OK. I'm gonna plug my Xmas gift. I received an XM Satellite radio that hooks up to my PC via a USB cable. It's called the XM-PCR and its available for about 50 bucks through PC-Connection. It uses the USB for power and to run the software front end, but does not require an active internet connection.

I think XM would be of interest to travellers in the US. For those who don't know, radio reception in the Western US is a hit-or-miss affair outside of major cities. This particular might not be the best for down-the-road listening unless you have a laptop with plenty of battery power, but there are other products.

The service costs $9.95 per month, no contract, and there is a sign-up fee, though it was waived on Xmas day for those who signed up via internet.

Songs I listened to while composing this:

Smash Mouth Walkin' On The Sun
Blink 182 Feeling This
Buzzcocks Somethings Gone
Devo Working In The Coal Mine
Connells Slackjawed
Nine Inch Nails Head Like A Hole
Seal Crazy
Sam Kinison Relationships
Bush Machinehead
Stereophonics Handbags and Gladrags
Alice in Chains Over Now
Tom T. Hall I Like Beer
Jerry Seinfeld Bathroom