I was one season behind in watching House of Cards on Netflix when the news of Kevin Spacey’s alleged #MeToo transgressions hit, after which I no longer wished to view the wild, improbable, albeit highly entertaining fiction taking place in a darkly devolved D.C.
My, but that seems like a long time ago… Life seems to be imitating art, as they say. Picking up a newspaper — real or virtual — is pretty nuts. Checking your feeds, likewise. Setting foot outside your familiar (cave?) space and engaging in casual conversation is just as precarious. Disagreements flare. Points of view are hot, hot, hot!
Of course, I say that every day (and have for months).
Though I assumed my appetite for House of Cards would return once I was able to focus on the remaining characters, that has not been the case. I simply have no desire for watching political intrigue play out on the small screen given the current state of political theater (and intrigue and chaos and just plain insanity) in the news.
I mean… Who needs House of Cards? A few headlines here and there, catching the network news (or cable options), the stomach to read an actual article in the periodical of your choice (or several of various partisan leanings for an interesting kaleidoscopic view) — and why would anyone need fiction?
Somewhat preoccupied with the rapid-fire feeds and agita-inducing narratives (Syria, Cohen, Russia, Facebook, Cabinet resignations, Cabinet ousters… must I really list them all? Sick of the “stormy” weather?), and also embarking on a small new project, my attention has been on the “real” world rather than here. And that real world seems more and more jaw-dropping — certainly if one pays any attention to the media whatsoever — by the day.
Do forgive my periodic absences, please. As I attempt to process what is taking place in the “world,” this oasis of virtual indulgence has stiff competition for my attention.
I would gladly trade the… um… “excitement” of waking to the headlines for a period of (relative?) quiet on the domestic stage. (Naturally, were it possible on the world stage, that would be far better.)
Is anyone else gobsmacked by the crazy-making pace (and content) of the news to the point of feeling anxiety nearly all the time? Or at least, unless you shut all the devices OFF and ignore newspapers and magazines for a few days? What are you using for a little survivalist ulcer prevention? (Lifetime movies? Memorizing the dictionary? Training for the next marathon? Nervously munching on potato chips or M&Ms?)
I confess… I have been turning to very dear, very old friends (novels) for what comfort I can find. Uh… in addition to those potato chips.
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As a piece of positive news you will relish (Hot Dog!!), I just saw that a device has been invented to sort your M&Ms by color. How can a person not be excited by that?
Hot dog indeed! That IS good news! (It is fun sorting them, but I like all the colors. Too much!)
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Robert, I have been laughing all day from your comment. It was just too funny that I decided to run a fact check!
True fact indeed. Humans have invented an M&Ms color sorting machine and it can sort Skittles too ?.
Joanna, I live on an island, Unfortunately, we have the same news channel here. I opt-out from news for two weeks. I caught up this morning. Putting my head back in the sand.
D. A., I’ve been busy struggling for basic survival needs in my tiny island world. Housing, food, utilities, clothing, and health is my focus these days. I can now go to bed with sweet candy sorting dreams. ?
I’m glad it gave you a bit of relief, TD. I desperately needed some too! There is probably nothing I need less urgently than an M&M sorter, but at least we can derive some humor from it. 🙂
I find myself turning off the news these days. I’ve always watched the late news before bed but now feel disgust and/or fear in doing so. I’d rather be uninformed than listen to all that is happening. Unbelievable! Is it ok for us to bury our heads? Drink more wine? Move to an island?
Yup. Yup. Yup.
With you on all of that!
(But in the pre-dawn hours, I relent… and inform myself. However, I’m now taking breaks from both news and the online world. That helps.)
Yes. That’s all. Just yes. sigh
You: “Is anyone else gobsmacked by the crazy-making pace (and content) of the news to the point of feeling anxiety nearly all the time?” Me: Uh, yes…me (since Donald Trump began his campaign for the Presidency) and all but one of the people I have encountered in 2018 (including many Republicans and former Trump supporters). And there is no “nearly” modifying “all the time;” we feel anxiety all the time, and it is anxiety we should feel, given what is happening in the U.S. I’ve been wondering when, and hoping, you would write about the statements and actions of the current President and his Cabinet (i.e., the current Administration) and how to survive the constant and deep anxiety they cause. You, later: “What are you using for a little survivalist ulcer prevention?” Me: I do not get news via social media or from television news (except for public television), and I walk in a local forest or swim almost every day. Beyond that, taking daily actions to be informed of and about and to resist what the current Administration is doing, combined with occasional (once every 3 months or so) 1-2 day breaks from taking those actions, are the only way I can stay healthy. Make no mistake: our democracy (and in fact our continued survival) has been and continues to be under grave threat because of the actions of the Administration, and now is the time for each person who believes in our democracy to do all s/he can to fight for it.
Just nodding (sadly), Leslie. I like your anti-anxiety Rx. And it’s lovely to hear from you.
FRITOS for me!!!!!!!!!!!!