Flowers to make you merry. Image by ForestGladesiWander, used under Creative Commons

When I was little, my mother would sing a song about the “Merry, Merry Month of May“, and we would all join in on the chorus. I always thought it came from a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, but it turns out that it’s a Stephen Foster song, written in 1862. But like a lot of refrains written by “the father of American music,” the concept of May as merry hung in there, and was again used in the tune The Fountain In The Park, published in 1884. This song was used as the background for many early cartoons, which is where I was first exposed to strolling in the park.

The enduring image of May as merry sticks, because for many, it is the true change from winter behavior to summer behavior. In our northern climes, you can finally get outside without carrying 3 layers. And in southern areas, it’s the warm before the blazing hot summer. So north or south, east or west, the month of May just makes you merry. Here are some useful tools and toys to make your May merrier.

Take it all with you

To a galaxy far, far away

The Apple MacBook Air : The perfect size to get you out into the beautiful weather. Because if April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims! So you can laugh at that old joke while sitting outside, enjoying the flowers and the freedom of your Macbook.

Leave this behind

Working hard so you can play

Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer: How does this fit with enjoying the Merry Month of May? If you can cut your laundry time in half, and get out the spring sports and gardening stains in one cycle, you’re well on your way to spending a lot more time outside.

Have a record of your antics

Got your memories covered

The JVC C2A3 Camcorder: Now that the great weather is here, you’ll be outside having fun and getting crazy, and what better way to make sure you remember the good times than with an HD camcorder.

Take a break from the day

Your lightweight, mobile library

Sony e-Book Reader: Smaller and lighter than a tablet, the Sony eBook Reader is great for traveling to that perfect spot for reading, that’s just a little further down the road. The Sony e-Book  Reader let’s you read in May’s bright sunshine as well. And when vacation comes along, you’ll be ready.

Ready when you get home

Ready when you are

Tivo Premiere XL: Why stay inside watching TV when the weather is perfect for getting out. May is just the start of longer days and more outdoor time, so grab a Tivo and forget about your favorite program till the sun goes down.

I bought these speakers so long ago the promo photo is in B & W!

I’m a big speaker guy. After much searching, I bought a pair of Klipsch Chorus IIs, and they are easily 4′ tall, and probably 18″ square. They are big, really big, and they sound great. And when I say great, I mean better than amazing. One of my proudest speaker moments: I rattled a pan off its wall storage in my house in New Hampshire (Five Long Years, from David Bowie‘s Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars for those who need the sonic details). Countless are the times I have sat in front of the speakers and let the sound wash over, sometimes revelling in the imaging and the details, and sometimes just getting my ears pinned back by Roy Buchanan or Led Zep. (Like you need a link to Led Zepellin!)

This is just the "C's"! Image by epiclectic used under Creative Commons

But after I got these speakers, I began to notice there were some downsides as well, other than dented pans. And the first, not surprisingly, is that the speakers are big. I’ve never had them in a room where they wouldn’t be the dominant feature. I used to compensate for the size of the speakers by creating a wall of CD’s on top of 12 crates of albums, so people didn’t immediately notice the speakers. I’ve sold the albums, but the concept still works out. There’s still no getting around the Chorus II’s size.

And heavy. The magnets that push the 15″ driver (no need for a sub-woofer) are heavy, and the 3/4″ solid wood cabinets just add more weight. It’s a two-man job to move those speakers any distance. Those solid wood cabinets are important, because they provide the foundation for the thunder, and skinny walls don’t get it done. But those wooden cabinets, in many ways, define life with your speakers.

Everything matches. Image by FactoryHardwood used under Creative Commons

The cabinets are finished in clear oak, which is an important detail. When your speakers are big, they are part of the furniture. So for the last 17 years, all my furniture has had to match the clear oak finish of my speakers. And because your speakers are furniture, they have to be properly cared for– oiled, polished and not banged into or dinged in any way. And so I kept the boxes, with all the packaging, for over 15 years, so I had double the space taken up by my speakers, all to be sure that when I moved them, they would be be protected. Storing big boxes to protect your daily furniture: what a pain.

