My husband and I own two investment properties, comprising a total of 16 units. My job is to manage them, and I think I do OK at it. In fact, about two months ago, we moved into one of the properties, so I could manage them better.
Not long after, I was talking to my 18YO daughter (who opted to stay in MD when we moved to WV), and she expressed shock and dismay at the fact that I do not watch Heroes. She insists I must start recording it and watching it. Two days ago, I was talking to my sister “B”, and she expressed shock and dismay that I do not watch Dexter or Criminal Minds. She insists I must start recording them and watching them. That same night, my sister “D” called me (I’m recovering from surgery; that’s why I have so many concerned relatives calling me; we don’t always talk this frequently), and expressed shock and dismay that I don’t watch Glee. She insists I will love it and must start recording and watching it.
Now look, I already record (and watch) House, America’s Best Dance Crew (shut up, it’s my only ‘reality’ show), and the old eps of Law and Order (the Lenny years). On weekends, my hubby and I catch up on The West Wing together. Sometimes, depending on what the recipes are, I will also record 30 Minute Meals or The Barefoot Contessa or Good Eats (which is especially handy to have, because my 9YO likes to watch it with me).
So I figure that in order to keep watching the shows I already consider ‘mandatory’ plus watch the shows everyone else insists I must watch, I will have to turn property management back over to my husband. I mean, I know he already works a full-time job and all, but dammit, according to the loved ones in my life, this stuff is important.
You don’t tell him you have to quit. You tell him you need an “assistant” to “proactively manage your efficiency”. And then hire a minimum wage goon and show him/her the ropes, lock your office door and Bob’s your uncle!
Excellent! So, since I’m getting an ‘assistant’, what else should I DVR? Maybe I should start watching Joss Whedon’s stuff? Or more reality TV? What? What else can I watch?? I mean, if I’m getting an assistant, surely they can do my housework and raise my 9YO, too, right? Right??
Do you have cable? Specifically Comcast cable? I just recently discovered that 2/3 of the shows I was vaguely inclined to record are available in their “On Demand” menu. Mad Men, Top Chef, **Project Runway **(which is boring now and might come off the list), and **Lie to Me **(which my mother insists I need to record and watch) are all there. I don’t have to set anything up or fend off marathons. And it leaves the DVR free for all the Turner Classic Movies I record and never watch…
Lie To Me turned out to be entertaining (I’d only recommend it if you’re able to suspend disblief for shows like CSI “We’re not police ma’am. We’re from the crime lab except here we are in the next scene kicking down doors with guns drawn. Ooh look, now we’re interrogating suspects.”)
The only one of your family’s recommendations that I have watched is Glee. I want to like it. Lots of my friends like it. I’m not entirely sure I’d miss it if it were cancelled. I watched the first season of Dexter* but found it to be way too dark for me. Same with Damages*. (another recommendation from my mom).
*Both of these seem like really well made shows and I may watch them in the future. My real life has been presenting challenges for a while and when I’m feeling down it’s better for me to watch Doris Day movies and other completely harmless entertainment.
Believe it or not (and this is not the voice of elitism talking here!), I’ve never seen a single ep of any of these shows! I purposely don’t watch them, so I don’t get “hooked” on them.
I took my 9YO to bowling league this morning and returned to find that another one of my sisters called me. I can’t wait to talk to her to see what shows she demands I watch!
