You Know You're a Redneck When...

Take a gander at the photo to the left. A lot of people look at it for the first time and say, "Ok... it's you in a boat. So what?"

Well, if you look a little closer, you'll notice it's me sitting in a boat that is on a trailer that is on another trailer.

Yes, it looks mighty "redneck," eh?

This is another photo from our camping trip. After about 3 hours of driving, we pulled into the campground on Friday and discovered the wheel bearings were shot.

Ok, I say "we" when I really mean David. As he made a turn, he could see the tires wobbling. Upon further review, he determined that the trailer wouldn't make the return trip to Dallas unless he replaced the bearings.

Well, instead of fixing it along the side of the road (or in a Wal-Mart parking lot), David came up with the idea of using the trailer to haul his boat/trailer.

I gotta say... I wasn't really seeing it when he started measuring on Saturday. But Sunday morning, with a lot of muscle, the three of us made this happen.

And if you notice, we pulled the boat backwards on the trailer. David and I got PLENTY of interesting looks on our drive back. Jason followed us and acted as a "shield."

We even passed several cops on the way home. Maybe because we were driving about 10 miles under the speed limit, or we just looked a little too "odd" to pull over, but they left us alone.

Anyway, if you're ever in a situation like this, just hope you've got 2 friends like David and Jason - they'll figure out a solution to any problem!

Campfire Cooking

Just a quick recap of my camping weekend - it was cold! Friday night was down to 28 degrees. Saturday was warmer... 39.

I think most people go camping and eat things like hot dogs and hamburgers. However, my buddies and I do something a little different. When we go camping, a lot of people are surprised at our "menu." We have made chili, steak, foil packets (this past time we used bison meat), cherry cobbler, breakfast tacos, etc.

However, this weekend, we were challenged with something new: Pork Roast!

Jason was in charge of the shopping. So when he told us that he bought a roast for Saturday night's dinner, both David and I were a little perplexed. How were we going to cook it? Well, our solution is the subject of this blog.

As you've read in a previous post, I really enjoy cooking pork roast. So, I took this "challenge" with great enthusiasm.

The first thing I did was to prepare the roast. When I opened it up, it divided into 2 pieces. We decided to season both of the pieces differently. While I cut the slices and stuffed the slits with peppers and onions, the marinade would be altered for each piece of meat.

Not only that, we decided to cook them with different methods. For the piece that is wrapped in foil, I seasoned it with a marinade Jason found for chicken and pork. It looked a little like Italian salad dressing.

For the piece that I placed in the bowl, it was marinated with V8 and picante sauce. It was more "tomatoey," which is another way to cook pork. Notice I placed it in the bowl. We decided to see if that would be better with sealing in the heat and juices.

While I was getting the meat ready, David and Jason were busy building the "oven." We decided that the best way to cook our roast was to model it after Hawaiians: think "Luao."

Yes, we dug a hole!

The hole was about 2 feet deep. We lined it with aluminum foil. We then heated up rocks in our fire and lined the bottom of the hole with them.

After placing the roasts into the hole, we covered it up with hot coals from a fire that had been going for several hours. Due to the temperature, we kept a fire going all day... so the coals were pretty dang hot!

We then covered the hole with dirt and let the roast cook in our improvised oven. During that time, you could see steam coming up from the dirt. Not only that, it dried all of the dirt around the hole. Ha!

Four hours later, we dug it out.

So, what were the results? The one that we cooked in just foil was the good. It was cooked all the way through, and I think most people would have been pleased with the results.

However, the one cooked in the bowl was even better! It was cooked to perfection! How do I know? One "test" for any roast is if it melts off the fork.... literally shredding! We took the foil one and threw it into the fire to cook a little longer, but then ate the other one for our dinner... along with twiced baked potatoes!

Mmm... Mmm... Good!!

If you want to see more pictures from this, those that know my web site address can view them there...

Camping: New Tent!

I'm really excited! I've got a camping trip planned with the dudes this weekend and I'm going to break out my new tent!

