I love my HDTV. There’s no question about that. I opt to watch all of the broadcasts stations on their digital channel, even if the program is provided in HD. The quality of the digital signal is far superior to the analog signal

So, I’m always looking for HD content to enjoy. Discovery, HD Theater, History Channel or even AMC- wait, we don’t get AMC HD? But we get HGTV HD? And TNT HD? Plus A&E HD? Even MTV HD?! What the hell? I wanted to watch Mad Men in HD; it must look FANTASTIC!

So, I decided to ask my cable company what the chances were of receiving AMC HD. Here was my question:

What are the chances of having AMC HD added to the Bright House channel lineup?

Here was the form letter I received back:

Thank you for taking the time to email XXXXX. Our goal at XXXXX is customer satisfaction and we are interested in our customer’s feedback. … We do not want to charge all our customers for “specialty” programming but still want to be able to provide High Definition programming and remain competitive. We look forward to offering more High Definition channels very soon.

Thank you for that boring and mind-numbing form letter. I would like to get back the time it took me to read that e-mail. Please send a check at your earliest convenience.

All I needed to know was, “the chances are about the same as President G. W. Bush’s library containing more than old copies of Boys Life magazine.

I’ve seen the commercials hundreds of times. I know I’ve never wanted one. It doesn’t matter what product, I might say “that’s cool” or “that’s interesting,” but really I’m thinking “what would I do with that crap?”

Except maybe the Shamwow. Though the host of their commercials freaks me out more than a little bit.

I mean, what am I going to do with the Hercules Hook? I don’t think I have 150 lbs. of stuff to hang from a hook. My fingers are still able to move enough that I don’t need the Clever Clasp. And I don’t have enough people to spy on to warrant buying the Listen Up.

Anyway, the point I was trying to make is how desperate the manufacturers of these products have gotten. I don’t remember what product was being peddled earlier this evening, but they had the best payment plan of all-time. I might consider buying it, just because of the “deal” I would receive.

2 easy payments of $9.99

It can’t get much better than that, I guess.

[Editor's note: This post updated 4 October]

I love Firefox.

But I don’t like having to run GTalk in the background to have mailto: links open in GMail or my Hosted GMail. So, what do you do to change how mailto: links function?

It’s actually quite simple.

Open Firefox.

In the address bar type one of the following strings of code. It will vary depending on if you are using a Google Hosted account or a regular GMail account.

GMail:

javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler("mailto","https://mail.google.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s","Gmail")

Hosted GMail:

javascript:window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler("mailto","https://mail.google.com/a/exampleurl.com/mail/?extsrc=mailto&url=%s","GMail")

You will be asked if you want to add GMail as a handler for mailto: links. Go ahead.

If you are not asked for any confirmation, go back to the address bar and type:

about:config

Click “I’ll be careful, I promise!”

In the filter bar type:

network.protocol-handler.external.mailto

Double-click on the entry listed under “Preference Name,” this will change the entry to “true” and appear bold.

Then verify the setup worked by going to Tools > Options.

Click “Applications” and in the “Search” box type

mailto

Make sure the drop-down on the right says “Use GMail.”

This has been one of my favorite tweaks for Firefox. And it’s made sharing things much easier, because I don’t have to “Copy link address” to send e-mails to friends.

Courtesy: Warner Brothers

We just returned from the midnight showing of The Dark Knight. While we didn’t see it in its IMAX glory, we definitely got to the heart of the film, if only in a “regular” theater.

Not that much time has passed in Gotham City when we meet the Caped Crusader again (yes, all of the nicknames are in play this time). Look for some cameos from the past and a few nods towards the future. Batman is with it, right off the top.

The favorites are all there (Alfred and Lucius), but look for bigger parts from Commissioner Loeb and key scenes with the Mayor of Gotham.

