{Book Review} A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

Feels like It Was Thrown Together

This book that I just finished reading wasn’t originally what Donald Miller had in mind when he started writing his new book. However while in the process of penning his new book things weren’t working out, he went to his publishers told them that and what we got was “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”.

Now don’t get me wrong I really enjoy Donald Miller. I like the fact he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Most of the time his essay style works quite well and makes for easy reading and he can be quite funny. He has good observations and he really can speak to the Millennials of this generation. But, I just feel like this book was thrown together.

This book is organized in Miller’s typical essay form. And centers on few central topics: The writing of script for the movie “Blue Like Jazz”; the idea of story, what makes a good story ,and the fact we are all living stories and should try to live good ones; and the Donald dealing with his issues with his Father who was missing from his life. In between these central topic s he peppers various essays about different topics and relates them to his “Story” and how he is trying to live a great “Story”.

I did like the book, I don’t feel bad that I read it, Don is still a heck of a writer, but I just felt like this book was all over the place and that the theme he used to hold it together “Story” was rather week. Also Miller would jump from one essay where he would be joking and not taking himself seriously at all and then move into a subject that you could tell he really cared about and it just didn’t flow well. So while this is an enjoyable read it is not one of Miller’s best and I really think he can do better, and I just think he kind of had to force this one out, and you can tell he did.

{Product Review} Logitech Wireless Desktop MK 300

The Logitech Wireless Desktop MK 300 appears to be another quality product from Logitech at a relatively good price.

The keyboard has all the basic functions you would need and expect plus a few programmable keys. One thing the keyboard does not have though is lights for things like caps lock or num lock. I realize this is to save battery power, but it is a minor annoyance as most word processors tell you things like this on the screen.

The keyboard is also pretty thin and relatively quiet, both of which are nice. The response to the keyboard is also very fast. Every now and then I think I catch it sleeping and it takes an extra half second to connect to the computer and follow my commands, but other than that it always seems ready to go.

The mouse is optical and feels like any standard mouse, it uses an invisible laser so no worries about children burning out there retinas by staring at the mouse. There is a small switch underneath the mouse to turn it off and on; which makes sense to have, for battery saving issues. Both keyboard and mouse take two battery's each and have lasted over a month of moderate usage, Logitech I believe says they should last 8 weeks, so that fits.

There is a USB based antenna you do have to plug in. It has a decent length (3+ feet) cord and a little button on the end for when you initially sync everything up to the computer. You do need to install Logitech's software to make it all work it is not plug and play. I didn't have any problems with installation or software. And as far as range goes I have gotten up to 25 feet without any problems, but your mileage may vary, do you apartment/house construction materials and what not.

So in conclusion if you are looking for a budget priced wireless keyboard and mouse with decent to good performance then I think you will enjoy this setup.

{Music Review} Here with Me by Holly Williams

Great Voice, Unimpressive songs.

The album “Here with Me” is my first exposure to the country music artist Holly Williams. I was surprised to find out she is the granddaughter of Hank Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Jr, and half sister of Hank III.

On first exposure it is clear she has a really great voice, very similar to Faith Hill, although not quite as bright, but with more depth. In terms of the musical style the album is comprised of typical light country, it could almost pass for pop in most cases if it weren’t for the slide/steel guitars in the background. The music could be similar to a Shania Twain album in that with a different backing band it could pass for regular old pop music.

The songs themselves were nothing special; the two songs that stand out have already been released as country music singles “Mama” and “Keep the Change”. On the whole the songs range from slow ballads to average mid-tempo songs, but nothing stood out to me or had a hook that impressed me and made me want to listen to a song again and again.

Holly Williams obviously has a great voice, an even better pedigree, a good backing band and nice production values, but this album failed to “Wow” or excite me in any way. I finished listening unimpressed, perhaps you will enjoy it more than me?