DeadpanAnn (old blogger version)

Lately the bad news that's out there has been getting to me more than usual. The baby being thrown into the lake, the baby being thrown into a biohazard bag (in the botched abortion), and the nonstop string of doom and gloom headlines regarding the economy and the stupid things being done to fix it are just a few of the things bringing me down. Another kid missing in Florida-- on and on and on, the supply of depressing news just never stops.

I don't know if there's more of it lately or if I'm just more aware of it because of the fact that I'm at home all day now, but it's overwhelming me at the moment and I need to unplug. Last night I watched a new version of a tv show about homicide detectives that I am totally addicted to, and it really, really disturbed me for the first time. I realized that I'm voluntarily taking in other people's bad news as a form of entertainment. Why do that? My life is good. It's better than good, in fact, and I need to be grateful for it. It could change at any moment.

I've decided to turn off the computer and the tv for a few days starting today at noon. I'm going to spend a few days focusing solely on the positive things in life. I'm going to look at my son more and spend more time playing with him. I'm going to go to the library and find the happiest book I can find, and read it while the baby is asleep-- time I would usually spend online or watching the news or other depressing programming. I have a comedy here from Netflix that I'll watch, too. If I get tired of those things, I'll clean my house or find some other constructive activity. I'll figure out what stay-at-home-moms did in the days before internet.

My hope is that I can clear my head and get life back into perspective. I don't see this happening before Tuesday, at least. The would be 4 days, and I will probably go into some type of withdrawal before then, but I'll stay gone as long as it takes.

I have an idea for a new blog, a happy blog, and I will be starting it when I return.