My Personal Prime Time Television Lineup

It’ been almost a year since I cut ties with my subscription television provider and migrated to free television.  I fully expected to have to have to sacrifice content or even watch less television, rather I have actually begun watching more television that I ever have in my adult life.  So much so that I feel that my television viewing has become such a major part of my life that I thought it would be worth writing about. I hope that you think so too.

Below is what I am calling my “personal primetime television lineup“.  While not an exhaustive list of what I watch on a day to day basis, it is a fairly good representation of what you will find on my TiVo Now Playing List throughout this television season, which means primetime is any time.  If you think there is a show that I am missing, let me know in the comments below.

Lie to Me

Recommended by a friend of mine, I got totally hooked on this show just a few weeks ago. I began catching up watching season 1 and season 2 on Netflix Instant and caught up to the mid point of season 3 on Hulu Plus.

I have really enjoyed getting to know the truth seeking duo of Dr. Cal Lightman and Dr. Gillian Foster, as well as the rest of their team.  Cal is basically a human lie detector and Gillian is his business partner, therapist and potential love interest.  From their unconventional way of seeking out the truth to their back and forth at the office there is never a dull moment.  The season finale was a couple weeks ago, but season 2 and 3 can be found on Hulu Plus and seasons 1 and 2 can be found on Netflix Instant. I’ll for sure be tuning in for the next season.  If you have not watched this show I highly recommend you start back at season 1 and work your way forward.

Chuck

Another show of which I am a big fan.  This show has been on life support since the middle of Season 2 and every episode, to me, is icing on a tasty cake.

Part James Bond, part Steve Urkle, Chuck the super spy with a CIA database in his brain saves the world one mission at a time with his love interest (and CIA agent) Sarah Walker and her NSA partner, John Casey. An easy series to get into without seeing many previous episodes, but also extremely easy to catch up on with almost every episode available free online.

Nikita

Recommended to me by my TiVo, I usually watch this show the same night that it airs.

Nikita, a rogue agent of a super secret shadow government agency called Division, is on a mision to avenge the death of the man she fell in love with while deep under cover.  She gets help from Alex, a Division recruit that Nikita trains to resist their training, and few others that pop up along the way including a mercenary and a CIA desk jockey.  Season 1 is just wrapping up with Winter and well worth going back to the beginning if this spy action thriller interests you.

Modern Family

I started watching this show based on comments about it on Twitter.

Modern family features three families that range from the traditional nuclear family to the highly non-traditional. You will laugh so hard at times that you will cry and then you will laugh some more.   Also, I am very happy to see that Ed O’Neill found a home post Married with Children.  It does not matter what episode you begin on, it will always make sense and always be laugh out loud fun.

Fairly Legal

I’ll admit it, I have a little bit of an addition to legal drama, especially ones with a comedic twist.  Stumbled across this one while browsing the library at Amazon Video On Demand.

This half comedy, half legal drama features a character by the name of Kate Reed who is a lawyer turned mediator while grieving over the recent loss of her father. Kate believes that every conflict can be worked out to be a “win/win”.  Her tactics are unconventional and quite entertaining. This series is only a couple episodes old so catching up will be rather easy and is a must watch if you enjoyed other shows like Boston Legal or Outlaw.

Fringe

Recommended by a friend, I have been watching this weekly since the beginning.

Olivia, Peter and Walter (along with a few others) explore the world of “fringe science” while investigating crimes for the FBI when they discover another universe that is an alternative reality to their own that seems to be on a collision course with their own.  Fans of the X-Files will appreciate the graphics between scenes and a story line that any sci-fi lover will enjoy.  Fringe will no doubt be inshrined in the great hall of sci-fi cult classics.  Currently in it’s third season, you are going to have some catching up to do.

CNET – Apple Byte

While not quite an Apple Fanboy, I am definitely Apple-curious and this weekly show, hosted by Brian Tong, from CNET wets my whistle “for all the good and bad from inside the world of Apple”.  This podcast is available on just about every internet connected device and a couple that are not.  If you are a fan of Apple (or are just curious) this is a must watch.

CNET – Buzz Report

This weekly show about “the tech news that everyone is talking about” is hosted by CNET’s Molly Wood.  From “the gadget of the week” to “what’s hot in tech” to “what’s clogging the tubes” (think youtube), this CNET podcast will keep you well informed.  Again, this podcast is available on just about every internet connected device and is one of the most informative tech podcasts on the net.

