We did ok without tv for years in this house.  There’s a video store down the block, and we downloaded stuff from the net, and bought a few dvds.  When all was said and done, we averaged less than a film a week from the video store (the cheap rate was four for a week).

We had bought a satellite dish, but took forever to put it up (no subscription).  Finally last summer I made sure we got our act together in time to watch the World Cup.

It has been a year sucked back into mindless channel surfing and reality contest shows and Dr. Who and shiny objects for sale on the Jewellery Channel and the occasional old film.

It has not improved my life.

It is time to cut back again (this is easy to say now that I have a stack of unread books and a Nintendo DS and am going to get a Wii)

If you can watch House online I think you could probably do it lol. I can’t remember the other show that you were/are hooked on???

First--be sure your copy of the newest is a good copy.  Apparently there are TONS of them out there with ripped pages, missing chapters and the entire last chapter not there..... I heard it very briefly on the news the other night.  Or maybe last night.

As for tv, in the summer I could care less, somehow I spend little time watching, other than lately the Red Sox--but winters Kate, you know how our winters are, long, longer, longest and cold, miserably cold.  While I read more than I watch, I have to look up now and again and really do enjoy all my CSI’s and Law and Order, and Without a Trace and the rest of them all fall and winter long.  I know I would have to have it on then… It is my escape and yet, oddly enough, I do not like movies, never have.  Given the choice between a movie and a book, the book wins out every time!

Steph, I’ve noticed that I’m more cheerful without television on. But then, I’m a news junky, so that makes sense. I’m sure that watching television news raises my blood pressure to dangerous levels. Books and videos (on the computer) have kept me much more serene this summer.

J...yes House and Bones are my two favorites. I know Bones is offered on the internet, but is House? I can’t remember. If so, that would work nicely.

Cyn, I may plug the television back in along with the DVD player. I’d like to start with the West Wing series on DVD and finish up the last seven seasons of Stargate SG1. They should keep me toasty and pleasantly amused on those long cold winter nights. Especially snuggled up in front of the wood stove. I think I should also scrounge up a copy of The Devil Wears Prada for my library because I can watch that movie at least another couple dozen times. That’s my current feel good movie.

I’m not opposed to actually plugging in the television—though I’m not in favor of plugging in the DVR box again because it has to ALWAYS be on and it eats electricity like nobody’s business. That’s more painful to me than not having television. And now that I’ve discovered that I don’t miss television that much, I think I can survive a season without...though I could keep basic basic cable with the local stations only (no need for DVR or set-top box). Not sure yet. I think I should give the ‘videos only’ plan a try first. And besides, my reading list has grown unmanageable. I have to start reading more.

My copy of Harry Potter seems to be all there. I won’t know for certain until I start reading it. But all the chapters seem to be there and I haven’t seen any torn pages. I’ll be kind of upset if I get halfway through and something is missing....

You’ve read 3 Harry Potter books this week??  Or did I misunderstand?  And I wonder if you’re finished yet.

Cas

Yes, Cassie, I’ve read 3 Harry Potter books this week. It was time to put them down for a little while.

I don’t own a television.  I watch some shows on streaming video, purchase some from Itunes (house m.d. is there and so is bones) and some seasons I just wait for various DVD sets.  If it’s a set DH and I both watch I usually keep it but some of the others I just watch and re-sell on ebay. 

I used to download movies from Amazon Unbox for around $4 and watch them but they don’t support my MacBook so haven’t done that lately.  I *seriously* don’t miss the television, I just use the laptop and watch what I want, when I want and pause when I want for various things.  Very freeing.

AnnaMarie, I would so, so, so love to have a laptop. They use so much less electricity than a desktop computer. The lad’s uses about two thirds less electricity than my desktop. Plus the portability and, as you say, the ability to use it for downloads, videos, and DVDs.

I am thinking seriously about canceling my cable. I don’t want to get back in the habit of turning the television on and getting sucked back into things like American Idol again. Or flipping to the news channels where all I do is shout and threaten to throw shoes at the tv. ;)

Not sure how much cable is in your area but around here it’s about $50 a month.  So one year of cable, $600.  I just found a pre-owned Mac Laptop on Ebay from a reputable seller for $549.  If you could sell the desktop to leverage part of the cost and figure out how months of your cable it takes place of, maybe that is the way to go.  Also, I bet the Lad would be happy to help you shop pre-owned lap tops, boys love that kind of shopping *g*

You know, AnnaMarie, that is a very good idea. We also have a neighborhood yard sale coming up in another month or so. I can definitely stand to lighten the load around here a little bit. All proceeds toward the laptop fund.