Streaming our home TV signal with Sling for 10 years #TBT

| July 23, 2015

Wow … 10 years ago I bought my first “original” Slingbox. I thought this gadget was the coolest thing and even upgraded it in 2012 (has it been that long?) I used it regularly on the road with the laptop or Palm Treo (photo below) and “sling-ed” our home TV video (or just audio) signal […]

Consumers are not satisfied with their cable companies

| June 6, 2015

In a 2015 look at cable companies, very few customers are happy with their providers, in fact the report indicates a couple of the biggest have lost ground (chart below). Barely half of Mediacom Communications, Time Warner Cable and Comcast customers indicate that they are satisfied with service … and the latter two above have […]

A few thoughts on the movie American Sniper

| May 27, 2015

Brenda and I finally watched the Clint Eastwood directed movie about Navy Seal Chris Kyle titled American Sniper this Memorial Day weekend. It was worth the price of a DVD purchase, although I’m not sure emotionally I’ll want to see it again. The movie left me with gut wrenching sorrow and little solace that the […]

Enjoyed the 3 wide racing in the #Daytona500 this afternoon

| February 22, 2015

Joey Legano took the win in 2015’s NASCAR’s season opening race, the Daytona 500, with an exciting finish with the yellow flag waving due to a wreck in the rear of the field. The racers bunched for a restart after cleaning up with 3 laps to go and there was no looking back for Legano. […]

Favorite new-found music in 2014: Counting Crows

| December 31, 2014

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Glen Campbell performing I’m Not Gonna Miss You

| October 18, 2014

Glen Campbell was always a favorite entertainer, singer and songwriter while I was growing up … especially that 1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” year. He was one of the few musicians enjoyed by both my parents and me, which either made me an “odd” teen or very fortunate to have similar musical taste?  Unfortunately for his family, […]

Wild card teams will face each other in MLB World Series 2014

| October 17, 2014

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A special Happy Birthday to the person I love the most

| August 12, 2014

For those of you wondering, I AM talking about my wife Brenda. Happy Birthday. We don’t generally make a fuss over birthdays like some couples, but we do try to do something thoughtful or go out to a nice restaurant. Don’t tell her, but this year I found the first three seasons of one of […]

Entertained by Dennis Miller and Bill O’Reilly in Cincinnati

| April 26, 2014

In keeping with my springtime mood and a slight (ok, big) twist on some oldies music with a “December 1963” Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons music video below… “oh what a night” we had at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati last night. It was a good time being entertained by a couple “oldies” themselves […]

Time Warner Cable: long term mistakes for short term gains

| February 1, 2014

The Wall Street Journal reported that customers are fleeing Time Warner Cable to the tune of 825,000 TV users in 2013. There is an increase in competition and a change in viewing habits as younger subscribers cut the cord choosing to watch over the air digital (free) TV or just Internet TV on-demand. What’s TWC’s […]

Video: Jay Leno talks about the B-17

| May 4, 2013

Jay Leno does a great job shooting automotive videos in between his real job duties (aka: The Tonight Show) and occasionally detours into subjects that interest many of us. His recognition for aviation history and those who fought for our country is appreciated … as is talking about the amazing  B-17. Nice job. On a side note, I would love […]

JB and JB performing together in 2013 on May 2nd & 4th

| March 11, 2013

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Beaches, sunshine and the Superbowl

| February 3, 2013

Sunday afternoon was another lazy day at the beach relaxing in the beautiful Florida sunshine before heading back to my in-laws for wings, pizza and the Superbowl. Since we are from the east coast and the Ravens are in our division (Bengals, Browns), we’re pulling for them. So far, we haven’t been disappointed as they […]

Will politicians Rise Above or send us over the financial cliff?

| November 17, 2012

There is a Rise Above movement afoot and it is being promoted by business news network CNBC. Supporters and business leaders from both political parties agree that politicians must work together to focus on the financial health of our country and rise above partisan politics. We have yet to see progress and the stock market […]

Big Sharks — Oh my, what big teeth you have!

| October 26, 2012

Since the Little Red Riding Hood classic has been modified a few times through history, my “what big teeth you have” alteration of the tale is hardly a stretch for those near the water rather than a wolf in the woods for living on boats or an island.   These impressive photos are from Australian […]

Comedian/Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and helicopters

| August 31, 2012

Do you ever say to yourself, “why didn’t I know this before now?” Well that what I though when a friend of mine ask if I’ve seen Jeff Dunham videos about him building and flying helicopters. “Helicopters?“(old posts 1 & 2) Come to find out, he has built four of them and has been flying […]

