July 3rd, 2009 - my last day with cable.... not just the specialty channels, but everything - gone. I can't quite remember what prompted the decision to finally cancel the service, but I was lamenting about how much time I was wasting every day, just surfing the tv to find something to watch. Most of the time I was watching movies that I've seen a bazillion times before or that I even own on DVD. It just didn't make any sense. The few shows that I watched regularly could all be seen the next day on the web or downloaded. In fact, I realized that I preferred watching these shows this way because I wasn't inundated with annoying commercials every 10 minutes.
Throughout the rest of the year I was also amazed at how much more reading I was doing. I polished off more books in the last 6 months than I've read in the past 5 years. Some, I'd even finish in a week or less. I've always enjoyed reading so it was nice to really get back into it without the distraction and beckoning call of the TV.
It's also been nice to not have TV available as an instant babysitter for Gummer. On a rare occasion I have put a Baby Einstein DVD in for him, but other than that if I'm watching a movie myself on DVD he only seems mildly interested. I keep reading more and more articles about potential problems for children exposed to TV on a daily basis for long periods of time before the age of 2. I can foresee problems even developing after the age of 2, especially with the amount of programming that is geared towards kids. I want Gummer to want to play outside or use his imagination with his toys rather than watching TV all the time. On the occasion when he's older, it's fine, but there are just far too many kids glued to the TV for my liking.
However... the moment has arrived where I am now missing the TV... just a bit. It's award season - although I'm primarily interested in the movie awards. This Sunday is the Golden Globes and sadly it'll be the first time in a long time that I won't be seeing it. I suppose I could go next door to my mother's but she only has one TV and she is glued to it as it is. My brother has suggested I try using rabbit ears and try and get some reception to one of the channels that surely must be airing the show. I may still attempt that, but although I am normally eternally optimistic I'm doubtful I'll get any reception.
The other notable difference I've felt is that I don't even know what movies are playing and which ones look interesting because I don't see ads for them anymore. I can say that I have seen Blind Side and The Air Up There recently and both were really good (just in case you were looking for a recommendation). I'm sure that they'll both be up for nominations for the Academy Awards.... sigh which is another one I'll most likely miss this year.
Here's hoping that I get lucky with rabbit ears as opposed to the foot!
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