The TV challenge
My partner is mostly referred to as “He who keeps house” (HWKH) mainly because he is a house husband and, quite frankly, does a much better job of it than I could ever do but he does have some rather weird ideas. 
His latest being “Lets get rid of the TV”. Despite the fact his whole reasoning behind this has been to stop himself watching too much TV and therefore would get more work done. I have pointed out there is an “Off” button but apparently that is far too difficult. Personally I put it down more mid-life crisis stuff and decided despite the fact that I wanted to keep the TV, I would support him. I thought it would be a flash in the pan and cancelled the TV Licence, got rid of the arterials and started buying DVD’s.
After several weeks I have noticed it is costing a small fortune in DVD’s, much more than a TV Licence and he spends more time than ever in front of the goggle box! I however have taken a slightly different tack as I now listen to Radio 7 much more and I am loving it. Any TV programmes I miss, I catch up with later through the internet and I really don’t miss the TV at all. Long nights are filled with playing music or practicing the Banjo or whatever instrument I happen to have at the time. I approached HWKH and asked if he realised he was even more immobile than before but he claims he gets more done during the day. Aha, I have sussed it! It is daytime TV that seduced him…
It has now been over 6 months since the TV was switched off and we are much closer these days as we talk more, our relationship has improved and we are closer than ever. My friends find it strange I have no concept of Eastenders or Emmerdale and I have no idea what the latest TV adverts are all about. In work when colleagues are discussing the latest soap storyline I find I have no urge to join in, even if I did know what they were talking about. It has been a long road of discovery as I have found radio stations that I love, books that I have been meaning to read for ages, more time with my family and I have noticed a slight drop in my electricity bill although it is lost in the extra expense of DVD’s. All in all I can’t say there are not times I miss the TV, of course I do as I am only human but would I have it back, probably not. Getting rid of the TV has changed my life, ok a slight exaggeration but it has changed it for the better. My dogs are loving longer walks and I no longer rush around so I can be ready for favourite programmes. I am still looking for new things to do but all in all, I think it is a good move. And the news from HWKH “Err any chance of the TV back for the World Cup?”, no chance pal, listen to the commentary on the radio instead after all, it was your idea.
So my challenge to you is this, can you go a whole week with no TV? I dare you, in fact, I double dare you! Let me know how you get on.
Take Care People
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5 Responses to The TV challenge
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Timely blog, Angie, as we've just cancelled our Sky subscription. The only thing we ever really watched on there any more was the films, and I think it will cost less to buy the occasional DVD.
The boxed set habit can get a bit costly though, in time and money.
I do still watch some things on the internet, and much prefer to watch at my convenience rather than having to remember when something is on – or have to work the recorder…
It does feel at times as if I might miss something, but in general I prefer to read anyway. And any series that is really good gets mentioned such a lot that if it looks like the kind of thing I might like I can catch up later…. That said I still haven't watched Buffy and I know I'd love it!
Ann
I don't watch TV, well only Sci fi… I watch everything via boxsets. May I recommend Hornblower? several hours a night watching Ioan Gruffyd is a night well spent in my opinion
Am also watching a bit of Scrubs at the moment as they are easy to fall asleep to, and I need some sleep.
Well done you, I don't watch Soaps but love the current affairs. Could I give up altogether I couldn't say!
Now that Doctor Who is finished, I think it will probaby be several weeks before our TV goes on for anything other than a DVD. We go quite long stretches without watching anything, and when we go to stay with my in-laws for a week the children don't even notice that there is no TV there, they are quite content with books instead.
As for the cost of DVDs, I subscribe to Love Film and just resort to buying the films I know I'm going to watch over and over again. But then I'm tight like that ;o)