LA Weekly has published a list of less-often heard 80s songs that are perfect for the late autumn and Halloween. I know I’ll be listening and downloading my way through this one tonight.
Ten Creepy Cool ’80s Songs to Get You Through Halloween (LA Weekly)
My iPhone’s earbuds are crap. I suspect your iPod/iPhone buds are just as bad. They really don’t fit in my ears, the sound quality is leaving a lot to be desired, they tangle mercilessly and they aren’t particularly durable. Most of these things will be fine for the casual listener since they are free and replacements are only $19. But not for me.
It’s always been this way. Ever since I got my first portable music player back in junior high, I’ve been on a quest for the best, most affordable, longest lasting and stylish listening devices. It’s what I do.
I thought my compulsive searching had finally paid off when I chose a pair of V-Moda Vibe Duo earbuds for Xmas 2007. They were super swanky, the sound was terrific and the fabric-covered cords seemed to be ideal for preventing spaghetti. However, six months in and the cable feeding the left channel started to fray. V-Moda replaced them (though I had to pick up the shipping) and I was able to keep on listening for another few months.
Fast forward to last week and the left channel cut out on me mid-walk. No amount of futzing seemed to bring back half the music, so I contacted V-Moda to secure yet another replacement. I was informed that my earbuds were out of warranty and that, lucky me, I could instead ship them back (again, my money for shipping) and receive a 50% off coupon for the V-Moda store. Joy of joys!
Personally, I don’t think $100 earbuds should last less than a year. If you know me, you know I treat all of my stuff with kid gloves. I Scotchgard my jackets, I polish my door handles, I’ve been known to darn my socks. There’s no reason for these Vibe Duos to be falling apart this quickly.
So, the hunt was back on. And, much to my surprise, I’ve found something that I’m actually rather excited about: Pipe Headset CMYK by AIAIAI. Not only is this set of earbuds supposed to be well sound balanced (thanks to tuning by C4 Studios,) they are also delightful to look at and reviewed as durable with thick cable construction. Reviews are favorable, the price was right at $54 and the only complaint I’ve heard is that the colors are loud – which is a plus for me.
So, AIAIAI, the challenge has been set. Will you impress me? Surely only good things come from Denmark?
In Halloween-time tradition, the DVR has been recording seasonal programming like the amazing Halloweentown films (Halloweentown, Halloweentown 2: The Awakening, Halloweentown III: How Marney Got Her Groove Back and the newest, Tyler Perry’s Revenge of the Cromwells.) The Disney Channel really knows how to make cinematic gold time and again.
This got me thinking about my all-time favorite Disney Channel disaster, Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century. Enjoy the first 10 minutes!
The tale of a learning-challenged, neon PVC bedecked space-troll, Zenon follows our eponymous heroine from her rotating research station that orbits somewhere between Earth, the moon and Claire’s discount bin. The visionary futurism (everyone drives Beetles!) and hard-hitting soundtrack (“Zoom, Zoom, Zoom,” anyone?) combine with a plot that may or may not have showed up during filming to create an instant classic.
What’s your favorite Disney Channel film mockery?
I was on the job today as a wedding photographer for Owen & Nanna as they celebrated their wedding at the Lit House.
There were, of course, many more photos but they don’t exactly belong to me, so I’ll post them after the new marrieds have a chance to pick what they like. This one was a clear winner in my book, though.
Congrats again, guys!
I mean, mostly because of your location, which really doesn’t have much to do with you today, so much as it had to do with where people decided to put you 300 years or so ago. However, here you are anyway.
And do you know what that means?
It means you are not in Pennsylvania. More specifically, it means you are not in Central or Western Pennsylvania, both of which are looking a little like this:
Former boss, Pat Besong’s house. Yesterday. The 15th of October.
So, while I could be scraping snow off my car, slogging through slushy puddles or having everything I love covered in salt already, I’m enjoying a delightfully chilly 46º day with rain.
Don’t get me wrong: the here and now of Chestertown still drives me crazy for many reasons – and on a regular basis. But, in the late fall and winter especially, it has its distinct benefits.
Kinda like the “favorite music” in my Facebook profile, but these are the albums I’m currently rotating heavily.
Get Color by Health
Colonia by A Camp
Memoirs at the End of the World by The Postmarks
Kings & Queens by Jamie T
Into the Hillside by Cassettes Won’t Listen
What are you enjoying with your ears lately?
This weekend, aside from the heat of Friday/Saturday, was finally cool enough for true autumnal activities to commence. So, while Kate was away at her cousin’s wedding, the decorating commenced.
Some people have Xmas lights…
A tablescape that Sandra Lee would be proud of (if she wasn’t too busy ruining canned foods)
All in all, I think it was a pleasant surprise for the road-ravaged fall aficionado.
Best line: “…so now maybe it’s time for you to move out of your house that is a city.”
Dear Nick,
What are you drinking tonight?
Love & Kisses,
Internet
Well, Internet, tonight I’m having a “Black Murder.” It doesn’t lie. It was also the result of trying to use up some half bottles of liquor that have been living above the cabinets for months.
I’d recommend, for the sake of not dying, doubling the Grenadine and adding a bit of sparkling water. Even then, you’re going to be sipping it, not guzzling, so settle in for a long night with this one.
Perhaps it’s a sign of advancing age, a desire to see fall leaves or a hatred of having my car whack-whack-whacked by stones all the way up I-97, but my last drive home was the “back” way through Elkton, Lancaster, Harrisburg and Bellefonte. Rural and lengthy, it was a perfect chance to listen to a massive amount of music (and the GPS unit voice who apparently has no ability to modulate herself.) It was also a great opportunity to revisit the two thirds of PA’s regions that I’ve lived in (and the remaining one third that Kate has.) And thus was born my latest mix, Diagonal.
The Diagonal tracklist:
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Limited time download(s, since it was kinda huge) – here & here.
Grab a high resolution PDF of the cover art to go with your download.