HD Snob

I've been so lazy, and haven't posted anything in far too long, but I feel like I need to post SOMETHING...ANYTHING...so I figure I'll post an excuse, as to why I haven't been posting. After my trip to LA/Vegas (I promised a blog, you never got one, I can't find the cord to my camera, so haven't uploaded the pictures yet) I happened to find myself with a few extra paper dollars. I had a few car repairs that I needed to tend to, but I did the more responsible thing. I bought a new TV and accompanying Surround sound system.

The TV I got was a Panasonic Viera 42 inch plasma. It looks very similar to this one, I can honestly say, that this is the best money I've EVER...EVER spent.

Well, except for that 10 bucks I spent to see Prince that time, That is still the best money I've ever spent. I mean, I got to see Prince for 10 bucks...what can top that outside of a stripjoint?

Anyway, tying this back to the title, I never really believed people who said they refused to watch stuff that wasn't in HD. I thought it was hogwash, I mean, they've lived without it for decades, and its not like they are forced watch non HDtv on a 13 inch black and white zenith....It took me all of a day and a half to see what they were talking about. Again, this goes back a bit, but I was watching Game 5 of the NHL playoffs between the Bruins and Canadiens. The first four games had been played on NESN HD, but with the Yankees in town, The bigwigs at NESN decided that the Red Sox would be played in HD, while the Bruins would be relegated to the Non HD channel for the night. I was completely outraged, compared to the crisp clear picture that only my 1080P set could bring me (I still don't know what it means, but I like saying 1080P), non HD looked like you were watching the game through a glass of murky tap water. It was bullshit! Bullshit I say!

I actually got a call from two of my friends who also have HD, and both were exactly the same. Why the fuck is this not in HD? I was very new to the HD world, but for the first time, I understood why people are HD Snobs. And I became one myself.

One thing this TV has done, is that it has actually SAVED me money.

How is this possible you ask? Let me explain: Before HD, I'd spend at least one, if not multiple school nights at the local bar in order to watch the game. Whatever game that may be. Now, instead of spending 30 bucks on a burger and some beer, I just head to the packy, make some dinner, and bam, everything for 10 bucks or less. I'd say I have been to the bar at least 66% less than I was before the tv. Throw in how awesome Xbox is on the big screen, and I've become a homebody.

I'm heading back to vegas next weekend...if my fortunes are like the last time, I will buy a PS3, and it will be official, you will NEVER EVER see me again, unless you want to watch a movie on BluRay, or watch me play Grand Theft Auto 4.

Here's a short list of things I've grown to love since HD.

Golf. I have always watched golf, but seeing the Masters in HD was something completely different...almost indescribable
Nat. Geographic TV (particularly my new favorite show Locked Up Abroad)
HGTV...I don't give a shit about home improvement, but you put it on a channel in the 800's and I'll watch

Burroughs and Books

So I guess I’ve been in a literary mood of late, at least blog wise. But books are pop culture too, so it’s all good.

Last night I saw Augusten Burroughs speak at the Brattle Theater. I've read both Running with Scissors (the movie sucked) and Dry. What always strikes me is how people talk about how “hysterically funny” he is. Sure he can find the humor in terrible situations, and can turn a funny phrase, but I think his memoirs are poorly described as comedy. People asked some great questions, and he read with startling passion and eloquence, I was glad I went. I also got a copy of Running with Scissors signed, instead of his new book because, well I’m too cheap to buy hardcover and well, Scissors is set in Amherst. Go UMASS!

It got me thinking about the whole idea of autographs. I spent a few years living in L.A. and had the chance to get many autographs but never really felt comfortable acknowledging that I recognized those people, I mean I don’t want to bug them. Am I really going to ask Wanda from Doogie Howser for an autograph in the middle of us getting manicures next to each other? I made one promise to The Boy, he gave me strict instructions that if I ever saw Bruce Campbell I had to roll him up in a carpet and throw him over a bridge. I’m not sure why he wanted me to do that, and he can’t explain it himself, as he likes Bruce Campbell. I think his argument was that it just had to be done? Boy, do you care to defend yourself?

Well, years later I did meet Bruce Campbell at a book signing in Cambridge. I got myself an autographed first edition of If Chins Could Kill. Also my friend Hunter had him wish the Goon happy birthday which was edited into his tour du force spoof The Goon Witch Project – which by all accounts is not the worst thing Bruce Campbell’s ever been in (and no I don’t mean my pants). For some reason having a author sign their work, I guess because they wrote it, seems less weird to me. I have one or two singed cds’ but those were kind of awkward to get, but a book, a completed written work by one individual seems more special when autographed, it becomes more of a treasure in some way that other autograph’s don’t –at least for me.

So as I now add my copy of Running with Scissors to my autographed book collection, it joins the ranks with Jon Krakauer’s Under the Banner of Heaven, Nick Hornsby’s High Fidelity and Ricky Gervais' Flannimals – I think I might have a few more I’m forgetting. The last of which was a gift from a friend who tried to get me a Stephen King autographed book but showed with with Gervais instead, not a bad deal!

I love that we live in a city where I can see authors like Krakaur, or go hear talks from some of the greatest minds around like Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky. I know I spend a lot of time on my couch and whenever I go to stuff like this, or seeing Chris Elliot or John Waters or whatever else random talk I go to, I remind myself that life is too short to be in front of the boob tube all day – (don’t hate me boob, you know I love you!).

Update: I just remembered the signed book I was forgetting, Chuck Klosterman IV. He spoke in Harvard Square last year and what I remember was that his name is really pronounced Kloosterman, like Roosterman. Who knew?!