Tuesday, August 31, 2010

LPs Are Dead

Andvinyly.com makes your afterlife more...rockin'.

The company offers you the chance to press your ashes into a vinyl recording that "your loved ones will cherish for generations". Whether you record a personal message or just press it so that the pops and crackles of your ashes come through in stereo, every disc is the soundtrack to your life. James Hague (of the National Portrait Gallery) will paint your portrait in acrylic and ash for the cover, and the basic package is 30 records.

Catfight (Now In 3D)

James Cameron recently told Vanity Fair that Piranha 3Dcheapens the medium of 3D", and proceeded to slag the genre, saying it harks back to bad 3-D horror films from the 70s and 80s. Mr. Box Office Champ added, "When movies got to the bottom of the barrel of their creativity and at the last gasp of their financial lifespan, they did a 3D version to get the last few drops of blood out of the turnip.” Humorously, he did not say anything about the re-release of Avatar with EIGHT NEW MINUTES of footage. (*yawn*)

That said, Piranha 3D’s producers were not just going to be Cameron's bitch. Producer Mark Canton
fired back at length:

“Jim, are you kidding or what? First of all, let’s start by you accepting the fact that you were the original director of Piranha 2 and you were fired. Shame on you for thinking that genre movies and the real maestros like Roger Corman and his collaborators are any less auteur or impactful in the history of cinema than you. Martin Scorcese made Boxcar Bertha at the beginning of his career. And Francis Ford Coppola made Dimentia 13 back in 1963. And those are just a few examples of the talented and successful filmmakers whose roots are in genre films. Who are you to impugn any genre film or its creators?

“Having been deeply involved, as either an executive or as a producer, on Tim Burton’s original Batman and the first Men In Black, as well as 300, and now Immortals, one of the things that has been consistent about all of the filmmakers involved in these landscape-changing global films is that, in each and every case, all of the directors were humbled by their predecessors, their colleagues and by their awareness of the great history of film that came before them. The enjoyment and the immersion of an audience in a movie theatre, as they had and will have with the above-mentioned films, and as audiences are experiencing with Piranha 3D now, comes from the originality and the vision of the filmmaker, and not just from the creation of the technology.

Let’s just keep this in mind Jim….you did not invent 3D. You were fortunate that others inspired you to take it further. The simple truth is that I had nothing but good things to say about Avatar and my own experience since I actually saw it and didn’t damn someone else’s talent publicly in order to disassociate myself from my origins in the business from which we are all very fortunate . To be honest, I found the 3D in Avatar to be inconsistent and while ground breaking in many respects, sometimes I thought it overwhelmed the storytelling. Technology aside, I wish Avatar had been more original in its storytelling.

Point of fact: Box Office Mojo has Cameron's domestic film gross is $1,910,528,468, while Canton's has been $470,300,047 - barely a quarter of the take even with three more films in there. I'm not quoting Worthington's law, but...

Full Metal Disney

Finally answering the question, "What if the Gunnery Sergeant played by R. Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket spoke like Donald Duck?" Can you get to Private Pyle without pissing yourself?

Monday, August 30, 2010

W-L

Last year, The Dirty.com (who?) featured a post about Sarah Jones (who?), a cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bengals (who?). As you can tell by their name, they don't post baking recipies, so there should be little shock that one of thier posters had some less than flattering things to say about her. This was the post that started it all:

THE DIRTY ARMY: Nik, here we have Sarah J, captain cheerleader of the playoff bound cinci bengals.. Most ppl see Sarah has a gorgeous cheerleader AND highschool teacher.. yes she’s also a teacher.. but what most of you don’t know is.. Her ex Nate.. cheated on her with over 50 girls in 4 yrs.. in that time he tested positive for Chlamydia Infection and Gonorrhea.. so im sure Sarah also has both.. whats worse is he brags about doing sarah in the gym.. football field.. her class room at the school she teaches at DIXIE Heights.

