The joy of an evening of music

It is Erika, here.

So, this no tv thing has really brought out my creativity, as I hoped it would. With so much time to twiddle your thumbs, you have to fill it with something. As you know, I went out on my own and started my own little business. With this business, I began another blog - A Passion for Play- this one caters to parents, their children and finding ways to spend time together. Trying to think up new things to post has not only kept me busy, but Beckett, too since we have to try everything out together first.

I think the best part of this creative-boost has been that I have reawakened my love of writing. The feedback I have received from my friends and family has been wonderful and really encouraged me to keep at it.

There was a particular incident this week that really made me think, "Oh! I have to write about this!" Steve bought us tickets to see Andrew Bird for our anniversary. We have been listening to so much music and have been exposed to so much new music since the big switcharoo, but Andrew Bird has been part of our musical venacular for a few years now. The details of this concert I just have to share:

This was the end of Bird's tour and Chicago is his hometown, so he chose to do something a little different. Instead of playing at the Riv or the Aragon, he chose the 4th Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue. You know that huge gothic church from My Best Friend's Wedding? Yep, that one.

The evening was a "Gezziligheid" a dutch word that translates to "social cozy."   Instead of playing a variety of songs from his new and old albums, Bird wanted to be "cozy" with the audience and just play whatever his mood suggested.  In his words, "I have a pretty cool audience that lets me do what I want." 

He played without a band - just him, his violin, guitar, xylophone, his lovely voice and his haunting whistle.  Bird looked like a University of Chicago classics professor with his tweed overcoat and tie.  I didn't doubt that he was sporting argyle socks in his loafers.  The stage was framed by twenty or so 3 foot high vitrolla horns with four 7 foot tall ones standing at attention like golden daffodil trumpets on either side of Bird.  (You can see them in the picture above.)

He had this knack for orchestrating and recording his own sounds to layer behind him as he played the melodies.  At times, Bird looked like a one-man band ala Burt from Mary Poppins.  He had a Les Paul-esque guitar on his back and a violin under his chin which he played while singing or matching the tone of his xylophone to the tone of the whistling coming from his lips.  His voice often was reminscent of Jeff Buckley without the ridiculously high falsetto.  His whistling is what has always attracted me to Bird.  (If you know me, you know I love whistling and when people clap in their songs.  Bird does both.)  He whistles with such ease - it sounds like a mix of the whistling heard in a Morricone western and when someone plays a saw.  Awesome.

Seeing Bird just standing up there in front of us experimenting with his plethora of instruments was awe-inspiring.   He not only played his music, but he moved with his music.  I guarantee he can't cut a rug (he moves in that uncoordinated, nerdy white guy way), but you don't really care because he felt his music like a whirling dervish - head shaking, hair messing and hand wagging.

The previews of his new songs make me incredibly anxious for the new release.  Two songs stood out: Breeding Desperation - the lyrics were "Without bees - breeding desperation - stealing respiration from the tender trees"

and

Lazy Projector which is about how our subconscious picks and chooses our memories - it is a "forgetting, embellishing, lying machine."

The venue made the experience all the more special.  The acoustics were incredible and hardly anyone stood up the entire performance.  I have to say that my bum was especially thankful he hadn't chosen a Catholic church because the Presbyterians know how to cushion a pew!

You may think I'm nuts for going on and on about this concert, but I don't really care.  It was a night that I enjoyed just for the sake of music.  It's something that television could never have offered.

(This pic is from last year's concert.  Couldn't find a shot from this year's.)

The No-TV Bliss Effect

Best part of no television right now?

NO POLITICAL ADS!!

I am sure all you tv watchers are jealous that I have not seen ONE political ad for this round of elections.

One less big annoyance I have curtailed.

The tortoise always beats the hare

A miraculous thing happened yesterday.

I stopped moving.

I guess I did even more than that.

I stopped moving and had an acute awareness of what was happening around me.

I was playing outside and in the midst of play had to fall down onto my back in the grass. It was then that I looked up to see the most amazing blue sky, long white clouds gliding swiftly by, branches full of autumn colors and leaves gently falling down with the wind.

It was literally breathtaking. I may have even let out an audible, "Oh."

And, it was in that moment that I thought, "I should really slow down more often."

Now that I have stepped away from that moment, I suddenly began having these realizations that lack of television has sped us up in many ways. We, obviously, don't really stop and sit down for hours at a time watching something. I find myself on days when I am home with Beckett needing to go out and do something so that we don't get bored. I try to make it more than just running errands - we have a plan for some sort of adventure.

Now, I will get all philosophical on you. By speeding up our lives to fill the time haven't we really just provided ourselves with the opportunity to slow down and enjoy one another? I would answer that with a resounding, "YES!"

I offer concrete proof of our mutual enjoyment:

Many, many trips to the zoo.




Trips on the train... just because trains are incredible to a 3 year old.



Letting a 3 year old make a bed on the kitchen floor.




















Catching a cicada in fake teeth.




Due to my old pal, Darcy's suggestion, becoming a nature explorer.



Nurturing our home-grown superhero.



Honestly, I don't know if it is lack of television that has provided me the opportunity to open my eyes and absorb the flora, fauna and familial fabulosity (A+ in alliteration, btw) or if it is just being a parent to a child who is taking it all in for the first time, but... wow... it is glorious.

So, please, go outside, lay down in the grass and look up. Bring your kids.

The party question

"How is life without tv going?" Steve and I are asked this as we begin almost every conversation with friends and family that we haven't seen in a while. Most often, we answer, "Great! We've just gotten so used to it, that we hardly even think about television anymore." But, for those of you who want the more personal answer...

It's... just... okay.

There. I said it.

Sometimes, it's boring.

There. Now I really said it.

