tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112295642024-03-23T14:30:24.711-04:00B(ridge) and T(unnel) CrowdB and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-77319193367944386402011-01-31T15:33:00.004-05:002021-05-11T14:51:39.266-04:00How to Install an Auxiliary Input (aPAC-NIS1) In a 2005 Nissan AltimaAfter <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2010/02/great-super-bowl-and-birthday-party.html">installing my home speaker system</a> last year, I decided that my 2005 Nissan Altima, <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2005/07/kitt-my-1997-grand-prix-has-passed.html">called Silverman</a>, needed an auxiliary input. I was tired of using my GPS' FM transmitter to listen to MP3s through my car's speakers and burning CDs is just sooooo passe. As a black belt master Googler, I scoured the web and bought an aPAC-NIS1 Aux Input.<br />
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There's just one problem...I've never stolen a car radio before. In this case, I'd just be modifying my radio, but how's it done? Turns out, all you need is a Phillips screwdriver, a willingness to bend dashboard molding.<br />
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The aux input instructions in the package and online were awful. The writing (much like this blog!) was unintelligible so I got help from an <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2009/01/quad-pie-worlds-greatest-pie-baking.html">engineer with advanced degrees</a>. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw1YZZ9QdieQXIH9_fLCqfucwbzl04FN2rpRedUChsK4V4wS7EQ-pJpHUoMbsIFWIjsvPVnJmHbcqcZoc7x1hwd22u2CPj4mBcAbGiBlO4c1HsmvadkHuGLPYtlhZqmwZbG8/s1600/P1050326.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567654326733407986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw1YZZ9QdieQXIH9_fLCqfucwbzl04FN2rpRedUChsK4V4wS7EQ-pJpHUoMbsIFWIjsvPVnJmHbcqcZoc7x1hwd22u2CPj4mBcAbGiBlO4c1HsmvadkHuGLPYtlhZqmwZbG8/s400/P1050326.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">One box, lots of wires</span></div>
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For one, please include a chart that tells me which DIP switches should be up instead of having me call your support line. Using a combination of <a href="http://www.nissanforums.com/l31-2002-2006/68012-head-unit-removal-walk-through-2005s.html">Nissan forums searches</a>, <a href="http://www.modifiedlife.com/2005-nissan-altima-car-stereo-radio-wiring-diagram/">radio wiring diagrams</a>, <a href="http://crutchfield.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8096/session/L3RpbWUvMTI5Mzk3ODAyOS9zaWQvS1RoSWEzams%3D">competitor instructions</a>, and finally trial and error, Silverman now plays music, GPS directions, and cell phone chatter through its speakers, accepting any device with a headphone jack.<br />
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To help the greater good and fill a void in the Internet, allow me to help those in need of better instructions. Aux input inputters of the world, who are installing the same product in a 2005 Nissan Altima with a 6-CD Bose radio, let me guide you as we overcome aPAC-NIS1's disastrous instructions.<br />
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Sure, I could've paid $50 for someone to install it, but where's the fun in that when I got to be frustrated installing this device for several hours over two days. With some luck, it'll take you about an hour. Merchants selling the product offer instructions that contradict each other so while one method may be better, safer, and faster than mine, this one worked for me. In other words, it's completely your fault for following these and short-circuiting your car.<br />
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<b>Step 1</b> - Disconnect the negative terminal from the car battery. As cool as it is to have your hair stick up from electricity, the rest of your nervous system won't like it much, along with your heart. My battery terminal was tough to remove so be ready for some elbow grease. We held the wire away from any metal with the wrench's rubber handle. Electricity likes metals so keep'em away like the two hormone-fueled teenagers they are.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwFcPpSNC1Hp3GkgoxRx5ie_21rVVpkcND27KVZmSS3cphRudRYHE0LvvQKjtq82skr4Tziph7qQ0Vs3F03Qe3dvoLnGtk65lM9cYSCR4r9-XnVBFlPY8KxiFZpbxZ4KzgFM/s1600/P1050319.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567653289686084002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwFcPpSNC1Hp3GkgoxRx5ie_21rVVpkcND27KVZmSS3cphRudRYHE0LvvQKjtq82skr4Tziph7qQ0Vs3F03Qe3dvoLnGtk65lM9cYSCR4r9-XnVBFlPY8KxiFZpbxZ4KzgFM/s400/P1050319.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SAYmF1wy_Qn0ykVU89-UK7Xebipi9BIi3a5v0k0xekJA2DEkjUqa5c9wO0Uvf5kSxuB9kluov0KZ9SxQ1AE2KwjE7YdLK4An_aD05eVNuaR9FbR8pg7GnjIwS1Fmg2xS9ho/s1600/P1050321.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567653291165597122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SAYmF1wy_Qn0ykVU89-UK7Xebipi9BIi3a5v0k0xekJA2DEkjUqa5c9wO0Uvf5kSxuB9kluov0KZ9SxQ1AE2KwjE7YdLK4An_aD05eVNuaR9FbR8pg7GnjIwS1Fmg2xS9ho/s400/P1050321.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 2</b> - look at your dash one last time and say a prayer. It's time to go in. Make sure your door is open in case you have to be hauled out of the car and let someone know what you're up to. Note that this device only works on an Altima radio with a satellite ("SAT") button.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKk9xQ7NJUh3ZGCUTUu7UwlR_IDkwOZu2vI0Vo774QXkLasT7T4OXwKEBlSZnVeUL-yeMhK0KgUoKw3VeW_0xqVW3W5_iONB98tVWf4jYFYAORjQnNEeeUrsWmIYVjpuiZWA/s1600/P1050323.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567654173640416370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKk9xQ7NJUh3ZGCUTUu7UwlR_IDkwOZu2vI0Vo774QXkLasT7T4OXwKEBlSZnVeUL-yeMhK0KgUoKw3VeW_0xqVW3W5_iONB98tVWf4jYFYAORjQnNEeeUrsWmIYVjpuiZWA/s400/P1050323.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 3</b> - pull the HVAC molding down and away from the dash. Do this gently. You'll need to bend the molding just enough to get your fingers behind it. Wow, this hand model actually has two beautiful hands!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfLKdIM_4SVNJIlVDcleCRXVCUvEz8rwHFuCDoxaSo1PnjHqQSBLyEn30wVQ5W4uW9lhAkQlXv1U327CUKa3HiV9JNoRwyCBssT9IcHC5ndAV6bC2dil_mNUuUQFHgYWsEF0/s1600/P1050330.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567655010215937650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfLKdIM_4SVNJIlVDcleCRXVCUvEz8rwHFuCDoxaSo1PnjHqQSBLyEn30wVQ5W4uW9lhAkQlXv1U327CUKa3HiV9JNoRwyCBssT9IcHC5ndAV6bC2dil_mNUuUQFHgYWsEF0/s400/P1050330.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFW-a6ayvMFPwQeioc26NSzvFr-I13lyXPoJLPTUuSYLdIm0LRhmRmdWap-tmQTzl6RhH2JjrvPaHyfYq5pW2-ZWv3SbE4Qi_eiOcs5he22VUdU25i1I4yIYhvGt_dpZ0xmQ/s1600/P1050331.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567655012546581538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFW-a6ayvMFPwQeioc26NSzvFr-I13lyXPoJLPTUuSYLdIm0LRhmRmdWap-tmQTzl6RhH2JjrvPaHyfYq5pW2-ZWv3SbE4Qi_eiOcs5he22VUdU25i1I4yIYhvGt_dpZ0xmQ/s400/P1050331.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURJOtEp9AI/AAAAAAAAEkg/3VXR-lAcWgs/s1600/P1050334.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567655556302894082" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURJOtEp9AI/AAAAAAAAEkg/3VXR-lAcWgs/s400/P1050334.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 303px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 336px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 4</b> - remove the four screws holding the HVAC controls with a screwdriver. Unscrew the screws slowly and be sure you catch them as they come out. I kept them in my door pocket.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgmCPrMfSLRIgfIbfdpUo-nIkNWKpet4b00EHiYQBlvI_ZlKZHfXDNlH1QtchcceyN2n8jyqeU2NWrr_6SJkME7bjEDlWJxq1Vyx_5Zc9l25Y9HLoKA1JxbkYWmtq6nN6QIc/s1600/HVAC+Screws.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567657306501097122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgmCPrMfSLRIgfIbfdpUo-nIkNWKpet4b00EHiYQBlvI_ZlKZHfXDNlH1QtchcceyN2n8jyqeU2NWrr_6SJkME7bjEDlWJxq1Vyx_5Zc9l25Y9HLoKA1JxbkYWmtq6nN6QIc/s400/HVAC+Screws.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGytMAuFjGie57e67JwoehKBxG-Ve-hTkCojUS_Wdy0ZyJnlljKslzsD9Iw6REDnq8MxLZH37tl-DE7lvpfv3yZaq4-ypzego7jmEc8MeHAAyp8rP022C3bPJz-_K6M4Dc8fA/s1600/Unscrew+HVAC.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567657630976816722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGytMAuFjGie57e67JwoehKBxG-Ve-hTkCojUS_Wdy0ZyJnlljKslzsD9Iw6REDnq8MxLZH37tl-DE7lvpfv3yZaq4-ypzego7jmEc8MeHAAyp8rP022C3bPJz-_K6M4Dc8fA/s400/Unscrew+HVAC.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 5</b> - pull off HVAC controls by pulling the unit out from the bottom and then down. What glorious wiring to behold.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURJmnC3mlI/AAAAAAAAEko/Qj6sHUFfLrI/s1600/604197_45_full.jpg"> </a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RhxpbqPYIqjfxadErHwLpuLZCHvLvLKqMr-tUvJUZzLbMnmNRhHl0iFwHXmEfxMVUgibIAOe34Q2U8UQdtpIkhDMkYMFkFf-sr8hfxhVL7VLNz479shHhesu5hIAUO9nsKw/s1600/Pull+off+HVAC.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567658491436746018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RhxpbqPYIqjfxadErHwLpuLZCHvLvLKqMr-tUvJUZzLbMnmNRhHl0iFwHXmEfxMVUgibIAOe34Q2U8UQdtpIkhDMkYMFkFf-sr8hfxhVL7VLNz479shHhesu5hIAUO9nsKw/s400/Pull+off+HVAC.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIB5MqgGBkoc3doPhH3K2TQ9vaae0fxtUkEnis8ltFoz9RIddkGgu7WZh0ZeQohxFyrJLUEzVzdH44bk_qlUBF97T9Rj92A9MDc7jjfmtedh30SUk0eQkc3TIq1iSs2n7Bx8/s1600/HVAC+Removed.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567658947510385922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIB5MqgGBkoc3doPhH3K2TQ9vaae0fxtUkEnis8ltFoz9RIddkGgu7WZh0ZeQohxFyrJLUEzVzdH44bk_qlUBF97T9Rj92A9MDc7jjfmtedh30SUk0eQkc3TIq1iSs2n7Bx8/s400/HVAC+Removed.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 6</b> - gently lift the molding for the vents from just below the radio controls. This is held in place by four clips so you will have to carefully pop it off of the clips. This can be very fickle so take your time. You may have to wiggle it and use a flat tool to pry it off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_1lQuhsHWT8N_0eYZh3mSw_27B3y4eu_Eig3cbdfeuNy6rWqetOGsluRTJz-s9V-o6vv0BtJVaMIADMLXDVFliNhEzqa7Q5fcyTX_GL9TqfRBiziY1r02UMWIZhfdPrKkj4/s1600/Remove+vent2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567659942104716418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_1lQuhsHWT8N_0eYZh3mSw_27B3y4eu_Eig3cbdfeuNy6rWqetOGsluRTJz-s9V-o6vv0BtJVaMIADMLXDVFliNhEzqa7Q5fcyTX_GL9TqfRBiziY1r02UMWIZhfdPrKkj4/s400/Remove+vent2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 296px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 397px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURNNwkbGWI/AAAAAAAAElk/1MOLlZ_zT0M/s1600/Remove%2Bvent.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567659938108086626" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURNNwkbGWI/AAAAAAAAElk/1MOLlZ_zT0M/s400/Remove%2Bvent.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDAL_64EtZUqlrP668Iw0lpAoTS0iOCpO48vV4msWFOTPAuiUoCYLF5IrGl50sNlhLmP0pvbdzbTiRB9ebXVr5y784QhBZZkyAEeeypbrAn54hKUamuDQSNHji2Py6wP7fOw/s1600/P1050348.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567659947479256930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDAL_64EtZUqlrP668Iw0lpAoTS0iOCpO48vV4msWFOTPAuiUoCYLF5IrGl50sNlhLmP0pvbdzbTiRB9ebXVr5y784QhBZZkyAEeeypbrAn54hKUamuDQSNHji2Py6wP7fOw/s400/P1050348.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 7</b> - remove the four screws that hold the radio in place. These are difficult to catch and not lose when they come out. I used my finger to keep the screw in place, but it didn't always work as I lost one of them into the abyss known as my car's innards.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TUROjEdl3KI/AAAAAAAAEl4/kKIG13MxOJo/s1600/Radio%2BScrews.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567661403737021602" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TUROjEdl3KI/AAAAAAAAEl4/kKIG13MxOJo/s400/Radio%2BScrews.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 341px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aGl5njRK-ayxIr9pCWxeldYd8mpV5VTcd2GdF0qbnhFbW_e6ZJ5dpvv-itC5zAKQfXWUGMUsif3jv8yqRb0jo56iKeHVvYHz2mXNtEG3U7han6i_n-cWkY2PkdmWkn_bsm4/s1600/P1050357.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567661961069987474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aGl5njRK-ayxIr9pCWxeldYd8mpV5VTcd2GdF0qbnhFbW_e6ZJ5dpvv-itC5zAKQfXWUGMUsif3jv8yqRb0jo56iKeHVvYHz2mXNtEG3U7han6i_n-cWkY2PkdmWkn_bsm4/s400/P1050357.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 8</b> - Pull the radio out. You're almost halfway done. Well not really, just one-third.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cG7ZUsDTX33IjbhOfKHbIeJChGHSzxq7gAXEj0DjAXrvWLcdninr9vx88o4Gls5gveBjkcfUMtWJLoS24vxs7_CYnXBPpJJ4rM-5_5e8LDn1u-dsWqe6AYOlT8n4u-xN8dk/s1600/P1050358.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567662391227939154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cG7ZUsDTX33IjbhOfKHbIeJChGHSzxq7gAXEj0DjAXrvWLcdninr9vx88o4Gls5gveBjkcfUMtWJLoS24vxs7_CYnXBPpJJ4rM-5_5e8LDn1u-dsWqe6AYOlT8n4u-xN8dk/s400/P1050358.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 9</b> - look at the pretty wire colors one final time before adding even more complications.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUp1e-V2gQZw8D-aeyPyrIFjqWyDxkCPRRBZpjgtEJi3jtgp-an2rbrN8HMfqGFBTNSe0JrPaBcK9pi5uopZGOpTBZURh5iFG3RVSLd0goCSGyzg1_IArEYM9ROjvsWt7Yxs/s1600/Radio+wires.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567666286793350706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUp1e-V2gQZw8D-aeyPyrIFjqWyDxkCPRRBZpjgtEJi3jtgp-an2rbrN8HMfqGFBTNSe0JrPaBcK9pi5uopZGOpTBZURh5iFG3RVSLd0goCSGyzg1_IArEYM9ROjvsWt7Yxs/s400/Radio+wires.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 10</b> - disconnect the connection on the far left of the radio and the connection second from the right (when looking from above). These connections can be difficult to remove and may require a tool to push the little knob down and away to unlatch the plastic molding from the radio. As tempting as it is, do not pull the connections using their wires. A second set of hands is really handy here (ha!).<br />
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In addition to incomplete dashboard removal instructions, the instructions that came with the device and those on the web offered zero help in knowing which connections to remove from the radio. That's why I'm writing this very long blog entry that may not help anyone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEM79Y_8QyL08ewWm0bFbHdDraKVHJ19_fdQhSF0TgWF1RyQopjGcqKv_4KfVMv0BIEqPPksyL0cDNpsGaWdBZ4TcSrMBuhRIP_qw0lu07n-shqC80iCxm5Kb5LaSOO4mw0Y/s1600/Slide1.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567669694923226338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEM79Y_8QyL08ewWm0bFbHdDraKVHJ19_fdQhSF0TgWF1RyQopjGcqKv_4KfVMv0BIEqPPksyL0cDNpsGaWdBZ4TcSrMBuhRIP_qw0lu07n-shqC80iCxm5Kb5LaSOO4mw0Y/s400/Slide1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 11</b> - as part of the necessary trial and error, the radio eventually had all of its wires removed. So for your edification, here it is from the back, but don't actually remove all of the wires.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURZDLNOJnI/AAAAAAAAEoc/UysyPv1fRdg/s1600/Back%2BWires2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567672950419498610" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURZDLNOJnI/AAAAAAAAEoc/UysyPv1fRdg/s400/Back%2BWires2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 321px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 12</b> - connect the audio cable (3.5 mm cable/RCA), used to input the headphone, to the aux input's blue box. For once, a picture isn't needed, right? Good, because I didn't take one.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 13</b> - connect the aux input's bound of wires to the radio using the only two connections that will fit and match the open radio ports. The connections will snap into place.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TUReU_Dh02I/AAAAAAAAEok/Lspu-wz1SU8/s1600/Aux%2BInput%2BConnections2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567678753953403746" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TUReU_Dh02I/AAAAAAAAEok/Lspu-wz1SU8/s400/Aux%2BInput%2BConnections2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 14</b> - run the other end of the aux input's bound of wires down from the radio to behind the cubby that's below the HVAC controls. This is tricky and requires some maneuvering and small fingers. There's a small opening between where the HVAC controls are and the cubby that pops open below. The circled connection disappears behind the cubby in the second picture and may require pulling it down from the cubby too. Ultimately the wire will come out the cubby (see Step 24).<br />
<br />
Again, nowhere is it discussed what you should do with the aux input wires so let this be that somewhere it is discussed.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURf5h6_dwI/AAAAAAAAEos/x67MwTVtGT4/s1600/Run%2Baux%2Bwire%2Bbelow%2Bradio.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567680481299756802" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/TURf5h6_dwI/AAAAAAAAEos/x67MwTVtGT4/s400/Run%2Baux%2Bwire%2Bbelow%2Bradio.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-ZsHTW8iZNUPEx4m2P_-PGkVOAqTAXyTPsokItRD5kd94DjQanVHlMQbV6msdJInv-7_XGMO0XMCA9ZxVrrVb6m8wQspJXuGZBlO3IjATrzQPMRWTgnbctVOkHp_ZgG2YV0/s1600/Run+aux+wire+below.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567681410253462386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-ZsHTW8iZNUPEx4m2P_-PGkVOAqTAXyTPsokItRD5kd94DjQanVHlMQbV6msdJInv-7_XGMO0XMCA9ZxVrrVb6m8wQspJXuGZBlO3IjATrzQPMRWTgnbctVOkHp_ZgG2YV0/s400/Run+aux+wire+below.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<b>Step 15</b> - set the aux input's blue box DIP switches to: 1 - down, 2 - up, 3 - up, and 4 - down. I had to call PAC Audio's support line for this. Heaven forbid a chart for all makes and models would be included.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 16</b> - connect the circled connection in picture 1 of step 14 to the aux input's blue box and pull a decent amount of wiring into the cubby. The cubby will store the blue box and your audio input device when used. So convenient!<br />
<br />
<b>Step 17</b> - place the radio back onto its holder in the dash (reverse step 8).<br />
<br />
<b>Step 18</b> - reconnect the battery's negative terminal (reverse step 1); you should hear the radio's CD changer cycle. Some instructions suggested waiting three minutes with the key turned to the "Acc" position before moving to Step 19, but I don't think it matters.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 19</b> - turn the ignition switch to "Acc", turn the radio on, and press the "SAT" button...what do you see on the display? If you see "NO SAT" then that's not good. If you see something like "AUX-01" or "XM CH-001", then it worked! Go ahead and plug an audio device to the aux input to hear something. You may have to turn up the device's volume and the radio's volume. Let's pretend these steps worked so we can move forward.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 20</b> - screw the radio back to the dash harness (reverse step 7). Try to keep all wires down and away from the HVAC system as possible.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 21</b> - place the HVAC vents back into place on the dash (reverse step 6). It should wedge its way back to the original position.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 22</b> - place and screw the HVAC controls back into place (reverse step 5 and then step 4). Good thing you haven't lost the screws, right? <br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Step 23</b> - replace the the HVAC molding (reverse step 3). It will snap back into place ever so gently.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 24</b> - take a deep breath, pat yourself on the back, and revel in the awesomeness of your Altima's auxiliary input. Now I can run my MP3 player through the car's speakers or my MP3/bluetooth-enabled GPS. Better yet, both can be connected at the same time, just switching input choices to hear one or the other. Solid!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_4va-KHea3FuiHu7HxDp6YdLyJ6ERSMZ7Px8rath7AMUSUm9vLHkf71BADf5x0TVDM0DP64tt6DIn6nwZulA0Wz4Jxo9pFV4tnm_27eJNxAS9N5Tq7TebioWIzGNVHhehBk/s1600/P1050414.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567686975787037762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_4va-KHea3FuiHu7HxDp6YdLyJ6ERSMZ7Px8rath7AMUSUm9vLHkf71BADf5x0TVDM0DP64tt6DIn6nwZulA0Wz4Jxo9pFV4tnm_27eJNxAS9N5Tq7TebioWIzGNVHhehBk/s400/P1050414.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-22828000202837706682013-02-11T21:54:00.002-05:002021-05-10T20:05:17.484-04:00Optimize Your OTA Antenna Signal With SplittersIn my first post about cutting the cable TV cord, I showed you how to <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-watch-local-hdtv-channels.html" target="_blank">cut the cord and receive over-the-air HD channels</a>. At the very least you now have one TV connected to one antenna, or maybe multiple TVs with their own antennas. We can improve this design, using the best antenna for every TV's signal, even when they're on at the same time.<br />
<br />
Here are the chapters to follow me on this journey to glorious HDTV goodness:<br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 1 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-watch-local-hdtv-channels.html" target="_blank">Receive HD channels on your TV with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 2 - Optimize the antenna signal for all TVs with splitters</b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 3 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/can-you-run-ota-antenna-tv-and-internet.html" target="_blank">Run an antenna's signal on the same cord as your Internet feed</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 4 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/04/cut-cord-but-still-want-some-watch.html" target="_blank">Stream videos from cable stations with a media server</a></b><br />
<br />
Before you entertain the thought of using your best antenna location for every TV, you will need to have a coaxial cable (coax) running from the best antenna location to whichever TVs you have in mind. If your antenna's on the top floor and the TV's on the bottom floor, my advice won't help you if there's no coax between the two of them. Because you purchased an antenna to stop your cable TV service, it's likely that your cable company ran a coax to every TV in the house, meaning this might just work after all. <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
In my case, I wanted to connect my TV that's downstairs to the TV and its antenna that's upstairs. Because the house was wired for cable TV, the TV that's upstairs has a coax from its location down to where the cable box used to be. Meanwhile, the TV that's downstairs is still near that same cable box area. Because the wiring is already done, this won't require me to drill holes through my walls.<br />
<br />
This blog post is much more interesting if your living quarters have coax running between whatever rooms you need from the prime antenna location. Let's assume that's the case so we can start the steps.<br />
<br />
Note: The antenna may be hooked up to a TV or another device capable of
searching for OTA channels. For example, my OTA antenna is hooked up to
my TiVo, just as I used to run my cable TV through the TiVo. For this
blog, assume "TV" means whatever device you're using to search for OTA
channels. <br />
<br />
<b>Step 1</b> - Make a drawing of your setup from the main antenna to the other TVs, noting where the coax would have to split to reach each TV, including the need to add coaxes as necessary. Don't worry, I won't judge the drawing's quality, it just has to make sense to you.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 2</b> - Determine how many splitters to purchase. What's a splitter you ask? Well a splitter splits a single coax signal, in this case the main antenna's, and sends it to coax outputs. The most common splitter takes one signal from a coax and splits it into two signals. Larger splitters split the signal into three or more signals as in the diagram below. In my case, the main antenna's signal had to be split to one other TV meaning I would need one splitter to split the signal to two outputs, allowing the antenna to work with its normal TV and the one downstairs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u4T3dRyMqYt9D-Kq55feAi6Xr_qSnfoYlVnPgM_yKyG7QHxWyMV3jGxlemhj2QsXJjdVFMNiKb4ZyPYfOkCEmGqMGu4S4aEi_LY02E5x7qZWcl46nU2c6IEUgaaqXYo_tA4/s1600/coax+splitter+tv+diagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u4T3dRyMqYt9D-Kq55feAi6Xr_qSnfoYlVnPgM_yKyG7QHxWyMV3jGxlemhj2QsXJjdVFMNiKb4ZyPYfOkCEmGqMGu4S4aEi_LY02E5x7qZWcl46nU2c6IEUgaaqXYo_tA4/s400/coax+splitter+tv+diagram.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This diagram gives a good idea of what we're trying to accomplish with a splitter.</i></div>
<br />
