Monday, January 14, 2008

Writer's Island - "Treasure"

There are not many "things" I treasure except the precious photos of my past. I no longer care much about clothes, cars, shoes, purses or jewelry. I have spent the last two years putting most of our money into our home and now that it's completed I had decided to go against my grain by wanting a luxury item.

Two years ago Dave gave me our tax refund check to buy a flat screen TV for our mountain abode. I protected that money as if it was sacred so I could get a surround sound TV with a good size screen. I love my movies and TV so I diligently did my research before we went to purchase it during the after Christmas sales, this last Christmas. The sales people were very helpful in pointing out that I had not done enough research on my little project. When you see a wall of TV's staring at you, 52" does not seem very big in the store or online. We chose the 52" but I had to keep tugging Dave away from even larger screens. I had no idea how much crap you need for a TV. Once you add your cables, mount, HD DVD, installation, cord cover, wire, warranty, delivery to the boonies, that sale price adds up fast. I was in a state of shock and anger at myself for spending this much money on a want and not a need. Dave was really excited and kept saying we deserved it. I managed to stay under budget but not by much.


Dave was getting really excited for the big day but I was still apprehensive from sticker shock. It truly came to a head when they lifted it onto the mount, I gasped. I had the worst case of buyers remorse I've ever had. It looked huge in our living room and I kept asking the installers if that was what we had chosen. I had to go blog and try to ignore the elephant in my living room. When I walk into the room it growls at me and taunts me by whispering "hypocrite" in HD. It is called "the monster" when referred to by me but Dave thinks it's great. I never wanted a TV to be a focal point in my cosy living room. I don't understand how I got sucked into this whole big screen thing, it's just not me...or is it?

We finally had our first movie night and I temporarily forgot my remorse. It was like being in a movie theater, but with the TV if the channel is not in HD the picture stinks at 52". Our local Fox station is not in HD yet, so House, Prison Break, 24 and Idol will be a mess. The coupons we will receive from our purchase will pay for a Wii and I will get to box with my TV. I will be kicking some serious monster butt. I've re-decorated to disguise "the monster" but it just keeps growing. Karma! I've learned keeping things simple is more my style but I must make peace with the monster.

22 comments:

Head Cookie said...

Hi Tammy,

Well I hope that you learn to enjoy your monster. As I see it you made your house look beautiful so you deserved some mad money so to speak. If it makes you and the family happy then that is what counts. Life it too short to not have something that you want every now and then. Simple is great but we all like a special something from time to time.

paris parfait said...

Well I expect you'll really enjoy watching movies on the monster! That's one good thing about a small Paris apartment - definitely no room for a big television set! I'm sure we'd be tempted if we had more space. Hope you find the "monster" brings some delights to you both. (I missed you!) xoxox

Chris said...

You crack me up, you and your monster! I'm finally having to buy a flat screen to replace our set that is dying downstairs. Alexis wants one up on the wall....I want something smallish that will fit in our bookshelfs.

I guess you'll not be blogging anymore once you get your Wii :)

Keith's Ramblings said...

As you said, I would nver want a TV do be the focal point of my room, so I went for a modest one that doesn't detract from my precious art and other treasures in my room. HD is good though isn't it!

Tumblewords: said...

I rarely watch TV - other than on the fly - but I can surely identify with your processing the Monster's needs and wires. You'll love Wii, at least I do. I hang out at the kids' house - don't have one myself YET. :) Enjoy!! Wonderful post!

Linda Jacobs said...

Your living room looks so cozy and warm! Enjoy your new TV and just go with it. Enjoyable write!

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Make peace.

Anonymous said...

I hope you and "the monster" find a way to make peace. I think we deserve to splurge sometimes!

I'm truly jealous of the Wii - it looks like so so so so so much fun!

Lucy said...

it growls at me and taunts me by whispering "hypocrite" in HD.
haha You crack me up, Just enjoy the monster!
don't feel remorseful Tam! Wait till LOST starts! I can't wait! xox

chicklegirl said...

This was so funny! A couple years ago my husband talked me into getting a "big" TV (only 46" but it was still enormous compared to what I had been used to), and I really wondered what I had gotten myself into... until the first time we watched an action movie, and then I was sold. It can be hard to disguise, but when you like movies as much as we do, it's worth a little extra effort. And I think that even if a TV is a luxury item, life should never be so spartan that we can't give ourselves a much-deserved treat now and then.

emmapeelDallas said...

Oh, this mirrors my feelings about The Beast. I have just 2 in my house; a small one on the kitchen counter that is seldom on, and one in the gameroom, inside an armoire, so that it is not the focus of the room. Still, I admit, there are times I'd love something bigger to watch movies on...but I doubt I'll ever break down and do that, for all the reasons you mentioned...

Good post!

Crafty Green Poet said...

We don't have room for a big tv andi don't like a tv dominating the room, but I can imagine loving a huge tv once the good movies come on... So enjoy....

Anonymous said...

((((((Tammy)))))

Our tv is old, so old it has to warm-up for 15 minutes before you get a picture. The bedroom tv is even older, it has a dial! We got a DVD player for Christmas, but can't use it because there are no plug-ins on either set. :)

We'll have to get a new tv soon anyway when the cable is all in HD. Remember that the 'monster' is your 'monster'. Keep it chained up and fed and all will be well.

turquoise cro said...

O! Maybe Wii will change your mind about that monster!!! You'll laugh your way to making peace with it!!I've never done Wii but that's what I've been thinking, splurging on it because my Gina says it is soOoOOOo much FUN! Income Tax$$$!! WOOT! Congratulations!!! on the BIG news!!! 9lbs, 50z!!!!! WOOT! GOD BLESS YOU all!!!

Yolanda said...

It seems we treasure the same things. Things are not that important to me anymore.

Anonymous said...

This was funny and so true! My husband is similar, the bigger the better! congrats on the purchase, I can see you enjoying many adventurous movie nights here. Have fun.

Anonymous said...

I guess I must have seen enough of those TVs in other people's homes not to have it seem shocking. You've done a nice job of redecorating and soon it will just seem like it has always been there.

Sending BIG hugs!

Jana B said...

Tammy, you are gonna LOVE the WII!!!!!!! Boxing is hilariously fun, and the tennis is great!!!!

We want to get a WII too... a bigger screen would be nice, but I'm happy with what we have. :)

Robin said...

It could be worse, it could be a giant box-style tv sitting there. A flat screen at least looks cool, and how fun to have your very own movie theater.

Becca said...

I've made peace with our "monster" - I hate to admit, I like it more than I thought I would (don't tell my husband!)

Get some netflix delivered and have a ball !

paisley said...

as i read this post and looked over the photos of the house,, it looks like there is plenty of room on the wall whee the old tv was to accommodate a 52" screen... i know it may take a moment to get used to,,, but soon you wont even see it as a monster... get some especially good movies,, and let it do its thing... i bet you'll learn to love it!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I hope you grow to like your 'monster' movies - maybe as more things move to HD, it will all improve? Keeping my fingers crossed for you!