The Wanderer http://www.jtower.com/blog/ a blog by j. tower Jonathan Tower Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:50:26 GMT newtelligence dasBlog 1.8.5223.2 j@jtower.com j@jtower.com http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=e6ed47e7-8c3a-454b-a455-c751d1efd02f http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,e6ed47e7-8c3a-454b-a455-c751d1efd02f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,e6ed47e7-8c3a-454b-a455-c751d1efd02f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=e6ed47e7-8c3a-454b-a455-c751d1efd02f 2

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

Bit the HD Bullet http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,e6ed47e7-8c3a-454b-a455-c751d1efd02f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/BitTheHDBullet.aspx Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:50:26 GMT <p> <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/series3.jpg" align=right border=0>I couldn't resist the <a href="http://www.pvrblog.com/pvr/2007/05/series_3_tivo_d.html">$400 TiVo Series3 deal</a>, <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">although I got mine from <a href="http://store.tivocommunity.com">store.tivocommunity.com</a>,&nbsp;the store attached to a&nbsp;TiVo enthusiast message board (for $399 instead of about $430 at Amazon).&nbsp;&nbsp;As a former lifetime-subscription owner, I was bummed that TiVo discontinued their lifetime-subscription transfer deal a few months ago.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; For some reason unknown to me, that's all it took to convince them to go for it.&nbsp; 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.<br> <br> <strong>Update:</strong> I'll keep you posted on how it goes hooking things up to Comcast this weekend</span> </p> http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,e6ed47e7-8c3a-454b-a455-c751d1efd02f.aspx Entertainment;Technology http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=766dd8f8-8080-4891-b03f-d101aa4515da http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,766dd8f8-8080-4891-b03f-d101aa4515da.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,766dd8f8-8080-4891-b03f-d101aa4515da.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=766dd8f8-8080-4891-b03f-d101aa4515da 1

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 Currently Reading, June 12, 2006 http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,766dd8f8-8080-4891-b03f-d101aa4515da.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CurrentlyReadingJune122006.aspx Mon, 12 Jun 2006 16:37:13 GMT <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px"> <img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 5px" height=200 src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/200px-Lost-locke.jpg" border=0> <strong>For all you Lost fans out there...<br> </strong> <br> Today I just reading <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060612/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_lethal_injection" target=_blank>this news story</a> about the Supreme Court allowing constitutional challenges to lethal injection by death row inmates.&nbsp; This prompted me to decide that I should bone up a little on the history of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights" target=_blank>US Bill of Rights</a>.&nbsp; After all, it has been a few years since high school government class.&nbsp; <br> <br> Anyway,&nbsp;I read about how the framers of the US Constitution were influenced by the English philosopher <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke" target=_blank>John Locke</a> and his "natural rights."&nbsp; Suddenly it hit me that this philosophers name was the same as a character on ABC's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_%28TV_series%29" target=_blank>Lost</a>.&nbsp; Sure enough, turns out there are significant enough <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke_%28Lost%29#Philosophy" target=_blank>philosophical and other similarities</a>&nbsp;between the two Lockes to assume that the writers planted this information purposely.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; <br> <br> I find it amazing and intriguing that the writers of Lost are putting that much thought into the details of the story. </p> <b><u>Update:</u> </b>(Thanks, Avesh)<br> &nbsp;• <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_%28Lost%29#Philosophy">Desmond (David) Hume</a> <br> &nbsp;• <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_(TV_series)#Philosophy">Danielle Rousseau</a> http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,766dd8f8-8080-4891-b03f-d101aa4515da.aspx Entertainment;History;Issues http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=5df372ed-2b01-4f9e-b224-98a7115688f5 http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,5df372ed-2b01-4f9e-b224-98a7115688f5.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,5df372ed-2b01-4f9e-b224-98a7115688f5.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=5df372ed-2b01-4f9e-b224-98a7115688f5  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! Currently Watching, May 30, 2006 http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,5df372ed-2b01-4f9e-b224-98a7115688f5.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CurrentlyWatchingMay302006.aspx Wed, 31 May 2006 03:10:10 GMT <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/stevie.jpg" align=left border=0>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0334416/">Stevie</a> - What a heart-breaking and eye-opening true story about a tormented man, stuck in so many destructive&nbsp;cycles, struggling through life.<br> <br clear=all> <br> <br> <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/munich.jpg" align=left border=0>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408306/">Munich</a> - 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! http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,5df372ed-2b01-4f9e-b224-98a7115688f5.aspx Entertainment;Movies http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=b4f339e0-4f3c-4ef5-897a-3e73d73c4d9f http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,b4f339e0-4f3c-4ef5-897a-3e73d73c4d9f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,b4f339e0-4f3c-4ef5-897a-3e73d73c4d9f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=b4f339e0-4f3c-4ef5-897a-3e73d73c4d9f  The Historian Currently Reading, May 13, 2006 http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,b4f339e0-4f3c-4ef5-897a-3e73d73c4d9f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CurrentlyReadingMay132006.aspx Sat, 13 May 2006 16:12:26 GMT <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/histroian.jpg" align=absMiddle border=0>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316011770/sr=8-1/qid=1147536772/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-3364578-0180643?%5Fencoding=UTF8">The Historian</a> http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,b4f339e0-4f3c-4ef5-897a-3e73d73c4d9f.aspx Books;Entertainment http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=66ae0d79-c7fd-4bd5-9e54-dd1fd7b91e90 http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,66ae0d79-c7fd-4bd5-9e54-dd1fd7b91e90.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,66ae0d79-c7fd-4bd5-9e54-dd1fd7b91e90.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=66ae0d79-c7fd-4bd5-9e54-dd1fd7b91e90 13
Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son
Rhett Miller - The Instigator
Currently Listening To, Oct 28, 2005 http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,66ae0d79-c7fd-4bd5-9e54-dd1fd7b91e90.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CurrentlyListeningToOct282005.aspx Fri, 28 Oct 2005 19:36:16 GMT <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/RedemptionsSon.jpg" border=0></td> <td> Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/TheInstigator.jpg" border=0></td> <td> Rhett Miller - The Instigator</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,66ae0d79-c7fd-4bd5-9e54-dd1fd7b91e90.aspx Entertainment;Music http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=deb5bbfb-a1c3-4328-8678-37837b534b2f http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,deb5bbfb-a1c3-4328-8678-37837b534b2f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,deb5bbfb-a1c3-4328-8678-37837b534b2f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=deb5bbfb-a1c3-4328-8678-37837b534b2f
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)
Currently Watching, Oct 28, 2005 http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,deb5bbfb-a1c3-4328-8678-37837b534b2f.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CurrentlyWatchingOct282005.aspx Fri, 28 Oct 2005 13:31:15 GMT <table> <tbody> <tr> <td valign=top> I have seen anything pull&nbsp;of the balance since "Ed," but "My&nbsp;Name Is Earl"&nbsp;combines&nbsp;heart-warming with whitty without the annoying side-effect of cheesy.&nbsp;&nbsp;The writing it outstanding, but the cast, especially Jason Lee, really puts "Earl" over the top.&nbsp; You should check it out if you haven't already.&nbsp; Plus, it has the added benefit of being on right before The Office.&nbsp; How convenient!&nbsp; (Warning: The Amazing Race, one of TV's other great treasures, is on at the same time.&nbsp;&nbsp;How inconvenient)</td> <td valign=top> <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/earl.jpg" border=0></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,deb5bbfb-a1c3-4328-8678-37837b534b2f.aspx Entertainment http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=fff949e4-5a48-413f-add4-18fb292fab9e http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,fff949e4-5a48-413f-add4-18fb292fab9e.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,fff949e4-5a48-413f-add4-18fb292fab9e.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=fff949e4-5a48-413f-add4-18fb292fab9e 24

