I want to blame this on Howie Mandel. I want to, but I can’t. Maybe television executives? Nope. The internet? Well, that cuts pretty close to home (where are you reading this!?). Oh wait, I got it: video games. There. Now I can end this blog and get myself outside.
Dang it. Dang it. It just doesn’t ring true does it? I am the problem. I know it and I don’t even want to type it. Everyday, just before I get up I try to get my day laid out, everything I’ll be able to cross off my never ending list. And too many days, I walk by the television I can see from my kitchen and just maybe turn on ESPN. I wonder if the Tigers won last night? I don’t even want to know how many times I’ve watched the same SportsCenter back to back to back...and I’m a (pseudo) radio guy!
I know most of our jobs are inside, where it’s safe from the elements (is sunshine an element?). At least we are being productive and hopefully connecting with people. There used to be events people would gather around the water cooler to chat about, and those turned into rehashing Seinfeld bits...and now we network with each other texting or emailing. God help us if we have five minutes to interact with our fellow employees. I find myself jealous of people who smoke, because they get seven minutes (max) in the open-air to get their fix. I have a fix not being met, it’s called fresh air.
And let me go back to video games. Not all are inherently evil (like Bowser), but the hideous thing is the time we get stuck in front of the screen. Alone. I’ve said, out loud to myself, that I will quit in two hours, or once I get past this next level. Video games are like casinos, all of a sudden I can’t find a clock (or I don’t want to). It’s a sad day when you finally realize you only have 90 minutes to sleep before you have to get up. And if you’re like me, you’re PO’d at the game. I’ve always been good at avoiding mirrors.
I have to force myself out from under all these ceilings and roofs. I can’t believe I was created to not be outside or out with other people. I’ve wanted to stay home to watch Deal Or No Deal (another rerun? what the...) and not go hang out with some friends. I just wanted to lounge with my internal guide Mr. Cable TV and my temporary friend Mr. Bag Of Chips. Plus, on tonight’s show Howie might give away so much money it will change lives, and I want to be there for that contestant. Yea, me and him, we can win it all. Plus the babes on the show, I think #17 case holder likes me. And don’t get me started on porn...really, don’t get me started...I hear it’s a hard habit to break.
My interview with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree was very inspiring (link to it here). Their most recent CD “Fear Of A Blank Planet” dives into the idea that we may be raising a generation of kids that are numb, apathetic, and isolated because of all the technological advances we’ve made. (When a kid told me he’s just got a new air cooled controller for his gaming system, he was ecstatic. I was not.) But it’s not just kids, the average gamer is 33 years old. Yes, we spend less time in front of the tv, but way more on the internet. What happened to biking and golfing and playing catch? What about just shooting the breeze with a neighbor? There’s lots of ways to get outside, but the hardest part is putting on your shoes to go do it.
Outside or not outside. It’s decision time right now.
Unless your goal is to have the longest fingernails in history, it’s time to get up. get started. get involved. ...and get outside.