The first day of the camping trip always starts with the multi-hour car trip. this marks day one. :-) I'm looking forward to a dip in the lake, and roasting marshmallows.
Mark

Despite current internet radio woes, Pandora.com rocks even harder

Yesterday I was having a good music day. You know, it's kind of like a good hair day, except with music. Anyway, I was listening to Pandora & it was just one awesome song after another. I decided to send Pandora's team an email. It may be a little over-the-top, but I was happy. :)

To my friends at Pandora & the Music Gnome Project,

I have to say, I haven't felt this way for an internet radio station since the days before CARP. You guys are really making my day. :)

I've been using Pandora since I first saw it on digg about a year ago. I have to honestly say that Pandora has been my sole avenue for the discovery of new music. I listen to other stations, but I keep coming back to Pandora. Nobody else can put
together a mix like you guys. And, recently I've noticed there have been a bunch of additions to my Dance channel! I'm glad to see that you guys are still chugging away even with the SoundExchange thing looming overhead (even with the temporary reprieve, I don't feel this is a solution). Thank you. Your efforts are much appreciated.

I need to say that because of Pandora I have purchased many more CDs that I would have without it.

Thanks again, for all your efforts. Keep up the good work.

Mark Nielsen

This was there response:

Hello Mark!

Awesome! We are so happy you are enjoying Pandora. I must admit; I think it's great too!

Our mission is to connect people with music they will love. It's wonderful to hear that we have succeeded with you.

How would you like a complimentary t-shirt or cap? Just reply with:

* Name
* Mailing Address
* Preference (Shirt, Cap)
* Shirt size

and we'll send one right out.

Enjoy the music!

Best regards,


Maggie @ Pandora

I thought that was the coolest thing ever. Thanks Pandora you guys are the tops.

Court denies Internet radio "motion for stay" against crushing royalty rate

Webcasters have lost one of their last two options for delaying the royalty bill deadline set to go into effect this Sunday, July 15th. The SaveNetRadio campaign is asking all webcasteres, listeners, labels and artists to call their reps in Washington and urge them to push the Internet Radio Equality Act to a vote immediately.

read more | digg story

Top 5 Worst Websites EVER

This story is overdue. A must-browse. (click read more link)As selected by TIME Magazine, these five websites suffer marketing infestation, are in need of an overhaul, are notoriously slow to load, are discriminatory, and are just plain annoying.

read more | digg story

Vacation

I decided to take a little vacation over the 4th. I decided a few years ago that vacation for me means no computer usage. Since I'm on the computer everyday during the week, being temporarily computer-celibate is important to me and my family. It doesn't hurt when the wife crosses her arms, & taps her foot...

More God Time - What to Say?

Do you ever find yourself sitting in front of God not knowing what to say?

I have a laundry list of things that I'm thankful for. In my human mind, I feel I have beaten those topics into the ground. I usually hit those topics anyway, but I have to admit they aren't as heartfelt as I would like. Then I think, "Well, God knows my heart."

I think I'm going to try and keep one person in my thoughts/prayers all day; then take that one day at a time & see how it goes.

15 minute challenge

Before, I mentioned that I was going to try out the challenge of spending 15 minutes with God, twice a day. So far the time that I have spent with God has been great. I have found myself calm, peaceful, & cognitive. The problem is designating the time. As I have said before, I have no problem finding the 15 minutes e.g. driving the car, taking a shower, etc. It the designating the time as "God time" that's the problem.

7/1/07 Silence

Inspired by the latest Genesis service, I have decided that I'm going to do the "silence challenge" for this week - 2 15 minute sessions of silence to
spend with God.

Now, technically I already have these sessions. I take a 15(ish) minute shower everyday. There's silence there. In fact I get a good deal of
thinking done there. I always spend my last time of the day in prayer as I drift off to sleep. I'd say most days, that's 15 minutes.

But, I want to deliberately set aside a chunk of time that I can devote to God.

I thought about taking the drive to & from work, but I think most days that will be unproductive, as I will be distracted by driving.

Here goes...silence!