Once upon a time, I was a TV-less person. I KNOW. I tried really hard not to be douchey about it. We’ve all met those people who you can totally feel are judging you with their TV-less eyes when you mention a show, and they say something like, “Ohhh, yeahhhh…I don’t really watch TV.” And then they rant on about the brain rotting and NPR improving them spiritually and on and on. I tried not to be like that, because truth be told, had I been making an extra $90 a month, you can bet your bippy I’d have had cable and a DVR and the whole bit installed like five minutes later. But I didn’t. So, I did things like READ and PAINT and screw around online, and sometimes, for just a second, I’d fantasize about owning a beat-up Volvo and sprouting food because clearly, not having television was making me like, EVOLVED.
And then, I’d go somewhere that had a TV and would begin to weep at the sight of the Real Housewives or 30 Rock and would go on these extreme TV benders. I realized quickly that a TV-free existence was NOT for me. No way, no how.
Still, lately, I’ve been trying to limit myself. I don’t deny myself any shows—no way. And by the way, I watch a million shows. But, what I’ve been trying to avoid is that mindless flipping that occurs, where I find myself watching nine episodes of Law and Order and Friends episodes I could quote in my sleep, and then I wonder what the hell happened to my Saturday. So, I’ve been weening myself away and trying this whole “be productive” thing, and darn it if it isn’t WORKING.
Now? I’m kicking myself.
See, yesterday, as I was teaching, I got a text from Andrew that read, “I think our TV just died.” And yes, it had died indeed. I wasn’t home, but it went black and started buzzing and then it was just…gone. So now, there’s a big empty space on our wall, and a huge hole in my heart. Because HI, it’s the Olympics and Real Housewives is super juicy and I HAVE NO TELEVISION TO EVEN WATCH MOVIES ON.
Hold me.
Apparently, our beloved TV will be back in a few days, and trust me, when that precious flat screen is once again hanging on my wall, you can bet that I’ll never take mindless flipping for granted again. Law and Order, here I come.
29 Comments so far
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I would so be annoyed without my tv. I know it’s a shame of me to say it, like I’m a big couch potato. Well I may be am, I mean daily life can be stressing enough and if I happen to have time off then all my favorite shows are simply a sweet, sweet escape
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By Andhari on 02.19.10 4:35 am | Permalink
I am definitely one of those people who does not watch television, but LOVES movies. So even though there are not programs I regularly watch, I was bummed last year when our DVD player was out getting fixed for a few weeks (it is a 400-disc changer, so it took awhile).
Hope yours is fixed soon! At least you still have the internet for watching some things
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By kilax on 02.19.10 5:12 am | Permalink
I totally have tonnes of solutions for you! Although I have a TV, I have no cable. I have become very crafty at finding things online (perhaps that is slightly illegal, I think the lines are fuzzy, I don’t download, just stream).
For the Olympics, I know in Canada they are streamed online all day, all the time, 24 hours of Olympic fun. If CTV is doing it, I bet NBC is too.
For all your other shows, try going to yidio.com. It pulls tonnes of links from various sources where you can watch your show streaming. The shows usually go up shortly after they aired (often within an hour) and if the link you clicked doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter because they provide about 100 different options for you.
Good luck! I hope it gets fixed soon.
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By Claire Suzanne on 02.19.10 5:33 am | Permalink
I’m a semi TV-less person…we have bunny ears, and I can watch Grey’s Anatomy online. Good enough for now!
When the boyfriend and I move back to the middle of nowhere we will be getting satellite for sure.
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By Vanessa on 02.19.10 6:07 am | Permalink
When I first moved to Chicago, I had to furnish an apartment from scratch. I decided I could live without a TV. So, I read and worked out and talked nightly with my then-boyfriend who lived many states away. And I lasted a whole six weeks. Until I cracked. And got a TV. Though I’m proud (and slightly snobby) to say I didn’t get cable until I was 30.
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By Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks on 02.19.10 7:26 am | Permalink
I love TV but rarely watch anything in real time that isn’t a Power Ranger, Mutant Turtle or Transformer … I DVR everything; which by the way, I think is the GREATEST invention since novocain!
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By SLN on 02.19.10 7:27 am | Permalink
haha, i’m always amazed at how much i can accomplish if i just TURN THE TV OFF! it’s just so hard to do… it’s so mesmerizing.
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By notsojenny on 02.19.10 7:39 am | Permalink
My TV went to the TV hospital the other week and I felt lost. I didn’t even miss TV shows but I have a routine where I put a movie on before I fall asleep, and I didn’t have that – it sent me crazy, my routine was all messed up!
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By Lizzie on 02.19.10 7:41 am | Permalink
I don’t have a television, but we watch some stuff on Hulu–I hope that doesn’t make me douchey, haha.
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By Her on 02.19.10 7:56 am | Permalink
We have a TV set (is that old person talk?), but we only have actual cable when there’s a “free for 2 months” kind of deal on. The installation guy’s come to our house like 3 times now and he HATES us. We don’t watch many shows on it other than Glee and the Bachelor (don’t I sound cultured lol) but only because we watch most of our shows online (they’re UK ones like Doctor Who and Eastenders).
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By Emily Jane on 02.19.10 8:11 am | Permalink
I used to be one too, I can’t say if I was douchey about it or not, but knowing me, I can be a little pretentious, so let’s lean toward yes, I was probably douchey. But I loved it for all the aforementioned reasons (READING and PAINTING etc.) and I drove a Volvo.
Now I have a TV, and I love it too. I still read and paint, but certainly with less zeal than before. And now I drive a Prius.
The pretension thrives!
