I updated to iTunes 8.0 last night. One of the most touted features was the Genius thing. The premise is awesome. If you are familiar with Pandora then you already know of it.
Basically iTunes analyzes your music collection and allows you to create on the fly playlists based on specific songs. The program is supposed to select other songs that are similar to the one you selected in various ways.
Awesome right?
Well, it would be, if the program were intelligent enough to manage. Unfortunately, however, I find the lack of intelligence in anything called GENIUS disturbing.
I can expect that it is going to be unaware of some of the stuff in my collection, such as Xampha, Sefiros, etc... but when it doesn't manage to recognize any of the Stravinski in there, I get worried. I suppose my biggest complaint is when it says that it doesn't recognize (about 75% of my 11,000-ish songs) but has no problem prompting me to purchase the tracks I am missing from that artist.
Seriously, wtf? It apparently knows enough about Infected mushroom to try to sell me more music, but doesn't know enough about it to pick 24 other songs that are similar?
Ahh, when it DOES recognize a song though, this should be a wonderous journey through my eclectic collection of tracks from hundreds of artists right? I wouldn't know, it seemed to match toad the wet sproket and guns n' roses with everything I selected. With the exception of Jars of Clay, no Toad the Wet Sprocket... huh? If you know anything about these two bands you know that they are very similar. In fact, Toad was a HUGE inspiration for Jars of Clay musically.
I just don't get it.
Apple has said that the Genius system will get a lot better with age, as people use it. I suppose that this makes a good level of sense. I am, however, wondering if Apple seriously expects us to just sit through horrible reccomendation while they figure it out.
I don't think I am going to give it that much space. I've started using floola to manage my iPod, so iTunes barely gets loaded anymore. In fact, I only even loaded it in order to get the update.
I suppose I could have saved that bandwidth for something useful.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
So I was off work today and decided to drop by the Hyundai dealership to take a look at the Genesis Sedan, in anticipation of the Genesis Coupe next year.
They weren't letting people drive them unless they are seriously interested in buying one in order to keep the mileage down. Apparently they have had a slew of people coming in asking to drive them, so it makes sense. It was easier for me to get a test drive of the only SRT-4 that existed in Lancaster, PA when I lived there
I know that this is long, but I had a lot to write about, and felt like writing it for you all to ignore
Exterior:
The car is attractive. It is, like reviewers have said, pretty understated. Nothing too flashy or outlandish. Pretty unassuming, really. One thing I was worried about prior to seeing one in person was the grill. In pictures it looked very large and "bling-ey", but happy to say, in person it was not large at all, and looked very tasteful.
The model I looked at was equipped with the auto-turning HID headlamps. They all come standard with LED tails. It had a sunroof, and the optional 18 inch wheels.
While this is a full sized sedan, the proportions do well to keep it from seeming boaty. At a glance, one could be forgiven for assuming it was the same size as an Accord (assuming the Accord was not sitting right next to it of course.)
Interior:
My personal experience with Beemers, Lexi, and Mercs is pretty limited. I've never been inside a lexus, I've only looked at a low end Merc (230 compressor, or whatever...) that my aunt owned, and never sat in it. I've not been inside a Beemer newer than an e36 3 series.
I have, however experienced the kind of luxury that 5+ million will get you from Cessna, Raytheon, Hawker, and BeechCraft.
That being said, the Genesis is definitely sub-par for interior luxury compared to a business jet, but compared to the only beemer interior I have ever experienced, it was superior.
First impression sliding into the seat was that this leather was amazing. Supple, smooth, soft. This is what leather should feel like. I didn't care for the shape of the seat, preferring something more like my Tiburon's seats, or the Preludes seats, with larger bolsters and a more "sporty" feel. This is a subjective thing, and the type of person I see buying or looking at the Genesis will enjoy these seats. The car I looked at had the heated seats, and apparently they have an air conditioned seat option as well.
The woven headliner was a very nice touch, adding an incredible amount of class to the car surprisingly.
The interior was cavernous and roomy compared to impressions from the outside. I could imagine 5 large adults fitting comfortable in this car very easily.
The dash was trimmed in leather and wood. I know that I have heard that Hyundai is using real wood, but I don't know if it is an option or standard, and whether this car had real or imitation wood, so if it was imitation, they did a fine job on it.
The guage cluster was beautiful. Black with white lettering. I enjoyed it very much, and I hope that the same guage cluster, or similar, makes it into the Coupe.
All of the buttons had a solid, positive feel to them, none of the typical cheapie plastic feel you get in most cars today. The trim all matted very well together with do large gaps, or tight squishes.
The steering wheel felt very nice, finished in a very soft, slightly padded leather. Apparently there is an option to have this air conditioned also.
Climate control had all of the standard amenities, dual zones, digital read out, etc. Everything is controlled via the LCD panel in the dash. I did not get to play with their "iDrive" rip off, as they did not have any on the lot with this feature.
I had my iPod with me, and all of the models they have currently have the 14 speaker lexicon sound system. Since the car comes standard with iPod integration ($24 cable as an option, but it is just a USB sync cable essentially, so I suspect that your standard iPod cable would work just fine) we decided to try it out.
First impression of the iPod integration? Could be better, but not horrible. It could have been that the guy just didn't know how to use it as well. My iPod has 12 thousand songs on it and several hundred Artists, and scrolling through the artist list was a bit painful to get all the way down to Pink Floyd.
