Some time has past .....

Well a lot has been happening, and although being busy is no excuse for not posting, but I am using it any way.

I haven't had a great deal of time for TV lately, so I think I have been doing okay with cutting down, but to be honest I haven;t been conscious of my habits, I probably have slipped a couple of times. Well I have been busy.

The last week I had a hectic one, Mid Sem Test one a Saturday WTF ... uni scheduling is really poor lately, but you have a moan and move on, it is only for the rest of this semester YAH YAH YAH YAH ! ! ! ! Well I was doing a fair bit of study for that one and hopefully I did okay.

More importantly, and although I wasn't really looking at the moment , I got an opportunity to attend an assessment centre for vac work, for what would be my ideal job after uni. So Not only was I pretty excited and amped about it but, this was on top of my already busy week. So I battered down the hatches, "so to speak." Did as much work as possible on preparing for the interviews etc, and I am over the moon to confirm that the hard work paid off, and I secured a position for vac work at the stat of next year. I can't describe how I feel about this, but to offer a few words; ecstatic, elated, smiling form ear to ear, relieved, the pressure is off, for now anyway, and so on, and so on, and so on .... .... ....

So that was my week other than all the rest of my life crammed into one week, pretty crazy.

This week was a total downer though, after a great start, including an intense full contact session at footy training which was good, I was smashed with tonsillitis, and it nocked me for a six. For two days all I did was sleep and watch Movies, some TV and unfortunately more than a couple of hours a day, but I was drained, I would wake up on the couch after a nap be all awake for like five minutes, put a movie on get a drink or something simple like that and BANG! it was like someone spiked my drink with sleeping pills and I was out again like a light. For the rest of the week I have been slowly recovering, while also pushing myself to catch up on the much needed study that I missed.

Today was fathers day, and My girls got me a great bunch of gifts, stuff for footy, boots, shorts, etc all wrapped in paper my little girl hand panted, the stuff that warms your heart. Unfortunately my over worked wife, has landed with the beginning of what I suffered with all week, I'm Sorry babe ... so I ran around after my little girl all morning before heading to my parents for lunch which was pretty good, so the day was okay. I just hope my girls gets better soon.

Well I will try to stay in touch with the BLOG and keep the posts going ..........

Time Time Time .... Where does it go.

As the title suggests it seems like time just slips through your fingers .. figuratively speaking. All I seem to do at the moment is study and if I am not, I am at uni or looking after my little girl and doing house work. What a vicious circle. Mind you while I do this it seems like I am falling behind regardless of the time I devote to different things. How do I get more time .. aaarrhh!

TV is going well, I don't watch the 'BOX' at all during the day, in the office. With the exception of a couple of mornings when I am with Emma and it is more for her entertainment than mine (not in the office). However I need to encourage her to reduce her TV time, as she is becoming a little obsessed. If it is not the living area, it's the theatre and if not that then she will watch something on her iphone, what the ..... my daughter is a junky. BUT (which generally means everything before is irrelevant, or so I have heard) if you are a parent you would most likely agree, what ever keeps them entertained and out of mischief, especially when they are trying to assert themselves as a little person (2yrs old) is okay. However I do believe that if we don't set the right boundaries or instill the right values and lessons in our little people then they will carry those bad traits with them for life.

Back to the TV, I do find myself watching a little bit later these days, and what I mean by that is, I try to avoid the 'BOX' before 8.30pm unless I am catching the news or spending little valuable time with my wife (that's what we do - we are married), but on a couple of days during the week in particular mondays and tuesdays at the moment the popular TV shows are on. So in the interest of keeping social, during conversations with friends and what not, I watch! Which I explicitly claimed I would in the beginning, however I am aware that it is leading to me watching on after and although I am mindful, depending on when the programming I am watching stops and the time, I have found I would be like, it's late, I'm not going to get anything done, so I will just keep on watching, which is not the right attitude to have. Writing this blog is definitely helping to identify my issues and addiction to the 'BOX.' So thanks for those supporters who follow and I hope that there is something that you get out of it, entertainment or laughter, or lessons of how to help you be more productive.

While I should be studying right now because I have to catch up from a couple of days ago, I let it slip away. I will be off until next time ..... Committed.

Been a bit slack

Unfortunately the TV was on for most of the day today, although I was doing house chores etc I feel like I cheated on my commitment to cut down. I found at times I would stop and watch for a few minutes. It really emphasis how distracting the 'BOX' is.

Last night however was good, I managed to turn the TV off and study for most of the night in between surfing the net a little and chatting with a relative in the country over Facebook.

It is 2 am as I write this and my mind is finding it hard to function - damn I hate Windows. I have spent all night reinstalling windows on my PC much to my frustrations it is required at times, mainly because bureaucrats and vigilante software manufacturers refuse to accommodate the whole population rather than the majority. The best part is that the stronger Apple grows with support, the sooner these types will be left behind or be forced to conform and offer multi platform software or services, like in the case of the ATO - damn e-Tax.

Well I need sleep .. sorry about such a lame post. Until next time.

it's been a while ...

