watching expired appliances align

g.g.

am i allowed to admit my extreme disappointment with the recent episode of gilmore girls?

did rory and lorelai both forget that rory spent a summer in dc rooming with paris????? why wasn't that mentioned? rory HAS shared a bathroom with someone (paris). rory HAS spent weeks, if not months, away from her mom. yale is how far away from stars hollow? 20 minutes?

this nonsense tonight is almost enough to make me stop watching the show.

about not dating. or not.

i still have little interest in dating. did i ever explain this here? i don't think i did. but. BUT. if i were to be interested in dating. and i didn't feel like using the internet (honestly, the only way i know how to date - especially since none of my friends have thrown a good party recently!), i would try taking a continuing ed class. according to neille "continuing ed classes are a goldmine of cute girls." an excellent scoop worth remembering.

always rushed

i can't seem to focus on anything this morning. this is becoming a common occurence. it's not even morning anymore. i finally broke down and bought claritin. i hope it will help handle my allergies.

the weekend was spent watching movies. well, four hours of sunday was spent watching movies. 'matchstick men' is like candy for adults. and sometimes candy just isn't very good. but in this case it was good enough. also saw 'school of rock' and it is like cake for kids and adult. and cake is always good. it was like cake with a sugary icing that i couldn't stop eating. that movie is a heck of a lot of fun. and if it doesn't lift your spirits then come talk to me and i will convince you of the miracles of 'school of rock.' the only fault i could find with the movie? it had no flaws. and that, in itself, is a flaw.

also, for those of you tired about my dvr talk, you'll be happy to note that i'll no longer be mentioning too much of it on this page. all dvr talk has been shifted to regarding recording television. that's my new dvr related blog where i get into the details of what i'll be recording during the week ahead. it's still early in the shape of things there. and i haven't fleshed it out with all the writing i'd like to do, but take a peek.

i bought five tablets of claritin for $7.55. ridiculous.

dvr scheduled recordings

rather busy today. here's the list of scheduled recordings for this week. i may add a few comments when i have more time.

TUESDAY

Paradise Hotel - FOX 5 - 8pm-10pm

Gilmore Girls - WB 11 - 8pm - Season Premiere

One Tree Hill - WB 9pm

Food Finds - Food - 11pm - Bubby's in Manhattan

The Joe Schmo Show - SpikeTV - 11pm

WEDNESDAY

EGG the arts show - Trio - 2am - Pinhole cameras

Arts & Minds - Bravo - 5:30am - Art News

Independent Focus - IFC - 81- 2pm - Steven Soderbergh

BookTelevision - TRIO - 102 - 2pm

EGG the Arts Show - Trio - 102 - 2:30pm - artist, photographs, dance

Hilary Duff's Island Birthday Bash - WB - 8pm - How ridiculous is this going to be? I imagine gothamist will be watching.

Take This Job... - A&E 16 - 10pm - Spirit Seekers

THURSDAY

Survivor: Pearl Islands - CBS 2 - 8pm

Coupling - NBC - 4 - 9:27pm

Live by Request Starring Elvis Costello - A&E - 16 - live (viewer

requests)

Gotham Awards - IFC 81 - 11pm

FRIDAY

Thirsty Traveler - FineLvg - 144 - 12am - whiskey

Tracks: Impressions of America PBS WNET 13

from Martha's Garden - HGTV 131 - 7am "art of growing plants indoors"

Miss Match - NBC 4 - 8pm - Alicia Silverstone

Grounded for LIfe - WB - 9pm

SATURDAY

Better by Design - PBS WNET 13 - Burglar Alarm

EGG the arts show - TRIO 102 - 10am - Sally Mann

Tower Records: Next Big Thing - FUSE 132 - 2am - a Junior Senior video was in the last episode

SUNDAY

EGG the arts show - TRIO 102 - Land sculpture - craig baldwin

NextTV TRIO 102 - 10:30am

MediaTelevision - TRIO - 102

Born American - FineLVg - 144 12:30pm - three distinctive american beverage

companies

Singing/Children of Rock Royalty - Bravo 38 - 2pm

Digital Photography - DIY 145 - 2:30pm

Family Album - TRIO 102

The Ed Sullivan Show - PBS WLIW 21 - 7pm- Buddy Holly

The Genuine Article - FineLvg 144 - 35mm camera

Alias - ABC 9pm

not too long or anything

i think i may get a haircut this evening.

(misc. comments from before the rebuild of the archives)
I don't remember anything about this in the newsletter. Did the committee already vote? Proper channels, my friend.
Posted by: kfan on September 23, 2003 12:47 PM

not to worry - he came home and planned the next week's worth of DVR recording, locks unshorn.
Posted by: jamie on September 23, 2003 01:16 PM

seth vs. luke

lindsay's got a very funny re-posting from THE OC message boards. if it's not at the top of her page, scroll down and find the entry form wednesday, september 17th.

i know i haven't mentioned THE OC recently, but i'm still watching. last night's conclusion was bizarre an unexpected. and if the series lasts a few years, a very cool thing to have done. maybe. i'm undecided.

mind blowing (well, if you have a very tiny mind)

this is probably one of those things that lots of people have known forever. or maybe it's one of those things you knew, but never admitted to yourself. or never even really thought about. or maybe it's some kind of internet gossip. but it works. and it's weird. and if i were more net savvy and less interested in watching tv (or thinking about watching tv) i would've found the link sooner. (link via xblog)

scheduled recordings

Last week I gave a brief rundown of then current ‘scheduled recordings' that are set to happen on the dvr in my apartment. I hope to continue going through these random shows on a regular basis. – Please remember: all channel numbers listed are for Time Warner Cable in Brooklyn, NY.

Here’s the list, as it stands now, for the next week:

WEDNESDAY 17 September 2003

Fantasy Camp – On a whim, I flipped through the upcoming schedule for the Fine Living channel. Somehow I saw this episode which is, according to the guide, about "campers playing and dining with former major-league baseball players." No word on whether or not recent hall-of-fame inductee, Eddie Murray, is one of them. FineLvg (channel 144) 8:30am Due to a typo this was left off the list from last week. I think this episode runs later this week, so check your local program guide.

BookTelevision Per the Trio website, I’ll be recording episode 413. Unfortunately, when I click on the BookTelevision website I can’t figure out which authors are going to be on episode 413. It’s rather frustrating. Please note this episode repeats at 2:30am on Thursday. Trio (channel 102) 2pm

Call for Help – I like this show. It’s a friendly show about computer problems and issues. I don’t watch it nearly enough. This episode features a segment about "making money from a personal web site." I feel like that’s the subject line to some spam email I’ll receive this weekend, but I’m going to record and watch anyway. TechTV (channel 105) 3pm

Jake 2.0 – I raved about the first episode. Before watching that first episode, I’d spent the better part of the evening with a constantly refilled bourbon in my hand. I’ll watch the second episode of this show sober and see if it holds up to my now high expectations. UPN (channel 9) 9pm

THURSDAY 18 September 2003

Wuthering Heights There is no good reason for this to be recorded. I am only recording it because Sujan mentioned it as being something that I would watch. And because I like to prove my friends right all the time, I’ll give this movie a chance. And one of the cast members from “Roswell” costars. MTV (channel 20) 12am

LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN – Tonight’s rebroadcast of an episode from years ago features comedian Bill Hicks. I have no idea what appearance this is or what material will be performed, but I’m looking forward to watching the segment. Trio (channel 102) 1am

Egg: The Arts Show - One of the segments on this episode profiles San Francisco based “experimental” filmmaker and film programmer Craig Baldwin. He’s the man behind some really enjoyable, collage-oriented films including “Tribulation 99” and “Spectres of the Spectrum.” During the spring of 1996 I programmed his film, “Sonic Outlaws,” at JMU. Very few people turned out but I really enjoyed the film about copyright law and culture jamming. I also taped an interview with Craig and presented it on the radio show I was doing at the time. I’ll dig around for that tape soon and see if I can convert it to an MP3 file. Or, I'll at least convert the promo I made. I was really happy with the promo I cut for it. Trio (channel 102) 2:30pm

FRIDAY 19 September 2003

American Home - One of the segments on this episode features a “bowling alley” home. I’m taping it because I want to compare it to the segment on HGTV’s “Extreme Homes” about a bowling alley converted into a home. Is it the same bowling alley? Did the producers change the look of the place more for one show than the other? Did the homeowner grow his or her hair? These are important questions that the owner of a DVR can answer! FineLvg (channel 144) 8:30am