We popped on One of These Days from the Meddle album and the sales guy cranked the system, literally, to MAX. We were pleasantly rewarded with what I can only describe as the single best sounding stock audio system I have ever heard in my life!
This system sounded better than a lot of modified systems I have listened to. There are separate tweeters and mid woofers in each door (including the rear doors), a pair of Mids in the dash and rear deck, a center channel inthe dash and a 10 inch sub woofer in the rear deck.
We were surrounded by Roger Waters amazing guitar work (once that part of the song came around) and when the bass lines really took off I was amazed to see a stock sound system cause the rear view mirror to vibrate, and not just a little bit either.
I noticed not a bit of distortion from the system, even with it turned all the way up, which was surprising to me. Overall I was VERY impressed by the audio this car has.
Two things that I had issue with about the audio.
Overall:
Prior to anyone outside of Hyundai having even SEEN one of these, Hyundai was claiming that their target for this car from a fit and finish standpoint was the Beemers, Lexi, and Mercs, while their target for sales were cars such as the G8, 300c, etc...
Price wise, they have matched the target for their sales group. The car I looked at was 36 thousand dollars. This was a V6 model nicely equipped. Models can reportedly go as high as 42 or so for a fully loaded V8.
Many reports have placed the Genesis on par with it's upscale inspiration in the Beemers, Lexi, and Mercs, and even surpassing them in some areas. While I cannot speak to that, I can definitely say that overall this car is amazing, and even more so coming from Hyundai, a company that not long ago was held in the same regards as Yugo.
Until I have a chance to drive it, I cannot say anything about performance, but if Hyundai has managed to uphold every single promise on this car so far, I am confident that the driving experience will not let me down. Hopefully, as they begin selling more and the initial interest wanes, I will have the chance to drive one, rather than having to wait for the Coupe to hit early next year.
The fact that Hyundai has made this car live up to every expectation gives me great hope that the Coupe will as well, it only heightens my anticipation.
It has been noted that the Genesis Sedan is on par with the Mercedes S550, but for the price of the S550 you can pick up two Genesis, and have enough left over for a couple of Vespas. In my opinion, that should be re-worded to "For the cost of an S550 you can have a Genesis Sedan and Coupe and have enough left over for some upgrades. Talk about having your cake, AND eating it too."
They weren't letting people drive them unless they are seriously interested in buying one in order to keep the mileage down. Apparently they have had a slew of people coming in asking to drive them, so it makes sense. It was easier for me to get a test drive of the only SRT-4 that existed in Lancaster, PA when I lived there
I know that this is long, but I had a lot to write about, and felt like writing it for you all to ignore
Exterior:
The car is attractive. It is, like reviewers have said, pretty understated. Nothing too flashy or outlandish. Pretty unassuming, really. One thing I was worried about prior to seeing one in person was the grill. In pictures it looked very large and "bling-ey", but happy to say, in person it was not large at all, and looked very tasteful.
The model I looked at was equipped with the auto-turning HID headlamps. They all come standard with LED tails. It had a sunroof, and the optional 18 inch wheels.
While this is a full sized sedan, the proportions do well to keep it from seeming boaty. At a glance, one could be forgiven for assuming it was the same size as an Accord (assuming the Accord was not sitting right next to it of course.)
Interior:
My personal experience with Beemers, Lexi, and Mercs is pretty limited. I've never been inside a lexus, I've only looked at a low end Merc (230 compressor, or whatever...) that my aunt owned, and never sat in it. I've not been inside a Beemer newer than an e36 3 series.
I have, however experienced the kind of luxury that 5+ million will get you from Cessna, Raytheon, Hawker, and BeechCraft.
That being said, the Genesis is definitely sub-par for interior luxury compared to a business jet, but compared to the only beemer interior I have ever experienced, it was superior.
First impression sliding into the seat was that this leather was amazing. Supple, smooth, soft. This is what leather should feel like. I didn't care for the shape of the seat, preferring something more like my Tiburon's seats, or the Preludes seats, with larger bolsters and a more "sporty" feel. This is a subjective thing, and the type of person I see buying or looking at the Genesis will enjoy these seats. The car I looked at had the heated seats, and apparently they have an air conditioned seat option as well.
The woven headliner was a very nice touch, adding an incredible amount of class to the car surprisingly.
The interior was cavernous and roomy compared to impressions from the outside. I could imagine 5 large adults fitting comfortable in this car very easily.
The dash was trimmed in leather and wood. I know that I have heard that Hyundai is using real wood, but I don't know if it is an option or standard, and whether this car had real or imitation wood, so if it was imitation, they did a fine job on it.
The guage cluster was beautiful. Black with white lettering. I enjoyed it very much, and I hope that the same guage cluster, or similar, makes it into the Coupe.
All of the buttons had a solid, positive feel to them, none of the typical cheapie plastic feel you get in most cars today. The trim all matted very well together with do large gaps, or tight squishes.
The steering wheel felt very nice, finished in a very soft, slightly padded leather. Apparently there is an option to have this air conditioned also.
Climate control had all of the standard amenities, dual zones, digital read out, etc. Everything is controlled via the LCD panel in the dash. I did not get to play with their "iDrive" rip off, as they did not have any on the lot with this feature.