That's not so nice, eh? Well, a court agreed, and awarded her $11 million in damages for the slander...but if they're to be believed The Last Angry Fan says Sarah's lawyer didn't sue the right company. Instead of suing Hooman “Nik Ritchie” Karamian and TheDirty.com, the lawsuit instead targeted TheDirt.com and Dirty World Entertainment Recordings (who?). Dirty World Entertainment, the Dublin, Georgia location for such underground rap artists as Trae Duice. At least, that's what a MySpace profile said, dated back to 2005. TheDirty.com actually belongs to Dirty World LLC.

District Judge William Bertelsman handed down the judgment after the Dirty World Entertainment Recordings failed to respond to the lawsuit filed in February. “This company was brazen,” Eric Deters - her attorney said. “They didn’t defend it. They didn’t come. They ignored it, what is part of the punitive damage award.” Yes, because they weren't the right company. That name again is Eric Deters, for all your legal needs.

He said he “absolutely has some hope” he will be able to collect on the judgment. One of the first steps will be to get the judgment certified in a federal court in Arizona. Deters said he was optimistic because the site is operated by a limited liability cooperation that “apparently is doing pretty well.” He said he will also attempt to expose the investors in the LLC during the collection process. Better make sure it's the right LLC, genius.

Shoe-nique


You may need to import them from overseas, but Brass Monki does custom kicks. They even take requests if you don't see something that's already been suggested.

The "Debris" Of Space

They've got a whole lab full of scientists and researchers studying how your discharges can be handled when you're off-planet.


Friday, August 27, 2010

Bathroom Break Is Over

After 20 years, the looping transmission of one mysterious Russian "Numbers Station" has changed. So, did Clear Channel buy them, or is something bad is about to happen. Maybe after all that time some just felt like switching tapes.

The new message currently being beamed from Russian station UVB-76 is:

UVB-76, UVB-76 - 93 882 naimina 74 14 35 74 - 9 3 8 8 2 nikolai, anna, ivan, michail, ivan, nikolai, anna, 7, 4, 1, 4, 3, 5, 7, 4

Anyone? Okay...The true purpose of the bizarre constant transmissions of these stations has never really been understood, though it's widely assumed to be spy messages and encryption codes. The Conet Project has a bunch of "classic hits" in the genre, but no clear answers about them. One thing for sure, they're not from Rousseau...

MIAMI CONNECTION! (So Awful It Gets All Caps)

You can see it this Saturday at 10pm at Cinefamily Los Angeles - one of many weekend events I'm pimping.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Pusstathalon

The modern pentathlon will switch to using laser pistols for the shooting portions of the event in the 2012 Olympics. Sure that sounds kinda cool, except the pentathlon is running, shooting, swimming, fencing, and riding horses. Meh.

Actual guns have been gone for a while, replaced by air pistols - though I think they still had those targets with the masked robber holding an old lady. Lazer pistols have been tested at the sports' world cup and at the youth championships with success. Wait - there's a pentathlon world cup? Clearly they should have scheduled it a different year than the real World Cup.

Klaus Schormann, president of world governing body the UIPM, said: "We will have laser shooting for London. We can now hold competitions in parks and shopping malls." Yes, all those legitimate sports that are played in malls. Sure it may cut costs by as much as two-thirds since because photons come cheaper than bullets, but they're taking Lazer Tag and removing the fun part of it. Wait, who cares?

Unfrozen Fish

Both scientists and polar bears have been studying why fish in the Arctic ocean don’t freeze in the sub-zero temperatures, and their research has turned up a natural antifreeze that keeps their blood flowing. And the bears find it adds a little zest to the flavor.

The water temperature in the Arctic hovers around 28.6 degrees (Fahrenheit) year-round, near the freezing point of seawater. The freezing point of fish blood is nearly two degrees higher at 30.4 degrees, so as they closer they swam to the pole, they should turn into popsicles...but don't. Though discovered about 50 years ago, scientists are now discovering exactly how the anti-icing protein works.

Using terahertz spectroscopy to examine water molecules around the protein, they saw that water molecules slow down when they should be faster and more active. This prevents ice crystallisation in the fish's blood, though at extremely low temperatures the fish can still freeze - but at that point the water would have been frozen solid too.