It has been a while since I have got to my Blog, thanks to all the supporters for their 2 bobs worth, STS. Where do I start.

The weekend was a bit of a wash out TV wise, a friend from out of town came to stay and getting old as we are, each night we seemed to find ourselves plonked on the couch watching the BOX, but I guess this could be technically classified as entertaining as this is what he wanted to do, not that there was much else to do with a sleeping two year old in the house. It wasn't like we could drink or head to the casino.... SO

Well as another distraction to avoid the BOX, among Uni and now the GYM which I started at the beginning of this month, I have joined an American Football Team or NFL - as they put it a legal form of violence. I like the technical side of the game, and you don't have to be super athlete to be good or participate. I made my first completion in a scratch match the other night and it felt so good. (a completion is running a play to achieve a first down, advancing the field towards the end-zone. FYI) I am quite excited about the team and a little nervous about the contact side, as we haven't padded up yet, so I am sure it is going to get a lot more physical. Not to mention after training, not that I have trained before or for over 4 hours like I did, but I was SO SO sore. I could hardly move, on the plus side, I am a little sore today, but considering, I think I have bounced back quite well.

I am consciously making an effort to turn of the BOX every day, tonight I watch Packed to the Rafters and Parenthood - the new US TV series on 7. After they were finished I turned it off rather than wasting the rest of the night away on the couch. So I did some much needed study, and obviously wrote this post so I am going to leave on that note because I feel quite good that I have been somewhat productive tonight.

GO the Curtin Saints ......

What really constitutes as watching TV ... ?

After saying good bye to a friend that was over for dinner tonight, I walked back inside where my wife was at work, and my daughter was sound asleep, there was an eerie silence about the place.....no TVs on just the soft hiss of the gas heater burning away one of our natural resources.

So the question that I ask is. What really constitutes as watching TV?

GRANTED .. sitting down wasting your life away in front of the "BOX" would be considered to be watching TV.

Having the TV on while you are working away in the kitchen? YES or NO.

Having the TV on while you are studying, or trying to? YES or NO (I do concede that this does provide a procrastination opportunity).

Having a TV series playing on DVD in the background while you are working either around the home or in the office? YES or NO.

I would like to know peoples opinions because although I have been trying very hard to adhere to the 2 hours I set myself at the start of this experiment there has been times where I have strayed due to having some sense of company, rather than just silence.

I think that I need to re-discover the radio or create a few playlists in iTunes.

I just toned out while Cougar Town was on next to me while I write this post. OMG I am doing it again ..... Wasting time on TV.

I am trying to do as much as I can at the moment on top of Uni, I have joined a gym and I'm considering joining a grid iron club, to keep my time busy. The problem that I have is that there are no constructive things to do without self motivation after about 8pm at night, which is generally when the TV time wasting kicks in. I know I should be studying but how do I motivate myself to do it? I have even started to go to bed earlier which is SO not like me and not to mention, not helping me be more constructive during this experiment ..... PLEASE does anyone have any suggestions?

I am needing some support........

Back on track ...

It's doing my head in ... not really I just thought that phrase went well with the pic to the right. The not really part is related to the TV or lack there of which is going well, I only watched about 2 hours tonight. Today Tonight - Some of the stories they show are lame, really and they are so good at giving off the wrong impression, for example tonight there was a story about feeding your family for $120 for 14 meals, although that is impressive, and doable, the story was based in the east, where the lady shopped at ALDI, we don't have ADLI in the west, well not yet and I am sure not as long as our trading hours are so screwed up, but I won't get started on that. Anyway taking things out of context really drives me mad, because it misleads consumers and TT often do that, I might have to add that one to the list of CRAP TV that I don't need to watch. Well in progression I watch H&A while I ate a lovely dinner my wife made, Spag Bol - Yumm. Then I broke away from the BOX for about an hour before reading a book to by beautiful little Em. We read "The Cat in the Hat Returns." which was fun to read but a decent sized book for a two year old, but I managed to keep her attention until the last page, I did, yes did I....

Finally I watched Packed to the Rafters which would have to be one of the most watched Australian TV shows around at the moment, and in the interest of keeping up to date socially, I watched it. Well that is what I tell myself to justify it anyway, and because I like I will keep doing so, so I will.....

That made up my about two hours, so I am happy with that. I just need to work out how to be more productive with the spare time now.

The thing that is really doing my head in, is Uni and I haven't even finished the first week. I feel like I am behind, and I need to get it under control other wise it will just keep slipping away. I even feel guilty about spending time to write this post rather than reading or attempting another exercise for one of my units. I will never the less do that after. FYI, I will add a bit about the challenges of my study along the way, as that is the thing that is taking the most of my attention away from my commitment to cutting down the TV. On the lighter side I do feel that TAX of all units will be quite good this semester, so many people hate it but for some unknown reason I enjoyed it a little. Go figure ... maybe I have found my calling but I won't rush out just yet, I will give it a few weeks and see how it goes. I am dreading tomorrows unit, Corporate Issues unfortunately a sore point that I am not willing to go into but I fear that this will be the most challenging of units for myself, not to mention the six text books that I have to read for this semester that cost almost $700 WTF.

