A few years back I stumbled across a new television show on CBS called The Big Bang Theory and ever since that time I anxiously await each Monday night to watch all of the new episodes. I am so enthralled with the sitcom, that I even watch the reruns.

One of the reasons why I believe I am drawn to the show is because of its characters and often crazy story lines. The on-again, off-again romance between Leonard, an experimental physicist, and Penny, a waitress/hopeful actress, is the center of the show. Add in the character of Sheldon, Leonard's roommate and a theoretical physicist, and there are plenty of laughs as he constantly gets in the way of Leonard and Penny's relationship with his patented door knocking. From his inability to sit anywhere in the apartment except for his seat on the couch, to the crazy rules that dictate his life, Sheldon always provides plenty of laughs. The other two main characters on the show, Howard and Rajesh, are the core group of Sheldon and Leonard's friends. The foursome plan out all of their days together and cause each other plenty of trouble in each episode.

I love to watch The Big Bang Theory on Direct TV Houston, because it s a great way to relax with my husband and enjoy a good laugh together.

Would anyone who watches faithfully, or even regularly, care to clue me in? Is the woman (Olivia?) that broke out of the facility on Liberty Island a good guy, or a bad guy? Is she from an alternate reality? What happened to her alternate?

I know that Peter died in one reality and his 'father' kidnapped him from the other reality. Is he in the right reality or the wrong reality? Where does Olivia figure into all of this?

And about 10,000 other questions. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Orson Welles is my favorite narrator. Long have I admired his velveteen voice as he delivers wonderful monologues on various alien perils and the dangers of capitalism. Yet his crowning role was not in a film, a television show, or a jabbering anecdote on an old time radio show. His greatest achievement was his narration of my favorite mini series of all time, Shogun.

Like many occidental men who have long since admired the east, Shogun is a fictional account of a deep seeded desire. To the west Japan is a world that is as exotic as the blooming cherry blossom, and as honorable as the warrior samurai. We bask in the mythology of Japan, the idea of sword duels and zen gardens and tentacle cartoon porn. Back then, before the days of the internet, these opportunities were few. This is why Shogun was such a seminal piece of television. Through the eyes of lead actor Richard Chamberlain, it brought about a whole new fetish into the cognitive perception of modern society. Shogun was Madame Butterfly and Akira Kurosawa wrapped into a single warm futon. Shogun was about breaking the boundaries of sexuality in dialogue. Shogun even introduced the word "piss" into the television lexicon. It was nothing short of groundbreaking.

Like all classic mini series, Shogun can be seen on vintage networks available on satellite TV Florida.

I had wondered over the years what she - and Gil Gerard - were doing. (I was a rabid "Buck Rogers" fan.) Apparently, among other things, sci-fi conventions. In fact, Gerard was Gray's first client; with Marc Singer (the original TV "Beastmaster", "V") coming on board next.

Naturally, I had to check out Heroes for Hire. But I didn't expect to be a fan of so many of her clients: Gerard, Singer, Bruce Campbell, Michelle Forbes, Eric Pierpoint, Gary Graham, Mira Furlan, Carmen Argenziano, Erick Avari ... Let's just say it's an extensive list.

As it turns out, there are some terrific options out there. Naturally, well naturally for us, we don't need a sports package - no one watches sports with any kind of regularity. I catch the odd race or football game, once or twice a season. The extra money for the NFL Sunday Ticket (or similar option) from localtv-satellite.com really wouldn't do us any good. Although sports-lovers would probably jump at the 5 months of free service that comes with sign-up. (My ex would be doing a touchdown dance about now.)

Nope, we're sci-fi and movie fans. Losing BBC America and "Doctor Who" is still brutally painful. The fact that one of our online friends keeps sharing episode details is like pouring salt in the wound. So we need the top tier channels and, possibly, a premier channel.

On www.localtv-satellite.com the choices range from the sublime to the ridiculously sublime. We could never keep up with 285 channels (160 in HD) or even 225 channels with HD and 11 premium channels, though it would certainly be fun to try. Especially, if it comes with a DVR.

