My love affair with Jack Bauer

What a weekend. I had a most enjoyable supper with my fellow fitness buddies on Friday night and then a glorious/horrendous 7 mile run along the embankment with bootcamp on Saturday morning. I have officially lost my marathon glory fitness. I really struggled and should have been able to do it a lot quicker. However having a month off exercise will do this to one's fitness so I shall not despair but move on and think of it as a stepping stone to regaining super lottie fitness once again.

After bootcamp I drove to the country and slipped into 24 world where after a 2 year break I reignited my love affair with the wonderful Jack Bauer. We parted ways approximately 2 years ago after I sacrificed two weekends and one week to his sexy deep american voice and hedonistic action man charms, which left me exhausted, serious eye strain and only series 1, 2 and 5 down (don't ask about the order issue). However after some time off from the destructive relationship, series 3 was calling me (as was the new 40 inch TV and Blu Ray machine to watch it on) so I once again delved in to the 24 hours or 17 hours actual running time (the episodes are not a full hour as they have to have commercial break spaces) of a frantic, heart racing and stressful relationship with Jack.

It was amazing. He totally pulled me in and before I knew it, 7 episodes in and I hadn't left the sofa because Jack had me hooked. Jack was trying to locate a deadly virus which terroists were threatening to unleash around the USA while also simulataneously combat a heroin addiction. I was in love and in lust once again. While my poor boyfriend studied for his finals (best of luck Ben!) I was holding my breath and gasping in shock at the turmoil and suspense Jack was dragging me through once again. I think the real low point was though when I had watched 6 episodes in a row, I stopped to get a drink from the kitchen I actually thought the rustle in the garden was not the dog but a SWAT team about to swing in through the windows yelling "Get down!!! Everyone down!! Do not move!!" Only for Jack to run in, pick me up and run with me out of the building which had been targeted for a huge bomb. As we reach the front door the bomb can be heard reaching its final beeps for countdown, we both leap out of the house running at full speed down the lane as the house explodes sending a huge explosion of fire and debris around us. Jack, the hero, jumps to cover me as we are sent flying up in the air by the impact of the blast.

But no, the rustle was the dog chasing a bird in the bushes.

This is what 24 does to you. It sends you to another world. I am now totally and fully fledged in love with Jack again. I don't know how he manages to play someone so bad and messed up who is simultaneously an absolute hero. Plus you'd know he'll never die if you were with him, no matter how dangerous it got, the "guy has more lives than a cat" I quote from series 3. Although there is a pretty high risk of kidnap and torture as the bad guys know how to get to Jack and its always the wife/girlfriend and children card. Its a toughie but a life of danger, thrills and all-american hero for company who seems to never sleep and never goes to the loo - sign me up. Its the voice, definitely the voice. Oh and maybe the sprints while shouting into the walkie talkie.

I have two episodes left and then its going to take all my strength to not start series 4. As much as I love Jack I don't think I can cope with another weekend of our tortuous relationship.

On that note, enjoy your Monday