I use my cellphone a lot. I mean really a lot. Working for myself, my phone is my office. There are a few things I will not do but I see people doing with their cells all of the time.
1) Bathroom talking. A few weeks ago I was at the mall and went in to the bathroom. I had just stepped up to the urinal when I here a voice say "Hey man, how you doing?" I look around and determine that the voice was coming from the stall. The guy kept talking but it was also very clear that he was doing some work in that stall if you know what I mean. Whoever he was talking had to know what he was doing while talking.
2) Taking calls in the middle of meetings. I have to have my phone on at all times in case the hospital calls with a kidney match. I have my phone set to vibrate and if it rings I pull it out, see who it is and send it to voice mail. If it were to be the Hospital, I would excuse myself from the meeting and go return the call.
Last week I was at a meeting. There was about a hundred people there to listen to 3 companies make presentations. One person in the audience kept receiving calls the entire time. Her phone was not on vibrate. She would answer the call and talk in a NORMAL voice to whomever was calling her. People around her had difficulties hearing the presentations when this would happen but yet she kept doing it. And the calls would be whole conversations not "hey I am being extremely rude to talk to you in such a public forum. Let me call you back at a more appropriate time..."
I hate when people talk on their phones during a movie, too.
3) Phone headsets. I have a bluetooth phone and am trying to use the headset when driving. I was at another meeting the other day and somebody was wearing an old headset throughout the entire meeting even though they werent using the phone. Think late 1980's Garth Brooks touring headset and you have an idea what she looked like. Like she was a cyborg or something. My point is that it is ok to use the headsets to talk on but do you really need to leave it on all day?
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
News Tonight
Was watching the local news tonight. They had a story I tried to find a link to the video but couldnt so I will just have to tell it.
A woman decided two years ago that she should give a kidney to someone but didnt know anybody that needed one (she didnt even know anyone that had EVER had kidney problems). She kept feeling strongly about this but didnt know what to do. Earlier this year, she interviewed a woman to work in her real estate company. She asked if the woman would be available on weekends (kinda important in the real estate industry) but the woman said no because she had to look after her sick husband. "What's wrong if you dont mind my asking?" She learned that the woman's husband had a heriditary kidney disease and needed a transplant. The woman met the man pretty soon and underwent the tests and found out she was a perfect match and 2 months ago the transplant occured. They both are doing well. The donor is even giving 10% of her commissions (I didnt hear for how long) to kidney disease research.
I am glad to know that there are people like this woman and people like my potential donors.
Editor's note... Just found the link here to the video of the story if you are interested
A woman decided two years ago that she should give a kidney to someone but didnt know anybody that needed one (she didnt even know anyone that had EVER had kidney problems). She kept feeling strongly about this but didnt know what to do. Earlier this year, she interviewed a woman to work in her real estate company. She asked if the woman would be available on weekends (kinda important in the real estate industry) but the woman said no because she had to look after her sick husband. "What's wrong if you dont mind my asking?" She learned that the woman's husband had a heriditary kidney disease and needed a transplant. The woman met the man pretty soon and underwent the tests and found out she was a perfect match and 2 months ago the transplant occured. They both are doing well. The donor is even giving 10% of her commissions (I didnt hear for how long) to kidney disease research.
I am glad to know that there are people like this woman and people like my potential donors.
Editor's note... Just found the link here to the video of the story if you are interested
Look what I found
Sunday I went to look at Southern Living's model home. It has a lot of new things to help make the house more environmentally friendly and supposedly cheaper to live in. It is a beautiful craftsman style house with a spectacular view of Atlanta. What they dont readily tell you is that the other houses in this subdivision or running $400-$500k but the super-eco house would cost $1.2 million to build.
But the best part of the day is that I found a gas station that was selling gas for $2.35 a gallon while most stations near us were $2.60 or more. WOW!!!