I have been wanting a good cold-weather 4-man tent. Normally, you can get a good one but in a smaller size. This one sleeps 4 (but it'll be just me in there, thank you very much!) and it's large enough that I can stand around and not touch the ceiling (it's 5'10" at the top).

Notice how low the rain fly drops - it goes almost to the ground. That's important for sealing the tent, and also preserving it during heavy winds.

The one I purchased is a Eureka Apollo 4. I bought it from CampMor. It's a great store located in New Jersey - if you're ever looking for good deals, they usually have some excellent prices. They also have a variety of camping supplies for whatever you're looking for.

So our camping trip is to Arrowhead State Park in Oklahoma. As of today, it's going to be one chilly trip. The low Friday night will be 28 degrees, and Saturday night it will be 33. Saturday day gets up to 51. And, even better, this is a fishing trip so we'll be out on the lake!

I can hear your eyes rolling in the back of your head...

So we're not expecting a lot of campers this weekend, which is fine by us. We're bringing a boat and a trailer filled with firewood. At least our fronts should be warm!

Overall, I'm just looking forward to getting away... check back next week and I'll give the review on how the tent actually fared in these conditions!

Gardening: Lawnmower Maintenance

As February is ending, and March is upon us, it's time to think about tuning up one of your most critical tools throughout the year: Your lawnmower.

When you take care of something, it can last for years. Back in 2001, I purchased my house. It was August, and I was in need of a mower. In the first few weeks, I borrowed my father's lawnmower. This thing was old, the paint was chipping, and it looked like it was on it's last leg. But get this: It started on the first pull. I asked him, "How old is your mower?" He thought about it and said, "I believe it's about 10-11 years..."

Well, I was "sold" right there. First thing I did was to buy what he had - a Craftsman mower from Sears with a Briggs & Stratton engine. I then did some research, and realized you have to take care of it just like you would your own car.

Right now is a critical time: Tune-Up!

Before each mowing season, you need to do several things to your mower. Change the oil, replace the spark plug and air filter, sharpen or replace the blade, and remove any gas that sat in your mower over the winter. I also replace the gas in my gas cans - gas sitting for a long period of time over the winter can get condensation/water. Thus, it becomes less potent and makes your engine work harder.

Now, in the past, I used to do all of this myself. That's fine... most people do. But my laziness, and, more importantly, my desire for a more professional overhaul, has led me to "hire" someone who does this regularly. Thus, I now take my mower to a lawnmower maintenance shop each Spring to take care of these duties.

One thing they do is inspect/repair the carburetor and replace the blade. To me, I don't mind all of this attention to my mower for the price. Most places charge $59 to $79. However, for what they do, it runs much better/smoother than I could accomplish. You can also ask them any questions about your mower, or when they would advise you to change your oil/air filter again in the next few months (typically it's after 10-12 mowings).

Anyway, think about either doing this yourself or taking your mower to a professional fairly soon. Your mower will appreciate the care you give it, and will reward you with years of reliable service.

Movie Commentary: In Bruges

Last night I saw In Bruges at the Angelika Theatre... Wow! It was a great flick!

First of all, if you have a problem with "F-bombs," this is not the movie for you. I just wanted to make that clear...

The movie is about 2 hitmen who have been sent to Bruges, Belgium to cool their jets after an unsuccessful "hit." Bruges, a tourist town with incredible architecture and scenery, makes for an amazing backdrop to the story. And, in essence, it's a big part of the story.

This movie has everything - comedy, drama, action, violence, etc. Before going into it, I was told it was similar to Pulp Fiction. I'd say, to some extent, that's correct. However, the director uses Bruges almost as another character. The town is exquisite, and I would bet more people will attempt to travel to this spot after seeing this movie.

Colin Farrell did a fantastic job with this troubled character. He was hilarious (you won't believe the things that come out of his mouth!) and also full of drama. You realize the depths of his despair about halfway through the movie, and why they are in Bruges.

One of the funniest things is how they characterize Americans. As expected, we make terrible travelers in Europe... at least that's how we're portrayed. That's fine... because this isn't the first I've seen of that.

