To some of you who are religiously following a certain TV series, this might come as a shock. Well, some of my friends still give me that raised eyebrow look and others, the look of disbelief whenever this topic worms into our conversation.
After all, who in their right mind, would willfully let go of one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century and undoubtedly the cheapest form of entertainment? As unusual as it may sound, we did.
As far as I can remember I have ceremoniously said goodbye to the program “Designing For the Sexes” by Michael Payne as well as the “Shabby Chic” by Rachel Ashwell. Somebody told me “Shabby Chic” is still around although its time slot is still not to my convenience.What made me do such drastic and I must say, life changing act? Well, motherhood becomes me. The moment I gave birth to my eldest son Khalil, I know my life would never be the same. The first to go were my night time rituals.
My husband and I apart from watching tv, used to enjoy our evenings playing computer games. No, not the high tech PSPs that put kids on semi-zombie mode or the reality games you play on Wii…just the simple yet equally engaging games of Heroes of Might and Magic, this along with some other games involving knights, and kings and princesses. I have such affinity to royalty, after all, I am not named “Reyna “(a Filipino term for Queen) for nothing. Well, those games give me the little reality escape to the wonderful world of make believe. I used to imagine myself as one of the princesses, not the one that needs rescuing though, but one that's considered a town hero. I am almost sure I have some significant contribution to the rise of different women’s leagues that now abound. I was so good at these games that 5 minutes into it and my opponent (the computer) would surrender! No, I am seriously not kidding at all. You can ask my husband about this… He’d probably say that it's a computer glitz but I’m not just about to let go of my bragging rights!
Anyway, much like my television habit, that too must go. Why? Well, simple. I wouldn't want strangers AKA black box AKA TV to be the one to educate my son. I also certainly don't want to get my son exposed to the seemingly harmless computer games but in reality, reeks of danger and violence. Entertaining as it might look; there is nothing minutely amusing when your house gets attacked with a trebuchet or assaulted by a battering ram. Can you imagine that in real life?So as I would always answer my friends, NO, I have no regrets that I made this decision.
I must admit though that early on, there had been moments of weakness. Like that one rare occasion when my husband and I got interviewed on ANC Live and we couldn't watch it on its delayed telecast. There had been times too, when I’d miss my favorite HGTV and FTV shows, after all, I can legitimately say that those shows are educational. One that I can use for my line of work with the fashion jewelry and the home accents that I would be inspired to come up with. I used to keep track of the rise of Gemma Ward, who was then, a young doe-eyed, phenomenal teenage girl that simply hugs the camera. I also get amused by this lady with salt and pepper hair that carries a tiny pooch with her while interviewing different style makers and designers. An L.A.designer, who was once interviewed by this same person, told me she has a Jekyll and Hyde personality, sweet and entertaining on camera and completely bitchy off it. Hmmm… I wonder if there’s any truth to that. I am almost sure the brand of wine she promotes at the end of her show has a lot to do with that double personality. Ahhh such form of entertainment… intriguing yet totally useless.
Its amazing that after all these years, there are certain episodes of tv shows I still clearly remember. I actually still don’t mind watching the reruns of Friends even if I can mouth more than half of the entire episode’s conversation. Who would forget the memorable Phoebe Buffay’s (played by Lisa Kudrow), rendition of “Smelly Cat” on acoustics? What a classic!Apart from these mainstay shows, my husband and I certainly missed some of the commercials too. My husband has this queer habit of memorizing commercials. No, not just the scene by scene feature but line by line as well. Till today, he can still remember the entire line complete with innuendos and hand gestures for the Glade Dry freshener. Creepy isn't it? The same goes for the very down to earth Happy Mart commercial. Huh, my husband knows Teban (Esteban Escudero) and Goliat (sorry, I haven’t gotten past the first name basis with this guy) the heroes of bargain shopping (ukay ukay stores were not plentiful back then), like his very own best friends. He can sing the jingle (oh please no!) without missing a beat!
Such is the power of television, so influential; it invades and pervades our entire being. It is no surprise then that this amusing sometimes annoying but downright entertaining black box, has become a mainstay of almost every home.
Now imagine if we can harness the same influence and patronage as that of these TV programs and commercials. I bet, that would surely be the dream of all marketing gurus around the world. People would pay heaps if they can be guaranteed such religious following.
Nevertheless, do we know that the way we speak, act, and conduct ourselves especially when our guards are down, is like a mini television, a mini broadcast to the world as to who we are as a person on the inside?
Much like the lines and commercials we sometimes unconsciously sing-a-long with, people do take note of what they see in us. Often, without us knowing, people keep a mental tab in the way we conduct ourselves.
I guess this explains why couples or long time friends can finish off each other’s sentences or anticipate each other’s next move.
If such is the reflection we give of ourselves to others and to the world, what do your actions, words and gestures speaks about you today? What sort of commercial ads or TV program can you be likened to? Well, just a thought, perhaps our little baggages of anger, pain and hurt could use a little “Clean House”.I don’t know about you, but Shabby Chic sounds good for me….that’s more of the chic without robbing the bank and less of the shabbiness! Well, at least that’s what I aspire for…..
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