I had my iPod with me, and all of the models they have currently have the 14 speaker lexicon sound system. Since the car comes standard with iPod integration ($24 cable as an option, but it is just a USB sync cable essentially, so I suspect that your standard iPod cable would work just fine) we decided to try it out.
First impression of the iPod integration? Could be better, but not horrible. It could have been that the guy just didn't know how to use it as well. My iPod has 12 thousand songs on it and several hundred Artists, and scrolling through the artist list was a bit painful to get all the way down to Pink Floyd.
We popped on One of These Days from the Meddle album and the sales guy cranked the system, literally, to MAX. We were pleasantly rewarded with what I can only describe as the single best sounding stock audio system I have ever heard in my life!
This system sounded better than a lot of modified systems I have listened to. There are separate tweeters and mid woofers in each door (including the rear doors), a pair of Mids in the dash and rear deck, a center channel inthe dash and a 10 inch sub woofer in the rear deck.
We were surrounded by Roger Waters amazing guitar work (once that part of the song came around) and when the bass lines really took off I was amazed to see a stock sound system cause the rear view mirror to vibrate, and not just a little bit either.
I noticed not a bit of distortion from the system, even with it turned all the way up, which was surprising to me. Overall I was VERY impressed by the audio this car has.
Two things that I had issue with about the audio.
- The sub woofer, while amazing, was not the greatest, and the overall sound felt like it was lacking a bit down low. An aftermarket Sub woofer would be a definite upgrade in my mind, however I don't think I would touch anything else at all.
- About 5 minutes into listening we started hearing a very nasty buzz coming fromthe speakers. It sounded like electrical noise, so I doubt that it was any deficiency with the audio system itself. We were parked under an overhang with those metal halide lamps that pour out the EMI. I would have to reserve judgment on this point until I had a chance to drive it around.
Overall:
Prior to anyone outside of Hyundai having even SEEN one of these, Hyundai was claiming that their target for this car from a fit and finish standpoint was the Beemers, Lexi, and Mercs, while their target for sales were cars such as the G8, 300c, etc...
Price wise, they have matched the target for their sales group. The car I looked at was 36 thousand dollars. This was a V6 model nicely equipped. Models can reportedly go as high as 42 or so for a fully loaded V8.
Many reports have placed the Genesis on par with it's upscale inspiration in the Beemers, Lexi, and Mercs, and even surpassing them in some areas. While I cannot speak to that, I can definitely say that overall this car is amazing, and even more so coming from Hyundai, a company that not long ago was held in the same regards as Yugo.
Until I have a chance to drive it, I cannot say anything about performance, but if Hyundai has managed to uphold every single promise on this car so far, I am confident that the driving experience will not let me down. Hopefully, as they begin selling more and the initial interest wanes, I will have the chance to drive one, rather than having to wait for the Coupe to hit early next year.
The fact that Hyundai has made this car live up to every expectation gives me great hope that the Coupe will as well, it only heightens my anticipation.
It has been noted that the Genesis Sedan is on par with the Mercedes S550, but for the price of the S550 you can pick up two Genesis, and have enough left over for a couple of Vespas. In my opinion, that should be re-worded to "For the cost of an S550 you can have a Genesis Sedan and Coupe and have enough left over for some upgrades. Talk about having your cake, AND eating it too."
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
missing you
I drove Vicki out to Agusta yesterday after work because she had a dentist appontment and Kevin was not able to take her. I sat in the car listening to music while she was inside and I listened to David Oistrakh and Vladmir Yampolsky playing various violin and piano pieces (the album was 'The Devil's Trill') and I thought of you. One piece was Tchaikovsky's Valse-scherzo, Op 34. I know that you have played it in the past and it reminded me of you, except that I think you played it better.
I wish that I had spent more time just listening to you play like I did when I was little. My childhood memories are filled with the music you played. I realized that my taste in music came almost 100% from you. I wish i had the ability to play like you did, to match this passion for music that you gave to me.
Thank you, and I miss you so very much.
I wish that I had spent more time just listening to you play like I did when I was little. My childhood memories are filled with the music you played. I realized that my taste in music came almost 100% from you. I wish i had the ability to play like you did, to match this passion for music that you gave to me.
Thank you, and I miss you so very much.
Monday, April 7, 2008
C:\>ping localhost
Pinging JESSE [127.0.0.1] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Ping statistics for 127.0.0.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms
Just checking to see if I am still alive. Have to check, because sometimes it doesn't feel like it.
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Ping statistics for 127.0.0.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms
Just checking to see if I am still alive. Have to check, because sometimes it doesn't feel like it.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Copied from my other place
Saturday my grandmother died. She went peacefully doing something she loved, eating.
At this point I am okay with it. She was suffering from osteoporosis and the early stages of dementia. I can honestly say that she is in a better place, and a better way now.
I know that tomorrow I will probably break down and it will hit me. I spent a lot of my earliest years with my grandparents. My grandfather taught me how to ride a bike, bought me my first bike. Losing him earlier this year was hard because I really respected him a lot and looked up to him, unfortunately my own rears of seeing him with Alzheimer's and the other health issues he was suffering caused me to neglect going to visit him in his last days. I really regretted that and went through a lot of pain because of it.
I dealt with it though, that's what I do.
My grandmother is where I got my passion for music. My earliest memories are filled with her playing the piano or violin. Even the memories where she is not in them, running through my grandparents house. She was always playing music, beautiful music. She was quite honestly one of the most talented pianists and violinists in this city, and I am proud to say that she was my grandmother.
