Let’s face it: superheroes have both entertained and inspired us from the time we were little kids. We have been left in shock whenever Spider-Man swung from rooftop to rooftop, and we have felt a sense of relief whenever Superman successfully rescued Lois Lane. We have felt their pain and shared their victories and they, in turn, have helped us tackle just some of the major social issues facing our society today.

Of all the superheroes that have come and gone, there have been a few who have managed to not only capture my imagination, but inspire major changes in my everyday life. Green Arrow (whose real name is Oliver Queen) has taught me that there was more to life than making the “big bucks” with his decision to throw away his riches and spend his life helping those less fortunate than himself. Batman (who some would argue is not a superhero) has taught me that you don’t need superpowers, but intelligence and determination, to do the right thing and be a hero. And Captain Planet (created for television by network mogul Ted Turner) has taught me the importance of conservation, and has inspired me to work on protecting our planet and its natural resources.

So, my question to you is this: who is your favorite superhero, and how have they impacted your life? Leave your thoughts and insights in the comments below.

Having a home theater can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of work. Having to keep all of those cables organized and having to use numerous remotes to control those devices can prove somewhat annoying and can also lessen the movie-viewing experience.

It doesn’t have to be that way, however; following these simple tips, you can simplify your home theater setup and get back to your enjoying your favorite films and television shows with crystal-clear sound and picture.

1. Instead of connecting your devices to numerous inputs on your home theater receiver, try using a RF modulator instead. These handy devices, which can be purchased at any electronics store, can be placed on shelves, removing unnecessary clutter from your living room (or wherever your home theater is located) floor. Not only that, but it will allow you to more directly connect the receiver to your television, eliminating the need for numerous remotes.
2. After you connect each device, whether it’s a video game console or DVD player, be sure to label each input on the RF modulator, so as to avoid confusion. The last thing you need while preparing to view a movie is having to remember what you plugged everything into.
3. Be sure to connect the output of your RF modulator into a single input on the back of your home theater receiver. This will further reduce the number of remote controls you will need, since each input device will be directly connected to your television through a single input source on your television. By this time, you should only require the remotes to your television and home theater receiver.
4. Be willing to sacrifice high-tech for simplicity. Most DVD players (namely Blu-Ray players) come with HDMI compatibility, for connection on high-definition televisions. More often than not, however, people own standard definition televisions that, unfortunately, do not have HDMI connections. Don’t worry, though; the difference is so minimal that you won’t even notice the presence of a difference.

Do you have any tips or tricks on how to make the home theater experience more enjoyable? Feel free to share your tips, thoughts, and insights in the comments below!

I don’t get the chance to watch television very often but, when I do, I always happen to come across a show that peaks my interest. Usually, these shows combine entertainment with science or technology and this show is no exception. I am, of course, referring to “House, M.D.“, which stars Hugh Laurie and airs on the FOX television network. So, I have decided to share with you, my darling blog readers, a short top ten list of my favorite episodes (all episode descriptions are taken directly from the DVD box sets, currently available on Amazon).

1. “Humpty Dumpty” (Season 2, Episode 3) – Medical theories are literally falling to pieces around House and his team when a worker slips offi Dr. Cuddy’s roof and then discovers his hand is decomposing.
2. “House vs. God” (Season 2, Episode 19) – A fifteen year old faith healer refusing brain surgery forces House and his staff to confront their religious beliefs.
3. “Who’s Your Daddy?” (Season 2, Episode 23) – House’s ex-bandmate brings in a sixteen year old Hurricane Katrina victim suffering from hallucinations and making surprising claims about the identity of her father.
4. “Whatever It Takes” (Season 4, Episode 6) – The CIA recruits House to treat a deathly ill agent with a mysterious illness, and the fellowship contenders clash with Foreman over a case involving a stock car driver.
5. “Frozen” (Season 4, Episode 11) – Long-distance diagnoses are put to the test when House and his team help a doctor at the South Pole who has fallen gravely ill and must treat herself.
6. “Birthmarks” (Season 5, Episode 4) – Family histories affect House, who receives word that his father has died, and his patient, a young woman who collapsed in China while searching for her birth parents.
7. “Last Resort” (Season 5, Episode 9) – House, Thirteen, and several patients are taken hostage by a man with an unexplained illness who says he’s willing to kill for a diagnosis.
8. “The Greater Good” (Season 5, Episode 14) – The pursuit of happiness becomes a pressing issue when the team takes on the case  of a sick cancer researcher who recently gave up saving lives in order to save herself.
9. “The Tyrant” (Season 6, Episode 3)* –  House’s team struggles with an African politician who falls ill and decide if they want to help him after he’s charged for crimes against humanity in his country.
10. “Broken” (Season 6, Episode 1)* – House engages in a battle of wits and wills against the attending physician in charge of his detox program. When he starts to lose, House resorts to blackmail to gain the upper hand.

The episodes marked with a (*) are not currently available on DVD, though they can be found through the Hulu online video streaming service. So, what are your favorite episodes of “House, M.D.” (or any other show, for that matter)? Leave your thoughts and insights in the comments below! Who knows? They may even be featured on this blog!

How do you find local news? Do you use newspapers, television, or does your local news outlet have a web site? Did you also know that you can support your local news through the popular social networking Twitter? They’re not hard to find, thanks to this handy directory of local news that can be searched by city, state, network, and even market size! Not only can you find local television stations, you can also find local radio and newspapers as well!