Overall, this movie was extremely entertaining. It's definitely worth the price of admission, and I will most likely purchase it when it comes out on DVD. So try and get a chance to see it while it's still in the theaters. Maybe you'll clap at the end, like a few people in our audience...

Name Change...

I decided to change my blog's name from "Chronically Speaking" to "Speaking Chronically." Why the change?

Well, this thing has grown a bit more than I expected. When I started my blog, I used my name in the web address. Now that I'm getting traffic from people that don't know me (which is fine by me), I figured it might be better to change the address to be more of what the "blog" is...

I like the title - "Speaking" and "Chronically." I had to switch the words around because someone else has the address "Chronically Speaking." If you've followed this, I tend to write about things that are happening to me in an orderly basis. Plus, a lot of people have always said, "Do you know how much you are "date oriented?"

I guess it's true - I'll say something like, "back in 1987, I remember when __ happened."

If you're coming to this blog through my website, this change won't impact you. However, for those that have stored the actual blog address, they'll have to make the change to the new address: http://speakingchronically.blogspot.com

But most likely, if they saved the previous address they're now out of luck... unless they do some serious blog surfing.

Speaking of that, have you noticed I put a link called "Blogs of Note" under links? That's a list of blogs that Blogger reviews and updates... so check it out to see other bloggers and what they're talking about... Willis. :-)

Thanks again for reading this...

Cooking: Spicy Slow-Cooked Pork Roast

It may surprise some people, but I'm one mean cook! I enjoy coming up with new ideas/spins on dishes... or just perfecting a tried and true. Usually this comes around during the holidays... so, one of the recipes that I'm known for in my family is my Pork Roast.

Typically the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas, I'm slaving away in the kitchen preparing a pork roast that will cook for several hours. However, there are times throughout the year that I just say, "Screw it! I want a pork roast and I don't want to worry about it cooking all day." Enter, the crock pot!

I received a new crock pot over Christmas. It's great - large, oval shaped, and it has a timer. I've cooked several things in it already, including my own version of Chicken Noodle Soup.

Anyway, I wanted to share an easy crock pot recipe that anyone can make. In fact, it's very quick - which comes in handy when you don't have a lot of time.

The first thing is to make sure you have a thawed-out piece of meat. Last night I soaked the roast in hot water, then left it in the refrigerator all night. This morning, I unwrapped it and placed it in a serving dish.

Next, I cut up my peppers and onions. I use both red and green Bell Peppers. I also chop 2 Jalepeno peppers. I then cut slits in the roast and stuff it with the jalepenos. I take chopped garlic (out of the jar) and rub it into the slices as well. Salt and pepper the roast, making sure to rub it into the slits. You can also use Greek Seasoning. I then cut up one onion - I like yellow onions because they aren't as strong and have a sweeter taste.

After everything has been cut up, I put the roast into the crock pot. I added a can of Cream of Mushroom soup and a can of Cream of Chicken soup, as well as 1 can of water. I then added the peppers and onions. I threw in a small bag of baby carrots, and more garlic. Covered it up, and set the timer for 9 hours.

That took less than 20 minutes.

So, when I get home, I'll have a nice pork roast ready for dinner. The only tasks left will be to cook up some garlic potatoes (Green Giant, frozen) and rice, and I'll be eating high on the hog... literally!

Bon Apetite!

Television: Jericho Returns!

Now that the Writer's Strike has finally ended, we can all look forward to our shows returning... right? Well, not exactly. From the articles I've read, most shows won't return until mid-March to sometime in April. And, for the ones that will be returning, we'll only receive a fraction of new shows.

For those that enjoy watching television, this has been a bummer of a season. I'm not a big "Reality TV" fan (with the exception of Big Brother), so seeing all of these stupid shows pop up has been a bit irritating.

However, one show is returning tonight that is well worth the wait: Jericho. This show deserves consideration as one of the best on television. It's one of those shows that critics love but has a hard time finding an audience. Why is that?

Last year, when it debuted, it rocketed to the top tier of the Nielson Ratings. It actually surprised a lot of folks, including CBS. Then the network did something stupid: It took it off the air for a few months. Not sure if they did this for cost reasons or what, but they replaced it with a bevy of shows.

