(no subject)
often while working on the computer, i have spare moments -- WoW flightpaths, documents loading, what have you. i usually turn to news sites during these brief interludes because i like to read and that's the largest amount of reading available at short notice. but it needs to stop, because The News isn't healthy for me.
news is healthy. being aware of the world, knowing what's going on, not hiding -- all these things are healthy.
know what else is healthy? the potato. this starchy little tuber comes in a variety of colors, and each skin pigment contains various flavanoids and nutrients, not to mention a staggering amount of vitamin C. the interior is mostly starch, true, but when roasted or baked the starch breaks down slowly in the digestive system, releasing necessary carbohydrates in a steady stream, making it a complex carbohydrate, aka a good carb.
but when you take a potato and strip away its nutrient rich skin, chop it up to expose as much surface area as possible, deep fry it in a chemical structure altering fat, leech away its internal nutrients through high heat, then soak it in salt and sugary sauces, it's not healthy anymore. it's been changed from something tasty and good for you into something addictive and poisonous. (and no, i'm not against french fries, i love french fries! but they are super bad for you 99% of the time. and it's a good analogy.)
that's what's happened to the news. these outlets take information, pare it down, redress it in the most shocking/horrific/violent/sexual way possible and feed it to people as rapidly as they can, with the added effort of keeping them coming back for more. did you see what CNN did with swine flu? they had people believing their neighbors were coming down with something almost as bad as bubonic plague, thanks to their wording and headlines and breaking news tickers.
i think the only major news outlet i can stomach is the BBC. at least there they train journalists to word headlines in a more neutral fashion.
my dad is a hardcore news junkie and whenever i tell him i avoid the news, he looks at me like i've just said i'm never eating another potato again. but there's a difference between never eating potato, and rarely eating french fries. i should tell him that next time.
i do like having the kindle app on my iphone. i should try to learn to pick up my phone and read part of a book while waiting, instead of giving myself a stomachache over articles that would have me believe everyone is losing their jobs, and no one will ever find one ever again ever.
/rant off.
i can't remember if i posted this here or just on twitter; aiden went in for his neutering surgery on monday. he still has the cone on, but he is doing better every day! they sent him home with 5 days of pain medication, and yesterday was the last day, so i called today to ask if he needed more. the vet assistant said he should be ok, and i'm inclined to agree that he's not in pain all the time. he does get uncomfortable, but incisions itch like no tomorrow when they heal. the sad part is, he has to wear the cone for at least 5 more days. better than ripping his stitches out though.
i find it amusing, albeit annoying, that aiden hates the arrival of the mailman with such passion and vigor. he was ok with the mailman at crowne ridge. i guess having a yard makes him more territorial. of course, the UPS truck makes the mailman seem like santa claus, as far as the barking goes.
there, i just did it again! i went for the news page. argh! must stop.
today is friday, but feels less like friday, since i've been home for the past day or two. that's ok; i can still roast a chicken like i normally do, and i might even bake a cake! cake is good.
love kittie
news is healthy. being aware of the world, knowing what's going on, not hiding -- all these things are healthy.
know what else is healthy? the potato. this starchy little tuber comes in a variety of colors, and each skin pigment contains various flavanoids and nutrients, not to mention a staggering amount of vitamin C. the interior is mostly starch, true, but when roasted or baked the starch breaks down slowly in the digestive system, releasing necessary carbohydrates in a steady stream, making it a complex carbohydrate, aka a good carb.
but when you take a potato and strip away its nutrient rich skin, chop it up to expose as much surface area as possible, deep fry it in a chemical structure altering fat, leech away its internal nutrients through high heat, then soak it in salt and sugary sauces, it's not healthy anymore. it's been changed from something tasty and good for you into something addictive and poisonous. (and no, i'm not against french fries, i love french fries! but they are super bad for you 99% of the time. and it's a good analogy.)
that's what's happened to the news. these outlets take information, pare it down, redress it in the most shocking/horrific/violent/sexual way possible and feed it to people as rapidly as they can, with the added effort of keeping them coming back for more. did you see what CNN did with swine flu? they had people believing their neighbors were coming down with something almost as bad as bubonic plague, thanks to their wording and headlines and breaking news tickers.
i think the only major news outlet i can stomach is the BBC. at least there they train journalists to word headlines in a more neutral fashion.
my dad is a hardcore news junkie and whenever i tell him i avoid the news, he looks at me like i've just said i'm never eating another potato again. but there's a difference between never eating potato, and rarely eating french fries. i should tell him that next time.
i do like having the kindle app on my iphone. i should try to learn to pick up my phone and read part of a book while waiting, instead of giving myself a stomachache over articles that would have me believe everyone is losing their jobs, and no one will ever find one ever again ever.
/rant off.
i can't remember if i posted this here or just on twitter; aiden went in for his neutering surgery on monday. he still has the cone on, but he is doing better every day! they sent him home with 5 days of pain medication, and yesterday was the last day, so i called today to ask if he needed more. the vet assistant said he should be ok, and i'm inclined to agree that he's not in pain all the time. he does get uncomfortable, but incisions itch like no tomorrow when they heal. the sad part is, he has to wear the cone for at least 5 more days. better than ripping his stitches out though.
i find it amusing, albeit annoying, that aiden hates the arrival of the mailman with such passion and vigor. he was ok with the mailman at crowne ridge. i guess having a yard makes him more territorial. of course, the UPS truck makes the mailman seem like santa claus, as far as the barking goes.
there, i just did it again! i went for the news page. argh! must stop.
today is friday, but feels less like friday, since i've been home for the past day or two. that's ok; i can still roast a chicken like i normally do, and i might even bake a cake! cake is good.
love kittie