At Home with the Braithwaites - Two nights ago I caught the first two episodes and thoroughly enjoyed them! In general, I’m not usually a fan of British television. I like the Braithwaites, though. The Mom wins the lottery but doesn’t tell her family. The Dad only cares about money and is sleeping with his secretary. The oldest daughter flunked out of university and has a crush on the next door neighbor. The middle-aged daughter wants to be an actress but didn’t get the big part. And the youngest daughter? She just stares a lot. BBC America (channel 106) 8pm

Coupling - It looks like there’s a mini-marathon of Coupling episodes scheduled for Friday night. I think these are a few episodes from season 3, but don’t hold me to that. The season 2 DVD is being released at the end of October. BBC America (channel 106) 9pm

Better by Design - I think I’ve got to start recording this show on a regular basis! The “better razor” episode turned out okay and I’m absolutely enthralled with the design subject of this episode – the shopping cart! Okay, okay, I’m not that excited but I’m curious. How much better can the shopping cart get? I have no idea. I only know that a lot went wrong with the design of the shopping carts used at the Costco in Brooklyn. WNET (channel 13) – 10:30pm

SATURDAY 20 September 2003

Soundstage –Not to be confused with “Summerstage.” Wilco and Sonic Youth perform. Check out the website, as it has plenty of details including photos, video clips and set lists. WNET (channel 13) - 12:30am

Tower Records: Next Big Thing - I have no idea what this is about. I skimmed the press release linked here but couldn’t figure out who will be featured during this episode. And have you ever visited Fuse’s website? I cannot figure it out. I think I’m not modern enough. It’s way too complex and busy for my attention span. These kids today! Fuse (channel 132) - 9pm

Music Choice Presents Neil Young - This might be interesting. When I first got the DVR I taped a Neil Young performance that aired on Trio. I think it was from the late 60’s. This one should be much more current. Metro (channel 70) 10:30pm

SUNDAY 21 September 2003

MediaTelevision - It looks like it’s going to be “culture jamming week” for Balgavy, the brand. This episode of MediaTelevision features a segment on culture jamming. Hopefully, it will be a nice compliment to the Craig Baldwin piece running on “Egg” earlier in the week. Trio (channel 102) 11am

Culturejam - I couldn’t find too much about what’s on this documentary but I’m looking forward to it as the culmination of “culture jamming week.” Trio (channel 102) 12 noon

Digital Photography - I’m not expecting too much from this instructional show. I think this episode is an introduction to digital photography. Maybe there will be some pretty pictures. I’d love to see a few of the episodes that deal with complex subjects. It would be really amazing if they producers created an episode about photoblogs. DIY (channel 145) 2:30pm

MONDAY 22 September 2003

From Martha's Garden - There’s a segment about gerbera daisies! I should record this, right? I’m all for exciting flowers! HGTV (channel 131) 7am

MediaTelevision - This episode features a segment about a company in SF called red ball tiger. I think they’re an ad agency. Their website looks pretty cool. Worth recording. Trio (channel 102) 2pm

mzs on carnivale

matt zoller seitz reviews "carnivale." he seems to like it. i guess i'll watch the 2nd episode.

fire

i grew up in virginia. at the other end of the county one county over from where i grew up there's a giant man-made lake that's used to cool some sort of nuclear power facility. it's called Lake Anna (the lake, not the power facility). anyway, i still like reading the local newspaper. today i saw a headline that read "Child playing with lighter ignites Lake Anna blaze." but did i read that properly or did i subconsciously add an "a" to the front of the word "blaze." i added the "a," clicked the link and expected to read about a lake catching on fire. maybe i'm just not a detail oriented type of guy. or maybe i'm just really wanted to see photos of a giant lake on fire.

currently saved on the device

To make everything current, here’s the quick rundown of the shows that are currently SAVED on the dvr:

THE OC – I’m waiting to spit out onto a tape to lend to friends who have missed the past three episodes.

THE OFFICE – One episode from that first season. I’m not in love with this show, but I hope this one final episode that I haven’t seen will convert me.

