The Cold Hard Facts Of A Cold Hard Man

The End

2009-03-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

The time has come to shut down this blog.
I am no longer a cold, hard man.

"Good night, sleep tight, may all your dreams come true" - Lawrence Welk

Public Enemy, The Roots, Jimmy Fallon. It Takes A Nation Of Millions...

2009-03-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

On June 6, The Roots Picnic Music Festival will go down in the band's hometown of Philadelphia. Aside from playing two sets, opening and closing the festival, The mighty, mighty Roots will also back Public Enemy as they perform their masterpiece "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" IN ITS ENTIRETY.

Here's your preview of that show. Now go buy your bus ticket to Philly.

Thru You: Kutiman Mixes YouTube

2009-03-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Thru-You. Kutiman, an Israeli musician/producer, has edited together unrelated music videos and clips from YouTube to create one of the best records of the year. Consider it this year's "Grey Album" - except more brilliant, more innovative, and a true work of musical artistry.

Elbow: Station Approaches

2009-03-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

The great, great UK band Elbow.

Crazy, Crazy Good Beyonce by Antony And The Johnson's

2009-02-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Antony and The Johnson's cover of Beyonce's Crazy In Love.

T-Mobile Dance

2009-01-22T08:14:00.000-08:00

This clip is all over the interweb and with good reason. Imagine going to work on a regular day like any other, passing through the same subway station like you have a thousand times before, and suddenly this little bit of magic happens around you.

The idea is certainly inspired by Improv Everywhere's "Food Court Musical"(shown below). One of many Flash Mob performances they've staged over the years including Frozen Grand Central and No Pants Subway.

Day 1 To Do List: Guantanamo. Blog.

2009-01-21T04:38:00.000-08:00

1. President Obama has ordered the U.S. government to suspend prosecutions of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay for 120 days.

2. The White House Blog is up and running. Macon Phillips, Obama's White House director of new media, reaffirms a campaign promise—that the White House will post all nonemergency legislation to the site for five days and review all the comments that come in before the president signs or vetoes the bill.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2009-01-20T19:59:00.000-08:00

"Because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself.

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.

We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.

And yet, at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.

It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break; the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.

It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled".

The Long, Cold Winter

2009-01-12T14:17:00.001-08:00

I curse winter every single day and in return it bitch slaps me silly. In Antarctica, it pile-drives you then plays Foosball with your limp, puny remains.

Inauguration Day

2009-01-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

In anticipation of January 20: Patty Griffin's perfect MLK Song (Up To The Mountain).

Here's To A New Year

2009-01-06T14:53:00.001-08:00

Sandy Denny: By the Time it Gets Dark

Baby, every cloud has a silver lining
Baby every dog really has his day
And it matters to me to see you smiling
Why don't we blow all your cares away ?

Yesterday is gone and will be forgotten
And today is where every new day starts
Got to be free as the leaves in autumn
You may be sad but it never lasts.

And maybe, by the evening we'll be laughing
Just wait and see
All the changes there'll be
By the time it gets dark.

We could go walking out in the sunshine
Look at all the people out in the street
Hurrying away to a business luncheon
Waiting for a taxi for aching feet.

Light up your face, baby, let's get going
Want to see a change in those weary eyes
We'll have some fun, take a boat out rowing
Why on earth should life be so serious?

And maybe, by the evening we'll be laughing
Just wait and see
All the changes there'll be
By the time it gets dark.

Marley & Me

2009-01-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

From Kottke's Best Link's Of 2008: Big Dog developed by Boston Dynamics. A robotic dog that cannot be stopped. Seriously. Amazing stuff.

In Memoriam: 2008

2008-12-31T07:50:00.001-08:00

Studs Terkel, William F. Buckley Jr.

Bobby Fischer, Arthur C. Clarke

Harold Pinter, Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Paul Newman

photos: Magnum via Slate

J.D Salinger Turns 90

2008-12-31T07:36:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday Mr. Salinger. Wherever you are.

A Christmas Miracle Of Science

2008-12-25T09:37:00.000-08:00

An incredible breakthrough in science has just been announced: Gay scientists have isolated the "Christian" gene.

Holiday Shopping Bonanza

2008-12-24T07:10:00.000-08:00

Your holiday shopping woes end here: The Pessimist's Mug.

