Managing My Obsessions

After allowing over a month to recover from not winning my free trip to Europe (and no, I still have not sent Intrepid Travel a bound copy of my submissions) I decided it was time to get back on the proverbial horse and entertain my obsessive nature again. The word "obsession" does have negative connotation and I do not want to suggest that I view my obsessions in this way. I guess I should call them passions because like passions, they come and go, but to me it sounds too much like something you would read in a Fortune 500 magazine or a Tony Robbins book. I don't think the word is strong enough for my taste.

I guess it started last Christmas. Actually, starting back even further, two years ago, I discovered that the best way to combat my yearly Christmas blues was to watch every live-action made-for-TV Christmas movie available(especially the Lifetime Channel. With the aid of my cable recorder thing (what the heck do you call that feature?) I was able to record every Jacklyn Smith, Crystal Bernard, sappy holiday movie. In many of these movies (of course, not including Jacklyn Smith or especially Crystal Bernard, who got stuck with Steve Guttenberg in the end) there was often the theme of a very handsome man taking an interest in a less attractive woman, thereby, giving hope to all less than attractive women out there. It was good of them, those Lifetime people, spreading the message of hope during holiday season. I found these these made-for-TV movies very entertaining and I spent so much time laughing that I never had the time to succumb to my annual depression. They were a Godsend.

Last year, however, it was more challenging. Lifetime and Oxygen were kind enough to furnish a few new highlights to the holiday lineup but having seen most of the movies already, the effect wasn't as dramatic. There were a few I looked forward to. I always like the ones where the Santa folklore is messed with and Santa is ready to turn the reigns over (literally) to Santa Jr. And there were elves. Some were good, some plotted against Santa, some had their own magical powers. That was all good stuff. However, the reruns weren't keeping the blues away. Then I found The Food Channel.

My first sampling was Rachael Ray's 30 minutes or less. I don't know where I've been, but I had never heard of her before. The first time I saw her was such a jarring experience, I had to have more. I came to know the show as, Cooking on Crack. I'm not an expert in kitchen, by ANY means. I have a few recipes that do not offend and that I can count on, and I don't aspire to do much more. But I sat glued to Rachael and held my neck as I listened to her throaty ramblings and made up words. I can't say I liked her but I couldn't not watch. What's that about?

Then I branched off to Emeril, Bobby Flay and Molto Mario, could not tolerate Paula Dean but found Giada DiLaurentis soothing, Iron Chef, exciting. I watched them cook, go on fantasy vacations, visit restaurants, compete. I watched food. The idea of watching food is strange. The host prepare meals, give instructions and tips I never remember and then they describe the food. Maybe that's what I was in it for. Food porn. I wasn't eating the food, or preparing it for myself or even smelling it. From my couch I could proclaim the food good or bad. I became a culinary commentator like Alton Brown, went on throw downs with Bobby Flay. My romance with food shows continued.

Then I discovered Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel. I consider this show hard core porn for food viewing junkies. It's when you know you've gone down a path and that there is no turning back. Zimmern travels the world in search of strange things to eat. Crickets and worms are mere trifles to Zimmern. This mans delves into rancid meat omelettes, balut (fertilized duck eggs embryos), brains, organs, and yes, bull balls. You name it, he's eaten it. He's the Wide World of Sports of food tasters. He takes delicious pride in his ability to try anything once and even twice, to make a point.

Zimmern's message is simple: By sampling exotic foods from other cultures, we open our minds to another way of life and thus, expand our worldview. I'm not sure the bull would agree but it's a nice sentiment. Put something disgusting in your mouth... world peace! Why not? It makes for an entertaining show.

I'm just curious about why I am watching these shows. Again, maybe it goes back to my Intrepid Travel contest and my obsessive nature. Maybe it has something to do with watching other obsessed people. It gives me a sense of calm to watch someone obsessed with finding the strangest food in the world or make the best sugar sculpture or just cook a meal in under 30 minutes. I know it's just another phase of mine that in time and considering how fickle I can be, I'll get over it and find something new. But for now, it's shiny and bright and me like. Think they have a contest?