Comments on: A Year With (Almost) No TV http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/ Keeping it real in the suburbs Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:18:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Strocel.com | Computer Downtime and Technology Dependence http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-91363 Strocel.com | Computer Downtime and Technology Dependence Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:01:50 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-91363 [...] I lived without a TV for a little over two years, and if that experience taught me anything it’s that I don’t need the things I think I need. It’s easy to become very accustomed to certain habits, routines and comfort objects, to the point where we can’t conceive of life without them. But when they’re gone, somehow we manage. Just as I managed for the first 18 years of my life without having reliable computer access, or logging onto the internet. Just as the entire planet managed for millenia. People are resilient, and I am, too. [...] [...] I lived without a TV for a little over two years, and if that experience taught me anything it’s that I don’t need the things I think I need. It’s easy to become very accustomed to certain habits, routines and comfort objects, to the point where we can’t conceive of life without them. But when they’re gone, somehow we manage. Just as I managed for the first 18 years of my life without having reliable computer access, or logging onto the internet. Just as the entire planet managed for millenia. People are resilient, and I am, too. [...]

]]> By: Strocel.com | You Might be a Hippie Mama if … http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-56790 Strocel.com | You Might be a Hippie Mama if … Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:03:41 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-56790 [...] You have given up cable TV. Or given up your TV altogether. Much like I did almost 2 years ago. Yes, people, I am a great big [...] [...] You have given up cable TV. Or given up your TV altogether. Much like I did almost 2 years ago. Yes, people, I am a great big [...]

]]> By: Tanya http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-43555 Tanya Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:53:16 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-43555 Hey Amber, Happy no TV Anniversary! I cut down my satellite bill by $45 a month just by asking for the 'basic' package. It's amazing how little I miss those extra channels - they are such a waste of time. I am reading more, going to bed earlier and cooking more, not to mention saving myself $45 a month! When I called to cut back our satellite subscription, the representative tried for 10 mins to get me to try a different package and offer me more services - ugh - I ended up just telling her to stop trying to sell to me and cut back the package. As a result we are watching less TV - maybe 5 hours a week - and that's ok with me. Hey Amber,

Happy no TV Anniversary! I cut down my satellite bill by $45 a month just by asking for the ‘basic’ package. It’s amazing how little I miss those extra channels – they are such a waste of time. I am reading more, going to bed earlier and cooking more, not to mention saving myself $45 a month! When I called to cut back our satellite subscription, the representative tried for 10 mins to get me to try a different package and offer me more services – ugh – I ended up just telling her to stop trying to sell to me and cut back the package. As a result we are watching less TV – maybe 5 hours a week – and that’s ok with me.

]]> By: Lady M http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-43549 Lady M Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:31:38 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-43549 We have a TV and I watch dance shows regularly - probably 3-4 hours per week after the kids are in bed. The kids don't battle us about TV much, probably because by the time we've eaten dinner and such, there's time to either watch 20-30 minutes of TV or play a game before bed. I expect it will probably get more difficult when they're old and want to watch complete shows, rather than segments of the Wiggles. .-= Lady M´s last post ..<a href="http://www.empress-m.com/2009/11/perspective-breakfast-edition.html" rel="nofollow">Perspective, the Breakfast Edition</a> =-. We have a TV and I watch dance shows regularly – probably 3-4 hours per week after the kids are in bed. The kids don’t battle us about TV much, probably because by the time we’ve eaten dinner and such, there’s time to either watch 20-30 minutes of TV or play a game before bed. I expect it will probably get more difficult when they’re old and want to watch complete shows, rather than segments of the Wiggles.
.-= Lady M´s last post ..Perspective, the Breakfast Edition =-.

]]> By: Mike http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-43546 Mike Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:13:04 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-43546 You really are missing out; when you watch Dora The Explorer on a wall-mounted plasma TV with surround sound it's like you're actually there! It's like YOU are there! :) You really are missing out; when you watch Dora The Explorer on a wall-mounted plasma TV with surround sound it’s like you’re actually there! It’s like YOU are there!

:)

]]> By: Sarah Joseph http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-43545 Sarah Joseph Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:12:05 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-43545 Good for you! We have a TV but no cable (our computer is connected to our TV). I feel a bit out of the loop too but as you we still keep up with our fav shows by streaming/downloading. I like it this way, we watch only the shows we spend the time to find and without the advertising. Good for you! We have a TV but no cable (our computer is connected to our TV). I feel a bit out of the loop too but as you we still keep up with our fav shows by streaming/downloading. I like it this way, we watch only the shows we spend the time to find and without the advertising.

