Friday, May 30, 2008

Dance Dance Fat Kid Revolution



Enjoy.

Anyone for tennis...and acid?



Cream from 1968. Clapton needs to bring back that handle-bar stash (and so does Sahmali)

Hendrix






Supposedly the first video of Jimi Hendrix. He's playing behind the singers "Bobby and Stacy" and is the guitarist on the far left. It's also rumored that he doubled as the choreographer.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Rare Uncontacted Tribe is... Contacted?

Interesting article from Reuters discussing a recent sighting of a Brazilian tribe who had never come into contact with outside civilization. I assume they figured out that this tribe was "uncontacted" when they prepared to shoot arrows at their plane. There are now 100, I mean 99 uncontacted tribes left. The article goes on to say "The world needs to wake up to this, and ensure that their territory is protected in accordance with international law." Wow, there's a thought! Protecting an indigenous people's land?! The article can be found here.

















Picture from Reuters

21st century McCarthyism

Do you think our blog has the power to get this Ad playing again?

Dunkin' Donuts pulls Rachael Ray ad

The coffee and donut chain says it yanked online spot to avoid 'misperception'; professor says links to extremism are narrow-minded and even racist.

BOSTON (AP) -- Dunkin' Donuts has pulled an online advertisement featuring Rachael Ray after complaints that a fringed black-and-white scarf that the celebrity chef wore in the ad offers symbolic support for Muslim extremism and terrorism.

The coffee and baked goods chain said the ad that began appearing online May 7 was pulled over the past weekend because "the possibility of misperception detracted from its original intention to promote our iced coffee."

In the spot, Ray holds an iced coffee while standing in front of trees with pink blossoms.

Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin complained that the scarf wrapped around her looked like a kaffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress. ''The kaffiyeh, for the clueless, is the traditional scarf of Arab men that has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad,'' Malkin wrote in her syndicated column.

"Popularized by Yasser Arafat and a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos, the apparel has been mainstreamed by both ignorant (and not-so-ignorant) fashion designers, celebrities, and left-wing icons," she said.

A statement issued Wednesday by Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Brands Inc., however, said the scarf had a paisley design, and was selected by a stylist for the advertising shoot.

"Absolutely no symbolism was intended," the company said.

Dunkin' spokeswoman Michelle King said the ad appeared on the chain's Web site, as well as other commercial sites.

Amahl Bishara, an anthropology lecturer at the University of Chicago who specializes in media matters relating to the Middle East, said complaints about the scarf's use in the ad demonstrate misunderstandings of Arab culture and the multiple meanings that symbols can take on depending on someone's perspective.

"I think that a right-wing blogger making an association between a kaffiyeh and terrorism is just an example of how so much of the complexity of Arab culture has been reduced to a very narrow vision of the Arab world on the part of some people in the U.S.," Bishara said in a phone interview. "Kaffiyehs are worn every day on the street by Palestinians and other people in the Middle East - by people going to work, going to school, taking care of their families, and just trying to keep warm."

While some extremists and terrorists may wear kaffiyehs, "To reduce their meaning to support for terrorism has a tacit racist tone to it," Bishara said.

Malkin, in a posting following up on last week's column, said of Dunkin's decision to pull the ad, "It's refreshing to see an American company show sensitivity to the concerns of Americans opposed to Islamic jihad and its apologists."

Ray, host of the Food Network television program "30 Minute Meals" as well as a syndicated daytime talk show, began appearing in ads for Dunkin' Donuts in March 2007. When Dunkin' announced the partnership, it said Ray would be featured in TV, print, radio and online spots in a campaign running through 2010.

Sumo Outrage

From espn.com

TOKYO -- A veteran sumo wrestler who attacked a junior grappler with a cooking instrument has been ordered to take a salary cut for his violent outburst.

Toyozakura, whose ladle-wielding assault left the 18-year-old victim bleeding and needing eight stitches, will take a 30 percent pay cut for three months, Japanese sumo officials said on Thursday.

The same punishment was meted out to gym chief Magaki for beating a junior wrestler with a bamboo sword in the latest in a series of incidents that has tarnished sumo's image.

Toyozakura, 34, apologized after admitting he used a ladle to hit the apprentice on the head.

"I asked him to do something, which I don't remember exactly, but he couldn't do it," Toyozakura said, according to Agence France-Presse.

Sumo dates back some 2,000 years and retains many Shinto religious overtones, but the sport has been plagued by scandal in recent months.

