I don’t know if it’s advancing age, changing interests or pressure of time, but I’m finding the Sunday papers aren’t as readable as they used to be.
Time was I’d actually read the news pages, rather than scanning the headlines and then giving up on individual articles after the first couple of paragraphs.
I’d scour the Travel sections for new ideas, even cutting out the most interesting for our next discussion about what to do this summer.
I’d read the Finance pages, checking out the best ISAs and TESSAs, keeping an eye out for which mortgage we should move onto when it’s time to renegotiate our existing one.
I’d read a few of the celebrity stories, marvelling at their extravagant lifestyles and wondering if I could get used to that kind of existence.
But now –
There’s no point reading the Finance pages – no spare cash.
It’s too depressing to read the Travel pages, as there’s no way I’m paying to go trekking in Toubkal with two children who complain if we suggest a stroll on Dartmoor on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Hannah certainly won’t countenance ever going to Dartmeet again.
The news is too repetitive to be either “new” or interesting, and my eyes are continually drawn to scare stories about what I should/shouldn’t have done during pregnancy, when it’s far too late for me to rewrite history.
And I go to the cinema so rarely (apart from Mr Bean’s Holiday and the like) and avoid most reality TV shows so assiduously (except for Britain’s Got Talent, isn’t Connie adorable?) that I haven’t heard of most of the celebrities who form the backbone of the weekend magazine features.
So it’s over to the Archers for my Sunday morning entertainment – that and blogging of course.
Worryingly, I find blogging meets most of my communication needs these days……
I used to read papers once. I used to do lots of things, now I come to think of it. Probably.
‘The Archers’ and ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’ is as close to the real world as I like to get. Drop o’sherry, some jolly japes and a bit of rural angst work for me…
Agreed. I have all but given up buying the weekend papers nowadays. Blogs are like one big Sunday supplement.
I still love the Saturday and Sunday papers. I really like the Families section in the Guardian on a Saturday. I manage to read them while the sprog watches early morning tv or during his nap time.
But the Archers is my main addiction – I love the Rory storyline – I think it’s great he is coming to live at Home Farm and his grown up kids (except for Adam) are being right spoiled brats!! Worried about being kept out of the will I expect!
I hardly watch TV these days, the news and weather are on demand here, blogs make up the rest of my input, apart from all the music mags!
Addicted?, no, only sometimes.
I agree – the ‘Style’ sections of Sunday papers seem to be compiled for a readership that only exists on Planet Tristram.
I swear if someone writes another wacky article defining a ‘new’ acronym-led social group and its habits, I will chew up the paper and spit it at the wall.
I’m also getting a bit hacked off with the ubiquitous phrase ‘bumper City bonuses’.
I’ll calm down now (and go and wipe the wall).
The only things I’m drawn to are about how 40 is the new 20, 50 is the new 5 and so on, because they give me the illusion that we’ve somehow done away with getting old. Tragic, ain’t it?
MatL – yes, I thought I’d just spend half an hour writing something most days, but oh no, there’s a lot more to blogging than that.
Jen – and it is a good story at the moment, much more believable than that stupid non-affair between Ruth and the farm-hand.
I mean, would you get in such a stew over a kiss?
SAHD – and with blogs you can choose to read about the things you’re interested in, which I believe may have a name, but not one I can remember. All part of the aging process and not to be feared.
Scruffy – I can see their point about the inheritance, but unfortunately no-one has dared to voice it yet. It will come though, the script-writers won’t stint on their duty.
Brom – it’s a useful tool when you make music… so what’s my excuse?
DM – I did try to make up an acronym, but gave up when I couldn’t quite make it work. I may try again if I find just cause.
OM – I agree those kinds of stories are meat and drink and everything else to me. Unfortunately however young we may look/feel/act – those numbers keep mounting up, and the things we didn’t achieve mount up with them.