Anyone who has ever shared a hotel room with me can confirm that I will fall asleep in an instant if the room is filled with the blue flickering glow of the television and the low talking narration from Peter Thomas of “Forensic Files.”  It could have been the most gruesome multiple murder scene ever, but Peter was always able to put a calming tone on the matter at hand and lull me into dreamland every time.  It is a bit distressing that I probably have seen (or heard) 90% of the 408 “Forensic Files” episodes.  And, now that Peter Thomas is no longer with us, I don’t know if they will bother to make any new ones.  Without his eloquent narration, the show certainly can’t have the audio ability to soothe the day away so easily.

The good news is that I do have a tried and true back-up (for hotels that are limited in channel selection or in the extremely slim chance Headline News has something else scheduled).  The original “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (and ONLY the original) with its nighttime view of the glittery neon lights and the dark alleys just off the Vegas strip, also features a wonderful cast of deep voiced low-talkers and murderous plots.  It is my 2^nd favorite television show of all time (verified by my DVR, iPad & DVD collection).  Overwhelming gratitude to Syfy, USA, Oxygen, the defunct Cloo and any other channel that has provided me with what is can only be described as an astonishing gift – the “CSI” weekend marathon!  Yes, I know I could create my own marathon by popping a disc into the Blu-ray player; but, it is not the same as the magic of discovering a scheduled phenomenon.  Every week I check the cable guide in hopes that the upcoming Saturday or Sunday will be graced with back-to-back Gil Grissom and Catherine Willows…oh please, oh please.  Then, let it snow or thunderstorm and I can lock myself away all day in a shadowy room of forensics, refreshments and an impending afternoon nap.  What else could be better after a long, taxing week?  Full rejuvenation, courtesy of the Las Vegas crime lab!

And, in the most trying of times, when there is no “Forensic Files” or “CSI” to be found, which is actually pretty rare since I have at least five “CSI” episodes saved on various devices at all times – you know in case of power outages or travel issues; I will turn to “Dateline,” “True Crime,” “Snapped” or one of the other investigation shows and let the hard facts of forensics burrow into my brain, distracting me from the tasks of daily life, until the sun rises to bring a new day.

My mom used to joke about the possibility of waking up in the middle of the night and finding me standing over her with a knife.  I can’t get enough of the crime and investigation shows, so surely I could end up brainwashed.  I mean what sane person goes to sleep surrounded by murder, right?

Doesn’t sound strange to me at all.  With the exception of those “Dateline” episodes that end without an ending, the puzzle usually ends up finished.  The solution is found and the criminal is caught.  To me, the opposite of what daily life brings us is the perfect way to end each day…Completely complete.

Forensics are my Melatonin.  Talk about a natural sleeping pill!

It is most definitely the putting together of the puzzle pieces that intrigues me. Catching the villain by using the one thing he or she didn’t think of in their plan. The footprint on the tomato, the seed pod in the blanket, the degraded blood tube inside the doctor’s arm…ahhh, you didn’t think of that, did you?  Not to mention the constant advancements in trace evidence, DNA, ballistics and toxicology.  It might take a while, but we’ll get you.

And, that, my friend, is me.  No wonder I love these shows.  Having hard facts but keeping on the investigation; finding a creative way to look for clues when they aren’t right in front of you; finding the needle in the haystack when all seems lost; and, most importantly, being patient but very persistent.  There is always an answer to every problem and a perp to every crime – you just have to take the time to find it (or them).  Being a perfectionist that is exactly what I do.  There is no slacking on any task.  And, what a feeling of accomplishment awaits!  So, I will stay on the case until it is solved……..…or, at least until I fall asleep.  #50Weeksto50

Interesting Fact:  “Forensic Files” is the longest lasting criminology television show in television history.  And, episodes of the series have been used by the US Department of Justice to help train their personnel.