That, my friends, would be a slice of heaven!

According to her website, she is a self-described ham - which can only help if one wants a career in any type of entertainment field. What I didn't expect was the talent behind the flash. At a young age, she was writing and performing her own songs.

I must admit it's nice to see someone earn their fame, if that's the right word, the way it used to be done - hard work, and hard knocks. No famous-for-being-famous or reality show graduate shortcuts. Pretty impressive, if you ask me.

Who knows, I may have to check out some Gaga songs. One of these days.

Seahawk-Ground Floor

This place is just amazing!

First - (dishwasher) no cactus; a very good start. Then - no desert; no matter where you stay, you're never far from water. And, for pity sakes! just look at this gorgeous house!

I'll admit that I fell for the (dishwasher) appearance - who could resist all that wood and space? Then, I started to do a head-count. There's Mark and me, my 2 kids and their spouses, Mark's 2 sons and SOs - 10 of us total. Hmmm?

A couple of people spending a couple of days away from home is easy to coordinate. But when you're dealing with 10 people, from 3 states, in 1 house, for 7 days -- there are options and then - (dishwasher) there are gotta-haves.

Sleeping arrangements can kill the whole thing before anyone even packs a shoe.

Seahawk-1st Floor

With five bedrooms, between the ground and first floors, Seahawk has it covered. No fold-out, fold-up sleeping issues. Privacy - and (dishwasher) a bed - for all! Even the best of families need their space and blended families need a lot of space.

Oh, just so everyone is perfectly clear:   Mark and I get the first floor King! Everyone else? Deal! {wink}

Four full and one half means no bathroom lines. Again - 10 people, 1 house, 7 days - the ability to shower (and pee) on demand is one of those gotta-haves. According to the floor-plans, the Kings are suites and the (dishwasher) other bathrooms are strategically located.

Lest we forget, children: Mark and me ... first floor King ... everyone else ... dealing! Ah, it's good to be da parents !

Seahawk-2nd Floor

Then, we have the kitchen (second floor) and laundry room (ground floor). Frankly, I cannot imagine spending 7 days with 9 other people without a (dishwasher) way to cook meals and wash clothes. Sure, eating out is fun; but not every day and definitely not every meal.

I need to be able to get up, make coffee, and ease slowly into the day. Happily, Seahawk has a coffeemaker and a dishwasher (Ahhhh, yes!) that isn't moi - so I'm good! I'm really, Really good!

Much as I love my guys, there also must be (dishwasher) multiple options for clean clothes! Directly related to the, above-mentioned, showering-on-demand.

With this electronically-connected crew, 10 (yup - 10) TVs, multiple VCRs and DVD players, a video library, and high-speed Internet access are life-savers. No battles over viewing options and checking email - ahhhh, (dishwasher) peace! Of course, having a pool and grill right outside might just entice the gamers into the real world.

Being a mere 635 yards from the beach is, for me, just icing on the (dishwasher) cake. By my calculations, with 8 blocks = 1 mile in my neighborhood, that's about 3 blocks away. Even Mark could manage that walk!

All that space. Near the water. Mornings on the second floor deck with (dishwasher) coffee and a view that isn't the next apartment building. {sigh}

There is, sadly, one really big problem with this lovely house. (Oh, not for me -- for the owners.) It will certainly take dynamite - or an act of Congress - to ever get me out!

Seriously! (dishwasher) I'm not leaving!

Granted, I'm not a cigar smoker. But it is a little embarrassing to realize that these Honduran, hand-rolled cigars have been around since 1871. Milder than some brands, they have what's called a sweetened wrapper cap.

Unless I miss my guess, that means flavor. And probably a much better smoke than the little grape things that Frankie used to buy.

