no tv for 2 weeks

I made this TV stand from a wood cube, and added the wheels so we could unplug it and wheel it away. But lately we haven't unplugged it and wheeled it away. On Friday, I proposed the idea to my husband of unplugging the TV for two weeks to allow thoughts to creep back in to our lives. He heartily agreed. And so we did.

As New Year's is a time for detox, self-improvement and attempting to restore a sense of balance to one's life, I felt that these times called for 'cold turkey' measures. I think it will be a good experiment. I know I will wind up reading more, thinking more, writing more, and being more creative. I noticed that last night, my desire to turn on the TV was like an itch that needed to be scratched. There is absolutely nothing on TV on a Saturday night at 8:30. There never is. There was no purpose; it was just a mindless habit. Like opening the refrigerator door and peering in. What are you seeking? There is nothing new in there since the last time you looked.

Here's my thought: TV is like sugar. Both are highly addictive mood elevators that drop you even lower after you've consumed it. They are addictive empty calories that keep you consuming. A book, however, makes you feel fortified. Like mulitgrain toast with peanut butter. Like exercise. Sorry to sound preachy. I just want to unplug the TV and see what happens. I will let you know on January 18th. During my two weeks off, I think I will go back and reread David Foster Wallace's essay E Unibus Pluram: Television and U.S. Fiction.