When they brought it back, they placed it right up against American Idol. It didn't have a chance. So while most of the country was watching Idol, the real fans of the show held strong. About a month before the final episode, CBS leaked that it might not bring it back.

Sure enough, they canceled it. Well, the fans responded in a BIG way. There was a line in the last episode referencing General Eisenhower's response to the Germans during WWII on whether or not he was prepared to surrender: "NUTS!" Sure enough, that's exactly how the fans felt. An online petition erupted, and over 20 tons of nuts were sent to the CBS offices by the fans to bring the show back.

Thankfully, CBS relented. This past summer, they re-ran the entire season. They also agreed to let the show shoot 7 brand new episodes. If the audience is strong, then CBS will not cancel the show for good and bring it back next year. Well people, the time is upon us... and the responsibility!

Here's a brief recap for those that might want to start up and watch the show:

Jericho is a Jericho is a gripping drama about the lives of the citizens of Jericho, Kansas whose lives are changed instantly when a nuclear mushroom cloud appears on the horizon. The streets of this once peaceful small town are sent into chaos and the town becomes completely isolated from the outside world. As the citizens wonder about the rest of America, Jericho deals with not having any means of communication or source of power. While some of the town begins to break down in the face of this unknown terror, their anger and confusion brings out the worst in some, but some emerge as unlikely heroes as Jericho demonstrates the personal strength that people have when facing unexplainable hardships. (source: http://www.tvrage.com/Jericho)

Why do I like Jericho so much? First and foremost, the characters. Each character is interesting, and how they interact (and come together) during adversity is compelling. I also like the writing - there are things I wouldn't have thought about when it comes to survival. Have you ever thought how your town would fair (or your family) if faced with similar conditions?

But overall, it's a very good show. I'm thrilled that it's back, and I hope it (as well as Friday Night Lights) continues into next season. We need good TV! I'm tired of seeing crappy reality shows (uhhh... except for Big Brother).

If you can't watch it live, set your DVRs. Jericho debuts after Big Brother (yes, I'm going to be enjoying my TV tonight!) at 9:00 PM Central on CBS. I hope you can watch it at least once to decide if I'm right... and the fans, too!

NUTS!!!

Pub Review: The Fillmore Pub

A new pub opened up recently in of all places, downtown Plano. It's called The Fillmore Pub, and take it from me, it's in an excellent location. Located on the south side of 15th Street, just walking distance from the DART station, at the entrance of the downtown business district.

For years, my friends and I would go to Jorg's Cafe Vienna. It is an excellent Austrian restaurant located on the brick streets of downtown Plano. The only problem was that was it - nothing else was open to bring in a "nightlife," unless you counted Kelly's Eastside (however, due to the over overly obnoxious use Aggie paraphanalia, and the most sophisticated beer being Shiner, that doesn't measure up to being mentioned.)

A little over a year ago, with our bellies full of that good Jorg's Schnitzel, we passed this empty building at the corner of downtown. "Man, wouldn't this be an awesome location for a bar?" I remembered telling Kevin. We both looked in and said it would be perfect... in fact, WE should open up a bar right here!

Of course, that was the Bavarian Biers talking. But, it got me to thinking - why couldn't I open a bar? Then I started to think about it and realized how much work it would have to take. So, the thinking ended there.

About 6 months ago, the same scene happened again. Only this time we saw that the building was open, there was a sign notifying the public of the pending alcohol license, and we saw someone inside working. Sure enough, it was the owner - a large bald guy in his late 20s or early 30s with a thick beard. He was cleaning up and said that he hoped to have the bar open within a month. WOW!

Since it's opening, I've been to The Fillmore Pub (couldn't find a web site) several times. If you're in the Dallas area, I'll compare it to a smaller version of The Idle Rich Pub. However, for the non-smokers, you'll like the Fillmore due to Plano's "No Smoking" ordinance.

When you walk in, you'll notice the numerous tables strewn about and along the walls. The seating is open, so just grab an open spot. The woodwork is rich and dark, and the bar occupies the far corner of the room.