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By The Maiden Metallurgist on 02.19.10 8:11 am | Permalink
I am one of those people that says “I don’t really watch TV”… mostly, because I don’t have much time to watch TV. We do watch movies/DVD’s on the weekend. And sometimes, if I have a free Saturday morning, I just like to zap around. I know that might be a waste of time, but if you do it consciously and only for a limited time, it’s just as good as any TV show (or better, because you don’t have to keep up with anything!).
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By san on 02.19.10 9:07 am | Permalink
I’m guilty of the midless channel flip. I turn on the TV with the intentions of using it just for background noise while I work around the house and next you know I’m staring at the TV watching Gangland. I’ve been trying to get in the habit of turning on Pandora and just listening to music while I’m productive.
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By Ari on 02.19.10 10:05 am | Permalink
I could not be more upset for you.
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By Kori on 02.19.10 10:44 am | Permalink
I once went two years without any sort of cable (by choice,mostly). Only had Fox, CBS, NBC, PBS, My46 and ABC. And tht was assuming the antennae was working correctly that night.
It was probably the best, most active two years of my life. However, if my TV died even then it would have been awful because I couldn’t have watched the Netflix movies that I got a few times a week.
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By Nora on 02.19.10 11:14 am | Permalink
We got rid of cable and instead do the Netflix and the internet thing. I feel like it is a good happy medium for us. We save a few bucks and we watch a bit less TV. I could never go completely without though!
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By Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist on 02.19.10 11:37 am | Permalink
I don’t watch a huge amount of TV and what I do watch is recorded on TiVo, so I spend a lot less time on each show and watch only the things I love. Remember having to be in front of the television at a certain time to watch something? Yeah, me either.
Anyway, I love TV (more than movies, honestly) and I don’t think I will ever be without it.
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By Ally on 02.19.10 11:46 am | Permalink
I was the nerdy kid raised on granola and without T.V. untill the age of 10.
As it ends up I love it, yet must temper myself with no satellite.
Not only for me, but the sake of my marriage (can you say ESPN?).
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By Britt on 02.19.10 2:39 pm | Permalink
YOU HAVE NO ACCESS TO REAL HOUSEWIVES?!?!!?!?!?!?
Fix it. No excuses.
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By LiLu on 02.19.10 2:40 pm | Permalink
I heart Law and Order. It lulls me to sleep every night. Here’s hoping that TV gets fixed really soon!
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By ButtersandRoses on 02.19.10 2:59 pm | Permalink
Oh man. I know how you feel. Sometime last year, the bulb in our tv burnt out…no warning-just burnt out. We had to fax our receipt to the tv company and wait for them to mail us a new bulb. Sucked!
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By Tara on 02.19.10 3:37 pm | Permalink
I don’t watch very much TV, really, but if my TV died, I WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. First of all, I gave in to peer pressure and purchased a very nice, very big TV for myself because all my TV-watcher friends were like, “Really? You don’t have a fancy flatscreen TV?” And then my single non-TV-watcher friend went out and bought a fancy flatscreen TV so it was only a matter of time. (Mine is so BETTER THAN HIS, SO I WIN.) So, if my fancy TV and I didn’t even really need died, I’d be fucking pissed, is what I’m saying. Even if I can actually live life only watching Lost and Kell on Earth on iTunes. And saving myself about $90 a month.
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By Andrea on 02.19.10 3:50 pm | Permalink
Ahh, my parents are huge TV people and I only have a few shows I watch but definitely watch ‘em online if I miss them for some reason. Hope your TV comes back soon and that you have a great weekend
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By Nikolett on 02.19.10 5:03 pm | Permalink
Amy, I have to tell you something. I don’t have cable. I don’t preach either, because I really wish I did; however,it is one of the sacrifices we have made, and really it is a lot better; however, what makes it worse,is that I too had the tvguide memorized and when Marelena and Hope werent being taken over by the evil Stephano on Days of our Lives, then I was also watching Martha, Oprah and Rachel Ray…oh god, i feel sick
i know what you mean, and if you need a shoulder for 2 days, you can use mine…but please, just let me know whats up with IDOL..I have now missed 3 seasons….cable-less…
danon
http://www.insatiablehost.blogspot.com
http://www.pantypyramid.blogspot.com
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By Danon Pascoa on 02.19.10 6:53 pm | Permalink
I didn’t have TV until I was about…14 years old? And seriously I would never go back, just on principal. It’s one of those things, I might be vegan but DAMNIT I will eat peanut butter with icing sugar in it because I was never allowed to growing up.
I had my first eggo in my early 20s. For reals.
Do whatever doesn’t make you feel deprived, is my point lol
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By Kyla Roma on 02.20.10 9:13 pm | Permalink
Geez, I couldn’t live without a TV. Actually, I couldn’t live without my TiVo. NO more commercials for ME! Plus, I get to watch my favorite shows when I have the time to relax. It’s a wonderful life!
Lindsey Petersen
http://5kidswdisabilities.wordpress.com
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By Lindsey Petersen on 02.21.10 9:06 am | Permalink
TV certainly is addictive. I try to watch shows recorded on my DVR whenever possible so I don’t waste time on commercials. Not that it always happens that way.
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By Manderz on 02.21.10 5:02 pm | Permalink
If my TV died and I was missing my shows, I would freak out and it would get ugly. Real ugly.
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By Jessica on 02.21.10 8:23 pm | Permalink
I was that girl for a long time. I read, I attempted to play the guitar and my roommate’s piano, I worked on my art and my writing. I was so damn sophisticated. Then the boyfriend came along with the huge ass flat screen, and the DVR and the Bluray with the Netflix. And now, my brain is a happy, lazy mush.
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By Lucy on 02.22.10 7:50 am | Permalink
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