Dumb Tv Shows to pass the time between Good Tv Shows

Like many people, we enjoy watching an episode or two of tv each night to unwind. We have our favorites, but we run into problems when we run out of "good" shows to watch. However we have had remarkable success in the last several years with finding random and sometimes "dumb," but usually amusing tv shows to get us through until our other shows start up for the season. Sometimes these shows that we stumble across become so silly that we hope for a second season, but that is usually never the case because the shows aren't that compelling to start out with. That being said, here are a few of the not that great tv shows that we have enjoyed, in case you run out of things to watch on Netflix. 

I Survived a Japanese Game Show (2008, 2009)
2008. A reality show set in Japan. American contestants compete in a series of ridiculous competitions to win $250,000. Some of the more ridiculous contests included "human crane finds fluffy bear," "big chicken butt scramble," and "big baby go boom."  The winning team of each challenge gets treated to some sort of reward having to do with Japanese culture. The losing team receives some sort of punishment, i.e. having to spend the night at a hotel where the beds looked like they were pretty much the size of the different boxes at the morgue. Each time the contest is won, all of the cast members shout "Majide" and cheering erupts. 

True Beauty (2009, 2010)
The premise of the show is that contestants are competing to be the most beautiful person in America. They all think they are being judged on their outward beauty, and each of the challenges throws an element in where they can respond in a positive or negative way. The contestants don't know that there are hidden cameras listening in on their behavior. This show holds special memories for me because I was watching it right before I went into labor with my first baby. 

Expedition Impossible (2011)
This show was actually really cool, but it also felt like just another one of those reality race shows. Teams of three race across the deserts, mountains, and rivers of Morocco. The course covers 2,000 miles, including parts of the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains. I was actually hoping that this show would have multiple seasons but we had no such luck. 

Siberia (2013)
The premise of the show is that sixteen reality-show contestants are placed in Siberia where they have to survive until winter. Whomever lasts the longest will win $500,000. I'm unsure of whether or not it was well publicized before the episode, but the show is a mock-umentary making fun of reality tv shows. Not knowing that going into the first episode, we were a little caught off guard when one of the contestants is killed in the first episode. At that point it dawned on us that the show wasn't really reality tv and then they started adding all sorts of supernatural elements. The show was really lame but it got us hooked to the point that I was sad when the ending left us hanging.  

The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor Pad (Current TV Show)
I think most people know the ridiculousness that can sometimes happen on the Bachelor. We watched this for several seasons before we finally got bored of the same old plot repeats. Some of my favorite seasons were Jillian's, Shawn's, Allie's, and Emily's.  

Celebrity Apprentice (Current Tv Show)
I'm not sure whether to lump this show in the same category as the other ones mentioned here because some of the episodes are really interesting and I enjoy seeing how the contestants handle the challenges. I think the thing we find ridiculous in this show is the number of stars appearing from various versions of the "Housewives." We can't decide if they really are that crazy, or if it is just an act.

The Slap (Current)
It is a remake of an Australian tv series, and is also based on a 2008 book. The show tells the story of the aftermath of a birthday party, where an adult slaps another person's kid after the kid has kicked him. Each episode shows the perspective of the party guests. We are currently watching this and I am not quite sure what my opinion is at this point. There are only two episodes left so I am sure we will finish the series out. 

Note to Self: On Haircuts and Confidence

This might sound silly or vain or both, but I am a firm believer that one of the best things that you can do to give yourself a boost of confidence is to get a haircut... I guess I should probably qualify that. Getting a good haircut boosts confidence. Because obviously a bad haircut will not be very mood boosting and may make you want to hide your hair under a bag or wear your hair in a pony-tail for the rest of your life. Really I write this post as a reminder to myself because I tend to delay getting a haircut for far too long (usually 1-2 times a year), and each time that I finally do get my hair cut I love it!

Here are a few reasons why I love getting my hair cut.

1. The change refreshing and fun.
2. Styling my hair is much easier.
3. My hair feels healthier.
4. My hair looks thicker.
5. It gives me a great excuse to make more of an effort than my go to pony-tail.
6. I find getting my hair cut to be much more relaxing than going to the dentist or any other office for that matter. You get to sit in the chair, chat and relax.
7. I usually learn some new styling trick.
8. It is a great time to get product recommendations.
9. I enjoy breaking the stereo-type that  all women should have long hair.
10. I always enjoy the first day or two before the first wash while my hair is still perfectly styled by the hairdresser. I consider those to be really great photo-op days. I got really lucky with the hospital I had my first daughter at, the stay came with a free haircut which was awesome to have just hours after giving birth. 

Hair is a funny thing, the popular saying is you always want what you don't have, especially when it comes to curly vs. straight hair. I have inconsistently wavy (I wish it would just pick one curly or straight), fine, very thin hair. I started getting my first few grey hairs in my early-twenties (prior to that I loved being a brunette, since then I've sometimes wished my hair were naturally blonde so that it would be easier to hide for a while.) I have never been able to grow my hair very long before it started getting stringy and frizzy. To some degree I have always felt self-conscious and or apathetic about my hair due to these circumstances. Sometimes  have desperately wished that the wigs people used to wear back in time periods like the days of Marie Antoinette would become popular again.

I've always felt most comfortable with my hair in a pony-tail, but that hasn't been great for my hair. Having two kids took a toll on my already thin hair, and in recent years I have tried to avoid doing much straightening, curling, or blow-drying to protect my remaining hair. That didn't leave a ton of options for styling. To make the situation even more difficult, I used Nioxin with some success for a while and so I have a lot of new growth that is stuck in an awkward stage-- not long enough to be tamed but long enough to curl up at odd angles and be noticeable.

So long story short, this is a reminder to myself to not go so long in-between cuts. Because as silly as it may sound, I really do feel that boost of confidence that comes with a new do. Find a hairdresser you trust, and get a cut that works with your coloring, face shape, hair texture, thickness, etc. Don't fight what looks good because you have preconceived ideas and wishes about your hair. (When I was a kid I used to wish I could grow my hair as long as the sky. Whatever that means. Now when I think about that dream I can't help but cringe). Lastly, the Pinterest App on SmartPhones is the best thing ever when it comes to getting a haircut! I was able to take my inspiration photos and discuss possibilities in terms of what would actually work for me. And I walked away from the appointment with one of my favorite haircuts ever!

Here is my Pinterest inspiration board. I ended up going with an A-Line cut (most similar to the first pin), and the color was an ombre with with a warmer dark color on top.

And here's a picture of my new hairdo. When I came home from my appointment my little girls were very expressive in how much they adored the new haircut. They couldn't stop running their fingers through it and asking to take pictures together. My older daughter kept getting up when she was supposed to be in bed to tell me how "darling" my hair was. Having a fan club like that is definitely fun.