The crud I successfully resisted for over a week finally got me. Everybody we know has it. People are laid out left and right. Monday was the no-breathe no-sleep day. Tuesday was hack-green-goo out of my lungs day. Wednesday is shaping up to be a no-voice cough-my-lungs-out day.
Because of this I have watched TV. A lot of TV. Because when you can’t breathe and therefore can’t sleep at 2:00 am, you want something only mildly entertaining which will hopefully lull you to sleep. Here is my sick TV report.
Gold Rush: White Water.
These people are the dumbest human beings in Alaska. First, they left all of their equipment by the river and left, and the river predictably swelled and dragged it all away. So they borrowed $50K from their arch nemesis, because why not, and bought untested equipment with it. Said equipment consisted of the dredge, through which they planned to run gravel and dirt from the bottom of a raging mountain river, and heated water diving suits, because the river is bloody cold.
They have to dive into white water in a complicated set up that involves three lines: an air hose for the diver to breathe, a hot water hose to keep the temperature of the suit up, and the power line for the vacuum tube with which they are sucking up gravel.
Do they test this set up? No. Because that would be the smart thing to do. They stuff a 72 year old man into the wet suit and send him into 38 degree Fahrenheit water. That would be about 3 degrees Celsius. First dive, he comes out of the water, and his face is purple, because he isn’t getting enough air. The hose junction is too narrow. And they don’t fix it until their arch nemesis sends an ex-Marine who is a commercial diver, who looks at their equipment and starts having kittens.
Their comms don’t work half of the time and they can’t hear what the diver is saying. On another dive, the son of the 72 year old keep calling into the com, “Dad? Dad?” and they are standing around waiting. You pull him up! If you don’t hear from your diver, you pull him up! They pull him up finally, he is half-drowned. The other time he nearly got hypothermia. They built a barricade diagonally to block the worst of the current, and then the leading dude decided that gold must be under that barricade, so he starts tunneling under it. The barricade breaks and now there is a hole, and current comes in, and everyone is amazed. I mean, that’s like sawing through the branch you’re sitting on.
Also, the ex-Marine dude is highly suspect. Okay, I live in an area with a very large Latin American immigrant population, Mexican, Colombian, Guatemalan, etc. I’ve lived here for about 10 years. I’ve never heard a Latin American immigrant to refer to another man as señor. Never. That dude jumped right of the central casting.
Five grown men dug in that river for weeks. They lived in a shed, nearly drowned, had to hire helicopter to carry their equipment, had to zip-line across a gorge to get to the work site, got themselves into serious debt, and spent their entire summer there. They got roughly 2 ounces of gold worth about $2,000. Total.
Apparently there is a second season. They don’t get any gold in that one either.
Ancient aliens
Something something aliens. Can’t tell you what the show is about. I turn it on and in ten minutes I’m out. The only thing I remember is that if the question is “Could ancient aliens be responsible for something,” the alien theorists believe that the answer is always yes.
Last Chance u
An absolutely amazing show on Netflix. I don’t like sports enough to follow football or any other sport, actually, but I absolutely loved this show. We binged the entire first season yesterday. It does that rare thing when you become emotionally invested in people. You root for them and when unfair things happen, you get upset on their behalf.
Apparently, there is JUCO, junior college league of football, which I didn’t know existed. It mostly consists of teams from two-year community colleges. The first season is about east Mississippi Community College, which has a winning streak of 25 games. The college recruits high school players who are unable to attend 4-year colleges because of low grades or who had to drop out due to problems. If they play well in JUCO, they may be scouted by recruiters from Division I schools. The challenge isn’t just to keep them playing, but to make sure they maintain a 2.5 grade point average. You know this would be a challenge when on the first day of class the academic coordinator is running around tracking individual players and saying things like, “Where is your notebook? Do you have a pen? Why don’t you have a pen?”
It’s great TV. Highly recommended.
Just watch The Expanse.
Oh yes, The Expanse is great! You do need to watch the first two or three episodes before all the plot lines start coming together.
I watched the first season and somehow walked away from it and didn’t pick it up again.
Thomas Jane is amazing in it.
The Expanse was great reading so I worried the show wouldn’t live up.
+1000
Can’t wait for season 4! It’s the only reason I renewed my Amazon Prime membership. Love good sci-fi.
Thank you for taking one for the team and watching all this stuff. I never would have had the courage.
Those reality shows like Gold Rush are fake – they’re all set up for high drama. Eyes hurt from rolling whenever I tune it for a few minutes to most shows in this genre.
I clicked post too soon in my previous comment – I hope you feel better soon!
Ancient aliens is my husband’s default napping show.
“Where is your notebook? Do you have a pen? Why don’t you have a pen?”
