I'm torn over Facebook.
On the one hand, I really enjoy keeping track of the doings of the connected folks in my life. I'm awed by the number of people I've been able to reconnect with through Facebook.
But.... it's serving as a fantastic reminder of how much I don't have my shit together. I'm hoping it's going to be a motivator for the remainder of 2008 and early 2009. I know I have hard choices to make soon, and I need to be prepared to make them.
When I do put it together, I'll make sure to thank Facebook for the part it played.
13 November 2008
08 November 2008
Awkward Silence...
It's been a while since I've actually posted something of myself here, mostly just links and videos. Sorry about that, been a busy and frustrating last couple of months.
It's easier to update my Facebook status, as I'm much more comfortable writing in the single sentence micro-blogging format. I find it difficult to compose a paragraph without my aggravations from one thing bubbling over into the thing I'm writing about. (Or, for English purists, "the thing about which I write.")
So here's the skinny - I'm single again. I'm not cool with it yet, but getting there. Things ended weirder than I expected. It was pretty much always doomed to fail (from the start, we both had no clue where it could go), but I thought it would fail with a bit more grace than it did. It didn't. It ended with a thud. And then a long bit of silence. And then another thud.
I've been trying hard to focus on the highlights - I had a great summer, I learned I'm still capable of being in love, and that I'm capable of being loved. I think about those things often. Usually while printing out pictures. You know - so I have something to throw in the fireplace. ("Leaf by leaf and page by page" and all that)
At least it happened at a good time for me. Hockey and football season takes some of my attention, and those weren't interests that we shared, so I'm not thinking about him when I'm watching the Giants. Well, not that much.
(OK - that's enough about it. I will now revert to my regular self...)
It's easier to update my Facebook status, as I'm much more comfortable writing in the single sentence micro-blogging format. I find it difficult to compose a paragraph without my aggravations from one thing bubbling over into the thing I'm writing about. (Or, for English purists, "the thing about which I write.")
So here's the skinny - I'm single again. I'm not cool with it yet, but getting there. Things ended weirder than I expected. It was pretty much always doomed to fail (from the start, we both had no clue where it could go), but I thought it would fail with a bit more grace than it did. It didn't. It ended with a thud. And then a long bit of silence. And then another thud.
I've been trying hard to focus on the highlights - I had a great summer, I learned I'm still capable of being in love, and that I'm capable of being loved. I think about those things often. Usually while printing out pictures. You know - so I have something to throw in the fireplace. ("Leaf by leaf and page by page" and all that)
At least it happened at a good time for me. Hockey and football season takes some of my attention, and those weren't interests that we shared, so I'm not thinking about him when I'm watching the Giants. Well, not that much.
(OK - that's enough about it. I will now revert to my regular self...)
03 November 2008
07 October 2008
The Internet Serves Me!
Maybe not.
But it does seem to serve those of us of a certain age who grew up on certain things...
But it does seem to serve those of us of a certain age who grew up on certain things...
06 October 2008
02 October 2008
When I see things like this...
I almost feel bad for her.
Who am I kidding - Kick Her Ass Tonight Sen. Biden!
Who am I kidding - Kick Her Ass Tonight Sen. Biden!
01 October 2008
Beagle Escapes Prison Camp
Ganked this from Best Week Ever.
It's a mini-beagle. It's not a stunt dog. And it's adorable.
It's a mini-beagle. It's not a stunt dog. And it's adorable.
30 September 2008
Joy and Joyness...
How have we lived without Sonseed?!
(Safe for work, unless you work for heathens.)
(Safe for work, unless you work for heathens.)
26 September 2008
13 September 2008
When Geekery Becomes High Art
I'm not certain that this could be more awesome.
EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.
EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.
03 September 2008
Today's Work Delight
This is the response I received from a user today:
MY VIN # ###.###.#.## WE ARE WONDERING IF WE CAN HAVE (FORMER EMPLOYEE'S NAME) COMPUTER OVER HERE. THERE IS STUFF WE NEED AT 46. FROM HER COMPUTER. I HAVE TAKEN HER JOB. SHE HAS LEFT COMPANY.
All caps and incomplete sentences - it's like heaven.
MY VIN # ###.###.#.## WE ARE WONDERING IF WE CAN HAVE (FORMER EMPLOYEE'S NAME) COMPUTER OVER HERE. THERE IS STUFF WE NEED AT 46. FROM HER COMPUTER. I HAVE TAKEN HER JOB. SHE HAS LEFT COMPANY.
All caps and incomplete sentences - it's like heaven.
25 August 2008
The Best of The Hunt Hijinx
At least, the best that I have to offer. From a video perspective.
First: The Mentos Jepack
Next: Special Agent Chiquita Runs With Scissors
And Lastly: The Peel Drinks It Straight
First: The Mentos Jepack
Next: Special Agent Chiquita Runs With Scissors
And Lastly: The Peel Drinks It Straight
17 August 2008
South Pacific
The fella and I were lucky enough to catch South Pacific at Lincoln Center this weekend.
