Rolling Stone : Eddie Vedder: Addicted to Rock

Rolling Stone : Eddie Vedder: Addicted to Rock: "In a way, music for me was fucking heroin. It was something I needed. And to see a live show was something I needed, it gave me strength through adolescence and through this young adult life -- to feel like there was a purpose to get through this whole thing. After a live show, the high could wear off in a day or two. The bootleg recordings and listening back at them with your eyes closed and headphones seemed to make a crappy recording actually sound pretty good. It was like getting high again. I was a user."

That's what I'm talking about. Once again, Eddie speaks the truth.
I wonder if Eddie will be my AA sponsor when I'm too old to go to shows. Don't want to be the grey haired ponytail guy in the back. Mr. Sensitive PonyTail Guy.

RH is rehearsing for their upcoming tour...

DEAD AIR SPACE
This pleases me...

And even more interesting...
Check out the MySpace blog of Radiohead's tour engineer, Graham Lees

The Office: The More You Know...

NBC.com > The Office

DESTRUCTOID - UF: The University of xbox Flash mobbers! (s)

As a memorial to the one time Pam, Jen and I tried to participate in the oh so trendy FlashMob fad (we were 1 min late...and with flashmobs...you just can't be late. They don't wait for you)



This mob was apparently inspired by a BANNED Xbox commercial...

Baaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy...

Rock, Paper. Scissors...street-rumble style!

LAist: Bad Parking/Good Letter

LAist: Bad Parking/Good Letter
I bet he went to SC too.

01:02:03 04/05/06

On Wednesday of next week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.

Road to the Final Four

Drives thru White Castle...

Road to Final Four: dave's future house

...and it only cost $12.

Smelly road to the final four

What is it with people on buses and BO?!? Is there a law against wearing deodarant on buses? I may be the only one arrested... Holding...my...breath. One...more...hour...

Road to the Final Four

...continues by bus from the Midway (airport) point of my journey, Chicago. Hard to tell but yes, that IS White Castle. Thank god for my new cellphone...keeping myself busy. I even just made a nba fantasy trade with paul. Multitasking at its best...

The road to the Final Four

It begins here

American Airlines Sued Over Dog's Death

American Airlines Sued Over Dog's Death:

"A San Francisco man sued American Airlines, Wednesday, March 29, 2006, alleging his dog Willie died following a cross-country flight because airline employees refused to provide a veterinarian and other care after the animal fell ill. Terrence Ing wants to hold the airline accountable for its alleged negligence and to bring attention to a practice he said is all too common."

That's my old roommate and his dog Willie...

Tim McKenna - March Madness Nostradamus

Yahoo! Sports Tournament Pick'em

Who would have guessed that UCLA, LSU, Florida and GEORGE MASON of all the teams in the NCAA would make this year's Final Four???

Tim McKenna, that's who!

Mr. Tim McKenna is in sole possession of 1st place on the worldwide leaderboard over at Yahoo's March Madness Tournament Pick'em. Now he's not perfect (he's missed 16 games total so far and didn't go 15/16 on day one like yours truely)...but guessing that final four...well that's damn impressive. So impressive in fact that people on the Yahoo messageboard are obsessed with the man, the myth, the legend...

Little Known facts about Tim McKenna by: ZagsWinBig (gallatin01)	Mar 27 4:02pm
I sat by him in Algebra-- He's a decent baller, but can't go left The guy just knows the game. Too hard too describe here--

will smith cast as tim mckenna by: bracketology101 (blade91812)	Mar 27 4:14pm
in the up coming movie tim is god

Chuck Norris once by: Hugh Jasscock (busman1950@sbcglobal.net)	Mar 27 4:15pm
jump backwhirl spinkicked George Mason upside the cabeza dropping him like he was Bobby Kennedy, only to have him rise up scream "Tim Mckenna", then proceed to beat the shit out of ole Chuck

Tim McKenna is all that is wrong with our country. by: I Rule (waviclesdammit)	Mar 27 4:19pm
Our young people used to be able to look around them and see wholesome, good values taught wherever they looked. And today's young people look around and all they see is 50 Cent and Tim McKenna.

Tim McKenna by: Bracket Busters (eaglesnfl52286)	Mar 27 4:21pm
I think Tim McKenna may have just passed Chuck Norris as the greatest person at life. Tim has become the Buddha of college basketball. Actually, he probably just found some way to cheat. Eaither way, that's still cool.

mckenna by: Bracket Busters (eaglesnfl52286)	Mar 27 4:23pm
Tim McKenna went back in time and deflected all three bullets aimed at JFK with his bare hands. He then told JFK that he picked George Mason to go to the Final 4. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement

Final Four Here We Come

ESPN.com - Afflalo, UCLA clamp down on Memphis, stamp Final Four ticket

Mark: "Get the ball to Hollins...he's the MVP!...wow, never thought I'd say that."

This UCLA Victory Is Blue Heaven - Los Angeles Times

This UCLA Victory Is Blue Heaven - Los Angeles Times

Run to victory

After Adam Morrison made two free throws with 3:26 left, UCLA trailed Gonzaga, 71-62, but the Bruins closed with an 11-0 run to pull out an improbable win.

