I’m not condoning stealing music from the internet BUT there was one instance where there was a special mix put online on imeem and it was not sold on iTunes or Amazon, so I had to resort to finding a way to download it another way.  My search came up with Free Music Zilla.  Basically, you download this tool and it lets you rip the MP3 or FLV file from popular social media sites like MySpace, imeem, iLike, etc. onto your computer.  Many times, the file will be an FLV which you cannot use directly on your iPod so you’ll have to convert it.  I’ve also found another website where you can convert it to an MP3 online without having to download yet another tool at flvto.com.  Free Music Zilla limits you to I believe 10 songs a day so that you don’t go crazy trying to grab as much music as possible.    

My buddy, Ken, and his friend, Brad, started back in August a new website/video podcast called Hop Cast.  Basically, they’re trying to promote various craft brews from all around.  So far, they have about 8 episodes and a couple specials (you’ll have to check out the Pizza Beer one which is pretty hilarious).  They’re also hoping to feature a couple brews from each state.  Last time I was in Chicago, I was able to pack a couple of each in my suitcase and get to Ken from the local micro-brews in Georgia: SweetWater, Terrapin, and Atlanta Brewing Company (since I know they are not distributed very far with all the mailing restrictions in the South).  He actually surprised me by giving me some brews from New Glarus Brewing Company in Wisconsin in return.  (Thank you, Kenny)  I find in each episode, other than introducing you to a few new beers that you’ve probably never heard of,  little tidbits of information about the brewing process, ingredients, packaging, etc that most people don’t know.  So check them out on facebook, iTunes, or their website: hop-cast.com.