New Things in Our House: Part 2
Some things have to be experienced to be understood. For example, I never really bought into the idea that watching video on an iPod's tiny screen could be entertaining in the least, until I found myself engaged in the episode of The Office where they find out that there's a felon working alongside them, and said episode is playing out on the tiny screen of my own new iPod, and, suddenly, I understood. It made sense. The hype wasn't overdone.
OK, maybe just a little. But that's another story for another day. What hasn't been overdone is the hubbub around satellite radio, and now that I have my own new Roady XT installed in the office-slash-game room, I can safely testify that XM Radio is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
I also got a Belkin Home Kit that allows me to connect the XM receiver to my home stereo, and control it with a tiny remote.
I still can't do any serious work with music playing, but I find myself listening to the radio more and more during more mundane or tedious tasks. I'm also experiencing channel overload, with 150 available stations. I've picked out ten music stations for one of the three preset playlists, and another ten talk stations for the second playlist, but I find myself listening primarily to channel 32, which is labeled as "Christian Pop" but which is more eclectic and interesting than that.
That has generated one amusing moment. I've also got a car audio mount for the receiver, which is grab-and-go size. One recent evening I headed for the drive-through at Rosa's, and I put the XM radio in the Durango, anticipating a long line (and I was right about that, although it doesn't take a savant to predict that). I was almost up to the order speaker before I realized that I had forgotten to switch my FM radio to the right station for the XM signal and what I'd been listening to was actually the local Air 1 station. (I wondered why those people kept talking between the songs...figured it was some sort of holiday deal.)
XM's World Music line-up is a bit too heavy on electronica for my tastes; I'd like more Caribbean accents and fewer Euro-beats. And its country selections are pretty mainstream lame; I still prefer The Outlaw for Music to Clean Guns To, if you know what I mean. I haven't had the nerve to check in on the Uncensored Comedy channel, and I'm a little miffed that the Big 12 conference doesn't have its own sports channel (although after its performance in the bowl games this season, I'm not sure it even deserves its own conference. And before you Tech and UT fans get too cocky, please take a look at the records of the teams you came from behind to beat. But I digress.)
If you're considering getting a satellite radio, either XM or Sirius, make sure you understand the antenna placement requirements, and whether you can achieve them without herculean effort. In my case, I was able to place the antenna in the requisite south-facing window only by rearranging my entire stereo system layout, a task not for the faint-of-heart (or short-on-patience). However, I have to admit that the results were worth the trouble.
If you count Blues as jazz (which I don't) there are five. Traditional Jazz is Coltrane, etc.; Smooth Jazz is New Agey/R&B stuff; Modern Jazz seems more eclectic, with some Latin thrown into the mix; American Standards has more vocals and classics (Judy Garland, Benny Goodman, etc.). You can also jump into the Latin genre and there's a channel for Latin Jazz (but it was off the air when I just checked).
Then there's the lonely Blues station, which does sound promising.
Posted by: Eric at January 3, 2007 01:21 PMAh! Sounds wonderful. I am a traditionalist for the most part, but love Pat Metheny which means I must occasionally venture into Smooth Jazz. Then they play Kenny G and I flee! I do like the blues, but when given the opportunity to buy a CD, I always come home with jazz.
Posted by: Deborah at January 3, 2007 01:30 PMI'm fan of jazz only in small doses. I have to work too hard to listen to some of it -- to make sense of what I'm hearing -- although I always admire the skill of the musicians.
Posted by: Eric at January 3, 2007 01:52 PM*cough* spoiled *cough* I'm jealous. Just when I finally got my Bose speaker iPod docking station and thought all was right with the world, you go and get this. Is there no end to the coveting? 8-}
Speaking of world music, have you listened to Willie & Lobo? They are one of my favorites, with hints of the Carribean and flamenco dancers and gypsies all rolled into one.
Posted by: gwynne at January 3, 2007 05:44 PMBose speaker iPod docking station.
Spoiled? Who do you mean?
Posted by: Jim at January 3, 2007 06:19 PMInteresting. I do my best coding when I have music on--and electronica, especially. That said, the image of your iPod with "Coldplay"displayed reminded me of my most recently acquired treasure.