• 3:13 — Luc Richard Mbah a Moute makes two free throws. (71-64 Gonzaga).

• 2:09 — Mbah a Moute scores on a layup. (71-66 Gonzaga).

• 0:52 — Jordan Farmar makes a running one-hander. (71-68 Gonzaga).

• 0:20 — Ryan Hollins makes two free throws (71-70 Gonzaga).

• 0:10 — After Farmar steals the ball from J.P. Batista, he passes to Mbah a Moute for a layup (72-71 UCLA).

• 0:02 — UCLA regains possession after a held ball, Arron Affalo is fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass and makes one of two free throws. (73-71 UCLA).

• 0:00 — Batista misses a turnaround jumper from the wing and UCLA wins, 73-71.

More Bruin Love - LAist: OH MY GOD!!!

LAist: OH MY GOD!!!

Best part of this picture (besides Michael Rolle doing god knows what) is all the different expressions in the stands. There are the obviously excited bruin fans (in yellow) that are jumping uncontrollably. There is the black guy in the left corner who's doing the turn around 'can you believe that $h#!'?? Then there's the two guys on the far right that look like they might be unhappy with their decision to get the 'Gonzaga - 2006 Champs' tattoo on their backs.

Gonzaga Bulldogs/UCLA Bruins = Greatest Night of My Life

NCAAB - Gonzaga Bulldogs/UCLA Bruins Recap Thursday March 23, 2006 - Yahoo! Sports
I can't sleep...what a night, what a game. I just went absolutely crazy along with the Q's crowd in West LA. Such a great defensive comback at the end there. I was a little bit worried about playing Memphis but after tonight's test, I'm feeling better. That which does not knock us out of March Madness, only makes us stronger.

GO BRUINS!!!!!

NCAAB - Live Odds - Spreads & Totals - Yahoo! Sports

Thurs - 9:57 pm
Gonzaga
at
UCLA -3.5 136 ov"

Tetris® DS | Do You Tetris With Others?

Tetris® DS | Do You Tetris With Others?

Yeah...so my friends and I are Nintendo DS geeks and we're pretty excited about the release of Tetris DS and Metroid Prime Hunters DS. Save your snide remarks and just watch the damn commercial...

McSweeney's: Let There Be Lite.

"But in time She began to grow wroth. And when Man asked why She was wroth, She would say he ought to know, which only made Her more wroth.

But at last She gave Man a hint, in the form of a wise parable about some rural gentleman who would not invest in a cow because he was getting his dairy produce pro bono.

Man listened carefully to Her words, and pondered them.

Then Man said, 'Are you saying you're lactose intolerant?'

Boy, was She wroth."

Read the full tale at McSweeney's

Things to do before I die: SXSW

So I SHOULD be going to Austin, TX this week for the SXSW but alas, I was a bit late in setting up any travel plans. Dang, and it would have been the perfect time now that my schedule is completely wide open. I've always wanted to go so hopefully I can make it in the near future when listening to unsigned bands while eating free BBQ and drinking free beer all day long is a desirable thing. (Does that ever become UNdesirable?? If so, I don't want to see 31). In honor of the festival, I decided to post 5 my newest, favorite lesser known bands:

Bravo Silva - Strawberry Blonde (mp3)
*i don't know who they sound like...they just sound good.

Editors - Munich (mp3)
*lead singers voice reminds me of the male vocalist of Dead Can Dance (minus the goth)

Hot Chip - Making Tracks (mp3)
*bits of Daft Punk, Beta Band...good grooves, but I like their mellow stuff mostly.

Nightmare of You - I Want to be Buried in Your Backyard (mp3)
*I guess they sound like young, Emo kids...but more melodic, less whine

Voxtrot - Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives (mp3)
*I've run out of adjectives...they are grrrrrrrrrreat!

**If you like any of these bands, support them by buying their music or seeing them live. I don't mind anyone sticking it to the major labels, but you gotta help out the little guys**

Lookin' STRONG!

Look out 63 other teams, UCLA is playing the best basketball they've played in years. After wrapping up the regular season title, the Bruins beat Cal (yet again) to wrap up the Pac-10 Tourney title today. Even more exciting is that they seriously have a chance to go far in the Tournament which starts Thursday. I'm going out on a limb and saying they win it all. They last won the National Championship when I was a wee freshman at UCLA in 94-95. Many years later, as I finish up grad school here at UCLA, I think it would be nice to close out the Era of Eric at UCLA with yet another Championship. Don't let me down Ben Howland.

(By the way, I was just told by a former classmate, that my diploma will have Gov. Arnold's signature on it...sweet, I get a PhD certified by the Kindergarten Cop.)

Why Can't I Be as Smart as You?