The Year In Review

2008-12-24T05:17:00.000-08:00

The end of the year ranking we've all been waiting for is finally in: Wired's Top Ten New Organisms of 2008.

Photo: coming in at #2 - Leptotyphlops carlae (aka a really, really small snake)

Sharon Van Etten

2008-12-23T20:24:00.000-08:00

Remember the name: Sharon Van Etten. Via MBV.

Taking Design Just A Little Too Far

2008-12-21T07:16:00.000-08:00

The Electroman Surge Protector.

Time Crimes

2008-12-19T15:34:00.000-08:00

Found over at Designboom: Bobby Neal Adams is an American photographer whose works looks at the transformation of the human body as it ages.

Losing Track Of Time

2008-12-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

Faceless LED watch designed by Hironao Tsuboi for 100%.

Mercury Rising

2008-12-18T07:02:00.000-08:00

Getting in just under the wire, the best line of 2008 goes to David Mamet.

Mamet's play "Speed-The-Plow" has been running on Broadway with Entourage star Jeremy Piven in the leading role. Piven just announced he will be dropping out completely after missing a few performances. The actor said he hasn't been feeling well and attributed his condition to a high mercury count. When asked to comment, Mamet had this to say:

“I talked to Jeremy on the phone, and he told me that he discovered that he had a very high level of mercury. So my understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer.”

(Photos: On the left, the star of HBO's Entourage; On the right, a transparent instrument for measuring temperature by insertion into the rectum)

The Spirit Of Giving

2008-12-17T07:41:00.000-08:00

A thief who robbed the home of a UK couple, returned to the scene of his crime to give back a diary that was among their safe's contents. The diary was one of the few remaining mementos the grieving parents had of their only daughter who died while traveling on holiday.

Attention Holiday Shoppers

2008-12-16T05:01:00.000-08:00

One Story is a literary magazine that contains, simply one story. Every three weeks subscribers are sent One Story in the mail.

"Our mission is to save the short story by publishing in a friendly format that allows readers to experience each story as a stand-alone work of art and a simple form of entertainment. One Story is designed to fit into your purse or pocket, and into your life."

"We believe that short stories are best read alone. They should not be sandwiched in between a review and an exposé on liposuction, or placed after another work of fiction that is so sad or funny or long that the reader is worn out by the time they turn to it."

One Story publishes each writer only once. Many of them have gone on to win various literary awards. The perfect Christmas gift. Visit their site here.

Bedtime Stories

2008-12-16T04:41:00.000-08:00

Patricia Piccinini is an artist. A creator. Get familiar with her work here.

Getting Things Done

2008-12-10T09:08:00.000-08:00

Daily Routines is a blog dedicated to examining how writers, artists and other interesting people organize their days. It gives insight into the difficult process of self-discipline required of all artists. A valuable resource of procrastination justification.

Hard Times All Around

2008-12-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

From the Wall Street Journal:

According to a new survey by Prince & Assoc., more than 80% of multimillionaires who had extra-marital lovers planned to cut back on their gifts and allowances. Still, only 12% of the multimillionaire cheaters said they plan to give up on their lovers altogether for financial reasons.

Of course, any study of millionaires and their mistresses should be taken with a large grain of salt. The survey–a subset of a larger wealth study–polled 191 individuals with a minimum net worth of $20 million who said they had lovers of at least a year or more (this to screen out the one-night stands, etc.). About two thirds of the respondents were men and one third women. All were married and all had personal control over their finances, meaning the women and men surveyed were the primary wealth holders in their homes.

....The most surprising stats in the study relate to gender and what might be termed “length of service.” Fully 82% of men in the study said they planned to lower the allowances to their mistresses, while more than three quarters planned to provide fewer gifts, less expensive gifts and fewer perks, like jet rides, resort vacations and top restaurant meals.

....The duration of the relationship also seems to play a role in the economics of high-end cavorting. The study found that more than two thirds of the millionaires who had been with their lovers for three or more years planned to cut back. That compares with less than half for those with a tenure of one to three years.

Here are a few of the public comments that followed the article online:

by Hardchoices:

Before September the 15th, I’d promised my mistress both a breast enhancement and a liposuction for the Holidays. Now I can only afford one or the other…so she’s going for the enhancement next month.

But, if things get much worse she’ll have to choose between enhancing just her right or just her left breast. Truth be told, I don’t really care. I love her just the way she is now.

by Mr. Contrarian:

If the wealthy are essentially “selling off” their mistresses, then it would seem that we may be on the verge of a buyer’s market. Thus, the middle class can afford to be happy again!

by Polyga-miss:

Mistresses???!!! Hell, I’m gonna have to “lay” off half my WIVES go!!! And boy will I miss them….but at least I get to keep my truck.

Atlas Shrugged Me Off (I'm so happy I get to finally use that in post heading)

2008-12-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

The Atlasphere is a dating site for admirers of Ayn Rand. As we enter an unprecedented period of government bailouts and economic interventions, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in her work and philosophy of Objectivism. Here are a few excerpts of user profiles:

Zak, Long Island, New York:

I am rational, integrated, and efficacious. So far, I’ve never met a person who lives up to the standard I hold for myself (except online).

I take my relationships seriously. I am simply not attracted to many of the women in this world. I do not “hook-up” with girls. I only kiss those who deserve, and so far I have only encountered one who did. I would love to find someone I can learn something from; someone who challenges me to think; someone I can feel like I’ve won, rather than lowered myself to.

thustotyrants, Selden, New York:

[I am] short, stark, and mansome. (author's note: Mansom? Great word!!)

You should contact me if you are a skinny woman. If your words are a meaningful progression of concepts rather than a series of vocalizations induced by your spinal cord for the purpose of complementing my tone of voice. If you’ve seen the meatbot, the walking automaton, the pod-people, the dense, glazy-eyed substrate through which living organisms such as myself must escape to reach air and sunlight. If you’ve realized that if speech is to be regarded as a cognitive function, technically they aren’t speaking, and you don’t have to listen.

Found over at nymag.com

Telling Everyone To See "Tell No One"

2008-11-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

Directed by Guillaume Canet and based on Harlan Coben's best selling thriller, Tell No One is the best film of the year so far. A perfectly constructed thriller. From its flawless pacing to its sophisticated narrative, it proves once again that the French are making better thrillers than anyone else out there.

Taking Design Just A Little Too Far

2008-11-30T07:51:00.001-08:00

via Trendhunter.

So You Think YOU Can Dance?

2008-11-28T19:30:00.000-08:00

Millions Of Miracles

2008-11-27T16:16:00.001-08:00

At birth, male anglerfish have no digestive system, and thus are unable to feed independently. They must find a female anglerfish, and quickly, or else they will die. When he finds his female, he bites into her flank, and releases an enzyme which digests the skin of his mouth and her body, fusing the pair down to the blood vessel level. In other words, his body merges into hers and he will spend the rest of his life inside her. All that will be left of his original self are his reproductive parts for breeding.

There are millions of miracles of love staring us in the face every day.

"It Was Borrowed Prosperity" - Peter Schiff

2008-11-25T15:52:00.000-08:00

NPR's Planet Money has a great interview with Peter Schiff here.

For those of you who don't know Peter Schiff, watch this clip to see how he schools everyone at MSNBC, FOX, CNN on the economy. He predicted, with unbelievable detail, exactly what has happened to our economy. It's a jaw dropping clip.

And what he has to say about what's coming next is not very pretty.

Subway Architecture

2008-11-25T09:44:00.000-08:00

A collection of great metro architecture over at oobject.com

Moscow

Paris

Snoop Dog, Martha Stewart. All Hood.

2008-11-25T09:38:00.000-08:00

For anyone who doubted if change was coming...

You Just Got That Much Cooler

2008-11-22T10:19:00.000-08:00

Next time you're at some painfully hip gathering and are struggling to find something obscure and cool to throw down in the conversation, pull out Darondo as your music trump card.

From Wikipedia: "William Pulliam, who performed in the 70s under the name Darondo, was a funk and soul singer who sounded like a combination of Ronald Isley and Al Green. Little known by anyone except serious enthusiasts of that genre, Darondo is highly respected by that limited audience. The mythology surrounding Darondo is that he was a pimp, although he denies this claim.

Darondo recorded three singles and played four shows in the ’70s and then stopped and drove home in his Rolls Royce after he opened for James Brown. Later he traveled the world collecting interesting artifacts, became the king of Bay Area cable with three shows per day, and worked as a physical therapist coaxing patients to walk again."

As a side note, the dude that posted this video has a whole series of him dancing to classic and obscure tracks. He made a dance video every single day for an entire year. Some great songs selections here. The dancing is pretty enthusiastic too.