Happy 25th anniversary to Discovery Channel’s Shark Week

| August 12, 2012

After posting the gentile dolphin video clip for today’s blog post, I remembered that Sunday is actually the beginning of Shark Week 2012 on the Discovery channel … and it’s not just any week, but the 25th anniversary. The attraction is most likely programming such as “Air Jaws” highlighting video of the Great White Sharks […]

UFC’s Dana White opens up about his Meniere’s Disease

| June 21, 2012

I appreciate high profile Meniere’s Disease sufferers commenting on how debilitating it is to deal with abrupt attacks and ongoing balance/sickness issues, especially when they are as tough as UFC’s Dana White. He commented that he is “not a normal patient” while in an interview about his struggle – although I don’t think he exhibits […]

Tom and Ray Magliozzi from NPR ‘Car Talk’ are retiring

| June 10, 2012

Although I’m not an “every week” listener, I’ve heard enough shows and shared several “puzzlers” to become a fan. I’m going to miss their sensible nonsense regarding life and sometimes helpful car advice. I’ve often thought these two guys were able to attract a steady audience of both liberals and conservatives in a way that […]

Obituary: Davy Jones dies of a heart attack at age 66

| February 29, 2012

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An update and mini review on our Roku 2XD

| October 1, 2011

So far I have been satisfied with our relatively low cost purchase of a Roku 2XD as a way to stream Internet content to our plasma TV. The Roku is must quicker to navigate than our TivoHD and offers a simple interface and one HDMI wire set up. Amazon online movie rentals worked great and […]

Netflix splits streaming and DVD business – CEO says he messed up

| September 19, 2011

After talking with a few disgruntled NetFlix subscribers (and ex-subscribers) this morning, I can attest that I’m not the only one thinking “spin-off” after CEO Reed Hastings relays the news that their new DVD-by-mail service will be a dying “wholly owned subsidiary” being called Qwikster. Netflix Inc. Chief Executive Reed Hastings said in a blog […]

My Desultory Blog returns this weekend and a Roku2 XD

| September 17, 2011

After a few days off after arguing with my “previous” web hosting company in serving up my blog, I’ve moved the 12 gigabytes of files and content over to a new server. The task was not made any easier by my 6 years of linking photo, video and embedded content from a variety of places. […]

Changed our NetFlix plan

| August 13, 2011

After noting the increase from Netflix back in June and being pretty frustrated at the “percentage” increase in price, we’ve still opted to stick with Netflix as a streaming only service. If the need arrives to see a new release, we’ll pick it up a Redbox or a local video store … perhaps encourage some […]

If this arrives in my email box, NetFlix will lose my business

| July 12, 2011

A friend of mine just forwarded an email noting an automatic change to his Netflix subscription. Not that long ago when we switched from our local Blockbuster store to NetFlix our subscription was $7.99/mo. When they changed it to adding a couple more for BluRay I decided to stick with DVDs. Now the change looks […]

Who doesn’t PLANK while reading the morning paper?

| June 13, 2011

I’m just keeping my kids on their toes … and trying to stay one step ahead of their assumption that I’m just an old 52 year old fuddy duddy dad. Hey, I may not be doing all that much more cliff diving, but am probably in the top ten percent of 50+ year old “plankers!” […]

World Oceans Day may not be your highest priority …

| June 8, 2011

… but we should at least think about how we care (or poorly care) for this resource. Today (June 8th) is World Oceans Day … and not many of us even know it. I felt including a graphic below which illustrates just one aspect of our oceans – the need to pay closer attention and […]

Music Monday: Escapism – I think we all need it some days

| June 4, 2011

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Wedding bells ring for the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

| April 29, 2011

The most anticipated wedding of the year took place this morning between Prince William and ‘now’ Catherine (Kate Middleton) in London. The royal event started for me, when my wife’s alarm went off at 4 AM EST, which is when she turned on the television to watch the ceremony. I suspect I was not the […]

One month Netflix trial is on again — until 6/15/2011

| April 20, 2011

Let me know if you are interested in movies, documentaries and TV programs from Netflix and I’ll forward the first ten names for ONE month of FREE … so as long as you are not currently a Netflix member. Netflix’s offers a decent mail delivery program and very good streaming over the Internet service (in […]

Who surfs on Lake Superior – let alone when it’s cold

| April 16, 2011

Someone who is either paid to do it … or truly a surfing NUT. (I’d rather be in Hawaii)

REO Speedwagon to perform opening day at Airventure 2011

| February 25, 2011

A great rock n roll band, REO Speedwagon was will be performing opening day Monday, July 25 at EAA Airventure 2011 this summer in Oshkosh Wisconsin. The concert is courtesy of Ford Motor Company and is free of charge to all AirVenture guests following the afternoon air show. Advance purchase admission tickets and camping for […]

