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When did entertainment become a job? I have a stack of magazines four months thick with new ones coming in weekly, not to mention a constantly reloading DVR and a pile of books also awaiting my attention. And I'm wondering, why do I feel this pressure to keep up with it all? I think on average I read about 20 magazines a month, 60 books a year, and watch countless hours of "must see" tv. And none of it is necessary (other than for my enjoyment), but it all feels so important. I go through the Entertainment Weekly (pick your season) movie and tv preview editions with a pad of paper making lists of what I want to see. I have not missed a single issue of that magazine practically since it came out, which was in...1990. Crazy. For weeks I have had a stack of these magazines (dating back to the beginning of JULY when moving made me put them off until later) sitting on my counter causing me anxiety over when I could find the time to read them. After all, I had to use my available free time to keep up with my other weekly magazines (can't fall behind in teh celeb gossip)or to watch on of the three or four shows I tape every night. And yet, I couldn't just get rid of them and start fresh. Just like I could never bring myself to erase the Tin Man miniseries on my old DVR even though I knew that if I hadn't watched it in the two years since it had aired I was probably never going to. It's like a compulsion to never miss a single item of pop culture that might delight or otherwise entertain me. I make lists of the books I want to read, try and figure out a perfect schedule for taping television shows to maximize the number of things I can see, and always make time for my magazines, blogs, etc. But if it is causing me stress, no matter how little, isn't that kind of a problem? This is entertainment, not life or death. yes, I may think some of the previews or reviews sound intriguing and will tickle my fancy, but is anything going to happen if I DON"T see them? Something else great will always come along after all. There are always Netflick nights when nothing else can be found and I can go back to something that I may have missed the first time around. The world will keep turning and there will always be great entertainment to be found. But in the meantime, I'll be busy catching up.
ps: I just got done with all my back issues of EW today. This week I will be attempting tackle all the back issues of my fashion magazines.
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2 comments:
I used to be exactly the same way with the t.v. (not so much the mags) but I finally got it through my thick head that almost nothing is shown only once---it will be repeated, rerun, and regurgitated, then it will come out on dvd. Oh, and if you miss an episode of something, you can just go online and watch it there, anytime you like. And don't forget on demand, etc. Conversely, that dance troupe might not come your way again, or that collection of some famous artist, or that band. So don't forget to get out there and live your life.
this is interesting to think about. i've gone through stages like that but am firmly entrenched in some real life projects so it has balanced it out.
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