Thursday, December 4, 2008

Now Presenting: Your Childhood

I watch most of my television via Tivo. Technically, it's via Replay TV, but since no one's ever heard of that, we'll just stick with Tivo. This means that I don't see commercials anymore. That Motrin thing that was flying around recently? I had to go look up the commercial to see what the issue was (and granted, I still don't see what the issue was).

The only commercials I see these days are during football games, which means I see a lot of stuff for E.D., cars, beer, and Fox reality shows.

Yes, Fox has somehow managed to come up with yet more reality shows. They're premiering this January on the fine network. And I'm even more disappointed by humanity. In fact, they're so bad, that I've completely blocked them out from my mind. Ok, except for one. "Smile, You're Under Arrest" is soon coming to your television. Oops, a couple IQ points just leaked out.

I'm thinking that I need to make my own reality show. Starring me, of course. Keep in mind that I don't watch reality shows and so I don't really know how most of them work other than the fact that humiliating people appears to be big. No humiliation on my show. Nope. And I don't say that only because I'm starring in it!

I remember when I was a kid. I had all sorts of hobbies. I did gymnastics, I rode horses, I was a cheerleader (shut up), I played softball, made pottery, and so forth. I look back at those days and think, hey, I could still do that if I really wanted to, couldn't I?

Technically, I know I can still play softball because oh yeah, I do.

The rest of it though. I see kids doing cartwheels and know that in my head I could do that, but I'm too afraid to try it. Horseback riding? Granted, I've done that as an adult, but not since I was pregnant with Little Miss. And definitely not like I used to when I was a kid (umm, yeah that would be stupid me playing tag on horseback -- but oh how fun it was!).

I just need that little push to give me a chance to go back to the times when I was a kid, to try out those activities, to remember the joy the simple things like making a lumpy pot give. To know that you don't have to give it all up, to know that there is still that little imp inside you, to know that I've still got it.

And it wouldn't provide it to just me. The whole world would be able to see that childhood hobbies don't have to be left in childhood. They can, quite simply, be hobbies.

And then? Wouldn't that inspire you to take a soccer ball out this weekend? Maybe dust off that skateboard? Find your cats' cradle string? Do your own cartwheel on the lawn in front of the neighbors?

What hobby do you miss most?

16 comments:

WeaselMomma December 4, 2008 at 8:19 AM  

I so have to give you a link about my adventures with this topic from the summertime. http://worldofweasels.blogspot.com/2008/07/things-that-make-you-feel-old.html

justme December 4, 2008 at 11:38 AM  

i want to take knitting back up ...

i take my girl to gymnastics and i have to say, i am always tempt to hop onto some equipment

Cookie December 4, 2008 at 1:37 PM  

I still do the occaisonal cartwheel ;) But not in front of the neighbors!

Aunt Julie December 4, 2008 at 4:14 PM  

We are occasionally commercial-free, and it's quite liberating! Hey, I'm told your Pop'rs were going to ship TODAY, so keep an eye out!! I'm returning visits from the FanTAbulous Merry SITSmas Event the other day. Thanks so much for visiting, and please...come by my place to see how to Pay It Forward during this Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

krissy December 4, 2008 at 5:17 PM  

I don't watch t.v. at all here. No cable for us. My husband is kinda bummed about it, and can't wait to get it.

I was a caterer and thought it would be way too funny to do a reality show about that. The funniest things happen at weddings, funerals, christmas parties etc. One year, I catered 3 Christmas parties in one day, and this one couple went to all three. It was so funny!

Gina December 4, 2008 at 5:39 PM  

I was just having that conversation the other day with a friend - the fact that in my head, I am still a really good gymnast, awesome diver, and can so still twirl a fire baton. Meanwhile, if I tried, I'd most likely be broken, drowned, and on fire. But I am happy to report that I can still pull off some awesome trampoline moves.

Jenners December 4, 2008 at 7:04 PM  

Stopping by on my tour of MamaKat's writing workshop posts...

That would be a good reality show...older folks revisiting their childhood passions. Wonder how I'd look in a tutu?

Michelle December 4, 2008 at 7:50 PM  

Weaselmomma - You are crushing my dreams. I could do a slip 'n slide if I wanted to... I think. Or I thought.

Feener - Knitting would be a good one. That was always too intimidating for me. I will say that we have open gym by my house every Friday where as a parent with small children, I sort of HAVE to get one the equipment with them. It's fun!

Cookie - Yay to you! That almost gives me courage to go outside and try... except for that whole snow on the ground thing.

Veggie Mom - I saw your Pay It Forward, and I love the concept. I have to think about what to give, but I may use that as we get closer to Christmas. I love being without commercials. Definitely liberating!

krissy - Wow, that's impressive. It actually might be good for us. The wee ones watch no tv, but it goes on once they go to bed! And I did some catering as a high schooler. Yep, definitely some good material there!

Gina - A fire baton? Seriously? I'm truly impressed. I never got past the first spin of a baton, but I really admire those who can. Where do you get your tramping in (ok that sounds really wrong but I can't figure out how to say it better)?

Jenners - You'd look great in a tutu. Definitely much better than you fear you would! And how fun to do some plies?

Melisa Wells December 4, 2008 at 10:23 PM  

Just sitting and READING.

And cross-stitching. I was awesome at that and spent hours doing it when I was a newlywed. Cross stitching, that is. Not "it". Well, that too. LOL

J Cosmo Newbery December 5, 2008 at 3:25 AM  

I gave up correspondence chess because I couldn't stand the pace.

Rick December 5, 2008 at 4:53 AM  

So your reality show would be about you trying to be a kid again?

I'd watch.

Anonymous December 5, 2008 at 10:13 AM  

I miss riding my bike for hours to nowhere.

S Club Mama December 5, 2008 at 11:11 AM  

It was so lovely to see that you stopped by yesterday!!! Thanks so much.

Michelle December 5, 2008 at 6:09 PM  

Melisa - Sitting and reading... that sounds lovely. Especially either in a tree or in a bathtub (I know, total dichotomy). Cross-stitching ummm I'll leave that to you.

J Cosco Newbery - Somehow though, I don't see that translating well to television!

Rick - Ummm yes. I'd like to try to be a kid again -- recapture some of that joy. And try to avoid humiliation in the process. Good to know I have one viewer at least!

ElfTea - Oh, I forgot that one. Up and down the same hill, around to nowhere with no real plans. That's definitely a lost art.

Mrs. S - Of course! I hope you had a wonderful day.

angela | the painted house December 5, 2008 at 7:49 PM  

I think I painted quite a few shirts with puff paint...wouldn't want to do that again! I used to stay up late reading in bed and then wake up in the morning and read some more. Miss that.

Michelle December 5, 2008 at 9:07 PM  

Angela - Ahhh the good old puff paint. I remember that stuff. In fact, I have a teddy bear from childhood that still wears a white bib smock thing that I painted "hello" in yellow puff paint. Yes, I still have my stuffed animals.

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