The Idea Blog

I actually like working this week. The inbox doesn’t fill up with so many distractions, and I’m better able to focus on the larger projects, the ones that need more of my undivided attention. And I have several of those larger projects on my plate at the moment.

There’s also my every-once-in-a-while “What am I thinking?” exercise, which I offer here.

1. I’m thinking that the healthcare bills – if they are reconciled and actually become law in the near future – aren’t so much a bag of compromises as they are a giant step forward in rehabilitating our sick system. Getting the phrase “pre-existing conditions” out of our lexicons … that alone will be a wonderful thing. I really would like to be able to offer healthcare to our employees again, and I’m hoping this first set of reforms will make that possible. This has been – and will likely remain – a politically- and fiscally-charged negotiation, and I realize that more Americans say they’d just prefer we leave well enough alone and drop the entire initiative. But our current system isn’t “well enough,” and though I might have wanted a public option and about 10 other things, I’ll settle for this first (giant) step.

2. Speaking of politics, I’m thinking the notion of anything like bi-partisanship is impossible. Newt Gingrich on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” said basically the same thing, that it may take blowing up both parties to really change the realities in Washington. They all – Democrats and Republicans, representatives and senators – they’re all out of touch with the reality we know, and I’m kind of sick of thinking and saying this or that is the best we can do.

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3. I’m thinking that series television is now a more powerful form for presenting drama than a feature film can be. To present a character over a 10 (or more) episode arc offers great opportunities for creative expression. In the past several months I’ve watched the first two seasons of “Dexter,” the second and third seasons of “Friday Night Lights” and “Mad Men,” catching up on those series in all cases. I enjoy “The Closer” also, as well as “Damages.” I actually prefer, I think, catching up on full seasons via DVD, often watching two, even three episodes at one sitting. The experience feels more like reading a good novel with plot turns and twists that keep me interested. Part of my preference, I’m sure, has to do with the relative lack of quality entertainment I’m seeing in feature films. It seems fewer than 1 in 3 of the films I see is good; that’s not an enviable record.

4. I recently switched from an iPhone to the Google Droid, but I’m thinking I’m not finished switching yet. The Droid does some neat stuff, but the hardware itself isn’t as simple or as elegant as the iPhone. I switched largely to gain access again to Verizon’s network. AT&T sucks in delivering my relatively modest needs. If Apple and Verizon could get together, I’m dreaming … I’m pretty sure I’d switch back to the iPhone.

5. I’m also thinking about the possibilities of the rumored iSlate. What can it do for me? I dont know yet. But I’ll use it.

6. Finally, for now, I’m thinking 2010 is going to be a pretty good year. In fact, I’m counting on it. Sure, newspapers will continue to fail, many magazines too. The web will keep disrupting entrenched businesses and industries. My business itself, however, will be good. In 2010 I’ll also enjoy a number of good books, buy and listen to some great new music, maybe even find a movie or two I like.

Happy new year!