Presence objectified. Image by badgreeb RECORDS used under Creative Commons

So why do I put up with all this annoyance? My wife, who has been a symphony violinist, asked early in our relationship if the speakers could be replaced, as they were just too big. So I unhooked the Klipsch Chorus IIs, and set up the smaller Definitives instead. And Jane said I could go and find a replacement for the Chorus IIs, as long as they were smaller. Price was no object. And I did locate another pair of speakers, the Klipsch RF-7 (now the RF-7 II), that met my sound requirements. And they were narrower (not shorter, just narrower), so they were, technically, smaller, at least in volume. But before I could tell Jane about my great find, and pull the trigger, she came to me and said, put the old speakers back, the little ones just don’t have the presence. It’s all in the sound, and the Klipsch Chorus IIs still dominate our living room to this day.

My new goal

That was 7 years ago. And I am always on the lookout for a small speaker system that will replicate what the Big Dogs bring.  And every year, the sound gets a little closer to what I’m looking for. I was very impressed by the Cambridge Audio Minx S325 speaker system, though I’m still getting used to the idea of listening to stereo sources in surround sound. Surround removes a lot of the stereo imaging that I so love, but the mid ranges from these smaller systems fatten up every year, and get a little more tempting. I could get the Klipsch RB81 II bookshelf speakers, because they sound great, and match them with a good sub-woofer, like the SW310. But it’s a big bookshelf that holds those speakers, so it removes me from my fantasy of big sound from tiny sources. Because if I can’t go tiny, I’ve already got big.

This is what happens when Johnny Winter turns the treble up! Image by bob_sanderson, used under Creative Commons

And why my fascination with Klipsch? Because I’m a guitar guy. I want the sting that the Klipsch speakers bring. In all my listening, I’ve decided that I like a brighter sound for listening to rock and blues. Now I’m not Johnny Winter (who turns the treble all the way up and the bass all the way down on his guitars), but I definitely need the highs to be high, and the angularity to be acute. No car audio for me- all bass no tune- just like Jim, I need the scream… of the butterfly.

208 years ago, on May 18^th, Lewis and Clark began their expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase. There were commercial applications for the trek, with the hope of finding a practical route to the Pacific, but the expedition was meant to be a primarily scientific exploration. It was a chance to map the Western United States. It was an opportunity to discover new river junctions, mountain passes, and other wonders. The charting the west was no easy order. After all, Lewis and Clark didn’t have a GPS device. They used an assortment of now dated navigational equipment.

Octant

(Image from nps.gov)

This nifty device was chiefly used to determine the latitude of a location. By measuring the angle between the horizon and the sun, an approximation of latitude could be determined. The octant got it’s name because of its 45 degree angle, one-eighth of a circle. While useful, it did have its downfalls. It could only be used between April and August, when the sun was greater than 60 degrees above the horizon.

Circumferentor (Surveyor’s Compass)

(Image from patented-antiques.com)

The circumferentor was essentially a more precise, larger magnetic compass. It was so precise it could measure to one half of a degree. This was aided by a front and back sighting that extended up to six inches away, ensuring accuracy in sighting. The device could be attached to top of a pole or tripod to help level it. Lewis and Clark tended to use it at night, determining bearings off of the stars.

Two-Pole Chain

(Image from surveyantiques.com)

Surveying chains of the 19^th century were comprised of iron links approximately eight inches long. There were typically a hundred links in the chain, measuring out to 66 feet. Often, they were used to measure miles and acres, 80 for a mile and ten for an acre. Lewis and Clark used these chains to measure the width of rivers.

Chronometer

(Image from spri.cam.ac.uk)

As the locations of the sun and astral bodies are dependent upon the time, 19^th century explorers often used a chronometer. These especially precise watches could be used to determine the exact time of the observation. They were typically set to Greenwich Time, the time at zero degrees longitude. Lewis and Clark utilized the timekeeper, but it tended to run a bit haphazardly – often speeding up, slowing down, or stopping altogether. So, they frequently had to use precise measurements of the sun to determine the exact time.

Nautical Almanacs

(Image from geolsoc.org.uk)

These were commonly used by captains at sea. It was the compilation of relevant the data for the location of the sun, moon, stars, and planets at various times of the year. Lewis and Clark kept copies of the almanac close at hand. This way, they could account for the necessary adjustments made to the coordination of the map.

