Among other shows that I used to be a big fan of and now rarely watch: Dancing with the Stars, Life Unexpected, and even... (gasp)... Glee.
What happened? There's nothing wrong with the shows. It's just that life got in the way. We got DVR several years ago so we could DVR things like Idol and not have to rearrange our lives around our TV viewing habits. But I think that made us kind of lazy about our favorite shows. If we can watch an episode anytime, what's the incentive to watch it right now?
And so weeks go by (I still haven't watched the Britney episode of Glee yet) and you know what? I'm finding I don't actually miss any of them. They're still DVRing so I could watch them if I wanted to. And maybe I will. Someday. But you know what I've been finding time to do instead?
Read.
For someone who is forever wanting to read more, I'm pretty excited about this revelation! Reading is a double-edged sword for me. On one hand, it's my job to read books because I'm an author and I need to keep current with what's out there. Not to mention the fact that everyone deserves to enjoy their favorite hobby, right? On the other hand, there's always that guilt factor of "If I have time to be reading, I have time to be writing."
But without the TV intrusion, I've been able to read some great books lately without the usual guilt. Some of the goodies include: CRUNCH by Leslie Connor, MISTWOOD by Leah Cypess, THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES by Jody Feldman, THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB by Elizabeth Eulberg, and THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger. And those are just off the top of my head. I wouldn't have been able to read them if I'd been keeping up with my former favorite shows because, the truth is, there just isn't enough time to do everything.
So reading it is. :-)
What about you? Would you rather be reading or watching TV?
Posts
7 comments:
There have been times I watch little or no TV but this isn't one of them. If anything, lately, and probably for the first time in my life, I watch more than I read.
Definately reading, unless I'm too tired to focus. Our TV has become more of the "Family Movie Night" tv because without cable, and now that Lost is over there just isn't anything we watch except a little football. I think reading is so much more fulfilling.
I started watching "Glee" this season, and I'm looking forward to catching up on "Bones" on DVD. But that's about it.
For me, the television is mostly something I use to watch the news or movies. I turn to it when I'm too tired to read or write, when I need a break most but don't feel up to socializing.
I do, however, feel a certain connectedness with my fellow Gen Xers because we still all grew up watching the same three networks.
My husband and I knew we were meant for each other in part because our favorite all-time episode of "Fantasy Island" involved Mr. Roarke versus Roddy McDowall as the devil. An epic battle if there ever was one.
When I'm tired, TV. Otherwise, reading. :)
What? You want to make me choose?? No, that's just too hard because I love television (some might say a little bit too much!!!!)
However, I do try and apply a structure to it! I do the bulk of my writing during the day when the kids are at school and then at night I do emails/blogs and tv and then spend the last hour or so before I sleep reading. I also try and read first thing in the morning for about half an hour!!
Oh, and I hear you on Glee. We're just about to get season two and while I will still watch it, I started to go off it at the end of season one (though don't tell Sara Hantz or she will disown me!!!)
Lauren - I go through phases like that too. I can remember rearranging my schedule so Thursday nights (ala Friends and Seinfeld) were free. I was so sad to see them go!
Leah - I'm a HUGE fan of Family Movie Night and Family Game Night! Cheers to you for making quality time with the fam in this hectic whirlwind we can life. :-)
Cynthia - That's such a good point! There are so many iconic shows that have become part of each generation's culture. It would be sad to miss that entirely, wouldn't it?
Wendy - LOL. I hear you. Sometimes vegging out on the sofa is the order of the day. :-)
Amanda - Glee is such a trip, isn't it? I LOVED it last season, but I just didn't dive back in this season for some reason. I think I'm already three weeks behind. (Sara's not going to disown me too, will she?)
Post a Comment