The research was funded by Volkswagen, who are clearly looking for a better anti-freeze for their cars. The fish proteins found perform far better than man-made antifreezes, which only bond with water molecules to lower the freezing point. Don't be surprised if in the future your car may have a fish tank inside...

For Your Home Raves

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Big Up Your Willies*

With Matt Greene sidelined for close to half the season after shoulder surgery, venerable two-time King Sean O'Donnell signing elsewhere, and hit-or-miss waiver acquisition Randy Jones sent walking, there was a fair sized gap to fill on D...

Enter
big Willie Mitchell.

The 6'3" , 210 pounder is a 10 year vet, most recently sporting Vancouver colors, but coming off a concussion shortened season. Vancouver's additions of Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis (and their cost) weakened his chances of returning, and the Kings were reportedly the only team to offer him more than a one-year deal. The move is risky - especially at $3.5 million a season for two years, but if he's healthy would prove an excellent addition. Other than Vancouver, the San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals were also rumored to be in the mix for Mitchell.

The 33-year old Mitchell serve as mentor for Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson, and overwhelmingly considered an upgrade over O'Donnell by the hockey media. Mitchell has been a plus player for seven straight seasons and has logged 20 minute on-ice averages over that time, and could be paired with either of those young bucks or create a powerful experienced blueline with Rob Scuderi. Having begun skating a month earlier than usual, Mitchell said earlier this week that he feels fine and has cleared numerous hurdles to prove his health, but like Jason Allison and Adam Deadmarsh, concussions are a spirited enemy to Kings players.

The Kings visit the Canucks on Saturday, October 9th, Vancouver's home opener, so Mitchell won't have too much time to be homesick.


*from
the same named tune by Goblin Cock

Empire State Of Fuck You

The New York City Council approved zoning and land use changes today to pave the way for a 1,190-foot tower at 15 Penn Plaza, and the owner of the Empire State Building ain't happy.

The project is still in the planning stages by developer Vornado Realty Trust, who have no date for its construction and has yet to sign a major commercial tenant. The landmark's owner, Anthony Malkin, called it an "assault on New York City and its iconography." He left out, "and on my hugely profitable investment." Council members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the project, stating New York City and its world-famous skyline cannot afford to be frozen in time and must embrace new investments. "We can't make decisions based on one building...the city has to grow, and it's going to continue to grow." And besides, they're already down two building from 2001.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg also backed the project this week, dismissing Malkin's argument as delusional. "Anybody that builds a building in New York City changes its skyline — we don't have to run around to every other owner and apologize. One guy owns a building, he'd like to have it be the only tall building — I'm sorry, that's not the real world."

Vornado needed the council's action to rezone the area to accommodate a more dense development than local ordinances allow. The developer also needed the city's approval for transit improvements that Vornado has promised to finance. Lawmakers were told at a hearing that wider rail platforms at nearby Penn Station, better access to subway lines and the reopening of an underground passage connecting nearby subway lines and commuter trains to New Jersey would be part of the project

Plans envision a 67-story office tower two blocks west of the Empire State Building, which stands 102 stories and 1,454 feet but has an 86th-floor observation deck about 1,050 feet above ground. Malkin had lobbied the council to cut the tower by one-third the proposed height. The Empire State Building was the city's tallest when it was completed in November 1930, and hosts more than 3.8 million visitors each year. On a clear day, they say the view stretches 80 miles, as far as Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

The Cam Cam


James Cameron, on G4’s Attack of the Show, showing off the Cameron-Pace 3D camera rig with which he shot Avatar. Some details covered:

• This camera is called a mini beam splitter rig and is set up inverted to be hand-held.

• This rig was specifically created for the movie from two Sony cameras.

• Unlike most 3D cameras, the Pace doesn’t use two side by side cameras for 3D effects.

• Instead, it uses two cameras on the top and bottom to recreate how the 3D space will look on screen.

• This technology is known as “fusion 3D.”

• The beam splitter allows the two lenses to merge inside each other as the top camera can move side to side to change the interocular distance or change angles to control the convergence. [to control the "sweet spot" of the 3D image]

• It’s a silent and fast 9 axis motion control system.