<b>Step 3</b> - Now that you know how many splitters you'll need, also note how many coaxes you'll need. Look at your drawing and note how many coaxes are needed and how many you have; also consider if you need to extend a coax by connecting it to another cable.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 4</b> - Each coax has two male ends and a splitter only has female ends. Look at your drawing again and for each connection point, note each side's male or female end. Do you have two male ends connecting? Maybe two female ends are connecting? For these conflicts, you'll need female-to-female coax connectors or female-to-male coax connectors to bridge the issue. Make a note of what you need to purchase.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nv-TUynh4XY/URcTMPS3jhI/AAAAAAAAGQg/3ptlAcnOvl0/s1600/coax+tv+connector+male+to+female.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nv-TUynh4XY/URcTMPS3jhI/AAAAAAAAGQg/3ptlAcnOvl0/s200/coax+tv+connector+male+to+female.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7YeqVuEVcCM/URcSoa9NugI/AAAAAAAAGQY/J1ckSpHR86A/s1600/tv+coax+connector+female+to+female.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7YeqVuEVcCM/URcSoa9NugI/AAAAAAAAGQY/J1ckSpHR86A/s200/tv+coax+connector+female+to+female.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You may need a mixture of female-to-female and male-to-female coax connectors for longer coax connections and device connections.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>Step 5</b> - When you think you've got the right number of splitters, coaxes, and connectors for your design, look online or visit your local electronics store and buy the items. These are rather basic audio/video products so they're found everywhere. As always, keep your receipt in case you need to return items and check the store's return policy for opened items. <br />
<br />
<b>Step 6</b> - Optimize the main antenna's location. You already have a nice reception, but see if you can improve it by moving the antenna, adjusting its rabbit ears, or turning it in a new direction. Then see if you can receive even more channels; this may require you to rescan for available channels.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 7</b> - Note the main antenna's optimal location. The antenna will probably move during this chapter so this makes it easier to come back to when all is done.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 8</b> - Get all splitter(s), coaxes, and connectors in hand. For this post, we'll assume you're in the same boat as me, requiring just one splitter. Your home's coax, splitter, and connector needs will vary from my experience, but the same ideas apply.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 9</b> - Locate or place whatever coaxes you need to connect other TVs in your home. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Step 10</b> - Unscrew the main antenna from the TV or device it's connected to. <i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GFKiEQUdodj1H-DQjkSauHCcgu6KkbOK0-rtOGRHoU2_9luNkIfvDHihm35aIzSuesXK8FTjZtCoEOEGZbbozALKx_ORzBw3MtwuJTxZbWcqXFLXXknqXZCRi_AnMy3iAGw/s1600/splitter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GFKiEQUdodj1H-DQjkSauHCcgu6KkbOK0-rtOGRHoU2_9luNkIfvDHihm35aIzSuesXK8FTjZtCoEOEGZbbozALKx_ORzBw3MtwuJTxZbWcqXFLXXknqXZCRi_AnMy3iAGw/s320/splitter.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>With a nod to Ted Williams...all hail the splendid splitter!</i></div>
<br />
<b>Step 11</b> - Take the main antenna's coax cable and screw its male end into the splitter's female "IN" coax port. As with all coax connections, tightening it with your hand is enough and it doesn't have to be super tight.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 12</b> - Take a coax and screw it to one of the splitter's "OUT" coax ports. This should be a male-to-female connection.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 13</b> - Take the other end of this coax and connect it to the TV's coax port.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 14</b> - For the TV that's a new addition to this antenna, take its coax and screw it to the other splitter "OUT" port.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 15</b> - Take the other end of this coax and connect it to the TV's coax port.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 16</b> - If all is well, you now have a single antenna providing a signal to a splitter, and from that splitter there are two coaxes running to two TVs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuHDezHgfqYXMZ_ssfoU131WKeo78S48g4s9o46Pk6CdvjzbdTnYjX6N6Sy1vnZ3Y3cI6sqaGmk1GgK-cUsNsFGYcX2kmiF88p1PvYt3bYxEIFiPUXvhTZw_5GTMnC-r54Hw/s1600/diplexer+C+setup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuHDezHgfqYXMZ_ssfoU131WKeo78S48g4s9o46Pk6CdvjzbdTnYjX6N6Sy1vnZ3Y3cI6sqaGmk1GgK-cUsNsFGYcX2kmiF88p1PvYt3bYxEIFiPUXvhTZw_5GTMnC-r54Hw/s400/diplexer+C+setup.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My beloved splitter setup.</i></div>
<br />
<b>Step 17</b> - Return the main antenna to its optimal location noted in step 7.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 18</b> - Run a channel reception search for each TV; this can be done at the same time. Both TVs should find the same stations. If they don't list the same stations, it's because one of the TVs doesn't consider a station with low reception worthy of saying it is available, while the other one does. If you connected more than two TVs to the splitter, repeat this process with each TV.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 19</b> - Congrats! Now your TVs have the best OTA reception possible and they can watch TV at the same time.<br />
<br />
In my next post, I'll introduce you to the world of diplexers which solved my problem of running an OTA antenna's signal on the same coax as my Internet feed.<br />
<br />B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-65391159633209264802013-02-09T20:10:00.001-05:002021-05-10T20:05:02.249-04:00How to Watch Local Channels in HD Without Cable TVI invite you to join me on a journey. A journey to a magical world free of cable TV bills, shyster pricing, and frustrating phone calls when your bill is wrong or your service is on the fritz. If you follow this four-chapter journey you will leave the land of $100+ cable TV bills and finish in Shambhala where the cable TV industry's poor pricing model has no place.<br />
<br />
Our journey's chapters (links available as they're published):<br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 1 - Receive HD channels on your TV with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna</b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 2 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/optimize-your-ota-antenna-signal-with.html" target="_blank">Optimize the antenna signal for all TVs with splitters</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 3 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/can-you-run-ota-antenna-tv-and-internet.html" target="_blank">Run an antenna's signal on the same cord as your Internet feed</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 4 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/04/cut-cord-but-still-want-some-watch.html" target="_blank">Stream videos from cable stations with a media server</a></b><br />
<br />
Why should you listen to me? These steps worked for me after I taught myself and made some mistakes. I hope these posts save you from the same mistakes.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Let's hope the cord cutting is a smooth ride for us all. </i></div>
<br />
<b>Chapter 1 - Set Up Your HDTV with an OTA Antenna</b><br />
<br />
Note: The antenna may be hooked up to a TV or another device capable of searching for OTA channels. For example, my OTA antenna is hooked up to my TiVo, just as I used to run my cable TV through the TiVo. For this blog, assume "TV" means whatever device you're using to search for OTA channels.<br />
<br />
<i>April 2013 Update - If you're comfortable with streaming media, you now have the option of streaming local OTA content from a rented antenna in your area. Thanks to the recent <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/04/01/aereo-wins-appeals-court-ruling/2042527/" target="_blank">appellate ruling in the 2nd Circuit in NY</a>, Aereo may continue offering and expanding such a service.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Step 1</b> - Don't do anything. I know you can't wait to flip off the cable company and disconnect, but don't do it until you're able to watch TV without that moneysucking cord. <br />
<br />
<b>Step 2</b> - Do something. Determine which channels you should expect to receive with different OTA antennas. Visit <a href="http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29" target="_blank">http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29</a><a href="http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29" target="_blank"></a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 3</b> - Enter your address and click the "Find Local Channels" button.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 4</b> - Try not to be worried by the flood of data that appears. All you care about is what channels fall under which color backgrounds. As it states on the bottom of the page: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" border="1"><thead>
<tr><th align="right" scope="colgroup"><div align="right">
Background color</div>
</th> <th align="left" scope="colgroup"><div align="left">
Estimated signal strength</div>
</th> </tr>
</thead> <tbody>
<tr align="center"> <td align="right" style="background-color: #e5ffe5;"><div align="right">
Green</div>
</td> <td align="right" style="background-color: #e5ffe5;"><div align="left">
An indoor "set-top" antenna is probably sufficient to pick up these channels</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="right" style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><div align="right">
Yellow</div>
</td> <td align="right" style="background-color: #ffffe5;"><div align="left">
An attic-mounted antenna is probably needed to pick up channels at this level and above</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="right" style="background-color: #ffe5ff;"><div align="right">
Red</div>
</td> <td align="right" style="background-color: #ffe5ff;"><div align="left">
A roof-mounted antenna is probably needed to pick up channels at this level and above</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="right" style="background-color: #e5e5e5;"><div align="right">
Grey</div>
</td> <td align="right" style="background-color: #e5e5e5;"><div align="left">
These channels are very weak and will most likely require extreme measures to try and pick them up</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Step 5</b> - Do you see most of your local channels in the green section? That's great! You get to start with the cheapest digital antenna out there! If most of your local channels were in other colors, don't sweat it; all it means is that you'll probably have to buy a more powerful antenna.<br />
<br />
Ranking antennas in terms of signal pulling strength/cost in order of weakest/cheapest to strongest/most expensive, antennas generally go indoor/non-amplified, indoor/amplified, outdoor/non-amplified, and outdoor/amplified. Some posters on technical forums say that amplification degrades the signal a bit, but I'm not sure that I'd even notice.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 6</b> - Note which antenna should do the trick for your TV viewing needs. If you live in a city or near other houses, you may need a more powerful antenna than what's stated here, but that's why receipts were created to return items you don't want. I suggest trying the "lowest" model and work your way up as needed; often this will be an indoor/non-amplified model.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 7</b> - Digital antennas come in four flavors, indoor (non-amplified and amplified) and outdoor (non-amplified and amplified). Living close to DC and surrounded by townhomes, I chose to start with the cheapest, an indoor non-amplified model, and haven't had any issues. As you might expect (and just read), outdoor models are more expensive than indoor, and amplified is more expensive than non-amplified. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkeXD-LjAlI/URW5aQ0pizI/AAAAAAAAGPo/uBTdZxL-kb0/s1600/philips_sdv2710_27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lkeXD-LjAlI/URW5aQ0pizI/AAAAAAAAGPo/uBTdZxL-kb0/s320/philips_sdv2710_27.jpg" width="174" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>There's no shame in using an antenna with rabbit ears when the picture's crystal clear.</i></div>
<br />
<b>Step 8</b> - Visit a site like Amazon or go to an actual store and find an indoor or outdoor (are you comfortable installing it to the outside of your house?) HDTV antenna. From there, pick an amplified or non-amplified model that suits your price point, has lots of positive reviews, and looks fine in your living quarters. An indoor antenna works best near a window and some models use good'ol rabbit ears which may disrupt your space's feng shui. My antenna has rabbit ears, but it's out of the way so I don't mind them. More powerful indoor antennas are placed in the attic so how it looks doesn't matter, but what does matter is the thought of running cables from the attic to your TVs. Also, an amplified antenna does need to be plugged in somewhere.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 9</b> - Go ahead and purchase the antenna that you'll come to love and adore. Go to step 10 when the antenna is within arm's reach.<br />
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<b>Step 10</b> - Go to the TV that will get the honor of not receiving video of inferior quality from cable. In a later post, I will explain how you can use one antenna to pull channels for all TVs in your house provided you can reach each TV with a cord from the attic or wherever the optimal antenna location ends up being. For now, we'll work with and assume that each TV will get its own antenna.<br />
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<b>Step 11</b> - Provided that the TV was purchased after 2007, it will be ready for a digital antenna. Locate the cable cord that connects to the TV and unscrew it (pictured below). A coax cable's connecting ring can be screwed and unscrewed with your hand. If it's on tight, use a set of pliers to help. This type of cable is called a coaxial cable (coax) and contains a thin copper wire at its male end so be try not to move it too much while unscrewing it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QlenYKMhmsI/URMfjY48aFI/AAAAAAAAGO0/QS2-92xkCgg/s1600/coax+cable+tv+hookup.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QlenYKMhmsI/URMfjY48aFI/AAAAAAAAGO0/QS2-92xkCgg/s320/coax+cable+tv+hookup.bmp" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Believe it or not, the cable company will not smite you when you disconnect its coax.</i></div>
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<b>Step 12</b> - Congratulations! You've just finished the hardest step of breaking free of the "I can only watch HDTV with cable TV" mindset.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 13</b> - Open your antenna and put it together, if necessary. Some models may require some simple installing of the rabbit ears or other signal catching peripherals. Outdoor antennas will require mounting to your house which you won't learn about in this blog. Sorry, but even a one-man band can't play every instrument out there.<br />
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<b>Step 14</b> - Take the coax cable coming from the antenna and screw the male end into the same outlet where you unscrewed the cable TV cord in step 11. The coax should be screwed well with a normal amount of hand tightening; it doesn't have to be super tight!<br />
<br />
Should your TV have more than one plug such as one just for antenna signals, then screw the antenna cord into that one. If you already know that you have to place your antenna in your attic or outside to receive stations, do what you gotta do to get the coax from the antenna down to a TV. Again, in a later blog post, I'll talk about using this one antenna to pull channels for TVs on multiple floors provided each TV could be wire to a single antenna.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 15</b> - If you have an amplified antenna, plug it in the outlet nearest to where the antenna will probably reside. If you have a non-amplified antenna you don't have to do anything for this step except continue reading the words that I'm typing to see if anything is worth doing only to find out there's nothing else to do except finish this sentence.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 16</b> - Move your antenna where you think it will probably reside, preferably near a window (if not in the attic or mounted outside). If your house has siding, it really helps the reception if the antenna has a clear path to the window view.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 17</b> - If the coax connected to the antenna is not long enough, connect it to another coax cable using a simple coax connection; most likely a female to female connector pictured below. This would allow you to connect the antenna's male end to the connector's female end, and connect the extra coax cable's male end to the connector's other female end, leaving the extra coax cable's male end to be screwed into the TV's female end. Got that?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUaGxBl49ZJsGpAvpYtKZhuWYL1XGQJiyS-amCcM00XGU6V4RgWIvpNziNfgjTf0ZLUYadm1iGxEDqCd2apNdmKHCBGxtshoXnQpbHmFiyImFBfOCNZI2UwAyhz0SUU3abFI/s1600/tv+coax+connector+female+to+female.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUaGxBl49ZJsGpAvpYtKZhuWYL1XGQJiyS-amCcM00XGU6V4RgWIvpNziNfgjTf0ZLUYadm1iGxEDqCd2apNdmKHCBGxtshoXnQpbHmFiyImFBfOCNZI2UwAyhz0SUU3abFI/s320/tv+coax+connector+female+to+female.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>So simple, yet so necessary.</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXfLJsIWqYmIwuka0gwOHkH_7QLL7g1un2jeJeserdRMYvn-03GPYUsA2CuDFvCY-ixMcqk_sAy3bSoNokMgvRUpoKgV0OBqFMrp0zA8ZiXyIXxgDLR0661BlT19EgLJbTPA/s1600/tv+coax+connector+female+to+female.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<b>Step 18</b> - If you've reached this step, you now have your TV connected to an antenna through its coax connection. Way to go!<br />
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<b>Step 19</b> - Let's see if the work has paid off. Turn on your TV. You probably won't see any picture. Take a deep breath, things will be okay.<br />
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<b>Step 20</b> - Use your TV's menu and navigate to its area called "channels" or maybe "video". You're looking for the menu option that will allow you to change the signal that your TV receives. Again, in my case I searched for channels using TiVo and not my TV.<br />
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<b>Step 21</b> - At the signal screen, change the input or signal to "antenna"; really just about anything other than cable or satellite.<br />
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<b>Step 22</b> - The TV should begin searching for channels or ask you if it may do so. By all means, let it loose and see what channels the antenna picks up! The search may take up to 10 minutes while the TV checks area frequencies for OTA stations. Most TVs will keep a running total of the number of stations picked up during this search.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LVRCYXgwWHY/URW9nMJP1lI/AAAAAAAAGP4/LjAX-iplhrE/s1600/big+money+no+whammy+press+your+luck.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LVRCYXgwWHY/URW9nMJP1lI/AAAAAAAAGP4/LjAX-iplhrE/s320/big+money+no+whammy+press+your+luck.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Industry secret: while the TV searches for channels, improve your chances by saying, "big money, big money, big money, no whammy, stop!"</i></div>
<br />
<b>Step 23</b> - When the search is finished, change your TV's channel to see if anything comes in. With any luck you'll have your standard station affiliates for NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, and PBS. Larger markets will usually offer another 30 channels.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 24</b> - If you do not receive even half of the "green" channels listed from step 5 or are not satisfied with the found channels, move the antenna to a different location in the room or another room altogether. You may even try connecting it to a TV on a higher floor near a window just to see if reception is possible with this antenna. Each time you move the antenna, return to step 16. If you've tried all rational, reasonable, and legal locations without any luck, you should consider buying a different version of the antenna or upgrading it; then return to step 13.<br />
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<b>Step 25</b> - If you're a picky channel surfer like me, go back to your TV's menu and eliminate stations you don't want. For example, if you don't know much Spanish, you may want to delete the Spanish-only channels from the rotation.<br />
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<b>Step 26</b> - Congrats! You now have your familiar network channels and some new ones, all in HD that is clearer than any cable or satellite provider could, well, provide you with. By all means, call the cable or satellite TV provider and tell them to get lost! This does not mean you must cut ties with the company's Internet service. Also, if you'd like to optimize the TV reception throughout your living quarters, don't remove the coax installed to each room just yet.<br />
<br />
In future posts, I'll explain how you can see most of your favorite cable TV shows for little cost and how to use one antenna to pull stations for every TV in your house.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-73566315553485064992013-02-23T16:51:00.002-05:002021-05-10T20:05:00.162-04:00Can You Run OTA Antenna TV and Internet Feeds on the Same Coax Cable? Yes!So far we’ve cut the cable TV cord and maximized our over-the-air (OTA) antenna reception for our TVs; however, if you're like me, there's a snag with sharing the antenna's signal with a TV that also depended on one coax (that's a coaxial cable if you're new to these procedures) to provide cable TV and the Internet feed. Fear not, for I would not lead you astray and will show you the way. This is the third chapter in this OTA adventure, so in case you missed what has been covered so far, here's a recap:<br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 1 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-watch-local-hdtv-channels.html" target="_blank">Receive HD channels on your TV with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna</a><br />
<br />
Chapter 2 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/optimize-your-ota-antenna-signal-with.html" target="_blank">Optimize the antenna signal for all TVs with splitters</a><br />
<br />
Chapter 3 - Run an antenna's signal on the same cord as your Internet feed<br />
<br />
Chapter 4 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/04/cut-cord-but-still-want-some-watch.html" target="_blank">Stream videos from cable stations with a media server</a></b><br />
<br />
When my cable TV was installed, a coax was run from the cable box on the bottom floor to the upstairs TV, which is where my main antenna is now located. When I went about maximizing my reception, I wanted to use the coax installed by the cable company to feed the signal from the main antenna upstairs back down to the single coax connected to the downstairs TV. The problem was that the coax from the cable box to the downstairs TV was still being used to connect me to the Internet (you only need one coax to run cable TV and the Internet). Because cable TV and the Internet feed use the same signal, a simple splitter is all that's needed to give the TV its channels and your Internet router its Internet data.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNucrL9L_zS-JxUDYpy6hkHyVmR5t6gHBJ6uVzAo86gZQ0lHv9mXYMjQH1CFtU94psWN9-MYFRn-VchVstAASfLmd42_7OtxRt17ogpDeTf0hbw2bCPKaXu6ASXv3RHkjVCk/s1600/No-Cable.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNucrL9L_zS-JxUDYpy6hkHyVmR5t6gHBJ6uVzAo86gZQ0lHv9mXYMjQH1CFtU94psWN9-MYFRn-VchVstAASfLmd42_7OtxRt17ogpDeTf0hbw2bCPKaXu6ASXv3RHkjVCk/s320/No-Cable.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Life does go on after you stop subscribing to cable TV, I promise.</i></div>
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The fix in my head was to combine the main antenna's signal with the Internet feed on one coax...if that was even possible. I did lots of research on audio/video forums to see if this was possible and almost <a href="http://www.avsforum.com/t/1145230/can-i-split-comcast-cable-internet-and-ota-antenna-on-same-coax-no" target="_blank">everyone said it was impossible</a>. Most said that you could not run the two different signals on the same coax because they run at different frequencies, there’s an issue with interference, and the gods would not allow it during the summer solstice.<br />
