Catching a race on the DVR presents its own set of challenges
Sit down for this one. You ready? Not everyone watches NASCAR.
GASP!
I know it’s inconceivable, but it’s true. I shouldn’t have to say this at this point in my life, but I repeatedly have to tell my friends and family that Sunday afternoons, and a few select Saturday evenings, I am committed to watching a NASCAR race. Don’t plan anything. Don’t invite me anywhere. Talk to me only if you are calling about the race.
Yet, time and time again, these non-fans plan events that are incompatible with the race schedule. Occasionally, I am “obligated” to attend these other-than-NASCAR functions that exist at the exact same time as a live race broadcast (readers shudder in disgust).
Sure, the only thing that makes it even remotely possible to stray from the race is my ability to record it. The knowledge that all the weekend’s track activities are available at the push of a button means I end up accepting more of these race-conflicting invitations than I’d really like to.
But even though it’s easy to record the race when my time is sucked away by an obligation, I’m presented with another challenge: If I didn’t have time to watch it Sunday, my week doesn’t get any freer, and actually finding time to watch the neglected race becomes increasingly difficult.
This week was the perfect example. Sunday we went to a barbecue picnic and arrived home late. I watched the “pre-pre-race” show and then hit the hay. In retrospect, this was a mistake; I should have just gone for the meat and viewed the actual competition.
Monday, I was busy watching neighborhood kids. I sat down to squeeze in a few minutes of the recorded race but ended up being pushed off my own TV by a mob of elementary-school kids whining to play video games. I fell asleep early Monday after the children zapped every bit of life from me.
Tuesday was free and clear for NASCAR-viewing pleasure – until an unexpected emergency consumed the rest of the day and several subsequent days as well.
Despite the fact I had a race stuck on my Digital Video Recorder, I had no time to watch it.
By this point, I already knew who won the race, how many cautions there were, pretty much anything and everything there is to know via e-mail alerts. But I still hadn’t actually seen it for myself. And with the weekend approaching, there was something horribly wrong with having to set the DVR yet again.
Will one unviewed race turn to two? The horror!
So the next time I get an invitation to do something or be somewhere when I could be watching NASCAR, I’ll think of this week and remember. Two things have to happen to enjoy a recorded race. First, you have to record it, and second, you actually have to find time to watch it.
Sundays are my race time. Pick another day for your barbecue.
