TV Update

As promised, here's the rest of the story on my TiVO ordeal. I received the unit from the vendor in record time. It was so fast, I didn't even get the tracking e-mail! I set it up but I couldn't find the new account card. The card identifies your machine to the provider and says which services you subscribe to. I couldn't find a place to put my old card. I was puzzled and called DirectVD and was informed in a roundabout way that TiVO and DirectVD have essentially parted company. I thought I'd done enough research when I learned that DirectVD was going back to the equipment leasing model effective tomorrow. The reality was that this deal went down last summer and forced DirectVD to come up with their own equipment. Hence the divorce from TiVO. The tech person told me that I'd be better off returning the TiVO unit and getting a DirectVD Digital Video Recorder from one of their authorized dealers. I researched the unit online and saw all of these negative reviews. I was apprehensive but I didn't want to side with the wrong party in this divorce so I went ahead with my purchase. While it's not as cute and sassy as TiVO, the unit is fine. It's has a few clunky quirks but as long as it records and fastforwards through commercials, it's fine. As a matter of fact, the ffwd key works great! Its functionality is better than the TiVO I used to have and it stores more programming.
Of course, I had to look into returning the TiVO unit to my vendor. I thought I was going to get smoked. I figured okay, return shipping, re-stocking fee, all this shiznit because DirectVD wasn't clear about its program and the TiVO unit description on the vendor Web site did not say "satellite receiver sold separately". I had questions but I didn't feel like talking to Apu in India.



I tried their crustomer service chat. My first attempt was somehow disconnected. I tried again and the dude essentially told me that I was in the 30 day time limit. As long as I didn't sign up for any service with the unit, I could ship it back, no charge and get a full ree-bate (as Spike Rite would say). Rock on. Mad props to my homies at ABT Electronics, home of no tax, usually free shipping, and solid customer service. They is the shiznit!

Burp

I remember when Howard Stern was leaving terrestrial radio for satellite.I wasn't certain whether or not I wanted to follow him. I kept saying aloud, "But who am I going to burp with in the morning once he's gone?". It started back in the day when Spike Rite lived in Michael Jackson Heights, Queens and I was on the scene to get a firsthand Archie Bunker p.o.v. We're eating breakfast, surfing the 'net, and listening to Howard. He was doing a live commercial read for Aamco. As he read the tag line, "Double "a"--mco" he paused in between the double a and the mco to let out a sow
belch. I looked at Rite and said, "Did he just burp?". Rite confirmed and I just about fell off my chair with laughter. Granted, I'm an adult chick who shouldn't dig bodily expulsions from a grown man but as long as I can't smell 'em, it's all good. Quite often Howie will belch and I'll do it right back at 'em. This morning I farted at him. Immature? You bet, but at least I'm laughing my dupa off in the a.m.
I lifted the quote below from the sound bite that I linked to--I couldn't resist. I have more TiVO drama to write about but I'll wait to post. Big business is so fucked up.




Because less than 3% of you people read books. Because less than 15% of you people read newspapers. Because the only truth you know is what you get over this tube. Right now there is a whole generation that never knew anything that didn't come out of this tube. This tube is the Gospel. The ultimate revelation. This tube can make or break Presidents, Popes, and Prime Ministers. This tube is the most awesome godamn force in the whole godless world and woe is us if it ever falls into the hands of the wrong people.

Howard Beale in Network (1976)

Requiem for a TiVO

In all fairness to TiVO the above graphic is in reference to their "TiVO to Go" gadget that bombed, not their "raglar" service

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to honor a dear friend. One that is designed to die a quick, hopefully painless death...That's right kids, TiVO that fun piece of technology that aids in avoiding commercials and consequently, the corporate American agenda, bit the dust this past Monday night. It started out rather innocently...the NHL is on hiatus so that a number of players can kick it Winter Olympics style. I wanted to see when the games would be on so I could TiVO them for later viewing. As a hockey fan, I'm curious about how the players will perform for their respective countries. (I'll also add that the Team USA hockey sweaters are fugly--Team Canada has a much cooler logo) Nonetheless, I hit the "Wish List" function and began working the hockey keyword. All of the sudden the screen blinked and TiVO's last words were "Welcome. Powering Up." The screen did flip to a "Just a few more minutes..." Long story short, the hard drive froze rendering it inaccessible. Tons of cool programs that I had saved are gone! Including the documentary "The Censoring of Bill Hicks..." from the now defunct TRIO network. TRIO is now some sort of broadband content provider. If I'm not mistaken one of the major networks buried this entertaining and educational channel.
Nonetheless,my satellite provider gave me some options for my dead equipment. I also called the local dude who sold it to me and installed it. I should've taken a photo of him caring. Despite the fact that I spent a goodly sum with him over the last few years, he didn't want to figure out a way to hook a sista up with a good deal. So much for supporting local peeps. Rather than give him my hard earned money for another unit, I hit the innernet and I did a little in-person shopping at the big box electronic shops. Paul can rest assured I stayed away from "Worst Buy" which polluted the Chelsea neighborhood in NYC. In the meantime, I also did a little old fashioned liberrian detective work (using liberry databases) and learned that as of March 1st my satellite provider is leaning toward a leasing model to offset the cost of HDTV TiVO's. Apparently people are tired of buying equipment--I'll say, especially when something is less than two years old and it crashes!
All's well that ends well. I found a decent online deal with no tax and free shipping plus a rebate (I expect full Mike Rite props). I'll have a lot more room on the hard drive and the ability to burn content onto DVD. If you want the vendor contact, e-mail me--I don't want NYS ruining the party.



Oh the television man is crazy (Speakers up--boo-wah!)
Saying we’re juvenile delinquent wrecks
Oh man I need tv when I got t. rex
All the Young Dudes

Mutual of Bahf-a-hole

It looks like we're finally getting some snow action after a experiencing a rather mild winter. My contraband bird feeder is still up and running, much to my surprise. I thought the douchebag landlords would've given me what for by now but so far so good. I've tried to be a good citizen by cleaning the area under the feeder (after the cat's nemisis Rocket J. Squirrel gets his feedbag on). BJ the cat is 15.5 years old but thrills to activity of the feeder once I grab her furry can off the bed and stick it near the action. Here's a sequence of photos that I shouldn't be posting but this beats housework--click on the photos for a little more detail(forgive the alignment of the companion text, I think you'll get the idea)


The Cardinals get some pre-storm grub



Polly wanna three way? (special guest star Chickadee on the far right)




Rocket J. Squirrel, ballsy character



BJ wants to re-create last night's hockey fight between Buffalo Sabres' Andrew Peters and Ottawa Senators' Brian McGrattan

Can't Truss It

An Amherst dentist was apparently murdered sometime on Thursday. Leave it to our local, unchecked media to tell University at Buffalo Dorm residents to stay indoors. Check out UB's response:



News Release
RUMOR CONTROL: Television reports incorrect

Release Date

02/02/06


Students should ignore television reports broadcast this morning urging students to stay in their dorms because of a stabbing in Amherst a distance from the North Campus. There was no factual basis for the warnings and there is no reason that students should not leave their dormitories nor alter their daily routines. The reports were incorrect.