McSweeney's Internet Tendency: Why Can't I Be as Smart as You?:

"My brilliance is a tree that grows in the fertile soil of experience, and extends 74 miles into space, where it catches passing satellites, which not only hang from its beautiful branches like multimillion-dollar Christmas ornaments but also impart to my brilliant tree all of their satellite knowledge. This is how I know the license-plate and Social Security numbers of so many young and attractive celebrities, and it's the only reason, despite court orders that may say different. It's also why you get such great cell-phone reception in my presence."

Officially, It's Officially Official

In the eyes of the University, I'm officially a Doctor!

Phase I: Publicly defend my dissertation - DONE (Jan. 19, 2006)
Phase II: File dissertation with university - DONE (March 9, 2006)
Phase III: Leave Campus/Get a Job - ????

Woohoo! As of 4pm today, I'm officially Mr. PhD. It didn't quite hit me until I was called Dr. twice by 2 strangers (the people who helped me file). I've been called Dr. by my friends and family but they always smile or laugh afterwards. This time, two complete strangers said, "Here you go Dr. Walker" with straight faces. Of course, then I started to crack up.

The other interesting thing was seeing all the other dissertations that were being filed. Part of the process is going to the dissertation adviser at the library archives to have her go over the strict details of your dissertation (margins, pagination, etc). The adviser, who has the reputation of being the Dissertation Nazi ("No thesis for you!"), was actually very nice. I can see why she could get all cranky in her little room which was literally filled to the ceiling with vanilla envelopes bursting at the seems with thesis' (Thesi?). Good thing she doesn't have to read them all. But I digress...as I was saying, seeing all these other disseratations was pretty amazing. I mean, here's mine sitting on her desk next to a computer science one on wireless networks in moving vehicles. Or there was the nice girl behind me in line turning in her english thesis on "queer" literature in the 1920's. My point is, isn't it interesting that so many people like myself can waste so much of their lives on such random topics???

Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority

Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority

The Exposition Light Rail line is the newest extension of the 62-station Metro Rail system. The 8.5 mile line runs along the Metro-owned Exposition right-of-way from the existing Metro Rail station at 7th/Metro Center in downtown Los Angeles to Washington/National in Culver City.

Finally! (yeah, I know...totally random things excite me)

Radiohead News | ateaseweb.com

Radiohead News | ateaseweb.com

My Saturday in Watts

Building Houses in Watts with the Koreans

Spent last Saturday doing something I've been wanting to do for ages: Habitat for Humanity. It was a lot of fun even though no cranes or bulldozers were involved. All we got to do was paintingg molding on two neighboring houses...but it was fun and rewarding nonetheless. I was quite proud that while most other people were there with work or church type groups, I was there with 3 of my oldest and bestest friends just for the hell of it. (Although we were outdone by the girl who showed up all by herself). Even better was the fact that I think hanging in Watts helped with my friends insecurities about being in a more 'urban' environment. (The houses had a view of the Watts Towers). I highly recommend everyone chipping in once in awhile.

Rental Property Statistics for the Los Angeles Area

I live in the 4th most expensive market in LA = IDIOT!

Real Life Simpsons Intro

YouTube - Real Life Simpsons Intro

Car Crash Victim's Arm Found, Cellphone Intact - Gizmodo

Car Crash Victim's Arm Found, Cellphone Intact - Gizmodo: "A Lexington, Kentucky woman and her daughter flipped over in their SUV and rolled into the berm. Passers-by stopped to help and found the woman, her arm missing, pinned in the car. A quick-thinking driver placed a tourniquet on the woman’s stump and they later found her arm—still clutching a cellphone. Both victims survived the crash." - from Gizmodo

MyPOD survey

My iPodHow many songs? - 4026 songs

Sort by artist
First artist: 2Pac
Last artist: Zero 7

Sort by song title
First Song: '84 Pontiac Dream (by Boards of Canada)
Last Song: Zombie (by Fela Kuti)

Sort by time
Shortest Song:
Jesus Mix (17 s) by ME! (I sampled from Big Lebowski - "nobody fuck's with the Jesus)

Longest Song:
Eskimo (16 min) by Damien Rice

Sort by album
First Album: ( ) by Sigur Ros
Last Album: Young For Eternity by The Subways

How many songs come up when you search for "sex"?:
only 4

How many songs come up when you search for "death"?:
12 (by title), 69 overall (thanks DeathCab!)

How many songs come up when you search for "love"?:
142 (90 in the title)

Most Frequently Played Song:
Talk by Coldplay (just reformated the iPod so only 10 plays)

-thanks to the lollislut for the idea!

Coldplay and Kylie

I love me the covers...especially when I band I like does some crappy pop song and turns it into mighty fine song:

Coldplay - Can't Get You Out Of My Head (Kylie Minogue Cover)

Thanks:

MyExBestFriend
(**not really my ex-bestfriend...just the name of the blog)

THE TREASURE HUNT

THE TREASURE HUNT

ABOUT

I can sum it up in a few words…
I hate driving,
I’d rather be bike riding.

So, last September I organized the LA Scavenger Hunt. It was an overall success but one of the main complaints was that it involved driving. No one likes to drive, especially in Los Angeles where the streets are congested and the price of gas is back breaking. So in turn I have organized the LA Treasure Hunt, which will be taking place on Sunday, March 12th. This will be an all day event similar to the LA Scavenger Hunt but what differs the Treasure Hunt from the Scavenger Hunt is that this will be taking place on bicycle. NO CARS.

