Sirius & Massive Dunkin Donuts Calories

I had to replace my Sirius unit I use in my car a few months ago.  I grabbed a new one at Radio Shack and set it up.  Since then I've had the worst reception - SO frustrating.  Why did it work before and not now????  To solve this problem, I went back to Radio Shack and bought an adapter to plug directly into the FM radio instead of allowing the signal to come through an unused channel (like you would do with your iPod and an iTrip).  Regular mechanic couldn't do it because apparently you have to take the whole dashboard apart and he didn't have the tools.  Went to a specific car radio guy today and it's now working perfectly.  Of course, he needed more parts - 2 different adapters b/c Honda needed to change their industry standard radio setup.  He told me that the FCC told Sirius that they had to reduce the output in the new line of radios.  Nice, huh?  I'm convinced they did that b/c they can't get to Howard any other way now.  Nice.  At least I'm not nuts for being driven insane by this!!

While I was waiting I ran over to Dunkin Donuts across the street so I could get some work done.  I don't think I would have been hungry otherwise, but it seemed silly not to get something.  I got a multi-grain bagel, small iced tea and butter on the side.  My intention was to eat 1/2 the bagel and less than a butter pat.  Of course that didn't happen - They toasted the bagel so I wouldn't have been able to save the other half and it seemed like a waste :)  I ate the whole thing and 2 butter pats (accomplishment b/c they actually gave me 4 pats).  THIS IS WHY I HAVE TO GIVE UP BUTTER ALMOST COMPLETELY!!!!  Then I plugged this "snack" into my fitness pal on my phone and good Lord.  570 calories.  Seriously.  I just ate marinated mushrooms and asparagus for lunch and I will be sipping broth for dinner.  Kidding.  But, I really have to have a small dinner now.  How on Earth is a bagel, butter and iced tea almost 600 calories or 1/2 of daily intake????  Crazy.  Bagels are death.

Foos

I'm completely obsessed right now.  Foo Fighters documentary Back and Forth on Palladia in HD kicked ass; SNL appearance rocked - freakin' Taylor Hawkins is insanely good; Foo's on Stern this morning mesmerizing; new album out tomorrow.  If they don't post some East Coast tour dates soon I might implode.  I sat in my car for a 1/2 hour listening to the interview on Stern and will listen again at work at 11am on the replay.  I love Dave Grohl.  I love Dave Grohl.  I love Foo Fighters.  Must see them live soon.  Will pay anything for tickets at this point.  Considering flying to Germany if they don't post East Coast dates soon. 

Pandora is cool

I love Pandora. I was totally bored with my music selection but not sure how to search for something new. A friend at work suggested setting up channels on Pandora Internet radio, which is free if you haven't heard of it. I'm officially addicted.

Since I can't get Sirius on my iPhone at work, b/c of the annoying charge and lack of Howard which makes me even LESS happy about paying beyond my already paid for lifetime membership; now I can get a bigger range of music. I set up a few channels depending on mood and what project I'm working on (ie the level of concentration required). I'm trying to get a good upbeat dance kind of channel. I'm so lame and out of date that I literally had to start off with Madonna and then add a few things here and there to figure out what the hell is upbeat these days. I added one Black Eyed Peas song I heard on SNL that seemed catchy, but I don't like all their music...it's irritating sometimes listening to Fergies weird voice/accent/who knows.

I'm so pathetic with my ability to keep up with music. I listen to Howard and Martha Stewart too much and when I do listen to music I go right to the channels that play stuff I already know. What I need to do is muscle through Sirius Hits (Channel 1) for a bit and get some exposure to what's going on out there. Big sigh. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Sirius iPhone App

Bummer. I just sat on the phone with Sirius for a half hour trying to get the iPhone app service set up. We got through the whole deal and then after we're done I asked if the channels are the same as Internet Radio to which he replied "It's all the same, except for Howard Stern". Seriously, people. That is pretty much the main reason I wanted the iPhone app. I mean I do love the music and Martha Stewart, but come on. I can use Pandora for music variety...why would I pay additional $ when Pandora is free???

This is complete bulls*&%. I was so close to getting Stern while at work. Then I'd REALLY not be getting much accomplished but at least I wouldn't have to sit in the car in the parking lot finishing an interview. Newman. Maybe Howard will use this as leverage when negotiating his new contract. IF he even tries. This sucks.

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze - Always the Outsiders

I think I might be the biggest Outsiders fan of all time. It was my favorite movie when I was a kid. I saw it countless times and own both the VHS (collecting dust in my storage room) and the book (cover falling apart). If it comes on TV and I spot it, that's it....I'm in like Shawshank. I can quote the beginning and ending pages and had the Stevie Wonder song (Stay Gold) and the Robert Frost poem ("Natures first green is gold. The hardest hue to hold...") committed to memory as well. This was probably the first movie I could quote hard-core and C. Thomas Howell has held a special place in my heart ever since despite the fact that Ponyboy Curtis was his best and arguably only good role (I liked Red Dawn, but he was a douche in it. He jumped the shark with Soul Man and other than a shitty guest spot on 24(?), he's been MIA). I liked Dirty Dancing (was not obsessed) and Ghost (solid love story, but a little hokey too thanks to Whoopi). Red Dawn, of course. Point Break - AWESOME other than the fact that Lori Petty annoys the shit out of me. But, his connection to the Outsiders is what brings me to a moment of silence for his passing. Big brother, Darry. Loved it and watching Rob Lowe and P.S. wrestling was worth every moment. Plus, who had better feathered hair??? Case in point...SNL Chippendales skit.

Okay, I can't just end there on the Outsiders. It's just too good. Was there ever a better cast????? C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Diane Lane, Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Leif Garrett, even S. E. Hinton herself. Who could have predicted how many good careers would spin out of that start???? Francis Ford Coppola was on Stern a few weeks ago and while I didn't hear the whole interview, I heard most. I don't think anyone asked him about that movie, but damn...what a good one. Love those Greasers.

Some Things About Me

Here are some other things about me...

• I have a magazine addiction, especially cooking magazines. (subscriptions: People, Entertainment Weekly, Blueprint, Cookie, Bon Appetit, Food and Wine, Cooking Light, Everyday Food). Now and then I'll buy single issues of any number of different rags. It's the only thing that keeps me going to the gym. I can do a whole magazine on the elliptical except maybe EW. I'm going to try to cut these down in 2008.
• I LOVE my Sirius Sattelite radio. I got it right before Howard Stern moved over and haven't turned it off in my car since. Oh yeah, I love Howard Stern. I often wonder if it's weird to switch channels between Stern and the Martha Stewart channel, which I also love. It's a challenge lately to listen in my car. While I don't think my kids are really hearing it when I put it on in the front speakers only, every once in a while Rory will chime in repeating some place name or word he hears. I suppose I'm kidding myself, but I still try. Thankfully, he hasn't repeated anything terrible.
• I have 180 items in my Netflix list and I rate everything. There are a few TV shows which have lots of discs and a good size list of things that haven't come out yet, but it's still pretty pathetic. Can you say "Little Kids and No Life?"
• I can't watch LIVE TV anymore. If it's not on my DVR or on a DVD, I hit pause at the beginning until I'm at least 15-20 minutes in. Anything to avoid commercials.