Someone has it in the cards for me?

So last month, I posted a blog about Akinyele and how I remember exactly where I was when I heard his (basically one hit wonder) song, and that I also remember where I was when I bought Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle on cassette.

Some context to title post:

Every time I walk into a store that carries vinyl record, I sift through the albums. I've been seeing Snoop's record among the piles and I stand there for a minute and contemplate buying it. I usually end up putting it back on the shelf because it's over $24 depending on the store.

As unfortunate in price, Amazon has it as an import right now and a double record for $31.92. I don't recall the store versions saying it's a double record. It didn't feel heavy enough to be double either.

There's also an "Exclusive Brown And Minty Color Splatter Vinyl" for $43.70. Again, the stores I saw the album in, weren't showcasing this version or saying it was a double LP set.

On top of the fact, all Big Box stores' websites that have the album for sale, have very similar reviews that Amazon has - it skips in most places and side C is missing grooves. And, all selling versions have 13 tracks instead of the original 18.

Still not going to buy it. For now.

But.....

This is where things get weird (and more context).

I was looking through some CDs I have the other night. Just something to listen to while checking emails. I happened to pick up a folder that was given to me by a friend of the family. The discs belonged to the woman's son and she thought I'd appreciate the music, as he is no longer is with us. The guy would be only a few years older than me, so if he were still around, I'm sure we'd have a lot more in common than the music his mom thought I'd like.

Without really thinking, I start thumbing through the folder. Todd owned a lot of random stuff - rap, hip hop, pop, folk, classical (really, dude?? lol), R rated movie soundtracks... things I would have bought singles of or had on cassette back in the day. Most of these albums are highly used - obviously Todd played the hell out of them and they traveled everywhere he went. The sad part is as much as I'd like to enjoy all 30+ CDs, I can only listen to half of them because that's how beat up they are. I'm not going to complain because I do appreciate the kind gesture and I know Todd would want someone to listen to his stuff.

Of all things to see, I found Doggystyle in this folder. No joke.

It happens to have scratches on it and skipped on one track for a second but otherwise all 55 minutes of it played. The skipping is not due to defect on the album (like the reviews online), but because it wasn't cared for properly played a lot.

It was hard to get proper photos of the scratches, but proof that I'm really thinking this is all too weird:
(photos taken on an iPhone 6S)

 

 

 





In other random news:

I won a set of headphones on Amazon Giveaways the middle of last month.

The listing / brand is YMXUAN Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones. They're $32.99 and I've tried them out on several phone calls since I received them.

The negative is for that price, they act like $5 headphones. From conversations I've had with people while using them, I'm told I sound really muffled; like I'm covering my mouth with cotton or something. The positive is they are noise cancelling to a point, but you would have to be so wrapped up in what you're doing that you don't notice your surroundings.

Sound quality for music is so-so, but I don't have music on my phone. I've listened to YouTube videos and with something like Nine Inch Nails' Closer, it doesn't feel as deep as it would in typical headphones. Even Fleetwood Mac's Go Your Own Way feels more analogue than digital. I guess audiophiles may want that, but if you're looking for a song that's going to knock your socks off and help you exercise or get through a shitty day at the office, I don't think this pair of headphones will do it for you.

I've listened to a podcast on these, and for "talk shows", I struggle to hear the content. I'd have to turn my phone volume on 100% to hear everything, but when someone laughs or there's a surprise noise in the recording, it hurts. 50% volume feels like 40% to me. Podcasts too, don't feel inviting to keep listening to.

Phone calls sound far away - like the person on the other end is in a tiled, empty room. Not so close or "pretty" as other headphones fare.

The zippered carrying case with an attached carabiner is a nice feature along with an inside pocket to keep the manual, charger and extra ear inserts. The headphones fold up nicely and once fully zipped, they actually don't turn on in the case. I've had that happen with other bluetooth headphones and it's a horrible waste of battery, when the things don't last long in play as it is.

I haven't played anything long enough to test the strength of the batter because quite honestly, after having the horseshoe style collar around my neck for just 20 minutes of a phone call, I was hurting. It gets heavy after a while and you don't realize it until you take it off. Plus, if you don't have a thin neck, it feels like it's choking you... like it did to me.

Pictures of the headphones (taken with an iPhone 6S):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To compare, I purchased a pair of Heyday headphones from Target in May. Heyday is Target's brand of electronics, I think, as Amazon doesn't carry these.

For $19.99 (before tax), I honestly have to say, these have lasted me far longer than other bluetooth headphones I've tried over the past 4 months.

No joke:
I started off in April with a pair of Airpod knock offs from Amazon (bought because of price.. #dumbassmoment... don't get something that is less than $25) and had used them for 3 days before they broke. People said they couldn't hear me at all in phone calls. Audio was good. I returned the pair to find out the seller doesn't exist anymore and neither does this particular pair of headphones. I click on the link in my purchase history and it goes to a dead "OOPS!" Amazon page.

I then went to a Big Box retailer bought a pair of seemingly good looking bluetooth, in ear headphones... they lasted a week before breaking. They were under $20. Sound was good. Call quality was okay too.

Returned them and bought another $20 pair (different brand) at the same store. Returned them a few days later. Broke. Again, sound and call quality was good.

Now I'm on the Heyday and knock on wood, haven't had problems. The only thing people have said to me was they had an occasional trouble hearing me. The volume bar thing on the right rope needs to be close to my mouth in order to be heard. I can't have the string behind my neck or call won't work so good. Podcasts are great with these - I can have the phone volume on 25% and that's actually too loud for me.

To think I'm hard of hearing and saying that 25% volume on headphones is too loud on a podcast says a lot if you really think about it.

The Heyday headphones are light enough that I don't feel strained with them, but when I've got them hanging around my neck and tucked under my collar (not wearing them in my ears... like when I'm talking to people), that's when I can feel them on me. TMI moment #1: The ear piece gets stuck in my bra and it looks funny. It feels just as awkward too. Try pulling them out of your shirt when you go to listen to audio or make a call. Haha.

The battery life is pretty good as well. I can listen to podcasts for most of my 8 hour shift and not have to worry about charging the headphones. I think I've charged them every other day, depending how much use I get out of them the day before. So that's become a definite perk right now.

Pictures or I wrote the TMI for nothing (via an iPhone 6S):

 

 

 

 

 


That's about it for now and with updates. I want to go make some tea because my throat is feeling scratchy. There's a sickness going around work and I don't want it.



Until next time...


Cheers;