Tuesday, September 25, 2007

No Fall Television

Before Robb and I even decided to move to Washington, we determined that in our next home we would not pay for cable. One reason was to save a little bit of money. But more importantly, we thought it would be nice to break our addiction to television. I was tired of being tied down to the television, worrying about getting back in time to make a favorite TV show, choosing not to go out or exercise because something interesting (or more likely, addicting, stupid and pointless) was going to be on. I was tired of having the television on all the time, just for background noise. So we decided not to hook up our cable. We have hundreds of movies and dozens of television shows on DVD. So if we get bored we just pop in something we already own (and chances are, I haven't even watched yet.) If we want some news, we go to cnn.com.

But, now that the fall television shows are debuting, it's a little bittersweet to not watch them. And, I hate to admit it, but I miss local news. It's nice to turn on the TV and see what's happening in our community (even if the reporting is pathetic and laughable). So sometimes when I go to the gym at our apartment complex, I turn on the TV there and head straight for local news. I think it will be difficult to not watch the Superbowl so maybe we'll head to a bar that day. But really, I don't miss TV that much. And I think I'll miss it even less once I have a job and I'm not sitting around the house all day. I encourage others to consider breaking the addiction.

2 comments:

MyBelle65 said...

I am so envious! I am trying to do the same thing, however I've really only made it to "I'll only allow myself to watch TV if I am doing another productive activity at the same time" for example, knitting a scarf (which I have completed) or doing sit-ups. I have also limited it to a particular set of shows, but that list is still longer than I'm completely comfortable with. Bottom line: props to you both. I am impressed and inspired.

Anonymous said...

This is too funny. I think we have changed roles because I never used to watch TV, but now have a DVR and "favorite shows". On the top of my list are Prison Break, Biggest Loser, America's Next Top Model, and The Office.