I know I promised...

...but honestly, if you don't think this is totally worth it, I will refund your money for this month and give you a free 3 month subscription to Tbone's World to make up for it. I promise.

World Aids Day 2007

Today is World Aids day. While that isn't something that would typically mean a lot to many American Evangelicals, I think it's important to stop for a minute and think about the toll this disease is taking across the globe, not just within our borders. Even if it's just for today, I would encourage you to put aside your preconceived notions and try to look past the rhetoric that you may have been raised with about this disease. Think about how Jesus would respond if he were walking the streets of Haiti or Uganda...or San Francisco...or Atlanta. Here is an article about an innovative approach that one organization is using to educate people around the world.

MuteMath - Break the Same jam (Tabernacle Nov. 3)

I know I've thrown a lot of youtube at you the last couple of days...that's sort of the last retreat of a lazy blogger I suppose, but I' stumbled across some really cool stuff that last few days and I wanted to share it. This is probably the last one for a while. I was actually at this show (you may remember me mentioning something about my face being blown into little pieces and blowing around downtown Atlanta). Anyhoo, this little vignette is one of the wildest things I've ever witnessed live. I'll probably be telling my grandkids about this in 30 years. Watch closely at about the 2:20 mark of this video. You won't be sorry.

David Bazan - Live @ the Grey Eagle

Here is another little treat for all the hipsters out there. You can download David Bazan's live set from The Grey Eagle in Ashville, NC. The audio is pristine and he plays about 6 new songs on this tour. I caught it here in Atlanta a few weeks back and it was amazing. You have to download it track by track but trust me...it's well worth it. Enjoy...

David Bazan - Live!

Ninjas For Christ [NFC]

These guys are pretty rad...Christian Ninjas are the real real ultimate power

Heavenly Metal

One thing you need to know about me is that I loves me some Hair Metal. Even more then the standard bands like Poison and Motley Crue though, I love the Christian Hair Metal bands of the late 80's and early 90's. It was just so ridiculous and cheesy but it was the soundtrack of my youth. In that vein, here are a few little early christmas presents for any holy headbangers out there.


Whitecross - "We Know What's Right"


Bloodgood - "Out of the Darkness"

Who the #%%&$ does Celine Dion think she is?

So I'm watching Christmas at Rockefeller Center on NBC. Actually, I am blogging and it's on in the background and Celine Dion was like the headlining act or something. No surprise there right? Here's the thing...she's not singing a Christmas song. How freaking arrogant is that? It's a CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!!!! I don't care who you are or how many years in advance your Las Vegas show is sold out...if you're singing on Christmas at Rockefeller Center you better damn well come with some Christmas carols locked and loaded baby. Rudolph, Jingle Bells, O Holy Night...whatever. But I'm not gonna sit here and watch Celine Dion singing "Alone" in front of a Christmas tree...I'm just not.

Hawthorne Heights - This Is Who We Are

Really sad news here...the guitar player for Hawthorne Heights apparently died in his sleep over the weekend. Becuase of his job as a rock star, I'm sure there will be a lot of rumors and speculation surrounding his death. I dont't know how he died, I guess I don't really care that much. I know he was young so however he passed, it sort of seems like a waste. At the end of the day, I'm just sad...for his family, for his bandmates, for all the emo kids who really wear their hearts on their sleeves where their favorite bands are concerned and for me because I really dig Hawthorne Heights.

Just like I knew they would

Well, it took them 12 games to do it but once again the Kansas Jayhawks football team have succeeded in breaking my heart. On a national stage at Arrowhead stadium and in the most important game in the history of Kansas football, the Jayhawks simultaneously forgot how to tackle, kick field goals and run the football, all of which had been their bread and butter for the past 11 games. By the time they remembered how to play football and pulled within 6 points of the hated Missouri Tigers to make the game interesting, they just ran out of time. The worst part of all of this is that all the haters who have been talking trash all year about how the Jayhawks aren't for real, and they haven't played anybody and all that nonsense will just say "See, we told you so" and that will be that. The Jayhawks will be off the national radar and forgotten again just like they were at the start of this season. They finished the year 11-1 and still have a good shot at a BCS bowl game, but right now it just feels a little hollow because of how close they were to finishing this dream season undefeated and really making some jaws drop.

In His arms she fell...

Mr. J Medeiros is one of a growing breed of socially concious hip-hop artists who are choosing to use their craft to provoke thoughtful discussion about important issues rather than ogling women and expensive cars. This particular song and video is particularly striking as it addresses the issue of human trafficking and child exploitation via the internet. Very difficult material but kudos to him for having the courage to speak about the tough issues. For more on this issue visit International Justice Mission

I never thought I would see the day...

The Kansas Jayhawks are the #2 team in all the land...in Football. If I had told you that 6 months ago you would have punched me in the face and told me shut my damn dirty lying mouth. But it's true...and there's nothing that all the haters in purple can do about it. This is a season of destiny and if I've learned anything from TV it's that you can stop destiny.

