About three weeks ago, the budget committee passed a resolution allowing for the purchase of a couple of fairly major items: a projector and and a Roku device. I recommend them both. We’ve also tested some light bulbs and a new thing to help me lose weight.
We were able to find a projector for just under $400 from Staples. While the justification for the purchase was to support our teaching ministry, it will spend most of its time in our upstairs entertainment room. There, we hooked it up to our VCR/DVD player, using the aux input to an ipod clock radio for sound (the speaker on the projector was one place where they REALLY cut corners). A 90” “portable” screen rounded out the ensemble. While the first test of it was at an actually presentation (given by Rhode Island Power and Light to an inter-Orthodox gathering at our parish), the first use of it in its home-theater configuration was for a private viewing of Iron Man. Wow. It rocked. We only use it a couple of times a week, but it really makes those times special. Last week we used it to host a parish “movie night” at the rectory, where we showed the move Ostrov (The Island). A downside is that it is a really energy hog – although that even has an upside: during the winter it helps make the entertainment room all the more cozy (to save energy, we keep the thermostat set between 60 and 65).
The Roku is a device that uses your internet connection (wireless or LAN) to broadcast Netflix on-demand to your television. Basically, you use your computer to set up an on-demand queue which the Roku allows you to access. The selection is a small subset of the Netflix holdings, but it is substantial and includes television series, kids shows, classics movies, and even a few “newer” movies. We knew that the Roku would get use because we used to access the Netflix on-demand through our computers. The only drawback is that our internet connection allows for only basic picture quality (we have DSL that clocks around 800). Still, this is enough for the shows we watch on it (our four DVD subscription handles the hight quality stuff). As an indicator of the variety, we are getting caught up on the current season of Heroes (great show!) and shared one of my childhood favorites, “The Red Balloon”, with the kids.
Some smaller stuff we have recently tested and like include a whole load of CFL lights (to include spotlights for the altar in Church) and a few LED bulbs. The only drawback with the former is that they don’t work with dimmers. The LED’s are expensive, but great for low-light applications (a couple of them give enough light to read and ones gives enough to move around at night, get dressed with, etc.). The downside (in addition to the low-level of light they give off) is that they are a bit blueish. But they last a really long time (or so I hear) and they use incredibly low wattage.
As for the weight-loss purchase (I gained 50 pounds in my first year as a priest), I came close to buying a good treadmill, but opted instead for a family membership to the local YMCA. Nick starts his swimming lessons next week, Warren started his kiddie exercise program last week, and I have made it a part of my morning schedule (Monday – Friday). It’s about a ten minute walk (a plus as I love to walk). They have everything you might want (minus a rock wall), but I pretty much stick to about five weight machines and the expresso racing bike. My new routine has me feeding the animals and out the door by 5AM, and back to wake my Pani up with coffee by 6:15 (when she lets herself sleep in, that is). On the way home I have taken to using my prayer rope and stopping in the altar for morning prayers; very nice.
I’ve lost ten pounds in the last three weeks and hope to continue this trend.
