Friday, September 7, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Of talent contests, checkout lines, Dallas, and more
America's Got Talent (not so much) and So You Think You Can Dance (yes, you can) are finishing up the auditions.
AGT. I like Howard Stern. I liked Piers Morgan for the same reason. It needs someone somewhat impartial to balance Sharon's and Howie's biased preferences. Stern seems to be handling that pretty well. Haven't seen any amazing talent yet. What they have put through is boring. No amazing singers or anything. A lot of the acts were pretty lame.
"Horse" made it through 1st cuts. Really? Come on. This is a dumb shit of a teen (I don't think he's a teen anymore) who went YouTube viral as the king of nutshots. I've seen him on other viral video clip shows like Web Soup and Attack of the Show. He started with pulling a heavy load with his dick, and then taking hits to the crotch. How is this a Vegas act? There wasn't any other act better than this to put through? Yes, there was. This isn't talent, this is fucking stupid. I thought this was supposed to be a family show. You'd think the show and judges would like to inspire youth, but they should do this? Hopefully the young "men" who think this is a way to get famous won't be able to procreate. Can Horse even get it up? He's been doing this for so long Numbnuts is a more fitting nickname. And the young ladies who think guys like this are cool? Yeah, they shouldn't be having babies either.
You may have heard about the war vet who scammed everyone with his sob story. This guy wasn't more than a mediocre guitar strummer/singer to begin with. Wisely, the producers decided to not give this guy any more air time and the judges voted him off with no fanfare. There was just a quick shot in the rejection montage of him crying without even mentioning his name. Good, well handled.
Why do the producers waste so much air time on the back stage drama if the people don't make it to the live show? Well, ok, sometimes it's funny. Like when someone really thinks they're good and go on about how unique and million dollar Vegas worthy their act is...but isn't. But the sob stories? Why do we need them? Save it for later if the act makes it to the live show. Or not. I hate the crybabies because I think it's all faked to earn sympathy votes. That guy proved that. You sob story doesn't make you a headlining act.
SYTYCD should be really good this season. Really really good. I complained that last season was rather boring with too much contemporary, but maybe they heard (read?) me? The top 20 debuted in their 1st routines and it was awesome. A 3-way cha cha (2 girls, 1 boy), a 3-way ballet (2 boys, 1 girl). Very cool routines. If you're excited about "Magic Mike", you need to see those 2 ballet boys. Oh baby. They've got pretty faces to go with their pretty bodies. If they mix up the dance styles they way they mixed up the dancers, it's going to be great. Besides the 3 ballroom and 3 ballet dancers, and the usual contemporary and jazz dancers, there's a belly dancer, a stepper, a martial artist, and an animator. Animator? I've seen the style but hadn't heard the term before. It's like the robot dance on steroids. There's also a new format. There won't be results shows. Not sure how eliminations will work, but apparently there will only be one episode per week (boo) and in the end there will be 2 winners...a boy and a girl.
One day in the checkout line at Walmart. After looking at my options, I chose the lane with 1 nearly empty cart. And waited. I had got behind 3 people shopping out of the same cart. It was almost a comedy act. It appeared to be a mom, her son, and his girlfriend. Turns out there were 3 separate bills in that cart. None were that big, mom's was the biggest and partially loaded in another cart at the end, but for some reason it was awfully complicated. It's possible there was another bill for a person not along for the shopping trip.
I realized half the complication was their eating. They had hit the in-house McD's before they checked out. They were trying to sort out and pay their individual bills while stuffing their faces and bickering the entire time. Mom never shut up! It looked like things were just being moved around. Here, this goes in this bag. No, wait it stays in that cart, and this goes there. The girlfriend was the only one who seemed to have it together, and she looked a bit embarrassed by the mom/son routine. You know how you try not to be rude and stare? This was one of those things you had to try real hard not to be obvious about watching and listening, but it was so fascinating that I couldn't not watch and eavesdrop. I wonder how people like that function in life.
Dallas! What fun! Maybe you aren't old enough to remember Dallas. Back in its day, it was a BIG DEAL. It was one of the first primetime soaps and the most successful. Well, it's back! TNT has revived it, and it picks up where it left off 20 odd years ago. Money and power, and schemes, scams and shady characters. This reincarnation has brought back many of the original actors in their former roles, including Larry Hagman as the now elderly but no less sly and evil J.R. Ewing. It's not a remake, it's the story continued.
Brand X. This is Russell Brand's little show on FX and I just caught it last night. I like him. Not his movies, those were awful, but I like his stand-up. His hilarious British accent has a lot to do with it. I'm not sure how much was scripted and how much is ad-libbed. I think it's 50/50. He's basically doing a 30 minute monologue for a live audience with a guest and a graphics screen off to the side to help him. This first show the guest was a young political analyst or something. Brand wanted to know what the American equivalent of the Dali Lama was. So he ran through various American politicos and celebrities with the guest explaining how some might fit the role. He's really very astute with a quick wit. I liked it. It probably won't be a long-lived show but I'll watch while it's here.
Grass. I have the mowing down to an hour. 1 hour! That includes getting off to open and close 2 gates. The mandatory safety features on the tractor require that the mower deck is disengaged, trans out of gear, and the brake set before you get off the seat, or it stalls. So that takes up a little time. Sometimes there's an extra stop when I forgot to move something out of the way before I started. Still hate to cut the grass, but I guess I can handle an hour every 2 weeks. 2 weeks? Yep, pretty much. The last time I mowed was 13 days ago. It's more often during spring but as summer goes on, it needs it less often. I mow no lawn before its time. After the current baking heat wave and lack of rain, I shouldn't need to mow again for a while.
Good morning.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Grass
Have I mentioned how much I hate to mow the lawn? I don't think so. Oh did you think this might be about something else? Well, I could talk about how I feel about that, but not today.
I hate to cut the grass. Really really hate it. It's my most dreaded outside chore. I'd rather crawl around on my knees pulling weeds all day than cut the grass. I'd rather do anything outside than cut the grass.
If I had my way, I would have no lawn at all. None. Lawn is such a waste of space in the bigger picture. It's a water hog, it needs constant cutting and trimming, and it's boring. As a gardener who gets gardening magazines and has the unlimited resources of the web, I can think of a lot of ways to eliminate lawn from a well landscaped yard. Not that my place is well landscaped, it would probably be too wild for many people. I like wild and more natural and unplanned looking. I landscape to make my life easier as well as for the pleasure beautiful plants give me.
When I moved here, it was an acre and a half of grass. It's very rural, what I call being out in the sticks. The former owners' had done no landscaping, it was a blank slate of grass. I immediately began to eliminate some mowing. How do I do that? Gardens are one way. I don't own a weed-whacker. Haven't for years, even before I moved here. Hate the damn things. They never work well, you're constantly stopping to get it working again, bumping out more string, reloading string when it gets tangled or whatever it was that made it stop working. And then there's the special gas/oil mix and a loud motor and maintenance. Oh and they usually aren't built for short people, it's hard on the back and all. So I build a garden anywhere that needs trimming or that's hard to mow. Gardens are designed so the lawn mower can easily move along the edge. Since I've had acreage most of my life, that means a riding lawn tractor. No inside corners, preferably all straight or curved edges. Easy to drive along. I have designed a new edge by driving it with the tractor first. Whatever the blades couldn't reach becomes part of the garden. My houses and outbuildings have always had plantings around them as part of this plan.
Over the years, I abandoned more and more lawn. I use the term lawn loosely. I don't do lawn care. If it needs mowing, it's lawn. My particular lawn is a wild life habitat in itself with its variety of plants (what a lawn care nut would consider weeds). It's green...good enough. I allowed more natural habitat to take over the perimeters of the property. In the beginning, it took a good 3 hours on the tractor to cut the grass. As of now, I've got it down to less than an hour and a half. And I'm still eliminating more lawn. If I don't go there, I don't mow there. Being so rural, that was possible here. Curb appeal is not at issue here. There's very few passers-by to care about it. Most of my landscaping is designed for MY view, not the road's.
You might think having a tractor would make it less hateful. I know a lot of people love to cut the grass on a tractor. Not me. This is actually why I'm ragging about grass. Having a tractor means maintenance, repairs, gas, and noise. I hate making that much noise and I don't like to hear it. I wear ear protection on the tractor. I worked in an auto factory where hearing protection was mandatory. Later on, they relaxed the rules a little to allow people who didn't work in loud areas to decide if they needed it. I knew when I needed it and I used it. My father went deaf due to what he believes was damage from when he was a radio operator in the service. I don't want that to happen to me.