Mel Torme Is Coming Home Baby

2008-11-22T10:15:00.000-08:00

Mel Torme performing his swingin' "Comin' Home Baby" on The Judy Garland Show. Swingin'.

RJDJ (This iPhone app is rad)

2008-11-10T18:39:00.001-08:00

RJDJ is an amazing little iPhone application that creates aleatoric music from ambient sound in real time. It’s like having a tiny, tireless DJ Shadow in your phone, mixing constantly.

The 44th President Of The United States

2008-11-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

How good it feels to once again be able to say, with pride and honesty - "only in America would this be possible". That is what tonight means to the entire world.

Peanuts Melancholia

2008-11-02T17:48:00.000-08:00

Nice piece over at Slate by Dana Stevens on why she loves the melancholy Peanuts holiday specials.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Everybody should be someone else just for one day.

The Be Good Tanyas - The Littlest Birds

2008-10-30T12:10:00.001-07:00

I don't really know who sings the prettiest songs, but the littlest birds have as good a shot as any.

Why Obama Matters

2008-10-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

These two boys waited as a long line of adults greeted Senator Obama before a rally on Martin Luther King Day in Columbia, S.C. They never took their eyes off of him. Their grandmother told me, "Our young men have waited a long time to have someone to look up to, to make them believe Dr. King's words can be true for them." Jan. 21, 2008.

This photo is from a wonderful series for Time magazine by Callie Shell who photographed Obama since 2004. See the whole series here.

Francis Cabrel - Je t'aimais, Je t'aime, Je t'aimerai

2008-10-22T06:24:00.001-07:00

This morning, while kicking apart leaves and forgiving the cold for biting just a little too hard, I found myself thinking of this song. The gorgeous Cabrel ode, an autumnal surrender and confession - "I've always loved you, I love you, I will always love you".

But it just works so much better in French, don't you think?

D'Angelo - Chicken Grease (Live)

2008-10-21T07:43:00.001-07:00

Takin' it back a bisel here. D'Angelo just wants you to get down. It's all about about that chicken grease.

Where Do I Start?

2008-10-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

The financial crisis, the mortgage crisis, the global warming crisis -- sometimes you just need to take a good nap.

Marnie Stern (AKA Jewish Chicks Rock!)

2008-10-13T13:01:00.001-07:00

Marnie Stern is a nice Jewish girl who rocks it like Eddie Van Halen. What's not to like? First Sarah Silverman, now Marnie Stern - are Jewish chicks becoming cool? Is this the new happening?

Happy Monday. Hoping You Have A Spring In Your Step, Fizz In Your Pop, Light In Your Art

2008-10-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

The Lightmark photo series by Cenci Goepel & Jens Warnecke.

When asked "why do you create?" They answered:

"We like the process and we like the results. Simple as that".

Good answer.

In Times Like These We All Need A Friend

2008-10-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

"We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet: and, amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog, has made an alliance with us".

Maurice Maeterlinck
Belgian dramatist, essayist, & poet (1862 - 1949)

What Lies Beneath

2008-10-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

Reuters released this Oct. 8 rally picture of a McCain/Palin Supporter seen thru Sarah Palin's legs. Fox News then went on to ask if the photo was sexist.

The answer is obvious: no one takes Fox News seriously enough to respond.

Kentucky Rubdown

2008-10-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

You still don't believe it even after you see it.

Obama Reveals New Campaign Slogan

2008-10-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

McCain Knows How To Get Osama Bin Laden. Now We Can Cross That Off Our To Do List

2008-10-08T05:46:00.000-07:00

This was an easy pitch Obama watched go by. In talking about Osama Bin Laden, McCain says: " I know how to get Osama Bin Laden, my friends. I'll get him. I know how to get him. Yes, I sure do. I'll get him. You'll see. Yessiree bob, I know how to get that Osama".

If you know how to get him then shouldn't you have told George W. how to do it?

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems. (Unfortunately it's our money and our problem)

2008-10-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

The Money Meltdown is a one page site that gives you the best resources to understand what the hell is going on with the financial markets. (I highly recommend listening to the This American Life episode they have linked there. Alex Blumberg did an amazing job telling the story of how this all began. Surely to become a classic.)

