As part of a spontaneously unfolding enlightenment experience, I have begun watching the Simpsons and Seinfeld again. I used to watch the two shows ten or so years ago – two Simpsons starting at 06:30 pm, and then Seinfeld. I think it helps keep me grounded, and it helps cultivate compassion for the masses. I find it relaxing and a little harrowing.
Tonight, I saw that WTXF would air an episode of Seinfeld at 11:00 pm, while TNT would rerun the Return of the King. Now, I love the Lord of the Rings. I watch all three movies several times in a row every Equinox and Solstice. I will do it again in just under a month, Goddess willing. I quickly tuned in before Seinfeld to catch it. I arrived right when Sam carries Frodo into Mount Doom. “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.” Great line. I noticed something though, my emotions seemed not as strong. At first I attributed it to the fact that it comes on television, that I hadn’t watched the whole thing, and perhaps a sinister subliminal track. I wouldn’t put anything past Ted Turner!
Then, I realized the reason: they had changed the dynamics! The music sounded 3 DB or so lower, and didn’t crescendo. They must have used a compressor of some sort to keep it all within a certain dynamic range. As soon as I noticed this, I could not not notice it. I quickly turned to Seinfeld, and watched a ridiculous story. When the episode ended, I turned back, and in the time it took Cramer to impersonate Movie Phone, Jerry and Newman to almost kill a pool guy, and George to have a crisis of independence, Frodo and Sam saved Middle Earth! I still couldn’t get over the dynamics, so left the Fellowship at home in the Shire where they belong, Sam and Rose married, Frodo not yet departed. I’ll see them all again properly in just under a month.
I hope you enjoyed the first episode of Zen TV. I will have more as things progress. By the way, why do they have commercials for forecasts? Why don’t they just give the forecast during the commercial? Will the weather change that much in four hours? Also, I can’t get over these movies. They have one about a Playboy girl or something. I could make a better movie up off the top of my head. How about a film where a girl wakes up…and discovers… that she has to relive her whole life over again. She doesn’t know why, she would find that out in the course of the film. Sort of a Kafka-esque thing. Doesn’t that sound better? And tonight I saw an ad for a really original sounding movie based on its title of “College”. If they made a film about real college life, it
would get very boring, at least after the first year.
