Books...

I'd love to call myself an avid reader, but I know I prefer the TV to the book. And everyone knows that anyone who loves to watch the TV, will never find time to do anything else. After a long boring day as a software engineer, I love to go home (or to anyone's place for that matter) and drop dead in front of the idiot box (Ah, I was trying to avoid using the nick, but well doesn't matter) and spend some quality time, enjoying the empty drone in my head.

Once on a vacation, my family spent 3 days out in the open waters, and I was getting a bit irritable on the 3rd day. Finally we moved into another town where the resort also provided us with a television and believe it or not, my dad was glued to one TV in his room and I was in my room. My mom and sister spent a good time trying to convince us to enjoy the sunset, or go on a walk.

I don't think its so hard to believe that someone can enjoy the TV so much. Basically, if you are cultivating laziness to the point of it being an art, you'll know. When reading a book, you have to skim through the pages and understand what is going on, but with TV, all the thinking is right there but mostly not required because they are so brain dead. No, am not talking National Geographic or History Channel (I've never watched these to actually comment on their sensibility value). Predominantly all channels, are churning out re-runs, even new channels repeat the same thing over and over and over again until, you turn a deaf ear to the national calamity or a international security concern.

Well, I started writing this post because I had just finished reading Bill Bryson's, "The Lost Continent" and thought that it was a well written, non-glorifying account of his travels around the US. I found his observations repetitive though. Wonder if this is because there is not a lot of variety in the US (which I have to accept) or because of the author's shortcomings. I have never visited the mid-west, and the southern part of the country, so I really cannot comment. But this book, does not put the US on the map of greats and calls a spade a spade in most parts. One thing I did not understand about the country was when people were surprised that there could be people who are interested in returning back to their land. This stops short of amazing them. I couldn't stop smiling when the author also made note of this. His humor is fresh and cynicism welcome in the beginning of the book before you start feeling that you've been there, seen that attitude. I do know that am definitely going to pick up his next book.

And before I ramble on futher, I should mention I already have a date with the TV today - going to watch Little Women and I cant wait.