Back in 1804, knowing where you were was no simple feat. Not only did it take a plethora of gadgets, some small and some large, it also demanded the skill to yield them. Fortunately, it’s 2012 and not 1804. All we need to figure out our exact coordinates is a compact GPS enabled device.

And thanks to all the moms out there, for all that you do.

Limericks were named after their place of origin — Limerick, Ireland. Originally made as nursery rhymes, they became more humorous, if lewd, as they spread through the taverns and pubs of the Emerald Isle. In 1846, Edward Lear memorialized the lyrical style with his “Book of Nonsense.” May 12th honors the limerick, and, here at Vann’s we endeavored to create a few of our own. 

Vann’s stunning prices and deals
Leave many thinking, “For reals?”
Consumer electronics
and appliances iconic
Shops are filled with customer squeals

You’re hardly a renaissance man
Shopping without a game plan
If you are stressed
Go with the best in the west
Quality prices and deals here at Vann’s

Do you feel oppressed and repressed?
Perhaps even slightly dispossessed?
Give Vann’s a try
It’s the best place to buy
We attest to impress at your slightest behest.

This mom needs some better apps.

There’s an app for everything, but if only there was an app to help you be a better mom. Oh wait, there is! Actually, there are lots of them– at least, lots of apps to help make your job as mom a little easier. Here is a list of some of the top apps for moms out there.

Mom Maps

Mom Maps screen shot (image from itunes.apple.com)

When you’re out and about, use this app to find nearby parks, museums, kid-friendly restaurants, and more. You can search for locations by category or zip code. Great for when you’re in a new area and need to quickly fend off a meltdown from the kiddos– or at least find a better place for them to have one.

 Smart-ICE4family

smart-ICE 4family screen shot (image from itunes.apple.com)

Get some serious peace of mind with this “in case of emergency” app, which stores and organizes the whole family’s medical information. It can also sound an audible alert after 911 is dialed from the app, in order to help EMS locate you. Safety first!

Baby Connect

Baby Connect screen shot (image from itunes.apple.com)

A lifesaver for new moms, Baby Connect lets you track your infant’s feedings, naps, diaper changes, mood, temperature, and a whole lot more. Accessible on the iPhone, iPad, and web, it can synch information between parents and the daycare or nanny. Let go of anxiety and enjoy the time with your new baby.

Ace Budget 2

Ace Budget 2 screen shot (image from itunes.apple.com)

It’s all about the cha-ching, cha-ching. Easily and conveniently manage your family’s finances with this popular app. Create a budget, track expenses, and schedule recurring transactions. Yes, being a mother is priceless, but kids are expensive!

It’s Potty Time

It's Potty Time screen shot (image from itunes.apple.com)

Get your potty pants on with this fun and interactive app. Help your kiddo ditch the diapers, thanks to an animated song and story, as well as a rewards chart. A useful tool for moms of toddlers.

Are there other apps that the moms out there love? Let us know.

The Future in action

I have seen the future, and it is on my head.

And no, it’s not some sort of revolutionary hair transplant method. It’s the Sony HZMT1 3D Personal Viewer.

Another classic. Image by TWM1340 used under Creative Commons

Ever since I was a little kid, watching Saturday afternoon sci-fi on the old 19″ Magnavox, I have wanted these. I didn’t want to see the world through rose colored glasses, I wanted to see the world through real-life, 3D, superhero glasses, just like in the future. And then Geordi on Star Trek: The Next Generation got a pair, when I really thought  I was next in line, and I began to despair.

Sight!

what every man needs

But no more! Just as Dr.Evil got his frickin sharks with frickin laser beams attached to their heads, I can get the Sony HMZT1 3D Personal Viewer to attach to mine. The HMZT1 is a slightly oversized  visor that slips on your head and covers your eyes, and attaches to your Blu-ray source or game console via HDMI. As soon as I heard it was on display, I rushed onto the sales floor and slapped it on my head. No questions, with only enough info to keep me from hurting myself or the HMZT1, and I was just blown away. I didn’t know it had the aspect of a 150″ screen. 150″! That is bigger than any wall in my house! The graphics were clear, and the 3D effects were amazing. I wear glasses, and with very little adjustment, the HMZT1 fit with no problem.

