How to watch sporting events without a cable package.

I've received a lot of interest on how to watch sporting events without paying for a cable package.   For many people this is the biggest thing that prevents them from stopping their cable or satellite subscription.   Broadcast sporting events have always been a tricky subject.   Even when one has the most expensive cable or satellite package they can be subjected to things like blackouts or just the failure of your local carrier to broadcast the game that you want to see.    The good thing here is that with the advent of the web there are now more options for watching sporting events than there are even on cable and satellite.

We'll start with the free options and go from there.   ESPN is a great option.   They stream ESPN 3 live for free directly off their website.   They also feature a large cache of content on demand including Sports Center Right Now, a regularly updated version of the popular Sports Center program.   ESPN is now offering a live feed of their network via XBox 360.   It does require the XBox live subscription, but that's only about $50 a year and it allows you to play games online.   Still considerably cheaper than cable if you only like to watch ESPN, which many people I know do.

If you have a TV that's capable of picking up digital over the air signals, there is still a lot of sports that are broadcast on free network television.   From Monday Night Football, to playoff games, to Saturday golf tournaments.    These are also often available directly from the network's website.  

Now for the pay options.   Most professional sporting organizations offer a multi-level subscription package that allows you to watch either a specific team, or every team for the duration of the season.   These are available directly from the organizations website and generally require a computer to view.   The subscriptions can get a little pricey, but if you only pay for one subscription per season it's still generally cheaper than paying for cable or satellite.

There are also grey market options available.   Services like TVU, Sopcast, and TV Ants allow you to watch live streaming video from a variety of sources.   From the History Channel to college and professional sports.   They require a download of their software, which may or may not contain spyware or other malicious programing.   Then the user is able to access thousands of live TV feeds from a specific website which may or may not be illegal.    This internet forum http://www.myp2pforum.eu/ gives a full listing of live tv feeds for nearly every game at any given moment.   For the more adventurous user, this may be an option.

The ability to watch live sporting events is what causes many people to spend that extra $600-$4000+ a year on cable and satellite.   Really though, in this modern age you can easily get by with some ingenuity and a high speed internet connection.   Instead, put that money towards perhaps seeing your favorite team live and in person instead of on your tiny TV screen.   It's also a godsend to people that spend a large amount of time away from home, either at work or on the road.     Never again will you have to wait a week or more to view your favorite team.

Farewell to two great comedians.

RIP Tony Curtis and Greg Giraldo.  Mr. Curtis, you gave birth to the hottest allegedly transgendered individual I've ever seen.   Greg Giraldo, You were great on the Howard Stern Show.  And here's a great clip where he owns Dennis Leary.

Medical Marijuana

There are literally 5 medical marijuana dispensaries one block from my house.   I honestly don't know how what I percieve as a very small market can support so many stores.  At any rate, I think it's great.   More tax base for local government along with jobs.  

Also, I always said that drugs don't cause crime, drugs being illegal cause crime.   That would seem to be the case here.   I often walk down the street after dark with my wife and 2 year old son.   I see very normal looking people streaming in and out of the local dispensaries with their "medicine."   So far I've yet to see any violence associated with the brisk marijuana trade in our neighborhood.   If anything the dispensaries seem to be causing a stoner food reaction.   The nicest looking dispensary on the street is flanked by a gourmet donuts shop and a bakery.   Cookies and donuts are two things that stoners and I can agree on.

Google Trends

So the current google trends puts. "audrina patridge, haley joel osment, jennifer grey, lauren, jennifer grey cancer" as the current trend. I'm really out of touch because I know none of these people. I'm hoping this line will drive more people to my site though.

Non-Alcholic beers

Here's the question, why are non-alcoholic beers so terrible?   Now I'm not trying to make some joke about how alcohol is great and everyone needs to drink it.   Rather, I'm trying to figure out why beer companies across the board only create very weak, bland, light lager styles of NA beer.  

My wife is currently pregnant and craves very hoppy beer.   Of course, this is the one thing she can't have.   I've searched everywhere for every variety of NA beer I could find.   So far we've tried.

