Do Not Adjust My Television Set

After spending a lot of money today on car repairs -- and is there ever a small, inexpensive car repair -- it was time to reassess my spending habits for the rest of the year.

I work hard for my money. And like Reverend Jim from "Taxi," I have a ideal room in mind. To achieve that goal, I will work harder. I will enhance my work by acquiring additional skills. And I will make some spending adjustments.

More green foods and less meat? OK, I guess I am well down that road already. Fewer adult beverages? Yes, that can be done through more domestic consumption here at the Lounge and fewer trips to other well stocked establishments. Cutting back on the cable bill? Now wait just a minute.

I remember the days when you got the Original 3 networks, maybe an independent station and also the PBS channel, which did not really count as a channel except for the times they had German soccer, a few pro tennis tournaments and one World Hockey Association all-star game. Yes, on PBS, or at least the PBS affiliate in Denver picked it up. God bless you for that one.

But without cable, I don't get any Olympic hockey until NBC puts a game on the mothership. And without cable, I don't get the three local NHL teams or hardly any regular season or Stanley Cup playoff hockey.

I gotta tell you, I may be the only man who has access to three Versus feeds, one of them in HD. So, take the meat out of the freezer, and put some really, bad cheap beer or seltzer in the fridge, but stay away from my cable TV box please.

Three Versus feeds and one in HD. Call me crazy, but is this a great country or what?

(Anybody want to buy a car that needs repairs? Anybody? Hello?)