The third generation iPod Shuttle came out and the guys at the Consumerist pointed out that it comes with some dubious features. It may have better sound, but be prepared to shell more cash for decent headphones with the iPod seal of approval.

The iLounge gives us the skinny: the new Shuttle does not have any buttons on itself, which means that the only way to operate this device is with the headphones that Apple supplies with the Shuttle. (Third party headphones will be built to specs with the permission of Apple, and no doubt will cost more than buying a regular set.)

It’s just DRM, pure and simple. You cannot customise your Shuttle as you like it, I cannot use my Skullcandy earbuds, and if some clever person tries to reverse engineer the chip, that’s violating the DMCA.

I’m sticking to my trusty 40 buck 2 gig player, until it gives out. Then I’ll get myself a Cowon and enjoy my OGG files.

The following is a rant. My apologies in advance.

I went to church expecting Jesus, and left empty handed.

The screens are questionable at best. But that is the least of my concerns. You guys had a 20 minute sing-a-long…of simple peppy hymns…not from LW, TLH, or the new Hymnal…with canned music…and no Lenten hymns.

Via a puppet, you told the children that keeping the 10 Commandments are a way to a good life as a Christian. Where is Jesus? The adult sermon is not much better.

I’ll tell you, Pastor, why people are excited over our favourite TV shows and why they are hesitant to attend your church: YOU DO NOT SHOW JESUS IN WORD AND SACRAMENT AS THE FOCUS OF OUR LIVES. Where’s the forgiveness of sins via the work of Christ Crucified? Instead, we are subjected to moralising and how following the 10 Commandments are a matter of having a “relationship with God”–by the way…which god? Not once you ever pointed to the Cross. Not once you did say we failed miserably at keeping the 10 Commandments and only Jesus followed it to perfection.

I walked out after the sermon, did not go to the Lord’s Supper as we are not in agreement theologically, despite its LCMS name. (And by the way, there’s no chalice, just little jiggers.)

I’m hesitant to attend church in Phoenix, lest I get disappointed. What should I do? Some of you are doing the Lenten non-commenting, so here’s the email: madtheo attt carolrutz dooott com !!!1!

(Yes, “vodak” is spelled as it is….just ask the guys at Fark.com.)

I’ve made my first batch of strawberry-infused vodka…and it went well. My neighbours enjoyed how the vodka picked up the essence. Here is how I made the vodka:

1) Purchase 2 lbs of strawberries and 1.75L of vodka. (You can even purchase Popov and the results will go well, as the berries will make the vodka smoother.) I purchased the strawberries for 2.50 total at Bashas’ and the vodka at the liquor store for 12 bux.
2) Chop up the strawberries and remove the white stuff. I chopped the fruit up into quarters, but I’m thinking of chopping it into coin sized pieces for better infusion.
3) Get a glass ice tea jar or a plastic water jug and place the chopped fruit in it. If you want, add sugar or sweetener to it to taste.
4) Pour the vodka into the container and place the container in a dark place for 30 hours. The berries will turn a ghostly white. Do not be alarmed.
5) Pour the vodka into its original container. You may serve it with 7up, straight over ice, or like a martini with sweet vermouth (just garnish with a fresh strawberry).

Hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

We have plenty of Osteen fans at the park…I wonder how they reconcile their theology with historical accounts of martyrdom. Try preaching that to our suffering brethren today!

The Prediger laughed at this. He still remembered that Fighting for the Faith podcast when Rosie Ricardo (ay yi yi) deconstructed one of Osteen’s sermons.

Thanx to various Calvinists and Lutherans for the heads-up. Lee Shelton of The Contemporary Calvinist made that pic.

Turned in apps and resumes for work in various places. I did find some volunteer work with the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and Department of Public Safety. Got word via Consumerist that the laid off execs are taking entry level positions and starting all over again.

Got more to do.