Author Archives: Ryan Olson

About Ryan Olson

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

The four stages of listening to Christmas music

It can be fun to deck the halls, roast chestnuts or go on sleigh rides, but when it comes to a-wassailing, I find that there are four stages to enjoying or singing Christmas music. These stages could be circled on … Continue reading

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As Christmas shopping days tick away, check this tip list twice

With Christmas just days away, I’m offering some holiday shopping advice. Thinking of gifts can be pretty stressful, so my list is a slightly humorous take on the tradition. Here’s a sample: Christmas shopping tip #001–while there is _huge_ difference … Continue reading

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Cold snap may turn City Plaza fountain into skating rink

With overnight temperatures in Chico dropping into the low-20s, the fountain in City Plaza may be turning into an accidental skating rink after the sun sets. During the summer, the fountain is a ground-level delight for children and adults to … Continue reading

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A graphic example of recycling plastic bags

The time arrived last week to recycle all the plastic bags in my apartment. It’s funny how this time just happens to coincide with a family visit. I hate to throw things away that I know can be easily recycled. … Continue reading

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Google’s holiday WiFi gift – 15 of 47 airports already had free Internet

I love free stuff — lots of people do. That’s probably one big reason why Google’s offer of free WiFi at 47 participating airports during the holidays (through Jan. 15) sounds so nice. But looks can be deceiving. I didn’t … Continue reading

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Rupert Murdoch takes on Google, fair-use guidelines

Every time I see an article about copyright laws, I usually gripe about how the discussion excludes fair-use guidelines — those loose rules that outline how people can legally use selections of copyrighted works in their own productions. Well, my … Continue reading

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NBC’s big Leno gamble isn’t a huge risk

In about an hour, the next step in Jay Leno’s career begins with his new series. Every weeknight at 10 p.m. viewers will get a dose of Leno — if they’re tuned to NBC. Chances are viewers will be tuned … Continue reading

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‘Glee’ success depends on how it’s sweetened

As “Glee” starts its first season tonight on FOX, I think a lot of the show’s success depends on how this fun show is developed. The show’s creators have thrown in a lot of cane sugar — I enjoyed the … Continue reading

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Get ready for 09-09-09

Remember how people made a huge deal out of 07-07-07? And then, a year, a month and a day later, when 08-08-08 was a hullabaloo? Today is the next day in the sequence, and I wonder if people will mark … Continue reading

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The disharmony of Feng Shui wasabi peanuts

Alternative title: Consumer Culture Confusion I was browsing the snack section at a 7-Eleven in Colorado Springs when my eyes fell upon a product called Feng Shui wasabi peanuts. There’s something a little … off about this product, and it … Continue reading

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