Just a quick test of the new wordpress app on my iPhone.
Who know Apple could have so much influence
Belkin BreakFree adds magnetic breakaway connector to your guitar cable
by Darren Murph, posted Jul 22nd 2008 at 5:00PM
From all the coffee shop musicians here at Engadget, we’d like to sincerely thank Belkin for producing this marvelous device. For the rest of us who run around on stage like madmen, we have our doubts about how well this will work. Nevertheless, the BreakFree Connectors were designed to add a magnetic breakaway point in your 1/4-inch cable, meaning that things will simply snap away if too much pressure is applied. Sure, this could save you a mint in shredded cable costs, but we’d venture to say that only the calmer performers in attendance will really find it useful. Snatch (gently, of course) the BreakFree this September for $19.99 and grab a few extra tips for $9.99 per pair.
[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
A Man’s Tool Chest from A Woman’s Store
My wife loves Lowes. I don’t so much. Since there is one just down the street we often enter the doors of this store to “look around”. I’m pretty sure they only change things at most every season, but mostly it’s always the same, so I am not really sure why we need to “look around”. However, last night we dropped in just as they were closing, because Katie needed to replace a tape measure that she lost.
We grab the tape, and as we are walking out I spy what could possibly be the best thing I have ever seen at Lowes. It is the brand new Kobalt 53″ Stainless Tool Chest. This thing is massive. Not only that but there is a built in powerstrip on the left side, casters that support up to 4000lbs, LED lights, a XM/iPod compatible Pioneer sound system with 3 way speakers, and a mini fridge. I could now live in my garage. (If there was room). With tunes, light, and a fridge, why would I ever need to leave? I’ll be saving my pennies.
Collins: Washington Style
When I first heard about the Dry Fly distillery via Robert Hess on the Spirit World, I was intrigued. I am a big fan of all things Washington, and although this isn’t really the same as buying local, I guess it is as local as I am going to get. A couple of weeks ago while at the liquor store I was looking for a new bottle of Gin and I happened to notice the Dry Fly label attached to a shelf. Temporarily Out of Stock. Just my luck. I guess I’ll just get a bottle of Tanqueray. Been out of that for a while.
So, last Sunday I made it a point to get on the liquor store website and find a store that had it in stock. We were headed across town anyways, so I stopped in and picked up a bottle of the Dry Fly, as well as some Lemon Hart 151 proof.
The Dry Fly is labeled as a Washington Dry Gin, and I think it is an apt label. Initial smells are pretty similar to Bombay Sapphire, but with a little more zip. However, the flavor is different from other gins in a way I just can’t quite put my finger on. Supposedly the ingredient list of botanicals includes apples and mint.
While the gin made a fine cocktail in the Judge Jr, it just wasn’t excellent. I would definitely choose a different gin in that drink next time. However, in a collins, the Dry Fly was much better balanced than the Tanqueray, and a bit more interesting than either Plymouth or Bombay.
I decided to do a variation on the collins this evening and it turned out great.
Apple Collins
1 1/2 oz Dry Fly Gin
1/3 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
3 slices granny smith apple
Muddle apple slices with lemon juice in mixing glass.
Add syrup, gin, and shake with ice.
Strain into collins glass filled with ice, and top with soda water.
Garnish with apple slice.
I prefer my collins on the sweet side, and since I was adding the sour apple, I cut the lemon juice to a smaller amount, but the drink would be good either way. In the next week, hopefully I’ll get a chance to do some more taste tests and compare the gin better.
MxMo Rum: The Judge Jr.
I couldn’t help but notice that in voting for the new MxMo logo, I had to count myself among the voters who as of yet, had not participated in an event. I thought that it was time to put an end to that, so here goes.
I like Rum, I like Gin. What better than to combine the two? Reading through the Savoy Cocktail Book, I came across the Judge Jr. Cocktail. Why not give that a try?
3/4 oz rum, 3/4 oz gin, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz grenadine.
Sounds like it might be pretty good, except for the fact that the gin I used overpowered the rum and grenadine, and instead I might as well be drinking gin and lemon juice. Now I did just pick up a bottle of the Dry Fly gin, and since I am north of Seattle I generally am a fan of all things Washington: Starbucks, Costco, Jones Soda, etc. Plymouth would probably done better and I would up the ante on the Rum.
Anyhow, on to the next drink.
Sounds Interesting….
I cant wait to try one of these. Here I have been making it wrong all along. If only I had attended Bar School, then I would surely be a better bartender.
I wonder if this old guy ever went to bar school? Regardless, his drink can’t be that good, because it’s nothing like the first one, and he runs the school, so he must know what he is doing.
American Idol
Just like to note that Brooke’s Percussionist was playing a cajon.
Also, Check out that sweet new haircut on Dave.
Starbucks Unveils New Strategic Initiatives To Transform and Innovate the Customer Experience
Starbucks Coffee Company today unveiled a series of innovative customer-facing initiatives at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo, shared his vision for transforming the Starbucks customer experience and reinforcing a strong foundation from which to grow.
Starbucks has aquired the Coffee Equipment Company and its proprietary Clover® brewing system. This revolutionary brewing system gives you the power to brew each cup to order according to each coffee’s unique characteristics, in a fraction of the time of other single-cup brewing methods . Starbucks will also be reinventing their in-store brewed coffee, scooping and grinding a new Pike Place Blend daily,connecting customers to the early days of Starbucks, as well as having coffee brewed every 30 minutes.
Also introduced today was the Mastrena, a new state-of-the-art espresso system that provides the perfect shot every time and features a lower profile, to allow baristas to be able to visually communicate with customers.
The first phase of the Starbucks Card Rewards program was also revealed today which rewards registered cardholders and provides unique new benefits such as compimentary customization and drinks, as well as free in-store wifi.
Lastly an expanded relationship with Conservation International that enhances Starbucks 37-year commitment to ethically sourcing the world’s finest coffees and reaffirms Starbucks leadership position in sustainable sourcing and climate preservation.
How Far Can You Stretch Before You Break?
My comfort zone is quite small. I will admit that. I grow comfortable in my routine of going to work, going home to eat dinner with my wife, sitting on the couch with her and our kitten while watching tv, then going to bed and starting the whole thing over again in the morning.
Recently I have been challenged. More than perhaps I care to be. I am being encouraged to shift my perspective on the way I look at life, how I perform in my job, how I interact with my wife, family, friends, and strangers. I have been put in a place of leadership and servanthood. I have been jarred out of complacency, and thrust into a time of growth and challenge.
But how far can I go? Can I succesfully accomplish what I am setting out to do? Do I have what it takes? A determination to succeed, A willingness to rely and trust in those who are supporting and will continue to support me, A dependence on God, A desire to do and become more? I hope so.
Yesterday I was asked to consider speaking at an event. I don’t do that. I am scared spitless. But on the otherhand, I have an opportunity not only to bless others with knowledge and grace, but to grow in those things myself. Why would I not want to do that? Fear, perhaps. A fear of acceptance, of not being good enough, or being to young to impart something benficial on those who are older? I am not sure, but I think that I am going to go for it.
U2 Medley - Doyle Dykes
While casually looking around the interwebs for a new guitar amp, I came across this clip while looking at a Rivera amp.
This guy is just amazing.
