So, we finally bit the bullet and added a second HDTV in our house. We have a giant HDTV projector in the basement, so a second HDTV was a low priority. The old analog was fine for the kids and in the background. But we finally gave in to  some more rampant consumerism.

It arrived in the evening. I set that thing set up and find about half the channels not coming through. Most glaring being most of the sports channels including ESPN. As I’m trying to figure it out, the wife starts checking around online and suspects that it to be the old and jury-rigged coaxial cables left in place from the previous owner (each line is a collection of 3-foot cables put together and then wrapped in electrical tape). Sure, why not.

Grumbling I spent the $37 for two 25-foot quad strength (supposedly better for HDTV) coax at a store, while grimly noting a pair of equal quality cables sell for $19 on Amazon. But of course there was no way I’m allowed to wait the two days of shipping on that.

A couple more hours of trying to get the old cables out of the wall and through narrow holes to get it to the connections in the basement. Then stringing the new ones through. Success (and a new, albeit discreet, hole in the floor). Turn on the TV, and the same bleeping problem. Another half-hour of trying to figure this out when on a frustrated whim I check the downstairs receiver. Attached to the back of the coax leading into DirecTV box are a couple of DirecTV adapter/filter/converter/condom-things. Take them off the downstairs box and slap them on the upstairs receiver. Yup. Now it works.

Now I have to get DirecTV to give me these stupid things (or I could just order them from Amazon for $10). I know it’s just poor planning on my part not to do this sooner. A bit of a pain for tonight and Sunday and Monday. But it won’t matter for tomorrow.

Tomorrow the only stress is getting up before sunrise to hit the road. The first drive to Pittsburgh for the start of college football season.

Oh, how I have missed that 145 mile commute. The car pre-loaded. Trying to stumble around without much light or waking anyone up as I make my escape. The morning gloom that deepens each week as fall approaches.

Grabbing the meh, but necessary, triple-shot of espresso at a turnpike Starbucks roughly 44 miles into the trip. The pattern, the rhythm all so familiar after 16 years of doing this drive some six times a year from the end of August to the beginning of December.

So much has changed. The cars I drive (or nursed along), the speed limits, way the tolls are paid, the stadium, the spot where my friends and I meet. The nature of the tailgate has changed as we have hit middle-age. The frozen burger patties give way to better quality food. The Yuengling gives way to Penn Brewing, Lagunitas, Troegs and solid bourbon choices.

Yet so much remains the same. So much feels like it did when we all found ourselves using the football games as a chance to annually reconnect. See each other and have a bit of fun. And yes, watch Pitt football.

Whatever else this season brings, I always remain grateful for the start of the season and making those trips.

Hail to Pitt.