Columnists, EDITORIAL -- FEATURE SPOT, Editorials, J.R. Tidwell, Opinion
 By  J.R. Tidwell Published 
8:00 am Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Living with is better than living without

I recently moved into my first place. It’s only a one-bedroom apartment, but it serves my needs.
It’s a strange feeling being out on my own for the first time. I have yet to pay my inaugural rent and electric bill, but those little “milestones” are coming up soon.
The biggest problems I have faced so far are not knowing hardly anyone around these parts, and learning to live without Internet capabilities or television.
Living without TV wouldn’t be so bad — if I had Internet. I can watch plenty of shows online, so my daily television fix could be quenched without so much as a channel flip.
But living without online capabilities is ramping me up to a new level of boredom I didn’t know existed.
I can’t turn on ESPN 3 and stream games, I cannot watch “Bleach” on animeseason.com — yeah, I’m an anime nerd, what of it? — and I can’t update my Facebook wall or check my email at will.
Being out on my own and living without such luxuries has made me come to realize how much I depend on TV and Internet for entertainment.
The only people I personally know in Russellville so far are my landlady, a maintenance worker at my apartment complex — who just so happens to be my boss’s father — and several local high school principals and basketball coaches.
I graduated from UNA this summer, and I have only realized how much I enjoyed being around people my own age, because I cannot seem to find many around here so far.
I forgot to mention that my favorite part of my apartment right now is my “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree that my brother got me, which came complete with the one ornament that makes the “tree” sag.
As for the television and Internet, I should have that hooked up by 3 p.m. on the day this paper runs.
If no one hears from me for a few days, I have rediscovered TV and Internet, and I will return when my newfound attention grabber loses my focus.

Also on Franklin County Times
First Metro Bank donates $250K to hospital
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville Hospital has received a $250,000 donation from First Metro Bank through a state tax credit program. “All rural hospitals a...
PC grad had role in Artemis II launch
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Bernie Delinski and María Camp 
April 8, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Noah Williams stood in a grassy field at Kennedy Space Center on April 1 about seven miles from the Artemis II launch pad. It was the ...
Locals react to US’s 10-day space flight
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rocky Stone, former Russellville High School principal, called last week’s Artemis II launch a “milestone” in the United States’ space ...
Gray hired as UNA director of bands
News
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
April 8, 2026
FLORENCE — Joseph Gray has been named the next director of bands for the University of North Alabama. He will also serve as an associate professor of ...
Students take part in ‘Adulting 101’ event
Franklin County, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 8, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – About 200 Franklin County high school seniors took part in an “Adulting 101” event at the Franklin County Career Technical Center in Be...
Kiwanis Club returns; Key Club planned
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Kiwanis Club has returned to Russellville. Members gathered last week at Calvary Baptist Church to review bylaws, elect officers an...
Bridge work moves forward on SR 243
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Construction of a new bridge over Cedar Creek on SR 243 is moving forward as crews recently completed a major step in the project. Last...
Neighbors steps down as chairman of Democrats
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rick Neighbors has stepped down as chair of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee, citing personal commitments he said no ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *