Yesterday was a big day for social issues. So far I’ve asked you to join World Water Day events to support water awareness, boycott bottled water to fight climate change, and Bum Rush the Chartsto stick it to the recording industry and support indie record labels. Black Lab are great aren’t they?

The Financial Aid Podcast has just released the initial results of Bum Rush the Charts and they look promising. Black Lab’s Mine Again didn’t make the Top 100 on iTunes yesterday, but they certainly had an effect and hopefully caught the attention of the music industry. Finally, proceeds from the affiliate sales commissions plus an additional 50% match from Black Lab will be donated to ScholarshipPoints.com. If you’re a US college student, sign up for a chance to win a scholarship.

I’ve been listening to Black Lab and I really like ‘em. Thanks for letting me brag about making history!

It’s bum rush the charts day:

If you believe in the power of new media, on March 22nd, 2007, take 99 cents and 2 minutes of your time to join the revolution and make iTunes “Mine Again”. If you’re a content producer (blogger, podcaster, etc.), we’re asking you to join up with us and help spread the word to your audience. Nothing would prove the power of new media more than showing corporate media that not only can we exceed their reach and match their purchasing power, but that we can also do it AND make a positive difference in the world. If we can succeed with this small example, then there’s no telling what can do next.

The track we’ve chosen is “Mine Again” by the band Black Lab. A band that was dropped from not just one, but two major record labels (Geffen and Sony/Epic) and in the process forced them to fight to get their own music back. We picked them because making them number one, even for just one day, will remind the RIAA record labels of what they turned their backs on - and who they ignore at their peril.

Support independent artists with your wallet today (make sure to buy “Mine Again,” the first track on the album) I just bought mine and listening to it now. It’s a great track, so let’s make “Mine Again” number one on iTunes today.

I had a good run today. I decided to start out going approximately the same route as my previous run then as I neared the end of the Promenade, I went up a little road and through the side streets of Salthill. I got a bit mixed up, as one often does in Galway since the streets are a labyrinth, but it was fun to mix things up a bit and see parts of Galway I’ve never been to before. I ran past Pearse Stadium where the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) holds Gaelic football and hurling matches. I have yet to see either of these sports in person, but hopefully that will change this summer.

I then found my way again by spotting Cooke’s Corner Shop, a landmark for all Galwegians. I turned down a side street and up one of the canals surrounding Nun’s Island. Finally, I made my way to NUI Galway campus and landed at Crunch Fitness, the privately owned gym at school. There I used the machines to work on my upper body since my legs had enough of a workout already and now I’m feeling the burn in my shoulders and abs. No pain, no gain…right? It’s important to work on your upper body, as I have learned in past few years of marathon training. If your upper body is strong, you will be able to hold yourself up longer and will not tire as easily on long runs. After about 20-30 minutes of weight training, I headed back home by way of the Salmon Weir bridge over the River Corrib, which is next to the Cathedral. I turned down Upper Abbeygate Street and quickly munched down some cashews and water at home and hit the shower.

Here are my stats and playlist:

5.67 miles (9.12 km) 52 minutes
A few small hills, gentle breeze, some light rain, 45˚F, Blues Traveler and Red Hot Chili Peppers rocked it out…

I ran the same route yesterday that I did last week which was about 5.5 miles. I feel much better today than I did after last week’s run. I am going to get on a run schedule and post my results, routes, and iPod playlists here mostly for a personal record but also for a way to share my progress as I train for the 2007 Dublin Marathon. If I can inspire just one person to get off the couch like I did almost 3 years ago and aim for something big, then this will all be worth it. I know that sounds cheesy but training for my first marathon changed my life and health for the better. So sign up for the Dublin Marathon today. I’ll be running around Galway, so join if you see me in my black North Face hat, blue shirt and black shorts.

1. Hook, Blues Traveler
2. (I’m) Gonna Kick You Out, The Caesers
3. So What’cha Want, Beastie Boys
4. Benny And The Jets, Beastie Boys
5. Where It’s At, Beck
6. Battle of Who Could Care Less, Ben Folds Five
7. Just a Friend, Biz Markie
8. Let’s Get It Started (Spike Mix), Black Eyed Peas
9. Takin’ It to the Streets, The Doobie Brothers
10. Flathead, The Fratellis
11. For The Girl, The Fratellis
12. Push It, Garbage
13. Superfreak (Roca Sound Remix), Rick James

Version of iPod that plays video may be unveiled by September, it’s not like we didn’t see this coming…

read more | digg story

One look at Apple’s front page says it all. Sunday, at 2:44PM EST, Amy Greer of Lafayette, Indiana (my hometown!) bought Faith Hill’s Mississippi Girl to win.”

read more | digg story

It’s officially a cultural shift when grandpa walks the dog wearing his iPod!

Out of the nearly 6.2 million iPods the company shipped during its third fiscal quarter of 2005, about 3 million were likely iPod shuffles.

read more | digg story