My big sister, Lowi, has always been around to guide me in the right direction. She’s been with me my whole life. Needless to say I trust her, or I did until recently. I think she’s led me astray.

They say the first step is admitting you have a problem and I do. It’s called Netflix. This winter I have become a treadmill binge viewer. As we’ve had a rather frosty winter here in Ohio, not every day has been prime time for running outside. Or you just might say I am weak. Either way, I have logged some long days on the treadmill. When you do that it’s really helpful to have a TV show that is highly engaging while not really taking a lot of brain-power to follow. And I cannot be bothered with those interruptions, you know, commercials!

Several months ago she called to tell me that the now-canceled show, Brothers & Sisters, had to have been written about our family. She, too, had been treadmill binge viewing and was mildly addicted. This should have been my first clue. Aside from the fact that we don’t have brothers, I would have to agree.

So I started watching Brothers & Sisters, and it didn’t take long before I was hooked. I found myself looking forward to my time on the treadmill so I could find out what neurotic thing Nora was going to do or if Kevin and Scotty would finally have a baby. Was Kitty going to leave Robert? Did she have cancer? OMG, Justin is dating his half-sister.. no wait.. they aren’t related!!! Phew!

Yes, I was talking about these characters as if they were real people in my life. The only person to blame was Lowi. What had she done to me?

When I got to the last few episodes in the final season I found myself getting a little anxious, possibly breaking out into a sweat. That could have been the running but I think it might be a toss-up.  What was I going to do after the show was over? Was I going to have to go out and get my own life or something? How would I entertain myself?

I was, as I often do, sharing this little dilemma with Lowi and she gave me two numbers TWO FOUR! As in, Kiefer Sutherland, “24.” So, now running on the treadmill has some new adventure and fears.. like running right off the rails because I am so engrossed in the show. Now, the questions running through my head are: Does Jack ever eat, it’s been like 14 hours? Will Kimberly and Teri be saved?  And how do I figure out how to fit that much stuff into one day?

I know, a lot of questions right? I assume that’s what happens when you are jonesing for a fix. That’s me. I am a Netflix addict and my sister is my crack dealer.

Sunshine & Sarcasm,

Lowi & G