Which Vacuum Should I Buy? Dyson vs Shark

I have a new apartment.

That means a bunch of stuff was needed to fill it up and make the space livable/enjoyable.
I've bought a couch, bed, some furniture, kitchen stuff, etc.

To keep the space clean, I will need a vacuum.

So in making that decision, I need the interweb's help:

Should I buy a Dyson or a Shark?

The Dyson is... well... a Dyson. But it costs $400.
The Shark uses similar technology and only costs $150, but doesn't have the same reputation.

So what does everyone think?

Update: Today on Woot!, there was a deal for a refurbished Dyson DC25 for only $250.

So I bought one.

Thanks for all your input!

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Better Add These 18 Golf Holes to My List of Places to Visit in My Lifetime

Just about everyone wishes they could travel more, don't they?

I have friends that travel quite a lot, and even they want to see more locations, right, Amber?

Well when I see articles/slideshows like this one, it kicks my travel bug into overdrive.

Think of it.

Legendary courses like St Andrews,

No. 17: Par 4, 455 yards

Cypress Point,
Pebble Beach,

No. 18: Par 5, 543 yards

Augusta National,
TPC Sawgrass,

No. 17: Par 3, 137 yards

Royal Country Down (Northern Ireland),
Riviera,
Muirfield Village,

No. 14: Par 4, 363 yards

Stoneforest International (China),
Royal Melbourne (Australia),
Royal Troon (Scotland),
and seven more remarkable golf courses.

Yes, please.
I hope my travel case is ready for some frequent flier miles.

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The Legend of Beaver Dam

Last night Megan shared a remarkable short film with me. She'd seen it at the Sundance Film Festival last year, and I enjoyed it so much I figured it's worth sharing with my readers.

Warning: while the short has an awesome blending of horror and music, it also has some pretty gory violence. Just FYI, so those that can't stand violence can leave the room for a minute.

It took me about 4 viewings to fully absorb. Oh, and that song is stuck in my head now.

What do you think of it?

PS Stumpy Sam, Stumpy Sam, Stumpy...

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Maintaining 9/11 Unity and Patriotism

I was in a foreign land when the 9/11 attacks occurred.

There is a helplessness in being so far away while your countrymen are suffering.
But I knew that people in Ohio and New Mexico and Mississippi and all over my homeland probably felt the same as I did.

And in that desperate moment, our country came together in a way only heartache can cause.

It unified us.

On Sunday, a speaker in church talked about how the Great Depression and WWII galvanized that American population. Their dedication to this country justly earned them Tom Brokaw's praise as 'The Greatest Generation'.

When terrorists carried out their plot eleven years ago, they undoubtedly thought it would be a severe blow to our national pride. While the shocking brutality of their methods may have briefly accomplished that goal, our citizens bounced back with an even greater surge of patriotism and love of country.

So today, as we remember the tragedy of 9/11 in the midst of a political season, I pray that we'll remember we are all Americans, citizens of the United States.

I hope we'll treat each other as fellow patriots.
Even if we don't agree in our opinions, let's be respectful in our discourse.

Let's maintain the unity so tragically awoken in us through lost American lives on 9/11.

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My High School Track is on ESPN!

Oh yeah, and there is a football game going on inside it, too.

Go Cottonwood Colts!

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Sometimes You've Just Gotta Dance

Does anyone else feel like sometimes you've just gotta dance?

(Yes, I know I'm not fitting Dane Cook's comedy sketch, although I'd of course prefer dancing with a girl over going solo.)

A classical* song can induce visions of expertly executed ballroom dancing.

Including from some of the best Disney movies.

Powerful emotions can be displayed through soulful contemporary (1, 2), modern, or hip-hop dances.

Unlikely dance style combinations can captivate viewers.

Or a super-happy-fun song can just make you want to dance in the car or bounce wherever you are.

Now who feels like going out and dancing with me?

*Either actually written during the classical period or modern in a classic style, I like them both.

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