Tomorrow is our 11th Anniversary. In honor of this feat, our friend posted the following as his "Quote of the Day" email thread. Enjoy.
Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.
- This is Spinal Tap
The truly fun part is that we've dubbed this the "It goes up to 11" Anniversary. It's a much better year than boring old 10. Why? Because, it goes up to 11!
Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts
Friday, November 06, 2009
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Who Will Save Us?
Funny story here. Just a few days ago I was in an email chain describing my relationship with my friend "Cainam." It went like this...
Don Quixote had Sancho Panza! Shrek had Donkey. I can't go chasing windmills without Cainam.
Note: For some reason, I can't seem to adjust this picture to fit in my blog. Just click the image to read the whole thing. Also, if you don't already, read XKCD!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Trust Issues
Sorry for the lack of posts. It's been a long strange trip. Last week it became readily apparent that I needed to drive back up to New England to help my sister with a few things & spend more time with my family in general. It's been a good trip, more or less, that enabled me to spend some time with my college friends watching the Eagles game (sigh) & playing Wii. But I digress...
I got a TomTom (GPS) for Christmas. It's been a great traveling companion. Not so much because I need GPS -- Lord no, I have an uncanny, almost supernatural sense of direction -- but because it's been great helping me track the details like ETA, miles, how far to the exit. Getting to a major divide and having this nice British lady say, "In 2 miles, stay right" is just really helpful when you're traveling in heavy traffic on the Jersey Turnpike. So, in many and various ways the TomTom has been complete and utter Awesome Sauce...
Until, that is, she failed me...
For those who have not experienced GPS devices, the thing I learned very quickly is that they often plan routes differently than you would. To get the full value from the device, you must decide to follow (or not follow) it's directions. Once you start listening, you may find yourself on a stretch of road you've never been on. You may find yourself at the mercy of some strange British woman. I call her JaneJane...
As I approached the George Washington Bridge into NY, Jane showed me an alternative to the bridge. Route 9 to Palisades Ave. I went with her. It really worked. Jane had saved me minutes & it was a nice little shortcut. It was a reminder to me to trust her. Jane would never steer me wrong...
As I crossed the bridge, I did everything she said even when my instincts began to question her.
"Stay Left"
"But Jane, that's the lane that exits to the Hudson Parkway. 95 is the right lane." I've done this hundreds of times.
"Stay Left"
"Jane, if I don't get over now, I'm going to be on the streets of Manhattan."
"Stay Left"
"Jane you ignorant slut!"
Jane fell silent. Jane's screen began to do that recalculating thing. I, as I suspected, was getting off onto the Henry Hudson Parkway.
"At the end of the ramp, turn left."
"Jane, you're back! What do I do?"
"Turn around as soon as possible!"
"You have failed me for the last time!" In my best Darth Vader voice.
Lost - Ahem - is not something I experience outside of video games. If I've seen something once, I know it. It's like the good Lord took all my abilities to remember names, phone numbers, dates in history away & used it all on this weird visual memory. It's great, except that my crappy memory for all those other things sucks so much. I can't even remember street names. It's just this odd feeling of knowing a place and where it leads me. In 36 years, the only thing that has ever kept me from remembering how to get back to something has been modern construction. My family tells stories about people asking me for directions at the age of 6.
So, here I was on the Hudson Parkway and I remembered the time, 11 years ago, that Slick & I got a ride out of Manhattan with some of MrsMetsFan's friends after seeing Rent with the college gang. We had been on that road & I knew were it would get me.
"Jane, try to keep up."
The Hudson Parkway goes to the Sawmill to the Cross County. Jane starts to come around to my plan. Once I hit the Cross County, I was on a road I had been many times & knew that it would become the Hutchinson & eventually the Merritt. By the time she started 'helping' me, I was already in my element.
So, listen to your GPS, trust your GPS, but trust yourself too.
A wise man once told me that life is made better through the art of story-telling. A bad situation can make for good stories.
I got a TomTom (GPS) for Christmas. It's been a great traveling companion. Not so much because I need GPS -- Lord no, I have an uncanny, almost supernatural sense of direction -- but because it's been great helping me track the details like ETA, miles, how far to the exit. Getting to a major divide and having this nice British lady say, "In 2 miles, stay right" is just really helpful when you're traveling in heavy traffic on the Jersey Turnpike. So, in many and various ways the TomTom has been complete and utter Awesome Sauce...
Until, that is, she failed me...
For those who have not experienced GPS devices, the thing I learned very quickly is that they often plan routes differently than you would. To get the full value from the device, you must decide to follow (or not follow) it's directions. Once you start listening, you may find yourself on a stretch of road you've never been on. You may find yourself at the mercy of some strange British woman. I call her JaneJane...
As I approached the George Washington Bridge into NY, Jane showed me an alternative to the bridge. Route 9 to Palisades Ave. I went with her. It really worked. Jane had saved me minutes & it was a nice little shortcut. It was a reminder to me to trust her. Jane would never steer me wrong...
As I crossed the bridge, I did everything she said even when my instincts began to question her.
"Stay Left"
"But Jane, that's the lane that exits to the Hudson Parkway. 95 is the right lane." I've done this hundreds of times.
"Stay Left"
"Jane, if I don't get over now, I'm going to be on the streets of Manhattan."
"Stay Left"
"Jane you ignorant slut!"
Jane fell silent. Jane's screen began to do that recalculating thing. I, as I suspected, was getting off onto the Henry Hudson Parkway.
"At the end of the ramp, turn left."
"Jane, you're back! What do I do?"
"Turn around as soon as possible!"
"You have failed me for the last time!" In my best Darth Vader voice.
Lost - Ahem - is not something I experience outside of video games. If I've seen something once, I know it. It's like the good Lord took all my abilities to remember names, phone numbers, dates in history away & used it all on this weird visual memory. It's great, except that my crappy memory for all those other things sucks so much. I can't even remember street names. It's just this odd feeling of knowing a place and where it leads me. In 36 years, the only thing that has ever kept me from remembering how to get back to something has been modern construction. My family tells stories about people asking me for directions at the age of 6.
So, here I was on the Hudson Parkway and I remembered the time, 11 years ago, that Slick & I got a ride out of Manhattan with some of MrsMetsFan's friends after seeing Rent with the college gang. We had been on that road & I knew were it would get me.
