So, this week's writing prompt for GBE2 is Television. Now, this is a subject I can get into! I love TV! I can lose myself for hours and hours in shows like "Doctor Who", "Falling Skies", and "Castle" (which you may recall I write weekly reviews of for Fanbolt). Basically I love stories that are mysterious and/or fantastical. I am not really a fan of "reality" shows, though I have been known to watch a few with my hubby.
In our home we have 2 TVs, a large one in the living room which is considered "his" and a smaller one in our bedroom that is "hers". Mostly "Hers" is used for watching shows that only I like, while "His" is used for lots and lots of stuff that only mildly interests me as well as the handful of shows we both enjoy (Defiance is one of our current favorites). I use my DVR to record all "my" shows. I don't think I have watched a single one of them "live" since we got the DVR.
I have to admit, I worry sometimes that TV has too big a hold on my life. It is such an easy thing for me to lose myself in the other worlds represented there. To let myself get sucked into all the imagination and mystery. I hear stories from time to time about families who have cut TV from their lives all together and I wonder if I could do that. I mean, my mom hasn't turned on her TV in probably 2 years and she doesn't miss it at all. Just the thought makes me cringe though. Oh, I know I would survive if TV went away. But I don't think I could ever be the one to make the decision to turn it off and walk away forever. What does that say about me? Nothing good I am sure.
See, I worry. But not enough to just walk away from all the stories available to me at the push of a button. Call me weak. I will admit to that.
What about you? Do you watch Television? If you do, what type of shows do you enjoy and how do you balance your TV time with the rest of your day?
Well, I DVR General Hospital, Dallas and Grey's because I don't want to miss one episode. I often watch them live, but just in case real life needs me to participate, I also like DWTS, Idol and all the Bachelor crap shows. I think I like to dislike those. Anyway, none of those shows change anything in my real life because I can have it all! Thank you Charter Communications and DVR technology!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I watch a single show on your list! LOL! It's it great that there are so many choices out there! Something for everyone! :)
DeleteI do a lot of television listening rather than watching. I like having the background noise and find myself doing other things with the TV on. In fact, Dave Brown's talking about weather damage right now. I'm halfway listening.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Joyce, That's what my husband does. Sometimes he will busy doing something and I will ask (yes, I ask first) if I can change the channel. Without fail he will say "no, I'm listening to that". Drives me nuts!! ;)
DeleteWhere I live in Indonesia, we don't get any of the shows you are talking about...at least not without satellite. I have not found much on TV here that interests me. So, when I do watch something, it is usually old DVDs. And I do mean OLD. A couple of my favorites are "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and "Speed".
ReplyDeleteOh lordy, how sad that "Speed" is an old movie! I remember it like yesterday! LOL!
DeleteI really need to get on watching Dr. Who.
ReplyDeleteBrandon, yes you do! Are you up to the current season at least? I have another author friend who is about 2 seasons behind. I am not allowed to talk to him about it at all....Spoilers, you know. This season is coming along very nicely, I really like our new companion! :)
DeleteGreat post, and I appreciate the honesty. I watch a lot of tv too, but as far as tv shows it's a little more sporadic since I don't have Cable or DVR. But I must say I'm on Hulu and Netflix a lot, with favorite shows including Law and Order SVU, The Killing, Walking Dead, Damages, Parenthood, Switched at Birth, and others. I also must admit that I don't think I "have it in me" to totally go without tv (or comic books for that matter, which is a passion for me---i.e. I love comics more than tv).
ReplyDeleteThe balance thing is something I'm still working on, but generally during the week I watch most of the tv in the evenings and do most of my work during the day (I'm a graduate student so the home and work environment distinction is blurred). Let's just say where I am personally in my walk with God at the moment, I needed to read this post. So God bless, and again, thank you.
Oh, you just made my day! It is so hard to know sometimes if our words make a difference to anyone, whether it even matters at all. It is wonderful to know that I am not alone in that search for balance and in my love of TV! I've never been really into comics, but I love to read. Books are my first great love, TV is an extension of that love; stories with moving pictures! :)
DeleteI pray that God will lead me down paths that will combine my interest in stories and my faith in such a way to reach someone for Him.
Thank you again for your comment, it really does mean so much. God Bless.