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iTunes is horrible.  It's like the new AOL.  Remember how AOL used to automatically download upgrades and soon just the program took up 2/3 of your hard drive.  iTunes is like that.  About once a week I get a 78mb download, or larger.  It's relentless.  Plus, it doesn't recognize any media player but my iPod.  And it's a pain in the neck to organize and get to do what I want done.  The free Microsoft player is easy to use, accepts my phone, my GPS' media player, my wife's MP3 player, my daughter's MP3 player, etc. 

Worse is that if I copy a CD to iTunes, I have to copy it again to the Microsoft program.  Pain in the butt to have to have two different loads of the same music to my computer because Apple wants to be proprietary.  Of course, they want to sell more iPods, but when I can buy a reliable, easy-to-use MP3 player that has expandable memory for $50 and it costs hundreds to get an iPod with enough memory to be worth while, that's not going to happen.

Harder to use software, proprietary delusions of importance, and expectations of spending four times as much as necessary to get a device that has a lot of extra capability (none of which I want) are ridiculous. 

As far as computers, the last time I looked I wanted to buy an Apple.  I had certain features that I wanted.  I ended up purchasing a laptop for myself, one for my wife, a computer for my kids, a printer, and a faster wireless router for less money than just the Apple laptop would have cost. 

I know Apple is the standard for musicians and graphics artists, and for good reason.  But for everyday use, I just don't see it. 

I'm glad they took care of you by sending you a new computer.  That's good customer service.  For what they charge, they darned well better provide good service. 

- Zurf

I like the sound of using my fingernails.  I don't keep them real long the way Esteban does, but I do grow them longer than most men would.  I have not tried the Alaska picks, but I very much like the design.  I just haven't got around to ordering them.  I hate standard fingerpicks because I cannot feel the string with my finger, and judging the power of the stroke is very hard without the feel.  The Alaska picks look like the best of both approaches.  They'd permit meat and feel on the strings, but wouldn't require the longer nails. 

If you try them, please write back with a review.

Octopus's Garden - It's just so silly.

My favorite.  I'm sure it was all scoped out in the studio, but how they keep all that technique getting tougher and tougher while still maintaining the mellow feel of the song is impressive to me. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NznTzV-bYAk

- Zurf

I've been playing with Dirty Ed and Bo Crowder and "Garuchi" for years.  Only Dirty Ed has learned new songs, but it all still sounds good every time we hear the same old songs.  Don't worry about it.  Sometimes working on the old songs, figuring out a lick or nailing a solid strumming pattern is more work, and more satisfying, than learning a new song. 

Music is music.  Make some and it's all good. 

No chance I'll be on at 5PM.  If you're still rocking into the night, I may pop on to say "Hi" if the hotel's WiFi is fast enough. 

- Zurf

Nice.  I didn't know Gretsch had a second line.  Live and learn.  I love the way a 12-er sounds.  I hope you have a terrific time banging out some tunes. 

Happy NGD.

You will not embarrass yourself. 

- Zurf

Perhaps "The Tempest" then.  It's definitely Shakespeare.  I thought it was Hamlet where the lady is encouraging him to kill the king. 

- Zurf

It comes from Hamlet, which was a bit before movies came around. 

- Zurf

I like that. 

Yes, Dino they caught him.  He said they brought him home, then searched his house high and low.  He's an honest fellow, so they didn't find anything untoward.  He just got a little too crazy one night is all.  I expect there's few among us who aren't guilty of that.  He said that for a year afterwards, every time he saw a cop the cop was chuckling. 

- Zurf