Belated

Hey, it's been hectic this past week, so I was unable to post anything.

I've been listening to Madonna's new album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, non-stop since I've got it. It's brilliant, and I recommend everyone going out to pick up a copy. My favorite song changes every time I listen to the album, but I am addicted to "Get Together" right at this moment.

I also went to see Rent the movie on opening day. It was O.K., I think the standout performances was from Idina Menzel (as Maureen), and Rosario Dawson (as Mimi). Idina has a lot of charisma, and you just want to watch her character to see what she will do or say next. And Rosario, though the weakest singer of the bunch (since she didn't have the previous experience of doing the show on Broadway), is alluring as a smack stricken "Go-Go" dancer with AIDS. I think the worst part of the movie was Adam Pascal's (Rodger) hair. There were many times in the movie where he looks or sounds like Jon Bon Jovi (or worse, both at the same time, as in the scene where he's in the Santa Fe desert! My sister and I started giggling all through that scene, as with a few other members of the audience). Not as good as Chicago as a movie musical in my opinion, but worth a watch anyway. (Note, however, that I had to break my Sony boycott mentioned earlier to see this movie!)

Also, happy belated Thanksgiving! I hope you all have gotten your fill of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. I know I gained at least two pounds.

And how was "Black Friday" for you all? I missed most of it, due to having to work on the day after, but I was still able to pick up some good deals from Fry's electronics store. I now have a cheap PDA to replace my old hand written day planner (though it's not as spiffy as Brenda's, since it doesn't have quite as many functions, but it has a calendar, which is mostly what I was looking for). I also got a new 26" LCD TV to replace my old 21" CRT TV that I received on a birthday many years ago. I also got a crapload of CDs from Tower records. I think I probably spent about $1000 in all. I've got to stop spending though. I'm turning into my mother!

At least I'm still busy teaching classes to my co-workers for this new software that we are implementing at my workplace. I'll need the overtime money, that's for sure! At least I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping, so I don't have to venture out to the malls too much!

Shame on you, Sony!

I have always been a vocal opponent of DRM (Digital Rights Management, a.k.a. copy-protected) CDs. I knew from the beginning that to make DRM CDs, the CD had to have some way of keeping your computer from reading the track information off of the CD, and this usually involved a software on the CD of some sort.

Now we learn that many of the different DRM software from various companies that Sony uses do indeed install software, many without our knowledge, even if we do reject installing the software onto our computers. At the minimum, these kept you from listening to any CDs, labeled and unlabeled, as DRM copy-protected. At worst is the whole fiasco now of the software creating "hidden" files, which is now being exploited by viruses, spy-ware, ad-ware, and trojans. What this means is that if you decide to play Ricky Martin's "Life" CD on your computer, you could be opening it up to any attack by malicious software that can do anything from corrupt your computer so that it runs slow, to tracking all of your key strokes that you make (so evil-doers can find your online banking accounts and passwords for example).

And the fixes that Sony has given up has now been shown to cause even more loopholes in the system, because many of the patches that Sony is trying to supply come from the original manufacturers of the DRM technology, and as such, may be full of loopholes.

My advice: do not buy any CD that is clearly labeled "Copy Protected," and if you pop in a CD that wants to try to install a program on your computer, eject it immediately, and return to the place of purchase (better to be safe than sorry).

Sony even admits to wrongdoing, and is now recalling all unsold affected disks (which it clams is around 20 titles, but is proving to be more like 45 titles). They are working on a plan to exchange faulty disks with new pressings on non-copy protected disks.

I was of the opinion that DRM does not do squat at all to curb illegal copying. Since different regions of the world are receiving different batches of CDs, and usually one person out there is able to beat the protection schemes. This person will place the files on the internet, and those who are frustrated about not being able to rip their music onto their iPods will end up searching for and downloading the songs illegally anyway. Thus Sony and company are shooting themselves in the foot anyway.

Here are some links to read up on the current state of Sony and their DRM PR disaster.

PC Pro
EFF Homepage
Freedom to Tinker blog

And for a full list of affected CDs, visit idiotabroad.com.

I would also recommend boycotting Sony and Co. (this should include Sony Productions, in charge of movies, and items like the upcoming Sony PS3)for doing this to the consumers, many without them knowing what has happened to their computers, and why their bank accounts and private information is suddenly revealed. And if you played any Sony CDs on your work computers, they might be affected too now, and sensitive business documents may be vulnerable. Buyer beware!

Time goes by so slowly...

Only less than 20 hours to go until I get my copy of Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor!

