Vinyl Goes Digital

Thomas Edison once invented a machine called a phonograph (also known as a record player or turntable) on which one would listen a vinyl disc called a record. A record could be a single song or a collection of songs (called an album - a term still used today). Actually a single consisted of two songs as - unlike compact discs - records are playable on both sides. I don't think my grandchildren are even aware of these precious antiques.

The phonograph forever changed the way we listened to music, just as the printing press changed how we communicate the written word. In my generation, the phonograph was in its heyday. It wasn't until the advent of the compact disc that the phonograph met its demise - along with the cassette player.

So what about all those vinyl records? Are lost forever in the dust? Nay, nay! The turntable is making a big comeback - as a device that connects to your computer and converts your vinyl recordings into mp3 files.

Between my wife and myself (hey, she's older) we have a pretty extensive record collection. This turntable also has an input for tape players - and that collection is even more extensive.

So now I'm enjoying a bit of nostalgia this weekend by converting my collection of 45 rpm records (from about 30+ years ago) into mp3 files - complete with that slight scatchy noise associated with records. I plan to burn these into a CD (or CD set) aptly entitled Paul's 45's. It's been so long since I've played these that on some I've forgotten which was the hit single and which was the flip side. Sometimes I've forgotten them altogether!

Well, as my wife once said to her father: "That's the great thing about getting old - there's no reruns!" This will be a nice nostalgic weekend for me as my vinyl goes digital.

So Young, So Tragic

I was saddened to hear some of the news this week.

Five-year-old Maria Sue Chapman, the youngest adopted daughter of Contemporary Christian artist, Stephen Curtis Chapman, lost her life yesterday after being struck in her driveway by an SUV driven by one of the Chapman's teenage sons. The police said the incident at the Chapman's Franklin, Tennessee home was simply a terrible accident.

In Phoenix earlier this week, a three-year-old boy who was with his mother visiting a friend's home found a loaded gun on a nightstand and fatally shot himself. Again, just another terrible accident.

My prayers go out to these families and friends, especially to those who may somehow feel responsible and struggling under a mountain of guilt.

As children of God, we often find it difficult to understand why these things happen. Fortunately, God knows perfectly well, and understands our pain, too.

Reflections: Ted Kennedy

I must admit, I have very little love for Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.). This week, Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. That will be a struggle. No doubt he will get the best medical treatment that money can buy. No doubt he won't have to pay a dime for it. He probably doesn't have to hassle with insurance companies, or be concerned whether his treatment is in-network or out-of-network. Meanwhile, the rest of us do.

Kennedy is considered a giant in the US Senate. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or insult when you consider that Congress has an appalling 18.7% approval rating right now. At least President Bush has a 30.5% rating. [source]

For someone who has championed civil rights, I'm disappointed that he has turned his back on the illegal immigration issue which is so prevalent here in the states bordering Mexico. He could have at least gotten his fat rump down here to see for himself. But no.

Kennedy has suffered back pain due to a plane crash in 1964. Of course, that pain extended into his neck after that little car crash in 1969. His passenger wasn't so lucky. She died. And Ted's presidential hopes fled as quickly as he fled from the scene of a fatal accident (one that possibly would not have been fatal if he stayed and helped the poor girl).

Despite my disdain for the Honorable Edward M. Kennedy, I don't wish him ill. This is a terrible illness he has to face. I've lost two friends to cancer just this year. My prayers are with him as well.

Should Hilary Quit?

At this point, the Democratic presidential nomination is certainly not decided - but try telling that to Hillary Clinton's detractors. Some are calling on her to quit the race. But why? Just because it's May already and she doesn't have enough delegates to secure the nomination? Well, neither does Obama.

I seem to recall that as of late last year, John McCain's run for the presidency was in serious trouble. His campaign was out of money and he was lagging far behind in the polls. But McCain did not quit. Look at him now. The GOP convention is a mere formality in which he will be named the Republican nominee for president.

If Obama can secure enough delegates to secure the nomination, then certainly Clinton should bow out. But that hasn't happened yet. It just may go down to the wire. And then there's those pesky super-delegates (courtesy of Richard "Vote-early-vote-often" Daly). Don't get me wrong - I'm no fan of Hilary. But tell me again why she should quit.

Blogging From Remote (Sort Of)

This post represents the first one done away from my desktop.

I wanted a laptop so that I could work away from my desktop (or even away from home). Turns out we just happen to have a laptop here that no one was using (S has a laptop from work with a wireless connection). So I checked it out to see what it would take to get it up to speed. After all, I successfully assembled my own desktop PC last fall, right?

All it really needed was more RAM (it had 256 MB and is upgradeable to 2 GB) and a wireless card. I ordered those last Thursday and they arrived today. Easy upgrades. Blazing speed. And I can surf in the living room in front of the TV. This year I'll even be able to blog from camp. Sweet.

Advice To Our Youth

I heard this on the radio the other day.

1. Finish high school.
2. Don't go to jail.
3. Don't bring children into the world that you're not capable of taking care of.

If our youth would just heed this three basic rules, perhaps we wouldn't be such a welfare state.