That is literally my internal dialogue every time a new semester starts. Why Would I be prepared and take one of my many, MANY, pens and notebooks from previous semesters when I could spend money I don’t have buying them at the student store?
PS Does anyone have any advice on writing an argumentative essay? I keep having to start over because I keep trying to show the entire problem instead of focusing on whether I agree or disagree with a statement. It’s like, no I don’t agree. How do I make that into a stupid five paragraph essay with evidence?
Well, in your introduction you should outline what your disagreeing or agreeing with (you said disagreeing right?) And then for your main point paragraphs you should use evidence to show how you are right. Then you make a counter claim paragraph that talks about what the other side thinks or whatever, I think you have to provide evidence for that, and then you finish with your conclusion
Sabrina, this is called the 5 paragraph paper, otherwise known as the only paper you need to know how to write in college.
1. Introduction. Strong opening sentence. Last sentence of the introduction is your thesis sentence. Thesis sentence says, “In this will paper I will demonstrate my point because of a, b, c.”
2. Body.
a) First, Point A. Strong point.
b) Second, Paint B. Your weakest argument goes here. sandwich the bullshit between two strong arguments to hide it.
c) Third, Point C. Strong point.
3. Conclusion. “To reiterate, I have proven my point…” Basically regurgitate the introduction here.
Make sure your organizational road map is in place: First, Second, Third, or First, Next, Last, and To reiterate or In conclusion. Organization is 50% of this grade.
Topic: Should students save notebooks from previous semesters instead of buying new ones?
While the idea of saving old notebook from previous semesters seems trivial, it has surprisingly deep consequences, affecting not just the student but the planet on a global level. Blah blah yacketty shmacketty, creatively worded nonsense that proves you can put two words together. In this paper, I will prove that saving notebooks is better than purchasing new ones because using old notebooks reduces environmental footprint, teaches the student discipline and accountability, and promotes fiscal responsibility.
First, he impending climate change isn’t a matter of convenience, but of our survival as species. (Big sensational opening.) Old notebooks would likely be thrown out. saving them reduces carbon footprint because instead of producin new notebooks we can use the ones already produced, reduces supply chain costs, and keeps them out land fields.
Second, remembering to bring notebooks teaches organization skills and promotes preparation for class. Being prepared raises student’s confidence and makes success more likely. Blah blah, bullshit, since this is the weak point I had to have an nobody cares.
Third, the rising college costs are drowning students in debt. (Strong important social point.) The costs of the education are rising unchecked, hobbling students and preventing them from succeeding and combined with uncertain job prospects, have the potential to seriously damage their future. Saving money becomes paramount and not buying extra notebooks cuts down on costs.
To reiterate, the topic of saving notebooks has far reaching social importance that effects our society in unexpected ways. Blah blah, I am smart. In this paper, I have proven that saving notebooks from previous semesters is both prudent and responsible, because of the impact on environment, individual student’s academic outlook, and student’s financial future.
To make it argumentative, make sure that in your thesis you say, I agree/disagree with topic because, a, b, and c. And then your repeat that in conclusion.
Honestly, I am going to see an integrety case of a student copying IA’s essay and forgetting to remove the Blah blah part.
Kinda like the kid who took an online exam in their undies and we had to watch the video as proof of cheating.
I wrote a very similar “magic all purpose college paper” outline for my son. He’s got it framed on his desk…
Ilona, if I had you for a “how to write papers” class when I was first learning how to write research papers in college, you would be my favorite professor. 🙂
My mom helped me a lot with my writing. It got better when I majored in History. In all my history classes, you read, take a midterm (and sometimes a final), and write a 10 page paper (depending on the class and the professor). By the time I got my Masters and Doctoral degrees all I needed to ask was “how do you want me to structure the paper?” That question was answered in the curriculum. My dissertation is set up as if it was to be sent to a journal for publication.
I too have the crud-cold, cough, sore throat, ear ache, fever, chills and to make it really fun vomiting and diarrhea.I have been binge watching Downton Abbey. It’s awesome to watch a TV show without violence, overt sex and terrible language (although I watch those too) I also watched all six episodes of Good Omen, however I slept through most of it. Feel better soon.
Ah, Lawsy, those “real” Alaska shows crack me up. I lived in Fairbanks for 25 years total, and never once would those sorts have survived. I do have some stories, but the people they have on these shows many times are idiots. My younger brother has a friend who was turned down to be included on Ice Road Truckers because he doesn’t swear enough, and generally was too grumpy to handle the camera person along on his trips. Ancient Aliens drives anthropologists NUTS. Good luck with the crud, may you all feel better very soon!!
