The Wanderer

I couldn't resist the $400 TiVo Series3 deal, although I got mine from store.tivocommunity.com, the store attached to a TiVo enthusiast message board (for $399 instead of about $430 at Amazon).  As a former lifetime-subscription owner, I was bummed that TiVo discontinued their lifetime-subscription transfer deal a few months ago.  Based on several message board posts I read, I asked TiVO customer service if, under certain circumstances, they would still give out the aforementioned lifetime transfer deal.  For some reason unknown to me, that's all it took to convince them to go for it.  That means for $200 extra (on top of the $400 box), I won't ever have to pay a TiVo monthly subscription again...for years to come, I hope.

Update: I'll keep you posted on how it goes hooking things up to Comcast this weekend

For all you Lost fans out there...

Today I just reading this news story about the Supreme Court allowing constitutional challenges to lethal injection by death row inmates.  This prompted me to decide that I should bone up a little on the history of the US Bill of Rights.  After all, it has been a few years since high school government class. 

Anyway, I read about how the framers of the US Constitution were influenced by the English philosopher John Locke and his "natural rights."  Suddenly it hit me that this philosophers name was the same as a character on ABC's Lost.  Sure enough, turns out there are significant enough philosophical and other similarities between the two Lockes to assume that the writers planted this information purposely.  The similarities included the fact that the fictional Locke's father is named Anthony Cooper and the real Locke's mentor was named Lord Anthony Ashley-Cooper. 

I find it amazing and intriguing that the writers of Lost are putting that much thought into the details of the story.

Update: (Thanks, Avesh)
 • Desmond (David) Hume
 • Danielle Rousseau

 Stevie - What a heart-breaking and eye-opening true story about a tormented man, stuck in so many destructive cycles, struggling through life.



 Munich - This morality tale manages to explore the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the problem or war, the golden rule, and the broken human condition without being too preachy...truly amazing!

 The Historian

	Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son
	Rhett Miller - The Instigator

I have seen anything pull of the balance since "Ed," but "My Name Is Earl" combines heart-warming with whitty without the annoying side-effect of cheesy.  The writing it outstanding, but the cast, especially Jason Lee, really puts "Earl" over the top.  You should check it out if you haven't already.  Plus, it has the added benefit of being on right before The Office.  How convenient!  (Warning: The Amazing Race, one of TV's other great treasures, is on at the same time.  How inconvenient)

 The Last Word and the Word After That

 The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands

 Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Last night began the fifth and final season of Six Feet Under on HBO.