Peter's Reviews

Is Guitar Center on Life Support?

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:07:51 -0700

Some might want to put sole blame on the economy for the shape Guitar Center is in but a recent article has plenty of blame to go around to account GC's alleged $1.6billion (yes BILLION!) debt.

From The Tone King: On June 27, 2007 GC was bought out by Bain Capital for $1.9 billion plus assumed debt. With the debt, Bain had written a $2.1 billion dollar check for Guitar Center and all of its subsidiaries.

For those who dont know, Bain Capital is a private equity and venture capital group that was founded in 1984 by current presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Basically, Bain buys companies, restructures them, and then sells them off at a profit. There are some success stories, and some no-so-success stories.

Unfortunately, when it came to Guitar Center, Bain hasnt had much luck. One of the common complaints among GC employees after the restructuring involves their compensation. Its hard to believe, but Guitar Center used to offer comprehensive pension and benefit plans. Its the usual story. Outsource IT to India, freeze raises for years, increase management but cutting back on sales personnel by making them part-time, making it difficult to keep the floor covered.

And being hit by a recession right after the buy out didnt help matters any.

It's an interesting read. Check out the whole article at The Tone King.

Strikeforce Comes to an end Tonight

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 11:59:56 -0700

As a fan of mixed martial arts since UFC 2, it has been awesome to see the sport evolve. Unfortunately, with the new dominance of the UFC, other organizations have been disappearing faster than Betamax. Strikeforce is the latest casualty of the UFC, partially due to the raiding of all of Strikeforce's major talent. They were planning on going on even after they were acquired by Zuffa but now that's not going to happen. Tonight will be a lopsided card and SF will be relegated to a minor footnote in MMA history. Better remembered than WAMMA but not has heralded as PRIDE. Let's hope that other promotions like Bellator will grow because we'll always need a farm team for the UFC. Watch the last Strikeforce card on Showtime for free since they have a free preview weekend.

Video: Red Bull does Rube Goldberg

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:14:04 -0700

Here's Red Bull's take on the Rube Goldberg machine using some of the most amazing athletes doing stunts!

Video: Snoring Hummingbird

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:38:26 -0700

I love these little birds. I've even had the pleasure of having one sit on my hand but I never thought I'd see one sleeping much less snoring!

Video: Burglars Break Into MMA Gym

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:03:35 -0700

Probably not the smartest thing they ever did but it ended ok.

Deep Purple's Jon Lord Passes

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:21:14 -0700

As a young kid and a fan of rock music, I fell in love with the sound of Jon Lord's keyboard playing. The Hammond organ which could sound corny and elevator in the wrong hands would growl and scream with the great Jon Lord pounding the keys. Lord who suffered with pancreatic cancer passed away from a pulmonary embolism. He was and is one of my favorite keyboard players and he'll be missed.

Video: Here Comes The Boom - Trailer

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:41:49 -0700

Kevin James has been a fan of MMA for years so it's only natural that he throws an MMA theme into one of his comedies. With UFC stars both past and present like Bas Rutten, Jason "Mayhem" Miller and others, I'll definitely be seeing it. To see Kevin training and getting his shoulder separated by Randy Couture click here.

UFC Makes First Silva vs. Sonnen Fight Free

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:35:16 -0700

In anticipation of UFC 148 and the most anticipated rematch in recent history between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, the UFC have made their first fight free to watch on their website. Watch it soon because it won't be free forever!

After seeing Chael fight Michael Bisping and having a really tough time getting the British fighter to the ground, I think Silva, if he learned from last fight will be prepared. Of course my heart picks Silva but Chael Sonnen has an excellent chance of repeating what he did their first fight.

Watch the first Silva vs. Sonnen fight now at http://www.ufc.com/media/ufc-117-silva-sonnen-148

Apple Releases Podcast App

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:29:43 -0700

I love my iPhone and iPad and when I'm not listening to Howard Stern, I'm listening to an MMA podcast or Joe Rogan. I'm not sure why Apple would release a podcast specific app except for having a way to browse and subscribe in app. Check it out.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/podcasts/id525463029?mt=8

Video Link: Puppy Acts as a Seeing Eye Dog for Another Dog

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:38:36 -0700

This pup actually saves another dog's life by helping it to get around. Very touching!

Click here to watch the story on Mashable.com

Video: Dana White Makes Fun of Uriah Faber

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:35:53 -0700

In Dana White's last video podcast, he visits the set of this season's Ultimate Fighter. Seeing team coach Uriah Faber outside he notices Faber flexing in the mirrored window outside. But who hasn't posed in a mirror admiring themselves at one time or another? OK, maybe most of us would have the modesty not to do it in public...

Big Wreck Returns with new CD - March 6, 2012

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:14:50 -0700

Big Wreck first caught my ear with their debut CD but after they parted ways with lead singer, Ian Thornley, I never thought they would reunite. I was so happy to hear that their new CD will be released in just over a week! Here's the video for their new single, "Albatross". If the rest of the CD is as good as the single, it might be my CD of the year.

Disney Pixar's Brave Preview

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:33:18 -0700

Since I almost never go to the movies, I hadn't even heard about Disney Pixar's upcoming movie, Brave. It looks great so far!

GoPad Lets You Use Your Tablet Computer When You Walk?

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:18:29 -0700

I use my iPad so much that I actually was hoping something like this existed. If you're like me and think that this is a good idea, you might need to spend some time away from all of your computing devices and go outside in the sun. The GoPad is currently priced at $89 for the iPad 2.

Click here to visit the GoPad website

Video: Emelianenko vs. Ishii at Dream New Year! 2011

nospam@example.com (Peter) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:06:38 -0700

For all of us who missed this fight, HDNet has just posted Fedor Emilianenko's last fight. While the outcome is fairly predictable, it's interesting to see how the most highly regarded heavyweight in MMA history is choosing to end his career. Sure he's had his opportunities to come to the UFC to fight the youngest and best in the world but due to whatever management obstacles we'll never see him fight the likes of Cain Velasquez or Junior Dos Santos. Most likely Fedor will end his career fighting lesser known fighters who are still intimidated by the "aura". Too bad because I wish Fedor could've been the one to retire Brock Lesnar but now we'll never know. Source - MMAJunkie.com