I agree, entirely. I'd much rather listen to someone talk about ancient places and civilizations than American Idol and that Lindsey girl.
Found the Amber Room a few years back. Most recently though had to be the weirdest -- we traced Marco Polo's lost fleet and found a map that led us to a Tibetan monastery which held the gates to Shambhala. Didn't get to see what was inside, as I was brought here, but with our luck it most likely ended with explosions and complete destruction of the city.
Good company can make a hell of a difference in dreary times, I've found.