Things That Need To Be Said

Solution to the global economic crisis

2008-10-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die

Cross Country Trip

2008-09-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Martha is blogging our entire Cross-Country Road Trip. Check it out over at: Martha Gets Her Kicks (On Route 66)

Safe for Work Porn

2008-09-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

God is a big fag.

2008-09-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

If I believed in God, I would agree wholeheartedly with Margaret Cho. That bitch should be President. Heres what she has to say in response to people commenting on her Christianity:

I’m a Christian, you Fuckers
All kinds of Christians are getting mad about my Sarah Palin comments, and it is pissing me off.

First of all – you fucking fake Christians - don’t fucking question my Christianity. I grew up in the church. My grandfather was a minister, who is with God now and talks to me in my dreams from God’s corner office. I am a former Sunday school teacher. I taught the Bible to children and showed them how to love God and invite him into their hearts. I believe in God – but I don’t fear him. God is my best friend. God is my ally. God is my boyfriend. God is my best fag. I am God’s fag hag cuz didn’t you know, God is a big fag. Serious bottom too. Butch in the streets, femme in the sheets. That is my God. God is my biggest fan. God gets me, dude.

God wants us all to just get along. He doesn’t give a shit about the profanity. The bitch fucking invented profanity. He thinks it is hilarious. He just wants you to talk to him, and he doesn’t care what you have to say. He just wants to keep the conversation going. Like Jay-Z, he just wants to love you. He just wants you to be able to make your own decisions. God is all about you and what you need. God is happy that you are gay. God made you fucking gay cuz he thinks it is awesome. God understands if you need to have an abortion. That is why he created abortion, on the 8th day. God accepts. God forgives. God loves all of us, even though some of us might have a problem with each other.

Don’t fucking question my Christianity you fucking idiot assholes. If you continue to have a problem, then talk to God about it, not me, you fucking racist homophobic misogynist fake Christian shitheads. God thinks it is funny that I swear so much. He said I could use his name in vain or whatever. He just wants me to use it. He loves me. So fuck you. And I guess he loves you too. Even though you are fake Christian assholes. If you were truly Christians, you would let gays get married, and send them fucking presents from Bed Bath and Beyond!

If you truly believed in Jesus, you would try to be like him and love us, fags and dykes and feminists all. God bless you, even you. You fucking fuckers.

Mario Paint In It's Right Place

2008-09-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

One of my fellow brothers in Phi Mu Alpha (and Radiohead enthusiast) made this video. Its nothing short of excellence. Check it out.

"Is that a fish in your penis, or are you just happy to see me?"

2008-09-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

The above picture is an ultrasound of some kid's bladder, which contains a fish. A young Betta fish to be exact.

Doctors treating a 14 year old boy from India were shocked to find a 2cm long fish had "slipped" up his penis and into his bladder.

The patient, who was admitted to hospital with complaints of pain, dribbling urine and acute urinary retention spanning a 24-hour period, gave an interesting explanation.

Details of the case, which was documented in The Internet Journal of Urology, have revealed that the patient claimed that the fish "slipped" into his penis while he was maintaining his aquarium.

Did it jump or was it pushed?
The paper's authors, Professor G Vezhaventhan and Professor R Jeyaraman, wrote: "While he was cleaning the fish tank in his house, he was holding a fish in his hand and went to the toilet for passing urine.

"When he was passing urine, the fish slipped from his hand and entered his urethra and then he developed all these symptoms.

"Mentally he was sound and clinically he was absolutely a normal person with no previous history of any psychiatric illness."

Removal
Closer examination using an X-ray failed to show anything, but an ultrasonagram check of the boy's abdomen revealed a full bladder and a small "echogenic object", indicating the presence of a foreign body in the urinary bladder.

Vezhaventhan and Jeyaraman then used a technique known as cystourethroscopy to insert a special set of forceps attached down the boy's penis.

Unfortunately, the fish was just too slippery to grip, so they resorted to using a rigid ureteroscope with a tool attached that is normally used for removing bladder stones.

The fish the urologists removed, which Practical Fishkeeping believes to be a small member of the Betta genus, measured 2cm long and 1.5cm wide. It's definitely not a Candiru (which is notorious for swimming into people's orifices).

After the removal of the fish the boy's symptoms disappeared, but he was subsequently sent for psychiatric counseling.

courtesy of http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk via Geekologie.com

D and W

2008-09-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

One of the best songs ever.

Top 10 - TV shows in the last ten years

2008-09-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

Here's my list of Top 20 (10 comedy, 10 drama) TV shows (1998-2008). As I have not seen every show produced during this time, the list is always evolving.

In no particular order:

Comedy
The Office
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Family Guy
Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Sex & The City
South Park
Arrested Development
Flight of the Conchords
Will and Grace
(honorable mention: The Class)

Drama
Freaks and Geeks
Dexter
Six Feet Under
The Sopranos
Big Love
Lost
24
The Wire
The Black Donnellys
Deadwood
(honorable mention: Battlestar Galactica)

Ramblin' Man

2008-09-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some things that have been on my mind this week, in no particular order.

Squirrel Nut Zippers - After quite a long hiatus from my playlists (and as a band themselves), the Zippers are back!!!! I learned this weekend that they have reuinted and are planning to release a live album later this year (They've been touring recently around their home base of N.Carolina) and a new studio album in 2009! When I read this, I emmited a loud squeek of delight.

