Oh, no! Not again!

Here it is again — that loud, garrulous voice jubilantly announcing, “Congra-tulations! You have just won a free trip to the Bahamas!” Quickly, I silence the gushy telemarketing greeting as I’ve done countless times. These interruptions are common fodder with today’s multimedia milieu. My attempts to sever incoming calls have obviously failed.

Telephone come-ons are bad enough, but television’s bombardment of advertising trivia can be equally annoying. Products claiming authentic skin care preservation are ever prevalent. Of course I am aware of the signs of aging (wrinkles and fine lines). However, I have earned every one of them and plan to keep them as trophies to a long life. Car and truck promotions seem to monopolize the big screen, inquiring, “Do you need a new car?” Nope! I’m satisfied with my blue Subaru, and I passed along the family’s Silverado truck to son Brian a dozen years ago.

Next up, an ad for hair regrowth, “for a fuller head of hair.” Billed as a revolutionary formula for men and women, it sounds tempting. After momentarily considering the offer, I decide that after eight decades I’ll keep putting up with my thin, fine-textured hair by continuing with stylish cuts at Janet’s Hair Fashion.

Watching the Cardinals play ball also comes with multiple interruptions. Blurbs for refreshing thirst quenchers pop up between pitches; Taco Bell reminds me I’m ready to snack, prompting me to microwave some popcorn during the next commercial.

From medicine messages and Energizer batteries, to detergents and life insurance reminders, the boob tube covers all the bases. As much as I admire and respect Alex Trebek, who brings me “Jeopardy!” every weekday, I do tire a bit hearing his ongoing spiel on why I should switch to another insurance company.

Then, reason finally set in this evening as I watched the Cardinals engineer another comeback win at Busch Stadium. Without the pop-up commercials, I would not be seeing this ballgame, and my favorite game show would be nonexistent. So there!

One last observation before closing out this July diatribe: A recent online blog offered this suggestion: “Meet singles over 50. Don’t wait! Start making memories!” Are they kidding? At 86, I already have a lifetime of memories!

I may (or may not) have succeeded in getting my point across with this column. I much prefer reading a good book to watching television any day (or night) of the week. (Exceptions: Cardinals baseball games and “Jeopardy!”)