There are some weeks when Steve and I watch more than one movie in a week. We have Netflix streaming through our Wii, so we have a plethora of movies at our fingertips whenever we feel the urge. This is dangerous. Especially now that it's getting colder outside.

We also allow Becks to watch shows on the computer in the morning so we can get ready for work, get the house in order, etc. Do I feel guilty about this? Well, yes, actually. I know that a 20 minute episode of Yo Gabba Gabba isn't harming him. But, it's more the feeling that we need this "thing" to occupy our son so that our lives are easier for those 20 minutes. Let me be honest here. I understand that I am being unduly hard on myself. He is spending way less time with his virtual friends than he used to, but I guess all moms in this day and age suffer from what I can refer to as a "Mommy Complex." This feeling that we need to have a successful career and then when we are not working, we have to then entertain, teach and engage our children for the rest of our waking hours. It's exhausting. And, frankly...

Sometimes, I'm just tired. And, that's okay.

But, we are trucking along. I am filling hours upon hours of time with work for the new biz. Beckett and I are finding new adventures every week to consume our extra hours together now that I am setting my own schedule. And, I'd be happy to tell you what Steve has been up to, but, he has stopped blogging!!! I am asking all loyal followers to beg him to get back on it! I love seeing his posts, and would love for all of you to get a load of his intelligent and witty perspective on life.

In the meantime, I'll be back soon with some pictures and tales.

And, we'll only watch one movie this week.

Television free is good for me!

Howdy trusty followers - it's Erika.
I remember when we started this blog, and I had a goal to blog at least once a week. Well, once a month is looking to be what is possible at this point. However, it is with good reason. That reason is...

(drum roll, please)

I have started my OWN business!!!!!!!!



Yes! Larson Learning and Play, LLC is a reality! I have been planning for quite some time now, but couldn't release all details due to my previous work commitments. But, I have, with a very heavy heart, left my previous place of employment and am now out there on my own. I have an intense passion for the work I do and being able to move forward without boundaries while being able to make a direct impact by making use of all my energy and creativity is...just... wow.

I have many people to thank for making this dream a reality - Steve, my utterly supportive and dear husband - and also my parents... particularly Dad.

In addition, I do have one thing to thank. My television. My quiet, dark and unalluring television. This may sound insane, but I don't think I would have had the impetus to make all of this happen while watching television. It took up too much of my time and energy. For the past 4 months, I have spent countless evenings working to get everything in order. When television was in my life, my evenings were dedicated to my shows - not ideas - not imagination - and definitley not entrepreneurship. No tv has also helped me to not stay up late watching silly reality shows, so I have the energy to handle the stress of leaving a fantastic job of the past 6 years, as well as the stress of being a business owner. Don't get me wrong, I've had my meltdowns. But, I like to think that they would have been worse if I had been tired.

So, here I am. Doing what I love. Helping children and families whom I love. Loving my husband and my almost-preschooler (2 more days!). And loving that I listened to Chopin this morning instead of Meet the Press.

A (long) comment on hipsters

Hello, there! Remember me? It's Erika!

Oh, blog friends, we have been busy. It is summer time which means more time spent enjoying the glories of flora and fauna, along with the occasional street fest and constant evening and weekend hours with friends and family. We also have some professional endeavors in the wings that will have to wait to blog about just a wee bit longer.

I could bore you with descriptions of all the fantastic adventures we've had over the almost 2 months, but I'd rather just highlight a few and then get into my thesis/diatribe.

Highlights:
Prom Fundraiser for Holy Covenant Church celebrating their 20 years of being a reconciling congregation (meaning they accept GLBT folks and us, too!) Dressed up in crazy 80's prom attire and danced the night away at Hamburger Mary's.

Steve's birthday on 7/8/78. I took him to Hopleaf - we drank uncommon and tasty beer, while discussing religion.

Went to Big Star with Kyle and Amanda - finally tasted the $3 pork belly tacos by Paul Kahan. Heaven!

We both vigorously read through all 3 Steig Larsson books - you know, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. Officially want to go to Sweden, but still don't want to eat their food.

Listened to a ton of NPR. What else do you do without TV?

Another highlight, and lowlight, frankly, was heading out to see the band, She & Him, at Millennium Park for a free Monday night concert.


Do that many people love She & Him like I do? I guess so, since the place was packed to the gills. Even though we had our picnic on cement and couldn't even see Zooey D. or M. Ward- let alone hear them, I walked away with much to discuss and ponder... mainly - the ever present and abundant... hipster. The concert was mainly hipsters, and this isn't the first time that Steve and I have arrived at an event or restaurant surrounded by hipsters. So, I began to ask myself, "Am I a hipster?" Herein lies the thesis/diatribe I discussed above. (I know I'm supposed to be talking about our life without tv, but I think we're beyond that at this point. I think we can be permitted to discuss the thoughts and discussions that arise from the consequences of living television-free - such as attending concerts, like She & Him. K?)

Steve and I have been discussing the definition of the hipster for a while now. However, it really came to a head after visiting New York in January. We were in Williamsburg, a part of Brooklyn, and were forced to coexist in the land of hipsters for a day. Everyone, I mean everyone, was dressed exactly alike. The uniform: Plaid scarf, side swept hairdo (a bit scruffy looking, but coifed to the nth degree), Ray Ban Wayfarers and skinny jeans. Steve and I had to laugh at the number of men wearing what were obviously women's jeans. I kept imagining them in the dressing room wearing these women's skinny jeans and thinking to themselves, "Wow. I look cool (in women's jeans)." The conformity in this subculture was quite ridiculous especially when the whole hipster vibe embraces a departure from the norm. So, I decided to do a bit of research to not only figure out what it means to be a hipster, but why Steve and I kept running into them at events that interested us. Was our term too broad? Were we indeed hipsters???



Research is quite a laughable term in this case, since it really only consists of a Wikipedia search. But, I digress...

