I want somebody to shove me...

Several weeks ago, Katie and I decided to try to move our entertainment center about a foot to the right of where it currently sits. The way we figured it, the TV sitting in the middle of it might be a bit more well centered within the room.

Since we own a 27" SD tube TV, we pulled it off the entertainment center to relieve it of some of the weight and then we gave it the good ol' "college try."

It didn't budge.

We pushed, we shoved, we pulled, we dragged, we clawed.

And then, in one final last-ditch effort to move it, we counted to three and I jammed my shoulder into the side of it. And my shoulder went right through the side of it. Not having realized the entire thing was made of MDF (a sort of manufactured press board, I think), it just gave under the pressure and caved in. Not good since now the side of the lower portion of the unit was just a bit exposed and likely to not last much longer.

We'd been wanting a new entertainment center for some time, but this most recent event kinda pushed up our timeline a little bit. In the ensuing weeks, we scoured every bricks & mortar and online furniture store we could find for entertainment centers. There was no way we were going with a full MDF or press board unit again. With our TV, we needed something heavy duty. We wanted real wood (don't say it, Chase).

Wanna know something? They're not easy to find. And, when you do find them, they are far from inexpensive. And most of those are absolute crap. Turns out the furniture sector is already buying into the HDTV side of television viewing and have modeled most of their furniture that way. Everything is now made for plasma and LCD TVs. Nearly nothing is designed for tube TVs anymore. Nothing can withstand the weight. And if there is one, the lowest price we found was appoximately $3000.

GAHHHH!!!!

This weekend we came to the sad realization that maybe it was time to succumb to the technological revolution and buy a flat panel TV. And, yesterday, we did just that.

Will you now help us welcome the latest addition to our family? His name is Sam (as in "Samsung") and he's a 42" plasma beauty. Together with the credenza (read: "low-level dresser that doesn't go in a bedroom") we bought to put him on, the total cost was $1000 less than the only entertainment center we saw that we both could agree on in terms of appearance.

Talk about a beautiful picture. It's ridiculous how clear the picture quality is and how nice the colors are. And, yes, we are both aware of the potential for ghosting that plasma has, but we have a warranty that covers any problem that may occur and I really don't play video games enough for the millisecond response delay to be a problem. We're happy and we saved a load of money over what we were thinking we would have to spend. So it's all good.

On an unrelated aside, if anyone is thinking about going to see Breach... totally worth it. It's my firm belief that Chris Cooper can act circles around 90% of the so-called actors working in Hollywood today. And, Daaaaavve, it's got Jaye in it!

Hey! When did IMDb overhaul it's template? Dang it looks different.

Comments

[Dagny]

Congrats on the new addition to the family!

I figured that Breach would be pretty good. I mean, has Chris Cooper ever done anything that's crap? Oh, and I'm not familiar with the character of "Jaye" but then I realized that the same actress was in The Baroness and the Pig which I vaguely remember having seen.

[ms. sizzle]

I love Chris Cooper- he's an incredible actor. I'll have to check that one out.

That TV sounds like a slice of heaven- enjoy!

[ms. sizzle]

I love Chris Cooper- he's an incredible actor. I'll have to check that one out.

That TV sounds like a slice of heaven- enjoy!

[August]

I was about to say "Time for a new TV" but then you finished your story. Congrats on the new purchase. We've had a HD capable tv for a while now. Just got the HD though and you are right! I'm blown away by the picture. I didn't think I would be. It's amazing!

[g-man]

My wife has been leaving the TV sales flyers around the house for me to look at. She has been wanting to replace the 32" Sylvania (only 3 years old) with a flat screen and new entertainment center (the armoire we have is outdated). Right now I'd like to have a surround receiver and speakers, but that's just me.

Congrats on the fine picture, and good price.

[bec]

Mazel tov!
I have been staring at the 10 (yes, 10year old) beastie in the corner of my room with loathing for quite some time now... and will have to do something about it... possibly tomorrow, for tomorrow is pay day, and you have inspired me! :)

[kapgar]

Dagny, I've never heard of Baroness and the Pig and you recall seeing it? That scares me. But she was also in Out Cold which is where I was first introduced to her.

sizzle, he is great. Have you seen Adapatation?

August, we were trying to avoid it due to sheer cost, but all things considered, it did turn out better.

g-man, tell her she can get a TV if you can get surround.

Bec, hey, if you can get a piece of modern technology to last that long, hat's off to ya! Katie and I have a TV in our possession that's been alive for nearly 20 years. We still use it, too.

[francesdanger]

Congrats! Sam souns wonderful.

I had planned on waiting for DVD for 'Breach' but now that I know Jaye is in it with Chris Cooper, I'm so there.

[Bre]

It's really awful because I think about 85% of my furniture is particle board, and the other 15% has cushions.

[tori]

Is the title of your post from a Soul Asylum song? It is now stuck in my head either way. We are looking for an entertainment center for our tv (right now we have it sitting on a coffee table with all the "stuff" on a side table because we are classy like that) and can not believe how much they want for them. Maybe I wil suggest your solution to my husband.

[Dave2]

YES!

But does Caroline Dhavernas kick ass in the film? There's nothing I dislike more than going to see a movie because I like an actor in it, then finding out they suck in the picture. Bleh!

[Johnny C.]

Congrats on the new TV!

Ash and I just got a "37 LCD HD LG (look at all of those random capital letters).

We fucking love it though. I've spent more time lately playing video games and watching dvd's than I have in a long time.

BTW, hopefully getting internet soon so we can play video games together. Word.

[kapgar]

frances, definitely a great guy. But we can't set him up until the credenza is delivered this weekend.

Bre, that's a lot of cushions.

tori, yes. I love me some Soul Asylum. Sorry to cause an earworm, though. Definitely run the idea by your husband. And welcome aboard.

Dave2, ummmm... I plead the fifth. She does speak in a German accent, though.

Johnny, sweet! Can't wait to figure out the wifi thing on my DS. You may have to instruct me.