Facebook

I know it's mostly for kids or whatever, but my old friend Brian Buller called me the other night and he said that he had a facebook account and it really started him thinking about trying to reconnect with old friends. I decided to check it out and I have to say I agree. It's pretty simple to use and I've found so many people on there that I haven't talked to in so long. You should check it out. If you sign up, let me know...I will add you as a friend. I have a special right now where I am giving 1 Schrute Buck to each person who adds me as a friend or writes on my wall. And in our current economy...that is a better deal than you'll find anywhere. You can see my profile here.

Bill Mallonee

I got to see one of my rock and roll heroes last night...Bill Mallonee (former lead singer of the now defunct Vigilantes of Love). He did this song...





Also saw this guy...Jeffrey Foucault...very cool. The vocals aren't great in this clip but you should check him out however you can.

It's all happening...

KU football is 10-0 - and still in the hunt for a national championship! Week in and week out they keep on winning and it still feels wierd for me to be saying that. If you don't believe me though, read it for yourself right here. #4 in all 3 major polls and #3 in the one that really matters...the BCS standings. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

I am not for sale. You are not for sale. No one should be for sale

There is an organization that I heard about some time back called International Justice Mission or IJM for short. IJM is dedicated to ending human trafficking and slavery around the world. This is a $30 billion a year business that is affecting over 27 million people around the globe and that includes the United States. Please take a few minutes to find out how you can help by clicking here. When Jesus talked about what we do for "the least of these" I think this is what he meant.

Great Magazine - Great Deal

Hey all - check out this great offer from Paste Magazine. If you're not aware, Paste is a music/culture/lifestyle mag that is based in Atlanta. They have their finger on the pulse of all sorts of Indie music and film (think Sufjan Stevens and Wes Anderson). Basically, they are following in the footsteps of Radiohead and offering a year subscription for...WHATEVER YOU WANT TO PAY!! You have to hurry though because this offer ends Thursday! It's a great mag...the best part is every issue comes with a free sampler CD containing music from the artists reviewed in that months issue. The CD alone is worth the cover price. I personally give this offer my "No Suck Guarantee"...and you know that's bank baby!

Zombie Survival Wallpaper

I found this handy little reference sheet at http://www.myconfinedspace.com/. If things go as badly as I think they might with this little water crisis we have going here this could come in handy.

Sign of the apocalypse...

Being a fan of Kansas football has not been easy over the years. It seems like they are constantly finding new and inventive ways to break my heart. This year is different though. They are 9-0 and put the wood to Nebraska yesterday by scoring 76 points, the most ever scored against the Cornhuskers. People actually laughed at work when I suggested (as I do every year) that this was the year that the Jayhawks would win it all. While that is still a longshot, I do have to say that I feel slightly vindicated that the national media is taking notice and starting to include the Jayhawks in the national championship discussion. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!

It's the end of the world as we know it...

Here is an interesting blog dedicated to the current drought that the southeast US is facing. Atlanta is being hit particularly hard due in part to the massive amount of urban sprawl and the unprecedented growth the city has had over the past several years. If we don't get some rain, they're saying that we're actually going to run out of water. Can you believe that?

My prediction - within 6 months everything outside the perimeter (I-285) will resemble the burned out landscape of Cormac McCarthy's post-apocalyptic vision "The Road". Everyone inside the perimeter will band together and build a wall of dishwashers and discarded toilets to keep the OTP renegades from storming their condos in Buckhead and Virginia Highlands to steal the little remaining water that is available.

I love concerts

I went last night with my friends Nate and Chris and got to check out one pretty good band and one that was absolutely amazing...

The one that was pretty good...Eisley



The one that rocked my face right off my skull and blew it into little pieces that are still probably blowing around downtown Atlanta...Mute Math

Note - the audio isn't the best in this clip but it will give you some idea of the energy at this show. Just go on Youtube and search for Mute Math - you'll find plenty

'Tis the season (almost)

I know Halloween is not even 24 hours in the grave, but I'm starting to get in the mood for Christmas already. Do yourself a big favor and click on this link to hear one of my favorite Christmas records ever. It tells the entire story including all the Old Testament stuff that sometimes gets overlooked. It's got guest vocals from Derek Webb, Jill Phillips and other notables...I love it...

http://www.andrew-peterson.com/players/btlog/beholdthelamb.html

For my very dear friend...

Enjoy...

Indian Kung Fu is the best kind...

Those silly monkeys over at Monkeysforhelping have done it again. They have presented us a deep fried, Awesome Blossom (with extra awesome) of a video clip from what appears to be the greatest film ever made by humans. I don't even know what it's called but as far as I'm concerned they should call off the Oscar race for this and all future years because it will never get any better than this.

I was in the newspaper...

I did a Google search of my name and I came across a reprint from a story in the Wichita Eagle last summer that I got quoted in. I talked to this reporter for an hour and she printed 2 lines of what I said. Oh well, I guess you have to start somewhere.

It's a pretty good article anyway...

http://cohanj.googlepages.com/Hardcore_night.pdf

Was Anyone Surprised By This?

I know this is kind of old news now, but when you heard it, didn't it just seem like the most natural thing in the world? Like curling up with an old blanket and a good book.

Kid Rock arrested in Waffle House brawl
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21411386

The Left Coast...

