Ready for the week to be over

It was hard couple of days.  I’m achy all over – mostly back pain (from the scapula) and gut pain (from the surgery). The PT also kicks my butt, as if I need that.  I’m athletically dejected, too.  My normal bike store ride has become so competitive that they’ve started racing from the outset. Neither my body nor my ego can accept having to struggle to stay on the back ten minutes into the ride. It’s gotten so bad I’ve decided to switch my allegiance to the ride sponsored by the competing bike store. Just to top off my mood, I have lots of work BS to deal with, which has taken away some of the fun of a job where you already spend all day listening to other people’s problems.

Jen’s feeling a little under the weather, too.  The correct prescription would be two days of backyard sun and relaxation.  Unfortunately, the weather report calls for rain, and I’m the only family member skilled in the art of indoor home relaxation. I am looking forward to another long and leisurely bike ride on Sunday morning, so a lot of rain would be a blow to my zen.

I’m hanging out on the couch, trying out my new DAC.  A DAC is a “digital to analog converter”, and converts the digital signal from your computer (via the USB port) into a two channel analog signal that can be plugged into your amplifier.  It’s a better alternative to using the mini-headphone output jack on the computer, because the sound amplification circuits on most computers really stink..  Like all nerdy stereo stuff, a DAC can be very expensive (i.e, thousands).  I spent $35.00 for mine (a Behringer A202).  It does seem to noticeably improve the sound of computer-output music.  I’ll get a nicer DAC when I someday upgrade my 15 year old speakers.  No rush.

Music of the Moment – Steve Miller Band, Bingo (2010). The new album is mostly blues-guitar rock, but not in a muddy way  It’s not as pop or synthesizer based as the mid-1970’s popular stuff.  I had just downloaded it on Zune Pass and figured it would be a good test.  Meanwhile, the record store in Ft. Lauderdale posted in Facebook that they just got in 300 new (for them) used lps, so that may require a visit.  Meanwhile, Jen and I ordered the special remastered colored vinyl pressing of Kate Bush’s Hound of Love. She wanted it more than I did.  I do realize I’ve now contradicted everything I said in the last blog entry about not being an audio cultist, but the remastering is supposed to be something special.  In any event, consistency is a vice of the small-minded.