I saw a daffodil in bloom yesterday and I am doing OK.
I have loved reading the newspaper since I was a little girl. My dad would always bring home The Journal American, one of New York's main newspaper (long defunct) and my sister and I would fight to get to read it first. My parents always talked about what was going on in the world and even bad news was not filtered. I was interested in politics, the latest big story, and of course, Dear Abby. Now, however, EVERYTHING is so sensationalized and it is hard to tell what is important, what is real and what is just BS. Today, though, newspapers are a dying industry. We get our news from the media outlets that are too numerous, very competitive and on 24 hours a day so that even a chicken crossing a road becomes a "Breaking Story". I seldom read the paper today or watch the news on TV. It is never on my radio station in the car. It has to be a major story that will impact my life or my loved ones for me to sit down and listen to the whole gory mess. There is just so much bad news, which is now gathered from every little corner in the world, and a person's sense of hope and peace can easily be shattered on a daily basis. I only want to deal with what is happening in my own back yard, on my street, in my town. I want to live a more positive life and have good will towards the majority of people I meet along the way. I have no need to read about all the horrors that are taking place. I
I can't, however, live in a vacuum. There is always the Internet. Today's headlines on my cable supplier's site read like this:
- North Korea Vows Restart of Nuclear Reactor
- Cheesteak Store Renamed. Slur Dropped
- Georgia City Votes to Require Ownership of Gun
- Pa Inmate Denies Hiding Phone in Prosthetic Leg
- Trump Drops 5 M Lawsuit on Ape Joke
One is so frightening, I can't even think about it. The others are either about the inane or insane and knowing about any of this does not enhance my life. Why is an inmate having a phone in his prosthetic leg worth knowing about. I am not inviting him to dinner. Actually though, it might be interesting if he did come and his leg started ringing. I wonder what his ring tone would be.
So I am now living a life of ignorance and bliss. I am informed enough by filtering out 99.9% of what they tell me I should know. I did enjoy the story about Donald Trump suggesting that he is related to an ape though. I am sure that one is not an exaggeration.
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I have loved reading the newspaper since I was a little girl. My dad would always bring home The Journal American, one of New York's main newspaper (long defunct) and my sister and I would fight to get to read it first. My parents always talked about what was going on in the world and even bad news was not filtered. I was interested in politics, the latest big story, and of course, Dear Abby. Now, however, EVERYTHING is so sensationalized and it is hard to tell what is important, what is real and what is just BS. Today, though, newspapers are a dying industry. We get our news from the media outlets that are too numerous, very competitive and on 24 hours a day so that even a chicken crossing a road becomes a "Breaking Story". I seldom read the paper today or watch the news on TV. It is never on my radio station in the car. It has to be a major story that will impact my life or my loved ones for me to sit down and listen to the whole gory mess. There is just so much bad news, which is now gathered from every little corner in the world, and a person's sense of hope and peace can easily be shattered on a daily basis. I only want to deal with what is happening in my own back yard, on my street, in my town. I want to live a more positive life and have good will towards the majority of people I meet along the way. I have no need to read about all the horrors that are taking place. I
I can't, however, live in a vacuum. There is always the Internet. Today's headlines on my cable supplier's site read like this:
- North Korea Vows Restart of Nuclear Reactor
- Cheesteak Store Renamed. Slur Dropped
- Georgia City Votes to Require Ownership of Gun
- Pa Inmate Denies Hiding Phone in Prosthetic Leg
- Trump Drops 5 M Lawsuit on Ape Joke
One is so frightening, I can't even think about it. The others are either about the inane or insane and knowing about any of this does not enhance my life. Why is an inmate having a phone in his prosthetic leg worth knowing about. I am not inviting him to dinner. Actually though, it might be interesting if he did come and his leg started ringing. I wonder what his ring tone would be.
So I am now living a life of ignorance and bliss. I am informed enough by filtering out 99.9% of what they tell me I should know. I did enjoy the story about Donald Trump suggesting that he is related to an ape though. I am sure that one is not an exaggeration.