I took my first trip out to the West Coast this week...San Francisco (Napa) to be exact. It was really beautiful there...weather was great. I tasted some Napa Valley wine which lived up to it's reputation. (I'm not a connoisseur but it tasted fine to me). I also got to see the Golden Gate bridge (from the Bay bridge) and saw Alcatraz from a distance. A couple of things of note:

1. Apparently San Francisco has a thriving gay population. Am I the only one who didn't know this? I'm usually pretty aware of culture issues, but this one really blindsided me.
2. The traffic is worse than Atlanta. It took me 2 and a half hours to drive 60 miles from Napa to San Fran.
3. Downtown is very cool...I went to a party at a joint called the Thirsty Bear and it was really cool. Lots of hipsters.
4. Tax software conferences are boring even in California.

So that's the trip report. I don't think I'm going to be travelling for a while so this will probably be my last travelogue for a bit. I'm sure I'll find other things to write about though.

Just in time for Halloween...

There's this band I really dig called Demon Hunter. I got to see them a few years ago in Wichita and it was a really heavy, energetic show. It was sort of my introduction to this musical genre they call hardcore. It's definitely not for everyone, but for those of us who it makes sense to, a new Demon Hunter CD is like an early Christmas present. Check out their new video...

What up party people?

Hey...it's been a while since we talked. That's my fault. I have this recurring case of blogslack that keeps me from posting with any consistency. I guess I'm sorta like that old boyfriend that only calls like 2 or 3 times a year and it's usually really late and he's probably a little drunk and just feeling like leaving you was the biggest mistake he ever made. He just knows that if you gave him another chance that you guys could make it work because deep inside you both know that you were made for each other and in some way it's just wrong for you not to be together and if you're not together he'll never have balance. Not with himself...not with his martial arts career...not with anything. Anyway...I think your phone is ringing...and I think we both know who it is. Go ahead...answer it...for both of our sakes.

When did Jody Foster turn 80?

Part Of A Balanced Diet...

So I'm on my lunch break here in the coal mines...I have pizza, Doritos and M&M's. I realized that apparently this is what happens when I pack my own lunch. When my wife makes my lunch, I usually have at least a piece of fruit or a granola bar, something that is remotely healthy. That is not the case when I am left to my own devices. This is like Macaulay Culkin's first meal when he realized he'd been left home alone. I hope I don't get a tummy ache...

My phone is broken...

Here is an unfortunate little piece of irony considering my last post...my cell phone is now dead. Not just mostly dead either...all the way digits up. It spent about 2 hours last night soaking in pool of insect spray that had leaked onto the kitchen counter where my phone was sitting. Needless to say, I don't think even the mighty Motorola Razr was designed with that in mind. Even more reason for you to read my last post and help me get my iPhone. In the meantime, if you need to reach me you'll have to call me at home...

I need your help...

I'm not usually one for asking my friends and family to do things for me but I really want an iPhone and since I don't have $400 to spend on a phone, I think this is the best way for me to get it. There is a website called Yourfreeistuff.com. Normally I would assume something like this was a scam, but I actually have some experience with stuff like this and last time I did this I got an Xbox 360 out of the deal.

Here's what I need from you. I have to refer 8 people to this site and I need them to complete 1 offer. Just one offer from 8 people means I get a brand new iPhone. These are not hard offers to complete either...it's things like signing up for a free trial at Netflix or Blockbuster.com. If you're a gamer, you can sign up for a free 7 day trial of Gamefly.com. It's all pretty basic, and if you work it right, it shouldn't even end up costing you anything. Here's the thing, and this is absolutely critical...if you're going to do this you have to use this link -

http://www.YourFreeiStuff.com/index.php?ref=4087516

If you don't use this link I don't get credit and you signed up for Netflix for nothing.

I'm even going to sweeten the deal a little here...you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Since I'm sure you'll want to cash in on your free ipod or iphone or one of the other goodies on this site, send me your referral link and I will sign up for an offer for you!

Lets make this happen!

Lion + Buffalo + Crocodile = AWESOME!!!

This is one of the most incredible clips I've ever seen. It's a little long but believe me... it pays off in the end.

I was there...

The Human Bobblehead hit another one out last night...as evidenced in this picture I was there to witness #759

Proud To Be From Wichita

Here's a story that paints the good folks of my hometown in a very flattering light...yikes.

The new Grand Theft Auto game looks absolutely awesome. We can debate the ultimate effect of violent video games on our culture, but there is no denying that on an artistic level this looks like it will be one of the more visually spectacular games ever. Here's a couple of game trailors for you to ogle.

Trailer #1


Trailer #2 - "Looking For That Special Someone"

I waaaaaaaaaaant this!!!!!

I don't care that it costs $600...the iPhone has thrown me into a full on case of green-eyed gadget-lust. My inner nerd wet his pants when he saw this video.

Love This Podcast...

If you're not listening to the Relevant Podcast you really should be. My friend NateDogg told me about this a few months back and I've been a faithful listener ever since...very funny and informative stuff.

Greatest Rap Name Ever

It's a shame that the first time I heard of this guy was reading about his death. He had what is probably the best rap name I've ever heard...Stack Bundles.

Btw - if you're keeping score at home...this is my 100th post since T-Bones world moved to Blogger.com over 2 years ago. It took me waaaaaaay too long to get here.

Greatest Stunt Ever...