 The Last Word and the Word After That

 The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands

Currently Reading, July 22, 2005 http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,fff949e4-5a48-413f-add4-18fb292fab9e.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CurrentlyReadingJuly222005.aspx Fri, 22 Jul 2005 13:24:10 GMT <p> <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/9113899.gif" align=middle border=0>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0787975923/002-2262153-0169636?v=glance">The Last Word and the Word After That</a> </p> <p> <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/8607446.gif" align=middle border=0>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0451173317?v=glance">The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands</a> </p> http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,fff949e4-5a48-413f-add4-18fb292fab9e.aspx Books;Entertainment;God http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=e3d36454-f0a6-4a75-8311-9f2faa063a37 http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,e3d36454-f0a6-4a75-8311-9f2faa063a37.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,e3d36454-f0a6-4a75-8311-9f2faa063a37.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=e3d36454-f0a6-4a75-8311-9f2faa063a37 25

 Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Currently Reading, June 7 2005 http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,e3d36454-f0a6-4a75-8311-9f2faa063a37.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CurrentlyReadingJune72005.aspx Tue, 07 Jun 2005 21:41:43 GMT <p> <img src="http://www.jtower.com/blog/content/binary/4810704.jpg" align=middle border=0>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0785263705/qid=1118178542/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-0599625-4389768?v=glance&amp;s=books&amp;n=507846">Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality</a> </p> http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,e3d36454-f0a6-4a75-8311-9f2faa063a37.aspx Books;Entertainment;God http://www.jtower.com/blog/Trackback.aspx?guid=876aad21-b8b8-4eb8-9a2c-6dd6deab614b http://www.jtower.com/blog/pingback.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,876aad21-b8b8-4eb8-9a2c-6dd6deab614b.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,876aad21-b8b8-4eb8-9a2c-6dd6deab614b.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=876aad21-b8b8-4eb8-9a2c-6dd6deab614b 23

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

5th Season of Six Feet Under http://www.jtower.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,876aad21-b8b8-4eb8-9a2c-6dd6deab614b.aspx http://www.jtower.com/blog/5thSeasonOfSixFeetUnder.aspx Tue, 07 Jun 2005 18:10:05 GMT <p> Last night began the fifth and final season of <a href="http://www.hbo.com/sixfeetunder">Six Feet Under</a> on HBO.&nbsp; </p> http://www.jtower.com/blog/CommentView,guid,876aad21-b8b8-4eb8-9a2c-6dd6deab614b.aspx Entertainment