It broke my heart when she could no longer play the violin. That was truly her passion. I think that the violin was capable of carrying her away into another realm where nothing else in the world mattered in the slightest.
A tear wells.
I went and visited her on her birthday last week. You could tell that this really touched her. I think she knew that she wasn't long for this world and my visit touched her deeply. That helps a lot I think.
Grandma, I will miss you. I hope you know how special you are to me, how much of my soul came from you. tell grandpa hi for me please.
At this point I am okay with it. She was suffering from osteoporosis and the early stages of dementia. I can honestly say that she is in a better place, and a better way now.
I know that tomorrow I will probably break down and it will hit me. I spent a lot of my earliest years with my grandparents. My grandfather taught me how to ride a bike, bought me my first bike. Losing him earlier this year was hard because I really respected him a lot and looked up to him, unfortunately my own rears of seeing him with Alzheimer's and the other health issues he was suffering caused me to neglect going to visit him in his last days. I really regretted that and went through a lot of pain because of it.
I dealt with it though, that's what I do.
My grandmother is where I got my passion for music. My earliest memories are filled with her playing the piano or violin. Even the memories where she is not in them, running through my grandparents house. She was always playing music, beautiful music. She was quite honestly one of the most talented pianists and violinists in this city, and I am proud to say that she was my grandmother.
It broke my heart when she could no longer play the violin. That was truly her passion. I think that the violin was capable of carrying her away into another realm where nothing else in the world mattered in the slightest.
A tear wells.
I went and visited her on her birthday last week. You could tell that this really touched her. I think she knew that she wasn't long for this world and my visit touched her deeply. That helps a lot I think.
Grandma, I will miss you. I hope you know how special you are to me, how much of my soul came from you. tell grandpa hi for me please.
Monday, November 19, 2007
An Excellent Segue...
So I think my iPod has aspirations to become a DJ...
I'm listening to The Dandy Warhols - The Dandy Warhols Love Almost Everyone and the next track is Modest Mouse - Sucker Bet and the segue was almost perfect! I mean I think they were even beat matched! I thought to myself "Gee, they went an odd direction with this song, but okay." The basic rhythm/melody of the tracks is even similar. It wasn't until I decided to see how much longer it was going when I looked and realized this was a separate track...
For joy!
I'm listening to The Dandy Warhols - The Dandy Warhols Love Almost Everyone and the next track is Modest Mouse - Sucker Bet and the segue was almost perfect! I mean I think they were even beat matched! I thought to myself "Gee, they went an odd direction with this song, but okay." The basic rhythm/melody of the tracks is even similar. It wasn't until I decided to see how much longer it was going when I looked and realized this was a separate track...
For joy!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Please don't go
I Call Out From Above
Am Falling From The Sky
In The Deepness Of My Soul
Love Falls From The Height
With Never Ending Self
You See Inside My Heart
But Light Is Hard To See Past
I Fail My Grand Design
Don't Think Of Me As Human
Think Of Me As Incomplete
I Long To See Within
Could I Call Inside Your Heart
Handle All Of The Hurt And Pain
Not Leaving You Behind
Trusting You With My Everything
You Are There But I Don't See It
Any Time We Are Around
More Of Me Dies And Thrives
Am Falling From The Sky
In The Deepness Of My Soul
Love Falls From The Height
With Never Ending Self
You See Inside My Heart
But Light Is Hard To See Past
I Fail My Grand Design
Don't Think Of Me As Human
Think Of Me As Incomplete
I Long To See Within
Could I Call Inside Your Heart
Handle All Of The Hurt And Pain
Not Leaving You Behind
Trusting You With My Everything
You Are There But I Don't See It
Any Time We Are Around
More Of Me Dies And Thrives
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The more you know.
The Smashing Pumpkins. I had honestly forgotten what musical geniuses they were. Unlike so much music from that time there was genuine musical talent and songwriting talent.
I am so into dark, brooding, depressed music lately. If it isn't hard pulsing electronic music beating you in the head then all I seem to be interested in is the stuff that makes grey skies welcome.
black, dark, sinister. Strike me down and watch my blood flow. pouring onto the floor, crimson pools filled with the stench of death. Oh sweet life, I taste you once again. Strike me down and take my soul. Oh sweet darkness, embrace me.
I am so into dark, brooding, depressed music lately. If it isn't hard pulsing electronic music beating you in the head then all I seem to be interested in is the stuff that makes grey skies welcome.
black, dark, sinister. Strike me down and watch my blood flow. pouring onto the floor, crimson pools filled with the stench of death. Oh sweet life, I taste you once again. Strike me down and take my soul. Oh sweet darkness, embrace me.
Monday, November 12, 2007
why.. a reprise
Stuck in my head.
Time spent, it was a good deal. I don't want or need it, but desire is alive. If I had the opportunity to do so, I couldn't imagine NOT.
I don't think I could, but that doesn't change the fact that I want to try. When does it come to that point where I will finally give up?
Should I give up or should I even bother?
Time spent, it was a good deal. I don't want or need it, but desire is alive. If I had the opportunity to do so, I couldn't imagine NOT.
I don't think I could, but that doesn't change the fact that I want to try. When does it come to that point where I will finally give up?
Should I give up or should I even bother?
Friday, November 9, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Can't win for losing...
So.
