The Obligatory

This is What My Thought Process Looks and Sounds Like

2008-06-19T22:56:00.001-07:00

Sadly, no embeddable media. So go check out the video at the bottom of this page.

Joe Biden is Amazing

2008-05-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

His comments on Bush's speech in Israel are spot on -- as were those from Reid, Pelosi, Dean, and Kerry.

I hope they all remain as aggressive and vocal in the Presidential campaign ahead.

Yes We Shall

2008-05-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

I wrote some of the lyrics for this. Also, I'm in it for a few seconds. Spread the word. Commander '08.

Another Reason to Love Tom Waits

2008-05-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

Sharon Jones - "Tell Me"

2008-05-05T13:28:00.001-07:00

Great new video for one of the best albums of last year. Check it totally out.

Nerd Alert

2008-04-25T15:39:00.001-07:00

My Job Rules Part 28039

2008-04-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

Writing a sketch where two AOTS writers passionately argue over the funniness of a poop joke in the style of the Continental Congress is considered part of my daily responsibilities. Also, a taxidermied goat is there.

Anniversary Salad

2008-04-21T16:37:00.000-07:00

The exact date is unknown, but this week is the ten year anniversary of my decision to go vegetarian.

While I spent the first few months eating fish and started up the habit again two years ago, I have not had chicken, beef, pork, turkey, Cornish game hen, or any other red or white meat since 1998.

Go, me.

I guess a dinner at Real Food Daily or Elf Cafe is in order.

Fun Club A&A Night 1

2008-04-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Axis and Allies 'til 2AM. With a break for "Battlestar."

The Soviet soldiers fought well. True to history, they were valiant and expendable.

A Progression

2008-04-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

Good: Andrew Bird working on new album already.

Better: Andrew Bird working with producer and Lambchop musician Mark Nevers again.

Best: Andrew Bird blogging about said activities on the New York Times.

Happy Birthday, The Pope

2008-04-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

My Nose Works!

2008-04-15T18:49:00.001-07:00

Wow.

I just got my splints removed.

Observation - nasal splints are f'ing HUGE. Like, the size of your palm big. It wasn't quite, as my friend Mike Shaw predicted, like the bathroom scene in "Total Recall," but I bet it looked like it.

INT. SURGEON'S OFFICE

CASEY sits, wincing in a chair while the SURGEON pulls something out of his left nostril. Casey is not in pain, but rather dealing with the very strange sensations.

SURGEON
... and there's the first splint.

Casey opens his eyes.

CASEY
Whoa. I didn't know those things were that big!

SURGEON
No one does. This is why I don't show them to you before I put them in your nose. OK, one more.

The surgeon pulls another enormous sheet of plastic from Casey's right nostril. Then, he hands him a tissue.

SURGEON
You may bleed a small amount for the next hour or so. Try breathing gently through your nose.

Casey, for the first time in his life, feels air flow easily through both nostrils.

CASEY
Oh my God! My nose works!

END.

2008-04-15T10:36:00.001-07:00

I'm a big fan of David Byrne, and have been for a long time.

I'm a latecomer to Paul Simon's "Graceland." But when I heard the song "I Know What I Know," I wanted to hear David Byrne singing it.

I would have killed to see this live:

... also, "You Can Call Me Al."

I Can't Believe I Missed This Meme

2008-04-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

... but I sure am glad I discovered it today.

Someone Please Buy Me This

2008-04-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

This Spammer Knows Who He's Dealing With

2008-04-06T15:48:00.001-07:00

Best Thing On The Internet This Week

2008-04-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

I Love That I Get To Work With This Guy

2008-04-03T01:57:00.001-07:00

name="allowFullScreen" value="true" />

And yes, discussions like this happen all. day. long at the office.

they don't understand the lulz

2008-04-03T00:29:00.000-07:00

Your bigoted asses just got Rick Roll'd, boyees!

My Sinus Surgery - A Photojournal

2008-04-02T23:42:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, I had some sinus surgery. I want to be exact, so I'll describe it exactly as my surgeon did:

Endoscopic sinnostromy with treatment of bilateral maxillary and ethmoid sinuses, excision of left concha bullosum, septoplasty, and bilateral turbinate reduction.

Basically, my nose was all f'ed up, and I done went and got it fixed.

I won't get too into it, but everything you've read on the interwebs about septoplasty is a lie. I read so many horror stories going into this, but in reality, the surgery was simple, I never needed a painkiller during the post-op recovery, and even though my nose is still stuffed up with junk a week after the operation, I already can tell a difference. The only pain I felt during the entire thing was the one second injection of lidocaine before they hooked up my IV, and the cleaning process during the post-op appointment, which lasted all of ten seconds or so. Oh, and I couldn't eat peanut M&Ms for a few days.

But I did manage to get half of Battlestar season 2, all of season 3, and Razor in before season 4 kicks off, so it all works out in my favor.

Here's some pictures.

Immediately Following Surgery:

2 Days after Surgery:

4 Days After Surgery:

4 Days After Surgery, following post-op appointment:

1 Week After Surgery:

So yeah, nose is still blocked up with junk, and I'm not supposed to blow it at full force for a while. So that's all that's bothering me.

I can't wait to finally breathe like a normal person.

My Google Reader Is Still Clogged Up With Fake Stories

2008-04-02T13:59:00.001-07:00

I hate you, April Fool's Day. I fucking hate you so much.

Bards Are A Direct Route To My Heart

2008-03-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Irish Jig

2008-03-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

I dig this.

Unfortunately, I am as untalented at editing video as I am playing musical instruments, so you're probably not going to see one of these from me anytime soon.

Still, it's a cool lil' concept. I saw one with a guy on piano and drums a long time ago...

What I Did At Work Today

2008-03-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

Made this while eating lunch.

How's everyone's 401(k)s doing?

Flags

2008-02-29T16:53:00.000-08:00

Conservative Republican translation of "convoluted" -
adj. An idea or concept that requires more than two brain cells to process.

On an unrelated note, I want this really badly.

This is My New Favorite Band

2008-02-29T15:22:00.000-08:00

Or maybe I just wish I were IN this band.

I Think I Want A Bike

2008-02-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

Not a bad-ass motorcycle.

A bicycle.

And here's why:

1. Gas prices are going up.
2. I only live 2.7 miles from work.
3. Biking to work would start and end my day with exercise and fresh air.
4. It gives me even more irritating environmentalist cred.
5. I've been thinking about it for like 3 years, which is about the amount of time I usually need to make minor decisions.

Driving on the road still scares me a bit, but my route is 95% side streets. Any L.A. bikers want to throw their two cents in either way?

On A Scale of 1 to 10, How Much Do You Think I Loved the Episode of 'Battlestar Galactica' Where They Elect A New Vice President?

2008-02-27T13:14:00.003-08:00

If you answered 25, you are correct.

Why Did I Wait So Long To Get Into "Battlestar Galactica"?

2008-02-08T19:20:00.001-08:00

No, seriously.

What the hell was I thinking? Now I've got a month to cram the entire series in so I can geek out about the new season with all my nerd homies.

If You Ever Wanted To Buy Me Something

2008-02-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

Then a series of prints from the Woodcut Periodic Table of Elements would be a great place to start.

Birthday's in May. I'm just sayin.

You Rule, Time Warner Cable Internet

2008-01-28T18:47:00.000-08:00

Unless your tubes are clogged up.

David Lee Roth's Vocals Isolated from "Runnin With The Devil"

2008-01-24T15:44:00.001-08:00

Listen to this.

I have had it on nonstop loop all day, and I laugh my ass off every time.

Vampire Weekend's A-Punk

2008-01-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

Awesome video.

Great song.

Very catchy album, although I admit I have a soft spot for bands that name check Mystic Seaport in their songs.

Stereogum also has an old link to their video for Mansard Roof. Good stuff.

You Suck At Photoshop

2008-01-04T17:32:00.001-08:00

David Lynch Talks iPhone

2008-01-04T17:25:00.000-08:00

Epic Win

2007-12-20T12:34:00.000-08:00

I miss my DnD team.

Let's roll, guys!

Ron Paul Fights Back

2007-12-19T21:02:00.000-08:00

So Ron Paul.

I'm a fan.

Not because of his political philosophy per se, but more for his attitude toward politics in general. The guy knows where he stands, has the facts to back up his opinions, and isn't afraid to go on the counter-attack. Like when Neil Cavuto at Fox News tried to corner him into playing 'Politically Correct' when they told him one of his donations came from a white supremacist.

Like I said ... if the guy were elected and actually got his platform through, it'd probably be disastrous. But the guy's got moxie.

I Heart You, Tim & Eric

2007-12-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

If You're Looking For The Best Sentence in Wikipedia, I Found It

2007-12-13T16:44:00.001-08:00

The Keebler slogan reads "Uncommonly Good," in conjunction with their claim that the products are made in magic ovens inside a hollow tree by chief elf Ernie Keebler and his Keebler Elves.

Brian Dewan's "Words of Wisdom"

2007-12-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge fan of folk musician-inventor-carpenter-slideshow presenter Brian Dewan, but he hasn't put out an album since 2001.

So imagine my joy when I saw he just released a new collection of tunes a few weeks ago. And imagine my further joy when Amazon described the disc thusly:

Words of Wisdom is a collection of North American songs written between 1690 and 1950. Some of the authors are known, most of them not. The songs espouse varying perspectives, by turns humorous, frank, sentimental and stoic. This album is the first volume of the Humanitarium Series: recordings of musical artifacts drawn from folk material, parlor music, ditties, chants, jingles, historic popular song, and music for liturgical and institutional use.

Yeah, my Amazon package should get here tomorrow.

Read a review on Allmusic, or pick up the disc on Amazon. You're probably not going to find this at Strawberries.

Those Are Mah Boys

2007-12-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

Salon has a great write-up on Dodd and Biden's exemplary performance on the latest NPR debate.

Unfortunately, the only people who heard it are NPR listeners. Which means they're probably already voting for "longshot candidates."

Frustrating.

News Flash

2007-12-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

This exists:

That is all.

My Potential Future

2007-11-29T12:57:00.000-08:00

Gamer evicted because of Rock Band.

I Got Blisters On Me Fingers

2007-11-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

From playing drums in Rock Band.

So awesome.

"Won't Get Fooled Again" is so much fun to pound out.

I Like Joe Biden More Every Time I Hear Him

2007-11-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

Salon posted a great interview with Joe Biden about the foreign policy shortcomings of the other Democratic candidates.

Insightful, clear, and candid analysis. I like this guy more and more every time I read his statements or hear him speak.

This Year's Holiday Cards

2007-11-16T12:59:00.000-08:00

Are going to be great.

Be sure to email me if you've secretly moved or something. Or if you want to apply for a spot on The List.

Also, I beat Call of Duty 4. It's awesome. Go buy it.

Also also, I just ordered a Mac. Yup. I'm switching. Now I can be cool, like that hipster from the ads.

Awesome Awesome Awesome

2007-11-14T12:06:00.000-08:00

Awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome.

Profiles in Justice: The Wonder Twins

2007-11-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

Here's something I wrote for AOTS. It is the product of many, many hours spent watching "Super Friends" in repeats.

Please to enjoy this quality video.

Rock Band

2007-11-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

So we got a demo version of Rock Band into the offices this week.

I don't know if I'll buy it, 'cause it sure is loud -- and you really need four people in the room at the same time to truly enjoy it.

But man, playing bass is awesome. I want to play full career mode with a fake bassist. Of the four or five songs we've played, "Don't Fear the Reaper" was the most fun.

Gonna be great.

Stephin Merritt Writes a Song in Two Days

2007-11-07T14:03:00.001-08:00

For a new NPR show where they lock up a musician, provide him or her with six words or phrases and images, and make them write a song in 48 hours.

First up was San Francisco Songsmith Stephin Merritt, who comes up with a pretty catchy song about a serial killer who has an uncanny ability to disguise himself. The video on the site is fascinating, and it's great to be able to see a musician in the studio playing all the instruments on his own as his song comes together.

This Weekend's Activities

2007-11-04T21:49:00.001-08:00

1. Dia de los Muertos celebration at Olvera Street, downtown. Amazing.

Got some good video of the procession and dancing. I still can't get over how much I love the art style, let alone how fascinated I am about the holiday itself. The video's a bit dark, but you can still make out most of the costumes.