But the best part of the day is that I found a gas station that was selling gas for $2.35 a gallon while most stations near us were $2.60 or more. WOW!!!
Monday, August 15, 2005
All I needed to Learn...
One of the most inspirational people in my life was my fourth grade teacher. She was more of an adopted grandmother than a teacher. She taught us some arts and crafts as well as multiplication.
When I was around 12 or 13 she gave me my first job. It was cutting her yard. It was a pretty good size yard and took a couple of hours to do it. Usually she would make me a sandwich when I got through. Turkey with mayo. Sometimes she would make me two. I think about her just about every time I eat a turkey sandwich even to this day.
She is responsible for a couple of other things in my life, too. To go along with the turkey sandwich would be a Coke (usually from a small bottle because she said they were better) over shaved ice. She had this old contraption on her covered porch. "What's that?" I asked. "It's an ice crusher" and then she showed me how it works. You put ice in the top and then crank the handle to crush the ice. I always had to have crushed ice from that time on and even today, I prefer crushed ice to regular ice cubes.
Growing up my parents didnt use many spices. My adopted grandmother/former teacher turned me on to spicy foods via cheese straws. For her cheese straws, she added extra garlic and red pepper. I have never had any cheese straws that I like as much as I liked hers but I have looked. She would make me cheese straws at least once a year. She would give my family two batches, one for everybody else and one extra spicy for me. I wish I had gotten her recipe.
A few years ago she died. I was sorely disappointed with the funeral. The main pastor of her church decided he didnt do funerals so junior minister who had never met her lead the service. Instead of words of comfort and memories of her, we learned how the minister met his wife and what he did before becoming a minister. He spent almost an hour talking about himself like he was the one being honored.
Anyway, she had a great impact on my life and helped to mold me to whom I am. I think about her often.
When I was around 12 or 13 she gave me my first job. It was cutting her yard. It was a pretty good size yard and took a couple of hours to do it. Usually she would make me a sandwich when I got through. Turkey with mayo. Sometimes she would make me two. I think about her just about every time I eat a turkey sandwich even to this day.
She is responsible for a couple of other things in my life, too. To go along with the turkey sandwich would be a Coke (usually from a small bottle because she said they were better) over shaved ice. She had this old contraption on her covered porch. "What's that?" I asked. "It's an ice crusher" and then she showed me how it works. You put ice in the top and then crank the handle to crush the ice. I always had to have crushed ice from that time on and even today, I prefer crushed ice to regular ice cubes.
Growing up my parents didnt use many spices. My adopted grandmother/former teacher turned me on to spicy foods via cheese straws. For her cheese straws, she added extra garlic and red pepper. I have never had any cheese straws that I like as much as I liked hers but I have looked. She would make me cheese straws at least once a year. She would give my family two batches, one for everybody else and one extra spicy for me. I wish I had gotten her recipe.
A few years ago she died. I was sorely disappointed with the funeral. The main pastor of her church decided he didnt do funerals so junior minister who had never met her lead the service. Instead of words of comfort and memories of her, we learned how the minister met his wife and what he did before becoming a minister. He spent almost an hour talking about himself like he was the one being honored.
Anyway, she had a great impact on my life and helped to mold me to whom I am. I think about her often.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
What did he mean?
As I have posted before, the wife and I like poker. We like to watch it, read about it and play it. Several months ago while in Vegas I got my first autograph of a poker professional. Since then I have built up quite a collection including the living legend of Poker, Doyle Brunson. Yesterday I got an autograph in the mail of Atlanta poker pro (and winner of 2 World Series of Poker bracelets) Josh Arieh. It reads "since I moved away its your job to hold down the SWATS!!" I have spent yesterday and today trying to figure out what that means. 1) He hasnt moved away from where I live (we are probably 15 miles apart) and 2) What is a "SWAT"
Maybe I dont know enough poker lingo and it means Have a Nice Day. Or maybe he was doing multiple autographs and got mine confused somehow with someone else.
Speaking of puzzling writings.... When wifey and I got married 2 years ago, we had at our reception a couple of photo mats for people to sign. An old friend of wifey wrote my wife's name and DONALD and then crossed out Donald and wrote in my name. I keep kidding my wife about Donald. Anytime she says, "you remember the time we..." I always say, "No. That must have been Donald..."
Maybe I dont know enough poker lingo and it means Have a Nice Day. Or maybe he was doing multiple autographs and got mine confused somehow with someone else.
Speaking of puzzling writings.... When wifey and I got married 2 years ago, we had at our reception a couple of photo mats for people to sign. An old friend of wifey wrote my wife's name and DONALD and then crossed out Donald and wrote in my name. I keep kidding my wife about Donald. Anytime she says, "you remember the time we..." I always say, "No. That must have been Donald..."
Friday, August 12, 2005
Our dogs
Wifey and I have 2 dogs. Mine is a Australian Sheperd Mix with one blue eye and one brown. He is the most laid back, friendly dog.
Wifey has an Australian Cattle Dog/Terrier mixed. She is really high strung but still a sweety.
Both dogs are Herding Dogs. They are very protective of their herd (the wife and I) and are cautious about letting new people, especially men, into their territory. This is very true of the wife's dog.
A truck goes up the street and the dogs will go crazy. Doorbell gets rung and the go nuts. When door to door sales people ring the bell you should see them react when they hear the dogs barking and growling. The best story is a couple of months after we got wifey's dog, a door to door salesman was at the door. When I opened the door the little dog ran out and then peed on the salesman's shoes. It was way too funny.
The other day, wifey's dog discovered the fireant bed in our back yard. They attacked her nose, cheeks, and back legs. We had to take her to the emergency vet in the middle of the night (wifey actually took her since I was hooked up to the dialysis machine). They gave her a couple of shots and she is all better now.
Oh well, I think I will go play with the dogs for a little while.
Wifey has an Australian Cattle Dog/Terrier mixed. She is really high strung but still a sweety.
Both dogs are Herding Dogs. They are very protective of their herd (the wife and I) and are cautious about letting new people, especially men, into their territory. This is very true of the wife's dog.
A truck goes up the street and the dogs will go crazy. Doorbell gets rung and the go nuts. When door to door sales people ring the bell you should see them react when they hear the dogs barking and growling. The best story is a couple of months after we got wifey's dog, a door to door salesman was at the door. When I opened the door the little dog ran out and then peed on the salesman's shoes. It was way too funny.
The other day, wifey's dog discovered the fireant bed in our back yard. They attacked her nose, cheeks, and back legs. We had to take her to the emergency vet in the middle of the night (wifey actually took her since I was hooked up to the dialysis machine). They gave her a couple of shots and she is all better now.
Oh well, I think I will go play with the dogs for a little while.
Wildlife
We live in an area that is just 15 minutes from a major city but we are in a quiet, wooded subdivision. When we first moved in we had a deer go running through the woods behind out house. He was a big buck.
We have had geese come to visit us, too.
Last week we had a hawk sitting on our fence. He was soooooo beautiful.
We have had geese come to visit us, too.
Last week we had a hawk sitting on our fence. He was soooooo beautiful.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Big Update
I am getting closer to the transplant operation. About 5 weeks ago, 2 potential donors and I had blood drawn in the same day to have crossmatching tests ran. They both are matches (technically they both tested negative to antigens in the blood that would cause them to not be matches for me). I have talked with both but have never met either one of them. The next step will be for one of them to go throught the 2 day evaluation I did back in the first part of the year. More details as I know them and can share them.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Tickets Please
Friday, President Bush was in town for a town hall meeting. I was there. I think I have been to 15-20 presidential visits. No matter the person, the respect for the office makes it an enjoyable experience for me to go to. This was my first post 9-11 one to go to and I found the security a whole lot tighter than I remembered.
