Surviving YouTube TV's Contract Disputes: My Experience

As many of you know, I have been a YouTube TV (YTTV) subscriber for several years. Like other services, including cable and satellite, YTTV occasionally faces outages due to contract disputes. Over the years, I've seen various channels disappear, from ESPN to MLB. The most recent threat was CBS (Paramount) potentially disappearing from the channel lineup. Similar to the ESPN situation, a significant number of channels would have left the service if the CBS contract wasn't renewed.

CBS's contract with YTTV was set to expire on Thursday, February 13. Leading up to that date, CBS shows displayed a running tagline urging viewers to contact YTTV to keep CBS. Meanwhile, YTTV sent out notices encouraging subscribers to contact CBS to finalize the contract. Both entities pointed fingers at each other, claiming the other was not cooperating to reach a common solution.

Fortunately, late on February 13, both parties reached a temporary agreement (USA Today Article). We continue to have access to CBS and all its channels. However, this is not a permanent solution but rather a temporary extension. I haven't found any information on how long this extension will last, but I'm hoping it will extend past March to avoid interruptions during NCAA basketball's March Madness.

This won't be the last contract dispute for YTTV. When we were Cox TV customers, they frequently had contract disputes. I recall channels disappearing or displaying scrolling text warnings, only to be resolved at the last minute. That was ten to fifteen years ago, and nothing has changed. These disputes will continue to be a part of the experience for both cable customers and cord-cutters.

Since I joined YTTV, the cost has steadily increased. However, it is still much less than what we paid for Dish satellite service. I never cared for Cox's television service, but I've been happy with YTTV despite the rising costs. Many people on social media claim to leave YTTV over slight cost increases or potential channel losses. Despite these issues, I continue to enjoy YTTV. The DVR options are solid, and I appreciate the layout and ease of use. I have no plans to switch services.

In my years as a YTTV customer, we've lost channels, only to have them return once contracts were resolved. The only exception is the MLB Network, which left YTTV on January 31, 2023, due to unresolved contract disputes. While it would be nice to have the MLB Network back, it's not a deal-breaker for me. However, for many, this was a deal-breaker, and they left YTTV.

For now, happy watching! I hope CBS/Paramount and YouTube TV can reach a long-term agreement so I won't be back here in a month saying we've lost CBS/Paramount again.

Austin Escapades: A Thrilling Weekend of Food, Fun, and Friends

Flight from KC to Austin

On January 31, Carrie and I headed to the airport for Austin, TX. Carrie and Corrie had tickets for Justin Timberlake on Monday night, so we decided to make a trip of it. We planned to meet Corrie (from Houston) and Javier (from Dallas). Javier and I planned to hang out Monday night and visit some beer spots while Corrie and Carrie attended the concert.

We rented a house for the trip and had a great time. We ate at wonderful spots and had drinks at some good places too. I'll share some of the spots we visited with recommendations if you find yourself in Austin.

Crawfish for Lunch

After Mexican food on Friday night to start the trip, we went for a late lunch at Shoal Creek Saloon, where we had crawfish. It had been a long time since I had crawfish, and it did not disappoint. Corrie had to remind me how to eat crawfish, and we made quick work of 2 lbs. We spent a few hours here enjoying the food and beverages. Corrie mentioned that her brother, Curt, and sister-in-law, Leah, met and worked at Shoal Creek Saloon, which was cool to hear. It was a good spot with good drinks and a fun environment.

Other food enjoyed at Shoal Creek Saloon included Jambalaya, which was fantastic, and a family platter that included soft shell crab. It was my first time having soft shell crab, and I loved it!

Selfie in front of The Garage

Saturday night found us at The Garage, a unique cocktail bar that Javier had found and made reservations for. The Garage is located in an actual parking garage. A good-sized bar with seats around the bar and edges made for a unique experience. It was a little chilly in The Garage because it was, in fact, a garage for parking cars. It was really cool, though. We had a great time trying different drinks and people-watching.

That night, we went back to the house and enjoyed the evening drinking wine and eating snacks. We kept it simple after being out most of the day.

Sunday found us at Jacoby's Restaurant and Mercantile, which was an excellent find by Carrie, I believe. Once again, this place had excellent drinks and food. I had chicken fried steak and waffles. So good! I couldn't finish it all, but we also had some appetizers. Before we left, we got some strawberry cake to take home. As our trip was coming to an end on Tuesday night, Carrie mentioned this was one of her favorite spots of the whole trip. It was really good, and I highly recommend a visit to Jacoby's Restaurant and Mercantile.