They offer mixed drinks, wine, and beer. I even saw some girls drinking margaritas. However, the drink of choice is beer. They have about 15 on tap. Look for the chalkboard to see their new beers. Last night they listed Unibroeu Maudite and Delirium Tremens. Their beer list in bottles is impressive (too many to list).

The atmosphere is lively. They have several flat-screen TVs that are tuned to whatever sports event is on, but most people are focused on their conversations. The waitstaff is pretty good - in fact, I'd say they're on-par (if not better) than the waitresses at the Idle Rich. They're prompt and accurate, and their attentiveness never leads for an empty glass! Very important!

I noticed most people were eating either the Fish and Chips or burgers. One of the the cool things about the food is you get to choose your side - fries, chips, soup, or salad. So, I picked a cheeseburger and a salad. As far as burgers go, it was pretty dang good.

Overall, this is going to be added to one of my typical "haunts." However, my hunch is its popularity will only continue to grow. We arrived around 7 but by 9 it was extremely busy.

So take some time to visit The Fillmore Pub in downtown Plano. And, if you go early, end the evening at Jorg's. Your belly will leave happy!

Gardening: Transplantation

One of my favorite plants in my yard is called a Texas Star Hibiscus. As you can see in the picture to the right (not taken in my yard), it produces large 5-point flowers. Not only is it a beautiful plant, but it's very unusual.

The flowers are very large, and the leaves almost look like marijuana leaves in shape! Ha! My uncle Jerry gave me one of these several years ago. Funny story: He lives in Port Neches (Beaumont area) and I was driving through Houston back to Dallas. Someone pulled up next to me and started making signs like they were smoking a joint - they really thought I was transporting a marijuana plant!

Ok, while I could probably go on and on about how much I enjoy this plant (no, I don't smoke it!), I want to talk about transplantation. You see, right now is the best time to move plants in your yard from one spot to another. Late winter/early spring (before the plant starts to produce leaves, etc.) is ideal because the plant will undergo less shock. And when I say "plant," I want you to think about trees, bushes, or other plants within your yard.

If you are a gardener, you know how your plants produced last year. And, if you've noticed "crowding" or "less production," maybe it's time to think about moving that plant to a better location.

Thus, I bring up the Texas Star Hibiscus. My uncle gave me one, and now I have 3 in my yard. How did that happen? A few years ago I took my shovel and split the root-ball of the original plant. I took the remainder and planted that part into another location. Last year, I did the same with the 2nd one.

Now, most people might not want to take a blade and cut up a prized plant. So, let's say you want to just move a plant from one location to another? Here are some steps that I typically follow...

First, I dig a VERY large hole in my new location. What that means is it's much larger (width) than the actual plant I'm going to move. This allows for the roots to spread out when the plant has been planted.

Next, I start to dig up the root ball. There are several schools of thought on how best to do this. If it's a bush, I typically dig as far out as I can typically carry. For example, let's say the bush is about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. I would plan to dig out at least the width of the plant - so 2 feet all around. That way, you can probably gather a significant amount of the root ball.

If it's a tree, here is a simple measuring method: Take a tape measure and measure up from the base 18 inches. Next, take a measure of the width of the trunk. Let's say it's 2 inches wide at that point. You should multiply that by 18. So, your root ball should be dug at 36 inches.

So now that you have some simple tips, think about what needs to be moved around in your yard. February is the perfect time... try and take care of "maintenance items" before March and April hit!

As you can see, I can't wait until I can start planting again!!! Oh, and the Texas Star Hibiscus? It's a fantastic plant for any yard. It will produce great blooms (FULL SUN) throughout the summer, and die off in the winter. Once I cut it down to the base (typically this time of year), it comes back fuller and larger than the previous year. Try one out - you'll find them at your local nursery. I've actually seen them down at the Farmer's Market in downtown Dallas.

Civic Duty: It's Time to Rock the Vote!

