Seriously, Tivo has been around for 10 years now.  Of course, I’ve only had Tivo since May 2004.  I liked our original Series 2 Tivo back in 2004, because it was so different and advanced (compared to my VCR.)   Two tuners would have been nice though!  A couple of years later, the Tivo died, and we picked up a dual-tuner version.  Dual tuners?  Great.  However, it was incrementally better, nothing more.  I know they tried to roll out the Series 3 (for an obscene what-were-they-thinking? price), and other HD Tivos.  However, nothing would really impress you.  I was impressed by the Series 3, but there was no way I was going to spend $800 on that, plus subscription fees.

Turns out I’m not the only one out there wondering what the hell the Tivo folks are doing.  Engadget sorta celebrated Tivo’s 10 year anniversary by thinking out loud about all the cool things Tivo should have, and needs to have to survive.  I agree on all the points, especially the need to innovate.  Maybe it’s because the old competition (ReplayTV of yesteryear)  is gone, but there’s plenty of competition from other vendors, including the cable and telecom companies.

Engadget: Ten years of TiVo: how far we haven’t come

I’m really 33 years old now?

I know it’s been a week since my birthday, but I still don’t even know what to make of it.  Is it no big deal?  Is it “Wow”? Is it scary? For many years, I’d traditionally go take a walk around 1am, think about my life.  It was my big tradition to think my life through.  A few years ago, I stopped doing it, and I don’t quite remember why.  I think I just got too busy.

So I’m 33.  That’s the official age of “30-something”, isn’t it?  It feels like just a number to me, much like turning 31 and 32.  Is every year older you turn in your 30′s supposed to bother you?  It’s not bothering me.  I’m actually pretty nonchalant about the whole thing.

Life is good.  I’ve got a loving wife, two great kids, a home of our own, a helpful extended family, friends to hang out with, and jobs to support our extravagant jet-setting lifestyle.  

All joking aside, I have a lot to be thankful for.  Of course, being a Taurus, there are a million material possessions that I lust after, like the big TV, fixing up the backyard, painting the house, fancy cars, lavish trips to Guam.  You know what though? 

There’s all the career stuff that my ambitious side yearns for.  I’ve always been pretty ambitious, but the sheer effort of raising two kids has taken a lot of the energy out of me.  The only reason I’m alive is the awesome teamwork my wife and I have between us.  And by teamwork, I mean she does all the heavy lifting, and I do whatever she directs me to do.  I want to get back to achieving my certifications, giving 110% at the office, and go back to climbing the ladder.

That stuff will come in time, and I have to fight my natural urges to try to get it all now. Maybe each year you turn older isn’t supposed to be this momentous “What is up with my life?” occasion.  I should be happy with every day that I get to spend with my family and friends, doing new things, learning new stuff, and helping others.