Rhapsody

I really like the Rhapsody music service. It gives one a way to experience new music that one might not be exposed to any other way. I live in Northwest Arkansas. Our music choices are fairly limited here. It is mostly country and classic rock. We have a National Public Radio station through the University of Arkansas and some stations that cater to Christians and Hispanics, but that is about it. When I lived in Northern Ohio I loved listening to The Wave and for the six years that I lived in Phoenix, AZ it was The Coyote that had my ears. But thanks to Rhapsody I can download whatever music I like, or want to sample, and listen to it wherever I like. I have an Archos 404 portable DVR (which I love) and it is compatible with the Rhapsody Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection scheme. It costs about the same amount as it would to purchase one CD a month. I actually purchase more music now than I used to back in the Napster days.

If you have a broadband Internet connection, I would heartily recommend giving Rhapsody a try. I believe they still give a 30-day free trial. If you are a Cox Communications customer, you can get their Cox Rhapsody service and the $14.95 a month is billed directly to your cable account.

Off to the Drive In

Well, at the last minute the wifey and I decided to go to the drive in. We were going to go to the Malco Cinema in Rogers to see the new Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. When we got to the theater, the parking lot was packed. Pamela cannot walk very far, and she didn't feel like walking, so we decided against it. After a couple of minutes, I suggest going to the drive in. The 112 Drive In Theater is just down the street from us. When I checked the listing, we were so pleased to see that the Prince Caspian movie was playing there as well. The cost is $11 per car, so we decided to take our beloved dachshund, Pixy, with us. She is part of the family too.

Before we went to the movies we went to Barnes & Noble to just look around and browse. Though I know Amazon has better prices, I like taking a few books or magazines, getting a cup a joe, and perusing for a bit. While I was perusing, I was listening to the new Frank Sinatra album, Nothing But The Best. It was released on the 10^th anniversary of Frank's death. It is a great album. I was very surprised when I was in the music section of the store and a young woman, maybe 19 years old, was singing along. How cool!

DirecTV junk mail

May 12, 2008

DirecTV,

Please remove me from your mailing list. A few months back I was looking to make the change from Cox cable to satellite TV. When I lived in Phoenix, AZ, I also had to put up with Cox Communications, so I had Dish Network service for two years.

After I got settled here in Northwest Arkansas and got tired of Cox, I was thinking about going back to satellite TV again. My sister, Melanie ********* has been a loyal DirecTV customer for many years and highly recommended that I go with your company.

When I called to place my order, the sales representative was initially helpful, but after taking my information, she came back on the line stating that I could not get DirecTV. She said I did not qualify for leasing the equipment, that I would have to pay $199 per receiver, and have to pay a $500 deposit (or something to that effect) before I could receive any DirecTV services.

Needless to say, I was dumbfounded. I told her that I did not want the service at that cost and the call ended. After that I started receiving sale advertizing in the mail advertizing all of the wonderful deals that I could have with DirecTV. But I remember my telephone conversation and realize that this is just junk that I did not ask for that I know have to place in my trash.

So please, either make good on your advertizing or remove me from your mailing list.

This letter, in slightly edited form, will also appear on my blog.

Sincerely,

 

Mark R. Myers

http://mark-myers.blogspot.com/