Countdown to 2012 December 21st

hey-key:

gpoy

npr:

Tic Tac backhoe? This may or may not be real, but it’s still cool. — Tanya

thedailywhat:

Birth Control Compromise of the Day: Responding to the objections of religious groups, President Obama today announced an “accommodating” revision to the health care mandate that will allow women to receive free birth control irrespective of their employers’ personal conviction.

“[I]f a woman works for religious employers with objections to providing contraceptive services as part of its health plan,” the President said in his statement, ” the religious employer will not be required to provide contraception coverage, but her insurance company will be required to offer contraceptive care free of charge.”

Both the Catholic Health Association and NARAL Pro-Choice America approved of the compromise. The insurance industry has yet to issue a formal response, but White House officials reportedly consulted with insurers prior to the announcement. 

[reuters / mediaite / politico / photo: reuters.]

Ha w/ respect to the last sentence. 

jstn:

Overall winner: Denon AH-D2000

They’re all really interesting headphones in their own way, but for my money these are the ones to get if you like to go swimming in your music. The B&W P5 was a close second, and I bet if you don’t like one you’ll like the other.

I limited my contenders to closed-back designs because I work in a relatively quiet office, but some day I’d love to try the open-back Grados and Sennheisers of legend.

Here are some quick notes, I listened to a variety of songs of the type I sometimes post here and knocked them out one by one:

1) DENON AH-D2000
• the ones i’m listening to right now
• smoothest, creamiest, airiest of the five
• mellow but still very clear with tight bass
• expansive and atmospheric sound
• only wish the fit was a little more snug
• awesome rope cable

2) BOWER & WILKINS P5
• very intimate as opposed to expansive, much different vs denon
• punchier sound, not quite as mellow, slightly more exciting
• excellent low end, although maybe a little muddy
• the most comfortable of all, nice snug fit

3) SONY MDR-V6
• my previous favorite, and still the best in its price range
• extreeeeeeeeeeeeemely mellow
• warm dreamy sound, but at the expense of detail/accuracy
• everyone should own a pair once in their life

4) SONY MDR-Z1000
• the most detailed of the five
• very punchy sound and thick bass, almost aggressive
• too cold for my taste, wore my ears down the fastest
• pinched my glasses in a weird way

5) BOSE QUIET COMFORT 2
• very flat, actually too flat for me
• slightly warm sound if anything
• reasonably detailed
• noise canceling works as advertised

fourthquartertouchdown:

The New England Patriots are going to the Super Bowl.

melissmine:

tete-pownshend:

NO

YES

(via leadingtone)

soccerloverld:

:)

(via omg-yanks)