Why TV Doesn't Mean Much Anymore (And Neither Does This Blog)

I started this blog in 2011... ish? It's been so long, I don't honestly remember, and I'm too lazy to look it up. Back then, we had cable. My son had a list of children's shows he loved to watch. I enjoyed some of them, and really did NOT enjoy others, so this blog became my way of sharing that information for other parents out there who were in the same position.

A lot has changed in five years.

For one, my son is now more into Minecraft than television. He'll sit for hours building what I'll admit are really cool things... an underground train station, complete with turnstiles and signs, a Tardis that is actually bigger on the inside... stuff I never would have dreamed of when I was his age. Of course, when I was his age, the high tech computers were Apple IIe's and I was excited when the ones at school had color screens; the one I had at home had a monochrome screen of black and orange.

Another thing that has changed: our television stand. Here it is...

(That's Louie, our spoiled Chinese Crested)

Notice anything? No, I'm not talking about the layer of dust I should have gotten rid of before I took the photo. Or the adorable spoiled rotten dog in the dog bed. I'm talking about what isn't there: a cable box.

We have been cable free for almost two years now. Our television subsists solely in terms of Hulu, Netflix, and an antenna. Yes, that's right, we have an antenna. We enjoy a channel called Laff TV that shows old 80's sitcoms and movies. In fact, we watch Night Court pretty religiously nowadays as we go to bed at night. It's pretty great.

Back to the lack of cable. We don't get any of the big networks anymore. All the Discovery Networks... gone. I missed the death of Hub Network, turned Discovery Family. No more Nickelodeon. No more Disney Channels.

You know what? We really don't miss it. Our network shows, we can basically watch on Hulu the following day, which is what we were doing with DVR anyways. Even our favorite @Midnight from Comedy Central posts the following day. We splurged for the $11.99 commercial-free plan. It's worth it. We use Netflix for the kid stuff mostly, and some of the other shows we didn't watch when they were originally airing, like Breaking Bad. We basically only watch television shows during dinner these days. I know, I know, it's not great for family time, but meh. After that, we're doing other things: playing our pinball table, playing a videogame as husband and wife or daddy and son. Spending time on our amazing lake-view deck.

Life is definitely different post-cable. And this is the main reason this blog is basically obsolete. About.com doesn't pay me to write about cartoons anymore (even though they are currently advertising my former site for a writer... I'm pretty sure that's a glitch though). From the friends I knew who were still working with them, they've cut their writer force significantly in the past few months. Almost all of my network connections have since moved to different jobs. Sure, my email box is probably filled to the brim with press releases, but they've basically realized I don't work for a major online outlet any longer and have stopped contacting me with opportunities for awesome freebies to review or trips to attend.

I have to come to terms with the fact that this phase of my life is over. It saddens me, because I was given some amazing opportunities through this outlet. I got to interview amazing voice actors, directors, producers, television stars. I got to meet famous people IN PERSON on red carpets. I got to hug Bill Nye for pete's sake! That was one of the most incredible things EVER!

Obligatory Bill Nye hug pic!

I got to review movies before others even saw them. I got to go to Los Angeles three times! For all of this, I am thankful. It was so much fun while it lasted! Memories were made, friends were made, dreams came true.

I never really became a "famous blogger" like some of the people I had the chance to work with: Nickida from www.NickisRandomMusings.com, Meredith from www.SanityInSuburbia.com, David from www.DadAllDay.net, Nancy from www.MediaMedusa.com, Matt from GeekDad, Mitch from www.GayNYCDad.com, and soooo many more I can't even begin to list. These folks have the right stuff. They made it big and continue to do amazing, awesome things with their blogs. I'm so honored to have met and worked with them.

It's time for me to hang up my blogging pants. While I'm obviously sad this phase is passing, I'm hoping to do more amazing things in my future. I'm working on a tech-thriller novel. I'd love to do a podcast (if I can figure out something awesome to talk about that others would enjoy listening to). Maybe eventually I'll even find more freelance work that pays me to write about awesome things.