"Jane, try to keep up."
The Hudson Parkway goes to the Sawmill to the Cross County. Jane starts to come around to my plan. Once I hit the Cross County, I was on a road I had been many times & knew that it would become the Hutchinson & eventually the Merritt. By the time she started 'helping' me, I was already in my element.
So, listen to your GPS, trust your GPS, but trust yourself too.
A wise man once told me that life is made better through the art of story-telling. A bad situation can make for good stories.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Granny Did What?
As mentioned several times, one of the big highlights of our Christmas holiday was getting Slick's Granny to play Wii Bowling.
The whole thing started on a whim, like most of my crazy ideas. I generally assumed that she would talk her way out of doing it. But my mother-in-law gave me an encouraging look and I pressed on mostly for her.
Well OK, I admit that it might have been a dubious look. It's the same sort of look Slick gives me when I'm about to be excessively silly. But 70-80% of the time Slick laughs "with" me when the dust settles. Further, I haven't broken anything or ended up in an emergency room in years. What could possibly go wrong? Right?
Well...
My cell rings tonight at 8:30. It was the Queen.. We had just queued up a DvD for "movie night." I was attempting to get the DvD to skip the seemingly mandatory previews, so I just passed the phone to Slick.
"...bought a Wii!? ... Really?"
My brain, still attempting to get to the title screen, lurched at this 1/2-conversation. Did Slick just? Who? Crap...went too far...no I didn't... Wait? A What? Who? Why won't the stupid home button just... A Wii? Huh?
"Granny?"
*Pause*
My brain, having successfully convinced my fingers to click the pause button, suggests that I listen just in case I'm in trouble or something. For once, I heed it's advice.
"...has been going over in the evenings to play with her?"
I asked my brain for confirmation. Unfortunately, it can't process this strange information & locks up. I'm on my own.
Thankfully, Slick is now off the phone laughing uncontrollably. Whew! Dodged another one!
It appears that Granny had a family member pick one up when they went to the "big-town" mall. Granny can't actually turn it on by herself. Instead, Slick's Aunt has been going over in the evenings and playing with her.
Never ever underestimate so-called "old" people. They will surprise you.
Think I should get her a copy of Mario Kart (assuming I ever find myself a copy?)
On a side note: the whole thing made us extra silly, thus making Kung Fu Panda even more enjoyable.
The whole thing started on a whim, like most of my crazy ideas. I generally assumed that she would talk her way out of doing it. But my mother-in-law gave me an encouraging look and I pressed on mostly for her.
Well OK, I admit that it might have been a dubious look. It's the same sort of look Slick gives me when I'm about to be excessively silly. But 70-80% of the time Slick laughs "with" me when the dust settles. Further, I haven't broken anything or ended up in an emergency room in years. What could possibly go wrong? Right?
Well...
My cell rings tonight at 8:30. It was the Queen.. We had just queued up a DvD for "movie night." I was attempting to get the DvD to skip the seemingly mandatory previews, so I just passed the phone to Slick.
"...bought a Wii!? ... Really?"
My brain, still attempting to get to the title screen, lurched at this 1/2-conversation. Did Slick just? Who? Crap...went too far...no I didn't... Wait? A What? Who? Why won't the stupid home button just... A Wii? Huh?
"Granny?"
*Pause*
My brain, having successfully convinced my fingers to click the pause button, suggests that I listen just in case I'm in trouble or something. For once, I heed it's advice.
"...has been going over in the evenings to play with her?"
I asked my brain for confirmation. Unfortunately, it can't process this strange information & locks up. I'm on my own.
Thankfully, Slick is now off the phone laughing uncontrollably. Whew! Dodged another one!
It appears that Granny had a family member pick one up when they went to the "big-town" mall. Granny can't actually turn it on by herself. Instead, Slick's Aunt has been going over in the evenings and playing with her.
Never ever underestimate so-called "old" people. They will surprise you.
Think I should get her a copy of Mario Kart (assuming I ever find myself a copy?)
On a side note: the whole thing made us extra silly, thus making Kung Fu Panda even more enjoyable.
Friday, January 02, 2009
This isn't a game...It's BOWLING
It turns out I learned something about my parents this Christmas vacation. (I may have known this and forgotten.) Growing up in a small mining town in NE Pennsylvania, they were once very serious bowlers. In another lifetime, iDad apparently won league championships and trophies.
So, it comes as no surprise that my father became obsessed with getting a very high score on my Wii. When Slick and I went out for New Years, he practiced his technique. He broke 200. He became a "Strike Machine." Of course, he learned the cold hard truth about Wii Sports - Bowling. Bowling on the Wii is not bowling. It's a fair simulation, but it's not the real deal. At some point, more "serious" play can throw off your game.
Enter iDad's nemesis...
In corner one we have...
iDad - 6' - 180lbs - Bowling Trophies - High Score on the Wii (Over 200)
In corner two we have the Grand Daughter...
"Princess Kitty" - 4' - 70lbs (maybe...dripping wet) - Has tried a Wii at a friend's house.
Kitty bowled first...
Strike... iDad was beside himself as he barely picked up his spare.
Strike... "She can't do that!" As he misses his spare.
Spare... "But she doesn't know what she's doing!"
Princess Kitty proceeded to clear all but 3 frames and bowled an incredible 179! iDad's game got progressively worse as we all howled and cheered Kitty on. We won't mention his *cough* score.
So, it comes as no surprise that my father became obsessed with getting a very high score on my Wii. When Slick and I went out for New Years, he practiced his technique. He broke 200. He became a "Strike Machine." Of course, he learned the cold hard truth about Wii Sports - Bowling. Bowling on the Wii is not bowling. It's a fair simulation, but it's not the real deal. At some point, more "serious" play can throw off your game.
Enter iDad's nemesis...
In corner one we have...
iDad - 6' - 180lbs - Bowling Trophies - High Score on the Wii (Over 200)
In corner two we have the Grand Daughter...
"Princess Kitty" - 4' - 70lbs (maybe...dripping wet) - Has tried a Wii at a friend's house.
Kitty bowled first...
Strike... iDad was beside himself as he barely picked up his spare.
Strike... "She can't do that!" As he misses his spare.
Spare... "But she doesn't know what she's doing!"