1. O'Douls.    Ok, this is made by Budweiser so you have to immediatly assume it has no hop flavor, a very thin fizzy mouthfeel, and a horrible aftertaste.   Well, you assumed right.    If there's anything worse than Bud Light, it's O'Douls.   All of the NA beers from American macro-brewers fall into this category, so I'm done reviewing them.   If you want to know what they taste like, put a few drops of food coloring in seltzer water.   I'm serious, that's about as much taste as they have.
2. Kaliber.    Better, but it's still pretty weak.   Basically this is an NA version of Harp, which if  you've had it you know is a fairly light lager.   Now, I don't condemn beers because they're not bursting with malt and hops.   This beer isn't bad for what it is, it's just not what we want.   It's still a low flavor light tasting beer.   I'd almost prefer that Guinness produced an NA version of Guinness draught.   After all, that beer is only 3% abv or so, so it shouldn't be hard to take 2.5% away.
3. Saint Pauly Girl NA.   Saint Pauly Girl is a really bad product.   Not because it's ostensibly worse than Budweiser, but because it markets itself as a premium beer.   It's not, it might as well be Budweiser, Miller or Coors.   And it shouldn't cost more than those three.   Again, the NA version of this beer is much like the with alcohol version.   Nothing to write home about here.
4. Clausthale.   I haven't tried this one, it appears to be another light lager in the Heineken style though.   Again, not what we're looking for.
5. Paulander NA   Ok, I thought this beer was decent.   My wife the hop-head described with a weak back and fourth motion of her hand.    I can't really jump on Paulander for this one.   They created an NA beer that taste like their WA pilsner.   I just wish they would create an NA version of their  Oktoberfest, or dunkelweizen, or even hefeweizen.

Now beer companies, you've heard my rant.   Go fourth and create.  The momster demands a non-alcoholic beer that's bursting with flavor.   If any of you have ever lived with a pregnant woman, you know that's more than a request.

Grocery Stores

The King Scoopers by me is dirty.  Now I find that the Sunflower Market is cheaper than Safeway.  I think I like Denver.

How to deal with internet bullying.

Internet bullying is a very hot topic these days.   Like most people, I dealt with bullying to varying degrees throughout my school career.   Luckily, I didn't have to deal with the digital component that plagues bullying today.   Internet bullying has reached the point where it exists not only in an individual school, but it comes from thousands of people that view embarrassing actions of children on the web.   A case in point would be the Star Wars Kid.

Now, the way I see it, it's generally very difficult to stop widespread actions like internet bullying.   The best thing you can do is monopolize on it.   If you're a kid that's getting bullied setup a website that people can come to in order to bully you.   The Star Wars kid should have copyrighted and posted his video on a site with advertising.   Then he should have gone after anyone that posted the video anywhere else without his permission.  The result would have been that the thousands of people that wanted to view his video would have had to come to his website to see it.   Imagine the money he could have made off of google adsense and other advertisements.    At that point he no longer would have been a victim, but rather an entrepreneur.  

Rain

It's finally raining in Denver.   The downside is that I of course forgot to pick everything up out of the backyard.   

Elmo

I'm watching Sesame Street with my son and I have a question.   What exactly is Elmo supposed to be?   I think he might be some sort of bear, but I'm not sure.   My other guess is maybe a dog that can walk upright.   Though neither dogs nor bears can sing a catchy song.   Then again, what's a Snuffleupagus?   Snuff at least seems to resemble some sort of wooly mammoth or elephant.   With Elmo, I really have no idea.   Does anyone have any ideas?  

Culture in Denver

I had a beer and a burger at My Brothers Bar in Denver today.   Apparently Kerouac drank there at one time.   That alone sold me.   Not a bad place, burgers were great, and beers were 4 dollars.   I can't complain.

They burgers came out in parchment paper on top of a condiment caddy like in the picture on the right.   I don't know why, but I thought that was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.   I dig a place that doesn't take itself too seriously.    I'd recommend a trip to My Brothers Bar if you're looking for a cool watering hole in Denver.

Help for the Homeless

Well, the title of this post is a little deceptive.   More about that later.   I'm sorry about the lack of posts in the last few days.   My computer's power supply died a few days ago and I was powerless until the new one could ship.   It just arrived a few hours ago and so I should be back until the next catastrophe.


