Blog Archives

TV’s Circle of Trust

Last night, I watched (not for the first time) the series finale of “Frasier,” which was followed by the series premiere of “Frasier” on the Hallmark Channel (11:00 p.m.-midnight). Seeing the popular and witty sitcom come full circle in this fashion was a surreal experience, partly because most of the same sets were used for both episodes. Without question, witnessing the journey of all the characters was worth every second of every show.

A sight to see for sure.

This sequence of events begs the questions of the who, what, when, where, why and how of our own lives? Perhaps the most fascinating quality about Dr. Frasier Crane was his insistence to plan, plan and plan his life’s events with his overly analytical mind. And yet, his life was so much more fulfilling and enjoyable (and funny!) when the unexpected occurred without warning.

In the series premiere, Frasier took a chance at disturbing his new bachelor lifestyle in Seattle to reacquaint himself with Martin, his polar opposite father, by asking him to move in with him. Frasier was clearly a man of habits and preferences (“the chair”), so this provided quite the challenge for the famed psychiatrist. Still, the audience could see that Frasier’s life was going to benefit greatly from the unknown.

The series finale (spoiler alert from 2004) saw Frasier engage in a classic psychological dilemma of certainty versus mystery. In the end, Frasier chose mystery. While standing in his apartment for the last time with Niles and Daphne, Martin and Ronee and Roz, it’s safe to say he realized that his genius mind was not the primary source of wisdom that led him and everyone else into that room together after eleven years.

From the series premiere to the series finale, the famed radio psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane was talking and indeed listening…just not from the place he may have expected.

Nine years after signing off the air and it’s still worth a listen or two.

In a World, Where Sharks Act as Guardians…

In a world, where sharks act as guardians, what nation rises to superiority regarding coastal defense?

Obviously, the answer is Finland.

The explanation:

In a world, where sharks act as guardians, Finnish officials, cognizant of their shrinking economy, need big, daring solutions to their economic woes. As a result, they hire professional shark wranglers to catch and release and/or redirect swimming patterns of big sharks (using their native Nokia technology in some way) towards the coastal waters of Finland for protection. Due to its newly established abundance and myriad of shark species, their tourism profits soar while simultaneously adding a strong defense system for their country’s shores. Perhaps most importantly, they finally have a good reason they can use to explain to curious people around the world why their country is called Finland.

In a World, Where Wednesday’s are Fun…

It’s Wednesday, which calls for something fun!

One of the many games that Sheldon Cooper has invented on, “The Big Bang Theory,” is counter-factual, in which he and neurobiology gal-pal Amy Farrah Fowler answer questions about a world that takes an unexpected and weirdly fascinating turn.

For example:

I present to you the first-ever Jimmy’s Daily Planet’s Counter-Factual Question:

In a world, where sharks act as guardians, which nation rises to superiority regarding coastal defense?

And remember, be prepared to defend yourself tomorrow because there is only one correct answer!

Rolling into a Dream

You toss and turn, roll over and flip pillows, but to no avail. In extreme cases, comforters need to be surrendered completely in the battle in order to win the larger war of getting a few precious uninterrupted moments of sleep.

At some point in our lives, we have had to share a bed. This could entail a family vacation with the ironclad pillow border, a head-to-feet deal like Charlie’s close knit family in, “Willy Wonka,” the “get off me you little fungus” gem from, “Christmas Vacation” or a newly married couple. Sleeping in the same bed can, at times, be an adventure mixed with karate and log rolling (just wait and see…).

Sleeping sounds easy enough, but it can require Navy Seal-like training with cat-like reflexes. One of the predominant elements to a good night’s rest is peace of mind. When you slip under the covers, are you prepared for anything and everything?

And as we all know, we never want to wake the other person up, so we must tread softly and with laser-like precision.