Inspired in part by watching CNN at the gate.
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Who cares about Paris Hilton? I mean, really, a whole 45 days in jail? Poor baby.
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And while I’m at it, who cares about Princess Diana and Anna Nicole Smith’s baby? They were other “top stories” in the endless CNN loop. I feel sorry for the early deaths of two mothers, I feel sorry for the children left behind, but come on, now. Time to move on.
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And is Anna Nicole Smith’s baby’s life of any interest to anyone other than her family? I mean, at least Princess Diana did charity work and was the mother of the future king of England. But a baby of less than a year old?
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Yes, Americans do eat a lot of junk. While I was able to find a healthy snack here at the airport, an unhealthy one would have been cheaper. But then I suspect that grease costs less than fruit.
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Oddly, Americans seem to be thinner than the last time I was here. At least so far. That’s not something I was expecting. I can usually tell I’m in an American airport by the increased girth of my fellow passengers. Full disclosure here–I’m very overweight, so I feel more mainstream in the US. That didn’t happen this time.
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Prices have really gone up since last I was here. I see this both in the food prices and in the newspaper ads. Of course, I know from living in Europe that the dollar is in the toilet.
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I am really out of the news loop. Of course, that’s more a function of my day job—it’s the end of term. I haven’t paid attention to anything non-academic in weeks.
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The US presidential election is still over a year away and it’s already eating up a chunk of time on the news. I’ve hardly paid attention, and I’m already sick of it! o wonder so many Americans have voter burn out.




