While I didn't quite plan it this way, the first part of the media center is now in place, a 37-inch Samsung LCD. Samsung is a great choice for LCD's as they have great reviews and are generally innovators in their TV production. I briefly flirted with the idea of the LED but the smallest was 40-inches and for this particular room and space we needed it to be no larger than 37-inch. As it turns out, I was able to talk myself out of the more expensive 37-inch model primarily because I really do not like the Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™ feature that is supposed to smooth transitions between frames but ends up making everything look like it is shot on a hand-held HD video camera. Also the higher-end model achieved at least part of its 100,000:1 contrast ratio by shining up the screen surface, which in our house, like in the store, resulted in significantly more glare being produced. In this case, going to the store to see the products in action** also saved me money as I got this TV for just under $800 rather than the $1200 I was ready to spend.

NEXT UP: HD Antenna Selection

* The little LCD TV served us well for over 10 years, but the idea of getting a digital signal converter for it made me throw up in my mouth a little. So I installed a 22-inch LCD upstairs for her and connected the set to a hidden HD antenna with Scott's help.

** I also brought my MacBook Pro and and a Mini Display Port to HDMI Adapter.

Anyway in the video Matt & Kim strip down to, what appears to be, nothing in the middle of Times Square. Aside from some contention on whether they are truly naked or have some skin-colored skives on and the cops being real, we discussed if we could do that, and why or why not. I think the answer starts and ends with unconditional love. Think about it, you can be naked in front of your significant other, or your dog easy enough. That is because they each love you no matter what. If everyone loved each other unconditionally we could all be naked in front of each other without fear or shame.

This video made me smile, a lot. Guy #1 is dancing for the sheer joy of it. You can see it as guy #2 arrives. Two crazy guys dancing at a music festival. The tipping point to get a dance party going, as it turns out, is 3 crazy dancers. The first 3 dudes have courage and vision to see a dance party before the others. There are likely some lessons that can be drawn out of that for businesses and startups. It is good to be 1st, but the 2nd and 3rd to market are also innovators. Guy #1's are fun to watch, flail about as they may, but as Seth Godin puts it, "We need more guy #3s".

The rest of the movie follows a good cast of lesser-known actors: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha as they encounter a variety of strange characters and unlikely explanations for the events that transpired the night before. While more than a few people have expressed to me a desire to see the movie again to pick up on what was going on and follow the twisting storyline, I think there was more room to play with the premise and that the filmmakers should have explored.

The lack of support from AT&T for tethering (aka the only great feature being added) is nearly as bad. Sure video is great but not when preceded by rumors of HD-quality and video, conferencing features like a second camera on the front of the phone. And really Apple? You're going to make me get a mobileMe account to use the pretty cool Find my phone feature? I would use this in my house! But there's a digital compass you say? Wow are we going to get a digital abacus and digital sundial next?*

All that said, I would buy this phone just for the increase in processor and RAM, however slight they are (1.5x and 2x improvements respectively). It would have just been nice to get something more for my annual $200 "phone fee" to Apple.

* Ok that comment was more for snarkiness sake, the ability to add better turn-by-turn directions and improved geocaching is going to make that feature pretty well-received in my household.

I know at least one gal would would totally want to see this!

Unmolested and in its natural state, the Couch of Life-Stealing may subsist for its entire life cycle on little more than air and dust particles. When encountered by unwary adventurers, however, it can be a challenging adversary. Faced with the prospect of a great meal, it will invite weary adventurers to lay upon its "cushions," whereupon it will employ a stealth attack, sucking 1d8 HP per round from unlucky victims. Once hit, victims will also automatically be struck down by Couch's powerful "Sleep" spell. If he fails his CON save, the victim will remain under the spell's power for up to 8 hours, and his midsection will sink deeply into the bowels of Couch.

Oh, there's more.

More info on Siftables.

For me, today feels good. There is a return to hope and to optimism and to reason in the capitol and yes, the country today. Happy Obama Day, everyone!