I like Home theater and have been into this as a hobby since the very early days of DVD. Its a hobby I cannot afford and I have spent way to much money on it over the years. I own a Hitachi widescreen CRT rear projection TV mated to my wifes Directivo and my set top HD Sony satellite reciever and Panasonic E-80 DVD recorder. We use the Hitachi for everyday TV and for special occasion movies we use a standard definition Optoma H-31 front projector that I table mount and shine on a portable 92 inch 1.85:1 HD aspect ratio pull up screen. I run movies to the projector from a Denon 2200 DVD player. We watch major sporting events on the projector as well when we can recieve them in high definition.
I utilize Miller & Kriesel THX select mains and surrounds coupled to the M & K sub that came with the package and then several years later I added an SVS downfiring tube subwoofer. I manage low frequency response with a separate Outlaw audio ICBM (integrated controlled bass manager) This allows me to divert low frequency sound from each individual channel at a point I desire and send it to the subs allowing the mains to breathe easier in the midrange bass and on up to the highs. I push the speakers with a separate Outlaw Audio five channel amp and I use an old receiver as a pre/pro. My wish is to upgrade to a new 7 channel amp and Outlaws new pre/pro but at this point it aint happenin...just to much money. But I can dream.
I like history and I use that E-80 set top DVD recorder to capture many hours of History channel/ Discovery channel/ Military channel to the hard drive and then I strip out the commercials and burn them to DVD-R for archive. I also back up a lot of my commercial DVD via my computer and readily available software from the net.
I look forward to HD DVD which is just around the corner (First players are available soon).
I go to the gym at least three to four times a week since last Summer when I determined to get in shape. (mid life concern) it worked and has become a habit. I lost a lot of weight down from 225 to just about 176 pounds so it must be working.
The other half and I typically take West Coast Swing lessons once a week at the Tucson West Coast Swing Dance Club. Once in a while we make it out on a Saturday night as well.
With the new bike and the gym and the dancing once a week and going to work five days a week ...I stay busy anymore.
