Cutting the Cord: Why I got rid of Cable

We'd been talking about it for over a year. Getting rid of the Beast: Cable. I'd read all the articles and blogs about how much money people saved, what they subscribed to instead, how they got digital antennas and still got all their local channels. But it's scary, unfamiliar territory.

Like many of you out there, I felt trapped. The Demon (AKA Comcast) constantly raising our prices, while cutting the channels we received. And they never cut the channels we don't watch. No. It must always be something we love.

First they took ScyFy and TNT. Then they took Travel, TLC, and Cartoon Network.

Whenever we would call to report a problem or downgrade our service (because I'm sorry, I only have one soul, and you cannot have it!) we were met with the same listless bullshit.

"Would you like to upgrade to triple play?"
"No, I want to downgrade, I can't afford our current package."

"Do you watch sports?"
"No, I hate sports."
"Do you have a home phone?"
"No, I have a cell phone."
"We've determined the best package for you is our Triple Play with home phone! If you sign up today, not only is installation free, you'll get every NFL sports channel just in time for football season!"
"Um... did you even listen to me?"


It is depressing, we all know it. Finally my husband and I were so fed up with our bill continuing to escalate for the same mediocre service. I didn't even want to look at the remote, let alone turn on the cable box. This August I went the entire month without watching cable. I just watched netflix. I didn't even realize it until September came around.

That was when I made my mind up. 
My husband called that week (because despite our being married, I cannot call them, because I have no power there) and canceled the cable. We kept our same internet (although that router is next to go!) and haven't looked back.

And honestly, it's true what they say. You don't miss it. We didn't get all the crazy subscriptions, or digital antenna. We just kept our Netflix. And I love it. No commercials, no flipping through channels, no "I can't find anything to watch". Freedom.

 In fact, I haven't felt this free since I was a kid and we only had 6 channels (two of them only on clear days).

I find myself doing more. More crafting, more reading, more writing. All of the things I couldn't find time for before. It's a liberating transformation.

So do it, cut the cord. Take the chance and don't let them bully you. Take back your money, take back control of what you watch, but most of all—TAKE BACK YOUR TIME!

Steep Decline

It has been awhile since I have written anything here, especially anything of value. Perhaps it’s because my life is comfortable right now, despite the lack of employment. Maybe it’s because I have a wonderful relationship. Or maybe its because I’ve been in this place recently where I feel useless and worthless. I’ve gained about 15 pounds, which is making me self conscious, I have no job, and no one seems to want to employ me. I sit around the house all day, I want to motivate myself to do something, but it’s difficult to muster up the energy to do anything. And even if I do, it always feels like it isn’t enough or it isn’t worth anything. I have no sellable skills. I always used to think I was creative, but it seems my creativity is only valuable for my own entertainment.
What happened to me? How did I lose myself in this adult world? I took one step out there and fell through the surface tension. Is my mother right, am I afraid? Part of me believes she might be right, at least in part. But there must be more to it. I always knew what I was going to do in life, now I’m stalling out. I finally got my diploma. I put it somewhere around here. I miss school, I miss classes. I miss feeling intelligent and having engaging conversations with people. I miss the diversity, and having debates with people. My brain is lacking so much stimulation. When dad finally does give me a day of work I’m hungry for it. I want so badly to prove myself to him, to help him. But whenever he puts me on the spot, I seem to freeze up. Everything just leaves me. I know I need to take initiative, but I never know how.
On the bright side all this time home has taught me how to cook, I’ve learned a few basic recipes and I’m figuring out how to mess around with them. But it’s still a small victory overshadowed by a large failure. I know my parents are disappointed in me, and it hurts. I wish I could go back to high school, go back to the leader I was becoming back then. I thought growing up was going to be the best, and now I would give anything to go back to those days at Upattinas, goofing off with friends, hanging out in the halls, reading and writing short stories, and talking with intelligent people on a range of topics.