A Summer Experiment... In Torture

A lot has changed, folks.

For starters, I lost my gall bladder in a horrible skiing accident. Kidding, but I really did lose it. But we parted ways in a brutal break-up that was three months of horrific pain and is still lingering on, as all bad break-ups do.

I had switched jobs from doing customer service for a cable tv provider to selling auto insurance. I loved my job in the cable/phone/internet industry. I loved my co-workers and enjoyed what I did every day. But I figured I'd take a leap of faith (in myself) and take a position in sales. I had done minor sales in my customer service position, and really enjoyed it. 
Turns out I loved selling insurance. I thrived on it. There was no bigger high than turning someone around from a solid no to getting them set up with a new auto policy. It was a rush. Unfortunately, I wasn't really happy within the company I worked for. Not naming names, but I found that staying within that company was crushing my spirit, each day harder than the one before. I have some pals in a different department, and they love it there. But it just was not for me. So I took an even bigger leap of faith, and walked out the door in hopes of finding the perfect job for me.

And I have found that as a temp for a contracting company that builds trusses and panels for homes. I do mostly data entry, but on the engineering side so I get to play around with AutoCad and fun things like that all day. It was a huge pay cut, and there won't be much opportunity for overtime that I can tell at this point, but I love it. I'm excited to go to work every day, and when five o'clock hits, I wonder where the day went. Plus I get to listen to my ipod all day, and that ain't so bad.

So, hurray for me. I found exactly what I was needing. Unfortunately, in getting what you want there are some sacrifices that need to be made. And in this drastic pay cut meant one thing: I'd have to cut back on some of the frivolous things I've become accustomed to.

Now, if you've read my previous blogs, you know I am a tv junkie. There's no better way to put it. My DVR is my best friend. I'm a sucker for fall tv, I look forward to the summer shows that never last long enough (Rookie Blue!) I. Love. Television.

Therein lies the rub. Previously, I was getting a huge discount on my cable tv. This allotted me the joy of having a dvr in every room of the house and every channel that could possibly become available to me. And I wasn't good enough with JUST that. Heavens no, I also have a Netflix instant queue account that I take advantage of frequently.
So about a year ago, I lost that discount. But that was okay, since I was making more money in my sales position. However, now I also am no longer making the same income. And spoilers: Cable tv is expensive.

Which leads us to the title of this blog. I've decided to take the summer and try something completely different. We've disconnected all of our cable television. Not even basic cable. We knocked it all the way down. So any television watching will be done with Netflix, Hulu+ or any other internet streaming website if needed. I have a plethora of dvds, and of course there's a Redbox on every corner if I need something a little more recent.

I'll take the summer doing this. Because hopefully by the end of the summer, I'll have found a way to pay for cable once again, or I will realize I'm completely fine without cable.

I keep telling myself I'll do okay. I'll have more time to read, as well as write (Hey, first blog in months!). And plus, its summer! Now I wont have an excuse not to go to the pool, or outside in general. Though it does seem a little like the kid that wants to play video games all summer vacation. "You're a kid, go outside and PLAY!"

Wish me luck. Send me Netflix recommendations. Keep an eye on my blog for updates, because I'm sure there will be more as the summer progresses. And mostly, have a fantastic summer!