Desperate Housewives- Revisited


I'm dealing with a major headache today. So, I'm pulling out one of the very first posts from this blog. Hope to be back tomorrow.

A Not-So-Desperate Housewife

(abc.com)


I watch TV, this much is true. But, years ago, I gave up soap operas. Since then, I haven't even been tempted. Then, a couple weeks ago, I was folding laundry and looking for something interesting to watch. I stopped on a rerun of Desperate Housewives. What a mistake!! After one hour, I was hooked. I watched pretty much every day for three weeks. I tried to rationalize it. It has better acting and better stories than daytime soap operas. Besides, I liked it because I had so much in common with these women. Really? Sure. Here's the comparison:


Susan- is a writer and has one daughter. I want to be a writer and, hey, I have one daughter. She's also in love with a man who doesn't know she exists. I am in love with a man- and have kids who pretend to not know I exist.


Gabby- Shops almost everyday for clothes, make-up and shoes. I shop almost everyday (for cereal, bread and milk) and I own clothes, make-up and shoes.


Lynette- has a sweet husband and more kids than anyone on her street. Ditto.


Bree- is compulsive about her housework, makes gourmet dinners for her family every night and is a perfect size 2. I, um, let's see....all right, I admit it, I have nothing in common with these women.

So, if I'm not watching because I can relate, then what's the attraction? Maybe it's that their problems are so outrageous, they make mine seem small and normal. I've never had my husband murdered by my pharmacist boyfriend, or had to ask my Chinese maid to be a surrogate for my baby. The stories, which totally sucked me in, seem so ridiculous when I try to explain them.

Maybe part of it is that my life seems mundane. I hate when I see someone I haven't seen in a while and they ask what I'm up to. Just once, I'd love to have some exciting news- "Oh, I'm doing all right, my husband just opened a restaurant, then fell and threw out his back, so now I'm running it." or "My boyfriend woke up from his coma and doesn't remember me." Instead, I have to tell them it's the same old thing. "My kids are perfecting the art of back-talking. I spend too much time on the computer. Our big vacation this year is going to Rupert, Idaho." Thrilling.

I quit cold turkey on Thursday. I will admit I'm having withdrawls. When ten o'clock rolled around, I didn't know what to do. I completely avoided the TV altogether. I'm trying to focus on the good things I have. I may not have a fancy house, or a big career, but that's ok. I also don't have children who try to kill me (tho' they may want to) or neighbors who are trying to steal my husband, (tho' they may want to). The only desperation I feel is for a few quiet moments, or a full nights' sleep without a child's knees in my back. My life may be boring, but I'm glad it isn't a soap opera. If it was it would be called, "The Old and the Listless." Tune in tomorrow for another boring episode.

Comments

  1. Hope you feel better. And welcome to the club of boring, old and listless. I'm a founding member! :D)

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  2. Never boring. Never listless. Do go on (once you're feeling better!).

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  3. This cracked me up and rang a few bells as well. Hope your head is feeling better soon. (The only episode I've ever seen of Desperate Housewives was when Son-Three wanted to watch it because his girlfriend was "making" him. They stayed on the phone together for the entire episode. It's amazing what teenage boys will do for "love.")

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    Replies
    1. I don't want my teenage boys watching it, that's for sure. I get worried when the commercials come on. (I don't know what I was thinking when I watched it!)

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  4. Enjoyed reading! Wishing you quick recovery! Greetings from Brussels,
    Anni

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. And, can I say how cool it is to have someone from Brussels reading my blog? You rock!

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  5. Two words for you: Downton Abbey. Just, don't even start. Please trust me.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the warning. I'll make sure to steer clear!

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