Turning off the tube...

Hi! My name is Carrie and I'm a recovering TV junkie.

We all know I very rarely watch TV - every now and then I catch an episode of Parenthood or a rerun of the Golden Girls.  However, I would much rather read a book, watch a movie or socialize with my family and friends.

So, that's why I am shocked at the amount of TV I have watched in the last five weeks.  It's more TV than I've probably watched in the last 10 years combined!

First, there was the Olympics and I swear I didn't leave the couch for two weeks.  My boyfriend, cousins and I went to a bar and I had to watch it there.  I couldn't relax and socialize until I made sure that Michael Phelps was on a nearby TV.  It did motivate me even more though to run faster, swim harder and slam that tennis ball with more power.

Thought I would leave my comfortable spot on the couch by mid August - wrong - hello Shark Week!  I couldn't miss watching people getting limbs ripped off in a live version of Jaws.  I was busy this week so I didn't spend as much time watching the waters of nearby oceans get bloody.  Too bad...

Then I did take a little bit of a respite to vacation at Lakeside where I watched absolutely no television but kept my head buried deep in book.

I came home from the lake to more TV.  As if the Olympics and Shark Week weren't distractions enough, the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention are an even bigger interruption in my life.  If I was at home, I was watching the convention - glued to PBS, especially intent on hearing Ann Romney, Dr. Jill Biden and Michelle Obama.  I'm disappointed that I missed Jimmy Carter but I can't completely adjust my life for TV.  I'm bipartisan and a political junkie who absolutely loves the speeches and glimpses of famous politicians.

And now tonight...Stand Up 2 Cancer.  I try to watch it every year. I've donated a few years.  It's a fabulous and inspiring event.  We all know someone that has been affected by cancer.  Watch it if you never have.

Starting tomorrow though, the TV is going to remain off probably until ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.  I've had enough.  I'm ready to get back to my books.  I'm ready to watch some episodes of Downton Abbey.  I'm ready to reconnect with my friends and family.

And so folks, I'm turning off the tube.