A couple of years ago, I took my parents down to Plains, GA on Fathers' Day. We went to Maranatha Baptist Church and had Jimmy Carter as our Sunday School teacher. Yes, that Jimmy Carter. That is probably my fondest memory of being somewhere with a President. My parents really enjoyed it, too.
A few weeks a go a friend I have kept up with since college called and asked what I was doing this weekend. Long story short, she had tickets for a show here (she lives out of state) and wanted to give them to me and wifey if we could use them. It was John Fogerty and John Mellencamp. Great show but really hot and I dont do well with heat or humidity. Average age was probably in the 50's. We enjoyed watching the people and listening to the music. We laughed as a roadie was walking the seating sections looking for someone to show the bands some southern hospitality. Did I mention the average age was in the 50's? Now think about the roadie again and laugh.
A couple of years ago, I took my parents down to Plains, GA on Fathers' Day. We went to Maranatha Baptist Church and had Jimmy Carter as our Sunday School teacher. Yes, that Jimmy Carter. That is probably my fondest memory of being somewhere with a President. My parents really enjoyed it, too.
A few weeks a go a friend I have kept up with since college called and asked what I was doing this weekend. Long story short, she had tickets for a show here (she lives out of state) and wanted to give them to me and wifey if we could use them. It was John Fogerty and John Mellencamp. Great show but really hot and I dont do well with heat or humidity. Average age was probably in the 50's. We enjoyed watching the people and listening to the music. We laughed as a roadie was walking the seating sections looking for someone to show the bands some southern hospitality. Did I mention the average age was in the 50's? Now think about the roadie again and laugh.
Snake heads and fish heads
This week wifey was out trimming the shrubbery and stopped when she thought she saw a lizard. It wasnt a lizard but a snake.
Yesterday I was cutting some of our grass which is kinda thick and tall after the overabundance of rain from the hurricane. Long story short, I killed a snake with the mower but didnt know I had until I pulled the mower back and saw it moving around (which they do even when dead). Never did find its head.
Last weekend wifey and I escaped into the mountains. Her mom was in town and watched the dogs for us. Sunday we had lunch at a nice restaurant on the way home. I ordered the pan fried trout. It came out and part of the fish was raised up off the plate. I thought it might be more fries or a lemon wedge that got underneath the fish. It was Mr. Trout's head that had been folded underneath. I have eaten whole fish before but wasnt expecting it this time.
In poker news... I am doing much better at the free site I have been playing at. I am getting a good hang of it I just need to work on the mathematical parts a little more as well as knowing how to play positions better.
Yesterday I was cutting some of our grass which is kinda thick and tall after the overabundance of rain from the hurricane. Long story short, I killed a snake with the mower but didnt know I had until I pulled the mower back and saw it moving around (which they do even when dead). Never did find its head.
Last weekend wifey and I escaped into the mountains. Her mom was in town and watched the dogs for us. Sunday we had lunch at a nice restaurant on the way home. I ordered the pan fried trout. It came out and part of the fish was raised up off the plate. I thought it might be more fries or a lemon wedge that got underneath the fish. It was Mr. Trout's head that had been folded underneath. I have eaten whole fish before but wasnt expecting it this time.
In poker news... I am doing much better at the free site I have been playing at. I am getting a good hang of it I just need to work on the mathematical parts a little more as well as knowing how to play positions better.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
You want me to what?
Two stories... real quick
The other day I received a letter from a headhunter. The headhunter was hired by this corporate guy that wants to get into the line of work that I am in (they sent me his resume, too). Anyway, they would like me to volunteer my time to help train this guy to essentially be a competitor. Dont think that I will be doing that.
Today I went to a market research thing on cars. I got to look at trucks and tell them which one I liked best and why. It was obviously paid for by Dodge and we got to preview a new Dodge full-size truck not on the market yet that has some pretty cool features. About all I can say on that subject. They paid $100 for my time (maybe an hour) and some soft drinks on the way out. I wished I could have taken a peek at the SUV's they were doing, too.
