You know, it's funny that I was asked to do a post about enhancing my experience watching the NBA with technology. Why? Because in some ways, I'm a complete technophobe. My television is about 20 years old, until a couple months ago my cell phone was from 2005, I use an alarm clock radio from the 80s, and I can't stand texting and Twitter. What could a guy like me possibly say about the wonders of technology?
A lot, in fact. The thing is, I am very selective about the technology I do use. And one of the best things that man has ever invented is the DVR. The light bulb can go out the window, just give me a DVR and I'm set for eternity.
During the off-season, a DVR is useful in some senses. I can record late night re-runs of Family Matters and zip through to the funny parts of late night talk shows. But during the NBA season, it is a godsend. And in order to tell you why, I have to tell you about my life before I had a DVR.
Below: My Life Before and After the DVR.
Imagine you're sitting in a class. It has been going on for some time, and the professor keeps yammering on about subjects that may or may not be relevant to you in the future. But, at this point, you don't much care. After a long day of lectures, you're ready to go home and watch the Thunder game. And the class finally lets out, leaving you just enough time to get home. You scramble for the car, pushing through the crowds. Most people look at you like you're mad, but you don't care. The crowds finally thin as you get to your car, and you turn it on. But, your worst fear occurs. Low fuel. You might have enough to make it home, but it's not worth the risk, so you stop for a quick splash at the gas station. While cursing at the slow pump, you get a phone call. It's your sister, and she wants ice cream. Being the good person you are, you oblige and run into the nearest grocery store after your fill up. You grab the ice cream and make a bee line to the checkout counter. You were hoping for a quick self-checkout, but the machines are broken again, for some inexplicable reason. In the cashier line, someone has brought what seems to be hundreds upon hundreds of small items. As the cashier lazily types in the code from broccoli, you stand there, internally raging. When it's finally your turn, the cashier makes some small talk about what the rush is about, and yadda yadda. You duck out as fast as possible, and resume the drive home.
On the way home, the radio coverage starts. You hear Matt Pinto read off the starting lineups, announce the opening tip, and desperately try to keep up with the action. But you can't concentrate. You've found that the road you use to get home has inexplicably been put under construction. Having lived where you do for some time, you think that you know a way home. But you don't. You get lost while driving down some back street that seems semi-familiar. Eventually baffled, you call a friend to ask for directions. But they're no help. Eventually, you give in, and go back the way you came. When you reach the closed road sign, you decide to just take the long way home.
After this unnecessary adventure, you finally arrive at your house. You rush to the TV, and turn to the channel the Thunder are on. It's mid-way through the second quarter, and the Thunder are down 10 to the Knicks. How did that happen? But, it doesn't matter now. You're finally here, watching the game.
The game rolls on through the second, and it gets a bit boring. You initially sit up while watching it, but the physical work and stress of the day have taken their toll. You eventually recline the chair, even nodding off during a commercial break. The half rolls around, and you're now in a sleepy haze. You initially stay awake, trying to occupy yourself with tasks while halftime rolls on. But the sleepy side of you eventually wins the battle, and you lay down, convincing yourself that you're just going to rest for a second. And, before you know it, as the third quarter dawns, you're fast asleep.
You wake up, and it's 3 AM. The light is on, and some bad Fox Sports program is blaring from your TV. You look around for a replay of the game, in a desperate attempt to regain what was lost. But the cause is hopeless. So you finally look online, and hope you didn't miss anything huge. But then, you see the headline: "Thunder make massive comeback on the wings of Sefolosha, win by 15". Then, you lay back and sigh. You have to write a recap about this game within the next couple of hours. Good luck!
But now, with a DVR, it's like my entire life has changed shape. No longer do I race down back country roads in a vein attempt to get to my house by a specific time. No longer to I have to fight sleep just to see the fourth quarter of a complete blowout. No longer to I have to watch depressing hospital commercials or natural gas propaganda. Rather, I get what I want. I can watch a Thunder game in much shorter of a time, and much more easily get other things done in my life....or catch more sleep, at least. And I can replay nasty dunks over and over again!
Yeah yeah, it's much better to watch the games in real time and talk about it in the gamethreads. And, of course, you want to see the game-winning shot live, not three hours later. But for those nights of your life when watching a 2.5 hour game is just too much, the DVR is a godsend.
In conclusion, some technology just isn't my bag. You'll never catch me shelling out hundreds of dollars for the newest TV or smart phone. But when it comes to something like a DVR, it's hard to imagine my life without it.
What do you think about DVRs? Vote in the Poll, Post a Comment!
The above post is sponsored by Samsung, but the topic and content were chosen and written completely by me. Samsung simply sponsored the post. And I think it's a rather nice post.
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