Sunday Bloody Sunday

Okay, This is one of the funniest damned things I've seen in a while.

I guess I don't get out much.

Cube Essentials - Sennheiser RS 140 Wireless headphones

Typically I'm listening to DI.FM while at work, and I've found the limitations of headphone cords to be annoying. So I spent some time doing some research on what wireless headsets I should get.

At first glance, the Sennheiser looks nerdy, bukly and heavy. It's actually very light and super comfortable. I usually forget I'm wearing them. While advantageous, I do tend to look (more) like a dork when I walk to the print and I am still wearing them.

Which brings me to the range. The manual says 500 feet range. I have been able to wander aimlessly all over my floor and have yet to lose any signal. They also have enough batter power to last for an entire work day. And I mean a Smith work day, not mine.

Recharging is also very cool. Use just set them on the enclosed stand and it has a smart charge built in. No fuss or muss.

On to the important bits - the sound quality. 192k streaming audio and 256k mp3s sound crisp clear and with a nice full bass sound. They are also good at blocking out the hum off the office while still letting you hear your phone and such. They have volume on/off and balance controls on the unit itself for convenience.

How much? A reasonable $110 if you search online, or nearly double from the (not quite) Best Buy shops.

Station 9 Haiku

So another night passes at my fire station 609. Nothing. Not a wheel was turned.

So to celebrate this so unusual occasion (sarcasm chip on overdrive), I wrote some haiku.









Duty is fulfilled
No calls were run, no wheels turned
Same again next week
*
Again at house 9
Silence, safety - prevailing peace
Firemen wait, hoping…
*
The public is safe
Not because we are so skilled
Nothing happens here
*
My crew and I wait
Waiting to help, maybe save
Still we sit, waiting
*
Sirens, lights flashing
Racing against time, to save
That's for other crews
*
Echo in our dreams
Tires screech, crashing sounds then fire
Then we wake, nothing.

*
Sense a common theme perhaps?

the ulitmate commuter car

So I've been considering getting a cheaper car to commute with. My original motivation was to get an ugly ass hybriad as they are allowed in the HOV Lanes, in addition to not spending >$100/week on petrol. However, HOV access for hybrids is only going to be allowed for only another year. I love my motorcycle, but city riding is frikken suicidal. I don't think a day passes where I don't have some type of close call. Unfortunately I'm not a(nother) bald wanker that is able to ride his mountain bike to work. (yeah I am jealous).

But I do like the idea of an electric car. Sometime around 1998 or 1999 I got to test drive a GN EV1. It was quiet of course (the motor is only on when you drive), and the acceleration and handling was awesome. Problem is, it only had about a 100 mile range. That totally sucked.

Finally, someone is coming out with a new car that will be tasty. In a CNN article which I read while waiting for someone to get a system back online, I discovered a company called Tesla Motors (not to be confused with the physicist or the big hair band.

The Roadster will be able to drive about 250 miles on a single three-hour charge, drive up to 135 miles per hour and accelerate from zero to 60 in four seconds! Tasty!!

Here's the major downside. It will cost between $85,000 and $120,000. And where would one go to have it worked on? Can't really just drive it up to Radio Shack and have some pimply nerd work on it. Oh well... to quote the prophetess Kim...

"It's good to want things."

new tv thoughts

The ultra nice flat tv that's pictured below the Texas Longhorn is unfortunately not coming with the new house. this sucks.

Currently, my largest flat panel tv is a 35 inch lcd. I plan on doing a projector in the basement, but meanwhile i need something for living room. i'd like to get something that is 42-50 inches (prefer 50), 1080p, and has 4000+ contrast. Unfortunately i have no idea what that might be.

any thoughts?