Mice - My apartment is infested. Blergh. So far Jeff and I have killed or captured 8 of the little bastards. Hopefully my landlord will bring in an exterminator to wipe them all out. I fully support rodent genocide.

Freaks and Geeks - If you aren't aware, this TV show aired in 1999/2000 for one season and starred the likes of Linda Cardellini (ER), James Franco (Spiderman/Pineapple Express), Seth Rogan (Knocked Up, Pineapple Express), Jason Segal (Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Martin Starr (Knocked Up), Sam Levince (Undeclaired), John Francis Daley (Waiting, Bones), and Busy Philips (ER). Notice a trend? Freaks and Geeks is produced by Judd Apatow, who is the man behind a slew of recent comedy blockbusters, the most recent being 'Pineapple Express'. Needless to say, most of these actors got their start on this show and are now climbing the ladder out of the realm of obscurity and a few of them have already made a big splash (Franco, Rogan, Segal).

Anyway, thats enough exposition. The show finally reached the top of my Blockbuster online queue, and I couldn't be happier. Its a great show. Superbly written, acted and directed. Unfortunately, it never found it's audience. While the stories and characters are excellent, the pacing is a bit slow compared to other TV shows of it's time. Nowadays, viewers are a lot more fogiving of long lasting story-arcs and in depth character development. In fact, they are expected. I highly reccomend renting, downloading, or just outright buying the DVDs. There are 18 episodes over 6 discs. I would definately put this show in the top 10 best TV shows of the last 10 years.

James Franco - I've always thought he was underrated as an actor, and after watching 'Pineapple Express' and 'Freaks and Geeks', my theory has definately been confirmed. Hopefully now that hes hit it big, he'll do more dramatic and complex roles. I suppose every young actor needs to have an 'Annapolis' to pay the bills. I still havn't seen his portrayal of James Dean, tho I hear it is excellent.

The Sopranos - I think it's about time to watch the series from the top all the way through to the end. Jeff is with me, anyone else?

The Godfather Trilogy - I finally saw the first two parts (will see the third tomorrow). I don't know how I've gone so long without it, its incredible!

Politics - Last election I was optimistic of a Democratic win, but as the election drew closer I became less sure until ultimately I accepted defeat (friggin Ohio). This time around tho, I have much more hope. How can Obama not win?!? I'm thrilled with his choice of Biden for VP. Apparently he causes trouble with some of the things he says. But from what I've read, he seems to be a straight shooter. You might not like what he says or how he says it, but he's honest (as much as any politician) and straight forward. After 8 years of double talk and secrets, I think we can handle an abbrasive speaker. Everything Obama says and stands for is truly inspiring. I've never really felt inspired by a politician before. I think McCain screwed himself with his VP choice. Not even a full week after being selected, there are already multiple scandals in the press. Including an absurd one about her faking a pregnancy to cover for her teenage daughters sexual exploration, that could really turn out to be true. Every major press junket is investigating it. On top of all this, its a woman! With a good chance that McCain could die during office because of his age and failing health, will republicans and undecided voters really take the chance of electing a woman President? I think not.

K-K-Krazy

2008-08-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

Madge Oberholtzer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
courtesy of Lyndsay

Madge OberholtzerMadge Augustine Oberholtzer (10 November 1896 – 14 April 1925) was an American schoolteacher who was born in Clay City, Indiana, grew up in Fulton County, Indiana, and worked in an Indiana state program to combat illiteracy. She was a key figure in the downfall of the 1920s Ku Klux Klan in Indiana.

Events of the case
On 15 March 1925, David Curtiss Stephenson, a powerful political figure (then a member of the Republican Party, earlier a member of the Democratic Party), Prohibitionist, and “Grand Dragon” (state leader) of the Ku Klux Klan, kidnapped Oberholtzer after enticing her from her parents' home to his. Stephenson took her onto his private train car and forced her to drink. He then raped her while the train went towards Chicago. Stephenson also chewed and bit Oberholtzer all over her body. A doctor who examined her later on said that these injuries and the resulting infection could have itself been fatal[citation needed]. One historian described her condition as akin to having been “chewed by a cannibal”. On the second day of her ordeal in an Indiana hotel, Oberholtzer attempted to shoot herself, but was foiled by Stephenson. Oberholtzer then purchased mercuric chloride tablets under the guise of shopping for something else, and consumed them in another attempt at suicide. She was discovered vomiting blood by Stephenson and his companions, and they drove her back to Indianapolis. Before leaving his house she threatened him, saying “The law will get their hands on you!” He laughed and said, “I am the law.” Stephenson's Klan connections gave him a good deal of political power in the state.

When Oberholtzer got home, she sought medical attention, though it was too late. With what strength she had left she accused Stephenson and, dying of mercury poisoning, made a deathbed statement on 28 March detailing her treatment at his hands. Oberholtzer died on 14 April from an infection and kidney failure, and Stephenson was indicted on charges of rape and second-degree murder. His lawyer's defense was that Oberholtzer had committed suicide. The prosecution pointed out that Madge had vomited so violently that there might not have been enough mercury to prove fatal and that prompt medical attention could have saved her. During closing statements, Stephenson was decried as a “destroyer of virtue and womanhood”. He was found guilty of second degree murder, and was sentenced to life in prison.

The assault on Oberholtzer by Stephenson outraged many members of the Klan to the point that entire lodges left the Klan as a group. By 20 February 1928 Indiana Klan rosters had decreased from over 178,000 members to approximately 4,000 members.

Stephenson was paroled on 23 March 1950, but violated parole by disappearing on or before 25 September 1950. On 15 December 1950, he was captured in Minneapolis, and directed in 1951 to serve a further 10 years in prison. On 22 December 1956, he was paroled again, on the condition that he leave Indiana and never return. In 1961, he was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a sixteen-year-old girl, but the charges were dropped on grounds of insufficient evidence. He died in 1966.

Madge Oberholtzer is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Actress Mel Harris portrayed her in the TV mini-series Cross of Fire (1989).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madge_Oberholtzer

Daffy Duck - Nazi Hunter

2008-08-17T17:11:00.000-07:00

You probably never saw these cartoons when you were little. . . .

That's What Friends Are For

2008-08-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

My Barbershop quartet "Spare Change" performed at the West Chester Growers Market this morning. It was way fun. We premiered our arrangement of "That's What Friends Are For" from the Jungle Book. Heres a video of the orginal:

More Radiohead

2008-08-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a set list from the Radiohead concert and a way awesome picture from during 'The Gloaming', courtesey of Jamie's friend Dan.

01. 15 Step (from "In Rainbows")
02. There There (from "Hail to the Thief")
03. Morning Bell (from "Kid A")
04. All I Need (from "In Rainbows")
05. The National Anthem (from "Kid A")
06. Videotape (from "In Rainbows")
07. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (from "In Rainbows")
08. The Gloaming (from "Hail to the Thief")
09. Where I End And You Begin (from "Hail to the Thief")
10. Faust Arp (from "In Rainbows”)
11. No Surprises (from "Ok Computer")
12. Jigsaw Falling Into Place (from "In Rainbows")
13. The Bends (from "The Bends")
14. Idioteque (from "Kid A")
15. Climbing Up The Walls (from "Ok Computer")
16. Nude (from "In Rainbows")
17. Bodysnatchers (from "In Rainbows")

Encore 1
18. House of Cards (from "In Rainbows")
19. Lucky (from "OK Computer")
20. Go Slowly (from "In Rainbows" bonus CD)
21. Just (from "The Bends")
22. Street Spirit (from "The Bends")

Encore 2
23. Reckoner (from "In Rainbows")
24. Planet Telex (from "The Bends")
25. Everything In Its Right Place (from "Kid A")

Radiohead is the best band in the world.

2008-08-13T18:13:00.001-07:00

I finally saw Radiohead live, and it was blissful!!!!! Best band ever!
I'm not even going to try to describe the lighting, cause it was too crazy.
Here are a few highlights.

Morning Bell:

The Gloaming:

National Anthem:

Bowser's Minions

2008-08-02T17:14:00.001-07:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Just when you thought it was safe to ride the bus. . .

2008-07-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

Police don't know what prompted vicious bus attack
Updated Thu. Jul. 31 2008 6:50 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Police in Winnipeg said Thursday they do not know what triggered a vicious attack on a Greyhound bus the night before that led to the beheading of a passenger.

Witnesses say a man was stabbed to death and then decapitated in what appears to be a random act of violence on board the bus that was en route to Winnipeg late Wednesday.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve Colwell said a 40-year-old suspect is in custody and police were preparing to interview him. No charges have been laid.

Colwell would not confirm passenger reports that a man repeatedly stabbed his seat-mate before beheading him.

He said passengers had already left the bus when officers arrived at the scene near Portage la Prairie, Man. He added that police apprehended the suspect when he tried to escape the bus by jumping out a window.

Colwell said the actions of the passengers and driver may have prevented any other attacks from occurring.

"It's not something that happens regularly on a bus," said Colwell. "You're sitting there enjoying your trip and then all of a sudden somebody gets stabbed. I imagine it would be pretty traumatic ... the way they acted was extraordinary."

"They were very brave. They reacted swiftly, calmly in exiting the bus and as a result nobody else was injured."

Shocked witnesses said the victim, described as between the ages of 18 to 20, was sleeping with his head against the window when the attack occurred.

Garnet Caton, who was sitting in front of the victim, heard the commotion and turned around thinking he was going to witness a fight.

Caton told CTV News that once he realized what was going on he screamed: "Stop the bus, somebody's getting stabbed, everyone get the hell off."

The bus driver pulled over on a section of the east-bound Trans-Canada Highway -- about 15 kilometres west of Portage la Prairie -- and many of the 37 passengers began to flee the bus.

Passengers attempt rescue

Caton gathered a small group of people to go back and help the victim, said CTV correspondent Murray Oliver in Winnipeg.

"They returned to the back of the bus to find that the person who was stabbing the person in the neck had now sawed off the head of (the victim)."

The man, with the head in one hand and the knife in the other, then tried to attack the other passengers, said Oliver.

The group was able to exit the bus and slammed the door behind them.

The man then stabbed the door with his knife but was unable to break through and get off the bus. Eventually, he attempted to start up the bus to drive away but the operator had hit a switch, disabling the vehicle.

Oliver said a truck driver then arrived at the scene and handed out wrenches and crowbars to several men. The small group gathered around the door to the bus and prevented the man from exiting until police arrived.

Cody Olmstead, a Nova Scotia man who was on the bus, said that the killer taunted the men who were blocking the door from the outside.

"He cut (the victim's) head off and then walked up to the door holding it and just looked at them crazy-like and then dropped the head and walked back to the body and started cutting it some more," Olmstead told CTV News from outside a hotel in Brandon, Man., where he and other passengers were taken.

The man was left alone with the body and witnesses say that he performed further indignities to the victim.

"We have word from people on the scene . . . that when the killer was alone with the body . . . that there may have been some small acts of cannibalism on the body," Oliver said.

Oliver said that police have not confirmed that, but have not denied it either.

Criminal profiler Pat Brown told CTV Newsnet that the killing may have been planned in advance, even if the choice of victim was completely random.

"This may have been planned -- to have this moment of rage," she said.

A number of witnesses referred to the suspect's actions as "robot-like." Brown said that fits the profile of some high-profile psychopaths who go into a "trance" while performing ghastly acts, ignoring the world around them.

The suspect

RCMP eventually arrested the man after a standoff lasting several hours, said Oliver.

Witnesses said the suspect was tall, large and wearing sunglasses, even though it was dark.

David Eastwick, a passenger on the bus, told CTV News that he noticed that there seemed to be something "wrong" with the suspect even before the attack.

"He look kind of suspicious when I saw him," a clearly-tired Eastwick said Thursday. "Most people if you say 'Hi' to them they say 'Hi' back to you but this one just looked back and (stared.)"

"I knew something was wrong (with) his mind."

Greyhound provides counselling

Abby Wambaugh, media relations spokeswoman for Greyhound, said the company is now working with Transport Canada to review bus security.

She called the situation tragic but said travelling by bus is still "the safest mode of transportation in the country."

Wambaugh also said Greyhound is fully co-operating with the RCMP investigation.

Passengers will be escorted to Winnipeg once they are interviewed by RCMP, said Wambaugh.

Once there, Greyhound will provide counselling for any passengers who want the service, she said.

Government responds

Meanwhile, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said Thursday he was shocked when he heard about the incident.

"Like most Canadians I'm horrified to hear of the account," Day said. "It's more than most people can even contemplate."

He said it was "probably one-of-a-kind in Canadian history."

The minister said he's not entertaining any notion of registering knives as dangerous weapons given that millions of kitchen knives alone are sold annually.

Priscilla Ahn

2008-07-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

Metal Cow - Mooo

2008-07-28T13:14:00.000-07:00

My roomate played his first official show with his new band 'Hung'. Here's a review from what is supposedly a major critical force in the metal community.
from MetalSucks.com:

THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF HUNG
Monday, July 28th, 2008 at 1:21pm by Vince Neilstein
To say that Hung is back and better than ever would be an understatement. After nearly 10 months without a drummer, the New York progressive metal outfit absolutely killed it at the Ace of Clubs in downtown Manhattan Friday night. New drummer David Mieloch fit right in with the band, offering a level of precision and stage-presence never before seen on the Hung drum throne, and the result was a completely riveting set that had the usually tame Manhattan audience in an absolute frenzy. Levels of rockingness and audience excitement this high are rarely seen in New York, let alone at a show of a “local” band. Record labels ought to start paying attention; this band is the fucking real deal.

Hung barreled through their set of precise European-styled melodic progressive death metal (got all that?) playing mostly songs from their 2007 release Progeny (read my review), and to the delight of the fans a brand new song which highlighted guitarist Evil Jon, violinist Lyris Hung and bassist Sam Roon’s shredtastic playing and is without a doubt the most serious facemelter the band has written to date.

Shit was so intense that an overzealous mosher had to be dragged out of the pit after nearly starting a fight. Even MetalGF, who could call this event her first-ever metal show (congrats!) was impressed on some level by the virtuosity of the band’s players. She didn’t hate the show, which I guess is all I can ask for — even vocalist Dmitry Kostitsyn’s bone-crushing death growls, a vocal style long known to turn off many a would-be hesher. “I could tell he’s talented underneath it,” she said to me. Touche, and talented with it as well.

Now that the band has solidified its lineup, it’s time to write some more new tunes and get that shit back out on the road.

-VN

Way awesome stop motion short films

2008-07-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

Zuton Fever

2008-07-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

I love The Zutons!!!!

Muppet Goodness

2008-07-21T21:16:00.000-07:00

5 amazing muppet videos up on myspace.
Click here for one, and then look at the top 4 friend's videos.

NEW BEN FOLDS!!!!

2008-07-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

Ben Folds to Release New Record, Way To Normal, September 30, 2008

LONG AWAITED FOLLOW UP TO SONGS FOR SILVERMAN FEATURES RAUCOUS TRACKS, TRADEMARK HUMOR

Epic Records is proud to announce the release of the much-anticipated new album from Ben Folds, WAY TO NORMAL, on September 30, 2008. The album, Folds' third as a solo artist since the break up of the Ben Folds Five in 2000, was mostly recorded at his studio in Nashville and produced by Dennis Herring (Elvis Costello, Modest Mouse, The Hives). Featuring Folds on vocals and piano, Way to Normal also features long-time bassist Jared Reynolds and drummer Sam Smith as well as a guest vocal from indie pop heroine Regina Spektor on the album's first single, "You Don't Know Me.
"

Way to Normal is an exuberant, raucous, and sometimes profane mix of sure-fire crowd-pleasers ("Hiroshima," "Bitch Went Nuts," and the frenetically fuzzed-out "Dr. Yang"), cheerful snark-fests ("The Frown Song," "Brainwascht"), and thoughtful, moving ballads ("Cologne," "Kylie From Connecticut") that Folds wrote at the end of 2007 following the finalization of a two-year divorce.

