It's past time for another update to my quest for easy to purchase music that will work with Linux and iPod.
I had been buying music from the Wal-Mart MP3 store, but now Amazon.com is selling MP3s, and it's even easier than Wal-Mart.
With Amazon's one-click purchasing, and with the Amazon MP3 Downloader software for Linux installed, it is finally easier to pay for music on-line than it is to steal it! Hurray!
The Downloader automatically places the music in my music folder in the right place, and all the ID3 tags seem to be working fine so it works perfectly in my Rythmbox player in Ubuntu, as well as iTunes on my wife's windows PC, and on our iPhones and iPod.
It's nice to have something that finally "just works" the way I expect after years of hoping.
So Amazon is getting all of my business from now on.
So what have I purchased lately?
I just bought the new Casting Crowns album for my wife's birthday. I like it too, so that's a win-win. ;-)
I've purchased albums from Warren Barfield, Superchick, Kutless, and a couple singles from Mark Schultz.
All excellent music!
Monday, September 08, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Light-Geek
As the days start to get shorter here in North America, I'll be commuting to and from work in the dark on my bike. Being visible to automobile traffic is of paramount importance for safety, so I have lights on my bike so that motorists can see me and then pass me safely.
On the front, and have a CatEye HL-EL410. This is a white light with three LEDs that takes three AAA batteries. It's not really bright enough to see by, but the point is to be seen by motorists. I really like this light because it's durable, weather-proof, and lasts for years on a single set of batteries!
On the back, I have a Planet Bike Superflash. I've tried a lot of different lights over the years, and found nothing that is as durable and noticeable as the Superflash.
Here's a video that shows the difference between a standard light and the superflash.
As you can see, this is once very noticeable light.
You can certainly find cheaper LED blinky lights for your bike, but when your life depends on it, go ahead and spend a couple bucks more for the best.
Also worth noting, it's important to have passive reflectors on the bike too. There's always a chance that something will go wrong with my bliky lights (like I forget to turn them on), but the reflectors will still catch drivers' attention.
On the front, and have a CatEye HL-EL410. This is a white light with three LEDs that takes three AAA batteries. It's not really bright enough to see by, but the point is to be seen by motorists. I really like this light because it's durable, weather-proof, and lasts for years on a single set of batteries!
On the back, I have a Planet Bike Superflash. I've tried a lot of different lights over the years, and found nothing that is as durable and noticeable as the Superflash.
Here's a video that shows the difference between a standard light and the superflash.
As you can see, this is once very noticeable light.
You can certainly find cheaper LED blinky lights for your bike, but when your life depends on it, go ahead and spend a couple bucks more for the best.
Also worth noting, it's important to have passive reflectors on the bike too. There's always a chance that something will go wrong with my bliky lights (like I forget to turn them on), but the reflectors will still catch drivers' attention.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Fender-Geek
As someone who rides to work everyday, rain or shine, it's pretty important to have fenders on my bike. Riding in the rain is actually quite refreshing usually, and the rain that falls from the sky is not a big deal on a warm day, but the water that comes up from the tires off the road is nasty and I don't like having a stripe of it up my back when I get home.
The solution of course is to have fenders on the bike. When I purchased my bike from the LBS a few years ago, I had them add a pair of fenders for this very reason. The pair that they added were some no-name brand that worked OK, but were hard to adjust, so they were sometimes rubbing on the wheel, and tended to rattle on bumpy roads.
So last time we were at the REI store, I picked up a pair of Planet Bike fenders. I finally got around to mounting these to the bike, and I couldn't be happier! The bike is so quiet now!
This week, we've had a lot of rain, and I was really able to enjoy riding through it in part because of these excellent fenders.
The solution of course is to have fenders on the bike. When I purchased my bike from the LBS a few years ago, I had them add a pair of fenders for this very reason. The pair that they added were some no-name brand that worked OK, but were hard to adjust, so they were sometimes rubbing on the wheel, and tended to rattle on bumpy roads.
