'Big Brother' Under the Microscope

Since I moved back home with my parents nearly two months ago, I've spent a lot of time sitting in front of a television screen with them. One of the programs my mother and I watch together is Big Brother 8.
While she has followed the show since its inception in 2000, this is my first time seeing the "reality TV" game show where 14 houseguests compete for $500,000. (We don't subscribe to the live feeds nor look at Big Brother After Dark.) Each week, someone is voted out of the house until there are two people remaining; the last seven evictees choose the winner.
Its premise feeds into society's fascination with voyeurism -- which makes for addictive viewing, but provides no intellectual stimulation. Self-preservation brings out the worst in the houseguests, for deception is the only way to avoid being nominated for eviction. And in an environment where it's difficult to trust anyone, paranoia can override common sense.
I respect Dick for his honesty, but his "evil" strategy has worn thin. (Yes, Jen is more self-absorbed than a sponge ... but pouring a glass of iced tea over her head was wrong.) And while his crude manners are oddly endearing, he's not someone I'd want to live or work with.
Another person I don't care for is his estranged daughter, Daniele. Watching her play the "woe-is-me" card is irritating -- especially when she's using Dick's behavior for her own benefit. (The confrontation she had with the houseguests over his tirades in Episode 18 shows she's light years ahead of Jen when it comes to manipulating people.)
Speaking of hypocrisy, Eric is the biggest charlatan of them all. He's supposed to be playing the game on behalf of the audience ... but he's so full of himself until it wouldn't bother me if he lost the contest. Meanwhile, Jessica has emerged as a strong competitor ... but doesn't seem to have a mind of her own. Her loyalty to Eric makes me wonder if she's a pawn in his game or if she's playing him.
On that note, Zach has yet to win any Head of Household or Power of Veto competitions. He needs to step up his game and stop flying under the radar if he wants to be the last person standing. The same sentiment applies to Amber, whose crying spells are nauseating to watch.
Seeing Jameka invoke religion into the game is pathetic; God has more important matters to address. But what's really mind-boggling is her decision to not compete for Head of Household for five weeks -- making her an easy target for eviction.
As the show winds down, its problem is there's no one contestant to rally around. In a story that needs a protagonist, everyone's an antagonist. Dick has played that role to the extreme, with two wins and a bold coup to show for it. For those reasons, I predict he'll be $500,000 richer come September 18.

A Police State of Mind

I bore witness to the apocalypse on August 3, when The Police took the stage at Madison Square Garden.
As a child of the 1970s, I was too young to appreciate the pop/rock trio the first time around ... but that didn't stop me from lip-syncing to "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" or singing along to "Every Breath You Take" whenever I heard it on the radio. During their heyday, they scored more than a dozen hits and won five Grammys before breaking up at the height of their popularity in 1984 due to creative differences. (Band members Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland went on to pursue solo careers.)
When the group announced their world tour in February, I bought a ticket to one of their shows. Unfortunately, my seat was behind the stage -- which meant I was forced to look at Copeland's gray hair and Summers' back(side). However, the vantage point allowed me to see the gig through their eyes -- like when they fed off the energy of the crowd.
Going to a concert is about experiencing the bond between the artist and the audience, and the most important element of that relationship is the performance. Unlike most reunion tours, the Police didn't come across as being a nostalgia act; Sting sounded great, and Summers and Copeland brought out the best in each other. After opening the show with "Message in a Bottle," they spent the next two hours reinterpreting classics like "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "Can't Stand Losing You" before closing the show with "Next to You."
Among the highlights were "When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around," when Summers played a guitar solo that made Eddie Van Halen look like an amateur. And when they performed "Roxanne," it felt like I was eavesdropping on a jam session.
Over the years, I've developed a preference for small concert venues -- not to mention low ticket prices -- but I made an exception for the Police because an event like this doesn't happen often. The cost of my ticket was money well spent, for the music they created is best heard live.

The Heat Is On

While millions of people struggle to keep cool during the latest heat wave in New York, I spent the dog days of summer learning about climate change.
I don't fit the definition of a tree-hugger, and I've yet to see An Inconvenient Truth. However, I did watch Too Hot Not to Handle, and it forced me to look at weather patterns in a different light. I always thought extreme changes in temperature were just part of nature ... but when I realized how blizzards and droughts adversely impact the food supply, I could no longer ignore the obvious: climate change affects everyone -- regardless of age, ethnicity, or economic status.
In recent years, the cost of dietary staples ranging from eggs and milk (dairy) to bread and cereal (grains) have increased. Likewise, items like beef and fish (meat) and oranges and tomatoes (fruits and vegetables) are more expensive. It's not a coincidence that these price hikes are connected to erratic weather -- which shows that Mother Nature doesn't just dictate what we wear, it also influences what we eat.
The environment may exercise control over some aspects of our lives, but that doesn't exempt us from personal responsibility when it comes to burning fossil fuels. Our growing consumption of oil and electricity clogs the air we breathe and taints the water we drink. Such pollution not only damages our health, it also jeopardizes animals' habitats. Since we live off animals and plants, it's in our interest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so future generations can enjoy the Earth's surroundings.
Some people consider the debate about climate change to be hot air ... but the cold reality is we need to take better care of the planet.