Ah, the joys of gift giving.
Dec 24, 2008
Dec 23, 2008
Dec 22, 2008
Objective
Originally uploaded by omnicollective
As if you didn't already know that Pix is tha shizzle--SZ's homie omnicollective took this pic.
Dec 21, 2008
Dec 19, 2008
Any of you SWPL yuppies from Michigan go to a directional school? Huh? No? Well I did, and I've never been more proud of my B.S. in sociology than when I received an alumni newsletter in my inbox today. The mast: 
Ja, Go EMU!! Except that's the side of the same beer store I used to pay bums to buy my Mad Dog 20/20 for me. It is, after all, Ypsilanti, and is to Anne Arbour what Springfield is to Eugene, or Milwaukee/Scappose/Troutdale is to Portland.
Dec 18, 2008
Auditorium is a beautiful puzzle game where you get to simultaneously create elegant vector art, compose moving sound-scapes, and explore Newtonian physics. And it stores your progress when you go away. Definitely good way to pass an hour or two during a long snow day.
Space Zombie likes to dress up his kitty cat as much as the other guy, but if I ever meet this bitch, I'm a bust her in the fucking chops.
The original ad. Apparently she cut off his tail, put 14-gauge rings in his little kitty ears, and then ran a 14-gauge "submission ring" through his neck to attach a leash to.
Thanks to the recent snow storm, Space Zombie just spent the last week wandering through the amazing DC wasteland of Fallout 3--making friends, kicking some ass, and (more often than not) getting the shit scared out of him. If you like video games at all, or if you have even a passing interest in '80's style post-apocalyptic sci-fi, you seriously need to check it out. Detailed review below:
-
RPG's are awesome! Fallout 3 allows you to create highly customized characters: from their looks to their skills, to their complete storyline. The G.O.A.T. is a basic RPG skill system that allows for the player to chose an area of focus and pump those skills while neglecting others. These skills will have a definite impact on the game and will determine how and if you deal with certain situations. Skills are also tied to attributes (which also inform certain in-game mechanics) and should be chosen together to create the character you want. Space Zombie's advice: don't try to balance skills and attributes too much; pick a few to focus on and pump them up early. -
First-Person rules! With next generation gaming, the days of the old 3/4 view flat-world games are long gone--which is good for Space Zombie who has been hooked on FPS since Golden Eye. Fallout 3 takes advantage of the 360's capabilities to give us a massive 3D environment with day and night cycles(watch the sun rise over the Capitol Wasteland and you'll understand this post's title) and a save system that actually stores your old kills for the duration of the game. This game uses the V.A.T.S. system to keep the good-old RPG feel and to set Fallout 3 apart from games like Halo and GTA. V.A.T.S. is a targeting system that gives great control over combat, offers awesome visuals, and ties combat to player attributes and the G.O.A.T. skills. 
Sandboxing can be fun! While any good RPG is definitely story-driven, we have come to expect an ability to break off at any time and explore the world on our own. In the old Secret of Mana days, this meant randomly fighting monsters and having basically meaningless conversations with NPC's. In Fallout 3, there are enough side-quests--for either good or evil characters--to offer hours of game-play enjoyment. In addition, there are strongholds and enclaves of baddies scattered throughout the world where you can just break in, bust a few caps, and build up your inventory. 
Epic Sci-Fi is the shiznit! Graphics and game mechanics are important, but any RPG worth the title is ultimately judged by the quality of its story-line. And Fallout 3 delivers. I don't want to give anything away, but the main-storyline was good enough that I quickly stopped playing the side quests because I needed to find out what happened next--plus some fools pissed Space Zombie off and he wasn't about to let that drop. In addition, Bethesda maintains the old retro-kitsch feel of the Fallout series with Atomic Age imagery--such as a bad-ass laser-blasting version of Forbidden Planet's Robbie the Robot and Sputnik-like Eyebots.
Conclusion: Fallout 3 sets itself apart from the crowd and establishes itself as one of the icons of RPG greatness. I place Fallout 3 at the top of the pack with all-time classics like Final Fantasy II, Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, and Ocarina of Time. For those of you who are more accustomed to the FPS genre, Fallout 3 will offer you a nice window into the RPG universe while holding its own against the likes of Goldeneye, Doom, and GTA.
Dec 16, 2008
Parts & Labor - Receivers
Introduced to me by the Milkman. wall of noise done in major chord progressions with rawkin party yell singing. Sounds like a good version of Andrew WK, if that's possible. Except with a new wave twist.
The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Down with wimpy indie. Long live 70's rock.
Paavoharju - Yha Hamaraa
Every single vowel in this album should have an umlaut over it.
Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It
Down with modern R&B. Long live Motown.
The Knux - Remind me in 3 Days...
Okay, not one of my favorites. I haven't listened to it twice, but definitely the most interesting hip-hop release this year.
Vessels - White Fields and Open Devices
There is certain music that is only meant for headphones. Other music only sounds good on the dancefloor. Other music is only good as background, and there's even some that finds it's niche when you're doing some heads down work at your desk, trying to get a project done. There's cruising the strip music. There's dinner music. Then there's this, which I don't think fits any of those. It's driving music, but not cruising the strip. You can't be cruising the strip. You have to be in your old Buick in some old soviet bloc country, old factory buildings everywhere, under a bleak sky with snow lightly falling. Or, if that's not possible for you, the closest thing to it.
