Damn Swede

Oh Comcast, how I hate thee.

Tonight is Must See TV on NBC.

Who is watching?  Not me.

One hundred and fifty dollars.

One hundred and fifty dollars.

For what?  Nothing.

During the summer my friend and his wife decided to have a party at his house and invited all the usual suspects.  The cocktails were flowing and the hours passed, so the only logical next step was to find some way to play a prank on our gracious hosts.  On the coffee table in front of Maureen and I sat the remote control and once we discovered they had a DVR, an idea struck.

We scrolled through the guide, searching for the just the right thing and we found it in a little show called “Family Feud.”  We pulled up the set up menu and set a series recording.  We could choose from the following options: only new episodes, new and repeats and all with duplicates.  Of course we chose all with duplicates.

I got the phone call the next morning.  “Were you messing with my DVR?  VERY funny.”  (It is important to note that we also recorded “all with duplicates” episodes of Beverly Hills 90210, some cheerleading show and CNN’s Managing Asia.  There might have been some others, but it was late and we were tipsy so there is no way to know for sure.)  “My DVR was full this morning,” my friend continued.  “Managing Asia?”

I maintain it was a funny joke.  No one was hurt, we recorded so many shows that our prank was discovered immediately.  Moreover, any shows they intended to record would have higher precedence over the ones we set.  No harm, no foul. The biggest question I have is all with duplicates?  What show is it that you would want to record not only new episodes and repeat episodes but then ALSO those same episodes each time they repeat?  I don’t get it, but I love that it is an option.

Yes, as I mentioned before, I watch “Extreme Home Makeover.” I am not as in to it as I used to be for several reasons. One, they have gone way to commercial and scripted. I think the first season was more genuine. Second, the cast stayed at Kohler in Wisconsin when they filmed there and my cousin Joel worked there as the guy who runs around to different rooms fulfilling guests’ needs. He said they were very demanding, which is totally opposite of their on air personalities and destroys the myth of them working through the night.

Those familiar with the show know that Ty briefs the team on the chosen family, shows a heart-wrenching video and asks his teary crew, “So what do you say - can we do this?” One hundred percent of the time, they crew answers an enthusiastic “YES!” It’s probably the cynic in me, but just one time I want them to say, “Um, I don’t think so.” Is that too much to ask?

So, I just got back from my parents for our big birthday weekend. Benjamin told me about ten times that our birthdays are the same. I have a ton of things to do tonight, but I’d rather drink wine and watch TV. I have bills to pay. I have changes to make to a PowerPoint presentation for work. I have to write a consumer value proposition and brand promise. I have to type Parish Council minutes. None of those things sound like something I want to do right now. Lest you think I am completely shirking my responsibilities, I did unpack all my stuff from the weekend, put away my groceries, catch up on my emails, and do two loads of laundry.

I’d like to pause and talk about how much I love doing laundry. To me it is the perfect chore. Here’s why: I feel double productive. During the twenty minutes in washer and 60 minutes in the dryer, I am automatically doing two things at once, even if the other thing is taking a nap. And if I have a load in the washer and one in the dryer, then I am doing three things at once! There is no other chore that gives you this much freedom. Yes, I agree - folding is a pain in the ass. However, if done while watching TV, listening to the radio or talking on the phone, you are still being double productive! I heart efficiency.

Speaking of, I have to go change the load.

I admit it. I watch “Extreme Home Makeover,” just so that I can justify tears on a weekly basis. I don’t know, something about the emotional release is preparation in a way for another stressful week. Tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up, put my business face on and make strategic marketing decisions. But for now, tears fall as I sip my glass of wine.

Speaking of technological difficulties (I know, we weren’t), I wrote this whole big long blog a couple days ago about how living in the city brings out the aggression in me, especially while driving. I am constantly amazing at the selfishness exhibited by drivers trying to get just one car length ahead of the next guy. But, the Chicago Marathon is one of my favorite days of the year because the city comes together to cheer on people they know, but more importantly, the ones they don’t know. Even though this year’s marathon was marked by tragedy, it is still one of my favorite days of the year. I remember why I love the city. There - summed up four paragraphs in just one.

I had lunch with my brother this week. It was nice. A couple people from work knew of my plans and asked me how lunch was when I returned. I felt weird saying I had a really good time. I don’t like talking about my feelings and I don’t like talking about how much I enjoy spending time with my brother. He’s a cool guy. I am glad we are friends, not just siblings.

I went to my co-worker’s party last night and I had the best time. I kind of felt old and didn’t really feel like going. But a promise is a promise, so I got dressed up and drug myself over to Lincoln Square. Initially I didn’t know anyone except the hostess, but I had the best time ever.