Don't touch that dial

Some of you may remember when long long ago in a vastly different era, we only got three or four TV stations (we also had to call the operator to make a long distance phone call, but that's another story).   Anyway, they were received via an antenna on the roof pointed toward the closest big city.  The pictures were black and white and really bad compared to today's standards.

 

Then came color and a few more stations.  And, then came cable.  Cable was first helpful in remote areas and usually did nothing more than redistributed TV signals from far away cities to homes that otherwise would have received nothing.

But, in 1975, HBO brought the next evolution, as the first non over-the-air programming service that was available only if you subscribed to cable.  Of course since then, hundreds of such providers make their programs available if you subscribe to cable or satellite.  They changed the game of television, dramatically reducing the number of viewers who would watch the traditional networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and now Fox and the CW).

Now, a new player is emerging that likely will likely reduce the influence  of cable and satellite.  It has been stumbling along for a few years, but now, for the first time, it has become a viable viewing alternative.  It is online distribution of original programming.

Up until now, the quality of entertainment programs viewable only on the web has been, for the most part, elementary.  Sure there are some funny things to watch on YouTube, along with some interesting and instructional videos.  But it's not the type of thing where you would really want to invest much time into, especially if you're watching it on your 55 inch HDTV.   Most of the online material suitable for watching has been the redistribution of shows that have already been aired elsewhere, either on broadcast TV or cable. 

Last year, Hulu  began experimenting with original content for online to mixed reviews.  Two other companies, Deluxes and Crackle, are attempting to jump into the online waters as well.   

One online provider has suddenly and quickly jumped to the head of the pack. Netflix, which streams online for a monthly subscription of $7.99, has become the first to have a bonafide hit series, available only on the web. 

I had read about "House of Cards," a drama/comedy which features an impressive cast anchored by Kevin Spacey.   Now, I am hooked.  So, apparently are many others.   Three weeks ago, IMBd (which tracks movie/TV viewership) said its measuring service has determined that House of Cards is currently the most popular TV show in the world.   Unbridled by distribution roadblocks which limit the viewership of cable and satellite (and of course local TV signals), Netflix is making its series available beyond the borders.  And it is working.

The production is up to par with HBO, the writing is better than anything on broadcast TV, and there are no commercials (remember, Netflix is already a pay service, like HBO).  Furthermore (and this is where I wrongly figured it would be frustrating to watch) the picture quality is excellent.  Even here in Mexico where the Internet is notoriously slow and undependable, it is HD quality.  You forget you are watching something that is coming over an  old DSL phone line as compared to satellite.  

The challenge for the up and coming online providers may be simplifying the process by which you can watch their offerings.   As of now, it is not as basic as turning on the TV and changing channels.  But as newer models become available, integration of online content into TV tuners and video players is advancing.

For now, the threat of online providers taking over for local TV and cable/satellite stations is minimal.  Of course, that's what they said when cable TV first came about.  And when HBO came about (broadcasters saying "no one will pay to watch TV.")

And for those whose voices are increasingly heard lambasting the current cable/satellite model (both programming and cost), wouldn't it be nice to really be able to cut the proverbial cable cord once and for all, and rely instead on online content ... choosing what you want to watch when you want to watch it.  We better be careful what we wish for.

Living the dream while you can.

Chris was living a good life in Napa.  A nice family with four adult children and looking forward to an early retirement with her husband, Lou (who Chris calls "the love of my life"). That was four years ago.  It is also right before Lou learned he had pancreatic cancer.  Three years ago, Chris, who is now in her fifties, became a widow.

Terry was also enjoying life, living in a small community on Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada with his wife, Danielle.  Both are in their fifties. Then, Terry learned he had skin cancer.  Last year, surgeons had to remove his entire right ear, and he is in that critical period where he hopes the cancer doesn't return.

I met both Chris and Terry (and Danielle) on the just completed cruise, and in fact spent a lot of time with them.  They are fun people and real people who faced life changing events that have influenced their drive for living and prompted them to reset their priorities.  Chris wishes she and Lou would have taken the cruise before he died.   Terry is doing things now while he is still young enough and relatively healthy, with the future somewhat uncertain.

Suze Orman may not agree with them, but these are people who are now spending money as they realize the clock is ticking when it comes to completing their "bucket list."   It is a lesson that many learn only after it's too late or after a traumatic experience has reshaped their lives.   With that in mind, a few questions to ponder.  What is most important in your life?  What do you want to do that you are not doing?  What is preventing you from doing it?  What can you do to remove the obstacles and accomplish your goals? 

For those interested, a few little stories about what made it possible for me to 1) retire early, and 2) still do things that bring me pleasure.  

This cruise was one that we had been thinking about for two years.  We booked it ten months ago.   We estimated the cost of it and a while back, we began saving for it, setting aside $350 each month for the cruise fund.   To meet that goal, it meant cutting back in other areas (a few less dinners at expensive restaurants, a car trip last summer, etc).  They weren't sacrifices, just adjustments that had no impact at all on our day to day quality of life.  But the cruise ... well that had a huge impact on our outlook of life, an experience we will always remember.   Planning and saving and setting goals are all part of achieving what you want.

Also, those who know me know that I search for bargains.  I'm not cheap, and there is a difference.   For example, for work, I always wore the cotton Oxford Polo shirts from Ralph Lauren that laundered sharply and lasted forever (I still have some of them and wear them years later).  I had dozens of them, and people would comment, "How can you afford all those shirts, they are $80 each!"   I really couldn't.  But, at $40, I could afford them.  So, I stocked up whenever I was at a Polo Outlet Store.  Same quality shirt, but a bargain.  Shirts were just one example. 
 
