Are we as Americans, and Europeans in many cases, so unsatisfied with our lives that we must obsess over and fantasize about celebrities?

First off, what is a celebrity? Is it a movie star? Music artist? Author? Or just some spoiled rich person with an ego that makes Terrell Owens look like Mother Theresa?

I was wondering about this earlier because I recently got a letter asking why I don't have more celebrity candids and blurbs in the paper. Well to that person, if you have Gamespot and know where to find this...I don't put them in there because I believe in privacy.

Why is a celebrity so much better than a regular person? Is it the money? Hell, I can go out and win the lottery and after all the bums, "friends," and family come by wanting their money...things will get quiet and the world will forget about me. Is it the exposure? Jessica Lynch got a lot of exposure and did a hell of a lot more than any celebrity ever would, there's nothing on her now. Or is it the fact that the media crams them down our throats so much that it's like an addiction? We have to get our fix of "Bennifer" and "Brangelina" or "Tom-Kat" or we can't live our day.

I have said time and time again I don't have the best life. My boss is a dick who just passed me over for promotion, every woman I've ever known hates my guts and my only family is dying. But I don't go gagga over every little thing I see on the supermarket tabloids unless it's "Aliens kidnap Bush's brain"...perhaps that's what's wrong with him. And I occasionally look at the different magazines with Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Anniston on the covers just for some eye candy to pass the time.

I used to work with a guy who said he would dump his wife in a heart beat if he could marry Jessica Simpson. No other reason than because she looked good. But hell, you should see his wife. This woman had a set of **** that you could bury your face in. She had very nice brunette hair. Body looked like it was a Venus statue...I mean she was one hot woman. So, obviously, it wasn't about the looks. He never would admit it, but his fascination with Jessica Simpson (purely nonscientific...we still haven't figured out how she's so damn dumb) was based on the fact she was famous.

My grandfather grew up with and went to school with Raquel Welch. Now for those of you who don't know her...watch 10,000 Years BC or Shawshank Redemption. That's her on Andy's last poster. But my grandfather gives two **** less about her.

I get RSS feeds from different entertainment websites and movie news, etc. And every day, my feeds are flooded with crap about Tom-Kat and Brangelina and this stuff. "Angelina Jolie gained two pounds...her baby is soon! Jennifer Aniston declares war on former husband!" Jesus effin Christ people! They are no different than we are. The only difference is they get paid seven or eight figure sums to play in a 2 hour movie.

Now I'm not knocking the acting industry. It takes a lot of work, I know. But c'mon...is it really worth that much money? I sit in front of a computer all day long and earn $36,000 a year. Occasionally, I put up with the moronic idiot or have to cover a story, but I certainly don't earn my money. And I'll completely admit it. But I don't have an ego that "I know more than you because my work gets published."

I'm not saying all actors are like that, but some definitely are. So why do we idolize them? It was all over the news today...Britney Spears' nanny dropped her baby and they went to the hospital a long time later. Who cares? Babies are dropped all the time. How do you explain the sharp rise in **** morons occupying the world?

I guess the point of this is...not jealousy...but distaste with the media saturation of these "better than normal people" people. I respect actors because they give me a job. I get paid to say what I think about their movies and half the other crap that comes out of that place. And acting is hard work...but I would rather dedicate my respect and energy toward somebody that actually deserves it. You act...good for you. You sing...good for you. You write the 100th Harry Potter book...good for you, you'll give some little kid nearsightedness.

How about honoring soldiers. You served two years in Iraq...damn good man. You deserve a pat on the back and a hell of a lot more. You fought in Afghanistan. Good for you, you definitely deserve the honor. You gave up a multimillion dollar contract to go join the Army Rangers...Pat Tillman, you are a true hero. And hardly anybody ever talks about him. Hell, every year on Elvis' anniversary people come from all over the world.

What the hell did Elvis ever do? Yeah, he had some damn good music and he made a couple decent films. But he joined the military as a publicity stunt, got the lightest duty he could, and was home in a short time. I love his music and I respect the man, but he certainly doesn't deserve the praise and obsession he gets as an All-American hero.

Of course I say all this and I'll get some hateful comment from somebody because I'm bashing one of their idols. But oh well, if your life sucks so bad that you have to idolize a celebrity...do something about it. Hanging on every single piece of news about what religion Katie Holmes is and how she's going to have a baby, isn't going to change your life. Get out, get a job, do something with yourself. Maybe then you won't hate your life so much. If you think it sucks, it probably does.