The Jersey fascination continues. [I realize I've written a lot about NJ/NYC in the past few days. I must be homesick again. I'll have to do something about that - I must live in the moment and do something very Chicago - maybe I'll go to a festival this weekend, eat a hot dog and be friendly to strangers.]
As for JS, I'm not sure I'm going to watch season 2. With fame and clothing lines and workout dvds, it simply won't be as authentic as when the cast were just a bunch of humble guidos and guidettes having a good time at the shore.
After season 1 though, I felt compelled to write the following on my old ChicagoNow blog - yes, it was a legal blog and Jersey Shore has nothing to do with the law but I couldn't help myself:
I am 100% Italian American.
I was born and raised in Belleville, New Jersey. In the Sopranos, the character of Uncle Junior lived "in a shitty house in Belleville." And, Frankie Valli is from Belleville. And so is Joe Pesci.
For two summers, I had a house at the Jersey Shore. We didn't have an Italian flag painted on the garage, nor did I ever do back flips on the dance floor in a thong.
I was more than prepared to HATE Jersey Shore and I did, indeed, watch the first few episodes with one eye closed, decrying the use of the term "guido," making vomit motions and noises at everything they said/did/wore and, of course, fearing that all of America would think this is what Italian Americans are really like.
But then something strange happened.
Somewhere between "gym tan laundry" and a "grenade," my pedestal came crashing to the floor.
The cast was (insert audible gasp) kind of growing on me.
For the record, I affirmatively dislike the way they:
dress
talk
danceAnd, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't like the way I dress, talk or dance and that's OK. Isn't that personal preference, really?
Clothes/speech/dance moves aside, are Snooki and Mike the Situation or any of the rest of them salt of the earth? Maybe not. But, are they completely bad news? Not at all.
They make a lot of mistakes (too many to name). And, so did all of us when we were young (probably too many to name). Maybe not the same exact mistakes (never got into a fight on the boardwalk?) but you did some pretty stupid things. Yes. You did.
If you NEVER made any mistakes when you were their age, well, I'm very sorry for you (and please remind me of this fact if we ever meet so I don't waste my time being friends with you). And, I recommend the following:
Go to the bathroom and shut the door.
Apply a thin layer of self-tanner.
Run your fingers through your hair.
Purse your lips.
Put that fist in the air.
And, well, yes, pump it.
Because, honestly, life is too short to never find your inner Pauly D or JWoww.
p.s. Dear UNICO, I always dreamed of being the master of ceremonies at the Columbus Day Parade. I hope this entry doesn't cost me the job. Wasn't it another Italian who said "Everyone sees what you seem to be, few know what you really are, and those few do not dare take a stand against the general opinion." (Machiavelli, yes, but still fitting)
Today, I am grateful ~
1/ That I've never been punched in the face.
2/ That I try not to judge people. Usually, I fail. Sometimes though, I overcome. How can I not? I grew up with people who gel their hair and wear gold crosses and have tribal tattoos and who also have hearts of gold. Enough said.
3/ For the beach - in NJ or in Hawaii or on beautiful Lake Michigan with the sparkling city behind me. I love the smell, the sound and sinking my toes in the sand.
Follow me and my yearlong project, Stop and Blog the Roses: One Spoiled American's Year of Living Thankfully, on Twitter @fernronay and on Facebook here.
Filed under: Beach, Gratitude Journal, Growing up, Life & Style, New Jersey, TV, Wellness
Tags: beach, Chicago, Gratitude Journal, Italian American, Jersey Shore, Life & Style, New Jersey, TV, Wellness
