I started this blog as a way to get my thoughts out and share stuff that’s on my mind. I have an overwhelming sense of “creativity” in me that seems to have to fight it’s way out. I want to create a NetCast (aka podcast) that allows me to speak my mind rather than type it, but it’s a lot of work.
I have spent the last few weeks struggling with the amount of time I spend in front of the computer instead of with my family, yet I haven’t been able to figure out what to add to this thing. I don’t like the amount of time I’ve spent in front of the computer over the last few weeks, but I also don’t like the fact that I haven’t posted anything in that amount of time as well.
I’m starting my second class for the semester tomorrow, and I have no idea how that’s going to affect my schedule. I feel like Macroeconomics is a breeze, even though it’s not that interesting to me. It may be a little different when I write my papers for it, but I don’t think I’ll have much of a problem with that.
I have to write a paper soon about an economic situation going on in the world. Does anyone out there have any ideas about an economic situation going on right now that I can write about? I’d appreciate any help that doesn’t require me to use any more brain power than I feel like using, which isn’t much. Heck, I’ll even give you credit for the idea.
After this semester, I think I’m going to cut myself off from media for a few days, just to relax my brain. I need the break, because I think I have a problem… an addiction to news. Digg provides the fix most of the time, but I have to go elsewhere every now and then, because I get caught up with Digg stories pretty frequently.
The Texans lost today. The road to an 8-8 season looks like a far away dream for us right now. The Astros didn’t pull it out this season like they have for the past two years. I wouldn’t expect Roger Clemens to come out again after this season. I’d almost be willing to bet that this season’s final Astros game will be Clemens’ last. It really stinks. My only reason for thinking that is because I don’t know why he’d want to play for a losing team again. He probably already regrets signing back up this year after helping them get to the World Series for the first time last year. That was an accomplishment that will probably not be met this year.
I’m not a sports expert, and that’s about all the sports talk I have in me.
I had a great weekend. Christle and I met a few new people and really enjoyed the time we spent with them. This should be a good week.
My Perspective of iTunes 7
I’ve seen some people upset about their recent “upgrade” (they’d call it something else) to iTunes 7. There have been problems with iTunes purchased music not making it’s way over, music not playing correctly, and other stuff like that. I’ve also read that Apple is granting a one time allowance to re-download lost content that was lost due to the upgrade. In my opinion, that means that Apple can easily recognize and admit it’s mistake and make it right all in a short amount of time. We know it’s a short amount of time because this version was just released on Tuesday.
I have seen a number of features that I really like about the new version 7.
- You can force iTunes to update album art to the iTunes version, even if you didn’t purchase the album through iTunes. It takes a while to do it the first time, but I added a Peter Frampton mp3 album this afternoon, and iTunes went out and got the album art immediately. I am highly impressed by this as I have gone through a lot of trouble in previous versions updating each album by going out to Google, searching for the album cover and picking the best one before adding it. Streamlining my own process without even having to ask for it… “cool”!
- I like the visual representation of how much space I’m using on the hard drive. It shows how much is music, video, etc. Part of the presentation also includes tabs for the iPod preferences that used to require a right-click to access. Again, making things easier is tremendous.
- Built-in ability to back-up entire library (excluding Audible purchases) to CD or DVD easily and restore that library later on, if necessary. I’m always concerned that I don’t have a duplicate copy of my music just in case of hard drive crashes. I used to work in hard drive data recovery, if you didn’t know that already. Data recovery is expensive.
- It’s pretty. The previous version was pretty, too, but looking at this makes me feel all fuzzy inside. I almost feel the need to get a mac to enjoy the entire Apple experience.
- Download progress page. It consolidates all downloads on one page, so you can see how far along each is and also pauses downloads when the connection drops. I’ve tested it, and it seems to work flawlessly. You can also pause a download purposely as well. In previous versions you could only see progress of downloads in the top area, and even then, I couldn’t figure out how to switch progress bars between two things that were being downloaded.
- Skip Count allows you to see how many times you’ve skipped a song. This is helpful if your library is larger than you iPod, and could potentially make it easier to determine which songs you want on it. I have a video now, but had a Nano before, and this feature would have been great back then.
