I finally did it. I went and got myself a beautiful new plasma HDTV. Here’s how I used to watch TV:

I know, awful, right? There were too many times when we’d be watching a show or a movie where we’d have to pause it to read the words on a newspaper article or something. I love the easter eggs hidden in Lost, but it’s no fun when you can’t see them.

I registered for a plasma last year, hoping that some friends would pitch in and buy it as a wedding gift, but for some reason, people just bought us dishes and pots and towels and stuff. A new food processor is great and all, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m still watching TV on a 27 inch standard definition set like it was 2002 or something! Anyway, long story short, I started a special “plasma savings account,” and after saving and scouring the net and circulars for deals, I finally pulled the trigger and upgraded to his beauty, a 42 inch Panasonic Plasma. Check out the new set-up:

(Note – the beagle is not an official part of the entertainment system, but he *is* rather entertaining.)

Everything looks better in HD, even animated shows like The Simpsons, though I can’t wait for Thursday to see Smallville and Lost in all their beautiful glory. Meanwhile, the missus is ecstatic to watch the Food Network in hi-def, go figure. The Wii also looks fantastic in 480p, and playing Mario Kart Wii in split-screen is infinitely more fun when you can actually see what’s happening in your race.

I honestly don’t know how I lived before this thing.

The old TV went into the bedroom, and the old bedroom TV, well, I don’t have the heart to throw it out. It’s a 19 incher that I got, no joke, in 1990. It advertises itself on the back as a “color” TV, it has no RCA inputs, but it still works. Check her out:

I guess its just out-lived its usefulness, but I’ll always remember the good times. But here’s to making new hi-def memories with the new love of my life, my plasma. Let’s take one more look at it, shall we?

Ah, a thing of beauty.