Yahoo Music Hiking Prices

Mountain Man is considering dumping Yahoo Music because of the impeding price hike. What do you think he should do? Keep in mind he needs WMA support, so an I-Pod only solution isn't really helpful.

Mehlisms?

You know those people you come across who are so smart that a casual conversation can be almost painfully intimidating?  My friend Thomas is one such character.

If you've read my blog even a little in the past you will be aware that my usual assortment of compatriots include a higher than average share of multiple-doctorate-holding, biochemist, rocket-scientist, uber-intellectual friends.  In short, I have more than a few wicked smart friends.  That of course, is no reflection on me.  But it does put me into a particular position to point out something significant when it surfaces.

For example, Thomas recently did some posts online that are quite insightful.  Check them out at Mehlisms.  Now one of my geek friends posting online is hardly newsworthy, usually.

But there is something that sets Thomas and his posts a little apart from the crowd.  You see, most of the time when dealing with the ultra-brainy, you have to have your relevancy filter set pretty high.  Evidently something about being super-smart means you lack the ability to apply your mighty mentality to issues more relevant to the Average Joe.  Instead, they meander about minutiae and ponder primarily points that aren't applicable in practice.  Thomas, is quite the opposite.  His insight is often the most balanced and useful.  He cuts to the core with an alarming alacrity that dispells that myth that genius is code for obscure and useless.  I find his directness refreshing and his points both well-thought and thought-provoking.

My dad has often pointed out to me the difference between wisdom, knowledge, and creativity.  In his words, knowledge is data and information you can collect, wisdom is knowledge applied, and creativity is figuring out how to get from one to other.  While Thomas has long displayed wisdom, these posts illuminate his creativity as well.

Oh Palisade!

Can I just say how much I love Palisade?! What a remarkable restaurant.  Exquisite food, good friends.  Do I live a charmed life or what?

Happy birthday to Joe!  Sorry we didn't get to catch up.

Everyone write Scot a memo and let him know you really want him to kick it in high gear and finish the worship album.  His newest song is absolutely AMAZING!  I am not that easily impressed and it blew me away.  We've been having the same discussion about the music, the people, the impact, and the point for quite some time now.  This was the first genuine, totally harmonious, boy-are-we-on-the-same-page discussion we've had.  Usually, we snipe each other a bit and lock musical horns.  In regards to his latest song, I am truly the biggest fan.  It's exactly what is needed.  Excellent work.  Truly.

Now if he'd just lay "Ardent" down also...

Smoking is Gross. Or is it?

Frasier: "All right. Now Bebe, tell me, what is so wonderful about smoking?"

 

Bebe: "Everything. I like the way a fresh, firm pack feels in my hand. I like peeling away that little piece of cellophane and seeing it twinkle in the light. I like coasting that first, sweet cylinder out of it's hiding place and bringing it slowly to my lips. Striking a match. Watching it burst into a perfect, little flame and knowing that soon that flame will be inside me. I love the first puff, pulling it into my lungs. Little fingers of smoke filling me, caressing me, feeling that warmth penetrate deeper and deeper until I think I'm going to burst then WHOOSH! Watching it flow out of me in a lovely sinuous cloud; no two ever quite the same."

I'm not a smoker and never will be.  But this gave me some insight into the addictions of some of my friends.

Yay for Pay TV!

For the last two years I've been ranting about how the networks could significantly increase their revenue streams by releasing rights-protected versions of their shows over the internet on a daily basis.  It would appear that finally somone at the networks woke up and realized the potential.  Or maybe Steve Jobs is sneakier than everyone previously believed.

First he uses his battle with Disney to get Eisner (what a complete tool!) fired. That paves the way for Bob Iger who is more Jobs-friendly.  Together they are finally able to pull off the coolest stunt I've seen in a few years.  Getting the networks to release their shows the day after for $2 will totally create huge change in the consumer media market.  They are effectively forcing every network to release their media at a totally reasonable price-point on a very aggressive timeline.  About freakin' time.

Iger, you rock!  Jobs, I tip my hat to you.  NBC, get on the band-wagon quick.  You'll make a mint off me.

Snowing

Flew into Denver this morning amid a most excellent snow storm.  Considering that I spent the weekend in the glorious Phoenix heat, it made for an interesting change.

Being on the road all the time gets difficult when you switch climates and cultures often.  I could wear shorts in the heat, but I'm going to step off a plane into a snowbank.  Lugging along a jacket when I spend all day watching the Seattle sky dump rain just doesn't seem to make sense.  My gloves and my beanie are my two favorite things when it gets cold.  It seems no matter how nippy it is, I'm good if my hands and head are warm.

Oh, and I got to dance this weekend.  Mark learned some new moves.  It was really cool.  We only played one game of have you met Mark.  He's not that good at it.  Of course, since he is dating my sister I had pretty low expectations.  ;-)

An Italian Prince

This has been a very full week. So full, in fact, that I missed a concert I was really hoping to see. We all know how much I need my music!

Missing out on Shane & Shane is a Very Bad Thing. To rub salt in the wound, I was supposed to go with my buddies Nathan and Scot. Alas, if only I cared less about customer service!

On the flip side, I've been able to spend the week working alongside an honest-to-goodness, real, live, Italian Prince. Ain't that the coolest? Unfortunately, I wasn't able to talk him into giving me a Ferrari. Maybe next time.

On the Lake

It was a long week, and a busy weekend.  But it ended with an absolutely spectacularly wonderful afternoon on the lake.  Some good people, some wakeboarding, tubing and all around chaos and mayhem.

To top it off, the sunset was simply eye-popping.  I was mostly rested and ready to go back to work.  Until I actually got to work.  Argh.

Recap

It's time for a quick recap of the last two days.

Firstly, Serenity was amazing!  It was absolutely outstanding.  A great movie experience, a great chance to reconnect with some of the greatest characters ever written, and a fun ride as a stand-alone blockbuster.  I highly recommend this movie.  You'll enjoy it.

Secondly, I saw Building 429 and Casting Crowns tonight.  What a total waste of time as a concert.  Don't get me wrong I like the music, but as a concert it was grossly mishandled.  The lines were incredibly long, there were WAY to many people and no seats.  The tour manager came out on stage and said there were 150 people who hadn't paid who came in through a back-door and would they please leave.  The fire marshall was going to ask everyone without a ticket (like more than 300) to leave.  The place was freakishly hot and cramped.  A totally wasted concert experience.  Extreme Faith Productions really needs to get there act together. Definitely they need to fire the tour manager.

Lastly, I need to wish Happy Birthday to Corrine and Eric. They are both getting older and more lovely. Cheers, guys!