+ It's awesome having a friend who works at a record store. This week's half-priced used finds: Midnight Movies: s/t, Neu!: Neu! '75 Heartworms: Space Escapade, Mazzy Star: She Hangs Brightly.
+ Pitchfork has news on two records I'm excited about: new albums from The Books and Portishead(!)
+ Having Thursday off for the inauguration was the least I should get for putting up with another four years of Dick and Bush.
+ Did I mentioned I got an iPod recently?
- Almost breaking my iPod yesterday. Newsprint is a bitch.
- Why a snowstorm on Saturday, when I could be getting days off of work? Oh, and there are no hills to sled on around here.
- Another friend moving far away.
1.22.2005
1.21.2005
1.20.2005
iHacked
I decided to give hacking my iPod's firmware a try. It wasn't hard at all, with the help of iPod Wizard. It allows you to alter the firmware by replacing graphics, fonts, and text. I replaced the dumb NO sign (circle with a line through it) that flashes when the iPod is connected to the PC with a picture of Wally, my cat.
1.18.2005
1.17.2005
iPod Pt. 2
Well folks, I took the plunge (i.e. bit the bullet, joined the club, and cooked my own goose—all at the same time). On Saturday, despite possibilities of either getting one used or discounted by up to 20%, I decided to jump the gun and just buy one. And so I did...
I chose to go to Best Buy because I also needed to get a USB 2.0 card for my PC and didn't feel like driving out to Microcenter. I ended up getting the 20GB model I was considering last week. They had this opened/returned unit for $50 less than normal price, but when I looked it over and saw a few minor scratches on the screen and someone else's greasy fingerprints all over it, I opted to forgo my last chance to save a few bucks and ended up paying full price to get one brand-new. Yes, I can consume with the best of them.
It's been awesome, so far. I had a few issues installing the USB card (it kept conflicting with my video card, causing my PC to lock up whenever I plugged into the USB), but since I got that sorted out, it's been smooth sailing to MP3sville. The rest of my weekend was all about ripping CDs. It's tedious stuff for sure, but I'm about halfway through my first round of essentials (currently up to about 4GB). I imagine there will be at least another pass or two through my collection after I realize everything I loaded on is crap and I have nothing to listen to.
Several of the reservations I had about the accessories have been confirmed. The stock earbuds aren't doing it for me; they're uncomfortable and don't sound too great either. I've ordered these Sony MDR-EX71SL buds recommended to me by John, the reviews for which have been mostly favorable. I'm also ordering a black iSkin, since I'm already tired of handling this thing like it's a newborn strapped to twenty sticks of dynamite. As for the other stuff, the dock now seems rather unnecessary, and I'll have to wait and see how I do without a remote before looking into those. I already have an aux input on my car stereo, so I'm finally able to make use of that with the help of a simple 1/8" cable I had laying around.
I've checked out iPodLounge.com, Anapod Explorer (fully integrates the iPod with Windows Explorer and allows for direct transfer of MP3s outside of iTunes), and read about hacking the iPod firmware to add custom graphics. [Yeah, not so fast there buddy.]
So, what's next? How else can I insulate myself from this daily life I find littered with so many toolbags, rednecks, mouth-breathers, conservatives, and outright dandy fops?
How about a pair of iBalls? Why yes, thank you.
I chose to go to Best Buy because I also needed to get a USB 2.0 card for my PC and didn't feel like driving out to Microcenter. I ended up getting the 20GB model I was considering last week. They had this opened/returned unit for $50 less than normal price, but when I looked it over and saw a few minor scratches on the screen and someone else's greasy fingerprints all over it, I opted to forgo my last chance to save a few bucks and ended up paying full price to get one brand-new. Yes, I can consume with the best of them.
It's been awesome, so far. I had a few issues installing the USB card (it kept conflicting with my video card, causing my PC to lock up whenever I plugged into the USB), but since I got that sorted out, it's been smooth sailing to MP3sville. The rest of my weekend was all about ripping CDs. It's tedious stuff for sure, but I'm about halfway through my first round of essentials (currently up to about 4GB). I imagine there will be at least another pass or two through my collection after I realize everything I loaded on is crap and I have nothing to listen to.
Several of the reservations I had about the accessories have been confirmed. The stock earbuds aren't doing it for me; they're uncomfortable and don't sound too great either. I've ordered these Sony MDR-EX71SL buds recommended to me by John, the reviews for which have been mostly favorable. I'm also ordering a black iSkin, since I'm already tired of handling this thing like it's a newborn strapped to twenty sticks of dynamite. As for the other stuff, the dock now seems rather unnecessary, and I'll have to wait and see how I do without a remote before looking into those. I already have an aux input on my car stereo, so I'm finally able to make use of that with the help of a simple 1/8" cable I had laying around.
I've checked out iPodLounge.com, Anapod Explorer (fully integrates the iPod with Windows Explorer and allows for direct transfer of MP3s outside of iTunes), and read about hacking the iPod firmware to add custom graphics. [Yeah, not so fast there buddy.]
So, what's next? How else can I insulate myself from this daily life I find littered with so many toolbags, rednecks, mouth-breathers, conservatives, and outright dandy fops?
How about a pair of iBalls? Why yes, thank you.
1.16.2005
Pass the Timosil
I've just finished watching the first season DVDs of Fox's Arrested Development a second time. Man, what an awesome show. I don't think I've seen anything on broadcast television quite like it. It's a wonder it hasn't been cancelled already!
The writing is top-notch, for one. It has this weird blend of really subtle and completely over-the-top moments to it. I mean, there are just as many dry, sarcastic lines as there are prat falls or fart jokes. This dynamic is at least partially character-driven, though the same could be said for the show itself. Michael (Jason Bateman), for example, is like the straight man in the middle being driven crazy and is very dry and acerbic, while Buster (Tony Hale) is at times a complete imbecile—hilariously childish and goofy.
Which brings me to the other cool thing about the show: the amazing ensemble cast, including one of my favorite comedians, David Cross(Mr. Show, Shut Up You Fucking Baby) as Tobias Funke. He's really good, of course, though I can't say he's my favorite character. Gob, played by Will Arnett (Amy Poehler's husband) and George Michael (Michael Cera) are probably my two favs, but all of them are funny (that's the ensemble part). There are also some cool cameos, including plenty of Mr. Show cast members and various other “out-of-the-mainstream” comedians (e.g. Poehler and her fellow Upright Citizens).
What else can I say? This is a really good show. It's got clever writing, a great cast with funny people...oh, and fart jokes, a couple of fart jokes here and there. Let's just hope it's not too good, if you know what I mean.
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