My brother-in-law bought me a copy of Coldplay's "X&Y" for Christmas. It's one of those CDs that doesn't immediately grab you--not at the low volume MLB requires when riding in the car, at least--but I spend the day with it at work today, and it's AWESOME.
I only wish that it wasn't one of the last remaining releases using that stupid copy protection that prevents ripping by requiring you to use the included player, if you want to listen on a computer. Guess I know what won't be going on that iPod I don't have yet.
Posted by: Foo at January 3, 2007 07:08 PMGwynne, I've not heard anything by Willie & Lobo. I just sampled some of their music at the iTunes Store and I'll definitely download a few of their songs. Thanks for the tip!
In return, I'll offer this recommendation from the World genre: Mo' Horizons.
Jim, I don't have one of those things. My wife does. But not me.
Foo, speaking of the iTunes Store, you realize, don't you, that you can download "X&Y" for $11.99. Once you do that, you'll have an excuse to then get an iPod.
Anyway, I could work to electronica and even most other instrumentals, but my mind just can't leave lyrics alone. I also can't read a book or study with the TV going.
Posted by: Eric at January 3, 2007 08:52 PMOh, Gwynne, one more thing about Willie & Lobo at the iTunes Store. They apparently can't figure out how to classify the music: the tunes seem to be equally split between Rock, New Age and World!
Posted by: Eric at January 3, 2007 08:55 PMThose iTunes people are confused. I have some Loggins & Messina (I know, just shoot me) and it's labeled as "alternative." ;-)
I'll go check out Mo' Horizons. Thank you. ;-)
Posted by: Gwynne at January 4, 2007 08:59 AMAt least OSU won and OU lost. Everything else is secondary. Tech made for some good filler for the sport talking heads and UT should be embarrassed beyond belief. Nebraska who? K State, hmm... Are there really 12 teams in the Big 12? Wouldn't know it for watching.
Oh yeah, this was about music...uhh...well I listen to both kinds, if that counts...on the radio.
Posted by: Will at January 4, 2007 09:00 AMI have some Loggins & Messina (I know, just shoot me)
Oh, I would never judge you for that. Just don't tell me you have any Bread in your collection. ;-)
Are there really 12 teams in the Big 12?
Oh, definitely. The real question is whether there are any good teams in the Big 12.
You notice that I didn't even mention A&M. Embarrassing. They obviously ended their season by beating UT. I did find it interesting that I never saw anyone playing up the fact that this year's Holiday Bowl matched up the two teams that beat the previous year's BCS championship game teams. That should have been good for a footnote, anyway.
Posted by: Eric at January 4, 2007 09:48 AMWelcome to the X-Philes! I've got an old Roady in my car and use the Pioneer Inno at the office.
For fun, try catching Bob Dylan's "Theme Time Radio" show. The music's pretty eclectic, tied together by a different theme each week, and Dylan's commentary usually is interesting.
As a Christmas fanatic, I like that XM had at least four holiday channels that come on each year at Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Kelly at January 4, 2007 09:39 PMJust don't tell me you have any Bread in your collection.
8-} Not any more.
Posted by: gwynne at January 5, 2007 09:25 AMKelly, I noticed "Holly" on the XM lineup, but by the time I finally got the system hooked up, I was tired of Christmas music.
There must be another station listing besides the one that came in the sign-up package. I don't see Bob Dylan's show listed. I'll have to check the website.
"X-Philes." Heh.
Posted by: Eric at January 5, 2007 09:26 AMHey Eric - Now you have me wanting one hehe. By the way, Can I get you that Josh Groban song :)?
Posted by: Rachel at January 6, 2007 03:46 AMRachel, I'm experiencing brain lock or something. Which song are you referring to?
Posted by: Eric at January 6, 2007 07:16 AMSo she dances - Don't worry, I'm told its just a sign of old age (brain lock) hehe.
Posted by: Rachel at January 6, 2007 05:48 PMAbout the publisher
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But what about Jazz? How many jazz stations does it have?
Posted by: Deborah at January 3, 2007 01:03 PM