But the part you really care about is the Joker. Heath Ledger is downright frightening. As Alfred says, “some men just want to watch the world burn.” There is no logic behind the Joker’s actions, he thrives for chaos. Complete and total anarchy. Ledger’s performance is chilling; I’m sure it’s Oscar-worthy, but I don’t know if it’s worthy of snubbing all other films. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll be thinking about the Joker all night, and it was a stellar job. There are moments where you’ll laugh out loud at him, but this is a very dark character. And you should expect the movie to take you to some very dark places. There is a big philosophical discussion happening throughout the movie about the essence of justice (read “balance” and “fair”) and Batman’s never-ending battle against evildoers.

Aaron Eckhart definitely makes a name for Harvey Dent in this movie. You really get behind Gotham’s new D.A. and his war on crime. We all know the inevitable ending for Harvey Dent, though. And you’ll get a lot more than you bargained for in this film.

If you appreciated the humor of Batman Begins, then this will be right up your alley. A few little asides, some puns here and there, but nothing like the over-the-top junk we saw in those Schumacher-travesties. Some of the gadgets are a little out there, but we don’t get anywhere near the Adam West days.

Fans of Chicago will love the locations used in the movie. That semi you see in the trailer flipping end-over-end? They really did that. Right in the middle of LaSalle Street. Breathtaking scene. Also, the building they level? They really leveled it. There’s a nice little slideshow on Fandango.com (of all places), that shows where they shot the key scenes.

But, be prepared. At nearly two and half hours, make sure you take a bathroom break ahead of time.

Oh, and there’s nothing after the credits, so don’t sit around for the extra 7 minutes.

On the Sandwich Scale, I’m personally giving this movie a 10 (I plan on seeing it for a second time in IMAX). There are those I know who won’t like this one, or expect it to be just like the first. So for everyone else, I’m giving it a 9.

Writing yet again from 20,000 feet above the sea, except it’s actually above the middle of the Midwest and there’s no water in sight. Wow, that would suck to hit at a high rate of speed.

Anywho.

Yes, I am writing this from a few miles up in the sky, but I’m not publishing it from that high. Word is an amazing tool, and cocaine is a hell of a drug.

Airline travel may not be as glamorous as it once was. But the prices make you think it is. Would you really be able to afford taking a family of four anywhere? Exactly. And those prices are to be seated back in the cattle stall. So, for the first time, I experienced life IN FRONT of the mysterious blue curtain. And it didn’t cost me a penny. Frequent flyer miles are fantastic (Did you know, if you’re just one key off when typing “miles” it becomes “nukes?” Try it, I almost published this that way).

I was amazed.

Shocked.

Even a little excited.

We board the plane, and got acquainted with our seats and our flight attendant. Then, everyone else came aboard. I felt important. Or trashy. After the coach cabin was filled, we were offered drinks. And we’re not talking Coke, water, coffee or crap, but alcohol. Free alcohol. In actual glasses.

The flight attendant took them away when we started to taxi, though. I was called a wuss, by the flight attendant, for not finishing my G&T. As soon as we were airborne, the flight attendant came around again. We’re still climbing, and she’s taking drink orders! Another G&T it is. Oh, and there’s a food order. For a snack. More on that later. I turned down food, but Evan asked for the chicken sandwich.

My drink arrives, and I’m greeted by a bowl of hot nuts. I kid you not. Hot nuts in a hot bowl. Amazing. This could not get any better. Oh, wait. It does. We cruise long enough for me to get half-way through my adult beverage, when a hot towel is thrust into my face. Fantastic. Oh wait, there’s Evan’s food. It’s not a chicken sandwich, it’s a CHICKEN SANDWICH; on a real bun, heated with Swiss cheese, served on a bed of lettuce. With a little glass for wine!

Okay, this sitting in first class for free could not possibly get any better. And then it happens. As we start our decent, I smell something. Something sweet and delicious, with sugar and love. Something amazing from childhood. Could it be? Hot chocolate chip cookies.