So last time we were at the REI store, I picked up a pair of Planet Bike fenders. I finally got around to mounting these to the bike, and I couldn't be happier! The bike is so quiet now!
This week, we've had a lot of rain, and I was really able to enjoy riding through it in part because of these excellent fenders.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Backpacking-Geek
We made it through our very difficult 7-day hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Even though there was very little snow, and the absolute elevation was lower than our trip last year, this trip was at least as difficult. The longer days, and constant climbing or descending really took their toll on our joints and feet.
It was well worth it though because we got to enjoy a true mountain-top experience that few are willing to work hard enough to experience.
Here's a panorama that shows a full 360 degrees of awesome creation:
You can't get to a place like that without a little work to get there!
Even though there was very little snow, and the absolute elevation was lower than our trip last year, this trip was at least as difficult. The longer days, and constant climbing or descending really took their toll on our joints and feet.
It was well worth it though because we got to enjoy a true mountain-top experience that few are willing to work hard enough to experience.
Here's a panorama that shows a full 360 degrees of awesome creation:
You can't get to a place like that without a little work to get there!
Friday, June 06, 2008
Commuter-Geek
Since I've been biking to work for the past several years, I thought it might be a good time to promote this healthy practice to my coworkers. I approached the HR department where I work, and they have been surprisingly supportive. I expected support, but not really the active support that they have provided. They are letting me teach a one-hour bicycle commuting overview class, and providing money for give-aways related to cycle commuting. One of the give-aways includes two brand new Trek 7100 "bike path" bikes! Our local bike shop has given us a good deal on the bikes, and is also being very supportive.
So now, I need to come up with what I want to present for this class! There are already 20 people signed up, and we don't even start promoting it in earnest until next week. That's about how many people I thought might be interested in total! I'm guessing that the high gas prices, along with health concerns are contributing to the perfect storm of interest.
Anyway, here are the places that I'm going to be drawing my material from. . .
First, the authoritative League of Michigan Bicyclists has a nice guide: What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know.
Second, I plan to glean a lot of practical commuting tips from the Commute By Bike blog.
Finally, I will try to share the fact that bicycling on the road is a safe activity by presenting some of the detailed information from Ken Kifer's web site.
I'm really excited about other people experience the freedom, health, cost savings, and environmental impact that comes from using their bicycles for transportation.
Following the class, we will have a "bike to work day", and then I'll be able to see for sure if people are really willing to give it a try. Once they do, I am convinced that they will see that most of the perceived obstacles are imaginary. We'll see.
So now, I need to come up with what I want to present for this class! There are already 20 people signed up, and we don't even start promoting it in earnest until next week. That's about how many people I thought might be interested in total! I'm guessing that the high gas prices, along with health concerns are contributing to the perfect storm of interest.
Anyway, here are the places that I'm going to be drawing my material from. . .
First, the authoritative League of Michigan Bicyclists has a nice guide: What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know.
Second, I plan to glean a lot of practical commuting tips from the Commute By Bike blog.
Finally, I will try to share the fact that bicycling on the road is a safe activity by presenting some of the detailed information from Ken Kifer's web site.
I'm really excited about other people experience the freedom, health, cost savings, and environmental impact that comes from using their bicycles for transportation.
Following the class, we will have a "bike to work day", and then I'll be able to see for sure if people are really willing to give it a try. Once they do, I am convinced that they will see that most of the perceived obstacles are imaginary. We'll see.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Coffee-Geek
I usually roast my own coffee, and I usually prefer African coffees from Kenya or Rwanda, but recently a friend of mine gave me some Intelligencia Tres Santos Columbia - Cauca. It is really good.
I think I must have been roasting too dark last time I tried Colombian coffee. I was really pleasantly surprised with how bright and balanced the coffee is.
Now some of my ideas about what I like and don't like are shattered, and I'm going to have to go back to some origins that I had dismissed in the past. It will be a fun and flavorful journey!
