August 31, 2007

The greedy bastards at NBC Universal just attempted to jack up the price of downloaded TV episodes by more than 250% and increase the DRM. Fortunately Apple called them and will stop selling shows from NBC, Bravo, USA, etc. before the new season begins.

I'm not surprised that NBC took the lead on upping prices. It's the network that years ago coerced advertisers into paying a premium for the 18-49 year old demographic. So NBC started raking in more ad dollars despite the fact that its lineup drew lower gross ratings than CBS for example.

Definitely some similarities today. Currently, NBC ranks as the fourth place network. When it's shows are free, most people don't want to watch them. Therefore it makes sense to ratchet up the download prices. Less popular, costs more. Perfect logic--again.

I for one hope that Apple continues to use the iTunes Store to keep the weasels who run most entertainment companies in check. Don't fall for their slick PR about giving consumers choices. All they want is ready access to your bank account.

Remember, we're talking about the same group who found no moral qualms with selling you a song on a 45, then turning around and selling you that same song again on an LP, then selling it to you on a cassette, then a CD and then crying foul when you downloaded an electronic copy from a file-sharing site. Who cares if you paid for it four or more times already?

You can afford a fifth. And while we're at it, why not a yearly subscription? Or better yet, forget flat-rate pricing. Tithing could be a much better way to keep the talent-less entertainment execs in hairpieces and cocaine.

02:20 PM | Comment (0)

August 27, 2007

I don't think there's anything I can add.

06:30 PM | Comment (2)

August 14, 2007

Trixie Relaxes
Trixie relaxing Thursday evening.

The past two weeks sucked. We've been on a roller-coaster with Trixie's health. Finally we lost her Saturday morning.

I haven't written about it here but there have been a litany of issues over the years. A congenital heart problem. Chronic renal failure. Hyperthyroidism. Rampant weight loss. Growths in her mouth. Anemia. A lump on her breast. Hypertension. Retinal detachment. At an exam last week, the vet confessed that she actually expected Trixie to go two or three years ago.

Friday, she stopped eating and drinking, then started having seizures overnight.

They were the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. Watching her body spasm and twist. Hearing her cries. Waiting for it to happen again.

We had some pain medicine leftover from a violent vomiting episode a couple of years ago. It stopped the seizures and allowed her to rest. Still I stayed up all night with her, afraid of what might happen if another seizure hit. Even through the tears, I could tell that she was rapidly slipping away.

Rich was wonderfully strong. I was a basket case. We spent Sunday and Monday in Monterey, which helped.

It's still hard being in the house alone. Particularly looking over at the couch where she would lounge on the heating pad.

If I know you in real life and you're learning about her here for the first time, I apologize. Talking on the phone still makes me breakdown.