cristalhombre
Oct 13, 2008, 5:48 PM
Post #13 of 17
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Well I knew I would get "slapped around" for my comments.
BUT...........for the record, I DO NOT have "television" or cable here in the Portland area. When I tell people that I have never seen the Simpsons (this is absolutely TRUE) they look at me like I am an alien. Guess that shows you, (and your comments prove it) I am in the 'minority' on this one.
The other part of this "suggestion" to bail out on TV, is that of my own experience. About 10 years ago, we decided to pull the plug. As I recall my wife (an educator) had the idea. She had read an article about comparing those with the tube and without, especially for students and our daughter was then about 7. This report was about as glaring as should one smoke or not........ I also recall that on average a normal American watches something like 25 hours each week. I can't say that I am necessarily better off............... but with my extra 25 hours a week, here is what I do:
First off.................I work full time "plus" (self employed)
I am a busy parent of a 16 year old (which makes me an official taxi driver)
I get to the gym 4 mornings a week (at 5:30).....but then I am in bed by 10 (no television programs to distract that dead-line). I am 25 pounds lighter today. My joints like that!
I participate in a Tues night Conversational Spanish group.
I belong to a Toastmasters group (Wed night)
I volunteer at our local elementary school with a reading program for 1st graders, every Monday AM.
Trying to become a better bridge player, with a duplicate training (I try and go 2 nights a month).
I attend a private Spanish lesson every Friday morning. then I probably study 3 hours a week.
My golf game NEEDS help ........and soon I will rejoin that.
I have a constant current affairs library book on the nightstand ALWAYS!
I have an I-pod to keep me connected via Pod-casts to all that I need to be aware of (News in audio format)
We generally have a weekend outting. This past Saturday was a hike to Angels Rest (Columbia Gorge), a beautiful 5 hour hike. I missed all the football games I used to watch.
My bio and activity log is not to impress anyone............. but I can tell you that I NEVER had time to do the 'extra curricular' stuff that I do now. I used to watch all the evening shows everyone else does. Now I have free time and I use it!
I like television................. but I sure like the available time I have now much more, and if I was offered a choice, I would NOT re-subscribe. Not knowing what I know now.
Once you get out of the habit of viewing............ you can find endless opportunities for community. We are after all - social creatures.
There is great book that you might want to check out....... "Bowling Alone, the collapse of and revival of American community". That author speaks of the major influence of TV for creating an isolationist culture. Much different from 50 years ago. I might mention that I read this book when I was attending a book club at PSU known as "Cultural Creatives" (one more non-TV activity that I found enriching)
A couple of other things I have noticed, that I think are quite interesting. When my daughter's friends come over for a sleep over and such................. they just can not believe that we do NOT have cable TV. These girls seem so un-easy without their normal habit of TV viewing. They really have a hard time NOT being entertained........It appears they do not have an ability to self direct, with a book, playing the piano, listening to music.
Also our house is very unpopular for family gatherings with in-laws when there is any type of televised sporting event that conflicts with the plans. My wife will call her brother and ask......Hey if there is NOT any thing on the tube for you this Sunday, would you like to come for dinner. Seahawks get first position...........(maybe we are just really boring??). Perhaps our lively discussions at the table threaten those used to being "plugged in".....no se
I realize that TV is a great entertainer and if you think you are better off hanging out in front of the tube............ go for it.
The original post was something like this.......................We are coming for 3 months to test drive the area, which TV system do I choose..........I just suggested "Choose neither". Get outta the casa and experience the World.
In 2000, my first real in-depth experience in Mexico, we traveled from Oaxaca to Baja over 11 weeks, from town to town. I think there were a couple of soccer games on the televisions in the small tiendas and restaurants. We did not feel cheated, missing Oprah, LOST or Letterman...........OR any of those other forms of entertainment.
My point was simply that you can really expand your world without TV.... and I have lived that way for a decade, so I felt confident in suggesting it.
Not making it WRONG................... just wanting to suggest the opposite has been "mas mejor para me".
Feel free to keep "slappin me around" if you like, I can handle it. I am very comfortable with my position on this and I realize it is NOT for everyone. So be it.
I just wanted to suggest another alternate line of thinking for the concept of............ "HOW DO WE BEST SPEND OUR 3 MONTHS VISITING MEXICO"..............
hasta amigos
"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."
(This post was edited by cristalhombre on Oct 13, 2008, 6:09 PM)
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