Category: Blog

Custom Deluxe: Collection

As mentioned on my twitter feed a few weeks ago, I took the time and have now officially released the full Custom Deluxe collection to the web.

As far as I can remember (and have copies), this is every single (finished) track we ever recorded.

Included in the download (in chronological order):

Self Titled Unreleased First Album, with original singer (Veronica Parker) and bass player (Garritt Hampton)
Missing The Old Days EP
Sibling Records Demo
Life’s Novel
Custom Deluxe Live!
Previously Unreleased Tracks
Variety Show
Rookie
Three’s A Charm

I played drums on everything except for the majority of the tracks on the Rookie album, which came out while I was not with the band.

The only songs not included are the tracks from the follow up album to Life’s Novel, which was never finished and is on ADAT tape somewhere. Maybe I’ll track that down and get it up someday. It had some really great stuff.

I hope you enjoy it! The direct link is below:

Custom Deluxe: Collection (75 tracks, Zip file, 358MB)

My Grown Up Christmas List

Broken down by price, the ultimate gift guide:

$0 to $10: CRKT Eat-n-tool Multi tool. This thing is just awesome. I can always be ready to eat and fix things – all the time. AND I can hang it off my keyring.

$11 to $100: iTunes Gift Card. I want music from Safety Suit and Weaver at the Loom, among others…

$101 to $1000: Apple iPad 16GB WiFi. Needs no explanation. It’s even for sale right now at $70 off…

$1001 to $5000: Apple Macbook Air. Again, needs no explanation. It even comes in an 11-inch model for under $1000…

$5001 to $10,000: Ural Patrol Motorcycle. Ok, so maybe it’s $12,400 for this bike. But admit, it’s totally awesome. Can’t you see me and Malachi riding around town in it?

$10,001 to $25,000: Toyota Sienna. This would actually be a present that my wife would end up using most of the time, but hey, that’s fine with me.

So there you have it. My grown up Christmas list. I’m secretly hoping just for the CRKT multi tool. Cause I want to be able to carry a spork everywhere I go.

Redesign

I’ve been working on a full redesign of the site lately, tinkering here and there. Most recently, I’m playing around with the Google Font Directory. I like a lot of the fonts they have there, and think it’s a cool way to use other fonts than the standard ones you see everywhere.

Currently, I’m using Nobile for body text, and IM Fell Great Primer SC for headers. Let me know what you think.

I also removed all the content from the sidebar except the search function. Just felt too cluttered. Maybe someday I’ll design a new theme from the ground up. Until then, it’ll be a WordPress Twenty-Ten mutt!

iOS vs Android

Can we stop with this debate already? Do people really think iPhone vs Android is the new Apple vs Windows? Does it even matter?

Even though Apple fell in popularity to Windows a long time ago, they have always made the better product. That is why Windows is now a carbon copy of Mac OS. The same applies to the smartphone battle of today.

Better product = happier, longer lasting customers.

Android might be beating iOS in smartphone sales now, but don’t forget Apple has also limited the iPhone to only one (current) model, and limited carriers around the world. What if that changed? What if Apple opened up iOS to any phone manufacturer who wanted it? My guess is they’d KILL Android. Don’t forget they also have the largest product launch in the history of time with iPhone 4, and also still hold 39% of the global market in gross profit.

When you look at those stats, even with Android at the top spot in smartphones sales, who wins?

In-N-Out vs 5 Guys

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of trying 5 Guys Burgers for the first time. You may have seen the Zagat survey claiming 5 Guys had the best burger in the US. Being a HUGE fan of In-N-Out, I knew I had to check them out. Here is my quick run-down of the facts and who (I personally think) is better.

Note, I bought the 5 Guys equivalent of my normal order from In-N-Out: Cheeseburger (with everything), French fry and small drink.

Quality / Taste: It’s a tough choice on this one. In-N-Out has a unique taste, including their own secret sauce and things like Animal Style and The Flying Dutchman. 5 Guys has more options for add-ons and condiments plus thick beef patties that make you feel like a man. I’ll call it a tie on this one.

Menu: In-N-Out adheres to the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” simplicity of their menu. 5 Guys has a few more options, including Hot Dogs and Cajun fries. Being a simplistic person myself, I’d say In-N-Out wins in this department. If you have burger in your name, you don’t need to sell anything else.

Atmosphere: Both are similar, 50’s-esque diner style kinda places. The thing I noticed about 5 Guys is all the newspaper clippings and awards all over the walls. At In-N-Out, the walls are pretty bare. They know their food is good. They don’t have to prove it to you before you eat it. Winner? In-N-Out.

Price: In-N-Out is the clear winner here. I can eat a full meal there for $6. My meal at 5 Guys? Twice that.

Overall: I’ll give this one to In-N-Out. Barely. From taste to atmosphere, it’s tough to beat. Plus, I really enjoy their message. Don’t be fooled, 5 Guys is really good and I recommend you try it out if you’re nearby one of their locations.

On another note, the best burger I have ever had (and I’ve eaten at plenty of places), was from Nic’s Grill in Oklahoma City. Incredible food.

Links: In-N-Out Burger / 5 Guys Burgers