Princess Kitty proceeded to clear all but 3 frames and bowled an incredible 179! iDad's game got progressively worse as we all howled and cheered Kitty on. We won't mention his *cough* score.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Weekend
My Uncle is visiting this weekend. It's been great. I've used it as an excuse to cook & sight-see.
Not to be outdone by the previous night's meal, I severed in several stages. First we had the fire-roasted bruschetta on french baguettes. While they sipped their wine and ate their bruschette, I finished grilling the peaces for the grilled peach & mixed green salad with roasted picans & blue cheese all dressed with balsalmic & expensive olive oil. The meal was finished off with locally grown sweetpotatoes & personal-sized cuts of london broil lightly seasoned with Lone Star Steak Rub (from my BBQ Bible book.) We finished this meal off in our "theater room" watching "Stranger than Fiction." Which, I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thursday night, was a grill-extravaganza. I setup the webber kettle for indirect grilling and made some scallops wrapped in bacon, along with some jumbo shrimp, veggie screwers, and a mixed green salad with roasted picans & blue cheese. I severed a bottle of Hogue Pinot Grigio. I was a bit surprised when I realized it had a screw-cap. After quickly reminding myself that I'm NOT a wine snob, I poured it and served it to my wife & uncle. They said it was very good. I can't be sure since my current medication keeps me from drinking. C'est la vie!
We finished off the evening playing some cards and then catching the 2nd half of the Giants vs Washington game. Uncle and I watched about half of the McCain speech after the game. We worked hard to be respectful, but one of us started arguing with the screen and that had us both cracking up. He gave up and went to bed soon after.
Friday was even more laid back. Uncle and I hung out at breakfast and he joined me on the dog walk. We went to the local Bridge & Rail Restaurant for some Carolina BBQ sandwiches at lunch, chatted in our seats for a while. I only once politely reminded him that we're in a heavily republican town, but then I made my own "evil republicans" comment just after that. "Check Please!"
Not to be outdone by the previous night's meal, I severed in several stages. First we had the fire-roasted bruschetta on french baguettes. While they sipped their wine and ate their bruschette, I finished grilling the peaces for the grilled peach & mixed green salad with roasted picans & blue cheese all dressed with balsalmic & expensive olive oil. The meal was finished off with locally grown sweetpotatoes & personal-sized cuts of london broil lightly seasoned with Lone Star Steak Rub (from my BBQ Bible book.) We finished this meal off in our "theater room" watching "Stranger than Fiction." Which, I thoroughly enjoyed.
Saturday, Slick made her weekend low-fat scone recipy. We drank out tea & coffee and talked about the days activities. Those activities would see us driving to "Uptown" Charlotte. We ate at Ri Ra's Irish Pub and then went to see the Pom Peii exhibit. The exhibit did not blow my socks off the way that the Dead Sea Scrolls did, but it was impressive and I am glad I went.
Tonight, I made a simple terriaki chicken served with rice & lightly saute' veggies. We then went and watched "Croching Tiger Hidden Dragon." Uncle hadn't seen it before. Slick and I can aways rewatch it.
Tomorrow is football day. We' having a late brunch and then snacks all day while watching back-to-back football. Chips & nice salsa, cheese & crackers, fruit & veggies for dipping, and finally grilled wings. I've got seasoning for spicy, jerk, bbq & lemon pepper wings.
Good food, sports, movies, history museums, more good food. It's the perfect weekend.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
A Dozen You Say?
This is a special post for my sister Cats & her Hubby to commemorate Monday, September 1st. What better way to celebrate than with a movie marathon? So, go grab a dozen donuts & a pair of six-packs and settle in.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) - Start with this family flick just in case you haven't yet pawned the kids off on Mom & Dad. Why yes, it sucked. But it fits the theme! Seriously, I would have snipped something off after the first 4 or 5. Oy!
The Dirty Dozen (1967) - Now we're talkin'. Remember this movie makes grown men cry.*
12 Angry Men (1957) - You've watched a bad family flick & a good old-fashioned war movie. Now it's time for serious. And who's more serious than Juror #8 (Henry Fonda?)
Ocean's Twelve (2004) - Maybe not as good as Ocean's 11, but who cares. It's got Brad Pitt & Catherine Zeta-Jones. Something for everyone!
Twelfth Night (1996) - Cross dressing & Shakespeare? Don't worry, it's a comedy. Someone's got to be alive at the end. ;-)
Twelve Monkeys (1995) - No, I'm not crazy! If you can survive 12 years of marriage and this movie marathon, clearly you can handle a mentally insane guy from the future. Granted you've only been eating donuts and drinking beer all day. Oh well...
* From Sleepless In Seattle:
Sam Baldwin: Well I'm not looking for a mail-order bride! I just want somebody I can have a decent conversation with over dinner. Without it falling down into weepy tears over some movie!
Greg: She's, as you just saw, very emotional.
Sam Baldwin: Although I cried at the end of "the Dirty Dozen."
Greg: Who didn't?
Sam Baldwin: Jim Brown was throwing these hand grenades down these airshafts. And Richard Jaeckel and Lee Marvin
[Begins to cry]
Sam Baldwin: were sitting on top of this armored personnel carrier, dressed up like Nazis...
Greg: [Crying too] Stop, stop!
Sam Baldwin: And Trini Lopez...
Greg: Yes, Trini Lopez!
Sam Baldwin: He busted his neck while they were parachuting down behind the Nazi lines...
Greg: Stop.
Sam Baldwin: And Richard Jaeckel - at the beginning he had on this shiny helmet...
Greg: [Crying harder] Please no more. Oh God! I loved that movie.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) - Start with this family flick just in case you haven't yet pawned the kids off on Mom & Dad. Why yes, it sucked. But it fits the theme! Seriously, I would have snipped something off after the first 4 or 5. Oy!
The Dirty Dozen (1967) - Now we're talkin'. Remember this movie makes grown men cry.*
12 Angry Men (1957) - You've watched a bad family flick & a good old-fashioned war movie. Now it's time for serious. And who's more serious than Juror #8 (Henry Fonda?)
Ocean's Twelve (2004) - Maybe not as good as Ocean's 11, but who cares. It's got Brad Pitt & Catherine Zeta-Jones. Something for everyone!
