I almost didn’t write tonight. 10:44 on a Monday, burnt out and craving salt I thought nothing about the task. Then the responsibility of the thing crawled up inside my brain and demanded its 10 minutes. It wasn’t that I have nothing left to say, or am tired of writing for the day. None of that is the case. In truth, my mind was squared on the TV, considering yet again the many ways to untether.
My mind is made up on this one.
I’m getting rid of DirectTV. I pay upwards of $150 a month for a handful of shows that are largely accessible through other means. I think the real issue is that I’m a bit fearful to be away from cable. I’ve been wired since I was 9 and that means three decades of having cable TV. The tech now is sufficiently advanced to allow me to finally cut that cord. Don’t think the symbolism is lost on me. Another change that lives in the actual and metaphorical space. Meanwhile the time and money spent can be put to better use.
I’ve learned that TV is a crutch for me–an excuse I use when I’m not feeling like interacting with people or being very productive. It is not needed given the other options for show watching. I’m not about to go cold turkey and not watch at all. No, I will wean myself to a point and then stay at that lower threshold of watching, presumably forever. I don’t have a problem with TV in moderation.
When the watching sucks your life so dry that it becomes your focus most of the non-working hours, you’ve gone ‘full retard’ and need to stop watching so many shows.