WUI (Writing under the influence)

I started watching the Orange Bawl with my son around 5:30pm. It started great with Oklahoma scoring first. We had dinner until 7pm so we didn't watch most of the second quarter (TV and radio are off in my house during meals); when we returned to watch the game it was just OK: USC had a commanding lead. The half-time show was just pathetic with all three singers lip-synching with Ashley Simpson being the worst. Around 8pm the game simply sucked so we turned to PBS. Much better.

First, Nova talked about our recent exploration of Mars. Question: if there was indeed water, and maybe even life, on Mars, what happened? Bush and Halliburton weren't around to make them disappear. Seriously, wouldn't this show that if other planets close to us go through some drastic changes "on their own", so can Earth?

Put children to bed.

Frontline made me smile. Not because it's fair. It's not. But E.J. Dionne was rather concerned about Bush's religiosity. Dionne's apprehension about conservatives in general and evangelicals in particular always makes me smile. Overall, a good show.

Lastly, Inventions described the quest for the tallest building. Two thoughts. One, capitalism is great. Two, it's good if you aim at something specific like 1776 feet. You don't care if the next guy beats you by 1. And he will. Eventually.

I couldn't believe I spent so much time watching anything other than sports on TV. I think it was a combination of expectations that I would watch the entire game and having 3 programs on PBS worth my time one after another. Also, I'm stalled on my bathroom remodel waiting for a part. This makes me think that when there is nothing else I can do with (to) my house, I will have to build a new one.