As you may know, due to the presence of two small children in the House, I watch a lot of children’s programming. Some of it I like, some of it I can stand, some of it is “meh”, and some of it is actively awful. But I have resigned myself to my odious fate. Occasionally, I can sneak in the odd rerun of “Project Runway” or “Matlock” (I loooove me some “Matlock”!) but there is one type of TV show I avoid like the plague.
Soap Operas.
Here’s the problem, I used to be seriously into, nay addicted to, “Days of Our Lives” in college. Marlena, Roman, Kim, Shane, Patch, Kayla, Bo and Hope, Jack and Jennifer, Victor Kiriakis, Ma and Pa Brady, Julie and Doug (from when I was a child and my mom used to watch it), and who could forget Calliope and Eugene (the incomparable John de Lancie). Who could not watch in fascination as all the bad karma in the world descended on the hapless Brady clan week after week? Who could not try to fathom not just the tragedy, but the utter weirdness swirling about Salem? What was that? You could? Well, maybe that was just me.
Anyway, I have purposely avoided getting re-involved with soap operas, especially as a SAHM. I’d get even less housework done than I do now! I have indulged myself by reading the blurbs in the back of the TV listing every week. The familiar names and the comfortingly kooky predicaments all felt like postcards from my younger self who used to structure her class schedule around “Days”(I kid you not).
Today I accidentally watched a few minutes of my old friend, “Days”. No, really. It was a total accident. This morning I had the TV on whatever morning “news” show is on NBC. I wanted to watch the weather and see more footage of that amazing plane crash in NYC. When Pumpkin finally reached her boring, old grown-up show limit she pulled her favorite “Pink Panther”(animated) DVD out of the cabinet. She watched it while she colored in her big coloring book and munched on the occasional crayon. When it was over, I switched it back to the TV so I could make her lunch in relative peace. And what should be on? “Days of Our Lives!!!”
I found myself in the warm embrace of old friends. There was Kayla and Marlena, discussing John Black’s latest bout of amnesia. Nothing had changed! Including my little problem. My eyes glazed over and I sat motionless on the edge of the couch. Where I would’ve watched the whole thing if my daughter had not reminded me, rather forcefully, that she was ready for lunch.
So the next time I grouse about having to watch children’s programming, I’ll try to remind myself that it is better than the alternative.
You all have been privy to one of my dark secrets and it’s your turn: What do you absolutely adore yet avoid like the plague? It can be anything, guilty-pleasure-TV, verbotten snack, luxurious indulgence, run-of-the-mill vice, whatever, just share.
artificial cinnamon flavor.
Really, I love the stuff in anything. My favorite is the Hot Tamales candy but Big Red will do in a pinch. I will eat it until I get sick.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t take long b/c it seems I’m allergic to it in some way and it gives me a pounding headache.
Ooh, that’s a good one! And tasty, too.
Skittles. My downfall is those little rainbow colored fruit flavored candies FROM HELL!
This past Halloween, we were expecting a vast hoard of kids to descend on our house for Trick or Treating. But alas, the darn hayride didn’t make to our house in time for A’s bedtime… so my darling husband turned off the porch light and went about getting her in bed. I had taken my eldest out to participate in said trick or treating hayride or I would have sat at the corner of the drive throwing it at passing cars.
We had so much candy left over that I started to eat some. And eat more. And more. It got so bad that I had to have a nightcap of Skittles and Smarties before going to bed or I would just lay there jonesing (sp) for them and not fall asleep. After the Skittles ran out, I even bought more at the store. I never buy candy. NEVER!
My remedy? I had a candy themed birthday party for my youngest in December and gave bags of candy to the guests. I’m sure the parents thought I was the devil, but whatcha going to do?
It was them or me. I chose them.
You chose wisely. Hey, were you part of the group that gathered in the student union to watch “Days”, I can’t remember, that was over 20 years ago.
I did on occasion. Actually, I got to where my Sophomore year that I had a schedule break for days… I would go to the GC snack bar and get a sandwich, cookie and a coke and go back to the dorm and watch it. It was the whole Salem Strangler thing going on if I remember correctly.
Do you remember watching Another World at our first apt? That long hair guy (can’t remember) got us watching. What was that guys name? Vicky/Marley played by Anne Heche?
PEPPERMINT! For the same reason as #1 Just isn’t worth a day long migraine