How I Learned to Enjoy the Writer's Strike

I enjoy TV. I use my TiFaux liberally, and then watch (and rewatch) on my unnecessarily large high definition big screen. I am not above channel surfing, just coasting up and down the digital dial even when I am near certain there is nothing worth watching all the way through.

I recognize this as a failing of mine. I could spend the time better reading, taking up a useful hobby, something. But recognizing a problem does not correct it. I'm not looking to give up the tube; but merely focusing. With the DVR, I can watch only quality programming, and even skip commercials. All Killer, No Filler.

And now, unexpected help in continuing Dan's Personal Improvement Program. The Writer's Strike! Now, there's even less worthwhile shows on. Combined with the all-out assault on good taste that is Holiday Programming (seriously, Christmas Shoes?), and there is no time like the present to learn how to scale back and realign your time.

So, I've found a great book (Legacy of Ashes - it won the Pulitzer for a reason), and I'm excited to come home from work each night and dive right back into it. And while I look forward to the return of the well-crafted TV programs I enjoy (shouts-out to Battlestar Galactica, 30 Rock, and Pushing Daisies, yo), I look forward even more to a continued sense of application and time well spent.

Slayer

Snow and rain in DC yesterday, which brought a day wrought with peril on the roads. The weather was not especially bad, but due to lack of resources it takes the cities a while to clear the roads. I had the pleasure of dodging the slip-sliding locals on my way to get groceries, and then again while heading to BWI for a pick-up.

It was worth it, though. The grocery run was preceded by excellent brisket and eggs at the Evening Star, and the trip to BWI was followed by homemade meatballs, chocolate fondue, Halo deathmatches, and Night Watch. Freaky russian vampire movie, check it out.

I had a great day of gaming on Saturday, when I annihilated Aaron in the slayer deathmatches. But my mojo was not working Sunday, where he got his full measure of revenge. I did have fun playing against Steph. There was a tutorial element, since she didn't know the controls. Then she rocket-launchered me, and the gloves came off. Winning is fun.

I'm surprised how taken I've become with video games recently. I was talking with Ryan not too long ago, and he said he felt the same way. "Aren't we a little old for this?" And when I'm not actually playing, it does seem childish and escapist - I should be reading and being a grown-up. But it is so much fun, especially when I'm playing with someone else. It becomes social, and yes, it is escapist, but so is most entertainment. At least this is something I've found that I can enjoy with my brothers and my friends.

Though, it is another brick in the geeky house I'm building for myself: playing Halo, watching Battlestar Galactica, being an engineer, my library... It's all a bit nerdy. Oh well. As the Simpsons put it:

The geek shall inherit the earth. - Rainier Wolfcastle, "Undercover Nerd"

Conspicuous Consumption

I caved in to my appetites this past weekend and bought myself a new tv. It is obscene. Soon, I'll have the HD channels turned on. I already have the DVD and the computer running through it. The picture on the right? It looks life size to me as I write this. Well, not really.

To buy such an unnecessary luxury item, you have got to be working, you dig? Dollar dollar bill, you all. Actually, the big meeting I mentioned before went off really well on Wednesday. The higher-ups seemed satisfied, though I foresee trouble in the future. These are only going to get harder, and we've already got some people picking up some bad habits.

Turning aside from work and play, I was reading some ancient Roman proverbs the other day. I'm not one to believe that ancient texts are superior or "the old books are the best books," but I do believe that every book has at least some value. So it's best to be familiar with all books, not just the ones that are on the NYT Bestseller List right now. And I came across one that I particularly liked. "Cacoethes scribendi." It is by Juvenal, and means "the bad habit of writing." Consider that there was a time when getting me to write was like pulling teeth. I have not learned to be a good writer, but I have learned to enjoy it. And to make it a habit. I ascribe this change to my 4th & 5th grade teacher Mrs. Pierce. She made us all write in journals every day, and she would read them over the weekend and give us feedback. She was very encouraging, no matter what I wrote. I often think of her when I write for myself, and the quote brought still more memories of her and what she taught me. So, I say, take Mrs. Pierce's advice, and write something every day. It will make your brain bigger, and other good things.

Merchandising

I'm debating a number of purchases right now. As often happens when I consider luxury goods, I'm weighing the comfort and entertainment these purchases would provide against the wisdom of saving and planning for a fiscally responsible future. In the past, I think I've been a very bad judge of what will eventually be worth the price. I know I don't need any of these things, and I don't trust my own judgment regarding the cost/benefit analysis. I'm going to try to steal a page from The Wisdom of Crowds and The Tipping Point and see what other folks think.

Westinghouse LVM-47w1 or Vizio GV47LF

Sealy Baltico Firm Full Size Mattress

Blackburn Fluid Trainer (or something similar)

I also need to get new oil and a filters in Stella, and new brake pads by the sound of it. I might try to do the pads for myself, which I've never done before. Maybe I should get a second opinion on that, too. And I still need to get Ryan his Christmas gift - I screwed up the original order back in early December.

And now, thanks to Aaron, I have a deep-rooted desire for an Xbox for playing Halo 2, even though I spent the better part of 6 hours on Sunday getting shot and run over. He snuck up and ran me over with a jet. I clearly need to get my own console and copy of the game, so I won't have to be so embarrassingly bad at it anymore.

Tweak

A few minor changes today. I've added the new post labels now offered by Blogger, as well as using the hierarchical Archives menu. While I was at it, I tweaked the layout a little bit, which meant I pulled an Orpheus and descended back into HTM-Hell this morning. But I managed to get the random image generator up and working again, which was my real goal. Moving everything else around was pretty simple, actually. I hope to continue modifying the basic template to make it a little more visually interesting.

We've gotten quite a bit of rain over the past few days, but nothing like the Deluge 2006 rain earlier this summer. Enough to keep my lawn from completely dying. And the much cooler air that came with the rain is very welcome. Once it dries out, it will be ideal weather for long bike rides.

In a happy coincidence the rains coincided with the arrival of my new Simpsons - Season 8 and Arrested Development - Season 3 DVDs. If you didn't watch AD while it was being broadcast, put it on your NetFlix queue or give it a chance somehow. It really lends itself to DVD viewing - so much hidden background humor that demands a quick hand on the pause button. Maybe it isn't for everyone, but I think it is brilliant. So the rainy weather gave me a chance to curl up in front of the TV and tear through the whole thing in 3 nights.