• The rig weighs 28 lbs.

• The two cameras must be finely calibrated in order to be doing the same thing at the exact same time.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Kill-Face(book)

Last week, a list of the names of 69 young men in Puerto Asis, Colombia was published on Facebook. "Leave town in three days", they ominously warned, "or you will be executed." Now, three on the list are dead! That's teach people to not fear anonymous posts on the interweb!

On August 15, two days before the list was published, 16-year-old "student" Diego Ferney Jaramillo and 17-year-old "CD retailer" Eibart Alejandro Ruiz Munoz were killed while riding their motorcycle to another town. Both Munoz and Jaramilo were on the list, which grew to 100 total names as 31 girls were added as few days later. What police thought was a hoax became serious after 19-year-old Norbey Alexander Vargas was killed, and 16-year-old Juan Pablo Zambrano Anacona was injured (by Vargas' killers) on August 20. Both teens' names were on the list.

Authorities don't know who put the list together, though a gang called Los Rastrojos is active in the area, as well as longtime Colombian Marxist rebel group FARC. Reports state the list is now "blocked," though it's unclear what it was exactly on Facebook —a note? An event? A page? And I'm just wondering if it's just easier to unfriend them rather than hunt 100 people down and kill them...

Super Jam

Who's kicking out the biggest jams these days? Phish? The Dead? Dave Matthews Band? Sorry, but it's north China, with a massive traffic jam that has reached it's 10th day, and stretches for almost 60 miles. Looks like food and medicine isn't the only thing you've managed to toxify.

A combination of road construction and a spike in delivery vehicles for has created bumper-to-bumper gridlock, with cars once moving slightly more than a half-mile a day. Some drivers are reported to have been stuck in the jam for five days, and the construction efforts will not be done for another month, nearly guaranteeing no quick end in sight.

The traffic jam started on a stretch of the highway that is frequently congested, due to large coalfields were discovered in Inner Mongolia. The traffic volume has increased 40% every year since the discovery. Drivers stuck in the sea of cars are being serviced by local villagers selling instant noodles, boxed lunches and snacks, weaving between the parked vehicles on bicycles. And they're making quite a profit - a bottle of water that normally costs 1 yuan (15 cents) was selling for 10 yuan ($1.50), while the price of a 3 yuan (45 cent) cup of instant noodles had more than tripled.

Authorities were trying to speed up traffic by allowing more trucks to enter Beijing and asked trucking companies to suspend operations and advised drivers to take alternate routes. While a delay of this magnitude is uncommon, improving the infrastructure of the country is long overdue and will take years if not decades to connect countryside with cityscape. Welcome to modern times, China!

It's Not Just Full Of Stars

A true odyssey.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Book = Bucks

The publishing industry may be experiencing leaner times, lower sales and the steady encroachment of e-media, but the world's top authors still made out pretty well in the last year.

Thriller / fiction author James Patterson topped the list of high-paid writers, earning $70 million. The Forbes rankings were based on earnings from books, film rights, television, gaming deals and other income from June 1, 2009, through June 1, 2010. Patterson's top standing includes his latest deal to pen 17 books by the end of 2012 for an estimated $100 million, and since he writes all his novels in longhand, he better get moving. Then again, I question the quality of his stories considering that's one novel every one month and 19 days.

Mormon housewife masturbatory fantasy yarn spinner Stephanie Meyer, earned $40 million for all things related to rhe "Twilight" series. She had not release any new material during the survey. An actual, skilled author comes in in third - Stephen King, who earned $34 million, including $8 million from backlist sales. His last novel released in November sold over 600,000 copies.

Coming in fourth was romance writer Danielle Steel, who earned $32 million for her regurgitated Dynasty plotlines and erotic matrons, followed by British writer Ken Follett, whose "The Pillars of the Earth" was finally adapted into miniseries a short 21 years after publication. Follett notched $20 million.

Dean Koontz was sixth, taking in $18 million with "The Husband," which was just optioned for film, and while Janet Evanovich made $16 million for the "Stephanie Plum" romantic adventure book series. Romantic adventure? Is that where the woman has to climb a rope or swim before she has sex with a guy? Legal scribe John Grisham, romance writer Nicholas Sparks and "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling, rounded out the top 10.