Benevolent Boobs

2008-10-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that over half of the internet is dedicated to looking at boobs. Finally, a group of people have exploited this fact for a great cause. At Boobiethon.com, you can see pictures of users’ scantily clad breasts. If you’d like to see them clad-less, you can make a donation to see the uncovered chests. All donations go toward breast cancer research. Brilliant! Next up: Porn For Poverty!

Nailin' Palin

2008-10-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

I think everything about TMZ should be banished from existence, but this is one story I'll give them props from breaking:

Hustler Video is shooting a porn with a look-alike titled "Nailin' Paylin." The spelling is sic and so is Hustler. You betcha!

The faux Sarah is Lisa Ann, who "will be nailing the Russians who come knocking on her back-door." In another scene -- a flashback -- "young Paylin's creationist college professor will explain a 'big bang' theory even she can't deny!

There's also a threeway with Hillary and Condoleezza look-alikes.

Bordering on genius. I bet Tina Fey is wishing she came up with it first.

Lykke Li, Bon Iver, L.A. Sun

2008-10-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Your Friday release: Lykke Li and Bon Iver doing her "Dance, Dance, Dance" with a kazoo thrown in there.

Redford Rembers Newman

2008-10-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

"I first met Paul Newman in 1968, when George Roy Hill, the director of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, introduced us in New York City. When the studio didn't want me for the film — it wanted somebody as well known as Paul — he stood up for me. I don't know how many people would have done that; they would have listened to their agents or the studio powers....

continue reading at Time.com

Beaker. 'Nuff Said.

2008-10-01T08:15:00.001-07:00

A little pick-me-up as we head into fall.

Paul Newman

2008-09-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

Rest in peace.

A Republican, A Homosexual And A Wet Nurse Walk Into A Bar...

2008-09-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS: McCain is suspending his campaign (by campaigning as a non-campaigner, I guess), Clay Aiken finally came out of the closet, and I just learned that John D. Rockefeller hired a wet nurse in his old age.

Snuggle Is A Dish Best Served Plush

2008-09-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

If revenge is always on your mind - The Godfather Horsehead Pillow.

Lego. Album Covers. Awesome.

2008-09-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

The LEGO ALBUM COVERS POOL over at Flickr.

Stand Up (AKA Perspective)

2008-09-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

I saw this over at Boing Boing.
Errol Morris' film "Stand Up To Cancer".
Take a moment for a little perspective.

Change Is Coming!! (AKA We Need More Shit To Help Clean The Shit Stains)

2008-09-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

Great article here in the New York Times about the Republicans running their campaign as if they aren't and haven't been in power for the last 8 years.

"By the time the convention here was about to get under way, Mr. McCain almost sounded like a speaker at an Obama rally. “I promise you, if you’re sick and tired of the way Washington operates, you only need to be patient for a couple of more months,” he told supporters in O’Fallon, Mo., on Sunday. “Change is coming! Change is coming! Change is coming!”

He continued the mantra Thursday. “Let me just offer an advance warning to the old big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country-second crowd,” Mr. McCain said. “Change is coming.”

So remember people - only the Republican Party can clean up the mess made by the Republican party.

McCain/Palin/FrostyTheSnowman (AKA Are these people on crack?)

2008-09-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show. September 4, 2008.
The day after Sarah Palin's RNC speech.
Jon Stewart interviewing Mike Huckabee:

"So to summarize - you think that your party, is the only party, who can help America out of the mess your party put us in".

How's The Weather?

2008-09-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

Weather forecast for The Great Wall in Antarctica.
September 4 - 8, 2008

Bravo, America!

2008-09-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

(CNN) – Barack Obama's campaign says it has raised more than $8 million from over 130,000 donors following Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin's speech Wednesday night.

Pitbull Palin (AKA Finally a good argument for outlawing the breed altogether)

2008-09-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

For a moment during her speech last night, I had shivers run down my spine at the thought that this woman might win the election for the Republicans.

Far more disturbing than that is the possibility of her becoming President.

EVEN MORE disturbing than that - is I can imagine her doing a reality show.

Inglorious Bastards

2008-08-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is very old news for film geeks, but I wanted to put it out there for everyone else. Quentin Tarantino will soon begin shooting his next movie, titled "Inglorious Bastards". (He's borrowed the title from the film shown above).