The term "hipster" was revived in the 90's and 2000's to describe "young, recently-settled urban middle class adults and older teenagers with interests in non-mainstream culture and fashion, particularly alternative music, indie rock and independent film." Hipster culture is described as a "'mutating, trans-Atlantic melting pot of styles, tastes and behavior[s].'" Hipsterism "'fetishizes the authentic elements' of all of the 'fringe movements of the postwar era - beat, hippie, punk, even grunge,' and draws on the 'cultural stores of every unmelted ethnicity' and 'gay style,' and 'regurgitates it with a winking inauthenticity.'"

Okay - so based off of that... young? recently settled? I think we are beyond that at this point with our 32 years. However, one article did say that hipsters can be 18-34 year olds. Do we have interest in non-mainstream culture and fashion? Within terms of music? Yes. Film? Yes. Food? Yes. Fashion? No. Although I like to think that I can appreciate thrift store shopping and used to when in high school and college, I am now a mom. Clothes are best when clean and tolerated on a consistent basis when new. The "'winking inauthenticity'" is, I think, what Steve and I were picking up on in Williamsburg. Let's keep studying...

Hipsters embrace a "lifestyle revolving around thrift store shopping, eating organic, locally grown, vegetarian, or vegan food, drinking local beer (or even brewing their own)" and "listening to public radio." Uh-oh. We hit under a number of those categories. If in question check out my love for farmers' markets, my comment on NPR above and Steve's beer blog on tasting craft beer and brewing his own at beernaked.blogspot.com. Yikes.

Continuing Wikipedia research states that hipsters borrow from past trends. Time Magazine states, "'Take your grandmother's sweater and Bob Dylan's Wayfarers, add jean shorts, Converse All-Stars and a can of Pabst and bam - hipster." Okay. I don't wear my grandma's sweater, but I do wear her earrings and drive her car. As for Wayfarers, I have them and love them to death. Steve wears Converse All-stars, but we have grown into more evolved beers than PBR.

The Hipster Handbook states, "You graduated from a liberal arts school whose football team hasn't won a game since the Reagan administration and you have one Republican friend who you always describe as being your 'one Republican friend.'" Okay. This is getting scary. I really don't want to be a hipster, but Steve and I both graduated with our undergrads from a liberal arts school that doesn't even have a football team. We also have few, if any, Republican friends. It's almost to the point that we don't even admit we have Republican friends, unless it is to rehash something hilarious and dumb they said on facebook.

Finally, one quotation said that hipsters possess a "not-quite passive aggression called snark." I love this quote - really just because it uses the term "snark."

Okay, so beyond the Wikipedia research, I have my own conclusions. Yes, we fall within some of the categoical descriptions of hipsters. However, my own quantitative data reveals conclusive evidence that make us fall beyond the hipster definition.
First, we have a child. Hipsters don't have kids.
Second, my clothes are colorful and from stores like Gap and J.Crew. Steve would never, ever wear skinny jeans. (Yet, I do own a pair... maybe 2... shhhh....)
Third, we are not apathetic, passive aggressive or snarky. Sarcastic? Sure. Would love to find jobs in Europe and move away from the tea partiers and right-wing fundamentalists who call themselves patriots? Yes. But, we are hopeful, do-gooders, and do everything we can to help those less fortunate with compassion and candor. I don't think this is a hipster quality in the least.
Fourth and finally, we are too old for this. It won't be long before we have a house in the suburbs. We also believe in other boring and yuppie-like things such as upward mobility and saving for retirement.

But, we won't give up our need to continually educate ourselves on what is hip and cool. We won't stop listening to good music no matter how old we find ourselves. We won't stop shopping for the freshest, sustainable foods. And, we won't stop eating at the restaurants with all the other "foodies" and, probably, hipsters, too.

Therefore, I deem Steve and I "yupsters" - a combo of yuppies and hipsters. I looked it up on Wikipedia, and the term is officially mine.

So, here we go. Yupsters unite.

Another hurdle overcome

Erika here...

Steve is busy training for the marathon, so I thought I better blog. ((Btw, Steve now, without tv, has the time to train for (excuse my language) a friggin' marathon!! My husband, The Uber Runner!))

Let's see... where did I leave off?

The Hamptons was incredible. It truly tickled me to see my mom galavanting in East Hampton and getting all googly-eyed at the homes while also searching for her culinary idol, Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa to all you non-foodies). Yet, of course, I was doing the same thing. I bought Beckett a Polo at the East Hampton Ralph Lauren store and managed to convince myself that I didn't need a pair of Tory Burch ballet flats. We traveled with one of my besties, Lindley, and her mom to visit our other bestie, Suellen and her new babe, Beatrice. In case you were wondering, there was no television watching at all the entire trip. Yet, I did manage to get some gossip out of Serge. Serge rents the cottage behind the house we rented and also waits tables at the lovely Pierre's in Bridgehampton. He regularly waits on the Real Housewives of NYC when they are summering in the land of the rich and farmer's markets. I asked his opinion of the Countess LuAnn. He replied in a very thick french accent that he thinks all "those ladies have man-ish faces." Perfect. Oooo... also... a non-tv related moment was when we were visiting the Bridgehampton T.J. Maxx (let's just say Gucci, Fendi, Alice&Olivia - cater to demographics much?). As we were going in the doors, a couple approached behind us. The man reached for a cart and his wife stopped him remarking, "Oh, no cart, dear. We're not going to buy anything. We just want to see what this place is." Got to love the Hamptons.

Here's a pic of my Mom and I in Montauk.


And another of Suellen, Lindley and I at Wolffer Winery.



