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
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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