Twelfth Night (1996) - Cross dressing & Shakespeare? Don't worry, it's a comedy. Someone's got to be alive at the end. ;-)
Twelve Monkeys (1995) - No, I'm not crazy! If you can survive 12 years of marriage and this movie marathon, clearly you can handle a mentally insane guy from the future. Granted you've only been eating donuts and drinking beer all day. Oh well...
* From Sleepless In Seattle:
Sam Baldwin: Well I'm not looking for a mail-order bride! I just want somebody I can have a decent conversation with over dinner. Without it falling down into weepy tears over some movie!
Greg: She's, as you just saw, very emotional.
Sam Baldwin: Although I cried at the end of "the Dirty Dozen."
Greg: Who didn't?
Sam Baldwin: Jim Brown was throwing these hand grenades down these airshafts. And Richard Jaeckel and Lee Marvin
[Begins to cry]
Sam Baldwin: were sitting on top of this armored personnel carrier, dressed up like Nazis...
Greg: [Crying too] Stop, stop!
Sam Baldwin: And Trini Lopez...
Greg: Yes, Trini Lopez!
Sam Baldwin: He busted his neck while they were parachuting down behind the Nazi lines...
Greg: Stop.
Sam Baldwin: And Richard Jaeckel - at the beginning he had on this shiny helmet...
Greg: [Crying harder] Please no more. Oh God! I loved that movie.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Utterly Random Post
4th o' July...
...was freaking awesome. Another "geek" couple came to visit us this weekend. I made a ton of "healthy" food. We talked until late into the evening each night. We played fun, silly board games & hours of Zombie Flux. Flux is a card game with ever-changing rules. Zombie Flux is Flux only w/ Zombies. It's an awesomely fun time drinking wine, talking about our pets (that's what couples w/out kids do) and making Zombie sounds.
Who's On First?...
...Well, it's not Ryan Howard. The National League has a "good problem" when 3 of it's best players all play the same position. You can't keep Lance Berkman out of the All Star Game this year. Pujols is batting .346! I love Howard, but he strikes out too much in the face of that competition.
Trackball...
...Well, I finally caved and am swapping to a trackball. My hands hurt almost all the time. Using a trackball should help. I've gone with the Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical mouse based on a number of good user reviews and word-of-mouth. It grips like an ergonomic mouse and the scroll button is surprisingly smooth. Video-gaming could take some time to get used to.
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss...
...Thank you Pandora Internet Radio. I heard about this team-up, but I hadn't heard anything yet. I was listening to Pandora while reading the news this morning & Your Long Journey came on. I rushed over to iTunes (my sister gave me iTunes for Christmas) and got the whole album.
Elton Brand...
...Signed with the Sixers this week. This is exciting. They are a young and improving squad. Brand's addition could get them out of the first round this year. They are probably too young to make an honest run at the title, but it's still exciting. Brand's experience should help this young team.
Feeling...
Better than the other week. I got over the really bad spell barely in time for the 4th. Thanks goes to Slick who forced me to rest instead of helping her w/ our seasonal mega-cleaning. I feel really bad about not helping wash all those nooks and crannies around the house.
...was freaking awesome. Another "geek" couple came to visit us this weekend. I made a ton of "healthy" food. We talked until late into the evening each night. We played fun, silly board games & hours of Zombie Flux. Flux is a card game with ever-changing rules. Zombie Flux is Flux only w/ Zombies. It's an awesomely fun time drinking wine, talking about our pets (that's what couples w/out kids do) and making Zombie sounds.
Who's On First?...
...Well, it's not Ryan Howard. The National League has a "good problem" when 3 of it's best players all play the same position. You can't keep Lance Berkman out of the All Star Game this year. Pujols is batting .346! I love Howard, but he strikes out too much in the face of that competition.
Trackball...
...Well, I finally caved and am swapping to a trackball. My hands hurt almost all the time. Using a trackball should help. I've gone with the Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical mouse based on a number of good user reviews and word-of-mouth. It grips like an ergonomic mouse and the scroll button is surprisingly smooth. Video-gaming could take some time to get used to.
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss...
...Thank you Pandora Internet Radio. I heard about this team-up, but I hadn't heard anything yet. I was listening to Pandora while reading the news this morning & Your Long Journey came on. I rushed over to iTunes (my sister gave me iTunes for Christmas) and got the whole album.
Elton Brand...
...Signed with the Sixers this week. This is exciting. They are a young and improving squad. Brand's addition could get them out of the first round this year. They are probably too young to make an honest run at the title, but it's still exciting. Brand's experience should help this young team.
Feeling...
Better than the other week. I got over the really bad spell barely in time for the 4th. Thanks goes to Slick who forced me to rest instead of helping her w/ our seasonal mega-cleaning. I feel really bad about not helping wash all those nooks and crannies around the house.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Who Knew Civic Duty Could Be Romantic
It was a beautiful day today. I mean, we're talking a "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" kind of day. So this evening Slick and I walked the mile or so to our local fire station and cast our Obama votes.
The fire station wasn't very crowded when we arrived. The woman at the door suggested that we got lucky, but I could have sworn the scanner showed 314 when I slid my ballot inside. Either it resets every now and then or we had disappointing turn-out. Granted, Union County, NC is a lot like Lancaster Co, PA. The local politics are 99% Republican. We live in the region's "liberal" artsy town and Slick surmises that there may be a lot of liberals registered Republican around here so they can have a say. Already having their presidential nominee, local republicans may have stayed home. (Only Democrats & Independents can vote in the Democratic primary in NC.)
Our votes cast, we crossed the "historic" wooden bridge that spans the freight tracks and headed over to the Bridge & Rail Restaurant (local greasy spoon) for some Eastern Carolina BBQ and slaw. Of course, Slick doesn't like slaw. So, when my BBQ platter arrived w/ the slaw on the side & her BBQ sandwich came with it inside, naturally we traded.
I've come to realize that this is my real function in marriage. I'm the knight errant. I trade meals with her because I'll eat just about anything. We go out places and I bring a jacket even though I don't need one. I'll walk through spiderwebs because there's no way she's going through the door until the web is destroyed and no spider can come w/in a thousand leagues of her. I walk out and stop traffic because our town supposedly has pedestrian right of way. To put it another way, I'm clearly the expendable one. But I digress...
It was a wonderful evening. We wandered home slowly babbling about silly, inane stuff. We did our usual best to crack each other up and succeeded. It's evenings like tonight when I reminded just how lucky I am, just how silly my wife is and just how much I'm still very much in love with her. Besides, I always get extra slaw when we're together.
