I grew up watching television. What American kid of my generation didn’t? However, I remember as a kid I read so much more than I do now. I mean, I read a lot back then, sometimes a book a day and I could always find time to read AND watch all my shows. Now, I’m not really sure when the last time I just sat down with the sole purpose of reading a book. Occasionally, if I go into the city on a more frequent basis I will take a book along and read it over the course of a month as I commute to and fro. Though that’s far from impressive and I can’t say truly in the spirit of enjoying a book to it’s fullest.
My father, on the other hand, is a reader. Growing up, I swear he was constantly reading about fifty books at a time. It was just something he did. He still does. One time he gave me an interesting theory on his reading, which I will share with you now.
Dad makes a habit of reading four books1 at a time, each serving a different purpose.
One just for fun.
If you’re not going to enjoy reading, what’s really the point? Read a book that offers you a sense of pleasure. It doesn’t have to be classic literature, 2 just something thrilling. It can be a romance novel or an anthology of WW2 guns.
Being a big fiction reader, this one isn’t too hard for me to choose. I either go one of two routes with this, I either pick up a Sci-fi/Fantasy book or a first person character piece, usually about some sort of idiot savant. And I’ll have you know that both Ender’s Game and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time were both excellant reads.
One to learn something.
This is where we obviously start to use our brains a bit. Pick up a book that will actually teach you something. This, of course, can be on a topic that you know very little about or that you know a bit about but could always know more.
Like the previous category, this one isn’t difficult for me. Learning something new about something I’m interested in really isn’t a chore, so getting through a Film/Television book, or something, isn’t too much of an ask. Though I recommend something that can really further your knowledge, not just an easy read.
Update: My father noted that this one, for him, is usually to learn something new about his particular career field, if you would like to take that on board.
One for faith and/or spirituality.
When I was about thirteen, my father jumped head first into participating actively in the Episcopal Church, and with that, came a whole new stack of books. Obviously, not everyone out there is a Christian, or even particularly religious for that matter, but I sort of like this one, and I believe that’s it’s still applicable to everyone. There’s more to spirituality than learning about Jesus. Spirituality is about the incorporeal or immaterial nature we possess, or rather plainly, “the soul.” Not a big fan of the big J.C.? Maybe buddism is more up your ally. Grab a book on meditation.
A bit too wanky for you? Well, you can’t say that there’s not room for improvement. What about picking up a self-help book of sorts. I hear The Secret is revolutionary. Don’t judge, that’s just what I hear. Use this category to find a way to make you a better person, whatever way that might be. Who doesn’t want to be a better person?
One to broaden horizons.
Pick up a book that you wouldn’t normally pick up. I can’t speak for everyone but I have a very small comfort zone. My interests are very limited and the idea of seeking outside of those interests is a concept that’s either terrifying or boring to me… Probably both.
This may sound like a bit like the second category, and I guess in a way it is, but this one isn’t as limiting. This book can be anything that’s a leap for you, hence the term, “broadening horizons.” Techincally, a action novel would be way outside my peripherals and no one is really argueing that they are the most educating books in the world, so really, this can be anything.3 Though, a book about South African Apartheid would certainly be stepping out of the box. The more we read, the more we learn learn, and that can’t hurt.
Though, I would like to note that dad always snubbed my SciFi thing, so maybe he should follow his own advice and picking up a book about space ships or dragons should be his next attempt under the “Broadening Horizons” heading.
So there.
I’m not going to pretend that I have ever been able to read four books at once, especially with such stipulations, but if you ask me, it’s not a bad discipline to have. Reading is what keeps our brain active, so by all means, do what you can. Start with any two of these books and work up from there. My father’s a smart man, and perhaps this is why. TV and movies are great and I have heard people say that it will be the end of reading, but why does it have to? Why does one have to be to the exclusion of the other? Paper is awesome, grab a book.
There is still another two to three weeks in summer hiatus left, so pick up a book or two…or four. My dad will like you more for it.
Don’t ask about my Wii. We aren’t speaking to one another. Though this evening I rent on a real run. Yes, I left my lounge room. It was brutal, and probably a bit comical to watch.
Though, if Dickens is what knocks your socks off, by all means, go for it ↩
My father also added that you shouldn’t read more than one book of fiction at a time. So choose wisely, if you go fiction here, you might want to consider an interesting biography on Vin Diesal for the first category fulfillment. ↩
My rapid drop in Blog Proficiency has directly coinciding with the end of my Battlestar Galactica viewing. It would seem that my brain cannot focus on focusing without having an active television series to watch. No, I have never actually discussed my analysis of BSG with you, but I feel as though it was the last string keeping my brain from turning to mush. It was hard enough starting this site smack dab in the middle of summer hiatus with close to no brain-fuel, but now Aneeta and I have officially run out of shows to watch at night and we still have another three weeks until shows start airing again, much less start to develop momentum. I don’t really know what to do about that, so I guess you guys are on the screwed side of life for now.
One could say, “Well, if you were smart, you could use this time to finish the two screenplay drafts that you’re working on” to which I would say, “Narg.” I don’t even feel inspired to write fictional stories rooted in no actual fact, and in theory, that’s a much easier task than finding mini-essay topics, right?
A lot of good this post has down both of us. I promised myself that this blog would never turn into a “Today I ate a Sandwich and sorta played checkers” blog, but I guess I’m a liar.
