Archive for January, 2008

Segways: Overpriced Novelty Items

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Capitals, recently wrote a blog post mentioning his love of riding Segways. While I admit it might be fun to try one someday just to see what they’re like, Segways are far too expensive.

He mentions you can rent one to tour DC, but you can also choose to go sightseeing in the nation’s capital on foot or by bicycle. The advantage of jogging, walking, or bicycling is that you’ll get the added bonus of exercise. This site covers a walking tour of the National Mall and this link has a lot of good information on bicycling throughout the Washington, D.C metropolitan area.

Despite Ted’s honest take on Segways, The Low-Tech Times does not recommend purchasing one.


The Fitness Scam (Part 2)

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

In a previous article, I wrote that expensive gym memberships were unnecessary because people can exercise outside for free. Jon commented that outdoor exercise is not always practical because of weather or safety concerns. He had a good point.

However, it’s also easy to exercise inside your own home without paying for a monthly gym membership. Herschel Walker, a Hall of Fame football star who played for the University of Georgia and the Dallas Cowboys, originally got into great physical condition without the benefit of a gym. He did thousands of pushups and sit-ups in his own home during television commercial breaks.

These relatively inexpensive products can also help with a home fitness routine:

Holding Off on Purchasing an HD Radio

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

When one of my favorite radio programs was moved to an HD radio station, I investigated purchasing an HD radio. WAMU transmitted The Ray Davis Show, playing bluegrass music over 88.5FM for many years before recently moving the program to their 88.5-2 HD radio station.

Hybrid-digital (HD) radios pick up additional stations, such as the one now carrying the show I like. Additionally, HD radios are also said to offer better sound quality. A key advantage over satellite radio is that once you have an HD radio, you do not have to pay any subscription fees.

However, since the show I’m interested in is available online for free without an HD radio at bluegrasscountry.org, and since HD radios cost a couple of hundred dollars, I’ll hold off on purchasing an HD radio. Maybe someday, I’ll buy a new car with an HD radio already included. Until then, I’ll file HD radios under ‘things you don’t need.’