It's a World War II, men-on-a-mission, movie about an all Jewish American unit sent behind the lines into Nazi Occupied France to kill as many Nazis and cause as much trouble as humanly possible.

Let me repeat that.

It's a World War II movie about Jews killing as many Nazi's as possible.

HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

P. Diddy (AKA Does anyone give a s**t about this guy anymore?)

2008-08-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

This is P. Diddy actually complaining about having to take commercial flights because gas prices are so high that he can't afford to use his private jet.

Not only is this caught on video but it's HIS OWN VIDEO BLOG.

How is there not a single person in his enormous posse and organization with the cohones to tell him that this is a hideous display of humanity? Here's a guy worth maybe hundreds of millions of dollars, with the ability to reach millions of people, and he actually makes the conscious decision to upload this for the world to see?

Photosynth

2008-08-21T05:19:00.000-07:00

Photosynth launches today. If you haven't heard of it yet, you will very shortly. Watch the TED talk below for a demonstration of this amazing new software that is going to change the way we interact with images on the web. Then, visit the Photosynth site and try it yourself.

TV On The Radio (AKA Thank God Something Good Is Coming Out)

2008-08-19T18:49:00.000-07:00

New album. "Dear Science".
09/23/2008

First single. "Golden Age". Streaming at www.tvontheradio.com

Anticipation is a wonderful sensation.

How's The Weather?

2008-08-09T09:05:00.001-07:00

Los Angeles weather forecast for August 9th - 13th.

Not Just Another Day In Iraq (AKA Do Right By Our Women)

2008-08-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

On the never ending list of disturbing, tragic and unjust consequences of the Iraq war, this has to be one of the most upsetting.

A government report states that 4 in 10 women in veterans hospitals report having been sexually assaulted while in the military.

Read the entire article here. It goes on to say:

"...41 percent of the female veterans seen there say they were victims of sexual assault while serving in the military..."

"Twenty-nine percent say they were raped during their military service..."

"Women serving in the U.S. military today are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq."

The report is so unbelievably shocking, and yet it has hardly been mentioned in the news. Why?

What the hell is going on over there? How is this allowed to happen at all, let alone on this scale?

The psychological implications of this kind of behavior is too big for me to comment on here. One thing that is certain - we will be dealing with a very messed up generation of veterans once this is all over with. We had better be prepared to step up and deal with it properly.

Basia Bulat - Someday (Strokes Cover)

2008-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

A wonderful, but far too unknown Canadian artist, doing a gorgeous cover of The Strokes "Someday". Check out her myspace page for the complete version, more tunes and info.

Keeping Up With The Jones' (AKA Get Your Fat On)

2008-07-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

A new study says that by 2030, 86% of Americans could be obese.

Let's think about that. In just over twenty years, 9 out of 10 people will be fat. Nine out of the ten people around you right now will be fat. Really fat.

So what can we do about this?

Start eating. You most certainly don't want to be playing catch up on yet another lifestyle trend like you were with organic food, charity, yoga, carbon footprints, Eckhart Tolle and whatever other great works founded in irrefutable fact and logic that Oprah deems appropriate to steer the masses at. And before anyone says anything about how much "good" Oprah has done, let's remember this is the same woman who repeatedly plugs "The Secret".

Mmmm. Corn dogs.

TV Makes You Smarter... oh wait, that's wrong, it actually makes you stupider

2008-07-30T06:56:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Slate and read about a new study linking autism to TV watching.

"Cornell University researchers are reporting what appears to be a statistically significant relationship between autism rates and television watching by children under the age of 3. The researchers studied autism incidence in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington state. They found that as cable television became common in California and Pennsylvania beginning around 1980, childhood autism rose more in the counties that had cable than in the counties that did not. They further found that in all the Western states, the more time toddlers spent in front of the television, the more likely they were to exhibit symptoms of autism disorders."

The Dark Knight (AKA Mo' Money Mo' Problems)

2008-07-29T06:45:00.001-07:00

There's nothing new I can really add to the endless number of reviews praising The Dark Knight, except to say that they are all absolutely, one hundred fucking percent correct. It's brilliant. A noir crime epic, not a superhero movie. So good, that I may see it a second time (in IMAX).

In other showbiz news, Christian Bale was accused of smacking around his mom and sister after they asked him for a few hundred G's. Bale is also signed on to do the next 3 Terminator movies. 3 Batmans, 3 Terminators. A word of advice to Mr. Bale - it's often easier to toss the hobo his quarter than to listen to his spiel.

