I'd Like To Welcome Myself to the 21st Century

The other day, I overheard someone talking about this gadget called TiVO. Have you heard of it? I knew nothing about it, let alone how it's spelled so I decided to investigate. It turns out, this TiVO thing is pretty cool. No longer would I have to do things on "the man's" schedule. No longer would some programming director or TV executive determine when I'd be able to a break for a few minutes and wash the dishes from last night's dinner. Nope. I would tell TV when and what to play. If I had to take out the garbage or check to see I didn't burn the mini tater tots, I'd no longer have to wait for the opportune time during commercial breaks. I would decide that time. Who knew this incredible invention has been around for a few years and that anyone who's anyone who knows TV has been using it?

My new TV slave. I shall call him...TiVO.

I've never seriously considered making the TiVO move until the last few weeks when I got a personal demonstration by our mini-golf friends. It seems easy to understand, easy to use, and easy to become addicted. All of which means it's a good buy for me. I never thought I'd get enough out of TiVO so I always brushed it aside, until I realized there actually are many shows I enjoy watching and always miss or forget to tape (yes, I still use a VCR to catch a show that I want to watch). Also, TiVO would improve the quality of my TV watching in that I'd skip commercials and other unimportant and uninteresting parts of a show.

The magic box that changes lives.

Unfortunately, the lifetime subscription for $300 is no longer available execpt off of EBay for twice that amount. This leaves me with the best deal - 3 pre-paid years for $469 (~$13/month). With the dual-tuner, 80-hour box, the total comes to $499 (~$14/month). My order was placed a few days ago and I should be TiVOing all of my shows sometime next week. The next-generation TiVO box will have HD capability, but since my budget doesn't allow for an HDTV (nor that I really need one anyway) and that it's not for sale yet, I'm fine with this current generation box.

I will enjoy my power trip...telling the RB when he's allowed to run.

Now I will finally take control away from the TV programmers of the world and watch my idiot-box on my own schedule. Viva TiVO Freedom! Viva La Revolution!