Here is a run down of how the event will work….
*Everyone that participates is on bicycle.
*Teams will be made up of 4 to 5 people.
*At noon everyone who is a part of the LA Treasure Hunt will meet up at the Echo Park Lake. At the lake there will be a BBQ with free ice cream, food(vegan friendly) and some beverages.
*Around that time each team will sign up. There will be a fee of $6 per person to be a part of the event.
*At 1:00pm each team will be given the first clue along with a xeroxed map of Los Angeles and a pamphlet that has some extra information.

Here is an example of how one of the clues will read…..

Clue #2
Collect 25 cans of food. Cannot have meat or diary.
Bring the canned food to this location.
1053 Laguna Ave.
LA, CA (Echo Park)

When the team brings the 25 cans of food to that location they will receive the next clue- there they will leave the 25 cans of food with the person who gives them the next clue. There will also be water and oranges at each stop for everyone involved. To solve each clue the people participating will have to ride all over Echo Park, Silverlake, Downtown LA, Los Feliz, and Koreatown and each clue gets harder and harder- it won’t be easy, honestly, I can not put half of the stuff that will be a part of the clues on this website. Anyway, many of the clues will have canned food, children’s clothes & shoes, and toiletries mixed into them. All of these items will be donated to the *Union Rescue Mission the next day. Like this event the LA Scavenger Hunt was a benefit for the Union Rescue Mission. Over $10,000 in material goods were raised in the scavenger hunt and with this event I am trying to top that.

The treasure hunt is made up 10 clues. The team to solve the ten clues the fastest will be given the grand prize, which is well over $2,500 in swag from dozens of record labels, clothing lines and gift certificates to different restaurants and stores in Los Angeles- the list of sponsors will be announced next week. At 7:00pm the treasure hunt will end and right afterwards an after party will be taking place at the Echo, where a number of bands will be playing(The Joggers, We Are Wolves, plus a few special guest), peeps will be spinning records and everyone that participates in the event will get in for free. The purpose of this event is to bring friends together and have a goodtime. It’s all about the goodtimes. Please go to the “more info” section to find how to sign up and what you need to be a part of this.
Hope all is well,
Sean Carlson
ihatebutlovela@hotmail.com

(don't get any) Big Ideas

Woohoo! Radiohead, who are continuing work on their next album (and blogging about it...sparingly), are looking to finally record one of my all-time favorite songs, 'Nude', aka '(don't get any) Big Ideas'. I've heard so many different live versions, fan covers, and the famous version from the documentary Meeting People is Easy so I'm quite eager to hear what a 2006 official version would sound like.

Here's a version from the amazing show they did in Salamanca Spain (2002)...
(don't get any) Big Ideas

monday morning.

jonny is hastily writing out scores for a string quartet who are comign tommoro.

right now we are working on nude, it sounds beautiful, as far as i can tell.

i hope we dont get i'll. there is a lot of sickness about. especially for the children.

thm

from www.radiohead.com/deadairspace

Nacho Libre

New movie from the director of Napoleon Dynamite and Jack Black...

Jenny Lewis - At the Vista Theater

Well since I'm now all over YouTube/Blogger connection, I'll put up yet another video. This one is from last Thursday's Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley) concert at the old school Vista Theater. Good times. We got programs and party favors (colored rabbit's feet keychains) and everything...the whole school play vibe was very cool.

You can find a bunch more here
(thanks superfan pandafishthing)

What's better than a crappy picture of Chris Martin @ the Forum?

A (less) crappy video of when he sang from the back of the audience...4 rows and 10 seats away from our seats...

coldplay performs "in my place" on february 04, 2006. lead singer chris martin runs all the way to the back of the arena & stands by some of the crowd to sing the rest of the song. again, sorry the view sucks.

Added on February 05, 2006, 06:15 PM by onacruise

Thanks ONACRUISE!

Chris Martin came to our seats!

Turns out $90 seats ARE worth it!
Great show...they know how to entertain...

Juanes - La Camisa Negra

Thought I'd test out adding video to the blog
by sharing a lil' bit o Rock en Espanol...

Memorable Quotes from Groundhog Day (1993)

Memorable Quotes from Groundhog Day (1993):

"When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter. "

Bonnaroo | Music & Arts Festival | 2006

Bonnaroo | Music & Arts Festival | 2006

Radiohead in the house! (Beck too!)

Hmm...now do I go to see RH in Tennessee or go to Coachella or both?

Complacent P: I love me "Rock en Espanol"

All the things I wanted to say...but just couldn't...

Complacent P: I love me "Rock en Espanol"

Ditto.

I think I found my next phone...

T-Mobile - MDA and SDA

Mmmm...wifi...

CARLTON DRAUGHT BIG AD

CARLTON DRAUGHT BIG AD

Thanks Nik!

Hook 'em Horns!

