even when I WANT the TV off, I find myself turning it on! (I’m actually the same way with my radio at work. Seriously, there are days when my hand reflexively reaches out, turns on the radio, a moment later my brain realizes it, gets annoyed because I’m trying to concentrate on something else and the noise is distracting, so I reach out (consciously this time) and turn it off. This can go on, back and forth like that, ten times or more. Very frustrating when your hand has a mind of its own!!)

My brother and I both seem to be comforted somehow by having the television on, even if we’re busy with something else (which both of us usually are)... I think it’s a throw back to when our parents split up and we were alone a LOT (and we had been separated from one another too). I spent all of my time at home in front of the TV during that sad period; perhaps that’s why I retreat to the couch, remote in hand, whenever life gets tough.

Now though, I’m HAPPY! So, except for a few select shows, I don’t WANT to watch TV these days. And this period of productivity – and fun! – is so much richer.