Pamparo in Toronto

We had a family night-out today to see the Disney animation Bolt. It was a good kid’s movie. There are also plenty of parts that kept even adults laughing. It was fun seeing the characters Bolt (dog), Mitten (cat) & Rhino (hamster) embark in a cross-country journey to find Penny. For some reason, there are too many pigeons in the movie. I think it would have been better if some of the pigeons were seagulls. Oh yeah, Rhino is so much fun!!!

Although I would not give it a 5-star rating, it is still worth seeing it in the theaters just because its 3D. We had a blast, and really, that is what made this night/movie really special and memorable. What a blessing!

I just bought Ambrosia‘s album “Ambrosia: Anthology” from iTunes tonight. I have to be honest that I didn’t really know how good this band was since I only heard a couple of their “soft-rock” on the radio when I was growing up. Beside the regular hits like “You’re the Only Woman”, “Biggest Part of Me”, “How Much I Feel” and “I Just Can’t Let Go”, this album is filled with great progressive-rock tracks that I am really enjoying.

I am sure that I am going to have this on my regular rotation of subway-listening playlist! How about you, what have you been listening to lately?

Today, November 11, we commemorate Remembrance Day in Canada to remember those who have given their lives in the forefront of the battle fields and to all those who have and are still serving for the benefit of us all.

In Flanders Fields
by: Lt.-Col. John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Please take a moment of silence and continue to pray for them. God has dominion over everything, including the conflicts that are happening in our world today.

This is a story of a company that is all about customer satisfaction, emphasis on purchase value & increased product life-cycle. Buckle up, it does not happen very often.

Shortly after the Line6 POD XT Live was released in 2004, I immediately jumped on it to replace my combination of digital guitar chain. At the time, I was using a Yamaha DG-stomp & Behringer Vamp2 controlled simultaneously by Behringer FCBC1010 on a Midiman 1×4 MIDI-thru.That was one truly complicated setup!

Comes the XTL which does a better job tone-wise than the two combined (except for clean tones) and was an easier setup — 1 device, guitar in, line-out, PA.

While the XTL base configuration + the 3 model packs (FX, Classic and Metal) is sufficient for most needs, Line 6 extended its life-cycle and its value by providing a free firmware update that includes freebies such as new Wah models, new amps/cabs and few FX. Did I say free?

After that, Line 6 offered another upgrade to make the XTL usable for bass guitarist without buying new hardware. Since I started getting my analog amp/pedals, I hardly use my XTL for live electric guitar work. But because of this upgrade, I still very much use it for bass amplification. This upgrade was really really valuable.

Currently, Line 6 also is extending the PODs life-cycle even more. Now as a software plugin via Gearbox (now as POD Farm, as a continuation of their Amp Farm line). For a minimal fee, you can now use your POD as plugin to a recording software such as Garageband or Logic Express. Wait a minute, I happen to be a frequent Garageband user and recently upgraded to Logic Express! Of course, I did jump in and bought the license last night

All that is left for me to say is this: Thank you, Line 6! I wish more company will follow your business model!