SKATEBOARD – This film from the late 1970’s aired recently on Showtime. Dan, Sujan and I watched the first half and haven’t gone back to it. It was fun but not "must watch" material.

BJORK AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE – This aired on Trio last month. Dan’s the Bjork fan and once he watches it, it’ll be deleted.

KEEPING TIME: NEW MUSIC FROM AMERICA’S ROOTS – There are two episodes saved on the device, one is the episode with the Trachtenberg Family Slideshow players.

AUDITION – I haven’t seen the film, but when it was in theatres a number of people raved about it on their movie lists.

QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY – Various episodes saved that I’m waiting to watch with Sujan.

FARGO – This is the pilot episode that Trio aired last week.

SICK IN THE HEAD – The pilot episode Trio aired recently of this Judd Apatow sitcom is funny. I’ve heard some grumbling that it’s not funny. I disagree with those people.

THE SCREEN SAVERS - Sonic Youth on file sharing. A somewhat interesting conversation.

REWRITE FOR MURDER – A previously unaired pilot starring a pre-ER post E/R George Clooney.

AT HOME WITH THE BRAITHWAITES - The first episode from BBC America.

GREAT AMERICAN GARDENS - I’m going to get around to watching the segment about the Denver Botanic Garden sooner or later.

BETTER BY DESIGN – WNET aired this episode about the shaving razor. I watched the first half one morning. I wasn’t as intrigued by it as I wanted to be, but I’ll get around to watching the rest this weekend.

TV411 – I have no idea what’s on this episode.

UNWRAPPED

TRAILER PARK BLUES – This moderately short documentary aired earlier this week on WLIW (public television). I watched 20 minutes and wasn’t in love with it. This may get erased if I need the space.

TIPical MARY ELLEN – There’s a segment on"planting with big pots."

MUSIC EXPRESS – I watched this last night. Assuming neither Sujan nor Dan want to watch it, it’ll be deleted tonight.

TAKE THIS JOB... – From A&E and it’s about "meter maids, tow truck operators and parking ticket judges."

DISH DOGS – This movie aired earlier this week on WE. I watched a bit of it last night. Turns out it’s about young philosopher guys who wash dishes. I was hoping it had something to do with satellite dishes. Sean Astin is in it, if anyone’s interested.

to be recorded - 9/12-9/17

I think the following is the real chunk of information that I’m trying to share with this series of blog entries about the new digital video recorder that also functions as my cable box. As I mentioned last night, I haven’t found that perfect source for telling me what I should be recording across the entire spectrum of available cable channels.

Here is the list of shows that are currently listed on the dvr as Scheduled Recordings (this list does not included shows from the Series Manager):

(fyi: all channel numbers listed are for Time Warner Digital Cable in Brooklyn)

FRIDAY - 12 September 2003

Music Express - According to the on-screen guide, this show presents an interview with Michael Stipe and Mike Mills of the rock group REM. The other day I taped one of these interviews with Beck. I watched it last night and it was some serious interview stuff. Lots and lots of talking, for those of you who are fans of that kind of thing. This show has potential, I think. Ovation (channel 83) 3:30pm

At Home with the Braithwaites – This is the second episode of the season. I have the first episode saved on the device’s hard drive. I have yet to watch it, so I’m waiting to be pleasantly surprised. It has something to do with winning the lottery and not telling your family. BBC America (channel 106) 8pm

Degrassi Crash Course / 100 Moments – I’m hooked on Degrassi. And when did JT get such long hair? Before the new season starts, The N is spending the month of September reviewing moments from the previous few seasons (were there two?). Each episode is being hosted by various cast members. Again, one of those fun, as long as the remote is in hand, kind of shows. The N (channel 129) 8pm

SATURDAY – 13 September 2003

P. Allen Smith's Garden Home – According to the program guide, this episode presents a segment about "the usefulness of garages and tool sheds in garden design." I’ve never seen this show, and it’s on way too early on a Saturday morning. But I’m curious and I have the dvr, so why not? WLIW (channel 21) 7am