First...I straight up stole this clip from Monkeysforhelping...but if that gets you to their site to enjoy all the twisted hilarity then my sin is not so grievous.

And now...Chiranjeevi, the King of Tollywood

David Bazan is a National Treasure

This guy is just the best songwriter alive...I got to see him in Nashville a few weeks ago and he blew me away.

Really Jimmy? Really?

I think this is hilarious...sort of like OJ Simpson lecturing someone on how wrong it is to kill people. At a certain point, when you've more or less gotten away with something and society has either forgiven you or forgotten how bad you were, it's time to just shut up and ride off into the sunset. Probably not a good idea to invite people to start coming up with their top 5 lists of worst president ever when you're certain to be in the top 2 or 3.

Carter says Bush's administration "Worst in history"

The Rent

Will Ferrell is a genius...I submit this video as evidence of that fact. (If you are offended by a small baby using PG13 level swear words you might want to skip this...but otherwise proceed and enjoy)

Where's the Rent?

RIP Jerry

Here's a great blog post on the passing of Jerry Falwell...

http://www.thelongbrake.com/blog/

It seemed like I found myself agreeing with him less and less as I got older but never doubted that he loved God will all of his heart. I wonder how our world would be different today if he had played baseball instead of going to Bible college.

Catching up...

Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea...I can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted. I have had a severe case of blogslack lately. I'll spare the usual excuses and just get right back into providing the high quality content you've come to expect from T-bones World. These first few posts may seem a little muddled because I'm going to be cramming 3 weeks worth of stuff into them. Bear with me as a I blow the carbon out of the lines a bit here.

First things first...My birthday has now come and gone and I am still standing. My aching back can attest to the fact that I have indeed survived to the ripe old age of 32. As far as presents go...I got a new Wichita State hoody from my mom which I loved. Spring and summer in Atlanta aren't really sweatshirt weather but you can believe I'll be busting that out come October. The big present for me was a new Zune. I was going to get some new ink done but I decided to wait until Christmas so I can have my guy in Wichita do it for me. Anyway, so far I really dig the Zune. If you don't know, it's basically Microsoft's version of the video Ipod. It's got ample storage and plays music, video, shows pictures, etc. My only complaint so far is that there isn't really a good source of video content for it right now. For instance, I can't download an episode of The Office from iTunes to my Zune and right now Microsoft's Music Marketplace doesn't offer video, but I'm betting that will change later this year. I got the Zune because I'm a big fan of the subscription music model which lets me pay $15 a month and I can download all the music I want to rather then paying by the drink at iTunes.

The other big deal is that my brother is flying into the ATL on Sunday to spend a couple of days with me. We're driving up to Nashville to see Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and David Bazan (Pedro the Lion). As Barney Stinson would say "It's gonna be legendary ."

Million Dollar Baby

Carrying Cathy

Way back in the early days of T-Bones World I posted this little Flash movie about a couple of hamsters. It's set to one of my favorite Ben Fold songs called "Carrying Cathy". I'm posting it again because I still think it's a really cool little piece of art.

http://www.thesuburbs.org.uk/features/hamsters/

I Got This Email Yesterday...

My friend Nate forwarded this email to me yesterday...really interesting stuff especially if you're familiar at all with Dobson's position on environmental issues.

From: Bob Darden <wittenburgdoor@wittenburgdoor.com>
Date: April 1, 2007 12:28:07 AM EDT
To: np****@mac.com
Subject: A special e-mail from Wittenburg Door Senior Editor Robert Darden

We have tweaked our friend the Rev. James Dobson pretty regularly in the past, particular for his involvement in politics. And when Dr. Dobson called for the resignation of the Rev. Richard Cizik, president for the National Association of Evangelicals because he believed that Cizik was spending too much time worrying about global warming and not enough time spent on “core” Religious Right issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriages, we gigged him pretty hard then, too.

However, we received this e-mail this morning from Dobson’s Focus on the Family ministry and we think it is a remarkable document. It is probably the most honest, most revealing statement ever made by the normally carefully controlled Dobson.

So, in the spirit of Christian reconciliation, we’re making available Dr. Dobson’s complete statement, without editorial comment. (If you would like to send Dr. Dobson an e-mail of support for his courageous reassessment, we’ve kept his contact information at the end of his statement.)
Perhaps he should rename it FICUS on the Family
– Robert Darden, Senior Editor

Colorado Springs, CO – Dear friends and supporters:
Since my ill-advised attack on my dear friend Dick Cizik a few days ago, I have had an extraordinary week of reflection and spiritual enlightenment.

Through the counsel of godly men, such as the Rev. Dr. Jack Hayford, the Rev. Rick Warren, Richard Stearns (President, World Vision), David Neff (Editor, Christianity Today) and other members of The Evangelical Climate Initiative (http://www.christiansandclimate.org/), I’ve come to see that my assessment of Dick’s motives and, in fact, “global warming,” have been in error as well.

I have been guilty of a particularly pernicious form of short-sighted Dispensationalism, believing that since the earth has no future with the blessed Second Coming nigh, we, as Christians, have no responsibility to care for Creation.

