America’s Drug of Choice

I really hate it when three days go by and I realize that I haven’t posted anything here. Especially when I remind myself over and over again to try and write something everyday no matter if it’s here or in a notebook or in my head. And I still can’t understand how it slips past me especially considering that it usually only takes half an hour to write an entry. It’s really for my own well being that a write anything at all. I suppose I still need to work on the habit of jotting things down. Turning it into a reflexive muscle is the key.

Something has happened in the last few days though. In preparation for a possible visit by our favorite Israeli, Einat, I’ve looked into getting some sort of television stream into my apartment. The reality is that American television is quickly becoming (or has become) American culture. As much as I’ve learned to live without T.V., I will whole heartedly admit that there are times I miss it. And to be a foreigner to this country, I think it’s important to see what every other American is watching.

As for me, the History channel and Discovery were my weaknesses. But I could live without them. And I have lived without them quite successfully for nearly two years. In fact, I’ve lived without a T.V. set for two years. (The four staticy military stations in Iraq don’t count.)

As I was thinking through this predicament, I vowed to myself that it wouldn’t be worth actually paying for cable television for a short period of time. What if it’s only needed for a day or a week? The cost of cable television is ridiculous for someone who barely watches it in the first place. I couldn’t fathom adding another $50/month to my already $40 monthly bill for Internet access.

But as they say, you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

I did a little digging. I asked a few questions. And guess what? The cable line that supplies your Internet access? It also carries your cable T.V. signal. Without completely incriminating myself, let’s just say that I’ve fallen off the wagon.

So now that I have 100 channels of cable T.V. streaming through my computer at the touch of a button, I’m totally overwhelmed. I’m back to my old ways of flipping between the History Channel and Discovery. CNN quibbles are floating between my walls. I’m actually finding it easier to doze off at night with the embracing pulse of television light massaging my eye lids.

I’ll get rid of it again in a few months though. I swear.

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