No TV Shouldn't Be a Big Deal, But...

I'm used to having the TV on, and focusing on it when I'm anxious. But our DirecTV service isn't working, and we haven't had TV for several days. The problem started last Thursday, I think, and got worse over the weekend. It said it couldn't read the Access Card, and then other AC cards popped up, such as suggesting there were no AC in the machine. I took the AC out and put it back in several times, rebooted the thing, and nothing.

Anyway, I'm used to the sound of the TV and having it to focus on when I need a distraction from my anxiety (other distractions are good, but sometimes I can't use them--if I'm OCD "dirty," for instance, I can't grab a book or magazine to read), and not having TV for these several days is taking a toll on me. We're supposed to get a new AC in the mail today, but even if it comes (my bf had to pay $20 for the stupid thing! ), it might turn out the problem is with the receiver, in which case, we'll need to replace the receiver (I don't think they'll charge him for that). That'll mean even more time without the TV.

On top of that, I have stuff recorded on the DVR I want to watch, and if we have to replace the receiver, I'll lose those shows!

We've only had DirecTV for about two months!!!! I don't see why my bf had to pay for an AC card replacement when the machine breaks down so soon!

Anyway, that's a rant within a stressful complaint. It's sad that I need my TV, but I do.

I am the EXACT same way. I've always got the tv on, or the radio. I crochet to noise, read to noise. I hate the quiet. Do you have a radio? Do you have bunny ears for the tv so you can at least get local channels? It doesn't seem like there should be a charge when the thing broke down already. Not fair! Anyway....I feel your pain. Whenever my cable goes out, I flip. And I just have basic.

I'm all weirded out about noise...only one noise at a time...if the tv is on and the phone rings, I go ballistic....

I'm sorry about your Directtv....We terminated our contract with them 10 months early because of poor customer service.

Dee

I have a radio (and alarm clock that no longer works--I've since found several reviews that state that it's a piece of crap; DO NOT BUY the Magnavox MCR140 Dual Alarm Clock Radio!!!), but it's in my bedroom, and I can't unplug it because of issues with my OCD. Besides, music isn't enough for me...I need the TV images, talking and such. No bunny ears. It's an HDTV.

My bf went with DirecTV when we moved because it saved money. It definitely has a lot of nice features--when it works, but this is really pathetic. We had Comcast before, which cost more, but their channels didn't mess up because of the weather, and they didn't go out like DirecTV has.

Like you, I had my TV on 24 hours a day....the sounds of talking would keep the nightmares away. I found that I couldn't have movies on while I was sleeping because the plots & sounds of the movies would make their ways into my nightmares also....but the shopping channel was just chatter & that definitely helped.

When I went back to KY for the closing of escrow on my farm, there was no TV. The direct TV dish was there, but I didn't have a TV & wasn't going to go out & buy one just so I could have TV. There was no sound & I was way out in the middle of nowhere. At least all the nightmares stayed in Calif, so didn't have to deal with that, but the quiet after a few days really got to me. I went out & purchased a cheap radio & turned on my classical station & then started switching between that & the Country station where there was the talking. That did help.....& lived 2 1/2 months like that.

Then I came back to Calif to pack.....the TV......turned out that I didn't want to spend all that money to keep it going & I had realized that I could live without it......so back to the radio here in Calif also. I have learned to love it & really enjoy the music.....turns out, it is much more relaxing than the TV ever could be.

Sometimes we have to do without something to learn that we can live without it, to appreciate something else.
Debbie

Yeah, my boyfriend has Direct TV and he's lost signal during storms when I haven't with Comcast. I dunno, I'm an old fashioned kinda girl. Yeah, the features are nice, but whats the point if it doesn't work....

I don't know what shows you watch but a lot of stations will replay the episodes in full the next day. I also have the TV on in the background. It's in another room but I still have to have it on.

Here's an example.

http://www.nbc.com/Video/

Did you know that I only have 5 channels! How many channels do you have over the pond?

Ummmm I have about 150.

Good grief.

I have BBC1, BBC2, STV,Channel 4 and channel 5. I think if i got a digital box i could get more, but ive never looked into it.

And yes, i always have the TV or radio on in the background

hi Maven,
I like what eskielover had to say and second that but failing that have you any way of playing dvds or something or films on your computer?

I keep mine on a lot, so I understand how attached we can become to the background noise? Can you, perhaps, turn on a talk radio station for some relief? Hugs and hugs.

First, let me update you on the situation. We got the new Access Card...didn't work. So, now we have to get a new receiver, which we expect to receive Tuesday. Being without TV is hard!!!

The problem with the radio is, while I do love music sometimes, it just doesn't relax me all that much, or interest me. I need the visuals of the TV.

I only use my computer in my bedroom. It's part OCD, part practicality. I do have some DVDs I can play on it, but I find, once I'm on the computer, I have so much to do, there's no time. But that's okay...working on the computer tends to relax me. However, I can't be on the computer all the time because I need to be in the living room to keep my bird company (birds need companionship). He won't come out of his cage, and I don't want him pooping in my room.

I also find that I feel more anxiety being cooped up in my room all the time (I'm going to post some stuff I'm going through in the anxiety section in a bit, for those willing to read, because I could really use some support).

The other thing about the computer is my dry eyes. After spending a little while on the computer, my eyes are very goopy and it tends to make me drowsy. The dry eye really stresses me out.

Thanks, all.

((((((((((((((maven))))))))))))))) if you would like.
my only other suggestion is trying to keep yourself busy out of the house as much as possible until tuesday i guess! though with OCD that might not be a good idea...?
this sucks for you. stupid tv people. pah. im sure we could round up a few people here to stage an internet demonstration against them for you if you like?
hang in there
biiv

Thanks, biiv! That's the other thing...I need to get out, and told my bf so on Wednesday, and he said we'd go out on the weekend, and he couldn't really afford to take me out before then. I NEED to get out...what part of that is confusing??? And he had enough money to go to LA and feed himself when he attended the Drum Corps International (DCI) Championships for 6 days, plus a 10-day vacation a few weeks before that, and he's going away for Labor Day weekend, plus 10 days for Thanksgiving. I wanted to go to a horror convention while he was in LA, but his thing came first. I gave him notice I want to attend next year (as I had given him notice in previous years), and he said it depends on DCI. I want to go to Romantic Times convention next year, and again, it's all dependent when it is, as long as it doesn't interfere with his drum corps stuff. The regular season of drum corps is around Labor Day till the weekend or two weekends before Thanksgiving. I hardly get to go out during those times.

Why do I not matter??? Sorry, I need to rant. I'm stuck in this relationship, this house, this place, this situation, and I want to cry and scream and be hugged.

maven
hugs from the heart. thats a lot of frustration going on there! crying and screaming can be good for that! heres a pillow if you dont want to scare the neighbours.
i dont know where you live or what your interests are but i had to get out of the house today too so i went to an art gallery and just spent an hour staring at pictures and then doing a bit of writing because they were so inspiring. entry to the gallery was free btw and then i went and sat in a totally secluded part of a park where i wasnt bothered much by people (it helped that it was drizzling rain. lol) and just watched the robins and pigeons for another while. i felt so much better after.
and you DO matter!! and if your bf doesnt realise that he needs his ears boxed!

edited for spelling (drives me nuts when i see mistakes as soon as i post it)