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Archive for March, 2006

American Idol Recap

March 29th 2006 Posted at General
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I hate to admit it, but I watch American Idol. We actually have a good time at work discussing it, very water cooler.

Honestly, I thought last night’s show was droll. Most of the song choices were boring and the performances were unmemorable. I did like Chris Daughtry’s performance of the Creed song “What If,” and I was a bit pissed at Simon for saying that he went over-the-line. Like we should be limiting these guys to bubble gum pop.

A more bizarre choice was Lisa Tucker doing the Kelly Clarkson song “Because of You.” And Taylor Hicks and Kellie Pickler’s song choices were so boring and unknown that I can’t even remember them. Oh yea, “Suds in the Bucket.”

My suggestions if they could do the show over:

Ace Young – Naked (Goo Goo Dolls)
Bucky Covington – Couldn’t Last a Moment (Collin Raye)
Chris Daughtry – Kryptonite (3 Doors Down)
Elliot Yamin – 21 Questions (50 Cent)
Katherine McPhee – Beautiful (Christina Aguilera)
Kellie Pickler – Breathe (Faith Hill)
Lisa Tucker – Sk8er Boi (Avril Lavigne)
Mandisa – Fallin’ (Alicia Keys)
Paris Bennett – I Try (Macy Gray)
Taylor Hicks – Heaven (Los Lonely Boys)

A new way to watch football

March 28th 2006 Posted at Science and Technology
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A year ago I posted about how much time people waste watching sports on TV. Since then I got a new huge TV and have discovered a trick that is sure to revolutionize my football watching experience, forcing me to waste more time.

I have a Digital Video Recorder(DVR) built into my cable box (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300 HD DVR) and last year when I watched a Vikings game, I would pause the game at the beginning and then go do something for about an hour. This way, I could fast forward past all the commercials and really enjoy the game – while maximizing my time.

This year I have discovered a trick, you can watch two channels at the same time, pausing when you switch between them. For example, if you are watching American Idol on one channel and a commercial comes up, you can switch over to America’s Next Top Model. When you switch back to Idol, the show will be paused at the point you switched. Then you just fast forward through the commercials. It will be better for football because watching the above mentioned shows without interruption is extremely tedious.

Here is how to do it: Go to the first show and start to record it. It makes sense to set up a time recording that extends past the end of the show, you need it to continue to record until you have completely watched both shows (for football, you would want to do that just to make sure you don’t miss an overtime). Once you have the one show recording, rewind it a bit and then switch over to the other show you want to watch. Get that one recording and rewind it a bit. Your DVR box will now only let you switch between the two channels, but when you switch the channel you came from will pause. Presto!

Scotch Rocks

March 17th 2006 Posted at Food and Drink
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Wouldn’t you know it, a loyal (i.e. blood relative) reader has sent me a link to a possible solution to my Scotch ice post of a few days past. I will try to get some of these, they seem a bit pricey, but are sure to have some dramatic effect.
Scotch Rocks

From the importer’s site : “Scottish Highlands Spring water, renowned for its physical and spiritual purity, is now being sealed at its source in ready-to freeze cubes with a three-year shelf-life. These were created to supply spring water packaged in pure, convenient, disposable ice cube trays for domestic and commercial freezing and use.”

Newest Quest : Professional Ice Cubes

March 14th 2006 Posted at Food and Drink
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On a recent trip, I read an article about ice.  The article was full of wisdom on which type of ice is best for which type of cocktail..  I wish I would have kept the article, because it would merit a plug on the site).

It starts with a general abhorrence of the store-bought, donut shaped ice.  This ice has too much surface area and melts quickly.  It does cool your drink down quickly, but it tends to water it down.

What got my attention was its suggestion for ice for a drink of Scotch.  The suggestion is to use one large cube of ice, large enough to last the entire drink of Scotch.  Because the surface area of the ice will be less that an equivalent amount of ice in standard cubes, it will last longer and not water down your drink.  How cool is that?  A special ice, just for drinking whisky.

I am on the lookout for a professional Scotch drinker ice cube tray.  If you know of such a device let me know – if I find one I will report back.

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