R.I.P. Toshiba, My Darling

Today I lovingly carried my very heavy Toshiba television set to the garbage truck, positioned myself to chuck her in, and stopped short just at the edge. I couldn't do it. I started to feel weepy.

My Toshiba television has accompanied me on my life's journey for twenty years, witnessing the highs and keeping me sane through the lows.  She spent her first years with someone else who eagerly passed her to me in order to upgrade to a higher standard of technology. I have no idea how long my friend had her, but I felt like I won the lottery as 19 inches was a whole lot bigger than 12 inches. I sold my hand-me-down 12-inch television set in a yard sale later that year.

Unfortunately after twenty plus years of use, the picture started acting strange about a year ago. The bottom half of people's bodies became stunted and out of proportion making them look like gnomes. Still I persevered. I could still see the picture so what do I care if Brad Pitt looks extra short? Then last week the unthinkable happened: the sound started going in and out. Drats. Why can't our possessions last forever? Especially if they were free?

Last December during the Christmas sales I prepared for the worst and started shopping. I purchased a Samsung flat screen. It was the very first television purchase I have ever made. (Thank you to everyone who supplied me with hand-me-downs throughout my whole adult life.)

First, it stunk of offgassing chemicals. The whole living room stunk. The stand was wobbly and the remote didn't work if my DVD player was anywhere near the TV. The motion speed was horribly nauseating. The sound didn't work unless it was turned up to the highest level and even then it was tinny. Disgusted with new technology I opted to return the newbie and settled happily on my old, but trustworthy Toshiba praying she would last forever. Fast forward to March and with no sound I knew it was over. I can tolerate gnomes starring in all movies, but not being able to hear what they are saying is a deal breaker.

March is supposedly the month one should buy televisions as it's this time of year when the new models are arriving and the stores lower the prices on the older models. Besides there are no materialistic holidays during this time and stores are doing their darnedest to tempt customers. I headed back to the store only this time I was armed with information from my past purchasing experience. Motion speed, screen size, and sound were important, but look at that price! A whopping $30.00 less than last year. I bought the more expensive model with the better features.

Happy to say not only is my new Vizio cheaper than it was last year, but it doesn't stink like the Samsung did and it actually works. Also planning ahead to tiny living AND because of EMF worries, I purchased the smaller 32 inch size. I still worry about the radiation that might be wafting through my living room, but I have not noticed any negative effects.

Hooray! I am one step further away from technological impairment.

As I looked into the garbage truck hole, I yelled at the garbage man, "This is HARD!!!" He thought I meant it was too heavy, when in fact, I felt like crying and couldn't bring myself to dump my sweet TV into that cold, dirty garbage truck and watch her shatter. He rushed to my side and helped as tears welled in my eyes. I looked away as I heard the glass hit the metal.  Although I was tempted to run back to my house and cry in my pillow, I decided I needed to look. I needed the closure as if I were at an open-casket funeral. She laid there amidst the garbage, her screen staring at me accusingly. Well...not really, but I still felt sad.

R.I.P. Toshiba TV. Thank you for years of entertainment and joy.