The same with this cruise.   I booked through Celebrity which guaranteed the lowest price.  I also subscribe to a lot of travel websites which feature weekly discounts from travel wholesalers.   Every time I would get an offer for this cruise, I would call Celebrity, explain the offer, and they would match it.   Again, plan (set goals), save, and research.   By the time we left, they had cut our fare by $5000 and upgraded us.  So, I always try to be wise in what I do (or spend).   It's not hard.

Since retiring, I've received comments from people (mostly on Facebook) including  "Who died in your family and left you money?"  No one.   Or, "You must have made a ton of money at KXTV."   In reality, I made much less than most of my graduating class in college (but I really enjoyed my work more than most of them enjoyed theirs). I also often hear from people (again, especially comments on Facebook), "I want your life"  (I wonder how many people have told Chris and Terry that not knowing the circumstances).  They likely mean they want the parts of my life that are appealing to them.    The reality is you have your own life, you have the capability to make it grand, and do it before it is too late.  If you want to see that sunset on a Mexican beach, remove the obstacles and create the pathway that allows you to do it.


So how do you make it happen?  Well, here's what I have done throughout my life (going as far back as high school).  First (and this is very important), sit down with a pen and paper and write down what is most important to you (do not use a computer, write it out longhand.  It is more personal and meaningful).   Spend more time with the kids?   Go on an African safari?  Become more in touch with your spiritual being?   Seriously, write down what is most important to you, your goals.  Then, write down what you need to do, changes you must make in your life, to make it happen.   Look at it every single day, maybe several times a day.  Live by it.   Make it your mantra.  Make it a map for living.   As you progress, mark the milestones, the successes in reaching your goal.  And soon, before it's too late, you can live the life you want, instead of telling someone else you wish you were living their life, from retiring at 55, to watching a sunset on a Mexican beach, to setting sail on a 35 day cruise.   You can live the dream before it's too late.  And soon, your friends will tell you, "I want your life."  What's stopping you?

Correction:  In my last article, I wrote that Aussies call the hood of their car the boot.  I stand corrected.  The bonnet is the hood, the boot is the trunk.

It's raining, it's pouring, it must be Brisbane

"We're really sorry.  It isn't usually like this.  Normally, summer is nice here."   We heard it three times during our day in Brisbane.  The locals apologetic over the wet welcome to their cool city.     There was no escaping it, the skies opened up and dumped and dumped and dumped, and it lasted the entire time we were here.     But we faced it head on.

First, the lead up to Brisbane.  It was spectacular.  After a rainy night departing Cairns, a sunny day spotlighted the Australian "sunshine coast."  Rugged in parts like the Oregon coastline, this vacation region (where the climate is still tropical) is dotted with exclusive resorts, yachting clubs, and picturesque lighthouses.   It's the type of place I would have liked to have time to more deeply explore.

But the highlight had to be the unexpected dolphin show.   Along the portside of the ship, a group of dolphins (I counted ten) followed in the wake of the Solstice.   They kept up the ship (at about 20 knots speed) for about 30 minutes, jumping and diving.   I was on the balcony reading when they first made their appearance.  Though we have seen a lot of dolphins in Puerto Vallarta, this was like a Marine World show.  The pictures don't do it justice.

As for Bisbane, our plans to visit famous beaches on the nearby Gold Coast were dashed, so we went into the city center and found a vibrant metropolis built on the scenic Brisbane River.    Brisbane reminded me of a smaller, subtler version of Sydney.  But with 1.5 million residents (Australia's third largest city behind Sydney and Melbourne), it is still a large city and the center of commerce for New South Wales.  Its roots as a dumping ground for Australia's worst criminals have vanished.   Now it is a city mixing colonial architecture with steel and glass high rises (though it was so rainy and overcast  we could not see the tops of some of them).

The main thoroughfare in town (Elizabeth Street) is closed to traffic and is an impressive mall/shopping complex that stretches for four blocks.   Every major international store is found here, along with restaurants and banks.   You could have been in New York, San Francisco, or any other major city.

A short walk away, on the Brisbane River, winds Eagle Street.   A local who we stopped on the street recommended Eagle Street when we said we wanted to have lunch at one of Brisbane's many seafood restaurants.  Our goal was to have Australian Bug (we didn't know what it was but the the Aussies on the ship told us to try it).  George's Paragon Seafood Restaurant, perched over the river, was packed ... And it had barbecued bug on the menu.   So, in we went. We got our bug, which is best described as a local shellfish, larger than a crawdad and smaller than a lobster.   It was very good, but you'd be wise to order at least three bugs if you wanted to fill your stomach.

We were sorry that the weather was so bad here because Brisbane looked like a great city to get into.   And they have had a rough summer.   There was major flooding in this region last month, which followed record high temperatures.   As I write this, Australia is facing major weather problems on both coasts.  Port Hedland where we docked two weeks ago is being pounded with a category 4 cyclone (hurricane), and evacuations are underway; and yesterday, torrential rains and strong winds forced the closure of Sydney's huge airport.  

Australian oddities:   Though English is their language, at times it an be confusing, and not just because of the accent.  An Australian woman that we sat next to at the show a couple of nights ago had compiled a list 76 words that are different, yet mean the same thing.  Examples:  the hood of a car here is called a boot; and they don't say TV, it's telly.   And, though Burger King does exist here, it is known as Hungry Jack (and yes, it is the Australian home of The Whopper).

Now, our last sea day, and it is a real rough one.   The storm apparently churning up the ocean.  On Monday,  the 35 day cruise adventure comes to an end as we do our final docking in Sydney, and fly to Honolulu for a few days just to break up the marathon flight it otherwise would have been.   Once we get to Hawaii ... some final thoughts, observations, and answers to questions about how we could pull off this cruise.