2. Beat Portal.

What a great game. Awesome style, great universe, and actually really funny. The ending is quite satisfying, and the song you hear over the credits is great. (perhaps some spoilers below).

I also beat Bioshock last week. The game was pretty freaking amazing. The ending, I was a little disappointed in, but when the rest of the gameplay experience is filled with top-notch storytelling and an all-encompassing setting, it's hard to live up to the expectations, I guess. I'll be replaying this one later, after I work through all the other A-list titles coming out in the next two months.

It is a good time to love video games.

Unless, you know, you've got other stuff you want to get done in your life.

While You Wait

2007-11-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to update and redesign Modern Hiker all weekend, but my shit server at Dreamhost has been down due to "heavy traffic" that is definitely not coming from me.

Jerks.

So I'm about to head to the laundromat and do some reading. While we all wait, here's a music video from late 60s electronic musician Pierre Henry. This song was the inspiration for the theme to "Futurama." Oh, and it's awesome.

Best Family Nerd Costume This Year

2007-11-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

My costume was pretty decent. And semi-tasteless. I'll post pics soon!

Just In Case You've Forgotten ...

2007-10-31T15:42:00.001-07:00

Please Go See: Euros Childs

2007-10-28T10:20:00.001-07:00

I went to check out Euros Childs at the Echo last night -- me, and about 30 or so other Welsh psych-pop-folk fans. It was dismally uncrowded, and Euros still managed to put on an insanely good show.

He's touring with a two-person backup band, and even though I didn't recognize most of the songs he played (damn you Wichita Records and your spotty American releases!), they were all instantly catchy, sweetly melodic, and danceable. He's still hitting up a good chunk of the U.S. of A., so check his site to see if he's on his way near you.

He's also co-headlining with David Kilgour, formerly of Kiwi band The Clean. I'd never heard their music before last night, but it's also worth sticking around for -- intricately layered, slightly-twangy guitar rock. I'll be picking up some of his records very soon.

This Is Awesome And You Know It

2007-10-26T16:27:00.001-07:00

The History of LOLcats

2007-10-26T13:37:00.000-07:00

Now the story can be told.

Funny Because It's True

2007-10-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

Poll: Bullshit Is Most Important Issue For 2008 Voters

File Under: Things Specifically Designed To Appeal To Me

2007-10-18T05:52:00.000-07:00

Segway Tours of colonial Guilford.

My New Future Ringtone

2007-10-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

Will be this, if I remember to do it.

So Much Fun

2007-10-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Spy FTW.

I'm a big fan of stealth classes / games. Screw Halo, man. Give me a game where I can disguise myself as a doctor, walk up behind a perched sniper on the other team, stab him in the back and toss him off a cliff, and I'm THERE.

My Favorite Building in Los Angeles

2007-10-14T23:06:00.000-07:00

I remember the first time I drove down Wilshire Boulevard toward downtown, back in 2003. I was still out here as a "study abroad" program for Boston University, and was absolutely in love with the art deco of the Miracle Mile -- even though I was still in the "I kind of hate this city" mode for almost everything else.

While making the rare trip to the city core, I distinctly remember seeing this giant, green copper tower rising from the landscape around it. At night, it's lit up, making it stand out even more. The only sort of information I could catch while driving past it was that it was part of the Southwestern University School of Law.

Sometimes, I fall in love with buildings. This was one of those times. I still have a soft spot for Boston's Customs Tower, a building I would go well out of my way to walk by whenever I was anywhere near Boston's downtown:

Tonight, while killing time on the internet, it came up again -- and I started delving a bit deeper.

I read the Wiki, then investigated the Southwestern web site, which actually has some excellent images and information.

Unfortunately, it looks like the building is closed to the public, except for one day a year when they sell tickets to a 1920's tea room. And I missed it. Which is too bad, because I totally would have paid.

Anyone out there a Southwestern student who can sneak me in? Must. See. Art-Deco. Building. On National Register of Historic Places!

Consumerism on Display

2007-10-14T21:42:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons you may not have seen me in a little while is this: My new fancypants entertainment setup.

