smkranz

On Christmas night, I finally broke open the bottle of Sam Adams Utopias I had bought several months ago. A friend stopped by with an (unexpected) gift of a Crown Royal set (bottle and two glasses), and a bottle of wine. So to return the favor, I went down and retrieved the $115 bottle of Utopias (2005) which I had been saving for...I'm not sure when, but always afraid of physical harm from the Spousal Unit when she found out what I paid for it. I figured on Christmas night, in the presence of company, I'd be safe. Plus by then, we had already killed half the bottle of Crown. In light of the circumstances, her reaction to the Utopias was mild in comparison with some of my other expenditures. It is drunk as a cordial rather than as a beer, so at $4.80 per ounce it doesn't sound as bad as "a $115 bottle of BEER?!?!" But in addition to the contents, it is one fine-looking bottle, in the shape of a brewing kettle complete with copper-cladding. Utopias is billed as the world's strongest beer...25% ABV. It is non-carbonated, and brewed with special high-alcohol yeasts including a strain of Champagne yeast. It has a subtle maple syrup component which comes through nicely. More like a brandy than beer. We each had a little bit, maybe an ounce or two. It'll come out again on New Years Day, when a couple of other friends come over to brew our first batches of homebrew for 2006.

Thanks, but after all is said and done, I think I'm happier with the new router anyway. It only cost $55 after rebate (vs. $35 for the connector, which I am sending back to Nintendo for a refund). I don't have to have the USB connector's software running on my computer (it's already gone), and don't have to worry about keeping the computer turned on. Plus we can expand with other wireless toys as they come along...might try getting a Palm Wi-Fi card for my T5 just to see how much more trouble I can get into with the Spousal Unit.

End of the story... We started off with the Wi-Fi USB Connector from Nintendo on Christmas day. Bad sign right from the get-go when the software wouldn't install...then the kid noticed that the CD-ROM is cracked. Found and downloaded the software. Software installed fine, and said that the USB Connector was working, but the Nintendo DS couldn't connect with it...related to the comuter's address or something. I'd read about issues with wired networks, firewalls, "bridges" (whatever that is), so played with a variety of Windows security settings, router settings, with no joy. So I read something at Nintendo about changing the router's address to xxxx...whatever. Tried a couple of times, changed some other setting, and it said OK if you really want to do this. Bottom line, f-ed up the router to where I couldn't get back into it. So the Wi-Fi USB Connector is going back. Visit to the store, bought a wireless Linksys router after first checking with the compatibility list at Nintendo. Installed fine, and the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi games seem to be working also. He's having a blast playing Mario Kart DS with people around the globe.

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Pittsburgh Symphony Brass A Christmas Concert (Bought for my middle son the trumpeter, on the recommendation of my oldest, a conservatory student. Couldn't find it in a store in time for Christmas, so had to purchase/download and burn on iTunes. But damn, 29 tunes for $9.99.)

There is merit to what you say. I'm probably a beer snob, but at the Ravens/Packers MNF game I paid $7 for a plastic bottle of Coors Light ('cuz I was too lazy to trudge down 29 rows to go look for something better). I was freezing but wanted a beer...any beer. The beer was cold, and it tasted enough like beer that I actually enjoyed it. It's all a matter of context.

Funny, ain't it, that our government(s) entrust the safety and security of the world to 18 and 19 year-olds, and send them all over the world with automatic rifles and bazillion-dollar weapons systems, but don't let them to have a legal beer until they're 21. I guess they want those kids to be able to shoot straight . When I was in school in New Orleans, the legal drinking age there was still 18 or 19 and the campus Pub actually served Dixie beer in bottles. But the pressure was on from the Feds to up the drinking age to 21 or risk losing federal highway funds. Louisiana was one of the last hold-outs, but even they eventually caved. Richyhu mentioned Boddington's. Another good'un, for sure, but I don't think I've ever had it on draught. Maybe some places have it, but here in the states, it can be commonly found in cans with the little nitrogen widget inside for that pub-like pour. Damn! So many beers...so little time.

Only current shows I watch are: Monk and House M.D.