They’re so obviously scripted as most “reality” shows are. They have to create drama cause real life is actually boring.
Celina, my then infant daughter and I ended up being across the street of a real, live, shoot out between two mining families in Central, Alaska in 1992. Those people can be crazy, but the stupid ones usually don’t last long.
The Netflix show “Basketball or Nothing” sounds very similar to “Last Chance U.” It is about a high school basketball team made up of kids who all live on a Navajo reservation. I got completely emotionally invested in the kids even though I generally know nothing and care nothing about sports. Binged watched all the episodes in 2 days and highly recommend.
Thanks for the recommendations. Just checked and Canadian Netflix has both Last Chance U and Basketball or Nothing, so yay!
I’m the kind of person who grew up hating NFL football – I cheered for the clock and cursed the stoppages as I waited for 60 minutes to come on. But then my little sister recommended Friday Night Lights … what an amazing tv show, I have an interest now in watching sports.
I’ve watched a season or two of Gold Rush- I decided that the draw was whether someone would get killed that season due to stupidity.
Hope you’re on the mend!!
You make that Gold Rush show sound like it belongs on Mystery Science Theater. I don’t think I’ll be watching this one unless the bots are riffing on the rampant stupidity.
I hope you feel better soon and you find good things to watch.
I was just realizing that the only way I’d really enjoy it is if I’d could watch it with
a) Uncle lives in Alaska (and his current wife, who is a lot more talkative) and
b) his kids, one of whom lives in Austin, TX, and the other in Geneva Switzerland. (Yes, they took different paths very far from Alaska…) However, this would be difficult to arrange. But kind of a similar idea? And honestly, if we were all together, I’d rather have a nice dinner and chat.
(In January, I’m hoping to hang with D and his family in Austin when I’m down there for a conference, and it might be the first time I’ve seen him since I was ten? I mean, we talk online all the time… And I really need to get up to Alaska to spend time with Uncle B, and going hiking with the BAMF – not that BAMF – breakfast club.)
I call it the season change crud at my house. Every quarter someone is suffering. Last week it was my daughter and I. This week its my oldest, but I think he pickednit up from his soccer team. They canceled all games this week because the caoch didnt like the way they were coughing, I know he sent two home last Friday. Practice this weeknis watching games, and stratergy in his office. Hope tou guys feel better soon though!
I too came down with a cold. My husband got sick first and I swore I wasn’t going to get sick 😂. Now I’m determined to get better before the week oz done . We’ll see how that goes . So far Chef’s Table on Netflix is entertaining and inspiring.
I hope you and your entire family feel better soon.
Yes, I teach at a junior college in MS. And yes I am constantly amazed when I have to give students pens so they can take their scheduled exams. Cause you know, expecting students to have a pen or pencil is obviously unreasonable. Not only do I have football players but I also have softball, baseball, tennis and basketball. Soccer players are on a separate campus. However, even quite a few of my non athletes find it too difficult to come to class with notebooks and pens! But they are NEVER, without their cell phones!
Our sixth grade teacher taught us to always have pencils sharpened and ready for tests. We were allowed to have two on top of the desk, because once the test started, you couldn’t go into your desk for a spare. Got to high school, and found out that was not how all classrooms were run.
(I still have to have two pens in my purse at all times!! Thanks Mrs. T, for teaching me how to be prepared!)
Sorry you’re feeling cruddy. That seems to be the norm this time of year, and it’s rotten.
Ancient Aliens. I love that show. It’s amazing how seriously they treat the most outrageous hypotheses. Seriously hilarious stuff.
I taught Bio for Non-Majors at a junior college for 7 semesters. Because of scheduling, I ended up with half the basketball team in one of my sections. Their coach was super on top of making sure they attended my class and were doing their homework. If any of them struggled his approach was always to ask what he could do to help (get the player to attend tutoring, make sure the player had the necessary supplies, etc). The team won the national championship my last year there and one of the players was recruited to Texas State.
I imagine it was a funny sight in the lab to see 4 basketball players at each lab table towering over 5’3″ me as I was demo-ing. One of the funniest memories I have is when one group was squeamish about touching the fetal pig to get it tied to the dissection tray. I walked up, grabbed it, cracked the legs open….and a 6’5″ player crumpled to the ground, passed out. (He wasn’t hurt, but I texted the coach to send the trainer down for an eval anyway.)
That sounds like the opening to the old TV show Quincy. He started out an autopsy with a full class of rookies, but as the opening progressed he cleared out the room. Some gagged and bolted, while a few fainted. At the end of it, he had a clear room.