I could go on and feel like I didn't recommend it enough.
I'm not the biggest fan of the piece (at least I didn't think I was) but this production won me over, and quickly.
The director chose not to overwhelm the audience with giant, intricate sets (the sets are lovely, though, and not small, but not garish). Instead, he positions the piece and the performers front and center, and they deliver stupendously. Kelli O'Hara gives a performance as good as any you'll find in New York. Each note seems to float on the air as she sings it, every word out of her mouth is believable, and she's got such an incredible, winning energy to her.
I appear to be going on and on, sorry.
It's a great production. It's a terrific tale, told well, that will (almost certainly) give you a temporary case of hay fever. IT's the shortest three hours you may ever spend in a theater.
The only downside is that exterior of Lincoln Center is being renovated, so you can't play around near the fountain or see the front of the Met or Avery Fisher Hall. The fella had never been there, so it would have been nice to show it off.
I could go on and feel like I didn't recommend it enough.
I'm not the biggest fan of the piece (at least I didn't think I was) but this production won me over, and quickly.
The director chose not to overwhelm the audience with giant, intricate sets (the sets are lovely, though, and not small, but not garish). Instead, he positions the piece and the performers front and center, and they deliver stupendously. Kelli O'Hara gives a performance as good as any you'll find in New York. Each note seems to float on the air as she sings it, every word out of her mouth is believable, and she's got such an incredible, winning energy to her.
I appear to be going on and on, sorry.
It's a great production. It's a terrific tale, told well, that will (almost certainly) give you a temporary case of hay fever. IT's the shortest three hours you may ever spend in a theater.
The only downside is that exterior of Lincoln Center is being renovated, so you can't play around near the fountain or see the front of the Met or Avery Fisher Hall. The fella had never been there, so it would have been nice to show it off.
13 August 2008
Cake Wrecks
If I didn't think that Cake Wrecks was one of my favoritist novelty blogs already, check the newest reason.
Lil Derrick's parents are the bomb.
12 August 2008
Lego Donkey Kong throws barrels at our hearts
Lego Donkey Kong throws barrels at our hearts: ">You may be operating under the completely misguided assumption that stop-motion Lego Donkey Kong is the best thing you've ever seen, but, we promise you, it's old news. Those of us really in the know are into real-time Lego Donkey Kong, which you can see just above, if you're not already watching, tears streaming down your face and sobbing so loudly that you're scaring the cat.
04 August 2008
Nifty
Axel Peemoeller - Eureka Carpark Melbourne: "In Melbourne I developed a way-finding-system for the Eureka Tower Carpark. The distored letters on the wall can be read perfectly when standing at the right position. This project won several international design awards."
02 August 2008
01 August 2008
Expert Opinion
A small minority of physicists believe that the new Super Collider in Europe represents a risk to the very fabric of the universe, threatening to annihilate all life on the planet.
I laughed all that off, until I saw all these pics of it today.
Is this a doomsday device or what?
24 July 2008
Required Reading
This is Roger Ebert's blog entry regarding his departure from At The Movies.
This was truly a landmark television show for a bundle of reasons, not the least of which that it was so damned entertaining for so many years. When I was younger, I tried to watch this every week to see what Gene and Roger were saying about the new films I probably wouldn't see.
Also fascinating in the post are the two YouTube clips at the end, featuring some truly vicious barbs thrown back and forth between Siskel and Ebert.
<a href="http://www.xkcd.com">XKCD</a> is always worth a look...
A fact I was reminded of yesterday, when I stopped by after a long absence.
I think this may have been my favorite, among the newer posts.
"Macgyver Gets Lazy"
I think this may have been my favorite, among the newer posts.
"Macgyver Gets Lazy"
22 July 2008
16 July 2008
There aren't words to describe the outrage.
Actually, there are, but Joe.My.God. used them all in
Rock on Joe.
Rock on Joe.
14 July 2008
11 July 2008
08 July 2008
In Alanis' World, this is Ironic
and so I will write it that way -
It's like stepping out of the freezing cold shower,
just as your roommate finally fixes the boiler.
IT'S LIKE RAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY (cont.)
It's like stepping out of the freezing cold shower,
just as your roommate finally fixes the boiler.
IT'S LIKE RAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY (cont.)
07 July 2008
Worth the five minutes...
I'm a big Ira Glass fan - I enjoy his voice, and enjoy This American Life.
I was surfing around this morning, looking into different plug-ins for Quicksilver (more on that in a future post), and I came upon this clip on Merlin Mann's blog at 43folders.com:
Sage advice - and I think it's ballsy that he uses his own failures as an example.
I was surfing around this morning, looking into different plug-ins for Quicksilver (more on that in a future post), and I came upon this clip on Merlin Mann's blog at 43folders.com:
Sage advice - and I think it's ballsy that he uses his own failures as an example.
02 July 2008
New fuel for your RSS fire...
If you're the type that uses something like NetNewsWire for RSS (or if you use LJ to track RSS stuff), here's a super site to add to your list.
