I've been doing some research on getting a new TV. Not quite sure when I want to pull the trigger on it, as it is a lot of money and we just bought a new bed, but I wanted to be able to recognize a good deal when I saw one.

I've done some research, and I don't think I really care between LCD and plasma. Plasma's are better in the dark, LCDs are better in the light, plasma's use more energy but generally have a cheaper up front price. I think plasma's have slightly better picture quality, but you have to keep an eye out to protect burn-in (though this is much less of an issue in newer models). Overall, I think I give plasma a slight edge.

What I've really been considering is whether I should get 720p or 1080p. 1080p is of course ridiculous if I'll primarily be watching standard def (480p) television. Will we get an HDTV package at some point? Maybe. 720p TVs are a few hundred cheaper, which makes them attractive to me. But I have two concerns: 1) It seems like people are heading towards 1080p, which sounds like it will be the max resolution for a while due to bandwidth limitations. I don't really want my signal being up/down converted (x -> 1080p -> 720p) for everything if I can help it, just to minimize loss of quality. I plan on having this TV until digital goes out of style too (they will pipe TV directly into my brain), so maybe it's better to just get 1080p now? 2) So few channels actually have true 1080p resolution. Many are just upconverting their standard def, or using 1080i (which is basically just 720p). I figure in a lower resolution (720p) this loss of quality will be less noticeable.

Viewing distance is a consideration too. I'm sort of in the in-between distance. Our couch is about 7-8 feet away from the TV, which is squarely between the 720p and 1080p range, so I *may* have some benefit with 1080p.

Another thing that plays a factor is price considerations. I want the TV to be as close to $0 as possible.

Anyone have any opinion on this topic? What TV do you have or plan on having (or want to have)?

Game night is on. Let me know if you'll be coming so we know how much food to make.

Game night is on. If possible, please let me know if you'll be coming, so we can figure out how much food to order.

See everyone tonight!

So, my lazy self has FINALLY uploaded all the pictures from the past 7 months onto Flickr, including my Europe pictures. I haven't really tagged or created a short set for the Europe pictures (because most of them will be boring to the majority of you)... but they are there if you want to take a gander.

In any case, all the Europe pictures are here:
- Europe Pictures

As for the rest of the sets I uploaded:
- Jen's Law Graduation
- Rock Band Party - July
- August Beach Trip
- Pittock Mansion
- Pumpkin Carving
- South Waterfront & Mt. Tabor Park
- Rock Band Party - November
- Thanksgiving
- Snow Days
- Christmas

Now Adam, I need some Halloween party pictures cause I don't have a single picture of myself in drag. :)

Hi all, we just wanted to check in with everyone to get a better head count for food. If anyone is bringing food, please let me know, as well. We would appreciate if people can bring drinks again.

The menu so far:
BBQ chicken wings
Antipasto platter
Deviled eggs
Parmesan crisps
Sugar and nut glazed brie
Seven layer dip
Guacamole
Bacon wrapped Ritz (attempt 2 :)
Chocolate fountain with fruit & cake for dipping

There is dairy free and vegetarian friendly fare. If anyone has other diet requirements, just give me a heads up.

Patrick & Jen have some fun party activities in the works, but if anyone has suggestions, send them, Adam or me an email or make a comment.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and see you in a few days!

Now that gas prices have dropped over $100 a barrel, and prices at stations are less than half what they were a few months ago, people are selling their used cars for more reasonable prices. A few months ago, Nat and I had no chance of finding a decent car from the early 2000's that got good MPG, had low-ish miles and looked pretty. Now, I'm seeing them crop up on craigslist, often at less than $4k.

Sweet!

This could save us tons of money, as it would mean we wouldn't need to make stupid monthly payments to pay off a loan for a new car.

http://www.fukung.net/v/4769/403mebs.jpg

Board game night is on this week, if you can make it!

On the news the other day, they showed a clip of a video of a hill in Portland and the many cars who attempted to climb it. I thought it was incredibly entertaining. I stumbled across the full video so I thought I'd share it. Apologies if you have already seen it.

Peeks, Datrick and I are back from the wedding, safe and sound. Congratulations to Kristi! We had a fun time!

I loved reading Twilight. Helpless lead female character not-withstanding. There's just so much drama! I'd forgotten what it was like to be a teen-ager, with the emotions and the feelings and everything being so damn intense! Ahhh! It's like a drug! I can't wait to read the next one once Ali makes it up to the house again or this snow subsides so that I can leave it.

I swear, feminism just took a 3-decade step back.

For a button masher like me, the artistry in this Soul Caliber dance is pretty sweet. My favorites though were 2 (a better-Britney nostalgia?) and 3 (better choreography).

See y'all and the snow soon!

Board game night is on tomorrow, but we understand if you guys can't make it due to the weather. I'm not sure how the weather will be tomorrow, but today our neighborhood was very safe to drive in. Virtually no snow or ice on the road, which was shocking. The main roads around near us (185th, Cornell) were very clear too.

So if you feel comfortable driving, you guys are welcome to come over for board game night. But we understand if you want to stay in.

We will be making curry and rice, so dinner will be provided.

Just as a heads up, we'll be hosting a New Years Eve party at our house this year. Details will be forthcoming, but you all are invited to come.