The other two major events that have occurred this month were, obviously, Lost and American Idol. Steve and I were invited to the neighbors, Scott and Beth's house, to watch the Lost finale. Steve will likely disagree, but I thought the entire thing was ridiculous and a cop-out by the writers. What is it? 7 years of build-up? And, it ends with answers that are still questions. Everyone who watched is still debating as to what actually happened... I wanted definitive answers, people!! Frankly, I was more interested in watching the commercials to see what new stuff they were advertising. Classic consumer in the house.

And then, there is my favorite show for what seems like forever - American Idol. No. I didn't watch it. Not one episode since March. I tried to get my neighbor to watch it and invite me down, but as I sheepishly asked what she was watching last Tuesday, she replied Dancing with the Stars, and I opted out. (Let me note that in the past, I would have spent hours upon hours on a show like Dancing with the Stars that annoys the crap out of me.) So, without invitations from friends (don't you love me?) I did not watch the finale of American Idol. With all the candor in the world, I will tell you that I wouldn't have it any other way. If I am giving up television for a whole year, I shouldn't be able to watch the end to my favorite show. That is one of the sacrifices. Did I or do I care about Lee Dewyze? Maybe in February but certainly not now.

What did I do instead? Learned how to make homemade gnocchi, finished another book, built some solid muscle with the Wii Fit, was awe-inspired by my son's ever-growing imagination and planted some darn cool flowers and herbs. Take that Ryan Seacrest.

The elephant in the room...err, blog...

It's Erika and, we haven't written, well, really written, in quite some time for blogging standards. And, I could say that there's no excuse, but that's not the truth. Life brings bumps in the road and, unfortunately, now was the time for the bump. I get that as a "blogger" I'm supposed to open up and expose all my secrets, joys and personal tragedies. Yet, as expressive and un-private as I am in real-life, for some reason, I can't bring myself to blog every detail. So, let's just say, life handed the Larsons an elephant that would continue to oddly stand out in the room... err, blog.... and prevent me from writing until I addressed it. So, it's been addressed and, I apologize wholeheartedly for the vagueness.

Back to television detox...
With life's tragedies come coping mechanisms. Even though I am immersed at work in a therapeutic atmosphere knowing that distraction only prevents the inevitable, it was the first strategy I used when Steve and I were forced to move forward from the "news." I confess. In one week, I watched a lot of movies. With candor, I proclaim that I watched the whole second season of "The Tudors." (It was amazing, btw. Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn was one of the best performances I have seen by an actress in a LONG time.) Steve also bought us a Wii for Mother's and Father's Day. The purchase was less about distraction and our commitment to no television and more about saving me the money of a gym membership. However, it did serve as a lovely diversion. I have now moved past the distraction phase and onto the next phase. With that, I don't need movies to help any longer. Actually, from a television standpoint, I realized that I moved away a while ago from actually thinking about what I was missing. I think that realization has truly helped me to purge the need for television. No tv has officially become a lifestyle.

That realization has also prompted me to wonder aloud to Steve, "Why did we say a year? I think I've learned my lesson now. I could easily just choose one show that I would like to watch, turn the tv on and then off once the show is over." Steve then told me I was talking like a crack addict. Maybe.

Well, the elephant has been purged so that I can again blog freely and frankly. I hope to continue to entertain with our healthy diversions of playful and creative adventures. Next on the list is a mother/daughter trip to the Hamptons this weekend. Ahhh... sustainable farms and celebrities.

Movie Night!!!!

For Erika and me, at least. Becks had his earlier in the week. We are watching either Pirate Radio or Sherlock Holmes.

Up to Erika.

Steve

And we're back!

After a great week in Florida we are in week two of our return and having no TV has never been sweeter. I have been able to run, read, sleep, play with Becks, talk to Erika, clean, cook, etc., without worrying about the TV schedule. Even with DVR, TV has a propensity to schedule our evening time for us. And what about life without Anthony Bourdain and House Hunters International? Not bad - really. I watched some AB in Florida and it was fun, but I don't miss it at all. I have caught a few baseball games on my neighbor's deck and that has helped, but in reality, I don't need even that.

And playing more with Becks is great. We read 5-10 books per night and his ability to read his favorites back to me is astounding! I think this year will be memorable not for lack of TV, but for the vivid memories we have of our son as a toddler.

Maybe the TV should stay off? We'll see how I feel in the dead of winter.

Bless me Father for I have sinned...

It's Erika.

Well, it is really a sin? Maybe one hiccup... or three...and some yearning to go back to my old ways.

So, here's where it started... Before we left for Florida, I was having some medical issues (no worries, everything's fine) that were frustrating and stressful. It led to me coming home after work and not having any energy or will, for that matter, to entertain myself. I just needed to veg out. Since prescription drugs aren't my cup of tea, Steve went out and rented me a movie - on a Monday. If you loyal blog followers remember, Wednesday is our movie night. Yes, I watched two movies that week. A moment of weakness. An emergency that could only be stifled by watching New Moon, a movie with horrible acting and an addictive story line.

Then, we went to Florida and stayed with my parents who both watch television constantly. Well, I shouldn't say they watch it constantly; it's just always on, sometimes in multiple rooms. Don't get me wrong. I love my parents and can honestly vouch for them in saying they are not couch potatoes in the least. It's just that TV is just as much a part of their lives as it used to be in ours. However, it really was not an option to run away from the tv that week. So, I just gave in. At first, I was reluctant. I found myself walking into rooms and turning away from the television so as not to tempt myself. Then, I decided to try a different room. Then, I told myself I would only watch what someone else turned on. Then, I saw Steve put on a show of his choosing. It was at that point that I just said, "screw it" and searched for, found and watched the final episode of Big Love. I also watched American Idol, Dancing with the Stars (I still can't stand it, but Kate Gosselin is a trainwreck), Survivor, Celebrity Apprentice, Real Housewives of NYC and am still kicking myself that I forgot to watch Project Runway. Steve and I also put on the tv in our bedroom every night before bed.

