NFL $unday Ticket

Last year I basked in the glory of DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket and it's 100+ games in amazing high definition. I took advantage of the "Early Bird Special" to pay just $199 for the season (yes, it seems like a lot, but very well worth it). The only downside was that the games broadcasted on the local DC Fox and CBS stations were blacked out on the Sunday Ticket HD channels, so I was either forced to watch those few games a week in standard definition (difficult to do after switching from an HD game) or not watch those games at all (more likely).

Anyway, things were going to change this year as I will finally be getting the local channels in HD (without having to "move" to Gore, VA) and have been looking forward to another year of Sunday Ticket heaven. A few days ago, however, DirecTV broke my heart along with the hearts of many other subscribers and penny-pinchers across the country. Not only are they raising the Early Bird "special offer" to $219, but they are also charging $99 extra to get 100+ games in HD! Are you kidding me!?!? Unbelievable...$318...talk about price gouging...and that's if I take advantage of the Early Bird rate. Anyone want to chip in and share in the enjoyment?

Free Frosty Weekend!

Wendy's restaurants are giving away free Frostys frozen desserts this weekend as a thank you to customers who supported the burger chain following an embarrassing incident in California where a women allegedly planted a severed finger in a bowl of chili.

"Our customers stood by us while we defended our good name and protected our employees' livelihoods, so now we're showing our appreciation with free Frostys," Tom Mueller, Wendy's chief executive, said in a press release. "We're moving on."

The incident has hurt Wendy's (Research) business, particularly on the West Coast, with the company estimating same store sales took a 2 to 2.5 percent hit in the most recent quarter. Anna Ayala of Las Vegas caused a media sensation in March with her claim of the finger in her food at a San Jose, Calif., Wendy's. Police have since charged Ayala with attempted grand theft.

The company estimates it will give away 14 million Junior Frostys during the event, which runs nationwide from Friday through Sunday. No other purchase is required.