frankenstereo

2004.03.12
Last night I decided to figure out what I needed for a party-able stereo system, using the iPod as the main music source...Mo took her receiver and better speakers, but it turns out that a combination of an iPod, my big TV as a stereo receiver, some old not-too-impressive AIWA shelf system speakers, and my surprisingly large subwoofer (once Christmas I asked for an "AIWA subwoofer", thinking I'd get the breadbox-sized piece I saw bundled with the newer AIWA systems, but she got me something the size of a medium-sized microwave) puts out a decent amount of noise and should be quite adequate for a party. I figure I'll be all cool, and have a DVD or videogame on just for the pictures, both for the random funkness as well as making sure the TV doesn't shut itself off.

I'm no audiophile, but I get a kick out of putting together a danceable stereo system out of spare parts.


Music of the Moment
Speaking of random music, the front page of ghetto-blaster.com has some cool little electronica riffs.


Anecdote of the Moment
While transporting mental patients from Harare to Bulawayo, the bus driver stopped at a roadside shebeen (beerhall) for a few beers. When he got back to his vehicle, he found it empty, with the 20 patients nowhere to be seen. Realizing the trouble he was in if the truth were uncovered, he halted his bus at the next bus stop and offered lifts to those in the queue. Letting 20 people board, he then shut the doors and drove straight to the Bulawayo mental hospital, where he hastily handed over his 'charges', warning the nurses that they were particularly excitable. Staff removed the furious passengers; it was three days later that suspicions were roused by the consistency of stories from the 20. As for the real patients: nothing more has been heard of them and they have apparently blended comfortably back into Zimbabwean society.
Take stories like this with a grain of salt, but man...that is such a brilliant idea.


Article of the Moment
Slate.com on the Military's upcoming gadgets. Some cool stuff in there!


T-Shirt of the Moment
Jane models the T-shirts I'll be bundling with JoustPong at PhillyClassic next weekend! I think they came out very well. Josh at Salisbury Sales let me make a batch of 60 for a *great* price...I'd recommend them. Custom T-shirts are fun!