Hey y'all. Long time no blog. This post is the first in a series I'll be making over the next few months, highlighting my experiences as I move across the country on a new adventure.
Yep, that's right. I'm moving. To Washington state.
I've been "trapped" here in Maryland for a little over six years now. Originally, I moved here for what I thought would be a long term career move. That didn't work out. Then I found another potential long term career move, right here again. And well, that didn't work out either. Since then, I've been doing my own thing and enjoying it. But that thing is not tied to any specific geography, and laziness, intertia, ennui, and absolute HATRED of moving has kept me from going anywhere other than here. I'm in an overpriced apartment and most of my nice furniture is still, six years later, in storage in Georgia. Other than one dear friend, the only things I really like about the region are the crabcakes and the new Wegman's. Is that enough reason to stay in a state you don't really care for? No, didn't think so. And even though The Wire was filmed here, I also love Buffy and Star Trek, but I'm not moving to Sunnydale or Space anytime soon. (Although I'd probably move to Risa, if it existed).
So, why Washington? That's a post for another day, but suffice to day, it's a new adventure. My choices were between going back to Georgia and moving out to Washington, and after sampling the Pacific Northwest during the holidays, I thought it would be a place I could really love. I made pro/con lists. I got moving estimates. I scoured real estate sites. I looked at tax implications. I considered the ramifications for my UGA season tickets (that's also another story, but I will definitely be going back for at least six of the seven 2014 home games). After all the analysis, I went with more of the "why the fuck not?" and less of the "been there, done that."
Once the decision was made, my first priority was to look through my "TV Spreadsheet." (Of course my first priority was TV). I originally made this spreadsheet way back when I upgraded from an SD DVR to a new HD DVR. I couldn't "move" or "transfer" my season passes to a new box, so I made a spreadsheet to help me keep track of them. There were also two other reasons to keep things so tightly documented: Even with a two-tuner box, there were countless conflicts that had to be managed, especially on high volume of good show nights like Thursdays or Sundays. What should you set a season pass for? What should you seek out on Hulu? What could you find on a later airing or west coast feed? Second, DirecTV's DVRs had a limit of 50 on the number of season passes you could set. That may seem like a lot, but when you have (at last count) twenty shows to season pass on Sunday alone, well, you run out of space fast. So I had to delete some season passes in the off season and add the new ones in, and manage those precious spots like a post-season pitching rotation. A spreadsheet made this easy to track.
I've since upgraded to the Genie, and this splendid motherfucker with 5 tuners and an abundance of storage space has eliminated many of these problems. But now that I'm moving, I'm glad I kept the spreadsheet because once I get out to the land of coffee and hippies, I'll have to reprogram (at least) all my season passes for new west coast network feeds.
Yeah, yeah. I'll get a new drivers license and health insurance and a place to live. BUT I CAN'T MISS MY STORIES, Y'ALL. PRIORITIES.
Showing posts with label Television. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Television. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Top 15 TV Shows of 2013
It was SO hard to narrow down my best of TV to a mere 15 shows. Why 15? Because if I capped it at 10, then there wouldn't have been room for the late, lamented Bunheads, a show that I never would have thought I'd become attached to. RIP Bunheads. Sniff).
What also surprised me is how many network shows -- five, and several from CBS -- that I wound up including. Speaking of five, there were also five new shows on this list.
My top TV of the year:
In case the pictures don't work for you, here's a list:
1. Game Of Thrones
2. Breaking Bad
3. Justified
4. Mad Men
5. Hannibal
6. The Americans
7. The Good Wife
8. Person Of Interest
9. Boardwalk Empire
10. Orange Is The New Black
11. Orphan Black
12. Masters Of Sex
13. Elementary
14. Bob’s Burgers
15. Bunheads
Agree? Disagree? What were your top shows of the year?
What also surprised me is how many network shows -- five, and several from CBS -- that I wound up including. Speaking of five, there were also five new shows on this list.
My top TV of the year:
1. Game Of Thrones
2. Breaking Bad
3. Justified
4. Mad Men
5. Hannibal
6. The Americans
7. The Good Wife
8. Person Of Interest
9. Boardwalk Empire
10. Orange Is The New Black
11. Orphan Black
12. Masters Of Sex
13. Elementary
14. Bob’s Burgers
15. Bunheads
Agree? Disagree? What were your top shows of the year?
Top 15 New TV Shows of 2013
2013 was a really good year for television. There were exciting experiments in form, like the return of miniseries (or, as they are called these days, "limited run events") and the rise of non-traditional outlets, like Netflix and Hulu.
Below are my picks for the 15 best new shows of the year. Among them, you will find shows that enjoyed surprising success with a new take on existing material (Hannibal, Bates Motel, Masters of Sex, and the this-can't-possibly-work-but-yet-it-does Sleepy Hollow), emotionally gripping procedurals (Broadchurch, The Fall, Top of the Lake), genre delights (Orphan Black and In The Flesh), pure unadulterated pulp (Banshee), and the return of the cop comedy (Brooklyn 99).
