It's now time for the evening news...

I've grown up watching the evening news. My parents always turned it on when they got home while they prepared dinner. It would be an update of what happened during the day, something to come home to. When I was little it was common background noise to our family evenings. But as I have since moved out, I've discovered that I'm not as inclined to turn it on. I've found it's just too depressing!! I would much rather turn on a sitcom rerun. The characters will get into some problem, but things always work out and you usually get a laugh along the way. You can sit comfy in your warm home and watch the characters struggle and ultimately come out on top.

As of late, all that the news broadcasts is murders, traffic collisions, failing markets, unrest overseas, and other catastrophes. Gone are the days of feel-good stories and special interest pieces. Instead we are bombarded with the bad in the world. Problems usually don't get wrapped up into one little package--they drag on and on. You don't get to laugh at people's antics--instead you cringe. It can really affect you. Ever since September 11, and the continual broadcast of the horrific images and footage taken of the event, TV news just hasn't held the same place for me. Unless it's snowing outside, the news usually won't come on.

The Internet has also replaced TV news for me. Instead of having to suffer through all the terrible things going on in our world to catch a story about the weather, you can just go online and quickly find out what you want to know. You can avoid the bad, and just pick out the good. And in this way, you can have time to watch your rerun and laugh a little.