The other day I received a letter from a headhunter. The headhunter was hired by this corporate guy that wants to get into the line of work that I am in (they sent me his resume, too). Anyway, they would like me to volunteer my time to help train this guy to essentially be a competitor. Dont think that I will be doing that.
Today I went to a market research thing on cars. I got to look at trucks and tell them which one I liked best and why. It was obviously paid for by Dodge and we got to preview a new Dodge full-size truck not on the market yet that has some pretty cool features. About all I can say on that subject. They paid $100 for my time (maybe an hour) and some soft drinks on the way out. I wished I could have taken a peek at the SUV's they were doing, too.
Friday, July 15, 2005
What do you mean you are open?
Had lunch today with a friend at one of my favorite restaurants, a little Cuban Restaurant in an out of the way area. A friend of mine had told me he had heard it was closed. We called ahead and then showed up after learning it was indeed open. After lunch we asked about the rumor. It seems that the local paper ran an article saying that the restaurant had closed after 18 years and if you wanted cuban food to try a place that just opened up. The careless reporter claims he received some emails saying the restaurant was closed so he ran the story. He never called to check if it was true or not just ran the story. The paper ran a retraction (probably buried somewhere hard to find) but business has been slower than normal since the story ran. Makes you wonder about the validity of what you read in this paper doesnt it?
Friends and the Fundraiser
Last night was the event I threw for the Kidney Foundation. It raised around $1300 so far (some folks are feeling guilty for saying they would be there and then not showing up so they are writing some checks). I wish it would have raised more money but overall it was a great time. Kevn Kinney was as superb as always. It threatened rain all night and since we were outside (but covered) we were a little nervous. It would not have been a good thing for the talent to get electrocuted...
Kevn really got intothe show as did the crowd and his second set was almost 2 hours instead of the scheduled 1 hour. He shared a lot of background info on a lot of his songs (where and why he wrote them) and mixed in a variety of songs in the middle of his songs (for example, my favorite was when parts of the Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" found its way into "Fly me Courageous").
Kevn and I talked a good bit. He remembered playing at my college alma mater in 1991 and said it was one of his favorite DNC shows. He was unaware that I was the reason he played there. He was gracious and signed autographs and took photographs and even played requests from the audience (including one that was rather obscure).
Thanks to everyone that helped make this a success, including Dennis, John and Gardner and ESPECIALLY MCP.
Kevn really got intothe show as did the crowd and his second set was almost 2 hours instead of the scheduled 1 hour. He shared a lot of background info on a lot of his songs (where and why he wrote them) and mixed in a variety of songs in the middle of his songs (for example, my favorite was when parts of the Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" found its way into "Fly me Courageous").
Kevn and I talked a good bit. He remembered playing at my college alma mater in 1991 and said it was one of his favorite DNC shows. He was unaware that I was the reason he played there. He was gracious and signed autographs and took photographs and even played requests from the audience (including one that was rather obscure).
Thanks to everyone that helped make this a success, including Dennis, John and Gardner and ESPECIALLY MCP.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Randomness
Currently I am doing the waiting game. Nothing you can do to speed up time, especially while waiting for tests results to come back. [sigh]
Went to Home Depot Landscaping today. I was looking for some plants for our beds but they didnt have that many to choose from. A child was on the loose. He was about 4 maybe 5 and his parents just watched him turned over flats of plants, signs, displays, and whatever else he wanted to do. They didnt correct him, and dang sure didnt "fix" any of his mistakes. One of my pet peeves if you have to know...
