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Mark me guilty Off the Wall Nov 23, 2006 Recently, I heard on a news report that there are more televisions in a house than there are residents. That may be good for the TV industry, but message is it sending to the rest of the country. Need I tell you, not everybody looks at things as I do, but it doesn't take a high IQ to figure that one out. The general public is addicted to the tube. Now, it must be said that I am as guilty as the next guy. Throughout the summer, I had my shows I had to watch and nothing was going to stand in the way of viewing them. My schedule panned out that Mondays were open, Tuesdays and Wednesdays were TV nights and the rest of the week was pretty much open except Saturday night whereby I would get a telephone call from my sister (bless her heart)! When it all comes right down to it any kind of addiction is a bad thing, I don't care what anybody says. But in my opinion, making that show a must in your life over all other things is lining up your priorities in the wrong order. Just the other day, I was reminded how some people will become so absorbed by what they are watching that others aren't allowed to even ask them a simple question or interrupt their viewing without a tongue lashing, need I say more about that! So, just when I think the summer is over and all my regular shows are no longer on the air, guess what pops into the picture you guessed it sports, namely, football. I can just hear you now. "You have watch them, Pee Vee." They are our hometown guys. You have to support the Steelers, ya know." Is that so? After last year's season, I decided not to watch any more football. It had stressed me out tremendously. I even sought counseling on the subject and was advised to stay clear of watching it because of the interfering health factors. Who needs it? One lady told me I had to watch the Steelers on TV so I had a reason to party after the game. With whom? I never had a chance to tell her I haven't been invited to any such gathering for approximately 45 years. A couple months ago, I decided to try something new (old men my age can adjust their lifestyles, too, you know). After coming home from work (as if I have a long way to travel), I go upstairs to my bedroom, slip into some other clothes, go back downstairs to my living quarters and read a spell. Then I make dinner, sit down at the table, slowly eat it and enjoy every morsel. Then it's down to the computer to write some more stories or up to my bedroom to fiddle-faddle. The way I see it, there is so much to keep me busy, I would be wasting my time if I just spent my evenings watching TV. As we were motoring to Greensburg one day, my wife and I got to talking about this very subject. I asked her, "Remember when I was glued to the set and had to watch All My Children every day for I don't know how long?" She reminded me of her grandmother who watched The Guiding Light for over 50 years. Soaps have always been an addiction. For those whom have seldom watched these shows, please don't. Getting hooked is easily done. At first you'll think there is no harm to it because the shows aren't all that long. But before you know it, you're pulled in and you can get out. Many other addictions begin that very same way. I can just hear someone say, "It's not as bad as dope or alcohol or pornography. Not in that sense. But you are being swallowed up in a life of receiving for pleasure, not allowing yourself to reach out and to give. God wants us to share our talents and gifts with others. How can we do that if we are always glued to a TV set? Do what you want, but these are my plans. If at all possible, in my spare time, I will avail of my services, how small they may be. I will put more time creating and organizing rather than letting my mind rot in front of a picture screen. And yes, I may watch some TV shows, but you aren't going to mark me guilty as an addict!
Paul j. volkmann 09/25/06 |
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