Goodbye, TV
I feel a bit lightheaded and at odds with myself. My dear friend, the television, is taking a forced leave of absence.
Granted, this was all my idea and the TV is just going along with my wishes, but still. It hurts.
I don’t – I swear – watch that much TV. But I do watch, and it’s no secret that I love it. Every night, without fail, I sit down to watch a show. Or two. Usually I do other things while I watch, like read or work, but my attention is so divided that I neither accomplish anything nor actually catch the entire show. Talk about a colossal waste of time.
This week some things have been wearing on me:
- My to-do list is outrageous. Outrageous, I tell you.
- I feel tired. Way more tired than a reasonably fit 26 37-year-old should feel.
I wanted to pretend that I was blameless in this scenario. I prefer blamelessness. Don’t we all? The truth, however, is that I need to be a better steward of my time. For my family, for myself, for my work.
That’s where the TV comes in. Or turns off. You know what I mean.
I have a DVR after all. I am not required to watch television on a deadline. {Although if there is anyone out there who wants to give me a TV-related job, I could revoke this decision and begin watching immediately.} Assuming, however, that I do not get a TV-related job, I will keep the idiot box turned off and let the DVR do its thing. My plan is to have a little down-time to chill with my beloved television once every weekend. That’s reasonable, right?
So why am I telling you this? Because that’s what I do here. I tell you stuff. Whether you care or not. But also, I need you to know and help me stay honest. I’ll feel so guilty if I cheat now that you all know my plan. {Perhaps I should try this same method for the stopping-of-the-eating-of-cookies?}
Keep me honest, friends. Help me stick to my no-tv-go-to-bed-at-a-reasonable-hour plan, won’t you?
I wonder…
:: What’s your best time-management tip?
:: What are your tricks for getting to bed at a reasonable hour?
read moreToday, I Review a Sitcom
Thanks to Country Music Television and One2One Network, I had the opportunity to get a sneak peak* at CMT’s first scripted show, “Working Class,” a sitcom starring Melissa Peterman and Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor, Ed Asner.
Seriously? Hooker #2 from Fargo and Lou Grant in one place? I’m all in.
You more likely recognize Melissa Peterman from her role as Barbra Jean on “Reba,” but she won my heart as a North Dakota hooker. Oh, okay. Honestly? I might not have given much notice to Ms. Peterman the first time I saw Fargo, but a couple years ago we watched it again, and my husband could barely contain himself, “It’s Barbra Jean! She’s a hooker!”
I digress.
“Working Class” is a new show that balances classic sitcom styling with modern themes. A quick summary, courtesy of CMT’s website:
The show follows Carli Mitchell (Melissa Peterman), a single mom from a rough and tumble background, trying to give her three kids a better life by moving them to an upscale suburb. She quickly finds that making the transition to the good life is harder than she thought.
She’s unwittingly befriended by her cranky neighbor, Hank (Ed Asner), her only career prospect is a glorified deli job at the local grocery store, and the man she falls for not only already has a girlfriend – but he’s also her boss, Rob (Patrick Fabian). With her ladies-man brother, Nick (Steve Kazee), to help her out (when he’s not acting like one of the kids himself), Carli faces the challenges of parenting, dating, and making friends in her new community by doing more with less, staying true to herself and approaching each day with a touch of working class.
As a One2One Network member, I was able to see the entire premiere episode and a few behind-the-scenes clips. Watching Melissa Peterman carry a show is a thrill. The character of Carli is smart and strong, and Peterman’s comedic skills make her instantly likable. I imagine Carli (and Melissa Peterman, frankly) would be a blast on girls’ night out: she’s the kind of woman who knows how to hold it all together when it counts, but also knows how to have a damn good time.
Ed Asner expertly plays his role as a curmudgeonly war veteran. From where he stands, his military experience is just a metaphor for day-to-day life behind the deli counter. The character of Hank is an ideal foil for Carli. Where she is determined and hopeful, he is seasoned and resigned.
I would watch Ed Asner in anything. He has been part of our collective television history for over 40 years, and is pitch-perfect in every role, from Lou Grant to Capt. Davies in Roots to Santa in Elf. From what I’ve seen, we can expect nothing less in his new role as Hank, the hardened neighbor and deli worker.
Like most pilots, it’s clear in this one that the cast is still getting to know each other, but the chemistry is apparent. I expect that over the next few episodes we’ll see them gel and begin to play to each other’s obvious strengths.
“Working Class” also has an opportunity to provide commentary on a growing segment of America’s population. Carli, like so many Americans, is barely making ends meet. The pilot episode opens with the children complaining about the lack of groceries, and Peterman’s character watering down the milk to make it stretch through one more meal. While real life issues, like finances, are handled with levity, they are also handled with respect. It will be interesting to see where the writers and producers take the show, and whether they use it as a platform.
My take? It’s worth your time to check out CMT’s new show, “Working Class.” Set your DVR for January 28 at 8pm EST/PST, followed by a second, all-new episode at 8:30pm.