Below are my picks for the 15 best new shows of the year. Among them, you will find shows that enjoyed surprising success with a new take on existing material (Hannibal, Bates Motel, Masters of Sex, and the this-can't-possibly-work-but-yet-it-does Sleepy Hollow), emotionally gripping procedurals (Broadchurch, The Fall, Top of the Lake), genre delights (Orphan Black and In The Flesh), pure unadulterated pulp (Banshee), and the return of the cop comedy (Brooklyn 99).
(click to embiggen)
In case the pictures don't work for you, here's a list:
1. Hannibal
2. The Americans
3. Orange Is The New Black
4. Orphan Black
5. Masters Of Sex
6. Broadchurch
7. House Of Cards
8. Sleepy Hollow
9. Banshee
10. Bates Motel
11. The Bridge
12. In The Flesh
13. Top Of The Lake
14. The Fall
15. Brooklyn 99
2. The Americans
3. Orange Is The New Black
4. Orphan Black
5. Masters Of Sex
6. Broadchurch
7. House Of Cards
8. Sleepy Hollow
9. Banshee
10. Bates Motel
11. The Bridge
12. In The Flesh
13. Top Of The Lake
14. The Fall
15. Brooklyn 99
What are your top new shows of the year?
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Game of Thrones Podcast: Season 3 Wrap Up
The final Season 3 episodes of the Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast that I do have been posted.
In these last two episodes, Wendy, Jesse, and I chat about all things Season 3, including Season MVP, Season LVP, Best Actors, Favorite Characters, Favorite Storylines and much, much more. Spoilers, obviously, for the televised S3 but not for anything from the novels outside of what has already been depicted on screen.
For the link to the Tuning in to SciFi TV page for the podcast (where you can direct download and/or play in your browser), go here:
Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast Season 3 Wrap Up, Part 1
Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast Season 3 Wrap Up, Part 2
For the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast feed in iTunes, you will find it here.
Many thanks to the Tuning In To SciFi TV gang for putting together these GoT podcasts, and having me as a guest.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Game of Thrones Podcast: "The Rains of Castamere" and "Mhysa"
The latest episodes of the Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast I do have been posted.
Once again, there was a LOT of material to cover with Wendy, Lou, and Christine, so we broke it up into two episodes vs. the normal one.
For the link to the Tuning in to SciFi TV page for the podcast (where you can direct download and/or play in your browser), go here:
Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast (Episodes 3.09 and 3.10), Part 1
Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast (Episodes 3.09 and 3.10), Part2
For the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast feed in iTunes, you will find it here.
Also, if you just can't get enough of listening to me ramble on about Game of Thrones, there's at least one more Hound-sized podcast episode coming, where we wrap up and reflect on all of the stellar season three.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Game of Thrones Podcast: "The Bear and The Maiden Fair" and "Second Sons"
Just in time for the return of the show tomorrow night, the latest Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast I do has been posted.
Actually, I should say "podcasts" plural, since we had a lot to say, and it's been broken into two episodes. Host Wendy and fellow guest Jesse and I chat about the two most recent episodes, "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" and "Second Sons."
For the link to the Tuning in to SciFi TV page for the podcast (where you can direct download and/or play in your browser), go here:
Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast (Episodes 3.07 and 3.08) PART 1
Tuning In To SciFi TV Game of Thrones Podcast (Episodes 3.07 and 3.08) PART2
For the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast feed in iTunes, you will find it here.
Also, a friendly suggestion for tomorrow's penultimate episode, "The Rains of Castamere:" watch it live.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Game of Thrones Podcast: Valar Dohaeris and Dark Wings, Dark Words
My latest podcast with the Tuning In To SciFi gang is now up!
We cover the first two episodes of season 3: "Valar Dohaeris" and "Dark Wings, Dark Words."
For the link to the Tuning in to SciFi TV page for the podcast (where you can direct download and/or play in your browser), go here:
Game of Thrones Season 3 Podcast - Episodes 1 and 2
For the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast feed in iTunes, you will find it here.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Game of Thrones Podcast: Season 3 Preview
Guess what? Winter is still coming. And so is season 3 of Game of Thrones.
I joined the Tuning In To SciFi TV Gang to discuss Season 2 of Game of Thrones, and preview the upcoming Season 3 which starts tomorrow night.
For the link to the Tuning in to SciFi TV page for the podcast (where you can direct download and/or play in your browser), go here:
Game of Thrones Season 3 Preview Show
For the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast feed in iTunes, you will find it here.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Talking TV with Steph

Sunday, I was the guest host for "What's On with Steph & Des," a podcast discussing the previous week in television. I've been on the show before as a fill-in host, and it's always fun to talk TV with Steph when Des is vacationing.
To give you an idea of what we covered, here were the suggested titles for this episode:
Why is the Dialogue So Bad?
Guest Hosts Don't Watch Shows with Kids
People in the Asylum are Having a Bad Day
How Does This Coin Exist in Haven?
You can find the show at their site HERE.