*smack* Hats off to the Spousal Unit who made the lunch I just finished...a terrific olive loaf & swiss sandwich on rye, garnished with Gulden's Spicy Brown mustard. But alas, as Kurisu noted elsewhere, we're having a winter weather event here in Maryland (ice) and if I don't get out of here now, it'll be curtains.

I love good beers from around the world. But I must also say that right now, the American micro-brewery scene is the best it has ever been. The variety of beer styles, and the quality, that is available now either at the brewpub or on store shelves, is just beyond compare. With that, I'll start the topic off with a list of my favorites: Favorite every-day beer (other than my own homebrew): Clipper City Gold (Baltimore, Maryland). Call me a "homer", but this beer is IMHO one of the finest beers of its style (American Pale Ale). Favorite winter beer: Delirium Tremens (Belgium). This beer just sends me... Favorite winter beers (US): Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale...followed at close second by Pursuit of Happiness from Clay Pipe Brewing Co (Maryland) Favorite beer to pound at a bar: Guinness Draught. An easy beer to pound because it's soooo smooth, and fairly light on alcohol. Plus, it's really cool to watch that cascading head after you've had a couple of them. Favorite Pilseners: Pilsner Urquell (Czech Republic) - (what an outstanding beer...), Warsteiner (Deutschland), or Prima Pils (Victory Brewing Co. - US) Favorite underdog beer: Czechvar (Budvar - the original Budweiser). Fighting off Anheuser-Busch in every court on the globe for the right to use its own name. Darn good beer, too (look for it as Czechvar here in the U.S.). Favorite beer I hate to love: Dixie Lager - Dixie Brewing Co., New Orleans. I lived in New Orleans for 10 years and got to drinking Dixie primarily because it was brewed there and I liked the name and logo...at the time, they had a Confederate battle flag in the middle of the label. For marketing purposes, they ditched the flag and went with a generic "D". Dixie has seen moderate success with its other beers (Blackened Voodoo, Crimson Voodoo...), but they rarely make it outside of Louisiana markets. For years (decades?), the brewery has been a marginal operation putting out a marginal flagship beer, but I still drink it when I can for old-time's sake. God knows what the hurricane did to the business. Favorite beer I love to hate: Budweiser. I hand it to them for putting out a remarkably clean (but tasteless) and consistent (but tasteless) product, and for their marketing ability to convince Americans that Budweiser is what they want to be drinking. And I despise A-B for its world-wide crusade against the Czech brewer of the original Budweiser (Budvar)...which is happily available in the U.S. as Czechvar. Try it...you'll like it. Favorite movie about beer: Strange Brew. No pretense, just stupid and funny. Still makes me laugh after watching it 50 times...certain to drive the kids out of the living room every time. Favorite web site about beer: http://users.adelphia.net/~smkranz/index.htm

Bach Strad C 180 trumpet in "gold brass" with 229 bell and 25H pipe. For my second college-bound musician. The first one is getting a new 60G iPod (he does have a MD recorder but only uses that for self-recording, not listening). Youngest is still into video games, so he'll wind up with a bunch of Nintendo DS and Game Cube stuff. Then within a coupla months, he will "beat" them all and take them to GameStop to trade them in for something else.

Volta, am wondering if the Belgian ales available in the States are the same as those sold locally? There is hardly a Belgian ale I've had that I didn't like, though I don't care much for lambics. I make my own killer Chimay Red clone brew which, come to think of it, is time to brew again. That's what I'll do on New Years Day. I'd love to be taking a beer tour of Belgium instead, but brewing at home is a close second, and a lot cheaper.

I can't recommend it strongly enough. The family especially appreciates my keen observations and constructive criticism made with the benefit of 2-3 pints of my favorite holiday-drinking ale, Delirium Tremens from Belgium.

We're painting & re-arranging the living room. I *hate* painting, so I'm doing a lot of beer-enhanced supervising. Rearranging the furniture calls for re-wiring the surround speakers which will also be in new locations. This time, instead of using those plastic wire channel thingys all over the perimeter of the room to conceal those big-mother Monster speaker wires, I'm drilling...down through the floor, across the laundry room in the basement, and back up on the other side of the living room. Shlepping up to NYC next week to get Kid #1 from school for winter break. Getting Kid #2 ready for his college music audition tour which will run from Mid-January to early March. Speaking of travel to NYC, since Kid #1 has been going to school there, he has discovered the best & cheapest transportation mode going...the Chinatown Bus. That's a generic term for one of several "independent" bus services that go between major US city Chinatowns...Boston, NY, Philly. Baltimore doesn't have a Chinatown, so they use the Baltimore Travel Plaza in lovely downtown Dundalk right off I-95. Round trip (yes, both ways) between NYC and Baltimore is $35, one-way is $20. Take a look at www.apexbus.com to see if they go your way. Man, I can spend that much money just thinking about it...what a bargain.

Both parents are German, emigrated to the US shortly after WWII. Dad was in the Wehrmacht briefly (at age 17 or 18). At war's end, his unit was ordered to surrender to the Russians (in Italy, I think). Thinking (rightfully) that was a bad option, he and a buddy slipped away and made their way back home, where they surrendered to the Americans. Got married, and a coupla years later, they emigrated to the States. I was born/raised in Philly. Went to New Orleans to go to law school, married, lived there for 10 years, had kids there, before moving to Maryland 15 years ago. I've regretted leaving New Orleans on and off over the years (like the song lyrics, "do you know what it means to miss New Orleans"), until recently (here comes the rant...) What's going on there now breaks my heart . Some of our friends are still in a bad way, but thankfully they are all accounted for. The only silver lining is that all of New Orleans' criminals are now gone, evacuated to other parts...Houston comes to mind, bless their hearts...and likely never to return. Both Louisiana Governor Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Nagin are inept "tools". The most annoying thing to me, living here in Maryland, is that they share a common trait with Baltimore's Mayor Martin O'Malley: blame the Republican...any Republican. Rant over (with apologies). Cool thread.

Yes, it has to be set to Pause-Rec first, then go into menu to select Manual rec. level. Level can then be changed while recording. However, it seems to me that for something like fading selections in and out you would be much better off just finding the optimal setting for whatever you are recording, and leaving it alone. Trying to fade in and out on the recorder by constantly messing with the settings is not only imprecise (you will get uneven results), but you will risk botching a recording, particularly if it's something you are recording live that you won't have a second chance at. Upload the tracks, convert to .wav and edit the tracks with fades on your computer. There are free audio editors in the Download section. Personally, I use Nero's (not free) Wave Editor utility and it works great for precisely what you are talking about. I'm certain the others do as well.

Thanks for everyone's input. I dunno about 802.11b standard , but the info on the Nintendo USB Wi-Fi adapter says it *only* works with the Nintendo DS, and its software requires WinXP, which would likely preclude using it on the kids' Win98 machine. Does that mean it probably uses some other standard? Guess that also means it probably won't work with any other USB adapter. Still wondering, though...would I likely be able to use a USB extension cable to move the reception point out of the basement. I've read such extension cables are limited to 15 ft. which would be more than enough. Does that introduce any signal degradation? I'm probably going to take the high road...buying both the stupid adapter, *and* a compatible wireless router. That way, at least one of them should get him connected on Christmas day, and I'll return which ever one I don't need.

Syrius, big thanks, I was unaware that wireless routers had the same ethernet ports my current wired router has...all I would have had to do was look to figger that out. Probly the way to go.

