I remember when Netflix first came out onto the scene. I liked the idea of just walking down to the mailbox and grabbing a DVD to watch without the hassle of driving to a store and picking out a movie and then worrying about returning the movie on time, lest having to pay the dreaded late fees. However, in the same breath, I didn't like to have to wait to see a movie or television series. I mean when I was ready to watch something, I wanted to watch it then, there, and now. Therefore, you would think I would have been open to streaming when it first became available. However, that was not the case. I'm honestly not sure what was my issue. Maybe, technology changing scared me a little. Heck, I was super late getting onto the smart phone bandwagon. And it wasn't until Netflix changed their policy and raised rates, that we decided it was time to "experiment" with streaming and we bought our first streaming player. Now, I can't image nights where we aren't streaming Netflix. Trust me when I say you don't want to know how much broadband width we use month after month. And don't you just love the little Netflix warning box that appears on your television scene after you have marathoned through five episodes of Bones and the message goats you, by asking if you are still watching Netflix. Like I have somehow magically gotten a life in the last four and a half hours. I don't think so! 

Yes, there are days when it really has been that bad. Hey, I can blame it on my craft. After all, aren't we writers told to watch and read other genres? To get a feel for other writers styles and to "see" what the audience likes. huh? I have to admit, I really am behind on what most people watch on television. I find very little I like and find little or no emotional connection to characters or situations. I am not a prude, but have been thoroughly disappointed on the incredibly low morals television executives think most of society has. Case in point, sorry I don't remember the television series, but I vaguely remember seeing a preview for a new series and thinking it might be something I was interested in because it revolved around paramedics. And heck, I grew up on loving Emergency! However, not even five minutes into the episode, two paramedics are getting it on it the back of the ambulance, and I thinking first, gross, and second wondering who are these characters? I have no emotional connection with them. Why must I watch them having sex in the back of an ambulance without having a least a little backstory? And this is exactly why I love Scarecrow and Mrs. King so much, because we, as the audience, got to watch them slowly fall in love, and not fall into bed five minutes after he handed her a package (which could take a whole new meaning in today's society) at a train station. Needless to say, I turned off the television and read a book instead.

I am also super frustrated that Hollywood has not had an original idea since the 1980's. Why they are remaking all the 80 classic movies? Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Point Break, and don't even get me started on Ghostbusters! In addition, when an original idea is presented Hollywood executives are quick to cut the cord, without giving the television series a chance to find their audience or the show is constantly on the bubble, so writers plan for a 12 or 13 episode arc and then when it is picked up for other 10 or so episodes, some of the magic is gone, or certain writers have moved on, or they are scrambling for a new arc and the series becomes basically a hot mess; i.e. Chuck. To this day, I believe NBC ruined this great series. It had massive amounts of potential to be one of a kind dramedy, a mix of comedy and drama mixed with espionage and intrigue, and romance (sound a little familiar?) But so much uncertainty let us fans down.  And by season five, it was just a shell of its original self. I see it too often, a new series airs and less then six episodes later it as been cancelled. I am just not interested in becoming invested in a television series only for it be be yanked when I was just getting to like the characters and developing an emotional connection. Case in point, CBS released a television series titled Chaos, about a group of rogue CIA agents. I have to admit, I thought the pilot was a bit weak-- it tried too hard; however, by week two the writing and characters began to gel, and I started getting a kick out of watching it and looked forward to viewing every week. However, not even three weeks into the series, CBS pulled the plug. Come on! Give it a chance. I mean even Cheers and M*A*S*H did not draw in their audiences until season two. This held true for another series I liked, GCB. I know it wasn't just ABC that killed the series, but a bunch of Christian mothers who never watched the series complained to sponsors. Yes, I did just earlier complain about the over sexualization of Hollywood. However, GCB was funny as hell! And this series didn't take itself seriously. In addition, those of us that are Christian know those types that are the "Ms. Betty Sue whose better that you". Wonderful casting and great writing flushed right down the toilet. And this is exactly why I don't watch Network television anymore. Plus, there is just too much Reality TV, and I have zero interest in watching weekly crap. 

Rewind to a conversation I had with a friend a few days ago, who had asked if I was upset Castle had been cancelled. I had to confess, I had not seen the series. Yes, I know all about Caskett. Yes, I love Nathan Fillion. However, I don't think I heard about Castle until at least season two or three. And I don't like to start watching a series in the middle, so have been looking forward to it being on Netflix so I can watch, just as I finally was able to sit down and watch Bones, NCIS, and Burn Notice. Hey, what do they say; better late than never, right? 

In the name of progress somethings change, but not always for the best. 

There's something nostalgic about "mom and pop" hamburger joints; maybe memories from our youth or how life seemed less rushed, almost standing still. Growing up in West Linn, Oregon, there wasn't a lot of places to eat or shop (all that has changed as the town is no longer the little "sleeper" suburb south of Portland). However, on Friday nights after football games it was hanging out at Round Table Pizza, but any other night, it was all about Boni Lynn. 

Oh, how I miss their delirious burgers. My personal favorite was the Deluxe burger with everything on it. I also loved their deep fried mushrooms and deep fried cheese cubes. Or who could forget the real old fashion milkshakes and malts. I remember them having every flavor one could possibly imagine, including boysenberry, peanut butter, and licorice. And although I've never been a big fan of ice cream, I did like their swirled half chocolate and half vanilla soft-serve ice cream cones. It was always a special treat to go out to lunch or dinner at Boni Lynn's Restaurant. Although, I use the word restaurant loosely, as there were only two or three tables inside the building. However, it was the atmosphere, the food, and nostalgia I miss from those bygone days. 

Sadly, West Linn has become like every other cookie-cutter suburb, and has lost the uniqueness that once was West Linn. And Boni Lynn's was torn down and replaced with a Burgerville, all in the name of progress. 

However, nothing will ever come close to the old Boni Lynn. 

For Angela, who wanted to know what it was like growing up 80’s-style.

(I wrote this entry via the school years, as it seemed to be easier to remember things that way).

Not that long ago, I dropped the two older boys off at a combined activity at a roller skating rink, and decided I was going to stay and skate as well. After all, I was a child of the 80’s, and during my middle school years, Friday nights were spent at the local rink listening to Hall and Oates, The Go-Go’s, Journey, doing the Hookie-Pookie and speed races at intermission, and skating was just like riding a bike, once you learn, you never forget, right?

My children never learned how to skate since roller skating rinks had long gone the way out with leg warmers, sleeveless sweatshirts, and beta machines. However, I purchased my ticket, laced up my shoes, and had visions of teaching my boys how to skate, while I lead them around the rink holding tight onto their hands. My friend, Andrew, asked if I knew how to skate. “Of course,” I answered. “At one time, I could even skate backward.” I then pushed myself off the bench and promptly rolled into the large orange lockers against the wall. I heard my children snickering behind me. Whoops, maybe this was not going to be as easy as I thought. Michael refused to put on skates, but Steffen tried and we went up and down the carpeted area on the side of the rink, until he grew tired and bored. Then, I slowly ventured out onto the rink. Cautiously taking tentative steps. Where was the confidence I had only a few moments ago?

I glided forward while pushing off with my other foot on the hard wooden surface, only once losing my balance and falling with a thud to my knees. “That’s going to leave a mark,” I thought, however after a couple turns I had found my steadiness and was enjoying the activity. Nevertheless, something wasn’t right—the music was all wrong and where were the lights changing the color of the floor? In addition, the clothes, arcade games and even the food was all wrong. However, we did the Hookie-Pookie in the middle of the rink, and speed races, although I opted not to participate. One time making a fool of myself was quite enough.

Later that night, I could feel the burn in my ankles, shins, and buttocks; however, it had been a blast from my past, and I enjoyed reliving old childhood memories, but next time I don’t think I will brag about knowing how to skate. 

THE FIRST TIME I saw Scarecrow and Mrs. King I was hooked. The pilot episode was so well written, directed, and acted, it could have stood on it's on, but gratefully we fans were given four wonderful seasons and 88 outstanding episodes. It wasn't just as Lee told Amanda, "Danger, excitement, intrigue," it was the whole package; espionage, good writing, humor, romance, comedy, drama, and the best chemistry I have ever seen between two actors (Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner), or as Merv Griffin stated on his talk show, "You're darling together," and they were.