I’ve told a few people now that I feel close to that time that comes in every young man’s life – the time to buy a hi-def television. Why is that? I keep watching more and more Discovery shows. It began slowly with Dirty Jobs, which led to The Deadliest Catch, which snowballed into Man Vs. Wild.

The last show centers on Bear Grylls showing the audience how to survive in the harshest of environments. It’s enthralling, thrilling, and needs to be experienced in hi-def, but, even without that (as I’ll be for many moons), it’s a fascinating show. The scenery, the landscapes, the true reality of the show, the bravery of Bear, the knowledge he passes on…it’s fantastic.

So I had to find out more information and was pleased to read this Q&A with Bear, although this question is the last one on the last page of the show’s website. I guess I should be glad it’s there at all.

Q. What do you always take with you?

A. Flint and striker, so I can light a fire however tough it gets — lifts my spirit always and has often saved my bacon! My Christian faith: high mountains and my time in the military taught me that it takes a proud man to say he needs nothing, and I need my faith. And, finally, a laminated picture of my family tucked inside my shoe.

I’m still looking for more information on the camera crew. How in the world do they film this show?

And now for something completely different: Canvas on Demand is offering me a 16×20 photo enlargement canvas of my favorite photo. How could I resist? Maybe you should check them out too.