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However, I found one person who said you could use a device called a diplexer. It sounds ominous, but really it’s friendly once you get to know it. It took plenty of research to confirm that a diplexer would do the trick so let's hope you found this blog in less time than it took me to learn about diplexers and type this entry. Here’s how I used to diplexers to help cut the cord and solve this problem; your setup may differ, but the concepts still apply.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">I should stop burying the lede…to run an OTA signal on the same coax as an Internet feed, use one diplexer where the signals combine onto one coax and one diplexer where you want the signals to split again from that single coax.</span><br />
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<b>Step 1</b> - Return to your sketch in <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/optimize-your-ota-antenna-signal-with.html" target="_blank">chapter 2</a> of the optimal setup for your OTA signal, now knowing that you can run the OTA signal on the same coax as your Internet feed. Recall that using one antenna’s signal on multiple TVs does not decrease the video quality even when they’re all on and showing different stations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7eXhgd8j7CnvsLzZ-K02pyN0K7XwSeOCqwnlpWo9qwi2ikCYY7Gh277CXhuTDpQaD58pvJ0sZGZJrw57ahclvfgK-V7AcWlJeQuztqNS_6IEADS1u7YAVXaNkjjSY8dZsdc/s1600/diplexer-diagram.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7eXhgd8j7CnvsLzZ-K02pyN0K7XwSeOCqwnlpWo9qwi2ikCYY7Gh277CXhuTDpQaD58pvJ0sZGZJrw57ahclvfgK-V7AcWlJeQuztqNS_6IEADS1u7YAVXaNkjjSY8dZsdc/s640/diplexer-diagram.gif" width="363" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>In my case, the "satellite antenna" is the Internet service provider's feed to the house, the red line is the single coax that carries both streams, and the "satellite signal" is the Internet feed that finds its way to the router.</i> </div>
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<b>Step 2</b> - One diplexer is needed to combine the antenna signal and Internet feed and another diplexer is necessary to (re)split them. Diplexers look like splitters and have all female ends just as splitters do. Go online or your electronics store and purchase your diplexers and connectors as necessary, holding onto that receipt just in case this whole experience fails. <br />
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<b>Step 3</b> - With your diplexers in hand, setup your main antenna and run its signal down to where you want to combine it with the Internet feed. It's okay to use a splitter anywhere in the feed’s path, no matter how far from the combination point, to reach other TVs before the fancy combining happens.<br />
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<b>Step 4</b> - Go where you want the antenna’s signal to combine with the Internet feed. Based on my story, this was outside on the first floor because of where the Internet (and cable TV) box was located.<br />
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<b>Step 5</b> - At the combination point, you should have a free hanging coax with a male end that finds its way back to the main antenna.<br />
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<b>Step 6</b> - Take one of the diplexers, we’ll call it diplexer A, and locate the side with two connectors (the bottom side in the picture above).<br />
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<b>Step 7</b> - Screw the male end of the coax from step 5 into one of the bottom side diplexer connectors, the side with more than one connector on it.<br />
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<b>Step 8</b> - Unplug your router (and modem if you have one).<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Just one word: diplexers.</i></div>
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<b>Step 9</b> - Locate the box that pulls the Internet feed into your house, this is probably the same as what was/will be your cable TV box.<br />
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<b>Step 10</b> - Connected to the Internet box is a coax that runs into your house and is split with a familiar looking splitter. Disconnect this coax from the splitter, or closest connection point to the box, leaving the other end of the coax connected to the Internet box.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Step 11</b> - Take the free hanging Internet feed's coax (and its male end) and screw it into the other “IN” female connector of diplexer A.</div>
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<b>Step 12</b> - At the combination point, you now have diplexer A being fed the signal from the main antenna and your Internet feed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuD0QkyyOw3QKWsWA8ykO9Px4KVum7Wu2PmCfaOzF4BwttfYtJaX1owplVfNWtYoaI8hGcw9DhCbSTsLRF2A0XvBJkLnAnt6SrArOluAul5hgtgi-Y4MGO6kWJK1K4T3JAQz4/s1600/diplexer+A+setup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuD0QkyyOw3QKWsWA8ykO9Px4KVum7Wu2PmCfaOzF4BwttfYtJaX1owplVfNWtYoaI8hGcw9DhCbSTsLRF2A0XvBJkLnAnt6SrArOluAul5hgtgi-Y4MGO6kWJK1K4T3JAQz4/s400/diplexer+A+setup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Here's my setup proving something, I'm just not sure yet.</i></div>
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<b>Step 13</b> - Locate the coax that runs into your dwelling; one end should still be screwed to the splitter that was connected to the Internet feed's coax.<br />
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<b>Step 14</b> - Unscrew this coax from the splitter. Congrats, you’ve got a free splitter from the cable company!<br />
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<b>Step 15</b> - Take this same coax and screw it to the “OUT” female connector of diplexer A. <br />
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<b>Step 16</b> - If all is well, diplexer A still has the antenna coax and Internet feed coax connected as inputs, and now has the coax that goes into your house connected to its output.<br />
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<b>Step 17</b> - Take hold of the other diplexer, let’s call it, oh I don’t know, diplexer B.<br />
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<b>Step 18</b> - Follow along the coax that goes into your house and locate its other end where you want to (re)split this super-mega-awesome combined feed. In my case, the cable company setup a coax that ended with a splitter sending the signal to the TV and Internet router.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyjLMUcj7V15e9kzREuSy-7HrW4hTwPNmCr1RvTv6zEo_lsOmroGrvWhUhy74nhKFCEdaN78M2UmZuDJVehUj8yDPkQLiSAjRyBo-D6hDfBk759XXlTv-3R_HeZsDcnPPPio/s1600/diplexer+B+setup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyjLMUcj7V15e9kzREuSy-7HrW4hTwPNmCr1RvTv6zEo_lsOmroGrvWhUhy74nhKFCEdaN78M2UmZuDJVehUj8yDPkQLiSAjRyBo-D6hDfBk759XXlTv-3R_HeZsDcnPPPio/s400/diplexer+B+setup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Here's my diplexer B in action.</i></div>
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<b>Step 19</b> - Connect this main coax to the “OUT” female connector of diplexer B (it's the lonely port in the picture above, you can't miss it. Well I guess you could miss it, but then this whole thing won't work well).<br />
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<b>Step 20</b> - From the indoor splitter near you, unscrew the coax connected to your home's Internet router and then unscrew the coax that connects to your TV. Again, you're removing them from the splitter and not the router or TV. The router and TV will keep their coaxes attached.<br />
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<b>Step 21</b> - Locate the coax that runs to your home’s Internet router and screw its free end to a connector on diplexer B with multiple connectors (bottom of the picture above). In the pictured diplexer, the bottom connectors now become "OUT" connectors and the connector that's alone on one side becomes an "IN" port. <br />
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<b>Step 22</b> - Locate the TV’s free coax and screw it to diplexer B’s other “IN” or “INPUT” port. If you want to run multiple TVs from this feed, connect a splitter to this port on diplexer B and connect TVs from there as usual.<br />
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<b>Step 23</b> - Turn on a TV connected to the diplexer and see if you receive signals as done in <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-watch-local-hdtv-channels.html" target="_blank">Chapter 1</a>, step 19.<br />
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<b>Step 24</b> - Any luck? If so, high five yourself, I may have been speaking the truth afterall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb4UleTQPTERNU8LXU8svIS0AGEV6gG2o8ziOGcLkGr4jBgz3HSDnyjLww_JRptv65Dwz3hVHW-qTdp1WD-0IQGf0_saITJkZZ08WpsuXm_TnpgOB0i0UNaQ4T134W1l2x8Q/s1600/bad+cable+management.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOb4UleTQPTERNU8LXU8svIS0AGEV6gG2o8ziOGcLkGr4jBgz3HSDnyjLww_JRptv65Dwz3hVHW-qTdp1WD-0IQGf0_saITJkZZ08WpsuXm_TnpgOB0i0UNaQ4T134W1l2x8Q/s400/bad+cable+management.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Don't forget the importance of cable management, keeping them bound and tidy.</i></div>
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<b>Step 25</b> - Turn on all TVs receiving the main antenna’s feed and see if they receive channels too, setting them up as necessary. Pretty cool how you can watch different channels on each TV at the same time, right?<br />
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<b>Step 26</b> - Plug in/turn on your Internet router and let it reconnect to the Internet; then plug in/turn on your modem and let it reconnect to the router. These devices should reconnect to the Internet on their own. If you see lots of lights flashing in good ways then we’re doing alright.<br />
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<b>Step 27</b> - Find yourself a device that connects to the Internet and see if it can connect. Any luck? If so, give yourself two high fives! You may now have every TV tuned to different channels while streaming Internet video without any issues on any of them. As with any antenna signal splitting, channel reception is tied to the quality of a single antenna, but it should have been placed in a location that nullifies this issue.<br />
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<b>Step 28</b> - Congratulations! You are now running the OTA antenna signal on the same coax as your Internet feed, have maximized the signal for every connected TV, and can wow people at your next cocktail party by saying things like, “I spent the weekend working with coaxes, splitters, and diplexers and I’m awesome.”<br />
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In the fourth and final chapter, I’ll talk about replacing some of those cable channels you used to watch by relying on a media player and streaming video.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-37879163075841562292009-10-26T22:26:00.003-04:002013-09-16T15:28:12.113-04:00A 26.2-Mile Sibling Rivalry at the Marine Corps MarathonI finished. Long ago, when I accepted that I wasn't going to keep pace with my sister after the first step, my goal was to finish and I reached that goal. 26.2 miles is a long way to go, no matter that my sister finished an hour ahead of me. Only in the last few hours have I started to understand the magnitude of this accomplishment.<br />
<br />
A great bonus for completing this marathon was the full acquittal for all those things I quit when I was younger. Had I known I'd get a free pass for a marathon I would have ran one sooner! My father and mother told me I was forgiven for the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>quitting karate in 3rd grade after two weeks because the Cosby show aired at the same time (yes, there was a time before Tivo);</li>
<li>quitting the trombone after three weeks because my buddy got a shiny new one;</li>
<li>after my dad asked me why I didn't tackle someone in a 5th grade football rec league game, I said, "well, I'll just wait for them to come to me";</li>
<li>overly dramatic tales of woe at three sleep away camps due to spectacular homesickness;</li>
<li>never playing a game of little league baseball because I always thought the ball was going to hit me and I have trouble following fast moving objects (even those going 40 MPH);<br />
</li>
<li>only raking Fall leaves when my dad was looking my way, otherwise laying low; and</li>
<li>quitting an etiquette class because I wasn't winning the "random" prizes.</li>
</ul>
Notice a quitting trend here? It ended on Sunday.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pre-Race Morning</span><br />
After three bananas, three egg whites, and 40 ounces of the water, I joined my sister and a friend we made the night before as we made our way to the Eisenhower Metro station. Everyone around me had run at least four marathons and were quite encouraging that the hardest part was done, meaning the training. Easy for them to say.<br />
<br />
We made our way to the starting corrals in total darkness and waited in the cold for two hours until it was race time. Because we had arrived so early we got to enjoy unused porta-pottys that actually had toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Such a luxury! As the sun rose, so did our excitement as a member of the "Jersey Boys" show sang the national anthem. I took the NJ connection as a good sign. I was looking for all the positive earmarks I could find.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">And We're Off!</span><br />
With the blasting of a howitzer the race started; about 10 minutes later we finally crossed the start line. One step over the line I was tied with my sister, one step later she was gone in a flash; not to be seen until the family linkup after the finish. I was on my own. It was up to me to run this race, control my pace, and listen to my body. I kept telling myself, "you've trained for long runs so this is just another long run," albeit with water stations every two miles and closed roads for my route."<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">No turning back at the start!</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 0 - 2</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Everyone, pee on the side of the road!</span><br />
As I started my run, it felt like a roller coaster with the seat belt arm already down. I knew it was going to be a great ride despite my worries and I couldn't quit now. After leaving Rosslyn, we ran through some wooded areas which allowed several runners to turn them into their own bathrooms. Even a few female runners found some hidden places; I was certainly impressed with their ingenuity. 1.5 miles in I was ready to ditch my long sleeve shirt and conveniently found a charity collecting such clothes and tossed it their way.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 3 - 4</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">I Flashed Women and They Laughed</span><br />
These were the prettiest miles of the course because of the peak color changing in the trees. Is there a better drive in the DC area than the GW Parkway in the Fall? More wooded areas meant more pit stops for runners who thought nothing of leaving their marks. At mile 4 we would turn left onto the Key Bridge. 50 yards before I figured this was the last spectator-free wooded area and decided to become one of <span style="font-style: italic;">those</span> runners.<br />
<br />
I went off-road and took care of things with no runners around me. Only after I was finishing my business did I notice two female runners farther up the hillside doing the same and giggling. I thought it was in my direction and I wanted to yell, "It's shrinkage! It's 40 degrees in the morning!"<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Shrinkage is not just for laundry.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 5 - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">9</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yep, Georgetown was Built on a Hill</span><br />
A little after mile 5, I began my intervals of five minutes of running and one minute of walking that would carry me throughout the race. This Georgetown portion of the race went along Canal Road which only reminded me of how crazy it was for me to drive a <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-dragged-moving-truck-ramp-along-canal.html">22' Penske moving truck along the way</a>. Around mile 9 we were offered orange slices. I wanted no part of them as I wasn't about to mess with my racing diet at this point. Running through a road of orange peels left our shoes with super traction. I'm just happy I didn't have to worry about banana peels.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 10-11: Familiar Faces and Tears of Joy</span></div>
</div>
I was really hitting my stride (haha!) at this point. The crowds were great and I was so very familiar with this part of the course. I saw my parents just before hitting Hains Point. After running 50 feet from them I turned around and saw my dad hugging my mom with tears in his eyes. For the first time all race, at least one drop on my face wasn't from sweat.<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Cue the inspirational music.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 12 - 15</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Like Pulling a Thorn From the Lion's Paw</span><br />
I was warned that Hains Point would suck thanks to the lowest amount of spectators on the course and lots of wind. While there were few spectators, there was no wind. It was a tight fit along the road, but we managed. Just after mile 13 and the water station, I felt a pebble in my right shoe. I tried running with it, hoping that it would move out of the way, but it didn't. I briefly step aside and tried taking my shoe off, but figured it wasn't worth the trouble. A 1/4 mile later the pebble wasn't an issue. I saw my parents shortly thereafter.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 16 - 18</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">What Happened to My Left Nip Guard?</span><br />
I got nervous when I saw the mile 16 marker. It was at mile 16 in my last long run that I hit the wall, hard. I limped my way to reach 20 miles that time when my goal was actually 22. I busted through mile 16 with surprising ease. I did a nip guard check. Right one, yep. Left one, nope! Uh oh.<br />
<br />
Somehow at some point somewhere my left one came off. Without any backups I had to move forward. Only later did I find out that it fell to my belly button, surely doing a better job of stopping any minor friction cuts down there. Thankfully I was wearing a blue shirt that hid any, umm, bloody evidence that I wasn't protected on my left side.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 19 - 21</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;"> I Fought the Wall and I Won</span><br />
After completing the route up and down the mall, that took the shape of a male body part definitely not suffering from shrinkage, I saw my parents and sister's boyfriend as I made way over 395. My quads were on fire. They weren't too bad when I ran, but my one-minute walks had me checking to see if my quads really were smoking.<br />
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</center>
At mile 21, my calves tightened or gave out, maybe that's one and the same. I tried walking only to stumble a bit as my calves didn't want me running anymore. If I ran a certain way I felt a shot of pain through my groin. Yep, my lower half wasn't having any fun this day. I pushed forward and made myself run. Mind over matter in the truest sense.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 22 - 23: The Longest Mile</span><br />
I reached Crystal City knowing my pain threshold would be tested all the way to the finish line. I turned onto Crystal Drive and began the longest mile of the race. With runners running on the other side of the road I knew the turnaround point had to be soon, but it never came. The street was lined with colored flags that were nice at the start, but an annoyance at the end.<br />
<br />
I kept seeing a flag over a hill thinking that it had to be our U-turn only to be disappointed time and time again. It was tough not knowing how far I had to go before I could run on the other side of the road. Eventually I made the turn, through a driveway no less, and had two miles left to go.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles 24 - 26:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">I Won't Quit on Myself</span><br />
I really wanted to walk for longer than one minute, but I kept telling myself I'd be wasting the great running I had done earlier in the race. And quit for what purpose? Because I'm mentally fatigued? This was no time to quit in what might be my only marathon. I dug deep and pushed forward, thinking of a few select folks who are in worse shape then me and could only dream of having "quads on fire" as their biggest issue.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mile 26.2:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">A Goal Realized</span><br />
I turned up the Iwo Jima Memorial hill, ran by the grandstand, and put my arms up at the finish line. It was awesome. Two blood blisters were well earned this day.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Post Race</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Wobbling Like a Wobble Toy</span><br />
I swayed a few times as I reached the finisher medal line. With the medal around my neck, I sought out water and any food within reach. Cheerios and more water gave me balance after 10 minutes of leaning on a pallet of boxes. I waited as the massive crowd made its way up and over to Wilson Boulevard. In what seemed like miles away, but was only a few blocks, I found my cheering section in the Family Linkup as planned.<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Oh I know this feeling now. Walking downstairs backward helps.</span></div>
<br />
Hugs and kisses were given, more great pictures were taken by my sister's boyfriend, and tears were shed. I ate a Chipotle burrito and we waited in a fast moving line to enter to the Rosslyn Metro station. My sister received a Marine Corps music CD, we got our finisher coins, and my face was covered in salt, glorious marathon salt.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-67871708209211052822013-04-08T20:47:00.000-04:002013-04-08T20:47:57.233-04:00Have you cut the cord, but still want to watch some cable TV? Then stream itSo far we’ve cut the cable TV cord and maximized our over-the-air (OTA) antenna reception including the sharing of a coax cable with an Internet feed. While I extol the virtues of cutting the cable cord (<a href="http://adage.com/article/media/1-million-people-cut-pay-tv-cords-year/240677/" target="_blank">one million people cut the cord in 2012</a>), there are moments when I long for a quip from Stephen Colbert or really want to watch a U.S. men's or women's soccer match. At least for soccer, my only viewing options are to go to a bar, invite myself over a friend's house, or hide in the bush in front of my friend's house and watch it through his living room window.<br />
<br />
But there's actually another choice...a media server! Join me as I walk you through this exciting world! And use an exclamation point for three sentences in a row! This is the fourth and final chapter in this OTA adventure, so in case you missed what has been covered so far, here's a recap:<br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 1 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-watch-local-hdtv-channels.html" target="_blank">Receive HD channels on your TV with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 2 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/optimize-your-ota-antenna-signal-with.html" target="_blank">Optimize the antenna signal for all TVs with splitters</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 3 - <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2013/02/can-you-run-ota-antenna-tv-and-internet.html" target="_blank">Run an antenna's signal on the same cord as your Internet feed</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Chapter 4 - Stream videos from cable stations with a media server</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0DD3l7xBT9Mh_rOJO5D6y6y16m-MafykzC8IkDtpsq7A5JeA6UHRYNfn1OGmCfwWx1-3yASnxnwjjTlJeUCeTP1hXlJ6z8ZKPalD29bSH1r6ngI4yLucrhxCVelFJCXXA_E/s1600/diagram_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0DD3l7xBT9Mh_rOJO5D6y6y16m-MafykzC8IkDtpsq7A5JeA6UHRYNfn1OGmCfwWx1-3yASnxnwjjTlJeUCeTP1hXlJ6z8ZKPalD29bSH1r6ngI4yLucrhxCVelFJCXXA_E/s320/diagram_1.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Your streaming media setup will look something like this.</i></div>
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<b>Media Server Concepts</b> <br />
A media server takes many forms; in our case I'm referring to a device that provides a more comfortable experience (interface) to watch online movies and TV shows on your TV. A media server visits streaming media web sites, pulls their content in, and displays
the content in an interface on your TV that's easier to navigate.<br />
<br />
Still
having trouble understanding? That's okay. Put it this way, you could
either visit the local farmer's garden for fruits and vegetables, the
butcher for your meat, and the five-and-dime shop for your cereal, or go
to the supermarket that pulls all of these together and