Shalom Y'All – This film is about being Jewish and living in America’s South. It might be interesting. I think it’s only an hour long. I’m on a big "odd" documentary kick these days, so I think this should be entertaining. (This probably doesn’t fit into the category of "odd" documentaries. Maybe what I should say is that I’m on a documentary kick when it comes to watching docs that are 20 to 60 minutes long.) Sundance (channel 101) 2pm

TV Out of the Box – I don’t think I’ve seen this yet, but I get the feeling this has already run once or twice on Trio. Per the in-cable box guide, this is about "the creative process of making the show." I have no idea what show is "the show" but I guess I’ll find out sooner or later. During the past two or three weeks Trio has been all about TV as TV. I’ve been enjoying it, but I can’t wait to see what’s next for their programming. Trio (channel 102) 8pm

SUNDAY – 14 September 2003

Mixtape Mixdown – This show is on all the time, but the one airing tonight is this week’s "indie rock" episode. I’ve recorded this show a few times before and I usually don’t recognize any of the bands. I think this show covers the world of pay to play Canadian indie rock. But I may be making that up. I probably am making that up. As long as they don’t run that ridiculous Liz Phair video, I’ll be happy. Fuse (channel 132) 2:30am

First Time Gardener – I saw the title and I knew I had to record this show. Like that P. Allen Smith show from Saturday, this one is on way too early in the morning. I haven’t been in a garden since the mid-1980’s and I don’t really eat vegetables, but I’m fascinated by the idea of gardens and gardening. If this show is any good, I’ll start recording it on a regular basis. Maybe next I’ll buy a roto-tiller. DIY Network (channel ???) 7am

MediaTelevision – I think this is a show about making television shows but, again, I have no idea. The cable guide mentioned that there’s a segment about "shooting a baseball game." If the name of the show wasn’t enough to convince me to record this then that description was. Trio (channel 106) 11am

MONDAY – 15 September 2003

7th Heaven – It’s the season premiere. I’ve been following the story of the Camdens for much of my adult life. I think last season ended on some kind of pregnancy cliffhanger. Is David Gallagher still a teen heartthrob? WB (channel 11) 8pm

TUESDAY – 16 September 2003

Extreme Homes – This episode of Extreme Homes I plan to watch runs a few times this week. There’s a segment described as "bowling alley converted into home." How can I miss that? Why haven’t I gone bowling this summer? Someone needs to make bowling plans soon. I suggest using this show as motivation. HGTV (channel 131?) 2am

Music Wars: Open Mike – This is a repeat broadcast of a show about file sharing that’s actually on tonight (Friday). Maybe I should change the setting of my dvr when I get home. Looks to be pretty electrifying, but I hear the RIAA wouldn’t get involved. TechTV (channel 105) 10pm

The Joe Schmo Show – Have I raved about this show yet? I know I’ve gone off on a tangent to a few people. This show is amazing! But weird (in a not so good way) and it has some serious flaws. I think I missed the end of the second episode. And I can’t quite tell which episode is which on Tuesday nights, but I’m hooked. Joe Schmo is perfect in his role as the guy who thinks he’s on a show called "Lap of Luxury." Everyone else on the show is a professional actor playing the role of houseguest or "smarmy host." I can’t believe I’ve been watching this show. I am officially embarrassed. SpikeTV (channel 36) 11pm????

WEDNESDAY – 17 September 2003

Fantasy Camp – On a whim, I flipped through the upcoming schedule for the Fine Living channel. Somehow I saw this episode which is, according to the guide, about "campers playing and dining with former major-league baseball players." No word on whether or not recent hall-of-fame inductee, Eddie Murray, is one of them. FineLvg (channel 144) 8:30am

Call for Help – I like this show. It’s a friendly show about computer problems and issues. I don’t watch it nearly enough. This episode features a segment about "making money from a personal web site." I feel like that’s the subject line to some spam email I’ll receive this weekend, but I’m going to record and watch anyway. TechTV (channel 105) 3pm

Jake 2.0 – I raved about the first episode. Before watching that first episode, I’d spent the better part of the evening with a constantly refilled bourbon in my hand. I’ll watch the second episode of this show sober and see if it holds up to my now high expectations. UPN (channel 9) 9pm

i'm calling it "the device"

I can’t help it. I’m totally in love with the digital video recorder that now serves as my cable box. During the past few days I’ve combed the surface of the internet looking for a good website that lists EVERYTHING that’s worth recording on television for a given day. So far, I haven’t found it. I don’t think I’m up for the task of creating that, but I do want to share what I’m recording and what I’ll be recording in the near future.