Violent hazing, or beating during training, has long been seen as customary, contributing to the sport's struggle to attract new recruits. But there was a public outcry over the death last year of a teenage apprentice who was beaten with a beer bottle and a baseball bat.


Japan's government has weighed in on the issue, ordering sumo officials to clean up their act.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

That One Up Guy

Drawing from the real world I am going to make a bold step and one up one of my Multicultural Friends and a recent story of their's. How I came into the opportunity is simple and innocent. I went to the grocery store.
It was 11:30pm and I was in need of things. Specifically liquid smoke and molasses to add to one of a series of barbecue sauce recipes I am developing and some various flavored potato chips to satisfy a hunger for sliced, pressed, deep fried snacks with dusty deliciousness sprinkled on top.
I went to the grocer on 50th and France instead of the one on Vernon because I want to get some good cuts of meat to put on the grill the next day. Something to try with the new recipe, you know. Also, the place is just cleaner feeling.
So I am walking down the aisle. My basket has molasses. I am searching for liquid smoke.
"Smick?" I hear the voice before I see who it is. I look down the aisle.
It is Robb Nelson's little brother. He is wearing some stupid baseball cap that doesn't fit because he has too much hair.
"Jali? I mean, Smick Jali, right?" He breaks my pleasant silence for the second time without giving me much of anything to work with as far as making a response goes.
"Yeah."
At this point I wish I would have had the balls to just say to Robb Nelson's brother that I don't want to be bothered while I shop for groceries at my local store at 11:30pm. In fact, I used to come to these stores between two and four in the morning to make sure I could find what I needed and enjoy my experience without running into you or my dentist's dental assistant or the Bolles's mom or Hedi Holmberg. That was until a state law was passed to keep the lights off and the vegetables and refrigerated items sealed at night. That closed grocery stores from 12am to 5am.
Instead, Robb Nelson's brother digs for more, "So, what are you up to?"
I live in my mom's basement, "Not much, man."
At this point I was about ten feet away from Robb Nelson's brother. My side was facing him because I was still halfway trying to see if liquid smoke was in front of me where I had been looking before I had been interrupted. I thought I was using body language to communicate things in a less awkward way than words would.
Robb Nelson's brother had to make it awkward. He pressed on. "Cool. Your beard is really long man."
He had a halfway smile on his face so I didn't know exactly how to react. I thought for a second. Robb Nelson's brother's dad has a beard, and I even remember hearing at one point that Robb Nelson's brother himself had grown a beard. I am going to try and make communication?
"Yeah, it was even longer before. I heard you had a beard, right?" Look at that. I think he was surprised that I remembered who he was. I had him off kilter now and I was going to strike. I turned my body and opened myself up to Robb Nelson's brother. I smiled at him.
"Yeah, I did. Not like that though." Robb Nelson's brother pointed at my face.
Damn. He got me back good. I gave him everything I had and he held his ground and shut me down. I always liked his mom, she seemed like a smart woman and her job and accomplishments confirmed my feelings. His dad was also a successful man, although I had never gotten to know him much. This son they had raised, Robb Nelson's brother, he wasn't bad. But he was about to remember that I am the best.
I looked at Robb Nelson's brother and broke down the situation. This had been my aisle. My trip to the grocery store. This is my planet. So I seized control. I remembered body language and at the same time vocal expression.
"What are you doing here?" I asked with an authority that was brand new to the situation. Robb Nelson's brother was taken aback.
Robb Nelson's brother started to answer, "I'm hanging out with Natalie Sandy and Julie White and..."
Partially I stopped listening, partially Robb Nelson's brother trailed off. I think it was because Robb Nelson's brother realized that he had seen a line, danced on it, and suddenly become aware that he had crossed it.
It also may have had to do with my choice of body language. As I asked Robb Nelson's brother, "What are you doing here?" I closed in on him. One step after another, aggressively yet under control, I closed the gap between us and stopped.
Robb Nelson's brother tried to end the awkward moment by stepping to the side of me and taking a few steps past me. He kept his head down because as he tried to walk away from me I calmly sidestepped close by him trying to keep my face near his head. Robb Nelson's brother's speed increased as he walked down the aisle away from me.
"What are you doing this summer?" I asked as I stopped moving.
"Working at a YMCA camp," Robb Nelson's brother responded without looking at me as he turned and disappeared around the corner at the end of the aisle.
I smiled and turned back to the shelf to see if I could find liquid smoke.

Great Scott!