Republican vs Democrat and TV show preferences

| November 11, 2010

Although including politically oriented subject matter on my blog is divisive, it is still something that “we” talk about in our daily grind so I’ll still continue to include a few pointed posts. I’d like to think that with November 2nd is behind us we’ll see a year or so of productive governing in Washington […]

Netflix trial promo invites available thru 10/31/2010

| September 16, 2010

Let me know if you are interested in movies, documentaries and TV programs from Netflix and I’ll forward the first ten names for ONE month of FREE … so as long as you are not currently a Netflix member. Netflix’s offers a decent mail delivery program and movie/archived TV shows streaming over the Internet to […]

BP Oil Spill: Two months after the disaster

| June 22, 2010

  The BP Oil Disaster is bound to be the story to remember 2010 by as historians archive this year. Like most Americans who’ve travelled and enjoy the gulf coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, I’m disgusted and saddened by the damage that is being done to the economy, coastline and ecosystem. As we […]

A “pop” culture movie and social networking entertainment

| May 10, 2010

“Bueller… Bueller… Bueller“ Who can forget the Ben Stein line from one of the enjoyable comedy movies in the 1980s – Ferris Buellers Day Off. The movie continues to see success reaching near cult status for some and even found a following on social networking giant Twitter last week. A group of Chicago based Twitter […]

Netflix one month trial promo runs again – until 6/15/2010

| April 27, 2010

Let me know if you are interested in movies, documentaries and TV programs from Netflix and I’ll forward the first ten names for ONE month of FREE … so as long as you are not currently a Netflix member. Netflix’s offers a solid mail delivery program and best streaming over the Internet service (in my […]

Lt Dan Band to be at EAA Airventure 2010 in Oshkosh WI

| April 17, 2010

It’s hard not to appreciate Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band and what they do for veterans as they travel around the country (and world) supporting causes that benefit our troops … and the children our soldiers find themselves protecting: Operation Iraqi Children both in Iraq and Afghanistan. For aviation advocates, and in particular […]

Idol like talent Lin Yu Chun generates millions of YouTube views

| April 16, 2010

Although I’m not a fan of the “idol” television program(s), I archived the impressive performance by UK’s Susan Boyle who shocked the world about this time last year – by the way the online web video of that has generated over 90 million views. As shocking as it was to hear Susan Boyle, a similar […]

An Orca kills a SeaWorld trainer during a perfomance

| February 24, 2010

I’m sad to hear when a killer whale attacks a human, be they trained for “edu-tainment” or dominating the ocean in the wild. I am bias in being pro-SeaWorld because of all the good they do to educate about the oceans and wildlife, but being part of the company in the early 1980’s, I also […]

Letterman-Oprah-Leno and the Super Bowl Ad

| February 10, 2010

The Media Decoder article in the NYTimes was eye opening with all the challenges and complexity to overcome in order to produce the Letterman-Oprah-Leno commercial. Most of us when seeing the ad chuckled, but probably didn’t give much thought to the difficulty in getting three notable entertainers together — not only to agree, but in […]

For those that don’t remember great late night TV

| February 6, 2010

Since I missed posting to the blog on Saturday, I decide to back date a post that I found enjoyable.  Obviously I’m getting older since I can remember Johnny Carson hosting the Tonight Show, but I thought I’d share a clip portraying better late night television comedy that I’m seeing nowadays … in my opinion. […]

Conan O’Brien spending NBC dollars on his way out

| January 21, 2010

The irritated O’Brien continued his feud with NBC and Jay Leno as he finishes his short career hosting The Tonight Show (article). For those not familiar with late night TV talk shows, Jay Leno left The Tonight Show for his own show at 10PM on NBC seven months ago. Conan O’Brien was given The Tonight […]

The 2010 season premiere of 24 highlighted the Palm Pre

| January 18, 2010

There was a day when we didn’t watch much TV, but nowadays that wouldn’t be true. Besides too much football and cable news, my wife and I have become addicted to a few weekly programs … one which had its 2010 season premiere Sunday evening: 24. As usual, it was exciting and left me hanging […]

A full day of college football bowl games today

| January 2, 2010

Like many men (and women) in America, I spent New Year’s day 2010 watching way too much college football. It was really the first test of our updated HDTV home theater – totally pleased (photo).For the most part we enjoyed the games, particularly the Ohio State Buckeyes Rose Bowl victory. That said, we’re finishing the […]

The new Optoma HD20 has improved our Home Theater

| December 9, 2009

My goal is to have the home theater upgraded by the time my kids are home from college for their Christmas break. The new Optoma HD20 arrived and I anxiously replaced my older Sony 900U ceiling concealed projector. Besides ‘still’ having a ridiculous combination of remotes, the HD picture enhanced from a standard DVD from […]

