Entertainment – Page 14

Investing in Sound

October 31, 2015Entertainment, Music, Technology4 Comments

I’ve wanted a better record player for ages. I had one of those 3-in-one box things that were a CD player, radio and vinyl player at the same time. The problem was that it often didn’t work well for new records because the needle weight couldn’t be adjusted. I usually would mend the problem by putting dimes and nickels on the needle but I came to the realization that it would not be healthy for my records as my collection started to grow. I headed to Planet of Sound for some help.

They were super helpful and was able to find a perfect player for my needs and price range. They’re super honest about quality (price doesn’t always mean it’s better etc). I ended up choosing the TEAC TN 300 which has a built in pre-amp and also the ability to connect to the computer via USB if I wish. Not to mention it’s beautiful.

Planet of Sound helped me set my needle weight, as well as put the belt on properly at no extra charge. I was afraid I’d break it if I did it myself.

I also bought a Harmon Kardon Aura speaker. It has both Bluetooth and Airplay wireless capabilities. I can also plug it into my new record player. It is perfect for me because I don’t live in a big apartment so this is super simple and the sound fills the entire room.

I am now prepared for the best of both worlds, analog and digital. I can’t wait to annoy my neighbours blasting Carly Rae Jepsen or Arcade Fire. Investing in systems to play all my music is so worth it.

Never Lose Hope

October 21, 2015EntertainmentLeave a Comment

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Let's doooo this #selfie #jays #cometogether #the6

A post shared by Tiana Feng (@tianafeng) on Oct 9, 2015 at 6:02am PDT

Whether we win or lose this series, the Blue Jays have taught me one thing this year: to never lose hope. No matter how they have been beaten this year, they always come back fresh the next game. Even when all bets are against them, they take every chance to strike back.

I don’t watch a lot of sports, but I have been following these post-season baseball games. There’s a fire in the Jays that I admire and that is their spirit of never giving up.

I Went To My First Book Signing And Met The Bloggess

October 20, 2015October 21, 2015Books, LifeLeave a Comment

Today I went to my first ever book signing. Jenny Lawson (aka The Bloggess) was making her only Canadian stop for her new release Furiously Happy, which shares her stories on depression and mental illness in the most authentic (and somehow hilarious) way possible. Lawson as a writer has made me appreciate the bizarre, weird and sometimes hard-to-get-through moments in life. As someone who has depressive moments, this book (and her other/blog) has helped me see those times in a different way and acknowledge that I’m not alone in this fight.

I arrived 2 hours early to the 7pm book signing and was too awkward to ask anyone how things worked so I left for 15 minutes to get food. Little did I know, when I came back (at 5:15pm), people were already seated and I was put in group 3 here in the back. I underestimated that her fans would probably be just as OCD as I was.

Jenny read us the first two chapters of the book and answered questions from the crowd. I found her very humble and down to earth. Also just as hilarious as the book. She basically talks like she writes.

After answering some questions from the crowd, she signed all our books and took photos with us! She took the time have a short chat with each person as they came up. She’s such a kindhearted person and I could tell she loved hearing how we connected with the book. Here’s my super awkward photo with her.

My book signed.

Also I couldn’t help taking a photo with Rory.

Go Blue Jays!

October 10, 2015October 11, 2015EntertainmentLeave a Comment

I know we lost yesterday but let’s hope we can come back tomorrow!

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Let's doooo this #selfie #jays #cometogether #the6

A post shared by Tiana Feng (@tianafeng) on Oct 9, 2015 at 6:02am PDT

Let’s go Blue Jays! First time at the playoffs in 22 years

Thoughts on Apple Music

September 29, 2015Entertainment, Music, TechnologyLeave a Comment

Tomorrow is exactly 3 months from the day Apple Music first launch, so it means that those of us who signed up on the first day for the free trial will realize that it comes to an end and be charged $9.99/month if you don’t unsubscribe.

I decided to unsubscribe. To be honest, the only reason for my unsubscribing is a big one. I can’t use it in a browser. What both Spotify and Rdio have going for them are browser versions that I can use literally anywhere, including at work. To keep up with Apple Music means I have to keep an updated version of iTunes, which results in fighting with IT to let me download something that they might not deem worthwhile.

The interface and selection were great. Beats One has some interesting artists as guests, but all this goes to waste if it remains inaccessible to people who don’t have wifi at work (waste of data on phones and devices) or can’t download iTunes on their computer.

New Card Wars Deck

August 24, 2015August 25, 2015Board Games, EntertainmentLeave a Comment

I found two new Adventure Time Card Wars packs! Ice King & Marceline and Lemongrab & Gunter! Both these decks add a new level of play: The “Frozen” status. Before there were no such states.

I also found the Hero Pack that I had been searching for.

Now off to have some Card Wars!

Have the Weirdest Tuesday!

August 18, 2015Entertainment, MusicLeave a Comment

Over on Ride the Tempo we released a compilation of the weirdest Canadian tunes we’ve posted so far on Tuesdays! The compilation is a free download on Bandcamp and CDS are available for a small fee. Get weird.

Exploding Kittens

August 10, 2015Board Games, EntertainmentLeave a Comment

I finally received my copies of Exploding Kittens aka the most funded Kickstarter thing like ever. It is a game created by Elan Lee, Shane Small and Matthew Inman, who we all know as The Oatmeal.

I contributed more than $30 so I received both the regular and NSFW set (which is actually a great deal). I also received a mini personalized poster.

The regular deck when opened up actually meows and reveals a photo of a cat vomiting rainbows. The NSFW deck is more of a normal box but the cards in sign are legitimately ridiculous.

Can you guess which cards are NSFW?

The instructions are fairly simple. Before you even finish unfolding the instructions they recommend you just watch a video. The object of the game is to not get an exploding kitten. Here’s that video: