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A typical morning

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The scene: intersection of MD-544 and MD-20.

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It’s like people here are predisposed to drive like ‘tards.  Could it be genetic?

The supporting evidence that I’m not losing it:

In a new study of college undergraduates, those with a common genetic variation scored 20 percent worse in a driving simulator than their counterparts.

“The people who had this genetic variation performed more poorly from the get-go and learned more slowly as they went along,” said Steven Cramer, a University of California, Irvine neurologist, who works on helping stroke victims recover. “Then, when we brought them back four days later, they had more forgetting.”

From Don’t Tell Geico: You May Be A Natural Born Bad Driver.

(Thanks, Sharenator and Wired)

The battle for my ears is over

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Congrats, Denmark and AIAIAI

As many of you know, I recently challenged the country of Denmark – via their gadget-maker and cool-purveyor, AIAIAI – to delight my ears and wallet with their $54 Pipe Headset CMYK.  Well, the Danish artists’ collective has taken up the gauntlet and won! And I couldn’t be happier.

The Pipe Headset is a resoundingly great product, from the cool tube packaging to the lack of a useless owners’ manual (instead opting for a printed web address on the container) to the awesome design in coordinating neons.  After two full days of listening at my desk, on the couch and out in the wind/road noise of town, I’m thrilled with the sound quality and sound isolation.  As advertised, music trends towards warmth, with noticeable emphasis on low end sounds.  That being said, I’ve been able to hear higher end sounds like the usually-muffled vocals in The Sounds’ “Crossing the Rubicon” better than I recall hearing them before.

The untimely death of my Vibe Duo earbuds makes a direct comparison impossible, but I can say that these blow Apple’s pack-ins right out of the water sonically and I do know for certain that the fit is far superior to the Duos.  Whether the durability is also a step ahead will be revealed over the next few weeks and months, but all signs point to “yes” at this early stage.

So, Denmark and AIAIAI, you’ve got yourself a winner.  And probably another purchase, since Kate wants a Pipe Headset White/Purple for Xmas.

Random Object Generator

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Installment #10:

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What is it? scale model BMW 1 Series five door

What’s its deal? even though I’m 25, I still occasionally feel compelled to check the toy car bin at my local pharmacy

Where does it live? ladder bookcase – presently next to some “Pretty Kitty” matches, a jade bookend from Peru and a drinking glass (abandoned in my first Chestertown apartment) full of seashells

Any notable facts? the 1 Series five door is not sold in the states – and is a child-repelling five door – so I wasn’t really ever expecting to find it as a model car at Rite Aid

Fingers (not cables) crossed

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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?

Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century

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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?

Congrats, Owen & Nanna

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I was on the job today as a wedding photographer for Owen & Nanna as they celebrated their wedding at the Lit House.

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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!

Chestertown, sometimes you are okay

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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.