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April 21, 2008

I probably shouldn't point this out but tickets go on sale for the summer season at one of the most intimate concert venues around this Sunday. From Kathy Griffin to Foreigner(!), Steely Dan to Donna Summer and Willie Nelson to Dead or Alive, it's certainly a diverse lineup.

11:39 PM | Comment (2)

April 20, 2008

Interesting to read that of all the state legislators and members of congress elected from the Bay Area, only one is Republican. What is it about this region that nurtures liberalism--just a coincidence that the population tends to be highly educated, affluent and diverse?

10:53 PM | Comment (0)

April 19, 2008

Government Dole

Do you have an old TV that's not connected to the cable or satellite off in a spare room? Or do you live in a big city, tiny apartment and feel trapped into paying for basic cable just to get a picture without snow, ghosts, lines and other unpredictable annoyances? If so, the government has done something that really will make your life better--or at least more entertaining.

We've had a little TV in the office for years. Probably turned it on once every 18 months or so. Couldn't connect it to the satellite because of some DirecTV nonsense that I don't feel like going into now. When I heard about the planned converters for analog TVs, I figured they wouldn't be for me. I'd just buy new sets. And that's just what I did in the living room and bedroom. But why spend several hundred dollars for a new set in the office when we turned it on less than once a year?

Then the coupon program launched at the first of the year and I figured, why not. With the $40 credit, the box would only be $20 in cash. And if, as I fully expected, it didn't work all that well, at least it would make the old TV marketable after February 17, 2009.

A few weeks ago the coupon arrived and I finally got motivated to cash it in last night. The local Best Buy had a pile of their house-brand Insignia boxes. I'd seen good reviews for it so I didn't mind the fact that there were no other choices.

Once home, the setup couldn't have been simpler. Arranging the wires and finding a substitute AAA battery for the remote because the kittens hid the one that came with proved to be the toughest part. Once I had the remote powered, the guided setup took all of three minutes. Suddenly I had 44 perfectly clear stations to choose from. All the locals plus their sub-channels, some of dubious use. Does anyone need live views of the bridges 24/7?

Such a pleasant surprise. A few government-mandated programs coming together to make things better for the masses. Yeah I know, in the greater scheme of things, better free TV reception is pretty minor. Still it's nice to have some proof that the system actually does work at times.

09:35 PM | Comment (2)

April 14, 2008

I'm amused by the shenanigans on today's business page. Inept video-retailer Blockbuster, which can't compete with Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, et al, wants to merge with inept electronics-retailer Circuit City, which can't compete with Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Amazon, et al. Reports generally ascribe this deal to the Blockbuster CEO's Apple envy. Someone needs to remind him that Apple is an accidental retailer. It makes the bullk of its money from hardware. Hell, Apple took the step of opening stores only because traditional retailers (aka Circuit City) sucked so badly. So amusing. Next thing you know, two bankrupt airlines will think that forcing their hostile workforces together makes sense. Oh wait.

10:41 PM | Comment (0)

April 05, 2008

No one paying even the slightest bit of attention to happenings questions that the music business is radically changing. However, I don't buy the conventional wisdom that the future holds nothing but doom and gloom. Radiohead has made some of the more interesting moves lately. Releasing In Rainbows as a pay-what-you-want has gotten too much press of course. Now they're offering a deconstructed version of Nude along with a Garage Band project if you buy before April 8. Interesting way to earn some extra income while deepening the band's connection with rabid fans.

I see the development as the digital equivalent of the collector editions of the physical discs. There has always been something cool about specially shaped or colored vinyl, elaborate packaging, etc. They're fun, adventurous. Maybe this kind of digital tinkering will mark a resurgence of that creative spirit.

11:17 AM | Comment (2)