Keeping Americans Passified
In this audio entry I talk about my Birthday from the previous week. I talk about getting out of the house over the weekend, having Chinese food and getting a new chair. I also talk about many of the things I noticed while I was out over the weekend. I also have a couple of songs and audio clips in this entry. Don’t worry, the longer songs are at the end so you don’t have to listen to them if you don’t want or have to fast forward through them.

I’m hoping the audio quality is better in this one. I increased the external microphone input volume on the iRiver to 60 from 50. I hope it’s not too much. I did decrease the level slightly once I got it into Audacity.
The audio clips at the beginning were taken (legally) from CCMixter. The music in the beginning was “Minor Wa-Wa” by Norelpref”. The two George Bush clips were by PorchCat, “Poor does not equal killer” and “The Haves … and the Have Mores.” The audio at the end of this entry was “A brief history of republican institutions premix aka demoneycracy” and “Living Stereo (2005).”
Keeping Americans Passified (MP3) (61 MB)
Technorati Tags: birthday, hunting, hunters, Iraq, China, Chinese, Chinese buffet, automatic bathrooms, automation, staples, pc laptops, canon digital rebel xti

September 20th, 2007 at 2:11 am
I owe you a belated “happy birthday,” Andy. I saw your post about your birthday on Twitter, and I totally spaced when the actual day came ’round.
I enjoy your audio blogs. If you keep posting ‘em, I’ll be listening.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Shawno - Thanks for the birthday greeting even though no worries about it being late, it’s still greatly appreciated. Also I’m glad someone will be listening to them. Thanks. I’ll keep them coming.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:29 am
I got the UK version of the Digital Rebel XT for my wife. It’s very nice, but it’s not really going to change your life. Once you get it, it sounds like you’ll just be lusting after the next model up.
Likewise, the MacBook Pro. Do you really need the Pro model? I’ve got a regular MacBook (it’s actually a year old) and I found it so much faster than the iBook. Half the price of the MacBook Pro. I’m even doing HD versions of my Slam Idol videos on it. Check them out at http://slamidolpodcast.com/hd and let me know what you think!
September 20th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Simon - I have been going back and forth in my mind on whether I really need the MacBook Pro or if I can manage with just the MacBook. I would be doing web design, photography, blogging, podcasting, running numerous virtual machines and of course all the basic stuff. I know I’m not a super videographer and probably wouldn’t be using Final Cut, maybe Final Cut Express. Not sure. Ultimately, anything I get will be much faster than my iBook G3 and my PC which only has an AMD Athlon XP 1700+.
So I guess that means I’ll need to just go ahead and get the XTi! I don’t know. I think I mis-spoke. I think the XT will be fine for my needs. I don’t know for sure. I really need to do some more research. I do know that I really want a dSLR so I can use the RAW mode. I also think the multiple captures would be very useful. Also I’d really like to be able to have something with real interchangeable lenses instead of the adapter lenses.
However. I can’t afford anything at the moment. I have to wait until I get paid by a few clients. Then I’m going to put the money into savings and save, save, save. I’m always counting my chickens before they hatch. Hopefully, someday.
I’ll try to watch your HD videos! My PC has a problem playing HD content. My iBook can’t even play SD content! lol
Anyways. Thanks for the comment. Hope the baby, wife and you are all well across the pond.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I’ve considered upgrading to a nicer digital camera. Sounds like a dSLR would give you a lot more flexibility. Similar to a traditional 35mm camera. My problem is, I don’t see real well, and I’ve always had difficulty with manual focus cameras. I’ll probably always be stuck with basic stuff that primarily does auto focus.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
The dSLR’s that I have saw have auto focus. When I was playing with the one in Staples I changed it to manual focus but I couldn’t find the manual focus ring! lol I changed it back to auto focus and it worked pretty well.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Shawno, we always use our Canon dSLR using the auto-focus mode, and it works really well. But, as I said before, Andy, it’s not actually going to change your life.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Simon - Are you trying to ruin my dream?! LOL. Joking. I think I probably know that. But you can’t blame a Virgo for wanting!
September 20th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Happy birthday Andy! I am so loving your audio shows - keep up the good work
September 20th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Davy - Thanks for the Birthday greeting, Davy. I am glad you enjoy the audio. I’ll keep putting them out just so long as I have something to talk about. Well. I always have something to talk about! LOL! Thanks!