One of my favorite former students / colleagues was a former professional baseball player (never made it out of the minors, though there was also an injury involved) who returned to get some kind of complicated Bio / Math / Classics mix of degree (I think double major in the first two? I should know this…) and then picked up a graduate degree in neurobio with a focus on theoretical and computational work before heading off to med school.
I met him as an undergrad in one of my anatomy courses. We chatted a bit, I started lending him books on non linear dynamical systems theory, because it seemed like his kind of jam, and then one of my research students he was friends with invited him to what became Python club (while everyone else was making text adventures on the second or third meeting, he was building Izhikevich’s neural models, because… yeah. (I told him he might as well just join the lab at that point. He didn’t make it official for another year.) Brilliant guy, and really sweet, grounded fellow as well.
I am sending everyone get healthy thoughts and goo be gone wishes.
Last chance U is great. So glad others know of this now.
I just started a repeat binge of Doctor Who beginning with the 9th Doctor. I’m up to the Smith and Jones season 3. (Matt Smith’s 11 is still my favorite) Sometimes you need to revisit the old favorites. I also watched The Princess Bride again due to all the internet mania regarding NOT making a re-boot. Please NO, it’s perfect the way it is.
I have watched Dr. Who since the reboot and I gotta tell ya: the latest, female Dr. Who is GREAT!
Also, I agree re: The Princess Bride. It’s like all the dumb talk about doing a new Casablanca. Just even….
I am on day five of a severe vertigo with nausea and vomiting attack. OTC meclizine is just taking the edge off the nausea enough to stop barfing (or doing what my body refers to as barfing, which is salivating and retching.) Everytime I move my head the spinning starts, so I have been trying to find a comfy position, then stay still as long as I can. Life as we know it sucks monkey balls this week. I’d send you healing mojo, but I am fresh out.
Try the Epley maneuver; google it on YouTube. That’s what hubby’s dr. recommended when he had vertigo, and the dr. said it worked for him. It also worked well for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtT2PDJVXlk&fbclid=IwAR3itdA__nGlxU0vvtYD9n7Z6oUNSraKNg9G46xCG06PPE8OfgRYYvvTM0I&app=desktop
I asked in my food co-op chat group, we have 4 people who swear that this works, YMMV….
Darn, I’m so sorry you’re feeling so badly. Hope House Andrews is on the way to wellness very soon! Hmmm, unlike the book suggestions, I don’t think I’ll be watching any of those shows LOL.
Sorry to hear you finally succumbed to the crud going around. I served my turn last week. All best to you, and keep drinking your collection of hot teas! My 21-year-old son is currently pushing watching Punisher episodes together on a nightly basis, while my 20-year-old son is pushing for all of us to binge-watch The Flash. Nothing intellectual going on in our house if it doesn’t blow up. Graphically. Like, Michael Bay-esque. 🙂
On many “reality shows”, I often wonder whose reality is this? Cause you can’t be this stupid and still be living.
Jeez, Ilona!! When I’m sick I really like Umbrella Academy. Great show.
I also like Midsommer Murders. Too bad it’s slated to be done in October.
Your illness sounds vile, and may you recover SOON!!!!
Remember the kerfuffle when a group of Twitter twits, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, petitioned Netflix to cancel *Good Omens* and Amazon execs offered to cancel *Stranger Things* (a Netflix show) if Netflix canceled*Good Omens* (an Amazon Prime show)? Both shows are good, but I really liked *Good Omens*, and the publicity of the “fight” seems to have served them both well.
If you are going to binge on Netflix, you might check out The King’s Avatar. It is based on the over 1,000 chapter Chinese serial novel. Instead of following the original strictly, it fleshes out the background story of the main character though it does change some of the characters slightly (the pro esports players display occasionally display ‘good sportsmanship’; in the novel, the attitude was my opponent is too skilled not to take every advantage I can get)
Oooooo!
I was calling it the “Canadian Crud” since we were in Quebec when I got it. Let me tell you the plane ride was no fun. I have been able to read cozy mysteries since I don’t have to think too much. Our Dish is gone because of deck repairs so it is Netflix or nothing for us. Have you watched Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries? Wonderful scenery & costumes.
Do you know they made an actual movie of Miss Fischer? Released in Australia first of course but should get here eventually. That I will actually pay to see.
Thanks for the shows reviews. I’m sorry everyone is sick. Hope it’s a short sickness, and everyone gets better soon.
Not to be critical of sick people, but why the heck anyone would watch any of those shows is beyond me. I put it down to poor judgment due to lack of oxygen due to coughing too hard to let air get into the lungs.
I spend most of my life struggling to breathe through the allergens the world sends my way. LOTS of meds, but I have found that the best thing for it is to find something funny and let myself laugh at it. Yes, at first laughing makes me choke. But then a strange thing happens: For a few minutes or hours, I can actually breathe because laughing uses muscles different from just coughing and gets my lungs clear enough for me to actually inhale.
