Here are some interesting Google searches that you may find interesting. I’m glad to see a major company like Google show that they have a sense of humor. I’ve only listed 3, but I’m sure there are more. If you know of any, let me know.

1. Google Directions:

• Browse to Google Maps
• Click on Get Directions
• Starting address: New York
• Ending address: London
• Look at step 23 in the results.
  

2. Search for asshole on Google and click on “I’m Feeling Lucky”. There is a nice song and video that plays. You used to be able to search for failure and get similar results but I have a feeling that they were forced to change that. I’m also sure that the asshole search won’t be around long so check it out now. This one may not be quite so much a result of Google manipulating the results as it is the effect of some well placed anchor text linking to this site.

3. Search for “the answer to life, the universe, and everything” (without the quotes) and check out the first answer from Google Calculator. Could it be that simple?

I’ve been tagged by Jon Lee to post my top 5 obsessions. I normally don’t take part in any form of chain letter, but this is an opportunity for bloggers to learn more about other bloggers. The rule is to list 5 obsessions and then tag 5 more bloggers to list theirs. Here is my list:

1. My family. I didn’t know how important family would be to me until I met my eventual wife and she gave birth to perfect twin boys. Together with my step son, any time we are all together is usually spent with smiles on all our faces.
2. Blogging. I’ve only been at this seriously for a couple months now. I can’t seem to get enough of it. Reading other blogs, participating on them, and finding topics to blog about myself are becoming an obsession.
3. XBox 360. The graphics on this thing are amazing. I was impressed with the Sega Dreamcast I had 7 years ago, but the 360 blows it away. I’ve been playing Enchanted Arms off and on for the last couple months. I will be buying Mass Effect and Team Fortress when they are released later this year.
4. Couch Potato. I spend way more time watching tv than I should. I am currently mixing this obsession with obsession number 2 by watching tv with the laptop on my lap while blogging.
5. Web Surfing. I am definitely obsessed with surfing the web. I could spend multiple hours a day going from Google news to Yahoo! Sports to any other headlines that grab my attention.

Now for the 5 lucky people that I will tag. I look forward to these 5 people telling us their obsessions.

• Johnny Fuery
• Zach Malmgren
• Aniela
• Matthew
• The Man of Silver

OK, I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but my wife and I watch American Idol each week. We haven’t voted this year, mainly because I don’t see “American Idol” status in any of this years nominees. I was shocked this year when Sanjaya Malakar made it into the finals and continue to be shocked each week when he isn’t eliminated. Wait, that’s not entirely true. I now get that all the teenage and pre-teen girls are voting for him based on his smile. I wonder if Sanjaya’s favorite website is votefortheworst.

I thought I’d throw a quick poll on my site to see if anyone thinks the same way as me. I’ll let this poll run until next weeks results show.

Analog television signals will be cut on February 19, 2009. “What does this mean to me?”, you may be asking. Well, plenty. If you have an analog tv and you do not acquire digital broadcasts within the next 2 years, you won’t be watching tv after that date.

The Good News:

1. Come February 19, 2009, we will be on new technology for our television broadcasts and should be receiving better image quality.
2. If you have an analog tv, you can purchase a set-top box to convert the digital signal to analog. The US government has set aside a chunk of money to pass out $40 coupons to use toward these converters. Each household will be alloted 2 of these boxes up till they reach a predetermined dollar amount. After that dollar amount has been reached, they become more restrictive on who gets the coupons.
3. Once the analog signals have ceased to be broadcast, they can be used for other options. The first thing that came to my mind was the ability for broadband companies to offer high speed wireless Internet access via these signals.
4. We consumers should have a wider range of broadcast choices because of more efficient use of the nations airwaves.

The Bad News:

1. It doesn’t look like they have set aside enough money to give those $40 coupons to every household that needs them. (The Republicans decided we needed more tax cuts instead of budgeting accordingly)
2. Digital doesn’t necessarily mean better. With a weak analog reception, the picture may still be viewable; however with digital, you either receive the signal or you don’t. The result could be that a weak signal could result in a VERY unpleasant viewing experience in that your picture could go black for periods of time.
3. To fully appreciate this change you need to upgrade your television to a full HD TV.
4. The US government has decided, once again, to stick their noses where they don’t belong.

I have serious doubts that this hard date will be met.  I am considering the option of keeping 1 analog tv on stand-by for the cut-over to test the availability of an analog signal after 2/19/2009.  What are your thoughts on 1) the mandatory conversion to Digital and 2) the governments involvement in it?