Nice! Vince Young is the man! My two favorite teams...UCLA and whoever plays USC!

2005: My year in cameraphone pictures

So long 2005!

Highlights include (in no particular order): Ray Ray becoming Raymie, Our vacation cat Uula, Chad: Topless w/ Propel, Late night Harry Potter book release at Ralph's, Glen's first guitar, Green Tea Frap, Jason Mraz?...yes Jason Mraz, Roscoe's and a lost ticket to Beck, RainRain go away...but give me back my backboard, Alhambra BBall Almont league champs, Zankou follows me to W. LA, Josh and Todd escort me to a 'procedure', Malik is in the house, a 'ROADBLOCK' is a choice between 2 tasks, I'm not losing a sister -just gaining a brother-in-law, Becky's 3 month apartment and hot shot office, Dad's "Elegant" car, PejBaby is a pro at Erotic Photohunt, Nani learns to say 'Doh!', Free Lakers Magnets on my 30th Bday, my 2 week dream to own a restaurant, my 1/2 birthday tiramisu (compliments of pasta pomodoro), in june: 10,000 miles on the new car (with a 12,000 miles/yr lease), and Kauai, Kauai and oh sweet Kauai

FLASHBACK to 2004: the year in cameraphone pictures
(posted almost exactly 365 days ago)

YouTube - SNL - The Chronic of Narnia Rap

YouTube - SNL - The Chronic of Narnia Rap

Double Feature Finder

Double Feature Finder

Went to this site expecting it to find legitimate "Double Features" playing in my neighborhood...turns out it tells you the timing of movies so that if you happen to get out of Harry Potter at 8:05 pm, you could just happen to stroll into the 8:10 pm showing of Brokeback Mountain if you just happen to get lost at the multiplex. Of course they offer the disclaimer, "Never SNEAK into movies!"

12 MP3's of Xmas: #5 (aka #12) Otis Redding - White Christmas

Alright...maybe I overestimated how much time I'd have this month to post Xmas mp3's. Instead of writing about my 12 MP3's of Xmas, I was busy writing my 12...HUNDRED pages of my thesis (give or take a eleven hundred). So this is it...the last one for this holiday season. First heard it during a recent viewing of Love Actually. Great song.

White Christmas
by
Otis Redding

1 point 21 gigawatts!!!

Whoa...

Michael J. Fox is heading Back To The Future for a fourth time-traveling movie.

Movie & TV News @ IMDb.com - WENN - 21 December 2005

Wahlberg Loses Entourage Member - Yahoo! News

Wahlberg Loses Entourage Member - Yahoo! News

Phew...sorta.

I just finished watching Season 1 of Entourage on DVD last night and really like it...especially Turtle. When I first read this article, I thought the actor who plays him died. Fortunately(?), it was just the Turtle that his character is based on (sorry buddy). The whole show is based on Marky Mark Wahlberg and his buddies as he rose to fame.

12 MP3's of Xmas: #4 Even a Mircale Needs a Hand

Even a Miracle Needs a Hand
from
'Twas The Night Before Christmas
(1974 CBS Xmas Cartoon)

MY synopsis:
Singing brainiac mouse breaks singing town clock cuz he doesn't believe in santa and christmas...greatest Xmas cartoon...ever!

More thorough synopsis:
Letters addressed to Santa Claus from the town of Junctionville are returned because of a letter denouncing Saint Nick as a myth. Joshua Trundel, the local clock maker, builds a clock that may bring Santa to Junctionville. Meanwhile, Father Mouse discovers that his son Albert wrote the letter. Later, Albert accidentally breaks the clock, and Trundel's reputation is ruined. Albert decides to repair the damage, and Santa Claus hears the song, and delivers presents to Junctionville.

12 MP3's of Xmas: #3 - "You mean you forgot cranberries too?!?"

Christmas Wrapping
by The Waitresses

Bah, humbug!" No, that's too strong
'Cause it is my favorite holiday
But all this year's been a busy blur
Don't think I have the energy

To add to my already mad rush
Just 'cause it 'tis the season.
The perfect gift for me would be
Completions and connections left from

Last year, ski shop,
Encounter, most interesting.
Had his number but never the time
Most of '81 passed along those lines.

So deck those halls, trim those trees
Raise up cups of Christmas cheer,
I just need to catch my breath,
Christmas by myself this year.

Calendar picture, frozen landscape,
Chilled this room for twenty-four days,
Evergreens, sparkling snow
Get this winter over with!

Flashback to springtime, saw him again,
Would've been good to go for lunch,
Couldn't agree when we were both free,
We tried, we said we'd keep in touch.

Didn't, of course, 'til summertime,
Out to the beach to his boat could I join him?
No, this time it was me,
Sunburn in the third degree.

Now the calendar's just one page
And, of course, I am excited
Tonight's the night, I've set my mind
Not to do too much about it.

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
But I think I'll miss this one this year.
[4x]

Party dashing through the snow
Of course I bundled up too tight
Last minute have-to-do's
A few cards a few calls
'Cause it's R-S-V-P
No thanks, no party lights
It's Christmas Eve, guttery laugh
Turned down all of my advice.