]]> By: Lauren @ Hobo Mama http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-43544 Lauren @ Hobo Mama Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:59:03 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-43544 For a long time, we had TV but not cable, which was the same as having TV but no channels. This was before the digital switchover, but not even bunny ears would get us a watchable signal. One summer I wanted to watch the Olympics and I would spend a long time squinting at a fuzzy athlete before the announcer would tell me what sport I was watching. Then we moved to a place with free cable, and I went a little gaga over it, watching endless makeover, true-crime, and home-improvement shows (they're educational! ha ha!). But then hulu came along, and I stopped wanting TV on mindlessly in the background, particularly once I had a baby and didn't want him exposed to so much screen time. My parents leave their TV on all.evening.long, even through dinner, and it's so distracting! I think they just tune it out. It's also on as they get ready in the morning, even if they're not in the room with it. So our TV is up in our office instead of our living room for when we really want it, but we watch most of our shows online and on DVDs on our laptops, sitting on the couch. We still watch plenty, so I definitely don't think of us as TV-free, but I do find that I enjoy it more without all the obnoxious commercials and promotions. Hulu has enough as it is! .-= Lauren @ Hobo Mama´s last post ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HoboMama/~3/8gNlZM0NeFE/reasons-to-get-behind-elimination.html" rel="nofollow">Reasons to get behind elimination communication</a> =-. For a long time, we had TV but not cable, which was the same as having TV but no channels. This was before the digital switchover, but not even bunny ears would get us a watchable signal. One summer I wanted to watch the Olympics and I would spend a long time squinting at a fuzzy athlete before the announcer would tell me what sport I was watching.

Then we moved to a place with free cable, and I went a little gaga over it, watching endless makeover, true-crime, and home-improvement shows (they’re educational! ha ha!). But then hulu came along, and I stopped wanting TV on mindlessly in the background, particularly once I had a baby and didn’t want him exposed to so much screen time. My parents leave their TV on all.evening.long, even through dinner, and it’s so distracting! I think they just tune it out. It’s also on as they get ready in the morning, even if they’re not in the room with it.

So our TV is up in our office instead of our living room for when we really want it, but we watch most of our shows online and on DVDs on our laptops, sitting on the couch. We still watch plenty, so I definitely don’t think of us as TV-free, but I do find that I enjoy it more without all the obnoxious commercials and promotions. Hulu has enough as it is!
.-= Lauren @ Hobo Mama´s last post ..Reasons to get behind elimination communication =-.

]]> By: Summer http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-43543 Summer Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:19:57 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-43543 We made it 3 months then Michael broke down and bought a new one. I'd be perfectly happy with no set, but I'm out voted. Ugh, I hate the commercial induced whining! .-= Summer´s last post ..<a href="http://wiredfornoise.com/if-only-i-used-my-powers-for-good-instead-of-evil" rel="nofollow">If Only I used My Powers For Good Instead of Evil</a> =-. We made it 3 months then Michael broke down and bought a new one. I’d be perfectly happy with no set, but I’m out voted. Ugh, I hate the commercial induced whining!
.-= Summer´s last post ..If Only I used My Powers For Good Instead of Evil =-.

]]> By: Tracey http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-43541 Tracey Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:57:07 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-43541 We don't technically own a tv. But that is only because hubbie has our telus tv box hooked into our computer system. So we can watch it either on the monitor or the projector. Next time I wonder how you have time to blog everyday. I will remind myself that you watch a minimal amount of tv. .-= Tracey´s last post ..<a href="http://tjrramblings.blogspot.com/2009/11/toilet-training-update.html" rel="nofollow">Toilet Training Update</a> =-. We don’t technically own a tv. But that is only because hubbie has our telus tv box hooked into our computer system. So we can watch it either on the monitor or the projector.

Next time I wonder how you have time to blog everyday. I will remind myself that you watch a minimal amount of tv.
.-= Tracey´s last post ..Toilet Training Update =-.

]]> By: Melodie http://www.strocel.com/a-year-with-almost-no-tv/#comment-43540 Melodie Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:18:51 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=6799#comment-43540 As you know I would love to turf our tvs. My kids defiantly turn it on when I say they can't and will watch hours if I'm sick or sleeping in. Then ask for more later when they get bored of playing. Now that I've figured out how to watch Grey's Anatomy on the computer I don't need tv at all. But hubby is glued to sports. Especially hockey. And because of his tv addiction we unfortunately suffer the consequences. But what a waste of money to have tv only to watch a couple hours of hockey every other day! .-= Melodie´s last post ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BreastfeedingMomsUnite/~3/pjCZAT9QWTA/" rel="nofollow">Making Airlines Breastfeeding Friendly</a> =-. As you know I would love to turf our tvs. My kids defiantly turn it on when I say they can’t and will watch hours if I’m sick or sleeping in. Then ask for more later when they get bored of playing. Now that I’ve figured out how to watch Grey’s Anatomy on the computer I don’t need tv at all. But hubby is glued to sports. Especially hockey. And because of his tv addiction we unfortunately suffer the consequences. But what a waste of money to have tv only to watch a couple hours of hockey every other day!
.-= Melodie´s last post ..Making Airlines Breastfeeding Friendly =-.

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