I am a television junkie. I’m sure (unless you follow me on twitter and already know this information) you’re shocked. I’m a booknerd. How many booknerds are also tv junkies? Truly I should clarify, I’m not just at television junkie, I’m a crappy reality tv show junkie.
It all started back in junior high when the Real World came out. What a fab-o show right? And then Road Rules which were… meh. But then you put the casts together and make them compete?!? Sweet Jesus we have reality tv show gold with the Challenge shows.
As a credit counselor, I am admittedly pretty good at handling my finances. But given my propensity for shiny things (see: weekly wishlists) and all things running and racing, it’s easy to spend a few dollars here and there x 10. Going back to school has got me on edge about my finances slightly. Yes, I’m taking out student loans to obtain my masters, but I’m also going to try to live as cheaply as possible in the next two years as well.
After looking over my finances, I decided that races for the next couple of years would need to be on the cheaper side, both in frequency (last summer I raced 6 races in 6 weeks at probably $25-30 a piece), and travel expenses. I usually do one big race (usually a marathon) a year: 2009 Dallas White Rock half and family visit, 2010 RnR Vegas Marathon (*cough*shitshow*cough*).
The other item I’m kicking out is my cable television. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. And my beloved DVR. This is going to feel like a divorce. While I was pondering this last weekend, I wrote down a list of all the TV shows that I watch. In looking them up, all are either on hulu or the network's website. To be honest, I probably won’t have time to watch much television while I’m trying to balance a crazy person’s life, but I will miss my DVR 50% full waiting for me on a Friday night while I snuggle in to my green and white stripey sweats to see who’s bashing who on Real Housewives of whichever city. Le sigh.
And just because it’s disgusting, here’s my full list of television shows I watch:
- Real World/Road Rules Challenge shows
- Real Housewives of OC, Beverly Hills, NJ, NY
- So You Think You Can Dance
- Glee
- How I Met Your Mother
- Big Bang Theory
- House
- Top Chef and Just Desserts, no masters.
- Weeds
- True Blood
- Jersey Shore
- It’s Always Sunny in Philidelphia
- The League
- Project Runway
- Dexter
- Gossip Girl
- Entourage
- The Office
And when the TV schedule is slow I have been known to dabble in:
- Toddlers and Tiaras
- True Life
- Bridezillas
- Celebrity Rehab
RIP trashy reality shows, and housewives of everywhere.
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Last week I was in Alabama for grad school orientation [roll tide!], and I managed to run 0 miles. Amazing, I know. I'll shoot to do a recap at some point here. I ran 5 miles yesterday before work, and apparently after 6 days of rest, that can cause you to be sore the next day. Neat. Hah.
If you were getting a divorce, I'd feel bad.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, this feels worse.
KIDDING. Though you're not married, so its easy to kid.
You better still run GB next year! I let go of a lot of things when I went back to school too. I dropped netflix and the only reason we had cable is the guy who lived in the apartment before us black-wired it and we didn't pay for it.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will manage with Hulu - we have been surviving on Hulu + 2 Netflix DVDs per month and still manage to watch too much TV.
ReplyDeleteNooooo! This sounds awful. We actually just downgraded out satelite package for the same reasons, and I lost BRAVO. No more Real Housewives. However, you are right, you can find almost all of them on the internet. It's just so much easier to have them waiting on the DVR!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't do it. I just couldn't. We did cut back to a more basic cable and somehow my hubs rigged our media center computer to be able to still record my shows. Like you I am a booknerd AND a tv junkie. ABC Family runs my life.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch much TV... never had cable growing up or ever purchased it (and they say that even homeless people have cable!). So I don't think I understand the addiction. However, saving $$$ is a HUGE motivator for me in anything, so I'm sure putting it that way will help!
ReplyDeleteThis is making me feel like a loser, because on my to-do list is to call Directv to get myself hooked up with a DVR finally. I can haz yours?
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, your TV list is about spot on with mine minus a couple. I think you will do fine with Hulu. And to be honest, I was mourning the loss of some shows this summer since I haven't had time to watch, but then you are forced to choose those that really matter. Like Real Housewives ;)
i dabble in quite a few shows - during the winter I just get addicted. Right now we don't have dvr or cable or even internet in our new house. Its depressing.
ReplyDeleteI am considering cutting tha cable too. Difference is that we barely watch TV but when we do it's a marathon. What I wish we had done is cancel the cable for the summer and then restart in the winter when we spend less time outside and more time huddling for warmth. I am hoping netflicks will be good though- except the selection isn't as great in Canada right now.
ReplyDeleteHope it goes well for you!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... Don't be ashamed about jersey shore! Wear it loud and proud!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read about your plans, I gasped. BUT if I was going to go to grad school, I'd have to do the same. Can't have the distraction. Still surprises me that I rarely watched tv while in college.
Good luck! If anything amazing happens, i'll be sure to keep you informed!
When I was thinking about moving into my own apartment, the $$$ side of it got me a little scared, and I wondered if I could get by without a TV. I really don't watch TV unless I'm just sitting around doing nothing. (Like now, silly sore throat!) The worst part was that I couldn't imagine not having TV during football season! Yes, there are plenty of bars to go to if I wanted to watch the game, but there's something about laying on the couch with a beer that I would miss!
ReplyDeleteYou're still coming to TCM, right? I might cry if you don't and blame a sucky marathon on you not being there. :)