Hi Def is changing my viewing habits. I may return to network television, because high definition content is so compelling, I have started selecting it over shows I actually like.

Case in point: I am currently watching the Oscars. Normally the stupidest awards show possible, in high definition, it is nearly delightful. If nothing else, you can play the amazing game good in HD?

They showed a full-HD clip from Capote, too, which made it possible to do the fatal comparison: I think I liked the movie better shown on my (pixel-perfect registration, thanks) 37″ screen, with my $600-odd mixed bunch of surround speakers, than I did at the movie theatre.

Oh dear: as I type this, the president of AMPAS was giving a speech talking about how nothing (he was specifically trashing DVDs) could ever replace the movie theatre experience. The Lovely One looked at me and said, “he doesn’t have our TV.”

TLO is right, the president of AMPAS is wrong. They’d better start working on some sort of magic-def digital films, or maybe Ebert’s favourite new film idea, Maxivision, or maybe just making IMAX the new way things are done. Because if I I’m a movie theatre owner, the thing I should be scared of isn’t piracy, it’s HDTV.

Any other personal news? Um, did my first bike race of the season, took second in a sprint finish. Quit bothering me. I need to watch more television.