Mugs are sturdy, solid, reliable, and big. Trust me - I've done the research. Way back when, I actually had an entire kitchen cabinet dedicated to my addiction. (In those days, it was an affordable habit.) Everyone knew I collected, so any holiday was an occasion to find the silliest or sweetest (thank you, girlfriends!) sentiments on the market.

My favorite mug, hands down, was from the long-distance company where I worked. What made it special was the handle - shaped like a little blue telephone handset. The cutest thing I've seen - or owned - before or since.

(It was not, however, good for reheating! Something in the paint on that adorable handle made molten ceramic when combined with microwaves.)

These days, our mugs are great big, wonderful dollar-store finds - big, round, clear, with concave circles all around so these big, heavy coffee urns don't slip out of your hands. Did I mention they are big?! We have a 12-cup coffeemaker and filling 2 of these mugs puts a serious dent in the contents of the pot. Love it!

The cute little cups that came with my new dishes? They're in a drawer ... somewhere.

I learned - very quickly - that there are a lot of options when it comes to binoculars. A whole big bunch of options! Depending on what you want to pay, what you want to use them for, and whether you need a camera, wide-angle viewing, or are visiting the opera.

Since what we have has a camera and my mind was spinning with available choices, I decided to start there. And was lucky enough to find something well within my price range. Unfortunately, I started thinking about all those other options and that, although Mark had picked the camera binoculars then, he might prefer something else now.

It just never pays to think and shop. Now, I'm back to square one and have absolutely no idea what to get. {sigh}

It started with Peter McKay, whom I've mentioned before. His painting post made me grin; the deck awning story had me softly chuckling. My funny bone was itching and twitching, but I was still in control. And Mark was still asleep. Whew!

Then I made a near-fatal error - I started reading Bruce Cameron. 'Tom the Caveman' was amusing; the 'Teenage Boat' touched a chord. If I had stopped there, I'd have been fine. But - No! - I had to continue!

Having never mastered the fine art of moderation, I moved on to 'Feng Shui' and the beginning of the end. Between Larry, the tiger, the dragon, and the in-laws, I was starting to stifle some serious laughter. The bed was beginning to shake; the tears were making it difficult to finish the story and regain a little self-control. But, eventually, I made it and Mark was still asleep.

The '3-D Printer' was the final blow. The bed was bouncing, the tears were flowing. Images of cellphone cases were circling hysterically in my brain and I couldn't stop giggling. Silently, uncontrollably giggling.

All I can say is: it is physically painful to hold back that much laughter. Thank heaven I waited until today to read 'My Father the Dog Trainer.' I'd have killed myself!

Summer is a great time to visit my family in Colorado and this summer I planned the whole trip on the Internet. I decided to use my Internet service Michigan to go online and spent an hour or two researching things I could do while on vacation. Going home as a tourist is always more fun for me than living in the town. I found camping, rafting and hiking trails that peaked my interest.

Booking the hotels was easy. I went to a few websites with HughesNet satellite and compared prices before I made a final reservation. I knew which hotels I liked the best in my small hometown, so I didn't have to research them. I got a multiple day discount and then booked an additional room for my kids, so we could have more room.

I reserved my campgrounds for two days and booked my rafting trip all online as well. Booking these things online is easier than over the phone because they take credit cards online and I don't have to listen to any recordings. Some of the small businesses in the area take a while to return a call if they are out in the field, so booking online guarantees me a spot quickly.

The trip was wonderful and we packed in a ton of mountain activities that we usually wouldn't have done without the research. I was happy to see my family over the summer and know that everything we did was already taken care of, so we didn't have to wonder what we were going to do on a daily basis.

Don't get me wrong. For people with analog sets, it had to be a bit scary. It's not like they were asked if they wanted their free over-the-air viewing options to vanish. And, as I recall, the required converter boxes weren't exactly inexpensive - hence, the bucks-for-boxes program that ran out of money. Another nightmare for people who had no choice but to convert.