1. 47" Vizio 1080p HDTV.
2. Toshiba HD-A20 HD-DVD player.
3. Nintendo Wii (not new)
4. Xbox 360 with HDMI out.
5. DirecTV HR-20 HD-DVR.
6. Planet Earth and Heroes HD-DVD box sets.
7. Bioshock, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Halo 3, The Orange Box.

I will say, despite some irritating audio lags on HD NBC shows, the HD lineup on DirecTV is fucking amazing. History Channel, Discovery Channel, and the National Geographic Channel in HD are unbelievable. Still waiting for my HD Cartoon Network and some new HD Mythbusters, though ...

Please ignore the fact that the rest of the apartment walls look barren. We're working on it.

Honest.

Candidate Matrix

2007-10-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

As part of its ongoing - and really quite excellent - series of pre-primary election coverage, MSNBC launched a comprehensive candidate matrix. It's a really interesting and effective way to get information on all the candidates, complete with links to relevant articles and videos.

I found out some interesting things with my matrix, such as I'm not quite as big a Ron Paul fan as I thought, and McCain still ain't so bad -- even if he is completely selling out to get conservative votes. For the Dems, I'm down with Chris Dodd and Joe Biden ... which I kind of already knew.

I wish we didn't live in a time where competent candidates were written off so quickly just because they don't have 'rock star appeal.'

Whoever you vote for, in whatever party you're in, please just do the Democracy a favor and get informed. Go beyond the 30 second soundbites and overproduced campaign commercials actually read something about the candidates.

My Friends Are Nerds

2007-10-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

... and I love them.

My friend Jeremy rented a yacht for his 25th birthday. His only requirement of his guests was that they dress like pirates.

We boated. We drank. We yelled at other ships in the marina.

Then we invaded an El Torito restaurant.

Good times. Check out more pictures here.

Check out this video: Arr!

Add to My Profile | More Videos

No Explanation Required

2007-10-04T11:23:00.001-07:00

Oh yeah. I do this now, too.

2007-10-02T11:37:00.000-07:00

It's a weekly podcast about MMO news my buddy Patrick puts together. I get to dress up in a suit and write jokes about specific role playing games' experience point structures. It's a win-win siutation.

Sadly, This Is Kind of My Life

2007-09-06T20:42:00.001-07:00

But also, kind of awesome.

Long Lost Relative?

2007-09-05T16:42:00.001-07:00

Warning: What You're About To See Will Destroy You

2007-09-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

Times When I Miss New England

2007-08-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

Now.

The Guild of Historic Interpreters announces its first “Cider and Song” event on Sunday, 16 September.

We will be having an artisan pressing cider, and we will be holding an “open mike” session (as it were) with musicians and songsters in the Hartwell Tavern taproom. [That’s in Minute Man National Historical Park, the battle road section.]

It’s a freewheeling end-of-season event, and if you have a flair for 18c song or if you have an 18c musical instrument, bring it along to ‘jam’ with us.

Planning of “Cider and Song” is unfolding as we speak. Event is likely to run from 10:30am to 4:00pm. [Please call the park in advance to confirm.]

(my bolding).

From the incredible blog Boston 1775.

Distended Warranty

2007-08-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

And their new hit song "Red Ring of Death."

If you like it, pass it along!

Pop Quiz

2007-08-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

True or False: Listening to new music from The Go! Team makes you want to go back in time and score the winning touchdown in your high school football team's homecoming game.

A: True. So very, very true.

Surprise Bluegrass

2007-08-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

So today, the Old Crow Medicine Show stopped by our office building to play in the lobby. They were there to shoot a new E music documentary show, but took time off to stop on each of the floors to serenade the lowly cubicle-workers. They were kind enough to come up to the G4 floor, where they played just a short distance from my desk.

Of course, all my work stopped for a three song set.

I wish EVERY Tuesday had a live bluegrass break.

Congrats, Chuck.

2007-08-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Today, Charles Simic was named Poet Laureate.

I remember first reading his work in 2001, being stunned, and immediately falling in love. It's minimal, surreal yet mundane, and unbelievably well-constructed.

If I had to pick a favorite poet - and really, no one's forcing me to - it'd be Simic, hands down.

Go do yourself a favor and pick up Walking the Black Cat or Hotel Insomnia. You will enjoy them.

Fantastic Four: The Musical

2007-08-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

Is sketch for work.