Find a book that made you laugh the first time you read it and read it again. Find a comedian who makes you laugh and binge on that. Drink your tea while it’s hot. Forget about when you “should be” sleeping and sleep when you can. The world will wait. Get well.
I have a hard time watching most reality shows, my wife says I critique them too much and ruin her enjoyment of them. But I did like Myth Busters when it was on and I like some of the Iron Man competitions.
Hope you feel better soon.
Sorry you aren’t feeling well, and I hope it passes swiftly!
We are a football family here. Husband is super into college football and I am all about NFL. He loves Last Chance U and because of this I have seen several episodes. Totally agree about it sucking you in. It’s a really well-done series.
I’m going to have to try Ancient Aliens for my insomnia. If we’re talking Discovery Channel, I prefer the Josh Gates shows, primarily Expedition Unknown. Forged in Fire is good too, if you tire of Aliens but don’t want away from History.
Gold Rush sounds like the Oak Island TV show. I think there have been 5 seasons and they have not found any treasure on Oak Island. My husband still watches.
LOL… I’ve long since stopped watching those Gold Rush series, because… yeah….
You are different from me. When feeling sick I can barely tolerate people talking much less the television. My how to ends up being books till I am starting to feel better then some streamed podcast, eventually I might tune in on a docu-series. Latest fav is the time team archeological series that you can stream on you tube.
I don’t have the crud like you, Ilona. However, due to mold and ragweed my body is feeling it. My eyes swell (ragweed) and my bronchial tubes hurt and are swollen. Nothing comes out when I cough since it’s irritation that’s causing me to cough. Right now I sound like I smoke a pack of cigarettes a day.
I take allergy medicine and Advil (not at the same time). Even though I take the medicine, my body wants to sleep.
Get well soon, Ilona. 😀
David Attenborough has the most soothing voice… I put on anything BBC nature documentary and out I go…
Get well soon. When I am sick , I binge some older romance novels or cozy mysteries. If I am too sick to hold a paperback , I just rest and drink tea. Tv gives me a headache and makes me even more cranky.
I don’t know why anyone would be on a reality tv show. Awful shows, awful and dumb people.
Drink tea, snuggle with a pet.
So sorry you are experiencing this plague! Hope you feel better soon!
And so glad you are reporting on these shows. 😁. My in-laws grew up and live in Alaska, and they just laugh at the scenarios and can’t watch the shows because they can’t stand the lack of common-sense.
Sorry you aren’t feeling well and hope you feel better soon. I am currently binge watching the Ken Burns series “Country Music” on PBS on Demand. I am really enjoying listening to the history behind today’s country music (which I generally am not fond of…..). I highly recommend it. Meanwhile, it definitely makes the time pass quickly and is a great accompaniment to the crocheting I must get done.
I am watching Country Music on PBS also. It is great and I am not a real fan either but I think that’s changed. I did recognize most of the names and some of the music.
When I was sick last year I binged Prospectors from the Weather Channel actually, they followed gemstone miners in the Colorado Rocky Mountains… a good watch.
Otherwise, I’m excited for the season 2 premier of the Masked Singer tonight! 🙂
Hope you and the gang feel better soon!
Being sick is no fun at all, and I hope you feel better soon!
I’ve been bingeing that TV show ‘Leverage’, just over ten years old now but the chemistry between the actors and the very A-Team like vibe mean it’s still fun. Some of the jokes are a bit dated, but it’s not too bad.
Also, it has some nice eye candy – yes, I’m shallow that way…
Yep. Still learning to adjust slow healing foot surgery with side of severe lymphedema while not living in pity party town. Bet you watched killing eve already. Weird but love. Character Caroline reminds me of Iilema from SOB. Our location is ground zero for reality show casting. Those folks are truly breed apart. There is restaurant bar basically club house where many go share tips etc. They have a certain unique look or appearance really sets them apart. Most admit there is a scripted outline to follow and MUST create maintain a storyline to stay in the show. Seems weird life to m e but oh well.
my current binge is “death in paradise” and I’ve been binging from season one. good light watching. (every murder is solved and neatly wrapped up) being sick is no fun. grab a dog, curl up on the couch and binge away. take the time as offered.
Yes, a fun show!
David Attenborough has the most soothing voice… I put on anything BBC nature documentary and out I go…
I can’t stand “reality” shows.
Default shows whenever: Mayday, any vet show about animals, BBC Earth shows, historical documentaries about almost anything (especially when there is a British host).
Good Luck with the Sick Days. Yuck. But you WILL get through it.