Geakbeat.TV with Cali Lewis

The sweetheart of tech podcasts, Cali Lewis bring you the tech news that everyone SHOULD be talking about.  You would never know that this show is recorded out a spare bedroom in front of a wall painted to be a green screen.  It rivals anything over at CNET, but on a fraction of the budget.  Again, a must download for all lovers of tech.

The Big Bang Theory

This one was recommended by a friend who is in working on his doctorate. I figured if he can give up his only 30 minutes of free time a week to this show, I could give it a try and it has not let me down.   Now in its fourth season, we follow the lives of 4 nerdy, university researchers and their not so nerdy neighbor who befriends the quirky quartet, trying to fit into their world between shifts at the Cheesecake Factory and acting auditions.  Some of the jokes will not make sense without the context of previous episodes, but most should be able to catch on within just a few episodes so jump into this one at any time.

V – Sesaon 2

Another good sci-fi drama that ABC has kind of sparingly aired only a handfull of episodes at a time, keeping me hungry for more.

This series features Anna, a extra-terrestrial visitor, and her fleet of flying saucers who seem to be here for peaceful purposes.  However, we quickly find out that she and her followers have many ulterior motives. Trying to get to the bottom of Anna’s deceptions is Erica Evans an FBI agent who quickly gets recruited into a V resistance group called the 5th Column that includes others, including a V defector, that have their own concerns about the visitors.  They do a decent job recapping at the beginning of each episode so this should be a series that you can jump into mid-series, but I recommend catching up on this series before watching the current episodes.

Dexter

Always on my todo list, I started watching season 1 and season 2 of Dexter on Netflix Instant.  Currently I am watching Season 3 on Amazon Video On Demand.

It’s really difficult to describe this series without turning off most people.  In short, Dexter is a serial killer.  However he only kills the “bad guys” and lives by a strict moral code that is tuned to execute justice when the regular justice system fails.  Again, you are going to have to take my word for it.  It is not near as bloody as I first expected it to be, but is hardly a family friendly flick.  Like I said, seasons 1 & 2 can be found on Netflix Instant, seasons 3 & 4 can be found on Amazon Video On Demand or on DVD.  Season 5 is currently in reruns on Showtime, but will likely be available on Amazon Video On Demand or DVD when season 6 begins.

The Cape

A series that I just got into, it may end up being my “rainy day” television watching.  With no other “super hero” series on this season, this show fills a special niche in my lineup.

This series features a character by the name of  Vince Faraday, a cop who has been framed for murder, who is taken in by carnival performers who train him in illusion and hand to hand combat resulting in him becoming the super hero known only as “The Cape”.  All episodes are available via Hulu Plus.

Royal Pains

This is series that I routinely watched after Burn Notice back in the subscription television days and continues purchasing via Amazon Video On Demand.

This series features a doctor names Hank who retreats to the Hamptons after being forced out of performing medicine in New York City after being wrongly blamed for a patient’s death.  While in the Hamptons Hank and his brother Ethan discover the lucrative practice of concierge medicine.  Along the way they befriend a physicians assistant and form “HankMed”, a concierge practice that serves the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy of the Hamptons.  Part mystery, part medicine, part sitcom, this series should appeal to a broad audience.  This is one of the rare series that the wife and I watch together.  She likes to call it the “cute doctor show”.  Another show that does a decent job recapping at the beginning of each episodes you should feel free to join this series wherever you please.

PBS Newshour

If you want to know what is going on in the world, you gotta watch this show.  Though about twice as long as the evening news cast on “the big three”, you will actually get the most complete news briefing out there.  I used to be a cable news junkey, and still podcast a couple shows from time to time, but I never got the rich information that I get from this show.  Available nightly on most PBS stations, they also can be podcasted in audio or video and even have an iphone app.

The Daily Show with John Stewart

Once I get informed with the PBS Newshour, I get entertained with John Stewart. Probably one of the shows that I miss from subscription television, I have tried to keep up with this show by viewing via legal, online channels.  Now that this show is available via Hulu Plus, I have it back in my regulars. Though not available live, I still feel okay watching it a day to a week later.  The Daily Show is not really about breaking news, rather about poking fun at the news and the humor has a longer shelf life, assuming that your politics allows for this kind of humor.

