08.11.01

Pixie,

There are WAY too many new shows coming out this fall.

New dramas. New comedies. New reality programming.

Now, I don't have cable. And it's a good thing... between the already watched shows on my roster (Judging Amy, Third Watch, X-Files, Boston Public, Providence, Will & Grace, West Wing, CSI) and the new ones I think I'll like (Educating Mac Bickford, The Agency, Citizen Baines to name a few), I doubt I will have time to do anything else.  Oh... and the recent addition of the WB adds even more potential viewing pleasure.

How will I find time to work out? (An hour every other day).

When will I cram in work related stuff?

As for fun and social stuff, forget it... I don't do that often enough that it's a problem.

Help!

I'm turning into a couch potato!

TV Addict

TV,

Firstly, consider yourself fortunate, for in the area immediately surrounding, and including, delirrealm, you can't get any damn television reception beyond public television and the WB unless you have cable. Being able to enjoy the big 6 without high monthly fees in a blessing indeed.

Now, I applaud your dedication to the television viewing craft. It takes a lot to work full time, go to school or fulfill some sort of outside of work work-related function, and watch a hell of a lot of television. At some point, you have to really consider exactly how important other activities really are to your existence. Those that can't be done while in front of the tube may have to be culled.

Eating? Can do. I don't remember the last time I ate sitting at my kitchen table.

Working out? Most definitely can do. Sometimes, with aerobic tapes or the like, you can even involve the television viewing in the excercise.

Bathing? Ablutions? It can be done. A small television in the bathroom can be a wonderful thing, as can setting up a television within easy viewing distance from the bathroom.

Reading? Working on paperwork? Dude, I do it in front of the television regularly. It's called "multitasking," which is a valuable skill to have.

Sleeping? Hmm. You can sleep in front of the television, but you don't really get to watch the shows this way. Sleeping must therefor come after television is done. Caffeine is your friend during the waking hours not associated with television viewing.

Okay, with that out of the way, let's look at your television schedule:

What I can see already is that you watch a preponderance of dramas, so I'd lose a few of those. West Wing? Critics like it, I refuse to watch it. Providence? Oh, please. And all the shows on CBS? Do what I do, don't give your viewing time to a television network that would unleash Survivor, not to mention Big Brother, on an unsuspecting viewing audience.

Either that, or you're going to have to buy a vcr/another vcr to tape all the stuff opposite that which you are already watching/taping. There's no shame in wanting to tape a good 20+ hours of television a week. Properly done, it can completely supplement or replace a lacking social life. Besides, Buffy will never steal your boyfriend or run over your cat, and she most certainly won't drink the last beer in the fridge. She will, however, entertain you and give you someone to get emotionally invested in without the fear of rejection or reprisal.

Unless she moves to another network, not yet available in your viewing area. But that's another story entirely.

So, in summation, embrace your couch potatitude. You can accomplish a great deal parked in front of or very near to the television. And some of it is even food for you.

-- pixie

Yesterday & Tomorrow.

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