Lack of Television Obsession

My life seems to revolve around taking care of the kids, work, cleaning the house, cooking and a little sleep. Even my social life has more to do with entertaining the kids than simply being me time. Fortunately, I get to hang out with friends that have kids that are friends with my kids. So, I kill two birds with one stone. I love that. One thing, this current lifestyle leads to is the lack of opportunity to indulge in television watching. That means I should to stick to quality programs when I get the rare moment.

When I was in California, I caught a few episodes of Glee, Bones, Lie To Me, and a few others that I quite liked. However, I always end up missing most of the episodes in a season even if I think the show is amazing. This tendency helped lead to my decision to not get cable. Instead, we have a Wii so we can watch Netflix. I also watch on my computer.  If I have time for a movie, I mostly like cheesy chic flicks. I try to watch one when the kids are out with their dad when I am not terribly busy working.

Somehow, while searching for something interesting but not so long, I stumbled across a tv show that sounded very out of the ordinary. It is called Obsessed. It is a reality show, but not the staged contest kind that I dislike. It is more like a documentary. I have only watched about 4 episodes, but it is fascinating. Actually, it is fascinating, creepy, desperately sad, completely insane, and then full of hope and moving on. Each episode is about two different people living with extreme cases of OCD. They discuss and document their issues and then go through 12 weeks of face-your-fears type of therapy.

I have always enjoyed biographies and real life stories, especially ones where people open up and lay it all on the line. Not only are these people sharing the darkest part of their lives, but they are finding manageable solutions to something that has plagued them for years. Although, I am easy going and can’t see any real similarities to their problems, it is inspiring to watch them tackle an issue head-on and then transform.

Sister Wives

Those of you who have read my blog for a while might remember that I liked the show Big Love.  I was fascinated by it at least for the first season and most of the second.  Sure there were times, when some of the topics bothered me, but it was all part of the drama. 

When the new reality show about polygamy came out recently on TLC, I was mildly interested.  I don't really get into many television shows, but I figured that I would watch and episode or two of Sister Wives.  However, I can't bring myself to watch even a minute of it.  I happened to catch an interview that they did on the Today Show before any of the episodes aired.  The whole thing just made me sick to my stomach.  I can't even watch the interview again.

Unlike the majority of Americans, I have seen several polygamists.  There are quite a few of them in Southern Utah.  In fact, on our way back from visiting friends last February, we happened to see 4 young wives in the restroom at the outlet mall in Saint George, Utah.  They are easy to spot because they really do dress like the women on the compound of the Big Love show.  They have big poufy hair, braids, and traditional dresses.  Even Lexi noticed that there was something unusual about them.  We exchanged polite smiles.  The ones on the compound are raised that way and are used to being so different. 

I have also known of a few that try harder to blend in with the general population.  They dress normal, don't live in compounds, and have regular jobs.  Whether they live on a compound or not, even in Utah, they are considered weird.  I actually have a tougher time understanding why the women living more normal lives would agree to be a sister wife.  After watching the Sister Wives interview on the Today Show, I just can't see how any woman could find it appealing.  The worst part though was when he talked about falling in love with one woman and then another and then another and then another.  He made it sound like he just had to have these women because he fell for them.  Please!  It sounds like he has a hormonal problem.  I am definitely skipping this one.

**I should note that polygamy is no longer practiced by members of the LDS church (aka Mormons).  When someone decides to become a polygamist, they are usually excommunicated.