Author Archives: Ryan Olson

About Ryan Olson

Ryan is living every week like it's Shark Week.

On Oscar noms: ‘Button’ shouldn’t be on top

The nominees for this year’s Oscars were announced today. I was surprised to see “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” receive the most nominations, including for Best Picture. While the Brad Pitt-vehicle was amusing, I didn’t feel it was a … Continue reading

Posted in TV, Film and Radio | Comments Off on On Oscar noms: ‘Button’ shouldn’t be on top

Getting burned by the cheapest products

Even before the economy decided to shop for toilets at Home Depot, I’ve tried to be a frugal consumer. I’ve been known to splurge once or twice, but I usually try to find the deal. It’s sad, but I’ve ended … Continue reading

Posted in Gadgets and technology | Comments Off on Getting burned by the cheapest products

Unshackle your music before it shackles you

One of the big items from last week’s Macworld convention was Apple’s announcement that it was moving away from digital rights management on the music it sells on the iTunes Store. Apparently, Apple was able to win this concession from … Continue reading

Posted in Gadgets and technology | Comments Off on Unshackle your music before it shackles you

One last Christmas card idea …

This really doesn’t pertain to the Chico Christmas card theme, but I had one last idea for a Christmas card. I wanted a simple photo of a Christmas tree with a twist — it would be presented in the same … Continue reading

Posted in La vida Chico | Comments Off on One last Christmas card idea …

Presenting my 2008 Chico Christmas card

As diehard readers know — I’ve been working on a Chico-themed Christmas card for 2008. A lot of people, myself included, wanted me to create the Sierra Nevada Santa. However, logistics and time constraints made that really difficult to do. … Continue reading

Posted in La vida Chico | Comments Off on Presenting my 2008 Chico Christmas card

This just in: Fat guys don’t always have attractive wives

BBC News published an article about how watching romantic comedies can spoil your love life. Apparently, the survey conducted by Heriot Watt University in Scotland showed that the films gave people unrealistic expectations (including, in the sack) and fans of … Continue reading

Posted in TV, Film and Radio | Comments Off on This just in: Fat guys don’t always have attractive wives

Do-it-yourself TV antenna

I recently purchased a DTV converter box for my secondary TV (using the $40 coupon from the guv’ment). Unlike my larger, living-room TV which uses cable, I have a smaller TV that still uses an antenna. I plugged everything in … Continue reading

Posted in La vida Chico | Comments Off on Do-it-yourself TV antenna

OK, now I have to find a Santa suit

Perhaps I have bitten off more than I can chew. In an earlier post, I asked you — the reader — to help me pick my Chico-themed Christmas card. In what amounts to overwhelming response for both me and my … Continue reading

Posted in La vida Chico | Comments Off on OK, now I have to find a Santa suit

One good thing about the NFL Network …

… I won’t be able to easily see tonight’s game between the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers. For years, the National Football League has been pushing to get its limited-appeal NFL Network on to cable systems’ basic tier. … Continue reading

Posted in TV, Film and Radio | Comments Off on One good thing about the NFL Network …

Making a Chico-themed Christmas card – Help me decide

Ah, the holidays. It’s the time of year when we turn our thoughts to Christmas, the overwrought and overfought War on the War Against Christmas, the other holidays and stuff. This also means Christmas cards, gifts and more. While there … Continue reading

Posted in La vida Chico | 6 Comments