P.S. Yes We Can! w00t!
The fire station wasn't very crowded when we arrived. The woman at the door suggested that we got lucky, but I could have sworn the scanner showed 314 when I slid my ballot inside. Either it resets every now and then or we had disappointing turn-out. Granted, Union County, NC is a lot like Lancaster Co, PA. The local politics are 99% Republican. We live in the region's "liberal" artsy town and Slick surmises that there may be a lot of liberals registered Republican around here so they can have a say. Already having their presidential nominee, local republicans may have stayed home. (Only Democrats & Independents can vote in the Democratic primary in NC.)
Our votes cast, we crossed the "historic" wooden bridge that spans the freight tracks and headed over to the Bridge & Rail Restaurant (local greasy spoon) for some Eastern Carolina BBQ and slaw. Of course, Slick doesn't like slaw. So, when my BBQ platter arrived w/ the slaw on the side & her BBQ sandwich came with it inside, naturally we traded.
I've come to realize that this is my real function in marriage. I'm the knight errant. I trade meals with her because I'll eat just about anything. We go out places and I bring a jacket even though I don't need one. I'll walk through spiderwebs because there's no way she's going through the door until the web is destroyed and no spider can come w/in a thousand leagues of her. I walk out and stop traffic because our town supposedly has pedestrian right of way. To put it another way, I'm clearly the expendable one. But I digress...
It was a wonderful evening. We wandered home slowly babbling about silly, inane stuff. We did our usual best to crack each other up and succeeded. It's evenings like tonight when I reminded just how lucky I am, just how silly my wife is and just how much I'm still very much in love with her. Besides, I always get extra slaw when we're together.
P.S. Yes We Can! w00t!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Accuracy, Loft & Distance
My in-laws passed through town on their way to Florida for the month. While Slick & the Queen went shopping for skinny clothes, flyDad & I did "guy" stuff. We hit the driving range, the "Golf Galaxy" shop, and finished off at the Hickory Tavern to watch the second half of the NC-State vs Duke game. Fun times!
The year that we moved south, I got a new driver for my birthday & irons for Christmas. Spring came and I used them once at the driving range. Then I got sick. I don't think I used them since. That was 3 years ago. Beautiful new clubs & I couldn't use them. It's on my top-ten list of most frustrating things about the fibro. I've been unable to swing a club, but unwilling to give up & sell them.
Even as I've started feeling better, I've been really hesitant about golf. I'm really worried about injury & pain flare-ups. Pain is really difficult for me to judge. I always have some sort of dull throbbing and tingling. If I used the "don't do it if it hurts" rule for exercise, I would never do anything. If I want to have fun and/or accomplish stuff, I have to push through that. The catch is learning what pain is normal or a warning sign for a potential flare-up or a real injury. I've already determined that I can't do anything high-impact. I know I must avoid heavy lifting. What about swinging a golf club?
I hit a 1/2 a bucket of balls. I used my 7-iron almost the whole time. I took it really slow and stretched a lot. Actually, I had good results for someone so rusty. Only about 1/5 shots was a complete dud. Most of my shots were solid. In fact, a lot were straight, with good loft and went out about 100-110 yards. flyDad was really surprised. In some ways, I think I swing the club more cleanly than before I got sick. I had to relax & take it slow. I swung with care and didn't try to drive the ball. It took me longer to go through my little pile than I used to take on a jumbo bucket. There's a lesson there somewhere...
I did finish with about a dozen swings with my driver. They were all painful. They were also ugly shots. On the last ball, I felt good and drove it straight out about 250 yards. I think, given the amount of pain the swings caused, that I will probably need to avoid the driver & fairway woods for a while.
If things keep improving and I'm able to keep getting out to the range, maybe Slick & I will look for an executive course. If I can't swing my driver, at least I'll be able to play a short game. Still, I'm not going to get my hopes up. Today, I'm more uncomfortable than usual. On one hand, this could be completely natural from doing a physical activity I haven't tried in 3 years. On the other hand...well, let's not go there...
The year that we moved south, I got a new driver for my birthday & irons for Christmas. Spring came and I used them once at the driving range. Then I got sick. I don't think I used them since. That was 3 years ago. Beautiful new clubs & I couldn't use them. It's on my top-ten list of most frustrating things about the fibro. I've been unable to swing a club, but unwilling to give up & sell them.
Even as I've started feeling better, I've been really hesitant about golf. I'm really worried about injury & pain flare-ups. Pain is really difficult for me to judge. I always have some sort of dull throbbing and tingling. If I used the "don't do it if it hurts" rule for exercise, I would never do anything. If I want to have fun and/or accomplish stuff, I have to push through that. The catch is learning what pain is normal or a warning sign for a potential flare-up or a real injury. I've already determined that I can't do anything high-impact. I know I must avoid heavy lifting. What about swinging a golf club?
I hit a 1/2 a bucket of balls. I used my 7-iron almost the whole time. I took it really slow and stretched a lot. Actually, I had good results for someone so rusty. Only about 1/5 shots was a complete dud. Most of my shots were solid. In fact, a lot were straight, with good loft and went out about 100-110 yards. flyDad was really surprised. In some ways, I think I swing the club more cleanly than before I got sick. I had to relax & take it slow. I swung with care and didn't try to drive the ball. It took me longer to go through my little pile than I used to take on a jumbo bucket. There's a lesson there somewhere...
I did finish with about a dozen swings with my driver. They were all painful. They were also ugly shots. On the last ball, I felt good and drove it straight out about 250 yards. I think, given the amount of pain the swings caused, that I will probably need to avoid the driver & fairway woods for a while.
If things keep improving and I'm able to keep getting out to the range, maybe Slick & I will look for an executive course. If I can't swing my driver, at least I'll be able to play a short game. Still, I'm not going to get my hopes up. Today, I'm more uncomfortable than usual. On one hand, this could be completely natural from doing a physical activity I haven't tried in 3 years. On the other hand...well, let's not go there...
Saturday, February 23, 2008
A Message from My Dog to Our Snowbound Northern Friends
Max Suns Himself On A Warm Saturday Afternoon"Woof, woof, woof, arrooooo!"
