January 2007
Of Fruit and Fancy
In what is clearly a slow news day, one of the featured articles on the New York Times’ front page (the web version—I can’t stand paper newspapers—they get my sweaty palms all covered in ink) is a vignette on the winter appeal of lemon zest. Now, the article is essentially about how best to use the pricey and few lemons we’re left with in the winter months (as lemon sales are directly proportional to the rise and fall of the temperature), offering recipes that feature a mélange of lemon and assorted nouvelle cuisine, such as their lemon confit shortbread tart. Of course, this left me to ponder a question of grandiose proprotions: do blogs or different mainstream media corporations have a “fruit bias”?
Is It Cool?: Deerhoof
A lot of times when you’re looking for new music, you’re faced with some puzzling decisions. Is this new Strokes album great and expansive, or a self-indulgent rehash? Do I miss ‘Sea Change’ Beck or do I prefer Guero/Information Beck? Is Lou Reed still sane?
Worst Ever, Installment #1
Some people are magnets for money, some for opportunity, some for venereal disease. Me? I was born with a propensity for finding the worst things ever, via the internet. And if nine years of Catholic schooling taught me anything its “don’t hide your light under a bushel.” Thus begins my weekly installment of the worst the internet has to offer.
Paris Hilton Exposed! or, When celebrities don’t pay their bills.
What happens when celebrities forget to pay the bills on their storage unit? Well, in Paris Hilton’s case, their stuff is no longer their stuff and gets auctioned off to the highest bidder. Sure, we’ve all seen the Paris Hilton sex video (you know, the one were she looks like one of those noctournal rain forest mammals with reflective eyes?), but the stuff offered on www.parisexposed.com promised material that would make that video look like an episode of School House Rock. Sadly, the site has been shut down (temporarily?) due to charges filed by Paris and some of her cohorts. Its unclear whether or not subscribers (the site required a 40$ monthly subscription) will get their money back. Hopefully, the whole thing will get cleared up soon. Until then, here’s what I could find.
Read more on Paris Hilton Exposed! or, When celebrities don’t pay their bills….
Wii News: News.
Well folks, I’m sure you all remember me telling you about the Wii I got for Christmas. But it wasn’t until a few days ago that one of the more interesting features finally got up and running. I have now at my control a full fledged AP wire feed.
State of the Union: What Is To Be Done?
The State of the Union. For some, it’s just another week night distraction from the daily grind. A blasé replacement for the Joan & Melissa Rivers’ Fashion Squad that seems to be all too hip these days. But for others, like myself, the State of the Union is serious business. It’s a magical moment when the President talks directly to us, the people, and gives us his plan for a better, brighter future.
Albert Hammond, Jr.: Action Hero?
It seems the rhythm guitarist for the Strokes, Albert Hammond, Jr. has stopped an intense police chase in Texas using his tour bus. Does helping the police help your rock star credibility?
Lindsay Lohan Does Crack/Yoga
For us plebians, it might not take much for us to admit we have a problem. Perhaps we miss work because we drink too much, or our grades drop, or our friends just pull us aside and say, “You’re face is covered in crack.” But for celebrities, admitting you have a problem just isn’t that easy. Take Lindsay Lohan for example. It wasn’t until January 5th that her friends and family finally planned an intervention to deal with her substance abuse problems. Why did they finally break down and confront her?
‘New Morning’ is a Great Morning Album
So you enjoy Bob Dylan? Alright, do you also enjoy melody and good singing?
Well then, I’ve got the Dylan album you’ve been searching for. It’s called New Morning.
New Morning is an album no one talks about, and I can understand why. It’s soft Dylan, like Paul McCartney and a piano with Dylan’s lyrics (no need to worry about “Jenny Wren” or “Obla-Di, Obla-Da”). There’s a Gospel influence which reminds me of 80’s Leonard Cohen, and no sign of electric blues which might be a bad thing if this album wasn’t so tenderly crafted.
Red Letter Blues
Hey everyone loves the White Stripes. And I love Son House, so here’s a cover of “Death Letter Blues” done by Jack and Meg for your enjoyment.
Not So OKCupid
In the last few years American culture has become inundated with dating websites. It’s hard to get through any televised dating show without seeing a commercial for Truematch, or EHarmony (the creepy factor of which was best pinpointed by a friend who decribed them as Grandma talking about Grandpa in bed.) My housemate recently got a job at OkCupid, and part of the job entails him taking down user images that have been flagged as offensive. Lucky me, and lucky you. Surely the technological advances in photoeditting can help even the most repugnant of losers seem attractive to someone (myspace angles, anyone?)
Ghostbusters Video Game Rumored
On Monday they appeared on youtube. Four videos, each detailing various aspcets of a possible Ghostbuster’s video game. Attributed to the European developer Zootfly the videos caused a big stir, and now Zootfly has officially owned up to them.
The videos showcase a modernized, third person ghosthunting adventure for the Xbox 360. According to Zootfly, there is a temporary intelectual property issue to work out with whoever owns the Ghostbuster franchise. Let’s hope they work it out, cause then along with Halo 3 and Wars, I’d have 3 reasons to go out and buy a 360.
So this first video shows out ghostbuster running about and zapping ghosts. He misses alot, just like in the movies, and things from street signs to the sides of buildings joyfully explode!
This next video is a short little car chase with the new Echo-1. The music is a little… well, let’s hope it’s not the final version. Also, it looks more like this little car scene is a cut-scene, and not indicating that you actually get to drive the Ecto.
The third video is apparently a car customization feature. It also features the project’s version of the Ghostbuster’s logo very prominently.
The final video is apparently a cutscene of Dr. Peter Venkman talking to the press. The audio is taken from Ghostbusters 2, with a few edits. Also, it looks a lot like Bill Murray, which would make the game stand apart from the cartoon series, which failed to obtain the likeness rights of the actors in the film.
And finally, here’s a big version of that concept art at the top of the page. The proton packs look menacing, and the Ghostbusters look ready for a tour in Iraq. New desktop found! Winston looks a bit like Jerry Seinfeld though…
Rich Little: Reagan Lover
Last year’s White House Correspondant’s dinner featured the comic stylings of Stephen Colbert, a delightful southern conservative and Nixon-friendly republican. Since the blogosphere expanded dramatically after the main stream media and new york post ignored the incident the Correspondent’s Dinner this year naturally has got a lot of people buzzing.
Overlooked Music: Black and Blue
Have you heard of the Rolling Stones? They’re a band from the 60’s with big lips and drugs and coconuts. They are old. Recently I listened to their mid 70’s creation Black and Blue and was surprised to find that’s it’s actually a great album.