Great daily read...
Great daily read...
Majide!
Unlike some people, I'm not thoroughly enjoying Wipeout, ABC's attempt to Americanize MXC. However, I am enjoying the hell out of the show that follows it, "I Survived a Japanese Game Show!"
The best reason to watch?
This guy:
He hosts the Japanese game show in question, and he's hysterical.
I can't quite describe the show - it's a merge of Survivor and MXC. It's worth catching, the people are enjoyably aggravating and vicious to one another, and it's fun to see stupid Americans at odds with the Japanese culture. It's on Tuesdays after Wipeout.
The best reason to watch?
This guy:
He hosts the Japanese game show in question, and he's hysterical.
I can't quite describe the show - it's a merge of Survivor and MXC. It's worth catching, the people are enjoyably aggravating and vicious to one another, and it's fun to see stupid Americans at odds with the Japanese culture. It's on Tuesdays after Wipeout.
30 June 2008
Minefield. Woah.
That was the Keanu Reeves in the Matrix "Woah", in case you didn't recognize it.
For the Mac folks out there, do yourself a favor and download Minefield. They're PowerPC or Intel optimized builds of Firefox 3. The performance of the Intel optimized build makes me never want to go back to Camino again. Blazing fast startup and page views. Truly awesome shit. (They're named "Minefield" so as not to interfere with any Mozilla/Firefox trademarks.)
Thanks TUAW!
For the Mac folks out there, do yourself a favor and download Minefield. They're PowerPC or Intel optimized builds of Firefox 3. The performance of the Intel optimized build makes me never want to go back to Camino again. Blazing fast startup and page views. Truly awesome shit. (They're named "Minefield" so as not to interfere with any Mozilla/Firefox trademarks.)
Thanks TUAW!
25 June 2008
So I was in Atlantic City today...
Attending the Ms. Senior America New Jersey 2008 Pageant. My sister-in-law's mother was competing, and there was NO WAY I was missing out on this. Turns out, me and K had a blast. The ladies were all fantastic, except for the ones who weren't (they were even more entertaining!). Congrats to all!
(Note - The National pageant is being held at Harrah's in October. There's a real chance I'm going to that one, too...)
There are some pics from it at my flickr.
There's also a COMPLETELY UNSAFE AT ANY TIME ANYWHERE VIDEO at my youtube...
(Note - The National pageant is being held at Harrah's in October. There's a real chance I'm going to that one, too...)
There are some pics from it at my flickr.
There's also a COMPLETELY UNSAFE AT ANY TIME ANYWHERE VIDEO at my youtube...
23 June 2008
Grounds For Sculpture
In an effort to class me up, the fella took me to a scultpure garden on Sunday.
We were very fortunate that the t-storms passed quickly and gave way to incredible sunshine. The rains made all the metal sculptures super-shiny.
More pics of the afternoon here.
I wholly recommend checking out Grounds For Sculpture some lazy afternoon. It's a great walk. Mind the peacocks, though.
We were very fortunate that the t-storms passed quickly and gave way to incredible sunshine. The rains made all the metal sculptures super-shiny.
More pics of the afternoon here.
I wholly recommend checking out Grounds For Sculpture some lazy afternoon. It's a great walk. Mind the peacocks, though.
10 June 2008
Freezer Spoon
As if the triple digit heat here hasn't been bad enough, I've woken up the last two mornings with hellacious sore throats. It actually seems that the pain is centered on my right (passenger side) tonsil, which has swollen to the size of Rhode Island.
To combat this, I'm taking some Tylenol products. I've also taken to leaving a spoon in the freezer and applying said Freezer Spoon to the offending tonsil once or twice a day. I can't imagine this has much real clinical value, but it makes me feel better for a half hour or so...
To combat this, I'm taking some Tylenol products. I've also taken to leaving a spoon in the freezer and applying said Freezer Spoon to the offending tonsil once or twice a day. I can't imagine this has much real clinical value, but it makes me feel better for a half hour or so...
09 June 2008
To Follow Up...
About ten minutes after I posted my bit about soccer last night, they announced the attendance for the USA-Argentinian at the Meadowlands last night - 78,000+!
So I suppose my concern is really that I don't have enough friends who enjoy soccer.
Watching Italy-Netherlands Euro match now. The Dutch are up 3-0 and just keep attacking. The Italians are still threatening because, as the commentators put it, "The Dutch just don't play defense. It's not in their genetics." God, I love the Dutch side, streaming down the pitch in their bright orange unis...
So I suppose my concern is really that I don't have enough friends who enjoy soccer.
Watching Italy-Netherlands Euro match now. The Dutch are up 3-0 and just keep attacking. The Italians are still threatening because, as the commentators put it, "The Dutch just don't play defense. It's not in their genetics." God, I love the Dutch side, streaming down the pitch in their bright orange unis...
08 June 2008
It's not the worst thing in the world.
But I think it's a shame that more people in America don't appreciate soccer.