Upon moving to Denver I noticed that the area has a very large homeless population.   I'm not sure what the source of this population is, but the population does seem to be larger than in other big cities I've lived in.   Remarkably though, it appears that Denver's homeless don't engage in the entertaining activities that other cities seem to have.   San Francisco is rampant with fake robots and people playing guitar.   As are NY and Boston.   Key West has the famous sunset pier with various acts, several of which appear to be performed by drifters.   Denver however, has very little of this.   There are plenty of people with clever signs and of course the direct approach of asking for change.   However, with such a large population I don't feel able to give everyone my pocket change.    Which by its very nature is sparse.   So I've stopped giving to everyone.

Now, I can't imagine that my blog has very many homeless readers.   If by the odd chance I do have a few, I'd like to offer a suggestion.   If you want money from someone, do something.   I realize that not everyone can play covers of popular 70s songs.   However, everyone has a skill.   Maybe you could tap dance, do movie impressions.   Even just walk up and tell a funny, non offensive joke.   Not only would it make me more likely to give you money.   It would also move you from the realm of beggar to that of someone that provides something for society.   Even if that something is just a moment of entertainment.

I'd just like to add that I'm not making light of the homeless issue or the substance abuse, mental health and lack of jobs that cause homelessness.    I just think many of these people could be a little more successful with a change of tactic.

Five more years of good luck

Yes, that grainy image is a baby, apparently.    It looks like I get to be home for five more years.    Max and I did a hike at Red Rocks this morning and I couldn't help to think this would probably be the last summer for our little excursions.   I don't know how I could fit Max and a baby into a kid carrier.   The stay at home noose tightens!  

Seriously though, we've been looking forward to this day for a long time now.   I think two kids will be the perfect number.    Only children seem to be a little strange, and I can't imagine paying for more than 2 children.   That and Jen isn't a baby factory.    I'm really looking forward to this next challenge.

Networking?

Jens in Connecticut and Max and I are bacheloring  it.    So far we've been to a park and a bar.   Remarkably the former was more enjoyable than the latter.   Granted I went to the bar more for the food, and the yelp reviews made it sound like more of a restaurant than a bar.   Still though, restaurants:toddlers as cats:water.

After dropping Jen off at the airport we got a breakfast burrito, coffee and a milk.   Apparently this is the official breakfast of Denver.   I ate the burrito, Max spilled the milk, what's life without excitement?

At around 10 we decided to hit a park.   While at the park I actually took the initiative to talk to some of the other moms, something I was normally reluctant to do in CT.   Well lo and behold one of the moms was from Michigan.    A little further digging revealed that her husband was a stay at home dad, score.   I haven't talked to him yet, but it's nice just to have a lead.   

Moral of the story men, don't be afraid to talk to girls.

How to trigger Green Lights

http://www.instructables.com/id/Trigger-GREEN-Traffic-Lights/

In the spirit of the previous fixed wheel post, I've posted this link.   One thing that bothers the poo out of me is being unable to trigger a green light when riding my bike.   The video and instructions in the above link give a nifty little trick on how to trigger these green lights.   You'll never again have to hop off your bike to push the crosswalk button in order to cross a street.   You'll be one step closer to being legitimate traffic.

Interesting Stay at Home Article

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/CostOfBeingAStayAtHomeMom.aspx

I of course dislike that it automatically assumes a stay at home parent is female.    Otherwise, it offers some pretty sound advice.

Cut the Chord - How to live without cable

Upon moving to Denver we decided to do all we could to save money.   In that quest we did several things.   We decided to rent instead of buy, a savings of $750 a month.    We're cutting back on driving, walking and biking as much as possible.   We moved to a cheaper area of the country.    The decision that caused the most debate and sleepless nights though, was to go without cable.

We were spending $105 a month on cable and internet.   That seemed like a huge expense for a bunch of channels we never watched.   We did need internet, mostly so the mom-ster could do work from home.    I started to think about all the options available for TV on the internet and wondered, could I just use my computer as a TV?    Here's what I came up with.    About 50% of the shows that I watch are available on hulu, the rest are available on Netflix at the end of their season or for purchase from Itunes.    Netflix also has an enormous library of programing available on demand.   $42.95 for cable internet + $8.95 for Netflix = 51.90, a savings of $53.10 a month which to me is pretty significant.