So, to console you and me alike, below I have posted network premiere dates. Do enjoy. They are mildly more interesting than what I have to say. And if that doesn’t suit, go take the “Laura Roslin” Quiz.
A list of the Major Network premieres by Date (not network). Networks include the four major ones; NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX as well as the CW.
Also, FYI:
Dexter premieres September 28th. And for those who care, The L Word airs January 4, 2009.
Also, there is no official word on the dates announced for Dollhouse and Battlestar Galactica. Word says both will go to air in early 2009.
My friend Ben has finally decided to get a real blog. He’s been sort of blogging on Facebook, but he decided that it was time for him to branch. Good for him, bad for me. Unfortunately, Ben writes on THE topics and in THE way that I would love to and he does it much better than I could. 1 As I scanned his blog for the second time this evening, I saw he has delivered yet another terrific post. This one was about the sudden disappearance of the TV credits over the last few years. Personally, I would have just said “Blame Lost” and be done with it, but that’s why he’s better at blogging than me. I am just as sad as he to see the credits disappear from our television screens. I remember being physically depressed every time I watched Lost and saw the incredibly boring type float across the screen into abyss because it meant no real credit sequence, but ultimately, I got it, and it worked on some levels. Lost is about a group of people who are quite literally lost and are floating in what seems to be nothingness — it might as well be anyway. It’s a theme thing. My heart sank when this seemed to be an “Aha!” moment for TV Execs who thought this would be an excellent way to squeeze in yet a few more ads. Perhaps I am wrong on this though, and this is merely showrunners last attempt to regain a little bit of their ever-dwindling hour2 of entertainment by chucking the credits and adding 43 more seconds of awesome TV. Who knows.
While I completely echo Ben’s disappointment, I wonder if perhaps there is a light in the tunnel. The way people watch TV has changed over the last decade and will continue to in the near future. This is largely due to box sets and internet downloading (legal or otherwise). Now hours and hours of a series can be consumed in one go, ad free, for as long as the viewer can stand it. It’s like watching an insanely epic movie that just keeps going. You watch a season and when it runs out, you just run down to Blockbuster and get the next one. I often talk to people who have spent the last weekend marathoning or catching up on a show (or two). It’s easy to spend days on a show that’s a masterpiece. I know I’m guilty of this, and surely you are too.
Now, let me ask a question. You have the entire series of 7th Heaven in front of you to get through — what you don’t like it? It’s a perfect example because it has eleven seasons of deliciously boring episodes to get through, but fine, you pick the series of your choice. Depending on the show, you can have 80 – 100 episodes to get through. So here it is… How many episodes in are you before skip the title sequence? 10? 5? 2? Whether it is because the viewer is so engrossed in the show that they want to get to the action as soon as possible or it’s just due to the credits’ repetitive nature, spending that 45 seconds watching characters do the same dance to a song you will have in your head for days now is an absolute chore. I know I skip them, especially now that credits are less common, and I come to a show that still has them (usually a cable network) I just want to claw my eyes out. This goes double, triple even, for Showtime’s Dexter, who’s credit sequence goes on for almost a full two minutes.
As someone who’s ultimate goal in life is to get their own successful television series, I would love nothing more than to have an awesome credit sequence leading into my equally as awesome episode. I even have the tone and music and shots picked out in my head. It would be easy to blame commercials and the ever decreasing hour, but I wonder, even if we were given back the lost time, with the current trend of viewing, would we want to bring back credit sequences?
In the spirit of Ben’s post, I have decided to post a few fave sequences myself. Enjoy.
Full House
By todays standards, the series and credits were God-awful, but there’s still something about these credits delightful. It’s possibly that thought that these characters would take the time out of their busy days to turn and smile at the camera. How nice is Danny Tanner? Though I have long grown out of the show, and others of it’s calibre, there is something about the early nineties opener that really knew how to get your toes tappin’ and put in you in a good mood going into the episode. Step by Step, Family Matters and many more are all guilty of it and have equally entertaining opening counterparts.
Growing Pains
In a similar vein, there was Growing Pains. I loved this show and I still know every word to it’s theme song. I remember loving watching all of them grow up — though the young Jason and Maggie pictures that have been technicolored is a bit off putting. Oh look! They’ve left silly Jason out by the fence again! Silly man.
Edit: I just noticed in this particular version of the credits it was Mike who was left abandoned on the curb. Oh, those Seavers, always mixing things up!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Pardon me, but I can only link to this one. For some reason it’s near impossible to get the actual credits of the show off of youtube and once I actually found said actual credits, the embedding rights have been removed. Such is life. However, if you are in the mood for Buffy credits Alias Style, Charmed Style, Season 8 comic style or in still photos you are absolutely in luck.
Buffy had a great title sequence. It quickly set the mood for the show and introduced the characters in a way that showed off their individual personalities. I may be bias about this, but I think if you’re able to find them, it’s worth checking out.
And just so you’ll feel my pain.
Dexter
These credits are a beautiful work of art and damn near perfect. They are visceral and confronting while maintaining an mundanely domestic quality, in other words, these credits ARE the show. Well done, Showtime… but really, two minutes?
Since this post took so damn long to put together, no Wii Fit for me tonight. I’m taking my flabby self to bed.
Also, a link to Ben’s blog has been added to my links.
Ben, if you are reading this, you better not get a big head or I’ll have to punch you in it. ↩
A forty-two minute hour. What a concept… I wonder if works in exercising? ↩
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