To all my readers, thank you. I know there aren't many of you out there. I was never a "popular" blog. To all my PR people, thank you. I couldn't have done 90% of what I did without you. And thank you to television, for giving me something I never thought I'd get out of you. I'm humbled beyond belief.

Thank you, and goodnight.

This is a post all about how my life got flip-turned upside down...

We didn't become royalty of any LA suburb, unfortunately. However, the TV household is no longer based out of Columbus, Ohio.

It all started back in July. TV Dad got a job offer after not having taken down his resume from LinkedIn. Yes, you're reading that right, someone found him on LinkedIn and offered him an interview. He asked me if he should go, because the interview was for a job in another state. It was something we had never discussed before. I told him to go for it, what's the worst that could happen? So he did. And the offer they gave him, basically on the spot, was amazing. The company was fabulous. There was plenty of growth opportunity for him, something his previous job no longer afforded him.

So...  I spent the remainder of the summer packing our house, finding a new one, qualifying for the mortgage, figuring out what to do with our old house, making moving arrangements, and figuring out a temporary living situation for TV Dad. He moved out to go to work and would come home on the weekends.

He was less than 200 miles away, but it felt like it was across the country. I gained a new respect (not that I didn't have respect before, but now it was magnified) for spouses who are either parenting by themselves or while their partner is deployed. It was the hardest four months of my life as a mom.

October 23rd, we officially signed the mortgage paperwork for our new home in Indianapolis. It's my dream home (except for the kitchen, unfortunately, which was designed by a tiny Asian woman who wanted something like she had back home... I get it, but I have grandiose plans to redo it eventually). It's more than double the size of the house we were living in. It's got a finished basement, which we have given mostly to TV Boy to house his toys/video games. It also has a lovely mother-in-law suite down there, which has served well for the many visits of TV Grandma (sorry Mom, that's the name you get here!). We finally have a real guest room. All amazing things.

But I had to leave everything I've ever known behind. For the first time in my life, I had to get to know a new city. Yes, I was one of those freaks that went to college in the same city I grew up in. I never lived in a different city, unless you count my father's house after he remarried, which was a suburb of my city, haha!

Anyway, I digress!

Moving has been hard, mostly because I left my entire social life behind. TV Boy made friends with kids just up the street. TV Dad has new friends at work. I've been struggling to find groups to make new friends for myself, but no one tells you how hard that is in your thirties!

All this to say, I'm so sorry to any of my loyal readers (did I ever have any of those?) that I let this gig fall by the wayside. I'm hoping to force myself to get back into it! I'm considering making a change to more general entertainment instead of just kids stuff in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience. All in the pipes for now, of course!

As a fun little bit, I have actually been keeping up with The TV Mom Facebook page. Just this past week, as part of a farewell to MythBusters, TV Boy made a little LEGO scene of Jamie Hyneman blowing up a TARDIS. I posted a video of him explaining it to the Facebook page, and it went WILD! I still don't know if Adam or Jamie saw it, but look at these numbers!

17K people saw this... what???

So, do TV Boy a little favor and hit up the page, watch and click like/share/or comment on his video. He would lose his mind if Jamie or Adam replied to it! Help his little six-and-a-half year old dream come true!

Here's hoping for more new content from your (presumably) favorite TV Mom!

I'm back baby! A little bit!

Big news... we're moving! To another state! That's why I've been so quiet lately. Trying to coordinate an interstate move with a six year old and a husband that is already gone is HARD, you guys. Not enough coffee and wine in the world, I tell you!

But! I wrote a thing! For my friend Nancy's site MediaMedusa.com. (Those of you who don't know Nancy yet, hit up animatedtv.about.com and read more of her work. She's pretty rad!) It is a piece inspired by a conversation with a friend asking about the quintessential Doctor Who episodes one would need to see (from the new series... that's the caveat here... I couldn't even BEGIN to go into classic Who!) in order to get a feel for the entire collection.  Click the picture below to read more!