I read Steve's last post and it was clearly posted at the first half of our trip. The second half of our trip had more tv enjoyment than the first only because I think we both surrendered and made the most out of our easy access to our vice. Our trip home took much longer than expected due to car trouble in Atlanta. Our 20 hour ride was 24ish hours. Becks made it due to unlimited access to DVDs and the addition of Toy Story 1 and 2 (courtesy of the Easter Bunny) to his collection. (Btw, multiple movies are okay on road trips. See "The Rules" for further clarification.) We arrived home at about 4AM and were exhausted on Sunday. So, we gave in and let Beckett watch a couple movies that day - only so Steve and I could get in some snooze time. Sorry, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

The rest of the week = clean record.

My other disgraceful moment came yesterday. Our house was destroyed from a crazy work week and no energy at the end of those days to rectify the mess. So, I had to clean and Becks woke early from his nap. I (gasp) put in a movie for him so I could finish cleaning. I turned it off the moment I was done, but I still gave in to temptation. I think it's these moments of weakness that will make me stronger in the end. Right? I have to say that watching all that tv last week did sort of make me fall off the wagon, and I have missed television more this week than in weeks prior. But, I know I have the strength to make it back into our routine I was mastering before our trip. I can do it. Now... to the laundry!

Florida

We are in sunny Florida this week and the posts have been even lighter than normal. Visiting with family, eating great seafood (Bradenton seafood fest was great - people watching doesn't begin to explain the VERY interesting people infesting this event), and watching Beckett enjoy himself on the beach have taken up most of our time. We are going to spend the rest of the week fishing, visiting Cigar City Brewery (okay - that is just me) and spending as much time with Erika's great family as possible. I am sure the rest of our free time will be spent at the beach or on a boat. It is a rough life.

But Erika's folks watch TV. A huge diversion and a sure kick to the head for our no TV plan, right?

Not really. We watched a few shows this week, but my interest is not nearly what it was before we started. I have been more interested in the basketball and the few movies we have watched. Erika has probably watched less TV than me. Becks has surely had his fill, but he has also spent a lot more time doing puzzles and running around the backyard given the great weather.

It is a trade off and we are getting the better end of the deal with less attachment to the myriad of shows out there.

But it does feel good to have a chance to watch a little Spring Training baseball. Go Cubs!!!

Steve

What a week!

I spent most of last week and the better part of this week in some stage of sickness. I can't thank Erika enough for taking care of things while I was going through the worst of it.

On to better topics - we leave for Florida on Friday!!!

I really can't wait to be on the beach, spending time with family, and enjoying time off from work.

Can anyone else tell this is pretty canned writing? I am in go mode but thought I should tell you where we are this week. I am sure we will have a a bit more time in FL to post. This week has been pretty hectic with work, meetings, shopping, cleaning, packing, bill paying, etc.

But on to the question that i am sure is burning a hole in your pocket - did I watch TV while I was sick?

...

No - we did do our movie night on Sunday instead of Wednesday this week. We watched Up In The Air. I liked it. But no TV, as I have mentioned, is becoming easier and easier.

Well, not to extend this obviously forced entry any longer, good night.

Adios and see you in the sun!

Esteban

Wild Party!!!

By Wild, I mean my parents came over for dinner and then our friend Anne stopped by for a bit. I have been sick for the past few days and Erika has been a solo Mom for most of that time, so neither of us were looking for an event. We laughed half-way through the night when we realized that we were watching the TV as it changed songs (via Pandora on the Blu-Ray). It was sad to be drawn in by the box but funny that something as simple as an album cover and a song timer could be captivating. In the end, the TV's screen saver saved the day and we were right back to talking.

As I mentioned last week, the TV is fast losing its grip on our family. Beckett is captivated by puzzles and books. Erika and I have been reading, TALKING, and listening to a lot of great music. The experiment is working and I couldn't be happier with the result. I will let Erika speak for herself. I know we are going to sleep quite a bit earlier than before, but watching House Hunters International until 11:00 doesn't really count as quality time.

Here is a pic of Becks current favorite dinosaur puzzle.



And into today - probably not as fun as last weekend's Field Museum visit, but we will stay warm while one of the season's last winter storms blows through Chicago. We will prepare for our upcoming trip to Florida and I will lament my inability to watch March Madness.

But I did do a bracket, more out of habit than anything else. I picked Murray State and Cornell, along with a few other upsets, so I am looking pretty good two days in. I am sure that will be a different story a week from now.

Have a great weekend!

Fun and games

Erika here.

Last night's movie choice by Beckett - Night at the Museum 2 (he loves the octopus).

Tonight's game of choice by Beckett - bowling in the hallway, along with a game of hockey (this is played by taking a baseball bat and hitting a baseball as if it were a puck. Oh, and, all players must wear cowboy hats).

1000 hits!!

Erika here.

Well, we've made it 13 days and, as of yesterday, we had 1000 hits on our blog. Thanks so much everyone for keeping track of our wack-a-doodle experiment. Knowing that there is someone out there reading is definitely keeping us going on our path for "tuned-out" enlightenment.

I have found that during the work week, I am definitely getting more sleep. I come home after work - exhausted - make dinner, eat it with Steve and Becks, play a bit, read some books to Beckett, get him to sleep and then go read my book in bed. The reading lasts for about 20-30 minutes and then I am asleep. Not too bad. I have found that I actually look forward to my book and think about it often during the day. I'm trying to figure out if this is disappointing. After all, I had dreamed that without a television I was going to be learning new things, developing new talents and finding a side of myself I thought never existed. Yet, what I've figured out so far is that I need to sleep more. Maybe I'll start finding the new Erika once I'm done with work this week.

Sunday

It was a good weekend in the Larson house. We went to the Field Museum, bought a booster seat for Beckett, went to a friend's birthday (still tired today, thanks), visited with Erika's mom, went on a brewery tour at Half Acre (just me) and found time to build block forts, play hide and seek, walk the dog, do puzzles, and read books.