Time Warner Cable’s DVR is set up into three sections – Series Manager, Saved Shows and Scheduled Recordings.

As of Wednesday evening, here’s how I have the device’s Series Manager set up:

Degrassi: The Next Generation - I never watched the original Degrassi and, frankly, I’m embarrassed that it’s not part of my tv knowledge. Now I’m hooked on this latest important from Canada. Network: The N. New Episodes: Friday nights

Gardening by the Yard – The host, Paul James, is completely ridiculous and over the top but I’m hooked on this show. I don’t have a garden, but all the tips seem really helpful. Zipping through this show with the remote is ideal for weekend mornings. Network: HGTV. I tape episodes on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Track 2- I’m not really sure what this show is. I saw it listed on the guide and thought it might be worth recording. I’ve got the device set up to record new shows only. I imagine I’ll check to see what artist is on, and then delete the show without watching it. Network: mtv2. I have no idea when this is on.

The OC – I have no idea how I’m going to handle October when this show is off the air! Network: Fox. New episodes on Tuesdays (moving to Thursdays after the baseball playoffs).

Unwrapped – I grew up watching “Double Dare” on Nickelodeon. How can I not watch Marc Summers presenting stories about classic American foods? Network: Food Network. New Episodes: Monday nights

Dinner for Five – Jon Favreau hosts a roundtable discussion, usually with film-related guests. It’s a fun show. Network: IFC. New Episodes: Monday nights.

The Screen Savers - I’m hooked on watching this show late at night while I’m at the computer working on my website. I don’t watch every episode, but the “witty banter” between hosts Leo and Patrick is fun and informative. Network: TechTV New Episodes: Daily.

Breakthrough Video - I’m not really sure what this show is. I saw it listed on the guide and thought it might be worth recording. I’ve got the device set up to record new shows only. I imagine I’ll check to see what artist is on, and then delete the show without watching it. Network: mtv2. I have no idea when this is on.

Subterranean - I watch this show with my finger hovering over the fast forward button. The show is an hour long and usually there’s only one or two videos worth watching. One out of every six episodes will have a musical guest worth watching. Unfortunately, the host of the show asks pretty lame questions. Network: mtv2 New Episodes: sometime during the weekend - Friday nights, maybe?

The Simpsons - I programmed this into the device because it seems like it should be there. I’ve got it set to record new episodes only. I imagine we’ll be waiting until November before anything actually gets recorded. Network: Fox New episodes: Sundays.

King of the Hill – I programmed this into the device because it seems like it should be there. I’ve got it set to record new episodes only. Network: Fox. New episodes: November 2nd.

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy - I guess this was the show of the summer. It’s usually on the funny side. But I’m often cringing in horror. I’m glad there aren’t too many people examining the way I live and dress. Network: Bravo

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - The device is set to record new episodes but it never records any of them. I’m not quite sure what the deal with that is. Network: Comedy Central

Food Finds – Ideal for interesting food related nuggets. Network: Food Network

Once and Again – I probably watched ten episodes when this show originally aired on ABC a few years ago. A few nights ago I watched three episodes in a row! It was incredibly relaxing. I’m much more into this show than I should be. Network: Lifetime Real Women

Keeping Time: New Music from America's Roots – I started recording this on Sundance and now I can’t stop. The opening title sequence is gorgeous. The segments about various musicians are also pretty interesting. So far I’ve managed to catch a segment about the Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players and a segment with Gillian Welch talking about the religious influences in her music. I have no idea how many episodes are in this series or how long it will run. I’m also frustrated that the cable’s online guide doesn’t tell me anything about the individual episodes. Network: Sundance

Extreme Homes –I recently added this to the series manager – but only to tape new episodes. I have been taping random episodes every so often. Like a lot of shows, it’s a fun twenty minute diversion worth watching with your finger hovering over the fast forward button. Network: HGTV

Coupling - I raced out and bought the first season on DVD as soon as it became available. I’ve missed episodes from seasons two and three. Dan, Sujan and I can’t get enough of this incredibly funny British sitcom. Network: BBC America