Also, Shia Lebeouf ('The Beef' in French), a young actor whose career I look forward to watching implode, was arrested after crashing his car while drunk. I'm starting the clock on this guy now.

Sarah's Smile (AKA Hall and Oates and your Soul Thermometer)

2008-07-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

If you can't dig this, then there's a disconnect somewhere. Check your Soul Thermometer. Give it a good flick with the top of your fingernail. Shake it up. Give it a much needed reboot. Now let it go to work.

Otis Redding (AKA Your Saturday Soul Espresso - Satursoul)

2008-07-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Otis live. Just because you should be reminded of it.

A Wider Lens

2008-07-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

We don’t think our way to right action;
we act our way to right thinking.

Why did it take me so long to learn that?

Deadwood

2008-07-24T18:45:00.001-07:00

More genius.

Deadwood

2008-07-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

The best show ever. True art. Mad genius.

Sometimes

2008-07-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

"Flume" - Bon Iver

Sometimes you make mistakes in life. Sometimes the cold side of the pillow isn't enough. Sometimes it takes everything you have and everything you are just to keep your limbs, your heart, your tears from exploding out in all directions. Sometimes it's just harder than you wish it were. Sometimes you are nothing but red gossamer held up against the bedside lamp. Sometimes names can never be occupied by anyone other than their true owner. Sometimes simplicity eludes you when you need it most. Then sometimes you get it. You are it. You can't believe it. Fuck it. Sometimes you make it to the clearing only to turn around and find you're alone.

Ideas Worth Taking

2008-07-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

Journalist Gene Weingarten won a Pultizer for his original and interesting piece "Pearls Before Breakfast" (and no, it's not about nasty sex in the morning).

It is about "what happened when a world-famous violinist played for spare change, incognito, for three-quarters of an hour outside a subway station. Playing his priceless Stradivarius, violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, a onetime child prodigy, made a few measly bucks and change. Most people hurried past, unheeding. It was a story about artistic context, priorities and the soul-numbing gallop of modernity."

It was a stunt the writer dreamed up himself.

Original. Different. Compelling.

Then he found out that someone else thought it was too; 70 years ago.

Read it all here.

Anteater (AKA a worthwhile waste of time)

2008-07-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

So there's this woman who posts videos on youtube of her pet anteater. Yes - anteater. I've seen a lot of nature shows, but I'd never seen these creatures before. They are oddly mesmerizing. You just have to watch it. They will surely be stocked on the shelves of your favorite stores come Christmas time.

Quality Matters

2008-07-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a nice little piece over at Slate that explains through very basic methodology how quality films actually make more money. This is a concept most regular people seem to understand, yet it seems to narrowly elude the minds behind the movie business. Sneaky bugger.

The pic above is from my favorite "quality" movie of last year - The Diving Bell And The Butterfly.

A little postscript to this entry - an article in today's LA Times about Pixar's Secret Ingredient for success; QUALITY.

My Dog Cheese (AKA Google Self-Worth)

2008-06-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

If you google "cheese", you get a million hits about cheese. If you google "cheese dog" you get a million hits and pictures about chili cheese dogs and a few about how dogs like cheese.

My dog's name is Cheese and this is my attempt to get her moving up the google search ranks under "Cheese". When people think "Cheese" I want them thinking about my crazy ass canine companion rather than a chunk of rotting dairy.

Skinny Love: Your music moment of the day

2008-06-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

For Friday, just a great song and another great piece from the folks over at The Blogotheque.
Bon Iver - Skinny Love

Hope And Change (AKA The Audacity Of Art)

2008-06-17T05:17:00.000-07:00

I recently stumbled upon this artist named Travis Louie. His paintings of Victorian era monsters and chimeras are indelibly haunting. The style of those old, hazy portraits which he draws upon pulls you in like a living fog, and you find yourself wading deeper into melancholy. You recognize that as alive as you are this very moment, one day you too will be a thing left to a distant past; a photograph, a DVD collection, a dusty blog stumbled upon by a Tom Sawyer and a Huck Finn who marvel at it for a few moments until a frog croaks and their chase of life and wonder begins again.

