Unplugged the cable again
About 3 years ago, Debbie and I unplugged the cable TV and stashed our 27" big black box behind an upstairs couch. And we went cable-less for almost 18-months. Then the presidential election came along, and we turned it back on last fall. Yesterday I turned in the cable box and we're TV-less again.
Actually, we still have the big black box, only this time it's upstairs in our bedroom hooked only to the DVD player. We do this in self-defense because when the grandchildren come, they bring DVDs which give them hours of fun, and us hours of peace and quiet. Okay, so we're not purists, but we are living without broadcast TV again.
We actually like being without TV. We like the quietness, and lack of visual and auditory clutter in our lives. We also like not wasting time watching endless couples on HGTV look for their next home, or try to sell the one they've got. We do miss the old movies on Turner Classic Movies, but our library has a nice selection of classic movies which we can checkout for free anytime.
The main thing I like is I get more things done without TV. I read more, write more, and Debbie and I talk more about lots of different things. Of course, we're not off screens altogether. I'm on my laptop, and she's on her iMac right now. But we are done with TV. Again. But this time I think for good.
Oh, I read today that Web TV is coming soon, and so are the sets configured for Web TV watching. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But until then, Olbermann and O'Reilly will have to duke it out without us. I feel better already.
Update: The New York Times reported today on the increasing use of vulgar, suggestive, and profane language on broadcast and cable TV. Another reason to disconnect.
