5 conclusions taken from the day.. so far

By Steve Pessah

1. there’s a reason why a lot of people don’t read/watch the news nowadays (myself included). today’s headlines in the new york times shows you why:

An Ultimatum for Carmakers from Obama

Auto Problems Drag Wall Street Down; Dow Falls 254 Points

Wagoner Retains His Optimism as He Bows Out

12 Killed as Gunmen Storm Police School in Pakistan

Martinsville, Va., a Potential Racing Hub, Shifts Gears

Colleges Accepting More Students Who Can Pay Full Fare

Legal Group’s Neutrality is Challenged

Google Plans to Offer Free Downloads in China (a service it does not offer anywhere else in the world.. thanks google.)

none of these headlines are positive (bold words highlight negative words in headlines). nobody wants to sit around the breakfast table, office cubicle, or their cozy couch reading news that will depress their spirits. in times like these, we should start hearing positive things in the news.

2. lids has an awesome machine in their store that embroiders letters on your hat. weird thing is, the guy used a floppy disk to exchange data… i thought floppy disks were extinct?

3. eastbound & down saved the world from the loss of summer heights high. but now that’s gone too. i’ve seen bits and pieces of the life & times of tim, and i’m very impressed. the show is produced by steve dildarian (created the “Budweiser Lizards” campaign), tom werner (that 70’s show, the cosby show), and jimmy miller (talladega nights and borat). it’s caught so much attention that hbo has renewed it for a second season. the life and times of time throws you into the life of a young, self-conscious new yorker who just can’t avoid awkward situations.

4. once you lose 3 of your final four teams and obviously can’t win (thanks pitt for blowing it, again), your love for college basketball and march madness disappears. but even worse, the pain stings for eternity.

5. there is an inhumane amount of garbage on tv. all i see is “reality” shows and cameras following the lives of people because their lives are just so crazy (husband and wife who have 8 kids, little people and tall people, run’s house). i’ve figured there are only a handful of channels you can really trust: espn – you can’t go wrong with sports 24 hours a day/7 days a week. comedy central – for some of the garbage they have, shows like the daily show, the colbert report, and south park make this a must-see station (the roasts are hilarious as well). then comes tnt, usa, and tbs. i’d say 80% of the time, they have either great movies on, or great shows like everybody loves raymond, seinfeld, or friends (yes, friends is a great show. you cannot deny it).

“it’s a bummer heights high”

By Steve Pessah

so the first season of “Summer Heights High” is over, and for those who followed every move of Jonah, Mr. G, and Ja’mie like i did, Sundays are not quite as exciting as they were. this show was an instant hit in the United States (show started in Australia), and kids quickly started quoting lines without any hesitation. “that’s so random” and “puck you miss” are now said as much as “you and your men are the biggest mistake in the history of NASA” (Armageddon) and “get off my train” (Ghost).

people will try to imitate Jonah’s “dictation” tag. they will attempt to raise money like Ja’mie’s AIDS in Africa fundraiser. they will name their dog Celine. they will do anything to keep SHH in their life.

i wish there was another alternative for sundays, but there isn’t. football is almost over, Californication is projecting their third season to come out late this year (which probably means early 2010), and Flight of the Concords really doesn’t seem that interesting. so for now, all we can do is reminisce about the times of breakdancing fights, arena spectaculars, and a 35 year old man playing a 16 year old girl.