Media Matters
I could start another blog just about the dumb things I do. I could post every day. I could, in fact, start another blog in which I only post about burning myself while cooking.
Friday, though, was sort of remarkable in the annals of dumbness. And, again, I have quite a list, which I archive on a spreadsheet and back up to a CD every week, thus firmly establishing my personality as annal retentive.
My son is a gamer. I think I've mentioned that before. Lots of people are, of course, and it's not limited to a particular generation; I know a guy, in his mid-40s, who spends four hours a night, every night, more on weekends, playing "World of Warcraft" online (he heals dwarves or something).
Add, in John's case, a peculiar neurology and it's an important aspect of his life. So we take it very seriously, even if we might hope that he'd develop another hobby. Such as mopping.
He has multiple systems, an account at the local rental store, magazines, peripherals, etc. When the Nintendo Wii system came out, it seemed an easy choice, but I wasn't about to put any energy into fighting the Christmas rush. Instead, we got him a nice flat screen HD-ready TV that he could transport from room to room, and waited for Wii Winter. Since his birthday is in February, you see.
So, Friday morning, after getting him off to school on his birthday morning, I casually wandered out to the local game store to pick up his Wii so he'd have it when he got home in the afternoon.
I can still hear the nerdish laughter, ringing in my ears.
Apparently stores get delivery of more Wii systems once a week or so, and sell out in slightly under 45 minutes. Go figure. I was, like, run out to the store, get some groceries, mail a letter, put air in the tires, buy a Wii, chat with the neighbors, fill up the gas tank, and come back home. Just basic errand running.
It worked out OK. Actually, this may have been his best birthday yet. It was a great day, with an Aspie friend coming home with him for the afternoon and then the two families uniting for a birthday dinner at John's favorite restaurant.
And the X-Box 360 I bought out of enormous guilt and desperation, even though it cost me a hundred bucks more than I was prepared to spend that day.
That's all to have to say about that, except to note that the 360 is made for high def, and in case you haven't gotten around to checking out the future of video I can tell you that it's for real. It almost hurts to watch, it's that sharp. I've got to go out now and rent an HD DVD so I can watch a movie on it as soon as John falls asleep, which I don't think has happened yet and it's Sunday already.
Which brings me to what was really on my mind...
Faithful readers of this blog, and faith is often what you need, know about my affection for NetFlix. I've been a subscriber for six years and have been thoroughly pleased with the service. It has met my needs, inexpensive rentals, lots of titles, and no late fees, which had started to become a budget item on par with a car payment. Since I haven't had a car payment in 10 years, you can see the attraction.
But I saw a pattern developing. I was renting titles just to rent something, and then watching them because they were here. Sort of like what happens to me and donuts.
So I decided a NetFlix break, or at least downgrade, was in order. Still, there are times when I just would like to watch something, to kill some time or relax or avoid the mopping thing. Channel hopping is not a fun activity for me, either; I want ordered choices and I want to be in charge.
So I got a TiVo.
Faithful readers will also be aware that I don't watch much television, haven't for years. I have my Sorkin Night (Wednesdays, then Sundays and now Mondays), and I try to stay with "ER" even though it's become "General Hospital," but that's about it. Some news if there's anything interesting going on, occasionally sports, but my remote control can get dusty. So what's with TiVo, God's gift to the horizontally inclined?
It was free.
Also, it's a toy. Shut up.
There are positives. No more sitting through commercials (or loading a tape into the VCR). I can record "The Daily Show" and "Good Eats" from here to eternity and skim through the ones I want to watch. I can keep a collection of films (albeit edited, with some exceptions) on disk for those times when I want some spontaneous entertainment.
The negatives are pretty much along the same lines as DVDs and donuts: If it's around, I feel the need to consume. So suddenly my television celibacy has been mightily tempted.
Moderation will always be the virtue that needs the most work, for me. I'm aware of this, and of denial and obsession and all the other parts of my particular personality that are less than attractive.
But TiVo is pretty cool. Just for the record. As are Jon Stewart and Alton Brown. TV may be a vast wasteland but once in a while there's a nice oasis, usually tucked into a cable corner at 2 a.m. And experience has taught me (one hopes) that addictive behavior comes with warning signs, if one knows what to look for, so I stay on guard and leave the TV off and go outside to look at the Cascades from time to time, understanding that there are just so many hours in the day and that the kitchen floor has, by the way, gotten awfully sticky lately.
12:11:21 PM 
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