Ethical Dilemma

Ok, so everyone knows I'm an iPod junkie. Lately, it's been podcasts. I get all of my NPR-goodness when and where I want it. But that means that I've been missing music. I've got quite a bit of music on the iPod, but it's mostly the same crap I've been listening to for years.

I really support the idea of the iTunes music store--electronic delivery of exactly what content you want, and you own it. No subscriptions. My gripe is that even though it's generally cheaper than buying CD's, you still pay $.99 per song.

Now, don't get me wrong--I think that's a good deal. If it's good music, I don't have a problem shelling out that kind of money. My problem is that I don't get to explore new music that way. And since everyone else I know around here is digital as well, "CD swapping" just doesn't happen anymore.

My boss at work has been bugging me to use AllOfMP3.com. If you haven't heard of this before, here's the story: it's a Russia-based online music store. It's been around for a while and is only second in online music sales to the iTunes music store. And it's f'in cheap. You can buy a whole CD for less than $2.50. So, by now I'm sure you've guessed the problem--they don't pay anyone for selling their music.

It's currently not illegal in Russia to resell copyrighted music without compensating the artist. Ok, it's under debate if it's 100% legal in Russia and they are trying to pass legislation that would close that loophole. And since it's currently legal in Russia, you can buy it here legally. (ok, this is really treacherous legal water all around, but it's not blatently illegal like Napster)

So, knowing that I probably never would have taken the chance and bought those Van Morrison MP3's from iTunes, is it wrong that I bought them from this Russian site? By the end of my spending-spree yesterday, I'd bought 68 songs and spent less than $10.

P.S. Van Morrison kicks f'in ass!
P.P.S. Don't go to this site unless you are ready to spend money there--it's addictive! I bought 4 CD's there in less than about 5 minutes. The last time I bought 4 CD's at one sitting was in college...

"Where the women are strong, the men are good looking, and all the children are above average"

Looks like I'll be taking a quick trip up to Minnesota next month. Never been, but I hear it's cold. I'll have to check and see how far I am from an old friend I haven't seen (or heard from) in quite some time.

Now it's time for a quick dinner of Powdermilk Biscuits and rhubarb pie. (and I better throw in some catchup for good measure)

Dear God, I'm afraid that nobody reading this will have any idea what I'm talking about.

Sieg Heil!

Tired of those damn "cute cat" sites? Looking for something a little more evil? I give you: CatsThatLookLikeHitler.com!

QOTD

"Marriage is not about love. It's about a love that can bear children."
- Todd Akin (R-Missouri) during House debate on a constitutional ban on gay marriage

So, those of you out there without children--you are f'in-up marriage. (and may not be in love) Welcome to the family.

Trogdor!!!

The Trog has picked-up a really annoying habit as of late. Whenever I'm sitting at the computer, he walks up to the side of the chair, lifts himself up, paws ever-so-gently at my arm and whines. (like he wants something) Whenever I look down, he just rubs against the desk and walks off. About 30 seconds later, the whole routine restarts.

Sometimes he wants in my lap, but most of the time he just walks off. It was really cute about the first 10 times, but now it's just driving me crazy. Does he have water? Yes. Food? Yes. Toys? Yes. WTF do you want, cat?!?!

This second, he is sitting on the desk with his ears tweaked towards the speakers--trying to figure out what the hell is playing... (see previous post for answer)

Weekend-ish Updates

Damn. How did I get so far behind on the blog already?

Anyway, the weekend before last, some friends and I went kayaking down in Galveston. Definately a good time, but man, that's some serious work. And if I haven't already, I should give mad props to Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Lotion with Sunscreen. (the stuff in the brown bottle) Yes, it's only rated as SPF 4, but I've seen it work better than some shitty "SPF 60+ Max Anti-Nuclear Blast Burn" crap. Seriously--I've put some of this on and sat by the pool for hours and never even got red. Awesome stuff.

In other news, I have to confess how un-cool I am. I have never owned a Metallica CD. Knowing my audience, let me repeat that: I have never owned a Metallica CD. Yes, that may explain many strange things about me, but it's the truth.

That changed this weekend. I learned that they finally joined the rest of the music world and started offering their music on an online store. (iTunes, obviously) I gotta admit that I *have* been missing out on some good rock.

Douglas Adams Quote of the Day

"Her laughter seemed to discharge something in the atmosphere. From somewhere at the back of the crowd a single voice started to sing a tune that would have enabled Paul McCartney, had he written it, to buy the world."

Money Well Spent

From the Wall Street Journal's front page: there's a woman in Hong Kong suing for a partial refund of the $14.5 million she paid for 8 years of unlimited Latin dance instruction...

Man, I got into the wrong business.