We pay $29/mo for DirecTV as part of an one year introductory rate. To keep costs down, regardless of whether you get your TV programming via Comcast or DirectTV, keep the services basic and leverage the threat of switching providers; they're hurting in this economy just like everyone else and will renew the introductory rate so that they can keep you as a customer.
If you have broadband Internet via Comcast, you can certainly get a lot of programming via Hulu and other sites, especially if you use applications like XBMC or Boxee to make viewing of content via the Internet a user-friendly experience. My brother does it this way and he is very satisfied. On top of that, a bittorrent client like utorrent along with The Episode Downloader (TED) adds to your episode options. It takes a little know-how to get set up this way, but works really well. Use the search engine on makeuseof.com to learn more.
Another dish option, Free to Air, is available after an initial investment in equipment. Here is the channel lineup (its not very impressive): http://www.ftalist.com/english.htm
If you were looking to cut costs but wanted a comfortable amount of entertainment, you could drop everything but your Internet service and use the Internet streaming options that people have mentioned. But you need some computer and Internet know-how and you may have to buy some equipment. Its a shift from the reliability of television but it works fine once you get used to it.
I looked up Forks, WA, on antennaweb.com and you're right, there aren't any options for broadcast television. ... View related article.
Is email your only option? These days, "blogs" are commonly used by crafters to share information on the Internet. If blogs are an option for you, search for "craft blog" on Google.com.
Try to find something around the house from which you can fashion a baffle to wrap around the plant, close to the bottom. Maybe even the same coffee cans you are already using, but raised a few inches above the ground, rather than completely buried?
Regarding things to do, there are tons of activities, and it is especially suited for families. I, like you, didn't see much on the Internet but was very surprised when I got there. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are packed with roadside attractions. Here's what we did when we were there earlier this year for three days, and we didn't have kids with us (some are in Gaitlinburg and some were close by, e.g. Pigeon Forge): 1. Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum and also the aquarium. 2. Two rounds of mini golf (you can't swing a cat without hitting a mini golf course here) 3. Dollywood 4. Appalachian Museum (kids might get bored at this one) 5. Smokey Mountains (its the 50th anniversary this year). You can visit, you don't have to hike. 6. Dixieland Jamboree 7. Forbidden Caverns (Sevierville) 8. Elvis Museum
That was all in three days and we barely scratched the surface of activities there. There are also pottery and painting businesses, water parks, helicopter rides, shows. Believe me, you won't be wondering what to do with your days.
I find maps.google.com's "Street View" is helpful when I've never visited a place before. Enter an address like "800 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN" and use the "street view" to take a virtual tour.
If the computer is operational except for the virus, clean it with various tools, all free: 1. Clamwin, www.clamwin.com. Download and install the software, download and install the virus updates, and run a complete scan. 2. Malwarebytes, www.malwarebytes.org. Download and install the free version, download and install the updates, run a complete scan.
These two tools should be left on your computer and run scans regularly. If you find them valuable, be sure to make donations (clamwin) or upgrade to the paid version (malwarebytes) when you can. ... View related article.
Our mini dachshund did that too, and the vet said it can happen when dogs get "hormonal." That is consistent with your observation, so I suspect it is possible that there would be a connection between coming into heat and a change in urination habits. The vet prescribed some inexpensive medication that our dog was on for a couple of weeks, then the peeing problem went away and we took the dog off the medication. ... View related article.
