*Insert secret word here*

I feel sorry for them. In a weird, sick, pitiful way, I feel sorry for them. I mean, this is probably the only way they know how to make a living. Do they feel sorry for the people they exploit?

Do they know what they have done to people's lives? Haven't they caused enough fistfights, car accidents, meltdowns and breakdowns? Haven't they caused one too many fatal car crashes for this world of glamour, hard exteriors and killer good looks?

One slip, one bad hair day, one out-of-style jumper, one walk to the park is all it takes for these leeches.

But somehow, I still pity them. I pity their ignorance; their sad state of being so dependent on the misery of others around them. Isn't it them who we should feel sorry for, as opposed to the poor children being blinded by constant flashes of the all-too-familiar reminders of their fame?

"Dear Diary,

Today I got a really ugly picture of Britney. It's pure gold. But why don't I feel a single ounce of  remorse for the girl? Maybe it's because I'm being paid hundreds of thousands of G's for the pics. Or maybe it's because I have no soul and I take pride in exploiting innocent people for not being the ideal flawless since they are far from normal human beings. Because, I mean, it's a sheer atrocity when people aren't made up perfectly dressed and to the nines when they're going out for groceries. Our society is just so awesome for expecting that out of celebrities.

I love society, don't you?"

"Dear, isn't it a tragedy Diana had to die because of those wretched, greedy, photographers?"

"Oh, yes, it's horrible. Oh, which reminds me, I need to renew my People magazine subscription. It's going to expire soon."

You'd better smile real wide for the paparazzi.

Ca va? Ca va. (That's right I'm speaking French)

Hello, no one who reads this.

Begin rant:

I'd like to know what people will think of themselves as in ten years. Especially those in high school or about to graduate high school. I mean, am I crazy for having these insane dreams about living my dream? It seems like so many people are fine with knowing that they are going to go to college, get a decent education, get a steady 9-5 desk job for the rest of their adult lives. You won't retire until 60, 70 or 80 and you'll still be up to your ears in debt. It's likely that you'll die owing money. That's how it will be for most people.

Personally, that scares the shit out of me.

I mean, if you love being a receptionist or customer service person that answers the calls from idiots who call the "1-800" number on the side of their candy bar wrapper for some odd reason, then more power to ya. But why would you ever, EVER take a job just for the money and nothing more? And don't ever say that you're doing it to be "successful." Bull shit. If you're marriage is in shambles, you're suffering from depression and you just lost custody of your 2 children, BUT you're still making $250,000+ per year with a $2 million Audi-garage-holding house in the 'burbs, how the hell is that successful?

If sucks how much emphasis our society puts on money and this so-called "success" everyone deludes themselves into believing that's how life should be lived. Can't you be rich in love? Rich in compassion? Rich in MENTAL HEALTH, for goodness' sakes?

Let's take a look at the other side of the spectrum. You're in a band. You write okay songs,have  played some gigs and you're hitting the pavement to be the opening act in a west-coast tour. Sometimes, you sleep in the van since your life is on wheels. Maybe not enough t-shirts or CDs were sold, so you have to call your parents or a friend to crash at their place for some food and a coveted bathroom (with a SHOWER!). You make next to nothing, you haven't showered in days and sometimes you have to skip meals just to get by, but you're having the time of your life with your best friends. Loving every show, every moment of every day, living the life of a rock "star."

Now I don't know about you, but that shit is legit.