I can honestly say that, except for a brief moment this morning, I did not miss TV. Which brings me to my lesson for this weekend: Erika and I need to replace that Meet the Press, Sunday morning coffee ritual with something. We will likely be re-subscribing to the Tribune soon and that will fill the hole. Coffee and a paper sounds pretty nice, anyway.

Have a great week!

Runnin' Rod

Erika here.

Some quick notes...
- It's only been one week. It feels like much longer than that.
- I truly felt withdrawal yesterday. I found myself sitting on the couch just plain bored. I didn't want to read, Beckett was busy playing and I settled into some major ennui. So, I cleaned... yeah me.
- Beckett has taken to telling anyone he can that he doesn't have tv. For example, on the phone with his cousin, Charlie this morning: Charlie - "What are you doing, Beckett?" Beckett - "Not watching tv." Yesterday, I heard him telling the dog, "My mad, Wrigley. No show. No tv."
- On the upside, Beckett has begun playing out scenarios from the books he's been reading instead of tv shows or movies. Of course, the scene he is reenacting is from the trippy and slightly alarming book, "In the Night Kitchen" by Maurice Sendak. Beckett pretends he is cooking a "Mickey cake" which in the book is a cake with a little boy named Mickey inside it. (Don't worry. Mickey does eventually get out of the cake only to swim naked in a large bottle of milk.)
- Becks also asked to go to the library this week to just get books. In the past, the library was a place to first get movies and secondly to get books.

And the best news of the day...

- After having an amazing lunch with my good friend, Mary, today, I drove past Rod Blagojevich running down the street. He looked at me, I stared at his hair (which was amazingly floppy and not as stiff as you would think). Oh... darn. Now I am thinking about how I am going to miss him on Celebrity Apprentice. Add that to my list of grievances against you, Rod.

Movie night and week one in the books.

Steve here.

Movie night on Wednesday was great. We rented Where the Wild Things Are and 2012. Becks wanted to watch Finding Nemo. It was a great time. I don't think Erika made it out of Wild Things, but it was nice to relax and be entertained. That is the big difference for both of us I think; unless you are reading, you are forced to create amusement. And even reading requires more effort than TV.

We have both commented how we are easily bored. I think we will have to mentally restock for all things non-TV related that are entertaining. Once the weather warms a bit, we can spend our boring evenings talking on the deck. It amazes me how a change of venue can alter your perception. In the meantime, lots of games and books to keep us occupied.

So Week One is past and we are now on Day 9. That is a good number, it feels good to be past the initial week and have the pattern broken. After dinner, we both clean up and then play with Beckett. He is going to bed earlier and we are playing games, reading or just talking. We inevitably end up going to bed earlier, but that isn't a bad thing. I can always use an extra hour of sleep.

We have also been listening to a lot of music. You can follow what we are listening to on the right side of the blog. You can also follow what we are reading.

Our experiment is quickly turning into our normal life. Soon, it won't be a novelty that we don't watch TV and our blog will focus on what we are doing with our lives instead of TV. I think it will act a reflection of what we do as a family and a reminder of why we started this in the first place.

Thanks for following.

The monkey on my back...

No. I didn't blog last night. I came home after a tremendously long day at work and was exhausted. (In case any readers out there don't know what I do... I am a developmental therapist and special educator. I work with 3-8 year olds primarily on the autism spectrum.) Usually when I come home, Ryan Seacrest or the sister wives on Big Love help me to forget about the trials and tribulations of the day. Last night, they ditched me (or, I guess, I ditched them.) My eyes were too tired to read, so I just went to bed.

With that decision, one of my fears came true last night. I became boring and went to bed early. Tonight, I am wholeheartedly determined to stay awake past 9, but I did put on my pajamas at 7.

It's fascinating to have a monkey on your back. I went through this a bit when I quit smoking 9 years ago. That darn monkey is just hanging on your back, scratching behind your ears and whispering in his best evil monkey voice, "You're going to miss that girl with the bad teeth and dreadlocks on American Idol tonight." Damn you, primate.

I would also like to thank all the friends and family out there who are checking in with us. It's nice to know we're thought of. Although, it does make it harder when they say things like, "Oh, I was thinking about you guys the other night because you really missed out on seeing ______" I do like hearing that something was incredibly awful that I ordinarily would have wasted an hour or two on. It's nice to know that the Oscars sucked and that I can still see all the fashion in US Weekly. I also love hearing that we have inspired others in taking a break from television. Our neighbors, The Days, didn't watch tv until 7pm one night, while my friend, Suellen (who is on bedrest, btw) hasn't watched in 3 days. We're impressed with all of you and like to know we've put a little bug in your ear. However, our goal in this was never to expect those close to us to follow in our footsteps.

This is our crazy journey, but if you want to jump on the loony bus every now and then, we'll welcome you with open arms.

It was Erika's turn...

But she went to bed a bit early tonight. Her Monday's are always terrificly long and difficult. So here I am. I was just staring at our television - cold and unused, recalling a conversation Becks had with his his grandparents in Florida this evening. He was saying goodbye when he said, with a sad face, "TV is off. Mommy turned off the TV." Does the poor kid think this is some kind of sick joke we are playing on him? While he might not remember the experiment, it will likely benefit him as much as it does his mother and father.

Such is life.

Goodnight.

Weekend Recap

Steve again.

I am sure this is going to sound like something out of rehab for a few weeks as we struggle to adjust to life without TV. We will eventually find ways to gobble up the enormous amount of free time we just created. I did some elementary calculations. If the TV is on for 3 hours per day at a minimum, we just gained 21 hours of free time. Easy math - except the solution leaves a giant void in our personal lives. TV watching together is a very easy activity and one we both gravitate towards quite naturally. We can fill that void with more meaningful activities: playing, reading, talking, etc. It will just take some time before it doesn't feel like we are missing a large part of our daily routine.

