Open the box: Pandora Radio

I've found a most excellent way to listen to music while online. It's called Pandora Radio and it's totally rad. Pandora Radio builds a listening stream based on your tune preferences. Go here. Create an account. Then get started by inputting an artist or group you dig. Pandora will usually play one song by this performer before selecting other artists or groups who have qualities similar to the performer you first selected. It will typically toss in other songs by the performer you originally entered as the mix goes through its catalog. You can give Pandora's selections a thumbs up and it will remember you liked it. Make a point to give a thumbs up to songs you enjoy so that you keep the stream going in the right direction. Or you can give it a thumbs down and it will move to the next selection.

I've created several stations that represent different music interests. My stations include Tom Waits, Ruth Brown, The Black Keys, Kevin Coyne, The Mountain Goats, and The White Stripes. For artists that have a distinctive style, Pandora Radio works really well. I'm usually pleased with an entire listening session for The Black Keys. For an artist like Tom Waits the selections are not always right on. Mr. Waits has many unique styles so it's tough for the system to come up with appropriate recommendations.

Use this tool to explore artists and groups you may not have considered previously. It opens your radar to a whole realm of untapped possibilities. It's more targeted than just streaming a radio station. Once you login it remembers your preferences. If you're away from your personal computer you can still access this for music (perfect for playing while at work).

Click on the selection currently playing in Pandora and you can get connected to more information on the artist and album. View the attributes assigned to the selection, see similar works by other performers, and if you're really into it--click the link to purchase it via Amazon or iTunes.

Click here to give it a try. You'll have to create an account but it's a painless process. Give it a go!

Drink up. CamelBak makes it easy.

I'm a fan of water. I like to listen to it. I like to shower in it. I like to play in. Most of all, I like to drink it. I'm passing this next bit along as an enthusiastic two-thumbs up review of CamelBak's Better Bottle.

It has a bite and sip valve system that hasn't yet leaked. This bite and sip method took a short time to get used to--I wasn't sold right away. In fact, I called it my 'man bottle' for a while. It grew on me.

The attached straw makes it a breeze to drink on the sly or while driving. No need to tip the entire bottle for a drink and no chance for a wet spill.

The lid has a molded plastic hoop that allows for easy carrying or attaching. This being a considerable improvement over Nalgene's loop that connected the bottle to the top and was prone to breaking with use.

Oh, and the opening of the bottle easily accommodates ice cubes. A major plus for the summer months.

They say the CamelBak is dishwasher safe--thus far I have just washed by hand. I've only filled it with plain ole water so I cannot comment on lingering flavors due to non-water liquids.

I bought my first one from Bearcub Outfitters in Petoskey and have since purchased two more for the household when REI ran their annual sale.

Enjoy--happy drinking!