what to do during the writer's strike...

... a list by gabrielle walz.


this may seem like a simple list, but beneath the plainess (is that a word?) lie some really good suggestions. i know i personally am struggling (spell check?) without new episodes of the office and 30 rock, and i am already pouting that there will only be 8 new episodes of LOST. so here is what i've been doing to stay busy/ pass the time. hopefully you all find some good suggestions in my sad, lonely life. :)

1. read. lately i have been re-reading all of the harry potters, which i love so much. i am on the chamber of secrets which, for the three of you who have never read the potter books, is the second one. they get better everytime. some other favorites from my personal book club are: the center of everything (LAURA MORIARTY), the year of secret assignments (JACLYN MORIARTY), and sloppy firsts (MEGAN MCCAFFERTY). i honestly could read those over and over again, and i have.

2. embrace your inner reality t.v. star. i know, i hate reality t.v. as much as the next normal person, but it is so addicting, and believe it or not, there are some pretty good shows out there. my personal favorites are project runway (BRAVO, WEDNESDAY), real world/road rules challenge: the gauntlet III (MTV, WEDNESDAY), and of course, american idol. i am not ashamed to say i watch that show. come on, who can resist simon's nipples in those tight, white t-shirts? i think i've made my case.

3. t.v. on dvd.... perhaps the best invention since tivo. i'm actually not sure which came first. shows that used to capture our attention from week to week can now be enjoyed day to day, hour to hour, or in some cases, half hour to half hour. we no longer are slaves to commercials and cliffhangers, we are free to watch when we want, what we want, and how we want. recently i have been resurrecting classic t.v. gems like arrested development, my so-called life, buffy the vampire slayer, and stella. i look forward to the afternoons and evenings i can spend watching my favorite t.v. shows, filled with my favorite one-liners, and star-crossed love affairs (buffy and angel, angela chase and jordan catalano, maybe even a little zak morris/kelly kapowski action, depending on how desperate i am). and of course, we always have the current "faves". catch up on/rekindle our favorite office romances with seasons 1-3 of the office (how cute is it that jim knows pam loves mixed berries?)... analyze past episodes of LOST (can desmond really see the future? what's with the black cloud? and who is jacob?)... learn the lyrics to all of the flight of the conchord songs ("business time" is a favorite of mine)... and watch as liz lemon (tina fey) tries ever so hilariously to balance her career with her personal life (or lack thereof) all while trying to please her overbearing, too-close-for-comfort boss (alec baldwin) and her staff of demanding, heckling writers on 30 rock. definately some must see t.v.

4. excercise. hahahahahahahahah are you kidding me? with all these good re-runs and reality t.v. to watch i simply can't find the time to get off the couch. unless it's to grab another evian.



don't get me wrong, a healthy dose of reality t.v. doesn't bother me, and i really have enjoyed LOL-ing my way through the week with dvds, but i really truly hope this strike is resolved soon. not only have i already lost a season of my favorite shows (a season i can never get back, mind you), but what these writers are asking for is well deserved and reasonable. these people are trying to make a living, they're just asking to receive a percentage of the sales from the product that contains their work. if we're not watching, they're not working. and in my opinion, it's important for both to be happening.


thanks for reading,
gabrielle.



p.s. this post is dedicated to kimbizzle, my one and only.