$#*! My Dad Says
Bases upon the twitter account of the same name. This sitcom tickles the funny bone every time. I’ve heard people say that the show is not as good as the twitter feed, but the film is never as good as the book. Right?

What do you like?

I’ve shown you my favorites this season.  Think I missed something or am just watching too much television?  Let me know about it in the comments below.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Where exactly did the last year go?  The year 2010 was an amazingly productive year for me personally and professionally and I thought it important to reflect upon last year’s goals before I move forward with my 2011 resolutions.  So in no particular order let’s see how I did in 2010 and see what I can do better in 2011.

Credit: Sneebly, http://www.flickr.com/photos/sneebly/

Take a trip on a train

We made two voyages via Amtrak in 2010. The first was a day trip from Saint Louis to Jefferson City via the Missouri River Runner.  It was a relaxing, enriching trip that was the perfect distance to sample train travel and gave us a day to explore the Missouri capitol with dining in two yummy local restaurants, a tour of the capitol building and wrapped up the day with a yummy treat from the local dairy.  We even squeezed in some geocaching.

The second trip was just a few weeks ago from Newton it Saint Louis.  We left from Newton on the Southwest Chief (at 3 am), connected with the Missouri River Runner in Kansas city and arrived (exhausted) in just outside of Saint Louis in Kirkwood Missouri.  In short, we did it and enjoyed the experience, but we learned that this mode of transportation may not always be the most efficient way to travel.

If we do another train trip in 2011 I would like to either try another route or see what the Southwest Chief has to offer going west.

Obtain a passport (and plan a trip to see my sister-in-law when they move to Aruba)

Well we got the forms but have not followed through.  This will most certainly be in the 2011 list.

Complete the KDWP Geocaching Contest for a 3rd year

Another resolution falls short.  We actually started the contest and ran out of steam within a few weeks.  Maybe it was this record setting heat or perhaps this was not as important to us as I first thought it would be.  I also wonder if this stifled our goal to “enjoy ‘the great outdoors’ whenever possible”. I believe that the contest made outdoor enjoyment  a chore which cut down on shorter, more frequent outdoor experiences.  This year I will likely forego the contest, but make geocaching a more complimentary activity to the rest of my outdoors adventures.

Achieve my target weight of 175 pounds (currently 191, down from 226 in June 2009)

Oh. So. Close.  I made it 179 pounds. While those who have not seen me in a couple years compliment me on my new look, I still feel out of shape.  That said, the weight loss HAS cured a chronic sleep disorder and made my back injury much more manageable.   This year I will focus on complete wellness, including establishing better nutrition and exercise habits.

Enjoy “the great outdoors” whenever possible

I am sure that I could have done better on this as well, but I am going to give myself a score of “meets expectations”.  I have gotten much better at making simple things like walks by the river or visiting a local park part of my daily routine and out of town travel.

Actively participate in Young Professionals of Wichita and join one of the action teams

I am proud to say that I am a member of the “ambassadors” action team.  I have been working with that group for almost a year and it has been an enriching experience.  I am really looking forward to continuing to help carry out the mission of this great organization.

Do more professional development, attending one webinar a month and two seminars in the year

All in all, I am satisfied with my performance on this goal.  I actually attended four seminars/conference over the year including, AgencySide, Free State Social, OpenCa.mp, and 140 Characters. Each conference provided a unique view into the world that I live and work. This year I will strive to keep looking for a mix of enrichment opportunities and jump on opportunities that are presented to me.

Don’t be afraid to “take ownership” (or at least a share) of a situation where I can add value to the end result

Honestly, I am not sure where I was headed with this one when I wrote it.  I just felt like I passed too often on opportunities to do good things, letting them be someone else’s problem.

There have been good and bad results from my new bullish view on “taking ownership”.  On the positive side I feel like I am contributing more effectively at work and being a better community citizen. On the negative side I am finding myself needing to re-learn what problems are better left to others.  This year I will strive to continue to be an active participant where I can make a difference while finding balance and not committing my self.

Crowdsourcing Your Way to Health and Wealth

Remember that TV show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”?  It was a game show where you answered a series of questions and were rewarded with various amounts of money until you reached and answered the million dollar question.  Each time you chose to move on there was a risk of falling back to one of the major milestone amounts of you answered the question wrong. Wanting to be sure that you got every question correct (especially when the chance for loss of money was great) contestants would offen choose to use a life line.  Options included phone a friend, 50/50, or ask the audience.