Last fall I had a night to myself,
Same guy called, halloween party,
Waited all night for him to show,
This time his car wouldn't go,

Forget it, it's cold, it's getting late,
Trudge on home to celebrate
In a quiet way, unwind
Doing Christmas right this time.

A&P has provided me
With the world's smallest turkey
Already in the oven, nice and hot
Oh damn! Guess what I forgot?

So on with the boots, back out in the snow
To the only all-night grocery,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
In the line is that guy I've been chasing all year!

"I'm spending this one alone," he said.
"Need a break; this year's been crazy."
I said, "Me too, but why are you?
You mean you forgot cranberries too?"

Then suddenly we laughed and laughed
Caught on to what was happening
That Christmas magic's brought this tale
To a very happy ending! "

Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
Couldn't miss this one this year!

12 MP3's of Xmas: #2 - Christmas in Hollis

Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC

[Run]
It was December 24th on Hollis Ave in the dark
When I see a man chilling with his dog in the park
I approached very slowly with my heart full of fear
Looked at his dog, oh my God, an ill reindeer
But then I was illin because the man had a beard
And a bag full of goodies, 12 o'clock had neared
So I turned my head a second and the man had gone
But he left and dropped his wallet smack dead on the lawn
I picket the wallet up then I took a pause
Took out the license and it cold said "Santa Claus"
A million dollars in it, cold hundreds of G's
Enough to buy a boat and matching car with ease
But I'd never steal from Santa, cause that ain't right
So I'm going home to mail it back to him that night
But when I got home I bugged, cause under the tree
Was a letter from Santa and all the dough was for me

[D.M.C.]
It's Christmas time in Hollis Queens
Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens
Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese
And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees
Decorate the house with lights at night
Snow's on the ground, snow white so bright
In the fireplace is the yule log
Beneath the mistle toe as we drink egg nog
The rhymes you hear are the rhymes of Darryl's
But each and every year we bust Chrsitmas carrols
(Christmas melodies)

[Run-D.M.C.]
Rhymes so loud and prod you hear it
It's Christmas time and we got the spirit
Jack Frost chillin, the hawk is out
And that's what Christmas is all about
The time is now, the place is here
And the whole wide world is filled with cheer

[D.M.C.]
My name's D.M.C. with the mic in my hand
And I'm chilling and coolin just like a snowman
So open your eyes, lend us an ear
We want to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

12 MP3's of Xmas: #1 - Steve Martin's 5 Wishes for Christmas

Steve Martin's 5 Wishes for Christmas

If I had one wish that I could wish this holiday season, it would be that all the children to join hands and sing together in the spirit of harmony and peace.

If I had two wishes I could make this holiday season, the first would be for all the children of the world to join hands and sing in the spirit of harmony and peace. And the second would be for 30 million dollars a month to be given to me, tax-free in a Swiss bank account.

You know, if I had three wishes I could make this holiday season, the first, of course, would be for all the children of the world to get together and sing, the second would be for the 30 million dollars every month to me, and the third would be for encompassing power over every living being in the entire universe.

And if I had four wishes that I could make this holiday season, the first would be the crap about the kids definitely, the second would be for the 30 million, the third would be for all the power, and the fourth would be to set aside one month each year to have an extended 31-day orgasm, to be brought out slowly by Rosanna Arquette and that model Paulina-somebody, I can't think of her name. Of course my lovely wife can come too and she's behind me one hundred percent here, I guarantee it. Wait a minute, maybe the sex thing should be the first wish, so if I made that the first wish, because it could all go boom tomorrow, then what do you got, y'know? No, no, the kids, the kids singing would be great, that would be nice. But wait a minute, who am I kidding? They're not going to be able to get all those kids together. I mean, the logistics of the thing is impossible, more trouble than it's worth! So -- we reorganize!

Here we go. First, the sex thing. We go with that. Second, the money. No, we got with the power second, then the money. And then the kids. Oh wait, oh jeez, I forgot about revenge against my enemies! Okay, I need revenge against all my enemies, they should die like pigs in hell! That would be my fourth wish. And, of course, my fifth wish would be for all the children of the world to join hands and sing together in the spirit of harmony and peace.

Thank you everybody and Merry Christmas.

Spike Jonze GAP Commercial

Entertaining new GAP commercial from Spike Jonze...

Stocking Stuffer??

Buy your very own...

Leg Lamp
from A Christmas Story

Apparently some company called RedRider is selling these leglamps just in time for the holidays. They even have different sizes so you can get one for the desk in your library. I don't know...$130 seems a bit pricey. I wonder if I should get one for dear old dad.

What would the Lone Ranger do???

Buddha's BACK!

Nepal Boy Called Reincarnation of Buddha - Yahoo! News

I'm a fan of Buddhism...but doesn't this story sound a lot like a Nepalese version of David Blaine??

Wayfaring Map - Basketball Courts

Wayfaring Map - Basketball Courts

So I just discovered this site that allows users to make their own maps with points of interest or routes...kinda of interesting. I don't know why, but I am sorta obsessed with Google Maps. Must be since I'm related to Ponce De Leon. Anyways, I discovered this site at the same time that I had an itch to go shoot some hoops. Mash those 2 ideas together and voila!...I've started to map out local courts to shoot around at. Cool thing about this is that anyone can add points to the map...so my future cyberbuddies from Compton can fill me in on what courts are the best to go play some pickup.

(And yes, this is just 1 of 1 million ways to procrastinate. damn you thesis...just die already!)

Wedding

Covering Teen Wolf: One Coach's Guide.

McSweeney's Internet Tendency: Covering Teen Wolf: One Coach's Guide.

Used to be, the key to beating Teen Wolf's Beavers was just to play them on any night there wasn't a full moon. We were unlucky one season in that we met them 28 days apart, both times in their barn, and Teen Wolf destroyed us—64 points in the first game, then a quadruple-double in the second, with 14 blocked shots and 25 steals. Our third matchup, though, we were fortunate enough to have a 76 percent waxing gibbous, so it was regular Scott Howard, who turned the ball over twice before fouling out, scoreless, in eight minutes of play. These days, however, it seems the guy can change over whenever he wants, which poses a real problem to opposing coaches. What follows is the best strategy my staff and I have come up with to limit Teen Wolf's effectiveness on the court. While admittedly far from foolproof, it will, hopefully, prove useful to your team. We're all in this together, folks.

This is pure gold!
Check out the rest at McSweeneys.net

Go Lakers

Opening/Closing Night

Hello NBA...goodbye 20's!

Let the countdown begin...less than 10 hours until I turn the big 3-0. But am I going out with a whimper?? Most definitely not. Tonight the Lakers are throwing my 20's a going away party and everyone at the Staples Center is invited. There will even be party favors for all in attendance (magnetic lakers schedules). If you care to stop by and eugooglize (yes Mr. Zoolander, eugoogly), I will be up in the nosebleeds with Glen enjoying the finest beer that the Staples Center has to offer (most likely Budweiser).

Holy crap!

Wow, what a day! I had a great time getting to see my one and only sister get married AND my UCLA Bruins come back from 21 points down in the 4th quarter to beat Stanford, a school I may just hate more than USC. Weddings in the fall tend to be bad for College Football fans since they are always on Saturdays. Thank God for the internet and Tivo. After frequent trips to the "bathroom" to check the score during the reception, it is 1:30 AM, I know who wins, and I'm still watching the UCLA game right now on Tivo. I'm actually giddy at this point. The best part is watching the Stanford students go crazy as Stanford just scored their 24th point. Haha...I know something you don't know!!

Anyways, the wedding was very beautiful and I couldn't be happier for my sister and my new brother in-law. I hope they enjoyed it as much as everyone else in attendance.

The Wedding...The first dance...

Sister's Rehearsal...

Do the Hippogriff...

vs.

(Hippogriff vs. a Liger...who wins??)

2 new tracks from the Goblet of Fire soundtrack featuring members of Radiohead from italo on the ateaseweb.com messageboard:

ateaseweb.com mb | radiohead at ease:
" sorry about the quality... that's the way it streamed. I'm looking forward to get the cd and rip them to share them properly... do the hippogriff would be great with better sound quality...

MAGIC WORKS:
http://rapidshare.de/files/6720887/magic_works.mp3.html

DO THE HIPPOGRIFF:
http://rapidshare.de/files/6721030/do_the_...ogriff.mp3.html

I just noticed... some of the arrangements in do the hippogriff are VERY greenwood. the anyone can play guitar intro............ go to sleep solo. stuff sounding like trans-atlantic drawl. jonny is my life hero."

Not bad...some classic lines in "Do The Hippogriff":

• "Alright Hogwarts! Are you ready for some music!!"
• "Move you body like a hairy troll, learnin' to rock n roll"
• "Boogie down like a unicorn"
• "Put your hands in the air, like an Ogre who just don't care"
  

Hey HEY Hey!

A couple years back I bought a few shares of Infinity Broadcasting (who owned a number of radio stations across the country). Following some mergers and acquisitions my stock turned into shares of Viacom, the parent company of Mtv, VH1, and a crapload of other channels. So for years now, when I take a look at my Yahoo Financial portfolio page, I've had the joy of having Viacoms "financial" news include random news about TV shows or celebrities ...just cuz they include some Viacom station. This morning I was struck by just how weird and funny this is as I went from reading a NORMAL business-minded headline for one of my tech stocks:

Fri

Oct

21

SNDK

Silicon Stocks: Google, SanDisk soar amid broad tech advance - at MarketWatch

and then on to the next headline:

Mon

1:49pm

VIA-B

Hey ... HAY ... Hey!! What's Happening!! Launches on TV Land With 48-Hour Marathon Beginning Saturday, November 5 - PR Newswire

I can't wait to see how well the stock price does on Monday Nov. 7th after the country has enjoyed 48 hours of Raj, Dwayne, Rerun, Dee, & Shirley "as they go through the trials and tribulations of life in Los Angeles." (Trials and tribulations? Really? I just remember alot of eating at that diner that Shirley ran). Ooh...and make sure you stay up late:

"In addition, special bonus episodes of What's Happening Now!! -- the series sequel which gave viewers a peek into how the gang turned out as they reached adulthood -- will also air both nights during the marathon from 3am-6am

Great...now I got that damn theme song stuck in my head.

Radiohead and Harry Potter

from ateaseweb.com:

Exclusive Harry Potter Supergroup Download

Here's another exclusive download for ya. As reported earlier Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway will feature in the upcoming Harry Potter movie. The two Radioheads play in a band along with Jarvis Cocker, Steve Claydon and Jason Buckle - with all these musicians also appearing on three tracks of the Harry Potter soundtrack. Ateaseweb.com has a clip of one of the tracks, entitled 'This Is The Night'. Enjoy!

go to ateaseweb.com to download the clip...

Sigur Ros in Iceland Package

So who wants to get this for me for my birthday??

Sigur Ros: Live in Iceland - Nov. 27, 2005
From $591* per person double occupancy

Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience the sublime sounds of one of Iceland's coolest exports... where it all began. Iceland's ethereal elements provide the perfect backdrop for this getaway, which includes roundtrip airfare, 2 nights hotel and a ticket to see Sigur Ros perform at the Laugardalsholl Concert Hall.

Package includes:
-Round-trip air transportation from Baltimore (BWI), Boston (BOS), Orlando (MCO) & Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)
(MSP and MCO additional $60).
- Two nights in a double room at a hotel in Reykjavik
- Scandinavian buffet breakfast daily except arrival day
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfers
- Ticket to Concert on Nov 27 (exchange your voucher at your hotel for the concert tickets)

Yahoo Sports: Yao accepts Pay Pal

"Rockets center Yao Ming told the Houston Chronicle on Monday that he's considering putting the nail from his big left toe on eBay. Ming was held out of a second straight preseason game on Monday due to soreness after losing the toenail."

Gotta love The Onion

Fuck Everything, We're Doing Five Blades | The Onion - America's Finest News Source:

"Would someone tell me how this happened? We were the fucking vanguard of shaving in this country. The Gillette Mach3 was the razor to own. Then the other guy came out with a three-blade razor. Were we scared? Hell, no. Because we hit back with a little thing called the Mach3Turbo. That's three blades and an aloe strip. For moisture. But you know what happened next? Shut up, I'm telling you what happened—the bastards went to four blades. Now we're standing around with our cocks in our hands, selling three blades and a strip. Moisture or no, suddenly we're the chumps. Well, fuck it. We're going to five blades."

Fantasy NBA: League #1

Had my first NBA fantasy league draft of the season yesterday. I think Draft day is the new Xmas...I even woke up bright and early at 8 am...on a SUNDAY...ready to "unwrap my gifts." I was rewarded with the first draft pick with which I proudly chose Mr. Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tough choice, but I'm a big fan so I'm glad to have him on the team. Now I need to do something about my starting Center's...Chris Kaman and Stromile Swift. I think Kaman's picture says it all...

Team LeTayshonzi Swift:
LeBron James, Paul Pierce, Elton Brand, Josh Howard, Tony Parker
Tayshaun Prince, Marko Jaric, Stromile Swift, Troy Murphy
Chris Kaman, TJ Ford, Ricky Davis and Bonzi Wells

| THE HANSO FOUNDATION |

The Hanso Foundation - fake website from last night's LOST episode.

(I KNEW it was all about experimenting!)

Sigur Ros @ The Hollywood Bowl

Hotel Mogul to Buy Mammoth Ski Area - Yahoo! News

Hotel Mogul to Buy Mammoth Ski Area - Yahoo! News

"We're focusing on bringing in hip restaurants as well as new residential, hotel and entertainment experiences." He predicted that changes would be evident in three to five years.

'Local officials are considering proposals to build a new St. Regis condominium hotel and a Hard Rock hotel in the Village."


I liked this news the first time...when it was fictitious and starred Jason London, Lee Majors and Victoria Silvstedt. I have no doubt that the owner of Starwood Capital walks, talks and dresses like Lee Majors.

Geek News: Halo - The Movie

Rings and halos: The Oscar-winning creative team behind the The Lord of the Rings films, including director Peter Jackson, has been named to run the production of the upcoming film based on Microsoft's blockbuster Halo video game.

Jackson and his wife, Fran Walsh, will serve as the executive producers for Halo, which is targeted for worldwide release in mid-2007 by Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox film studios.

Universal will oversee the film's production and domestic distribution. Fox will handle international distribution.

The Halo movie will be shot in Wellington, New Zealand, and wi ll use Jackson's production and post-production facilities there.

Screenwriter and novelist Alex Garland wrote the original feature film adaptation of Halo. A director will be named in coming weeks, and the cast has yet to be announced.

from Wired News

T-minus 30 days

Well, this is it...the last 30 days of my 20's. That's right, one month from today I turn 30. I think that means I have to officially give up my blog since I'd be too old to say, "Yeah, I have a blog."