As I write this, snow is plummeting to the ground faster than you can put on your heavy-duty winter boots. Some people love the snow - you know, the die-hards out on Bascom Hill with their makeshift cafeteria-tray sleds the second a snowflake hits pavement.
People like me are at the other end of that spectrum. All we want is to hurry back from class, kick off our salt-stained boots and curl up on the couch with some hot chocolate and mindless TV because sometimes, the only cure for the winter blues is the good old boob tube. For those people, I've compiled a list of my zone-out favorites; shows that are perfect when you just want to forget about the icky weather outside.
*1. The Golden Girls""*
This may not fly with the guys out there, but catching reruns of ""The Golden Girls"" on Lifetime can cheer up almost every girl I know. Watching Rose, Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia get up to tons of pointless hijinks is the perfect way to forget about the snow outside. As a bonus, the show is set in sunny Florida so you'll be dreaming about retirement just to get away from the cold.
*2. ""Everest: Beyond the Limit""*
It might seem counterintuitive to recommend a show set in one of the coldest places imaginable, but the Discovery Channel's ""Everest"" will make you realize that a few inches of snow and some disgusting slush is nothing compared to what the mountain climbers in this true reality series face. Watch as the intrepid climbers battle frigid winds and frostbite in their quest for the top. You'll take comfort in knowing it's them and not you up there.
*3. ""Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends""*
This Cartoon Network show is cracked out enough to make you forget your troubles. The show follows a group of abandoned imaginary friends as they cause trouble in their foster home. Some of the imaginary friends - like Wilt, a basketball-playing creature with one arm, and Coco, part bird and part palm tree - will make you shoot cocoa out your nose because they look so ridiculous. Indulge yourself with this trippy cartoon and don't be afraid to act like a kid again.
*4. ""Miami Ink"" / ""L.A. Ink""*
It doesn't matter which of these TLC series you choose since they're both set in gorgeous, warm locations that will make you forget all about Wisconsin winters. Watch as some of the best tattoo artists in the business ink people from all walks of life. These shows will have you planning out your next tattoo long before spring break rolls around. Plus, if you're heading for either coast come March, you could even try getting tattooed by Kat Von D or Ami in the flesh.
*5. ""I Love New York""*
Just kidding. Not even a blizzard would make me watch this show.
Winter isn't the end of the world, but sometimes it's nice to kick back and relax with some television, knowing the cold outside can't touch you at least for a little while. So wave to the snow plow from your window as you settle onto the futon and relax.
Longing for a special someone to watch 'Golden Girls' with while everone else enjoys this thing called winter? Send Casey an e-mail at mysliwy@wisc.edu.
