Life Update
Since I haven’t blogged in the last few days, I figured I’d update everyone on a few things:
XM + Napster
I’m slowly falling in love with XM radio. I’m going to start checking the programming and adding special events to iCal. For example, today, one station was broadcasting a Rolling Stones concert (the Stones don’t really interest me, but it’s an example of special programming). This past Friday, the Real Jazz channel did a special on Wynton Marsalis.
I’ve discovered the Hear Music channel, which is supposedly the official station of Starbucks. How cool is that?
XM has also partnered with Napster. Napster has a subscription service that lets you download all the music you want for $10 per month (this option only lets you listen to music on your computer – if you want to burn CDs, you have to buy the tracks). For $15 per month, you can download all the music you want AND transfer the files to a compatible Napster-To-Go MP3 player. I’ve currently signed up for the $10 per month service, but will probably eventually upgrade to the N-T-G service and buy this compatible MP3 player.
iTunes + iPod
With this recent development brings about an issue. I currently own an iPod, and have a significant MP3 library built up with iTunes. I can still listen to my MP3 library through Windows Media Player if I stick with the Napster option (not available for Mac). However, I will only be able to listen to my iTunes Music Store downloads through iTunes, or my iPod.
Basically, I need to stop spending so much money on music. XM radio is very affordable, and the Napster subcription services allow you to download unlimited amounts of music each month at a very reasonable rate. I would likely download a very large amount of music each month for the price of one CD. iTunes and the iPod may see less action, but they’ll be used from time-to-time.
Current Reading
I’m currently reading Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and Desiring God. Both are tremendous works, and I’m doing my best to read them slowly. They’re the type of books you need to take your time reading to soak everything in. Great books.
Surround Sound (almost)
I’m currently wiring my computers, TV, DVD player & XM home dock to be run through a set of surround sound speakers that I recently purchased. I’m doing this with the help of a Behringer mixer. I’m sure I’m not the first person to think of this idea, but it’s a little out of the norm as far as home audio systems go. The thought is, everything can be heard through the same set of speakers. Sure, this can be done through a stereo receiver, but you don’t have the ability to control the individual volume of each component that way. Now, each item has its own channel on the mixer that lets me control the volume (along with the on-board volume controls of computer and remote controls of the other components).
To this point, I have six sets of speakers in-and-around my apartment. This option will enable me to stop using three of these sets of speakers.