A Cook's Tour – Sujan recently added this to the list of shows to record on a regular basis. I’ll probably watch, but I’m afraid it’ll just remind me that I’m really not a “foodie.” Network: Food Network

Book Television – I stumbled over this show when setting up the dvr. I’ve watched two episodes so far, and I couldn’t be happier with what I’ve found. One episode featured a segment on Michael Chabon. A second episode featured a segment on Paul Feig of “Freaks and Geeks” fame. The Paul Feig episode was about his book “Kick Me” and was filled with photographs taken of him while he was growing up. Like “Keeping Time,” I wish the television guide let me know the content of the segments before I started watching the show. Network: Trio

Everwood – New episodes from the second season start Tuesday! Network: The WB

jake 2.0

i haven't finished watching the first episode, but i think i'll be watching jake 2.0 this season on upn. it's like "alias" meets "the six million dollar man" with a hint of "dead at 21."

Weblog as Avatar in Cyberspace

i'm in the middle of reading an incredibly long article about weblogs and amateur publishing (among amateur other things). for the most part, i was following along until i came to these sentences:

In terms of self-representation, the homepage is like a statue carved out of marble labelled carefully at the bottom where the weblog is like an avatar in cyberspace that we wear like a skin. It moves with us - through it we articulate ourselves. The weblog is the homepage that we wear.

wow. i've got to be honest and say that i've never thought of my blog that way. but if i did, my weblog would be like a big cape that occasionally has a moustache or maybe some sideburns. (link via 601am)

name that!

aching for something to look at? twexus is filled with over 20,000 images and pairs them in interesting ways. it's a sort of photoblog, but also one of those "neat" projects. you can look at the images the creator collected in a few different ways (single images, pairs, symmetrically). (link via xBlog which also presented a link to where IKEA gets the names)

borrowed camera photos from amy!

a few months ago amy borrowed my camera! i really like her photos because they give us a sense of her day and the spaces she occupies. take a look at them right away and comment below!

if you're interested in borrowing my camera, send an email to marc726 (at) hotmail.com. (but the list is growing, so don't expect the camera anytime soon)

beard away

late tuesday night i removed my beard. i spent five summer months growing the beard, and before i knew it, it was gone. i made sure to take plenty of pictures during the stages of removal (a photo of me looking like an old time soda jerk - or possibly an old time bartender). i was going for sean connery in "the man who would be king" but i came nowhere close to that.

i used my hair clippers to de-beard my face. doing so left a nice layer of stubble that i wore for two days. i had to let my face re-acquaint itself with the elements. earlier tonight i shaved with a razor for the first time since early april. it was a bizarre, yet familiar, experience.

a few months ago sujan gave me a bottle of kid glove shave gel. i finally used it and it was a refreshingly smooth experience. i didn't read the bottle too closely (or i forgot what gel was like) so i initially dropped my shaving brush into the mixture in the palm of my hand. when it didn't start to lather, i remembered what shaving gel was like. i gave up on the brush and applied the balm to my face. the scent was magical! i want to say it had a hint of sandalwood, but i can't be certain (because i have no idea what sandalwood smells like).

no problems with the shave. my skin is smooth and i'm looking forward to shaving two or three times a week for the next few months.

all that remains of my beard is a hint of pointy sideburns. they're not thick at all. i am a new person.

thurston v. baseball

i just got an email from dan with the subject heading "what are the dvr's plans for october?"

according to pitchfork's daily music news two good music shows will be returning to sundance channel on fridays this october. one of them, "sonic cinema," will be hosted by thurston moore.

no end (#32)

sometimes you find yourself in a hurry. and you need to make a few calls. but the people you are calling aren't picking up the phone. voicemail is convenient. it's the way to go. i like being able to leave a message on voicemail. what i don't like are those pre-recorded voicemail messages tacked onto the ends of user-created voicemail messages. do you know what i'm talking about?

you're in a rush! all you want to do is say "hi. this is marc calling you back. please call me at your earliest convenience." but what do you have to wait through in order to leave that simple message (esp. if you don't know if the shortcut to the "beep" is the pound key or that asterisk (but that's a completely different rant))? "hello. you've reached janet q. public at private enterprise company. unfortunately i'm not at my desk right now but i may be around the office or at lunch or in a meeting or on the other line. if you need to reach my right away you can call my cellphone at xxx.xxx.xxxx." AND THEN you have to listen to a pre-recorded message about pressing 1 to mark your message urgent or press 0 to reach the operator or press 2 to leave your callback number or press 3 to leave a message (unless you'd like to wait for the tone). all that excessive talking sends me into a rage! a rage, i tell you.

