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In: Concerts
With: 11 Comments

I love learning how musicians are influenced by each other. One interesting display of this is which songs certain artists choose to cover in live and/or album performances. In going through some live recordings today, I found that Hootie and the Blowfish have covered quite a few artists from a surprisingly diverse spectrum. I knew about the covers on their album “Scattered, Smothered, and Covered”, but that’s just a portion. What got me started with seeing them in concert a last month and hearing a several songs but not being able to place the original artist. Below is a list of every cover song I’veRead More →

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In: Automotive
With: 4 Comments

I own a Porsche Boxster and I’m a huge fan of all things Porsche (well, except for their outrageous pricing schemes). I’m not sure that I’m going to buy a Cayman. After all, it’s the only coupe that costs more than its convertible counterpart; it is identical to the Boxster convertible version. On the other hand, the Cayman is one of the most beautiful cars I’ve seen and it delivers more power than any Boxster that Porsche has ever sold. The Cayman, like most Porsches, causes a visceral reaction, which leads to loyal owners returning the dealership despite irrationally high pricing. The only thing IRead More →

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In: Home Theater
With: 0 Comments

Two weekends ago, I attended my 4th and final CEDIA Expo to see all of the great new home theater gear. I love going because all of the latest gear is there and experts, and even the designers themselves, are often there to display the equipment. Unfortunately, it will probably be my last CEDIA because the show has grown to be too large for the Indy Convention Center. At least there is a convention center expansion planned, but it won’t be ready until next decade. This was the best CEDIA I attended as far as new product goes. It topped CEDIA 2001, where all ofRead More →

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In: Concerts
With: 0 Comments

Wow! I’ve always liked Hootie & the Blowfish, since I first heard them around 1994. At least 3 times since then, I’d considered going to one of their concerts, but never did. Today, finally, I did. I was expecting a great concert. It was, but it was better than that — it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended. I liked the new material, loved the older material, and enjoyed the covers. The band was full of energy and the songs had grown and matured from their album versions. With between 6 and 8 people on stage, the layers of sound and avenuesRead More →

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In: Concerts
With: 1 Comment

I attended my second Here Come the Mummies show at The Patio in Broadripple. These guys are so much fun. In the past year, the songs have grown into “live performances” rather than “songs from an album”. My favorite song of the night was definitely Ra Ra Ra; the percussion break and solos were much better than any other version I’d heard. My other favorites from their first album (Terrifying Funk From Beyond The Grave) were Believe (in Things You Cannot See), which started the show with mummy march cadence into the building and on to the stage, and Strange. Songs from their second albumRead More →

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In: Home Theater
With: 21 Comments

Overview I purchased network home music players from both Roku SoundBridge M2000 and a Sonos Digital Music System Bundle, with the objective being a winner-take-all comparison where one is kept and the other is returned. I’ve completed my evaluation and the results are below. Roku SoundBridge M2000 vs. Sonos Digital Music System Setup The Sonos system was easier to setup than the Roku. However, the Sonos did require a wired network connection. The advantage is that no wireless network configuration is necessary because the Sonos uses its own encrypted wireless network from that device to every other one in your house. The Roku, however, didRead More →

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In: Tech
With: 0 Comments

Palm needs to get their act together. FedEx attempted to deliver my Treo 650 on Thursday, July 30 even though their website says it is still in repair and will not be shipped until July 12. At least I have it. They fixed the screen and the keyboard key. However, a note was included stating that the modem could not be programmed properly and that I would not be charged for the repair. My initial thought was: “Great! No charge!” Then I tired to use my phone. It crashed / rebooted continuously as soon as I turned the phone on. I noticed that they installedRead More →

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In: Tech
With: 0 Comments

I complained earlier about the horrible customer support from PalmOne. Well, I finally received a reminder e-mail 2 weeks after I submitted my repair request. It complained that I hadn’t yet sent in my Treo, but didn’t mention having any previous problems with their e-mail servers sending initial shipping instructions. Anyway, I sent in my Treo via next-day FedEx air. They promise a 5-7 day turn-around on repairs, so I log-on to their website to check status on the 7th day. Estimated completion date: 12-July-2005. You’ve got to be kidding me — another 2 weeks! $190 and they don’t send me mailing instructions and thenRead More →

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In: Automotive
With: 0 Comments

I guess things have changed since my last post. Michelin has admitted that they made a mistake in designing their tires and has offered refunds to race fans. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I’ll have no problem buying Michelin tires again and I’ll definitely be at the USGP next year. Too bad this wasn’t the response initially, but Michelin definitely cleaned this up in the best possible manner.Read More →

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In: Automotive, Events & Travel
With: 0 Comments

I finally have something to talk about that is automotive-related. It started out as the best F1 USGP weekend I’d had. I’ve attended all of the previous races but this was the first year I took advantages of the activities surrounding the race. The police-escorted drive sponsored by Porsche Club of America through downtown was blissful. The drive to the track was effortless. The concourse parking on the unused back straightway of the track was not only convenient but also a display of some of the best road-going sports cars ever produced. The walk to our seats though the winding golf course was pleasant. ThenRead More →