INTERACTIVE TELEVISION

February 19th. I have been up and about since four. "I" is stalking around the house but refuses to go outside. Probably the neighbors will be happy she hasn't gone. I am sipping on coffee trying to engage my brain. I speak of that as if I really have one. But I am desperately trying to kick the day off. I've thanked God I am still here. I half way did my little jig, my knees hurt, so I did not do a full jig. This I am finding out is what happens when you hit the big 70.

I realize more and more as the days go by that I have less and less contact with the outside world. Most of my conversations are on the phone. For someone who loves to talk and has very few to talk too its rough. Hence comes talking to the Television. Now for quite sometime I wasn't really aware that I was doing it. However I have began to notice what I do but continue to follow the practice.

I watch a television show called, "Cash Cab." It comes on at five on cable. I don't watch television in the daytime. But around five I lower the blinds to block out the sun and turn on the TV. I like to answer the questions. I try to answer them before the people in the cab can. Sometimes they do not know the answer but I do. I call it out to them, they still don't get it. I sometimes jump to my feet, yelling the answer louder. Its long distance you know. Still they don't get it right. I holler out loudly, "I told you the answer dummies."

Last night as I watched and The Emperor was in the other room. The driver asked what birds fluid did Geisha's in Japan put on their faces before they perform. I knew it, excitedly I called out, "Nightingale." They hemmed and hawed around. I repeated the answer more loudly this time. "Nightingale." They answered "Whippoorwill." I snorted in disgust. I told you stupid," I shouted at the Television. The Emperor looked at me very strangely. "You do know," he asked, "That they can't hear you?" I answered him huffily, "Of course I do."

But the truth I would not want him to know is sometimes I forget. I have become engaged in interactive television. I do this with "Dancing with The Stars." dance when they do. I clap when a favorite does good and holler "Good job," at the top of my lungs. I cry when a young person gets sent home from American idol. Interactive TV. I yell at the bad guys in movies and watch the "Animal Planet, getting irate when some pet has been abused. Interactive TV.

I suppose I need to try and find a way to get a little bit more life going but actually I have come to love all my friends on television. I just get mad when the dummies get into the cab. The Emperor thinks I am senile. I am not. Him and I just handle watching TV differently thats all. I think the only way I will need to worry about my actions is if I think they are talking back. I have not come to that place yet but the day could come I am afraid. Just the other day "Ben Lyons, the driver on Cash Cab looked right at me and smiled. I'm starting to think he may know I'm here.

I hope Spring comes early in Blogland as I am hoping it does at home. These early mornings can get a little chilly. Two days of Spring like weather and I am cold at fifty degrees. Its quiet here this morning. No lights shining from the one plate glass window. Nobody gets up early in Blogland. I start for home. I wonder what Bloggers look like. I catch my reflection in the lone store window. I look pretty rough this morning. Maybe I don't want to see another Blogger. I'm sure they wouldn't want to see me. For now though, I'm outta here.