Born in Alaska, lived there thirty some years until husband got tired of me begging and moved away from the winters. Look, the “Alaskan” people on TV are fake. Real Alaskans are appalled that anyone would think we’re like those morons. Gold Rush is complete fiction. Our family members who work for actual mines shake their heads when it’s mentioned.
Alaska is mostly full of sensible people; harsh winters tend to weed out the silly.
My husband likes “The Last Alaskans” on Animal Planet. That one actually seemed rather real to me. Is it fake too? 😊
Thank you for verifying “Last Chance U”!! It keeps popping up in my recommendations but I was worried it would be exactly like Friday Night Lights.
Capsaicin is a natural decongestant. Eat spicy foods! The spicier the better! Your mucus will clear up, and endorphins will make you feel better.
We put on Ancient Aliens to go to sleep. Works like a charm. The tone is just so mellow, but not mono-tone. And they always agree, lol.
If you haven’t watched it, check out Dark Matter. It is a space opera redemption story. Unfortunately only 3 season, but the creator wrote the scenes for season 4 and put it on his blog.
We are currently watching Haven and enjoying it. I’ve read that it really picks up at season 3, but we are only on season 2 right now.
Mostly I think reality shows are stupid, the total lack of common sense and obnoxious behavior drive me crazy besides which I have enough reality in my own life.
I like what I call “neutral” shows, Miss Fischer, Father Brown, Midsomer, Murder Call, etc., No ugly violence, interesting characters, and a nicely solved murder. To all of you with the crud I hope you feel better soon so you can enjoy life again.
Hope you feel better soon!
I have a guilty Netflix confession to make. I am totally binging on Father Brown. This is not a show I’d ever watch in a million years… and yet, here I am on Season 3 LOL!
The show is essentially a cozy mystery. It the British version of Murder, She Wrote. Why am I addicted to this show?!? I totally enjoy it. Charms me to pieces. It must be the accents 😉
I started watching it when I was sick, so I thought I’d recommend it to ya. It’s gotta be better than reality shows, and it’s somehow soothing. Cheers 🙂
The last time that I was that sick with allergies/ crud, I would binge watch “How it’s Made” at night. Knocked me right out. I would wake up a few hours later to some astronomy show.
When I was dealing with broken bones in the hospital I watched a lot of Sophia the First at night due to that being the most interesting thing on the 20 channel TV. That and the generic new age music and generic rock guitar channels.
We are unashamedly Ancient Aliens fans, but we can’t get through a single episode without quoting Dan Aykroyd in Ghostbusters: “When someone asks if you are a God, you say “Yes!’
Thanks Rebecca—also an Ancient Aliens viewer here. But we try to see how many times we can accurately say “in my opinion” right before George T uses it so it sounds like he’s echoing us. Timing is everything! *giggle* And it’s what I turn on sometimes if I want to make sure I have a nap on the weekends. Works like a charm.
My goto when sick is the Discovery channel. Always something wacky and wonderful to see the first 15 minutes of, doze for the next 30-50, then awake long enough to get the start of the next show. If you can time your sickness with shark week, you’re gold! Lol
I’d like to recommend ‘finding bigfoot’ , I discovered it whilst on bedrest when i was pregnant with my middle son. So, a crew head to the wilderness, interview local witnesses of sasquatch shenanigans, do reconstructions of encounters and late night forest investigations where bigfoot gets tantalisingly close but never actually shows up.
I think there’s like 12 seasons now. Its strangely compelling and yet if you fall asleep during one episode and wake up in the next you haven’t actually missed anything.
Thanks for letting us know that you are improving. Sorry it is taking its time letting go of you.
I’m glad you can find something on TV to watch.
Sorry, I’m afraid even you cannot convince me to watch television again. I spent many years working retail in a mall setting – which means I got home about halfway through the last show of prime time (9:30 Central). I got out of the habit of watching television at all. When I retired five years ago, my husband, who did watch, couldn’t tempt me with anything he liked except Myth-Busters (old version).
Reality shows were so obviously fake. I could not possibly care less about the idiots politically back-stabbing each other every week.
Evening soaps are not one bit better than the daytime versions. I quit watching those when I realized that if the characters didn’t make such stupid decisions, there wouldn’t be a show. They would never get smarter and happiness would never happen.
Don’t get me started on the “news”. I wouldn’t trust those folks to tell me it was raining.
I live alone now (Lost my other half about 3 years ago.) and have a TV, which I have turned on once. Guests are welcome to it. I will watch sports when someone else cares to.
I mostly read, with a bit of web surfing, and play with cats.
When I get sick, I usually read Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow mysteries. Many books, and the characters are funny, but seldom stupid. And they are “Funny once, funny twice, funny always.”