presents them more conveniently. You guessed it, the supermarket is a media
server. <br />
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Popular streaming media sites include YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix. Hulu streams network and cable programming with "limited commercial interruption" they're quick to point out. Hulu's basic service is free, but for a little less than $10/month, you get access to more shows and they're available sooner than basic users. A monthly subscription of $7.99/month is required for Netflix's streaming service. These sites work like YouTube except they offer different programming.<br />
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To watch streaming media from you computer, just point your browser to these sites, pick your show, and press play. Let's say for the purpose of this post that you'd rather watch streaming media from your couch. <br />
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<i>Between these services, you'll find enough content to get your entertainment fix.</i></div>
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<br />
<b>Streaming Media Access</b><br />
In addition to visiting Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube for entertainment, all networks (CBS, NBC, FOX, and ABC) and many cable channels offer most of their shows on their web sites by navigating to their "view this show here" links to watch what you want for free. <br />
<br />
I have a monthly subscription to Netflix streaming and have been very pleased with its performance. I'm able to view Netflix content at my computer, or sitting on the couch via my TiVo, PS3, or Wii. I prefer the PS3 because its Netflix interface is smooth and responsive. It's great watching entire seasons of programming without commercials. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQ5K-go9HGs/UWBTZAxKehI/AAAAAAAAGTo/ACPIP86OQLw/s1600/archer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UQ5K-go9HGs/UWBTZAxKehI/AAAAAAAAGTo/ACPIP86OQLw/s400/archer.jpg" width="400" /></a><i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Netflix streaming offers the first three seasons of "Archer" and our country is better for it.</i></div>
<br />
Cable channels that already require a separate subscription like HBO (whose streaming service is <a href="http://www.hbogo.com/#home/" target="_blank">called HBOGO</a>), and a selection of ESPN's live programming require you to verify that you already pay for those channels (which you don't if you cut the cord). You won't get to watch HBO or every game on ESPN, but let me remind you that it shouldn't stop you if you have a sight line into your friend's living room. Amazon also offers a streaming service that requires a subscription, but it's free for Prime members.<br />
<br />
<b>Media Server Choices - Just Your TV</b> <br />
Some of today's HDTVs are well connected to the Internet and may already offer improved interfaces for selected streaming sites like Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube. If that's the case, by all means go ahead and watch away by following your TV's instructions. If not, let's keep going and talk trash about those fancy TV owners. Such showoffs, they are!<br />
<br />
<b>Media Server Choices - Roku, Apple TV, Google TV, Netgear NTV300, and Boxee Box --> TV</b><br />
These are names of boxes, about the size of your digital camera, that connect to your Internet router to pull streaming media and then display it in the user-friendly way I've been promising. My media server setup does not involve any of these devices. If you want more information about them, visit a site like <a href="http://deviceguru.com/google-tv-vs-apple-tv-vs-boxee-vs-roku">http://deviceguru.com/google-tv-vs-apple-tv-vs-boxee-vs-roku</a> and <a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/set-top-showdown-apple-tv-vs-roku-3-vs-boxee-box-vs-wd-tv-play">http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/set-top-showdown-apple-tv-vs-roku-3-vs-boxee-box-vs-wd-tv-play</a>.<br />
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<i>Netflix streaming is available from a ton of devices, so get on board in time for the new "Arrested Development" season coming May 26.</i></div>
<br />
<b>Media Server Choices - PC Software --<i>></i> PS3/XBox/Wii --> TV</b><br />
Another option is to use your computer as a media server device. The software uses your computer to take your Internet feed, grab the latest online offerings, and make them available on a variety of devices connected to your home network. From there you use that device, such as a PS3, XBox, or Wii, and watch the online offerings on your TV.<br />
<br />
According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_streaming_media_systems" target="_blank">this Wikipedia page</a>, there are tons of media server software choices. I'm not going to compare them here, but I will tell you that most will require you to pay for their services at a monthly, yearly, or one-time lifetime cost. Provided your computer handles streaming media well already, this software should run fine.<br />
<br />
For my setup, I have been pleased with the performance of <a href="http://www.playon.tv/" target="_blank">PlayOn</a> for my media server software needs. After installing it on my computer with a lifetime subscription, I simply boot up my computer which runs PlayOn from the start, turn on my PS3 and TV, and I'm off and watching. PlayOn offers <a href="http://www.playon.tv/content-channels" target="_blank">tons of content</a>, improves the software regularly, and works seamlessly with major home devices.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3TrPwOrf4sM" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
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<i>Let's reminisce on the experience of going to a video rental store.</i></div>
<br />
Another piece of PlayOn software that's intriguing is its PlayLater program that records streaming media. I haven't tried it out, but it sounds great if you can delay your viewing while a program is recorded so you can watch it later and not sweat any buffering delays. The company does offer sales for lifetime memberships.<br />
<br />
<b>Peace and Tranquility</b><br />
No longer viewing cable TV's content was tough at first, but then something funny happened...I found that life did go on without its filler programming. I still watch the same amount of TV, but instead I feed my viewing needs with other, cheaper, sources of TV entertainment. I pay a monthly subscription for Internet access (which I'd have anyway) and Netflix and have paid in full for the OTA antenna and PlayOn software. My monthly cost is still a fraction of what it was to be entertained and I don't have to deal with poor cable TV billing practices.<br />
<br />
I hope these four rambling posts have caused you to at least consider cutting the cord and joining the revolution.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-62262698769513573642010-01-20T21:00:00.006-05:002012-04-03T09:14:54.196-04:00The Quad Pie - The World's Greatest Pie Baking ChallengeSince the dawn of time, people have looked for ways to challenge their cooking abilities and expertise. Many centuries later, we are marred in a quagmire of county fair bakeoffs, 4-H recipe challenges, and Food Network forced competitions like Iron Chef and fragile cake creations.<br />
<br />
The need to search for a great baking challenge is finally over. I have a creation that usurps all pie making contests in difficulty, stamina, and creativity. This is the decathlon of pie making. The recipe tests a baker's knowledge of structural integrity, flavor, taste, design, and planning. Only experienced piemakers should even attempt this 3+ hour recipe.<br />
<br />
I present...the Quad Pie! Just in time to celebrate National Pie Day on January 23 or the other Pi Day on March 14 (3.14).<br />
<br />
A Quad Pie is a four-filling pie with multiple crusts and toppings. To my minimal knowledge of everything on the Internet (Google), a Quad Pie has neither been made nor thought of before. The trick is cooking each quad in the same pie plate, balancing cooking times, preventing flavor crossovers, and keeping ingredients fresh without losing your mind from tracking multiple timers.<br />
<br />
Here's my ever so sweet quad breakdown:<br />
<ul>
<li>Quadrant 1: cherry/blueberry with crumble top on standard crust</li>
<li>Quadrant 2: pecan with no top on standard crust </li>
<li>Quadrant 3: key lime on <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1264036215_15" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; cursor: pointer;">graham cracker crust</span> with glazed lime wedges or fruit compote</li>
<li>Quadrant 4: chocolate pudding with a whipp<i>e</i>d cream top on an oreo crust.</li>
</ul>
I did not create a Quad Pie, but I did think of it, documented the steps, and risked my own life for cooking science by eating it after it was done. As mentioned on <a href="http://jezebel.com/5500977/introducing-the-quad-pie-which-will-blow-your-mind">Jezebel</a> and <a href="http://www.asylum.com/2010/03/30/the-quad-pie-rich-an-incredible-feat-in-pie-making-history/">Asylum</a>...Here are pictures from the greatest pie ever made...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr90z2m1teDybDHq4RYnsN_w1HNZE4SyHTq8rn2jXYZvklwbJJEK0ZsKpamSw0fcPBy_yrcPWUHdejkMn4jFK45PNlhVOKhXGG4MByzGTbtP0RDKZ5Edef9EpEtDzRHGoEcQ/s1600-h/100_3769a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428990297505243442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr90z2m1teDybDHq4RYnsN_w1HNZE4SyHTq8rn2jXYZvklwbJJEK0ZsKpamSw0fcPBy_yrcPWUHdejkMn4jFK45PNlhVOKhXGG4MByzGTbtP0RDKZ5Edef9EpEtDzRHGoEcQ/s400/100_3769a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 264px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The pie's bottom is a little thicker than a normal one-filling pie and the two strips are edible walls that will separate fillings.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1emUS9D83I/AAAAAAAAClQ/Ce2owcOfDJY/s1600-h/100_3772a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428990743433966450" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1emUS9D83I/AAAAAAAAClQ/Ce2owcOfDJY/s400/100_3772a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 322px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The first half of the Quad Pie's base is set.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGny6MhvkjgXCuJjY68f0G6RGPruBY-fyplU9x7GoZ6z3hovotEV3MYdSDDBhBZvoqsqPvWB6ouCrCxtxiEmUzQY7crQuvKDHGpQRaTXWlhsTm7ISj7Xb_BsU7iXglBxHRp8/s1600-h/100_3775a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428991066898480354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGny6MhvkjgXCuJjY68f0G6RGPruBY-fyplU9x7GoZ6z3hovotEV3MYdSDDBhBZvoqsqPvWB6ouCrCxtxiEmUzQY7crQuvKDHGpQRaTXWlhsTm7ISj7Xb_BsU7iXglBxHRp8/s400/100_3775a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 313px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Garbanzo (chick peas) are used to weigh down the bottom dough and hold walls up. Use aluminum foil to shape the load-baring holder as necessary.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICOzbu90QJNIhSMIV0XEHj1OI0_CYRpkxhmZdWf1mayLlpbpxVYab0oTtd_DWOpmCvypAhedN9uVu9KHYAceHSPq_jSPU20iSemSV4XnVXV2RBasKqHjzLs93Gj5Mz955wQ0/s1600-h/100_3777a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428991597913671122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICOzbu90QJNIhSMIV0XEHj1OI0_CYRpkxhmZdWf1mayLlpbpxVYab0oTtd_DWOpmCvypAhedN9uVu9KHYAceHSPq_jSPU20iSemSV4XnVXV2RBasKqHjzLs93Gj5Mz955wQ0/s400/100_3777a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 321px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The cherry filling is the first to be cooked. A tough lesson is learned why you can never assume the walls will hold the filling on their own. Use the foil wrapped beans in all empty quads all the time. Some quick cleanup and the Quad Pie was ready to move forward.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> No harm done.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCqAw6yg6f_X8xb6UvwYtMV8RmQX9AgOsmR-CiQ6vUxtgPT-Xti3CoU_kfGIQ64Oi9bupUS2Y68t0QT9QbUeeW-EaUOunQ3YwXXB5hkIH-izIf001Ze9KNEeKde0m6yizSZE/s1600-h/100_3779a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428992329788788594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCqAw6yg6f_X8xb6UvwYtMV8RmQX9AgOsmR-CiQ6vUxtgPT-Xti3CoU_kfGIQ64Oi9bupUS2Y68t0QT9QbUeeW-EaUOunQ3YwXXB5hkIH-izIf001Ze9KNEeKde0m6yizSZE/s400/100_3779a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 319px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 346px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">With the cherries baked, the next quad was filled with pecans and syrup. Garbanzo beans remain in the unused half for structural integrity.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> You'll want to bake the bakable fillings on the same side because caddy-corner wall baking is not worth the increased risk of collapse.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1eoI1u5S5I/AAAAAAAACl4/nzflugflcqM/s1600-h/100_3781a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428992745634614162" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1eoI1u5S5I/AAAAAAAACl4/nzflugflcqM/s400/100_3781a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 336px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 361px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">During the cherry crumble top and pecan baking, some pecan syrup leaked out, but it wasn't a dealbreaker. Be sure the wall is solid before shaping the garbanzo foil for the final quad.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Some quad filling spillage is within the acceptable error threshold.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1eoqGk9MPI/AAAAAAAACmA/GeiA01fEvTY/s1600-h/100_3784a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428993317092012274" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1eoqGk9MPI/AAAAAAAACmA/GeiA01fEvTY/s400/100_3784a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 322px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The key lime pie graham cracker foundation is put into place as is the final dough wall axis.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1eqJuWceuI/AAAAAAAACmM/fYKQg9kKyis/s1600-h/100_3788a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428994959856138978" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1eqJuWceuI/AAAAAAAACmM/fYKQg9kKyis/s400/100_3788a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 318px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Key lime filling added and ready for the fourth, and final quad filling.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNSJ_EPHmcRDKCRX2Ta-LkPRPoEwIeuJgwSaR-mPfGDlBOe5fxxecMl_2h_qQWTvTNkT4lIGBPFEhtQyS3juPNQvzNjcRLsJASdFuA8YxPZcVRIT71oRHUfN84nvbFs40r-o/s1600-h/100_3795a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428995857368444754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNSJ_EPHmcRDKCRX2Ta-LkPRPoEwIeuJgwSaR-mPfGDlBOe5fxxecMl_2h_qQWTvTNkT4lIGBPFEhtQyS3juPNQvzNjcRLsJASdFuA8YxPZcVRIT71oRHUfN84nvbFs40r-o/s400/100_3795a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 333px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The oreo crust was added and quickly pressed down with the garbanzo bean foil until its walls were strong enough after baking. It's a great challenge to not over-bake the other ingredients at this time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1erzGd1soI/AAAAAAAACmk/hWL-WBcCYzU/s1600-h/100_3801a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428996770215867010" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1erzGd1soI/AAAAAAAACmk/hWL-WBcCYzU/s400/100_3801a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 328px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">With the chocolate pudding added, all that's left are the toppings.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1esJ6xwPAI/AAAAAAAACms/Lqbkbl46BB4/s1600-h/100_3806a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428997162215160834" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1esJ6xwPAI/AAAAAAAACms/Lqbkbl46BB4/s400/100_3806a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 336px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 379px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Voila</span><span style="font-style: italic;">! The world's first and only Quad Pie! Note the whipped cream on top of the chocolate pudding and fruit on top of the key lime quad.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1esfwdbArI/AAAAAAAACm0/Qh8m8zlZlUM/s1600-h/100_3809a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428997537402651314" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1esfwdbArI/AAAAAAAACm0/Qh8m8zlZlUM/s400/100_3809a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 322px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Another low-resolution picture of the greatest pie ever baked.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkj8j6w9-Ztc5gwN9N6XjAUHhnMGVtsxY4bujX3u3H6mOsj2zl4tOBZp5a5cauo2wZtqmlP_dJbz0cCPsX_LTjUxpHdd5jjagApb6mdo9tmhtHOWQNIiBcPcrVo30b-mhGHSw/s1600-h/No+Quad+Cheesecake.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429002372804026754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkj8j6w9-Ztc5gwN9N6XjAUHhnMGVtsxY4bujX3u3H6mOsj2zl4tOBZp5a5cauo2wZtqmlP_dJbz0cCPsX_LTjUxpHdd5jjagApb6mdo9tmhtHOWQNIiBcPcrVo30b-mhGHSw/s400/No+Quad+Cheesecake.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 350px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 347px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Any amateur can cook four separate cheesecakes and put a quadrant of each on the same plate. The Quad Pie is for professionals only.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiMVpB8-CV4iznzxXSxw6uap54XPs9ULmyc8ylSS1XeG30rSiZQOCjx93i61pu8dDMzPksCHs0YCkISyhm_YeyQKecDyGNEaa42DmEAF4lVYxg0yvG-v6w4W9TQB4QYeEO1A/s1600-h/100_3814a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428997859016095938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiMVpB8-CV4iznzxXSxw6uap54XPs9ULmyc8ylSS1XeG30rSiZQOCjx93i61pu8dDMzPksCHs0YCkISyhm_YeyQKecDyGNEaa42DmEAF4lVYxg0yvG-v6w4W9TQB4QYeEO1A/s400/100_3814a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 336px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 338px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The best cut from a Quad Pie is the inside square, giving you a small quad of each quad.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1etD_B6MzI/AAAAAAAACnE/BO8fwIruBHM/s1600-h/100_3813a.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428998159789077298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/S1etD_B6MzI/AAAAAAAACnE/BO8fwIruBHM/s400/100_3813a.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 336px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 350px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">It's a mini Quad Pie...four pies in one! Try making one if you think you're up to the challenge.</span></div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-65473343114248913132012-01-07T21:06:00.001-05:002012-01-09T12:02:48.358-05:00NOTM – Local Man Makes Like Bradley Cooper in “Limitless”Rockville, MD – On a rainy day off from work, Morris Herlis settled into a caramelized onion brown lounge chair at his local coffee shop. He readied himself with a medium cup of caffeine, cream, and caramel syrup that was much too sweet, as the shop’s folksy-blues-reggae music was just loud enough that he couldn’t quite understand the conversation across the room.<br />
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“That guy, Bradley Cooper, in the movie Limitless," Morris said having watched the movie alone last night, "he had serious writer’s block, but with a special drug he wrote a novel in three days." He went to his own source to score some writer’s block drugs. And enjoy an egg and cheese croissant. With his laptop plugged in and drugs coursing through his bloodstream, his creative writing outlet was powered.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia979i0EU1zigsB_QiZZgmsZk_-2Py8KS-6Q5Fz-p8M3fTfzfLyhgndF8jpHjQpBGJKqnamXzklYiim33J9bKiZGLFH1OJlYrCbFxJlayUSs9U708TgOFWDAY2gEd_TIF8U4I/s1600/bradley+cooper+limitless+writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia979i0EU1zigsB_QiZZgmsZk_-2Py8KS-6Q5Fz-p8M3fTfzfLyhgndF8jpHjQpBGJKqnamXzklYiim33J9bKiZGLFH1OJlYrCbFxJlayUSs9U708TgOFWDAY2gEd_TIF8U4I/s400/bradley+cooper+limitless+writing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Bradley Cooper didn't know he was inspiring Morris' epic composition.</i></div>
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"Now I'm ready to do some serious writing," Morris announced. He brushed his fingers on the touch pad and opened a blank canvas. It stared back and Morris froze. The cursor blinking to his ever accelerating heartbeat. The artist in residence shied away, adjusted his jacket, and took off his shoes. “It’s easier to write with proper lumbar support and non-constricted feet,” he noted.<br />
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Ergonomically comfortable, Morris took a few bites of his croissant and washed it down with another concentrated drug hit. “Ya ever try counting the number of ceiling tiles in this place? It's dizzying”. He then gazed to the olive green walls with Santa Fe gold accents for inspiration, but an hour after settling into his chair, the screen remained blank.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCh2TkOqwPhiFps3CFrjGMnHciPgL3F8-FNnf3FhC0PNcAP6gZPlh0Ot-TBrrupy2Kob71d50OKRFlitOiQ0HVztcibjWX9foGz6xau0EpalE04kNQXqWbHxstQC2tip-aZdY/s1600/coffee+shop+work+distracted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCh2TkOqwPhiFps3CFrjGMnHciPgL3F8-FNnf3FhC0PNcAP6gZPlh0Ot-TBrrupy2Kob71d50OKRFlitOiQ0HVztcibjWX9foGz6xau0EpalE04kNQXqWbHxstQC2tip-aZdY/s400/coffee+shop+work+distracted.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Of the people in this picture, three of them are distracted from their writing assignments.</i></div>
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“I was just about to get started when a guy asked me to provide security detail for his laptop.” Morris graciously put his writing on hold while a mid-30s man with a shirt from Brooks Brothers and hair suited for the Berkeley Bowl went to the bathroom. "He finally came back two minutes later, but I lost all of my momentum. It’s really difficult to get back in that writing groove I was in before.”<br />
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Morris slumped in his chair and titled his head back for clarity. The ceiling tiles were counted again.<br />
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Then the drugs started to work. Morris' head whipped down, his eyes widening, and fingers furiously firing. The composition he had waited for spewed out quicker than he could type, "Dear Uncle Felix, Thanks for the gift." <br />
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He clicked send and left the coffee shop.<br />
<br />B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-62765442478728583902008-02-23T16:55:00.001-05:002011-12-23T10:29:50.740-05:00Pete Weber...Watchout for my Palmball (not really)I have never been a good bowler. Ok, I have never been much of a bowler at all. I'll bowl maybe twice a year and make it through 3 or 4 games with scores like 80, 100, 115, 107. My game was (notice the tense change) way off with lots of open frames. I understood the game and how to pick spares, etc., but I couldn't execute. I realize it's like saying, I know how to swing a golf club, but I can't break 100, but somehow this is different.<br />
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<img src="http://studentorganizations.missouristate.edu/bowling/bowling.jpg" style="height: 266px; width: 403px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Narcissistic bowling ball and pins love their reflections.</span></div>
I've always tried to be a <a href="http://www.tenpinbowling.org/view.php?page=the_game.styles">straight bowler</a>, but I've never been consistent. From college through last month, I'd bowl maybe twice a year when I'd see my childhood buddy. I tried curving one of the house balls and always hurt my right middle finger by the 2nd game. This pain would occur no matter the weight of the ball, yet I am stubborn and continued trying it each time we'd bowl. Once my finger hurt, I'd skip hooking the ball and went for a straight roll, but of course it never worked.<br /><br />Last year, after hurting my middle finger bowling with my friend, I played around and threw the ball without using the holes. It was a sort of palmball as I call it. It's akin to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckpin_bowling">duckpins of my parents' day in Bawlmer</a>. I had a little more success, but it just helped that my finger didn't hurt from bowling.<br />
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<img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/images/blog/hello-kitty-bowling-balls.jpg" style="height: 292px; width: 378px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">It sure would be fun to smash Hello Kitty's face into some pins, but you'd have to roll a pink ball.<br /></span></div>