Sound!

This is big, but the HMZT1's are bigger . . . virtually

The guys on the sales floor who set it up for me said I might have to adjust the earbuds. Pffffft. Those aren’t earbuds, they’re full-on headphones, with awesome sound. The brochure says they are 5.1 surround- I can’t vouch for that, but I can say the sound was incredible, lifelike and full. I saw a little snippet of a movie I’m familiar with (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2) and the sound was as good as I get at home in the man cave. Which, though I say it myself, has a pretty zippy sound system. And the man cave only has a 42″ screen. As of this moment, I am officially deprived.

The object of my desires

Gamers get ready!

On the preview disc, there was what looked like a driving game. I didn’t recognize the game- I am not a computer game player. But the Sony HZMT1 was designed in conjunction with PlayStation, and with this personal viewer I might become a gamer. I was glad no one was filming me on my first run through with the personal player, because my right foot moved forward to apply the BRAKES when “my” car got a little too close to the car in front. It was amazing. If you are a gamer, this is totally the way to go. You think a darkened room and surround sound gets it done? You will have to set your cell phone to vibrate alarm so you remember to eat with the HZMT1.

Just had his HMZT1 taken away. Image by Nelly! used under Creative Commons

Is it perfect? No, I don’t have one yet. Maybe, maybe not. I had no idea where the controls were, and had to take the whole unit off to adjust the volume. There were a bunch of buttons on the visor, and I didn’t know what they did. But I learned to program a VCR- I learned to navigate the menus on my Blu-ray player- I will learn to navigate  this as well. And while it seems complicated to a neophyte, so did every else I’ve ever learned, so I’m not too worried.

Your own personal IMAX

And I may look a little odd when wearing it. But since I look a little odd anyway, wearing a digital headset isn’t really a big step down!  But this isn’t something that you’re going to wear all over town, just in the privacy of your own home. And I don’t know how comfortable it will be over the long haul (there were too many people waiting to try it after me to allow extended wear, and they wouldn’t let me borrow it overnight, either), but I can say it felt light and comfortable for the 10 minutes I wore it. But when you want the immersive feel that you get at the IMAX, or in an old school, huge screen movie theater, then you have got to wear one of these things on your head, and get lost in the world of the Sony HMZT1 3D Personal Viewer. It will totally change the way you interact with your entertainment, and keep others from being forced to interact with your entertainment as well.

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades. Image by X-ray Delta One, used under Creative Commons

Happy Mother's Day!

“Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard

It’s a mother’s greatest fear: that you won’t raise ‘em right. Merle addresses those fears in the twangy croons of this song. “I turned twenty-one in prison doing life without parole. No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried.” Your mom raised you the best she could– and now you can raise the roof, with the Panasonic SC-HC55 iPod stereo dock.

“Dear Mama” by 2Pac

An ode to a single mom, this song acknowledges a tough job– “I finally understand, for a woman it ain’t easy tryin’ to raise a man”– and also broadcasts a whole lot of love– “Dear mama, place no one about ya, sweet lady. You are appreciated.” Play this one on the streets or in the shower, with the portable Bose SoundLink wireless mobile speaker.

“Mama” by Spice Girls

If you’re lucky, sometimes your mom is also your friend. And if you’re really lucky, your daughter is one of the Spice Girls. You get older, you get wiser and you learn stuff about life. “I didn’t mean to be so bad. I never though you would become the friend I never had.” Girl power! Rock out anytime, anywhere with the 8GB iPod nano.

“Present / Infant” by Ani Difranco

Rocker chick and mom Ani Difranco sings about the introspection and mental shift that happens once you become a parent. Sounds cheesy and vague, I know. But really, if you’re a mom, this song will resonate. “Lately I’ve been glaring into mirrors picking myself apart. You’d think at my age I’d though of something better to do than making insecurity into a full time job…But now here is this tiny baby and they say she looks just like me.” Play it loud and proud from the Sony SS-B1000 bookshelf speakers: small in size but big in sound.

“Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne

So, is it kind of cute to have a crush on your friend’s mom? Or just kind of uncomfortable? In any case, this is a fun song. All together now: “Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on.” Pair this bubblegum pop song with a pair of iLuv Bubble Gum in-ear headphones, and you can bop your head to your heart’s content. We won’t judge you.

Happy Mother’s Day! Got any favorite songs about moms that we’re missing? Share in the comments.

More information on the tablet than on the shelves behind her. That's iTunes U

Most of us have already gotten to know our iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch as everything from personal trainers to your kids (okay, and your) favorite game system to the best place to watch basketball. Oh, and that whole phone, music, e-reader stuff your top rated tablet or smart phone can do.

Of course, if you think that’s all they’re good for get ready to be taken to school.

Literally.

Back in January, Apple had announced their education apps and initiatives, partnering with schools and textbook manufacturers to create a platform for virtual classes. Their biggest announcement, iTunes U, acts as a gateway for lectures (both video and audio), e-textbooks, and syllabus. Teachers can even include other documents, such as homework assignments, letting students access course materials at their own pace.

And, since it’s all on the iPad, iPhone, and iPad it can be accessed from anywhere at any time. It’s easy to see the possibilities: accessing a lecture again and again to go over difficult points; being able to take notes and bookmark important concepts inside your textbook; allowing teachers more time to go over materials and questions rather than presenting it fresh.

Showing off some of the coursework

By allowing students new way to interact with their material, and giving teachers a new way to present it, it’s an exciting time to be in a classroom. Early studies have even shown that this sort of learning is better for students.

It’s an exciting time even if you haven’t stepped foot in one for quite awhile, too.

iTunes U also features free materials and classes from top universities and secondary schools. Interested in brushing up on the basics of game theory with a course from MIT? No problem. Want to introduce your 4th grader with some interesting math problems to help give them a leg up over the summer? It’s there.

By having these resources freely available (including for download), it’s an incredible way to turn spare time into a learning opportunity. Most are even cut into smaller clips of specific concepts, letting you absorb at your own pace and making sure you don’t have to clear an hour out of your day to listen to a lecture.

Of course, even with such an amazing resource at our fingertips, there are a few downsides.

iTunes U portal on iTunes for Windows or Mac

iTunes U, the portal to access and organize textbooks and other materials, is currently only accessible to those with an iOS 5 device, like an iPad, iPhone, or 3rd generation or better iPod touch. For students and non-students alike, that can make it tough to follow along.

It remains to be seen if iTunes U goes beyond mobile devices for anything but audio and video (a Mac or PC version that acts as a hub for everything else, as an example), but for now, the availability of just the lecture side of things will have to do.

So the next time you’ve got a few minutes to kill, consider passing on the Angry Birds, and instead take some time to learn something new on your top rated tablet or smart phone.

Hoisting the Stanley Cup. Image by michaelrighi, used under Creative Commons

As far as I’m concerned, there are no better playoffs than hockey. Intensity, duration, speed, skill, it’s all there. Here are the 10 best reasons why hockey play-offs are the best (there’s many more)

1. Guys with sticks

The start of it all. Image by pinkmoose, used under Creative Commons.

From the dawn of time, right up through the Rantalec remote , man has grasped a stick and put it to use. And no one puts a stick to use with more artistry than a hockey player. Pin point passing, shooting a puck at 90mph into a 3″ x 3″ corner, or tipping a moving puck — we carry these stick skills in our genes, hockey players get to practice them all the time.

2. Walking on water

Hockey players do all this on ice, skating, moving at upwards of 30 mph. When you watch, it’s hard to remember they’re moving with such grace and speed in funny shoes on a slippery surface, but they are. With that little glare off the ice at the beginning of the period that says the ice is smooth, that goes to a flat, dull gray by the end of the period.

I stopped by my local Missoula Vann’s 5 years ago with my wife to buy a washer and dryer. I got there a little earlier and decided to browse. Not washers and dryers; I saw a giant TV next to the register, playing a hockey game. It was amazing. I had just been home to Pittsburgh and gone to the Igloo to see the Penguins. This TV replicated the sights of that live game perfectly. We bought the washer and dryer, but that was my first lesson in the clarity of the top-rated flat screen. We got a new TV soon after. A big one.

