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AnneD

(15,774 posts)

22. I gave up cable in the 80's...

Mon Jun 25, 2012, 04:49 PM

Jun 2012

When the Houston economy went in the crapper and I was unemployed for 8 months. Gave up the daily paper too.

I still watched tv, but one year gave it up for Lent and never went back.

Ike was a very interesting experience. Since I was use to no TV, I didn't notice it much. Got my news from the radio and computer. Lot's of friends to visit so no problem with boredom. You socialize more without a tv.

What do I do? Read, write, learn to make cheese, learn to make wine, learn the ukulelia, knit, make presents, volunteer, bake....the list goes on and on. Frankly I can't wait til I retire so I can have more time in MY day.

I never realized how different I think until I went to visit some friends. All they were talking about was the latest new show and raved on and on about these characters lives. I found my self thinking....these are not even real people, do you know your kids this well, or your flesh and blood family and friends.

Getting weaned off TV was the best thing I ever did!

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Highlight:

To all DUers who don't watch TV, how do you do it? [View all] Jamaal510 Jun 2012 OP

I would rather be right here than watching TV... CaliforniaPeggy Jun 2012 #1

I grew up with only the basic 13 channels LynneSin Jun 2012 #2

I grew up with 1 channel. TV-6 Kaleva Jun 2012 #15

9 1/2 hr day at work, books, walking, music (live and recorded), sex, ret5hd Jun 2012 #3

Netflix and smart phone. Grantuspeace Jun 2012 #4

If I'm bored, watching TV is not going to change that. Brickbat Jun 2012 #5

Reminds of what I hearda comedian said one time: "Don't you hate it when people say "I don't Laura PourMeADrink Jun 2012 #6

I've had that happen to me recently Populist_Prole Jun 2012 #10

It's easy HarveyDarkey Jun 2012 #7

My work schedule helps facilitate not watching TV Populist_Prole Jun 2012 #8

When Hurricane Ike came to town we didn't have power for two weeks, I didn't miss the tv. texanwitch Jun 2012 #9

I gave up cable in the 80's... AnneD Jun 2012 #22

I found Hurricane Ike to be very interesting, most of Houston just stopped for awhile. texanwitch Jun 2012 #25

Netflix, Meta (a 24/7 reality show), I read quite abit on the internet. Kaleva Jun 2012 #11

Growing up we only had network teevee. Now as an adult, I've only lived in rural areas - no cable riderinthestorm Jun 2012 #12

There's almost nothing that appeals to me on TV. Old Troop Jun 2012 #13

It's not hard ... Ron Obvious Jun 2012 #14

You're right--even the dramas and comedies are made up of pod people Lydia Leftcoast Jun 2012 #18

EXACTLY! Kali Jun 2012 #35

I started drifting away from it in the mid-70's. bikebloke Jun 2012 #16

I used to watch a lot of TV, but no more Lydia Leftcoast Jun 2012 #17

Large part of why I don't watch that stuff Populist_Prole Jun 2012 #23

Yes, it was about five years ago that I'd had enough, dropped all but basic-basic cable Lydia Leftcoast Jun 2012 #24

I grew up in the 60s. By the early 70s, I was convinced most of what was on the boobtube struggle4progress Jun 2012 #19

I gave it up in the 80's, when I just COULDN'T miss "Dallas" or "Dynasty" Glorfindel Jun 2012 #20

I'll never understand rejecting a form of media, but its easy to see how its done dr.strangelove Jun 2012 #21

on the net, reading books and articles, messing with family, doing my job seabeyond Jun 2012 #26

I miss the AMC of old -- used to be nothing but CLASSIC movies from the 50's and older. MiddleFingerMom Jun 2012 #27

Most of what I watch is DVR'd. alphafemale Jun 2012 #28

Um, I just stopped doing it about '82. I quit smoking in '85. Same thing. HopeHoops Jun 2012 #29

I read books; progressive periodicals; watch the night sky with binoculars; do crossword byeya Jun 2012 #30

I can't get TV most of the time, but really don't miss it. cbayer Jun 2012 #31

Any news I need is readily available at DU. Special Prosciuto Jun 2012 #32

I watch little TV. mzmolly Jun 2012 #33

I'm cheap and I live in the sticks and I would rather read and listen to music. Kali Jun 2012 #34

I haven't had a TV for over ten years.. AsahinaKimi Jun 2012 #36