Comments on: How To Gain An Extra Hour Or Two Each Day http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/ Simple Happiness Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:44:29 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: KS http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1146 KS Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:37:54 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1146 I'm struck by the fact that your lab knocked over the TV. My friend's 2-year-old daughter was killed 2 years ago when she pulled their TV over on herself. After this tragedy, I've become so much more aware of similar stories. In fact, a family friend's nephew pulled the TV over on himself trying to put in a video game. Fortunately, he survived, but has very serious head injuries. If you decide to keep your TV, please make sure it is anchored to the wall. There are simple kits available for this purpose. I’m struck by the fact that your lab knocked over the TV. My friend’s 2-year-old daughter was killed 2 years ago when she pulled their TV over on herself. After this tragedy, I’ve become so much more aware of similar stories. In fact, a family friend’s nephew pulled the TV over on himself trying to put in a video game. Fortunately, he survived, but has very serious head injuries. If you decide to keep your TV, please make sure it is anchored to the wall. There are simple kits available for this purpose.

]]> By: Luke @ simplifi.de http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1060 Luke @ simplifi.de Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:33:03 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1060 I just want to agree with some of the people here who say that when you get rid of cable and just watch things on demand, it radically shifts the way that you watch TV. If I sit down to watch TV now, I have to think about it - it's on purpose. I have to choose what to watch. And as far as being out of the loop, something that I have done to stay in the loop (like with American Idol) is to download the show, and watch it at 1.5x to 2x speed... that way you still get the content, but you can watch an hour show in about 20 minutes, because you skip (a) commercials and (b) the "and the winner is... .... .... ...." pauses (which is a vast portion of most reality TV shows). Great post, Sherri! I just want to agree with some of the people here who say that when you get rid of cable and just watch things on demand, it radically shifts the way that you watch TV. If I sit down to watch TV now, I have to think about it – it’s on purpose. I have to choose what to watch.

And as far as being out of the loop, something that I have done to stay in the loop (like with American Idol) is to download the show, and watch it at 1.5x to 2x speed… that way you still get the content, but you can watch an hour show in about 20 minutes, because you skip (a) commercials and (b) the “and the winner is… …. …. ….” pauses (which is a vast portion of most reality TV shows).

Great post, Sherri!

]]> By: Jesse Bishop http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1058 Jesse Bishop Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:50:55 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1058 This is a great idea! I have friends who don't have a TV (or even a computer! Imagine!) and they're always really happy and seem to be plenty occupied with other things. I'm going to definitely try cutting out TV this year. At least reducing my usage for now... This is a great idea! I have friends who don’t have a TV (or even a computer! Imagine!) and they’re always really happy and seem to be plenty occupied with other things. I’m going to definitely try cutting out TV this year. At least reducing my usage for now…

]]> By: Ian http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1056 Ian Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:42:34 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1056 As it turns out, getting cable was the key to reducing our tv watching! We only subscribed because getting a tv-telephone-broadband bundle was the cheapest way to get phone and internet. But once we had it, we were able to persuade the kids that they would be able to watch the programmes they *needed* to see (ie so they wouldn't be social outcasts) by getting them on catch-up tv at the weekend. So we all agreed that Monday - Thursday would be tv-free. That's been running for a couple of years now. The girls don't watch any more tv on Saturdays and Sundays than they did before, and for more than half the week, the tv doesn't go on at all. Works for us... As it turns out, getting cable was the key to reducing our tv watching! We only subscribed because getting a tv-telephone-broadband bundle was the cheapest way to get phone and internet. But once we had it, we were able to persuade the kids that they would be able to watch the programmes they *needed* to see (ie so they wouldn’t be social outcasts) by getting them on catch-up tv at the weekend. So we all agreed that Monday – Thursday would be tv-free. That’s been running for a couple of years now. The girls don’t watch any more tv on Saturdays and Sundays than they did before, and for more than half the week, the tv doesn’t go on at all.
Works for us…