People, we are in the midst of a major political year! Major decisions need to be made, and those decisions are at the hands of the voters. When you make your choice, your voice is being heard. No longer can you gripe about representation. Each of us have the responsibility... and the duty... to let the powers that be know how we want to be represented.

If you're a Texan, you know what I'm talking about. The most serious (and critical) issue that faces us this week is one that labels all of us. Or, more specifically, our vehicles.

What is the future of our license plates???

I'm serious! Personally, I've been less than thrilled with our current license plate. It's not bold. It's not exciting. In fact, I don't think it's very "Texan." When I'm driving around, whether in Texas or around the country, I want people to see my license plate and say, "Don't Mess With Texas!"

Right now we have a chance to let our vote count. The state of Texas must add a 7th digit to account for our growing population. With that, we're getting an entirely new design for our license plate.

With that said, I challenge each of you to vote now! We have less than a week to vote for the plate that will identify us throughout the country.

So, I implore all Texans to let your voice be heard! Vote now by going to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Here, you can vote for the plate that you believe best represents Texas!

Here is a link: Vote

This is truly an issue that impacts every Texan! :-)

Personals: Do you want to meet someone?

The other night, I witnessed 3 of my closest friends discuss "dating." All four of us haven't been the most successful in the art of love. We each have our own stories. In reality, our singleness is the result of past disappointments.

While I'm currently off the market (because I'm not "ready"), it caused me to wonder: If I were looking, how would I approach "getting out there?" In my opinion, that's a personal question. Each of us have our own comfort levels. However, let's take "personal" out of this. Let's say, based upon my observations, I have some advice that I could give to my friends (or those that are interested in making a "change.")

Again, I must emphasize this point: You HAVE to be ready to make a change. I believe, based on my own experiences, that each person will reach a point where they say, "You know... I'm ready to make a change. I want my life to be different than what it is now." So, with that understanding, I'm going to approach this from that perspective (and realization).

Here are my tips:

1. Be a joiner! Do you have interests/hobbies? If you have an interest in wine, find a group that meets to taste wines. How about politics? You could find a "young republicans or young democrats" group that meets regularly to discuss issues - especially now that we're in the political season. Guns, golf, gardening, bird watching, museums, book clubs, running groups, etc. Use an interest that you're comfortable with to find a group. At the very least you'll meet new people.

2. Advertise! Tell your friends and family, "Hey... I'm interested in meeting someone. Can you help me out?" Why not? They know you best. Maybe they think you're not ready for takeoff because you haven't discussed this with them yet. Who better to introduce you to friends and coworkers than those that know you best? One of my friends did just that - and within a year, he was dating his future wife.

3. Go Online! Yes, the great frontier these days tends to be the world wide web. However, I know of two people who found their spouses through the online community. Sure, there is E-Harmony and Match, but what about Okcupid and Craig's List (another place to find groups in #1). Heck, you can go online to find out when your local church's Sunday School meets (or small group Bible Study).

4. Get out! Don't stay cooped up in your house or apartment. Take the dog for a walk in a park you've never visited, go biking, fish, eat an afternoon snack on a patio in Uptown by yourself, or go to a bookstore. You're not going to find "the perfect someone" if you don't get out every now and then.

5. Shake things up! Invite every single person you know to a mixer. Ok, this sounds very collegiate, but don't forget how easy it was to meet people in college when you threw a sorority and a fraternity together in the same room. It's the same premise - host a dinner with your single friends and have them invite their own. If you don't meet someone interesting, maybe you'll help another friend in a similar situation?

6. Enjoy the moment! You're single! Don't think of it as a death sentence. Find yourself and be comfortable with your singleness. If you can't learn to be confident in yourself, then how are you going to make it in a relationship? Thrive on your independence, and revel in whatever God may be trying to teach you right now. And the old adage could prove true: When you're comfortable with yourself, and you're not looking, love may just happen to find you!

So these are the tips from "Coach." Finding groups is as easy as going to Google and searching for something in your area. If you're ready, know this: only YOU can change YOU. If you're not, then that's OK. Whether you want to make new friends or a new love, I think some of the above principles can be applied in most situations.