I agree - the news is very depressing but you really cheered me up with the thought of that mobile phone ringing in his leg -'the person you are calling is unavailable, please leave your message after the tone' beep beep.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking that his ring tone would be Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison.
DeleteI'm always happy when most of the news seems to be fluff and feathers...that means there wasn't enough bad news that day.
ReplyDeleteThe time to turn on the news is the last five minutes when they leave you with a happy or uplifting story.
DeleteArleen, I am right there with you. The news seems just not worthy of my time. The only thing I pay very close attention to is the weather, as I need to know how to dress for school. Here is some breaking news....I have azalea blooming:) Enjoy your week! Bonnie
ReplyDeleteHave you noticed, Bonnie, that they can even make 1/2 inch of rain a sensational story.
DeleteI can just picture that phone starting to ring! I so agree with everything you said here. I don't read any newspapers any longer. My husband watches the news on TV so I watch with him, but he gets tired of it too. Local News out of Bakersfield is a little bit better than the LA news was because of the small town feel, with people helping people, veterans acknowledged and helped if they are wounded, and so on. But they too begin with the shootings and murders and traffic deaths. I am sure one can do without pretty well. Listen to the birds instead, they bring news of spring and a summer to come.
ReplyDeleteYes, the bird report is so much more uplifting.
DeleteI grew up reading the LA Times. I miss reading a big city ewspaper. Our local paper publishes five days a week and is usually under 10 pages, but it keeps me up on local issues. I watch network news almost every night. When I visit my daughter I get no news at all and really don't miss it, but when I go home, I go right back to being a news junkie.
ReplyDeleteMy husband will watch news for hours at a time and I think it affects his attitude and mood. I prefer HGTV.
DeleteYou area right - I can take so much news and that is it! You would be so depressed if all you did was read and listen to the news. Gotta have some joy. sandie
ReplyDeleteNot a Trump fan, I take it. I get 99% of my news from the newsletter my kid's principal sends out once every 6weeks. It has the really really important stuff...like when report cards will be coming out, when the next school holiday will be, and when baseball try outs will begin. My whole life is centered around school, going to school, teaching school, going back to school, kids in school etc.
ReplyDeleteDo you know anyone who would be a Trump fan?
DeleteIt looks like you are spending your time reading the best newsletters.
We read the Journal American, too. Also, the Mirror. My parents didn't especially like the Tribune, so we skipped it, but we really followed the newspapers when I was growing up. I am also amazed at some of what passes for news and also horrified by some of the headlines, especially the most recent on North Korea.
ReplyDeleteIt is a messy world, Carol and we have little power over what the crazies who run the world will do.
DeleteI regret the lack of intelligent discussion, reasoned debate and integrity in our news programs. Almost all of it is sloppy and garish. Until information is presented in a wide ranging, scholarly, well constructed conversation with the recepient, you will find me at the library.
ReplyDeleteIt is about sound bites and sensationalism, Susan, and it seems to sell.
Deleteour little tiny newspaper went from a daily edition to 3 days a week...I very much miss my newspaper..the local stuff, the sports activities, the township supervisors reports, etc...now I try and get news and it is is all national or world news..whoa! way too much information for me!! yes, ignorance is bliss...
ReplyDeleteI am happy living in my own little world.
DeleteI read things like N. Korea threatening war, then I'll look up what their national oil reserve is --2 months tops-- then go back to the NYT Crossword in the funnies section. We've watched saber-rattling all our lives and most of it is just that.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right, Geo.
DeleteI think his ring tone should be "Running on Empty".
ReplyDeleteGood one, Laura.
DeleteI cannot watch our news since I either swear at the screen or wish to commit acts of violence. I do read our local paper. Some days.
ReplyDeleteYears back I was at motor-cycle races and was both amused and grossed out to see the young men in front of me filling their mates prosthetic leg with beer and passing it round. It held rather a lot of beer - rather better than the young men in question.
A leg of beer, who would have thought. Apparently, they weren't.
DeleteExcellent! Good for you.
ReplyDeleteI hate all the doom and gloom and war and heartache on the news. When the Olympics was on TV it seemed the news media had no other news stories to report. It makes you wonder when they bombard us with other stories the rest of the time...
