I ran across these recordings using StumbleUpon. They’re 10 unusual historic recordings.

If you’re up for some torture, see how long you can listen to #3. They mean it when they describe her as the worst singer. Aren’t many who can sing that badly yet get someone to record them. Before the Internet, I mean. You can listen to #8 or 9 if you need further torture, although you can’t really enjoy those in the same way.

After all that, I suggest you listen to #1. It’s the only known recording of a castrato. #2 is also amazing - highest note sung. Frankly, I prefer her voice to the castrato. Maybe that’s just me or the song being sung.

Technorati Tags: recordings, music, unusual

There’s a lot I dislike about flying. Most of it has to do with the airport itself and the crowds. There’s just nothing like having to get there an hour or more in advance just so that you can check in on time and wait in line. Some airlines have now improved that somewhat, with online check-in, but for the most part flying is really a hassle.

Especially with kids. Although mine fly really, really well. I don’t even have to give them Sudafed or anything like that to help them keep their ears clear. I use lollypops instead, and generally get amazed compliments from people who thought they’d be sitting next to a small, crying child the entire flight.

Squirming is, after all, something most can cope with, especially if the child isn’t too bad about it or particularly noisy.

But I doubt there are many people out there who would mind using a service such as Elite Jets Private Jet charter flights if it weren’t too expensive. Takes away a lot of the trouble with flying. A membership is quite out of the range of the average person, but they also allow you to charter individual flights.

Obviously, this will still cost more than flying on a commercial jet. But they do offer ways to save, such as flying on an otherwise “dead” leg as an airplane returns from a trip away from its base.

Discounts or no, this won’t be for everyone for every trip. I can see making a honeymoon or other special trip a little extra special with a charter flight, though.

My sister is getting married in September. It’s pretty exciting, although I could wish they would wait a little longer. They’ll have known each other just a little over 9 months at that point, having gotten engaged at about 2 months. He’d better be just as good to her and her daughter as she thinks he is!

Yes, I am doing everything I can to support their marriage. I’d rather see it succeed, after all.

Now, so long as no one wants me to give a speech at their wedding, I’ll be fine. I don’t think they will, but if they want a speech out of me, they’d better warn me in advance so that I can prepare. Read the rest of this entry »

Or maybe you just want to play a really bad game. Whichever. You might enjoy this post on Wired about a really poorly designed video game. I don’t play a lot of video games, but I can see where one designed that poorly would be torture.

The writer notes that unlike movies, there’s no such thing as a great B-game. If a game sucks, it sucks. Never so bad it’s funny.

As he said, it’s probably because you’re trying to use the game, and when it’s bad there is very little fun in it.

Of course, being me, if I were a game designer, I’d take this as a challenge. I think it would be fun to try to make a game so absurdly bad that it was somehow fun. No idea how it would be done, just that it would have to be really, really funny the entire time.

Technorati Tags: gaming, video games

I love shopping online. Mostly what more or less equates to window shopping, since I hardly ever buy anything. But I do love a good sale.

Online Discount Mart has one going on right now. A 10% discount now through the end of summer on all online orders. I was teasing my husband about getting the solar power garden gnome, since I know he doesn’t like that kind of garden decor. He did like one of the bird baths, though. I also liked the acorn wind spinner.

Alas, I’m not going to do it. Not buying anything today. I really need to just stop wandering through and being tempted… too much neat stuff… don’t need it… oooh!

I love chocolate. Especially the high quality stuff. Started wandering through Dan’s Chocolates today and now I’m suffering from some serious chocolate cravings.

I like the company. They’ve worked on being more socially responsible. I can always appreciate that. And the very thought of their Orangadu chocolate bars just about drives me insane. Sounds much, much too good. 75% Cacao dark chocolate with orange zest. Razz Matazz truffles. Another dangerous item there.

Anniversary coming up, as well as birthday. Now I just have to figure out how to drop the hints.

Technorati Tags: chocolate, temptation