My wife suggested we should go see a movie.<\/p>\n
She wanted me to get dressed, drive 10 miles to the local theater, purchase tickets along with soda and popcorn, and sit among the coughing crowd.<\/p>\n
I informed her that it\u2019s going to cost us $50 plus a virus infection.<\/p>\n
I also reminded her that we get in excess of 400 channels on our TV where countless movies play 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no driving, no contagious crowds, I can remain in my shorts, and we\u2019d be able to enjoy that delicious $4.99 rotisserie chicken I purchased at Costco.<\/p>\n
She reminded me that the chicken tends to cost over $200 as I always buy additional items we never needed.<\/p>\n
She may be right; however, there\u2019s no longer a need to visit Costco as my neighbor has agreed to get me one of those succulent birds each time she shops there.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s been doing that for us for over a year now. I estimate she\u2019s already delivered some two dozen chickens, each providing delightful dinners while saving us a fortune in unnecessary purchases.<\/p>\n
Not to mention, remaining at home allows me to avoid the coughing crowd while I fast-forward through TV commercials, pause programs for bathroom breaks, and enjoy a lovely dinner at home.<\/p>\n
At a table.<\/p>\n
With silverware.<\/p>\n
That wonderful rotisserie chicken is good for two meals plus sandwiches, often enjoyed as we\u2019re watching the big screen.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a far cry from the tiny TV I\u2019d watch as a youngster at my friend Bobby\u2019s house.<\/p>\n
Back then, he was part of a rare family that actually owned a television.<\/p>\n
It was a black-and-white TV, with a small screen, and a total of four channels that all went dark overnight.<\/p>\n
About a dozen kids would crowd together watching \u201cLassie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Or \u201cDennis the Menace,\u201d \u201cHopalong Cassidy,\u201d \u201cMilton Berle,\u201d Wagon Train,\u201d \u201cI Love Lucy\u201d or \u201cSuperman.\u201d<\/p>\n
But now we have a TV of our own.<\/p>\n
Mounted on the wall.<\/p>\n
On a 75-inch screen.<\/p>\n
With over 400 channels.<\/p>\n
In living color.<\/p>\n
As we sit on the couch.<\/p>\n
With the remote.<\/p>\n
And a rotisserie chicken.<\/p>\n
We also record programs that might be airing on another channel.<\/p>\n
Or while we\u2019re sleeping.<\/p>\n
Yet she wants to go to the movies.<\/p>\n
Often, I\u2019m forced to watch the smaller TV in the den while my wife is enjoying soaps on the big screen.<\/p>\n
But it still beats spending $50 at the local theater for a movie with popcorn and soda, along with the masked masses.<\/p>\n
And while she\u2019s busy flipping from one program to another, I\u2019d be enjoying football.<\/p>\n
Maybe basketball or soccer.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the news.<\/p>\n
At dinnertime, we pick a movie to enjoy together.<\/p>\n
We\u2019d be watching the big screen as she brings me up to date about the latest tryst on \u201cDays of Our Lives,\u201d while I keep her informed about the rain, riots and robberies.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, I was able to convince her to remain home, trading a movie and maladies for chicken and channels.<\/p>\n
Finally, a sensible, superior and successful solution.<\/p>\n