Now that we've covered ideal listening conditions, lets talk about the music. This album is complex. It's brain-numbingly hard at times and moody and quiet at others. Like a lot of modern prog-rock, it can feel a little cold and unfeeling at times (think Mars Volta) but still creates an emotional response. It never fails to impress in some way.
Track Selection: An Idle Brain and the Devil's Workshop. While not my favorite, it's the track that best showcases the range of sounds and styles on the album.
First, an equation:
Man + Angle Grinder - Attention =
Now, a story. When working with power tools, whether they be meant for the cutting of wood or metal (in this case metal) it is always important to remember one thing: namely that both metal and wood are much tougher than flesh and bone.
If you allow your frustration to pull you attention away and momentarily distract you, bad things can happen (see equation above). After all, it only takes a second to cut through (or in my example abrade away) flesh.
In my case, mushrooming the end of a bolt with a hammer while trying to drive it out can be annoying. Especially when said bolt is important and difficult to replace. Deciding the best way to fix it is by grinding of the end is not per say a bad decision, although attempting afore mentioned procedure while frustrated can prove hazardous. Also note, doing so on a snowy Sunday afternoon requiring your pregnant wife to drive you to the emergency room over icy streets and bitter cold winds is not recommended either.
Dec 15, 2008
Since JGW has found his niche for end-of-the-year blogging, far be it for me to step on his toes. For one, he sums up the year's best albums so well and succinctly that I don't have to bother actually listening because I've already heard them in my head; and two, the only albums I have from 2008 are ones JGW himself let me fish off his computer. So I'm starting my own column, to run once. It's to celebrate the best album of 2007, which I only discovered this past week: 
JGW-like breakdown: This album ripped my face off and kissed all the tasty parts inside before using a caulk gun to glue it back on. But really, I don't mind the caulk so much: I've been so busy dancing, and it feels like sweat. And that was just the first 1/3 of the album. After a one-second break between tracks 7 and 8, my face was assaulted again, this time with a trumpet. At least that trumpet was used during the 30s swing period to make the hooks peppered throughout the best album of 2007.
Track selection - this one:
Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue
This album is so eclectic it’s hard to describe its style. Sounding jam band at times, then anti-hippy indie at others, they also move between light-hearted tunes that don’t take themselves seriously to songs that are dramatic and solemn. They go from rootsy downhome to sonic soundscapes from song to song. One consistent aspect is that some of my friends from college, the ones that loved 101.1 the WRIF, would have challenged my masculinity for listening to any track on this album. But, I like it. As this is Plants and Animals debut album, hopefully it only gets better in the future.
Is that Tomas on the right of the picture?
Track Selection: Bye Bye Bye
Hitchens raises a good point. Is there any good reason for religious institutions to be tax exempt? I know they are responsible many charitable acts, but this doesn't seem to be the primary objective in most cases and seems difficult to justify when they construct grandiose buildings and some tele-evangelists live in opulence.
Dec 13, 2008
The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Grave
Throw this one in the I can't understand 80%. Actually, despite the fact this is a Swede with a scratch, dylan-esque twang, if you listen hard enough you can make out 95% of the words. I've never tried that hard before because I'm too busy feeling warm and fuzzy from whatever he's singing about. I don't know what he's saying, but the man speaks the truth. This is feel good music. The type that makes you nod your head and go "yeah, shit's going to be all right."
Track Selection: Every single song on this album is good. They're almost all equally good. But I'll go with "The Gardner."
Dec 12, 2008
eMC - The Show
Since I spend half my time listening to hip-hop, I wanted to include a hip-hop album in my list of eight. Unfortunately, there was no hip-hop album this year that struck me as something special. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be this debut album from eMC. This foursome of MCs, brought together by Masta Ace, struck me immediately with their early 90's native tongues style, which seems to always draw me in. Is that because it was my high school days, or was rap just much better at that time?
But, while the style appealed to me at first, the content is what makes this worth multiple listens. The least real member of this group keeps it more real than any other MC rapping today. They never act like something they're not. They give an optimistic message throughout but make fun of themselves, list their frustrations, talk about how they'll never be superstars, but they're digging the small pleasures of being part of the music industry - like getting room service and hanging out with each other. It's like listening to some guys that I went to school with talking about how they're enjoying their adult life.
Track Selection: Traffic, Feel It
Dec 11, 2008
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
What’s up with these solo artists these days that call themselves something that sounds like a band name? There seems to be many of them. I read that this album was written in a cabin in Wisconsin, and listening to it makes me want to be there. In the morning. Looking out the window, coffee in hand, with nothing to do. Relaxed and contemplative. Usually I don’t get into these falsetto voices. Usually it sounds a little forced. Not in this case. It’s perfect for the mood.