That being said, I think it is fair to say that I have been using the TV to babysit my son now and again. Not all the time, mind you. I love spending time with him; but I think it is too often that our time involves a movie. Or a TV show. This time around, I can do things right. And the funny thing about Beckett - he hasn't missed a beat. Sure he has had a few meltdowns. But he is asking to read books 4 or 5 more times per day and he is playing with us and solo like never before. Turn TV off = instant imaginative spark. How can you argue with these results?

I had my own panic attack about TV yesterday afternoon. Saturday, mid-day. We had finished the bulk of our chores and shopping for the weekend and it was only 1 PM. What to do? TV is the obvious answer. Turn on a game, or a show, or at least Anthony Bourdain re-runs. Not happening. I felt a brief moment of panic as I realized my pacifier was gone for a good long while.

And then I finished the book I was reading.

This is a good choice for us. We enjoy the relative calm that turning off the television inherently creates. We also enjoy the trepidation that going in a new direction brings to the table. But most of all we enjoy that we are doing this together.

Last thing before turning to my new book for the rest of the evening. Those of you who know my wife, know about her love affair with The Oscars. She picked a brave week to start this noble experiment and I am proud of her for not complaining once. She is great.

Have a great week.

p.s. To our friends in Houston, congratulations on your new baby. We are so very happy for you!

"Man, no take my silver box!"

Erika here.
Friday was my first full day home with Beckett without the television to entertain us. I caught myself periodically throughout the day thinking, "What should I do next? Oh, I know, I'll go sit down and watch a show." The realization would then settle in that that wasn't possible, and I'd quickly panic thinking, "What can I do next?" But, these moments were relatively quick and I was able to settle in doing something else, be it making the bed or making ramps for Matchbox cars. I also found myself looking at the clock and my brain immediately going into What's-currently-on-television-right-now mode. I'm sure this habit will fade with time?

I did go online and peek at the American Idol results, but when Steve asked me who was voted off, I couldn't remember 2 of the 4 rejects. How important is this if I can't remember? The same holds true with so many shows for me. I'll watch for a whole season and then can't remember the result or "big reveal" a few months later. Maybe it's early onset Alzheimer's, but for some reason I think it speaks to the frivolity of reality shows. With that said, I kind of obsessed today thinking about what I missed on Project Runway, Survivor and the fact that Jim and Pam had their baby on The Office on Thursday.

In my quest for things to do all day home with Beckett, I ended up napping with him in his bed for 2 hours. I never nap. Is this due to my frantic pace the past 2 days to make it through the withdrawal? Or, did I just come home too late after drinking too much on Thursday night?

Speaking of Thursday night... good friends+steak+wine = great distraction from tv.... Singing karaoke at Carol's Pub until midnight gave me the release that I needed after the build-up to D-Day.

Beckett did cry on Friday when Comcast came to pick-up our cable box. He wailed, "Man, no take my silver box!" When he attempted to turn on the tv later in the day, I explained (again) that it didn't work. He then asked if my parents, Papa and Ro-Ro, have a tv. When I responded that they did, he said, "My want to go to Papa and Ro-Ro's now!" Oh, a day chock full of meltdowns. I hope he gets the hang of this soon. My baby's in withdrawal. Do they prescribe methadone for toddlers?

Day 2

Steve Here.

We made it through Day 1 unscathed. Actually, it was better than I expected. Erika had a dinner to attend, so Beckett and I played, jammed on his guitar and read a fair number of books a few times over. He was in bed by 8:15, just in time for a few friends to arrive. I was in bed at eleven. I think Erika strolled in sometime after that. Not too difficult.

But the habitual tendencies are the interesting part of this experiment. Day one we wake up and don't turn the TV on - weird. After dinner we go to the living room to play and don't turn the TV on - weird. Becket goes to bed and friends come over and don't turn the TV on - weird. Wake up on Day 2 and Beckett turns the TV on and the local news comes in crystal clear - QUICK, TURN IT OFF!!!

I guess we will unplug the TVs tonight - better for the electric bill, what with phantom electricity.

So here we are, coffee in hand, Pandora playing in the living room, about to leave for work. And it is just us and that is the point.

"No, tv? That's silly."

Erika here.
Well, the cable company followed through with their promise. No cable reception as of midnight last night.



Here's a picture of our quiet television. We have such a nice tv, don't we? Blu-ray player and everything. Sigh.

This morning wasn't too horrendous since we were so frazzled running around trying to get ready for the work day. Becks did ask for it at one point. I went through the spiel that he can't watch tv, mommy can't watch tv, daddy can't watch tv, yada yada. He then turned to me and said, "No, tv? That's silly." No buddy. It's for real.

I only work a half day on Thursdays, so I am now at home, and Beckett is napping. I have been sitting in front of the computer since he went down. But, oddly enough, I'm not wasting time on facebook looking at pictures of people I don't even know. I'm actually getting some things done that I've been putting off. It's mostly work stuff, but I did realize that our pictures saved on our computer need some major organizing. So, that's a project that I'll attack with my new found time. Beckett and I also ran to the art store. I wanted to pick up some sketch books, pastels, etc. to fool around with in the evening. I haven't ever been an artist, but love to play with color and draw pictures for Becks. I was actually really inspired after visiting MoMa in New York last month. So, we'll see what becomes of this.

I am sitting with some fears about our commitment that I'd thought I'd share.