Special thanks to:
*I understand that if you’re a regular reader here, you might have some questions, namely:
1. What on earth qualifies Missy to review a TV show?
2. And why this show?
Here’s the deal. Wonder, Friend is not really a niche’d blog, and I get to write about anything I want. Bwahahaha.
When this opportunity came up, I jumped at it, because:
1. My love for TV more than qualifies me to review a show (she says, humbly).
These days, life doesn’t allow me loads of TV-watching time, but when I do have some downtime I really enjoy getting lost in a good show. Thank goodness for the DVR. Can I get an amen?
2. I opted to do the review because of all the things you can find on TV these days, the sitcom still holds a special place in my heart.
I read books about the craft of television writing and comedy writing. You might say it’s a hobby. And on top of that, I love country music. Yes, I do – deal with it. So if Country Music Television is branching out and putting a sitcom on the air, I am definitely interested in seeing what they have to offer.
3. Oh, yes, there’s a third point.
Number three: it just sounded like a fun project. And it was.
LEGAL STUFF: I was not compensated in any way for this review. All opinions are my own.
read moreWonder Why Wednesday: Crashing Down Edition
Picture it: The gym. 2010. A young-ish woman is in Pilates class.
(If you caught the Golden Girls reference, then you watch too much TV. Also, we could be good friends.)
So. Monday night I was in my Pilates class when one of those summer storms popped up, quite literally out of the blue sky. I walked into the gym at 5:50 p.m., under blue skies dotted here and there with clouds that looked like they could make rain only if they got very organized. As it was, the clouds all looked like high school seniors during the last week of school. They were doodling on their notebooks, daydreaming about being bigger, cooler, college clouds.
Approximately 30 minutes later, as I was prostrate with my feet inside spring loaded loops, focused on zipping up the bottom ribs (huh?), we heard a noise like something being ripped off the roof above us. Less than a minute later, we heard rain. But not the pitter-patter of drops on the roof. More like the sound of running water somewhere very near our heads. My two classmates and I leapt off of our reformers mere seconds before the acoustic ceiling tiles came crashing down, just inches from where our heads were once located.
That noise like something being ripped off the roof? It was the roof being ripped off the building. Apparently the wind caught part of the roof and just rolled it back, like the gym was a can of sardines. There was significant water damage to one corner of the building. In fact, the entire facility was closed today; the Pilates and yoga studios are closed indefinitely.
Of course I said a prayer of thanks that my head was not still on the reformer when the ceiling gave out. And I marveled at the power of nature. But my first thought was, Oh, man. This is just going to add fuel to my mother’s anti-exercise fire.
See, my mom is in nice shape. She looks great and she takes good care of herself. She walks for exercise, but she will not go to the gym. My mother jokes (but she’s not kidding) that exercise is dangerous. And it so happens that my life has been one long proof to her theorem. I continually have some kind of sore joint, strained muscle, over-or-under-active tendon. My fitness history is a series of athletic pursuits, broken up by injuries and rehab. It’s what I do.
And now the gym nearly lands on my head. My mom is so vindicated.
Since it’s Wonder Why Wednesday, after all, I have some questions for you.
My light question for today:
Why can’t I be that fitness buff who rarely experiences setbacks and injuries? Why does the ceiling come crashing down every time I start to hit my stride?
My only slightly deeper question:
Why am I writing so many health/fitness posts lately? We’ll move on to other topics, I promise.
If you feel the need for some depth:
This story has the potential to take us down numerous paths. We could talk fitness (check), nature, spirituality… So I wonder, why can two people can look at the same event or circumstances and walk away with two vastly different views? Obviously our life experiences inform how we see things, as do our religious and political beliefs. I guess what I wonder – what I’d like to discuss – is do we ever choose a different view of something simply because a particular perspective suits us? Do we see things how we want to in order to further our own agenda? I know what I think about this. And I know what I want to believe. What do you think?
BlogHer, You Would Have Completed Me
I’m all out of the funny. If you want to roll on the floor, go visit Kludgy Mom. Gigi’s post kills me and I enthusiastically second her thoughts.
Me? I’m watching the Hallmark Channel hoping for a good cry. Golden Girls just came on and the theme song incited weeping. Pathetic. Let’s all roll our eyes and hate me for a second. Okay. Done. Now, let’s talk BlogHer.
I’m not going. I’ve been playing it real cool. In fact, until this week I haven’t even uttered the word, BlogHer. Yes, I’ve been secretly stalking out possibilities of scoring a ticket for sale. I’ve debated getting a flight to NYC and lurking around the conference, hoping for a scalper with a BlogHer ticket. Nothing says, Hey, she looks like a nice woman who probably has a really great blog! I want to meet her, for sure! more than lurking, univited, around the periphery of a NYC hotel.
The simple explanation for my non-attendance is that I’m new to blogging. Wonder, Friend is coming up on five months old. Holla! No? I thought I would try it out. I’ve always wanted to be able to shout, Holla!, and sound cool. I’m over that now.