As long as we are confessing, I confess that I did hear the full radio version of the first single, "Hung Up" three days before it was oficially released to radio. However, I have been a good boy and have waited until the album is released before I hear any of the other tracks. It was hard because my sister had already heard the whole album that she "downloaded" from some message board somewhere. And then there was "The Leak" on MTV.com (I did listen to the full album version of "Hung Up," but I stopped listening when it got back to the ticking clock part that signals the transistion to the next song).

I am amazed at my willpower for this album. With the advent of the internet, everyone nowadays is able to listen to entire albums by various artists, sometimes weeks (or months) before they are released officially (though why would people actually want to listen to some of the stuff (*cough* Kevin Ferdiline *cough*), I will never know...).

I mean, starting with Ray of Light, I think I was able to listen to "Frozen," "Ray of Light," "The Power of Goodbye," and parts of "Mer Girl" before the album came out. And then with Music, I got to hear the titel song and three of the remixes, two other album songs, and "Paradise (Not for Me)" all before the album hit the stores (albiet, "Paradise (Not for Me)" was already released on Mirawais's album).

And I think I was able to listen to at least three songs from American Life before I bought the album. It was fun, being sneaky, and listening to a bunch of songs from the album before a majority of others get to listen to them, but at the same time, it is like sneaking a peek at your Christmas present weeks before Christmas. It does take some of the thrill and excitement out of opening the package, going over the booklet (yes, I still love booklets and album cover art and all that stuff. If I was more creative (and better with photoshop and a camera), I would have loved to be a graphic designer for these things), popping the CD in, and listening to the songs fresh, not knowing what really to expect.

The internet really does take your innocence away. Now people can review an album wya before you even get to know what the song sounds like for yourself. It is a double edged sword... Use it wisely... And go out and buy Madonna's album!

Too much food on my plate...

OK, so now I have my online Body Pathophysiology class (which I have not studied for!), my regular work (10 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday), a new computer system to learn and teachback, and second year (and first year) student questions to answer.

I am way too busy between now and Christmas. I put this onto myself though, and I guess it's good for me to keep busy, as it keeps my mind off of other things.

The sleep I do get is nice though. I just wish I had more of it.

But as my boss says, "At least I can give out really nice Christmas presents this year" with all the extra overtime.

And I thought I only had to take x-rays. HAH!

One more poem

OK, I said that I was going to try to be a little less depressing, but I have one more poem that I wrote that I want to share.

luv

As you can clearly see

I've forgotten about you completely

There isn't a trace of you in my heart

It's been a while since I've fallen apart

I've been meaning to push you away

It will only bring pain if you stay

For it's inevatible that you'll change

The fates that be have had it arranged

So I'll just wait for the next friendly spark

To come along and break my heart

-11/01/05

Sorry (Tired of Being)

Sorry about being such a downer for the past few sessions, guys.

Why am I addressing you like I would address a shrink or personal counselor?

Anyways, I guess I should stay on my meds ;-)

But seriously, I'm totally in love with this song by Ringside. They actually came out with an album last April (and I kinda knew about them, but not too much). But I saw the video for their single "Tired of Being Sorry" the other day on VH1. (And yes, there is boxing in the video, but that is not why they called themselves Ringside. Check out VH1.com and put in "Ringside" in the search box to see the video).

The video is OK, with a little story about the inner conflicts a man goes through his head on his wedding day. What made it more quaint is that it was directed by Joaquin Phoenix (yes, that Joaquin Phoenix!). What's funny is that the lead singer of Ringside, Scott Thomas, has a slight resemblance to Joaquin (in the video, his lip synching is even slightly off, just like Joaquin's lip synching in his upcoming Johnny Cash movie Walk the Line.) And since Scott is friends with a lot of Hollywood celebrities (even ones slipping off the "A"-List), there are a plethora of cameos in the video, from Dermot Mulroney to Casey Afflek.

But the song is the spotlight for me. He delivers it in this scratchy, pained voice with a slight touch of melancholy. The guitar and the strings that appear throughout the song are haunting. The lyrics are all about redemption to a lost lover (or an about to be lost lover). It's heartbreaking. I have to make sure to hide all the razorblades when I'm listening.

Speaking of videos, I'm a little disappointed by Madonna's latest video for "Hung Up." It wasn't what I was expecting. It was obviously Saturday Night Fever inspired (as Madonna is in this 70s vibe lately). But it also mixes in some crunking. The beginning of the video is a little schitzophrenic, with Madonna warming of for a Saturday Night Fever danceathon intermixed by what looks like rejected scenes from the movie Rize. Wait, didn't David LaChappelle direct that movie, and then was later let go from directing duties on "Hung Up"?

Anyways, the video doesn't hit it's stride until over half way through (after the bridge in the song), when the club scene starts. I love this part. It's kinda dark and greasy, but retro 70s cool at the same time. Too bad more of the video wasn't like this.