In Memoriam -- TV-1900B

Casio TV-1900B passed away last week at the age of 10. The cause of death was listed as "digital television transition."

Casio was was given to local hack Todd D0rman as a present for his 29th birthday. For his part, Casio gave and gave over the next decade, never asking for much more than fresh batteries and an occasional shot of Windex to the screen.

Casio was there when the Iowa Legislature, in its bottomless capacity for insensitivity, remained in session through NCAA basketball tournament games.

Casio was there through ill-timed, wife-inflicted errands and activities that conflicted with regular season, playoff and championship contests.

Casio was there to provide comfort and distraction while all manner of female clothing was tried on and discarded and tried on again.

Casio often drew exclamations of admiration from gentlemen in similar circumstances, but who were without such a wondrous device.

Casio was there at the fateful moment when Todd's brother scored tickets for a Twins playoff game on the same day and time as Purdue was visiting Iowa City for a critical Big 10 football showdown. As Todd sat in the Metrodome, Casio was able to pull in the Iowa game from a local TV affiliate.

Consequently, Todd and the men of his clan were able to bask in the glow of simultaeous triumphs.

Sadly, Casio's analog tuner was no match for the onward march of technology. With last week's switch to digital, Casio's screen faded to snow. It's tuning line scanned in vain for channels it can no longer find.

So this morning, in accordance with Casio's wishes, his batteries were removed in a solemn ceremony.

He will never be forgotten. And I hope, as Father's Day approaches, that my family will also remember that several brands of portable, digital TVs are now for sale at very reasonable prices. Sniff.