by k_semler » Wed 23 Jun 2004, 07:12:34
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')Feeling grumpy as it's raining outside and I'm trying to wean myself off caffeine and TV!!

Cant help you with the rain, but substituting very cold water for caffeinated products seems to ease the transition, and the advantage to this is that you will be more hydrated by substituting cold water then you possibly have been at any point in your life. I did this for a while, and I drank up to 1.5 gallons of water per day. I went to the bathroom every half hour, but I was plenty hydrated.
For TV, I have found that AM radio fills that void. Right now, I am listening to KQQQ and Coast to Coast AM is now on. This show is a repeat from the one that was on 4 hours ago, but that's fine with me. Since I have reduced my TV viewing habits to less than 2 hrs per week, I have found that I listen to the radio at least 50 hours per week, if not more. An advantage to AM radio is that you can do virtually anything while listening to the radio, while if you are watching TV, you pretty much have to do nothing besides watch TV. Activity is very difficult if you want to pay attention to a television program, but with a radio broadcast, it is very easy to get all your news and entertainment while engaged in other tasks. I listen to the radio every second while I am at work, during the drive home, and for about 4 hours after I get home. That equates to about 14 hours a day of AM radio. I get quite a lot done, and I highly doubt I could maintain the same level of productivity if I were to watch 14 hours of TV per day.
Also, going cold turkey on the TV is the best way to do it. I remember when I curtailed my normal viewing habits, I was actually disturbed that I was missing my favorite TV show. At that time, the show I absolutely loved was "Becker" on FOX. I also watched "Just Shoot Me", and "Third Rock From the Sun" every night. After about a week, TV was no big deal. Now, the only show I watch is the Sunday episode of "The Simpsons", and "Arrested Development". These are the only 2 shows I watch in the course of a normal week. Once in a while, I will also watch "Malcom in the Middle", but not very often. Now, I could honestly give a crap less if I see these TV programs or not. If I happen to see them, that is good. If I happen to miss them, I do not care.
Here Lies the United States Of America.
July 04, 1776 - June 23 2005
Epitaph: "The Experiment Is Over."
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Eminent Domain Was The Murderer.