Tantive IV vs The Devastator

calm like a bomb

Not too long ago, I would watch roughly 6 movies a week. That was during the time I had a full-time job, though it remained consistent (and occasionally increased) even after I had been let go. I love film, and I still hope to be involved with it some day. It took a while, but one day I was struck with the notion that perhaps I’m wasting a lot of time. How could doing something I love be wasting time? Well, there really isn’t much thinking involved when watching a movie, it is simply the action of inaction, physically at least. Entertainment is streamed directly through the eyes and ears and flushed into the brain. That is all my partial personal observation at least.

I don’t quite remember what my New Years resolution was, and I don’t believe it matters really, as long as sometime within the year a promise is made to yourself. For the betterment of oneself, and hopefully those around you. To be less dramatic-sounding, after the first week of school I simply told myself “no more TV for a while.” My computer was dead as well, though I needed it for school.

It was difficult, to be sure. I had to replace the time in which I would usually be watching a movie with something else. Eating, for example, was usually done in front of my TV or computer. What did I replace it with? I turned on my record player and listened to some Cat Stevens…and it was good. I went to bed with the TV off and my mind more clear. Waking up became much easier, and instead of scrambling for a quick breakfast snack so that I could watch as much of a movie as possible before class (or in the past, work), I took my time and made myself some good shit. Mostly eggs…eggs and spinach, eggs and ham…my cooking skills are pretty elementary. Reading became much easier and fun, such as it was in my past. My class textbooks were cracked open, which in turn made me much more attentive in class. In fact I’d say this is probably the most illuminating semester I’ve ever had at CSN.

Facebook and Twitter were on my phone, though I began to lessen the use of that too. I became slightly cynical when using social sites. I began to think that it’d be best to remove those from the equation as well. Whether or not Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace deserve any attention is a different discussion all-together. I could not deny its usefulness in keeping contact with friends and family. And although I would occasionally ask myself ‘Who cares?’ when reading posts such as “off to the gym!” or “boys are retarded”, I would always smile when reading about others accomplishments and milestones (birthdays included). It is enlightening when reading good things about others, and though I usually don’t express it to the person who posted, it does not take away how much I genuinely care. It is good to know fine people exist, and I am truly grateful to have met some of them. Even if I may never see or really know the person as much as I’d like.

I have done quite a bit since I cold-turkey’d TV, or perhaps it just seems like a lot because of my previous lack of productivity. I am determined not to have signed a contract to LVAC in vain. Yes, I feel like complete idiot when I think of how I drive all the way to the gym so that I can run around a track (among other things). I mean, there are sidewalks all over my neighborhood. Frankly, I still don’t know why I’d rather run at the gym than around my house, but as long as I keep going, who cares?

I hope all of the above doesn’t sound…depressing? Or maybe egotistical? I am simply grateful.

And I know I can still marathon any trilogy or show like no other (SMILEYFAAAACE)

• February 17, 2011, 5:17am

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