Not to alarm you, but… I haven’t really been watching tv lately. Or, at all. Except, maybe some OPB.

Before you send the gentlemen with the white coats and the butterfly net over, I’ll enlighten you.

It started months ago. I had a Comcast DVR at my studio apartment. A girlfriend of mine would come over each week to watch Big Love with me. We’d usually start watching it at the time  it actually started, but often  had to pause the show for, you know, discussion. Well, this became tougher and tougher, because the recording was distorted. So, after I was unable to bear this ANYMORE. I called Comcast. And, they brought out a brand new DVR box to me. Well, this one was worse. It just didn’t record, or if it did, I’d get to a really good part of whatever I was watching and then, BLACK SCREEN. So, each and everytime I called Comcast, they’d assure me that all I’d need to do is unplug my DVR for 30 seconds and then the software would reboot and it would be ALL GOOD. Heh. Really? Because after that, it NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. Then, after that, it would just stop recording things, and tell me my DVR service was unavailable. So, I called Comcast again. “Don’t worry, they said! Just unplug your DVR for 30 seconds…..” I did this at least twice a day. Then, I started watching DVDs. And, Hulu.

So, I decided that when I moved into my new apartment, I’d get satellite. Well, through my phone company I signed up for some fancy package with satellite, phone, DSL, and a discount on my wireless. So I thought. The satellite people have NEVER CONTACTED ME. But, do you know what I’ve noticed? When I have the tv on lately, it’s just for background noise (and it’s  been playing Season 1 of The O.C. non stop), and more and more, I find myself listening to awesome cds that some girl makes me, or podcasts (we won’t discuss the lack of new episodes of This American Life), or I even read (sssshhhhh). So, I think I’ve cured myself of my tv addiction. Not that there is anything on anyway.

But, what I have been missing is turning on the news in the morning for the weather report. So, today, I ordered myself a voucher for one of these babies. So, I at least be able to watch network tv.  I’m sure I’ll still partake in the occasional online tv show, heck, I may even up my Netflix subscription to 3 at a time. And, I have a stack of books just waiting for me to jump into. But, for the most part, I think couch potato Rhi is gone for good.

And, that is how I decided, or was forced to give up tv.

Now, I’ve done some moving in my life. As a child, we lived all over the Portland area and even in Seattle. I moved to Eugene to go to U of O at 18. I moved back from U of O at 20. And, you may recall, I moved just six months ago out of the ex-boyfriends house, into my bachelorette pad. So, I SHOULD KNOW BETTER.

So, some tips for you:

• Why don’t you go ahead and make sure you have yourself enough boxes
• Also, make sure you have yourself enough paper to wrap things in.
• And, when you ask your brother to help you move. Maybe you should  mention to him NOT to  bring your 3 year old niece. She’s THE ADORABLE, but she’s quite the distraction, because, kissing her chubby cheeks is more fun than lifting boxes.
• When you hire movers from eHelp.com, make sure you get ones who don’t drop your tv (still haven’t turned it on) or scratch your very, very favorite chair.
• And, most importantly, make sure you have yourself enough WINE, and also WINE when you’re unpacking at night. Because you’ll need it.

Now, my new apartment is THE FANTASTIC, and I promise photos are forthcoming. But, I’ve learned some things:

• When you’re moving into the same apartment complex that you’ve lived in  before, you might be tempted to put your mail key into your old mailbox. It’s a good idea to stop doing this in case the person who really does live in that apartment catches you. That would  be embarrasing. Not that I know.
• It’s also tempting to park in your old carport, even though it’s quite the walk to your new apartment.
•  Practicing your new address is a good idea, because sometimes, you mix the two up and your postal worker is confused.
• It’s a good idea to not think too much about  the catalogs that the person who lived in your former apartment received. It will give you nightmares. Just go ahead and toss them right into the recycling bin.
• Also, please refrain from egging your downstairs neighbors door when she complains about the raucous parties you’ve been having ON THE NIGHTS YOU’VE STAYED AT YOUR  BOYFRIENDS HOUSE. Shut up, I’m a sinner, I know.
• But, maybe perhaps find out from cat if she’s the one having raucous parties.
• When setting up your AeroGarden, make note that the flourescent lights do turn on at 5 a.m., and when they come on they will scare the *((*(#)&*@#!! out of you. And, your cat.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers concerning my dad this past week. He’s home now (at the beach house) resting. He has what is called an Aortic Dissection (Type 2). Basically there is a tear in his ascending aorta. If the tear is small enough, they’re able to fix it with a stint, but unfortunately, in my dad’s case, the tear is too large, so they are keeping his blood pressure very low with medication until the tear heals. He’ll be off work for the next couple weeks, but hopes to return half time as he’s already bored. We’ve discussed the inappropriateness of not letting your daughter know you’re in the hospital until the FOURTH day and he promises me he’ll be more forthcoming with his ailments in the future.

Luckily for him, we quit smoking as his New Year’s Resolution, so he can take that off his list of worries

Now, if you could turn your prayers toward my Grandma (my dad’s mom), as her condition has worsened greatly and her home hospice workers say her days with us are few.

Thank you all, and thanks for being my friend in this difficult time.