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 
Oh, I’m so sorry about the Peace Cup. Did you buy her a new one with the peace symbol on it? So next time she can just raise the mug, not say anything and keep her eyes on where she’s walking?
I will watch any sport (given the time) as long as I understand the rules and backstory. Although I tried with cricket — and I just don’t get that one.
So sorry about your West Wing Hangover. Hope you have a great weekend!
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You know, we don’t have any mugs with peace symbols on them, though I’d certainly be game! I couldn’t tell you a single thing about cricket (unless we’re talking about the chirping kind).
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Immediately intrigued… what can you tell us about chirping crickets?
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Tennis, polo, fencing…honestly I’m really not much of a sports watching person anymore although watching girls fastpitch takes me back to when my youngest played. As to my viewing options: Miss Scarlett & the Duke and Becoming Elizabeth. I am desperately waiting for the return of the Handmaids Tale in September.
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Oh, good point about tennis. Playing it is fun. Watching it? Not so much.
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I should “accidentally” break a few mugs since I have way too many. The Tour de France is way better than car racing (in my opinion) and since I don’t understand soccer very well, I don’t like that either. The show I’m binging is pure silliness so I’m too embarrassed to share it.
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Hey, as long as you’re enjoying what you’re watching, no need to feel embarrassed!
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It just so happens I’ve seen the Tour de France in person. Why yes, of course I’m going to give you the link. 🙂
https://thetravelarchitect.wordpress.com/2018/12/29/seeing-the-tour-de-france-in-person/
It’s funny because the husband is a lot like you’re dad. I’m not sure he built his entire life around the broadcasts recently, but close. He also wears his various TdF tour shirts while watching, naturally.
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You’re on fire with the links lately! I’m not surprised a jet-setter like you has seen the Tour de France in person. 🙂
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“On fire.” What a nice way of saying “obnoxious.” 🤣
I noticed that there are a few Internet pics that have gone bad on that post. One of my goals this summer was to go through every single blog post I’ve ever written and fix bad links, bad pics, etc. Can you guess how far I’ve gotten with that task? 😉
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Ha…no, I appreciate the links! I tend to go a bit link-happy in my own posts anyway. Some of the photos were missing, but there were plenty I could still see in your post. Thank you for sharing!
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The crime scene photo would indicate the mug was D.O.A. The Tour de France is something I have tried watching, but never really saw any drama in it…except for the occasional biker going off a cliff. Streaming shows we are watching that are in-season right now (once a week) are Evil and Only Murders In The Building. The Sandman’s entire first season just dropped today so we’ll be working through that. Just finished the first season of a show called Paper Girls…not a lot of advertising for it, but we thought it was pretty good.
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Hang on a sec. Bikers have gone OFF CLIFFS?? I may have to give the Tour de France another shot…
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I love that you were walking out the door but thought, “Hmmmm… this might make a good blog post.” Then you turned around and took a picture… while your dear wife was cleaning up the mess. The things you do for your loyal audience.
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Ha! Actually, she took the photo and texted it to her coworkers to show why she was running late. I just asked to borrow it for the blog!
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The fact that you laughed, and stopped to photograph the accident results tells me all I need to know about your marriage. 🤣
Sports? I’m a baseball and boxing girl.
Binging? My last two were on Apple TV. The Morning Show and Ted Lasso… both fabulous. Finished The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and am halfway through Hacks right now. But I don’t binge too often. Usually watch series as they unfold to preserve the drama. Currently living Westworld and anxiously awaiting House of the Dragons.
🐉
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I’ve heard so many good things about Ted Lasso! I’m sure that’ll be a future binge, as we don’t subscribe to Apple TV.
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We bought new iPhones and got three free months. My plan was to binge everything and cancel. That was the plan. It failed spectacularly.
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Haven’t watched much tv since we got back, but at some point will catch up on only murders in the building. My daughter and I did watch sex and the city from season 2, so I guess I’m bunging that. As for sports…I don’t get watching golf….
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You’re the second person to mention Only Murders in the Building. I haven’t even heard of that. Hmm…
Good point about golf. You can’t even see the ball when it’s flying through the air half the time!
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It’s on Hulu, and if you like Steve Martin and Martin Short you will love it. Very clever
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I love, love, LOVE Steve Martin! Thanks for the recommendation.
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Golf and baseball. Like watching paint dry. SOOOO boring. At least in Tour de France there are also crashes? But so much doping. Sigh.
I’m at nothing but soccer fields these days. Where you never know what you’re gonna get–an exciting game or a completely disheartening, lopsided loss. But it’s always exciting when your kid plays!
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My kids never played soccer. Too bad; I’d have enjoyed going to the games. Maybe not ALL THE TIME, though!
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It would be more fun if I weren’t the manager. There’s a lot of work involved.
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I’m not a fan of sports in general. However, curling tops my list of Most Boring Sports, followed closely by golf. The last show I binged was the first 12 seasons of Criminal Minds.
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Curling is definitely the oddest sport on the list. Apologies to any Canadian readers reading this comment!
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Breaking my no blog interaction period to say that I’m delighted to see another expressing love for Better Call Saul. We’ve a lot to catch up on, so that’s what we’ll be binging. I’m a sports fan but two, quite literally, put me to sleep. One is cricket (it’s the sound of gentle murmuring and the occasional thwack of bat on ball) and the other is F1 racing – no idea why, but I doze right off…
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My boss just finished Breaking Bad a couple of months ago and has moved on to Better Call Saul. I envy you both for still having so many episodes to watch!
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Peace Out Karma. 😜😳 I too have special mugs that would have hurt deeply if they’d been the casualties.
I didn’t know people watched ALL of The Tour De France. Or whatever it is. Seems boring to me. As does baseball, soccer, golf…etc…
Do you see where I’m going here? I think the only sport I’ve ever enjoyed watching was Gymnastics, my daughter playing softball or Womens college basketball.
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A lot of people mentioned golf, but weirdly, I don’t mind that one. Not that I ever find myself actually watching it…
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