I'm thinking very seriously about putting my life (what life?) on hold to be on a reality tv show.

Yes, I said seriously, and not it my usual Grey's Anatomy-esque meaningless way.  I mean it--seriously.

I've been feeling pretty stagnated and uninspired by my work lately.  I'd like to wrap up some current projects and then take some time off before jumping into the dissertation.  But what could I really do during that time off that would be meaningful, that would help me learn those lessons beyond the academy I feel like I'm missing, that would help me learn more about myself--who I am, what I want, and what I'm made of?

And then today, as I was introducing myself to a group of people (most of whom already knew me, actually) as "a sociophonetician who spends too much time watching bad reality tv and subsequently ends up studying all those real life characters we love to loathe," it hit me.  Maybe I need to be one of those characters?  Now, granted, I lack the kind of cred or connections to get a show about my life like the shows I've used for my research (Laguna Beach and, more recently, The Girls Next Door).  And my life, lately, is hardly the material for any kind of entertainment media.  Maybe, maybe if I blogged more regularly and in a less edited fashion that could be turned into some kind of Carrie-Bradshaw-meets-Bridget-Jones kind of concept.  But my life?  Like I said--what life?!

So tonight I've been thinking about my realistic options for reality tv.  I feel like I'd be a pretty compelling character for a lot of shows out there.  The Real World has always been on my radar, but I cringe to think what my edited appearance on there might do to my future career prospects (assuming I want to get back to academia instead of becoming an MTV VJ).  I don't really watch The Amazing Race, but it seems really intriguing.  I'm just not sure who I'd partner with.  Maybe my brother?  He's six years younger than me, which means he went from kid to teenager while I was away at college, and went from teenager to young adult while I've been three thousand miles away at grad school.  So it would be a pretty cool way to get to know him as a real adult person.  Maybe Survivor?  I'm getting back into probably the best physical condition of my life, but my serious tree pollen allergies could make my experience pretty miserable, depending upon the location.

Does anyone out there have any insight into the audition process, or suggestions of shows I haven't yet thought of?  I don't think I'm really into any of the dating shows (The Bachelor, Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, Skank of Love, etc.), though I was a HUGE fan of the original Paradise Hotel . . . hmmm . . . something to ponder!

Be the change you want to see in the world.  --Mahatma Ghandi

I'm looking for some major change in my world, so I guess I need to be the catalyst.

I'll start with a major lifestyle overhaul.  Tomorrow I'm starting the 5-week Body+Soul Challenge from Whole Living magazine.  I don't subscribe to the magazine, so some of you who started right after New Year's might be on Week 5 already.  How has it been? Any survival tips?

They want me to start off by cutting my caffeine intake by a third each day til I'm down to no more than a cup of tea a day.  This could've been a deal-breaker, but I'm almost out of coffee beans and have been hemorraging money this past week, so perhaps it'll do me a world of good to switch to green tea.  Unlike other new year's cleansing programs I've seen in similar magazines, this one seems really healthy and balanced, focusing not only on diet but also on exercise, stress reduction, and organization.  I won't lie, though, the detox week (Week 1) could be rough.  Wish me luck!

And the money hemorraging, it was worth it.  Good, healthy, wholesome groceries (including avacados 5/$5!), plenty of good food, drinks, and laughter with old friends who were visiting for the weekend, and--in pursuit of my big changes--a new phone:

Man did I feel like a slick little yuppie when I got my last phone (a pink Razr).  But a PDA?  Or Smartphone or whatever you call this badboy...seriously?  It's been a total time pit since I got it yesterday, but it's definitely inspiring change!