Tractor maintenance is part of the reason I'm never ready for the first cut of the season. I put it off. I don't even try to start the tractor until the day I finally get the gumption to get it over with. I know I should have done that months ago before I actually needed it, but I don't. Because I hate it so much!
Which brings me to this year. You got it, haven't cut the grass yet. So I get the tractor ready. Change the oil, get gas, check the tires, shoo the fucking wasps that start living in any little space, drag out the battery charger because it's usually dead after sitting all winter. This year, I didn't even try to charge the battery. It's over 4 years old, I just figured it was time for a new one if I have to charge it every year. Then it still wouldn't start. Dead, zip, nada, not even a little clicky sound. Well shit.
So I called Sears. Oh yeah, forgot to mention it's a Craftsman. I've always had them. One reason is they were the best price. John Deere or Cub Cadet can cost twice as much for the same thing. I got a good 11 years out of my last Craftsman. This one is about 4. The other reason is that Sears will send a repairman to your house. I can't load it up and take it somewhere, at least not by myself, and I know repair shops aren't going to get it fixed in a day. It can be a little expensive, but I usually don't need it every year. It's worth it to me, and I bet a repair shop would be nearly the same. These Sears guys are good and so nice. They get it fixed in an hour or so right out of the back of their truck, and they will do other things like grease the gears, etc, as part of the service call. They have everything they need, even a hydraulic lift. About the only drawback is their schedule. This time, it was 2 weeks before they could get here. With the mild winter and all the rain we've had, the grass is now a hay field in a lot of places. Remember I said my lawn is made up of a lot of different things. Some is actual grass which grows tall fast, others are short native things. So it's not completely out of control yet, but it's getting there. It's going to take 2 cuts to get it down to the height I like which is pretty short.
But tractor is fixed and it wasn't as expensive as I feared. Just the service fee which I was prepared for and a little extra for 2 small parts. It was the starter solenoid, BTW. I even got a bonus. The seat had been chewed up by a bad dog and I knew I'd have to replace it eventually, but in the meantime, I just threw an old bath rug on it. I actually do that anyways because a black plastic seat gets hot in the sun. The nice repairman had a used seat in his truck and offered it to me for $10. Sold! He said a new one was over $100 and I believe him.
One of my internet diversions is browsing real estate. I would like to move again and dream about it. I tend to want to move every 8-9 years and it's no different now. Can't right now, but I can dream. As I get older, I notice how much maintenance a property would be. If it's a little lot, why would I want any lawn? Much easier to completely get rid of it and the equipment to maintain it, and that's easily done with landscaping. If I could do that here, I would, but I can't. It's just too rural and big and landscaping everywhere I do go would be astronomical in expense. So every year, I dread the beginning of mowing season, and as always, I'm late again.
Good morning.
I hate to cut the grass. Really really hate it. It's my most dreaded outside chore. I'd rather crawl around on my knees pulling weeds all day than cut the grass. I'd rather do anything outside than cut the grass.
If I had my way, I would have no lawn at all. None. Lawn is such a waste of space in the bigger picture. It's a water hog, it needs constant cutting and trimming, and it's boring. As a gardener who gets gardening magazines and has the unlimited resources of the web, I can think of a lot of ways to eliminate lawn from a well landscaped yard. Not that my place is well landscaped, it would probably be too wild for many people. I like wild and more natural and unplanned looking. I landscape to make my life easier as well as for the pleasure beautiful plants give me.
When I moved here, it was an acre and a half of grass. It's very rural, what I call being out in the sticks. The former owners' had done no landscaping, it was a blank slate of grass. I immediately began to eliminate some mowing. How do I do that? Gardens are one way. I don't own a weed-whacker. Haven't for years, even before I moved here. Hate the damn things. They never work well, you're constantly stopping to get it working again, bumping out more string, reloading string when it gets tangled or whatever it was that made it stop working. And then there's the special gas/oil mix and a loud motor and maintenance. Oh and they usually aren't built for short people, it's hard on the back and all. So I build a garden anywhere that needs trimming or that's hard to mow. Gardens are designed so the lawn mower can easily move along the edge. Since I've had acreage most of my life, that means a riding lawn tractor. No inside corners, preferably all straight or curved edges. Easy to drive along. I have designed a new edge by driving it with the tractor first. Whatever the blades couldn't reach becomes part of the garden. My houses and outbuildings have always had plantings around them as part of this plan.
Over the years, I abandoned more and more lawn. I use the term lawn loosely. I don't do lawn care. If it needs mowing, it's lawn. My particular lawn is a wild life habitat in itself with its variety of plants (what a lawn care nut would consider weeds). It's green...good enough. I allowed more natural habitat to take over the perimeters of the property. In the beginning, it took a good 3 hours on the tractor to cut the grass. As of now, I've got it down to less than an hour and a half. And I'm still eliminating more lawn. If I don't go there, I don't mow there. Being so rural, that was possible here. Curb appeal is not at issue here. There's very few passers-by to care about it. Most of my landscaping is designed for MY view, not the road's.
You might think having a tractor would make it less hateful. I know a lot of people love to cut the grass on a tractor. Not me. This is actually why I'm ragging about grass. Having a tractor means maintenance, repairs, gas, and noise. I hate making that much noise and I don't like to hear it. I wear ear protection on the tractor. I worked in an auto factory where hearing protection was mandatory. Later on, they relaxed the rules a little to allow people who didn't work in loud areas to decide if they needed it. I knew when I needed it and I used it. My father went deaf due to what he believes was damage from when he was a radio operator in the service. I don't want that to happen to me.
Tractor maintenance is part of the reason I'm never ready for the first cut of the season. I put it off. I don't even try to start the tractor until the day I finally get the gumption to get it over with. I know I should have done that months ago before I actually needed it, but I don't. Because I hate it so much!
Which brings me to this year. You got it, haven't cut the grass yet. So I get the tractor ready. Change the oil, get gas, check the tires, shoo the fucking wasps that start living in any little space, drag out the battery charger because it's usually dead after sitting all winter. This year, I didn't even try to charge the battery. It's over 4 years old, I just figured it was time for a new one if I have to charge it every year. Then it still wouldn't start. Dead, zip, nada, not even a little clicky sound. Well shit.
So I called Sears. Oh yeah, forgot to mention it's a Craftsman. I've always had them. One reason is they were the best price. John Deere or Cub Cadet can cost twice as much for the same thing. I got a good 11 years out of my last Craftsman. This one is about 4. The other reason is that Sears will send a repairman to your house. I can't load it up and take it somewhere, at least not by myself, and I know repair shops aren't going to get it fixed in a day. It can be a little expensive, but I usually don't need it every year. It's worth it to me, and I bet a repair shop would be nearly the same. These Sears guys are good and so nice. They get it fixed in an hour or so right out of the back of their truck, and they will do other things like grease the gears, etc, as part of the service call. They have everything they need, even a hydraulic lift. About the only drawback is their schedule. This time, it was 2 weeks before they could get here. With the mild winter and all the rain we've had, the grass is now a hay field in a lot of places. Remember I said my lawn is made up of a lot of different things. Some is actual grass which grows tall fast, others are short native things. So it's not completely out of control yet, but it's getting there. It's going to take 2 cuts to get it down to the height I like which is pretty short.
But tractor is fixed and it wasn't as expensive as I feared. Just the service fee which I was prepared for and a little extra for 2 small parts. It was the starter solenoid, BTW. I even got a bonus. The seat had been chewed up by a bad dog and I knew I'd have to replace it eventually, but in the meantime, I just threw an old bath rug on it. I actually do that anyways because a black plastic seat gets hot in the sun. The nice repairman had a used seat in his truck and offered it to me for $10. Sold! He said a new one was over $100 and I believe him.
One of my internet diversions is browsing real estate. I would like to move again and dream about it. I tend to want to move every 8-9 years and it's no different now. Can't right now, but I can dream. As I get older, I notice how much maintenance a property would be. If it's a little lot, why would I want any lawn? Much easier to completely get rid of it and the equipment to maintain it, and that's easily done with landscaping. If I could do that here, I would, but I can't. It's just too rural and big and landscaping everywhere I do go would be astronomical in expense. So every year, I dread the beginning of mowing season, and as always, I'm late again.
