FISA and telecom immunity: Congress and their telecom taskmasters 1, the American People 0. Therefore, it’s time to bring in The Boss.

I remain so upset about the telecom immunity vote today in the House that I can’t even write about it. It’s time for the only thing that makes me feel better.

Kristan and I were chatting the other day; she told me that “everyone” likes Bruce Springsteen. Actually, no. Only the best people love him. I’ve been listening to his music ever since I asked for “Born to Run” as a birthday gift in my teen years. I was lucky enough to see him live with the E Street Band, and it remains one of the greatest nights of my life. They started playing at 8 PM. He stopped at 11:00, said, “Goodnight,” and went offstage for five minutes. He came back out, said, “We got rid of the suckers, didn’t we? Let’s have some fun!” and played for another hour. Everyone in the place was dancing!

The above is a video that never fails to make me smile every time I watch it. Bruce, (and Patti, of course!) I’ll see you out in the street. Thanks for teaching me to dance.

Love,
-S

Crisis at Casa de Dauphin/Strategerie: The new DVR

Okay. It’s sunny in the beautiful Seattle area this morning. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming, it’s Friday — so what the hell is MY problem, huh?

It’s the new DVR.

Those who have a DVR (or TiVO, for that matter,) will tell you that their lives began the moment that little box o’ magic was hooked up to the television in their household. One is no longer required to follow a complicated routine to set the previous technology every time one wanted to record a television show. It’s sooo easy. Tune to the show in question on the handy guide DISH Network installed on their system, click a few times, and VOILA! Mistake-proof recording. It will revolutionize your television viewing. Plus, you can pause, or rerun the good parts. It’s a beautiful thing, right?

Uh, maybe.

We’re joining the HDTV revolution today (Will miracles never cease? First an iPod, now HDTV…I’m breathless in anticipation of the next electronic gadget showing up at our house,) which necessitates a HDTV DVR. The other one is Just Not Good Enough anymore. Therein lies my damage. I will LOSE everything I have so carefully saved on the DVR!

A short list of the carnage, for those playing along at home.

• Three Seahawks games from last season, one of which features Patrick Kerney’s making two different Rams quarterbacks his — well, this is a family blog, isn’t it? Since I am the new president for life of his unauthorized fan club, what am I going to show at the next meeting, huh? Plus, it’s still five weeks till the season starts, and I need a good replay (Good = a win, baby!) when I get the shakes. Jonesing for the NFL: Yeah, that’s me.
• The Puppy Bowl. I watch it when I’m stressed out. It’s a good thing I just bought that Puppy Bowl IV DVD from Animal Planet. Yes, I’m ashamed.
• The Yule Log. See above. There is no DVD, as far as I know.
• Stephen Colbert hosting Bill O’Reilly on “The Colbert Report”. Then again, the appearance of Papa Bear was a non-event compared to Jane Fonda throwing herself in his lap, which I maintain is the funniest five-minute segment in the history of his show.
• Various and sundry other items I either never got around to watching, or was saving for whatever reason.

The Dauphin will comfort me later, I’m sure. Well, if he can tear himself away from ESPN HD. (Just think! We can watch the Mariners lose in HD now! How fabulous is THAT?)

-S