A Proper English Lady

Wendy Lewis was caught on security cameras relieving herself on the Blackpool Cenotaph war memorial a woman branded. Shortly afterwards, she performed a sex act on a man nearby. But now, Lewis has gone on the lam before her sentencing, prompting authorities to seek out "Britain's most disgusting person", or as we would say on this side of the ocean, a reality television star.

An arrest warrant was issued for Lewis, who was given a "guard of dishonour" by angry veterans when she appeared at Blackpool Magistrates Court, and found guilty of outraging public decency (that's public urination). Due to be sentenced last Friday, she arrived 40 minutes late to court, but vanished before her case began.

"It is unforgivable what she did in the face of these dead men," said former Royal Marine James Baker (88), who was one of few from his unit who survived the Normandy Landings. "It can be neither forgiven nor forgotten by the ex-services' community and the wider community as well. True, but it wasn't actually in their faces - just on the monument. "If she had expressed remorse, and meant it, we could forgive then, if not forget. But I'm sorry, she is just beyond the pale." Okay, old timer, we get it!

Alongside Baker was Don Aiken, another D-Day vet. "We have all come to show our disgust at the actions of this woman on the Cenotaph, which is sacred to ex-servicemen personally, because it holds the names of so many of our comrades who died in two world wars to defend the freedom of our nation." Damn, I haven't seen old men this rilled up since Bran Flakes went on sale!

Lewis was dubbed "Britain's most disgusting person" by Ian Coleman, of the Royal British Legion veterans' charity, after an earlier court appearance. Before that she was just known as "incontinent Wendy, the slut".

What You See Makes You Want To See The Movies

Friday, August 20, 2010

Living In A Material World

When I was a younger, less famous M, I asked my father, a garmento, about a restaurant called "Tickets". The garment company he worked for, had a Broadway theme, so the divisions had their names derived from relevant ideas - Tickets being one of them. I wondered how there could be a restaurant with the same name without there being a conflict, and because they were basically two completely different enterprises, there was no conflict with the name. Not so much the case with Madonna's entry into the fashion business.

Just two weeks after the the singer / actress / walking dead launched her "Material Girl" line for teenagers at Macy's, she was hit with a lawsuit by L.A Triumph, a clothing company that says it has been using the name since 1997. The company said in its suit that it has been "continually selling similar clothes in similar retail outlets at similar price points under their Material Girl brand since at least 1997, and Madonna and her newfound company do not have the right to trade in the same space under this brand." Yep, that sounds about right to me.

Madonna teamed up with her 13 year-old yeti daughter Lourdes to design the 1980s inspired clothing line, borrowing from the pop singer's punk-girl style when she rose to fame in the 1980s and earned her the "Material Girl" nicknake, also dervied from her song. L.A. Triumph wants the judge to rule that Madonna's use of "Material Girl" creates "deception" in the marketplace. It is also asking for Madonna and her company to turn over all the profits from their line.

The Bull Strikes Back

You all know how much I love the annual running of the bulls mauling of the idiots, so naturally I feel the same when similar outcomes occur in the arena.

On Wednesday, an 1,100 pound bull leaped into the packed grandstands of the Tafalla arena where close to 3,500 spectators were momentarily subjected to a taste of their own ironic medicine. Sadly, only 40 spectators were injured and no one was killed. Awesomely, the bull vaulted several yards to clear the barriers at the edge of the ring before charging and tossing everything he could. At this kind of event, young people try to get a bull to charge at them so they can dodge it, but unlike standard bullfights, the bulls are not killed in these events - though this one was killed once it breached the viewing area.

The bull had already attempted to jump into the stands twice. After damaging a horn, he was about to be returned to the corral and replaced with another bull when he tried a third time and succeeded. I love it - they should make it into a children's tale about perseverance. The injured included a 10-year-old boy who was in intensive care after the bull reportedly fell on him. Another man was gored in the back and was said to be in stable condition.

