You had me at 'Top 10 for...'

When I first got Netflix, I didn't quite understand the concept. $8/month for movies I could just stream? And a selection that usually featured picks from the big screens, not Cannes? Doubtful but tempted by the first free month, I signed up...and was quickly disappointed. I'd search for movies like 'Bridges of Madison County' (shh, never mind that I already have it on DVD; I wanted to be able to watch it on the go, too) or 'Before Sunrise/Sunset' and not find them. 'No,' said my sister. 'You can't search for titles you already know. If you just look at what Netflix has to offer, it's great. But if you go in with certain movies in mind, you'll be disappointed.'

I did what she said, but nonetheless spent many months disappointed.

It's only been recently that I've finally trained Netflix to offer me good suggestions in their 'Top 10 for Name' spot. My mom harps on about lack of privacy all the time- and I agree- but in this circumstance, I love not having to spend more time searching for a movie than actually watching it. And the political-historical bent I've been on lately means that Netflix has dug into the annals of their movies, wrapped their scraggly claws around former US presidents and feats of engineering, dusted off the covers and placed them on a silver platter for me. For the first time, Netflix has learned I don't care about Hollywood romcoms, but would rather learn about Thomas Jefferson and the Suez Canal.

That noise you hear is my heart warming to life and beating. And that other sound you hear is me scurrying underground to watch movie upon movie.