Friday 19 September 2008

television

So, I got sucked into watching the television for the last week. Lost and Battlestar Galactica began playing every night, on Space channel, from the very beginning of the first season, so I made the mistake of watching one, and then the other. For a whole week, I read nothing. Then, I realized what I was doing, and have made myself not watch these shows - I don't need to see either series quite yet again, I've seen them already - and watch only what I'm really interested in. It's so easy to get involved in watching tv. It requires nothing but attention, just sitting there and getting fed by it. I finally wanted to read again, and finished The Terror tonight, a few minutes ago. I will review it tomorrow - it's fantastic, by the way! - but for now, the battle between watching tv and reading continues......

I'm also working my way through Everything's Eventual, and I am having a very disconcerting feeling with each story that I have read it before. I don't remember reading this book! But when I start each story, I suddenly know what it's about, in a vague way. I am enjoying it - The Terror is too big to carry on the bus, so I read Everything's Eventual to and from work and over lunch. Have you had this experience before, opening a book that you think you have never read, and suddenly realizing you have? I just wish I could remember where and when I read it.

I don't hate tv. I have said this often here, that my goal is to watch less of it, and to read more. This being said, I love good tv - what is to me good tv anyway. And tomorrow night is the new Dr Who Season 4. Finally!!! The first episode...we are all counting down in my family, even the youngest children (who get to stay up for it, but fall asleep long before it's finished).

9 comments:

Ana S. said...

Getting lost in a good TV series can be so much fun sometimes. You've been missed, though! It's good to see you posting again.

I haven't yet picked up a book and realized that I'd already read it, but I expect it'll happen one of these days :P

DesLily said...

next week will be a "bad week" since many shows begin their new season! Thankfully, I find time to read no matter what, but a bit slower i guess.

Bybee said...

I'm finally watching "Kung Fu"...never saw it before in my whole life. Seasons 1 and 2. I don't hate TV, either. I love it & miss it...

Anonymous said...

I promise you that if they were to shoe 'Balttlestar Galactica' here I would have been doing exactly the same. Had it been 'Stargate' I would have been even worse.

Susan said...

nymeth: it's good to be back! I missed you too :-) and you are so lucky if you haven't picked up a book yet and thought it seemed familiar! what tv series do you get lost in?

delily - yes, I know, The Office begins next Thursday(another must see in this house), another countdown!!

bybee: I LOVE Kung Fu!!! I went through a phase where I watched it every day, when it was on in the 90's. Then I found that Canada had produced another tv version, staring David Carradine reprising his role, only older! Kung Fu, the Legend Continues - this is what tv.com had to say: Kung Fu: The Legend Continues is a sequel, of sorts, to the popular 1970's drama, Kung Fu, starring David Carradine. Whereas Kung Fu was set in the 1870's, this show was set in modern times. Kung Fu: TLC featured David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine's grandson, also named Kwai Chang Caine, who is a Shaolin priest. The show also featured Chris Potter, as Peter Caine. I have to say just as good-looking even older, and there is something I find tremendously attractive in that character of Kwai Chang Kaine. I love the idea of the peaceful warior, but since I have more of Amazon queen - did you ever see Xena Warrior Princess? That's me when I get mad - I think it's a case of opposites attracting!!!! Ok, what's sadder, that i know instantly what you are watching, or b) that I watched it too? Not only book twins, but tv twins too!!! I'm glad you've found it though :-)

table talk: my son loves Stargate too. And Battlestar Galactica has to be showing over there on one of your channels since the British version has different opening music (same montage of scenes)from ours! BSG is on a break until sometime next spring :-( I love BSG, and find it gripping. I really hope you get to see it one day.

Eva said...

Bones came back on a couple weeks ago, and I was So Excited. That and The Office make me squeal like a small child!! :D

Gentle Reader said...

I love BSG! But I'm only through season 2, as I started late. I watch it while on the treadmill! I always like when the new TV season begins because there are suddenly so many choices :)

Ana S. said...

Susan, I could watch Scrubs for days. I really could. I also have been known to lose myself in Babylon 5, Stargate and Futurama. I miss them all, actually. Maybe it's time to watch them again :P

Susan said...

eva: I've been reading the Kathy Reichs mysteries that Bones is based on, so I've hesitated to see the show, even though I know they have taken the characters in a different direction on the show. So I haven't seen an episode yet! But I have her latest book in pb! We're squealing because The Office starts (finally) this week too!!

gentle reader: hurrah! another BSG watcher!! Oh, you have to hurry up and catch up - the final season doesn't start until late this year, and it's making me crazy wondering who the 12th ceylon is! you have to hurry up on your treadmill and catch up so we can discuss ceylons 9 thru 11!!! lol

nymeth: I love Babylon 5 so much that when I start watching it, I end up going on a blitz and watching it all the way through, several episodes a night for a couple of weeks! It was one of the best story-driven tv shows ever, and I love the shadows (very creepy and frightening) and how there are layers to the plot and characters and how things in season one come through later, and story hints are picked up. Very satisfying and I can hardly wait to my youngest two are old enough to see it - my eldest son watched it with me as it came on tv and he loves it too. My poor husband is so not a sci-fi person at all!! I will politely decline to comment on Stargate, which Duncan (my eldest son) has tried to get me to watch many times, and I have enjoyed Futurama, but in small doses, and the earlier episodes more. It's fun that you and I and so many other book people love some of the same tv shows too!