I hear you! I was just travelling and my other half turns the TV on as soon as he is in any room with a TV. I read. We compromise, he leaves the sound low with close captioning on. It was the first time in 10 years that we saw what is available on cable. Staying unplugged!
Just try viki, once (any of the Ilona recommended shows). I’m so hopelessly addicted that I’ve given normal TV up all together…
+1
Supernatural has a billion shows and is available on Netflix now. You can binge for weeks and still not get through them. The story also gets more ridiculous as time goes by, but I oddly still care about the leading 2 guys.
My daughter is headed to SupernaturalCon right now in NJ. I haven’t watched since like, season 3.
+1
Hope you all feel better soon!
Sorry you’re sick 🙁
My favourite show right now is ‘The Great British Bake Off’ – I love the camaraderie among the competitors, plus I learn a lot. Also? Food pr0n galore!
I’ve just started watching this show. Local radio DJ turned me onto it.
I’m on the second season. It’s a reality show that leaves you feeling so nice and encouraged!! Love the British…
You’re in luck — season 10 is airing right now, so you have lots of episodes to catch up on!
I have the Austin crud too! Ugh!
I’ve been watching K-dramas. Right now it’s 1994. You have the entire show to try and figure out who the main girl marries in 2002. It has a ton of nostalgia and silly comedy. It’s great.
Here’s to hoping we feel better soon. 😷
I am sorry to learn that everyone has the creeping crud. I hope it goes away soon! I’m a big fan of shows on Discovery Channel. I think that gold miner show is on there. That is not one of my favorites. I’ve never watched it and now I’m glad I haven’t. 🙂
“Ancient alien theorists believe…” My husband watches these, I told him it would make an awesome drinking game. A shot every time you hear that phrase you’ll be blind drunk in 10 minutes! Lol. I am currently in the coughing up green goo phase. My go to shows are old sci fi cartoons. No brain necessary…
I’ve told my husband that about the Swamp People show when they say monster. They will occasionally pick another word-of-the-day for the show and say it a few hundred times. I wouldn’t make it long even if it was only to take a drink, let alone a shot! 😊
Nowadays, when I’m feeling unable to get up I fire up the text-to-speech application and have it read me a familiar book; Chanur’s Homecoming for example. The steady monotone delivery will soothe me into sleep. However, I’m not sleeping in the same bed as someone else, so your mileage may vary; it might lead to being bludgeoned unconscious by Gordon.
We love to watch the regular Gold Rush, which the father/son duo of the White Water version were in like the 1st season. They had more success. The White Water version irritates me to no end.
Last Chance U is great. You’re really rooting for these kids to get it together. Makes me sad though when some of them carry the burden of “having to make it to the League” because of family situations. Or the mindset that football is ALL they have. Season 3 is great because the teacher that helps most of them really tries to teach them that they have more value to them as a person than just football.
I’m Australian and don’t like sport and even I loved Last Chance U!
Lately I’ve been binging Great British Menu. Most of it’s on youtube, with a season on Hulu as well. There are about 45 episodes per season, so I can really sit back and completely zone out or work for a while without changing the channels. If watching any of the gold shows, regular Gold Rush and Bering Sea Gold are much more entertaining.
Ugh I hate those gold mining shows, my husband loves them, there’s also the land based version where it’s basically how much of the environment can we destroy today? I have perfected the art of reading with the TV going. The only TV shows I like are animal rescue ones, Long Lost Family, and Say Yes to the Dress.
I’m so sorry your sick! My daughter had the same thing and she was miserable for almost 2 weeks. I’ve never watched any of the shows you were describing but I laughed so hard at your description, I almost peed my pants. I worked nights for years so I got out of the habit of watching tv. I have one but I almost never turn it on. Since I was always a reader, I forget it’s even there. Now that I’m retired, I mostly binge watch shows on Netflix or Amazon. The shows that are my comfort go to’s, especially when I’m sick or have insomnia, are Midsomer Murders or The Great British Baking show. There’s just something about those British shows. They’re like an old comfortable pair of slippers. Before I know it I just gently doze off.
My go to for sick days is korean historical dramas. The ones that you start crying 10 minutes in and keep going for the 50 episodes until everyone is dead. The crying works amazingly to unclog sinusitis. Gil bong do is just perfect for this
lol. I don’t believe 2oz of gold is quite that small but value wise it might as well have been. Unless it was a 2 gram lol. Sounds like insanity all round.
Loved your descriptions! So funny!
+1
My DH watched an alien show where they kept saying rock walls (such as I have seen all over TX) were proof of alien invasion long ago. I kept laughing out loud every time they said it – more like proof of lots of rocks in the fields.
