I was on the phone with my dear friend D the other night and she passed a comment marveling about how much television I manage to watch, all while working a full-time job, managing a non-profit, running two businesses and sleeping 8-12 hours a night.
I laughed… but it’s true. The secret is that I rarely sit and just watch TV. There’s just always a television show, radio show, podcast or music playing in the background of all I do. The background noise keeps me focused. It’s not a technique I recommend for anyone—in fact it would be incredible distracting and counterproductive for most people.
The only time it’s silent in our house is when I’m writing (like right now), when I’m reading or when I’m not home. Even the musician in the family can handle silence better than I can. I only need or even want silence when I’m focusing or channeling. Otherwise, I’ve conditioned myself to need to tune out the background. Ironic because I grew up in a house with only 2 other people (my parents) and even my dorm life in college wasn’t the rockin’ scene of an 80’s movie, set on a big campus.
In honor of keeping it light… and hey, sometimes a distraction is welcome… I’ll share with you today what’s making all the noise around here!
Music: I’m in love with the new Slipknot album. And then I’ll spin some disco classics. Is eclectic the correct term… or just random?
Radio/Podcasts: I’m an avid listener of The Jason Ellis Show on Sirius but PLEASE… it’s not for everyone and definitely not rated PG. Just skip it. If you like this blog, you probably won’t like Ellis. Podcast-wise, I cannot get enough of What’s the Tee? with RuPaul and Michelle Visage and The Tully Show.
Television: Ahhhh the guiltiest pleasure, the greatest source of distraction for humankind until the advent of multiplayer video games and social media… The Office and Schitt’s Creek are basically on a loop in this house, like Sex and the City and My So-Called Life were back in my dorm room. I’m also background-watching classic Dynasty (although it was hard to get through some of the early episodes for me; the Stephen/Blake dynamic broke my heart), The Good Place and Cougar Town. I wasn’t kidding that I keep it light. Oh… and that’s an Amazon Prime, a Netflix and a Hulu. Look at me keeping it balanced!
But seriously, go read a book, outside if you can. It’s so much better for you. Much love.