No, seriously

Not having a TV is the most excellent thing.

When I moved here 18 months ago, I did not bring a TV. I decided that I was too cheap to pay for cable and that I spent enough time on the internet that I didn't need another addiction...so I went cold turkey.

It has been a breeze, really. Don't miss it. I rented the Office and the Sopranos on DVD and haven't even had a Real World/Road Rules craving even once, despite my love for All Things Reality.

The times I appreciate it most are times like this week, when the real bad news hits. News about kids dying and parents left bereft and madmen and guns and "Why, God, why?"

It is so much easier to take in print and on the radio. I still get all the details, but it isn't so raw and in my face. And I didn't have to see those tapes the madman made and NBC aired. The madman knew they would, too, because he understood the news, at least.

I stop at my parents' house twice a day and it is playing in an endless loop, the madness.

The newscasters say "Tonight, more questions about why he did it and more on the continuing investigation."

I yell at the TV "He was MENTALLY ILL and now everyone is DEAD. End of story."

But I know they won't stop until every emotion is wrung from every pore. I worked in news. I was one of those idiots asking idiotic questions that everyone wants to hear but no one admits they want to hear.

If you want to be happy, if you want your family to be happier and saner, toss your TV. Or at least cancel the cable. I'm not joking. It sounds impossible, but it is easy and healthy and fun. And a side benefit is that you'll never have tape of a madman playing in your living room unless you decide that is what YOU want.