junior miss

i could not have been more proud of these girls if i had been with them throughout the pageant. i judged a junior miss program in marshall county, alabama, this past weekend (south of huntsville) and it was a great time. i really didn't know what to expect, but it surpassed my expectations. i learned a lot about self esteem as well as what really matters-my whole thought throughout the process was that i did not want this program to define their identities. win or lose they were all great. i know it sounds cheesy but really they were all great and did not need a fancy dress and makeup to feel that way.
there were 4 other judges and i don't think they really respected my opinion until the emcee read my biography during the program. after doing so, one of the judges next to me was really impressed and he remarked that he valued my opinion even more during the judge deliberation due to my experiences with piano and music. i felt really smart!
but that's where i was falling into the "pageant mentality". i shouldn't need another judge's opinion of me to define me. but i did let it. and i shouldn't have.
i worked at the front desk at lagniappe today, and i enjoyed hanging out with erin, an intern from tuscaloosa. she's really fun. i was busy with the phone and with walkins and visitors, but it was great.
staff meeting tomorrow, a little bit of cleaning up left for tonight.
funny stuff about the democratic debate last night on the daily show tonight. i'd much rather watch news recapped on comedy central than actually watch it.