For those of us who were already cable or DIRECTV by DirectSatTV subscribers, we rather self-importantly pooh-poohed all the concern over disappearing signals and changing formats. Frankly, I can't imagine what it was like for remote or hilly areas. Even in a perfect test market, the problems were large enough to cause concern for officials.

Wilmington, Delaware, with no hills and unchanging channel positions, was the first community to go all-digital in 2008, as a test of how well the DTV transition would work. Well, it didn't - exactly. The digital signal was less powerful than the previous analog and viewers at the fringe of a station's range, lost reception. Poof!

As a result, the government authorized construction of distributed transmission systems - for stations that couldn't cover their analog range with the digital channels. In extremely simple terms, these systems send a signal to multiple transmitter sites for simultaneous broadcast in overlapping sections, widening the broadcast area for that channel. This authorization, however, came too late to allow construction in time for the original February, 2009 cut-off date.

Frankly, Direct Satellite TV offers and cable service must have started looking pretty good to a lot of people at that point. I wonder if anyone has looked at new subscription rates during the DTV conversion process. They certainly would have been the simplest, if not the cheapest, options at the time.

There are either/or selections, nice-but-not-critical applications, and very important functional considerations. In my quest for answers, DVR for DIRECTV got me started by explaining receiver options. Basically, there are two types of service: HD (high definition) and SD (standard definition). Since we have an HDTV, SD service doesn't sound like our best choice.

The specs, not counting image/sound quality differences, are fairly similar. HD-DVR seems to have more bells and whistles, which may be a ploy to grab viewers. Or may simply reflect consumer preferences for HD. Either way, HD receivers will record SD; the reverse is not true.

Another variable, which DVR for Time Warner Cable highlighted, is the ability to compensate for schedule changes. Some DVR systems will find and record programmed shows - in their entirety - even if they change days, times, or run longer than expected. Given network predilection for moving shows around, that could be an invaluable function.

And for sports fans, it may be a gotta-have-this option. Just imagine: you've avoided result broadcasts all day, waiting to sit back, relax, and enjoy that game or race. You get down to the wire - 2 minute warning / white-flag lap - only to find that your recording has been Heidi-bowled ^[1]. It's one thing when the network makes a bone-head broadcast decision. Quite another to inadvertently run out of recording time or memory.

Which leads me to a last, important component: storage capacity. I learned from the stats on DVR for Dish Network, that not all systems are the same. Some have much smaller hard drives, severely limiting how many programs can be recorded before viewing becomes mandatory. Like an enormous VHS tape or DVD, when you're out of room - you're out of programs.

This limitation is even more obvious where HD is concerned. High-definition files are larger than standard-definition and that estimated eighty hours of stored programming drops very quickly to thirty, or less. Unless viewers record today, watch tonight, and delete immediately - size of the hard drive moves to the top of the list.

So, for us, I'm thinking that storage is the decision, followed by HD over SD. Since we follow (or attempt to follow) a few shows that move around a lot, it might be nice to have some of the bells and whistles that eliminate neurotically memorizing the TV schedule, as well.

Oh man, when Dug the dog started talking with his electronic collar, it was the best! “Hi there! My name is Dug, and I love you.” Anyone who watched the movie will have heard that line in Dug's voice. With Ed Asner doing the voice of the main character Carl, the movie was just perfect. There aren't too many movies that an adult can sit and enjoy with the kids but UP! certainly is one of those films.

The first part of the movie where it shows the life of Carl and his wife Ellie from the time they were kids is just a masterpiece of animated film. That was the most touching few scenes I've ever seen in any film whether it was animated or live action. I'm so glad we rented this on Direct TV pay-per-view. It was such a joy to watch. It's one of those movies you won't mind seeing again even though it is a cartoon. Of course though, the cartoons of today are nothing like they were when I was a kid. Even though it’s animated, it seems so real. I think it's the facial expressions that give the characters so much life. The animators pay attention to the little things that make the experience so much more enjoyable. You won't be disappointed watching UP!

