Current mood:	sleepy
Current music:	"Ron Paul Anthem" -- Aimee Allen

Mass distractions...
One thing that has become quite apparent to me in my first day and a half into my summering... how glad I am that I don't actively watch TV.

My grandmother has the TV on, practically ALL THE TIME. Somewhat as background noise, but also a rather primary form of entertainment (the weird chimes from Law & Order come to mind-- but at least she watches Murder... She Wrote, The Golden Girls, and other good shows... quite pleasant to hear as background noise).

But, it has also let me come in contact with the latest/current trends in televisioning.

For example, what I've learned from the TV/news:

- Ky Sensual Mist ads are still pointless, and STILL on TV.
- Rachael Ray looks like she's gained some weight over the past year.
- Jeopardy is still awesome.
- Shooting someone in the face is not grounds for murder. Can still get you a bunch of felonies though.
- The Digital TV switchover on February 9, 2009.
- Senator Ted Kennedy.

Especially the last two... let's start with the Digital TV switchover. I've heard about 3 produced television ads pertaining to this... and how there's this government web site you can visit or this number to call to find out more information, and how if you still use an analog signal (ie you don't have cable or a new TV), you won't be able to watch anything after the cut-over date. And the gem.. it is even mentioned that some law is responsible for the mandated switchover (which, yes, I know it is, I remember reading about it.. but still amusing to see how the watered down result of it all is reaching the masses).

So... once again I find myself perplexed:

- Why does the US Government find it of prime importance to soothe our TV transitioning? What is the point. (Again, yes, I know.. but still). What. The. Heck.

But really... taxpayer dollars (or borrowed money), going towards letting people get converter boxes, so they can still watch TV. Personally, I'd be interested in seeing how many people are in this position (I mean, if this were to effect everyone without an HDtv, then yes, I would fully expect riots in the streets... but seriously... who DOESN'T have cable and watches TV? My guess (unless I'm missing something): people who are more than likely to pick up a book and read it. And people who are smart enough to realize.. gee, if I still want to watch TV, I should go out and get a new one, so I'd get better quality in general, instead of abusing the new digital signal through some converter box.

And worse.. at the very start of Jeopardy, a little ticker text line scrolled across the top of the screen alerting viewers of the Digital TV switchover coming IN FEBRUARY.

Severe Thunderstorm warnings? An hour if you're lucky.
Digital TV switchover? At least half a year in advance.

And then this whole apparent Senator Ted Kennedy thing. Okay, I can understand the concern because:

a) He's a senator
b) He's been a senator for a long time
c) Last name -> relation to former President

Okay, I get that. I also can't say I have a problem with it.. the world needs more love, so people caring about the health of someone is surely a welcome sign.

BUT... what I find annoying:

1. It was BREAKING NEWS... ALL AFTERNOON.
2. The media knew little more than he canceled a luncheon appearance, he was airlifted to some hospital, and that they were waiting for an official statement from the hospital.
3. That despite the lack of information at the time to the media, it did little to stop them from calling correspondents who knew correspondents who knew someone marginally related, and ANALYZING the largely un-detailed information they had on hand.

I mean... there was a guy on at one point that said "I heard from a source close to the family that Senator Kennedy phoned a family member and said he would not be able to make it. I'm not sure when in the process of events this happened, but it's something."

There was then questions, despite that the correspondent hadn't actually been privy to the conversation and was admittedly only possession third hand (at best) information, on how the Senator sounded. So this correspondent had just become an "expert" on the situation, yet it was clear (at least to me), that NOBODY had ANY further information, yet kept beating this dead horse as if they had nothing else to talk about.

Heck.. someone even mentioned that the press traveling with Bush in the Middle East were apprised of this situation and would be asking the President about it. And John Kerry was coming to visit. And Obama made a statement, and Hillary and John McCain made statements.

I guess in the end he ended up still alive.. waiting for the results of some tests... but still... amazing the sort of rocks this churned up. No disrespect to Senator Ted Kennedy in the slightest, but jeez... I was starting to get tired of hearing the name. I almost wonder if he feels just as disgusted.

I was tempted to go and look up some news that happened that wasn't reported (in the mainstream US media)... I'm sure it wouldn't have been too difficult. Was probably but on the late-night queue to free up more space for the Ted Kennedy situation.

...

In other adventures, I had some fun with my camera today.. taking various pictures... I might get around to putting up some sort of summer album (been a couple years since I did that).

I need to finish grading. I was more in the vein of taking care of it yesterday.. then had to wait for the last few students to submit stuff. And now I'm not as much feeling like doing anything about it. But it's there and I gotta, so I'm gonna.

Got to go grocery shopping at the P&C in Watkins Glen this morning. That's always so much fun... different grocery store (than Wegmans), things are in different places... the atmosphere is all different. Plus it was a mission I got to go on, making it even more fun.

...and got to snag me a pumpkin muffin! mmmm. good stuff.

Got to heard a very decent rumble of thunder today.. although the storm was much past us to get to see any decent lightning or even overly angry storm cloud-ness.

Was almost up since 6:30AM, only it was 7:15AM. Awesome that I woke up then (even though I went back to sleep until 7:15)... just need to think to jump on those cues. Even got in an afternoon nap-- fantastic.

Loving how green everything is.