Tune In Alert! #BarkFest on Nat Geo WILD

Nat Geo WILD channel's inaugural BarkFest weekend begins TOMORROW, Friday May 15th at 8pm ET/PT and celebrates all things canine with shows that teach about the brains "behind that bark".

The BARKFEST programming lineup includes...

FRIDAY, MAY 15: 
World’s Greatest Dogs - Friday, May 15 at 8 PM ET/PT These are the stories of extraordinary dogs: a surfing therapy dog, a bionic dog, a dog with the world record in scootering, and many more. We’ll meet these incredible canines and their dedicated owners.
Cesar 911 Season Finale - Friday, May 15 at 9 PM ET/PT Cesar rushes to the aid of Joe, a frantic husband and father.

Is Your Dog A Genius? Doggy See, Doggy Doo – Friday, May 15 at 10 PM ET/PT Is your dog a born genius? Or can you make him one? Duke University dog scientist Dr. Brian Hare uses his groundbreaking research to help dog owners better understand their canine companions. This interactive series will help dog owners everywhere unlock their canine’s true potential.
SATURDAY, MAY 16:

The Incredible Dr. Pol: Dog-A-POL-ooza - Saturday, May 16 at 8 PM ET/PT In this special episode of The Incredible Dr. Pol, it’s all dogs all day this week at Pol Veterinary Services!


Unlikely Animal Friends: Bark-Tacular- Saturday, May 16 at 9 PM ET/PT We’ll take a look at some of the most amazing unlikely friendships that prove that dogs are more than just man’s best friend!


Is Your Dog a Genius? Who’s Your Doggy? - Saturday, May 16 at 10 PM ET/PT Can your dog outsmart you? Does he bend the rules behind your back? Duke University dog scientists Dr. Brian Hare has developed a series of scientific test to reveal your dog’s unique strategies and help you improved your relationship with her.
SUNDAY, MAY 17

World’s Greatest Dogs– Sunday, May 17 at 8 PM ET/PT (encore airing)

Super Underdogs – Sunday, May 17 at 9 PM ET/PT From smallest to largest, from longest ears to longest tongue, from unique shapes to most muscles. These are the stories of the worlds’ most extreme looking dogs.

Is Your Dog A Genius? Talk Doggy To Me - Sunday, May 17 at 10 PM ET/PT Dogs and humans share a social bond unlike any two species on the planet. But how does your dog really feel about you? Based on his groundbreaking research, Dr. Brian Hare has created a series of games to help you better understand your canine companion.


Stay tuned to TheTVMom.com blog tomorrow to find out if our bigger dog Macintosh is a "genius"... (thanks to the fine folks at Dognition.com, who provided us the opportunity to play with their site in exchange for my BarkFest promotion)

Yep, he looks smart. 

TUNE IN ALERT: Aloha Vet on Nat Geo WILD! Season Finale TOMORROW!

Dr. Scott Sims is one of Hawaii’s best-kept local secrets. 

Not your typical veterinarian, he treats both wild and domestic animals, and when islanders need help with their pets and livestock, he’s the one they call. 

Some clients live in hard-to-reach locations, but if an animal needs help, Dr. Sims always finds a way to get there, even if he has to walk, ride a horse, drive an ATV, fly a plane or swim. 

It’s a wild job that’s an adventure every day. “Aloha Vet” airs Saturdays at 9 PM ET/PT on Nat Geo WILD.

Be sure to tune in to see the season finale episode “Last Resort” premiering Saturday, April 11, at 9 PM ET/PT: There’s never a dull moment with Dr. Sims – today, one goat gets his horns trimmed and another gets castrated, a horse needs a lump removed from his rear, and an old dog needs a tumor removed from his stomach.

Check out these SNEAK PEEK CLIPS!