Media Cleanse

Remember that warning from the 1980’s about how television will rot your brain and make you worthless? Turns out, they were right. During a two-hour conversation with one of my BFFs today (thanks for giving me your ENTIRE SUNDAY, Lissy!), we both admitted to being in a funk. Nothing really put us there, not one real terrible event or anything, and life is generally treating us okay. So why the funk?

At first we couldn’t put a finger on it. But then, after much conversation about Legally Blonde, Center Stage, Save the Last Dance, and 8 Mile, we decided that the boob tube is indeed the cause of our trouble. See, we both love the magic and wonderment that is television. One of us because we work in television and make our living from it, and the other of us because we’re sad and have no life. I’ll let you figure out which one is which.

Our daily routines of late have involved a lot of the following: work, commuting, sleeping, and watching TV. Where are the projects? Where are the outlets for creativity? Where’s the screenplay? The organization? The homework assignments? I’ll tell you where they are, friends – they’re INSIDE THAT TELEVISION THAT HAS SUCKED OUR BRAINS DRY.

So, starting tomorrow, we’re on a media cleanse. Wish me luck, because I’m going to need it. Here’s how a week of media cleansing works in the life of Lizzie and Lissy:

• Monday: Two hours of television and/or Internet allowed. Division of those two hours is at the discretion of the cleanser.
• Tuesday: Total cleanse day. No television or Internet access after working hours.
• Wednesday: Two hours of television allowed. (New rule I just made up now: no Internet at all on Wednesdays.)
• Thursday: Total cleanse day.
• Friday: Well, we never got to Friday. But it’s the weekend, and I’m thinking those are free days.

During the no-media hours, we are to pursue our outside interests and get projects done that need doing, whatever those may be. Mainly we’re to get back to thinking, and using our noodles for their intended purposes. So, who’s up for taking me out to dinner on Tuesday and Thursday? Looks like I’m free those nights after all.