Early May I decided to play around in the stock market. It wasn't a big purchase but I just wanted to see what I could do. I had read up in several business publications on some areas for probably a couple of months and finally made my decision on what to buy. Yesterday my stock closed up 33% from when I bought it maybe 7 or 8 weeks ago! A friend bought the same stock maybe a month earlier (after reading the same things that made me believe it was a good stock) but a few dollars more per share than when I did, so he is up maybe 25% but I would bet he put a lot more into his investment than I did... Still not bad for an "amature"
Yesterday I tried my hand at online poker. Free site that you dont put up any money to play. I did well for the first hour or so. I stupidly left my email running in the background and got distracted when some emails started coming in and quickly lost all I had won and a little more. Wifey does particularly well at this site. Maybe one day I will be good enough to play against her on the internet.... HAHAHAH (she'll be reading this soon).
Last weekend with it being the Fourth and all, a theme park near our house had a huge fireworks display. It seems it was only us and a couple next door out in the yard to enjoy it. I remember the last couple of years when it seems half the neighborhood was having firework viewing parties but not now. Dont know why.
Went to Home Depot Landscaping today. I was looking for some plants for our beds but they didnt have that many to choose from. A child was on the loose. He was about 4 maybe 5 and his parents just watched him turned over flats of plants, signs, displays, and whatever else he wanted to do. They didnt correct him, and dang sure didnt "fix" any of his mistakes. One of my pet peeves if you have to know...
Early May I decided to play around in the stock market. It wasn't a big purchase but I just wanted to see what I could do. I had read up in several business publications on some areas for probably a couple of months and finally made my decision on what to buy. Yesterday my stock closed up 33% from when I bought it maybe 7 or 8 weeks ago! A friend bought the same stock maybe a month earlier (after reading the same things that made me believe it was a good stock) but a few dollars more per share than when I did, so he is up maybe 25% but I would bet he put a lot more into his investment than I did... Still not bad for an "amature"
Yesterday I tried my hand at online poker. Free site that you dont put up any money to play. I did well for the first hour or so. I stupidly left my email running in the background and got distracted when some emails started coming in and quickly lost all I had won and a little more. Wifey does particularly well at this site. Maybe one day I will be good enough to play against her on the internet.... HAHAHAH (she'll be reading this soon).
Last weekend with it being the Fourth and all, a theme park near our house had a huge fireworks display. It seems it was only us and a couple next door out in the yard to enjoy it. I remember the last couple of years when it seems half the neighborhood was having firework viewing parties but not now. Dont know why.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
I guess it is real now
Yesterday the overnight delivery guy showed up with a package rather early in the a.m. I had just finished unhooking from the peritonial dialysis machine and was trying to figure out what package was being delivered. Maybe wifey was getting something, I thought as I went down to open the door. Instead it was the package of stuff for the crossmatching tests for Tuesday.
What will happen is that I will have a lot of blood taken because not only do I have to get blood for these tests but it is also time for my monthly labs. And if I am really lucky it will also be time for my quarterly labs, too.
Anyway, the same day that this is happening to me (Tuesday) 2 potential donors will have considerably less blood drawn. We will all send the blood by courier to the labs that day. In about 2 weeks we will know which, if either, is the best match. After that is determined, that person, if they are willing, would schedule the two or 3 day evaluation I had to do early February or late January. They would be tested to make sure that they have no problems that would preclude them from giving a kidney. 3 weeks later they would get the results of those tests and if they are still willing, then the transplant would be scheduled.
Those of you keeping score at home, that means the earliest that I could have the surgery would be the end of August.
In other news, I received some positive information yesterday on "the big news" that I have hinted at in past posts but nothing can be announced for another couple of weeks. Sorry.
What will happen is that I will have a lot of blood taken because not only do I have to get blood for these tests but it is also time for my monthly labs. And if I am really lucky it will also be time for my quarterly labs, too.
Anyway, the same day that this is happening to me (Tuesday) 2 potential donors will have considerably less blood drawn. We will all send the blood by courier to the labs that day. In about 2 weeks we will know which, if either, is the best match. After that is determined, that person, if they are willing, would schedule the two or 3 day evaluation I had to do early February or late January. They would be tested to make sure that they have no problems that would preclude them from giving a kidney. 3 weeks later they would get the results of those tests and if they are still willing, then the transplant would be scheduled.