Or the iTunes link to their show HERE.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Talking Game of Thrones (Episodes 5&6 and 7&8)
If you've been keeping up with the podcast feed (or my twitter), you probably know this already. But in case you haven't, I've been talking with Wendy and some of the folks from Tuning in to SciFi TV about Game of Thrones all season. I'm the lone book-reader on the podcast, but no worries about spoilers -- I only discuss the novels as they relate to minor plot changes (like Qarth) or character digressions (Tywin & Arya, for example, or Talisa) from what we've seen on-screen thus far.
These discussions are a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy them.
For links to the Tuning in to SciFi TV pages for each podcast (where you can direct download and/or play in your browser), go here:
Episodes 5 ("The Ghost of Harrenhall") and 6 ("The Old Gods and the New").
Episodes 7 ("A Man Without Honor") and 8 ("The Prince of Winterfell").
For the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast feed in iTunes, you will find it here.
Bring on The Blackwater tonight!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Listen To Me!
Not a lot of blog posting lately, but I have been recorded chatting with some smart and fun people about things that should be of interest to you.
You can find the podcast at the Tuning in to SciFi TV page for the episode here (for direct download and/or play in the browser).
Or, to find the feed for the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast in iTunes, click here.
Winter is Still Coming:
We're getting deeper into the second season of Game of Thrones, and once again, I joined the gang from the Tuning Into Sci-Fi TV podcast for thoughts and analysis on the most recent episodes. We just recorded our take on episodes 5 & 6 Tuesday night (and that will probably go up this weekend), but to tide you over, in case you missed it, here's a link to our discussions on episodes 3 & 4 ("What is Dead May Never Die" and "Garden of Bones"):You can find the podcast at the Tuning in to SciFi TV page for the episode here (for direct download and/or play in the browser).
Or, to find the feed for the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast in iTunes, click here.
"Am I on speakerphone?"
I also joined Steph Smith and John Pavlich to talk about the gloriously inventive and funny Cabin in the Woods on John's SOFA DOGS podcast. You can find that here on his web page. Or in iTunes, for the full podcast feed.
Labels:
Cabin in the Woods,
Game of Thrones,
movies,
podcasts,
Television,
whedon
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Talking Game of Thrones: Episodes 1 & 2
Game of Thrones is back for season 2, and I'm happy to report I'll once again be participating in the Tuning in to SciFi TV special podcasts about the show.
Last year, we did a series of podcasts after season 1 had completed its run. This year, we'll be taking the show two episodes at a time, and talking about them as they air. First up is a discussion of "The North Remembers" and "The Night Lands."
You can find the podcast at the Tuning in to SciFi TV page for the episode here (for direct download and/or play in the browser).
Or, to find the feed for the entire Tuning in to SciFi TV podcast in iTunes, click here.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Talking TV
This past Sunday, I had the honor of guesting on the "What's On with Steph & Des" podcast to talk about -- you guessed it -- television. Des was taking a break ("on hiatus" as they say in the TV biz), so Steph and I chatted for a long while about what we watched the week prior. We watch a lot of the same things, but A) she tried to explain what the hell went on last week with Survivor, and B) I tried to convince her that Archer is the funniest show on TV (I don't know if "robot vagina in the sink" really convinced her). All that, plus discussions about the various "best show of all time" brackets and some Whedon love.
You can find a link to their showpage and the podcast HERE.
You can find the podcast in iTunes HERE.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Maybe Too Quick On The Draw
Last night, SI's media writer, Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) threw out a question on twitter: who are your "Top 5 Favorite TV Characters of All Time?" His list:

I was watching TV, and responded instantly, without thinking too much about it:

I like that list. A good mix of genre (drama, comedy, sci-fi) and gender, along with "old" and "new." But the instant I hit "send," I started actually considering my choices, and wanted to amend, correct, and add to my list. For fuck's sake, how could I have forgotten about:
I was watching TV, and responded instantly, without thinking too much about it:
I like that list. A good mix of genre (drama, comedy, sci-fi) and gender, along with "old" and "new." But the instant I hit "send," I started actually considering my choices, and wanted to amend, correct, and add to my list. For fuck's sake, how could I have forgotten about:
Malcolm Reynolds
Veronica Mars
Wesley Wyndham Price
Jimmy McNulty
Adelle Dewitt
Omar Little
Tyrion Lannister
Coach Eric Taylor
Fox Mulder
Al Swearengen
Spike
Ron Swanson
Ben Linus
The Doctor (10 and 11, especially)
Thomas Magnum
Sawyer
Rupert Giles
Raylan Givens
Dean Winchester
Tim Bisley
Don Draper
Jean Luc Picard
7 of 9
Alice Morgan
Tami Taylor
Dana Scully
Gaius Baltar
Stringer Bell
Fred Burkle/Illyria
Abed Nadir
John Crichton
John Crichton
Bender
Charlie Kelly
Walter Bishop
Homer Simpson
Jim Rockford
Lorelai Gilmore
And on and on. You get the idea. That's why we love television, and spending time with characters. Still, if I had to make ONE change to my original, off the cuff list, I'd probably add Malcolm Reynolds to it (in place of Michael Bluth), seeing as that is my absolute favorite character of all time (and I can't believe he didn't pop into my head first). Shiny.
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