Fast forward to Super Bowl Sunday. A neighborhood Brunswick bowling alley had an email coupon for $0.42/game. I couldn't pass it up. I made the trip figuring it was at worst a cheap day of bowling. I decided to actually practice bowling; something I never took the time to do when me and my buddy would just play. I knew my middle finger would hurt from the start so I played around with the palmball using an lime Jello green 11-pound house ball.<br /><br />It was different bowling to practice instead of to score. I struggled with scores like 80, 107, and 112 as I toyed with my <a href="http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/kennmelvin/kVideo.htm">hook into the pocket</a> and straight balls. The next 3 games went 125, 155, 127. After setting a personal best with 155, I was onto something. It helped I was converting spares too. I had my fair share of gutters, but that's what it takes sometimes.<br />
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<img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/346995608_c1f2a191b5.jpg" style="height: 219px; width: 329px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Sorry grandma, but you'll never beat my Wii Sports bowling high of 280. That's right, I talk trash to anyone, any age.<br /></span></div>
My final 3 games went 220!, 117, 136. I was in a bowling zone for the 220. All this despite cosmic bowling from the fourth game on. My frames went: 9/, 6/, X, X, X, X, X, 9/, 8-, 8/9. It was uncanny. I just bowled without thinking, getting spares with ease. The next day, nothing along my right arm was sore so at least for one day, my palmball worked. I figured I'd be in pain after throwing so much, but not at all.<br /><br />This guy bowling in a group next to me asked how I even bowled like this and I just said it feels comfortable. I made it a point to let him know I had never bowled so well before and may never again. I'm ambidextrous so for right-side heavy spare tries in the later games, I threw it from my left hand and it would also go to the pocket which helped on multi-pin spares. I even converted a tough spare (for me at least, probably not for anyone with talent) that was something like 7-5 or 7-3. I must have looked a bit cocky bowling with both hands, but it just worked.<br />
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<img src="http://www.northbowlspokane.com/images/Glow%202.jpg" style="height: 315px; width: 346px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">I even zoned out the classic cosmic bowling tunes that played, including "Who Let the Dogs Out," "I'm Blue," and Shania Twain's "That Don't Impress Me Much."</span></div>
I've looked for any information on holeless or palmball (is that a word?) bowling and I've only found people who throw a thumbless ball. Has anybody been known to throw a palmball with success? I understand this could have been a fluke until I try bowling again, but I'll enjoy it for now. Maybe I had one of the newer reactive resin balls for the house ball, but whatever it was, it helped. I should either buy the 11-pounder and try again or just retire at the pinnacle of my career.<br />
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<a href="http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2008/02/watchchout-walter-ray-williams-jr-not.html&title=Pete%20Weber...Watchout%20for%20my%20Palmball%20%28not%20really%29" target="_blank"><img alt="Digg my article" border="0" src="http://digg.com/img/badges/91x17-digg-button.gif" /></a>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-90131988015067487342011-09-24T07:15:00.001-04:002011-11-21T16:02:23.788-05:00NOTM: Man's Life Changed 10 Years After College Park TornadoRockville, MD - Ten years ago today, a <a href="http://www.erh.noaa.gov/lwx/Historic_Events/924tornadofiles/September%2024,%202001%20Tornadoes.htm">tornado ravaged College Park</a> and the University of Maryland family. Morris Herlis (MH) was living in his fourth floor apartment at <a href="http://www.umdcourtyards.com/">University Courtyard</a> with his roommate when a typical rainstorm came rolling through. They left their rooms to take in the sights of lightning and sounds of thunder from the safety of their balcony.<br />
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That's when the rain started flying sideways and the afternoon sky turned dark.<br />
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After Morris' roommate found the wind too strong to make it safely down the exterior stairs, they convened at the kitchen island, holding on while their entire building swayed and creaked.<br />
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"Oh yeah I was scared. I'm glad I went to the bathroom before the storm or it would've been a mess," Morris said over a 32-ounce blueberry Slurpee. He contacted News of the Minutiae (NOTM) to explain how his life was impacted by the tornado.<br />
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<i>Give a man a Slurpee and he'll talk a long time after the brain freeze.</i></div>
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<b>NOTM:</b> What damage did you see after the tornado?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> One car was flipped over, another was leaning next to a building. My car's windows were gone and my other roommate's ceiling had a hole in it. Lots of other buildings were messed up. I even had to throw away a gallon of milk.<br />
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<b>NOTM:</b> Were you in shock afterward?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> Oh yeah, how I viewed my time on this planet was forever altered.<br />
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<b>NOTM:</b> Can you tell our readers in what ways?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> Well, back then, I had no cell phone. Without that tornado, I may never have bought one.<br />
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<i>Imagine a world before you could play Angry Birds.</i></div>
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<b>NOTM:</b> Did the experience cause you to live life differently?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> Oh for sure. Nowadays I double-knot my shoes, sleep with two pillows, and clean the dryer lint trap more frequently.<br />
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<b>NOTM:</b> How has your life changed in larger, more meaningful ways?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> My life these days is full of <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/BandTCrowdBlog">inane Twitter updates</a>, <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2010/08/notm-man-fails-to-receive-google-alerts.html">empty Google alerts</a>, and inconsequential Facebook statuses. It was rough back then, we had none of those. <br />
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<b>NOTM:</b> How ever did you survive the change to 2011?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> That's what I mean. My life wouldn't have been the same without this tornado. In fact, I no longer use my finger to clean out ear wax; I use cotton swabs.<br />
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<b>NOTM:</b> Sounds rough and off-topic. Have you become thankful each day you're alive?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> Sure, but only when someone asks me that.<br />
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<b>NOTM:</b> Does your level of fear increase when a tornado watch is issued for the DC area?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> I take it more seriously, but nowadays I fear losing my iPad, forgetting a 9-iron on the golf course, and fitting into last season's bathing suit.<br />
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<b>NOTM:</b> Right. Ok then. Other people volunteer their time after learning how precious it is, but you don't seem to have had such a life affirming experience. <br />
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<b>MH:</b> I don't regret it when my day is spent playing PS3 in my boxers, eating Lucky Charms, and drinking root beer. It's a bit cliche when someone says they live every minute to the fullest just because of a life event. Eventually we all regress to lazy Saturdays.<br />
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<b>NOTM:</b> So you're saying that bad stuff happens to everyone and it's often out of your control, but what matters is how you deal with it?<br />
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<b>MH:</b> Precisely. Like when you run out of body wash and improvise with shampoo.<br />
<b></b>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-54252879333700521992011-11-13T20:33:00.001-05:002011-11-21T16:00:52.061-05:00One Way to Help our Struggling EconomyOut of the mouths of every economist on TV and from the fingers of any financial columnist in town, it sure seems like our economy isn't doing so well these days. I don't understand how our gross domestic product is calculated or the Modigliani–Miller theorem, but financial experts are telling me things are bad so I believe it to be so.<br />
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To improve our economy, I think we should look into how our food sources are managed and operated. And by food sources I don't mean the commodities traded in Chicago. I mean the supermarket checkout experience. If we improve our cashiers, we improve Wall Street.<br />
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At Safeway last night, I was trying to pay for just four items (humus, a cucumber, and two loaves of bread). I had a choice of six staffed checkout lanes and the self-checkout lanes. The self-checkout lanes averaged three people in line which took them out of the running because few consumers have ever been supermarket cashiers and I wasn't willing to watch someone learn the ropes as I did 15 years ago.<br />
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<i>Avoid evil looks of incompetence from people behind you; use a real cashier who knows produce lookup (PLU) numbers</i><i>.</i></div>
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Of the six staffed lanes, only one was an express lane for 15 items or less, but it had six people waiting. Often, the express cashier is one of the better cashiers, but with six people in line and only two waiting in normal checkout lanes, I went with line quantity over cashier quality. I chose a lane without a full conveyor belt and a full cart waiting to be loaded. I added my items and a minute later, the customer at the front swiped his credit card while the cashier loaded his reusable bags.<br />
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At this point I would have been fourth in the express lane at this point.<br />
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My cashier began scanning the next family's items, handling them as delicately as you'd expect for a carton of eggs or loaf of bread, but not for the can of Cheez Whiz and box of brownie mix they were buying. Then the mother thought it'd be okay for their two-year-old to hold the plastic container of cherry tomatoes. One squeeze and they were on the floor and took away the cashier's attention. I helped round them up of course; damnit if I'm going to lose to the express line.<br />
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After the cashier paused to make funny faces at the baby for a third time, the couple dumped a bunch of coupons on her to scan. After a misunderstanding of the coupon's terms, the cashier bagged the groceries as though they were Faberge eggs. Heaven forbid the brownie mix box has a dent.<br />
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At this point I would have been next in the express line.<br />
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<i>Why are Safeway's cashiers slow when they're not even trusted to count coins?</i></div>
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Finally it was my turn in line. The loaves of bread and humus scanned easily, but for some reason the cashier took her lazy-swing-in-a-hammock-time punching in PLU 4062 for the cucumber. I swiped my Safeway card, gave her cash, and waited much too long for her to return a 5-dollar bill and bag my four items. Safeway cashiers don't even have to count coins from their drawers which is why this should be so much faster. The express lane cashier was already onto her second person after me had I stayed in her lane.<br />
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I know that our country's cashiers can do better with just a little more training and desire. In 1996, I did my
best to learn how to work the cash register, deal with personal checks,
and remember PLU numbers. I also took pride in packing paper bags with
fragile items on
top, sound foundations using boxy packages, and the
proper weight per bag based on the customer's strength. Perhaps I only took pride in the work because it paid for my Sour Patch Kids' habit.<br />
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To save the economy, I propose that Safeway improve its training to make cashiers more efficient. More efficient cashiers encourage customers to shop for more items because of a better front end experience; which leads to more money going to the store; which leads to greater food sales; which increases demand for food industry jobs and production; which gives the food industry workforce disposable income to spend on items in other sectors; which increases jobs and product demand in those sectors and their supporting industries; which leads to a continual increase in spending across the economy.<br />
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Or maybe I just won't get those two minutes of my life back waiting to checkout at Safeway.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-1155865707173044042006-08-21T09:48:00.000-04:002011-10-26T08:30:34.651-04:00Monday – You Can Take the B and T Crowd Out of the City…<div class="MsoNormal">
The first full day on the Outer Banks was a prelude to the rest of the week (except for Friday). It was partly cloudy all day, with temperatures around 90 and some high dewpoints. During any normal Monday, this would be reason for me to <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2006/05/i-know-k-street-isnt-dressing-room-but.html">remove my shirt on <st1:street><st1:address>K Street</st1:address></st1:street></a>, but not this time, I was on vacation. It was a clear recipe for a BPHTN day. Before we started our BPHTN day, me and my cousin did some of our own food shopping and wanted some pizza.<br /></div>
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I stopped at the New York Pizza Pub in Nags Head and set some low expectations, afterall, it was NYC pizza in NC. Surprise, surprise, but the pizza actually tasted good. Not NYC good, but good enough for a NC version. Of note today was my parents’ dog bodysurfing and swallowing copious amounts of saltwater, mixed with chlorinated water she drank while swimming laps in the pool. She was fine and loved every minute of it. The time passed quickly and for dinner we stuffed ourselves with my aunt’s (#1 reader’s) great lasagna.</div>
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<img src="http://elizabethrs.smugmug.com/photos/6267329-S.jpg" style="height: 216px; width: 289px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Up, up, and away!</span></div>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-1155865681623485502006-08-20T09:47:00.000-04:002011-10-26T08:29:53.652-04:00Sunday – This Is The True Story of 13 People and 2 Dogs Picked to Live in a House and Have Their Lives Written AboutMy parents headed off around 8 and I was on the road by 9. Mapquest predicted 6 hours, but we made it to Nags Head in 4.5 hours that included a pit stop for McD’s. (By the way, at least in the South, you can still order the two cheeseburger extra value meal even though it’s no longer on the menu board. It’s just something you have to know, like <a href="http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out">I</a><a href="http://www.tiburon-belvedere.com/cgi/home.cgi?c=In_N_Out">n and Out Burger’s secret menu</a>.) Traffic was light and the drive was smooth with some help from the <a href="http://www.chesapeakeexpressway.com/">Chesapeake Expressway</a>. There are five signs (literally and figuratively) that let you know you’ve made it to the Outer Banks.<o:p><br /></o:p> <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">#5</span> Lots of Farmer’s markets approaching the <st1:place><st1:placename>Wright</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Memorial</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>. With their combination of homemade pies, jams, and jellies; fresh produce; and fireworks (?) to perhaps place inside the produce, that <st1:place>Deep South</st1:place> feeling starts seeping in.<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">#4</span> While the number of pickups in NC is equal to MD, NC is #1 in the number of pickups and Ford Broncos on elevated shocks and wheels. It’s no wonder we passed a building dedicated to the <a href="http://www.gravedigger.com/">Grave Digger monster truck</a>. Is there any real use to elevating your car? While high rollers in the rest of the country aim for the lowest low-rider and chrome spinning rims, southerners account for a Napoleon complex by raising their cars. I should give them their due, the extra height allows them to humanely drive over their copious amounts of roadkill. <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2005/06/first-raccoon-roadkill-obituary.html">That’s more than I could do</a>.</div>
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<img src="http://www.mdihs.u98.k12.me.us/Richards-pickup-truck.jpg" /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">Right out of central casting.</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">#3</span> I've been told that you should pronounce <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk%2C_Virginia"><st1:city><st1:place>Norfolk</st1:place></st1:city> as "Nah-fok"</a>, telling me it’s the right way to pronounce it as the locals do. Lo and behold, I realized I was in the south when weatherman, locals, waiters, and cashiers all pronounced it that way. Akin to Baltimoreans (not Baltimorons) pronouncing the charm city’s name as "Ball-eh-mor", I will recognize the <st1:city><st1:place>Norfolk</st1:place></st1:city> folks (haha?) <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2006/02/words-people-mispronounce-in-these.html">by not pronouncing the "r"</a>.<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">#2</span> The people of <st1:state><st1:place>North Carolina</st1:place></st1:state> are lucky I only act out my violent feelings on my Xbox because there were (not surprisingly) tons of UNC and Duke bumper stickers. There was even a<a href="http://www.truthaboutduke.com/"> puke merchandise catalogue</a> in the realtor’s office. I did read the comic book and found you could purchase rat food for your dinners with Coach K, <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2006/03/no-title-for-bacnes-career.html">backne medicine in case JJ Redick</a> forgot his for your sleepover, and basketball court insulation to protect it from the wear and tear of players and coaches slapping it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkWGa-Y-V48">to pump themselves up</a>. UNC doesn’t bother me as much.</div>
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<o:p><img src="http://www.truthaboutduke.com/shop_6.jpg" /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">Chortle, chortle, chortle.</span></o:p></div>
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- <span style="font-weight: bold;">The #1 sign</span> that you’ve made it to the Outer Banks is the appearance of a Wings beach-stuff store and Brew-Thru every 2 miles. Unfortunately, you can’t help, but notice each Wings, but fortunately you do notice every <a href="http://www.brewthru.com/home.html">Brew-Thru</a> including the "Jr" locations. The fact that we saw a few Sonics was also welcome.</div>
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<o:p><img src="http://www.brewthru.com/pics/designs/2006/annual.jpg" style="height: 241px; width: 363px;" /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">No OBX vacation is complete without one.</span></o:p></div>
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Eventually we got the keys to our crib and were quite satisfied. With 8 bedrooms, 9 baths, 3 Jacuzzis, 1 hot tub, pool table, and a sun deck that provided shade over the pool and hot tub, the place was huge. While it wasn’t white-glove clean, the place was in good condition. My only real gripe is that the pool table was clearly bought after being played in a bar for ten years, being it was an 8-foot table with quarter holders and a felt surface that had clearly seen better days. Over the vacation, I only played about 6 games which is understandable when the beach is right outside your door and the two young’ens were fascinated (and rightly so) with placing the balls in the pockets, finding them at the other end of the table, and making lots of noise in the process.</div>
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<img src="http://www.foe.com/2472/A%20Bar%20Pool%20Table%20%28Small%29.JPG" style="height: 223px; width: 298px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">I think this is where the table was before it was moved to the house.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Eventually the entire crew rolled up to the house and we all ran through the halls and rooms to pick out our sleeping quarters. I felt like a cast member entering a <a href="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/realworld-season17/series.jhtml">Real World house</a>. Sure you want to meet your roommates, but finding which toilet will suit your needs all week is key. All that was missing was some fancy aquarium and requisite cast members fitting all sorts of stereotypes. Once we got unpacked, we made sure the beach was in fact, 20 feet from the back entrance and let our relaxation begin. With no watch, blackberry, email, Internet, <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2006/07/georgetown-university-shuttle-drivers.html"><st1:place><st1:placename>Georgetown</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>University</st1:placetype></st1:place> shuttle drivers</a>, dry cleaning (only to have them burn a collar or melt a button), or work concerns, I was a made man. It’s not difficult to relax when each day’s biggest decision is choosing between the beach, pool, hot tub, or a nap (BPHTN).</div>
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<img src="http://www.joelambjr.com/propimages/rental/140main_jl06-l.jpg" style="height: 221px; width: 316px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"> Memory</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> All alone in the moonlight</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> I can smile at the old days</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> I(t) was beautiful then</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> I remember the time I knew what happiness was</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Let the memory live again</span> </div>
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<o:p></o:p>Now that we had decided where we’d be sleeping, the only thing left was how we would stuff our faces. Fortunately a Harris Teeter just opened a few days ago so the group walked out of the store with $419 in food. My parents had bought 4 pounds of crabmeat from a farmer’s market on the way in so the first night’s meal was crab cakes, tomatoes, and corn. Mmmm, mmmm, good. I went to sleep knowing I had 6 full days left to soak up the sun.</div>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-1155865740416949122006-08-22T09:48:00.000-04:002011-10-26T08:27:07.315-04:00Tuesday – Lead Foot Meet the Open Road…Open Road Meet the Lead FootWith hopes of still playing golf on Wednesday, my uncle and I went to the <a href="http://www.hatteras-nc.com/light"><st1:place><st1:placetype>Cape</st1:placetype> <st1:placename>Hatterras</st1:placename></st1:place></a> <a href="http://www.hatteras-nc.com/light">lighthouse</a> on another partly cloudy day. It’s the tallest brick lighthouse in the country at some 300 feet, give or take. Before leaving, we said goodbye to my mom’s friends who were most welcome at the house the last two days. After quickly recognizing my uncle’s grand <a href="http://www.teendriving.com/pass.htm">ability to pass cars</a> using a dotted yellow line, I certainly wasn’t going to nap during the hour-long drive. That Lincoln Navigator sure has some acceleration when a tractor-trailer is coming at you in the same lane.<br />
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<img src="http://biz3.50below.com/files/facility/porterfieldtireinc.com/linc-navigator.jpg" style="height: 216px; width: 360px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Big pimpin'...P-I-M-P!</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p> <br />
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After climbing the 278 stairs (who says I don’t splurge?), we enjoyed the average views from the top. There really wasn’t much to see except some beach and the tops of several trees. The wind was very strong up there and I almost lost my <a href="http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/was/schedule/was_schedule_promotions_popup.jsp?puid=2006_07_08_sdnmlb_wasmlb_1">DC National’s visor</a> I got for free. I had hooked it around my camera bag, only to unlatch the cover to the camera, thereby freeing the visor. Yes, I’m an idiot. I was lucky because the visor fell to the ground and was wedged between the floor and railing. </div>