I think I must have been roasting too dark last time I tried Colombian coffee. I was really pleasantly surprised with how bright and balanced the coffee is.
Now some of my ideas about what I like and don't like are shattered, and I'm going to have to go back to some origins that I had dismissed in the past. It will be a fun and flavorful journey!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Bicycle Tire-Geek
I finally needed new tires for my commuter bike. My Trek 1200c has been on the original tires for about 4000 miles over the last 3 1/2 years, and the tread was starting to come off in chunks. I've never had a flat with these tires, so I have absolutely nothing to complain about.
As I started looking for new tires, I asked around and went to roadbikereview.com to see what other people were having success with and what tires I should avoid.
I was going to switch to the Specialized tires, but the local store didn't have them in stock after all, and I didn't want to risk riding on the old tires any longer, so I went with the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase.
At the same time, I switched from the 700x28 size and went down to a 23. The narower tire should help me get to and from work a little quicker, but might be a little less comfortable. We'll have to see if that's the case.
I finally needed new tires for my commuter bike. My Trek 1200c has been on the original tires for about 4000 miles over the last 3 1/2 years, and the tread was starting to come off in chunks. I've never had a flat with these tires, so I have absolutely nothing to complain about.
As I started looking for new tires, I asked around and went to roadbikereview.com to see what other people were having success with and what tires I should avoid.
- The Michelin Krylion Carbon tires were highly rated, and I could order them on-line for a good price.
- The Specialized All Condition Armadillo Tire only had one review, but was highly recommended. I also have a friend that has these on his bike and is very happy, and he said that one of our LBSs might have them in stock.
- The Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase is what came on my bike, and I have been happy, and my favorite LBS did have them in stock.
I was going to switch to the Specialized tires, but the local store didn't have them in stock after all, and I didn't want to risk riding on the old tires any longer, so I went with the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase.
At the same time, I switched from the 700x28 size and went down to a 23. The narower tire should help me get to and from work a little quicker, but might be a little less comfortable. We'll have to see if that's the case.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Coffee-Geek
I've been roasting coffee from Rwanda Duhingekawa Women's Cooperative lately, and really enjoying it. I try to roast it just before 2nd crack as recommended by Tom at Sweet Maria's. That's about the roast-level that I prefer anyway, and African coffees seem to be my favorite.
I also like that I'm helping the economic success of an area that has seen such horrific conditions lately; a real win-win.
I've been roasting coffee from Rwanda Duhingekawa Women's Cooperative lately, and really enjoying it. I try to roast it just before 2nd crack as recommended by Tom at Sweet Maria's. That's about the roast-level that I prefer anyway, and African coffees seem to be my favorite.
I also like that I'm helping the economic success of an area that has seen such horrific conditions lately; a real win-win.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Backpacking-Geek
Last year, we did our annual backpacking trip in the spring, which turned out to be difficult due to the snow even in June in New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness.
So this year, we're planning a trip to the Bob Marshall Wilderness in the Summer.
Here's a picture of our planned route for the seven-day, six-night adventure:
We plan to hike almost 60 miles, which seems pretty aggressive to me, but with no snow and less elevation than last year's trip, it should be quite doable.
We've got about 8 guys going on this trip, with 5 of us returning from last year.
I fully expect that this will be another mountain-top experience in more ways than one. Another opportunity to minimize distractions and "Be still and know that [He] is God."
Last year, we did our annual backpacking trip in the spring, which turned out to be difficult due to the snow even in June in New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness.
So this year, we're planning a trip to the Bob Marshall Wilderness in the Summer.
Here's a picture of our planned route for the seven-day, six-night adventure:
We plan to hike almost 60 miles, which seems pretty aggressive to me, but with no snow and less elevation than last year's trip, it should be quite doable.We've got about 8 guys going on this trip, with 5 of us returning from last year.
I fully expect that this will be another mountain-top experience in more ways than one. Another opportunity to minimize distractions and "Be still and know that [He] is God."
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