Ever since my dog, Harley, took out my cable, I've been thinking about something. Those two days where I had no reception forced me to focus my energy otherwise (that is when I wasn't striking a pose to get in better television reception) and I realized how much time I waste with the TV on. Like now, the TV is on but the sound is muted - and I do that a lot. What's the point?
So, my thought was, I should try to go without cable during the summer. I went so far as calling the cable company to see what I would have to do and what it would cost to have it reinstalled (turned back on - whatever) at a later date. And they offered me "options". Right now I have the digital cable with a gazillion channels (I watch approximately 3 of them, but who's counting) and pay out the wazoo, what with the "extended cable" box in the bedroom and the DVR in the living room. I could cut back to the standard cable (channels 1-80) for about 1/3 of what I'm paying now (not including the DVR, which would add ~$16 back). Or I could just keep the cable line (aka basic cable) on to give me clear pictures on my local stations (and we already know I don't get reception for crap here on the local stations) for under $20.
If I do away with cable altogether and later want it reinstalled it will cost me ~$29 for the first connection and ~$19 for each additional (I currently have three lines - two in the living room but I like the option of being able to move my furniture around).
On the "basic cable" option it would cost me a one time fee of ~20 to fully upgrade - all lines.
With standard cable there would be no charge to reconnect/upgrade.
But here's the deal. I feel certain I will want my cable back when the fall line-up comes back on. Most shows I could watch online but I wouldn't be able to vote on Dancing with the Stars (unless I struck a pose at least once a week - which I could do if I had to!).
Actually, that's not even the whole deal. The reason I posted this entry tonight was, I was reading someone else's blog entry and they were talking about participating in Jessica Trapp's "100 days" and now adding a daily workout to go with it. Someone responded that they just never have time to work out anymore and that kind of hit a note with me. In Weight Watchers when they talk about exercise they bring up the things we did when we were growing up - things that we enjoyed. Things that we no longer indulge ourselves with because "we don't have time". Working out is no longer considered fun, like it was when we were younger. Instead, it's just one more thing on the long list of things we have to do and it's more like a chore. Only it's one we don't have to do, so it's one of the first ones we eliminate.
Personally, I want to make time for things. I want to read more. I want to write more. I want to start working out again. Walking the dogs (only not in my neighborhood since I'm only allowed two dogs and I have three). Yes, TV is something I sometimes enjoy but I think I indulge in it too much. And too much of a good thing is not good!
Anyway, I don't know if you've picked up on this but I think I'm talking myself more and more into getting rid of cable - at least for the summer. But I'd love to hear what others think. So if you don't have a TV or if you don't have cable - or if you know someone like that, let me hear from you and tell them to come on over and tell me why and what-for.
And for those that have TV and cable, could you give it up?
5 comments:
I would love to give up cable, even tv altogether, but I'd have to give up my husband! We watch 1-2 shows a night on the DVR (we've made it up to the beginning of March with the shows we tape). That's our time - we sit and watch, sometimes pausing the shows to talk about them. I'm afraid if I turned off the tv, I'd lose him to the internet! Go for it, though! I'll be jealous of all the time you'll have.
I could definitely live without the tv. Back when I was living with my roomie, I'd come home and sit in front of the tv all night and get nothing done. No reading, no writing, nothing. I knew that I was wasting my time. After Nationals in Atlanta last year, I came home with a "Write the damn book" attitude, which meant dropping the tv. That was hard, but I weaned myself back to just the shows that I really liked during the week. The rest of the time I either wrote or spent time talking out my book with my roomie. I was able to write the book by my deadline of Jan 15th. Now I hardly watch tv at all and I'm much happier!
It can be done. Try it out for the summer and see what you think. I bet you reclaim lots more time for yourself and the things you want to do. :)
When I went back to school, I gave up TV for a couple of years in lieu of doing homework at night. Now, I only watch American Idol and House - and once in awhile, an old movie. I NEVER turn it on when I'm here during the day. Basically, I could give it up without a problem. :) (Like Kim though, dh and the kids wouldn't let me cancel it altogether).
Oh, and I think it's a great idea for you to cancel it for the summer and set some other goals. When you reconnect in the fall, just go the basic cable route if you don't need all the fancy channels. You'll still get the most important show of all - Dancing with the Stars. :)
Mr. Honey and I cancelled cable 3 years ago, and we've never looked back.
I'll admit we've signed up for Netflix, and we're currently watching TV on DVD (Grey's Anatomy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, MacGyver), but neither of us misses the TV. We've got other vices - like the internet. Pull the plug on my high-speed, and watch me go all Exorcist on you. ;)
The thing I miss the most is knowing what people are talking about when they say, "Did you see that commercial where..." and obviously we haven't. Isn't that sad? The other thing that makes us stand out is that we don't watch Heroes, or House, or Las Vegas, or take-your-pick of the reality shows, and so we get the gawking "OMG, You don't have TV? How do you live?" reaction a lot. But we fill that space with other things.
Go for it! :) The worst that happens is you have to have it reconnected in the fall, right?
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