Being in the company of certain people can give us a moment of blah. You know, the sheer feeling of general discomfort and total disconnect? If you interact with humanity on a daily basis, chances are, you'll find yourself in such a situation. Fortunately, most of the folks I interact with don’t give me any reason to shy. Many people are easy to get along with and on a few occasions, I’ve actually experienced instant rapport.
I hope that even for once in your life, you’ve had the chance to bond with someone instantly. Many might call it chemistry... but the cozy platonic kind. Having such a bond can make conversations painless and effortless, right? It feels good when that happens.
For instance, there’s this guy I met on my ride home a few years ago. It was conversation magic at first chat! His name is Doug and we share the same bus ride most afternoons. This year I missed his company many times because he loves taking weeks off from work, or sometimes he would wake up late for the bus schedule and had to drive to the office. When that happens, and it's been happening a lot lately (hopefully, it's not because he's avoiding me!), it means taking the bus home without him. Anyway, no matter how long we won’t see each other, we easily pick up where we left off.
For instance, there’s this guy I met on my ride home a few years ago. It was conversation magic at first chat! His name is Doug and we share the same bus ride most afternoons. This year I missed his company many times because he loves taking weeks off from work, or sometimes he would wake up late for the bus schedule and had to drive to the office. When that happens, and it's been happening a lot lately (hopefully, it's not because he's avoiding me!), it means taking the bus home without him. Anyway, no matter how long we won’t see each other, we easily pick up where we left off.
Doug and I watch a few reality TV shows (not in the same room, OK!). “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” among them. After so many seasons, I watch these shows to keep my evenings entertained, not because I am hopeful that a love match would eventually happen. During the ride home, Doug would take a break from his Sudoku and I from a Word Search puzzle to compare notes on our increasing disgust over these shows. The wild and seemingly mentally deranged women who are "allegedly" looking for Mr. Right. The physically buffed good-looking men who claim to be looking for love. They usually resemble some kind of poster models. Those people can’t fool me and Doug. We know they’re on TV for publicity or to start a career on something that requires public adulation. What God-fearing man or woman would enjoy their private mating to be broadcasted to the world? Such TV shows only contribute to washing morals down the drain. That’s why even school kids these days don’t have qualms showing extreme public displays of affection in common places.
“Survivor” is another show we love to discuss. I think Doug and I both enjoy the group dynamics that go on all the time. The sneaky alliances, the bizarre promises people make and mind-boggling moves to get to the top. If those are the kinds of folks I’ll have to deal with every day of my life, I’ll certainly want to move to another planet! A couple of episodes ago, two of the remaining nine wanted out. They (both women named Kelly Shinn and NaOnka Mixon) left the show with 11 days remaining on Jeff Probst’s watch. They claimed that their bodies had given up, and I suspect it’s from the lack of comfortable surroundings they've been accustomed to and the malnourishment from the absent fine food. When this episode aired, I couldn't help but mentally scream at my TV: Lots of people out there would die to be casted on “Survivor” and you’re giving up your chance to win a million grand?
Of course, this bailing out wasn’t the first time it happened on the show. The contenders need to pound into their heads what they’re getting into before committing to be in “Survivor.” When anyone opts out, they just end up looking like a wimp whose genuine intention was simply to gain their minutes of fame. I haven’t seen Doug since the last two episodes aired, but I’m positive that he’ll have nothing good to say about it. I can’t wait to tell him what I think!
Of course, this bailing out wasn’t the first time it happened on the show. The contenders need to pound into their heads what they’re getting into before committing to be in “Survivor.” When anyone opts out, they just end up looking like a wimp whose genuine intention was simply to gain their minutes of fame. I haven’t seen Doug since the last two episodes aired, but I’m positive that he’ll have nothing good to say about it. I can’t wait to tell him what I think!
“The Amazing Race” is another show we both enjoy watching. Last Sunday’s episode was the finale and I was happy for the female doctor team (Kat Chang and Nat Strand) who outran everyone. They’ve been my favorite contenders since the season aired. I believe that their grace under pressure (not talking dirty when the heat was on) and likable personalities make them deserving of the million dollar reward. I’m thrilled that a female team finally won the competition! About time that the women stepped up to the plate! They look like really wonderful people and they absolutely deserve the prize. This show typically brings out the worst in people when they’re in stress mode and I hate it when couples’ relationships fall apart for the world to see.
Anyway, back to the "looking for love" show. Brad Womack, the next Bachelor, is again looking for The One. As you may know, it’s his second time to do this ridiculous dating spectacle. In his first season, he dumped both girls who happened to be his top two picks. One of the girls publicly confessed that she wanted to date him even after she was publicly rejected, but he wouldn't hear it. I learned through the grapevine that he went into therapy after the season ended. Something to do with his being a commitment-phobe. I don’t understand why someone with an emotional handicap would be chosen to be the lead in a dating show whose purpose for being is to have a happy ending! If he suffered from that problem, did he believe that the public dating (with cameras taking note of every move) would be the cure he needed?
Although I don’t really expect a love match this season (but for Brad's sake, I hope it comes to pass!), the show will provide much substance for me and Doug to chew on. I wish people well (especially the girls who are in it for a possible high profile media career), and I hope that Brad would finally find his soul mate or the one who will make the television journey all worth while. If it doesn’t happen, I hope that the producers don’t give him a third chance, even if that might be the charm.
