Cool - XM Radio is in da hizzous!!

So it struck me that my lovely lady and I spend a lot of time driving. This driving usually has to do with our work and thus involves many hours of sitting on our asses looking at mile after mile of blacktop.

We have found many ways to distract ourselves on these long trips. There are, of course, games such as 'Punch me in the Arm' and 'Racoon Bocce' but these are short lived thrills. Books on tape are a great help but this situation really requires a far more complex solution involving technology of an almost mythical power. Behold!


I got the basic XM kit for Chrismachannukwanzikaa and picked up the car kit at Best Buy. I activated the system over the phone and then pranced (yes pranced) outside to install the shiny silver box of joy. This was achieved without undue stress. The radio itself slides into a mounting bracket that is stuck to the dash with powerful sticky tape. The power cord, antenna and audio out line are housed in this base station so you can simply take the radio with you if you should have to leave your vehicle in one of the less savory Amish neighborhoods near our home.

The unit requires about 20 minutes to download programming info, updates and (I am convinced) secret spyware that allows the government to track my every move.

Once set up the system is fairly easy to operate. That is to say, if you can turn a knob and/or push buttons, you're good to go. XM features something like 120 commercial free channels of programming for $10 a month. It also features something we often do not get out here in 'Gods Country (tm)', reception. I've had the system for a few days now and I enjoy it overall. Being a person who grew up, to some degree, during the 80's I appreciate the all 80's channel, although I am beginning to learn there was indeed a lot of crap created during that time. The world music channels are cool and I have a soft spot for 40's music and radio dramas from that period. The only problem is that if there isn't something on the channel you are listening to, you can bop around from channel to channel. And because the radio displays the artist and title you may find yourself distracted from your driving duties, which can lead to much swerving/screaming in panic etc...