Television sets have existed for most of my life, but I have never owned one. About 40 years ago, I was tempted. I saw one in a catalog that was small enough to fit on a closet shelf. I thought, I'll take it out only when it promises to behave. The mailorder house told me that model had been discontinued, but they'd send me the next bigger one at the same price. I said no.

A while ago, I visited, with a friend, the ex-girlfriend of one of his coworkers. The TV was yapping, and she said there hadn't been anything on worth watching all day. I asked her why she didn't turn it off, and she gave me an eloquent "What planet did you come from" look. Another time, I more or less slept with a man who couldn't get to sleep if the TV wasn't on.

Five hours a day, on average! It's an addiction. Personally, I'd rather be a drunk or a junkie. There'd be more dignity in it.

--- Joe Fineman    joe_f@verizon.net

||: You shall love your crooked neighbor With your crooked heart. :||