Okay, this has been bugging me for a few months now. I used to like to watch CNN Headline News. For years you could watch for 1/2 hour and get the jist of what was going on in the world. Then they changed so they "recap" the headlines every 15 minutes. But all you get is the headline, practically only soundbites. Then, early this summer, they changed yet again. Now they have an HOUR of showbusiness "news", then an HOUR of Nancy Grace grilling people about how guilty someone is in a court case that is still being tried - or better yet - hasn't even gone to trial yet. Then there's the HOUR of news that is suppose to be in depth, but still covers - you guessed it - showbiz and court news. Then for the next 4 hours they repeat those 3 shows. So not only are you getting more and more re-hashed news during the day, but the evening prime time hours aren't "real" news at all. They might mention that we lost more soldiers in Iraq, or that Karl Rove is up to more shenanigans, but only a mention mind you. I guess they think people don't want to know about those things. Only about sensational, celebrity filled stories, or stories about cute little animals having adventures. Congress passed a bill today? Okay - a mention that it passed, but nothing about the contents.
If I want showbiz news, I'll tune to E! channel. If I want court news, there's always Court TV (Nancy Grace has at least one show on there also). And I guess to get "real" news I'll have to switch to a "real" news channel, like MSNBC or something. Bottom line - CNN is no longer my "most trusted name in news". I actually learn more about what happened some days from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Online Radio Stations
I finally finished listening to the 41 disk book "Storm of Swords" by George R. R. Martin. I hope his next one isn't quite so long, but each book in the series is longer than the last.
Anyway, while I listened to the book, I couldn't listen to my Launchcast radio, which is what I usually do while poking about on my computer. I actually pay for this radio station, but for all the enjoyment I get from it, it is well worth the $40 a year. I get to rate each song that plays, also the artist and the album. I can mark a song to say I never want to hear it again. But the real joy has been discovering new artists, or hearing songs from so long ago that I'd forgotten I ever knew them.
The first time I realized that this radio was a find, I heard the song "All My Trials". I knew it was by covered by Peter, Paul and Mary a long time ago, because my sister had the songbook for it. But the music was keyed very high, and it was so difficult to sing if you weren't soprano. So I was surprised to hear the PP&M version sung in a low key. I'd strained my voice on that song for so long, and could have spared myself if I'd just tracked down the record when I was young. (Yes, I listened to real vinyl records - 45's, 78's and LP's or 33's.) It was one of mom's favorite songs, and we 3 girls had to sing it whenever we were all there together.
I've also heard music from Broadway plays I didn't even know existed (not living near NYC). Like "Assassins", which is about Presidential assassins. Neil Patrick Harris sings about John Wilkes Booth. Who knew Doogie Howser could sing? But it's a great song.
Anyway, I love listening to all kinds of music, and this radio station is great, because it customizes to what you want to hear. I tried AOL's station, but it isn't nearly as much fun, since you have to pick a genre station.
Anyway, while I listened to the book, I couldn't listen to my Launchcast radio, which is what I usually do while poking about on my computer. I actually pay for this radio station, but for all the enjoyment I get from it, it is well worth the $40 a year. I get to rate each song that plays, also the artist and the album. I can mark a song to say I never want to hear it again. But the real joy has been discovering new artists, or hearing songs from so long ago that I'd forgotten I ever knew them.
The first time I realized that this radio was a find, I heard the song "All My Trials". I knew it was by covered by Peter, Paul and Mary a long time ago, because my sister had the songbook for it. But the music was keyed very high, and it was so difficult to sing if you weren't soprano. So I was surprised to hear the PP&M version sung in a low key. I'd strained my voice on that song for so long, and could have spared myself if I'd just tracked down the record when I was young. (Yes, I listened to real vinyl records - 45's, 78's and LP's or 33's.) It was one of mom's favorite songs, and we 3 girls had to sing it whenever we were all there together.
I've also heard music from Broadway plays I didn't even know existed (not living near NYC). Like "Assassins", which is about Presidential assassins. Neil Patrick Harris sings about John Wilkes Booth. Who knew Doogie Howser could sing? But it's a great song.
Anyway, I love listening to all kinds of music, and this radio station is great, because it customizes to what you want to hear. I tried AOL's station, but it isn't nearly as much fun, since you have to pick a genre station.
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