But it should not be assumed that Way to Normal is Folds' version of Marvin Gaye's Here My Dear or Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks (though Folds says that in the early stages of recording he came close to calling the album "Blood on the Keyboard").

"The songs are not topical," Folds says. "I was not interested in making a record about the D-word. I got all that stuff out of my system on the last record [2005's pensive Songs for Silverman], which was deliberately stoic. This new album is really about me being free, which is why it feels cathartic and expressive. It's about me coming back to being myself." (Hence the title.) "I came out of the courthouse, kissed the ground, and walked straight into the studio. I felt like a bottle of champagne that had been shaken for 18 months and popped open in the studio. That's why this record has so much energy.
"

Folds has been going pretty much non-stop since the 2001 release of his debut solo album Rockin' the Suburbs. In short order, Folds has released a live album (2002's aptly titled Ben Folds Live) and a pioneering series of three Internet-only digital EPs: Speed Graphic, Sunny 16, and Super D in 2003-2004; co-wrote and produced William Shatner's 2004 solo album Has Been; released Songs for Silverman (which featured the Adult Top 40 hit "Landed"); contributed three original songs to the soundtrack for the 2006 film Over the Hedge; and produced a forthcoming solo album by Dresden Dolls frontwoman Amanda Palmer.

In 2006, Folds released Supersunnyspeedgraphic, The LP - a compilation of tracks from the Internet-only EP's and B-sides, including an inspired cover of Dr. Dre's "Bitches Ain't Shit." Along the way, there have been numerous tours, including a few with The Bens, a "supergroup" Folds formed with fellow singer-songwriters Ben Kweller and Ben Lee in 2003, as well tours with Rufus Wainwright and Guster in 2004, The Fray in 2005, and John Mayer in 2007. A classically trained percussionist whose musical chops could not be denied, Ben Folds also performs with orchestas, including a stint with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in Perth, which led to his dvd "Ben Folds and WASO: Live at Perth" as well as Baltimore, Boston Pops for their season opener in 2007 and a stint of residencies with all five major Australian symphonies in 2006: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide which set a number of ticket sales records for the esteemed Australian orchestras. In 2008, Folds will perform with the Nashville Symphony, opening their 2008-2009 season (September 7, 2008) and will also perform with the local symphonies in Philadelphia, Ft. Wayne, IN and Louisville, KY.

Ben Folds has been performing at many summer festivals this year, and will continue to tour worldwide in support of Way To Normal throughout the fall and into 2009.

Dr.Horrible

2008-07-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

This is great! A miniseries designed for the internet, starring Neil Patrick Harris, and is a MUSICAL!!!!!!

http://www.drhorrible.com/index.html

Weezer = summer

2008-07-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

It's not summer without Weezer.

Check out some of their videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/weezer

Money Money

2008-07-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

HAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!

I made it on Geekologie.com

2008-07-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

As soon as I found the Radiohead video on YouTube yesterday, I sent an email to geekologie.com where I first heard of the video. So on the update of their original post, I totally got a shout out. I am such a dork!

Thanks Dan, what're you doing this weekend? You wanna come over and take turns staring directly into a power burning laser? Oh, and thanks again for letting me know the video is out. You rock.

Here is the link to the post:
http://www.geekologie.com/2008/07/radioheads_new_video_shot_with.php

Say what you will. . .

2008-07-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

OMFG!

(don't judge me)

House of Cards

2008-07-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

THE NEW RADIOHEAD VIDEO IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No cameras or lights were used. Instead two technologies were used to capture 3D images: Geometric Informatics and Velodyne LIDAR. Geometric Informatics scanning systems produce structured light to capture 3D images at close proximity, while a Velodyne Lidar system that uses multiple lasers is used to capture large environments such as landscapes. In this video, 64 lasers rotating and shooting in a 360 degree radius 900 times per minute produced all the exterior scenes.

For more info on how the video was made, go here:
http://code.google.com/creative/radiohead/

Sit On My Face

2008-07-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is awesome (NSFW):

Check out more here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/cjuvenile117

"Let Them Eat TastyKake!"

2008-07-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Bastille Day everyone!!!
Today I went to the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia for the 14th annual Bastille Day celebration. There was a little street fair during the day with french food and jazz standards, but the real fun was later on. At 5:30 everyone gathered in front of the Penitentiary for a renactment of the storming of the Bastille and capture and beheading of Marie Antoinette. People were dressed in period costumes and read from scripts (which were actually pretty funny). The whole thing was very farcical. Marie Antoinette was atop the battlements with a bottle of champagne (sham-pon-yah) when she delivered her famous line. But, in Philadelphia the translation is a bit off. She said "If the people have no bread to eat, then let them eat TastyKake!". This utterance was followed by over 2,000 TastyKake products being hurled over the wall into the croud below. Everywhere you looked someone was being hit in the face with a butterscotch krimpette. The Revolutionaries replied with cannons and gunfire and Antoinette was eventually brought down into the crowd and beheaded, Technically, the only thing that was beheaded was a watermelon, but it was still fun.

Here's a video. I think most of the footage was from last year, butyou get the point:

Hamlet 2

2008-07-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Any movie that stars Steve Coogan, is written by people who wrote for South Park and Arrested Development, and is about mounting a production of a musical sequal to a Shakespeare play must be hilarious. You don't even need the video below. Its just icing on the cake.

The Jonas Brothers Are Everything That's Wrong With The World

2008-07-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

That's right, I went there.
Here's why:

1) Their music sucks.