A friend on preludeonline.com is selling his amplifier and I pick it up at a really nice deal. It's an older model, but I really like this particular model. Another friend in RL has a 3x10 bandpass box that he has nothing to push it with, so he let's me put it in my Tib.
Tuesday I get the amp and notice that the box is pretty beat up (thanks a lot UPS) but everything looks good. I go home and spend 3 hours in the cold running the wiring back to the hatch and end up screwing up my left rear 6x9 somehow that I have yet to determine. I get everything hooked up. I completely rewire the 3 dual voice coil subs so that I am pulling a 2.67 ohm load. I know that this is going to really be hard on the amp which is only rated for 4 ohms bridged (400 watts) But since I didn't pay much for it at all, I am not worried.
I get everything wired up and hooked up and then I fire the system up and hear nothing from the subs. I open the box back up and try connecting only one voicecoil to test and it still makes no noise. After some fiddling I discover a short in the amp under the power connection. If I nudge the power block just right I can get it to power on and work, but still nothing coming out of the sub.
Last night I disconnect the signal coming form the head unit and hook my iPod directly into the amp and test again, still nothing, so I open the box yet again and begin testing the other voicecoils.....
each sub had only one working voicecoil! I rotate the center sub so that the working coil connections are all at the bottom and I wire it up parallel. This makes the load now 1.33 ohms, I stop and consider running one sub in series to bring it back to a 4 ohm load, but decide that I am not out much at all if thing's go really south... screw it!
I hook it all up and it works! I have to rig it a bit to keep the power from shorting, but success nonetheless!
I hot the road out of respect for my neighbors and get about 2 or 3 miles from home. I'm sitting at a light at Kellog and Rock, headed east. At this point I am listening to "I'm The Supervisor" by Infected Mushroom and it comes to a particularly hard portion of rapid bass beats. As my car vibrates violently I am thinking "holy crap that amp must be getting hammered!" I notice that my headlamps are dimming with the beat, which surprised me for all the power I was pulling, but I suspect at this point the amp was severely overloaded and probably making close to 800 or so watts.
The light turns green and I take off, about half way through the intersection the bass just cuts out. I'm thinking that I probably overheated the amp and it shut off under thermal protection, that or it just shook lose the nice little rig I had going to keep the power flowing.
I pull into the Walmart parking lot and open the hatch and take a look, sure enough the power had just shorted. I get it nudged just so and start to leave, but it cuts out again :(
Now I think I am going to have to de-solder the power connector block and re-solder it to fix that problem. Hopefully that will be sufficient, but I was hoping to have everything working properly before the drive to KC Sunday.
bah.. I also have to get the left rear speaker working as well, it just sounds horrible without it. The sound stage is all screwed up and skewed to the right :(
A friend on preludeonline.com is selling his amplifier and I pick it up at a really nice deal. It's an older model, but I really like this particular model. Another friend in RL has a 3x10 bandpass box that he has nothing to push it with, so he let's me put it in my Tib.
Tuesday I get the amp and notice that the box is pretty beat up (thanks a lot UPS) but everything looks good. I go home and spend 3 hours in the cold running the wiring back to the hatch and end up screwing up my left rear 6x9 somehow that I have yet to determine. I get everything hooked up. I completely rewire the 3 dual voice coil subs so that I am pulling a 2.67 ohm load. I know that this is going to really be hard on the amp which is only rated for 4 ohms bridged (400 watts) But since I didn't pay much for it at all, I am not worried.
I get everything wired up and hooked up and then I fire the system up and hear nothing from the subs. I open the box back up and try connecting only one voicecoil to test and it still makes no noise. After some fiddling I discover a short in the amp under the power connection. If I nudge the power block just right I can get it to power on and work, but still nothing coming out of the sub.
Last night I disconnect the signal coming form the head unit and hook my iPod directly into the amp and test again, still nothing, so I open the box yet again and begin testing the other voicecoils.....
each sub had only one working voicecoil! I rotate the center sub so that the working coil connections are all at the bottom and I wire it up parallel. This makes the load now 1.33 ohms, I stop and consider running one sub in series to bring it back to a 4 ohm load, but decide that I am not out much at all if thing's go really south... screw it!
I hook it all up and it works! I have to rig it a bit to keep the power from shorting, but success nonetheless!
I hot the road out of respect for my neighbors and get about 2 or 3 miles from home. I'm sitting at a light at Kellog and Rock, headed east. At this point I am listening to "I'm The Supervisor" by Infected Mushroom and it comes to a particularly hard portion of rapid bass beats. As my car vibrates violently I am thinking "holy crap that amp must be getting hammered!" I notice that my headlamps are dimming with the beat, which surprised me for all the power I was pulling, but I suspect at this point the amp was severely overloaded and probably making close to 800 or so watts.
The light turns green and I take off, about half way through the intersection the bass just cuts out. I'm thinking that I probably overheated the amp and it shut off under thermal protection, that or it just shook lose the nice little rig I had going to keep the power flowing.
I pull into the Walmart parking lot and open the hatch and take a look, sure enough the power had just shorted. I get it nudged just so and start to leave, but it cuts out again :(
Now I think I am going to have to de-solder the power connector block and re-solder it to fix that problem. Hopefully that will be sufficient, but I was hoping to have everything working properly before the drive to KC Sunday.
bah.. I also have to get the left rear speaker working as well, it just sounds horrible without it. The sound stage is all screwed up and skewed to the right :(
Sunday, November 4, 2007
letting go...
