finally. back. yay!

this is now late, but i read an article the other day about the passing of mr. rogers. (fred rogers? he's kinda like a teacher in elementary school 'what? thy have FIRST names, too?') something he said, according to the article: 'have you ever heard loud and scary noises on television? people shooting and hitting each other? well, there's something you can do about that. you can turn it off. but you have to be very strong to turn off scary television. and when you do that, you are the strongest one of all'

those of you who know me personally know my general dislike for tv. when we were out of power last week, one of my coworkers fretted about the lack of tv/dvd/playstation. what can we do without it?

geez, lots. it was nice a nice excuse to have nothing to do but sit in front of the fire and read. to stare out the window and think. to draw, to paint. to *gasp* talk to each other. it is sad that having the tv on is a given, and having it OFF is the exception. how did that happen? when did it shift from being evening entertainment to a constant hum that follows us whenever we are home? lunches here in the staff house are often with the background noise of 'a price is right' (i can't believe that it's still on. how old IS bob barker already? i wonder just how many times he's said that 'spay and neuter your pets' line...) i know some of us would much prefer music, or converstation, but tv always seems to get first dibs, and 'can we play music instead?' as an odd request.

i hate violence. television, video games, movies. i haven't developed a numbness for it, and don't want to. it's so sad to me that it's seen as a 'normal' occurance in our lives. that it;s just accepted. that turning the tv OFF is seen as a difficult choice, vs. turning it ON being the first thing you do rather than only when there;'s something you WANT to watch. (which you don't need to turn it on to find out. they make tv guides for a reason...)

mr. rogers started working in telelvision because he 'hated it so'...it's sad that he's gone, even sadder that though he's admired and respected, few shows seeked to emulate his. :(

'there's only one person in the whole world like you!' :)