I had more to say here, but I think that any mention of the sheer beauty of the game (the speed, the strategy, the incredible fitness of the athletes) would make me sound like a sports elitist. And the last thing I need is for there to be one more thing that people think I'm stuck up about.
I had more to say here, but I think that any mention of the sheer beauty of the game (the speed, the strategy, the incredible fitness of the athletes) would make me sound like a sports elitist. And the last thing I need is for there to be one more thing that people think I'm stuck up about.
02 June 2008
Hi.
Due to the unwillingness of an acquaintance to open an account where I have my other blog, so I'm going to cross-post here. Over the next couple of days I'll be porting over the posts from my other blog here.
And maybe they'll be some stuff here that I don't post there. Who knows?
Enjoy the seeqpod....
And maybe they'll be some stuff here that I don't post there. Who knows?
Enjoy the seeqpod....
31 May 2008
29 May 2008
Trouble in Imperial Paradise?
Now they're going on a Canadian television show to gripe about each other's annoying habits.
Check out the pics here.
I pray everything works out for those kids. Imperial Divorces are ugly.
27 May 2008
The Swell Season
Checked out The Swell Season last Monday night.
For the unfamiliar, The Swell Season is the banner that Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova tour under. They were (are?) the stars and songwriters featured in the excellent film "Once" that one this year's Academy Award for original song.
It was a great show, and we had incredible seats (4th row center, in front of Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg and Floyd from 30 Rock.
I got some nice pics, you can see them here.
I also caught some video. Embedded one song here, another half song is at here.
For the unfamiliar, The Swell Season is the banner that Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova tour under. They were (are?) the stars and songwriters featured in the excellent film "Once" that one this year's Academy Award for original song.
It was a great show, and we had incredible seats (4th row center, in front of Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg and Floyd from 30 Rock.
I got some nice pics, you can see them here.
I also caught some video. Embedded one song here, another half song is at here.
Under absolutely no pressure...
except for the peer pressure of not being as cool as , I have muxtaped.
23 May 2008
Spotted on Monday
Whilst non-LJ Tom and I were driving into NYC to catch The Swell Season, we were lucky enough to sight and observe the driving habits of the New Jersey Douchebag.
He is (unsurprisingly) the one in the green Mustang convertible in the picture. I'm only disappointed it wasn't an IROC Camaro.
This guy was everything you'd hope for in a douchebag - D&G sunglasses, sleeveless t-shirt, master of riding on your back bumper. He was a dream!
As he made his way past, we saw that he was texting with the phone on his steering wheel and (AND) eating an apple. Each time he took a bite of the apple, he checked his teeth in the rearview.
I'm sure he'll make some Standard New Jersey Girl With Low Self Esteem a happy bride...
He is (unsurprisingly) the one in the green Mustang convertible in the picture. I'm only disappointed it wasn't an IROC Camaro.
This guy was everything you'd hope for in a douchebag - D&G sunglasses, sleeveless t-shirt, master of riding on your back bumper. He was a dream!
As he made his way past, we saw that he was texting with the phone on his steering wheel and (AND) eating an apple. Each time he took a bite of the apple, he checked his teeth in the rearview.
I'm sure he'll make some Standard New Jersey Girl With Low Self Esteem a happy bride...
21 May 2008
A pic I saw on Flickr...
Reminds me how much I miss Garbage.
Where is the Shirley Manson solo album!?
Why doesn't she blog where I can read it anymore?!
Where is the Shirley Manson solo album!?
Why doesn't she blog where I can read it anymore?!
20 May 2008
Someone was telling someone else....
That, at this point in the decade, they weren't sure they could come up with a top 10 albums (CDs, whatever) of the 2000s.
Thinking about it a little, I thought I could easily come up with ten albums that I loved and have continued to love through the years. And I did.
These aren't in any particular order, I don't think... maybe subliminally...
Rufus Wainwright, Want One (2003)
Death Cab For Cutie, Transatlanticism (2003)
Arcade Fire, Neon Bible (2007)
Jill Scott, Who is Jill Scott? Words and Music, Vol.1 (2001)
Shelby Lynne, I Am Shelby Lynne (2000)
Pete Yorn, musicforthemorningafter (2001)
Keane, Under The Iron Sea (2006)
Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm (2005)
Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway (2004)
Muse, Black Holes and Revelations (2007)
Honorable Mentions... A Perfect Circle, Mer De Noms (2000)
Ben Folds, Speed Graphic (EP) (2003)
Guillemots, From The Cliffs (EP) (2006)
Pernice Brothers, Live a Little (2006)
Editors, The Back Room (2006)
Coldplay, Parachutes (2000) and A Rush Of Blood To the Head (2002)
Beth Orton, Daybreaker (2002)
Morcheeba, Charango (2002)
Arcade Fire, Funeral (2004)
U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)
What's everyone else got? What egregious omission have I made?
Thinking about it a little, I thought I could easily come up with ten albums that I loved and have continued to love through the years. And I did.
