DANCING, COOKING, DR. DREW, AND SVU

Being tracked out from school/work gives me the time to meditate, exercise, organize my house, scrapbook, and just bring everything in my world into clear focus again.   I said I have the time to do all those things, but most days you will find me curled up under a blanket watching television.  I get so caught up in the stories on the screen that my mind gets a break from my own reality.  Always the student, I have discovered some pearls of wisdom hidden in some of my favorite shows that I would like to share at this time. 

Hell's Kitchen/Master Chef:  Gordon Ramsey is the Simon Cowell of the kitchen.  He yells, screams, throws food in the trash, and demeans individuals that put their heart and soul into their culinary creations.  I am drawn to his passion and ability to speak the truth.  I am not saying that I want to be yelled at or that I should scream at my loved ones...but perhaps I would not spend so much time on the couch if I had a Gordon Ramsey in my life.  These shows have taught me that there is such a thing as tough love and fear can sometimes bring out the best in us.  Oh, and I also learned that I am a horrible cook.

Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew:    All kidding aside, this show highlights that hideous ways that addiction affects our lives.  Sadly, drug and alcohol use is encouraged and accepted in our society.  Surrender is a huge lesson that the addicts must embrace on the show.  I use so many things to numb the pain that I have in my own life and know that I must begin to let go so that I can have a life of freedom.  I also discovered why Lindsay Lohan is such a mess...yes addiction does run in families.  The best gift we can give our children is to take care of our own stuff so that we don't pass it on to the next generation.

So You Think You Can Dance:   This entertaining show proves that dance is alive and that I am a broken down mess that can barely get out of bed in the morning.  The choreography, music, and competition are all entertaining but it is the bodies that keep me tuning in.  I imagine this is how God intended us to look like before we decide to become gluttons.  I know that Matt will never run around in tight jeans, bare chested, with toes pointed all the while lifting my perfectly sculpted body through the air...but a girl can dream can't she?

American Pickers:  Mike and Frank are two friends that travel across the United States and pick through other people's trash to find treasures.  There is a historical aspect of this show that is interesting as the viewers learn information about toys, bicycles, guns, and cars from years gone by.  Getting a peek into the lives of people from all walks of life is entertaining.  The hot tattooed girl, Danni D, that tells these guys where to travel to "pick" is Matt's favorite part of the show.  Considering I throw everything out after about a week I don't think these guys will be coming to my door anytime, but this show proves that old things and the stories they hold are indeed treasures.

Law and Order:  I will watch any L&O that happens to be on, but my real passion is Special Victims Unit.  The subject matter is disgusting, but the characters are like part of my family.  Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson rocks a tight shirt and gun holster like no other woman.  I like her best in the old versions with her short hair and perfect lip liner.  Christoper Meloni as Elliot Stabler, is the military man turned bad ass cop.  I don't know when he has time to workout but he is rock hard.  Elliot is married and has 4 kids but he spends so much time at work that I always hoped something would happen between him and Olivia.  You throw in Finn and Munch and you got yourself a dream team!  My sister and I think there is something about the "tink tink" that comes on in the beginning that hypnotizes you and makes you have to watch the show.  How else can I explain watching the same episode like 10 times.  If I could get back the hours I have spent on this show I am sure that I would have my own book written by now.  I am powerless...I must watch SVU over and over and over and over....Honestly, I don't think there is way I can spin this obsession and actually pretend I have learned anything from the show. 

Now that  you have had a peek into the productive days of Jamie Howard, I am certain you will never read this blog again.  When I start to beat myself up about all the time I have wasted I watch an episode of Hoarders and see how messy those people are and then feel better about myself.  I gotta run because I have a very busy day ahead of me today.  Got a few American Pickers on the DVR and then the SVU marathon starts after lunch.