Through loving testimony, instruction and careful study of the Bible with these and other mentors, I no longer believe that Dick is – as I said earlier, much to my regret -- guilty of a “relentless campaign” to save the planet at the expense of what I called more “serious” issues, such as same-sex marriage. I see now that I have strictly exploited those issues and others like them to manipulate my audience and as a calculated and callous form of fund-raising.

As part of my penance for my unmerited attacks on a courageous, godly man, I have initiated contact with both the Rev. Jerry Falwell and Don Wildmon, with the earnest desire to convince them of the error of their ways as well. While both continue to condemn what they call “earthism worship,” I will continue to pray that this revelation will be made available to them as well.

As for the rest of my penance, I will devote the rest of my career – however long the Lord sees fit to continue in this capacity – to working with my Christian brothers and sisters to insure that all life on the planet, God’s first and greatest gift to us, is protected and cherished.

God bless you all,

Jim Dobson
Focus on the Family
8605 Explorer Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80995
1-800-232-6459
www.family.org

The Googe

I heard about this on the Relevant podcast (which is hilarious by the way...if you're not listenting to it you really should be.) The almighty Google had a little bit of a screw up on Valentines day. They misspelled their own name as you can see from the picture below.

I am using this forum to further the idea that was presented in that podcast that "Googe" should now be used as a verb that would be synonymous with screwing up. The proper pronunciation is 'Gooj' or 'Goojed' in the past tense. Used in a sentence - "Dude you totally you googed that" or "It was so hilarious when Google googed up their own name". Pass this on...it's important work that we're doing here.

Jesus Wasn't a White, Middle Class Republican...

Here is a link to a story in USA Today about former Caedmon's Call singer/songwriter Derek Webb. Some good press for a modern day evangelical visionary...

American Idol vs. Bob Jones University

If you keep up with pop culture at all you probably heard that Chris Sligh became the latest American Idol casualty this week. You may know Chris as the chubby, bespectacled kid with the Sideshow Bob style curly hair. There was some buzz around him in Christian circles because a couple of his early song choices (including DC Talk and Mute Math) indicated that he might be (gasp) a "Christian Rocker". More details began to emerge, including quotes from his pastor and other folks who listen to him play in the worship band at his church every week. For me, the plot began to thicken when I learned that he was an alumnus of good ol' Bob Jones University, that southern stalwart of old-school fundamentalist seclusion. By the grace of almighty God, I did not attend BJU, but having known some who have and having attended summer camp for many years at one of their indoctrination centers (ok, that may be a little harsh...sorry), I am familiar with their beliefs and rules. It turns out our friend Mr. Sligh was dismissed from BJU one semester shy of graduation. His offense? He attended a concert by a contemporary Christian group called 4Him. Now, for those of you not familiar with 4Him's work, they are the CCM equivalent of Barry Manilow. The kind of plain vanilla, unoffensive music that your church secretary probably listens to. Not something that you would really expect to be kicked out of college for, but this is Bob Jones University we're talking about. Little known fact...BJU is actually one of the 3 holiest places on earth. What are the other 2 you ask? Jerusalem and Pensacola, Fl. So anyway, that was a really long introduction to what I really wanted to post today. When I found out that Chris Sligh got kicked out of BJU for attending a 4Him concert, my first thought was "Wow...if the people at Bob Jones will expel you for listening to 4Him, I'll bet they REEEEEALLLY don't like Demon Hunter". So with that said...here are a couple of my faves for you to enjoy.

God's Gonna Cut You Down...

Another great song from the Man in Black...

The Only Tournament Greater Than March Madness...

You guessed it...the All Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament. This is one of the greatest scenes of all time. This little gem was nestled deep in the vines of my mind grapes until I ran across it on Monkeysforhelping last month.

Kreese: "Sweep the leg...You have a problem with that?"
Johnny: "No Sensei"
Kreese: "No Mercy

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!



And as if that scene wasn't filled with enough karate choppin' goodness for you...here is the scene that played on a continous loop in my house until the J-tard and myself literally wore the tape out. I love this so hard...to this day I do not understand how Joe Esposito was not rocketed to superstar status on the basis of this song alone.

The More You Know...

Check out this PSA for some hard core hip hop...I hope for the sake of rappers everywhere this tool was gunned down outside of Hot 97 (or stabbed at the Source Awards). I'm sure when he was just a young b-boy dreaming of gangsta rap stardom that this is exactly what he had in mind. While his peers were rapping about the perils of the thug life, this cat is laying down monster rhymes about copyright law.

Why You Shouldn't Do Drugs

When did Eddie Van Halen turn into a skeezed out meth-head? I mean I knew the guy liked to party but this is ridonculous. He looks like the cryptkeeper after a week long bender of gas rags and gut punches. I'm glad to hear he's getting help...

Movie Spoilers

There are so many classic movies out there that I either haven't had or made time to see over the years that I was glad to see this little piece by Steven Leckert in this months Wired magazine. Just read through this list and save yourself some time. Since this is a list of "spoilers" you are reading at your own risk, don't get mad at me if you find out something you don't want to know.