These aren't in any particular order, I don't think... maybe subliminally...
Rufus Wainwright, Want One (2003)
Death Cab For Cutie, Transatlanticism (2003)
Arcade Fire, Neon Bible (2007)
Jill Scott, Who is Jill Scott? Words and Music, Vol.1 (2001)
Shelby Lynne, I Am Shelby Lynne (2000)
Pete Yorn, musicforthemorningafter (2001)
Keane, Under The Iron Sea (2006)
Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm (2005)
Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway (2004)
Muse, Black Holes and Revelations (2007)
Honorable Mentions... A Perfect Circle, Mer De Noms (2000)
Ben Folds, Speed Graphic (EP) (2003)
Guillemots, From The Cliffs (EP) (2006)
Pernice Brothers, Live a Little (2006)
Editors, The Back Room (2006)
Coldplay, Parachutes (2000) and A Rush Of Blood To the Head (2002)
Beth Orton, Daybreaker (2002)
Morcheeba, Charango (2002)
Arcade Fire, Funeral (2004)
U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)
What's everyone else got? What egregious omission have I made?
05 May 2008
01 May 2008
Oh Daily Show, is there nothing you can't make funny?
You sort of have to watch both to get the full effect, but the second one is the real gem.
17 April 2008
A Great Commercial...
The fact that this followed a commercial for The Olive Garden where three women cooed like cattle about soup, salad, and breadsticks makes me feel a little better about mass media's opinion of women...
09 April 2008
So I saw this pic about a dozen times this week...
in all the familiar stupid, bitchy places.
But, as ever, The Fug Girls got it right.
But, as ever, The Fug Girls got it right.
08 April 2008
Maybe the perfect food...
From The Food Network....
Every time I make this, it gets better. This was tonight's iteration. I'll often serve it with some whole wheat crusty bread. Other people have subbed in grilled chicken breast for the chick peas - I don't do that. I like it as a vegan meal. The only one I think I make.
Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Soup
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, medium diced
6 to 8 cloves garlic, pressed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I user 1/2 teaspoon)
1 heaping teaspoon sweet paprika
2 (14.5-ounce) can chopped tomatoes (I use stewed tomatoes)
3 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
1 quart vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth (I use veggie broth)
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 (5-ounce) package pre-washed baby spinach
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onions begin to turn translucent; lower heat if browning starts to occur. Add spices and saute a minute or so. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, broth, and sugar. Season with a couple pinches of salt and 10 grinds fresh pepper. Stir well. Chickpeas should be just covered with liquid. If level is shy, add some water so the chickpeas are just covered.
Bring to a simmer, then lower heat to low and gently simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove soup from heat. Use a potato masher to mash up some of the chickpeas right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and let heat through until wilted, just a couple minutes.
Season again, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Every time I make this, it gets better. This was tonight's iteration. I'll often serve it with some whole wheat crusty bread. Other people have subbed in grilled chicken breast for the chick peas - I don't do that. I like it as a vegan meal. The only one I think I make.
Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Soup
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, medium diced
6 to 8 cloves garlic, pressed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I user 1/2 teaspoon)
1 heaping teaspoon sweet paprika
2 (14.5-ounce) can chopped tomatoes (I use stewed tomatoes)
3 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
1 quart vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth (I use veggie broth)
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 (5-ounce) package pre-washed baby spinach
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onions begin to turn translucent; lower heat if browning starts to occur. Add spices and saute a minute or so. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, broth, and sugar. Season with a couple pinches of salt and 10 grinds fresh pepper. Stir well. Chickpeas should be just covered with liquid. If level is shy, add some water so the chickpeas are just covered.
Bring to a simmer, then lower heat to low and gently simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove soup from heat. Use a potato masher to mash up some of the chickpeas right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and let heat through until wilted, just a couple minutes.
Season again, to taste, with salt and pepper.
05 April 2008
Richard Simmons Out-Creeps Himself on Kimmel
Richard Simmons Out-Creeps Himself on Kimmel: "
To his credit, it is handily the most surreal viral video of 2008, and strangely, with all of its nightmarish quirks, a pleasure to view.
It’s after the jump.
30 March 2008
What would I do without Kimmel?
Only he understands how much I hate the enhanced episodes of "Lost".
24 March 2008
From Best Week Ever...
Coolest Dad Ever, perhaps. (Other than yours. Whoever yours is. Not that you don't know who your dad is, but I wouldn't want to say this dad is better than your dad. Shutting up now.)
22 March 2008
I'm giving MarsEdit a whirl...
It's a nice blogging tool - way more powerful than I need right now (but who knows what the future holds, right?)
It does make it sublimely easy to post embedded and linked items (there's some stuff that I figure is worth blogging and not just tumbling.
Anyone with any experience with it and LiveJournal have any tips?
It does make it sublimely easy to post embedded and linked items (there's some stuff that I figure is worth blogging and not just tumbling.
Anyone with any experience with it and LiveJournal have any tips?
