An Authentic Couch Potato

Our TV!

Since I have returned to the States, I have morphed into an authentic couch potato.  I have always been pretty obsessed with Prime Time TV shows but I think that I have gone a bit overboard.  My dad obviously knows how important the TV is to me because he bought us our TV as a housewarming present. 

I have been trying to find a job so when I am not on the Internet searching for a job, on the phone for a possible interview or at an actual interview, I watch TV.  I really feel no need to justify my TV addiction!  There is so much to see and I have missed so much American TV over the past decade abroad.  From catching up on American Pop culture through programs on the boob tube, I am left with the impression that American society has gotten a bit more savvy, a bit more into DIY, a bit trashy, a bit fat, a bit drug obsessed, over critical, very gossipy and very interesting, all at the same time. 

I have been putting off writing this blog entry because I couldn’t decide if I should be embarrassed about my TV obsession or not.  I really do love to read and I have the tendency to become possessed by books as well (I read the Vampire Books in about 3 weeks (I was working and could only read obsessively during the commute or my lunch hours! I read the Stephan Larson books in about two weeks and I read the Hunger Games trilogy in 4 days – Izzy actually woke up in the middle of the night to find me reading with a headlamp on at 4:00AM!).  My dad would surely classify all of those trilogies as trashy novels but I don’t care.  I earned a Masters of Art degree in Hispanic Literature so I feel I can read and watch all the trash I want and I still manage to feel like an intelligent woman.

But anyhow, back to the TV.  My dad actually bought us our TV as a housewarming gift.  It is BIG and has HD.  I figure, eventually, I will be employed and I will officially be off Couch Potato duty!  I am putting my shame aside and I will actually list all of the shows.  All of these programs are on Prime Time; I am not the scriptwriter!  So, don’t judge! 

Due to the fact that “On Demand” automatically records all of the episodes and you can watch them “on demand”, some of the shows on my list do not indicate the day or time because I will either watch them at the weekly scheduled time or “on demand”.

The Rachel Ray Show – I watch this while I have my first coffee – I find some of the foods she cooks pretty nasty.  She tends to have good guests on her show (9:00 – 10:00 AM)

The Nate Berkus Show (10:00 – 11:00 AM) – He won my heart when he worked on Oprah on the interior design part of the show.  He is absolutely adorable and provides tons of great ideas to decorate your house, have a make-over, DIY, all of the ideas he provides through his show are affordable.  He has great guests on his show.

The View (11:00 – 12:00 PM) – I have always been a big fan of Whoopi Goldberg.  I like their commentaries on current events.

The Chew (13:00 – 14:00 PM) – I watch this for lack of a better show.  I have no idea why I watch cooking shows when I am very allergic to everything.

The Talk (14:00 – 15:00) – Very similar to the View only different hosts.

Keeping up with the Kardashians – I admittedly LOVE this family!

The Bachelorette – I watched that in the summer after so many of my friends kept posting on Facebook about it and I don’t think that I will get sucked in again

Ellen DeGeneres (New time – 4:00 PM) – She is hilarious and has great guests.

Project Runway (Thursday evening) – by far my most favorite show…up and coming designers have to design clothing according to the challenge presented by Heidi Klum

Dancing with the Stars – not sure how I got hooked on this one but I don’t think that Carson should have been voted off

All of the various CSIs – love solving crimes…I actually get so into it that I feel like a temporary CSI by trying to figure out the crime and who’s the bad guy.

Criminal Minds – once again, love solving crimes…

White Collar – the main character is HOT and an ex-con-man.

Fringe – Sci-fi - by far my most favorite series EVER..the third season still has some quirks to work out but I am a fan.

ETC.  As long as the remote has batteries, I will continue to click away!

While I am watching my shows, the commercials are mind-boggling.  There are so many pharmaceutical commercials.  There are so many drugs for so many different bodily functions, it is crazy!  I always pay attention during those and wonder who would actually take a drug because they have foot fungus when it causes the most disturbing side effects? At the end of the commercial, they read all of the side effects.   Here’s an example of VESIcare for an overactive bladder:

“VESIcare is not for everyone. If you have certain stomach or glaucoma problems, or trouble emptying your bladder, do not take VESIcare. VESIcare may cause allergic reactions that may be serious. If you experience swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, stop taking VESIcare and get emergency help. Tell your doctor right away if you have severe abdominal pain, or become constipated for three or more days. VESIcare may cause blurred vision, so use caution while driving or doing unsafe tasks. Common side effects are dry mouth, constipation, and indigestion.”

Why on earth would you want to take something that causes all of that?  I would rather have leaky bladder or wear a Depends! 

The infomercials are quite impressive as well.  There is so much junk out there!!  I think the funniest products on the market are the pajama jeans and the Forever Lazy.  I have actually seen the Forever Lazy for sale at Walgreens.  That might make watching TV really comfy!

I think that the most shocking show I have watched on Prime Time TV has been Hoarders.  My cousin actually suggested I watch an episode.  I am a total neat freak and can’t stand clutter.  The show is based around people who have a psychological problem and save anything and everything to the point that it becomes hazardous to their health.  I no longer watch that program because I find it sad and claustrophobic.

If you are ever have a day at home, there is plenty to watch.  You can fill up your day with plenty of American Pop culture through Prime Time TV: re-runs, cooking shows, sports, talk shows, the list goes on and on.  There is always something for everybody and you can always learn something.  

Isabella, my new idol

Isabella Stewart Gardner in Venice by Anders Zorn - 1894

One of the biggest highlights since my arrival in Boston has been my visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.  I went with Annabel during her visit on a rainy, chilly Boston day.  I had been obsessed with going to the museum since I borrowed the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum book from the Brookline library back in June and decided to wait till her visit to go.  I devoured the book and through Isabella’s creation of the Venetian Palazzo at Fenway, she became my new idol.  My mother raved about the museum and I couldn’t wait to visit Isabella’s Palazzo.  I even wanted to work there and the idea still consumes me.

My friend Joanna once said, “She’s the Peggy Guggenheim of her time.”  Isabella sought out to create an enchanting and wonderful cultural experience for the masses.  She was often deemed as eccentric, all the better for creating a cultural experience filled with authentic pieces from all over the world.  If I were alive during her time, I would have loved to have been her friend or at least be invited to one of the many entertaining events that she held at her creation.

When Annabel and I walked in, we were already enchanted.  The outside of the building has nothing to do with what is in the inside.  We quickly paid the entrance fee, which is a lot lower than most museums, put our umbrellas in plastic, and off we went to see the world of art, décor, books, letters, walls of leather and lace, all of which are pieces of history in a mere three floors.  Our adventure started on the top floor and we slowly worked our way down to the bottom floor.  The guards on every floor offered helpful information on each room and even told us where to see an authentic etching.  The bottom floor is a breathtaking courtyard with the loveliest flowers and plants and sculptures.  It is the only place in the museum that Mrs. Gardner did not leave specific instructions to follow upon her death.

The Courtyard 

If you read the book, it is fascinating to learn how she acquired the pieces, how they were shipped to the USA and also about the misfortunate robbery.

Every inch of the museum has something to marvel.  If you are in Boston, I highly recommend that you add it to your itinerary.  You will be amazed and you don't have to be an art historian to appreciate the Palazzo.    

El Jaleo by John Singer Sargent - 1882