After several years of resistance, Cath and I finally broke down and bought a TiVo. I say 'bought' but we practically got it for free, which made the decision easy. Amazon had it on sale for $179.99 and then there was a $150 rebate on top of that, which brought it down to $19.99. Additionally, I had a gift certificate for $25, so I actually made $5 on the transaction (which I applied towards a book).

I set the TiVo up this weekend. There is a rather long setup process which entails activating the service subscription, physically setting up the TiVo, and then letting TiVo download schedules and configure itself. It took a little time, but it went off without a glitch. By that evening, we were pausing live action in the Broncos vs. Ravens game. It felt strange at first. At one point, we realized we had missed an interesting play.

"What just happened?"

"I'm not sure. I missed it."

"Well! Let's just back it up and find out!"

"Yes. Let's!"

It takes some getting used to, this kind of freedom. It almost seems like you're cheating at first, like you're somehow defying the laws of time.

For a moment, an uneasy guilt rushed over me.
Wait! We can't do this! I thought. It isn't right!

Especially for a live event like a football game, where the action goes on without you as you rewind, there's something unnatural about backing up. It makes you feel a little 'behind' or 'out of sync' with the here and now. At least at first. But you quickly get over it as you begin to get comfortable with the new-found carte blanche you have over programming, over time itself. I'm getting in the habit of watching things a little after they actually air, so I can skip through commercials.

My worst fears about owning a TiVo (that I would watch more TV) have not come true, so far. Rather, I'm able to watch stuff I normally wouldn't have because of the scheduling. And when I watch those things, I can do it in less time, without commercials. So I'm a little late to the TiVo party, but I think I'm here to stay.

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