How to watch the bowl games: Day 9

There are 44 college bowl games/playoff games this year. The first two were on December 17, and the last one, the national championship game, will be on January 10. In all, 86 schools will have played games this post-season.

Streamers used to have a difficult time watching the games live -- at least legally -- but that changed in the 2015 season when the first live streaming service, Sling TV, launched. Now, there are several live streaming services, and you have lots of options when it comes to watching bowl games.

Today's Games

Two games are scheduled for today

Monday, December 27

Quick Lane Bowl

11 AM on ESPN

Western Michigan (7-5) vs. Nevada (8-4)

Military Bowl

2:30 PM on ESPN

Boston College (6-6) vs. East Carolina (7-5)

How to Watch

Like most games, today's games will be on a streaming service that carries ESPN. Here are the services.

ESPN/ESPN2

ESPN carries the most games. A few are carried on ESPN2. All services that carry ESPN also carry ESPN2:

• Sling Orange ($35)
• Vidgo ($55)
• YouTube TV ($65)
• Fubo ($65)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70)
• DirecTV Stream ($70)

The cheapest way to watch all of the bowl games is Sling Orange ($35).

A TV Browser?

I visit Roku support Websites a lot. I'm not the one asking for help usually. I offer assistance to other Roku users. I don't usually have Roku issues. The devices I've purchased have been good devices. But, some people have issues, and that's to be expected.

Sometimes the issue is because of expectations that are unrealistic. One that pops up often is when a new Roku user thinks he can watch anything he wants anytime at all for free. A lot of new Roku users seem to think it's some magic box that gets all the cable channels for free. By the way, if you're one of those, stop thinking that right now. Those magic boxes don't exist.

Another one that pops up from time to time is complaints that there isn't a browser. I've never understood that complaint. I've used an on-screen browser. Fire TV devices have the Silk browser, for instance, and I've used that. It's awful.

The main problem is a keyboard. Have you ever tried to use an on-screen keyboard? Sure you have. And you don't like it. Me no like too. If I have to type in something on screen, say a password, I'll pull out my phone and use the remote app on the phone to type something in. Or, most likely, paste from my password manager.

Which brings me to the reason I think a browser is a waste of effort. If I have to use a keyboard, I can accomplish the same thing with my laptop, my tablet, or my phone. I can fine something on my phone and have it cast or mirror to my TV. I have enough devices with keyboards, virtual or actual keyboards, that I don't need a remote with a keyboard. And without a keyboard, I'm really not in the mood to use an on-screen keyboard with a remote.

But still, while I don't understand why so many people -- a large number but a small percentage -- want a browser on their streaming device, the fact is that some people do. If that's you, try a Fire TV device. It is an easy to use device, has lots of apps available, including a browser, and is or will be on sale a lot of the time.

While a streaming device browser isn't for me, if it's for you, you have a pretty good option with a Fire TV device. If that will improve your Streaming Life, then it's a good thing.

How to watch the bowl games: Day 8

There are 44 college bowl games/playoff games this year. The first two are on December 17, and the last one, the national championship game, is on January 10. In all, 86 schools will be playing games this post-season.

Streamers used to have a difficult time watching the games live -- at least legally -- but that changed in the 2015 season when the first live streaming service, Sling TV, launched. Now, there are several live streaming services, and you have lots of options when it comes to watching bowl games.

Today's Game

There is a single game scheduled today.

Saturday, December 25

TaxAct Camellia Bowl

2:30 PM on ESPN

Georgia State (7-5) vs. Ball State (6-6)

How to Watch

Today's game, like most games, will be on a streaming service that carries ESPN. Here are the services.

ESPN/ESPN2

ESPN carries the most games. A few are carried on ESPN2. All services that carry ESPN also carry ESPN2:

• Sling Orange ($35)
• Vidgo ($55)
• YouTube TV ($65)
• Fubo ($65)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70)
• DirecTV Stream ($70)

The cheapest way to watch all of the bowl games is Sling Orange ($35).

Christmas Day

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

-- The Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 1-20.

Christmas Eve

As we approach Christmas, we're breaking to offer this classic, that you may remember from your childhood, or which your children or grandchildren may in future remember from theirs.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

-- Clement Clarke Moore

And to you and yours, a happy Christmas!