Wow

This is very interesting.

Blissfully Ignorant

I used to be what's called a news junkie.

- The news was the first thing I wanted to see when I woke up.
- A newspaper was my preferred reading material.
- I primarly listed to news radio when in the car.
- Journalism was once my major.

However, over the past few years, I've changed. I began to think that my huge intake of news was not so good for me. I thought maybe it was contributing to my general, growing confusion about life; maybe it was contributing to my being "up tight."

Believing this, I set out to purge myself of almost all news. I ditched reading the local paper, watching the local TV news, listening to local news radio, and drastically cut back on CNN.

Now when it comes to news, I have my Sunday New York Times, the 30-minute NBC or CBS evening news, and occasional viewing of CNN.com.

I can't say that I'm happy or satisfied with my life, but I do feel better for having given almost all of my news addictions up.

"When it's dark enough, you can see the stars."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Detached Retinas from the Fall Lineup

I fear that I will soon develop detached retinas from watching previews for upcoming autumn network and cable television shows.

This is due to my frequent eye-rolling while watching the previews, which consist of ever more ridiculous "reality" programs, and stupid and implausible sounding sitcoms and dramas.

For some time now, network and television programs have seemed to go in one direction, while my interests and tastes have gone in the other. This is the primary reason why i only have basic cable.

Thank goodness for Netflix.

U.S.B Ports for Cars

When will car companies manufacture a car with a U.S.B. port in the dash so I can plug in my ipod?

Emo

I read a story in the New York Times Sunday Magazine last year about an artist named "Sufjan Stevens." He is what The Times called an "emo boy" musician. I don't know what this means, but i wanted to listen to his CD, "Greetings from Michigan, the Great Lakes State."

Of all the varied music i have heard over the years, this may be the most different. But, i liked it, so i got it.

Now he has released a new CD, "Illinois(e)" (his goal is to do a CD on every state).

I think most people that listen to his music will either like it or hate it.

The People of Phoenix Are Insane

A few days ago, i had a connecting flight through Phoenix. Since it was a short connecting flight, the plane was small and it didn't pull up directly to the terminal. Instead, it pulled up next to the terminal and the passengers had to deplane onto the tarmac and walk into the terminal.

As we were landing, the pilot said the usual things, then said "...and the current temperature in Phoenix is 115 degrees."

That's right, 115 degrees.

Doubly unfortunate for me and about 10 other passengers, we had to wait on the tarmac for about 10 minutes for the luggage to be removed from the baggage hold.

During that time, i prayed that death would come swiftly... that was when there was no wind.

Then the wind started.

I won't say what that felt like because there are certain situations in which verbal language dimishes the experience. Just know that it was worse than the hot, still air.

The people of Phoenix are insane simply because they live there, in the wicked, evil heat. I understand this is terribly unfair, but the fact remains.

Life Sadly Imitates Art

Earlier this year, I watched a made-for-TV movie called "Dirty War" on PBS. It was originally broadcast on HBO last year. It dealt with a "dirty" bomb exploding in central London.

The movie was very interesting, and it seemed to be well researched and written. It followed British and American anti-terrorism officials as they tracked the "chattering" of terrorist groups and the way they tried to find the people responsible for the threats before they could cause any attacks.

When I woke up this morning and turned on the TV, I immediately thought of this film. This evening as I was watching the coverage on the news, my mind again went back to the images in the film. Besides the "dirty" bomb itself, it is erie how many similarities there are between the film and what occurred today.

I recommend everyone watch this movie. I think those that see it for the first time will be unnerved by how prescient this movie was.

MacGyver Is My Hero

I've been watching reruns of MacGyver lately. I vaguely remember watching the show in it's original run in the mid-1980's, but didn't really absorb the show's themes.

Here's why MacGyver is my hero (in no particular order):

- he hates guns and weapons of any kind, as well as any form of violence to solve problems

- he is a vegetarian and believes in keeping fit and healthy; he avoids toxic things like alcohol, cigarettes, drugs...

- he abhors the accumulation of wealth

- he's smart, but more importantly, he has a lot of wisdom

- he's not a jerk

- he's infinitely resourceful

New Music (to me)

I've made my first purchase from iTunes, buying about 20 songs.

Among them is "What a Good Boy" by Barenaked Ladies. I've never been a big Barenaked Ladies fan, but this song is great.

Another is "I will do anything for love..." by Meatloaf, the has-been artist everyone loves to make fun of.