Current events

Is this thing on?

Let’s forgo all the usual excuses about why this poor little blog has been barren these past weeks, shall we? I’m breaking the hiatus to talk about something much more important:

Current events. And my lack of knowledge about them.

Picture it…You’re me. One day not so long ago, you decide to enjoy a leisurely lunch in your office cafeteria with a few co-workers. The talk is mild enough — vacation destinations — and you mention that Greece is your next big travel to-do. The table agrees, though one co-worker laughs while saying “just stay out of Athens.” Instead of responding with a knowing commentary on the recent global financial disaster and the violence in the streets that had been occurring just days before, you look at her blankly.

Because you have no idea the any of the above has actually taken place.

Back in the day, I considered myself up on what was going on in the world. I was an award-winning forensics nerd in the extra-geeky Broadcasting category. I could read the news and write original and thought-provoking editorials on said news in 30 minutes flat. Hell, my degree is in Journalism and my first job out of college was in media relations — meaning I had to read the paper and know the news in order to pitch my company’s news to the media.

I’m starting to see why that job didn’t work out.

Since I moved out of my parents house and gave up cable, I rely on local TV news. I prefer checking my Facebook 10 times a day to surfing the local paper or CNN.com. I tell DD that if it’s not on Facebook or Twitter, it must not be important.

Until a couple weeks ago, this news gathering tactic had worked just fine. My social media outlets have stood by me through thick and thin, never leading me astray in any current events convo.

I suppose even social media has its shortcomings. After the Grecian Gaffe, I thought maybe I should leave my little bubble and start clicking over to the national and international Interwebs.

And then I promptly forgot about it.

Until I came home early today and turned on Oprah. To find Fergie (the Brit, not the Pea) doing an exclusive interview. I’d seen previews for the show, and had been wondering what all the fuss was about. After all, isn’t she so 1990?

For the second time, I had missed the news.

Obviously, I need to find a solution so I can get back to my previous role as Scintillating Conversationalist at Parties with Smart People.

The thing is, I’m kind of anti news feeds. I tried it once and it didn’t turn my crank. I hated having my reader overflowing with double digit postings in one day. If I missed a day (or three) my reader would collapse under the weight of them all. It made it annoying to skim and so I just gave up.

I’m thinking I need to reconsider. But I’m appealing to all of you, who are so much more tech savvy than I. Are there any good news feeds I should know about? Perhaps a feed or two that provides a daily round-up instead of instant updates multiple times a day?