The Walkman turns 30 this week. I was watching that movie The Wackness this weekend (had tons of walkmen/mixtape references). It is not a movie I recommend watching. It’s as if I was given the director’s cut of the movie. Except it wasn’t the director’s cut and there was definitely an hours worth of film that could have been cut.

Anyway, it’s a sad day when you watch a retro movie, and the main character in the movie is still younger than you. But, I must tell myself that I am young at heart.

I DIGRESS. Here’s an article about a 13 year old boy given a walkman by his father for a few days. The highlight of the article is that it took the boy 3 days to realize there was 2 sides to a tape.

http://tinyurl.com/mebjkx

I can’t really say for sure.  I know it should be awful. but I can’t help but think its supposed to be. A hype williams bling-type video? ron howard “making it rain”. I feel uneasy writing “making it rain” how f*cking akward  is it to see him do it. but still. it is kind of awesome. and until Jay-z drops some blueprint 3 tracks it kills me to say this the jam of the summer (so far).

P.S. if you cant see it, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYc875zkDxg

Digital Radiography: Are You Ready to Make the Switch (aroo)?

Anthony J. Fischetti DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVR

Department Head of Diagnostic Imaging

Animal Medical Center, New York

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Digital radiography has revolutionized diagnostic imaging. In just the past 5 years, advances in technology have made the equipment more accessible for veterinarians practicing in both the larger hospitals and small practices.

Pros/Cons:

Advantages:

1. Image quality is improved overall, even if exposure settings are not perfect (leeway for an acceptable image is greater than film).
2. It saves time.
3. It saves space (no more dark room, shelves for film, chemicals).
4. Makes images easier to find (no misplaced films).
5. Multiple people can view the same study at the same time, in different places (emergency practices can burn you a CD for your records; radiologist interpretations are just a click away).

Disadvantages:

1. Expense.

Overview of Options:

Plates:

Computed Radiography (CR): CR plates are image capture devices, similar to the cassettes used in film-based radiography. Once an exposure is made, the cassette is removed from a tray, and placed in a reader (like a processor). This requires extra time and, apart from greater leeway with exposure settings, doesn’t generally save time. Image quality is excellent with CR and the price is very competitive relative to other options.

Direct (capture) Radiography (DR): Direct capture means that the image is automatically produced on a computer screen after an exposure is made. Unlike CR, DR does not require the extra step of carrying a plate to a reader. The parts in the machine stay put so there is no worry about dropping expensive equipment. Two types of DR are marketed to veterinarians:

1. Flat panel detectors.

2. Charge-coupled device (CCD).

The differences between these two types of DR are fast becoming blurred. Technology has brought the image quality of CCD close to that of a flat panel detector. The competitive market has brought the expense of flat panel detectors close to that of the generally cheaper CCD. The options provided by the manufacturers are numerous. Some are good. Others are awful.

Storage:

This is a highly neglected part of the digital radiography puzzle that must be considered before purchase. Medical digital images are much larger than the digital pictures you have from that trip to Las Vegas (by the way, those pictures should have stayed in Vegas!). The large file size of radiographs must be stored and easily found on a large, accessible server. The options are endless (on-site storage, off-site storage, web-based, do-it-yourself) and this is a way for vendors to keep the final price down. The bottom line is to research storage and viewing options (referred to as the PACS) to determine what is the best solution for you.

Computers:

Face it. Computers are a part of everyday life. You need computers for viewing the images. You should consider how many computers (workstations) you need. Where are you placing these workstations? Find a dimly lit room that is accessible to staff. High-speed internet connections are important for sending images to storage and for consultation. The software that is used for manipulating and searching for images is also important. Vendors may provide the software. Excellent free software options are also available on the internet.

Finally, the greatest DR machine in the world will display a mediocre image if the diagnosis is made on a poor quality monitor. Monitors are the common missing link to the investment in image quality and optimal diagnoses. I recommend investing in at least one medical grade (>2MP) color monitor for viewing radiographs.

Bottom Line:

Can you afford to make the switch now? Revenue calculations are available in the veterinary economics journals and web pages. These calculations give me a headache. I will generally ask veterinarians one important question to determine if further discussion is needed… “How many radiographic studies (thorax, abdomen, musculoskeletal) do you take per month?” A practice making less than 30 studies a month (at an average charge of $100 – 150/case to the client) is not performing enough exams to match the initial return on investment. However, a practice making more than 40 studies/month is ready. Savings on film, chemicals, time, and space can offset the extra expense of initial investment, service, and storage.

Researching what you truly need and don’t need is important. Ask the vendors what the 5-year monetary investment would be, not just the initial down payment. This allows you to consider warranty, servicing, and continued storage. What exactly do you get with those chronic, monthly service payments? Will they promise fast response if the unit is down? Where do my images go after five years? Will they remain easily accessible (remember the legal ramifications of this)?