Those of you keeping score at home, that means the earliest that I could have the surgery would be the end of August.
In other news, I received some positive information yesterday on "the big news" that I have hinted at in past posts but nothing can be announced for another couple of weeks. Sorry.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Satellite Radio
Yes I know this is the third posting in one day. Count yourself extremely lucky.
I love satellite radio and here are some of the reasons why.
Commerical free music Imagine whatever type of music you like or are in the mood for and being able to listen to it with little interference from a DJ and no interference because of commercials. Just music.
Variety Imagine a channel dedicated to just about everything. Classical music? Check. Reggae? Check. Music from 1940's only? Check. Former NPR great Bob Edwards? Check. Comedy? XM has 3 comedy channels. Country? Do you mean newer country, older country or really old country and western, as they have all of them. Movie Soundtracks? A whole channel for you. Traffic and Weather? They have individual channels for all of the major cities in the US. They also have channels that play unsigned bands, R&B, Rap, New Age, Jazz, and EVERY Major League Baseball Game. The variety is staggering.
Signal Strength Have you ever taken a long road trip somewhere and go through an area with no radio stations or only stations playing music you dont like? Last fall, I drove from Atlanta to Gatlinburg listening to the same station (static free) all of the way there.
Special Shows A few weeks ago I was able to listen to Bonaroo live. Bonaroo is a large music festival in the middle of Tennessee that lasts 3 or 4 days. People camp out and listen to the music all day long. XM broadcast live some of the bigger names playing there and then some of the small stages throughout the day. South by Southwest in Austin was on a few months back. This week they have Live 8 and Sunday they are broadcasting live and commercial free from Willie Nelson's annual July 4th BBQ.
I find it hard to listen to normal, terrestrial radio anymore.
I love satellite radio and here are some of the reasons why.
Commerical free music Imagine whatever type of music you like or are in the mood for and being able to listen to it with little interference from a DJ and no interference because of commercials. Just music.
Variety Imagine a channel dedicated to just about everything. Classical music? Check. Reggae? Check. Music from 1940's only? Check. Former NPR great Bob Edwards? Check. Comedy? XM has 3 comedy channels. Country? Do you mean newer country, older country or really old country and western, as they have all of them. Movie Soundtracks? A whole channel for you. Traffic and Weather? They have individual channels for all of the major cities in the US. They also have channels that play unsigned bands, R&B, Rap, New Age, Jazz, and EVERY Major League Baseball Game. The variety is staggering.
Signal Strength Have you ever taken a long road trip somewhere and go through an area with no radio stations or only stations playing music you dont like? Last fall, I drove from Atlanta to Gatlinburg listening to the same station (static free) all of the way there.
Special Shows A few weeks ago I was able to listen to Bonaroo live. Bonaroo is a large music festival in the middle of Tennessee that lasts 3 or 4 days. People camp out and listen to the music all day long. XM broadcast live some of the bigger names playing there and then some of the small stages throughout the day. South by Southwest in Austin was on a few months back. This week they have Live 8 and Sunday they are broadcasting live and commercial free from Willie Nelson's annual July 4th BBQ.
I find it hard to listen to normal, terrestrial radio anymore.
New News
Next Tuesday, I will have blood drawn as will two potential donors. Tests will be done to crossmatch and see who (if either) is the best match.
The Times are a Changin
Just a short little rant. When I was growing up, Arby's was famous for their "Western Roast Beef" Sandwiches. I am not sure the difference between western and eastern roast beef but ok. They even had a cowboy hat on their sign. Now that cowboy hat has morphed into a potholder. I dont get it. Bring back the hat!