Since I’m new to the game, BlogHer wasn’t even a blip on the radar until the tweets started flying around about a month ago. I mean, I’d heard of it. I’m not a shut-in or anything. But I thought it was only for real bloggers. Turns out, anyone can go. Anyone! Even me. Except, as has occasionally been the case in my life: I’m a day late and a dollar short.
(Lots of dollars short, actually. Are you aware that in addition to the plane ticket, the hotel, and the conference admission, there are a few other things I need in order to properly do BlogHer? This post by Mommypants, detailing the BlogHer necessities, is hysterical. Go read it. Funny, yes?)
So I missed it this year. No more playing it cool. I’m a small, tiny bit jealous of all the bloggers who will get to put faces with web sites. And then there’s the location. New York City, the hometown of my soul. The parties. The staying-in-a-hotel-without-the-kids. And, obviously, the chance to talk all things blog with people who are as weirdly attached to this forum as I am.
Aaagh. Yep. Jealous.
BlogHer, prepare yourself. This is one mama who is planning a blogging boondoggle next August.
This post is part of the Not Going To BlogHer Blog Hop, hosted by A New Breed of Mom. Link Up! Read Up!
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A small bit of housekeeping:
1. You can now subscribe to Wonder, Friend by email! This makes me inexplicably excited. If you’re anything like me, you sometimes forget to check your reader. You may have favorite blogs (ahem) that you love reading, but you get busy and forget to check for new posts. So go ahead, subscribe. Over there, on the right, near the top. The Feedburner thingy. Thank you!
2. If you do read Wonder, Friend on a regular basis, you have my heart. Really. When I started this I said I would write even if nobody was reading, and I meant that. I mean that still. I write this for me, but lately it’s occurred to me that I also write this for you. Thank you for reading! If you leave a comment, you’re on my list of suitable mates should my husband ever meet an untimely demise. I sincerely appreciate your comments. Here’s the housekeeping part - I am now responding to comments within the comment thread, not via email. It just makes things more consistent. I’m working on setting up a comment platform that will send you an email when I respond to your comment. If you have recommendations for a good comment platform, send them my way.
read moreWhat I Learned from Jessica Simpson
According to my tech expert – yes, we share a bed, but even if we didn’t I would probably still think he was pretty smart – we will eventually be able to go into a store and pay without ever breaking out a wallet. Initially we’ll be able to use our cell phones (of course there will be an app for that). But at some point, we’ll have an implant. Not the perky kind. The knows-all-your-business kind. Yikes.
My resident tech expert also says we may someday have a kind of personal DVR device that records our entire day. The negative nelly in me goes immediately to all the terrifying ramifications of such a thing. Nobody needs their entire day recorded. Look at what happened to poor Jessica Simpson. She said that thing about Chicken of the Sea, and she may never live that down. If you followed me all day, well, you would be shaking your head and laughing your ass off at the things I say. Not laughing ha-ha, but laughing oh, wow, she is such a ding bat.
I cannot even begin to think or write any more about a personal DVR right now. Brain. Hurts. Too. Much.
I, for one, may not be ready for the personal DVR (I reiterate: CREEPY), but I am ready for a chip implant in my brain, under one condition: I need it to transcribe the blog posts and book ideas I think up and get them on the screen. Truth be told, that’s all I want the chip to do. Please don’t access the inner regions of my brain. Nobody needs to go there. I don’t even go there.
My problem: I think up some really great stuff. It’s funny, smart, well researched, full of expert quotes (Yeah, I think those, too – to date, there are no experts living in my head. To date.). Thanks to the daily grind, though, that smart, funny stuff gets trapped somewhere between my head and the computer screen. Sometimes I even start the post, make notes, etc., and yet, when it comes time to write, the mojo is gone. Can I call it mojo? I don’t know if I am cool enough to use the word mojo. Perhaps that’s one more thing the chip could do for me: edit, just a little, like when I try to talk all hip-like. I’m not hip.
If I can get sort of specific here, should there be any tech guru, chip creating people reading, this is what I want: a chip in my brain that I can turn on when my ideas for writing, be it fiction, or blogs, or even email correspondence, start to flow; when my brain returns to its usual activity (keep kids alive… do much laundry… eat food… give kids food… do more laundry… where are kids… how about coffee….), the chip will automatically shut off.
I will buy that chip. I will pay cash money for that chip. So, all you weirdly smart and kind of creepy people who develop such things, give me a call when you have my Personal Brain Recorder Thingy ready.
As for you normal, non-creepy, non-brain invading people, I’m wondering a few things:
1. What do you think about the future of technology, especially the potential to get inside our heads or record our days?
2. Do you have any tricks for getting the ideas out of your head and onto the page/computer screen?
3. Will you still read my blog if I tell you that I really like Jessica Simpson? Not her music, per se (I honestly don’t know much about it), but Jessica in general? I loved Newlyweds. Wrong? Maybe. It is what it is.
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