Since many MDCF members are obviously on the cutting edge of computing and consumer electronics, I'd love anyone's feedback on Nintendo's new Wi-Fi USB Connector for use with the Nintendo DS. One of the kiddies wants to play his Nintendo DS on Nintendo's new (and free) Wi-Fi gaming service, which allows users to play wirelessly against opponents across the globe. The DS itself has built-in wireless capabilities, which allows gamers to play wirelessly against each other in close proximity. Using the new system to play against global opponents requires either a compatible hotspot (apparently all McDonalds restaurants have signed on...what marketing genius) -OR- a wireless router (i.e. a wireless network), -OR- Nintendo's Wi-Fi USB Connector which creates a Wi-Fi hotspot on a PC without a wireless network...as well as a broadband connection and Wi-Fi enabled games (only two available now, several others planned for release soon). My home network is wired vs. wireless, and includes a WinXP, a Win98 and a Win95 computer. It works, and I don't want to spend the money or aggravation to move to a wireless network just so the kid can play this game. So, the Wi-Fi USB Connector seems to be the way to go: http://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs/store...rencyPreference Any thoughts on these specific questions would be great: Users experiences and reviews?The only XP computer in the home is in my basement office. The thing is said to work at a range of approx. 10 meters. I'm concerned this would limit gameplay to the basement or first floor. Is it feasible to add a USB extension cable so I can poke the thing through the floor to an inconspicuous corner of the first floor? I understand USB extensions can run up to 15 feet...is this correct?Just out of curiosity, is is feasible to create a Wi-Fi hotspot by connecting a wireless router to one of the vacant ports on my existing wired router, without having to re-do the whole network? That way, he could connect through the router and not through my PC, and I wouldn't have to install the required software on my PC and keep it running constantly.

It doesn't get any more Christmas than the German carol Es Ist Ein Ros' Ensprungen. It's a tune I heard in a variety of my dad's old reel-to-reel recordings while growing up...either as a majestical organ piece, a full choir, or by the Vienna Boys' Choir. My German has long since vacated the premises (I just *didn't*pay*attention*), but I recently came across a site with the German and English lyrics: http://home.att.net/~yorkrose02/lohowaroseeerblooming.html : The melody of this fifteenth century German carol comes from Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesang, a collection of hymns published in 1599. Harmony was added by Michael Praetorius in 1609. The author of the lyrics is lost to antiquity. The first two stanzas were translated by Theodore Baker in 1894. Stanzas three and four were translated by Harriet Reynolds Krauth shortly after. Es ist ein Ros' ensprungen, Aus einer Wurzel zart, Wie uns die Alten sungen, Von Jesse kam die Art, Und hat ein Blumlein bracht Mit Mitten im kalten Winter Wohl zu der halben Nacht. Das Roslein, das ich meine, Davon Jesaias sagt, Ist Maria die Reine Uns das Blumlein bracht. Aus Gottes ew'gen Rat Hat sie ein Kind geboren Und blieb ein' reine Magd. Das Blumelein, so kleine, Das duftet uns so suss, Mit seinem hellen Scheine Vertreibt's die Finsternis. Wahr' Mensch und wahrer Gott, Hilft uns aus allen Leiden, Rettet von Sund und Tod. O Jesu, bis zum Scheiden Aus diesem Jammertal Lass Dein hilf uns geleiten Hin in der Freudensaal, In Deines Vaters Reich, Da wir Dich ewig loben. O Gott, uns das verleih. Translation: Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming, As men of old have sung. It came, a floweret bright, Amid the cold of winter When half spent was the night. Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind. With Mary we behold it, The Virgin Mother kind. To show God's love aright, She bore to us a Savior When half spent was the night. The shepherds heard the story Proclaimed by angels bright. How Christ, the Lord of glory, Was born on earth this night. To Bethlehem they sped And in the manger found Him, As angel heralds said. This Flower, whose fragrance tender With sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor The darkness everywhere; True man, yet very God, From sin and death He saves us And lightens every load.

The Christmas season calls for the Christmas collection. Here are my top 10 (not in order) among those in my MD right now...a little old, and a little new: Emmylou Harris: "Light of the Stable"Ray Conniff: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (our family's Christmas morning tradition)The King's Singers & Kiri Te Kanawa: "A Little Christmas Music"Vienna Boys' Choir: "Christmas With The Vienna Boys' Choir"Patty Loveless: "Bluegrass & White Snow - A Mountain Christmas"Riders In The Sky: "Christmas The Cowboy Way"Canadian Brass: "The Christmas Album"Bing Crosby: "Bing Crosby Sings Christmas Songs" (what can I say...I am my father's son)Harry Connick: "When My Heart Finds Christmas"Ricky Skaggs: "A Skaggs Family Christmas" - a brand new releaseBenny Grunch & The Bunch: "The 12 Yats of Christmas" (a local New Orleans comedy album)Yah, that makes 11 ...oh well. Merry Christmas to all.