Is funny.

Has good music by Jonathan Mann.

You watch.

This Song Will Not Leave My Head

2007-08-02T12:52:00.001-07:00

Seriously. Three days straight now. I can't stop listening to it.

I mean, it could be worse. Way worse.

But still. I need somethin' new!

Happy to Have You Back

2007-07-31T21:11:00.001-07:00

Also, moving sucks. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Swiping Music News from Stereogum

2007-07-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

Two great sounds that sound great together:

1. New DEVO music! It's in a Dell commercial, yes, but it sounds great. Also, I know DEVO put out a lot of crap music, especially in their late career - but if you can sit there and tell me "Freedom of Choice" isn't a class-act album from start to finish, we're going to have a long conversation about our friendship.

2. New Architecture in Helsinki. OMG, sweet indie synth pop.

Architecture in Helsinki - Hold Music from helsinkids and Vimeo.

Entertainment Weekly Likes Attack of the Show

2007-07-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Huzzah!

Another Reason the Dutch Are Cooler Than Us

2007-07-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

A live video and gymnastic performance, done in front of a live audience in real time.

Oh, and it's awesome.

Why I Love MySpace

2007-07-13T11:53:00.001-07:00

Beautiful, identical ladies with colorful names always want to be my friend!

Best Gaming Journalism Ever

2007-07-11T13:24:00.001-07:00

Americans Are Dumb, Part Two

2007-07-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

From a recent article in the New York Times:

American adults in general do not understand what molecules are (other than that they are really small). Fewer than a third can identify DNA as a key to heredity. Only about 10 percent know what radiation is. One adult American in five thinks the Sun revolves around the Earth, an idea science had abandoned by the 17th century.

Really? Sun around the Earth?

REALLY?!?

Citizenship Test

2007-07-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

MSNBC has a little Citizenship Test on their web site, in honor of Independence Day.

Take it, and find out how little your fellow 'Murricans actually know about our country.

Oh, also, I am teh r0x0r.

It Begins

2007-06-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

The March to War with Iran has officially begun.

Let's hope we can get some of those - oh, what are they called again? Checks and balances? Yeah, let's hope for that this time.

And maybe some reporters who will ask questions and call bullshit. Let's try a refreshing change of pace.

Please?

Hipster Proof

2007-06-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

According to this web applet, my LastFM collection is only 21.61% mainstream.

Suck on that, hipster assholes!

Here's my top ten. The numbers are percentage of the band's LastFM 'mainstreamness', the number of other people on LastFM who listen to the band, and the weight given to the number based on the amount of times I've listened to their songs.

1. Lambchop // 5.61 % // 38,924 // 100 %
2. Fleetwood Mac // 25.13 % // 174,336 // 45 %
3. Calexico // 14.92 % // 103,489 // 42 %
4. Tom Waits // 29.77 % // 206,460 // 41 %
5. The Kinks // 31.14 % // 215,958 // 41 %
6. Gorky's Zygotic Mynci // 2.20 % // 15,255 // 37 %
7. Andrew Bird // 14.30 % // 99,162 // 32 %
8. Neko Case // 11.16 % // 77,417 // 31 %
9. Califone // 3.92 % // 27,181 // 28 %
10. Talking Heads // 31.03 % // 215,209 // 24 %

My most mainstream bands were the Beatles, Beck, R.E.M., Belle and Sebastian, and Sufjan Stevens. LEAST mainstream bands were Tim O'Brien, Andres Segovia, Howe Gelb, and Lindsey Buckingham.

I'm Older Than I've Ever Been

2007-05-18T23:21:00.000-07:00

As a preemptive, unintentional birthday present from a friend at work, I'll be spending the weekend in San Diego seeing a They Might Be Giants show. With backstage passes.

Oh, snap!

I'm heading down there with two guys on my rarely-used DnD team ... which means either my 26th year is going to be the nerdiest one yet, or I'll get it all out in the first two weekends and become suddenly adept in average social situations.

I'm hoping for the former.

Teh Qu3en hax.

2007-05-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

Courtesy John Walsh, the funniest Queen Liz 2 pic-text mashup of the year.

To the Douchebag Who Hit My Car Door and Drove Away

2007-05-05T18:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks, ass. Way to take responsibility for your actions.