]]> By: Ellie http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1055 Ellie Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:30:15 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1055 We ditched our cable for good last Sept, and we don't miss it at all. We couldn't stand all the commercials. We couldn't even watch football or NASCAR with our kids anymore because FOX would show violent commercials for the prime time shows. It was offensive! Now we have a new hobby of watching vintage TV shows with the kids. I Love Lucy, I Dream of Jeannie, Gilligan's Island, The Waltons - all the great shows we knew as kids. They are wonderful and the kids love them! Most nights we make a production of sitting down together and watching a show - sometimes with pizza or popcorn. The kids don't just watch TV non-stop now, but in half-hour chunks once or twice a day. With the rest of the down time they have made up lots of great creative games for themselves, or spend lots of time reading. It's really worked out well for us. Other family members think we are weird and actually doing the kids a disservice - it's so heartening to see so many other people here that have shunned mindless TV. We ditched our cable for good last Sept, and we don’t miss it at all. We couldn’t stand all the commercials. We couldn’t even watch football or NASCAR with our kids anymore because FOX would show violent commercials for the prime time shows. It was offensive!

Now we have a new hobby of watching vintage TV shows with the kids. I Love Lucy, I Dream of Jeannie, Gilligan’s Island, The Waltons – all the great shows we knew as kids. They are wonderful and the kids love them! Most nights we make a production of sitting down together and watching a show – sometimes with pizza or popcorn. The kids don’t just watch TV non-stop now, but in half-hour chunks once or twice a day.

With the rest of the down time they have made up lots of great creative games for themselves, or spend lots of time reading. It’s really worked out well for us.

Other family members think we are weird and actually doing the kids a disservice – it’s so heartening to see so many other people here that have shunned mindless TV.

]]> By: Theona http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1054 Theona Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:31:43 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1054 This is so interesting! After buying a new flatscreen tv for "greater viewing pleasure", we decided to reduce the tv time after hearing kids should only watch max. 2 hours tv a day! We've reduced tv time heaps, we may not be at the recommended amount for our kids yet, but we certainly have found extra time to do the things that tv took our time away from doing. The biggest irony is having to buy that bloody tv and finding quality time not using it!!! This is so interesting! After buying a new flatscreen tv for “greater viewing pleasure”, we decided to reduce the tv time after hearing kids should only watch max. 2 hours tv a day! We’ve reduced tv time heaps, we may not be at the recommended amount for our kids yet, but we certainly have found extra time to do the things that tv took our time away from doing. The biggest irony is having to buy that bloody tv and finding quality time not using it!!!

]]> By: Steffan Antonas http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1050 Steffan Antonas Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:13:51 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1050 Sherri, For people who don't want to go cold-turkey, why not consider getting rid of cable for something more on-demand and commercial free, like an apple TV. I totally agree with what you've said in this article - My wife and I are trying work our way towards a TV-less existence, but we still love watching movies and our favorite shows. The worst thing about cable is that there's always SOMETHING to watch - you sit down, pick up the flickr and channel surf your way to something mediocre that's "good enough". If you change your habits by eliminating the "always on" part and start buying and downloading just your favorite shows (commercial free) in a series, you can target your time better and make your TV watching measurable and limited. I know this is a half-way compromise, but the shift in habit can make a big difference and help you limit the amount of time you spend on the couch. Sherri,

For people who don’t want to go cold-turkey, why not consider getting rid of cable for something more on-demand and commercial free, like an apple TV. I totally agree with what you’ve said in this article – My wife and I are trying work our way towards a TV-less existence, but we still love watching movies and our favorite shows. The worst thing about cable is that there’s always SOMETHING to watch – you sit down, pick up the flickr and channel surf your way to something mediocre that’s “good enough”. If you change your habits by eliminating the “always on” part and start buying and downloading just your favorite shows (commercial free) in a series, you can target your time better and make your TV watching measurable and limited. I know this is a half-way compromise, but the shift in habit can make a big difference and help you limit the amount of time you spend on the couch.