Now, some people may be turned off to this option because they think they have to watch TV on their computer screen.   However, it's pretty easy to hoookup your computer to your tv, especially if you have a laptop.    The easiest option is to hook up an HDMI cable or VGA (monitor) cable to the back of your flat screen.   I don't have a flat screen so I hook an S Video cable from my computer to my 13 year old tv.   It doesn't work for internet viewing or word processing because the text is hard to read on an non-hdtv.   However, video's look great.

So what are your options for programming with a computer based TV?

1. Hulu, network TV sites like CBS, ABC, Comedy Central all offer streaming video of pretty decent quality.
2. Sites like YouTube or Funny or Die have original content not even available on normal TV networks, the quality (both picture and content) varies widely.
3. Pirate feeds of commercial programming.   Do a search for any of your favorite TV shows and you'll find hundreds of sites that offer streaming feeds of these shows.   They are obviously very illegal and prone to viruses, but they're an option if you're adventurous.   You can also download illegal copies of shows and movies from peer to peer programs and newsgroups.   I don't recommend or condone either action.   Because of liability and the propensity of these sites to harbor viruses.
4. As stated above pay services like Netflix and Hulu Plus offer large libraries of on demand programing for a much lower fee than cable.

The downside is if you're a sports fan this may not be the solution for you.   Though there are several options available to watch sports.   For instance, MLB offers a subscription service that allows you to watch either an individual team, or any game over a computer feed.    If you're primarily interested in one sport for the year this could be a more viable option than cable, which requires a basic subscription along with another subscription for things like NFL ticket.

So far I'm very happy to go without cable.   I'm obviously watching less tv, but I'm still able to watch all that I want.   I also find that watching TV is more of a planned event now, rather than the constant flipping through channels and concluding there was nothing to watch that I used to engage in.

Fixed gear for a fixed budget.

I have an insatiable desire to buy a new road bike.   Unfortunately, that's not really in the budget right now.    So what's my solution?   FIXED GEAR!    A fixed gear bicycle is about as basic as it gets, as long as the wheels are turning your feet are moving.    The beauty of this design is that you can use an old bike and get very good results.   I just bought a 70s or 60s Raleigh Grand Prix frame for $20 at a local bike shop.   I plan on slowly building it up this winter with used parts that I can find on the cheap.   It will be a fun project and I can learn a little more about bicycle mechanics.    Details will follow.  

If you're looking for an inexpensive project, building a fixed gear bicycle might be for you. 

How to quit your job to live the dream.

There are many many people that would love to quit their job to spend more time at home with their children.   There are also many people who have been forced to stay home with their children because of the present economy.    When faced with stay at home parenthood the first thing you have to ask yourself is, can I do it? 

Now, this is sort of an intangible question, it encompasses a variety of subjects.    From financial to social to metaphysical.   The first question most people probably think of is can I make stay at home parenthood work financially?    However, I think the latter two questions are far more important. 

Socially, do you have a good support system to tap into once you cut your ties to your former work life?   You may think that you'll continue to see your buddies from work, but once you're out of the trenches with them the relationships often slowly burn out.    It's much like trying to maintain a high school relationship while going to separate colleges.   It can work, but often doesn't.    This is a lifestyle that often requires a very rugged social character.   You're often on your own for long stretches of time without adult interaction, many times all you can do is grin and bear it.    From the social standpoint, the most important thing you can do is be very outgoing.    Especially if you're a stay at home dad, the stay at home parent landscape is seemingly dominated by moms.   You're the stranger in a strange land here and as such the onus is on you to make relationships.   In my experience, breaking in with the moms can be difficult, but very doable.    Finding a Dads group is the best way to go, but due to the low numbers of stay at home dads it can be difficult to organize.

