I used to be fine ingesting things while watching the telly, but in the end, it just wasn't doing it for me (commercials are too brain-deadening and even the news is just yada-yada-yada). I don't like doing hard reading in these circumstances, however. It almost always is a magazine; one of the three I subscribe to (Time, Newsweek, & Entertainment Weekly). Sometimes I'll be all caught up on the mags and will have to go downstairs to obtain a 7-year old copy of EW (I used to save every ish, but now give them to a friend of mine when I've polished them off).
When I go out to eat by myself (which is rare these days), I also make sure I've something to peruse while dining (usually a newspaper). The only time I'm ever eating without reading something is when I dine out with another. I'm not exactly sure how I got this way. For some reason, I just can't take getting orally satisfied without being mentally stimulated as well.
9 comments:
Commercials, say it aint so, no DVR yet Thomas? It'll chnage your life, even if you don't watch a lot of TV, no more commercials.
Not yet, tough guy. I still use a contraption called a VCR to tape any programs that I might miss in the evenings. I know fast-forwarding through the commercials isn't as hip as being able to eliminate them entirely, but I'm just not up to giving Charter an extra $15 a month (maybe more by now) for the privilege.
don't you and the wife eat together at home? if so, what does she think of this? i would be annoyed if my S.O. or husband preferred to read instead of converse with me.
Sarah, no, not really. She'll microwave something at around 6pm while I'll delay my supper as long as possible (8 or so, usually). She's accepted the fact that I'm an avid reader and is more than willing to give me space. I also need to have reading material when I'm *TMI alert* in the bathroom.
i used to do that before the kids came along. not so much now. every once in a while though, i will surf while i eat.
I couldn't live without my DVR. It's stocked full of stuff now. Since the wife was away for a week, I let the shows build up for her return, since we like to watch most of them together.
Now we have 2 Losts, an Office, 2 American Idols, a Heroes, 3 Real Worlds, a Bad Girls Club, etc.
The wife and I eat while watching TV. We don't do the table thing. Maybe when we have kids.
Wow! I guess we're polar opposites on this one. However, I have to have the remote next to me when the station goes to commercial break. My mind goes blank whenever I'm ingesting food and for the most part, when I watch T.V. The tunnel vision has me focus on one thing at a time. Definitely a linear and not multi-tasker.
Interesting post (and comments)...
If I'm alone, I usually have a book. I think that TV would be mind-numbing even without the commercials, so I try to leave it off.
I've got a wife and three kids, though, so 'alone' means I'm usually working, not eating.
In fact, I haven't had time for reading (at least, not as much as I used to!) since my oldest was born in 2003....
I read way too much.
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