2) They are openly christian and encourage others to be, causing thousands of impressionable young people to stop thinking for themselves.

3) They vocally support abstinance and wear purity rings, sending the message that sex is something that should be guarded and secret, while at the same time supressing their own sexual urges and setting themselves up for a scandal in the future.

4) They are slaves to the Disney conglomerate and are force fed to the ignorant masses of teeny-boppers who don't know better.

Yo, I'm On Fire!!!

2008-07-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

Bodysnatchers

2008-07-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

I would be remiss if I didn't include Radiohead in my first week of regular posts.
If you have yet to buy 'In Rainbows', go get it. What are you waiting for?

Republicans Eat Babies, Fear Cows

2008-07-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today I wore my "Republicans Eat Babies" T-Shirt my lovely fiance got me for my birthday. The past few times I wore it, I would get a few cheers here and there from the nice, friendly democrats or a dissaproving scowl from the bitter, old republicans. Not until today had I had a real altercation. . .

I was walking down High St, across the street from the Historical Society, and past the gaudy over-decorated house. You know the one. At Christmas time there are 7-10 inflatable snowglobes, 20 light up toy soldiers, 3 manger scenes (one "artsy" set with no faces), and 4-5 Santa and reindeers sets scattered about the lawn and roof. Well, the house is currently done up with assorted patriotic chotchkies such as flags and banners. The left over Christmas decorations on the porch add to the down-home charm. So as I pass this landmark of downtown West Chester, the couple who live in the house are outside "gardening". Mr. Gaudy-Eye-Sore-House is killing weeds in the sidewalk with a fancy spray-bottle backpack filled with weed killer, while Mrs. Gaudy-Eye-Sore-House is walking back and forth the path around to the back of the house. As she walks, she trims the bushes on either side of the walkway, but only the pieces sticking far enough out to touch her arms. Already I am intrigued by these people, and somewhat scared. Who knows what they will do when someone walks past and distracts them from their unique landscaping chores.

Mrs. Gaudy-Eye-Sore-House sees my shirt first and offers the standard disaproving head shake. Of course they are republicans. Who else would need that many flags in their lawn to prove their patriotism? As I pass by Mr. Gaudy-Eye-Sore-House, he slowly reads my shirt. He raises his head and makes eye contact, snarles and points his weed killing death nozzle at my feet and pulls the trigger. I jump to the side, and by jump I mean step quickly, but jumping is more dramatic. So I "jump" to the side, look my enemy straight in the eye and let out the biggest "Moo" I could muster. What a mighty Moo it was! As i continue to walk away, I turn and in my most condescending Daniel Plainview voice I say, "Go eat some babies, Republicans!" I then continue on my way home without incident.

True Story.

I'm Not Here To Make Friends

2008-07-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

This is hilarious.

Fear of Being Alone

2008-07-06T18:47:00.001-07:00

Call me sick, demented, twisted, whatever you like. But you watch this video, and try not to laugh.

WALL-E

2008-07-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

If you have yet to go see WALL-E, you must go asap!!!
Its one of the best sci-fi films in the last decade, as well as the best animated film I've ever seen (yes, better than the Little Mermaid).

Besides, any film that opens with showtunes is instantly brilliant.

Jesse Helms - DEAD!!

2008-07-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Jesse,
I'm glad you're dead. The world is better off. You shall no longer spread messages of hate and intolerance in the world. You will always be remembered for the hateful things you said and did. Its too bad you didn't die of AIDS.

Rot in Hell,

Dan

For those of you who don't know who he was, read up on him here so you too can rejoice in his overdue demise:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Helms

The Bird and The Bee

2008-07-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

Since I've been listening to a lot of new stuff lately, and I want to update my blog more frequently, I thought I would combine the two.

Today I introduce you to 'The Bird and The Bee'. I noticed them about a year ago while browsing iTunes, but then never followed through and forgot about them. Then a little while ago my friend Dave reintroduced them to me. I shall not forget them this time around. Heres two songs off their album:

John Wayne Gacy Jr.

2008-07-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

I've recently become re-obsessed with Sufjan Stevens. And while this isn't a new song, its one of his best and one of my favorites.

Dandelion Lovers

2008-07-03T11:41:00.001-07:00

Here's the music video for "Dandelion Lovers", the latest from singer/songwriter Kate Branagh. Kate is a friend of a friend and is way awesome. Check her out!!!

Japanese Snack Fetish

2008-01-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

This is the first image that appeared after I searched for 'dorito' in google:
Why is it that Japanese versions of products always have better packaging? Although I'm not sure a full foot crotch massage is appealing to a mass market. I suppose America just isn't ready for a full dose of Japanese awesomeness. We'll have to be content with Nintendo and Jacki Chan. (I don't really care if Jacki Chan is indeed Japanese or not. He might as well be.)

My Fair Brady

2007-12-29T23:08:00.000-08:00

I found myself watching an entire football game tonight, which is something I never do! Especially when I don't even have people over to watch it with. The New England Patriots solidified their perfect season (16-0) with a win over the New York Giants. Three cheers for Tom Brady!!!

Enough of sports.

I've added two lists to the sidebars of this blog. One is a listing of all the blogs I visit on a regular basis. And by regular I mean 3-5 times daily. The other is a list of my favorite things at this moment in time. Enjoy!

Potpurri

2007-12-22T22:02:00.000-08:00

And now its time for my random blog of the month (or longer).

