TV.

Today, I had an epiphany: I hate the TV.

GASP.

It was one of those crazy nights that seem all too frequent now. I was coming home late from a track meet, our kitchen was all torn up because of our new cabinets, and we all had take-out from a different restaurant. We (my family and I) were eating together with the TV on "in the background".

We didn't talk to each other at all.

Now, my mother is a very lovely woman, and I am not trying to write a post about how she is addicted to the TV. I simply want to give an example. My brother was trying to say something at dinner. I don't remember what, and it probably wasn't very important, but one would think that conversation was normal at a family dinner. My mom, however, was engrossed by the story of Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger on E! News. Whenever Peter, or anybody for that matter, tried to say something at the table, my mom would shush him and get all upset. I'll be the first to admit that I do this when my brother tries to talk to me when Glee is on- I'm sure all of us have at some point- but the intensity of my mom's reaction made me realize how much the TV is a part of our lives. We tune out the people we love to watch actors portray some ridiculous drama. Sure, it is very entertaining, but the way that people are obsessed with "their shows" disgusts me.

Next time you're going to get pissed about somebody interrupting your show, think about what's really important.