Guitar . . . for life
Start at a young age if you can.? Any room you enter carrying a case will fill with interest and enthusiasm.? If you’re in about 4th grade you’ll for sure get the girls interested if you can do a report in front of the class about your piece.? Or, better yet, you could play a song in the talent show and really wow the school.
Your fingers will hurt at first, but keep on practicing, it will be worth it when you build up callousses.? Be patient and learn your chords and strums first.? Let the electric stuff stay on the back burner for now.
You’ll have something to do with your days when there’s nothing on TV (or even when there is something on).? You’ll have a release and a way to connect with those “colors” inside all our psyches.? Only music can do that.
You can clean the wood with Pledge or wood oil and a rag.? While it sounds odd, this is a very therapeutic experience bonding with the instrument.
If you’re 16-22, or thereabouts, you can start a band.? Get some friends together and have the time of your life.? Heck, if you’re good, you could even earn some reeal money by recording and getting a song on the radio.
It’s a hobby you’ll never outgrow, and make sure you aspire to one day own a Martin, like the head pictured in this blog entry.? They are the best guitars made and the expense is worth the value as you gain proficiency running up and down the fretboard . . . for life.
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I'm Damien Riley, author and teacher. Here you'll find "think outside the box" posts on psychology and inspiration. 
The title says it all. I picked up the guitar when I was nine and never looked back (I’m 30 now). There is something about sitting outside on my deck with my acoustic that is very therapeutic. The busy deadlines of everyday life fade away for a minute or two. Music is a crazy thing isn’t it…
You also mentioned playing when there is something on the TV…I annoy the heck out of my family when I diddle around on my Takamine while they are watching TV. Keep playin’ brother!
Nice Takamine visual my brother! Same to you!