Sometimes I get overwhelmed by all the tasks I've set for myself. When this happens, I usually revert to a former version of myself. One that would with the click of a button, would give up any pretense of getting work done and become glued to moving pictures and sound. I cash it in and turn on the television.
And then I watch disaster flicks.
See, about two and half years ago I started turning on Pandora or Slacker or some other music service instead of turning on TV. I recognized that my free time was less about getting things done and more about zoning out and relaxing.
There's nothing wrong with that.
But that I wasn't getting anything done. My manuscript word count remained unchanged. The pile of projects I intended to create sat untouched. Something had to change. So, with almost no regret, we decided to discontinue our cable. Yes, I miss the History Channel and SyFy, but I get by without them.
Instead, I have sewn, read, written, edited, penguined (yes, it's a verb for me) and more. I have taken productivity to a new level. Check out my projects page to some details!
Sometimes, I just need a break. This usually falls on Sunday (#moviesunday on twitter), my most and least productive day depending. Enter disaster films. My favorite is The Day After Tomorrow followed closely by Twister, then Independence Day (Yes I consider this a disaster flick. Aliens are probably real.)
I don't always feel renewed at the end of one which means I usually watch Harry Potter or the Avengers to complete my journey. (Thor and Tony Stark usually do the trick!)
When Monday afternoon rolls around, after I punch the clock at the day job and finish up at whatever cafe I've decided to write in for a couple of hours, I come home and get to work. Sometimes I sew, sometimes I blog, sometimes I dance around the basement and sing along with my hair bush as my mic.
I can usually go about a month before needing a straight up veg out day. And that is completely acceptable to me.
Preferences on disaster movies: Volcano or Dante's Peak? Armageddon or Deep Impact? War of the Worlds or Cloverfield?
ReplyDeleteBoth Volcano and Dante's Peak are stunningly bad. But if I have to choose, Dante's Peak (Grandma has to die but at least the dog lives!)
ReplyDeleteDeep Impact. It's just a more feasible story (Though Armageddon makes me cry like a baby every time!)
I haven't seen Cloverfield, so I feel like I can't make this call. I'll let you know...
D
I agree with the volcano movies. Ugh. It comes down to which leads you like better. I agree that Deep Impact is more feasible, but I like Armageddon more just because of the big, dumb, loud, "Things go boom" aspect of it. We'll have to fight about that one later. How are you at logrolling? That seems like a fair way to settle it!
ReplyDeleteI think I might go with Cloverfield in that last match up. I really enjoyed most of War of the Worlds, but Cloverfield was well done, I thought. It's one that I can watch again and again and still enjoy.
I am not really sure that logrolling is the best way to settle this dispute unless you're willing to go for the boom run. That seems to have the appropriate amount of disaster attached to it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really want to know is how Independence Day, The Happening and Twister fit into your disaster movie hierarchy.
Hmm. I've been challenged to watch the Happening but haven't managed it. I've not heard good things about it. Not even, so-bad-its-good things about it. I'll have to cave in some day. I think Independence Day would have to be at the top of this list otherwise. The White House being destroyed by aliens? Come on. I haven't watched Twister in some time. And I'm sure there's a reason. Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton? They go together like Honey Bunches of O's and motor oil. And not in a good way. It's worth it for the flying cow, but...
ReplyDeleteWHAT!? You don't like Twister? Sure, the acting is terrible. But there's nothing like running from an f5 tornado through a field of sunflowers while pickets are flying at you at a hundred miles an hour, only to take up shelter in a well shack and strapping yourself to pipes with a leather bridle (because that'll hold. It's CLASSIC.
ReplyDeleteAt least we agree on ID4. (sniff.)
Next you're going to tell me you hated The Day After Tomorrow.
We may have to agree on that one too. The Day After Tomorrow had Dennis Quaid, wolves and instantly freezing helicopters. What's not to like? But are we going to have a feasibility argument with that one?
ReplyDeleteSkyline vs. Battle: Los Angeles. Go!
That's right, I played the Quaid card.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen Skyline or Battle: Los Angeles. So you've stumped me there.
ReplyDeleteYou know, you might be all about Dennis Quaid, but I'll all about Jake Gyllenhal. Emmy Rossum is pretty adorable too.
I haven't seen Skyline yet, but haven't heard good things. Battle: Los Angeles was pretty good. I was impressed!
ReplyDeleteI'll give you Emmy Rossum.
Ooo. Stallone. Daylight. Fire away!
ReplyDelete