Amusing ourselves to Death

Patrik has given up TV, Riina has given up TV and Maija and me have given up TV. It was not difficult We just have not bothered to get another TV since coming to Finland. We gave our old one away to Janet in Saffron Walden because it would not play over here in Finland. I don't know the reason for Patrik giving it up but it seems he has more time to burn down sheds and clip trees, smile with friends and play his favourite songs. Not having a TV gives you time for people.

How often do you go into sombodies home and the TV is on and everybodies attention is drawn to it and all conversation ceases. It used to drive Maija mad when she would want to talk to me and I wanted to concentrate on some particular programme I was watching, and you are not able to get each others attention. Watching TV seperates us.

Riina gave it up because it was consuming her life. It was always on and there was always soaps to follow, or reality TV shows like wife swapping, or Mr. Millionaire, or Big Brother, which are addictive.

When Maija was depressed she would watch TV for hours on end. Starting with old black and white movies in the afternoon, then on to quizz shows, and antiques programmes right through to the news and a late movie before collapsing into bed.

I have not had any withdrawal symtoms and I am reading books and laughing at words, which is lovely