21 March 2008
19 March 2008
Five “Web 2.0″ ways to break up with your boyfriend
Five “Web 2.0″ ways to break up with your boyfriend: "
- add unflattering Flickr tag, ‘Fat asshole with a unibrow’
- change Facebook status to ‘He’s literally dead to me’
- web widget counts up days since your last climax (currently: ‘193″)
- share Zoho spreadsheet to split up MySpace friends
- decline to participate in Series B round of affection
(Via 5ives.)
14 March 2008
Vantage Point Stunk.
I saw Vantage Point this morning with and it was not good.
It's a politically charged thriller about terrorism in the post 9/11 world featuring the most ridiculous terrorist attack ever unveiled on screen. Every season of "24" looks completely realistic now. The plot in Airplane 2 was more plausible. To refresh your memory, Airplane 2 featured Sonny Bono smuggling a bomb (that he purchased in the airport gift shop) onto the inaugural commercial Space Shuttle flight to our Moonabse. That's how many holes there are in Vantage Point, which is to say nothing about the least plausible resolution I could imagine.
The hook to the movie is that it's told through multiple perspectives so you get the whole story. Sadly, all this hook serves is to withhold information from the audience in order to create suspense. Sadly, the best suspense is created when the audience has information the protagonists lack. Being in the audience thinking "Don't go in the basement! The bomb is in the basement!" is suspenseful. Having a character say "I'm not going in that basement, and I'm not going to explain why" is stupid. The hook's real purpose is to allow the filmmakers to replay the events of the same 30 minute period over 7 times, so that they don't ever have to explain the impossible genesis and planning of their ludicrous plot.
The highlight (for me, at least) is about 30 minutes into the film, when Dennis Quaid is seen top less from the back, putting on his shirt. If you squint really hard, there's a split second where you can see his torso in the reflection of the window he's facing.
What a crappy movie.
It's a politically charged thriller about terrorism in the post 9/11 world featuring the most ridiculous terrorist attack ever unveiled on screen. Every season of "24" looks completely realistic now. The plot in Airplane 2 was more plausible. To refresh your memory, Airplane 2 featured Sonny Bono smuggling a bomb (that he purchased in the airport gift shop) onto the inaugural commercial Space Shuttle flight to our Moonabse. That's how many holes there are in Vantage Point, which is to say nothing about the least plausible resolution I could imagine.
The hook to the movie is that it's told through multiple perspectives so you get the whole story. Sadly, all this hook serves is to withhold information from the audience in order to create suspense. Sadly, the best suspense is created when the audience has information the protagonists lack. Being in the audience thinking "Don't go in the basement! The bomb is in the basement!" is suspenseful. Having a character say "I'm not going in that basement, and I'm not going to explain why" is stupid. The hook's real purpose is to allow the filmmakers to replay the events of the same 30 minute period over 7 times, so that they don't ever have to explain the impossible genesis and planning of their ludicrous plot.
The highlight (for me, at least) is about 30 minutes into the film, when Dennis Quaid is seen top less from the back, putting on his shirt. If you squint really hard, there's a split second where you can see his torso in the reflection of the window he's facing.
What a crappy movie.
12 March 2008
A quick question...
iTunes was playing "Boxing" by Ben Folds Five and "Venus as a Boy" by Bjork while Spitzer resigned. Was this ironic at all?
You know what's great about this whole scandal? Hookers.
You know what's great about this whole scandal? Hookers.
05 March 2008
28 February 2008
Today's Reverse Pulitzer goes to....
Maxim!!
Not that they were ever purveyors of anything past fringe celebrity soft core-pornography, but now I'm not sure that I made a smart decision to avoid the Bo Bice album. I based my opinion on their one-and-a-half star review.
UPDATE - ohmygod - they gave The Polyphonic Spree's second album four stars. I wonder if they bothered listening to it at all...
Not that they were ever purveyors of anything past fringe celebrity soft core-pornography, but now I'm not sure that I made a smart decision to avoid the Bo Bice album. I based my opinion on their one-and-a-half star review.
UPDATE - ohmygod - they gave The Polyphonic Spree's second album four stars. I wonder if they bothered listening to it at all...
27 February 2008
No Hannah Montana on Rock Band, I suspect...
And here's why.
Which is kind of a shame, as I know that lots of younger kids really enjoy Rock Band (and Guitar Hero, for that matter). The idea of a tween-centric Rock Band would be a great way to get more kids to force their parents to plunk down $170 for the guitar/drums/microphone set so they can thrash about to their favorite High School Musical tunes.
Alas - it looks like Disney is going to go their own way. (Why no Fleetwood Mac on Rock Band!?)
Which is kind of a shame, as I know that lots of younger kids really enjoy Rock Band (and Guitar Hero, for that matter). The idea of a tween-centric Rock Band would be a great way to get more kids to force their parents to plunk down $170 for the guitar/drums/microphone set so they can thrash about to their favorite High School Musical tunes.
Alas - it looks like Disney is going to go their own way. (Why no Fleetwood Mac on Rock Band!?)