Good morning.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Ohhh yeah
I have a 4G connection on the desktop! I've had the modem for a while but wasn't getting a close enough signal to connect. Been watching to see when it got here. The other day, the coverage map showed it here so I gave it a try. Yes! However, it's somewhat limited and unreliable for me since the signal is not coming from right here in my county. So I'm configuring the modem back and forth from 4G to 3G as needed. When I have it, I can tell the difference. I tested it on some of the slowest sites in my bookmarks, Wix being one of them. Oh yeah, big difference. I can even watch videos. I hardly ever do that because the buffering and waiting is so annoying. With 4G, there's no delay. I like it. Now if they'll just get on the ball and install it on my local towers.
Dancing With The Stars - one of the best seasons EVER! I mean really! There are no bad dancers, just some not quite as good as others, and everyone has had their good and not so good nights. I read somewhere that some critics think the cast is sub-par. Don't know where they get that. I know who almost all of them are, and they are all highly preferable to some of the past seasons. There have been very few scores below 7 so the pack is tight. I don't have a single favorite and won't even attempt to say who will remain at the top.
This week was Rock Night. Mostly tango or paso doble, but there was also a jive and a waltz. I wish they would save the powerful dances for this night. Tango and paso are perfect for rock music. Some notables:
Maria Menounos and Derek. I knew her face, she's a sort of tv journalist. Or host? Not sure how she's labeled. She is so damn cute and like Derek said last night, she's a warrior. She danced a high scoring tango with a broken bone in her foot! Try that in high heels! Last week, their rumba generated some buzz...did they kiss or not? I was surprised she didn't get a better score for it. It was one of the most mesmerizing rumbas I've seen and it's not my favorite dance.
Katherine Jenkins and Mark. She's a classical singer and a judges' favorite. She's performed on the show before so I knew her from that. Her paso was a little jerky and disjointed. The elegant dances like the waltzes are her forte and she's nailed those.
Gavin DeGraw and Karina. I don't expect him to go much further, but he's so endearing. I didn't really know who he was. When I first saw his name, I thought he was a country star, but he's a pop singer/songwriter. When they played a clip of one of his music videos, I recognized the song from seeing it on VH1. Not my kind of music (forgettable unless I hear it constantly), but I like him for his sweet personality.
Donald Driver and Peta. He's the token athlete and doing really well. He came out on top last night with a powerful paso doble to a classic Jimi Hendrix.
Gladys Knight and Tristan. The Empress of Soul and token senor citizen. I don't think she'll last much longer either but she is doing very well. She sure doesn't move like her age.
William Levy and Cheryl. The Cuban heartthrob didn't pull off the jive last night, but I'm sure he's not going anywhere just yet.
Melissa Gilbert and Maks. Another one that's in the bottom of the pack for dancing skill, but not bad.
Also doing well but not outstanding is the rest of the pack: Jaleel White and Kim, Sherri Shepherd and Val, and Roshon Fegan and Chelsie.
A new twist that's been too long in coming. They decided that since everyone was dancing so well, viewer votes (as in biggest fan base) weren't fair. The judges will choose the one to leave from the bottom 3 after they dance for their lives. This way someone who can dance but doesn't have the fan base can stick around. Yeah, too long in coming.
Lost Girl. I just have to rant about this a little. I like this series because it pulls from mythology, fairy tales and folk lore. I like most of the characters except the 2 main characters and the actresses playing them. Bo is the main. She's a succubus, a supposedly exotic sexual being. The actress doesn't fit. She would work better in a power suit in a corporate-style drama, like as a lawyer or something. She's not badass or exotic enough for this leather-clad magical crime fighter. (Hey Syfy, there will never be another Buffy so don't try to make her one.) I have another bitch that came from the latest episode. All of a sudden, Bo and Dyson (the hot werewolf cop) are in a real relationship. What drek! They're all over each other no matter where they are, and they're as giddy as teenagers. YUCK! Even Dyson lost some sex appeal there. I loved him dark and broody and taciturn, not like this. If this silly valley girl turned him into that, cut her loose!
Revenge is coming back! Nuff said.
Good morning.
Dancing With The Stars - one of the best seasons EVER! I mean really! There are no bad dancers, just some not quite as good as others, and everyone has had their good and not so good nights. I read somewhere that some critics think the cast is sub-par. Don't know where they get that. I know who almost all of them are, and they are all highly preferable to some of the past seasons. There have been very few scores below 7 so the pack is tight. I don't have a single favorite and won't even attempt to say who will remain at the top.
This week was Rock Night. Mostly tango or paso doble, but there was also a jive and a waltz. I wish they would save the powerful dances for this night. Tango and paso are perfect for rock music. Some notables:
Maria Menounos and Derek. I knew her face, she's a sort of tv journalist. Or host? Not sure how she's labeled. She is so damn cute and like Derek said last night, she's a warrior. She danced a high scoring tango with a broken bone in her foot! Try that in high heels! Last week, their rumba generated some buzz...did they kiss or not? I was surprised she didn't get a better score for it. It was one of the most mesmerizing rumbas I've seen and it's not my favorite dance.
Katherine Jenkins and Mark. She's a classical singer and a judges' favorite. She's performed on the show before so I knew her from that. Her paso was a little jerky and disjointed. The elegant dances like the waltzes are her forte and she's nailed those.
Gavin DeGraw and Karina. I don't expect him to go much further, but he's so endearing. I didn't really know who he was. When I first saw his name, I thought he was a country star, but he's a pop singer/songwriter. When they played a clip of one of his music videos, I recognized the song from seeing it on VH1. Not my kind of music (forgettable unless I hear it constantly), but I like him for his sweet personality.
Donald Driver and Peta. He's the token athlete and doing really well. He came out on top last night with a powerful paso doble to a classic Jimi Hendrix.
Gladys Knight and Tristan. The Empress of Soul and token senor citizen. I don't think she'll last much longer either but she is doing very well. She sure doesn't move like her age.
William Levy and Cheryl. The Cuban heartthrob didn't pull off the jive last night, but I'm sure he's not going anywhere just yet.
Melissa Gilbert and Maks. Another one that's in the bottom of the pack for dancing skill, but not bad.
Also doing well but not outstanding is the rest of the pack: Jaleel White and Kim, Sherri Shepherd and Val, and Roshon Fegan and Chelsie.
A new twist that's been too long in coming. They decided that since everyone was dancing so well, viewer votes (as in biggest fan base) weren't fair. The judges will choose the one to leave from the bottom 3 after they dance for their lives. This way someone who can dance but doesn't have the fan base can stick around. Yeah, too long in coming.
Lost Girl. I just have to rant about this a little. I like this series because it pulls from mythology, fairy tales and folk lore. I like most of the characters except the 2 main characters and the actresses playing them. Bo is the main. She's a succubus, a supposedly exotic sexual being. The actress doesn't fit. She would work better in a power suit in a corporate-style drama, like as a lawyer or something. She's not badass or exotic enough for this leather-clad magical crime fighter. (Hey Syfy, there will never be another Buffy so don't try to make her one.) I have another bitch that came from the latest episode. All of a sudden, Bo and Dyson (the hot werewolf cop) are in a real relationship. What drek! They're all over each other no matter where they are, and they're as giddy as teenagers. YUCK! Even Dyson lost some sex appeal there. I loved him dark and broody and taciturn, not like this. If this silly valley girl turned him into that, cut her loose!
Revenge is coming back! Nuff said.
Good morning.
Friday, March 16, 2012
What's on the DVR
First, I have to talk about reality tv. You know I detest the very idea of it, and never watch it other than for a few minutes to see what all the fuss is about. Doesn't take long to see that I was right and it's not worth my time. However, I have found a new genre of reality tv that I actually like. Intelligent competitions. The key word here being intelligent.
Syfy has Face Off. Now this is cool! Aspiring special effects artists compete for the prize. They create sci-fi, horror, or fantasy make-ups, according to a theme for each week. There's a little drama for those that watch reality tv for that, but not so much that it turns me off. The main attraction is how special effect make-up is created. They are judged by a panel of esteemed make-up artists. Occasionally, an actor most everyone knows joins in to give their feedback.
As Face Off wrapped up its 2nd season, a new one called Monster Man (also Syfy) debuted. I watched the 1st episode last night. Not bad. It's not a competition, it's more of a house drama along the lines of LA Ink or something like that. It's about their jobs. This eclectic group of artists work for a company that makes creatures for movies. We watch as they fret and bicker while creating the thing on a tight schedule. Again, it's the techniques that interest me. BTW, I've never watched LA Ink but I know what it's about.
