What I Think I Know by Damien Del Russo
Well, yesterday was exciting. Launching a new site, wondering if I'd have writer's block on day D+1. No worries, I still have at least 3 things to write about, so I'm covered through Thursday. Friday is Eros day, so I can always come up with something on Friday. If the wife will approve is another question.
I'll rip off some cable station today with a "Tech Tuesday" about the joys of Tivo. But first, I need to comment on food. One way that my family differs from many is that we cook. After my "just do it" column yesterday, it shouldn't be surprising that we've also tackled the (renovated) kitchen. We cook largely because going out to eat is too expensive and tiresome. But we also cook because the food we make at home is often excellent. My wife is a great cook, which is all the more surprising when you consider that she only started 3 years ago, after coming to the USA. Anyway, I write tonight on a happy stomach of Salmon in Red Sauce and a slight buzz of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay (thanks Uzo & Brian).
One other note: Who knew the Washington Post could be so torturous?
(refill Chardonnay)
Television gets a lot of bad reviews, but there are actually a lot of great programs. Popular shows like CSI and 24 are movie-quality, while daytime cable programs such as This Small Space and Designer's Challenge are perfect for home improvement folks. Of course there are plenty of sports for the fans ("Hail to the Redskins..."), and reality shows such as Joe Millionaire and Survivor are a hoot. But there is a major problem - time.
Time is a limited resource, and arranging one's schedule around television programming sucks. You have both the time required to watch a show, as well as the arrangement of time to be there when the program is on. Then, if you want to watch the program uninterrupted, other activities are limited.
Anyone who has ever rented a DVD or video realizes the incredible benefit of being able to start and stop it at will. I like to watch EVERY SECOND of a program, so pause and rewind are essential features. This may sound a bit indulgent, but that's what we do - indulge our entertainment. What's the point of watching 24 episodes of a program just to miss the finale because your mom calls, you work late, or you have a date?
(drum roll)
Enter Tivo. Tivo takes Time out of the TV-watching equation. Well, mostly. You still have to have the time to watch the program. The good news: a 30 minute show is about 22 minutes long. A prime time 1-hour program is about 42 minutes. When someone calls or otherwise requests your attention, you PAUSE. When you miss a word, you REWIND, or use the little squiggly thingy to jump back 8 seconds. And, most importantly, you do this on your schedule. Watch the 9 pm Thursday night program at 3:30 pm on Sunday. Anytime.
So, I'm used to this luxury. I watch all my favorite programs, on my schedule, without the limitations. I'm certainly not the only adherent, but what amazes me is how few people use Tivo, or the competitor, ReplayTV. For the effect it has on one's life, it is certainly worth the $200 or so for a box. Perhaps people don't realize the value because they don't realize how good some of the current television programs are. If you miss every other episode, or skip portions, they stop making sense. Imagine watching Lord of the Rings, but skipping minutes 42 to 84, 96 to 110, and 120 to 145. It would no longer be enjoyable. But that's what happens when most people watch television.
Actually, that's only the half of it. For those of us with significant others, it is hard to overstate the value of being able to put a program on hold while attending to the familial joys and duties. Sunday football magically pauses while I take out the trash, run to Target, or go make my final bid on eBay. Do you realize that you can start watching a 1 pm NFL football game at 2:30 and still watch the ending live? Telephone calls from friends and relatives are no longer measured against what we're missing on television.
The moment I became an adherent was when the Tivo recorded the finale of Sopranos even though it ran 20 minutes overtime. With a VCR, I could have done it, but I would have missed the last 20 minutes. Tivo knew. Tivo did. Good Tivo!
So, Tivo (or ReplayTV) is a great tool for managing entertainment. Watch when you want, how you want. It even goes out and suggests programs you'd like, and it is often correct. There are a bunch of other features I don't even care to use.
OK, time to finish this up and watch The Agency...from Saturday night!
/Chardonnay
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