First, whats going on with me:

Job: Going great. In Sept, I got a nice raise and bonus check and got the best yearly review amongst all the staff. I still look forward to going to work each day (mostly) and it looks as though I'll be finishing up some more online trainings next month. So that means more money, which I always am glad for. The annual holiday show, which I was in charge of again this year, went really well. My kids performed 'Winter Wonderland' and 'We're All In This Together' from High School Musical. It was great fun.

Singing: Also going great! My church gig is sweet. We just performed Saint-Saens' Christmas Oratorio in which I sang all the tenor solos. I've also been teaching music to the little kids during the first half of the service every other week. And after the new year, I may be taking on the position of leading the children's choir as well.

This fall I did three and a half Gilbert and Sullivan productions. First was Trial by Jury with me as the Defendant and The Best of G&S (which counts as the 1/2), in which I had several parts. Second was Utopia, Ltd. where I played Native #5 (The Abusive Husband) in the chorus. And then for West Chester's Old Fashioned Christmas I reprised my role as Edwin the Defendant for another production of Trial by Jury (with a different company). All three shows went swimmingly and were great fun! But I came close to overdosing on oom-pah accompaniments and silly word plays. So this spring I'm taking a hiatus from Gilbert and Sullivan. But shall start again inthe summer, when I return to Buxton to do Pirates of Penzance. Hopefully with a lead!

So, my singing career is slowly growing, and I'm actually getting paid to do some things!!! Go me!

Health: Last week I helped my friends Manny and Marisa move out of their West Chester apartment and into their newly purchased Downingtown abode. Well, started to help anyway. On my second trip I missed the step off the front door and went tumbling down in true Humpty-Dumpty fashion. My stumble resulted in a badly sprained left ankle. This week mostly consisted of a 5lb bag of ice, heating pad, ankle brace, a lot of time in bed and a bottle of Advil. Today, I am doing much better, but still have a lot of healing to do.

Thats enough for now. Hopefully I will remember to post more tomorrow.

Life, with directors commentary

2007-09-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

Seeing that I am far too sporadic with my blogging, I feel its time to change focus. Some posts may be more in depth, but for the most part I will simply provide commentary on an assortment of life's happenings. (mostly movies, tv, music, and othe rpop culture)
So, with that. . .here we go.

Im happy The Simpsons changed their opening sequence to reflect the happenings of the movie. I'm also equally happy the rest of the episode completely ignored it.

The Family Guy Star Wars episode was great. I hope they make more.

Bowling is a lot of fun. We should go more often.

'Across the Universe' was excellent. The lead guy is a lot like Ewan McGreggor, which is definately a good thing. The more Ewans, the better.

Autumn should be all year long. Its clearly the best of the seasons. Vivaldi would agree.

How much different would the world be if people didn't wear matching shoes?

Im excited about the upcoming tv season. Here is what I shall be watching:
Curb Your Enthusiasm, Tell Me You Love Me, The Wire, Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, Gossip Girl, Friday Night Lights, The Office, ER, My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, Weeds, Heroes, Prison Break, Project Runway, Smallville, Family Guy, Simpsons, and prolly some others.

Peaceful Warrior

2007-08-25T21:55:00.000-07:00

While Im usually not a big fan of inspiring sports movies, I do have one to reccomend. Its called "Peaceful Warrior" and is the story of a college gymnast with olympic aspirations. Its based on Dan Millman's novel 'Way of the Peaceful Warrior' which is a work of autobiographical fiction. Autobiographical fiction is similar to historical fiction, where a true story is embelished and dramatized. Most times the fictionalization will be the thoughts and motives of historical figures (Braveheart) or a tragic romance (Titanic). 'Peaceful Warrior' is slightly different. Thoughts and motives are known because the story is autobiographical and there is no real romantic subplot to drag down the story. Instead, Millman's fictionalization comes by way of the mentor character (played surprisingly well by Nick Nolte). This character, named Socrates, is given almost deity-like powers of strength, intuition and wisdom. While I do not know if this character is based on an actual person or just a device to explain Millman's internal struggle, and even though its fairly unoriginal and cliche', it works fairly well.

I was attracted to this movie mainly by the director. He is known mainly for the horror movie "Jeepers Creepers" and its sequal. I was curious to see how a suspense/horror director would handle a sports drama. After watching the film and being quite impressed, I found out that this director (Victor Salva) wrote and directed 'Powder'(1995), which I remember being a little odd but very good.

As much as I liked the film, it did have a few moments that weren't the best. I think the overall casting could have been better. While Scott Mecholwicz (of 'Eurotrip' fame) did a pretty good job as the lead, I think they could have found someone who better looked the part. Also Nick Nolte seemed to try too hard to be the wise father figure. He spouts off a few too many one line philosophies for my taste. There is also a Gollum/Smeagol moment that I could do without.

Overall it was a really good movie. Typical inspirational sports plot, but very interesting directorial choices. The cinematography during the practice and competition sequences is particularly exceptional. I definately reccomend this movie, even if you aren't a fan of the sports genre.

Rufus Wainwright, Nickel Creek & Fiona Apple

2007-08-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

I spent the last two evening at the Mann Center in Philly seeing two exceptional concerts.