(comments worth noting - from before the archives were deleted and then restored)

i hope you got good and drunk last night.
Posted by: jamie on September 4, 2003 11:47 AM

he got good. don't think he got the drunk.
Posted by: alex on September 4, 2003 02:00 PM

Don't you hate pants?
Posted by: kfan on September 4, 2003 05:07 PM

i totally hate pants. i can't think very clearly when i'm wearing pants. (i sort of equate my body to a computer, and like a computer, i work better when i'm not overheated. pants are a main source of me being overheated). i'm pretty sure having to wear pants is the reason i haven't been made a vice president in my company. when i create the next list of things that frustrate me to know end, pants will certainly be at the top of the list.
Posted by: marc on September 4, 2003 07:01 PM

no end (#4)

this frustration didn't develop until last night - and it's not a full blown frustation. yet. i'm sure that will change once fall officially begins.

after reading a post last week on gizmodo regarding the new time warner cable dvr series 8000 box i told myself that i never wanted to geek out and write about technology stuff again. reading all those comments reminded me that as much as i want to be the guy with the new toys, i don't want to be the guy with the new toys who talks to the manufacturers and all that.

anyway, one of the complaints about the dvr is that i can't tell how much free space is on the hard drive! it's ridiculous. instead of having a number - or even a simple graph displaying that i've got half the thing filled up, i've got to look at a tiny hourglass displayed next to each show. each entry suggests that the show will be erased in about two days or one day or three days.. i think. it's not even explained. and i worry. dan, sujan and i watched the first half of 1978's "skateboard" the other night but we didn't finish. will this movie be deleted before we find out what happens to leif and the rest of the gang????

no end (#3)

have i already covered the excessive use of scotch tape? whenever i see a one page flyer or a poster that uses more than tiny pieces of transparent tape i become visibly frustrated. i roll my eyes and wonder why a fifth of that amount of tape couldn't be used. the additonal tape does nothing to hold that piece of paper to the wall, or the inside of the elevator or wherever. all it does is create a complex probelm when it comes to removing the flyer. granted, i'm not the one who has to remove all that tape that eventually gets stuck to the wall, but someone will. and prying tape away from an object with your finger nails isn't a fun task.

no end (#2)

it's ridiculously frustrating that at 12:02pm if i want a cigarette and a scotch (i don't prefer scotch, that's why this is hypothetical) i can't walk into the bar around the corner and have both at the same time.

no end (#1)

today i think i'll be posting from the list of things that annoy me to no end. during the past year or two i've kept running notes on my computer about some of my pet peeves.

i find it really distressing when people create documents or files with dates in the title and then write the date in the "incorrect" fashion. they usually call the file something like "report090203.xls" or something like that. and that's fine - today. it tells me the report was created on september 3rd, 2003. i appreciate they've included the date, i really do. but i wish they would write the date so i could locate the file faster when i'm using a computer.

i want files with dates to be written "report20030902.xls." things just line up better that way. the first part of the number changes the least, and the last section changes the most. and when the reports appear in a list, they appear in the order they were created. are these things not taught in schools? do people not think these things through? do people never ever go back to their files? it's quite frustrating and i wish people would change their behaviors. at least once a week i think about putting together an email and sending it to some of the main offenders at work telling them how numbering their reports my way would make everyone's lives about 0.000001% easier. but i don't. because i am quiet and shy.

mind-boggling hits in every quarter

i just watched slamball on spike tv. my mind has been blown. seriously. it's like basketball. but on specially placed trampolines. and the show is already on season 2!!!!! whatever resources i've been using to find out what i should be watching on tv need to be reevaluated. how in the world did i miss this show?

actually, i'm serious about collecting new resources that tell me about the good things coming up on television. now that the dvr is in full effect, i'd like to start taping things that have the potential to be good.