This timelapse video of hot air balloons over the Nevada desert makes the giant floating balloons look like soap bubbles drifting on a summer’s breeze.

Ronald McDonald was a very scary clown in his early days.

Now that I have a 32″ LCD HDTV, Xbox 360, upconverting DVD player and DVR, I needed a way to connect all these devices to my television.

To accomplish this, as well as provide surround-sound to go along with my video, I purchased a Yamaha YHT-370.

I’m not an audiophile, so I wasn’t looking for an expensive solution. I also wanted to avoid picking out a large number of individual components, which lead me to a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box). The sound from the YHT-370 fills my room while providing three component inputs so that I can easily switch between them.

The unit does not have HDMI support, which is in-line with what is a mid-level HTIB system, but even as an entry-level unit it’s a good choice for me as I can always upgrade individual components later, such as the unpowered subwoofer that still provides plenty of bass.

The snow has arrived in full-force here in northeast Ohio, and this time it’s probably going to stay for awhile.

That means longer than normal morning commutes, with the fun addition of side roads being full of private snow plow drivers flying down the road at high speed while talking on their cell phones with their next client.

As always, the advice to leave early, take your time and drive at a safe speed is in full effect.