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I will be the first to admit I am pretty much a TV junkie. I have one or two shows that I record any given day of the week that I use as a way to clear my head and relax for a few minutes. Now not only am I experiencing personal dislike for my lack of new episodes, but the strike is bringing about changes in television that I just cannot stand what so ever.

First off, there were several shows that made it through the fall season that have a good chance of being dropped off without new episodes being written. Really now, does FOX really need another reason to cut a show after a partial season. I bet at least 3 new shows that I was following in the fall season will get dropped purely because by the time that the writers come off strike they will have been long forgotten.

Second, horrible TV that requires very little writing at all is starting to surface and air more frequently. My example is the reality or game show. NBC fits the bill here. They must live by the motto “when in doubt, it’s time to air yet another episode of Deal or No Deal”. Who wants to watch morons lose out at thousands of dollars on a Friday night at 8. Games shows should never fill prime time television spots. I have no objections to the nightly traditions of Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune as they are before 8, but I would say at this point there is a 50% chance of turning on NBC between the hours of 8 and 11 PM and finding an episode of Deal or No Deal on the air.

No I also must ask, what is America’s obsession with reality TV. Sure I’ll watch the occasional episode of the Real World, but if I wanted to watch a talent show I wouldn’t be watching TV. Now long ago, I did watch the first season of Survivor like it was my job, but how many little twists can you come up with for the same show and really keep people interested. I saw a commercial for Big Brother 9 the other day. People are cranking out reality TV like rabbits crank out bunnies. I want to see more creativity on TV, not some fool trying to mimic Ricky Martin on live TV.

Finally, the thing that has outraged me the most by this whole strike was done recently by CBS. Starting in 2 weeks they will be airing Showtime’s hit Dexter. So since you couldn’t find someone to write something for you, you are going to try and buy a hit? I have news for CBS, Dexter will never thrive on their network the way it does on Showtime. Sure it may be seen by more viewers since every in the country does not pay for Showtime, but at the same point episodes are going to have to be edited down to fit in the alloted timeframe. A full episode of Dexter runs about 55 minutes. Are they really going to cut that down to 42 minutes so they can get their sponsors some commercial air time. To quote:

“I am very protective of the show and will make sure the small changes are done very seamlessly,” Showtime president Robert Greenblatt told The Hollywood Reporter. “The essence of the show is absolutely there; we haven’t compromised the character and his moral compass.” Instead, the major cuts will focus on language.

How they ever actually watched the show at CBS. The sister character on the show is made by her crude use of language and dropping for the F bomb every 10 seconds. How are you not changing the essence of the show by editing things like that out? Also how are small changes going to happen when you dump 10+ minutes of airtime on the show?

Moral of the story, can we please give the writers the small bit of money they are asking for so we can bring a return to good TV?

Everyone seems to set some kind of New Year’s Goals these days, so I figured why not join the club. I tried to keep everything realistic and obtainable on the list, but at the same point not something I’m already planning on doing next week with ease. So here goes…

1.) Write in this blog more - I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve been ignoring the blog. I think of it as a good way to clear my head and relax for a few minutes. I’m going to dedicate myself to updating it more often with recent events, general thoughts, reviews and some randomness. Hopefully I do better this time around. If not, I guess I really wasn’t meant to be a blogger.

2.) Pay off the balance on my credit cards - I went on a spending run the second half the year and now I’ve accumulated a little bit a balance to get rid of. I’ve got a plan set up to do this and I’m going to stick to it. At least I’ll be getting money back on my taxes this year instead of having to pay the government $3K. With luck by the summer I can be free and clear.

3.) Establish a retirement fund - As I become smarter in my young age, I realize that this might very well be the most important thing I can do for myself this year. The earlier I start, the easier my life will be in the long term.

4.) Build 10 new websites - This will help me expand my newly started business, accomplish my financial goals, and build up my skills as a designer all at the same time.

5.) Find a new ice hockey team - I haven’t skated since June when my team dissolved and boy am I having withdrawals. Hopefully I can find a new group to skate every week, even if it means finding a new rink to skate at.

6.) Get myself back into a regular workout routine - I could have said lose 20 pounds or something along those lines, but I figured this was a more beneficial way to put it. I’ve already been in the pool swimming laps 3 times this year, which is 3 more than last year. Between that and the near completion of my new home gym (thanks to some very expensive equipment I got for free), I’m confident that I can get into a rhythm. Once I do, just watch the pounds wash away.

7.) Make it to Fenway Park at least twice - I love Boston, hopefully the Sox ticket sale is good to me this year.

8.) Visit a ballpark I have never been to before - Well this eliminates Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium, Camden Yard, Citizens Bank Park and RFK Stadium. I really want to see every ballpark in the country over the next 10 years or so and since I didn’t make it anywhere new last year, I figure I best get moving this year. Anyone up for a long weekend in Denver or Seattle?

9.) Build a patio in my back yard - I’ve got big hopes for my backyard. Hopefully this is the summer I find the cash and time to make them a reality.

10.) See more local bands play - Good friends + good music = good times.

11.) Finish remodeling the basement - My office is all set and my workout area should get finished off over the next month or so. All that really leaves is the bathroom and workshop areas and the seemingly never ending project will finally be finished.

12.) Kayak at least 100 miles this summer - It’s not really as far as it sounds and it’s really relaxing. I plan on keeping my eye out for any sales and possibly picking up a low cost second kayak so people could join me if they chose to do so.

That’s it for now, I’m sure I’ll post some kind of progress report on these down the road at some point.