BlogRiotus: Netflix follow-up

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A bonus to having a PS3 for netflix is the ability to add to an instant cart for those movies that are streamable (?) online. Then when I throw on the PS3, I can watch the movies I added to that queue and watch them on HD rather than add them to a Blu-Ray queue (which would be a huge pain in the ass).

I am still on the fence about this new and revolutionary service, however I must admit that in this new digital age, renting DVDs does seem mostly outdated.

It seems D

VD release dates are being pushed back for mail-order rentals in favor of Blu-Ray and DVD sales from stores and brick and mortar rental businesses which seem to be falling off like lemmings. There are only two rental posts remaining in my very dense neighborhood now that all the Blockbusters are gone; one Asian DVD store, and the other, an independent renter on Beacon St in Brookline called MovieWorks. I have to say I definitely favor an independent rental business, however, the building in its location rivals only a few others for ugliest on Beacon.

I guess I'll go back to watching movies now.

BlogRiotus on Netflix

I got a Playstation 3 recently and decided to take advantage of the streaming Blu-Ray capability of Netflix. As a bonus, I figured that I could also receive the one disc mailed to me at a time and not have to worry about when they're due, or getting them back to a store. I have to admit I am a little (not too much) disappointed by the Netflix experience.

I have found the streaming video is hardly useful. You have to select an option from a limited amount of choices and most of the choices that you have in mind are never available. When browsing the selections available on the PS3, either luck or a compromise is likely necessary to facilitate a movie-viewing.

The mailed disc side of the Netflix experience is the better side of the coin. I upgraded to Blu-Ray for a couple dollars more and can watch as many Blu-Rays as I can get mailed and mail back. That is, it takes a day or two to get it mailed, then takes a day or two for them to get it back. That being the case, I can probably get about 6-9 Blu-Rays mailed every month. The setbacks are the delivery delays (snail mail is nicknamed for a reason), unavailability due to demand and the fact that the release dates for the Blu-Rays are not the actual release date for the video of popular movies. Therefore, most new releases are available at least a month after their actual release but demand could make them impossible to get until even longer.

I like Netflix overall, but these setbacks can be a little annoying and I wish I knew what they were actually offering before I got sucked into the hype.

Big win at the BSC league

As I gather steam in the race of life, I realize as a former (and attempting current) athlete is the exhilaration of lacing up the sneakers and competing in sports. Basketball, never one of my better sports, but nonetheless a fun one to play has become the game of choice during the winter months. In New England, this period seems to stretch from mid-November to April. I don't take basketball leagues or pickup games nearly as seriously as some of my counterparts; my buds and friends from growing up, but I do like winning. And there is nothing like draining the nets with a steady rain of three point shots, as what occurred tonight during the league play. Usually, I perform as a trusty utility player when playing in organized games. I set picks, pass along the ball to the open man, or crash the boards, however, my personal skills are not shabby. My long range shots are marksman-like, and I do play decent defense. However, it is my reluctance to fail (and perhaps get hurt) that prevents me from truly becoming the player my athleticism could have me be. Until that day, when I can finally graduate to a level of confidence yet attained, I will continue to relish the great equalizers of the basketball universe for small men - the outside jumper.

Green Planet Pest Control

Creep

Watch out for sick fucks watching your intimate moments:

Music of the Week - Blogriotus Boston

Rogue Wave - Harmonium

The Avett Brothers - The Greatest Sum

Owl City - Fireflies

Ziggy Marley - Walk Tall

Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan

The White Stripes - We're Going to Be Friends

Zee Avi - Darling

Rogue Wave:

Patriots at the end of glory? Blogriotus - 12.13.09

Is this it for the Pats? Have we seen the best days behind and the beginning of a painful-to-watch, disappointment-laden team that dwells in mediocrity (as in the lowly Jets/Fins/Bills)?

Moss' injuries have everything but sidelined him: T-Rexing passes over the middle and otherwise becoming a glorified decoy. Brady's new found inaccuracies are difficult to watch, as we remember his Montana-esque game rescuing drives. I had thought he was gaining traction after a cobwebby first few games after injury, but as more passes go long, wide and short on receivers you begin to question when or if he is ever going to get back into '07 form. Welker is still a joy to watch; he is like a windup toy when he catches the ball, an artist of kinetic deception, he eludes two and three defenders on every touch. But despite his abilities, guys like Watson, Maroney and the absence of another dependable receiver have left the Pats with only one playmaker. Not enough guys on the field to make the plays that win games.

The defense can't cover themselves against the pass, it seems like even stalwart physical play by Merriweather can't seem to lift the performance of the D collectively. Wilfork continues to be a beast up the middle, but when third down comes, too many receivers are left wide open for any quarterback with aeons of time on his hands to find them. There is no pass rush anymore.

Obviously, I love watching the Patriots play football every week. I will be a fan win or lose for life. But as I evaluate this team against those of past years, it becomes clear this is not the same calibre team we have had in recent years. Many of the high-quality players of the past are gone, especially on a very unfamiliar defensive unit that just doesn't seem to be getting the job done.

Of course, hopefully I am very wrong.

Lost weekend streaks end quietly; obviously

With a girlfriend that has been keeping me quite occupied, even my time drinking and partying on the weekends has been a stretch. Suffice to say, I enjoy the weekend party and artful half-naked hangover, but without that underlying reason to party and get drunk [spelled out: To get laid by random women], drinking and cavorting with females has lost not only urgency but has been scratched entirely. I prefer [fullstop] hanging out with my girlfriend over this or that party. Yes, seems incredible and perhaps a bit unbelievable, yet my partying has certainly taken a nose dive.

This brings up a bigger point which I am willing to discuss. Does having a girlfriend limit your time "going out?" I, for one, know that my time on the night has been curtailed, albeit voluntarily, for sake of spending the quality time with the lady. But nonetheless, in reality and actuality, I have less desire to go out with the old boys like I have in past. The basis for going out, traditionally, has been to meet and greet women by which I mean to an end: Hooking up. Without that end game as an option (again voluntary), going out loses luster fast. Decidedly, fast. Is this a maturation process, or in reality just being whipped?

Funny, I was always on the other side of this one, either gaming the ladies with no attachment or at least playing a small hand on any given night with the long leash of a long distance relationship. Either way, I was going out without being mindful of others. Odd that I am on the other side of the spectrum now.

Buying the house

Well not exactly, but I have purchased a ton of items recently. I moved out to a friend's 2BR condo, and in the process, I have had to buy quite a number of new items. The following list is what I got, where I got it and for how much.

-Samsung 32" LCD HDTV 720p + Sylvania Blu-Ray, Amazon, 453

-Queen Sealy Posturepedic Mattress Set, Sleepy's, 560

-Sheet Set, Pillows, Towel, Blanket and Body Pillow, Target, ~50

-Bookshelf/TV Stand, Target, 70

-Wet-Dry Vac, Fabric Steamer, Plant, 130

This on top of rent, and I have had quite a sizeable September already. I'm glad we switched to biweekly pay, cause my wallet just thinned quite succinct-like.

I'm off to the endless possibilities in Allston for food, then down to the Cape for a beach day tomorrow. Labor Day Weekend is Grand indeed.