I'm finding it a little easier to handle the increasingly gross stuff on tv when I see how it's done.
Along that line sorta, I decided to try out the new Fashion Star on network tv. Also not bad. I didn't have to sit through a lot of backstage drama. It was about the clothes and how high end buyers like Macy's and H&M feel about the designs. Celebrity designers Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie gave feedback. The clothes are displayed runway style like a rock and light show. I liked it for that part more than anything, but it's interesting to see what store buyers look for.
Of course, 2 of my favorite dance competitions are included in this kind of contest. Speaking of that, Dancing With The Stars premiers next week. The cast of stars looks pretty good. Nothing that looks like controversy, and quite a few are higher than D list.
So what else? Some of my shows are on hiatus or past their season finale. I just read an article about something that had been bothering me. Why are seasons so short these days? Apparently it's more cost effective and easier for everyone involved. Instead of a network ordering say 20 episodes at once, they just order 12 or so. Either that's the entire season or the season is split with a hiatus. I don't like it, but it does explain what I was seeing. Or not seeing.
Random thing. I guess I knew this, but it didn't really sink in until I saw a ratings list. DVR is now included in ratings numbers. Yeah, they know what you are DVRing because the cable company has those stats. Cable companies probably can also get numbers just from what you are watching. The Neilson box or whatever they used to use is becoming obsolete, if it hasn't already.
I'm finding a lot to watch on network tv again. They are actually spending money for good television and I'm very happy about that.
Revenge. OMG, I really love this one and now it's done for the season.
Ringer. I worried this wouldn't be able to pull it off without revealing too much, but it is. Good job! I'm still not sure just exactly what is going on.
Person of Interest. I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but it is really good. These 2 rather mysterious guys hook up to fight crime on a new level which is frightening in that the way they know about these impending crimes could really happen. Think Big Brother or Skynet.
Saturday Night Live. Yeah, I've reconnected with an iconic show that I loved when I was much younger. I quit watching for a long time. I didn't care for the cast and the skits were so lame. But now I have DVR. I can fast forward past a boring skit to get to something better. Too many of the lame parts are recurring skits and characters. Didn't like it the first time I saw it, like it even less the 4th time or the 14th time. But there is better. My favorite part is Weekend Update. Mostly I want to see the commentary on real news headlines. Weekend Update also does "guest spots" with the cast portraying characters or celebrities. That part can get real stupid and make me hit the skip button. One of the best parts is the surprise cameos, either on the news segment or in other skits. Big names appear with no advance notice. Often 2 or 3 each week. I began watching again when I saw buzz about Tina Fey's amazing impersonation of Sarah Palin, and it was dead on! I also had the DVR by then so I could watch again. It's pretty worth it.
A couple new ones:
The Firm. This is kinda hard to follow so you have to pay attention. It's based on a bestselling book about lawyers. Each episode starts with a climatic scene. Then it goes back to 2 or 3 weeks earlier to show what happened that to led up to that scene. This is the part that gets confusing as sometimes the scene is extended a little further, or overlaps another scene. There's an ongoing story along with new trials each week. Pretty good, though.
Awake. This one just started. Very strange. A cop survives a deadly car crash, but we're not sure about that. He has 2 realities that resulted from the accident. In one, his wife died but their son lives. In the other, it's the son that died and the wife survives. Each reality has a different therapist, and since he talks about the other reality, the therapists don't believe the other therapist exists either. I have to wonder if the therapists googled each other. Then he discovers he can use these different realities to solve or prevent crimes. He gets clues from one about the crime in the other. So what's happening here? Well, we don't know yet. My suspicion was that he is the only one who survived, and that's a 3rd reality that he's not aware of. I just watched the 2nd episode last night, and I think I was right. At the end of the episode, we learn his boss is in cahoots with a sinister character, and apparently they caused the accident and are using him for something.
Touch. This one premiered a while back with just the pilot episode. Now that's taking the short season concept to really annoying levels. At least they are rerunning the pilot as the season actually starts airing. I have to watch it again. A single dad's autistic son sees the future. The pilot shows how the father came to realize that. It looked interesting so we'll see where it goes.
Side note. I'm finding it so interesting how autism is being portrayed and actually quite a bit lately. We learn there are extraordinary brains under the dysfunction. The last time I saw it was on Alphas with the autistic boy with extra normal powers. Before that, there was a doctor on Grey's Anatomy and lawyers on Boston Legal and Allie McBeal.
Once Upon A Time. This has become one of my favorites. Fairy tales in a new way. These writers are talented! The premise is that the people in Fairy Tale World (I'll refer to it as FTW) were cursed and sent to the little town of Storybrooke, the real world (RW). Sort of the real world. Storybrooke seems to be mysterious itself...no one from FTW can leave the town. No one remembers who they were in FTW except a few. The mayor of Storybrooke is the evil queen in FTW and she knows who she is. Her adopted son Henry knows what's going on. It doesn't say how he knows, but he has a book that tells the stories and somehow he knows the stories are true. Emma is the main character and she's Henry's biological mother. In FTW, she's the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming who was smuggled out of FTW as a baby before the evil queen laid her curse. According to Henry, she is key to breaking the curse. Each episode flashes back to FTW to tell a character's story. The main story revolves around Emma, Mary Margret/Snow White, David/Prince Charming, Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin, and the mayor/evil queen. More fairy tales and mythologies pass through each episode. To give an idea of how the classic fairy tales are retold in startling ways, the last episode was about Ruby's FTW story. Ruby is the waitress at Storybrooke's diner/tavern. In FTW, she's Red Riding Hood. I knew that early on from her name and bright red hair extensions. In FTW, her grandmother constantly warns her to wear the red cloak to repel the Wolf that terrorizes the land. The cloak was actually made by a wizard to keep her from turning into the Wolf! This series has become DVD library-worthy!
More Syfy stuff.
Lost Girl. This is a new fantasy about the world of Fey. I love the mythology and all, and it's a bit sexy sometimes. Not too crazy about the 2 main characters but I love some others. The mains are Bo, a succubus (the sexy part), who just discovered what she is and the Fey underworld, and her human sidekick Kensie who attached herself to Bo whether she wanted her or not and now they are bonded like sisters. Why doesn't anyone force some boundaries on that annoying little shit?! I mean seriously! She knows the world she's following Bo in, why on earth would she just help herself to the stew sitting on the stove when they visit an ill Fey? The stew was not meant for human consumption (gross!), and Kensie became deathly ill because it was poisoned in a murder attempt on the ill Fey, and no one gave her hell for it. They just coddled her and worried over her and gave her warm and fuzzy love while they looked for a cure. Sheesh. The 2 characters I really like are Dyson and Trick. Dyson is a werewolf, and he's been added to my crush list. Trick is the bartender of the Fey pub hangout, and he and Dyson seem to know more about Bo than they're telling her. Not sure what he is (looks like a leprechaun) , but we just learned in the latest episode he is "The Blood King" whatever that means. Apparently he looks very good for his age.
Merlin is back on Syfy. One of my favorites. I just bought the 1st season for the library.
Eureka is coming back, and I just learned this is the final season. Bummer! This will be added to the library as well.
Good morning.
Syfy has Face Off. Now this is cool! Aspiring special effects artists compete for the prize. They create sci-fi, horror, or fantasy make-ups, according to a theme for each week. There's a little drama for those that watch reality tv for that, but not so much that it turns me off. The main attraction is how special effect make-up is created. They are judged by a panel of esteemed make-up artists. Occasionally, an actor most everyone knows joins in to give their feedback.
As Face Off wrapped up its 2nd season, a new one called Monster Man (also Syfy) debuted. I watched the 1st episode last night. Not bad. It's not a competition, it's more of a house drama along the lines of LA Ink or something like that. It's about their jobs. This eclectic group of artists work for a company that makes creatures for movies. We watch as they fret and bicker while creating the thing on a tight schedule. Again, it's the techniques that interest me. BTW, I've never watched LA Ink but I know what it's about.
I'm finding it a little easier to handle the increasingly gross stuff on tv when I see how it's done.