Why do I revel in the suffering? Because karma pays you back with interest. And that people like Inaki Zunzarren, who was treated for bruises, say, "The bull caught me and hurled me against the (concrete) seating. What an experience!". What an experience? This is titillating to them. HR and I certainly agree that people do not have enough fear and respect for the natural world.


Thursday, August 19, 2010

New Bucks

The Dollar ReDe$ign Competition is running their second annual contest. Sure, they're looking for a little lobby money on the side, but on a more creative front, there could be some interesting submissions. Like these from design firm Dowling Duncan that are vertically oriented:

"When we researched how notes are used we realized people tend to handle and deal with money vertically rather than horizontally. You tend to hold a wallet or purse vertically when searching for notes. The majority of people hand over notes vertically when making purchases. All machines accept notes vertically. Therefore a vertical note makes more sense."



Mission Re-Accomplished!

The 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division was officially designated the last combat brigade to leave Iraq under President Obama's plan to end combat operations in Iraq by the end of August. There's some fanfare now that the troop are crossing the border and pulling out earlier than planned, drawing to a close the seven year and five month U.S.-led invasion. As they rolled into Kuwait, John McCain kept it hip for the young GOPers with their new-fangled technology and worked his Twitter even harder than usual, stating "Last American combat troops leave Iraq. I think President George W. Bush deserves some credit for victory."

DXM is quick to point out (as it is his quote of the day):

Yes, he deserves credit the same way BP deserves credit for essentially being forced to clean up the mess it made. If it hadn't fucked things up so royally in the first place, there would be no need for the effort put into making things right. You don't get to claim victory when the colossal screw-up you created finally limps into history. Backward logic at its finest.

On the plus side, at least McCain didn't figure out a way to turn this into an opportunity to flirt with Snooki.

You know something, now that I think about it: taking credit for something you're supposed to have done -- where have I heard that before?

Recalling the post from last January, The President is Near, he elaborates. Problem solved? That's questionable, but how much back-slapping and congratulations are due when you're fixing problems you made? And is this really the last goodbye to a country who themselves are saying a pull out is too soon? That answer, I believe, will eventually end up as no.

The Sky Is Falling All Night Long

The Perseid Meteor Shower against the backdrop of the Milky Way, as seen from Joshua Tree National Park between August 12 and August 15, 2010.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Fanboy Currency

Silvia Saavedra of Arkaitse Freak Place altered Chilean pesos into more geek friendly legal tender.





Fake N' Roll

"There are cover bands and then there are tribute bands," say Flavorwire. "The former might be able to pump out some decently convincing covers for a frat party, but the latter lives, breathes, and eerily replicates the lives of the band members." Here are come of the more oddball tribute bands they found.

Misfats
Billing themselves as “the fattest Misfits cover band ever!”, you can try and find a heavier heavy metal version of the horror rock band - but you won't. The Misfats proudly change all the lyrics of Misfits songs to be fatty-friendly. That means “20 Eyes” becomes “20 Pies,” and the word “martian” becomes “lardass.” And if you're a BBW who likes darker music as much as dark chocolate, you’re in luck:
they’re looking for a chubby cover girl Misfat. You can hear some of their tunes here.

Mini-Kiss
Perhaps the most well known of all the bands, this Kiss cover band is in the
Dr. Pepper commercial, joining the real Kiss on stage - they're the smaller version. Mini Kiss is not just and advertising gimmick - they claim to be one of the most popular tribute acts in the world. And mixing midgets with grease paint and metal studs is kinda a no-brainer.

Red Hot Chili Pipers
Do you love Flea but wish that there was more of a
Scottish traditional instrumental arrangement to “Under the Bridge”? Well, you've got at least one option out there. The Chili Pipers somehow fuse bagpipe anthems with alternative rock hits — and not just the Chili Peppers, but Coldplay too. They'll even throw in some classic rock like “Smoke on the Water.”

Lez Zeppelin
This
all-lady Zeppelin tribute actually tours around the US - and has been since 2004. The real Led Zep, not so much. Advantage? Perhaps... You can look up random B.B. King’s in the country, and there's a chance that they are playing there on any given weekend.

