World Peace.

Sometimes when I blog, I consider not talking about things.  A lot of what I talk about is relevant to what I'm going through at any given time.  And because of that, there are people that are most likely able to discern I am talking about them.  What I have to say, is not always flattering.  

So I often stop to reflect - is what I'm saying truthful?  Is it respectful?  And does it provide a greater lesson?  If it does - I'm going to say it.  

At the root of what I believe - as long as I'm doing no harm - I vow to be authentic and transparent in what I have to share with you.  Does that always make me the most popular person in the room?  No.  But this isn't high school, and I'm not campaigning for prom queen.

Some of you could even use a hot dose of a blog about you.  And some of you are wondering - "is she writing about me?"  Whether I am or not - chances are, if you relate to what I'm saying, if you worry the negative pieces could be about you - they probably are in some way speaking about you.

Again - one of those "Ashley, what the hell are you talking about?  Where are you going with this?  Did you pop the bubbly too much this week?"  The answer is - I'm not here for world peace.  I'm a good person, I'm not out to actively hurt anyone, but I'm at a point in my life where I can't afford not to say it.  

A lot of you do inspire me with things you say or do.  My relationships in life give me great revelations and enormous sources of content for my writing.  And I'm going to talk about it because a lot of us experience the same things and are too afraid to ask each other about how that made us feel/act/react/move forward/live life.  

My purpose in my blogging is to have the frank conversations - to not hold back.  And while it's early in my game, and I've got a lot more developing to do - I want you to know, world peace be damned - I'm gonna say the shit you're all thinking, and I'm hoping you'll say it with me.

The Reality of Reality

I love trashy reality TV as much as the next red blooded American - but if I have to watch one more show with the same generic looking rich people who spend 45 minutes arguing with each other and 15 minutes crying - I'm going to give up television. 

Now I don't watch the news either.  So I'm not looking for that kind of reality TV.  But I want to see a show that I can relate to.  Everything else is played out.  We've seen every possible way you can find the love of your life.  Every rich kid, housewife and businessman has been on Bravo at one point or another. It's all the same.  Surely with all the creative minds in Hollywood we can come up with something different (and without a Kardashian). 

I want to see women in business behind the scenes in the sports world.  I want to watch the show about a kid from the streets who makes it out, attends UCLA and goes back to his community to build a resource center.  Show me the girl from the small town who builds an empire dedicated to helping real women.  Follow the journey of my generation that job hops and continues to struggle to make it in the world today. 

I've got a reality show idea that I'd like to pitch to you.  Give me a microphone.  Get a guy to film me.  Give me two side kicks - not rich suburban party kids - real people, and let me out in the world to experience all the things and ask all the questions.  Think Lisa Ling but I'm a little less put together and probably speak more out of turn. 

Put me in front on Donald Trump to ask unfiltered real questions, come to my office and I'll show you what being a woman in sports is like - how much glory does not exist in this glamorous field.  Send me and my crew to sit down and talk about Planned Parenthood and how much good it does for the everyday woman.  Shoot - lets get ballsy, let me solve a crime.  The point - show us reality - not whatever this version of reality you think is real. 

And for the love of everything holy - give me some diversity!  And not just color (but that would be a nice change too) - give me a mix of men and women and show me people of substance.  I know some of these people on these shows and I know they're educated.  Let them be smart, savy, and likeable.  Conflict is overdone.  Get creative.  Think bigger.  Be better.  Show me something more. 

Reality TV these days is anything but real.  And I'm real sick of it.