Last week, I sat quietly as most of my co-workers talked about what appear to be everyone's favorite TV shows. Today, when I told Tim Cuprisin that I don't have cable, he said, "I'm sorry.

But, you know what, I'm not sorry. Sure, it'd be nice to take part in that group conversation, but, whatev.

I'm by no means a TV hater. Let's make that clear from the start. I don't hate the medium and I don't hate the many shows across the years that I've watched faithfully. And I don't look down on people who watch a lot of TV. How anyone spends their free time is up to them, right?

In fact, even without cable, I still watch a fair amount of TV. But, it seems, not really all that much -- a little "news," a little PBS (you know, Rick Steves, cooking shows, etc.), "The Simpsons" when I can (read not often).

I have kids at home and when the first was born we vowed the wee ones wouldn't grow up in a home in which the TV provides a constantly yakking soundtrack. As a result, we only watched after bedtime. By then, we were tired.

Nowadays, the TV is on sometimes before it gets dark, but not for long. And by the time the little ones are in bed, I'm toasted. Like a constantly running home appliance, young kids are a big energy drain.

And, although there are times I just want to watch TV and I sit googly-eyed in front of whatever is on offer, there are more times when there's stuff I want to get done.

There are kids to play with and to read to. In spring, summer and autumn there's garden and yard work, for example. There are also books to read, CDs to listen to, guitars to play.

Since 2005 I've published three books and produced a CD of poetry and music (by others), organized photo exhibitions, coordinated visits to Milwaukee by musical groups, set up some film festivals and that sort of thing.

I won't say that they've happened because I wasn't sitting in front of the TV. But I will say that doing that stuff has helped keep me away from the TV.

When I heard a news report the other day that all the new high-def, LCD and plasma TVs suck tons more energy that the old picture tube models, I shrugged. Hey, call me environmentally conscious. I have a picture tube TV and it's rarely on for more than an hour or two a day.