Stupid networks

All the shows I actually like tend to get canceled.

Jet setting around the world (Iraq, Afghanistan, Milwaukee, 2 weeks == Tampa!) doesn't leave much time for television. But, when I'm actually at home, it's nice to flip on the Tivo (cook dinner, change diapers, cuddle the baby, feed the dog) and relax on the couch with a good show and better company (wife, child, dog, cats). I'd rather read a good book, but that requires turning on my brain (re: turn off brain, relax, enjoy). I'd stopped watching television entirely for 3-4 years (I had a DVD player, not cable) until Firefly came on the television. I watched every episode of Firefly from premier to cancellation (and a few episodes of OCC, but Dad liked it, it was a family event).

From the time we were in Afghanistan, downloading shows from iTunes, through the current state of Tivoness (and the eventual purchase of shows that get mis-recorded), there are several shows we really enjoy. Two of them are now cancelled (again): Earl and The Unit. I'm a bit confused, both of these shows attract very large audiences, suggesting that the reason they have been canceled is political, not economical.

This will help me stop wasting time watching television and fast forwarding through commercials, so it's a net gain. Right?

General Observations

I may have found a new winner in the category of "Most tedious household chores": Powerwashing the deck. Most annoying task is probably removing old caulk. I'm horrible at removing old caulk, I'm too much of an anal-retentive perfectionist to do it with any efficiency. At least razorblades are cheap.

I've been traveling pretty much continuously for the last two months (this is week five in Milwaukee). Despite all of the hype about recession and economic impacts, I can say for certain that all of the flights I have been on have been full, with at most one or two open seats. Talking to the hotel staff, business is down substantially, but there has been a marked increase the last few weeks.

You know you have healthy experience in major household maintenance if you can parse "at least razorblades are cheap" without calling a suicide hotline.

The worst part about heavy travel is the expectation from corporate that you can work lots of overtime because you are just at a hotel with nothing to do. They should try paying overtime as an incentive, it might be more effective.