Posted 2/19/08
I know that the strike is over and that none of my favorite TV shows is in any kind of "renegade" production situation any longer. Nevertheless, I am still not watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, because I am still disturbed by Stewart's month and a half working as a scab. I have previously mentioned this before, but not on these pages, so it bears repeating: Stewart did NOT need to cross the writers' picket line and bring The Daily Show back into production. He could easily have sat out for the duration and not crossed the line, all arguments about keeping other production staff employed to the contrary. (What will happen when it comes time for them to get a new contract? The bet here is that there will be just as much disrespect, without those folks eventually receiving nearly as good a deal as the writers did.)
I understand that there are complex issues in place, and I don't think it would be wise to throw out the show entirely--but for the moment, at least until the end of this month, I am continuing to keep The Daily Show on probation. There has to be some consequence when those who have the power fail to uphold what is right in this nation, and while the loss of one viewer is not truly damaging, I believe it's worth the stand. Check with me in another couple of weeks and we'll see where it goes.
Speaking of where I'm going, that would be Culver City, CA, at least in the middle of March. Turns out my failure on that Jeopardy! online test wasn't really that much of a failure. I found out on Friday that I'd gotten an in-person audition, and today I got the notice confirming the details. Apart from the fly or drive decision, the only worry now is how I will perform under further pressure. Wish me luck.
Posted 2/15/08
I'm hesitant to admit it. It's something I never would have expected myself to do. But it's been going on for a while, and I feel I must confess it, to give myself any chance of going forward with a clean conscience.
Yes, I've become addicted to the Food Network.
Seriously, I watch that shit all the time now. Didn't used to. Once I would have scoffed at the idea. But little bites of it here and there hooked me, and now I must get a regular fill damn near every day. I download recipes I see on Alton Brown's "Good Eats," spend some time with the ubiquitous Rachel Ray, occasionally take in the sight of Giada di Laurentiis on the food-porn that is "Everyday Italian." Hell, the other night I even flipped over from the hockey game to watch Bobby Flay challenge someone to a lasagna contest on "Throwdown." Things have gotten so bad that I even stray beyond the channel and moonlight with "America's Test Kitchen" over on PBS.
So why has this happened to me? Well, let's face it, I like food. You eat more times than you do anything else in your life; you might as well enjoy it, and picking up a tip or two about preparation can help that along. Plus, I think I have discovered something extremely useful, if you need to shed some meatballs: the vicarious pleasure you get from watching a good meal prepared on TV can help you stay out of your own kitchen, thus leading you to eat less. Speaking of which...
Today's trip onto the scale brought good news: 303 pounds. This represents an approximate total of 33 pounds lost since late last October. I'd like things to move faster, but I'm satisfied with this pace. Maybe by the end of the month I'll be below the almost mystical 300 mark, and then I'll be able to start feeling human once more.
Posted 2/7/08
It seems that the spigot has been turned off. After multiple days in a row of steady rains, the area has started to see regular sunshine again. And the temps actually made it above 60º the last couple of days. This bodes well for numerous reasons: lower energy bills, since I won't need to turn the heater on so much; more opportunity to do things in daylight, as opposed to darkness or grayness; and increased opportunity not just to get out and exercise on my feet, but on my bike, too. That last one could accelerate the process of losing weight--which has already gone fairly well recently--if I can start working in a good bike ride here and there. Let Spring be sprung already--I've officially had an assful of this Winter.
In a development that stretches back to last Spring, but has taken on more life this season, I seem to have rekindled my appreciation for basketball. I spent a lot of years away from the NBA, mostly in disgust, but an exciting team fielded by the local Golden State Warriors has brought me back to watching the games on a regular basis. I still cringe at all the traveling (not called by the refs, of course), I still get driven crazy by all the bad shot selection (hey, guys, work a little for a better shot, will ya?), but for the most part the Warriors (and a few other teams, notably the Phoenix Suns) are playing the game right these days: fast pace, up and down the floor, lots of passing, not just hacking away in a so-called "defensive struggle." I don't want to spend all my time in front of the TV, but I must say it's been a refreshing change the routine. Nice.
This page last updated on 3/5/08