Red Stewart Airshow & EAA Chapter 284 Tail Dragger Fly In

| September 7, 2009

The weekend was busy as usual with the annual Red Stewart Airshow and my Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter’s (EAA284) Tail Dragger Fly In and Pancake breakfast. Set up was smooth on Saturday afternoon and most of us enjoy relaxing for the evening on the field as the temperature cooled and the airshow started. I can […]

Online video performers Rhett & Link here in SW Ohio

| May 14, 2009

I was disappointed last week to have missed seeing Rhett and Link in Fairfield Ohio while out of town on Thursday, but since then I’ve noticed them on several network news shows talking about a controversial  Red House Furniture video (my previous post).  I didn’t find the video all that offensive or really all that […]

Let me know if you want a 1 month Netflix trial

| May 6, 2009

Let me know if you would like  a one month NetFlix Trial … a couple weeks longer than the normal promo. Who wouldn’t like a free month of movies? Forward this email to your friends and family, and they’ll get a FREE month of Netflix. That’s twice as long as our regular free trial! This […]

Fun with Rhett & Link and iPhone app Leaf Trombone

| May 6, 2009

Short on time tonight, so here a YouTube comedy video from Rhett & Link that promotes an iPhone app called Leaf Trombone World Stage. They are best known for their internet videos and are self-proclaimed “Internetainers”. In addition to their web presence, Rhett & Link are also musicians and filmmakers, and have worked in network […]

Disney to buy a nearly one-third stake in Hulu

| April 30, 2009

Since I’ve posted a couple times about the online “web-video aggregator” Hulu.com, the latest news that Disney has reached a deal to buy a significant share of the company and put full episodes of its ABC TV shows on the site is pretty big news. The advantage for Hulu is that Disney will invest capital […]

NetFlix: The $2 a month debate

| April 2, 2009

I’ve been satisfied with Netflix since switching from Blockbuster Online for ‘mail delivered’ DVD and BluRay DVD movies. My wife and I generally watch one movie each week and have been comfortable with the service and choices available with the ‘one at a time’ subscription. Since we have a BluRay player, I opted for the […]

Kay Jeweler commercial feature ASL

| November 16, 2008

I’ve noticed the Christmas ads are starting to make their way into the Sunday afternoon football games, and one of them by Kay Jewelers caught my attention. The ad features a deaf girl (or actress playing a deaf girl) and her boyfriend using American Sign Language while sitting under the Christmas tree. It caught my […]

‘Living with Ed’ HGTV program returns

| August 18, 2007

Last year I mentioned an enjoyable program ‘Living with Ed’ looking into the ‘green’ life of Ed Begley the environmentalist actor. The program featured his wife Rachelle Carlson struggling with Ed’s earth saving ways. I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but recorded or watched every episode … and hoped the program would go a second […]

We enjoyed the show … Jeff Dunham

| July 27, 2007

Five of us went to the Jeff Dunham comedy show last night and it was terrific. I highly recommend it if you enjoy laughing. The place was packed which surprised me for a Thursday night in Newport Kentucky — the Funnybone on the levee. Jeff Dunham, Achmed the Suicide Bomber, Peanut, the Jose Jalapeňo (’on […]

Jeff Dunham and his friends are in Cincinnati

| July 20, 2007

I purchased four tickets last night to the Cincinnati Funnybone comedy club to see my favorite ventriloquist, Jeff Dunham. Dunham and his cast of puppets are in town attending a puppeteer convention this week and will be performing next week and weekend in Newport, Kentucky (just over the Ohio River). For those never seeing Mr. […]

A Volkswagen TDI Van and the A-Team

| July 2, 2007

A bit of immaturity to start off the month of July and the lazy couple of days preceding the 4th of July Wednesday holiday. (Its really a week I should have scheduled a vacation, but then again about half of America will probably be doing that?) Remember the television series the A-Team? Here’s a little […]

Christmas Tradition: The Nutcracker Ballet – 2006

| December 23, 2006

To celebrate the Christmas season, Brenda (my wife) suggested (to my moaning) that we go as a family to see the Nutcracker performed by the Cincinnati Ballet. I’m probably the only ‘guy’ in America groaning about spending $50 a ticket to go to the ballet … right???

Apocalypto … the Mel Gibson movie

| December 17, 2006

A “new beginning” … the translation sounds better than the Mel Gibson movie titled “Apocalypto.” My wife and I intended on going to see this movie last night, but unfortunately didn’t make it. (I had planned on a review here) 🙁 So in lieu of my review I’ll post part of a long interview that […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog