Absolutely Unique

Have you ever sat in traffic listening to your favorite CD and wondered "is anyone else in the world sitting in their car listening to this exact song at this exact moment?" What are the chances?

Well there are nearly a billion cars on the roads of the world and, assuming that your favorite CD is at least a gold record, one million of those cars could contain that CD. Even if only one tenth of those CDs made it into cars, and only one one hundredth of the cars containing the CD are currently being driven, that's still 1,000 cars simultaneously being operated with the potential of listening to your same song. That's not terrible odds... of course you could add levels of complication like "...driving a Buick with a busted front end and heading North by Northwest while listening to..." and make the odds go way down.

There are also times when what you are doing is so strange that the question becomes "has anyone in history ever done this?" (which, by the way, if you can immediately, with confidence, say 'I am the first', you should probably stop right then... there's probably a good reason why no one else has done it). Some people get this feeling when walking on freshly fallen snow. I hate to burst your bubble but that snow has been walked on, peed on, sweated out of someones forehead, evaporated, shaken off a wet dog, boiled, drunk, and spit out millions of times over thousands of years. I, however, did something yesterday that has never been done before. I didn't realize I had done it till after the fact, but I am convinced that my actions were unique across time, space, and multiple duplicate dimensions; I watched the film The Remains of the Day while wearing a Bruce Lee t-shirt.

Let that soak in.

You might be tempted to think that it's not really that strange. I assure you, it is. You think, "well, I'm sure some random guy wearing a Bruce Lee t-shirt could have, spur-of-the-moment, decided to walk into the theater." But no, that never happened. I am the first, and may well be the last. I am a unique individual dang it.

PostPost: The image at the top has nothing to do with this blog entry.

Real Art

One of my favorite conversations to have with Nate is pondering the questions "What is Art?" Nate has what I would call a very closed view, basically if it is not paint (or ink or conté or the like) and if it does not possess some element of beauty, it is not art thus tossing out photography but not sculpture, that's art too. Okay, so it's an oversimplification of his position, but it's why we can have this conversation more than once.

So is the woman in the video above an 'artist'? She did scribble some stuff on paper and scan it in to her computer, but her 'art' is computer code with video driven user input. It's cool looking, it might even be beautiful, but is it art? What do you all think?

Tara and Bella

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Uprising

Check out this promo for the ABC show 'V.' If you like the Muse song you'll like the music video set to the film Equilibrium (over on my blog - contains scenes of violence).

David Byrne Interviews … David Byrne

This is a comical interview of David Byrne (Talking Heads) by David Byrne. I think the best interview answer ever is his "I'll tell you later."



Also, if anyone has this concert DVD and would let me borrow it, that would be awesome:

Don't Give Up On Your Dreams

We truly live in the land of opportunity. This is a country where anything is possible, where men and women overcome insurmountable odds to achieve their dreams.

Why then are so many of us asking the highest ranking member of this society to give up on his lifelong aspiration? We say; "everywhere that Socialism has been tried, it has utterly failed!" We list off the countries; China, The Soviet Union, Cuba, Canada, etc. and point out the poverty, the suffering and the corruption that has followed these Socialist experiments...

What are we, a bunch of quitters? This, I think, is false modesty. Do we really believe that we are not far better than any of those other countries? If anyone can do it, we can. We put a man on the moon, more than one actually, over 40 years ago! Isn't it about time for another milestone? What if Franklin, Edison or Einstein had thrown up their arms and said; "It just can't be done!"?

It is patently unfair to deny our President from fulfilling his destiny. Who are we to deprive him his place in history as the man who finally made Socialism work?

Thank You Hulu

TV Shows

I'm sure to Mom's surprise, one of the most influential shows of my childhood was a show that I never remember watching. We grew up watching --- sometimes against the rules --- shows like GI Joe, Square One, Murder She Wrote, Perry Mason, This Old House (Mom's 'show') and others. Going back and watching these shows is always bitter sweet (except for Perry Mason which is still as good today as it was when it was made). Shows like, forgive me Peter, MacGyver have simply not stood the test of time. I watched an episode of Night Rider a while back and almost cried it was so bad. I would suggest that these shows are often so bad it might be a good idea to never go back and re-watch them. It's better for me to know that the new GI Joe movie is pure crap and believe that the real GI Joe movie (the animate one) was pure cinematic excellence instead of putting on the old movie and realizing it wasn't quite the same as I remembered.

So what show could live up to my memory. For years I have made references to a show that Mom used to watch. I knew it was about Vietnam and I knew, more vividly than anything else, that the theme music was Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones. Still every time I hear that song I see helicopters flying over a jungle (the only clip I could remember ever seeing from the intro or the show). We weren't aloud to watch, but I couldn't help hearing. That song, the twangy guitar, the beating drums, that song, beyond it's words, beyond it's intended meaning is Vietnam to me. And beyond that, not knowing what branch of the military the show was about, to me that song is about Marines. I remember Pop being away from home a lot when we were kids, away on a ship, away in the field. Paint it Black, that haunting song from the lips of Mick Jagger, that song was a lullaby for me, maybe not as much as Africa by Toto was, but in the black of night I knew that the show was about Pop, and that when the show was over he was coming home.

Nam: Tour Of Duty:

Animal Noises

Most of you know that Daniel loves making animal noises, some of his best have been the horse, a pig, and the turtle ("doggle doggle"?). Anyhow, neither Michal nor I know where he learned this one:

Thanksgiving--not from scratch

Everyone is invited to come to Maryland for Thanksgiving dinner. Let me qualify that. I assume only family members are reading this blog. All the members of our family are welcome for Thanksgiving dinner. If you are reading this and would like to come, but are not a family member, let me know!

Anyway family--there are three things I want you to know (or to know from you).

First, this Thanksgiving dinner will not be entirely from scratch. I usually try to fix a home-made dinner (although I usually do use instant potatoes unless Peter is here), and I usually do the preparation all myself. But, this year I am certain that that much preparation would wear me out. So, I'm making it simple and making it easy. [However, be reassured, roasting a turkey is both simple and easy so there will be a real roasted turkey at the table.] I am accepting help of whatever sort is offered--from decorating the table, to doing the dishes, to bringing pie or cranberry sauce or appetizers. If you are coming and want to help, simply respond with a comment telling what you will do or bring.

Second, please Rsvp ASAP. If you are not coming for Thanksgiving but plan to come for Christmas, please let me know. If you are coming for Thanksgiving, but not for Christmas, please let me know. If you are unable to come for either holiday, please let me know. If you are coming for both--hurrah! This will aid me in completing my Christmas shopping.

Also, by way of reminder, I have declared that the gift exchange this year will include all individuals and families. Secrecy has been sacrificed for the sake of inclusivity. (I may have made up that word, but I thought its consonance sounded awesome in that sentence.) Let me remind you that Peter (and crew) have been assigned to buy/make a gift for Elisabeth, Matt and Emily have William, Ben (et al) have Jesse, Jon has Peter and family, Nate has Matt and Emily....just continue on down the line. Letting me know your holiday plans here will also allow all the others to know whether to send a gift or give it in person. If you need further information contact me directly.

Looking forward to a wonderful autumn and happy holidays.

A Milestone

The Dlog has reached its 50th episode. On behalf of Peter and Dumb Dumb, I would like to personally invite you to head over to see the newest installment (http://dumbdumbdog.blogspot.com/). Many thanks to all who have given of themselves to make this possible so far. Dumb Dumb is heading off to Barbados for a few months, so it's unlikely that we'll hear from him for a while. Peter plans on editing a certain wedding video he's in possession of. I for one never rest and I plan on keeping at it... if you know what I mean?

Rain

Saving this one for a rainy day,... well, it's raining now!

Hmmm...

"You know,.... it's actually not that bad." - What Daniel is thinking in the movie above.

Julie and Julia

I believe "Julie" comes first in the title of this film, and I suppose the front story is about the contemporary woman who cooks her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year(and blogging about it). But the bigger, more compelling story is the one about the author of that cookbook, Julia Child. If you haven't seen this movie, I recommend that you go and see it--or put it at the top of your Netflix queue if you don't have the money.

The love story between Julia and her husband is tender, refreshing, and affectionate.
Dan Ackryod's SNL sketch is an hilarious charicature; Meryl Streep's performance is an affectionate, realistic portrayal of a large woman whose personality was also larger than life." (I don't know why Peter's affectionate "Cooking Julia" sketch of cooking baby fish food was not also included in this movie--it must have been lost on the cutting room floor.)

I saw this movie with Aunt Beth, Elisabeth and Jordan the day before my surgery. Everyone in the theater laughed at all the funny parts, although I believe I was laughing loudest. Pop went to see it by himself about a week later and also enjoyed it.

WIUX - Pure Student Radio

Some of you may remember plugging in those giant stereo headphones of Pops and listening to your favorite tape. I know I spent many an afternoon with those cups on my ears listening to the pure stereo sound of Toto, Genesis, Amy Grant and Michael Jackson. Now that I'm all grown up and am past caring what I look like with headphones, I own my own pair of stereo cups (though, not as big as the ones Pop had). I may be the biggest dork at work, but I love the great sound I get at my desk.

This brings me to the high quality online stream of WIUX. The local, student radio station, WIUX, plays all kinds of weird crap. Actually, most of it is junk, but sometimes you hit a run of Band of Horses, Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, Beck, Radiohead and other bands that they don't play anywhere else. If you're local you can tune in to 99.1 FM, if not local, check the stream here.

New Music Monday - USoE

I know, this track has been out for a while, but the album is still a day away.

Matt sent me a link the other day to the Muse site where they were offering a free listen to the new album in it's entirety (for logged-in members, which I quickly became). In my opinion (and I know I will get a lot of flack for this), United States of Euroasia (+Collateral Damage) is the best track on this new album. I have always liked Muse for including classical piano interludes in their songs. Chopin's Nocturne in E-Flat Major works so well here that it almost sounds as if it were written for this song (I might also get shot for saying that too).

Anyhow, take a listen, compare it to Queen, and tell me what you think. Also, enjoy the album here } http://muse.mu/media-player/albums/47/the-resistance/# (once again, thanks Matt).

It's finally here!

The kids and I put together a little video in celebration of the release of The Beatles Rock Band game. I tried to get this up yesterday, but had some technical difficulties. Anyways, head over to Jude's blog to see the video, we hope you enjoy... http://judesmonkeyblog.blogspot.com

Monopoly - City Streets

Today is the first day of the largest Monopoly game in history [if it ever starts to work that is].

A new online game from Hasboro, Monopoly City Streets, goes online today and the registration process has been a pain. I have been hitting the refresh button over and over and when I finally got through, it played a little flash intro and stopped, I couldn't do anything (I think the navigation was hidden and I couldn't scroll to it).

Anyhow, the game is based in Google Maps and allows users to purchase any real estate (any street) in the world and then charge rent. You start off with 3 million Monopoly Bucks and, from what I've read, the game goes 'till January, making it not only the largest game (most players) but one of the longest (though, I think the board game averages 2 months to play and I personally have played one game that lasted 1 and a half years).

How many people will sign up? How many will play? That, obviously is yet to be seen, but one thing's for sure... if any of you are planning on building on any street that we have ever lived on... better think again... you'll be paying me rent! Bookbinder here I come!

Beck on Tuesday

Beck is, and has been for a long time, one of my favorite musicians. I remember Nate getting in trouble for a Beck track I included on a mix tape and I remember, just when it seemed Beck had hit the top, done everything, nothing new to add, he released Sea Change and started all over again. Sea Change is still my most listened to album by Beck, though Guero is close behind. I just ran across this version of the Loser video, adds a whole new meaning to the song:

Zombie Kid

check out my blog for some more funny and cool videos!!