Fears are as follows:
The quiet (makes me a little nervous)
The boredom (I tend to get frantic when bored)
Will I be able to relax? Will I find something that keeps my mind from racing?
Will I become incredibly boring? For example, will I go to bed at 8 every night?
Friends and family will dread visiting our place
Will I have to endlessly entertain Beckett? Will I be able to shower or clean the house without having Becks watch tv?
I fear that not knowing the following will haunt me for the entire year: I won't know if the American Idol winner truly deserved it, the same goes for the winners of Project Runway and Survivor. I won't know Oprah's next big thing. I will have no idea why all those people are on that island in Lost. I will miss the season finale of Big Love and the entire seasons of Dexter and True Blood.
The worst fear of all is that this television boycott will be incredibly difficult and I'll quit. I'm not a quitter.

T-minus 14 hours.

The time is almost upon us. We have received some nice support via Facebook and email, and we are very excited for this experiment to begin.

See you on the other side!

The Official Rules

Steve and I have both concocted our official rules for our year-long adventure/torture... Although "official," they are OUR rules and we reserve the right to edit, remove or add to them at any time.

1. There will be absolutely no television watching in our house for one year beginning on 3/4/10.
2. If we visit another place that has a television on, we can watch it.
3. However, we cannot seek out other places to only watch tv.
4. We are allowed 1 movie per week. Beckett will receive a weekly choice, as will Steve and I.
5. We cannot watch television online. No Hulu or YouTube.
6. It is okay to read articles that make references to certain television shows or sporting events.
7. If on a long car trip, i.e. our 20 hour trip to Florida, Beckett (our 2.5 year old) is allowed to watch movies on a portable DVD player. Movies are also acceptable if any of us are extraordinarily sick.
8. If the Cubs or Bears make the playoffs, we can seek out televisions playing the games. Non-negotiable, people.

Yikes. Seeing them all laid out like this is making me a tad sick to my stomach. To curb the nausea, I'm gonna run to watch American Idol. (It is fruitless since I won't even get to see who makes the top 12.)

The cable is cancelled!

Steve here.

I called Comcast yesterday and cancelled the cable effective March 4th at 12:00 am. Comcast wouldn't waive the $75 cancellation fee, even when I told them about our noble experiment. Their loss - we will shop for service when we come back to TV. They were nice enough to discount our internet service for the next six months.

This experiment is about addiction. This is also about habit and family and creativity. I have had a love/hate relationship with the television for a very long time. I love the technology, the advancements surrounding quality and the geeky joy I experience watching a show in HD or on a Blu-Ray disc. I also have a penchant for stupid shows like Stargate and 24. But I have seen it zapping any chance at meaningful conversation with my wife on most evenings and I have seen it hinder play with my son.

I also can't handle seeing my son stare, zombie-like, at the TV for as long as we allow. He loves movies and he loves a cornucopia of kid programming. From Curious George to Little Einsteins, that kid is hooked. And his addiction is our fault. So this is for him as much as it is for us. I want my son to view TV as a luxury that is fun sometimes, not as a necessary part of his daily routine.

March 4th is D-Day because I am currently out of town on business. We didn't think it would be fair for Erika and Beckett to go through the first few days alone.

We need to post the rules, but I want it to be clear - we aren't purging TV from our lives, we are purging TV from our home. We aren't trying to punish our family and friends. We will watch TV at their homes if they want to - but we hope to be a positive example of the alternative to TV addiction. I expect to have family stop by less, I expect to be chided as participating in an extreme experiment. But thankfully, Erika and I have each other and we spend most of our time together, so we will be fine. This isn't that hard. We both like to read - we will read more. We both like music - it will be a bigger part of our lives. We both like to cook - we can do more together. We both love our son - we can spend more time on the floor playing, in a chair reading, and taking him on long walks with the dog after dinner (if this winter ever ends).

We also want to be more creative - I don't remember when I decided to stop being creative, but lately those juices have been flowing and I don't want it to stop. Turning off the TV will only help manifest whatever I decide to create.

In conclusion, welcome to the start of our experiment. We can't wait to share our journey with you.

The freaking out can officially begin...

In most addiction programs two consistent elements prevail: denial and acceptance. Yet, I think I am an exception to the rule because I don't believe I've ever been in denial of my addiction to television. I've actually relished it. It has allowed me to enjoy endless hours of entertainment, been there for a non-reciprocal hug when I was stressed, given me a wealth of information needed to finish crossword puzzles and vacated countless brain cells from my body when I didn't feel like thinking. Most of all, television has given me the ability to be a true connoisseur of pop culture. I possess countless amounts of trivial information that allow me to have a conversation with most anyone, no matter their age or background, provided, of course, that they watch television. I can talk shop about kid shows, game shows, soap operas, dramas and comedy (on both basic and premium channels), documentaries, award shows, political commentary shows and, the true feather in my cap, reality shows. You do not want to even think about crossing me when it comes to the Entertainment category in Trivial Pursuit. I actually pride myself on my ability to watch a lot of tv and use the knowledge I gain from it to my benefit and come off as a fairly well-rounded and intelligent person.

However, as most addicts do, I think I've hit my rock bottom and begun to accept that I have a problem. I have too many shows on my DVR taking precedence over other things in life. I want to read more. I want to work on professional projects more. I want to listen to more music. I want to find other ways to relax. I want to talk more to my husband. I have a son that doesn't need to grow up in a home with the television on at every waking hour. Don't get me wrong - I do read, work, enjoy music (a lot), talk to Steve (whom I love desperately) and play (a ton) with my son. But, given the choice, I would choose Oprah over Chaucer, American Idol over Yo-Yo Ma, and an hour of Biggest Loser over actually working out.

It is for these many reasons that my husband, Steve, and I have made a commitment to stop watching television in our house for 365 days. We are even cancelling our cable service to prevent any regressions. This may possibly be the best (or worst) decision we've ever made as a couple. We will have rules that we will post. We will have a list of fears that we will also post. I just hope I can blog more before we turn it off, because I will be making the most out of the last days I have left. The freaking out can officially begin. D-day is March 4th.