We arose early this morning and drove to the valley for breakfast. There's this nondescript, 1960s style restaurant where my spouse swears they make the best pancakes. I'm not complaining, they are very good and it was such a gorgeous winter morning, how could I refuse???



We had slight winds blowing and it was clear as a bell. I could see for miles and the mountains looked gorgeous as the sun's light and mixing of clouds cast shadows on the ranges. We ended up at Frys Electronics, one of my favorite haunts. I can never exit without spending $25.00!



I don't know how many of you are familiar with the ongoing litigation of 321 Studios vs. the MPAA? 321 Studios sells DVD copying software for archival purposes and those of you with small children, can appreciate backing up DVD's of Sponge Bob, the Disney classics, and countless other cartoons. The court has sided with the Motion Picture Association and ordered 321 Studios to stop selling the software. Pending the appeal, the 321 Studios has requested a stay of the ruling. The general consensus is that they'll need to pull the software off the shelves.



Well, lo and behold, frays had DVD SCOPE PLUS, DVD XCOPY PLATINUM, DVD XCOPY GOLD, AND DVD XCOPY EXPRESS prominently displayed by the checkout stands. I was so thrilled to see it and promptly immersed myself in deciphering the differences among the four versions. This caused me to spend the better part of 30 minutes reading and comparing and I finally settled on DVD XCOPY PLUS.



Mind you, I don't have the DVD burner yet, but ignore that minor fact for now. The important thing is that I possess the right to archive my DVD collection if I choose to do so. It seems our options and rights are steadily being legislated and eroded. If it's not the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), it's all in the name of Anti - Terrorism. Oh well, I exercised my right by buying the software before it's lost forever.



After Frys Electronics, we drove to Pasadena and did a little window shopping and made a pit stop at Bath & Body Works. I love their anti-bacterial soap and their body wash. They offer some of the nicest fragrances and because it was a weekday, it wan't too crowded. Of course, the Paseo Colorado open air shopping center is never busy. It opened about two years past after major reconstruction. It's located where the old Pasadena Mall was once anchored and now offers residential living space above and adjacent to the stores.