Enjoying the Weather!

Is it me, or is anybody else enjoying the media silence of the past few days? As James mentioned earlier, there will be a lull in media coverage over the course of the next few months, however I view this as a good thing. The media's coverage has been like a feeding frenzy lately, rather than objective, accurate journalism. I've grown tired of the manufactured headlines and drama. I'm sick of Reverend Wright and Bittergate. I can't stomach anymore talk of racism in this election or the voting tendencies white, blue-collar workers. While the media is certainly still trying to convince you of the hype and controversy (see Hillary Clinton's remarks on RFK) I'm not biting anymore. I've come up with a brief list of things of family friendly activities to occupy the space between the nuclear holocaust of a primary and the upcoming category five general election.

5. BBQ

Nothing says summer like a nice day in the yard / or on the deck like a good ol' Barbeque with your friends. Open a few beers, kick back and talk about better times. Get some fresh air and take in all natures wonders in the waning days of spring.

4. Catch a Flick!

The spring / summer box office line-up is chock-full of goodness this year with titles like Batmans Returns, Ironman, Kung-Fu Panda, Indiana Jones, and the Hulk just to name a few. Enjoy a film with the family and suspend your disbelief for two hours. Forget all the rising gasoline prices and political infighting and feel like a kid again watching your old big screen faves return to a new generation of moviegoers.

3. Play catch...

Dust off your old Baseball mit and throw the baseball around for a little bit with a family member. There's nothing like a talk over a game of catch. I don't know what it is about this activity that is totally Zen. You'll feel so good that all your problems will melt away.

2. Ice Cream and a Walk

Nothing says summer and beautiful weather more than a nice ice cream sundae. Get a gigantic ice cream cone and take a nice walk around the neighborhood. If you neighborhood is skanky, go visit somebody else's. Bring some friends along. Much like there's always room for Jello-O, I would argue that there's always room for ice cream.

1. Hit the open road

Get a handful of your summer music collection, open every window in your car, and start to drive. You don't need a particular destination, just drive. Put on your sunglasses, blast your music, and sing at the top of your lungs. Take a navigator with you. Don't be afraid to pack a little overnight bag, just in case you don't want the journey to end. You don't need an expensive Carribean vacation or flight to gain some peace of mind. Travel to small towns that are not in a brochure. Sample some local customs on this low budget vacation. You don't have to go far (it can only be a weekend) to feel like you've taken a break from your life. Get away from all the negative and break the monotany of the Monday to Friday grind. Don't worry the political infighting and career will still be there when you get back. Take a break from them for a while, I guarantee that you will feel better for it.