Tuesday, July 06, 2004

Cave Dwellers

Back in the mid 1980s, when I was a poor graduate student living in the armpit of America, I finally had the funds and the opportunity to replace the only TV I ever had. It was a 13-inch, black and white beauty that got THREE WHOLE CHANNELS! Four on an exceptionally good day.



There were no remotes or anything new-fangled (or old fangled) about the set. Two telescoping antennae things, and two channel dials. One for "regular" and one for VHS. I was going for color and I was going for cable, baby.



TinyTuna's dad and I trudged off to the television emporium warehouse. We walked in and just stared, open-mouthed and a little drooly at the walls of television sets. Finally Mister Television Uber-Retail Dude (TURD) sauntered over for the big kill.



Mr. TURD: Well, how ya doing? Aren't these great?

The Tuna: Yep. They're great.

Mr. TURD: What are you looking for today?

The Tuna: Televisions.

Mr. TURD: Do you currently have a television?



Now, I realize that some people do not own televisions. Some people do not watch television. It's an interesting concept, but one I am not ready to embrace, unless I am either paid to be without one, or living four houses away from the ocean.



The Tuna: (slowly with squinted eyes of the distrustful) Yesssss.

Mr. TURD: Great!!

The Tuna: Can you give me some information "Cable Ready" TVs?

Mr. TURD: Why sure!



Cable was new and of course, Mister 13-incher black and white wasn't a cable TV. I hadn't purchased a "Cable Ready" TV, so I wasn't sure at the time what kind of equipment I was going to need for cable.



Mr. TURD: Let me tell you a little bit about cable tv.

The Tuna: OK.

Mr. TURD: Do you have cable now?

The Tuna: No.

Mr. TURD: (in a quiet, conspiratorial type voice) Have you ever SEEN cable?

The Tuna: (in a loud, annoyed type voice) No. I live in a cave.



Needless to say, Mr. TURD did not get his sales that day. I don't remember where we bought our first cable ready TV, but it was a workhorse and I have it to this day.



Tonight is summer television perfection: 1.5 hours of Big Brother followed by 1.5 hours of Amazing Race. I will undoubtedly be mentioning both shows from time to time, but the bulk of my BB (Big Brother) comments will be over at Hamster Time.



I just wanted to let you know in case...you know...you live in a cave or something.

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