Metaphysical, you really need to know what your personal motivations and rewards are before quitting your job.    You may think that you hate your job and would love to stop working, but you need to know how much of your character and motivation is wrapped up in your career status.    I was an airline pilot before I was a stay at home dad.   I hated my job but I did get a surge of satisfaction by telling people that I was a Captain for United Express.   So much so that I find I often still preface the "What do you do" question with "I was an airline pilot and now I'm a stay at home dad."    I know it's a little ridiculous but I like the degree of credibility that the airline pilot status gives.    After a year and a half though, I'm slowly weaning myself off of this silly little shortcut.   I'm proud of my former profession, but I'm more proud of my current one.     Before you leave your job you have to search your soul and figure out if you can leave your status behind.    The American tradition is such that nearly all of our worth is wrapped up in what we do for a living, how much money we make, where we went to college etc.    Unfortunately, raising the best children you can and living a simple honest life often don't fit into others value of you.    You'll have to grow thick skin and live off of your own internal satisfaction, but this is what you should have been doing all along. :)

Don't let any of this deter you though.   All it takes is determination and openness to embark on stay at home parenthood.   Initially you may be deterred by everything you have to leave behind, but you have to focus on everything that you can gain.    Pursuing a career, especially a high status one can be very satisfying, but it's been done before.    If you're an ambitious talented person, others will see you quitting your job as a crazy neurotic decision.   Which is what I love about it.   Because really, this is an ambitious, entrepreneurial, trail blazing endeavor.   In a world of obese children, declining test scores and the break down of family systems you're drawing a line in the sand.    You're telling the world that what matters isn't what you have, it's what you do for others.    You're forming a relationship that could never exist in the world of daycare and nanny's.  And most importantly you won't have to look back in 20 or 30 years and wish you had tried harder as a parent.

Denver Doings

In our search for subsistence Max and I have discovered the Denver Childrens Museum.   To be fair Jen told us to get in the car and drove us there.    In the American male masculine tradition though I'd like to stake my claim at this discovery, but I digress.   

The museum is a sprawling affair with plenty to do for kids up to about age 12 or so.    Max particularly enjoyed the train room which featured buckets of Thomas the Tank Engine trains and tracks.    There was also a decommissioned fire truck complete with working lights and sirens that he could play in among other things.    There was also a large outside play area with a playground and a sandbox inside a large inflatable dome which was very unique.

At the end of the session we decided to purchase a $90 year membership.   I normally say "if it's free it's me, if I have to pay no way."   But Jen's logic was pretty solid on this one.    We need somewhere to go on a regular basis.    And we really need an indoor activity once the weather starts to cool.   If you're looking for a kid friendly activity in Denver, I'd recommend the museum.

Looking for a new play group.

M-dog and I are finally getting settled in DEN.   However, I can tell by both of our manic activity that we need a new playgroup.   My wife found an interesting lead in the Highlands Mommies group.   Sure the name is a little pejorative but apparently they have a corner of the site that features dads.   I'll keep you updated.

Here's the link to the site

Highlands Mommies

Not yet dead in Denver

We rolled into Denver one week ago and it's finally starting to feel (and look) like home.   We're finally starting to see the end of unpacking the boxes and it's finally time to start tackling more daunting pursuits.   Bootstrapping a playgroup for Max and I.    The good news is that it seems like Denver is a much more friendly city than nearly anywhere on the east coast, we're also in a pretty liberal bohemian area.   So I'm hoping that a mildly eccentric Stay at Home Dad like myself isn't as much of a peculiarity.   Stay tuned as I report my attempts to penetrate the parental fortress of stay at home mom-hood.

I'd love to see some comments or suggestions about my current pursuit.

Heat Wave

I'm currently sitting inside during a 100 degree day here in Connecticut.   The little guy and I have found little to do in these weary conditions.   So far I've come up with the following:

• Water, ok this one is pretty obvious.   We could hit the baby pool at the park or even stick an inflatable pool in the backyard.   A toddlers attention span generally dictates that we're only able to spend about 10 mins in the water and he wants to go do something else.   It's still the best option for a free activity outside of the house though.
• The mall, this is along the same lines of what do we do during a snow storm.   I generally avoid this place during those conditions also.   I have neither the money nor inclination to bow at the altar of consumerism.
• The library, I love the library.  But it became our refugee camp during the past winter.   I'm trying to do all I can to avoid it during the warmer months.

