If Julie Fell

Growing up my parents really limited my TV viewing time. And when I say limited I mean I watched very little and my programs were usually either on OBP (Sesame Street, Captain Kangaroo, etc.) or on the Disney Channel (Fraggle Rock, Mickey Mouse Club, Kids Incorporated, etc.). I wasn’t allowed to watch The Simpsons and really when it came to mainstream networks the only programs I caught were on TGIF - Family Matters, Step by Step, Perfect Strangers and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. I didn’t have a limited number of TV hours I was restricted to per week and my parent’s didn’t have to be in the room but I just didn’t really watch TV as a kid. Instead I had this huge basement playroom for all my toys and I was pretty into reading (Geek Alert).

So when I ventured into my 20’s and was living on my own who would have predicted that I would become addicted to TV? Certainly not I. See as I aged from that kid who watched Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers I was pretty busy, I had school activities and friends and then BAM I was in college. Granted Freshman year Blondie did love her some TV so I watched a bit more and learned that yes, it was in fact important that she plan her class schedule around TLC programming - at least I always knew when she would be home. Anywho, even in college I lived in mass housing situations and with the exception of The Bachelor girls nights and pre-funking with The OC before going to the bars I once again really wasn’t in to TV.

When I was out on my own post-college I was introduced to the DVR. Genius! You mean I can just record programs and watch them at my leisure…I don’t have to be home at 9pm for Grey’s?!? Fantastic. The DVR was a total gateway into hard core TV viewing. I started seeing random ads for programs (on the rare occasion in which I was fast forwarding through those pesky commercials - double genius!) and then I would set the DVR to record. I was totally addicted and even now thinking about it I don’t know what I would do without my DVR.

This would be the time when some anti-TV wack job would tell me that TV is ruling my life and making me a lemming. Well no sir, that is not the case. This blog in fact is my rebutal to such statements. I believe the DVR is actually helping to keep me from being some spinster woman with 6 cats and outfits that only contain cotton and either a drawstring or elastic waist. My DVR enables me to lead my life and actually I think forces me out. See when some dude wants to go get drinks after work on Monday I don’t have to decline because Girlicious is on. (Although I would contemplate declining if the dude was a creeper due to my shows being on - but I’m trying to be better about that whole blowing dude’s off or not returning their calls because I guess that was “lame” or “uncool”…whatever.) I can say yes because I know that thanks to my trusty DVR I can access my Girlicious whenever my tender little heart desires.

Thanks to my DVR I can work my hectic work schedule, go to the gym whenever time allows, grab those weekly drinks with The Plastics, and be in two places at once - Project Runway and The Gauntlet 3. Yes, the DVR has led to me watching some shows that maybe otherwise I wouldn’t but I think of it more as another opportunity for me to conduct social research…yes…that sounds much more intelligent than I just like wearing sweatpants and laying on the couch during a lazy Sunday.

So here’s to you DVR. You make my hectic life that much easier and I appreciate that!

Today is not only Super Tuesday for all those of you that follow American politics but also Fat Tuesday for all of those of you that follow boozy holidays. Suddenly, my worlds collide. While there was some discussion of The Plastics going big for Mardi Gras plans change - but no worries friends Mego and I will be grabbing some dinner and watching as the polls come rolling in.

I’m not the most politically active person but I do take an interest, I would say I am a moderate when it comes to the scale of political involvement. I do try and avoid political debates - they get stressful and really can (and do) ruin friendships, relationships, etc. So while I have my views I don’t feel the need to push them on others and I do not appreciate when others try and push their agendas back on me.

I am however a firm believer that if you don’t take any action, well you have no room to complain. If you don’t like the way the government is run, then vote. If you want to see things change, be proactive. I understand it can be hard navigating the seas of politics and thankfully the internet can offer you some helpful tools to guide your way. *Also, credit for the following website should be shared with The Sox Fan.

www.glassbooth.org

This handy website tool let’s you assign points to causes that you care about and then you are asked to determine along a spectrum where your feelings like about various issues facing American voters. Simple, easy, short and painless…much like some of my other favorite internet quizes (i.e. Which Muppet Are You? - I am so totally Fozzie Bear - Boo Yah).

Within minutes this site tells you which politicians platform you are most compatible with and then allows you to learn more about the candidate, where you are similar and where perhaps you are different. No debates to watch, no crappy newsprint voters manuals to read, simple education from the internet.

So if anything be sure to vote and if you don’t want to use your vote to write in a candidate - perhaps me - then make sure to use your vote wisely and back a candidate that matches your beliefs.

With that being said I’m off to grab a drink, get some food, maybe wear some beads and celebrate Uber Tuesday!