Not Watching

I’ve always meant to watch “The Biggest Loser”.  Over all the seasons it’s been on television, I may have seen one and one-half episodes.  Many of my friends find the program inspiring and motivating, and it’s not that I don’t like it.  It’s just that I had to choose between that and writing.  And, writing won.

I’m not sure I’ve ever watched an entire episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” even though I’m a sucker for medical dramas and found myself falling for Kate Walsh, in a big way, while watching her in stilettos, pressing the accelerator in a Cadillac commercial.  The ad came on during football time-outs.  I always make time for college football.  But it’s difficult to fit in other television programs, and still find time to write a blog post that must then be submitted to three different websites.

I did watch the first installment of “Downton Abbey”.  I tend to forget how much I enjoy Masterpiece Theatre.  Of course, I had to reschedule my manicure.  I wonder if I can fit that in while watching “The Biggest Loser”? 

I have, of late, listened to interviews with Jon Stewart that convinced me I am truly missing out by not being able to stay awake past 10 pm.  I’ve considered recording the show, but that would engender watching and when would I?  I’m committed to posting one photograph every day for a year.  And I have to actually take a photograph first.

My son and I love tennis.  John Isner’s marathon performance at Wimbledon last year placed him atop my son’s list of favorite players.  I like Rafael Nadal for obvious reasons.  It doesn’t hurt that he’s a great tennis player, too.  The Australian Open opened on Monday.  So far, we haven’t watched a set, but they’re still in the early rounds.  The important matches will be played next week, and I’ll watch some of those when I’m not watching my son play basketball or trying to fit in an extra thirty minutes on the treadmill or catching up on emails I should have been answering when I was watching Denis Leary’s latest stand up routine, which I recorded last week while I was completing my profile on yet another blogging website.  This one is aimed at recipe hounds.

I’ve watched American Idol with my children since the very first season.  I took my son to the live show the year that the pudgy, gray-haired guy won when everyone knew Daughtry should have won. We have never, and will never, do that again. 

I was very excited to hear that Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are joining Randy Jackson at the judge’s table.  While not attractive in the traditional sense, Steven Tyler is one of those men who grew into his unattractiveness.  Kind of like a Shar Pei puppy, he’s so ugly he’s cute.  And, of course, he’s got mad skills….

Jennifer Lopez, on the other hand, is like Paula Abdul 2.0.  She’s beautiful, she’s sweet, she’s talented, she’s experienced…she’s younger, she’s relevant, she’s someone the contestants’ Moms don’t have to explain.

We don’t usually bother with the first few weeks.  I get no kicks out of sharps and flats, and the segments appear contrived.  Last year, they allowed a contestant who is old enough to be my father to try out.  I couldn’t tell you what he sang or even if he was on key.  All I could think was “What is he doing here?  Whatever happened to the age limit?  Why aren’t they following the rules?”  Of course, next day “Pants on the Ground” was an internet sensation.  That guy got his fifteen minutes of fame…and yours…and mine…

I had hoped to catch the premier performance of Tyler and Lopez, but last week’s record snowfall left a pile of white stuff on my desk…paper, lots and lots of paper, paper that must be looked at.  Some of it actually requires reading.  All of it requires shuffling.  I worked late that night…

I’ve taken steps to simply my life.  I’ve ended time-stealing toxic relationships, I’ve downloaded scheduling software.  I meditate.  I sacrifice.  I sift through the unimportant in the interest of “being there”.  And still, there just isn’t enough time in the day to catch up with “Brothers and Sisters”.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.  The seasons of our lives are fleeting.  The day will come when I’ll have more than enough time and I’ll remember my season of chaos as some of the best years of my life.  For now, I’ll take solace in the knowledge that as long as I have a DVR, there’s a chance I’ll get to see an episode of “Glee”.

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