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<img src="http://www.outerbanksmotel.com/5.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">The lighthouse before moving 3/4 mile inland.</span></div>
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The walk down wouldn’t have been too bad if not for some slow walkers, like the <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2005/03/peace-on-earth-with-speed-walking-mall.html">kind you find at major malls</a>. Akin to letting better/faster golfers play-through on the course, these people should have let my SO and I pass them from the start. They finally obliged with 3 flights to go, but not before hearing us complain under our breath. Afterward, we drove to where the lighthouse used to be and then made our way back home, but not before we picked up some more NYC pizza in NC for the house.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><img src="http://www.davidm.net/photo/images/nyc/nycPizza2.jpg" style="height: 189px; width: 353px;" /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">Is it that strange to go to the Outer Banks only to eat NYC style pizza?</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent the rest of the time doing the BPHTN and ate my cousin’s hearty turkey burgers off the grill. I think this was also our first night of Scattegories. If it wasn’t, don’t feel free to correct me since I combine the funnier moments into one post later this week. I have always loved Scattegories as it speaks to my creative, quick-thinking side of the brain. Sure, I say some ridiculous and usually bogus answers, but they’re all in the name of fun. The first night’s winner was my aunt’s daughter who averaged an impressive 7 answers per round.</div>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-44924736720636078402008-06-15T10:53:00.001-04:002011-09-26T09:18:58.975-04:00I Lost My Mancard On SaturdayIt was hot and humid so what better way to pass the time than to see the "Sex and the City" (SATC) movie in an air conditioned theater at the Columbia Mall on Saturday. A dozen other folks had the same idea.<br />
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<center><img src="http://margotbworldnews.com/2005July/July05/1Albania.jpg" style="height: 241px; width: 345px;" /><br />
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Three other males <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2008/05/nationwide-kidnapping-of-male-sos_27.html">took in the estrogen overload</a> and were suckered into going with their wives. At least I wasn't emasculated by myself. The movie did not start at 10:15 as promised, or I should say the endless chick flick previews did not start on time. At 10:25 I went to the ticket guy and told him of the issue. Two minutes later I had the honor of watching four chick flick previews. Who'd have thunk that I would be the one requesting theater management to start the movie. The earlier it starts, the earlier I get to leave I suppose.<br />
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<center><img src="http://www.shinystyle.tv/Sex%20and%20the%20City%20main.jpg" style="height: 314px; width: 324px;" /></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;">The movie was just good enough to enjoy as long as you followed the show.</span></div>
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The truth is all of this is a front. Having watched the entire series, I had some interest in seeing how the characters' lives shaped up. I know I am not the only one. The only thing I feared during the movie was Sarah Jessica Parker's (SJP's) horseface elongated to seven feet. To be fair, she did look better than awful in 5% of the movie. It's a start.<br />
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<br />
<center><img src="http://blog.pennlive.com/entertainment_impact_movies/2008/05/large_sex-and-the-city-movie.jpg" style="height: 482px; width: 321px;" /></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;">Does anyone wonder if these two will end up together?</span></div>
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So about the movie itself...it wasn't so bad afterall. The movie played like four episodes spliced into a two-hour, 15-minute relationship drama. If you're not familiar with the series you won't like, nor appreciate the movie. A quick refresher is provided during the opening credits, but it's not enough to clue someone into their history. A few scenes dragged, but overall it did move just fast enough that I didn't check my watch. The script didn't sway from typical SATC topics, humor, and double-entendres. Plus there was some frat humor with someone sharting herself. Always hilarious!<br />
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<center><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/users/1/13839/37_2007/satc-movie-hudson.preview.jpg" style="height: 257px; width: 340px;" /></center><br />
<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
Four of these things belong together<br />
Four of these things are kind of the same<br />
Can you guess which one of these doesn't belong here?<br />
Now it's time to play our game (time to play our game).</div>
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The movie would have been tighter if SJP's boring assistant wasn't shoved down our throats so often. Perhaps to appease unnecessary complaints that SATC has no black actors (see Blair Underwood), the only black actor/actress in the movie was Jennifer Hudson, a nobody who sang on American Idol. It's an insult to actors and actresses everywhere to call Hudson an actress. Her lines were delivered as flat as a 4th grade play. Filming her in oversaturated white Lighting couldn't hide her poor acting. Her role in the movie shouldn't have been as large (no pun intended) and the writers should have thought of other ways to move the story along without her.<br />
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<center><img src="http://www.blancheonline.net/Bilder/index-titel.jpg" style="height: 257px; width: 329px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Sex and the City Part 2: Active Senior Living Center</span><br />
</center><br />
Nevertheless, the movie was enjoyable and a fitting conclusion to the series. The writers didn't tinker much with a formula that worked so well for their bank accounts. And I'm okay with that.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-2703861191839701602008-10-12T10:59:00.001-04:002011-07-25T14:09:27.475-04:00We Won't Reach A Bipartisan Congress Until We Fix This ConflictI tend to stray from talking politics. We all have our views and it's unlikely anyone will convince someone else to change their mind about who to vote for. Likewise this blog doesn't bring up such topics, but for this post at least, we need to talk about what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nobody's</span> willing to talk about.<br />
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There are many issues facing the presidential candidates ranging from the economy to Iraq, health care to immigration, and choosing a blue or red tie for debates. Yet neither Obama nor McCain have stepped up to America's, and likely the world's biggest problem - improper toilet paper roll (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">TPR</span>) direction. Scoff all you want, but this impacts all of us where it matters.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myspaceantics.com/images/myspace-graphics/funny-pictures/toilet-paper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.myspaceantics.com/images/myspace-graphics/funny-pictures/toilet-paper.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I dream of a day when all custodians learn the proper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">TPR</span> direction.</span></div><br />
Too many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">TPRs</span> are set to rotate the wrong way. The proper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">TPR</span> is placed so that the leading edge comes over the top of the roll. Bathroom managers everywhere are making the horrendous decision to lead from the bottom of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">TPR</span>. This is an affront to the American way of making tasks as easy as possible so we don't have to think. When it's time to wipe, an overhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">TPR</span> is the quickest, easiest, and most importantly, cleanest way to access your sanitary cloth.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/3-7-08-toilet-paper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/3-7-08-toilet-paper.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Tremendous idea, but poor execution with underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">TPRs</span>.</span></div><br />
The underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">TPR</span> is the last thing anyone wants to see when they don't have time for an alternate place of deposit. A recent survey conducted by an illegitimate firm whose credibility has not been recognized found that 94.5% of the time an overhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">TPR</span> is advantageous compared to an underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">TPR</span>. The imaginary survey also found that 5.4% of the time neither roll direction is more favorable, and 0.1% of the time the underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">TPR</span> is desired. It should be noted that those 0.1% respondents are all from an underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">TPR</span> lobbying group.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jeremyinc.com/images/lovely_toilet_paper.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jeremyinc.com/images/lovely_toilet_paper.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />
An underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">TPR</span> requires greater distance to reach the paper's edge for successful pulling. At the very least, you must reach around half of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">roll's</span> diameter as you flail your fingers <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZZyBvzv1uF3CTzKVRbfh5f6v91xeqq-dlL6Wjko2cUGN-ORWkfnSn4zjEqCi1wtlXmK9Bf7YKdBNdrSypZ8M5kWIw8VJq955sM2SSldeV6XABopDLGKfW9thVT94tvg4Et-g/s1600-h/Over_and_under+2.gif">for that first piece that you can't see</a>. Often, the edge is resting on the next revolution of paper so your bacteria-laden fingers inevitably scrape the paper just to start the roll. I don't have to tell you (but I will anyway) that nobody wants to wipe with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">TP</span> that they dirtied themselves, let alone someone else.<br />
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<center><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QTsXlTKaFq0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QTsXlTKaFq0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="389" height="318"></embed></object></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I love technology!</span></div><br />
If you're fortunate enough to have an accessible edge, you're still traveling a greater distance to find that edge. When you're in need of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">TP</span>, nobody wants to go from squatting to standing and increase the need for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">TP</span> in other places. Sorry, it had to be written on the Internet sometime. What's worse, is when you do rip your sheet from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">TPR</span>, the edge returns to the start on the other side of the roll. Back to square one.<br />
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<center><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YWQzqky2lqQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YWQzqky2lqQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="389" height="319"></embed></object></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ripping an underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">TPR</span> is like reaching a mountain's peak only to fall and climb it again.</span></div><br />
Consider yourself lucky when you find an overhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">TPR</span>. First, it's closer, negating the need to travel around the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">TPR's</span> diameter to find relief. Second, you can clearly see the edge, allowing for pinpoint first contact accuracy and no mess on future squares. No matter where the edge hangs after ripping the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">TP</span>, you'll be able to start and finish cleanly.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/alvinglen/hello-kitty-toilet-paper-dispenser.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/alvinglen/hello-kitty-toilet-paper-dispenser.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Finally a way to show Hello Kitty how you feel about her/it.</span> </div><br />
The greatest advantage for overhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">TPR</span> is a lower rate of premature rotational ripping. Pulling from an underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">TPR</span> requires greater dexterity and touch to not rip the paper as you pull from the blind side. The underhand pull requires the paper to go down and then toward you. It is this directional change where we see the greatest number of elongated paper fatalities.<br />
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The overhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">TPR</span> is always a simple pull toward. At worst, you have to lift the edge and then pull toward, but you are not forced to change directions. This increases the success rate of elongated paper rolling to over 98%; a number the underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">TPR</span> lobbyists have never refuted. Accidental broken paper pulls from an overhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">TPR</span> stem from your friend's cheap <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">TPR</span> buying ways or malfunctioning spindles. If you try to do a quick pull and rip from an underhand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">TPR</span> it will likely cause the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">TP</span> to continue rolling off of the roll.<br />
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Nobody asked about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">TPR</span> direction at last week's town hall debate and that's a shame considering how split America has been on party politics. Americans deserve to know where the candidates stand (err, squat?) on this issue. I am B and T Crowd and I approved this message.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-51910243552388671722008-10-08T10:45:00.001-04:002011-07-25T14:09:11.809-04:00Top 10 1980s Educational Computer GamesAs a child of the 1980s, this article about the <a href="http://edugamesblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/the-top-10-most-influential-educational-video-games-from-the-1980s/">10 Most Influential Education Games of the 1980s</a> hit home. I remember playing most of these games, but I was never that good at them. I had trouble falling for the whole gaming can be fun trick my teachers tried. Why would I want to ruin a burgeoning love for videogames with something as silly as education? Plus, we only had one Apple IIc in our elementary school classrooms so getting time at the keyboard was tough. I also wasn't about to use my family's PC for education. I knew back then to never mix business with pleasure.<br />
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First on the list is <a href="http://classicgaming.gamespy.com/View.php?view=GameMuseum.Detail&id=266">Oregon Trail</a>. I remember playing this only for the buffalo shoot range. I assume there was some educational part that may have made its way through my thick (read: stubborn) head, but I don't remember that part. I never made it to the end of the trail, often succumbing to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysentery">dysentery</a>, which was an early form of my lactose intolerance. Shooting buffalo made the game interesting, learning about our ancestors traversing the country wasn't.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mygadgetbag.com/Portals/0/storyimages3/oregon%20trail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.mygadgetbag.com/Portals/0/storyimages3/oregon%20trail.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">It's so easy for kids in the NYC suburbs to relate to the trials and tribulations on the Oregon Trail.<br />
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Second on the list is <a href="http://classicgaming.gamespy.com/View.php?view=GameMuseum.Detail&id=23">Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?</a>, a game that introduced me to the copious amount of information in an almanac. I remember writing down clues about the villain and feverishly thumbing through the almanac, but like Oregon Trail, I'm not sure it ever kept my attention long enough to actually capture Carmen or one of the V.I.L.E. henchmen. My attention span was only so long in elementary school.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.c64gg.com/Images/W/Where_in_the_World_is_Carmen_Sandiego_ingame.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.c64gg.com/Images/W/Where_in_the_World_is_Carmen_Sandiego_ingame.gif" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 253px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 359px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">I never cut it as a private investigator.<br />
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SimCity is #3 on the list, but I never got involved with this one. It seemed like too much work, and my home computer didn't have the power to run such demanding software. The few minutes I'd spend playing it were used to create total chaos and building fires. I never played Reader Rabbit (#4), Math Blaster (#5), and Mavis Beacon Typing (#6), preferring to play learning games that at least tried to hide that they were teaching me.<br />
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I do recall putting a few hours into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemonade_Stand">Lemonade Stand</a> at #7. I had no idea I was applying <a href="http://davauer.com/?p=52">economic theory</a> when I just wanted to lower the price to gain more customers. Score one for the edutainment gaming industry. Number Munchers (#8) was a solid title, but lacked much replay value. I remember the cut scenes repeating a lot. Wikipedia says there were only 6 scenes and that sounds plausible.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://my.stratos.net/%7Ehewston95/RTM32/lemon_stand_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://my.stratos.net/%7Ehewston95/RTM32/lemon_stand_2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Once again proving that if you squint really hard, you won't notice the awful graphics.</span></div><br />
I know nothing about ZORK at #9, but do recall enjoying many rounds of solitaire (#10). Back in the day, I was excited to download freeware with 50 solitaire modes of play, but it took too long to learn each game's rules so the generic solitaire did the trick. Why play a game with real cards by yourself when you can play the game with fake cards by yourself and develop carpal tunnel syndrome? Who knew it would become the office time wasting standard until the World Wide Web? How working drones ever wasted their time before all of this computerized fun, I'll never understand.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-19498049117342704332008-09-07T18:59:00.003-04:002011-07-25T14:08:10.734-04:00Fantasy Football Feeding FrenzyI am addicted to fantasy football (FF).<br />
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There. I've taken the first step and admitted I have a problem. Now let me get back to checking Yahoo's StatTracker. It's imperative I know all scores in real-time down to the hundredth decimal. Would you expect me to wait the eternity that is the next morning to find out how my sleeper picks failed?<br />
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FF feeds my desire to over research what would be simple decisions for everyone else. Just look at me buying Tiger Woods 09. I watched every trailer, read every preview and hands-on article, and regularly checked EA's game blog. Everything pointed to a can't-miss purchase, yet I still waited to read a few reviews before buying the game. Any other level-headed person would have just bought the game. I am not such a person.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jerseytees.com/player2.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jerseytees.com/player2.gif" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 332px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 391px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I have used all of them, but only have myself to blame.</span></div><br />
I cannot just make a FF roster change. I usually read at least two player writeups and throw in my amateur thoughts. The saddest part is that all of this work has failed spectacularly every year. I am making inroads toward recovery. This year I did no pre-draft research, using Yahoo's rankings and my unreliable gut instinct, and will use one research source for in-season moves.<br />
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I've played in enough leagues and scoring formats to know that FF success is luck, pure and simple. When I've made the right move, it's a good guess than actually knowing how well someone will perform. The NFL's parity gives every team a chance at the Super Bowl and gives every FF player an equal opportunity to fail or succeed.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.draftkit.com/images/tshirt4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.draftkit.com/images/tshirt4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 460px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 389px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">There are some positives to a husband who plays FF.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
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Just because your top running back is going against one of the worst run defenses does not, and will not guarantee 100 yards and a touchdown. This rational realization comes after many seasons of beating myself up for starting the wrong player who nets 25 yards and a fumble, instead of my benched player and his 145 all-purpose yards and a score. It's not me, it's a player beyond my control.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designerornaments.com/sports/football-ornament-zoom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.designerornaments.com/sports/football-ornament-zoom.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our family Channukah and Christmas parties often take place on the last two FF weeks.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Sadly I'm never in the running for this to matter.</span></div><br />
To curtail my FF addiction, I make these not legally binding promises to myself.<br />
<ul><li>I will think twice before picking up that day's surprise performer because he will surely under perform thereafter.<br />
</li>
<li>I will try to not find out that, let's say, I should start the opposing running back because a defensive line has trouble stopping the run at night against offensive lines averaging 320 pounds on artificial turf when it's less than 55 degrees in the eastern timezone during high tide with a WSW wind of 10 MPH.</li>
<li>I will not purchase StatTracker because I really can wait for the results tomorrow.<br />
</li>
<li>I will not get mad at myself after my umpteenth gut decision/educated roster move doesn't work.</li>
<li>My coolness/self worth doesn't get a boost because I know the 3rd running back on the Dolphins' depth chart, or could at least find it quickly.</li>
<li>I will never write another blog entry cataloging my addiction to FF and what it does to my psyche; I'll always play.<br />
</li>
</ul>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-6864106572062909272008-09-01T18:50:00.012-04:002011-07-25T14:07:35.412-04:00Tiger Woods 09 All-Play Wii ReviewThree years ago I poured many hours into Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 for the XBox. The graphics were solid as was the gameplay. To swing, I simply pulled the analog stick back and pushed it forward. If done well, my tee shots went long and straight. I played through two careers until attributes and equipment were maxed out. I thought I had played the pinnacle of videogame golf.<br />
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This changed after pouring 15 hours and 25 rounds into EA's newest Tiger game for the Wii over the last 36 hours. For your enjoyment or suffering, this is my review that reads like diarrhea of the mouth because I love the game so much.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Control</span><br />