In a survey of 227 practicing magicians, only 7 of whom were women, the responses hardly seemed to belong in the 21st century. They spoke of hard-wired physical and mental differences, gender roles, and an innate female disinterest in power and technology. I found it shocking and more than a little disturbing.

A lack of female mentorship is not uncommon in fields labelled 'traditionally male' or 'technical' - engineering, medicine, science, law, architecture. But I would imagine that occurs more from a closed-off old-boy environment than a true lack of women's interest or ability in these areas. It's a little difficult to get into the club when no one will share the sekret handshake.

Then we have the rationale that women are right-brained and men are left-brained, therefore men are naturally more analytical and better at problem-solving. Gender differences are also 'responsible' for women being unable or unwilling to take on any endeavor requiring commanding or confrontational behavior. Women are, after all, 'designed' to nurture - not compete. Right?!

My response to that drivel? Have you ever upset your mom, wife, sister, or girlfriend? Trust me! We can command and confront!

Some of the more, shall we say, amusing answers? to paraphrase:

• Women have to perform more subtle magic; no one wants to see a woman saw a man in half or stab swords into a box.
• A female magician and her handsome male assistants wouldn't be as popular as a male magician and his pretty female assistants.
• It's too difficult to modify women's smaller clothing with pockets for hiding birds and other objects.
• A women's hands are too small to easily facilitate palming cards, etc.
• Being smaller, women are naturally better subjects for levitations and disappearing box illusions.
• Less solitary/more social, women are ill-suited to and disinterested in spending large amounts of 'alone-time' mastering magic.
• Women are 'sharers' and, therefore, likely to be guilt-ridden over maintaining the secrecy necessary in the world of magicians.
• Magical, mystical creatures ... "in and of themselves. The ability to create life from seemingly nothing is all a woman needs." (Okay, maybe that one isn't quite as amusing.)

The most upsetting justification given? The Salem-witch-trial, burned-at-the-stake (my phrasing) history of women and magic. Are we really expected to believe that women shy away from careers as magicians to avoid being associated with / accused of practicing witchcraft?

(As a sidebar, to debunk a myth or two: Although some witch hunts almost exclusively targeted women, men were accused and executed. In fact, in Russia, the majority of the victims were men. The term 'warlock' is a Hollywood construct; all accused of witchcraft, at the time, were called witches.)

These attitudes are a sad commentary on how gender discrimination survives and thrives in pockets of society. Judging by the comments that followed the article, inroads are being made. As always, strong intelligent women and men aren't buying the bull.

With the price of movie tickets increasing, it gets rather expensive for me and my family to go out to the movies. Therefore we choose to stay at home and watch movies. I watch movies on demand on DirectTV all the time.

The last movie that we watched on demand was Remember Me starring Robert Pattinson, Emile de Ravin, and Pierce Brosnan. I was hesitant to watch this movie because I wasn’t sure that Robert Pattinson would be a good actor because he wasn’t that great in the Twilight Movies. However, I was pleasantly surprised by his acting. He played the part of Tyler very well. I was convinced that Tyler was an exceptional and emotional person and I felt for him the entire movie.

The best part of the movie was seeing the relationships between the characters develop. From the previews, I already knew that the two main characters Tyler and Ally were going to fall for each other. But their individual lives and stories were so different, that as you watched the movie, I couldn’t help but wonder if they really were going to be together. I tell everyone that isn’t the movie that people expected it to be. Hands down, it was the best drama to come out this year. The ending is incredible. I wasn’t expecting the movie to end the way it did and while it was very emotional to watch, I’m glad that Remember Me ended so well and not in the usual romantic drama sort of way. This movie was perfect.

Just as I was developing sympathy for the person who would have to try this concoction, it was pointed out that someone would have to judge whether it worked. Ewwww! After smoking, eating raw garlic and extremely smelly cheese - the nasty breath was ready. An associate was chosen and the before-and-after sniffing began.

