Feels like I’ve been away forever!
I’ll just blame this rare stretch of cat-got-my-tongue on being super busy. Which certainly isn’t untrue, though there may be more to the story than just that.
Don’t you hate it when people are vague?
Anyhoo, there was nothing vague about karma bitch-slapping my wife in the face one recent morning. I was leaving for work and bade her a friendly farewell as she was walking down the hall with a cup of coffee in her hand. Instead of sweet nothings she turned around, offered a flippant “Peace out!”, and then proceeded to walk smack dab into the bathroom door, dropping her coffee cup. The mug shattered, coffee spilled everywhere, and I struggled very hard to keep from laughing.
Look, it’s not that I’m an insensitive jerk or anything. I truly felt bad as Tara was on her hands and knees, scrubbing up the mess before hopping in the shower. But even she admitted she kinda had that one coming.
I’m just glad it was a mug I didn’t care about. There are a few others in the cupboard that I would have wept over had they broken.
I was talking with my dad a couple of weeks ago, and he was going on and on about how excited he was because the Tour de France was on. For three and a half weeks, he basically planned his life around the world’s most prestigious (I guess) men’s bicycle racing event. If he wasn’t watching it live, he was recording it on the DVR and then catching up later. Presumably he slept and showered during those 23 days, but I can’t be 100% sure of that. My mom didn’t walk out on his ass, so probably.
I don’t get the Tour de France, and I told him as much. No offense, but the idea of watching a bunch of guys pedaling away just doesn’t appeal to me. I feel even worse for the onlookers! They stand around for hours on end, only to catch a fleeting glimpse of the bikes as they go whizzing past. A minute later, it’s all over.
It’s like watching a marathon, only with less of a payoff. At least in a foot race, there are stragglers running by. There’s probably somebody you know personally and are cheering on. The “action” (though I’m dubious to even use that word) might last 10-15 minutes versus a few seconds.
I don’t know which is worse: the Tour de France or the Indianapolis 500. Watching cars going around and around in circles for three hours just seems excruciating.
“People watch for the crashes,” my dad said of auto racing. Morbid though that may be, I suppose he’s right. We’re all descended from gladiators, after all.
At least the Tour de France is set against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery. I’ll concede that one point.
And I really shouldn’t judge. I’m into the World Cup, and some people would rather watch paint dry than subject themselves to soccer/futbol.
It took us six months, but we finally wrapped up The West Wing. All seven seasons, which amounted to 156 episodes.
And we absolutely loved it. Those 27 Emmy Awards were well-deserved. Sure, when Aaron Sorkin bowed out after Season 4, the trademark snappy banter was gone – but those last two seasons leading up to the presidential election were captivating. The West Wing may be overly idealistic, especially given today’s fractured political climate, but man. It’s fun to dream, you know? Maybe we really will unite behind a Jed Bartlet or Matt Santos someday.
It’s always bittersweet when you finish binging a show. You become so invested in the characters and story, they become a part of your life. On the one hand, you can’t wait to see how the series ends. On the other, you don’t want to say goodbye to those characters you’ve grown to love (or despise, but still enjoy). Especially when they’ve been a near-daily part of your routine for such a long time. We felt this way with The Sopranos, and Mad Men, and The Wire, and Deadwood. All worthy television shows we enjoyed long after their initial runs. We usually find one new old show to binge watch every year. Can’t wait to see what 2023 brings.
The same applies to shows you watch in real time, like Better Call Saul. There are only two episodes left, and I’m going to miss the hell out of it when it’s over. It’s been an unexpectedly outstanding prequel to Breaking Bad, one that blew away all expectations. When you figure in both shows (Breaking Bad aired from 2008-2013 and Better Call Saul debuted in 2015), we’ve basically been immersed in these characters’ lives for 14 years.
Parting will be such sweet sorrow.
What are you binging these days? Which sport do you find the most boring?
Mark My Words 
Leave a comment