The Best Things in Life Are Free, Part Deux

Just in case you missed the memo....THE INTERNET IS AWESOME!
(If you were hoping for better commentary from a Boston University College of Communication alum on the state of media and communication in 2006, please remember that I have two jobs and no desire to think any more than necessary apart from them.)

So, my latest, greatest find in the arena of fabulous internet content is this site - http://allfg.alluc.org/cms/cms/. On here you can watch FREE episodes of your favorite TV shows - LOST, Grey's, Seinfeld, The Office, etc. Of course, my own personal favorite is The X-Files! Only seasons 1, 2 and some of 5 are up, which is random, but I'm not complaining.

A few down-sides to the site are - you will need Quicktime installed on your computer (easily acquired) and a fast internet connection (we have cable and an hour long episode uploads quickly and runs fine). The video quality also isn't exactly HD TV, but how much does it really matter when you're probably watching the episode for at least the 6th time (or is that just me)?

Lastly, I do not promote piracy or illegal downloading (especially of moves and television). This site provides strictly streaming video content (non-downloadable) and I did look into the legality of the content posted on the site. Apparently, like the free music download site I had recommended in an earlier post, the site manager is just acquiring the links to the content and listing them in one handy place for people to browse. Most of the videos link to external sites where the people who have uploaded them have had to (hopefully) prove their legal right to share the content.

So my advice: get while the gettins good. This may be like Napster (circa 2000) where the content is given free reign until someone realizes the money they are potentially losing and finds a better way to cash in.

If you need to find me, I will be retracing the beginnings of Mulder and Scully. Please leave your jokes about my giant dork status below.


P.S. Speaking of....congratulations go out to Gillian Anderson (aka Scully) on the birth of her son.

P.P.S. Congratulations also go out to David Duchovny for being hot.

The Best Things in Life are Free

Especially if one of those things is music.

Today a stumbled across a site called It's Free Downloads that is making a directory of ONLY the free downloads from iTunes. That way us cheapies don't have to search through the whole iTunes website to find those little treasures. It's not just for music either - there are links to free TV show episodes (special eps of LOST and Grey's Anatomy anyone?), video clips and audiobooks. Plus, there's this free song list for Facebook members. Check that out here.

So, it's not exactly Napster circa the year 2000 (sweet, sweet times), but it also won't land your ass in the middle of a ridiculous lawsuit where the plaintiff is an artist worth 100 times more money than you'll ever see in your life. Don't EVEN get me started.

Confessions of a Grey's Anatomy Virgin

In the past 3 weeks, I have had a total of 5 people almost go into coronary arrest over my utterance of the simple statement: "I have never watched Grey's Anatomy." So, to ensure that I am not to blame for anyone's premature death, I have succumbed to the peer-pressure and watched last night's episode. It was the re-airing of last year's season finale and thus I was a little confused. However, TV is not rocket-science and this show isn't exactly 24 or LOST (no offense Grey-lovers, it just isn't as complicated as those), so I think I'll be able to pick it up.

Fast forward to tonight. I just watched what I am assuming was a show to catch up people like me on the last season, and I think it did the trick. And I'll admit, I'm intrigued. I do keep having to stomp down the little voice in me that says "But what is the NEED for another hospital-based drama?!", but if it's as good as you all say, I'm sure I'll get over it.

So, here I am. It is 9:00pm on Thursday, October 21, 2006, I am in my PJs, have a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and I am about to watch my first episode of Grey's Anatomy (ok, technically not the first, but the first that I'm going to understand). Come along and I'll tell you how it goes.

9:01
Well, we are off to a good start, they are using the Lullaby song I love from the Dixie Chicks' latest album. +1 (even though Medium used it last year)

9:08
The bubonic plague? Ok, ok, I'll give it a chance.

9:20
Realize I haven't been writing in here about the show. That's probably worth a +5.

9:22
Knocked-up catholic school girls throwing their baby into a dumpster and cheaters getting cheated on. +2 for piqued interest, -1 for soap-opera quality

9:25
There is a skunk outside my apartment. -10 for the skunk and another glass of wine for me.

9:32
There is a woman larger than a size 2 on the show and she seems like she actually has a part beyond the comic relief or the wise friend who can't get a date. +5!

9:36
Dr. McDreamy (that is his name right?) is going to die of the plague in the resident locker room after he eats every piece of food in there. +2, I want to see that

9:39
Someone save the plague guy who used to be on Boston Public!!! +1 for emotional involvement

9:48
Realizing this show is different than ER because no actual medical procedures are performed. No points won or lost because I haven't decided whether it's a good thing or not.

9:49
How long do you think Chris O'Donnell will be "Guest Star"ing on the show?

9:59
Finally! She put those damn panties on the bulletin board. I was waiting for that the whole time. Good move Mrs. McDreamy, even though you were the one that cheated first.
Ok, I'm obviously getting into this. +1

10:01
Told us what music was used in the episode. Good job ABC. +2
But why are your shows ending at 10:01?
At least it's not like LOST where you tell us it's an "extended episode" and it lasts until 10:02. -10 for ABC and their idiotic-ness when it comes to that show.

But, I digress.

I made it successfully through my first Grey's Anatomy episode and I enjoyed it! I hear the first two seasons are even better and Jen has decided that I'm going to watch those too. So I will admit I am excited for that.

But, back to tonight. The tally is......drumroooooooooooll........16! (for Grey's, but -8 for ABC and -10 for the skunk.)

That's a pretty good score. Of course, my points are like those on Whose Line is it Anyway?, they don't matter. However, they do mean that I will probably watch again next week.

Well, I may tape it while I watch CSI.
What can I say? Dr. McDreamy is pretty dreamy, but Nick Stokes is the hottest CSI around.