Sitting and taking in the views I began to think about this strange male behavior. On the first warm and sunny day after winter passes, males — young, old, fit, fat — take their shirts off and bare their chests to the world. It’s not like it’s talked about or planned… “Hey dude, tomorrow is gonna be really warm and sunny. I think it should be the first shirtless day. Whatdoyawanna do?” Some say it’s because guys don’t like to be hot or it’s just more comfortable being shirtless. Others say guys just want to show off that they are “men.”

All are valid and can be true for some, but I think there is something more instinctive and primal to it that drives guys to wanting to be shirtless, especially outside. You go out and it just feels right and so the shirt comes off. There is something about the caress of the wind and warmth of the sun on your naked skin that is hard to explain.

This CNET video counting down the Top 5 Computers of 80s recently appeared on my Tivo. What a blast from the past! I remember every one of them. My first computers were the Commodore line starting with the Vic 20, Commodore 64 and the Commodore 128. I remember learning programming on both the Apple II and the IBM XT 8088 too.

To think that way back then these were powerful computers and you would never need more processor power, memory, storage or more than 80 or so characters across your screen. Interesting that this came along while I’m looking to buy a new computer. Qaud core processors, 1TB hard drives, 8 GB RAM and 20+” screens are the norm these days. I suppose in 20 years people will think these computers underpowered.

For me, the preparation for the holidays is almost if not more important and enjoyable than the holiday itself. Sometimes the day itself is almost always a let down because you have spent weeks running around like a mad man trying to pull everything together. Now the time is here to just chill and enjoy it. My favorite part is right at that moment when you become aware in the energy shift from preparation to celebration.

This hits me late at night on Christmas Eve. You’re by yourself after everyone has gone to bed. Everything is done except for a few final details which you see to as silent as a mouse while the house is still in slumber and dimly lit by the holiday lights. A sense of accomplishment satisfies you that you’ve done everything necessary to prepare as a childlike anticipation of the day that will begin all too soon fills you with excitement.

Thanks to some early Christmas money from family that I only get to see at Thanksgiving, a sale, a one-day-only discount, free shipping and a $200 rebate, this $799 THX certified, 300 hr, HD TiVo box only cost me $165 ($350 without gift money). I’ve lusted after it since it came out last year, but never wanted to pay the $800 price tag. Having used a standard def Series2 for five years, this was quite an upgrade. And it was worth it. The picture and sound are unbelievable and the use of CableCards has cured the I’m-pissed-cause-the-fucking-channel-didn’t-change syndrome that plagues users of older TiVos hooked to cable boxes.

Hook-up couldn’t have been easier. I swapped it for my HD Motorola cable box, using the component video and optical audio cables that were hooked up to the cable box. I did Guided Setup for analog cable to get up and running. Even recording just analog cable was of better quality on the new unit. After a few hours the box had updated to the latest TiVo software and full functionality, including file transfers using TiVo To Go were enabled, allowing me to pull all of my recordings off of the old TiVo.

I was worried about getting the CableCards installed (needed for digital, HD and dual-tuner functionality) as I had read a lot of people were having trouble getting them from cable companies and getting them working. I really didn’t want to have to pay for another service call as the cable company was just here to switch me from DSL to Cable for Internet access. The cable guy took one look behind my TV and said, “Holy shit, man! How the hell do you know what goes where?” I basically did my own modem installation while he stood and watched. He was hot so I didn’t mind him just hanging around to beautify the place. Anyway, the cable company was very knowledgeable and knew just what I needed and asked if I wanted to pick them up or needed installation. Cool!

I picked them up, though they did give me M cards, which in the new TiVo HDs function in a dual mode but not in the Series3 HD. As each was installed the Series3 recognized and configured them as S cards. I called up the cable company to activate (as I installed) one at a time and in about 20 minutes received all of my digital, premium and high def channels on both cards.

Soon after some thumb ratings and setting up of season passes, my TiVo started recording programs. And soon my foodies, Paula, Rachel and Tyler showed up along with Doctor Who, Torchwood and Survivor, quickly filling up my Suggestions folder with over a 100 shows. Yeah! My TiVo gets me! Torchwood in HD on HDNET is awesome and so much better than on BBC America.

The only complaint I have about the box is the front display. The display which shows the time and title of programs being recorded on the front panel is far too small and dim to be seen from your chair. If you’re used to a Moto cable box with huge gold numbers, it will take a lot of getting used to. But it’s still useful when passing by to make sure something is recording that is supposed to be without having to turn on the TV. The word going around is that the THX Series3 HD with 300hrs of space is being retired in favor of the cheaper TiVo HD unit, which has only half of the recording space and is missing a few high end features. Some say too that the quality, while better than previous standard def boxes is not quite as good as the Series3 HD. So if you can find a good deal ($599 or less before a rebate), grab one.

So, Santa, if this is the pre-Christmas present, does that mean I’ll wake up to find Jake Gyllenhaal under my tree on Christmas morning???

Favorite Authors
Mara Freeman: is a druid high priestess and has a storytelling ability that draws you in and hooks you on every word. Her book ‘Kindling the Celtic Spirit’ is a testament to that and excellent source of Celtic lore, myth and spirituality. Find Books

Christopher Penczak: a writer, a witch, gay – what’s not to like? His books have a voice that speak particularly well to gay men, especially ‘Gay Witchcraft’ and ‘Sons of the Goddess’ that illuminate the masculine in the path of the Old Ways. Find Books

Charles Dickens’: the master storyteller! If you have ever read Dickens’ or seen a TV or feature adaptation of one of his tales, you know what I meant. No one else could create such plot twists and menageries of characters. Find Books

Sex on the first date is always a… uh hum, hot topic! I think it really depends on the people and the situation. I see nothing wrong with sex on the first date, but not just for the sake of doing it because you always have sex on the first date. If the moment is right and you’re into each other, why not? Wait, this is a subject for another post! There can be romance without sex. Just like there can be sex without romance.

Something I would love to do sometime would be to have an ‘Amazing Race’ kind of vacation. Not be in a race but to travel exotic places and do all of the thrill-seeking kind of adventures they make the teams do on ‘The Amazing Race.’ But my ultimate dream vacation would take me on a mystical tour of England to visit sites related to Avalon and Arthurian legend. I want to see the remains of Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, the Tor of Glastonbury and Stonehenge. I would love to spend extended time in the Highlands of Scotland as I feel particularly drawn to that area of the world. I’ve actually had the fantasy of a dream wedding taking place at the stone circle in the Orkney Isles.

I like movies but for some reason don’t find them enticing enough to go to a theater. Or maybe it’s the waiting in line, or the worrying about when would be a good time to get up and go to the bathroom (because I will have to at some point) so there is that stress. Or maybe it’s being sequestered away deep inside a dark cavernous building with no windows or visible signs of the outside world. I prefer to wait for them to come On Demand or on cable. Or maybe a boyfriend would change that perspective… who knows?

I can’t really say that I have a favorite movie, but if I’m pressed… ‘The Ghost & Mrs. Muir.‘ Erase any picture you have conjured of the campy 70s sitcom with Charles Nelson Riley… it is nothing like it. Nope nothing at all except the very basic concept of a woman moving to a cottage by the sea and encountering the ghost of dead sea captain. This 1949 film, that horrendous series was based on, starred Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison in a romantic drama and has always had a special place in my heart for some reason which is odd because generally I hate old films, especially black and white ones. But I do long to live in a cottage by the sea, sans ghosts of course.

Favorite actress: Helen Mirren

Favorite actor: Ewan McGregor

Favorite studio: Miramax