Work It, Dad!
with Avi Spivack
Hi, I'm Avi, and I try to put the work and the dad together, with mild success. This is all about trying to give you a view from what it looks like on the dad-man's side of the world, and I hope you find my ruminations humorous because I try not to take myself too seriously.
Well, not really. But it’s so damn STRESSful.
You see, in our family, the child is not allowed to watch too much television, but the two working adults (one of whom works A LOT) typically use television as a de-stresser. I mean, who doesn’t?
I know you’ve likely heard of Netflix (the largest online DVD rental service), but here’s a little ditty about why life with Netflix just ain’t so easy.
Okay, I’ll start at the beginning: my wife is the stressed one and I am the generally calm one (though I am trying to be more stressed so we can have a more equitable life).
Some typical de-stressing activities include eating cookies, drinking Japanese twig tea, going for walks, and television, of course. (I am going to try and incorporate some board games into our lives, but sometimes you just need to sit and “veg.”)
The history of our troubled relationship with Netflix is that we used to just do movies - big mistake. We were always too wiped to sit through a whole movie, plus my wife is always in the “mood” for a specific kind of movie, which is obviously impossible with Netflix because the delivery is not instantaneous and we began to subscribe to Netflix AND maintain our Blockbuster membership whereby I would still be spending $15/month on Netflix and pay close to $4 a movie at Blockbuster for when the mood struck. Tough. And then we decided to kill our Netflix membership. It was just too much maintenance.
But through an intervention by some friends, we decided we may have acted irrationally. Perhaps we just needed to use Netflix in a more intelligent manner. And thus began our TV-show consumption via Netflix (even though we pay Comcast for digital cable and ondemand; yeah, yeah, don’t start).
We started with Lost and plowed through the first season in days. And we have continued to watch all episodes of House, Criminal Minds, and now we’re onto Numbers. And I think it’s sorta working out…
So why do I hate (or have a love-hate relationship with) Netflix?
Because I pay them $15.99 a month and unless I: maintain my queue, ensure that we’re always watching (so we take advantage of the *unlimited* nature of our membership), remember to return the movies in the mailbox (which is always a pain), and satisfy both mine and my wife’s viewing desires; that sixteen bucks is sunk, with the time ticking away until the end of the month.
Now there is help out there, but that still does not relieve the heart-pounding PRESSURE of being responsible for all TV consumption and de-stressing in my household.
Forget the whole breadwinner discussion - what about the REAL responsibilities in life?
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ha so funny, i totally relate! we have a netflix membership and often have the same single dvd sitting on top of the TV for litterally months. that one rental can cost about $40 - should have just bought it! but then if *i* were allowed (i.e. if he remembered the password!) to manage the netflix account we might get something i would actually want to watch!!!
Kate | December 7th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
This is cracking me up. Hubby knows the entire queue forwards and backwards and I like to sneak in sometimes and mix it up just to confuse him and wet my pants with giggles. He gets all giddy when that red envelope arrives so this is one of his priorities in life and I happily let him have it.
I like netflix b/c I can hang onto a movie for weeks until I finally finish it. If it wasn’t in the house then I wouldn’t get around to it and I’d be missing way too many movies. Besides, we agreed a long time ago to get rid of our Blockbuster account for two good reasons: 1) we never seemed to return movies on time and it was a huge waste and 2) I’m normally the “voice” that calls to tell you your movies are late. Nothing more annoying than being reminded by yourself that you’re a dumbass.
Mandy | December 7th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
We’ve talked about Netflix, but haven’t gotten into it, probably for the same reason we tend to go to bookstores more than the library - if we own the DVDs (or books) we’re interested in, we’ll have them around when the mood strikes. Not smart financially, but less of a hassle time-wise.
Florinda | December 7th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I’m still laughing at the idea of raising your own stress level so that life can be more equitable!
Daisy | December 9th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
You gotta try some of the advanced features. There’s an instant movie download feature now at no extra charge. The selection is a little limited, and you’d be watching on your PC instead of your TV (I gotta figure some way to hook on up to the other), but it can satisfy that desire to watch what you’re in the mood for *right now* and will save that long long walk to the mailbox.
SoftwareMom | December 10th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
I know, I do need to take advantage of their new download product, but I guess I am remaining a purist and would then question why I nagged my wife for years to finally get a large TV (32″) only to use my 17″ laptop - no chance. Well, I say that now…But make no mistake: Netflix is like a second relationship, so be warned, it takes time and energy to make it work for you. Good luck!
Avi Spivack | December 10th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I hated Netflix, cause almost all the DVD’s I rented were scratched…or worse yet, broken.
Jennifer | December 17th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
first of all You have a fun blog…..
I agree with you about this netflix and other services… I have five children and we like to rent movies to relax as a family. But, I cancelled my netflix and I don’t even go to block B any more… I started using the “REDBOX” at walgreens and McDonalds and other places, it’s really the neatest idea. (www.redbox.com) Go to the site to check it out. Mondays you can check out a free movie. So, I reduced my Cable (yesterday) to the very basic service and started using the internet for movies too. (www.freetvsearch.com) I noticed that we weren’t watching enough TV for full service cable. (Too many channels when they just watch the same two channels)
So, we spend less in that area BIG time.
Natalie | February 4th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Ha. I found your blog because I wanted to borrow your Netflix image for a post I’m doing right now.
I do the same thing! I feel like since I’m paying for it, I need to really get good use out of it. So I watch a lot of tv shows on DVD. And some movies. And I have to watch them fast. Which means forced movie time. I used to seldom watch tv.
Other than feeding this terrible addiction, Netflix has been good to me. I’ve only had one DVD that wouldn’t play. And we get stuff from each-other the day after we send it. Anyway, your blog is fun to read.
Thanks.
Emily | May 9th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Found your blog while searching for a Netflix logo jpeg.
I have a few friends who would agree with you re: always forgetting to return / manage the queue.
I think its insanely FUN to manage my queue though. I go to the site 2-3 times a day to check out what I want to see and in what order. Yes, you have to plan your “moods” a day or 2 in advance, but the experience of renting through Netflix DESTROYS Blockbuster, the satan of the movie renting industry.
As for forgetting to return….um….no comment. Because it’s not that hard lol
I love Netflix and will keep it for LIFEEEEE. =)
Nick | August 6th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I was stressing about the same thing and then I discovered their instant viewing feature. You can watch a lot of things online. I found it a pain initially watching stuff on my laptop. Then I discovered the s video cable. So now when I feel like a movie but haven’t sent in the last one I browse online, find something I like and stream it on my laptop and watch on the TV. Try it out.
Uma | August 15th, 2008 at 5:02 am
I don’t understand how managing a Netflix queue can be stressful! I think the service is great - and if you take advantage of the Instant Watch feature you can view many tv series or movies on the spot.
Karen | August 16th, 2008 at 3:58 pm