Vader is Luke's dad -- The Empire Strikes Back
Rosebud was his sled -- Citizen Kane
She's her sister and her daughter -- Chinatown
Norman is the killer (in drag) -- Psycho
Verbal is Keyser Soze -- The Usual Suspects
Doc is dead -- The Sixth Sense
Earth, in the future -- Planet of the Apes
Dog gets put down -- Old Yeller
Soylent Green is people! -- Soylent Green
He dumps her -- Gone With the Wind
Life is a simulation (whoa) -- The Matrix
Husband is in on it -- Rosemary's Baby
She is a he -- The Crying Game
Dave disconnects HAL -- 2001: A Space Odyssey
Split personality -- Fight Club
Citizens paint town red -- High Plains Drifter
Wife's head in box -- Se7en
Maggie shot Mr. Burns -- The Simpsons
Mistress shot J. R. -- Dallas
Laura Palmer's father did it -- Twin Peaks
Double suicide -- Romeo and Juliet
42 -- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Boys are rescued -- Lord of the Flies
Whale destroys boat, lives -- Moby-Dick
Shark destroys boat, killed -- Jaws
He buries himself -- The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Gatsby is murdered -- The Great Gatsby
A-P-P-L-E -- The Da Vinci Code
John commits suicide -- Brave New World
Burned books are memorized -- Fahrenheit 451
Mark Felt is Deep Throat -- Watergate
Greek soldiers in horse -- The Trojan War
Samus Aran is a woman -- Metroid
Prisoner is saved -- The Pit and the Pendulum
She's an actress -- Lonelygirl15
They're all in on it -- Murder on the Orient Express
There is no Santa -- Christmas

Trogdor

If you're awesome then you already known about Homestarrunner.com. If you'd like to be awesome, stop reading now and proceed immediately to that site. After you've stopped laughing 2 or 3 days from now, report back to this blog and continue reading.

ok...for those of you still with me, if you're looking for a new ringtone for that fancy new cellphone you just got, you could do worse than this little number right here. Direct from everyone's favorite psychopathic luchador Strongbad...I give you Trogdor.

Incidentally, you can find this and other free ringtones at Ringtonesoup. It's kinda rad to not have to pay $3 for a new tone when you get tired of hearing Jay-Z every time one of your peeps calls.

Sorry...

For anyone who's tried to read my blog over the past week or so I apologize for it not being available. I bought a domain name (it's a long story) and I thought since I have it I might as well use it instead of the standard blahblah.blogspot.com address. At any rate, the doorknobs in tech support over at Hostgator.com could not seem to figure out how to create a new dns entry for me to point my newly purchased domain name to Googles DNS server. After about 10 emails I finally just said screw it...I'll go back to my other domain name. So I'm back...thanks for your patience.

More Little Superstar

Not only does Little Superstar dance like a total pimp, it appears that he can hold his own in a slap fight as well. I found the translation for the dialogue on Wikipedia but it's not really necessary. Movies this good stand on their own.



Thavakalai (Little Superstar): Boss, you shouldn't bother for this small matter. I'll take care of this with my hands.

Rajinikanth (pimp on the daybed): Right.

(Thavakalai clambers up a person's tie and starts slapping him)

Thavakalai: Boss, how (am I doing)?

Rajinikanth: Great!

Rajinikanth: That's enough. He's going to die (at this rate).

(Thavakalai lets go of tie and returns back to cot)

Rajinikanth: Now then, is what he dished out enough for you, or do you want me to give you some more?

Little Superstar

It only makes sense I guess...I love Bollywood...I love midgets...I love breakdancing. I guess it was just a matter of time before Little Superstar danced his way right into my widdle heart.



Much love to Recon over at Monkeysforhelping for bringing Little Superstar into my life.

*********UPDATE************

For those who are interested, I tracked down the translation for this clip. Again, it's not really required for full enjoyment but I was curious so here's what I found (courtesy of Wikipedia)

Mother: Hey, hey. What's with the party this early in the morning. Everyone leave, shoo, shoo. (Speaking to Rajinikanth, who's lying on the cot) Why not get some rest, honey. Go ahead and rest.

Rajinikanth (Pimp on bed): All right (lights up a beedi).

Thavakalai (Little Superstar): Boss, give me a beedi.

Rajinikanth: Hey! Little kids shouldn't smoke.

Thavakalai: Brother, I'm ten years older than you, you know. You should give it to me.

Rajinikanth: And if I don't...?

Thavakalai: I'll skin you alive.

Rajinikanth: Here you go

Speaking from the Heart

This is a little long but it's really worth watching. It's easy to make fun of people like Brittany Spears and Lindsay Lohan and just sort of revel in the schadenfreude of their respective train wrecks/lives. Late night talk show host Craig Ferguson calls a bit of a time out here from everyone who is piling on Brittany and stops to remember for a second that at the end of the day we're talking about a 25 year old mother of 2 babies who, as he rightly states "clearly needs help". This is a rare TV moment of what appears to be genuine empathy by a late night host who really seems to be a class act. Kudos to Mr. Ferguson for having the courage to show a little kindness.

