As a Christmas gift to myself I decided to purchase a new MP3 player. Due to my stubbornness I refuse to make the logical choice and grab myself an IPOD.  I realize that things would be so much easier if I were to follow the majority of people and become an Apple convert, but I just can't do it.  With this in mind I began my search.  My requirements were minimal,  I wanted something bigger than my existing 2gb Sandisk Sansa, the ability to play video would be a nice feature but was not a requirement, and finally I wanted something that worked well with music subscription service (not Itunes).  My research basically began and stopped with one website. anythingbutipod.com provided me with more information than I need.  It was funny that there was a community of people whom had the same opinion as me.  I have to admit that I was very close to joining the Ipod army, and at this point I cant provide a good reason why I shouldn't.  The peripherals available for the IPOD are only one of the many advantages Apple has over the competition.  I know people will say, you're just cheap, you don't want to pay the higher price for the IPOD.  Maybe that's true, but I hate the feeling that I'm being pushed to get something not because it may be the best(even though it may be), but simply because it is the best marketed.  In the end decided on the Creative Zen Vision M, and thus far I have not been disappointed.  When it comes time to get something new maybe i'll get the new Itouch, then again maybe I won't.

After a Six month hiatus, oreogeek is back!!!!!! Ok, cool your enthusiasm.  I have watched more than my fair share of Raptors  games this year, and I like many others have been frustrated with the play of Andrea Bargnani. His inconsistent play is very reminiscent of Morris Peterson's time in Toronto.  Many have suggested that it may be time to move Andrea, essentially giving up on him.  I understand the frustration but would not give up on this talented player.  I do think that fans expectations of the 7 footer need to change.  While he does need to utilize his height more to increase his poor rebounding statistics, he will never be a 10+ rebounder.  I think Andrea's biggest problem is that he will never be a good centre, his game is more suited to the power forward position, but the Raptors have one of the best forwards in the game in Chris Bosh.  If the team decides to trade him it should not be because they don't think he will progress, rather it should be because he doesn't fit in with the direction of the team.  I don't think Andrea will ever be a franchise player, but to cat him aside would be a big mistake.