It's funny. Something I have had a hard time letting go of for a very long time, has suddenly just been let go I think.
It feels pretty odd actually. I never imagined that I would just let it go, but I think I have. I know that it could change. my mind is just playing tricks on me or something... I don't know. unless something amazing happens, I don't think it will come back.
It makes me kind of sad really. Part of me WANTED that obsession. Now I don't know what to do about it. so many people know this as a large part of who I am, how can I just drop it?
Maybe I am just coming to my senses and realizing that there is no point in it anyways.
So where do I go from here?
It feels pretty odd actually. I never imagined that I would just let it go, but I think I have. I know that it could change. my mind is just playing tricks on me or something... I don't know. unless something amazing happens, I don't think it will come back.
It makes me kind of sad really. Part of me WANTED that obsession. Now I don't know what to do about it. so many people know this as a large part of who I am, how can I just drop it?
Maybe I am just coming to my senses and realizing that there is no point in it anyways.
So where do I go from here?
Friday, November 2, 2007
IT's HUGE!!
So my friend Lee and I have been hanging out playing pool almost every Thursday evening. Well, this week he brings his sub box with him because he is thinking about possibly parting ways with it. Since i was fortunate enough to get a KILLER deal on an Xtant amp from a friend on preludeonline.com I am in need of something to push with it.
So lee brings this box and I open his truck and take one look and the thing is friggin MASSIVE. It seems much larger than a 3x10 box SHOULD be, even for a bandpass box.
Well, these three 10s are all dual voice coil and apparently this box is supposed to be able to handle 1500 watts (I am pretty sure that is peak, and not RMS) and they have the drives/coils wired up to maintain a 4 ohm load (as far as I can tell) so if I am going to use it I will have to rewire for a 2 ohm load (otherwise this amp will only push 200 watts, and I think that would be a bit anemic)
But I am pretty excited to get it hooked up because I already have pretty decent low end coming from the stock 6x9s in the back and 6 1/2s in the doors. I am pretty sure I won't want this box though because I am looking for something tighter than a bandpass box can provide. That's why I am looking for 10s to begin with. If all I wanted was deep, hard, loud lows then I would get some 12s or 15s.
At any rate, this box almost entirely fills my hatch up. I can barely fit my backpack in and I have no place for my tripod to rest comfortably either... but DANG it looks good back there with the mirror and chromed baskets! woot.
So lee brings this box and I open his truck and take one look and the thing is friggin MASSIVE. It seems much larger than a 3x10 box SHOULD be, even for a bandpass box.
Well, these three 10s are all dual voice coil and apparently this box is supposed to be able to handle 1500 watts (I am pretty sure that is peak, and not RMS) and they have the drives/coils wired up to maintain a 4 ohm load (as far as I can tell) so if I am going to use it I will have to rewire for a 2 ohm load (otherwise this amp will only push 200 watts, and I think that would be a bit anemic)
But I am pretty excited to get it hooked up because I already have pretty decent low end coming from the stock 6x9s in the back and 6 1/2s in the doors. I am pretty sure I won't want this box though because I am looking for something tighter than a bandpass box can provide. That's why I am looking for 10s to begin with. If all I wanted was deep, hard, loud lows then I would get some 12s or 15s.
At any rate, this box almost entirely fills my hatch up. I can barely fit my backpack in and I have no place for my tripod to rest comfortably either... but DANG it looks good back there with the mirror and chromed baskets! woot.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
creative juice
So, I finally hopped on the bandwagon and partook of requiem for a dream. I remember when Justin told me about it back in 2000, I wanted to see it then and just never did. Well, the other night I was at walmart and they had requiem for a dream and π bundled together for only $15 so I had to.
Well, yet again a film has proven to be an inspiration, this time the specific storyline provoked a deeper sense of inspiration in me for a storyline, rather than just a general inspiration to write something.
So a few minutes ago I messaged hunz and asked for permission to use some of his older music. His stuff has always evoked mental pictures and I can almost always imagine a basic storyline coming out of it. I believe that with the inspiration I gained watching <span style="font-weight:bold;">Requiem for a dream and from hunz's music will make a big difference.
Now you all just need to get together for my birthday and get me a RED ONE! If needed I can give you the configuration I wanted. It's a very very reasonable 44 thousand
Well, yet again a film has proven to be an inspiration, this time the specific storyline provoked a deeper sense of inspiration in me for a storyline, rather than just a general inspiration to write something.
So a few minutes ago I messaged hunz and asked for permission to use some of his older music. His stuff has always evoked mental pictures and I can almost always imagine a basic storyline coming out of it. I believe that with the inspiration I gained watching <span style="font-weight:bold;">Requiem for a dream and from hunz's music will make a big difference.
Now you all just need to get together for my birthday and get me a RED ONE! If needed I can give you the configuration I wanted. It's a very very reasonable 44 thousand
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
so much for...
...everything. It amazes me how quickly things can change. Introspect turns to cynicism, self control turns to self loathing.
I must stand, despite the want to lie down and give up. But why do I want to give up?
I've found my musical taste changing lately. It is hard to describe. It's not just because Em has been introducing so much good music to me. I am sure that plays a part for sure, but I am starting to really not care what song is playing. I have my favorites and the songs I really enjoy just hearing, but I have been shuffling for a couple days now and I am currently on track 279 out of 9570 (I haven't added the 5 or 6 CDs I just ripped to my library yet)The Killing Moon by Echo & The Bunnymen off of the Donnie Darko soundtrack.