I have seen some people complain about iTunes using up way too much memory on their system, but that hasn’t been as widespread as the music complaints. I’ve played quite a few things that I got from the iTunes store, as well as stuff from my personal library and haven’t had the sketchy audio quality others have complained about.
My personal experience leads me to the conclusion that iTunes 7 is better than it’s predecessor.
Hey Dad!
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day.
Pro-Immigration, Anti-Illegal Immigration
Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
Imagine that my wife break into your house. When you discover her in your house, you insist that she leave.
She insists, however, “I’ve made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I’ve done all the things you don’t like to do. I’m hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house). According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family’s insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It’s only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I’m just trying to better myself. I’m hard-working and honest, um, except for, well, you know.
“And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.”
Why can’t people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America… if you agree, send it to your friends (in English). Share it if you see the value of it as a good simile.
If you still don’t understand why we should have a stronger grip on our borders and why we should deport people who are here illegally, blow it off along with your future Social Security funds.
Took a Break
I was getting too overwhelmed at work for the past few weeks so I decided to take a long weekend. I took thursday and friday off to do some shopping and get some stuff around the house done.
I mowed the grass yesterday, and it’s a good thing I did instead of letting Christle talk me into slumming it all day. It has been raining here since I woke up this morning.
I have an official “farmer’s tan” now. I don’t know why, but I’ve been putting off writing to this thing… I think I forget what this thing is all about every now and then. It’s about what-ever-the-heck I want it to be about.
Luckily, right now at least, there is PayPerPost to help cover costs associated with this site. Not that my posts add anything of relevance to society in the grand scheme of things, but it does give me a place to vent when the urge hits me.
My third semester of school started this week. It’s going to be difficult, but I can do it.
My buddy Steven and his wife Becky just had a new baby yesterday. Congratulations, Steven & Becky!
Getting Ready for Another Semester
Only one more weekend to go before I have to start hitting the books again.
I’ve actually already started reading ahead. It looks more interesting than I had anticipated.
I’m coming up with a few ideas for a podcast. My main problem is picking a topic. I love watching the Diggnation podcast on a weekly basis. I also like listening to Jay and Jack’s Lost Podcast. They are pretty funny, and really do a great job on everything but the volume throughout the shows.
I feel pretty confident that I can produce high quality, I just don’t think a one-man show can really do that well in the podcasting sphere.
I can’t remember the name of the podcast that was solo, because apparently it fell off the charts due to lack of subscription renewals (which are free, by the way). The one that I listen to on a daily basis is great. I pay for the subscription to his site, GlennBeck.com, and he is absolutely worth listening to.
I really want to do it right, so if I don’t post one, it’s because I didn’t get it right. I have the hardware, software, and know-how to get it done, but I might have to get someone to co-host it with me to make it really good. Christle isn’t really into this sort of thing, so she’s out. Any volunteers?
I guess I got a little off topic…
Digging PayPerPost
I found this Digg story by a fellow PayPerPoster. You can get to it HERE.
Dan is right about the fact that advertising dollars are more valuable if they are going to regular Joe’s like myself. Creating a buzz about new products is much more valuable because it lets people add usage ideas and collaborative strength to a product.
I really like the video he made… it’s really creative.
I Dugg it… Do you Digg it?
Jiffy Lube Scam Video
I know that a lot of people use places like Jiffy Lube and other quick stop oil changers like it. I think it is imperative that you see this video. I don’t think it’s wrong to go to them, but you should definitely watch their every move.
Click Here to watch the video
This type of scam is not isolated to that area of the country. I plan to keep my eyes on my vehicle when it’s being serviced, especially when they try to sell me extras.
Hurricane Tracking
I may have posted about flhurricane.com last year when I was tracking Rita, but I had to post a link again. I was curious about where Ernesto was headed, and this one shows the average route from all of the routes predicted by several forcast models.
Check out this Map of Ernesto’s Path. I looked for a way to display the map here in my blog, but why reinvent the wheel, you know? So you’re just looking at a picture here.
One of the neat things to look at is tracking for an entire year, such as All of the Hurricanes in 2005.
What do you use to track hurricanes? I don’t know how anything could be more informative than this.
Thought for the Day
I received this in an email today. Usually, I don’t like stupid stuff that asks to be spread, but this one was short and to the point.
One Nation Under God
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: Jesus Christ and the American G.I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Pass it on!