Along that line sorta, I decided to try out the new Fashion Star on network tv. Also not bad. I didn't have to sit through a lot of backstage drama. It was about the clothes and how high end buyers like Macy's and H&M feel about the designs. Celebrity designers Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie gave feedback. The clothes are displayed runway style like a rock and light show. I liked it for that part more than anything, but it's interesting to see what store buyers look for.
Of course, 2 of my favorite dance competitions are included in this kind of contest. Speaking of that, Dancing With The Stars premiers next week. The cast of stars looks pretty good. Nothing that looks like controversy, and quite a few are higher than D list.
So what else? Some of my shows are on hiatus or past their season finale. I just read an article about something that had been bothering me. Why are seasons so short these days? Apparently it's more cost effective and easier for everyone involved. Instead of a network ordering say 20 episodes at once, they just order 12 or so. Either that's the entire season or the season is split with a hiatus. I don't like it, but it does explain what I was seeing. Or not seeing.
Random thing. I guess I knew this, but it didn't really sink in until I saw a ratings list. DVR is now included in ratings numbers. Yeah, they know what you are DVRing because the cable company has those stats. Cable companies probably can also get numbers just from what you are watching. The Neilson box or whatever they used to use is becoming obsolete, if it hasn't already.
I'm finding a lot to watch on network tv again. They are actually spending money for good television and I'm very happy about that.
Revenge. OMG, I really love this one and now it's done for the season.
Ringer. I worried this wouldn't be able to pull it off without revealing too much, but it is. Good job! I'm still not sure just exactly what is going on.
Person of Interest. I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but it is really good. These 2 rather mysterious guys hook up to fight crime on a new level which is frightening in that the way they know about these impending crimes could really happen. Think Big Brother or Skynet.
Saturday Night Live. Yeah, I've reconnected with an iconic show that I loved when I was much younger. I quit watching for a long time. I didn't care for the cast and the skits were so lame. But now I have DVR. I can fast forward past a boring skit to get to something better. Too many of the lame parts are recurring skits and characters. Didn't like it the first time I saw it, like it even less the 4th time or the 14th time. But there is better. My favorite part is Weekend Update. Mostly I want to see the commentary on real news headlines. Weekend Update also does "guest spots" with the cast portraying characters or celebrities. That part can get real stupid and make me hit the skip button. One of the best parts is the surprise cameos, either on the news segment or in other skits. Big names appear with no advance notice. Often 2 or 3 each week. I began watching again when I saw buzz about Tina Fey's amazing impersonation of Sarah Palin, and it was dead on! I also had the DVR by then so I could watch again. It's pretty worth it.
A couple new ones:
The Firm. This is kinda hard to follow so you have to pay attention. It's based on a bestselling book about lawyers. Each episode starts with a climatic scene. Then it goes back to 2 or 3 weeks earlier to show what happened that to led up to that scene. This is the part that gets confusing as sometimes the scene is extended a little further, or overlaps another scene. There's an ongoing story along with new trials each week. Pretty good, though.
Awake. This one just started. Very strange. A cop survives a deadly car crash, but we're not sure about that. He has 2 realities that resulted from the accident. In one, his wife died but their son lives. In the other, it's the son that died and the wife survives. Each reality has a different therapist, and since he talks about the other reality, the therapists don't believe the other therapist exists either. I have to wonder if the therapists googled each other. Then he discovers he can use these different realities to solve or prevent crimes. He gets clues from one about the crime in the other. So what's happening here? Well, we don't know yet. My suspicion was that he is the only one who survived, and that's a 3rd reality that he's not aware of. I just watched the 2nd episode last night, and I think I was right. At the end of the episode, we learn his boss is in cahoots with a sinister character, and apparently they caused the accident and are using him for something.
Touch. This one premiered a while back with just the pilot episode. Now that's taking the short season concept to really annoying levels. At least they are rerunning the pilot as the season actually starts airing. I have to watch it again. A single dad's autistic son sees the future. The pilot shows how the father came to realize that. It looked interesting so we'll see where it goes.
Side note. I'm finding it so interesting how autism is being portrayed and actually quite a bit lately. We learn there are extraordinary brains under the dysfunction. The last time I saw it was on Alphas with the autistic boy with extra normal powers. Before that, there was a doctor on Grey's Anatomy and lawyers on Boston Legal and Allie McBeal.
Once Upon A Time. This has become one of my favorites. Fairy tales in a new way. These writers are talented! The premise is that the people in Fairy Tale World (I'll refer to it as FTW) were cursed and sent to the little town of Storybrooke, the real world (RW). Sort of the real world. Storybrooke seems to be mysterious itself...no one from FTW can leave the town. No one remembers who they were in FTW except a few. The mayor of Storybrooke is the evil queen in FTW and she knows who she is. Her adopted son Henry knows what's going on. It doesn't say how he knows, but he has a book that tells the stories and somehow he knows the stories are true. Emma is the main character and she's Henry's biological mother. In FTW, she's the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming who was smuggled out of FTW as a baby before the evil queen laid her curse. According to Henry, she is key to breaking the curse. Each episode flashes back to FTW to tell a character's story. The main story revolves around Emma, Mary Margret/Snow White, David/Prince Charming, Mr. Gold/Rumplestiltskin, and the mayor/evil queen. More fairy tales and mythologies pass through each episode. To give an idea of how the classic fairy tales are retold in startling ways, the last episode was about Ruby's FTW story. Ruby is the waitress at Storybrooke's diner/tavern. In FTW, she's Red Riding Hood. I knew that early on from her name and bright red hair extensions. In FTW, her grandmother constantly warns her to wear the red cloak to repel the Wolf that terrorizes the land. The cloak was actually made by a wizard to keep her from turning into the Wolf! This series has become DVD library-worthy!
More Syfy stuff.
Lost Girl. This is a new fantasy about the world of Fey. I love the mythology and all, and it's a bit sexy sometimes. Not too crazy about the 2 main characters but I love some others. The mains are Bo, a succubus (the sexy part), who just discovered what she is and the Fey underworld, and her human sidekick Kensie who attached herself to Bo whether she wanted her or not and now they are bonded like sisters. Why doesn't anyone force some boundaries on that annoying little shit?! I mean seriously! She knows the world she's following Bo in, why on earth would she just help herself to the stew sitting on the stove when they visit an ill Fey? The stew was not meant for human consumption (gross!), and Kensie became deathly ill because it was poisoned in a murder attempt on the ill Fey, and no one gave her hell for it. They just coddled her and worried over her and gave her warm and fuzzy love while they looked for a cure. Sheesh. The 2 characters I really like are Dyson and Trick. Dyson is a werewolf, and he's been added to my crush list. Trick is the bartender of the Fey pub hangout, and he and Dyson seem to know more about Bo than they're telling her. Not sure what he is (looks like a leprechaun) , but we just learned in the latest episode he is "The Blood King" whatever that means. Apparently he looks very good for his age.
Merlin is back on Syfy. One of my favorites. I just bought the 1st season for the library.
Eureka is coming back, and I just learned this is the final season. Bummer! This will be added to the library as well.
Good morning.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Whitney Houston
As you have no doubt heard, she has died. It's not often the passing of a celebrity affects me enough to write about it, but this did. Of course, I'm saddened by the loss of any classic great talent, but usually it's expected because of their age. Whitney was not old, she was only 48.
I'm watching a block of back to back Whitney videos on VH1 as I write this. I would have been very disappointed if they didn't do this. It was my first thought after reading the news this morning, and I immediately tuned in. It looks like they pulled out every one in the vault.
Her music was never mine, not even back in her heyday in the 80's, but some artists appeal to me outside of my favored genres. She was one of those. Mostly it was just that one song, "I will always love you". I have always admired her amazing voice, and she was so beautiful.
Of course, no details have been released yet. Given her age and failing health (self-induced or otherwise), I doubt it will be due to natural causes. Her few public appearances in recent years pretty much painted that future.
It's well known her relationship with Bobby Brown caused her decline beginning many years ago. I can relate in a way, having endured a toxic relationship for nearly 6 yrs. But for me, the love was eventually turned off. Apparently it wasn't for Whitney. So sad. I could see her wowing us till the end if her life had taken a healthier turn and she had lived to a ripe age. Like Aretha, Tina, and even Cher.
R.I.P Whitney. You're with the great choir in the sky now. Sing on.
Good morning.
I'm watching a block of back to back Whitney videos on VH1 as I write this. I would have been very disappointed if they didn't do this. It was my first thought after reading the news this morning, and I immediately tuned in. It looks like they pulled out every one in the vault.