Now, a couple years ago I would have probably not really been interested in this particular track because I have always been less of a fan of the 80s music. Lately though I have found myself really into it. I suppose everything comes full circle though. One of my favorite new bands that I just discovered is the Polysics, a japanese new wave/punk group. Yeah, sounds like an interesting combination eh? I dig them and I am already going to see them live. I'm jazzed.
I must stand, despite the want to lie down and give up. But why do I want to give up?
I've found my musical taste changing lately. It is hard to describe. It's not just because Em has been introducing so much good music to me. I am sure that plays a part for sure, but I am starting to really not care what song is playing. I have my favorites and the songs I really enjoy just hearing, but I have been shuffling for a couple days now and I am currently on track 279 out of 9570 (I haven't added the 5 or 6 CDs I just ripped to my library yet)The Killing Moon by Echo & The Bunnymen off of the Donnie Darko soundtrack.
Now, a couple years ago I would have probably not really been interested in this particular track because I have always been less of a fan of the 80s music. Lately though I have found myself really into it. I suppose everything comes full circle though. One of my favorite new bands that I just discovered is the Polysics, a japanese new wave/punk group. Yeah, sounds like an interesting combination eh? I dig them and I am already going to see them live. I'm jazzed.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
A sad thing, really...
So i get this voice mail today informing me that my landlord, who is already kicking me to the curb after living in this apartment for like darn near 4 years, is breaking into my place and throwing everything out!
For those not in the know, I JUST got my new place yesterday, literally. Now if you scroll down and look at the post where I announce that I am getting kicked to the curb, you will realize that it has not been 30 days since I got my notice. Furthermore, Kansas state law prohibits a landlord from entering a property without notifying the tenant first and setting up an acceptable time. Beyond this, in order to a landlord in the state of Kansas to "toss yer shit out" they have to follow proper eviction protocols.
The ONLY legal way to evict a tenant in the state of Kansas is to first, file an eviction with the court, then, after the set waiting period, you must appear in court, at which time the tenant has so many days to get their stuff out before the landlord comes back with the sheriff. It is ONLY at this point that the landlord can come in and do something with your belongings.
Fortunately I think he was merely trying to blow smoke up my skirt, because when I FINALLY got off the phone tonight at darn near 8 o'clock, and got back to the apartment, I found absolutely nothing out of place. So now, I have almost everything I own packed into my car, my tiny little sport compact coupe Tiburon...
Other than my furniture, I think I have just about everything. There are some computers over there still, servers and my macs, I did leave my paintball marker there because I just couldn't fit it in safely. Other than that, I should be able to get everything that is left in one truck load...
It feels good to have not much I think. For so long my life was burdened down by owning so much crap! I remember when we moved to PA, we had so much stuff that it barely fit int he u-haul, moving back we had so much crap that we filled a third of a semi truck, and then a minivan... AND we left stuff there!!! Now, here I am, sitting in a small car, I can still see out the back even, and this represents the majority of my non-furniture possessions.
Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more?
For those not in the know, I JUST got my new place yesterday, literally. Now if you scroll down and look at the post where I announce that I am getting kicked to the curb, you will realize that it has not been 30 days since I got my notice. Furthermore, Kansas state law prohibits a landlord from entering a property without notifying the tenant first and setting up an acceptable time. Beyond this, in order to a landlord in the state of Kansas to "toss yer shit out" they have to follow proper eviction protocols.
The ONLY legal way to evict a tenant in the state of Kansas is to first, file an eviction with the court, then, after the set waiting period, you must appear in court, at which time the tenant has so many days to get their stuff out before the landlord comes back with the sheriff. It is ONLY at this point that the landlord can come in and do something with your belongings.
Fortunately I think he was merely trying to blow smoke up my skirt, because when I FINALLY got off the phone tonight at darn near 8 o'clock, and got back to the apartment, I found absolutely nothing out of place. So now, I have almost everything I own packed into my car, my tiny little sport compact coupe Tiburon...
Other than my furniture, I think I have just about everything. There are some computers over there still, servers and my macs, I did leave my paintball marker there because I just couldn't fit it in safely. Other than that, I should be able to get everything that is left in one truck load...
It feels good to have not much I think. For so long my life was burdened down by owning so much crap! I remember when we moved to PA, we had so much stuff that it barely fit int he u-haul, moving back we had so much crap that we filled a third of a semi truck, and then a minivan... AND we left stuff there!!! Now, here I am, sitting in a small car, I can still see out the back even, and this represents the majority of my non-furniture possessions.
Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
awesome-ness!!
So apparently I have been in the dark or under a freakin rock or something.... I was totally caught unaware when Em informed me about the movie Across The Universe, which is a musical set to nothing but music from The Beatles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111one one
Yes, that does really excite me that much. And on top of it all, it looks like the storyline is going to be a really good one to boot. I think I could be just fine with a worthless storyline, so long as there is a sh*t ton of music from The Beatles.
I also read someplace while I was searching for information about the movie, that they tried to use some of the more obscure stuff from The Beatles. This means that the entire movie is going to be a wonderful trip through music that isn't just what everyone knows! I will get to exercise my brain, calling the album and track name on these more obscure songs... I think this will be an amazingly awesome experience.
