When Did I Stop Caring?

Last Sunday, I was having lunch with three friends from church. We were talking about various subjects when a younger member of our party asked, “What did you think about what happened at the Academy Awards?” I didn’t know that the Oscars had happened until I read in the paper that an actor had slapped another actor (who I had never heard of) and it became the news of the day squeezing out more important news like the war in Ukraine … which does concern me.

I can’t tell you how long it has been since I have watched this yearly event. Why should I bother when I no longer go to movies or know the actors starring in them? I only recognize the ones I knew while I was growing up and many of them are now dead. Today’s screenwriters rely on unbelievable feats of car chases, explosions, gunning down innocent people, or lurid sex scenes while using the “F” word as every other verb, adjective, or adverb. Why should I bother with things that disgust or offend me? I stick mainly to TCM and enjoy those movies from earlier decades that are clean and, whether funny or sad, leave me with a satisfied feeling before the final words signal “The End.”

Today, I read in my paper that J.Lo and Ben Affleck are back together. This news received a lot of space on the second page of the front section of my state paper. I did not know they had a past relationship. I barely recognize the names. Jennifer Lopez stated she had received a green diamond, her favorite color, and went on to say, “Remember the green dress?” As if everyone would know. While talking to my daughter later I asked if she knew what was meant by that and she explained it to me. At some big awards ceremony (or was it a Super Bowl?) she wore a green scarf-like thing that barely covered her most private parts. Wow— now isn’t that something she assumed everyone would remember?

The Grammys. I have not watched these during the last dozen years either. Neither do I know the songs up for awards nor the singers who perform them. My car radio is set on Sirius radio stations that feature oldies from the 50s, 60s (and a few early 70s hits) or Prime country from the 80s and 90s. I know nothing of current popular music.

Also in today’s paper, I read of Gary Brown’s untimely death from kidney-liver failure. I remember standing in line for hours to get his and Warren Moon’s autographed pictures in 1994 when they were members of our “home team.” I have not followed professional football since the Oilers left Houston. Neither have I been a pro-basketball fan since the glory days of Olajuwon and Clyde-the-Glide Drexler in the mid-90s. My friend invited me to watch this year’s Super Bowl and I cannot tell you now which teams played—much less, who won. I only remember I did not get the point of the setting or the songs that were performed during half-time.

I am still interested in the NCAA—especially the SEC and my Razorbacks. I follow them through the football and basketball tournaments and would never miss the Final Four. I am now trying to get into college baseball. On the other sports front, I do not try to understand hockey, tennis, golf or boxing or this (new to me) game of soccer. How can a game be played with a ball you are not allowed to touch with your hands?

I have been an avid reader for most of my life but this joy has also ebbed lately. It wasn’t that long ago that I faithfully searched the Best Seller list in the Sunday paper and hurried to get on the “wait list” at the library. Lately, however, the books have been a disappointment and the last book I really enjoyed was “Where the Crawdads Sing” several years back. Now, I only watch for John Grisham (remember when I rescued his latest thriller from a dumpster outside our condo in Colorado?) and Nickolas Sparks’ latest novels. When did I quit caring about books?

For the first several years I could not wait for the new installments of “American Idol.” I remember voting for Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks and Randy Jackson talking about the “dog pen.” I have not bothered watching these last several years—another lost interest.

I used to never miss several weekly comic series on television— Dave Barry, Grace, All in the Family, Sanford and Son (I loved the Bible-carrying aunt.) Coach, and Magnum P.I. Today I watch only re-runs of “The Golden Girls” when nothing better is on.

I find very little entertainment in this new “streaming” business on television. I did enjoy “Downtown Abby” but never even tried to get into “Game of Thrones” which won so much attention or any other Sci-Fi shows with flying insect monsters, etc.

But, may I tell you of a jewel I found at an estate sale earlier this year? Thank Heavens, I still have my old VCR player in operation and I bought for $1 the three tape original of “The Thornbirds” with Richard Chamberlain. I have already “binged” (isn’t that the correct term today?) on these twice. I also plan to go to my neighbor’s house to watch “Gaslit” with Julie Roberts and Sean Penn when it comes out on STARZ April 24. My friend and faithful reader from Pine Bluff, Bob Abbott, bought and restored Martha Mitchell’s family home and took me through it one day. He also got to meet several members of the production. I don’t really know exactly when it happened, but I suddenly no longer care about most programs, movies, music and other sports of today’s world. Guess it is just another sign of getting old.

Brenda Miles responds to e-mail sent to brenstar@att.net