Turn it Off!

Television is the thief of time.

Well, television by itself is an inanimate object, but the act of watching television is a huge time dump. Easier said than done, I know. Considering all the options available to us not only from the major networks, but also good programming from cable channels, such as HBO and the History channel, and with the growing popularity of streaming shows like Netflix and Amazon, there are not enough hours in the day. And I like watching tv. Being a writer who is always in the mood for a good story, watching television is a great source for good stories.

The trick is finding such stories amongst the myriad of crap that is currently being shown.

It was the end of the day last night at around 11:00pm. This was the rare time of day I allow myself to find something to watch as I wind down my day (and my mind). Looking at Amazon, it literally took me 20 minutes for me to find something that looked halfway interesting. The problem is that now that Amazon is partnered with premium channels like HBO and Showtime, they carry some of their series, which, being HBO and Showtime, somehow justifies gratuitous sex and violence. Um, no. Not in my house.

I finally found something and, being a two part show, it will probably take me another 2-3 days to finish it. No binge-watching for me. The only time I have binge-watched anything was when I had a sinus infection and blew through a season or two of The Big Bang Theory. And this is the gist of my diatribe: Do we REALLY need to see it all?

If you noticed in series writing, there is always expository dialog at the beginning to catch you up on what is going on. Or, from a literal sense, there will be a "previously on [insert your show here]" at the beginning of the show to bring to light any relevant information pertinent to the current episode. With that said, why binge?

Someone once told me that they can't watch a sequel until after they saw the previous movie(s). Why? Any sequel must be written in such a way so that it is not only a continuation but also a stand-alone story. My life does not increase in enrichment since I've seen all the episodes of M.A.S.H. (which I haven't). Why give such power to something so meaningless as a projected fantasy? Why allow something so banal have such control over your life?

Here is staggering statistic: From the 2015 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: "Watching TV was the leisure activity that occupied the most time (2.8 hours per day), accounting for more than half of leisure time, on average, for those age 15 and over." That works out to almost 20 hours per week. That's a part-time job.

I don't want to preach, but imagine what you can do with an extra 20 hours per week. Or even another 10 hours per week. I'm not saying through the tv away. But take a look at what is controlling your time and therefore, your life.

Take back your time. Take back your life.

I Love Mondays

Garfield I am not.

Yes, it's true. I love Mondays. I know some of you are probably swearing up a storm at me as you grab your savior-in-a-cup, also known as coffee, and slowly make your way to your desk at work. And that's fine. The general consensus about Monday is quite the opposite of my opinion. It is the longest day. It is the day we have to go and sell our time and knowledge for a day's pittance. It is the day furthest from Friday. It is a swirling black hole of responsibilities, meetings, traffic and motivation through fear. A bit dramatic? Probably. Yet spot on for most? Also, probably.

For me, it's all a matter of perspective. I can gripe about my job, but I can also be grateful for having a job. I can complain about having to endure mind-numbing traffic, but I can appreciate the fact that I have a car. And I can whine about the ridiculous amount of money I shell out every month in health insurance premiums, but I love being able to support my family and provide the healthcare they need.

I also look at Mondays as a new beginning, the promise of new possibilities, the opportunity to accomplish much in the week. For me, Fridays are kind of a letdown. On a Friday, I have to finish what I can before the weekend, which is filled up with social obligations and family outings, thereby preventing the productivity I cherish so much. Yes, Mondays are the days in which I am most energized, having rested over the weekend. I am most alert and the most organized. Mondays for me are a clean slate, for the reset button has been pressed.

So grab your cup of coffee, sit at your desk and stare into your computer screen as you wait for the caffeine to take effect. And when it does, will you choose to wallow in the misery of your own dreaded 'Monday?' Or will you get out your calendar and plan to do something great? God gave you your job, your car, your money, your body, your sight, your mobility, your life. And He also gave you a choice. Choose wisely.

I choose to leave Garfield in the comics. I never liked lazy cats anyway.

Team Human

A few years back, a certain teen-oriented, sci-fi/fantasy/horror/chick-flick came out and the nation (if not the world) chose sides. One side called themselves "Team Edward" and the other "Team Jacob."

The rest of us didn't care.

Yes, the Twilight series was a lot of fun and had some interesting elements and action in it, but for the most part, it was a reflection of how our youth regard our race, our species. It seems they loath it.

I suppose there was a third choice: "Team Human," which no one who was a fan of the films would ever think to pick. How were the humans depicted?

1. Dumb: Bella's dad, Charlie, never figured out the Cullen's strange secret until they had to TELL him in the 3rd or 4th movie. And he is a lawman who is supposed to be trained to be observant?
2. Weak: Charlie's native american friend is in a wheel chair, several depictions of humans being used as a food source for vampires, and Bella being tossed around like a Raggedy Ann, who is more emotionally involved than the actress.
3. General Dorkiness: Look at any one of Bella's friends and their behavior makes you want to weep for humanity.

Emotions are so last week, ya know?Like totally.

On the contrary, Vampires are cool.

1. Powers: All vampires have different powers and they are cool and useful. For once, I would like to see a superhuman possess a power that was completely lame, like the power to produce Kleenex out of thin air.
2. Strong: Tossing around Bella like the aforementioned doll is not only evidence of super strength, it was also an answer to many inward prayers.
3. Coolness Factor: With that much product in Edward's hair, how couldn't this man be cool?

And to top it all off, the main character, Bella, herself is disgusted with her human-ness. At the end of the first movie, it was clear that she WANTED to be a vampire. Apparently, she hates being warm to the touch and not looking like a disco ball in the sunlight. Additionally, at one point in the series, her pathetic human body was wasting away due to the stronger vampire hybrid embryo growing inside her. And the only solution, her only salvation, was to become a vampire. Yes, the deed that won the day was essentially killing off her humanity so she could celebrate death for eternity.

Is this the right role model we want our youth to embrace? 

Meanwhile, all of America was in an uproar about killing a gorilla in Cincinnati. While it is unfortunate this had happened, it was surprising at how vocal and passionate people became about it. I am surprised because roughly 125,000 babies are aborted each day. EACH DAY.

And we, as a country, are silent.

Would we still be silent if it were 125,000 cats? 125,000 gorillas?

My point is that why does our society hold animals in such high regard and seem to care nothing for other people? Don't get me wrong: pets are great. Treating animals with respect and kindness is the right thing to do. But once we completely write off humans, it is a slippery slope indeed.

I am Team Human. I don't sparkle in the sunlight. But I'd rather spend my money on abortion awareness than add one more cent or one more second of my time wasting it on a series of films that so obviously cares not for the values or dignity of the human race.