Where does the time go?

Another weekend gone and I have little to show for it. And by little, I mean absolutely nothing. I did sort of think about writing yesterday. And then I watched some more Merlin instead. Seriously though, that show is awesome.

Why is it that BBC comes up with excellent ideas for TV shows, shows that are full of magic and fantasy and talented actors, and in America we must content ourselves with crime dramas? Ok, none of that sentence was fair because in fact I love crime dramas, and in America we have Ghost Whisperer which is all about magic and the next life and all that and which I watch religiously.

Also, I am sure that if I started watching SyFy network (is that how they spell it now? I think it is.) I could probably see all sorts of shows with magic in them. Or I could at least catch reruns of Xena, a show that I have never seen but which seems to sort of fall into that whole magic and fantasy genre. But I think I would be hard pressed to find a TV show in America based on mythical people, given a big budget and put on network TV. With great actors.

I think in the UK there is less of a stigma attached to watching fantasy television. I would certainly understand why. When I was in Scotland everything was so old. There was so much history and lore. And when you live around all those castles and country homes and green hills you have no choice but to believe in history and mythical magical stories.

I remember walking in the highlands in Scotland and I was just absolutely sure that magic existed. No question. I went on a hike to some old ruins and I was standing on what must have been a fortress like a thousand years ago or something and I was overlooking the ocean. And I was ready to start chanting ancient spells. I'm pretty sure it would have worked too, especially if I had been wearing some flowing robes. No wonder J.K. Rowling dreamed up Harry Potter. If she had been in America, he would have come out wrong, but in Scotland it just makes sense.

Nothing in America is that old. Unless you start visiting some old Native American sites (which I will confess fill me with a similar but different sense of magic) you can't find anything that has lasted since the 1300's. There is definitely an earthy magic in America. If you hike up Yosemite Falls, you get a sense of majesty, a feeling that your life is connected to the greater plan. A deep connection to earth can be felt in America, once you get outside the cities and the suburbs. But for some reason, I can't imagine King Arthur in Wyoming. I don't see any sorcerers holding rituals out in Kentucky. America is a land of earthiness. Of vampires that sparkle (oh why Stephanie Meyer, why? I love romance too, and I'm a fantasy addict, but why must Edward sparkle?). I can see us being host to witches and vampires and modern magic. Or people who talk to trees.

But the old magic, the battle for good and evil kind of magic...it lives across the pond. That's where you go to find princesses and princes and great magicians who will battle ancient evils.

So my point is, if you can get your hands on it and you were obsessed with Camelot legends when you were younger (like me), watch Merlin. I do not in any way condone obtaining it illegally (although I am not sure a legal way exists in America) but I love it and I have now watched every episode that currently exists. Oh season 3, come soon!

That is all for me. Tomorrow, tune in to hear the amazing tales of MONDAY!! Also known as, the ramblings of a sleep deprived mind.