On Friday I saw Rufus Wainwright. He played his entire new album with some olde favorites here and there. As always, he put on an excellent show. Its been a while since I've seen him with a band. It was nice to hear the songs live with the full force of his arrangements, especially with the addition of a small horn section (saxes/flute, trumpet, french horn). For the second set, Rufus delighted the audience by donning his now trademark lederhosen. For his encore he changed outfits again, this time coming out in a bathrobe, which was shed after a few songs to reveal him in drag. And as cliche as it is, the only word that truly describes the night is "fabulous".

Yesterday I went and saw Nickel Creek and Fiona Apple. Im sure everyone has heard of Fiona Apple, but perhaps not Nickel Creek. This must change. They are incredible. A typical double billing would have each band doing a set and then maybe combining for a handful of songs at the end. This show was a bit different. Nickel Creek started out on their own for a little bit, but once Fiona came out they stuck around and played as her band. It was really great to see these very different artists working together. Fiona's songs lended very nicely to the bluegrass instrumentation. The only instruments played were fiddle, guitar, upright bass and mandolin. No drums, no electric guitars, no keyboards. It was excellent. Truly a unique concert experience.
(I also only paid $20 for my tickets and had better seats than my friends who paid full price, which is always a good thing)

Unaffordable Health Care Causes Murder

2007-08-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Because I have a sick sense of humor, I find this story hilarious:

From MSNBC.com

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A man threw his seriously ill wife four stories to her death because he could no longer afford to pay for her medical care, prosecutors said in charging him with second-degree murder.
According to court documents filed Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court, Stanley Reimer walked his wife to the balcony of their apartment and kissed her before throwing her over.

The body of Criste Reimer, 47, was found Tuesday night outside the apartment building, near the upscale Country Club Plaza shopping district.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20297388/

This guy thought health care was expensive, wait until he gets the funeral bill. Hopefully this will be included in the special features of the 'Sicko' dvd.

'ello, 'ello, 'ello

2007-08-05T04:52:00.000-07:00

Cheers from Buxton!

I'm having a great time in England. I arrived on Friday at 4:00pm (GBT), checked into a quaint bed and breakfats on the outskirts of town, and then had a nice dinner with the cast and crew. Afterwards i had tickets to see the professional G&S company's production of 'Patience'. What I saw was pretty good, but then my 13 hours of traveling and 10 hours of NYC the day before caught up with me. I slept through a majority of the first act and decided to imagine act two from the comfort of my bed. But before I slipped into my jet-lag coma, I of course had to watch 'Big Brother', the original British version that is. I suppose that no matter where I go, I will be obsessed with that show. Too bad its not shown on BBC America.

Saturday was mostly spent in costume fittings and rehearsal. My costume is crazy and includes a gigantic robe/cape thing that is made of velvet and comes all the way down to the floor. It probably weighs about 10 pounds. After rehearsal I headed to a little coffeshop/restaraunt for some sustinance. We spent a lot of time there sitting outside causeing trouble, but eventually moved onto the park and took over the toddler playground. Much swinging, climbing and spinning was done. After a walk around the town and park, and a stop into the pub, it was time to retire for the evening.

Today has been pretty crazy. We had the stage from 9-1 to set the lights, load in the set and wardrobe, and have a full cast costume parade. at 2:30 we begin our dress rehearsal. Mind you, this is the only time we get on the stage to run the show. We have 3 hours with the orchestra, not minute more. Done at 5:30, have a short time to grab something to eat, then the show begins at 7:30. After the show we have a little time to get cleaned up and back into street clothes, and then we perform a cabaret for the after show club. I'm singing "Being Alive" from 'Company'.

Tomorrow I have to leave Buxton about 6:30am to catch a train to the airport in Manchester, and then I'll be on my way back.

See everyone soon!

Cheers!

DW

Always a bridesmaid. . .

2007-07-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today we have our first subject. I would like to start off by saying, that even though I may have a personal friendship with many of the subjects, I shall pretend as though I have never met them. I do this in the interest of fairness and artisitc license. With that being said, today's subject shall be known as "Mary".

"Oh, sad embittered bridesmaid! Was it not enough to make a spectacle of yourself at the rehearsal dinner when you "unintentionally" fondeled the bride's father and threw up the 15 mojitos you guzzled all over the flower girl? How does it feel having snogged the groom moments before he took his place at the front of the church? After all this, are you still bitter about not finding that special someone before your homlier and slightly more obnoxious "best friend"? Perhaps some day, you'll find your match. Just remember, you'll never be truly alone as long as you have your cats."

Launch!!

2007-07-14T20:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog!

I have made several attempts to keep up with a daily blog, all of which have been unsuccessful. This attempt may not prove to be any different, but it's worth a try. I have yet to really decide what this blog should focus on, so for the time being it may be a mish mash of different topics. I have some ideas, but want to try a few thing sout before commiting to any particular one. Feel free to let me know what you want to hear more about and what you don't care to read about. I may or may not take your advice, but it is always (well sometimes always) appreciated.

To start, I would like to try an experiment. Send me a picture of yourself, and I will critique it. I will publicly give you my opinion on your outfit, hair, friends, environment, etc. . . I will be brutal and blunt and honest. The results may shock and offend you or could perhaps be the greatest of compliments. You'll never know unless you participate. Here is an example:

This girls name is Tammy. Here's what I would say to Tammy.

"Tammy, we all agree that 1986 was a good year, but seriously, its time to update your look. Crimped hair is for trailor park whores and cheap drag queens. There is no need to match the bag, shoes, and hair ties to your jacket. Also, your pants are too high, pull them down so they fully cover your cankles."

So who's first?