Journal rdewald's Journal: Hello World 9
Ever wonder what not watching television will do for you? Actually, it's not TV itself I have eschewed. It is television advertising. Also, it's not some extreme ban. I still watch at friend's houses and at bars. I just don't watch at home. I subscribe to The Daily Show, South Park and The Colbert Report from iTMS. I watch the replay at C-SPAN when something happens newsy.
I also stopped listening to commercial radio. I have XM, but I only listen to commercial-free channels. I also podcast a lot of stuff. I have a premium membership at Air America. I get a video podcast from NASA and from Chelsea Handler (the one with her and Gary Coleman is hilarious). I have plenty of video to watch without ever turning on the TV. I am happy to part with a little cash when necessary to avoid having to watch commercials. More than happy.
It's GREAT not listening to commercials. For one, I find that I have completely lost interest in cars. I am satisfied with my deodorant and breakfast cereal. I'm just a lot less interested in buying stuff, which was my intention.
But, I still like to watch videos, so I've been looking in other sources on the Internet. Google video and YouTube can be very entertaining. One of my favorite things is watching two young women from Frankfurt, Lynne & Tessa (Lynne is the curvy one), who lip-sync pop songs in what looks like someone's living room. They dance around and ham it up for the camera, they are so sincere and light-hearted that I find them completely intoxicating. Many other people have also discovered them, they're something of googlebrities, but like so many DIY things, it's still utterly charming that they do this with no budget and no corporate behemoth cramming it down throats for big bucks. Their career has even advanced to the point where there's a quite good tribute video (and I've seen a number of parody videos listed, but I haven't watched any of them). I can't say which of their efforts is my favorite, but you might as well start with No Doubt's "Don't Speak."
In about 24 hours I will be boarding an Air France jet bound for Paris and then Florence, Italy. I am spending two weeks in Tuscany, based in a rented vacation apartment in Greve, just a bit south of Florence. I am told there's Internet available in town, but not at my abode, so I'll be in touch intermittently while I'm there. This is my first time in Europe in 29 years, I've tried to go for the last three years but something has come up each summer. Well, it looks like I am finally going to go, but since we are in for some nasty weather tomorrow I might not actually get out on time. We'll see.
I am travelling with a good friend who just celebrated a big birthday (ends in a zero) and this is what she wanted to do. I am interested in drinking enough wine to get a feel for the terrior of the region as well as just seeing if my dream of moving out of the US feels right when I am somewhere else. I've been reading a book called "La Bella Figura" about the Italian people/culture. It's not very serious, but I've enjoyed getting prepared. I will be driving a lot, which I'm looking forward to.
Other things....work has been a challenge. I pissed someone off by telling the truth, a sort of a "why does Daddy drink so much?" moment and I got slapped back by those who prefer to believe their own PR. This probably is the beginning of my eventual disassociation from this company (unless there are some major changes), but I've decided to wait until I get some vacation time to make a real decision. It's not looking good right now, though.
Group therapy has been interesting. My shrink, like most, took a good deal of the month of August off, so group didn't meet. The last session in July was extremely rough on me. Mona, my group girlfriend, and I had a bit of a spat over a misunderstanding and let's just say I learned a bit about why someone as drop dead gorgeous as she remains single at 35 (she can be a bit harsh when offended, which she admits is her "leading edge" problem in relationships). We've sort of made up over the last two sessions, but not really, we've just relied on our basic love for each other to get beyond the hurt feelings, but we still need to work it out. I've said before that I am in a "Systems-centered" group, which means we have a very rigid structure for interacting in the group (it's not The Bob Newhart Show) and it's hard to find a way to work things out within the structure. Now I'm going to be gone for two weeks, so it'll have to sit for a while.
Weight loss....shrink and I are trying to figure out what happened. We're making progress. Not much to talk about there.
I've noticed that the circle here has been pretty dead. I was thinking about that today. It was certainly more lively back when people conducted political debate, but I don't post polemic JE's anymore becuase I just don't enjoy being savagely attacked by those who grab hold of something I say and use it as a wedge for spewing their own vitrol. I think this is a reflection of the general mood in the country. Those who can still support this corrupt and anti-democratic regime in power in the US are somehow beyond some threshold in an area I just can't relate to. I see echoes of this at work, there is a power-center of deluded and detrimental idiots at my company who conduct themselves with every bit as much character and honor as Bush and Co. Dissent equals disloyalty and those who "keep the faith" are rewarded regardless of their actual abject failure at performing their jobs. The isomorphism with the US Govt is really striking.
It'll be nice to be in Europe.
Anyway, just wanted to say hello.
Sorry (Score:1)
I've had a bit going on in my life. And a cyber-stalker to boot (Hi Tony!)
Enjoy the trip. I could use three weeks away myself.
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You know what happens when you watch TV? (Score:2)
In the produce section at the grocery store, inform your companion of the origin of the Jolly Green Giant. He rolls his eyes at you, but you know that he'll thank you later during a game of Trivial Pursuit.
In an Italian restaurant, you let your companion know that Chef Boy-ar-dee was a real chef, and that he started canning his pasta after enou
Ooooo Tuscany! (Score:2)
jason
foo (Score:2)
Enjoy Europe!
Really? (Score:2)
Human nature is different on different continents? ;)
Haaaave fun but drink bottled water (Score:1)
Hope you're both having too much fun, too.
Be safe