Dear Eric: I vacation with two very dear friends for three to five weeks at a time during the winter. The issue is TV “rights.”
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One friend is unable to sleep in a bed (physically unable) and settles in the living area of any vacation rental and watches TV, sometimes well into the night, before drifting off to sleep.
My other friend will wander in (from a perfectly good bed), turn the channel (their viewing preferences are total opposites) and then fall asleep also, prompting a “huff” from the now wide-awake friend.
First World problems? You bet.
We are all over 70. Any thoughts on how I can get them to share the TV or provide some boundaries? I’m just happy to be on vacation and could care less about TV.
– Keep the Drama on the Tube
Dear Drama: Who knew that late-night reruns of “The Nanny” or “Trading Spaces” could cause so much strife?!
Easiest way to quash this is to make a group agreement that, after a certain time, the living room becomes the bedroom of the friend who is unable to sleep in a bed. It’s already her de facto bedroom and you all have accepted that. Setting a “lights out, door closed” period helps establish a boundary.
Ideally, she’d do this rather than bringing you in, but such is friendship.
Another option: Find a rental with TVs in the bedrooms, too. This way both friends can, separately, watch whatever they want, and you can sleep undisturbed by huffs.
Dear Eric: Even though I was a smart and curious child, starting in middle school, I did horribly.
I couldn’t manage my time wisely. I couldn’t organize my thoughts, and it was paralyzing. They suggested I be tested for ADHD. I was able to mask any symptoms with a proctor standing over my shoulder, so I passed with flying colors.
They suggested my mother look into getting me tested by a doctor. She refused to do that, saying I was just lazy and I needed to do better.
Now as an adult, I’m not doing well at all. I don’t know how to …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
