Holy Toilet Water

New Rule: No More iPods in the bathroom!

As is my usual routine, I was enjoying some Ricky Gervais audiobooks whilst scrubbing away at my teeth before bed this evening. I turned 'round to reach my towel, and due to the lack of slack on the length-challenged headphone cord attached to the Red 2nd Gen iPod Nano (in its leather case) folded over the waistband of my shorts, the Nano was unceremoniously disconnected and plummeted swiftly and wetly directly into the toilet!

I seem to remember Ricky's laughter stopping short as the ear bud connection was ended...and then a loud gasp which I would later recall to be my own.

As luck would have it, the roommate had cleaned this very toilet earlier in the day, and as luck would also have it, I hadn't 'conducted any business' in it's freshly Ajaxed tepid pool of judgement just yet.

Quickly (after a moment of consideration for my own safety) I reached down to the bottom of the bowl and rescued my audio precious from a potentially watery grave.

Now, say what you will about toilet water, but after softly sopping up the excess with bog roll, the iPod appears to have resurfaced, no worse for wear. It's tiny & bright display merely suggested that I do not use Firewire to charge it, as it is not a supported interface. Click to dismiss, and low and behold, Ricky, Steve & Karl were right where I left them! Sorry no photo, but it wasn't my immediate concern to share this with the blogosphere...do kids still say blogosphere?

Rejoice! For this iPod has not been sent to its great beyond, not on this day, and not in this toilet!

I've left the device and its case to sit overnight on some Kleenex, in hopes any watery remnants will find their way back out from whence they came. The leather case seems to be leaving blue marks on the Kleenex...not sure what that's about, but not a big concern, for Nano herself is safe, and will hopefully continue to deliver me many years of Gervais-based audio comedy.

One can't help but sense that a greater lesson has been taught to me through this series of events. Though I may need time to reflect and absorb all the liquidy details of just what has transpired.

...on the bright side...even if there is some damage beyond repair...it could've been my iPod Touch!

ZAGG invisibleSHIELD

So, there's this company called ZAGG. They make the "Invisible Shield", which is an outstanding new product.

As usual, it all starts with the US Military. Story goes they had developed an indestructible plastic cling wrap (the kind you and I would use for sandwiches) to apply to their helicopter blades...not sure what grade meat they make their sandwiches with, but rest assured, the bread will be protected!

My buddy recently ordered and applied Invisible Shields to his camera, Blackberry and iPod Touch. For the cost of a few albums on iTunes, all his devices are now protected from the worst the elements have to serve up (pocket lint, dust, loose change, gravel, sidewalk, etc). Should have taken some pictures of the application process, but alas, I have none.

The Invisible Shields don't hurt your gadgets in the least, and can be removed at any time. With a lifetime warranty, how can you go wrong? These shields let you protect your swag in style...yeah, I used to work in radio, why do you ask?

Anyway, check em out. If I get a new device, I'll definitely want to protect it's multitouch screen...looking at you, Apple. Check out their website for more details and helpful videos, or read a much more detailed review here. They have versions for all your gear, PSPs, iPods, laptops, phones, even the PS3!

TV shows now on iTunes Canada

No, you're not dreaming!  After what seems like about ten years (probably closer to two), TV shows are now available for purchase in the Canadian iTunes Store.

Not much there yet, of course, but hey, lest we forget, the US Store only started with a handful of shows back in the day (2005).  Plus, since the Canadian broadcast culture absolutely depends on simulcasting US shows as I've discussed before, it might be a good long while before we see The Daily Show, 24, Heroes or any of the other big name shows.

However, it's nice to see the price is the same as the US, at $2 an episode.  I assume the quality is the same, not quite DVD.  Also, Canadian hit shows Corner Gas, Little Mosque on the Prairie and other homegrown hits are on there for those who never realized sometimes we do make our own shows.  In a fit of irony, Canadian networks could thank themselves at this point for the lack on content on there.  Make some more of your own shows, fellas.  Then you'll own the rights!

And what Canadian video store would be complete without a smattering of NHL content?!  Well you're in luck, as there's even some 'Stanley Cup Classics' up there.  5 old-skool Stanley Cup games, back in the days before the Salary Cap was King.  They look to be full length games, no ads.  While I assume we're still a long way from next-day highlights or current game downloads, this is a good move for the NHL, kudos.  And anyway, if you're a Leafs fan, there's lots of content already up in the Podcast section...check out "Game in Six Minutes", and the LeafsTV post-game show is also available:

One more point:  If I was a Canadian film or TV producer, I would absolutely be phoning Apple this morning to find out how I can get my content on here.  Bypass the broadcaster completely and get your show in front of people on their computer or their iPod.  No brainer.

Anyway, we'll see where this goes.  Interesting to see when/if movies get added, but again, if I had a Canadian film, I'd skip fighting tooth and nail trying to get it into 3 screens across Canada opening weekend competing with Harry Potter and Spider-Man, and just get it online where everyone can find it and buy it for dirt cheap.

Personally I'm hooked on Blu-Ray since the PS3 came to stay at my house, but the online download world has not yet begun to fight, not in this country anyway.  Well, ok, now it has...as of today...