Thursday, January 23, 2014

Why Do I Bother To Watch The News?

Though I'm taking it out of context, I can relate to the phrase "no news is good news."  After watching either local or national news, I often regret even turning it on.  Ironic, because I have a B.A. in journalism and originally studied broadcast news!  I changed to public relations to a) get out of school a couple quarters earlier and b) because I couldn't see me at the scene doing the tragic stories (or interviewing some of  the, shall we say, not-so-highly-intellectual witnesses, folks with opinions, etc.)

There is some stuff I think I'm better off not knowing.  For instance, I know we are in another "Polar Vortex" already.  All I have to do is step outside.  What I'm depressed about it is the "propane shortage" which will likely send the price through the roof because now there will be a panic.  Funny, it gets cold in the winter and you would think the propane folks would plan for it, but it's much more profitable to manufacture a crisis.

I'm tired of hearing "dirty laundry" (or rather the possibility of it) by politicians taking advantage of their positions.   Where is the news in that???  Why do our Columbus stations have to report on every tragic murder?  They are unfortunately now commonplace in central Ohio and all are tragic.  Unless they can report on a way to avoid them, it's not news.

That goes for entertainment news too.  I don't give a hoot about any Kardashians, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Honey Boo-Boo or any of their ilk.  Quit giving them airtime and see what happens.

My favorites (not really) are the stories where someone is inconvenienced.  Let's see, when weather makes it too dangerous to fly, they may cancel flights.  The airlines would rather fly and make money, but the passengers seem to feel the need to make it to their destination alive.  Why do I give a rat's batoot about someone who complains they are late to or from some trip and want the airlines to be punished?  Not only is it ignorant, but they will surely get some compensation that we will pay for in higher ticket prices.  If you fly in the winter, expect and plan for delays!!!

Granted we should know that traveling to the Olympics in Sochi could be dangerous.  I really hope all goes well and that the most sophisticated intelligence systems in the world (US and Russia) can outsmart a handful of 20 year olds set on ruining things.  However, constantly talking about it is already ruining things for athletes, families and the host country without even having to bomb anything.  So the terrorists win either way.

And another thing.... those commercials.  Really?  Do we have to hear about the little blue pill for men and now, even a treatment for women's private issues?  This is during some folk's dinner hour and certainly before most children's bedtime.  People are gonna buy those pills whether or not they see the ad, so I say we ban them!

Well off my frozen soapbox for now!  Take care and stay warm!
Gale

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Curses Candy Crush!!!



Oh how those luscious calorie-free candies draw me in!  I proudly gave up FarmVille and vowed to never get addicted to another game.  I kept that promise for almost two years.  I got curious as to what all the fuss was about Candy Crush Saga on FB (By King Entertainment) and wound up downloading the free version of what was in the beginning a deceptively simple game.  Initially, it appealed to me because you could pick it up in short spurts.  What I didn't realize is it can be hard to put down.  Luckily, the game will do it for you!

If you've been living under rock candy, the game is kinda like Bejewelled but with brightly colored candies.  There are very annoying sound effects, so I always have the sound off.  But when you do well, there are colorful explosions and Swedish jellyfish swimming around adding points to your score. This is the only place where I don't want to see chocolate because it is evil.  (The game can be evil too.  Lots of nasty surprises can undo all of your hard work.  It is exasperating and confounding, leaving you with little notes at the end saying "You failed!"  Nice to see it in writing...)

Though the app is free, they would love you to buy all sorts of "tools."  Sometimes, they even put you in position to make it nearly impossible to continue without them.  However, I haven't spent a single cent and I am on Level1218 as of 10/01/2016.   But alas, I caved and spent five bucks---still cheap entertainment.)  Lately, they have had a "wheel of fortune" that can get you little boosters for free.  I would like to think I am brilliant and highly-skilled, but there is a bit of luck to this, so it's doable for anyone who can take the punishment and get back on "the horse."  There used to be only 300 levels, but I hear they just added a whole lot more, so I will likely never be done.  I spent days on Level 275 and was getting to the point of putting it away, then things fell into place.  The next few levels often go by quickly as they know not too push you too far or you will give it up.

It's helpful to have FB friends who also play as they can send you "lives" or when you need a "ticket" to the next adventure.  It's fun to see their high scores and we go back and forth on who is ahead.    I have googled tips on occasion from several websites.  Some are helpful, some not.  But often you just need to see a different perspective.  There are actual videos of watching folk's moves and how they beat the level.  There is a "rehab" FB page for folks needing talked away from the edge...

Another benefit is you can play even if you aren't online at the moment.  Once you get back online, they will sync you back up with everyone.  If you are never online, instead of friends sending you tickets, you can do quests to get to the next "chapter" of the game.  I play this on my wi-fi tablet, so when I can't be online, I can still kill a lunch hour!  Takes my mind off of work for a little bit.


If you are looking for something new to play, I suggest you try it.  Let me know what you think and if you have tips...bring them on!  We'd all like to see them!

Until next time (which would be sooner if I weren't playing "Crush!"),
Gale