Braver than I, that's for sure. Although, you've got to wonder who this poor guy upset, because in another segment he was volunteered to judge the effectiveness of a stinky-feet remedy, also based on vodka. Frankly, the beer-goggles experiment looked like much more fun. And a lot less disgusting.

Oh - the vodka-based remedies did work. No better or worse than mouthwash and foot baths. But, according to one man's nose, they did do the job.

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
~ First People - The Legends: Two Wolves

You can buy a person's time; you can buy their physical presence at a given place; you can even buy a measured number of their skilled muscular motions per hour.

But you cannot buy enthusiasm... you cannot buy loyalty. You cannot buy the devotion of hearts, minds, or souls.

You must earn these.
~ Clarence Francis

Back in the 1960s a NASA team doing work for the Apollo moon mission took the astronauts near Tuba City where the terrain of the Navajo Reservation looks very much like the Lunar surface.

Along with all the trucks and large vehicles, there were two large figures dressed in full Lunar spacesuits.

Nearby a Navajo sheep herder and his son were watching the strange creatures walk about, occasionally being tended by personnel. The two Navajo people were noticed and approached by the NASA personnel.

Since the man did not understand or speak English, his son asked for him what the strange creatures were and the NASA people told them that they are just men that are getting ready to go to the moon. The man became very excited and asked if he could send a message to the moon with the astronauts.

The NASA personnel thought this was a great idea so they rustled up a tape recorder. After the man gave them his message, they asked his son to translate. His son would not.

Later, they tried a few more people on the reservation to translate and every person they asked would chuckle and then refuse to translate. Finally, with cash in hand, someone translated the message, "Watch out for these guys, they come to take your land."
~ First People - The Legends: The Navajo and The Astronaut

Surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth?

If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding.

In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man; it only shows me what an ill-tempered man I am.

The rats are always there in the cellar, but if you go in shouting and noisily they will have taken cover before you switch on the light.
~ C.S. Lewis, (Mere Christianity)

There's a great power in words, if you don't hitch too many of them together.
~ Josh Billings

Though I admit, I was a tad confused. As I say, it's been awhile since I watched any sports; most of the venues I remembered - Palace of Auburn Hills, Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Camden Yards, Wrigley Field - were still there. I've even been to games and concerts at some of them.

But, others? I had to look up where they were, which was (actually) fun. For example: Quicken Loans Arena - Cleveland, Citi Field - NY Mets, Izod Center - East Rutherford, Bradley Center - Milwaukee, and Amway Arena - Orlando were all new to me. Ticket America, however, has them covered.

They have a great set-up for buying - and selling - tickets by venue. Pick your stadium or team. (If you have tickets to sell, there's a clickable link in the middle of the page.) Next, choose the game or event, and a nifty table comes up. See the section, row, price, and number of available tickets - with a seating chart of the arena that scrolls up and down with you.

Works great and makes finding tickets a whole lot of fun!

Just today, I read that ABC/Disney is reportedly canceling Legend of the Seeker, a well-written series with (as they say) tremendous production values. Apparently, Tribune Company - which owns WGN and many of the CW affiliate stations - is dropping the show. That 24 stations could shut down a series is amazing to me.

Our local CW affiliate is not owned by Tribune, but will Belo (and their 20 stations) step up to help? Who knows. Probably a mute point. (Though I'm still hunting for contact information.)

It's just a sad, sad day. Another great show, destroyed by the broadcast company that could find no value in 'Firefly' - yet, is willing to throw money at 'Dead Like Me' and 'Friends' reruns. So, so sad.

The joke and prank ring-leader was rebuilding a woodie wagon (a bit like the picture, if memory serves ). He was planning to attach long-armed convex mirrors and - for some reason - had them in the salon. With him, who knew?

One day, there was a knock at the salon door and an impish, bearded face appeared in the glass. Grinning and babbling about nothing in particular, he kept looking down at my feet. Being young and naive, I had no idea what was going on - at first.

Eventually I figured it out. Suffice it to say, just the site of one of those mirrors can still make me laugh - after 35 years.