Her music was never mine, not even back in her heyday in the 80's, but some artists appeal to me outside of my favored genres. She was one of those. Mostly it was just that one song, "I will always love you". I have always admired her amazing voice, and she was so beautiful.
Of course, no details have been released yet. Given her age and failing health (self-induced or otherwise), I doubt it will be due to natural causes. Her few public appearances in recent years pretty much painted that future.
It's well known her relationship with Bobby Brown caused her decline beginning many years ago. I can relate in a way, having endured a toxic relationship for nearly 6 yrs. But for me, the love was eventually turned off. Apparently it wasn't for Whitney. So sad. I could see her wowing us till the end if her life had taken a healthier turn and she had lived to a ripe age. Like Aretha, Tina, and even Cher.
R.I.P Whitney. You're with the great choir in the sky now. Sing on.
Good morning.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Music videos
I've said before that I watch them. On VH1, VH1 Classics, and MTV (when they actually show music videos). Usually in the morning when all of these channels are running blocks of videos. Some they run way too much, some not enough, and I switch to something else when they've run my least favorites one too many times. It's still pretty good for short attention span TV.
There's a few that make me stop and watch every time they come on. I even recorded a couple so I can watch whenever I want. One of these is the The Black Keys "Lonely Boy". What a catchy and sing alongable tune! Who doesn't want to get up and dance along with that guy! Who is that guy? Some random (I assume) mature black man in button down shirt and suit pants getting his groove on in a lobby or something, and lip-syncing the song. Very low budget, but I love it!
Then there's Pitbull. Pitbull? This old rocker likes a rapper? Oh yeah, and not only that, he made my crush list. He collaborates with a lot of other artists. Don't think I've seen him all alone. I'll have to look around to see if there is any music videos he did alone. What is it about him? Interesting handsome face, sexy moves, gravely voice, and the man looks hot in a suit! The latest is "International" with Chris Brown. I like the tune and I can't take my eyes off Pitbull. The first time I heard of him was when he collaborated with Enrigue Iglesias (another crush) and they appeared on one of the dance shows. I admit I didn't pay much attention to Pitbull then, but he got my attention later. I actually like Chris Brown in this one, too. Probably not politically correct to like Brown, but everybody deserves the chance to redeem themselves and it looks like he really is trying.
One of the videos I'm so tired of seeing/hearing is Jesse J. When I first heard her, I thought it was Katy Perry. The voice and the song sounds like Katy, and when I looked at it, she even looks a bit like Katy. I like Katy Perry so I can't like someone who seems to be mimicking her. I'd really have to like the song, and I don't.
I actually tried to watch American Idol. It was an accident. I was DVRing Glee but it was preempted by an encore American Idol. I had read about the episode and was kinda curious to see how the girl handled the Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston "I will always love you.". I really like that song for the incredible range and test of a singer's voice, and I can't imagine anyone could do it better than Dolly or Whitney. So I watched (with a lot of fast forwarding) to see it. I was impressed by the girl, but not the show. As I thought I would, I got very bored very quickly. The only other notable audition was Jim Carrey's daughter. JLo remembered her as a baby. Gee, do you think that's why she was put through? I didn't watch her whole performance (boring), but I did watch the home movie clips just to see Jim Carrey. I like Jim Carrey.
Well, this post was mostly to write my love letter to Pitbull, and I don't have much else on my mind.
Good morning
There's a few that make me stop and watch every time they come on. I even recorded a couple so I can watch whenever I want. One of these is the The Black Keys "Lonely Boy". What a catchy and sing alongable tune! Who doesn't want to get up and dance along with that guy! Who is that guy? Some random (I assume) mature black man in button down shirt and suit pants getting his groove on in a lobby or something, and lip-syncing the song. Very low budget, but I love it!
Then there's Pitbull. Pitbull? This old rocker likes a rapper? Oh yeah, and not only that, he made my crush list. He collaborates with a lot of other artists. Don't think I've seen him all alone. I'll have to look around to see if there is any music videos he did alone. What is it about him? Interesting handsome face, sexy moves, gravely voice, and the man looks hot in a suit! The latest is "International" with Chris Brown. I like the tune and I can't take my eyes off Pitbull. The first time I heard of him was when he collaborated with Enrigue Iglesias (another crush) and they appeared on one of the dance shows. I admit I didn't pay much attention to Pitbull then, but he got my attention later. I actually like Chris Brown in this one, too. Probably not politically correct to like Brown, but everybody deserves the chance to redeem themselves and it looks like he really is trying.
One of the videos I'm so tired of seeing/hearing is Jesse J. When I first heard her, I thought it was Katy Perry. The voice and the song sounds like Katy, and when I looked at it, she even looks a bit like Katy. I like Katy Perry so I can't like someone who seems to be mimicking her. I'd really have to like the song, and I don't.
I actually tried to watch American Idol. It was an accident. I was DVRing Glee but it was preempted by an encore American Idol. I had read about the episode and was kinda curious to see how the girl handled the Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston "I will always love you.". I really like that song for the incredible range and test of a singer's voice, and I can't imagine anyone could do it better than Dolly or Whitney. So I watched (with a lot of fast forwarding) to see it. I was impressed by the girl, but not the show. As I thought I would, I got very bored very quickly. The only other notable audition was Jim Carrey's daughter. JLo remembered her as a baby. Gee, do you think that's why she was put through? I didn't watch her whole performance (boring), but I did watch the home movie clips just to see Jim Carrey. I like Jim Carrey.
Well, this post was mostly to write my love letter to Pitbull, and I don't have much else on my mind.
Good morning
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I love technology
My previous post about new gadgets got me to thinking about more gadgets. I have a lot of electronics, but none of it is top of the line stuff. When I want something, I watch for the price I'm willing to pay for it, and don't get it until then. If it's something I want/need right now, it's probably going to be low end. By low end, I mean cheaper brands which usually means lower quality. Although you can pay through the nose for high end crap.
I think about what I'd like if I had more disposable income. I'm not talking lottery-rich...that's a whole nother fantasy. I mean if I had a fairly decent bank of extra funds at all times. I'm lucky that I can have almost anything I want. I don't have expensive taste and I can usually afford that new gadget. But some I don't want so badly I'd go into debt for them.
A better tv. I don't need one right now. I'm content with the one I have. It's a flat screen HD tv, and bigger than the last tube tv. But a better one would be nice. Doesn't have to be bigger, I like the size I have now. Just better. Happily, prices for flat screens have come way down the last few years, and I can get a better one for less than I gave for the one I have. When I need it.
A new camera. A good camera is a fun toy. I have 2. The old one is a Minolta that I paid a fortune for before I retired (had more money). At the time, this was as close as you could get to a digital SLR. SLR didn't come on the market until several years later, and then they were so expensive, only professionals would afford them. This camera does almost what a SLR can do, or at least as much as I wanted it to do, but it has drawbacks. It's big and bulky for one thing. It's also a battery hog. It takes 4 AAs, and it chows through them in no time. I found an electric adapter for it, and now it just stays on the tripod with the stage for rabbit photo shoots. It also has issues...I guess it's aging. The other is a nice little point and shoot that I got at Overstock.com a couple years ago, and this is the one I can take anywhere. A digital SLR would be fun.
A tablet. Like an iPad, but not as a phone. Even if I had the funds for a fancy tablet phone with internet, I wouldn't own one. I prefer a plain ole flip phone for phone calls, and I just don't see me liking a tiny phone screen and keyboard for internet. The tablet with bigger screen would be for portable internet, and it would also be a toy. The other expense that might be included with this is the data plan. Something else I don't need, and I'm not willing to pay for right now. My little Netbook is serving that purpose without an extra data plan.
I didn't really need the Netbook, but I took advantage of the annual "tax free holiday" and got it at the same time as the desktop computer (which I did need). Saved quite a bit on both. I don't use the Netbook a lot, it's not very powerful as computers go. But it has come in handy, which is the reason I got it...for just in case. When I was without power for several days after the tornado, it got a lot of use. I bought a special charger for it during the outage that I can run off the car so I didn't have to worry about conserving the battery.
A Wii. I'm not really a gamer. I play little time-waster games, but I don't have much interest in the heavy duty type of games that you need a gaming console for. Wii looks like it would be a fun toy, so I'd get one if I had extra money. I might even get that new tv so I could dedicate the Wii to the old one, and keep the new tv for...well...watching tv.
