Pretty soon it’ll be the sounds of silence here in the Self household. Or at least, only the sounds of music on the Ipod.
You see, we’re getting rid of our cable. I’m taking the box back to Time Warner on Monday morning, and we’re officially off the TV grid. This started out as Elisa’s idea, and I was very skeptical at first. What about when you’re sick, don’t just want to vedge on the couch and watch mindless TV? What about for watching sports. But the more I thought about it – and the more I thought how easy it is to kill a few hours watching whatever – the more I came around to it. We can still watch movies (we’re getting rid of the cable, not the actual television) on those nastiest of days. If a game is that important, I can make it a social occasion and go watch it with my brothers at their place or in a local bar. If it isn’t that important…did I really need to watch it?
I’ll be interested to see this works. Just got my first library card since I was…probably about 8, in anticipation of getting a ton of reading done. Hoping to step up my workouts, too. And to stop ignoring my poor, deserted blog.
I once heard someone say that if TV was gone, half of married couples would be divorced in a year. That’s pretty sad to think about; hopefully Elisa and I can use this newfound quality time better than annoying each other.
And if I’ve turned the cable back on in 2 months, I promise you can all say I told you so.
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I contemplated this idea a few years ago, but I couldn’t pull the trigger (not that I was ever THAT close to actually doing it). I actually thought of removing myself from all news (Local, National, World, celebrity, sports, etc) for an entire year and then writing a book about it as I reflect on what I missed. I think it’s a grea idea and hope it works out like you hope. I’d love to think that I would read a lot and gain some sort of intellectual insight from doing something like, but I’d probably just end up drinking more. Good luck buddy, keep us updated.
Comment by Adam Alderson November 30, 2009 @ 5:35 pmDo it, Adam! Spend some more time with that new wife of yours (or drinking more…with that new wife of yours). Both are valid choices.
Comment by ryanself December 1, 2009 @ 12:33 amGood for you guys! I hope you find yourselves spending more quality time doing more productive things and feeling good about the change (and pretending Hulu doesn’t exist..)
Comment by Allie S. November 30, 2009 @ 8:05 pm