Oasis Texas Brewing Company

Sunday afternoon/evening found us at Oasis Texas Brewing Company on the Colorado River. Good beer and incredible views. We enjoyed watching the sun go down and seeing the beautiful views while drinking good drinks. The Oasis Texas Brewing Company was a cool spot with beautiful views of the river and, of course, the sun going down. A lot of seating with various bars and places to eat made for a fun place to watch the setting sun.

We did manage to get some culture while we were in Austin by visiting The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, which Carrie had been wanting to visit. We toured the museum for a few hours and made it to all of the floors. I am so glad we were able to tour the LBJ museum. His presidency was overshadowed by the Vietnam War. He did so many great things for the country, but the war took away from his legacy.

Empty Bottles From Trip

We had a great time with our visit to Austin, Texas. A fun town with a bit of crazy traffic, but we had a wonderful time. Thanks to Corrie for driving us around for much of the time. We usually try to snap a picture of the empty bottles at the end of our trips with Corrie, and we made it through a few bottles. Some really good wine that Corrie brought with her on the trip, which was great!

I realized I did not post any pictures of Justin Timberlake. Well, I will leave that for Carrie to provide. Carrie did say it was a fun concert and they had great seats. I am good with missing the concert and instead touring around Austin with Javier, drinking good beer.

From Bike Rides to Weight Loss: My Fitness Milestones

Starting February, I look back on my workout history since restarting this process in December. I continue my twice-a-week workout routine. I always work out on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m., usually with a live class. The other day is typically Wednesday, though I've moved it around as needed due to other events. I'm enjoying the process and routine. My rides are typically 30 minutes, but I've done a few as long as 45 minutes.

I'm approaching 400 total bike rides since we got the bike. I'm currently at 392 and expect to hit the 400 mark in mid-February. I typically ride one longer ride of 30 minutes and then one or two cool-down rides of five minutes or so. I'm hoping to time it so I can be in a live class and maybe even get a shout-out from the instructor.

I've only been focusing on bike rides so far. Although the stats above show other categories, I haven't been doing anything other than bike rides. I do want to add weightlifting and other cardio into my workout routine, but for now, I think it's good to focus on the bike.

In the spring, I intend to start running again. I was on a good routine a year ago, into the spring and summer, where I was running regularly. It didn't last long, unfortunately, due to summer trips, and I never got back into the swing of it after those trips. I enjoy running, and it also helps keep Oliver in shape, as I take him for walks after my runs.

My weight loss journey is progressing well. Since November, I've been on new medication that, combined with my exercise routine, has been instrumental in my weight loss. I've lost 30 pounds since November! I can definitely see the difference in my face and how my clothes fit. They're much looser now! I still have a way to go to reach my target weight, but I'm excited to continue this journey and see even more progress. I'm also focusing on improving my eating habits. I'm enjoying the foods I'm eating and making conscious choices to avoid less healthy options. All of these factors contribute to my progress. While I experience the normal aches and pains that come with getting older (like in my knees and back), I feel better than I have in a long time.

The last time I was at my current weight was in 2017, which was the lowest I'd been in years. I'm below that weight now. Again, I have a way to go to hit my target weight, but I'm making good progress.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a great week! Watch for future updates on my health journey. What are your favorite workout routines? Share your fitness journey in the comments!

A Day in Kansas City: Art, Culture, and a Delicious Dinner

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

On Saturday, we took a trip to Kansas City to spend the day. We stopped at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which I hadn't visited since grade school. We had a wonderful time exploring the exhibits and taking in the sights. We barely scratched the surface in the couple of hours we spent there, and we didn't even make it to the second floor! One of my favorite pieces we saw was Chance Meeting, a sculpture depicting three individuals who unexpectedly encounter each other on the city street.

The view from the steps of the museum facing the lawn is stunning. No longer covered in snow, the lawn now showcases the famous Shuttlecocks sculptures. I've driven past the museum countless times, so it was refreshing to see the view from a different perspective. Since it wasn't a cold day on Saturday, we were able to step outside and cool down after walking around indoors.

Following our cultural immersion at the museum, we had reservations at The Campground at 5:15 PM. We had dined at The Campground almost a year ago by chance. We were in the Stockyards District last year and stumbled upon The Campground, where we enjoyed a drink. We knew we wanted to return for a meal, and Saturday was the perfect opportunity. The drinks are fantastic, and we thoroughly enjoyed the appetizers and main courses. The Brussels sprouts were exceptional! For my main course, I had the Arctic Char, which was also delicious. I also sampled the Double Smashburger, which was equally impressive.

Quivering Forest Drink

One of the drinks I had was the Quivering Forest, a delightful concoction of Black Currant Mezcal, Smoked Paprika, Campari, and Lime. I highly recommend it. The Campground regularly updates its menu, and we unfortunately missed out on a pork dinner they had recently featured on their FaceBook page. We had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the drinks, appetizers, and main course.