You might have noticed a new computer isn't on the list. I don't want a new one. I love my current pc and don't see a need to upgrade again until it dies. Oh, but that reminds me...
Software. I'd buy some expensive software that I'd like to have but get by without.
Where do I go for my gadgets? Best Buy has always been the one for big ticket items like computers and tvs. Walmart is the best option around here for prices so I get small things there. I like The O for stuff that can't be found at Walmart.
BTW, if you're nervous about buying "refurbished" from The O, don't be. I've been very happy with everything I've got from there. Refurbished usually just means it was returned for reasons other than defect or damage, and usually doesn't include a manufacturers warranty (however, The O will stand behind it), but you save money on a perfectly good item. They also have good deals on new things that are just not the latest thing. If you don't mind an older version of a gadget, this is the place to go.
I usually buy myself something for Christmas from The O (like the little camera). They always run a free shipping deal at Xmas time. This year, it's a graphics tablet. I ordered it the day after Xmas and haven't got it yet. I've been looking at these for a while. I love playing with graphics and I think I'll like it. I went with a Wacom. It's (I think) the best, and I found a nice mid-range model. I saved a good $40 over what's in-store locally. Basically, it's so I can draw. I can't, not really. My mouse is a trackball controlled by the thumb. I love it because I have a hard time keeping a regular mouse on the desk. It tends to wander off, and I'm constantly picking it up to place it back where I need it. The trackball stays in place. I'm pretty good with it when it comes to editing graphics, but I still can't draw with my thumb. Can't wait to get my new toy.
Happy New Year from The Wee Dark Hours
I think about what I'd like if I had more disposable income. I'm not talking lottery-rich...that's a whole nother fantasy. I mean if I had a fairly decent bank of extra funds at all times. I'm lucky that I can have almost anything I want. I don't have expensive taste and I can usually afford that new gadget. But some I don't want so badly I'd go into debt for them.
A better tv. I don't need one right now. I'm content with the one I have. It's a flat screen HD tv, and bigger than the last tube tv. But a better one would be nice. Doesn't have to be bigger, I like the size I have now. Just better. Happily, prices for flat screens have come way down the last few years, and I can get a better one for less than I gave for the one I have. When I need it.
A new camera. A good camera is a fun toy. I have 2. The old one is a Minolta that I paid a fortune for before I retired (had more money). At the time, this was as close as you could get to a digital SLR. SLR didn't come on the market until several years later, and then they were so expensive, only professionals would afford them. This camera does almost what a SLR can do, or at least as much as I wanted it to do, but it has drawbacks. It's big and bulky for one thing. It's also a battery hog. It takes 4 AAs, and it chows through them in no time. I found an electric adapter for it, and now it just stays on the tripod with the stage for rabbit photo shoots. It also has issues...I guess it's aging. The other is a nice little point and shoot that I got at Overstock.com a couple years ago, and this is the one I can take anywhere. A digital SLR would be fun.
A tablet. Like an iPad, but not as a phone. Even if I had the funds for a fancy tablet phone with internet, I wouldn't own one. I prefer a plain ole flip phone for phone calls, and I just don't see me liking a tiny phone screen and keyboard for internet. The tablet with bigger screen would be for portable internet, and it would also be a toy. The other expense that might be included with this is the data plan. Something else I don't need, and I'm not willing to pay for right now. My little Netbook is serving that purpose without an extra data plan.
I didn't really need the Netbook, but I took advantage of the annual "tax free holiday" and got it at the same time as the desktop computer (which I did need). Saved quite a bit on both. I don't use the Netbook a lot, it's not very powerful as computers go. But it has come in handy, which is the reason I got it...for just in case. When I was without power for several days after the tornado, it got a lot of use. I bought a special charger for it during the outage that I can run off the car so I didn't have to worry about conserving the battery.
A Wii. I'm not really a gamer. I play little time-waster games, but I don't have much interest in the heavy duty type of games that you need a gaming console for. Wii looks like it would be a fun toy, so I'd get one if I had extra money. I might even get that new tv so I could dedicate the Wii to the old one, and keep the new tv for...well...watching tv.
You might have noticed a new computer isn't on the list. I don't want a new one. I love my current pc and don't see a need to upgrade again until it dies. Oh, but that reminds me...
Software. I'd buy some expensive software that I'd like to have but get by without.
Where do I go for my gadgets? Best Buy has always been the one for big ticket items like computers and tvs. Walmart is the best option around here for prices so I get small things there. I like The O for stuff that can't be found at Walmart.
BTW, if you're nervous about buying "refurbished" from The O, don't be. I've been very happy with everything I've got from there. Refurbished usually just means it was returned for reasons other than defect or damage, and usually doesn't include a manufacturers warranty (however, The O will stand behind it), but you save money on a perfectly good item. They also have good deals on new things that are just not the latest thing. If you don't mind an older version of a gadget, this is the place to go.
I usually buy myself something for Christmas from The O (like the little camera). They always run a free shipping deal at Xmas time. This year, it's a graphics tablet. I ordered it the day after Xmas and haven't got it yet. I've been looking at these for a while. I love playing with graphics and I think I'll like it. I went with a Wacom. It's (I think) the best, and I found a nice mid-range model. I saved a good $40 over what's in-store locally. Basically, it's so I can draw. I can't, not really. My mouse is a trackball controlled by the thumb. I love it because I have a hard time keeping a regular mouse on the desk. It tends to wander off, and I'm constantly picking it up to place it back where I need it. The trackball stays in place. I'm pretty good with it when it comes to editing graphics, but I still can't draw with my thumb. Can't wait to get my new toy.
Happy New Year from The Wee Dark Hours
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Diversions
Besides my daily routine of websites, I have some I visit now and then for entertainment.
The Hollywood Gossip is actually one of my daily stops, and it's linked over there in the sidebar. I think this is one of the best and most accurate celebrity gossip sites. I take their word for it, and they will redact an incorrect report if it turns out they were duped as well. I love how they make fun of the gossip rags' headlines (that probably aren't true). I especially love that they share my disdain for a lot of reality tv shows and their "stars".
A slightly related site is G4's Attack of the Show. I don't actually goto this site much, I watch it on tv. The reason it's included here is the viral videos. I see many of them before they appear the following day on The Hollywood Gossip, and often before anyone on Facebook shares them.
Another show I watch and have mentioned many times is The Soup. I catch some pretty good virals there, too.
People of Walmart is well...about the people who go to Walmart. I think it must be mostly evening and late night Walmart-goers because I don't believe I've seen anything like them. I'm out and about in the earlier times of day, so I mostly see oldsters, stay-at-home moms, etc. There's the occasional rock star wannabe lady of advanced years. The ones who make it on PoW have to be the more dysfunctional members of society. Anyways, it's a chuckle to see how much shame some people don't have. Seems to be regional. There have been some from my state, but I don't think my area. A lot from California and Florida where...ummm...unusual characters are a given. And the other southern states where...oh I hate to say it but you know what I mean.
You Are Not a Photographer makes fun of the people who think they are professional photographers. They don't pick on anyone who takes a bad picture. They go after the ones who decide their fancy new camera will pay for itself and open up shop. Then display their work which should make any intelligent consumer run hard and fast the other way. Most of these outstanding works are heavily photoshopped, which really points to their lack of editing and artistic skills more than their photography skills. You really don't need much skill to operate a digital camera, but you do need skill and talent to photoshop. My last visit to YANAP, I was delighted that they are taking submissions and will open up a new segment..."You Are Not a Graphic Designer". Can't wait. I can think of a few who should make the grade. Oh dear, I hope I don't end up there.
Speaking of that, there's Photoshop Disasters. This is stuff from print and internet media that was actually done by "professionals". It includes ads that you would think someone would have taken a little more care with. Sometimes you have to look close to see the PSD, because hey, who pays that much attention to print ads? Bet you will now.
Not Always Right is one I just found and haven't been all through it yet. The premise is conversations with customers, and should make for some chuckles.
Missouri Trailer Trash has been around for as long as I've had internet, and I'm surprised it's still online. You have got to see it! It's not updated anymore, but it's definitely worth revisiting from time to time.
Some more diversions from my links database:
Crank Dot Net
Cracked.com
Facebook Status Stalker
Awkward Family Pet Photos
Parodyville
Pravada.ru (from Russia with love)
Fireworks (you need a Java plugin for this one, so allow it and go play with fireworks)
Enjoy.