At that point I realized my life would never be the same.

Wait, this is a great example of vanity in America. You’re going to spend that much money, so you don’t have to touch shoulders with the person next to you, and drink alcohol for free. I’m sure it’s nice on a flight that lasts for more than two hours. But, wow. I don’t know many (read: any) people who would have the disposable income to fly that way for pleasure. And if companies are paying for it, that’s a waste of their money.

There was a very humorous moment. If you’ve ever been to Texas anytime, you’ll understand. As we taxied back from the gate at Indianapolis the captain got on the loudspeaker:

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen…

“we’ll be cruising at approximately 24,000 feet this evening on our way to Dallas. Flying time should be…

“about 2 hours. In Texas right now, it’s…

“about one million degrees. We’ll have a better idea of that number once we’re in the air.”

I feel, very domesticated.

I eat from dishes, use real flatware and no longer poop in the corner.

Over the last few weeks @mmagnolia22 and I have been busy getting used to our new place. Finding out where all of the nooks and crannies are, figuring out how the shower works and understanding the concept of a Lazy Susan. (If she’s so damn lazy, what’s the point of having one?)

One thing that was realized early on, was the need for drapes or curtains or extra sheets to cover the windows that overlook a major Indianapolis thoroughfare. I’m only a voyeur when I’m getting paid for my actions. So we went out and bought window antidotes or treatments or something like that and paint.

Guess what I learned to do? Hang drapes, hang curtain rods and paint.

I’m just saying, I might be on my way to adulthood. Yay!

I’m glad I decided to keep my distance from this mayonnaise container I found in the fridge. I almost put it on my delicious (and pricey) Soppressata sandwich. That could have been a disaster.

I found the gem you see below, while scouring the Best Buy website as I shop for a new TV. There’s nothing wrong with the current television, per se, but it kind of looks like a toy in @mmagnolia22’s entertainment center.

Unfortunately, I don’t think the experts at BestBuy.com will be much help if I have a question.

Just ONE question?! I’m actually shocked. And it was a decent question, too.

“Hi Sadie! I’m home.”

“Yes, I know. You were all alone today.”

“I know you’re missing the girl.”

“Well, alright I’ll pet you for a minute.”

“Actually, I’d rather not follow you back there.”

“No come here, I don’t want to smell what you did in there today.”

“Okay. I’ll be back there in a minute. I just need to put my-”

“What did you do to the napkins?”

“Let me put these groceries away.”

“I see you trying to get to the bottom of that bag.”

“I’ll pick it up with you inside, then we’ll see how you like it.”

“I know it sounds like the bowl your food comes in- No, that’s a can of diced tomatoes.”

“If I keep talking, you’re just going to keep on talking back, aren’t you?”

“Yes, yes. This is your actual bowl.”

“Haha. I’m the one who feeds you now. Respect me!”

“Damn. Are you sure I fed you enough? Okay, I’m going to surf the Internet for a while.”

“Hi.”

“You don’t need to walk across the keyhffffffffffffdzfhzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

“Or maybe you did.”

“Yes, I see you found your fishy.”

“Thanks for the present, Sadie. You’re a good girl.”

“Sadie, don’t even think about it.”

“It’s on the outside of the window.”

“It’s five feet above the floor…

“and it’s inanimate.”

“It’s been there since we moved in, and you’re just now noticing it?”

“I’m sure it looks like fun.”

“I will laugh when you jump into the window.”

“Fine, go lay down.”

“No, I don’t want to come upstairs yet.”

“Because I know as soon as I come up, you’ll come downstairs and cry every 30 minutes.”

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You did it last night.”

“For 3 hours.”

“Okay, curl up on my lap.”

“You are kind of cute.”

“I know I’m not the girl, but you don’t have to get me all emotially involved and then leave.”

“Well, if you’re walking out on me, I guess it’s time for bed.”

“Shhh! I’m trying to sleep.”