Write-Your-Own-Episode of 24

If you're anything like me, you love 24. You love everything about it. You love the explosions. You love the gunplay. You love the way Jack Bauer can kill a terrorist with his hands tied behind his back by ripping the bad guys throat out with his bare teeth. The trouble is, even with all the re-runs in syndication now, you can just never get enough. So I came up with a solution. By simply using the tools that I have provided here in this quick reference, now you can write your own episode of the Emmy Winning television juggernaut that is 24. No more waiting for Monday evening to roll around to get your Jack Bauer fix. Now when you start jonesing you can just look at this list and roll your own so to speak. For even more fun - enlist your friends to play your favorite 24 character (you get to be Jack of course, but get your cousin Lucille to play Chloe and that weird guy you see at the library all the time to sit in as CTU chief Bill Buchanan and you are in business my friend.)

Write your own Episode of 24 (starter kit)

"Get me the White House"
"That's not good enough Bill"
"Chloe, it's Jack"
"Bill, it's Jack"
"Bill Buchanan speaking"
"I'M A FEDERAL AGENT"
"DROP YOUR WEAPON"
"DAMMIT"
"SONOFABI**H"
"Send the data to my PDA"
"Chloe, I need you to monitor this location"
"I need a TAC team now"
"I don't have time to explain"
"Mr. President you have to trust me"
"Thousands of people are going to die IF YOU DON'T START TALKING TO ME RIGHT NOW"
"Jack, I'm sending a schematic of the buildings ventilation system to your PDA"
"This is Chloe O'Brien at CTU."
"I need to speak to the President"
"Jack, I'm so glad you're OK"
"We're running out of time Jack"
"Nukes"
"Biological Weapons"
"Chloe, how long 'til we establish satellite coverage of the area?"
"Terrorists"
"Chloe, I need you to set up a priority one channel with the White House"
"It's encrypted Jack"
"There was an explosion but we were able to salvage a hard drive from one of the terrorists laptops"
"BILL I NEED THAT CHOPPER STAT"
"Take her back to CTU and debrief her"
"The image is still rendering Jack...I need 5 more minutes"
"I don't want to hurt you but I will if I have to"


A few things to keep in mind when you're writing your episode...

1. Keifer Sutherland is contractually obligated to shout at least 80% of his lines per episode. Sometimes this may mean yelling during the course of a normal conversation.
2. Don't get bogged down by notions of "believability" or "reality" - they will only detract from the story.
3. Jack Bauer doesn't say goodbye when he ends a phone conversation. He must sign off all communications with the more official sounding "copy that". It's most effective if he can shout it into the phone as he's jumping into or out of a helicopter.
4. The mundane details that plague our lives have no bearing on Jack Bauer in his world. Do not concern yourself with things like eating, sleeping, using the bathroom or cell phone battery life.
5. Geographic proximity is of no consequence. Even in a city the size of Los Angeles there will always be a CTU helicopter within 3 minutes of Jack's location. In a worst case scenario, you can substitute the chopper for a fleet of SUV's. In those situations, you are permitted to extend the ETA to 5 minutes.
6. Finally, feel free to kill off anyone you wish (except for Jack of course). If you like, you can always bring them back later under the guise that they were not actually killed at all but were in fact able to escape just in time. As a reference point, see Secretary of Defense James Heller in Season 5. In fact, it's a good practice to randomly kill off a major character at least once or twice per season. It keeps all the plain bellied sneeches out there in TV land guessing.

Paris Hilton looks bored at Vienna's Opera Ball

From our Stop the Presses file...

Paris Hilton looks bored at Vienna's Opera Ball
She could have danced all night. Instead, she stifled yawns. Hotel heiress/reality TV star Paris Hilton certainly didn't look like she was having a ball Thursday night at the Vienna Opera Ball, Austria's society event of the year.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17183129/from/ET/

Breaking News - Lawyer says Anna Nicole Smith has died after collapsing in Florida

What a long, freaky, tragic trip this has been...

From: MSNBC Breaking News [mailto:MSNBC_BreakingNews_NewsMail@MSNBC.COM]

Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 3:51 PM
To: BREAKINGNEWS@LISTS.MSNBC.COM
Subject: Breaking News - Lawyer says Anna Nicole Smith has died after
collapsing in Florida

MSNBC Breaking News: Lawyer says Anna Nicole Smith has died after
collapsing in Florida

Find out more at http://breakingnews.msnbc.com

======================================================
See the top news of the day at MSNBC.com, and the latest from Today Show
and NBC Nightly News.

In the Spirit of the Season

Since we're closing in on Super Bowl Sunday I thought I would post a couple of golden oldies that I ran across today. I haven't seen these in a couple of years but they still make me giggle like a schoolgirl...there's just something about seeing office workers get clobbered that just makes my day.

More great covers...

After my post earlier this week about cover songs I started thinking about other songs that I would put on the list of my favorites. Here is an expanded list in no particular order:

1. The Fugees - Killing Me Softly (Roberta Flack)
2. Nirvana - Man Who Sold the World (David Bowie)
3. Dave Matthews - All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix) - Dylan wrote it, Hendrix immortalized it
4. Matchbox 20 - Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper) Incidentally, I saw them perform this live and it was one of the best live songs I've ever heard.
5. Cake - I will Survive (Gloria Gainer)
6. DJ Sammy - Heaven (Bryan Adams)
7. Chris Cornell - Billie Jean (Michael Jackson) - For what it's worth, this is probably the best/most interesting cover I've heard in years.

What??

