Hand me the pliers
Have you seen the remote control? That’s a common question in our house, with the next one being, “Which remote?”
We have the TV remote control. The sound bar remote control. The Firestick remote control. And that little, slick metal remote for the Apple TV that we seem to lose the most. When we first misplaced it, I became so frustrated that I bought another one. Then I found the old one. Now we have two Apple TV remotes to lose. And we do. Frequently.
We have learned that the most common spot to look is in the couch, as the remotes often slip through the cushions. Since I am the designated person to do the search, I find many other hidden treasures — a dozen or so hair scrunchies, some pocket change, more bobby pins than I can count, and a few kernels of popcorn that the dog usually beats me to.
I remember when we had TVs without remote controls. Being the youngest child, I was the one who was told to change the channel. When that plastic knob would break (as it often did), I would have to use a pair of pliers to turn to another station.
I remember buying my first VCR, which came with a “corded” remote. It was about 6 feet long and had more tangles that a string of Christmas lights. It didn’t last long.
The first TV I bought was a console set on a swivel base that had a great picture and an incredible booming sound from its wooden enclosure. I bought it in 1990 in Des Moines at Stogdill’s (“That place on Franklin…”). TVs didn’t need sound bars back then, but those who bought them did need ibuprofen after moving the 200-pounders (which I did, up and down stairs more times than I want to count). Most importantly, this TV came with a remote control and without pliers.
It’s too bad life doesn’t have a remote control so we could turn down the volume, press mute, change the channel to a different scene, or simply press off — all at the click of a button. That sounds nice, but it’s probably best that a life remote doesn’t exist. It would likely fall between the cushions, too.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115
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