Also, Kentucky Fried Chicken changed their name to KFC because they thought it would have more appeal and be hipper. Now they are playing Lynard Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama" in the background of their commercials. What does "SHA" have to do with fried chicken? Somebody please tell me. I am not complaining about listening to Skynard. I love Skynard but I just dont see the connection. The only Skynard song I could think of that mentions chickens was "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" but that chicken is actually a rooster getting ready to crow.
Also, Kentucky Fried Chicken changed their name to KFC because they thought it would have more appeal and be hipper. Now they are playing Lynard Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama" in the background of their commercials. What does "SHA" have to do with fried chicken? Somebody please tell me. I am not complaining about listening to Skynard. I love Skynard but I just dont see the connection. The only Skynard song I could think of that mentions chickens was "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" but that chicken is actually a rooster getting ready to crow.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Bang your head
Last night the wifey and I decided to go to "Metalsome Monday". So we went to Virginia Highlands to the 10 High Club located in the basement of the Dark Horse Tavern.
Imagine if you will, Karaoke with a live band so that you can live out your rock and roll fantasies. The band's list of 200 songs leans heavily towards big hair bands of the 80's with some punk and grunge thrown in (and.. how did the Go-Gos get on this list?). The band is very good. The singers are like watching Karaoke... some are good (like the chic that looked like Pat Benetar and sang "Heartbreaker") and some are really, really bad (like the girl that was on
her honeymoon and serenaded her new hubby with some Bon Jovi).
Part of the fun is seeing who shows up. In the past, Butch Walker formerly of the Marvelous 3 has shown up and a couple of months ago Mike Mills from REM was present. Members of Velvet Revolver and Skid Row have also made appearances when in town. Last night we had
the pleasure of seeing and hearing Alan Atkins, the original singer of Judas Priest sing Quiet Riot's metal anthem "Bang Your Head."
I knew better than to sing last night. Besides they make DVD's of your performance to sell so you can live out the glory days over and over....
Imagine if you will, Karaoke with a live band so that you can live out your rock and roll fantasies. The band's list of 200 songs leans heavily towards big hair bands of the 80's with some punk and grunge thrown in (and.. how did the Go-Gos get on this list?). The band is very good. The singers are like watching Karaoke... some are good (like the chic that looked like Pat Benetar and sang "Heartbreaker") and some are really, really bad (like the girl that was on
her honeymoon and serenaded her new hubby with some Bon Jovi).
Part of the fun is seeing who shows up. In the past, Butch Walker formerly of the Marvelous 3 has shown up and a couple of months ago Mike Mills from REM was present. Members of Velvet Revolver and Skid Row have also made appearances when in town. Last night we had
the pleasure of seeing and hearing Alan Atkins, the original singer of Judas Priest sing Quiet Riot's metal anthem "Bang Your Head."
I knew better than to sing last night. Besides they make DVD's of your performance to sell so you can live out the glory days over and over....
Friday, June 17, 2005
Picture Book
When the family and I were in Charleston for a week, I blogged that we were thinking of doing a picture book. We used Snapfish to upload all of the pictures and then put them in order with captions and stuff. I did this Monday night. Today the books were delivered. I have to say that I am impressed. Hardcover book with around 20 pages of pictures we took. It looks great! Got a couple extras printed, too. One is for mom and dad (part of a Father's Day present) and the other is part of a belated birthday present for my sister.
I looked at some of the other free photo sites (Ofoto, etc.) and they provide the same thing but Snapfish had some options I liked better and cost a little less. I think all 3 books with shipping (I opted for 2 day shipping) came out to around $60. Not bad.
Now we have hard copies of all of those digital photos already arranged in an album. Cant beat it.
I looked at some of the other free photo sites (Ofoto, etc.) and they provide the same thing but Snapfish had some options I liked better and cost a little less. I think all 3 books with shipping (I opted for 2 day shipping) came out to around $60. Not bad.
Now we have hard copies of all of those digital photos already arranged in an album. Cant beat it.
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