26 February 2008
A geektastic dilemma...
So I've grown tired of using my Xbox as a DVD player (for a bunch of reasons), so I decided I was going to buy a new DVD player this week.
As I was in Costco, I was eyeing an $80 upconverting Sony player that was definitely in my price range. Taking a tour of the store to weigh the purchase in my hand, I spied a Toshiba HD-DVD player for the same $80. HD-DVD is a high def format that just last week was abandoned by Toshiba (surrendering the format war to Sony's Blu-Ray).
So what was I to do? I could buy the HD player and play all my DVDs and what few HD-DVDs I could rent, or I could buy the DVD player.
Yeah - I bought the HD-DVD player.
Did I mention that it came with its own HDMI cable! (this would normally be a giant selling point, if I didn't have a spare HDMI cable at home already)
Unboxed the whole she-bang...
and ran the setup:
It came with the first two Bourne movies (and I liked them both, so that's another bonus), but I purchased an HD-DVD movie to test it with...
What better to test it out than with Michael Bay's Robot Alien Sci-Fi spectacle, "Transformers"?
Nothing, I say.
And it was fantastic. Truly incredible picture quality. No issues with clipping or problems with blacks and grays getting pixelated due to compression. And I don't have the world's best TV (or HD-DVD player, I'm sure), but it's still really amazing to watch. No, it didn't make me cry (like some people).
I hope Blu-Ray is this good, or else the wrong horse won.
As I was in Costco, I was eyeing an $80 upconverting Sony player that was definitely in my price range. Taking a tour of the store to weigh the purchase in my hand, I spied a Toshiba HD-DVD player for the same $80. HD-DVD is a high def format that just last week was abandoned by Toshiba (surrendering the format war to Sony's Blu-Ray).
So what was I to do? I could buy the HD player and play all my DVDs and what few HD-DVDs I could rent, or I could buy the DVD player.
Yeah - I bought the HD-DVD player.
Did I mention that it came with its own HDMI cable! (this would normally be a giant selling point, if I didn't have a spare HDMI cable at home already)
Unboxed the whole she-bang...
and ran the setup:
It came with the first two Bourne movies (and I liked them both, so that's another bonus), but I purchased an HD-DVD movie to test it with...
What better to test it out than with Michael Bay's Robot Alien Sci-Fi spectacle, "Transformers"?
Nothing, I say.
And it was fantastic. Truly incredible picture quality. No issues with clipping or problems with blacks and grays getting pixelated due to compression. And I don't have the world's best TV (or HD-DVD player, I'm sure), but it's still really amazing to watch. No, it didn't make me cry (like some people).
I hope Blu-Ray is this good, or else the wrong horse won.
25 February 2008
Warning Sign!
During the Oscar telecast, there was a commercial for tonight's airing of "A Raisin in the Sun", starring Sean Combs. I wasn't paying much attention, and I thought I might TiVo it, but decided against it when, thrown in among all the accolades and glowing notices, there was "4 Stars" -Star.
Really? The Star? The Preganant Jamie-Lynn In Denial! Star? Well, when such a prestigious publication bestows its highest acclaim on a program, ABC is right to trumpet it in their ads.
I'll be sure to catch that now...
Really? The Star? The Preganant Jamie-Lynn In Denial! Star? Well, when such a prestigious publication bestows its highest acclaim on a program, ABC is right to trumpet it in their ads.
I'll be sure to catch that now...
Caught a show on Saturday night....
I'm fortunate to have a friend on the inside who scored us comps to one of the final previews for the new musical Passing Strange last night. I had a great time and really loved the show. I've been having a difficult time trying to process the "why" into a post, so bear with me.
Passing Strange is a rock musical written and starring the rock singer, Stew. Stew's music is fun, thoughtful and coherent (thank god). His sound is derived from many influences (reggae, old-school musicals, punk, pop). After seeing the show, I will probably pick up a CD from his band, The Negro Problem. Of course, at least 30% of the reason for purchasing the CD is to have a jewel case in my collection from "The Negro Problem".
The show follows Stew's life from a young man in lower middle-class South Central LA to a bohemian in Amsterdam and a performance artist in Berlin. Stew serves as narrator, commentator, and participant in his story. He's backed by a tight band of on-stage multi-instrumentalists on a very spare set.
(I'm realizing this is the lamest review ever. Keep reading anyway. There might be cake at the end.)
The events of the story are brought to life by six exceptional actors playing (in most cases) multiple roles. There's an energy about their performances that is truly awesome. The characters they inhabit are funny (laugh at loud, stop-the-show a couple of times funny), touching, and three-dimensional, and they're the true stars of the show. The first act has a terrific forward motion to it and it carries over into the second act.
There are some slower beats in the heavier (shorter) second act. We also learn a valuable lesson about love, "the real", and the importance of family. I, like most of my tribe, am a sucker for a show with a "Mommy" plotline (you don't want to watch Terms of Endearment with me), so the second act was just fine by me.
