| | When I finally signed into MSN Messenger at the beginning of this holiday, a friend asked me, 'Why so long never online?' My instinctive response was to keep on talking, giving all sorts of reasons--or rather, excuses. I said I was busy in school, with homework, projects and assignments, and all sorts of activities such as drama practice, orchestral practice, meetings, etc. But thinking deeper, I don't recall all this completely taking over my life.
Okay, so there were times during the semester that I was so busy I barely touched my laptop, except for programming work; but that aside, I should have plenty of time to sit in front of the computer just to do plain nonsense. But no, all I recall doing on the computer is work, whether at the computer lab or back in my room on the laptop; even surfing the Internet was meant for work.
The most I did at a time not for work were reading a couple of blogs, downloading some songs and music scores, and checking my mails--and the last one is partly work. I did not log onto Messenger or Gtalk for a very long time, I abandoned Xanga, and (the fun side of) the Internet in general. And the Internet wasn't the only thing I abandoned; I also abandoned TV, which was a big part of my life too. It could be said that I abandoned pop culture in general. And to be frank, it didn't hurt.
I was just thinking back: so, why didn't I get online? And I realise the TV and Internet have been taken over by 'real' activities.
TV and the Internet are very 'alone' activities. One computer, one person. Perhaps TV is not so much single-person, but bear in mind that the shows I watch(ed) are not the kind of shows other guys watch. They watch Overhauled, while I watch ANTM; I dig Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, and they dig Lost and 24. The lack of TV and the Internet only meant more time for and activities with friends. The TV and Internet are substituted with late-night pillow talks, card-playing, and just plain crashing friends' rooms--which translates to fun and insightful bonding sessions.
My free time used to be directed right onto the TV or computer. If I had half an hour, I'd go online and scout for random blogs and videos, and maybe google up the current hottest people. More often than not, when my half an hour is up, I'd have blogs unread, videos loaded but unwatched, and be midway through the news of Miley Cyrus having another non-existent scandal. But things changed during the recently ended semester. I'd pick up the guitar and start humming random tunes, or replay some songs over and over again as practice, or just try strumming here and there to learn a new song. If my break is rather long, I'd take out the cello. Everytime I pick up the guitar or cello, I learn something new. When the break is up, I'll just put them back into their casing.
Putting aside the TV and Internet--albeit unknowingly--my lifestyle has changed. Instead of staying indoor and in my room all day long like how I used to, I now go out and have fun. And that does not only mean shopping malls and movies; I actually do soccer now. Up next would be basketball and mastering the butterfly style of swimming. And, my sleeping habits are improving. No, sleeping late is not completely eradicated, but it's been cut back. There are very little sleepless nights due to being online; it's usually homework or non-addictive activities now, and even those are getting less. Sleeping usually at 4am turned to sleeping utmost at 2. That's definitely an improvement.
If being devoid of the TV and Internet gives me all the abovementioned, I don't feel devoid of much. Although, of course, living in today's world, I could not and would not completely be without those two. I'd still blog and read blogs, venture around in YouTube and catch up on Gossip Girl, only maybe not as intensive as I used to be, because losing out on those is nothing that can't be saved--I just spent a whole day in front of my laptop, and I've already caught up on the cyberspace; the TV wouldn't be all that hard.
Choosing to miss out on TV and the Internet, I don't miss out a lot; but choosing not to miss out on TV and the Internet would mean missing out a huge chunk in life.
I'm sorry, Xanga, Internet, and Astro, but I choose the latter.
P.S.: The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra show on Sunday was incredibly fun, although, I couldn't understand the cello solo, because it was contemporary. Ice-skating on Monday was exhilarating as well, albeit tiring. Also, I discovered that Kris Allen and I have the same range of vocals.
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| | Posted 6/16/2009 9:36 PM - 68 Views - 4 eProps - 2 comments
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