A Love Story

Seeing as Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I thought I would share a little story about an unlikely couple. They will remain nameless for now.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl. She was pretty normal--maybe a little on the short side--but otherwise your basic American child. She grew up in a home where television, and especially cable television (I shudder at the very typing of the word...), were theoretically and intellectually shunned as the very offspring of the devil. To pay extra money for such dastardly entertainment would have been deemed absolute treachery. Especially when books were lent out so freely and so willingly at the local library.

Thusly, she grew up largely ignorant of any technological advancements in the area of television. Sure, she'd heard about something called "TiVo" while a freshman in college, but didn't really understand the concept and saw no reason to try and understand. It was "beneath" her notice. ;)

In her early twenties, she met a wonderful, young man and they decided to get married. She loved him a whole lot (oops...but that's a different love story...). One day, about a year and a half into their marriage, they decided to buy a house. And not just any house--a house with an accessory apartment in the basement. This way, they could have college students pay the majority of their mortgage while they enjoyed having a yard and total and complete creative control of their living space. :)

In their search for tenants, they decided it made sense to include basic cable in the rental fee--in order to compete with all the other enterprising young couples/old men renting to students in the same area. This girl, now a young adult, was very hesitant. I mean, you know how she grew up. Pay extra money to have extra channels on the devil device? Ludicrous! But...she conceded.

And then came the big moment. Included with the fee for their cable package was an interesting little device called a DVR. A DVR, she thought? Like TiVo of yesteryear? What good could possibly come of that?

A LOT.

From the moment she finally learned how to record things and then watch them whenever she wanted (which admittedly, was a rather long time--she's a bit technologically disabled), she was hooked. Absolutely, totally, and irrevocably in love.

Gone were the days of watching eight minutes worth of commercials in a thirty minute show. Gone were the days of missing important parts of shows she liked because she had to go to the bathroom (which, also admittedly, is more often than the average person...), answer a phone call, make dinner, or take care of her somewhat hysterical, but mostly adorable baby. All hail to the mighty pause button!

Now, this is not to say that this girl is now a TV addict. She is not. She spends plenty (possibly too much...) time enjoying books from the local library and engaging in other pursuits. What's great about the DVR, or so she tells me, is that it makes anytime she does spend watching TV more effective.

For example, let's say said girl needs to fold some laundry at 2:00 in the afternoon. Let's say she likes to watch a show while doing so. What's on TV at 2:00 in the afternoon? A big, fat nothing; that's what. But, because of the DVR, this girl can watch the latest episode of "House" (which may or may not be her latest obsession...) or "American Idol" instantly. Thus freeing her from watching the show during prime husband-time or going out hours. :) Perfect. And if the laundry doesn't take the whole 45 minutes? (since hour long shows are bogged down by 15 minutes of commercials...) She can pause the show where she finished and start it up again the next time a load of laundry comes a-calling. :)

She could go on and on about the benefits of a DVR (such as insta-"Backyardigans" whenever it becomes necessary), but she will spare you.

After she and her husband decided to sell their house and move east, they once again came to a DVR crossroads. To have it, or not to have it? Her answer was a big, fat "no." No matter how much she loved the DVR, it just wasn't a necessity. She was willing to part with her beloved friend for the good of their pocket book. But...then her husband got a new job: selling (ironically) satellite television programming. How could he honestly sell a product that he wasn't willing to use and pay for himself?

Needless to say, said girl, let's call her Anna, is still enjoying her DVR to this very day. :)