Translation:
Whew, it's warm in this sun. Too bad you're not here to enjoy it with me. We could make my people fire up the grill and chill some beer! Seriously, I should go inside before I start panting.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Same Old Song and Dance
So, I keep an RSS feed of the Netflix new releases. I skim it and if I see something I like I go reserve it. Well tonight I got hit with the craziest trip down memory lane!
Aerosmith: Live in Philadelphia 1990
I was at this concert! A family friend worked in the mayor's office and got complementary tickets. He couldn't go, so a group of us "kids" went instead. It was so much fun. We were in the 10th-row, dead center and had to stand on our chairs.
No, I'm not going to rent the movie. It just brought back a lot of memories. I lost touch with all of my high school friends. (The curse of going to a magnet school in Philly and hating school.) Anyway, I just thought it was funny and wanted to share.
Aerosmith: Live in Philadelphia 1990
I was at this concert! A family friend worked in the mayor's office and got complementary tickets. He couldn't go, so a group of us "kids" went instead. It was so much fun. We were in the 10th-row, dead center and had to stand on our chairs.
No, I'm not going to rent the movie. It just brought back a lot of memories. I lost touch with all of my high school friends. (The curse of going to a magnet school in Philly and hating school.) Anyway, I just thought it was funny and wanted to share.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Something Funny Week: Rule 34! Goes Green
Green Prono* at Berlin Film Festival
That's right, Treehugger reports that the naughty film industry is going green!
Notes for my readers:
Prono - Purposefully misspelled to make it past corporate spam-blockers.
Rule 34! - This rule says that if it's on the web, there's pron for it. (Frightening, isn't it?!?)
That's right, Treehugger reports that the naughty film industry is going green!
Notes for my readers:
Prono - Purposefully misspelled to make it past corporate spam-blockers.
Rule 34! - This rule says that if it's on the web, there's pron for it. (Frightening, isn't it?!?)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Something Funny Week: OMG Stereotypes Aren't True?
Alito: 'Sopranos' guilty of sterotypes
Holy crap, SCJ Samuel Alito has changed my entire prospective on the world. Apparently, a completely fictional show about mobsters is a lie! And here I thought all Italian-Americans from NJ were just like that!
I gotz to call my boy Tony (the real one, who's Italian from NJ and works with my wife) and say,
"Hey YO! Tony, check it. You aren't a mobster. Quick, run and tell your wife that she can stop fearing you! Oh, and thanks for not putting a hit on my wife the other week! By the way, can we come over for some pasta next week? I'll bring some German chocolate cake. We can reminisce about how our countries (that we never lived in) lost that war."
Holy crap, SCJ Samuel Alito has changed my entire prospective on the world. Apparently, a completely fictional show about mobsters is a lie! And here I thought all Italian-Americans from NJ were just like that!
I gotz to call my boy Tony (the real one, who's Italian from NJ and works with my wife) and say,
"Hey YO! Tony, check it. You aren't a mobster. Quick, run and tell your wife that she can stop fearing you! Oh, and thanks for not putting a hit on my wife the other week! By the way, can we come over for some pasta next week? I'll bring some German chocolate cake. We can reminisce about how our countries (that we never lived in) lost that war."
Reader Request
My college friend Posey recently wrote in an email..
Now go post something funny. No more of this computer geek/blu ray/election crap. The settle argument entertained me all day Tuesday. Morgan Phillips is evil.
Who the hell is Morgan Phillips?!? I'm not sure I care. But because I love Posey like a sister, here comes something funny week. First up, something "personal" but funny.
I Love You BUT You Love Meat
No need to read the actual article from Treehugger. Just know that I read it as "I love you but you love meatloaf." Slick hates meatloaf and I think it should be categorized as a basic food-group. When she goes away to science conferences, the first thing I do is make a big meatloaf and eat leftovers for days. TMI?
Now go post something funny. No more of this computer geek/blu ray/election crap. The settle argument entertained me all day Tuesday. Morgan Phillips is evil.
Who the hell is Morgan Phillips?!? I'm not sure I care. But because I love Posey like a sister, here comes something funny week. First up, something "personal" but funny.
I Love You BUT You Love Meat
No need to read the actual article from Treehugger. Just know that I read it as "I love you but you love meatloaf." Slick hates meatloaf and I think it should be categorized as a basic food-group. When she goes away to science conferences, the first thing I do is make a big meatloaf and eat leftovers for days. TMI?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Fasnacht!
So, it's nearly Lent. As folks know, Slick and I have worked really hard to change all our eating habits. We lowered our "empty" carb intake and switched to eating whole grains, vegetables, healthy portions, the works...
So, I couldn't understand why I've been craving donuts for a week now. Then I got an email from my friend Avouz (yes, not his real name) who mentioned that he wouldn't be online on Tuesday because he's got a Shrove Tuesday dinner. My brain did a double-take I nearly shouted Fasnachts out loud!
Fasnachts are fancy donuts. They are often imitated by folks in Maryland, but real fasnachts are made in PA-Dutch country!
Yes, I'm a Philly Boy, but my mom's family is Pennsylvania Dutch.* I love PA Dutch cooking and none of it could ever be mistaken for whole grain and portion control food. I mean, lets face it, most of the "good" meals start with a tub of lard!
Anyway, I've concluded that I must make pancakes for dinner tonight. We've got that "HeartSmart Bisquick" in the pantry. (I try not to snicker too much when I read the label.)
*Note: There's a certain amount of irony to be shared. I'm 50% PA-Dutch (Mom's family) and grew up in Philly. Other than the food, the German I took in college, my need to be 15 minutes early for EVERYTHING and my late Grandmother, there's very little PA-Dutch about me. On the other hand, my wife is descended from Irish & English farmers or something like that, but she grew up in Lancaster Co so her whole childhood was a PA-Dutch Wonderland. (Sorry couldn't resist!)
So, I couldn't understand why I've been craving donuts for a week now. Then I got an email from my friend Avouz (yes, not his real name) who mentioned that he wouldn't be online on Tuesday because he's got a Shrove Tuesday dinner. My brain did a double-take I nearly shouted Fasnachts out loud!
Fasnachts are fancy donuts. They are often imitated by folks in Maryland, but real fasnachts are made in PA-Dutch country!
