Satellite Radio

I'm going to start putting a song up that I like. Above is a new Massive Attack track.....

Over the past few years I've become a pretty big fan of satellite radio. For lack of a better name we'll call it XM from here on in (I will call it SIRIUS XM one time, that's it).

My first experience with XM came when I got a new car and XM was included for 6 months (I think it was 6 months). I remember liking it, but thinking that when it ran out I'd let it go, since I had good 'ol regular radio to see me through, along with my cds. So it expired. And I regretted it. I missed XMU. I missed Ethel (alternative). I missed the Jam (I think they've all since changed names). Talk radio. Blog radio. Sports. News. Everything. A real wonderland of sound - with only a sprinkling of DJs, and no advertisements.

I needed XM. I had received a 'special' renewal offer by letter shortly after the expiration, so I called the listed number. I think it was $13 for monthly, or $96 for the year (or something just below $100). I went with the year - and I haven't gone back since.

It's great and I think it's definitely worth the fee. In fact, you could say I pay twice, since I have DirecTV for my plasma, and it has some XM channels included. I guess maybe I should get a discount, but they'd probably argue that's a 'freebie'. So I use XM at home, too. I use it more than my iPod or my cd player. I suppose when my internet reeeally comes through the TV well enough, I could just tune stations in for free, but the connection doesn't seem quite there yet (I also have a Mac Mini going through my plasma and it's had some streaming problems). So far XM has been great to have in the family room.

Even my wife has recently discovered the Kids channel on XM in my car, and has now requested she get satellite in whatever new vehicle she winds up getting (leaning toward Honda Pilot...). I am more than happy to agree.

I'm sure there is still some great programming on regular radio. After all, there's always a market for something that's free. But I certainly understand the value of XM, and I think in the long run, as it gets into more vehicles at purchase, it'll become more of mainstay for a lot of people.

The Moon: That was as good as we could do?

Since my last post referred to something on Earth, I'd like to now write about the Moon. Specifically, what a boring name it is. Moon? The Moon? That's it? We couldn't think of something better?

I know, I know - it's The Moon. We can't change it now. That is the name. I suppose maybe it sounds better when said in another language. Luna in Spanish. Mond in German. Dal in Korean.

No, unfortunately I don't really think so. Seriously, most every other moon in our solar system has a 'real' name. Some don't have one...yet.

You look at that list and all those names. And you see Moon. Kind of simple, isn't it? Maybe that's the beauty of it. It's just Moon. Simple and clean. Still though....it seems that doesn't always do it justice.

The other night I was driving with my brother when a huge, orange moon came up over the horizon. It was amazing. Big, orange, and bright. I said, "Wow! Look at the Moon!" Wouldn't something like, "Wow! Look at Crateria!" be a little more appropriate? Doesn't the Moon deserve a proper name? People don't call me Boy (at least I don't think they do). They don't call me Person. Why Moon?

Once again, a simple search found there are others who think as I do. I found this (What can I say? It's hard to be original these days).

I like Wayne Murphy's suggestion:

There is only one choice.... Gilligan. What else would you call Earth's 'little buddy'?

Gilligan. I like it.

I also like Blake Crary's idea of allowing the name to be sponsored by someone or something:

We should name it after the corporation willing to pay the most to sponsor it - just like they do with baseball stadiums. Imagine looking up at the Pepsi Diet Moon. Just thinking about it makes me feel lite-headed. Some companies would probably decide to leave the name alone. "This full moon has been brought to you by Joe Boxer Shorts..."

Nice. The money would then be donated to a World Fund, which I'm sure would be mishandled by someone, somewhere.

But that is a story for another time....