]]> By: KimV http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1046 KimV Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:48:41 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1046 When I was a teenager, my friends and I decided to stop watching TV for a while. We had other things to do. I picked it back up some when I got to college. The only real drawback was that I am still behind on TV pop culture. TV is a big part of how our those in our culture relate to each other even if we hardly notice. It can be alienating to realize that most of the country shares experiences to which I was oblivious. It's not really a big deal, just not an issue I anticipated at the time. As an adult, I've relied on TV to fill an empty house with noise, but hated the feeling of wasting my life away when I get attached. I've also noticed how food commercials really make me want to eat more. After the 15th pizza commercial it's almost impossible for me not to want some. I gave up cable because I didn't want to pay for life-sucking temptation. I have an antenna and only turn on the TV for shows I particularly enjoy or for public television. I've learned a great appreciation for the commercial-free, high-def, well told stories of wide variety on PBS. The cinematography of the nature shows is unbelievable and the wide variety of other programming tickles my novelty bone. That's what I use when I have an empty living room I want to fill these days. When I was a teenager, my friends and I decided to stop watching TV for a while. We had other things to do. I picked it back up some when I got to college. The only real drawback was that I am still behind on TV pop culture. TV is a big part of how our those in our culture relate to each other even if we hardly notice. It can be alienating to realize that most of the country shares experiences to which I was oblivious. It’s not really a big deal, just not an issue I anticipated at the time.

As an adult, I’ve relied on TV to fill an empty house with noise, but hated the feeling of wasting my life away when I get attached. I’ve also noticed how food commercials really make me want to eat more. After the 15th pizza commercial it’s almost impossible for me not to want some. I gave up cable because I didn’t want to pay for life-sucking temptation. I have an antenna and only turn on the TV for shows I particularly enjoy or for public television. I’ve learned a great appreciation for the commercial-free, high-def, well told stories of wide variety on PBS. The cinematography of the nature shows is unbelievable and the wide variety of other programming tickles my novelty bone. That’s what I use when I have an empty living room I want to fill these days.

]]> By: Aslaug http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1043 Aslaug Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:02:20 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1043 I found my life changed drastically after getting Tivo. After I left the States I quickly bought a DVR (not as cool as Tivo but gets the job done). I only record things I intend to watch and never watch the show/movie while it's playing on TV. This way I don't waste time waiting for something to start, watching commercials (just skip over them) or watching something I never intended to watch in the first place. Saves plenty of time, without completely getting rid of TV watching (which I happen to like doing when it's a good show). I found my life changed drastically after getting Tivo. After I left the States I quickly bought a DVR (not as cool as Tivo but gets the job done). I only record things I intend to watch and never watch the show/movie while it’s playing on TV. This way I don’t waste time waiting for something to start, watching commercials (just skip over them) or watching something I never intended to watch in the first place. Saves plenty of time, without completely getting rid of TV watching (which I happen to like doing when it’s a good show).

]]> By: Vince http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/how-to-gain-an-extra-hour-or-two-each-day/#comment-1042 Vince Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:25:40 +0000 http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/?p=600#comment-1042 My wife and I have been without TV for over 6 years now and don't miss it a bit. In addition to the added time, it also saves money! Digital cable / satellite isn't cheap. Even though we don't have TV, we do have a ridiculous 50" plasma & DVD player. With a subscription to Netflix, it's really all we need. When we sit down to watch something, it's typically a movie and the experience is wonderful. No commercials, high quality picture/sound, we've set aside the evening to watch it, etc. I do agree that staying up-to-date with what's happening in the world is a little tougher but that's what magazines, newpapers, and Google News is for. And for the shows that we really love (24, Lost, Dexter, Top Gear) they are all available online. With a computer hooked up to the TV now, we can still watch them. But it forces us to prioritize the shows that we want to watch and not get sucked in to just watching whatever is on that night. I love having the extra time to spend with my wife and 7 month old baby. My wife and I have been without TV for over 6 years now and don’t miss it a bit. In addition to the added time, it also saves money! Digital cable / satellite isn’t cheap. Even though we don’t have TV, we do have a ridiculous 50″ plasma & DVD player. With a subscription to Netflix, it’s really all we need. When we sit down to watch something, it’s typically a movie and the experience is wonderful. No commercials, high quality picture/sound, we’ve set aside the evening to watch it, etc.

I do agree that staying up-to-date with what’s happening in the world is a little tougher but that’s what magazines, newpapers, and Google News is for.

And for the shows that we really love (24, Lost, Dexter, Top Gear) they are all available online. With a computer hooked up to the TV now, we can still watch them. But it forces us to prioritize the shows that we want to watch and not get sucked in to just watching whatever is on that night.

I love having the extra time to spend with my wife and 7 month old baby.

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