Yes, I'm a Philly Boy, but my mom's family is Pennsylvania Dutch.* I love PA Dutch cooking and none of it could ever be mistaken for whole grain and portion control food. I mean, lets face it, most of the "good" meals start with a tub of lard!
Anyway, I've concluded that I must make pancakes for dinner tonight. We've got that "HeartSmart Bisquick" in the pantry. (I try not to snicker too much when I read the label.)
*Note: There's a certain amount of irony to be shared. I'm 50% PA-Dutch (Mom's family) and grew up in Philly. Other than the food, the German I took in college, my need to be 15 minutes early for EVERYTHING and my late Grandmother, there's very little PA-Dutch about me. On the other hand, my wife is descended from Irish & English farmers or something like that, but she grew up in Lancaster Co so her whole childhood was a PA-Dutch Wonderland. (Sorry couldn't resist!)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Heaven When We're Home or I got your Shuffle right here!
Disclaimer: I do this thing because I love my sister. She owes me for making me do it! You have no idea how odd a complete "shuffle" can turn out on myiPod . What's interesting is the number of artists that got "multiple" plays on this. For fun, I've added a line from each song. It really makes this work...frighteningly so...
The rules:
1. Put your music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT. (This is in capital letters, so it is very serious.)
4. Add editorial comments in parenthesis after most song names.
(I changed the rules a little, but you'll figure it out.)
1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
"Times like these you learn to love again"
Times Like These by Foo Fighters
2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"Reach out and touch me...you can call me a sinner and you can call me a saint"
Madonna vs Depeche Mode "Like Jesus or Not" by Apollo Zero Brothers (This is a mash-up)
Damn, that's good...almost deep!
3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Tonight, we'll leave our troubles behind"
Tonight by Kate Walsh
4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"I'm a dreamin' man, yes that's my problem"
Dreamin' Man by Neil Young
Well, that explains a lot!
5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
"I've no need for anger with intimate strangers"
Reunion by Indigo Girls
Tru dat!
6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"I seek conclusion to all this confusion"
Be Here to Love Me by Norah Jones
7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Desperate for changing, starving for truth"
Hanging By A Moment by Lifehouse
8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
"Everyone in the stands knew that he had won"
Kenesaw Mountain Landis by Jonathan Coulton
This was the only one I really couldn't make fit.
9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"Hold me now! Warm my hearth. Stay with me!"
Hold Me Now (Thompson Twins) by General Store
Every time I think of Slick!
10. WHAT IS 2+2?
"I never seem to have the time."
Toes by Norah Jones
11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"How should I feel? Tell me how does it feel, to treat me like you do?"
Blue Monday (remix) by Orgy
ROTFLMAO!
12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Fill me up 'cause you're all that I've got and I've traveled a long, long way."
Fill Me Up by Shawn Colvin
13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Chill out!"
Complicated by Avril Lavigne
14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"If you need me, I'll be downstairs with the Shop Vac."
Shop Vac by Jonathan Coulton
Slick almost fell out of the chair when I shared this with her, because it's true!
15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Code Monkey think maybe manager wanna write G*d damn logon page himself..."
Code Monkey by Jonathan Coulton
Slick did fall out of her chair because that's how she felt today!
16. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"The sound of me singing with you. Helping each other to make it through."
One Voice by the Wailin' Jennys
17. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"If you believe what's right is right, then you will always have to fight! Guess I am a soldier afterall"
Soldier After All by John Gorka
We actually danced to "Have I told you lately that I love you?" sung by Van Morrison & the Chieftains.
18. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Things have been ok for me, except that I'm a Zombie now."
Re: Your Brain by Jonathan Coulton
Seriously, I didn't make this up. That's what came on!
19. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"Jerusalem, my happy home, oh how I long for thee."
Jerusalem, My Happy Home by Ralph Stanley
20. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"Little mountain church house where friends and family gathered for the Lord."
Little Mountain Church House by the Nitty Gritty Dirty Band
Not sure this is a "secret," but it's certainly a warm fuzzy personal feeling.
21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"You're so easily confused."
Faded by Ben Harper
22. WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
"Something tells me there must be something better than all this."
Heaven When We're Home by the Wailin' Jennys
But, I'm working on it!
The rules:
1. Put your music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT. (This is in capital letters, so it is very serious.)
4. Add editorial comments in parenthesis after most song names.
(I changed the rules a little, but you'll figure it out.)
1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
"Times like these you learn to love again"
Times Like These by Foo Fighters
2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"Reach out and touch me...you can call me a sinner and you can call me a saint"
Madonna vs Depeche Mode "Like Jesus or Not" by Apollo Zero Brothers (This is a mash-up)
Damn, that's good...almost deep!
3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Tonight, we'll leave our troubles behind"
Tonight by Kate Walsh
4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"I'm a dreamin' man, yes that's my problem"
Dreamin' Man by Neil Young
Well, that explains a lot!
5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
"I've no need for anger with intimate strangers"
Reunion by Indigo Girls
Tru dat!
6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"I seek conclusion to all this confusion"
Be Here to Love Me by Norah Jones
7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Desperate for changing, starving for truth"
Hanging By A Moment by Lifehouse
8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
"Everyone in the stands knew that he had won"
Kenesaw Mountain Landis by Jonathan Coulton
This was the only one I really couldn't make fit.
9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"Hold me now! Warm my hearth. Stay with me!"
Hold Me Now (Thompson Twins) by General Store
Every time I think of Slick!
10. WHAT IS 2+2?
"I never seem to have the time."
Toes by Norah Jones
11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"How should I feel? Tell me how does it feel, to treat me like you do?"
Blue Monday (remix) by Orgy
ROTFLMAO!
12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Fill me up 'cause you're all that I've got and I've traveled a long, long way."
Fill Me Up by Shawn Colvin
13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Chill out!"
Complicated by Avril Lavigne
14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"If you need me, I'll be downstairs with the Shop Vac."
Shop Vac by Jonathan Coulton
Slick almost fell out of the chair when I shared this with her, because it's true!
15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Code Monkey think maybe manager wanna write G*d damn logon page himself..."
Code Monkey by Jonathan Coulton
Slick did fall out of her chair because that's how she felt today!
16. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"The sound of me singing with you. Helping each other to make it through."
One Voice by the Wailin' Jennys
17. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"If you believe what's right is right, then you will always have to fight! Guess I am a soldier afterall"
Soldier After All by John Gorka
We actually danced to "Have I told you lately that I love you?" sung by Van Morrison & the Chieftains.
18. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Things have been ok for me, except that I'm a Zombie now."
Re: Your Brain by Jonathan Coulton
Seriously, I didn't make this up. That's what came on!
19. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"Jerusalem, my happy home, oh how I long for thee."
Jerusalem, My Happy Home by Ralph Stanley
20. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"Little mountain church house where friends and family gathered for the Lord."
Little Mountain Church House by the Nitty Gritty Dirty Band
Not sure this is a "secret," but it's certainly a warm fuzzy personal feeling.
21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"You're so easily confused."
Faded by Ben Harper
22. WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
"Something tells me there must be something better than all this."
Heaven When We're Home by the Wailin' Jennys
But, I'm working on it!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Pandora Radio
Last June I wrote a very short post about Pandora Internet Radio. I'm mentioning it again because it's hands-down my favorite way to listen to music at home.
What is Pandora?
Pandora is a FREE internet streaming music site. Pandora allows you to setup personalized "radio stations" on your computer based on artists, songs & genres. There are no radio ads, just the advertising links on the site itself. You just get a constant feed of your music. If you like a song, give it the thumbs up. If you don't like a song, you can give it the thumbs down and it goes away. The longer you play a station the better it knows your taste. You can even "QuickMix" stations to get a good variety.
OK, all that's fine, but why do I like it so much? Several reasons....
- I only have so much music in my collection. Slick and I probably have 100 CD's & I've got gigs of music on top of that, but I sometimes I grow tired of listen to the same stuff.
- I hate the constant repeats on regular radio. Today I was in the car and they played some Finger 11. The DJ commented afterwards about how we've not heard Finger 11 in a while and he was glad he was able to play it for us. I'm thinking, WFT?!? I heard the same two songs 3 or 4 times on his very radio station last week alone. I don't even listen to that radio station much. Usually it's NPR or the iPod. What a crock of shit!
- New "to me" Music. I don't have regular access to college students anymore. I don't really like most popular music to begin with. I don't want to spend my $0.99 at iTunes on something I've never heard before. So, where do I find new music? Pandora plays songs based on my personal tastes. I like something, I can either access iTunes directly from Pandora OR make a note to myself to get the song later. I've discovered over a dozen folk artists this way. I've also re-discovered solid 70-80's rock after I did a Rush mix one night.
- It's such an easy way to get variety. Here's a list of some of the artists I've used to create my current "stations:"
The Wailin' Jennys, Amos Lee, Talking Heads, Violent Femmes, Weezer, Foo Fighters, The Chieftains, Jonathan Coulton, Rush, Indigo Girls...
I've QuickMix'ed all the folk music. If I get tired of that I can click on the Violent Femmes to get some 80-90's punk OR Rush for some 70-80's rock. When in doubt, there's always the Foo Fighters! It's that simple.
- Closing Shots
I'm listening to Pandora right now on the Amos Lee station. I'm listening to a White Stripes song I've never heard before called "We're Going to Be Friends." It's completely different from all the other stuff I've heard from them. It's cool and it would have never gotten on the radio. That's what I like about Pandora!
PS. The RIAA are a bunch of fools. I would say that more than 50% of my CD collection came from hearing a song someone "shared" with me. I heard and like the song enough that I eventually got a whole CD. Not anymore. Since I won't file-share, I only get to hear new songs from Pandora or the radio. And now, I'm much more likely to buy 1 or 2 songs from iTunes than to risk buying a whole CD. This is not an endorsement of piracy. But it is a rebuke on the RIAA and their strong-arm tactics. They're killing themselves with their current business model.
What is Pandora?
Pandora is a FREE internet streaming music site. Pandora allows you to setup personalized "radio stations" on your computer based on artists, songs & genres. There are no radio ads, just the advertising links on the site itself. You just get a constant feed of your music. If you like a song, give it the thumbs up. If you don't like a song, you can give it the thumbs down and it goes away. The longer you play a station the better it knows your taste. You can even "QuickMix" stations to get a good variety.
OK, all that's fine, but why do I like it so much? Several reasons....
- I only have so much music in my collection. Slick and I probably have 100 CD's & I've got gigs of music on top of that, but I sometimes I grow tired of listen to the same stuff.
- I hate the constant repeats on regular radio. Today I was in the car and they played some Finger 11. The DJ commented afterwards about how we've not heard Finger 11 in a while and he was glad he was able to play it for us. I'm thinking, WFT?!? I heard the same two songs 3 or 4 times on his very radio station last week alone. I don't even listen to that radio station much. Usually it's NPR or the iPod. What a crock of shit!
- New "to me" Music. I don't have regular access to college students anymore. I don't really like most popular music to begin with. I don't want to spend my $0.99 at iTunes on something I've never heard before. So, where do I find new music? Pandora plays songs based on my personal tastes. I like something, I can either access iTunes directly from Pandora OR make a note to myself to get the song later. I've discovered over a dozen folk artists this way. I've also re-discovered solid 70-80's rock after I did a Rush mix one night.
- It's such an easy way to get variety. Here's a list of some of the artists I've used to create my current "stations:"
The Wailin' Jennys, Amos Lee, Talking Heads, Violent Femmes, Weezer, Foo Fighters, The Chieftains, Jonathan Coulton, Rush, Indigo Girls...
I've QuickMix'ed all the folk music. If I get tired of that I can click on the Violent Femmes to get some 80-90's punk OR Rush for some 70-80's rock. When in doubt, there's always the Foo Fighters! It's that simple.
- Closing Shots
I'm listening to Pandora right now on the Amos Lee station. I'm listening to a White Stripes song I've never heard before called "We're Going to Be Friends." It's completely different from all the other stuff I've heard from them. It's cool and it would have never gotten on the radio. That's what I like about Pandora!
PS. The RIAA are a bunch of fools. I would say that more than 50% of my CD collection came from hearing a song someone "shared" with me. I heard and like the song enough that I eventually got a whole CD. Not anymore. Since I won't file-share, I only get to hear new songs from Pandora or the radio. And now, I'm much more likely to buy 1 or 2 songs from iTunes than to risk buying a whole CD. This is not an endorsement of piracy. But it is a rebuke on the RIAA and their strong-arm tactics. They're killing themselves with their current business model.
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