Gabba
A British sensation for almost 15 years, Gabba pays tribute to both ABBA and the Ramones by playing the former’s infectiously catchy Swedish dance tunes in the style of 1970s Brooklyn punk. The resulting songs (fortunately found
here) have mashed up titles like “Hej Ho Disco,” “Fernando es un Punk Rocker,” and “The Pinhead Takes It All.”

No Way Sis
Dubbed “
the 2nd best band in the world” by Oasis frontman Noah Gallagher (he would know), this Oasis tribute band gained fame in its own right when they broke into the UK’s top 40 with their cover of “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.” I don't know if that song disqualifies them from the title claim, but now there's doubt on being 2nd best. Alas, after Oasis stopped their reign on the charts, No Way Sis broke up and went on to cover other things.

The VW Bugs
The Vampire Weekend tribute band that Pitchfork originally assumed was a joke is, well…not exactly a joke, but not totally sincere either. The band has recorded some convincing covers of Vampire Weekend songs, but also satirizes the band as it promotes the tribute. Also, they’re all Princeton grads to Vampire Weekend’s Columbia alumni.

AC/DShe
AC/DShe is a San Francisco-area
AC/DC cover band that, surprise!, has all female members. They’ve been playing the tribute circuit for 11 years and claim to be the first in the female metal tribute band wave craze. Also, they claim there was a female metal tribute band wave craze.

Beatallica
These guys I've actually heard of and downloaded their albums, which are
Beatles covers in the style of Metallica. And they're not too bad either. “Leper Madonna”? You bet!

Juggalos Have Gathered

You had the preview, now here's the review:

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

For That Fresh From The Paddock Look

Want to have that Fernando Alonso look that says "I'm a big crybaby"? Or style that whispers "second driver" like Felipe Massa? Well wait no longer! Taking time off from their flexible front wing, Ferrari engineers designed the electric motor for this hair dryer. Even the specs are written to make it sound like one of their vehicles:

FERRARI DESIGNED AC V12 engine
Powerful 2200W
Very long life up to 2000 hours
Airspeed 130km/hr
Airflow 95m3/hr
TURBO-shot instant boost airflow increases airflow pressure up to 15%
Intense air pressure 6.2 bar
Tri-port Ionic generator

They offer a one year guarantee plus an extension of one year on the engine, which is a better deal than Kimi Raikkonen ever got. The blower comes in two sizes just like their F1 drivers: medium (Alonso) and a compact one (Massa), as well as black and Ferarri red. Still not sold? Check out this pitch:

BaByliss®PRO expertise and FERRARI excellence have fused to bring forth an exclusive designed appliance with exceptional performances specially constructed to maximize its airflow and by minimizing its weight and vibration in order to optimise fast drying and long lasting styling effect.

No thanks...but do you have a McLaren version in rocket red?

8-Bit Films

Another cool, pop culture show coming up at Gallery 1988 featuring the 8-bit film blends of Jude Buffum.







The Ballad Of Sound Ryan

You folks don't know what Rybot has to go through...
(*tips 40oz, spills malt liquor*)

Monday, August 16, 2010

MRSA Reversa

MRSA bacteria is a nasty, virulent bacteria that breeds in hospitals, killing patients in recovering from surgery or other afflicted with other ailments. So rather than antibiotics, which will eventually lose potency, MRSA-free hospitals can be made...with paint?

A group of biotech researchers developed the paint by knitting together carbon nanotubes with lysostaphin, an enzyme that slices open cell walls and kills them. Lysostaphin is a naturally-occurring substance that bacteria developed to combat other kinds of bacteria - a sort of organic nullifier that is also super-focused. That is, it only destroys staph bacteria, including MRSA. One hundred percent of the MRSA that came into contact with the lysostaphin paint died within two hours. Not bad results.

The lysostaphin/nanotube mix can be used in paint for hospital walls, and possibly to coat surgical instruments. It can be washed repeatedly without losing effectiveness and has a dry storage shelf life of up to six months. And as a bonus, the lysostaphin/nanotube mix is environmentally friendly!