There's a Helicopter in My Room

There’s a helicopter in my room. Okay, so there really isn’t. However, with my surround sound system, it seems like it at times.

Years ago, when we had our home built, we had a surround sound system installed. Back then, they didn’t have the systems that you could pick up and move should you change houses. The only one we could get at that time had to be professionally installed. Yes, my home is that old. However, we love it. The sound that is emitted from the TV is absolutely awesome. And yet, there are times when it gives me a jolt of awareness.

Many times, my husband will put on a move in which I have no interest. While sitting on the couch next to him, I’ll either pick up my iPad and watch something on YouTube or I’ll read from my paperback.

Everything is quiet. Whatever he’s watching seems to have a lot of dialogue. Oh, big deal! So does the book I’m reading. I am completely engrossed in the murder mystery whose female cop often has a gut feeling who the culprit is but now must find a way to prove it. I’m deep into one of her interviews with her suspect when I hear BOOM!! CRASH!! SOMEONE’S SCREAMING!!

Suddenly startled, my body jerks in my seat and my book ends up on the floor. I quickly turn around to see what’s going on. My husband laughs. “What are you looking for?”

“What happened?” I asked when I didn’t see any damage to my house. “That noise? Oh, a car blew up.”

“A car blew up?” I asked quickly. I’m about to stand and look out my front door. “Sit down; calm down. It was on the TV.”

I looked at the TV and sure enough, there was an explosion with debris scattered throughout the street.

Well, hell! It sounded like it was right outside the door.

Settled again in my seat, I retrieved my book and found where I’d left off. And just as quickly as I begin to read, I hear a helicopter flying overhead and behind my right shoulder. Now, I hear voices coming from all directions. People are still screaming while others are crying. Men are shouting as I hear the rapid fire of gunshots.

Oh, my Lord. You’d think I was in a war zone. Oh wait! The movie my husband is watching is at a war zone scene. Thanks to my surround sound system, I feel like I’m right there, as well.

It’s a good system with a great sound but at times, if you’re like me and you’re not paying close attention to what on the TV, you could swear you’re being either invaded by aliens, about to be blown up, or witness a mass murder. Yes, my husband enjoys action moves and truthfully, so do I. Yet, there are other times, I’m just not in a Netflix mood and would rather read.

My friend’s late husband hated their surround sound system. It was already installed in their home and he, being a sports fanatic, had it dismantled. He said he wasn’t interested in listening to the announcers calling every play. He only wanted to watch the games. I guess these systems aren’t for everyone.

I happen to really enjoy ours but on occasions, I wish my husband would put on something other than these loud, violent movies. How about a mild, musical comedy? Or we can forego Netflix and turn on YouTube and watch a concert. We could even watch … oh wait, what was that? They blew up the city center? Or was that the hospital? I think I’ll just put my book down for a while and watch whatever it is that has some camouflaged men blowing this up.

There’s way too much noise for me to concentrate on a murder mystery, now. Maybe later. Holy Cow!! They just shot down the avenging helicopter!