Oh, and congratulations on nailing the one car in Los Angeles County that's barely ever driven.

Good Music Week Minipost

2007-05-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

MONDAY:

Saw Andrew Bird at Amoeba Records. The only L.A. show he was doing outside the Coachella sweatshop. Great, great set of mostly new stuff ... and a bit more rockin' than I was expecting. The past few times I've seen him have been solo shows; this time he had Dosh and a guitarist / bassist on stage. Still one of my favorite musicians of all time. Still 120% worth seeing if he's in your area.

WEDNESDAY:

Saw Elvis Costello & the Impostors at the Sunset Strip House of Blues. The Most. Expensive. Concert. Ticket. I've ever bought. And parking was 15 bucks. I fucking hate the Strip.

But the show was awesome. Elvis came onstage in a black suit and black sunglasses, and proceeded to rock everyone through more than two hours of songs from his enormous back catalogue and THREE encores. The Impostors were tight, and they were louder than most of the so-called rock shows I've seen. Solo acoustic version of "Alison" had the audience silent. Then he rocked everyone's face off with "Pump It Up" and "Radio, Radio." Living legend.

ALSO:

Finally bought the new Field Music and Cornelius albums. Both have been in heavy rotation this week.

That is all.

One of My New Favorite Words

2007-04-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

Contronym.

The nerds at Digg and mental_floss pointed out a type of word I never knew existed - the contronym.

It's a word that, through an odd evolution of the English language, is its own antonym. Stuff like "apology," which means both an admission of guilt and a formal defense for your actions; and "weather," which can mean both withstanding something and the act of getting worn down by something.

There's a long list of examples here. Get ready to get your mind blown.

I Am A Patron of the Arts

2007-04-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

So I *finally* went to the I am 8 Bit art show today. After 2 years of missing it, I was able to sneak in for the opening, and had a great time.

Lots of friends from work and ex-work were there, including Jon "GameJew" Mann, whose site you should frequent.

The artwork was pretty incredible across the board. Lots of great stuff in all different styles, from your standard oils and inks to sculptures and an awesome diorama of a scene from Super Ghouls and Ghosts, rendered in Mexican Day of the Dead calaveras.

Here's some lame cell phone pics of some of the ones I was digging.

Oh, and that last one? It's called 'Clash of the Titans' by Andrew Wilson. And when the show closes in mid-May, that painting is living in my apartment.

It's my first step to High Society.

I assume.

Jeremy bought five. He's way classier than I am.

Go See This

2007-04-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note.

I managed to catch a sneak preview of "Hot Fuzz" last weekend.

You.

Go see this movie.

It is awesome in every way. I'll even go out on a limb and say it's better than Shaun of the Dead.

Our Country is Not Fucked / Fucked

2007-04-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

Point A). The Supreme Court ruled the EPA is accountable for CO2 emissions, which effectively and legally declares - finally - that CO2 is a greenhouse gas. This also clears the way for the states that usually trailblaze in environmental areas - my adopted West Coast and native New England - to push for higher mileage requirements and other environmental legislation.

Score!

Point B). According to a Newsweek Poll, almost half of Americans (48%) reject evolution. Of the 34 countries, we ranked just above the bottom. Only Turkey has more fundamentalists. Way to go, guys.

Sigh.

Legiticorp Pitches MMO's

2007-03-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here's our latest AOTS sketch, following two desperate salesman from a company whose name had been floating around in my head for a little while.

I took some inspiration from an old SlowKids skit I co-wrote, and Kevin did most of the leg work on the excellent visual aids.

I hope to bring these guys back soon. Enter, Legiticorp:

EDIT: Now in sharable You-Tube format!

This Takes Some Balls

2007-03-08T22:37:00.000-08:00

... but it's so true.

Kudos to you, brave nerd!

Remember When John McCain Was A Moderate?

2007-02-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

Well, it's over. The pandering is complete, and now he's officially a Conservative Douchebag. I've never seen such a complete political turn and total selling-out of values.

He should be ashamed.

The Joy of Wii Knows No Bounds

2007-02-16T15:52:00.000-08:00

I Could Watch This All Day, Forever.

2007-02-15T20:16:00.001-08:00