Instead of pushing a tiny controller stick back and forth, you swing the wiimote like...now get this...a golf club. I will never go back to the analog stick again. It works unbelievably well. Next year's version is going to use Nintendo's WiiMotion Plus add-on that'll give exact control thanks to 3 gyroscopes, but until then, this is exceptional.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.allmusic.com/13/agg/cov250/drg300/g374/g37499x8qzz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://image.allmusic.com/13/agg/cov250/drg300/g374/g37499x8qzz.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 374px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 264px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Bow before the greatness that is this game.</span></div><br />
As far as putting, I have complete distance control by angling the wiimote up and back down when I'm at the percentage I need. After setting your aiming marker that changes your putter's maximum distance, it's just a matter of hitting the percentage which is quite easy to do. I didn't play TW08, but have been told that its putting mechanics were nearly flawless, allowing you to actually putt as you would in real life; no wrist angling needed. I don't understand why EA would change this setup.<br />
<br />
If the wiimote did it well last year, it should have been kept for this year's version. Players will be frustrated when trying a real putting motion, as I suppose my method isn't the intention. Despite TW09's not as real putting motion, I'm still satisfied when it comes to putting. This is not a dealbreaker at all. The putting mechanic isn't broken as some reviewers suggest.<br />
<br />
Thanks to the wiimote, what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG). If your backswing and downsing are very quick, you'll hit the ball with 110% power. Take the wiimote back 60% and swing forward with the same tempo and you'll be in the 60% range. Playing on the standard setting let's you only worry about your swing speed. I think it's the way to play.<br />
<br />
One of EA's selling points is the 1 to 1 control. For the most part this is the case. If you swing halfway, your character will only raise the club halfway too. Again, it's just a great experience swinging for your shots rather than sitting and using a controller. There's a 1/4-second delay after you move the wiimote, but it doesn't take away from gameplay because you dont' want to pause to admire your avatar mid-swing. In the advanced mode setting, you can add draw or fade depending on your wrist turn. Adding draw is a little awkward, so again, I strongly recommend playing on the standard setting where you don't need wrist turns to move the ball in-flight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t8XEH0C0Nbw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t8XEH0C0Nbw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="382" height="319"></embed></object></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Behold, the great 1:1 swing.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Gameplay</span><br />
Golf play physics are in tact, as to be expected with this, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Woods_PGA_Tour">19th EA golf game</a>. Golf shots act as they should. Sidehill lies will not fly straight, 5-wood shots to the green won't bite with any amount of spin, and punch shots fly low with plenty of forward roll. Should you change the angle of your clubhead, the ball's flight will change accordingly. You'll see a difference between an 8.5-degree driver and a 9-degree driver.<br />
<br />
Provided you know how to read greens or just read color-coded arrows, putting plays out very well. This year you're allowed one preview per putt that shows your ball's path if you were to hit it according to your aimer. I have no qualms with this setup and think it keeps the game fair enough. Outside of putting, you're allowed to practice your swing percentage before having to hold the B button to make it count. To add spin before the ball lands, you press the directional pad in your desired spin direction and shake the remote. Again, it just works well.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2670596207_124b6b4826.jpg?v=0" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2670596207_124b6b4826.jpg?v=0" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">WiiMotion Plus will be great for next year's copy, but TW09 gives me my golf fix.<br />
<br />
</span></div>EA also let's you speed up play; so much so that I've finished rounds in 20 minutes. What seems like a small tweak has made a huge improvement. You can skip all animations, or just skip them as you please with a simple click of the A button. You can even skip the flyover for your pre-shot landing and skip to your next shot before the ball comes to a rest. There are a host of other time-saving changes that are appreciated and add up. You can even tailor the on-screen information if it's looks too cluttered.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">All-Play</span><br />
All-Play is EA's attempt to make its sports games accessible for everyone from the late 20-something to a 1o-year-old nephew to a grandfather. The All-Play feature takes the work out of your swing. It shows a shots trajectory and final resting place. The player does not have to estimate pre-shot changes for the lie, wind, or green contour. I think this is a good feature that let's me play in the standard mode while a non-golf fan could be competitive and quite difficult to beat. On the Wii, it's all about inclusion. It can even be turned on and off at any point during a round. Of course this leads to unreal scores.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.easports.com/images/sports/tigerwoods09/features/All_Play.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.easports.com/images/sports/tigerwoods09/features/All_Play.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Seeing where your ball lands no matter how you hit it makes the game playable for all skills.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Online Play</span><br />
New to Tiger Woods on the Wii this year is online play. EA nailed this feature. Online play is smooth, lag free, and addicting. Yu no longer have to wait for opponents to shoot. Instead, everyone plays simultaneously, greatly reducing the time to play. A 30-second clock ensures people keep moving or face a 1-stroke penalty. If you hole out first, you get to spectate while others finish up. You will see their shots during the hole with a ball streak showing each shot's trajectory. It's a cool way to play and doesn't distract when you're about to hit.<br />
<br />
Just as fantastic is that online play only requires a free, super-easy signup with EA's GamerNet. You don't need ridiculous friend codes to play online. You could even play as a guest and skip registering at all. You can play friends, strangers, ranked, or unranked. There are 3 lobbies to peruse: social, casual, and competitive. The match's organizer chooses the course, 18 holes, front 9, or back 9, as well as difficulty settings.<br />
<br />
My only complaint is that when I've chosen the Play Anyone option, I can't see the match's settings, so I don't know if it's ranked or even how many holes we're playing. This morning I finished the front 9 of Pebble Beach down by one stroke and thought I had 9 more holes to battle, but that was it. Joining a game through one of the lobbies allows you to see the setup before agreeing to play.<br />
<br />
Despite this minor inconvenience, playing onilne is a smooth experience. You can add people to a buddy list for future play that'll show you when they're online. Chatting is only available from the lobby and offers 28 messages. It would have been cool to save your best shots and upload them to GamerNet, as well as give other players mini-challenges, as in the 360 and PS3 versions, but online play is still spectacular.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/882/882006/tiger-woods-pga-tour-09-20080616015523615.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/882/882006/tiger-woods-pga-tour-09-20080616015523615.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Plenty of minigames to go around.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
Minigames</span><br />
It wouldn't be a Wii game without its minigames, and this game has them in bunches, 15 to be exact. They range from hitting targets to collecting balls while driving a cart. Up to four players can play. There's a neat twist called Ball Battle in which other players can mess with the current player's shot by pushing the ball off target during any minigame. It's a cool idea to prevent people from sitting around until their turn. I've spent 5% of my time on the minigames; not because they're poor, but because the career and online modes are so great.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/882/882006/tiger-woods-pga-tour-09-20080616015516630_640w.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/882/882006/tiger-woods-pga-tour-09-20080616015516630_640w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Juggling golf balls like Tiger is different.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Golf Modes</span><br />
In addition to taking your golfer through Q-School, the PGA Tour, and the FedEx cup, you can also play loads of different golf modes. I haven't tried all of them and haven't heard of half of them, so this looks like just another reason why the game's replay value is through the roof. There's even a putt-putt game; no windmills, just creatively designed putting holes using a golf course layout, albeit insane setups. It's clear EA put a lot of effort into this game. I did notice a scoring error in my 2nd tournament that took 72 shots off of everyone's scores and had no scores for the 2nd round, but the error/glitch has not returned since. Perhaps this will be rectified in a patch.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Club Tuner and Hank Haney</span><br />
After you play a round, Tiger's coach, Hank Haney, will give you advice. He (or the game) will have you replay shots from your last round to improve. It works well enough. You may also go to the game's driving range and tinker with your club's settings in the club tuner. After hitting any number of shots, you'll see their distance and accuracy. Then you can toggle the club's scales for distance, accuracy, workability, draw, fade, etc. I've used this once and just accepted Haney's suggestions.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/900/900379/gc-2008-tiger-woods-pga-tour-09-all-play-screens-20080820003047415_640w.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/900/900379/gc-2008-tiger-woods-pga-tour-09-all-play-screens-20080820003047415_640w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Club Tuner is nice, but not needed more than once or twice.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Options and Customization</span><br />
As in previous Tiger games, you will customize your golfer's face, clothes, and clubs. You can purchase tons of accessories and even choose your player celebration. There are too many options to mention. As you earn sponsorships, equipment is unlocked for purchase to improve you game. Or you could just spend your money to complete your outfit of a kilt, wizard hat, turtleneck, and Foot-Joy shoes. Whatever floats your boat.<br />
<br />
The character customization continues to be a strong asset for the Tiger Woods series. You can adjust things like hair, eye, and skin color, while also adjusting details like jawline and cheekbone structure. Two minor problems are that my eye shape didn't change no matter how I moved the sliders, and I couldn't place a mole on my right cheek. Really though, if these minuscule issues are my biggest complaints, then I'd say the game is damn good.<br />
<br />
Should the game seem too easy on the standard setting, you're able to change the speed of the greens and fairway, the height of the rough, pin placement, tee box for the round, wind, etc. In other words, you have many ways to tailor the game to give you a fair challenge. You can even change the songs that play when you're looking at the menu screen. Did I mention you can now save at any point during your round? TW09 makes you play the round when you next turn on the game, stopping you from playing other modes, but this is a great feature. I haven't had to use it because most rounds take 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Graphics</span><br />
Yes, the graphics don't match the XBox 360 and PS3, but the Wii doesn't try to compete with them for that. The Wii version's quality does the job and really, as long as you can tell the difference in cuts of grass, your only concern in a golf game should be how it plays. I don't miss having spectators line the course or blades of grass blowing in the wind. Give me gameplay over graphics anyday. It's annoying when reviewers for Wii games bemoan how it looks compared to the other systems to penalize the game.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aTkxpcU55xA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aTkxpcU55xA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="382" height="319"></embed></object></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A dead-on video review.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sound</span><br />
The game's sound is passable. The announcers work well enough and bird and crowd noises get the point across. One course I played yesterday offers a lovely toilet flushing noise around the clubhouse. I wonder what other course specific noises are waiting. The series' heartbeat sounds the same as the '05 XBox version and is still around for shots like when you try for the green in two on a par 5. Another small, but nice touch is hearing the sound of the clubhead hitting the ball from the wiimote's speaker<span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span>Tee off with your driver and a ping will immediately be heard.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>The sound effects don't sound any different from that 2005 version, but I'm not sure there's much to improve except for variety.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusion</span><br />
Just buy the game already! Email your gamertag or leave it in the comments and we'll play.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2008/09/tiger-woods-09-all-play-wii-review.html&title=Nobody%20Wants%20To%20See%20Your%20Chest%20Hair%20When%20You%20Run" target="_blank"><img alt="Digg my article" border="0" src="http://digg.com/img/badges/91x17-digg-button.gif" /></a><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=briantuncr-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00160PA4E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-24434555615897819082008-11-01T22:16:00.002-04:002011-07-25T13:54:12.449-04:00I Can't Escape My NJ Driving StereotypesThis afternoon, amid 70-degree weather in Maryland, I drove to the land of this blog's name. I'm in the NYC suburbs to enjoy tomorrow's 4:15 Giants/Cowboys game (in person!) with my daddy. I've made the drive between MD and NJ countless times, yet I've never been able to escape NJ stereotypes along the Turnpike.<br />
<br />
When I'm far from my DC/Baltimore radio presets, I become a lonely ship captain trying every frequency for a glimmer of human contact. Scanning FM, and even AM stations is a tiresome exercise; there's nothing to listen to.Often, the most reliable signal is the NJ Turnpike Authority's looping reminder to buckle seat belts.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e221/edgespeeder04/Whiskey%20Cafe/P5030175-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e221/edgespeeder04/Whiskey%20Cafe/P5030175-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 249px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 333px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">NJ license plate? Check. NJ stereotypical modus operandi? Check.<br />
</span></div><br />
Because NYC radio stations aren't reliable until I'm north of exit 7, I'm forced to listen to the hodgepodge of southern Jersey classic rock. It's either that or the wind. I lose no matter. Call it the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoners_dilemma">Turnpike Dilemma</a>.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span><br />
I recognize that I'm traveling in southern and central Jersey, but must every radio station play the same songs on the way to my parents' house? If you have passengers, make bingo cards to play along while you scan for something first played in the last 15 years. Because nothing released in the last 15 years makes it to air, checkoff songs from the following: Bruce Springsteen (of course), Bon Jovi (still stereotypical), and Billy Joel (if only for his references to the NJ suburbs).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/07032/images/figure6.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/07032/images/figure6.gif" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 291px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Don't hate on <a href="http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/07032/index.htm">NJ's jughandles</a>...they just make sense.</span></div><br />
Every drive this way includes at least two songs from those three artists as well as a few from Journey and Fleetwood Mac. Either the stations haven't played anything new in 15 years or southern and central residents along the Turnpike don't know any better. No matter, this afternoon's drive included (and I wish I was making this up):<br />
<ul><li>Fleetwood Mac: "You Can Go Your Own Way" and "Landslide."</li>
<li>Bon Jovi: "Livin' On A Prayer" and "It's My Life." I realize this was released in the last 10 years, but Bon Jovi's act hasn't changed and this is just more of the same.</li>
<li>Billy Joel: "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" and "Piano Man."</li>
<li>Bruce Springsteen: "Born To Run" and "Glory Days."<br />
</li>
</ul><br />
<center><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SzmTvdeapSY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SzmTvdeapSY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="319" width="382"></embed></object><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
My sister and I don't represent these stereotypes, but they're alive and well.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Just when I'm in range for NYC stations, with their better signals and songs that don't reinforce NJ stereotypes, I catch the end of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" while smelling the chemical tanks seen in the opening credits on The Sopranos.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Yep, some of my homestate's stereotypes will never die.</div><br />
</center>B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-671238227096009452009-01-21T21:10:00.002-05:002011-07-25T13:53:42.960-04:00Premiering My 1st Inaugural Inauguration ThoughtsAllow me to make the unreliable claim that this is the first DC blog entry of the week that doesn't mention "inauguration," "Obama," or "Metro." Yes sir. There will be no mention of John Roberts messing up the Oath of Office's word order and pacing, nullifying Obama's legal taking of the title of POTUS (see Article II, Section I of the Constitution). Of course in the unlikely event it's ever challenged if not done again in private, the case would end up in Roberts' court. Nope, this belated entry will not dip into the political pool of opinionated posts out there.<br />
<br />
Actually, I can't avoid writing my two cents about what went down yesterday. Ten years from now, I'll be able to look back on this post and instantly remember what insignificant things I chose to record for eternity. The blogosphere will be better for it, humanity will triumph from it, and a day will come "when black won't be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yella will be mella, when the redman can get ahead man, and when white will embrace what is right."<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eyeball-series.org/prezsec/pict444.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://eyeball-series.org/prezsec/pict444.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 512px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 378px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Wow. And to think, 1 porta-potty for every 300 attendees.<br />
</span></div><br />
On Monday night, I was oh so close to talking myself into making a run for the events downtown. I'd have only had myself to blame for cold extremities, using an overflowed porta-potty, and watching on a jumbotron when the warmth of my apartment, a clean toilet, and Tivo seemed so much nicer. I decided to not make the trek. Sure it would have been great to say I was there, but for what? To see Barack talk on a jumbotron; watch a parade of bulletproof, chemicalproof, anythingproof limos; and battle for Metro platform space? No thanks.<br />
<br />
I tried watching coverage of the day's pomp and circumstance on the broadcast channels, but the blowhards kept talking about inane things, feeling the need to remind me yesterday's events were historic and would impact the future. Ya don't say? They tried cramming in so many insignificant facts like Bush #2's helicopter name change, that they were closer to NFL announcers, filling time with facts about a player's high school career, than journalists. Granted TV newscasters haven't been confused for journalists for at least two decades so it does become moot.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/01/20/us/20caucus_liveblog_7_190.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/01/20/us/20caucus_liveblog_7_190.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 237px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 190px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">If only broadcasters didn't love hearing the sound of their voices with facts about Bush's chopper.<br />
</span></div><br />
For the first time in C-Span's history, someone from my 18-35 demographic watched for more than the 1 second it takes to flip past the channel. In fact, I watched for six hours, or at least had it on in the background for that time. C-Span showed the entire ceremony, luncheon, and parade sans broadcasters; the silence was spectacular. In a most novel idea for our time, C-Span let the video and natural sound tell the story. I guess that that's how the channel presents Senate hearings and Congressional testimony. Who knew!<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VjnygQ02aW4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VjnygQ02aW4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="382" height="319"></embed></object></center><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Leaving me to reach my own conclusions</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">in silence was wonderful. The same cannot be said for Chief Justice Roberts' attempt at memorizing 35 words.</span></div><br />
C-Span showed VIPs make their way through the Capitol Rotunda to their seats for the swearing-in ceremony. During this procession, everyone except for Chaney had to walk down about 30 steps before reaching the stage. Maliciously, I only watched to see someone take a mighty fall. To my dismay, the shock of cold air wasn't enough for anyone to stumble even a little. Because I never followed up on becoming President as predicted by my 6th grade classmates 17 years ago (on video in our time capsule), a clumsy trip down the Capitol steps won't happen for me.<br />
<br />
The ceremony had very few highlights. I didn't care for the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/arts/music/23band.html?_r=1&hp">Yo-Yo Ma pre-recorded performance with Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero, and clarinetist Anthony McGil</a>. I'm sure it was a grand collection of talent, but I thought it shouldn't have taken place between the swearing-in of the VP and the President. The poem by Elizabeth Alexander was unremarkable like all poetry read at inaugurations, while the benediction by Reverend Joseph E. Lowery was mediocre, only saved by his closing rhyme.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/01/20/17/402-Obama_Inauguration_.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/01/20/17/402-Obama_Inauguration_.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 284px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 316px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Olive green gloves and heels? </span></div><br />
Obama's speech lacked any oomph or memorable phrase and <a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html">won't be a top 100 speech</a>. I can only think he did this to lower the speculatory expectations some folks have for him. He talked about changing things in Washington, but like all political ideas for change, it's not easy to undo the way things have always been done when Congress holds all the power, checks and balances be damned.<br />