It was a fun day of cultural enrichment and culinary exploration in Kansas City.

Back in Time: A Weekend of 80s & 90s Country Hits

Friday night, we had a blast at a concert by Wilder Horses, a country cover band. This was their final show at The Aurora Vinewood, and while we hadn't heard of them before, some friends invited us along. Their setlist was filled with 80s and 90s country hits, and it was so much fun! We danced the night away and had a wonderful time.

We even ran into our retired dentist on the dance floor! He was having a great time, and we were able to snap a photo with him while we were dancing. It was good to see him and chat briefly. He's been retired for a while now, but he and Carrie's dad are good friends.

Saturday was a sports day! We started with the Kansas State vs. Kansas game in the afternoon and then followed it with the Chiefs game. In between, I also watched Washburn University's basketball game online. They're currently ranked #1 in Division II and are undefeated with a 17-0 record. They dominated their opponent and scored over 100 points. It was an exciting day for sports fans!

That's about it for this lazy Sunday! It's been a short post, but I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and have a wonderful week ahead.

Winter Storm Blair: A Tale of Snow, Slush, and Unexpected Days Off

On Sunday, January 5th, the snow arrived as predicted, and it arrived in force! Topeka was blanketed with over 12 inches of the white stuff, leading to a prolonged closure of many businesses, including my own.

From Sunday through Wednesday, the city streets remained largely impassable, forcing us to work from home. Then, another snowfall on Thursday night resulted in another day off on Friday. This has been an unusual start to 2025, with more days off due to weather than I can remember in recent years.

In fact, I've only been to the office once this year! I took Thursday and Friday off after New Year's Day, and with these unexpected closures, it feels quite strange. While working from home has its perks, I do enjoy the social interaction of being in the office.

Winter Storm Blair certainly lived up to its name. At times on Sunday, the snow was so heavy and the winds so strong that we couldn't even see the houses across the street from our back window. The snow piled up on our windowsill, a sight I don't think I've ever witnessed before.

Oliver, our [pet's name], seemed to enjoy the storm in his own way. He sought out warmth wherever he could find it, snuggling between us and wearing his sweater to combat the chill.

The additional snowfall on Thursday further complicated the situation, as many residential streets remained untouched.

I'm hoping this is the last of the significant snow for this winter. It's probably wishful thinking, but one can always hope!

Stay safe and warm, and I'll update you all next week.

Finding My Rhythm: Setting and Achieving My 2025 Goals

We're a few days into 2025, and a winter storm is still gripping the state. While I'm curious to see how this plays out, it's not what I want to focus on today. Instead, let's talk about my personal goals for this year.

Oliver, our lazy dog, seems perfectly content to lounge around and demand belly rubs. But for me, 2025 is about prioritizing exercise, eating healthier, and finally shedding those extra pounds. My bike riding routine has been going strong – I've been consistently cycling for over a month now. In fact, I recently conquered my longest ride since getting back into it – a challenging 45-minute journey. I felt amazing afterward and am now thinking about increasing my cycling frequency to three times a week.

Physical activity isn't limited to cycling, though. Carrie and I have been talking about finally taking advantage of the gym at work, but somehow, we always seem to find excuses to put it off. My ideal fitness routine would involve three weekly bike rides and two weightlifting sessions. Getting back into cycling took a few months of consistent effort, so I anticipate a similar adjustment period for weight training.

Turning our attention to our home, it's high time we tackled some of that neglected maintenance. While we've fantasized about major renovations to the family room, kitchen, and master bathroom, we need to start with the basics. Those drafty, inoperable windows in the family room are a constant reminder of how much work needs to be done. But that's a long-term project. For now, I'm committed to creating a plan by mid-summer for our initial home improvement projects.

Regarding my reading goals, I've slightly adjusted my target from 25 to 20 books for 2025, acknowledging the challenges I faced last year. In 2024, most of my reading was squeezed into the few minutes before bed. This year, I'm determined to incorporate reading into my lunch break, evenings, and even during those early morning moments. I've maintained a daily reading habit for 1,114 days, and now I'm aiming to increase the number of pages I read each day. Having been off work for the past few days, I've already noticed a significant difference.

I know firsthand that staying consistent with exercise, reading, and home improvement is a constant battle. It's so easy to fall off the wagon – one missed workout, one late night that cuts into reading time, and suddenly, the momentum is gone. But I'm determined to make these changes stick and make 2025 a truly fulfilling year.

Until next time, have a great rest of the week. Stay safe, keep warm, and check in on your neighbors as this winter storm continues to impact the area.