Someone at on a conf call I'm on just said "I think it's important that we're all using the same suppository". I'm pretty sure she meant repository...otherwise, I have to say that I don't think I agree with that. Not even a little bit.

Peace,

T

Musical Pet Peeve

There's a phenomenon on the radio these days that really bothers me (and no I'm not talking about Gwen Stefani...or the Black Eyed Peas). Last night I was driving home from dinner with the fam and I'm scanning the dial and I come across what I think is "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder. (I will save for another post on another day how much I loathe this song and the band of foul miscreants who have foisted it upon us.) I had been around the horn 2 or 3 times and hadn't found anything better so I thought "I'll just bear down and get through the last half of this song and maybe something good will come on after this". What I began to notice though was that although the song still sucked mightily (and believe me...this song is the suckiest suck that has ever sucked), it sucked in a slightly different, slightly twangier fashion. As I continued to listen, the feeling of horror that crept over me was indescribable. It slowly dawned on me that what I was hearing was actually a country version of the aforementioned Hinder crapsterpiece.

Now don't get me wrong...I love cover songs. When one artist sings a song made popular by another artist and does it with style and originality I think that's awesome. An artist may make an unexpected song choice that forces you to re-examine the song in a different context (think Johnny Cash's amazing rendition of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails). When a cover song is done properly I don't think there is any higher musical compliment. (As a point of reference check out Goldfinger's version of "99 Red Balloons", The Presidents of the United States of America doing "Video Killed the Radio Star" or My Chemical Romance's cover of Queen's "Under Pressure"). But I think there is a big difference between a band doing an interesting cover song and this type of shameless cross promoting that is about nothing but revenue dollars and market penetration.

As much as I hate Hinder (and believe me...I do) it's not like this is all their fault. Some weaselly record exec figured out at some point that the label owns the songs and that that they can record different versions of the songs and expose them to an entirely different market segment to generate more dollars...clearly at the expense of the band's artistic integrity. It's not like Hinder is the first band to do it either...There was a country version of Aerosmith's monster ballad "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" that was out at the same time as the original song. "I Can Love You Like That" was also done by country singer John Michael Montgomery and boy band All-4-One. I guess my point is that I think it would be one thing for an artist of any genre to look at a song and think that they can maybe offer a different interpretation or put their own spin on it or maybe even just say "I like this song...I want to sing it". That would be fine. That's not what's happening here though. This is not tribute to another artists song...it's musical prostitution. It's a record label whoring out their artists material for a few more dollars. It's the worst type of sell-out and it makes me sick.

The Ring - recut

I love these video mashups where they recut a movie trailer and make it look like something it's not. This is a new one that turns The Ring into a heart wrenching family drama.

Newsflash...The Office is a funny show

A cutting from a recent episode of The Office:

Jim: "Ryan...wanna help me pull a prank on Andy?"
Ryan: "Umm...not right now, but ask me again 10 years ago"
(long pause)
Jim: "I liked you better when you were a temp"
Ryan: "So did I"

Aaaaaand scene....

Me and my girl...

N4L

Here's a picture of me with my homies... Jdubz and Darkness

Dancing Machine

This dude loves him some Razorback football...I don't know if it's "real" or if it was totally staged for Youtube but at any rate...I love it.

Can you imagine?

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24 KJV)

Oops! (Parental Advisory - Language)

I normally would try to avoid posting a video with this kind of language in it but since 1) this is from my hometown news station (KSNW Channel 3 in Wichita) and 2) I'm a sucker for talking heads who say things they shouldn't when they think their mikes are off I've decided to go ahead and share it. Maybe this was big news in Wichita...I heard about it all the way out here in the ATL so it's certainly making the rounds. Basically, this is video of a local sportscaster who has had enough of a series of technical difficulties and lets fly the dirtiest of the 7 words you can't say on TV.

American History X

I just finished watching American History X a few minutes ago. I've seen it before so I was only going to watch a few minutes of it but it's such a riveting movie I ended up watching the whole thing. If you've never seen it, be warned - it is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It is vile and brutally graphic in its depictions of the white power movement and of life in prison. It is full of the most profane and hateful speech you can image. The images presented in this movie are among the most disturbing I've seen and they won't soon leave you when the film is done. With all of that said, it is still one of the most powerful and compelling movies I've ever seen. Edward Norton is a genius of an actor and his portrayal of the transformation of the films central character is absolutlely mesmerising. For those who look for a spiritual context in the movies they watch, there is plenty to choose from here. Some of the films central themes include the sins of the father (or in this case the brother acting as the father figure) being visited upon the children, the futility of hate and reaping what you sow just to name a few. It obviously isn't for everyone, but I think that there are movies that shouldn't be watched for simple enjoyment (think Saving Private Ryan). They are harsh and ugly and hard to look at, but so is the reality of what they are portraying. American History X is an unflinching stare into the ugly face of racism in America. It's a film that needs to be seen.

Kansas

Things I don't miss about Kansas:
1. Spangles Commercials
2. Raging wind

Things I miss about Kansas:
1. Everything else

New POD Video

I don't plan for every one of my posts to be just a link to some video...that's pretty lame. That said...I saw this video by POD today and had to post it. I LOVE THIS BAND. I can't wait for the new record...enjoy.

In the words of my youngest son...this song makes my pants wiggle