Netflix guilt

Those white evelopes sit on my coffee table whispering to me ... "you're paying $10 a month! why won't you watch me! don't you like movies anymore? ..."

I can't stand it. I think I've paid about $70 for "The History of Violence." At first I was waiting for my wife to watch it with me. Then she decided it sounded too violent for her. (Come on, that's just the title! It's a family movie!) So, it's waiting for a time when I have some free time.

I don't. After work and the younger boy's soccer practice and the older boy's shuttles to the skate park and dinner, helping with homework, renovating the bathroom ... OK, there's some time for TV, but I'm already caught up in several of the new TV shows this season: "Heroes," "The Nine," "Jericho," "Studio 60 at Sunset Strip," "Kidnapped," "Smith," and I've recorded "Ugly Betty" and "Friday Night Lights" because I've heard such good things ... and some of my old favorites are back: "Prison Break" and "Lost." (Good thing I'd gotten advance screening copies of the first six episodes of "Battlestar Gallactica" so I caught up with that last month.)

Who has time for movies?

OK, the networks are helping by killing my favorites. "Smith" recently got the ax, and "Kidnapped" and "Studio 60" will probably follow soon.

But still ... this Netflix thing is such a great deal ... but only if you actually watch! And, here's tough part: I NEED to watch. It's my job. I can't do my backshelf picks column without watching those movies.

I know I've gotta make some tough decisions. Something has to go ... "Jericho"? Maybe. The kid's soccer practice? I don't know.

But I keep looking at those evil white evelopes on the coffee table.

I'll get to 'em. Really!