However I feel that I am beginning to waffle a little and that is generally my cue to stop, so until next time ....... I am still committed.

Relapse

Well it didn't take long to fall into my old ways again, although I didn't waist the whole night away watching TV. I am writing this post while the TV runs beckoning me to watch on my right. Why can't I resist. I think it is just too easy....... not to.

Although some saving grace for my commitment, is that the most intense semester of university begins tomorrow and I am confident that it will offer me the distraction that I require to assist me to get over my addiction, or to at least forget what is on and where the story-line is so I am not tempted to turn it on.

I have just glanced across to sneak a peak at what was on, a movie "Sideways" most definitely not my type of viewing so I have willingly hit command Q and turned it off, yah! Although tonight has been a complete disaster on the productivity front, I was hoping to get some pre reading done for tomorrows classes and complete a pro bono job I am working on, but as I type away at five to midnight I am yawning in anticipation of my bed that is being kept warm by my lovely wife and unborn child. Another reason for my motivation to become less potato like and more Banana... if you catch my drift.

When my beautiful little daughter was born a couple of years ago that was motivation enough for me to quit smoking, and I am glad to say that I am still a non smoker. So I hope in the anticipation of my next child being born I can change for the better once again if not for myself but as to set a positive example for my kids.

Committed as I am .......

Day 4

I have finally managed to cut down to about the 2 hours I have committed to today, with the help of my No 1 follower. After about an hour and 45 we switched it off, well my little girl did watch part of a kids movie before going to bed but I didn't watch so....

It is a lot easier with distractions and a new one that I found tonight was "Angry Birds" an iPhone app that is SOOOOO addictive, which could also become an obsession. Counting down until I get my new iPhone 4 tomorrow.... STOKED!

I also discovered tonight that the superdrive in my mac is faulty which is a pain especially seeing that I haven't used it since it was last serviced a few months ago, so I cant be sure if it is a result of the servicing or not. Shouldn't be though because that wasn't the issue while it was at the shop. I'll have to call them tomorrow to see what I can do about it. I am in desperate need of more HDD space and I am trying to archive off some old data........ damn.

Well in my extra non TV time today, I looked at the daunt of a challenge I am about to undertake and Uni, finishing my masters degree in accounting this semester. One unit suggests that reading, seminar preparation and weekly questions will require 12 hours of my time a week OMG what about the other three units. This is going to be a mammoth task but I am determined to finish on a high so I will be giving it my all. Another reason behind my decision to cut out the "BOX" so to speak.

It is awfully quite without any ambient noise in the background, but I will learn to adapt. One strange thing did happen tonight that I must share. I recently purchased some power saving remote switches that allow me to turn off my theatre and lounge TV components at the wall, so no more standby costs. I was walking past the theatre which had been turned off all day and the TV was on? so I grabbed the power remote and switched it off - who knows, maybe a glitch. Then 5 minutes later I walked past again and the TV was on again, I know I definitely turned it off. A little freaked, maybe the TV wants me to watch it.... However being as rational as I am it is more than likely a faulty switch that I will have to check tomorrow, as I did have one similar that I returned earlier this week, NOT HAPPY JAN.....

Chow for now ..... committed to the cause!

a few days in

Well I must say that is has been harder than I thought it would be. It is simply harder to turn it off, and I have slipped a little on my commitment - is is hard when you are not the only one watching TV as well. So.......

However tonight, after watching about 45mins of TV including news headlines, I pulled myself away and consciously turned it off in the office while I have focused on other things, and if I could stop Basil my kitten from trying to stop me from being on the computer then I might have a change of finishing this post.... GET OGF F THE KEYB OArd...Basil

I have definitely noticed that I have been a little more productive than I was last night while I was creating this blog .... mind you a recored movie was playing that was an easy distraction.... is it TV??

I do love movies and as recreation or relaxation which ever you prefer, I will watch the occasional movie during this time as a planned escape from reality. I did watch Twilight Eclipse this afternoon with my wife at the movies ... okay for a love story.

However I am still committed and I am on track to cutting down on the time wasting TV .....

the beginning

A Foxtel salesman knocked on my door the other day and tried to sell me pay TV. A comment I made to him was, "I waste too much time watching TV as it is, so I don't need more."

That statement got me thinking and as a self confessed TV addict I calculated that I would waste between 4-8 hours a day watching TV........which equates to between 28-56 hours a week, about the equivalent hours of another full-time job. I am wasting my life............... in front of a "BOX," that is what they used to call it anyway, what should I say now a large black window like object....what ever a TV.

As of Monday past I vowed to stop/cut down my TV to a max of 2 hours a day. (I have allowed myself 2 hours a day to keep up with current affairs, and as any addict will tell you, it would be way too hard to quit cold turkey, so to speak). This vow is also in an effort to force my motivation to do other things that would be more productive, like; study, clean, work etc....

I expect to uphold this vow and continue this experiment for at least a few months to really see what effect this change will have on my life and my productivity with other projects of my own. I will blog on the progress the challenges and the changes that this commitment will have on me. So stay tuned.........