It’s not that I felt superior, so to speak. I was just proud of us for being able to forgo the mind-numbing effects it can have on one’s brain. Being able to withstand the draw of the lights and action and fame and desire and idiocy helped us feel more connected to each other. And maybe we did feel a wee bit superior.
All that has come crashing down around us though. We have succumbed and our lofty plans and dreams and ideas about ourselves are breaking down around us.
We bought a tv antenna. So we now can watch more than DVDs on this huge movie screen of a tv. I can tell you are wondering, like Ralphie’s dad in A Christmas Story, “what brought you to this lowwwwwly state?” Truth be told, it was my cheapness frugalness mixed with Du’s desire for watching football. We never even looked into getting an antenna because we liked the idea of not being able to turn on the tv whenever we wanted. It forced us to do other things (like play on the computer) like play games as a family (like read more blogs) like read more books. The shows we did want to watch we could find on the computer. ESPN360 became our #1 bookmarked site with Lifetime (Project Runway) running a close second. We had all we need at our fingertips.
That is until the NFL playoffs this past Sunday and the realization that neither game would be aired on ESPN360. What were we going to do?! It was God-ordained, I tell you. We were sitting at a church lunch with a new couple and they happened to mention that an HD antenna was only a couple bucks at WalMart. And it was also so ordained that there’s a WalMart within a stone’s throw of our church. My penny-pinching mind began to run the numbers. Either go to a sports bar/restaurant where we not only are outside the comforts of our own home for over five hours, but we’re also paying for food, drinks, and having to use someone else’s potty. OR we pay $30 for an antenna, which would be cheaper than the food and drinks and we could use our own potty.
It was also so ordained because it only took Du about five minutes to hook the thing up and get a signal. I mean, he didn’t even have to cuss or anything. We didn’t even have to try out several different spots in the room to see if a grainy signal could be found. We found reception right away, and boy does it look good. My mind was offended at the speed and chaotic nature of the commercials, but it sure did tell me I wanted some Chili’s when my eyes saw that mouth-watering food pop up on the screen. It didn’t help that we hadn’t had dinner.
So yes, we broke down and entered the 20th century. But don’t expect us to get all fancy and get cable or a DVR or anything like that. We still haven’t told the kids that it’ll come on regularly if you just press the little button on the side of the tv.
Not So SAHM 
How ironic that you bought an antenna so as not to have to spend time at places like Chili’s and the commercials are telling you to go to Chili’s.
As to the “fancy” DVR – it’s absolutely necessary at this house. Exactly because of the commercials. I can’t let the boys watch Mythbusters (it’s science, right?) without sitting right there with them fast-forwarding through the commercials. There are some truly disgusting and horrifying commercials out there.
We didn’t get the DVR for commercial screening purposes, but now it is as important an application as the recording of our shows. Upshot of this harangue: beware the commercials, they will sneak up and bite you on your butt.
You’re right! I didn’t even see the irony š For now there’d be no reason to get a DVR as we don’t watch any local station shows (I haven’t even gotten into American Idol) and Project Runway is online. Maybe when we don’t have to decide between cable or our electric bill š
lol, welcome to my world… but I do have cable here because it costs only about $15 and it shows us the news in English, Cartoon Network, MTV (about 5 versions) and VH1. But just recently we discovered they added ESPN America, in English… and we have been able to watch some football games. It has been fun.
oh and i am project runway fan too and top chef. š
You just wait! They are watching and will figure it out shortly!!
Your story is incredibly funny and I’d be willing to do the same thing if only to use my own potty.
I didn’t even know you could still get TV channels with just an antenna…
Learn something new every day!
Welcome to the 21st Century. Life as you have known it is about to make a bigtime change!
Seems like a perfectly good reason to get an antenna. Good for you, limiting TV watching, though.
Awsome I never new that.
TV — we’re holding out without for the time being! Enjoy the playoffs.
Hey Vicki! I hate to admit that I haven’t checked out the blogs in a LONG time but I just read your last 3 posts and was crying I was laughing so hard!! Thanks! I miss you guys, give the girls hugs for me!
I love TV. It is ridiculous. We recently bought a 60 Inch wide screen, so now it is like the Food Network celebrities are giving me personal cooking lessons right in my living room! We did get rid of the DVR box, but all that has led to is me staying on the computer until the wee hours of the morning watching all my TV shows there, lol. I would be a much more productive person if I had no TV or PC.