booming career? No, they wouldn’t. I want to marry a prince and live in a penthouse. My new years resolution is to learn how to scheme better. Wish me luck.
4. I want to be Chuck Bass.
No explanation needed.
5. I want to be Blaire Waldorf.
No explanation needed.
Do you have any good Gossip Girl stories? Who is your faveorite character? Which vitamin water would you drink if you could drink any vitamin water? (See how awkward that is?)
Twenty-Something Letter: From Cheri
By · CommentsA couple of weeks ago my good friend Cheri Bustos called me to catch up. She is currently running for Congress and I am currently writing a book. I instantly requested she write a letter to her twenty-something self and she agreed. If you are interested in learning more about Cheri you can find her on Facebook.
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When I cross over into a new decade of my life, I do a personal assessment:
- Have I accomplished all I thought I would by this age?
- Am I where I thought I would be – or should be?
- Where do I want to be at the end of this coming decade?
Since I began doing this exercise in my 30th year of life and have done so when I turned 40 and then again this past year when I turned 50, it has led to tremendous changes in my life.
It led to a promotion in the first case, to me changing careers in the next decade and moved me to run for Congress in this past year.
Pretty major life-changing events.
Now that I am three decades past my 20-year-old self, and presumably 30 years smarter, more seasoned and better ready to take on my next 30 years, here is what I would tell that younger version of who I am today. Consider it overall advice that would never steer my 20-year-old self – or any 20-year-old for that matter – wrong:
- Do what you love. If you’re not doing what you love, keep searching for whatever that may be.
- And do it with people you admire, enjoy being around, can learn from and who respect you.
- Be appreciative. None of us, not a single one of us, anywhere, anyhow get anywhere without the help of others.
- Be there. In the moment. Pay attention to the one you’re with. To do otherwise, is rude (and –bonus advice — don’t ever be rude.)
- No matter where you are or who you are with, you are no better, nor any worse, than anyone else. Don’t act like you are. Be nice to everyone around you. Say their name when you see them. Smile when you see them. It’s not that hard, and it will help lead toward your success. Really.
- Say yes to opportunities that scare you. It’s another way of saying take risks in your career and in your life – all that are legal, ethical and have the potential of making you better. This is a tough one, but it can make all the difference in your life.
- Don’t be so darn self-conscious. Sure, others may judge you. But if you want to say something nice to someone, but wonder how they’ll take it, say it anyway.
OK, this list of seven could include so many others. The typical be honest, work hard etc. But at age 20, you should already know about all of those. They go without saying.
Now, go live your next decade, and the one after that and after that and after that by following this note and in a way that you will love life, love yourself, love those around you… and all the while be doing something great.
Cheri Bustos of East Moline, Illinois, is a former reporter, investigative journalist, newspaper editor, health care executive and is currently running for Congress as a Democrat in the 17th District of Illinois. She is married and has three sons, a grandson and two dogs.
