OK, I've decided that I''m getting rid of television. I'll keep my two TVs, and I'll watch DVDs, but no more satellite TV for me. Before I go further, I should say that I really do love DirecTV. I love watching the cable news channels and USA and TNT and the Food Network and ID, which is new-ish. Anyway, I love it. But I've come to the conclusion that I'm watching more TV than can possibly be good for me. It's not a good sign that I know, every single day, what's transpired in the Caylee Anthony case. It's not a good sign that I sleep with the TV going all night. It's not a good sign that I know what's on Bravo almost every night. Also, I have to give a shout out to the customer service people at DirecTV. Seriously. When I've had questions, which isn't often, I've always been amazed at how helpful they are. And it appears that they've not outsourced calls to techs in another country. I hope this isn't too un-PC of me, but I hate it when you call and 800 number and get someone who just doesn't speak English very well.
Anyway, I've been thinking, for quite some time really, that I'm simply watching too much of what I call "default TV." That's when I turn on the television and zone out in front of something I don't necessarily really, really want to watch but it's just what's on. And I feel like I am just wasting too much time, time that could be spent reading or writing or crafting or relaxing in a more productive way (read: yoga, bubble baths, and meditation practice). I mean, I think that I'll be a happier, healthier person without TV there to distract me. Oh yeah, I've also fallen into the habit of just having the TV running in the background all the time when I'm at home. So I feel like getting rid of TV will free up my time and attention (not to mention my finances) for other more productive or more bliss-producing activities.
Finally, I just feel like I need some changes in my life. I feel like I keep working and working and working on somehow getting my life in order, getting my life on track. And believe me, it often feels like it's dramatically, inexplicably derailed. When I feel like this, it always seems like some big change shakes things up and helps make the adjustments I'm looking for. This is a much larger issue with me, larger than whether or not to watch TV. It's just that every week, almost every day, I feel like I can never get enough done. If I manage to stay on top of it all at work, which I often do, it seems like my house is a total disaster. If I'm really disciplined about one thing, say what I'm eating, I can't seem to be at all disciplined about another. It's so frustrating. And I keep trying and trying to be better about it all, but I'm not sure I've made much progress in the last five years (or maybe ever!). Anyway, I know that many of you may not understand, but getting rid of TV feels like a way to move towards getting my life and myself in order.
Not to fear: I am keeping Netflix!
a president, a King
13 years ago
2 comments:
hey we just installed the roku netflix box--very easy and althought the selection isn't massive there are lots of fun "instant" views. right now owen and michael are watching the b-boys a dance documentary and i noticed the lynley series and other mysteries are instants. other htan the box it isn't an extra fee. oh, and we did watch charlie brown's valentine special. apparently hulu.com is also tv streaming... but i'm all for the buh-byes. you can also call us more often! owen was playing with his matchbox planes and decided that drennan can fly the continental plane to see us !!
yeah for no TV! You know we don't have cable and so in February, unless we buy the converter box, we'll be without.......and I have been putting off buying it because I'm thinking it seems like a good time and a convenient way of just phasing it out of our lives. We have plenty of movies and get Blockbuster online too.
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