Frozen in Time, Don't Say a Word, -and- Name Game

Frozen in Time - watch from Titanic for auction on eBay
Don't Say a Word - librarian fired for reporting child pornography
Name Game - mental hospital renamed "lunatic asylum"

On this day in history: March 21, 1963 - Alcatraz Prison closed.

Born on this day in history: March 21, 1685 - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) composer, organist. He was a master of church music and Composer of the Baroque era; works include "Brandenburg Concertos," 1721 and "Well-Tempered Clavier," 1722-44.

Scripture of the Day: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. - Romans 3:21-22

Video of the Day: Real Transformer - submitted by Danica

The Three Stooges, 2008! Click to enlarge.

The DirecTV fiasco: When I ordered the HD DVR/receiver online from DirecTV, I scheduled an installation for Thursday, March 20th, between noon and 5 PM. Yesterday morning, I sensed somehow that all was not well. I looked at the installation order online and determined that my billing address and telephone number were listed as the installation address and telephone number! The representative assured me that she had effectuated the requisite changes in order to assure the installation would be completed properly.

I closed my office and went to our house and awaited the installer. He did not appear. At 5 PM, I telephoned DirecTV and learned that the installer had gone to my office, found no one there, and departed—without calling me! The DirecTV representative said the address mistake was excusable, but the lack of a telephone call was inexcusable. He said he would see that my account was credited $100 for the inconvenience. He rescheduled the installation for Saturday, March 22, between noon and 4 PM. My fingers (and toes, and eyes!) are crossed.

Fighting Back, Crime and Punishment, -and- From Mexico with Love

Fighting Back - 81-year-old kills home intruder
Crime and Punishment - Texas man gets 60 years for 10th DUI
From Mexico with Love - gang had James Bond Car

On this day in history: February 20, 1968 - The U.S. goes off the gold standard.

Born on this day in history: February 20, 1928 - Fred (McFeeley) Rogers (1928–2003) Born in Latrobe, PA, TV personality Fred Rogers became famous as host of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," a show for preschoolers that debuted in 1965. Rogers’ distinctive manner made him a national institution.

Scripture of the Day: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

Video of the Day: Big Dog Quadruped Robot - submitted by Frank

Happy Spring! Today is the first day of spring!

Spring is finally here! It appears that today will be a beautiful, sunny day. This is the forecast. While the weatherpeople are wrong more often then not, it appears—looking at the morning sky—that their forecast for today is correct. The rain that was forecast for yesterday arrived as a very brief sprinkling.

An installer from DirecTV is coming today to install an dual-feed HD dish and a DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR. With the latest DVR and HD technology rolled into one easy-to-use unit, the DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR will change the way you enjoy home theater. Images are sharper. Colors are brighter. Sound is crisper. And now they can be recorded. The DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR also features Media Share, allowing you to enjoy photos and music stored on your Intel® Viiv™ processor technology-based PC — on your TV.

Features:

High definition (mpeg-2, mpeg-4) and standard definition (mpeg-2) enabled. View the best in both HD and SD programming.

Record up to 200 hours of SD programming, up to 50 hours of HD programming. Watch your favorite shows on your own schedule.

Record two shows at once while watching another recording.

Series Link feature: Automatically record an entire season of your favorite shows, even if they change day or time.

One-touch record, auto record, manual record and bookmarks.

Pause and rewind live HD TV for up to 90 minutes. Control what you watch—back up, slow down or use instant replay.

Media Share capable: Listen to music and view photos stored on your Intel® Viiv™ processor technology-based PC.

2 satellite tuners for access to SD and HD DIRECTV programming.

Take advantage of DIRECTV interactive features like DIRECTV Active™. Get weather information, lottery results and horoscopes onscreen.

14-day Advanced Program Guide®. Search the channel guide for shows up to 14 days in advance.

Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound capable. Listen to superb theater-quality sound with additional hardware.

View and log Caller ID info provided by your local phone company.

Parental controls/locks: Enjoy peace of mind over what your children are watching by locking out objectionable programming.

This will be a fine companion to the Vizio GV47LF 47" LCD HDTV we installed Tuesday.

Soon, a Sony BDPS300 Blu-Ray DVD player will arrive. This unit will play Blu-Ray DVDs, of course, but it offers another exciting feature: It offers complete backward compatibility. We can still enjoy our current favorite CDs and DVDs, no matter the format. In fact, they look and sound better than ever before, because the BDPS300 can take our current DVD library and upconvert it to a near high-definition experience (1080p) via HDMI connection or 1080i via component video.