A Little Angst

Despite efforts to stay away from the rumor boards, we've been watching the latest developments. The wait time continues to rise faster than the cost of gasoline. An 18 month wait from LID to referral looks very possible now (most recent referral group: 12.5 months). Rumors of potential new restrictions being made on adoptive parent applications are swirling like crazy. While I don't think we have much to be concerned about (unless they suddenly decide they don't want to give a baby to someone with controlled hypertension, or disregard their tradition of grandfathering LID families when new rules come out). But, it's still disheartening. Singles may be excluded soon. There may be a cap on ages and much tighter restrictions on past personal history, health, etc.

I find it all disconcerting since word came recently that Korea is slowly shutting down their international adoption program. I can't speak to that since I don't know all the reasons why, but it appears that IA is becoming more and more complicated and more challenging for adoptive parents. And while I understand a nation's desire to find homes for its children in-country, there are far, far more babies than domestic households that can take them. And it feels, from this end of things, that a lot of red tape is holding up the uniting of children and those who very much want to become their parents right now.

More Guilty Pleasures

In keeping with my summer of guilty pleasures, I'm totally hooked on Who Wants to Be a Superhero on the Sci Fi Channel. Kind of a comic book version of Survivor Meets The Apprentice. Each contestant creates a superhero, dons a costume of their own making, and competes in various challenges. Stan Lee judges them not only on their physical capabilities but their integrity, compassion and honesty, and kicks one to the curb each week (with an unceremonious disrobing of their superhero outfits). The winner is immortalized in a comic book and star in their own Sci-Fi movie. It's silly. Silly silly silly. But the contestants are engaging, and despite some obvious scripting, the show is fast paced and very entertaining.

My money is on Major Victory! Be a winner not a weiner!!!