I have theories about reality television.  It’s unfortunate that I have them, because the fact that I have theories means that I have caught a little of the reality TV bug and know enough about these shows to form theories.  I heard somewhere that reality television is the beginning of the decline of civilization.  Alas, I fear I am supporting this decline.

Years ago, my friends and I started a weekly tradition of getting together to watch the ABC’s The Bachelor (or The Bachelorette, as the case may be).   We had a tremendous amount of fun hurling sarcastic remarks at the television, nicknaming all of the contestants, and making bets on who would be sent home or who would end up making out in the pool.  This is the good stuff that spawned all of my theories.

Now, years later, those friends and I are all in different places doing different things.  Our evenings with The Bachelor/ette are over.  Truth be told, I haven’t even seen the last three seasons (I heard they weren’t that great anyway).  But, a few months ago, I was channel surfing and stumbled onto The Bachelorette with DeAnna.  I watched…and I became hooked again.  So a few weeks ago, when the finale was on, I rushed home from a dinner that Nate and I had with our family, changed into my most comfortable PJ’s, and climbed into bed to watch DeAnna decide between Jason and Jesse.  And, before I go any further, I must note that, had I not been in such a rush to leave our folks’ place after dinner, we would have been kicked out, because Mom was ready to tune in, too.  And, on another side note, my sister-in-law, Sarah, was there, too, and she predicted Jesse would win.  So, having now been through another Bachelor/ette season, here are my theories:

#1:  They never portray reality—at least, not in it’s entirety.  If everything that we saw was everything that had actually happened, DeAnna would have picked Jason.

#2:  They keep a weirdo around for flavor and conflict, regardless of whether or not it makes sense.  I guess they figure we need someone who is the human equivalent of the car-accident-you-can’t-look-away-from to keep us glued to the TV.  They are usually booted out when there’s a handful of contestants left—before the main event.  Case and point from this season:  Twilly, then Jeremy (it helped that Jeremy was cute).

#3:  They always build up the loser.  If the finale appears to be favoring one of the contestants, they are inevitably the one going home.  I remember watching Jason being portrayed as the golden boy—the man who had surely stolen DeAnna’s heart—and I was thinking to myself, “Dangit!  It’s not going to be him!”

#4:  The first person to get out of the limo at the end is the loser.  There’s really no suspense once the first guy (or girl) gets out the limo, because you know the loser is going to be let down before the grand profession of love ends the show.  I remember they tried to do it the other way one season, and it was no good.  So, once Jason got out of the limo, I was growling at my TV.

#5:  The bachelor or bachelorette is always painted out to be the bad guy in the end when the rejects get to give doe-eyed looks and say, “You led me on,” and that is total bunk.  I want to look at the rejected contestants and say, “He-llo!  They have to lead you on!  Otherwise, it wouldn’t be must-see TV!”  Despite the fact that I have little pity for someone who is willing to live life in front of TV cameras and pretend it’s realistic, I do feel bad when the firing squad of TV exes is faced. 

In the end, after I saw poor Jason get rejected and watched DeAnna go for Mr. Pink Shoelaces, I decided that reality is never reality on TV.  There is so much that we don’t see; and, if we did see it, perhaps we wouldn’t be so surprised when the ending is not what we expected.  But, regardless, I have to admit…it’s horribly addicting.

Ah, I feel it’s time for another music review!  Of course, this one will be a bit unorthodox, as it comes with a piece of FFT (food-for-thought) and a story…

First, my FFT:  It’s amazing how, more often than not, the music we listen to can help tell a story about us at any given moment.  A melancholy mood?  The Smashing Pumpkins or The Weepies go there, too.  Feeling contemplative?  Alexi Murdoch is good for staring into the heavens, pondering life’s great questions.  Spending time with the Lord?  Nichole Nordeman and Shawn McDonald are necessary companions.  Music is the perfect partner for all of life’s up and downs.

So, my story:  One of the dearest people in the world to me is my college roommate, Margaret.  She and I bonded during our sophomore year over Lucky Charms and road trips through obscure California towns.  We also bonded over the monumental amount of music that was housed in our dorm room.  My music collection was (and still is) something to behold. 

Well, during hours of studying one night, Margaret and I began discussing: if we were to create soundtracks for our lives, what songs would be included?  In the years that followed, we began creating these “soundtracks” for each other, sending them to one another in an effort to keep in touch and give each other a glimpse of what was going on our lives.  And, I have to say, they are truly magnificent creations.  Some might say they are inspired collections of the best music ever—the new, the old, and pretty much everything in between.  So, after a decade of friendship, I just finished the thirty-sixth soundtrack in our collection.  Don’t ask me how we’ve actually made that many.  Below, you will find the playlists for two of my most recent collections.  I recommend any of the artists found on these albums, as they are the tunes that have been stuck in my head in recent months.  So, if you’re smart, you’ll jot down a few of these names and get yourself some good music!

Playlist #1

Love Like Rockets – Angels and Airwaves

Heartbeats – Jose Gonzales

Why You – Joe Purdy

Always Love – Nada Surf

Here Comes a Regular – Replacements

Colorblind – Counting Crows

Give Me Heart – Susie Suh

Half Acre – Hem

Your Song – Kate Walsh

Laughing Man – Joe Purdy

Much Farther to Go – Rosie Thomas

Have You Ever – Brandi Carlile

Jolly Plough Boys – Kate Rusby

Los Angeles – Peter Bradley Adams

Found What I Was Looking For – Tyler Hilton

Playlist #2

Breathe – Sixpence None the Richer

All Creatures of Our God and King – Bethany Dillon and Shawn McDonald

What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Amy Grant

Small – JJ Heller

Life Means so Much – Chris Rice

Needful Hands – Jars of Clay

Where I Land – JJ Heller

All I Ever Have to Be – Amy Grant

Behind Your Eyes – Jon Foreman

Real Life Fairytale – Plumb

Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Nichole Nordeman

Waiting for Lightning – Steven Curtis Chapman

Winter – Shawn McDonald