McClellan Slams Bush, White House "Propaganda Campaign" ... "...Rove, Libby and possibly Vice President Cheney — allowed me, even encouraged me, to repeat a lie." ... Rove, Libby held "suspicious" closed door meeting during C.I.A. Leak Scandal ... Bush was in "state of denial" during Hurricane Katrina ... "What I do know is that war should only be waged when necessary, and the Iraq war was not necessary."
– Former Bush Spokesman Scott McClellan

Read the article: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10649.html

Little Jonathan - Get Crunk with Class

It was just brought to my attention that the artist known as Lil' Jon has recently released his latest beverage in the marketplace. Forget the prepubescent favorite, Crunk Juice and move on to the stuff that the big boys like (wine)! Since wine attracts a more sophisticated audience a classy name is necessary. Nothing sounds more refined then christening your wine Little Jonathan. It has a great ring to it and you will certainly impress even the most selective wine connoisseurs. After all, Little Jonathan uses "world class varietals from the finest vineyards." Unfortunately, at this time you can only find "LJ" in California and Colorado. All I can say is, YEAHHHHH!
Image Hosted by <span class=
Image From:
http://www.littlejonathanwinery.com/index.php

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Steroid Movie

Have you heard of this movie? Produced by Michael Moore's producers...looks like the same format, meaning 90 minutes of annoying voice-overs...

http://www.biggerstrongerfastermovie.com/

Drums and Guitar + Alicia Keys?

What would this sound like...Just read this on rollingstone.com:

During a phone-in press conference yesterday to discuss her As I Am tour, Alicia Keys talked about her favorite hair style, her love of Juicy sweatpants and her desire to collaborate with the White Stripes. “They’re very raw, very cut and dry. It’s like drums and guitar,” she said. “It’s that simple, and I love that.” Keys said ever since her duet with Keith Urban at last year’s Live Earth concert, she’s been exploring other team-ups, and also listed Queens of the Stone Age, Linkin Park and Coldplay as partners she’d like to work with. But Jack and Meg top her list. “I think that combining that style with mine, which already has a raw feel to it, and my voice, I just think we could do something really interesting that mixes rock and soul together, the blues and emotion, and it could be really touching,” Keys added. As for when the possible collaboration may take place, Keys said “We’ve had some conversations. When the time works out, and it definitely will, it will happen.”

Monday, May 26, 2008

The Real Rain Man

Have you seen this video of the guy the "Rain Man" character was based on? Check it out...this is the first of 5 videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2T45r5G3kA

Indiana Jones is Boring and Smells

In a theater near you Steven Spielberg brings his latest cinematic vision to the screen. 

I went to the theater in a group of three people. One fell asleep. The other didn't mind taking a bathroom break during an intense action sequence and returning to his seat to find Indiana Jones up to his armpits in quicksand without asking a single question about what had happened in between from either of the other two. The third in the group walked out of the theater and dropped the following gem, "That was totally just written by two old guys!" And it was. It was.
'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' was boring and it smelt. Within the first thirty seconds the thought of walking out of the theater crossed my mind. Three minutes into the movie I had fully thought out telling my friends we had to leave on three separate occasions. That was when the credits ended.
In short the movie made very little sense and led to nowhere. It seemed like the sort of thing that any fan of Indiana Jones with a basic knowledge of what a script was could have busted out those pages just by watching the old Indiana Jones movies and checking the news headlines on the world wide web. The movie tried all at once to be 'Star Wars', 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', 'Indiana Jones', and 'Cinderella Man'. It failed to become anything other than a set up for a theme park ride and possibly a video game. The thing got so bad as a whole that some scenes seemed to be rip off's or imitations of 'National Treasure' and 'The Mummy'.
Ray Winstone's character is a joke and a waste of space. Cate Blanchett's character does nothing to establish herself as any sort of nemesis at any point in time. Her character is a joke. I don't even want to touch on Shia Labeuof because I feel like it may very literally have been a joke and I wouldn't want to not get it that badly.
Note the drag race scene in the beginning between a convertible and some military trucks. Note the nuclear/atomic bomb testing site scene. Note that there are so many magic flying missing bullets that Jules from 'Pulp Fiction' would have a thousand disciples if 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' was a sequel to 'Pulp Fiction'. Note the alien spaceship lifting out of the earth.
Go see 'Redbelt' instead.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

The Big Start-up!

Here's a basic start to a blog that we can all post whatever we want on. Let's start by talking on email and I will give you the username and password so you guys can post and change anything about the design and names of this site. This should be fun.
- Indy