Women's Boxing

It my women’s studies class we discussed sexuality and how our culture assigns gender norms. Well, we watched a woman’s boxing match, and I must say I was surprised. It isn’t a very popular sport in the U.S., and I didn’t like it. However, I don’t care for men’s boxing either.

The losing woman left the ring with both eyes swollen shut and cotton sticking out of cuts on her face. At least with TV shows you know it’s fake…boxing is way too real for me.

Prison Break violence

I was watching another episode of my current favorite show, Prison Break, an undeniably violent show. I was trying to take note of each violent part and even after watching two seasons, the amount of violence surprised me.

It involved a Panama prison, where one convict was shot by the guards while trying to escape, the main character hand fought another convict. The other guy died. A riot broke out over a lack of water, which involved rock throwing, pulling out knives, and drowning a man. A high-ranking woman threatens a man not only by pulling out a gun but also holding his son hostage. I could actually go on.

Now, I don’t think any of this really affected me, other than I had to look away at times, but I guess I can’t really know how I’m affected deep down.

Health Channel

I love to watch the Health Channel when I can’t sleep. I’m really content when I catch Mystery Diagnosis, a show that follows people with bizarre health issues that doctors don’t understand (the mystery is always solved in the end, thankfully).

It’s almost like I’m addicted to hearing these stories, and when I tell my family about it the following morning, they think I’m nuts for watching—I guess I just love how satisfying it is when patients are finally diagnosed. Although, I have to admit, sometimes I convince myself I have the rare conditions I see—so far it’s just been in my head.

TV rut

In the past, I didn’t really use TV for anything. I didn’t watch it to escape (I usually like to read or hang out with friends) or to de-stress. If I watched TV to learn, it wasn’t a conscious effort. I liked mindlessly flipping though channels or watching multiple shows in an attempt to avoid all commercials.

However, now that I can record shows, TV is way more organized. I never miss an episode and I just zip through commercials. As a result, I think my TV watching is way less varied…I’m definitely in a TV rut because just thinking about it makes me bored.

Lauren Greenfield

In my photojournalism class, we looked at photographer Lauren Greenfield’s Web site. I love that she reports without any dramatization—she just examines cultural issues and shows you people’s stories, so the viewer can make up his or her mind.

The story about spas for children especially freaked me out…

TV and dinner

I realized that my sisters and I have and interesting relationship with eating dinner and watching TV. I have been trying to catch up on some old Prison Break episodes, but I don’t have a lot of free time. So, it would make sense if we watched it while we ate.

However, anytime we really want to focus on a show (like Prison Break) I can’t eat at the same time. Instead, I record any and every episode of Friends (it replays on three different channels, so there are tons to pick from) and turn it on while we eat. It’s just a nice background and easy to follow without thinking too much.

You think you know someone...

Now, I don’t really like to talk about people behind their backs, however, this actually relates to the media, so I can’t resist.

I’ve never been a huge watcher of 30 Minute Meals on the Food Network, but my sister is. She watches Rachael Ray and refuses to change the channel when I ask because she loves how “real” Rachael is. You could say she has a parasocial relationship because she thinks Rachael is so nice and down to earth.

Unfortunately, a friend of mine told me otherwise. She worked for Rachael Ray’s magazine, so she worked with her a bit. My friend says Ray is full of herself and was very rude to her. We may think we know people on TV, but we really just don’t.