I realize that I'm about seven years late on this one but I've found myself dramatically wrapped up in HBO's "The Wire."

Mixing HBO On Demand and friend's season's of DVDs, I've basically spent a significant chunk of the last two weeks addictively watching episode after episode. I've passed up invitations for things with live human beings in lieu of my new faux-friends Jimmy McNulty, Omar and Bubs.

Honestly, guilt occasionally plagues that decision but truthfully I have to acknowledge the show's characters are far more complex and interesting than me or most people I know. So I don't feel so bad.

Indeed, maybe I'm taking it too far. But even seven years later, I've gotten caught up in lengthly long conversations dissecting "The Wire's" the authentic recreation of Baltimore's inner city, police divisions and political climate.

I highly, highly recommend it.