Bottom line: You're perfect because God created you in His image. Be confident in that. And know He wants you to have an abundant life. So whatever you decide, know that you're not alone.

Now get out there and win one for the Gipper!

Technology: My new TV!

Want to see my newest addition to Casa de Rawman? It's my brand new HDTV! Here's some background...

As most of the modern world knows, I enjoy watching TV. Whenever I'm home, my TV is on. If I'm getting ready in the morning, I actually have one on in my bedroom and one on in my living room - tuned to the same channel, of course.

Well, everyone and their mother's brother have seemed to approach me in the past few years, "Dude... you've got to get an HDTV!" Granted, I have DirecTV, which carries the most high-def channels out there at the moment. But I kept thinking, "Nah... I'm good. I've got my 32" Toshiba. It's fine."

I guess what has been turning my tide towards this new-fangled techno-gizmo has been my interest in Fantasy Football. Each Sunday this fall I've enjoyed watching the NFL games, either at my house or at the Flying Saucer. The difference between the two is amazing - the clarity of the picture, where you can see individual grass blades, will definitely bowl you over!

So, a few weeks ago, I started investigating. I was shocked to see the prices had come down so much. Since we were entering the peak television purchasing time (Super Bowl Sunday), I saw a lot of interesting deals.

My next thought was, "What type of technology should I go with?" There are basically 3 main types out there: Plasma, DLP, and LCD. Which one is the best? I think it comes down to, "What BEST fits your needs?" I asked a lot of people. In fact, I even posted a question on a friend's blog: http://www.techinlaw.com/.

I narrowed my initial choice down to Plasma and LCD. I didn't like that the bulb would go out every few years on DLP (costing around $300 to replace). Given the light source in my living room, and the fact that I will be hooking up a Playstation, I decided to focus on LCD.

My next question was, "How large of a screen should I purchase?" It actually wasn't a "should" but a "could." You see, the way my house is configured, I have a cabinet that slips into a cut-out within my living rooom wall. I really like that cabinet, so getting rid of it was out of the question.

I measured the interior of the cabinet and found that the width is 47.5 inches. Well, the maximum screen size I could get (given the actual width of the TV) is 46 inches. The problem, though, was the height. It was just a few inches too tall to make it into the space.

I gotta say... I was a bit bummed by that revelation. I thought I was going to buy a 46" 60Hz Samsung 1080p LCD TV with a contrast ratio of 15,000:1. Maybe I should explain a few things...

Now, the herz allows for the TV to catch up to the action. So, the higher the herz, the less likely you'll see "blur." That comes in handy when you're watching sports. The contrast ratio allows for richer blacks and subtle nuances within the picture. So, higher is better.

And finally, I wanted to know "Which brand should I purchase?" Asking a lot of questions, most people seemed to indicate the top 3 brands these days are Samsung, Sony, and Sharp. I heard LG was also pretty decent.

Oh, and one more thing to do before buying your TV: Go to a store and "compare" it with others. You can actually see the difference between the various brands and technologies.

Because the 46" wasn't an option, I started looking at the 40" Samsung LCD models hoping to find "the best" in that range. After some research, I found one. In fact, I found an AWESOME one: Samsung LNT4071F 40" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

Not only does it come in 120Hz (allowing for more fluid frame transitions and clearer motion), the contrast ratio is 25,000:1. Knowing I needed to upgrade my DVR box, I was able to purchase my HD DVR for DirecTV right there at Best Buy. And, get this: Because I did that, they knocked $100 off the TV! I didn't expect that.

Well, everything is hooked up and I've had numerous compliments ranging from, "My gosh! It's like they're standing right here!" to "It's so clear and bright!" I love watching HD movies and the TV shows (network and local news). Now I just need to figure out what to do with my old Toshiba (it won't fit in my bedroom armoir). If you know of anyone that might want a good (used) 32" TV, just let me know.

But the biggest change? I'm actually watching all of these nature shows now just to see the high definition! The other night I watched a show about badgers. This weekend I saw something on Asteroids.

Maybe this purchase is going to make me smarter in the long run? TV... making you smarter... who would have thunk it???