Radiologists are important resources for consultation on a DR purchase. We spend much of our day reading radiographs from different hospitals. We hear the positive feedback and excitement of the veterinarians who made the right decisions. We occasionally hear horror-stories. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions. anthony.fischetti@amcny.org; 212-329-8782. Additional information regarding digital radiography can be found at these websites: www.animalinsides.com (Dr. Matt Wright sets us all right); www.acvr.org (the ACVR knows all); and www.aavr.org (American Association of Veterinary Radiologists is a new organization concentrating on education and futuristic veterinary radiology).

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How come no one is doing mixtape anymore?  If I post a mix, will anyone hear it?  I know, deep, right?

Yo, why’d you let the girl show you up? You know there weren’t any more aspects of irregularites in that mass…

Martha Stewart Video

… but we all know he’s more Alex Keaton than Michael Keaton.

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I don’t know if I love this website or absolutely hate it. All I know is that it exists in the world wide web universe. You decide:

thisiswhyyourefat.com

Turbaconucken

because it’s been so long…

@ least I have the mix all nutted, smoothed out on the R&B tip, as explained my fellow editions, but security issues wouldn’t let me post the midpoint/heart of the mix here. Security. thanks. I’m  so secure now, all the better for me. right? 750billion $$ and I can’t post 2 songs? I was thankful last month when itunes reimbursed me for when I lost 3 songs credit when i updated my itunes to the newest version.  I’d give them back to share them w/ you. but we are so secure now.

well for those that know, know where to go. Its nothing new, in fact some really really old songs, but give it your ear for a minute.

As for me it’s been about a year. but i’m looking to get back into it. Only if it’s the right reasons. it’s like riding a bike, w/ pedals and sticks.

Hope you listen and enjoy,

This is for Davey Baby and Danny Noonan.

2008 brought so many unspeakables… speak this!

here is the true dilemma.  years in music are turning into songs of the year, instead of  albums of the year.  but you know what, f-it.  below is a great album from 2008 JUST because at least two songs on the rekid ruled… (in this time of resession we need to re-adjust our threshold folks):

velocirfero by ladytron.  dang! season of illusion;  but so many others.  this is actually a flow record.  like it from begin to end.  great one to start off with.

david byrne and beno (keeps you from farting):  apart from third song, i am feeling my stuff, that record flows. gotta skip 3 at all times… i think they planned it that way.  i do like the song title though. pretty sure i felt my stuff last night.

melvins… all of kicking machine.  no fuck you. the whole record.

islands… the new album.  the song creeper is kill.

05-creeper

MGMT.  i like tons of that album.  you are dick if you have an attitude about that.  shut up.

s. malkmus & jicks:  dude, gardenia is a friggin hit.  i really like the way you dot your J’s, with giant circles!

07-gardenia

annie’s album deserves some love.  i know your girlfriend hates me (or something like that) and SWEET!  two great songs.  you can’t ask more from people these days… as i said, it’s a recession.

i think in the process of all of us blaming things on the recession, it’s gonna be so much bigger of a party when we snap out of it.  and we may not snap out of it, but it seems that since the depression, people have been partying pretty hard.  maybe that’s just me.  well yeah maybe it is, but people partied pretty hard for an inauguration on tuesday and last sunday.  dang.

supergrass record.  they got nothing on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

another friggin deadly song on silver jews record, my pillow is the theshold.  it’s the threshold of a kingdom, a world where i am with you.  it’s a dark and snowy secret, and it has to do with heavan and what looks like sleep is really HOT PURSUIT!!!! yes.  i don’t need tv … and stay up.  this song is really important, i am gonna make sure i upload it (in my pants… teehee!)

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ok and i will put it out there.  for all that mykley/marty i right… when you’re right you’r right (say that in a staten island accent).  cut copy has a great two songs that i love to death:

“things go crazy for you… out there on the ice again.  you dont know what to do!! there’s a GAY now, who will be there for you” — to paraphrase cutcopy marty,  there will always be some GAY for you!— and the other song that i will never forget is… hearts on fire.  uh, i am dryhumping my cat as we speak.

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09-hearts-on-fire

Punjabi Grocery & Deli

Now I don’t really go out and get drunk very often but this place is awesome after a night of boozing. I wouldn’t say it’s the best Indian food ever, but the food is so spicy that it gives you enough energy to stay awake on that cab ride. I see why cabbies go there, besides the portability of the food, it’s like caffeine.

I know most of you have been there. I know some of you drag your feet going. But besides a certain person, who thought the food wouldn’t  be spicy enough and decided to add spicy sauce and chiles to his food (rhymes with FeMaria), no one regrets going.

It’s also all vegetarian. The microwaves are scary, but the people are always super nice.

I’m lukewarm about the new Q-Tip album.  I really want to like it, I was disappointed by Amplified (except for Vibrant Thing),  and of course love love love Tribe.  Danny Noonan and actual Danny both love this album.  It just seems so dated, like I’m at the Music Box on Avenue B circa 1997.  What am I missing?   And consider whether your argument will be more persuasive if you’re not high.  You know who you are.

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merry christmas.  our souls will be a big  package to god when we die.