The Hollywood Gossip is actually one of my daily stops, and it's linked over there in the sidebar. I think this is one of the best and most accurate celebrity gossip sites. I take their word for it, and they will redact an incorrect report if it turns out they were duped as well. I love how they make fun of the gossip rags' headlines (that probably aren't true). I especially love that they share my disdain for a lot of reality tv shows and their "stars".
A slightly related site is G4's Attack of the Show. I don't actually goto this site much, I watch it on tv. The reason it's included here is the viral videos. I see many of them before they appear the following day on The Hollywood Gossip, and often before anyone on Facebook shares them.
Another show I watch and have mentioned many times is The Soup. I catch some pretty good virals there, too.
People of Walmart is well...about the people who go to Walmart. I think it must be mostly evening and late night Walmart-goers because I don't believe I've seen anything like them. I'm out and about in the earlier times of day, so I mostly see oldsters, stay-at-home moms, etc. There's the occasional rock star wannabe lady of advanced years. The ones who make it on PoW have to be the more dysfunctional members of society. Anyways, it's a chuckle to see how much shame some people don't have. Seems to be regional. There have been some from my state, but I don't think my area. A lot from California and Florida where...ummm...unusual characters are a given. And the other southern states where...oh I hate to say it but you know what I mean.
You Are Not a Photographer makes fun of the people who think they are professional photographers. They don't pick on anyone who takes a bad picture. They go after the ones who decide their fancy new camera will pay for itself and open up shop. Then display their work which should make any intelligent consumer run hard and fast the other way. Most of these outstanding works are heavily photoshopped, which really points to their lack of editing and artistic skills more than their photography skills. You really don't need much skill to operate a digital camera, but you do need skill and talent to photoshop. My last visit to YANAP, I was delighted that they are taking submissions and will open up a new segment..."You Are Not a Graphic Designer". Can't wait. I can think of a few who should make the grade. Oh dear, I hope I don't end up there.
Speaking of that, there's Photoshop Disasters. This is stuff from print and internet media that was actually done by "professionals". It includes ads that you would think someone would have taken a little more care with. Sometimes you have to look close to see the PSD, because hey, who pays that much attention to print ads? Bet you will now.
Not Always Right is one I just found and haven't been all through it yet. The premise is conversations with customers, and should make for some chuckles.
Missouri Trailer Trash has been around for as long as I've had internet, and I'm surprised it's still online. You have got to see it! It's not updated anymore, but it's definitely worth revisiting from time to time.
Some more diversions from my links database:
Crank Dot Net
Cracked.com
Facebook Status Stalker
Awkward Family Pet Photos
Parodyville
Pravada.ru (from Russia with love)
Fireworks (you need a Java plugin for this one, so allow it and go play with fireworks)
Enjoy.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Very cool
So I've had the Blue-Ray player for over a week now, and I'm very pleased. Netflix and music CDs work fine. Not so for the MP3 player. No place to plug it in, but there is a USB port on the front of the player. I tried to plug in the MP3 player that way, but that's not how it works. It tried to write to the player but good thing there was nothing to write to it or I'd have lost the files on the device. I guess the USB connect for the MP3 player is just for transferring files to and from it and charging the battery. But....
Something way cooler and much better! I can plug a USB flash drive into the BR player! I tested it with MP3 files and it was amazing. The sound came through the Bose rich and full. And there isn't a battery like for the MP3 player.
I only had one 4GB flash drive that I had picked up at a discount store. Functional but plain and black. I went on the search for a more attractive device to store the music on. Not only for aesthetics, but such a small black thing disappears when kept with the other black components. It could be lost.
Found some online, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to go that route. I made a point of checking any local store I happened to be in, but wasn't having any luck. The discount store where I got the other one didn't have any in stock. Then I tried Staples which is right next door. I thought that would be the logical place for something like that. Not really, unless you're a kid or a professional. The kid things were silly cartoon characters or skateboards on a display for stocking stuffers. Price was ok but none appealed to me. The real deal was in an aisle but they were all high end professional grade devices. And all black. I just wanted a reasonably priced 4-8 gigs in anything other than black.
Found it at Kmart. I don't do Kmart much but I did find my 1st MP3 player there when no one else had anything other than iPods and the like. I just wanted a plain music player, I don't need graphics and video. I liked it so much, I got a 2nd better one (not an iPod) later. So I tried Kmart for the flash drive. They had a good selection and I got one that was pretty much perfect for my need. Not too small, not black, and only $10. It has a loop so I can attach it to something making it less losable and easily identified as the music files. I'll look through my craft stuff for a charm or something.
So now I have another good option for music in the house. I like it! BTW, most of my MP3s were freebies. Some were burned from CDs I had bought. When I first got the cell phone, I was roped into the free trial apps, one being Rhapsody. The app was free, but that doesn't mean the music is. It's not. I went crazy before I realized I was paying for each song I downloaded. Quickly put a stop to that and cancelled the apps.
I learned how to search for free music online. There are lots of sites that offer free downloads, you just have to know what to look for. Can't find all the music you might want, but most of what I wanted was out there for the taking. I mostly listen to classic and oldies rock and almost all those old tunes can be found. I listen to Dish Network's audio channels (Sirius) and jot down any song that I liked. Then I search the free sites and usually find it.
So I have a pretty good size collection of MP3s now. Enough for more hours than I'm likely to listen to at one time. And there's still room for more on the 4GB players and flash drives.
Oh and I think I'll embrace the flash drive way of backing up files. I hadn't done that, and I'll keep an eye out for more in the future. In the meantime, I have an immediate use for the black drive that I hadn't considered before. There's a program I wouldn't mind having on the Netbook, but backing up the files was cumbersome. I had to unplug an external drive from the desktop puter. The flash drive will make that so easy!
I love technology!
Good morning.
Something way cooler and much better! I can plug a USB flash drive into the BR player! I tested it with MP3 files and it was amazing. The sound came through the Bose rich and full. And there isn't a battery like for the MP3 player.
I only had one 4GB flash drive that I had picked up at a discount store. Functional but plain and black. I went on the search for a more attractive device to store the music on. Not only for aesthetics, but such a small black thing disappears when kept with the other black components. It could be lost.
Found some online, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to go that route. I made a point of checking any local store I happened to be in, but wasn't having any luck. The discount store where I got the other one didn't have any in stock. Then I tried Staples which is right next door. I thought that would be the logical place for something like that. Not really, unless you're a kid or a professional. The kid things were silly cartoon characters or skateboards on a display for stocking stuffers. Price was ok but none appealed to me. The real deal was in an aisle but they were all high end professional grade devices. And all black. I just wanted a reasonably priced 4-8 gigs in anything other than black.
Found it at Kmart. I don't do Kmart much but I did find my 1st MP3 player there when no one else had anything other than iPods and the like. I just wanted a plain music player, I don't need graphics and video. I liked it so much, I got a 2nd better one (not an iPod) later. So I tried Kmart for the flash drive. They had a good selection and I got one that was pretty much perfect for my need. Not too small, not black, and only $10. It has a loop so I can attach it to something making it less losable and easily identified as the music files. I'll look through my craft stuff for a charm or something.
So now I have another good option for music in the house. I like it! BTW, most of my MP3s were freebies. Some were burned from CDs I had bought. When I first got the cell phone, I was roped into the free trial apps, one being Rhapsody. The app was free, but that doesn't mean the music is. It's not. I went crazy before I realized I was paying for each song I downloaded. Quickly put a stop to that and cancelled the apps.
I learned how to search for free music online. There are lots of sites that offer free downloads, you just have to know what to look for. Can't find all the music you might want, but most of what I wanted was out there for the taking. I mostly listen to classic and oldies rock and almost all those old tunes can be found. I listen to Dish Network's audio channels (Sirius) and jot down any song that I liked. Then I search the free sites and usually find it.
So I have a pretty good size collection of MP3s now. Enough for more hours than I'm likely to listen to at one time. And there's still room for more on the 4GB players and flash drives.
Oh and I think I'll embrace the flash drive way of backing up files. I hadn't done that, and I'll keep an eye out for more in the future. In the meantime, I have an immediate use for the black drive that I hadn't considered before. There's a program I wouldn't mind having on the Netbook, but backing up the files was cumbersome. I had to unplug an external drive from the desktop puter. The flash drive will make that so easy!
I love technology!
Good morning.
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