Courtesy of Geek & Poke Blog

I find it interesting how the lifelines in Who Wants to be a Millionaire parallel real life.  Like in the game show, “phone a friend” was often a parent, close friend or other loved one.  Sometimes I try to figure it out myself by eliminating options myself and making the decision between what appear to be the two strongest options, “50/50″.  The last option, “ask the audience”, did not seem to be very viable until the advent of social media sites like Twitter or Facebook.  I suppose that you could “phone a friend” a bunch of times but who really has time for that?

Crowdcourcing, or tapping into Crowd Wisdom, is the act of reaching out to your online networked audience for the purpose of gaining additional insight on an issue before concluding your own decision on the matter.  Issues can be as simple as asking for advice on a meal out or as complex as asking for medical advice.  For the latter, let me explain.

Last week I fell victim to this years cold and flu season.  I arrived home from work with no energy and all the classic symptoms of a cold.  I sent out a cry for help to my social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

“Think that I am coming down with a cold.  What’s your favorite home remedy for fighting a cold?”

The responses were immediate.  They ranged from booze to multivitamins to rest.  In the end I took a little of each person’s advice and took some NyQuil, rehydrated with Vitamin Water and went straight to bed for the next 24 hours or so.

I realize that these are all things that I could have “phoned a friend” or simply looked up on WebMD myself, but there is just something more powerful about asking “the network” that made me more confident that I was going to get better soon and that if not, a few hundred people had my back with other advice.

Have a crowdsourcing moment of your own? Think that I am crazy to seek medical advice of any kind online?  Share your comments below.

Kansas State Fair butter sculpture: ewe have to see this. #ksf10

Sculptured by Sharon BuMann of Central Square, NY, this 725 pound sculpture features two sheep with a backdrop of a small sheep farm. While a little on the light side this year it is still worth a visit.

Ye Old Mill at the Kansas State Fair. #ksf10

For me, it’s just not a fair until we have ridden the floating, wacky shack that is the Old Mill. This volunteer operated attraction has been around (between two locations) since 1915. It’s basically a stream that carries little boats through a maize of haunted house like characters whose primary mission is to scare you, or at least get a rise out of you.  The Old Mill operates through the normal fair hours and costs a mere $3 per person.

Step out of the rat race and into the pig races at the Kansas State Fair. #ksf10

One of my favorite events at the fair is the pig races. Four cute little piglets race around a horseshoe track and the winner is rewarded with an oreo cookie. It’s 4 or so races of pure silliness.

This year the run daily at the following times, 10am, noon, 2:30pm, 4pm and 6pm. Get there early as the seating fills up fast.

Healthy eating at the Kansas State Fair #ksf10

If you are a calorie conscious person, like myself, the fair can be rather intimidating when it’s time to eat. The main thing to remember is that healthy eating options exist everywhere, you may just have to look for them. Case in point, the Tacone. (pictured) This hand carried delight is basically a taco salad sans the fried shell. They will even leave off the sour cream if you like. (we chose to walk off our sour cream today)

If you must indulge, just do so in moderation. Find a friend to share this year’s latest deep fat fried sensation. There is almost always enough to share.

Arts & Music Fest at the Kansas State Fair #ksf10

Not into 4H or barn animals? Well there may still be something for you at the fair. My wife (Melissa) and I like to browse the various art exhibits or stop by one of the many sound stages scattered across the grounds with some great home grown music talent.

Don’t wait in line, buy your tickets to the fair online. #ksf10

My family always bought our gate admission to the fair at Dillions a week if so before the beginning if the fair. Last year we discovered the fair fun packs. They include gate admission and tickets to the must do activities like the old mill, skyride and even fair food. (at least enough food tickets to get you started) All can be purchased online in advance of the fair and be picked up at the front gate pre-paid pickup window. (the one with no line)

On our way to the fair! #ksf10

It’s time again for our annual pilgrimage to the Kansas State Fair. Really this will be more like the first of several trips over the week as there always seems to be one more thing that we wanted to do. For instance, last year we returned mid-week for the first ever state fair tweetup.

We have our favorite exhibits, but always discover something new or meet someone interesting.

Stay tuned today and explore the fair with me through the following posts.