I completely recommend Passing Strange. I guarantee there's nothing like it on Broadway. It's funnier than Mamma Mia!, more rock than Rent,and it might even be blacker than The Color Purple (and that closed anyway).
You should check it out if you're in NYC.
Passing Strange is a rock musical written and starring the rock singer, Stew. Stew's music is fun, thoughtful and coherent (thank god). His sound is derived from many influences (reggae, old-school musicals, punk, pop). After seeing the show, I will probably pick up a CD from his band, The Negro Problem. Of course, at least 30% of the reason for purchasing the CD is to have a jewel case in my collection from "The Negro Problem".
The show follows Stew's life from a young man in lower middle-class South Central LA to a bohemian in Amsterdam and a performance artist in Berlin. Stew serves as narrator, commentator, and participant in his story. He's backed by a tight band of on-stage multi-instrumentalists on a very spare set.
(I'm realizing this is the lamest review ever. Keep reading anyway. There might be cake at the end.)
The events of the story are brought to life by six exceptional actors playing (in most cases) multiple roles. There's an energy about their performances that is truly awesome. The characters they inhabit are funny (laugh at loud, stop-the-show a couple of times funny), touching, and three-dimensional, and they're the true stars of the show. The first act has a terrific forward motion to it and it carries over into the second act.
There are some slower beats in the heavier (shorter) second act. We also learn a valuable lesson about love, "the real", and the importance of family. I, like most of my tribe, am a sucker for a show with a "Mommy" plotline (you don't want to watch Terms of Endearment with me), so the second act was just fine by me.
I completely recommend Passing Strange. I guarantee there's nothing like it on Broadway. It's funnier than Mamma Mia!, more rock than Rent,and it might even be blacker than The Color Purple (and that closed anyway).
You should check it out if you're in NYC.
22 February 2008
21 February 2008
20 February 2008
Love that GOP
from a Tweet by my favorite Mac-centric blogger:
Rush Limbaugh doesn't like John McCain, but I bet he'd get along just great with McCain's wife...
Check out why...
18 February 2008
14 February 2008
13 February 2008
Man these commercials make me laugh
OK - I’m a bit of a closet NASCAR fan. I cannot explain it. I have no defense.
Anyway, these commercials debuted last year and have never failed to bring a smile to my face.
Here’s my favorite one.
This kid could be the next Michael Cera. Who knows?
Anyway, these commercials debuted last year and have never failed to bring a smile to my face.
Here’s my favorite one.
This kid could be the next Michael Cera. Who knows?
Finally!
Well, the Nets look like they’re finally going to ship out Jason Kidd.
And they’re not getting robbed (like the Memphis Grizzlies did when they gave Pau Gasol away to the Lakers) - they’re getting Devin Harris, who is 10 years younger than Kidd, and a far more capable scorer from the point guard position. Kidd’s the better player over the course of his career, and he’s an incredible teammate, but the Nets are wise to get younger, gain some salary cap flexibility, and can now turn their attentions to the task of trading Vince Carter, who will flounder without Kidd. (He might score more, but it’ll be because nobody else is getting the ball.) We also get Mo Ager (supposedly) who was always a favorite of mine from his days as a Spartan.
I suspect this is the beginning of the end for Lawrence Frank, as well, which is probably for the best.
I will miss Kidd - he’s a joy to watch run the break and possibly the best defensive point guard since Gary Payton in his prime. I wish him all the best - I now have a rooting interest in the playoffs (assuming the Nets fizzle in the first round). Best Wishes, J-Kidd - you’ve deserved better for about a season and a half.
** Update - it looks like one of the lesser pieces of the deal (Devean George) is blocking the trade. Dammit.
08 February 2008
Grooving on some new tunes.
I’m currently loving the new album from Shelby Lynne, Just A Little Lovin’. It’s a collection of songs that Dusty Springfield recorded plus one original. (I don’t call them Dusty Springfield songs, because she didn’t write them. Lay off.)
The CD showcases Shelby’s beautiful voice and some exceptional, stripped-down instrumentation. It’s rarely more than a guitar (lots of slide guitar!), bass, an electric piano and drums. A stark contrast from Springfield’s recordings, which were so famous for being heavily produced.
The sparse arrangements give me more time to digest the songs. These are tales of longing, of unrequited love, or desperation. Dusty sang these songs so well and Shelby is up for the challenge.
Just a Little Lovin’ is a lovely, bittersweet CD. Perfect for those quiet mornings in the home office.
The CD showcases Shelby’s beautiful voice and some exceptional, stripped-down instrumentation. It’s rarely more than a guitar (lots of slide guitar!), bass, an electric piano and drums. A stark contrast from Springfield’s recordings, which were so famous for being heavily produced.
The sparse arrangements give me more time to digest the songs. These are tales of longing, of unrequited love, or desperation. Dusty sang these songs so well and Shelby is up for the challenge.
Just a Little Lovin’ is a lovely, bittersweet CD. Perfect for those quiet mornings in the home office.
16 January 2008
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