3. Guys with sticks . . . redux

“The hockey stick is the great equalizer”. So said Terrible Ted Lindsay. Not every move with a stick is a graceful and smooth erudition of the players skill, sometimes it’s just a big old swat. Which makes us move onto . . .

4. A gathering of the clans

When the sticks start swinging, penalties get called. And sometimes when the penalty gets called, there is a bit of extra curricular activity. In a recent Sports Illustrated poll of NHL players, 98% of them felt that fighting should NOT be banned. I guess it goes all the way back to Clarence Campbell, the 3rd NHL president, who said, “the safest and most satisfactory way to retaliate a foul is with a punch in the nose”. Quick, simple done with.

An open discussion of fresh ideas. image by rubyswoon used under Creative Commons

And a top-rated flat screen TV is a real joy when teams get into a scrum. When I first started watching hockey on a full 19 inches of curved glass, in B&W, with no cable, two guys would pair off, and then two more, and you just had no idea why. Now, with 42″ of flat screen color and digital sharpness, you see the face rub, the quick stick lift and the casual butt end that gets the second set of players to have a go.

5. The interviews

The post-game hockey interview is unfailingly polite, no matter the subject or the situation. There is no “Bulletin Board” material in a hockey interview. Win a game by seven goals? “We had to play a full 60 minutes out there”. Just scored four goals? ” My team mates made sure I had the puck at the right time” Make 47 saves in a 1-0 shut out? “The team skated really hard and kept the other guys from getting quality shots”. There is no “I” in team, no bragging, no trash talking (at least to the media) and never, ever give the other team a reason to get more involved than they already are.

6.  No rest for the wicked

Once the play-offs start, you play a hockey game every other day for 56 days. 4 rounds of 7 games. Maybe you get a break if you close out a series early, but not much of one. And the stick comes back into play, as do the boards, and the ice, and the puck. It hurts to play hockey, and when one team emerges holding the cup- you can be sure of one thing. They wanted it the most, because if you don’t want it, you fall by the 56 day wayside.

7. Overtime!!

You play till the game is won. Sudden death. Sometimes it takes 9 seconds. Sometimes it takes an extra 92:01 to get the clincher. But anyway you slice it, the game goes on till a goal is scored. I’ve embedded this link to Bill Clement and Mike Emrick. This was only a 4 OT game, and these guys were just the announcers, and look at them. Imagine how the home team fans behave!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDvwuXXEA4w

I saw this live (on TV), and it was an amazing game, and an amazing announcing of the game. Instant TV classic! Wish I’d had a top-rated flat screen in ’87.

8. Because they’re hockey players

It happens every year. Some baseball player gets a finger blister and sits for 3 weeks, or a soccer player player gets injured reaching for the remote control. And then there’s hockey players. Sometimes, with a minor facial cut (say 6 stitches or less) they don’t even leave the bench. And miss a shift? Only if the trainer can’t sew fast enough. There’s tough, there’s $2.00 steak tough and then there’s hockey player tough.

9. The Stanley Cup

Mario's pool. Image by Cupcanal, used under Creative Commons

You get your name engraved on the cup. No other sport does that. And as a winner, you get the cup for a day, to do whatever you want with it. The Stanley Cup has been abandoned in airports, sank to the bottom of Mario Lemeuix’s pool and baptized a baby. No other trophy has the night life or the legacy of Lord Stanley’s bauble.

10. The handshake

At the end of every series, no matter how emotional, no matter how chippy, how many overtimes, or how many penalties were called, the teams line up and shake hands. No exceptions, with the goalies traditionally at the end of the line. No other sport has this show of sportsmanship, this recognition of hockey as still a game. Important? Undoubtedly. But still just a game, to be ended with a handshake, like gentlemen. Despite all the evidence that showed that some players were, perhaps, not as gentlemanly as they could be, at the end of every series, the ceremonial handshake.

Take a look around, we could do with a little more sportsmanship in our lives, a few more handshakes at the end of a squabble.

The calm at the end of the storm. Image by uncleweed, used under Creative Commons