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His line about putting out our hand if the other country unclenches its fist was nice, but that was more Bartleby's Book of Quotations than "Ask not what your country can do for you..." or "The only thing we have to fear...." That's fine. What he did convey in his 2,406 words was hope and that's about the only thing not going wrong these days.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boston.com/cars/newsandreviews/overdrive/Obama-limo-609.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.boston.com/cars/newsandreviews/overdrive/Obama-limo-609.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 202px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 373px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A photograph of Obama in his car during the parade wasn't worth the wait and creature comfort sacrifices required.<br />
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After Obama waved goodbye to Bush #2 and completed his luncheon, it was time for the worst ordered parade ever. After the motorcades of the President and Vice-President pass, why would anyone stick around for the <a href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/01/order_of_floats_in_inauguratio.html">10,000 marchers to follow</a> unless they're friends or family? I think there's a limit to the number of marching bands anyone can see before they've seen'em all. It happened for me at the <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2006/03/dcs-real-st-patricks-day-parade.html">St. Patrick's Day parade and bagpipes</a>. While getting a photograph of Obama walking would have been great, I wasn't about to sacrifice my backpack to get that close, and at that I would need some location luck.<br />
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I'm okay not being able to say I was at the inauguration of Obama. It was a moment to remember for sure, but saying you're there for an event doesn't have as much weight when even your camera is unable to overcome your distance from the action. I saw things just fine on my TV, perfectly warm with instant restroom access and C-Span.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-11618594509874809342009-03-19T08:53:00.003-04:002011-07-25T13:49:18.933-04:00Celtic Woman - Isle of Hope Tour on St. Patrick's DayA few months ago I made a donation to Maryland Public Television and received two tickets to the <a href="http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=7221.msg238522#new">Celtic Woman performance at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theater</a>. It’s only fitting that we went on the night of St. Patrick’s Day. It was a nice and easy concert that was also tax deductible!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The name stays the same, the players are interchangeable, and the quality never waivers.</span></div><br />
The show was a nice respite from the logistics of moving to our house, arranging service providers, and watching my bank account lose a few decimal places thanks to the settlement check. It was my first time at the Frances-Merc/Hippodrome theater and thought it was a decent venue. The lobby carpet was ugly and the restroom signage pointed us to a wall instead of telling us to turn right. The lobby layout served the area well enough with plenty of window viewing and $4 bottled water. My unknowledgeable ear thought the acoustics were fine.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The dresses were nice if you also like the styling of the prom dress clearance rack at Kohls. Well, maybe they weren't that bad and I just wanted to use that weak zingger. </span></div><br />
When I took my seat inside the supposedly recently renovated theater, I immediately wished I for shorter femurs. Legroom was non-existent in our balcony seats. Orchestra rows didn’t look much better. Perhaps the theater’s renovation kept row spacing equivalent to a time when people weren’t over six feet. Or maybe they wanted to maximize revenue by jamming in the rows. My back was sore this morning from contorting my torso and angling my legs.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The fiddler was the star.</span></div><br />
The audience was quick to clap before the show even started. They clapped after the 1) Maryland Public Television exec thanked us for donating; 2) stage announcer said the show would be starting in a minute; 3) lights went black; 4) lights came up; and 5) first singer began singing. I guess I’m just not a super Celtic Woman fan, but it seemed overkill when nothing had been done to warrant the clapping. Call me a selective clapper.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">As much training as I have on Guitar Hero, I won’t be ready for the show’s drummer position…ever.</span></div><br />
The stage looked tiny and not just because we were far away. Nevertheless, they used all available space and it worked just fine. The stage had room for two massive drumsets, an elevated standing area, piano, and two percussionists. At such a sing-heavy show, there was little need for a great expanse to move around. This wasn’t exactly a bubblegum pop Britney Spears spastic dancing spectacular.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/ScGwR01sCoI/AAAAAAAAA0E/wWHfaPToOJE/s1600-h/4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314722855561988738" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/ScGwR01sCoI/AAAAAAAAA0E/wWHfaPToOJE/s320/4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 274px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">When the singers spoke to the audience it was a bit phony, but they get an A for effort.</span></div><br />
Despite sitting off to the right in row R, we had great sightlines. I couldn’t squint hard enough to see the singers’ lips move, but it was easy to see all performers. I was happy to have a clear view of the drummer and the 20+ piece drumset. He provided much needed entertainment during the songs I didn’t care for.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Acoustics sounded fine to my untrained ear</span></div><br />
Of course the concert’s success rests on the voices and they didn’t disappoint. <a href="http://www.timerson.net/CW/CWYouTube1.htm">All of them sounded great</a>. All of them were on key and pitch, and in harmony and melody, though I’m not sure what those terms really mean, I used to hear them on American Idol.<br />
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I recognized half of their setlist and was pleasantly surprised by the arrangement of some of those I was unfamiliar. They belted out tunes for two hours with a 20-minute intermission. The time went quickly for me and that’s saying something.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/ScGyRlZLg5I/AAAAAAAAA0M/srq3_zpH3gY/s1600-h/5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314725050439140242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/ScGyRlZLg5I/AAAAAAAAA0M/srq3_zpH3gY/s320/5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Come to the Hippodrome where you’ll enjoy poor blood circulation to your lower extremities.</span></div><br />
Technically speaking, the show only had one error when the pianist and lighting crew were one song early, but they recovered after a few seconds of delay. I’d imagine it was an eternity for all involved. I was impressed by the variety of lighting and was duly unimpressed with the Hippodrome’s weak spotlight director. The left spotlights were not as bright as the right and it showed when all four women were on stage. The spotlight’s opening and closing were done incrementally and were not smooth.<br />
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The first act’s dresses were simple and elegant in orange, red, blue, and green…the orange was one-shoulder no less! I thought they were okay except for the awful orange one thanks to <a href="http://bandtcrowd.blogspot.com/2006/11/one-shoulder-shirts-next-scarlet.html">my hate for such unsymmetrical clothing</a>. Of course the fiddler was in her flowing white. For the second act’s dresses, even I quickly recognized their hideousness. The material looked like shades of fire retardant foil. Good to know they’ll be safe when the theater catches fire.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Fire retardant foil makes for a great dress,” said the foil’s product manager who was going to throw away the scraps.</span></div><br />
Though all singers sang very well, the fiddler stole the show, if only because the four singers were, by design, indistinguishable. The fiddler was great, playing many notes and injecting much needed enthusiasm to the mostly low-key, but expected, setlist by the singers. Her dancing, with its high steps and spins, was fun, and reached a crescendo during combined fiddler and drummer solos.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/ScGvx0Oi7BI/AAAAAAAAAz8/jsfcVS4MD8I/s1600-h/3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314722305641999378" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/ScGvx0Oi7BI/AAAAAAAAAz8/jsfcVS4MD8I/s320/3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 143px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 396px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">No lip syncing here.</span> </div><br />
I know it’s a concert that’s about the singing, but the choreography was unimpressive. The girls would turn to a side and wave their straight arms down like waves when they weren’t walking between stage front and stage back. Is that all you can do when they have to belt out the tunes? The background singers in black were an afterthought, forming couples at times or just standing in a line behind the girls, as well they should, but still a little more creativity would help.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/ScGuPpav_KI/AAAAAAAAAz0/VJi3OV5RKeM/s1600-h/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314720619113217186" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/ScGuPpav_KI/AAAAAAAAAz0/VJi3OV5RKeM/s320/2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 218px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The consensus top pick in everyone’s fantasy fiddler league draft.</span></div><br />
Of course we had no trouble hearing the concert. Volume was constant, except it seemed their bigger songs, played often during Maryland Public Television donation airings, were pumped up, almost to the point of being excessive. Otherwise their voices were strong and clear. A full setlist is found here.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Violin + Drummer + Voice = Good song</span></div><br />
The performers got a few standing ovations at the end, thereby diluting the value of a standing ovation. I ended up standing and ovating in order to actually see the singers start their encore before getting to sit back down when those in front returned to their seats.<br />
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So to recap, the Celtic Woman – Isle of Hope concert in Baltimore offered beautiful women, singing with beautiful voices, wearing nice 1st act dresses and ugly 2nd act dresses, while I lost the feeling in my legs from tiny row spacing.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-78522712806036159312009-04-28T12:20:00.003-04:002011-07-25T13:46:10.595-04:00Don't Leave Me An Empty Water Cooler...Jerkface Sandwich!I got to the office this morning and made my way down the hall to fill a glass of water. The water cooler's inverted 5-gallon jug appeared empty, but it keeps a 1/2 gallon inside for those final water urges. I pressed the cold button and nothing came out. That's odd. I pushed again and got nothing.<br />
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Some asshat took the last drops of water and didn't replace the jug!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/SfZTag96p-I/AAAAAAAAA5g/ZH_AK-y3mLY/s1600-h/1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329538924030896098" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/SfZTag96p-I/AAAAAAAAA5g/ZH_AK-y3mLY/s320/1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 213px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Who needs a cup when everyone can enjoy your germs!<br />
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Who does that? Really? A water cooler's premise is that everyone (who can lift 5 gallons) will replace the jug when it's emptied on their fill. Pretty simple concept. Why can't people in the office follow this simple cycle of water replenishment?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/SfZT2HsJ6cI/AAAAAAAAA5o/CMXK_4HaGU0/s1600-h/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329539398281849282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/SfZT2HsJ6cI/AAAAAAAAA5o/CMXK_4HaGU0/s320/2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 298px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our water cooler doesn't handle no-spill water caps, forcing us to do the quick turn and slam down replacement method.<br />
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There are many office etiquette no-nos and this is right up there. I'd say it's not as bad as farting/passing gas/breaking wind up and down the halls, but it's at least worst than cubicle-speakerphone guy. It takes a lazy, gutless, and inconsiderate person to leave an empty jug on the cooler to be discovered first thing in the morning too.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">* * *</div><br />
4/28 AFTERNOON UPDATE: I've determined who the office etiquette violator was through deductive reasoning, common sense, and general propensity for mindlessness.<br />
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It was me. And I'm here to admit my wrongdoing.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/SfZUsdchIhI/AAAAAAAAA5w/UvrA0eRZORs/s1600-h/3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329540331834778130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gfEWQ--RiFU/SfZUsdchIhI/AAAAAAAAA5w/UvrA0eRZORs/s320/3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 213px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Call me crazy, but I'd rather drink from DC tap water and the high level of lead that comes with it than anything this guy handles.<br />
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After a glorious post-work workout, I had had my fill of water until the jug emptied and I wasn't in the mood to replace it. I knew full well that this meant I needed to be the first one in today after being the last one out yesterday. I made it in first, replaced the jug, and cleaned the crime scene of water splashings. Nobody was none the wiser...I think. And nobody will hear about this, at least not on the internet.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-37123437524442417012011-07-21T18:06:00.002-04:002011-07-22T08:29:40.019-04:00How to Stay Cool on MetroNow that we’re in a three-day cone of thermodynamical torture, here are tips on staying cool while riding Metro. None of these tips will work when you’re on a packed train, but then again, it’s your fault for not waiting all of three minutes for the much emptier train behind it.<br />
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<b>1. Stuff your bladder.</b> Guzzle the coldest water you can find before heading into the station to cool your core. If your platform is outside when temperatures are more than 100 degrees and humidity is off the charts, well then, it sucks to be you now doesn’t it?<br />
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<b>2. Cannonball run</b>. Find the nearest community pool and do a wicked cannonball splash entry. Now that you’re soaking wet, you’ll be nice and cool for the walk to the station.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KgzI8nSLXk7inGI6XU6WMEm9LuLpx9Z176aKBC6uR28BjsHcZdaX2PIbRjE3spE5GLZNycOPGEh-qKbQv0eMBJPwC6YzSw8E87-_58XV73446ARu4MSrYzxn2gg-2bMypAs/s1600/TheSplash_300_0710-md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KgzI8nSLXk7inGI6XU6WMEm9LuLpx9Z176aKBC6uR28BjsHcZdaX2PIbRjE3spE5GLZNycOPGEh-qKbQv0eMBJPwC6YzSw8E87-_58XV73446ARu4MSrYzxn2gg-2bMypAs/s200/TheSplash_300_0710-md.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Cannonball!!!</i></div><br />
<b>3. Find your vents.</b> As indoor stations allow, go as far to the end of the platform as possible and find vents in station sign columns and underneath escalators. The vents should be pumping out cool air. I don’t know if the air is all that clean for your lungs, but it sure feels good. Best of all, broken escalators don’t guarantee broken vents.<br />
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<b>4. Gatorade shower.</b> Have two friends follow you around with a Gatorade jug. After you achieve a high score in Angry Birds, have them douse you with it like a football coach. You’ll be sticky, cool, and all sorts of lemon-lime awesome. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WB4HYvQZQMg/TiiOEiwSpUI/AAAAAAAAFa4/FssZakw6ixA/s1600/alg_parcells-gatorade_display_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WB4HYvQZQMg/TiiOEiwSpUI/AAAAAAAAFa4/FssZakw6ixA/s320/alg_parcells-gatorade_display_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bill Parcells and the 1986 New York Giants knew the secret to sticky coolness.</i></div><br />
<b>5. Remain still.</b> While standing next to a vent, it helps if you don’t move. Nothing raises your sweat rate faster than burning calories. Remember, fanning yourself actually makes you warmer...so said “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”!<br />
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<b>6. Find that fire hose</b>. Open valves to the Metro station fire hose and douse yourself. Spray water on everyone else too. Trust me, they’ll appreciate it. The hose should have enough pressure that you don't have to place your thumb on the end to make a stronger stream like your garden hose.<br />
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<b>7. Enter the first car</b>. This will be air conditioned because the operator’s in there. The 2nd car may also be an option because Metro cars are air-conditioned in pairs, but that’s assuming a lot about Metro’s mechanical reliability.<br />
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<b>8. Freon immunization.</b> Unhook the Freon tubing from the train and start drinking. If Freon keeps cars, trains, and refrigerators cool, just think what it’ll do for your intestines!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60dQwryV7Ro/TiiPd994NrI/AAAAAAAAFbA/3xdH7xWH3Yc/s1600/freon_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60dQwryV7Ro/TiiPd994NrI/AAAAAAAAFbA/3xdH7xWH3Yc/s320/freon_12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When I want to cool down, I drink dichlorodifluoromethane.</i></div><br />
<b>9. Find a seat.</b> Save energy and calories by sitting because it’s easier than standing. Surely your feet hurt from sitting in a cubicle all day. If you'll be going above ground, pick seats on the side of the train away from the sun. If there are no seats, then enjoy Metro’s summertime eau de toilette, “Those Without Deodorant”.<br />
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<b>9a. Avoid hot thighs. </b>If two seats are open together, grab the aisle seat and remain there until someone else wants to sit. Then take the window seat whose cushion will be cooler because nobody’s thighs were heating it up in the meantime. I might be overthinking this.<br />
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<b>9b. Back off. </b>Try sitting forward so that your back isn’t pressed to the cushion. This will give it just a little more space to breathe and sweat itself out. Though, if you’re like me, your back sweats in perpetuity no matter what you do. Anybody invented back antiperspirant yet?<br />
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<b>10. Pray. </b> Remember that hell will never be as bad as standing armpit-to-armpit in a Metro train that’s stopped above ground for a schedule adjustment in July and August.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h_QqDl8p0G0/TiiNpqIzzBI/AAAAAAAAFa0/NOnmL_NZcuk/s1600/vitale_sweat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h_QqDl8p0G0/TiiNpqIzzBI/AAAAAAAAFa0/NOnmL_NZcuk/s320/vitale_sweat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is hell...stuck in a booth with sweaty Dick Vitale at a duke game.</i></div><br />
<b>11. Grab some metal.</b> When you’re in an air-conditioned car with metal handlebars, grab any free handlebar space. The bar should be cool to the touch. Better yet, place the bottom of your wrists or entire forearm along a bar to better cool your blood. It’s biology, trust me, I’m a doctor. Keep touching other bars that feel cool, but be sure to shower in Purell when you get home.<br />
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<b>12. Drive. </b>Why are you taking Metro when it’s so freakin’ hot outside?! Instead, drive around in a motorized air conditioned metal box. It won’t be cheaper, better for the environment, easier, or safer, but it’s cool.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11229564.post-75676106528112604162008-12-01T21:30:00.004-05:002011-06-20T09:04:48.500-04:00The Greatness That Are Solari and Split-Flap Departure BoardsAmong the enjoyable moments during my visit to B and T Crowd territory for the Thanksgiving weekend, was visiting the Newark Train Station (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NTS</span>) because I got to see the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">NTS</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solari_departure_board">mechanical information board</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/newarknj1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/newarknj1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">There may be shady people and poorly lit roads around the station...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2337912668_bc3663f9f2.jpg?v=0" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2337912668_bc3663f9f2.jpg?v=0" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 231px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 346px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">...but if you make it this far, it's worth it...until, that is, you have to get back to the NJ Turnpike.<br />
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For years I'd visit the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NTS</span> with my dad when he would <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dropoff</span> or pickup my mom for one of her Amtrak trips between New Jersey and Maryland to visit her mother. After surviving a not-so-safe 6-block drive through downtown Newark, we'd reach the station where I'd wait with my mom until her train arrived. The only way to determine its status, in a time before Internet status updates, was to look at the huge mechanical information board in the main terminal.<br />
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<center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I had no idea this was called a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solari_departure_board"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Solari</span> Departure Board</a> or a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-flap_display">split-flap display</a>. You can thank me later for this great party icebreaker.</span></div><br />
I was, and still am, in awe when the board updates. From what little engineering knowledge I have, the board has hundreds of openings for letter and location placards that flip. Each letter placeholder has about 40 placards for 26 letters, 10 numbers, and a few punctuation/miscellaneous symbols. The location placards flip through every city served by Amtrak. I just love the sights and flickering sounds of the board. When a board in Boston's South Station was replaced, <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/04/06/nostalgia_for_noise_at_south_station/">an electronic "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ticktickticktick</span>"</a> sound was added because I'm not the only one who loves to hear it.<br />
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<center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Better visibility, lower power consumption, and distinct sounds alerting people to updates...why replace what isn't broken?</span></div><br />
Having not been in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">NTS</span> (also known as Penn Station) for a good 10 years, I was excited to see if the board had been replaced with a next generation electronic board. We walked passed the information booth and there it was...the same mechanical board. Even in these modern times, it's the old school mechanical board that's getting things done.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Analog_clock_with_digital_display.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Analog_clock_with_digital_display.png" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 287px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 330px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">With this schematic I'm one step closer to building my own!<br />
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After what felt like an eternal 7-minute wait, I heard the familiar flicks behind the board and before I knew it, the entire board went into action. Every placeholder in every column for every train began flipping through Amtrak stops, arrival times, track numbers, train numbers, and status. <br />
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The board worked perfectly, yet again.B and T Crowdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07443865625147279069noreply@blogger.com0