Two more days of 95+ degree days.   I don't mind it, in fact I went for a 4.5 mile run during the peak of it yesterday.   Two year olds tend to be less resident though.   I need ideas people,.   What do you suggest?

Masculism

Masculinism - The radical notion that a man can create a delicious meatloaf.

Women had to leave the house to assert their independence, we have to come back to it.   In our grass roots, localism, return to authenticity current hipster moment a return to the homestead is the most apt, and radical thing you as a father can do.  

Once you're there the real fun starts.   Your new goal is not to pay anyone for anything you can possibly learn how to do yourself.   That means you are now a cook, a handyman, a mechanic, a seamstress, a brewer, a meteorologist, or a Marxist revolutionary if that's your bag.   I went from a guy who's behind was carved out of cookie dough to a kitchen remodeler, brewer and mechanic in less than a year.   There's no reason you can't do the same.  I can also atest that the internal rewards from such knowledge are far greater than the successful creation of a TPS report.

How to save money as a stay at home dad or mom

So you've quit your job to hit the big time. It's just you, the kids, and the bills. Being a stay at home parent is rewarding in so many ways, unfortunately it's rarely reflected in your bank account. Don't fret, I have a few solutions for how you can save money.

• Stop buying disposable diapers.

Take a look at how much you spend on disposable diapers. I'm guessing it's in excess of $50.00 a month per child. For a small upfront fee you can buy modern reusable diapers that can be used from child to child. These aren't your mothers diapers, they're Velcro (no pins!) and easily washed in a normal washing machine. We bought 15 BumGenius diapers for my son and they'll last us about 3-4 days before I have to wash them. The upfront cost was about $300.00. After 6 months they're paying for themselves. If you use them for another child You also have the peace of mind of not putting a non-biodegradable diaper in a landfill.

• Thrift Stores and garage sales.
  

While many parents will venture into consignment shops, very few brave the world of thrift stores and garage sales. Don't be one of them. Children's clothing has the unique quality of being worn for a very short time. That means the item you're purchasing is usually very gently used. I've encountered many items that still have the original tags. I'm able to purchase these items at about a tenth of the retail price. Thrift stores are probably the best bet for a wide variety of clothing, though a garage sale has the appeal of "The Big Score." Once you happen upon the size you're looking for at a garage sale the odds are that there are dozens of items in that size. Garage sales are also usually the cheapest option. Hit nice neighborhoods and start buying brands like Gap for Kids and Polo for $.25 to $1.00.

Fear not the danger of dirty clothes, one cycle in the washing machine will produce clothing as clean and sanitary as new clothing, perhaps even better. Think about it, that new item of clothing you're buying was probably made in a dirty factory somewhere in Asia by an overworked seamstress that didn't have running water in her bathroom. Then it was placed in a dirty shipping container and hauled overseas and overland for a few weeks. Finally it makes it to the store where numerous people handle it and try it on in the fitting room. Beyond a pleasant new clothes smell, you're not getting a more sanitary product by buying new.

• Ebay, Craigslist FREECYCLE!!!

Now that you're diapers and clothes are covered it's time to move on to the big ticket items. Toys, cribs, dressers, etc. You have a few options for these. The above mentioned garage sales and thrift stores are a great place to start. The newer entries to the market however are Ebay, Craigslist and Freecycle. You're probably familiar with Ebay and Craigslist which are places where individuals and businesses may sell their wares. However, a new lurker to the scene is a service known as Freecycle http://www.freecycle.org/. This is a service where people can post or request items they would like to get rid of or offer for free. It is against Freecycle policy to sell anything on freecycle or obtained from freecycle. I have been able to obtain an amazing amount of very high quality goods from this service. I've also been able to get rid of things like old lawnmowers, cabinets from a remodel, bookshelves etc. To date I've been able to obtain; a plethora of toys, clothes, a brand new jog stroller that just needed a couple new inner tubes, out door toys etc. It's a great service and shouldn't be overlooked.

With a little bit of work you can easily save big bucks on child gear by using the above services. While staying at home can be expensive, it doesn't have to be.