Probably for the same reason they run after celebrities to get their picture. Money!
DeleteAfter having done the news for so many years, I still check it out occasionally. But the one who has the last word is the one who sings, "We sure could use a little good news today."
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
We sure could use a little good news today!
DeleteI have problems with sensationalized media also. It's interesting how the same issues just keep circulating. :)
ReplyDeleteNews, especially sensational news, sells.
DeleteProbably not a bad idea, ever since hearing of the Newtown shootings I have been very depressed. Sometimes it is really is just too much to bear.
ReplyDeleteIt is too, too much to bear.
DeleteI'm afraid I am a 'news junkie'! But even I am dismayed by the need form so much sensationalism -- especially about the private lives of celebrities. North Korean activities are very worrying for me on a personal level -- my son and two grandchildren are living in South Korea and his eldest son is living with us. I do find that when I've had enough of news programs that listening to my favourite radio station and getting a five minute news bulletin on the hour is quite sufficient!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I can see your concern. Maybe it is time that your family came home for a visit.
DeleteIt is scary what's going on around the world, and even in some of our own backyards. The Donald Trump story did cheer me up.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Donald, the Ape Man, he somehow always gets himself in the news.
DeleteOh my, that takes me back with "Dear Abby" and her sister. Over here in Britain, such writers are called "Agony Aunts".
ReplyDeleteThe ongoing situation in North Korea is rather alarming. Hopefully, it's all just propaganda.
Be well, Arleen.
Gary
"Agony Aunties", that is a great name! We all are somewhat nosey and are curious about other people's problems. It makes us feel better about our own.
DeleteSince the 2012 elections, the news is turned on only when it is news, not speculative analysis. I read the paper for local events, Dear Abby,and word puzzles.
ReplyDeleteYes, I continue to read local news, but I put a filter on that also. They want to be sensational and important and win prizes for their "big stories". I just want to know about the price of beans or such. My world continues to get smaller.
Delete
ReplyDeleteDear Arleen, I'm torn between watching/reading news and taking time out. I so like to be informed about what's happening, but I have no interest in celebrity news or chickens crossing the road. Nor do I have any interest in the hype that surrounds so many serious stories. To put new on 24 hours a day, means that the "hypemasters" (I don't call them true journalists anymore) must blow everything out of proportion and in doing so they frequently miss the human implications of a story.
I just finished reading Debra's blog about California and the possibility of oil drilling there. That story is one that needs real attention. If you're interested, here's the URL for her blog.
http://breathelighter.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/the-mckittrick-tar-pits-and-the-monterey-shale-formation-it-can-make-your-head-hurt/
And yet I have to tell you that while I worry about what she wrote, I find myself feeling helpless also. And feeling helpless to initiate or support change isn't a good feeling! Peace.
Sometimes the voices of the people have been heard, but most times, it is a losing battle. However, that does not mean we should not fight on. However, I have fought my battles and and am now too tired to continue. It is up to the younger generation to take up the causes.
DeleteHopefully, it will be one of his own. Why would he put his people through such a terrible thing.
ReplyDeleteOur news is not quite as parochial as US news but not nearly as world spanning as some European news channels. Major things happen in the world and we are told the latest repetition of the words of a minor local politician. Boring.
ReplyDeleteI like to be informed about good things happening in the world too, advances in science and technology, cultural events etc. Nothing but local news would bore me. But no, we get a diet of horror stories and the latest gossip on the Royals or a minor celebrity.
Same here. The latest gossip on the Royals is a major story here also.
Deletecheck out - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/good-news/
ReplyDeleteI agree. It is sad that all the news outlets are competing and trying to make the biggest stories. I miss when they would just tell us the news. It is over the top. On a lighter note...love your picture up top! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteSince I have lived in the US the news have become a “show” rather than a neutral information program. There is very little international news of any kind here. It is so nice to travel overseas and hear the news there and it always surprises me that they still get real news. But I think the public gets what they want, and here I believe most people are not really interested in what happens in the rest of the world unless it is another sensational story. Just ask a high school kid to show the different countries on the map….
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