I'm impressed at how quickly the artist is able to make you see past the monsters and through to the life within them. Like us, even monsters need to remember. Like us, even monsters want to stop time. Like us, even monsters have an innate and subconscious understanding that memory is not an inert thing like a photograph or a letter; memory is an act of creation. But there are times where we need that memorabilia. To call upon it as a guide when we've gotten turned around in the back roads we've traveled thousands of times, catching frogs, playing make believe.

I would love to see these works in person because it's almost hard to believe they are actual paintings and not digital images.

Please visit his website here.

Dry Drowning. The Possible Impossible.

2008-06-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have even imagined this possible:

Johnny Jackson, a 10-year-old American boy from South Carolina, died at home on Sunday from "dry drowning" more than an hour after going swimming and walking home with his mother. The sad event highlights a little known danger that parents and child carers should be aware of, that drowning can kill hours after being submersed in water.

Johnny's mother, Cassandra Jackson, told NBC News in a story broadcast on the TODAY show on Thursday that:

"I've never known a child could walk around, talk, speak and their lungs be filled with water."

Johnny must have got some water in his lungs while he was swimming in his local pool at Goose Greek, South Carolina. He didn't show any signs of respiratory distress, but he had an accident in the pool and "soiled himself", said the TODAY report. He then walked home with his mother and sister.

His mother said she bathed him and he told her he felt sleepy. When she went to check on him later she saw his face was covered in a "spongy white material". He was rushed to hospital but it was too late.

Pictures In Motion

2008-06-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

Go over to McSweeney's, where you'll find an amazing article from 1896 where a man reports on his first time seeing a movie. Fascinating.

Get Smart

2008-06-06T14:45:00.001-07:00

The man who says he is willing to meet you halfway is usually a poor judge of distance.

Lawrence J. Peter

Christian The Lion (AKA Your Warm Fuzzy Feeling Of The Day)

2008-06-06T14:39:00.001-07:00

Out Of This World

2008-06-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

A sunset on Mars. Thanks, NASA.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2008-06-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's over.

Senator Obama's nomination was well earned. His campaign platform of change has already followed through on that promise. Not only is he the first black Presidential candidate in history, but more importantly, he has already managed to elevate the level of politics in America. That is profound change for any government, and this was only a primary.

When faced with the issue of Reverend Wright, he took the path no other candidate would have even considered viable; he didn't hide from it, or try to find the perfect ten word sound byte - no, instead he gave his now historic speech on race. A 40 minute speech that was mature and complex. A 40 minute speech in a time when polls and market research tells us that the public can't watch a news item that is longer than 2 minutes. He spoke to the nation as if they were adults and not merely a focus group. And they in turn responded as such.

That is good politics. That is why I am certain he will win the Presidency. That is why I am very hopeful he may achieve some great things in his time in office. Getting things done in Washington is getting things done through politics, and Senator Obama is very, very good at politics. Having that ability, coupled with fortuitous timing, is what enables the chosen few to make real history.

I hope for the best and now have only these words of advice for him, which I have taken from Bill Strickland:

"You must be prepared to act on your dreams, just in case they do come true".

Sex And The City (AKA Emotional Train Wrecks Of Self-Pity)

2008-05-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

Anthony Lane's review over at the New Yorker is hilarious and spot-on. If you can't find the 7 minutes it takes to read it, his last line probably sums it up best:

All the film lacks is a subtitle: “The Lying, the Bitch, and the Wardrobe.”

Hallelujah

2008-05-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

Everyone and their mothers love this song. The Jeff Buckley version, that is. As they should. It still ticks me off that people thought that dreadlocked kid from American Idol sang it well. I thought it was horrendous. (I know his name, but if college stoner kids who really can't sing and who can barely strum a guitar, can have a legitimate pop music career, I am certainly not to going to help it along).

This performance of the song is worth checking out. Simply gorgeous. Two of these guys are from the Norwegian Idol or Icelandic Idol or something like that, and the other two are... well, two other guys I don't know.

Oh, and here is a fantastic blog entry about the history of the song. I love when people put this much thought into something from pop culture that deserves to be seriously considered.

TED - My New Best Friend

2008-05-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

TED now posts all their conference talks. If I didn't have to function in the world by working, eating and sleeping, I would watch these talks day and night. For now I watch one a day because I want to stretch them out like a great book you never want to end.

In case you don't know what TED is:

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

Do yourself a HUGE favor and watch these fascinating, ingenious and bold ideas presented to the world.