Good evening. The past couple of recordings I've made while using MZ-NH900 / RM-MC40ELK remote combination, I noticed some background noise that I didn't hear before. Am wondering if it's from the remote...I don't recall reading this criticizm or I probably wouldn't have plunked down 70-some bucks for it. Then, of course, I make it worse when I boost the volume when editing the tracks to burn to CD...I could try to filter it out but that's a different issue... One reason I like using the remote when I record (where I'm not supposed to be recording), in addition to being able to see recording levels and such in the dark, is that I can add track marks manually on the remote by using the P-mode button, and still keep the MD unit in a pocket. Does the non-LCD remote that comes with the US version of the RH90 have a similar capability, i.e. to add track marks without having to pause the recorder?

Yep, the PX100 do sound great and are very comfy to wear for extended periods. But because of their open design (they let in a lot of ambient noise) and low efficiency (they don't get particularly loud), if you are in a relatively noisy environment you can find yourself turning the volume way up and still not hearing your tunes the way you'd like. I've never tried the PX200s. But, for my own comparison purposes, I'm sitting here in my quiet home office. I'm listening to Down The Old Plank Road - The Nashville Sessions (The Chieftains with various bluegrass and country artists). With the PX100s I need to drive them at about 20/30. Same music with my Shure E3c's and I need to ramp the volume down to about 11/30 for approximately the same comfortable listening level. And that's with no ambient noise. I still have and use the PX100s, but for train, bus or air travel (or if I want to zero out all other noise around here including the telephone and, occasionally, the Spousal Unit ) I plug in the Shures and nothing else gets through.

More fallout for the Sony/BMG artists was brought to light by a UK-based PC web site which reports: Get Right with the Man by Van Zant is currently wallowing under a one-and-half star rating on Amazon.com, based purely on negative user reviews of the copy-protection technology. Here it is...160 reviews and 1.5 stars: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=music&n=507846 I guess Van Zant is bearing the brunt of the negative feedback because their CD was specifically named. Isn't that what the Brits would call "hard cheese"? And for the heck of it, here is Amazon's definition of copy-protected CDs, which makes no mention of malicious software installing onto your computer and reporting back to Sony what disc you are playing, and what computer it is playing on: Content/ Copy-Protected CD This product limits your ability to make multiple digital copies of its content, and you will not be able to play this disc or make copies onto devices not listed as compatible. Content/ copy protected CDs should allow limited burning, as well as ripping into secure Windows Media Audio formats for playback with most compatible media players and portable devices. In rare cases, these CDs may not be compatible with computer CD-ROM players, DVD players, game consoles, or car CD stereos, and often are not transferable to other formats like MP3. So, for grins I just sent Amazon the following from the Suggestion Box at the bottom of the CD's listing: Amazon.com's definition of Content/ Copy-Protected CD is incomplete to the point of being potentially hazardous to millions of PC users, particularly as it relates to releases by Sony BMG and the numerous labels it owns. In light of the revelations made by Mark Russinovich in his most recent report: http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/11/m...decloaking.html I believe that the copy protection scheme employed by Sony BMG, which surreptitiously installs harmful software on user's computers without full disclosure of its actions, is dangerous and might well violate the laws of many states and countries as they pertain to computer abuse. As such, I would ask Amazon.com to make a determination of whether these Sony BMG CDs violate Amazon.com's policy against "illegal items". Naturally, the reply page indicates that they cannot respond individually to my suggestion. But I'm just feeling a tad bit better.

Greetings, I have 6 (three pair) of Shure's Small sized soft flex sleeves (gray), Shure Item # is PA758S, which I would like to trade for new & unused yellow foamies for my E3c canalphones. These will fit the Shure E1, E3 and E5 phones. Equal number for equal number, i.e. if you only have a pair to spare, I'll trade a pair of mine, etc. These are new, and UNUSED. I bought a pack of 10 of these thinking I liked them best, but now I'm in my "yellow foamie phase" and for the moment at least, I'm liking the foamies better. Please either PM or email smkranz@adelphia.net if interested.