All my little plans and schemes, lost like some forgotten dreams.
Yes, that does really excite me that much. And on top of it all, it looks like the storyline is going to be a really good one to boot. I think I could be just fine with a worthless storyline, so long as there is a sh*t ton of music from The Beatles.
I also read someplace while I was searching for information about the movie, that they tried to use some of the more obscure stuff from The Beatles. This means that the entire movie is going to be a wonderful trip through music that isn't just what everyone knows! I will get to exercise my brain, calling the album and track name on these more obscure songs... I think this will be an amazingly awesome experience.
All my little plans and schemes, lost like some forgotten dreams.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Something clicked tonight.
I think I have finally found that sweet spot for my clutch. All evening I have been shifting beautifully and it is very enjoyable.
I do however desire more power. I think that part of the problems I have with actually accelerating at a decent speed (as opposed to taking off like a rocket) is that my engine lacks enough low end torque to ease into the clutch without being really precise. There seems to be a very tight sweet spot where the clutch engages and the throttle is just enough that you take off smoothly, but it is quite a quick take off, not that I mind, I just would like to avoid a cop pulling me over for it.
At any rate, there is a guy who builds a bolt on super charger kit for the V6 Tib. If I am ever in a position financially where I can afford one,i think I am going to go for it. They are showing that the straight kit, no other mods is putting around 200 horses on the ground, and add to that Intake, Header and a decent Exhaust, and you are looking at 250 WHP. I think that would be plenty sufficient for me. Just enough power to be fast, but not so much that I end up killing myself or going to jail :)
Of course, after that I would want the CF hood, a small drop and high performance suspension, maybe some rims with wider rubber.
Of course at some point along the line I have to grab a couple 10 inch subs and and amp, as well as some decent coaxes for the rear and a nice high quality component set for the front...
ahh dreams. Maybe if I win the lotto eh?
I never said WHY I felt bad... it wasn't for the obvious reasons... It's actually pretty convoluted.
I do however desire more power. I think that part of the problems I have with actually accelerating at a decent speed (as opposed to taking off like a rocket) is that my engine lacks enough low end torque to ease into the clutch without being really precise. There seems to be a very tight sweet spot where the clutch engages and the throttle is just enough that you take off smoothly, but it is quite a quick take off, not that I mind, I just would like to avoid a cop pulling me over for it.
At any rate, there is a guy who builds a bolt on super charger kit for the V6 Tib. If I am ever in a position financially where I can afford one,i think I am going to go for it. They are showing that the straight kit, no other mods is putting around 200 horses on the ground, and add to that Intake, Header and a decent Exhaust, and you are looking at 250 WHP. I think that would be plenty sufficient for me. Just enough power to be fast, but not so much that I end up killing myself or going to jail :)
Of course, after that I would want the CF hood, a small drop and high performance suspension, maybe some rims with wider rubber.
Of course at some point along the line I have to grab a couple 10 inch subs and and amp, as well as some decent coaxes for the rear and a nice high quality component set for the front...
ahh dreams. Maybe if I win the lotto eh?
I never said WHY I felt bad... it wasn't for the obvious reasons... It's actually pretty convoluted.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
oh hellz yes!
Nissan announced the New GT-R site today. If any Japanese car was more badass than the Nissan GT-R, then the world would probably collapse under the sheer weight of awesome-ness!
Seriously!
Now, I have my reservations about the current G35 based GT-R, since they moved away from the RB series straight six engine that was, quite simply, legendary. The new GT-R will have a turbo charged 3.8 liter V6, based on the 3.5 liter V6 in the 350Z and G35.
The VG35 has proven to be a very good engine, with a lot of potential, I just have a soft spot for the RB series and the concept of a straight 6. I am sure this will be every bit an enormously awesome car, I just have to reserve judgment until we see the pudding.
Style-wise, i have always preferred the R34 skyline over the G35. between the G35 and the 350Z, I prefer the 350, so the looks are probably the only location where I was worried. Based on the prototype however, I think they have managed to make the G35 a bit sexier and meaner looking to satisfy me.
Now, if only I had the 70k that it will street for here in the US...
Seriously!
Now, I have my reservations about the current G35 based GT-R, since they moved away from the RB series straight six engine that was, quite simply, legendary. The new GT-R will have a turbo charged 3.8 liter V6, based on the 3.5 liter V6 in the 350Z and G35.
The VG35 has proven to be a very good engine, with a lot of potential, I just have a soft spot for the RB series and the concept of a straight 6. I am sure this will be every bit an enormously awesome car, I just have to reserve judgment until we see the pudding.
Style-wise, i have always preferred the R34 skyline over the G35. between the G35 and the 350Z, I prefer the 350, so the looks are probably the only location where I was worried. Based on the prototype however, I think they have managed to make the G35 a bit sexier and meaner looking to satisfy me.
Now, if only I had the 70k that it will street for here in the US...
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
So, not such a great idea as once was thought...
Just to let you know, making up for the lameness of spending a 21st birthday watching the season primer of Heroes by creating a drinking game where you drink every time someone int he show says the words "hero" (or "Hiro"), "Special", or "Destiny"....??
Not such a hot idea....
Kevin called in today with a "head cold".... Jen was just shaking her head because she KNOWS... lol
Not such a hot idea....
Kevin called in today with a "head cold".... Jen was just shaking her head because she KNOWS... lol
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
