karen rutherford, freelance writer

Independent Lens is accepting submissions until September 26th for their 2009-2010 season. God bless public television and independent filmmakers.

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/submissions.html

The new season starts in October!

Why is it that I can always spot Atlanta folks on House Hunters? They don't even have to speak and I know. I'm never wrong either. It's a gift, I guess. Or better yet, confirmation that I did the right thing.

Last night, the Atlanta couple walked through the door of a Fayetteville (seriously?) home.

The wife, walking into the foyer, said, “Oh, this is nice and light.”

Then the husband said, “Yes, I like it. It’s very eloquent.”

Ah, Atlanta. I miss you so.

Another teenage shooting that leaves me bewildered. An explanation of the super-delegate system set up by the Democratic Party in 1982 that makes me mad. An air quality alert for people still living in FEMA trailers after Katrina that embarrasses me (not for the reason you might think, though).

So, I’ve decided to disconnect. I’m going to try a week with no news.

No local news.
No national news.
No Internet news.
Not even NPR.
Nothing.

       Ignorance.

                 Bliss.

For a whole week.

I know Rod Stewart’s Reason to Believe isn’t related to politics, but as soon as I made my decision, this was the first song I heard on the radio. “Political 2008” in a nutshell:

If I listened long enough to you
I'd find a way to believe that it's all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe

Update: It's now Day 3 of my 7-day detox and all is well. And much hopeful! 

I’m a huge fan of Independent Lens series on PBS. The airings are a little unpredictable here in Indianapolis, so I recently signed up for the series newsletter here: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/newsletter.html

And today’s newsletter announced the second annual Independent Lens Online Shorts Festival!!!

We can watch the 11 award-winning films and vote for the Audience Award at:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/insideindies/shortsfest/

I can't wait to watch every last one tonight!