For anyone who's read my blog, you know I've had a rough few years which has made my outlook on life a bit...bleak. So, I'm trying a different take these days. You know, look on the bright side even when the chips are down. I figure I either work on a new perspective or end up on the evening news:
This evening a local woman is under arrest for tasing a man in the grocery store who "got in my personal space bubble and totally deserved it." When asked why she tased the man, she cited financial stress and irritation at the lack of common decency in most people. Stay tuned for more at 11.
I really don't want to be that story. Instead, I'm going to look at having to cancel the satellite service as a blessing. Here are the advantages I've discovered so far:
- I really was paying a lot of money for mostly crap channels. Maybe someday the companies will let us select which channels we want and pay per channel.
- I am no longer be subjected to hours upon hours upon hours of Cops, Forensic Files, Lockup, and other such shows.
- When I go to bed at night, the sound of three different tvs that are on way too loud don't compete with the voices in my head. Now, my voices and I can have some real quality time at night.
- I won't have to shout to be heard over a tv that apparently needs to be loud enough to be heard down the block.
- No more horror movie marathons, which means my overactive imagination doesn't have extra fuel for the fire when I can't sleep at night.
- Without a DVR to record shows, I really have to pay attention to what's available via our new antenna. Makes writing TV reviews a challenge.
- I have more time to devote to writing projects.
- I have more time to read. Since canceling, I've finished Wishful Drinking, A Lion Among Men, Star Wars: Rule of Two (don't judge), and Kindred. I'm also making excellent progress on House of Leaves, This is Your Brain on Music, Beginner's Guide to Jungian Psychology, Women Who Run with the Wolves, Language of the Night, and Star Wars: Cloak of Deception (again, don't judge).
- We're making better use of our DVD collection.
- The kids have actually started reading again.
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Comments
The only thing I miss is ESPN & TNT. It would be really nice to be able to watch more than one MLB & NBA game per week but it's not worth paying $40+ bucks a month for the privilege.
ame i - when we told the kids, they acted like we had just told them they were going to have to sleep in tents while we rented out their rooms. and I also read while watching t.v. if what's on isn't particularly engaging.
bonnie - even when i had cable, i totally skipped over all the cable news networks. why torture myself and get my blood pressure up too high...
travis - i don't think i'll miss much. the only thing i find annoying is the signal not coming in clearly and having the tv cut out. getting up several times to adjust the rabbit ears can be irritating.
sophieh - i'm hoping to catch up on some reading now. at least it's quiet enough in the house that i can actually concentrate on what i'm reading.
We don't want you to become THAT story either. But if you do, we're turning it into an Open Call for comments.
Just this morning I was thinking that if we didn't have the (and yes, I mean 'the') tv in the house I could probably learn enough Spanish to fend for myself when I abandon my civilized life and escape to some coastal hideaway in Mexico. The kids and husband would want to come along which kind of ruins the fantasy, but if I'm the only one speaking Spanish.... Darnit, they'd notice if I switched off the cable. Oh this is getting complicated which brings me back to my desire to have quiet time with the voices in my head.
Great post!
We only have one TV; neither of us ever watches it by ourselves. Turning on the TV during the day when I am home alone would be the equivalent of pouring myself a glass of wine. We spent more time listening to classical music than watching TV. In the last four years I have checked out 909 items from the public library.
I'd say you're on the right track!! Woo-hoo!
terry - i totally get the mexico coast thing. but having everyone else along does defeat the purpose of the fantasy:)
cassandra - we'd watch the same channels and reruns all the time because nobody would leave us alone long enough to actually get into a new show or movie or documentary! now of course we're subjected to the sound of dumbass videos from youtube. but, it's still an improvement.
o.m. - won't be pulling the plug on internet or OS. This place helps me stay sane and gives me an extended family that gets me most of the time.
owl - i've enjoyed the quiet. i can hear myself think and i've got more writing ideas now that the tv is gone. and my voices are a lot nicer too:)