The Secret Life of the Zoo – British documentary series filmed at Chester Zoo in England. I could watch for HOURS. Although honestly I would be sad if I fell asleep and missed details because the animals and their keepers are adorable. Hope you feel better soon!
90 Day Fiance – shameful I know, but if you want mindless (and boy is it dumb) television there you go. It’s so gross it’s good.
I’ll preface this with – I’m a diver. Not commercial, just casual but even I wouldn’t have made the mistakes they made. I cringed throughout your entire description starting with putting a 72 year old man who was not a diver, into an untested wetsuit. The only explanation for all of their decisions was – TV ratings. Sigh. Love Ancient Aliens (guilty pleasure) but my fave right now is The Good Witch on Netflix. At least 4 seasons and the characters are real. Hope you feel better soon.
+1 the Good Witch is one of my faves, too!
sorry for plague! We are just starting with a round of some crud. Big family 4 kids from 11 to 2, mom and grandma (me). Lovely! Netflix has a ton of international shows that will put you down. Midsummer mysteries is grwat ! There are also lately some RUSSIAN thrillers!! Also couple from Poland and Hungary. There are some pretty good police procedural from India, sorry blanked on names. One mature female lead, very good, and an older man , only one wearing turban on entire force. In trouble. Because his supervisor killed someone. Good stuff even if you drift off, you wake up with something going on. And don’t forget the – Japanese movies. There is a modern Korean one. I think Train from Busan?? Train is attacked out of the blue by zombies. I don’t like zombies but that was pretty good.
My husband gets bored in the nursing home on the weekends and turns on Bar Rescue. OMG. If nothing else, I never want to go to another bar again.
“GOLD RUSH: WHITE WATER.
These people are the dumbest human beings in Alaska.”
Quite possibly. Some of the people on these “reality” shows are so stupid it has to be scripted. They wouldn’t still be alive otherwise.
Ohhh..”Say Yes to the Dress” is a good one for when you’re sick or need mindless entertainment. I get to holler at all the slutty bride dresses silly women pick out. Such as “OMG! What are they thinking!? I hope that won’t be a church wedding, That’s not in their budget! WTH! They must have more money than sense! etc.”. And you can cheer for your favorite dress (and hope they pick it). And GLITTER! Lots and lots of lovely glitter. Cause you can never have too much. 😄
Yes!! Sometimes I have to wonder if these women are crazy!!!!😂😂
My favorite when I am sick is North Woods Law on Animal Planet. It takes place in New Hampshire and sometimes Maine where very polite Game Wardens chase down poachers, look for missing people and save injured animals. I live in FL so seeing the north country is a treat. Plus they have Labradors who have been trained to search for people, bullet residue, etc. There is also Lone Star Law from Texas.
I stumbled across Last Chance U a while back and was drawn in. It is well structured.
I am almost done being sick. Binge watching is one of the few redeeming points. I also enjoy that brief moment when your sinuses clear and you can breath free. Ahh the joy of taking a full deep breath with your mouth shut. At one point i was convinced my desk chair was breaking down as i could hear it squeal. Eventually i realized that was me breathing through a clogged sinus.
If you are looking for a better mindless docu series type show try Mystery of Oak Island
It features 2 brothers hunting ancient treasures. Treasures others have died seeking. Every season they find some small thing and potentially the key to the secret. I’m looking forward to the next season.
Another option is Alone. Where people are dropped into the wild to live Alone. The last of the group to give up wins. They each have to film themselves so no camera crews or scripts.
So sorry you’re still down, my go to for upper respitory cruds is tea made from boiling fresh ginger and garlic and sweetened with honey (lots of honey cause garlic tastes nasty! Lol)
I usually watch HGTV and the Kids Baking Championships or stuff like that. I watched one episode of Gold Rush white water and i have to agree the dumbest people ever.! 😂
Yeah, I stopped watching Gold Rush before they started adding ” : more exciting” to the end of their name. And even back then it was a tough call as to whether some of the plots were real (you- can’t-make-this-$ht-up) or mostly staged for more “story”.
Ancient Aliens, absolutely a great one to nap to!
Last Chance U sounds great, I will have to check that out. 🙂
Hope you are better soon! This time of year, I add elderberry gummies from my local H-E-B to ward off respiratory infections.
I’m a professional archaeologist. It’s never, ever aliens.
😂
I am in the same boat you are with Ancient Aliens. I don’t think I have managed to stay awake to the end of even one. Its my go to show when I can’t sleep.
That stock image is Fingerprint Gold though. It totally has enough detail in it to identify someone, and it is in focus (High Def camera’s in smartphones are freaking amazing now days. Arabella would totally love an image like that as she is the forensic fan.