For movies, plays, symphony concerts, or opera, I like to be about one-third to one-half of the way back, aisle seat, in the center section. For movies, I don't have to crane my neck and I can take in the whole screen and then focus on what's important. Same with a play or an opera. In a symphony concert, I'm getting a good stereo or "surround sound" effect without any one section (brass, woodwinds) dominating. Also, Seattle Opera projects "supra-titles" (like sub-titles, but above the stage) giving an English translation of what's being sung. Keeps you up to speed on how soon the tenor is going to sing a high C and fall on his sword or the soprano is going to go mad or die of consumption.

For a concert or recital by an individual or small group, center section, maybe third or fourth row. When I saw the Baltimore Consort, I was in a good position to watch Ronn McFarlane, the lutenist, at work. Last time I saw Gordon Bok, I was three rows back. I could hear him loud and clear, and I was in a good position to watch his hands on the guitar.

Barbara's and my really favorite spot for watching movies is sitting on the bed with my laptop (15.4" wide-screen) a few feet in front of us while we're having a snack or eating dinner off of a tray. We get movie DVDs regularly from NetFlix. [A friend got us a subscription as a Christmas present, and he keeps re-upping it every Christmas—Thanks, Will!] Usually, the DVD version is the director's cut, with scenes that aren't shown in the theater version. And you can stop it if you've run out of chips or need to take a bathroom break, back it up if you missed a crucial line, there are special features such as director's comments and actor interviews to watch if you want, and you don't have some kid kicking the back of your seat!

Don Firth