Atlanta Queers 'n Beers

Episode 6

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:21:00 -0700

Our sixth installment. Listen and enjoy as we discuss the moderately interesting goings on in the Atlanta gay world, and the rest of the world a little too.

Episode 5

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:11:00 -0700

Our fifth episode recorded in Ben's new apartment. It is mercifully short. We update on new happenings in both Rock's and Ben's personal lives, a dusting of politics, and of course what little gay goings on we were aware of. Enjoy!

Episode 4

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Tue, 6 Apr 2010 08:03:00 -0700

Ben and Rock have a spring awakening. We also discuss high school proms and the teens fighting the good fight. Catch up with Ben and Rock and other gay news/issues in Aprils podcast. And don't forget to email us at queersbeers@gmail.com.

Episode 3

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Thu, 4 Mar 2010 10:40:00 -0800

Rock discusses his revelations after listening to the first couple podcasts. Ben has a job interview. Rock gets bitten and Ben sees his favorite lint licker. Rock meets Rupaul. Rock and ben discuss drinking habits of their younger days. and Rock uses the the term Super Duper. Email your comments to queersbeers@gmail.com

Episode 2

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:24:00 -0800

Our second installment.

The BluRay Maze

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Mon, 8 Feb 2010 17:22:00 -0800

Last year it became apparent that the BluRay video format would emerge victoriously over the HD-DVD format. Being something of an A/V geek, I naturally wanted to get a BluRay player. When I began my research I turned to the respected technology resource site, CNET. In past experience I found the site to be helpful guide, with well informed advice and insightful reviews. In my preliminary research on other technology websites, I learned that beyond the much touted picture quality of BluRay, it also features new, superior sound formats from Dolby and DTS. These new sound formats require much more bandwidth than previous connections, and require new methods to transmit the signal to the receiver. On option is to transmit a digital signal through an HDMI cable. In this case the receiver must convert the in-coming digital signal to analog output to the speakers. However, only receivers built in the last 12 to 18 months are compatible with HDMI technology. If your receiver isn’t compatible with HDMI, the BluRay player itself must perform the digital/analog conversion internally. The analog signal is then passed to the receiver via standard RCA cables. While all BluRay players have the HDMI port, not all have the analog outputs. Confused yet? Well you are not alone, and CNET does little to clear this up.

After navigating through the CNET website, I came across their list of the top 10 BluRay disc players. I knew something was amiss when I saw the Sony PlayStation in the top spot. Nothing against the PlayStation, but after researching the player on other sites I knew that it only had the HDMI option and lacked the analog outputs. Something my two year old Marantz receiver needed. Only recently has CNET begun to point out this drawback, and even then only as a footnote. It generally falls somewhere after the flapping flag video stress test and the firmware upgrades.

As an audio enthusiast with an older receiver I found this oversight disturbing and foolish. Nuances like this are often missed by the majority of consumers, CNET failed to properly stress this point. This by the knowledgeable reviewers at CNET surprised me, and highlighted the importance of providing informed journalism. If given the chance at CNET I would advise consumers on this important difference, and not operate on the false assumption that the majority of people have newer receivers. What would my number one be? After all of my own research, I would recommend the Panasonic DMP-BD35. It offers good picture quality, decodes all of the available sound formats, is cheaper than the PlayStation, and most importantly, comes with surround analog outputs.

Episode 1

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:58:00 -0800

Our first baby steps into podcasting. Join us, won't you?

Joining the rest of you on LOST

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:08:00 -0700

Ok, so I joined the masses who are obsessed with Lost, and started watching it on ABC's nifty HD streaming of all four seasons. First off, this is a great little opportunity for all of us who never got into Lost the first time around, 4 years ago or so, to dive into the adventure. Basic plot for the uninitiated, 40 or so ppl are stranded on an uncharted island after a plane crash, and the show explores the mysterious island and how it unites the various characters. Like just about anything, I am compelled to make fun of it, even if I kinda like it. Ironically now that I'm finally watching the damn show, all the Lost-addicts seem to have disappeared. Hopefully one of you reading this will know the show, get them, and maybe find them funny.

Observations:

1. The Dharma Initiative buys their food at Costco, and of course re-labels it with their cute little logo. In fact they label everything they touch with it! Even a VW bus has the VW symbol replaced with the Dharma thing. Hell, they even have Dharma Vodka, Whiskey, and beer. I assume this must be a little joke of the writers? Oh, and is it me, or are the "Others" more likeable as a group than the survivors?

2. Annoying Characters-Ok, so Kate. Why does Kate always have to fuck up? If someone is going to screw up the plan, just wait for her to get herself caught and fuck it up. Then she has to get annoyingly emotional and breakdown afterwards when everyone else is trying to get shit done. I mean you would think she would be used to problems after being on a deserted island for months.

Hugo-(The fat guy)Actually pretty likeable, but his annoying obsession with secrets gets old as a plot device. Sometimes it makes absolutely no sense, and is obviously just a ploy to create conflict.

Claire-Ok once again the writers have made a prominent female character prone to rediculous emotional outbursts.

Michael-He always has to have tantrums. Pretty self-serving, the raft or his son anyone? Irrational over-emotional characters just feel like cheap fodder for scripts, maybe I'm just harsh.

Pretty much like everyone else, and ironically Sawyer most of all.

Inaugural Post

queersbeers@gmail.com (Ben Smurfy and Rock Jaxson) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:19:00 -0700

Well this is post #1. I won't waste time explaining the theme of this blog, since I haven't decided on one. Generally this will be my the musings and observations of me on culture, and of course feedback from readers. Oh, and my overall goal is to keep it funny, which this post really isn't haha. Enjoy!