Dec 10, 2008
Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Lyrics about beer, grandaddy’s shotgun, preachers, fish, broken TV sets, mechanical bulls, and whiskey. As cliché country as it gets. They even have “truckers” in their band name. But who cares. The shits got some down-home feel to it. Live the cliché. Throw on this album and partake in some activity that involves some or even all of the subjects above…with an emphasis on the drinking. You won’t be sorry. And if you are sorry. Put on this album to drown in your own sorry ass sorrows.
Track Selection: Perfect Timing
Dec 9, 2008
Quiet Village - Silent Movie
I wouldn't be surprised if many people, upon reading this review listen to the album and decide that they hate it and, in turn, hate JGW for his love for it and his suggestion that they listen to it. Many of the track are overly simplistic and all of them are cheesy. But, they all invoke feeling like that cheesy B-movie soundtrack you found yourself getting into. Except that each track sounds like its for an entirely different B-movie than the one before it. "Circus of Horror" sounds like it's from a blaxploitation film. "Pillow Talk" is like its from a sex scene of a late-night movie on Cinemax. "Can't be Beat" might be from some thriller where the hero is walking through an abandoned cold city at night while steam pours from the sewers. I guess that what I'm saying is that it's really fitting that this album is called "Silent Movie" since each track makes me picture an imaginary scene from a movie. The scene is always silent, save for the soundtrack.
Dec 8, 2008
Al Green - Lay It Down
Wait until it's evening time, and it's cold outside. Put on a sweater, even if you don't normally wear sweaters. Pour a glass of wine. Get cozy. If you're feeling it, romance your lady. It's the perfect album for doing so.
And, let's rejoice in the fact that this is Green's first good album since the mid-70's, and damn is it good. It makes me wonder how someone can stray so far off what their fans want for so long and then find it again, twenty years later. Are Andre 3000 and Big Boi going to get together in 2030 and put out an album on par with Aquemini? Green gives us hope.
Track Selection: Take Your Time (f/ Corinne Bailey Rae)
Dec 4, 2008
Your big winner, before and after.
Some people just don't look as good when they start losing their hair.
Dec 2, 2008
![New Old Lompoc [5Q]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2414/2488237266_17ef91beac_m.jpg)
Bryan Keilty, New Old Lompoc's 5Q Brewery.
Blitzen -- Dry-hopped, spiced Golden Ale (5.0% ABV): This beer is the house Fool’s Golden Ale that was dry-hopped and spiced with coriander, and dried orange peel in the bright beer tanks. Golden color, spice and orange aroma, with a balanced malt and hop finish.
Brewdolph -- Belgian-style Strong Ale (8.8% ABV): This beer was brewed with malted barley, flaked oats, malted wheat, and raw honey. The Belgian yeast strain used during fermentation produces a spicy clove flavor and aroma. Reddish brown color, clove/spice aroma, malty and honey flavor on the finish. Available exclusively at the 2008 Holiday Ale Festival.
C-son’s Greetings -- Imperial Pale Ale (8.0% ABV): Imperial version of the C-Note. Brewed and dry-hopped with all seven C-named hops (Cluster, Columbus, Challenger, Chinook, Crystal, Cascade, and Centennial) Deep copper color, piney, citrusy, floral, resinous aroma and full hop flavor, rich caramel malt finish with an endless developing hop presence.
Jolly Bock -- Strong Amber Lager (7.0% ABV): This cold fermented lager was brewed with a generous amount of Munich malt to develop the deep color and rich malt flavor. Amber-russet color, malty flavor, balanced spicy hop bitterness, with a warming alcohol finish.
Old Tavern Rat -- Aged Dark Barley Wine (9.0% ABV): Imperial version of the Lompoc Strong Draft. This ale was brewed last January and was cellared for 10 months prior to its release. Deep mahogany –brown color, rich and complex malty flavor with enough hop bitterness to help balance the warming alcohol finish.
Holiday Cheer -- Vanilla Porter (7.0% ABV): This robust Porter was infused with fresh vanilla beans. Dark reddish-brown color, rich malty flavor with hints of vanilla, bourbon, honey and roasted malt.
Is it wrong that I'm disappointed with the outcome of this?
I mean, the guy is probably a decent human with loved ones who would be pained, and maybe even children who would be scarred. But I can't shake the feeling that I wanted the buck to kill the guy instead. Does this make me a bad person?
The board brushed against this subject a while back, when I said I was looking forward to seeing "Religulous" and others made some critical remarks about it. Well, that movie turned out to be both hilarious and prescient.
And the film made some good points. Why do we need religion? What other relics of the Stone Age still survive today? Why is okay to believe in Samson but not Hercules? Why would it be ludicrous to suggest that Jack and the Beanstalk is real but people who think that a man could live in a whale is somehow plausible? If I prayed to a zombie then I'd be nuts, but if I claim that zombie lived, died, and came back from the dead 2000 years ago then I fit the norm? How can people kid themselves like this? (Since we live in the US, I'm concentrating on the dominant religion here, but these criticisms exist of any mythology artificially represented as a religion.)
That's not to mention the ontological impossibility with a god that is supposedly all powerful, all knowing, and all good. But I guess I don't expect most religious people to be able to grapple with that, other than a vague "we can't understand god/he moves in mysterious way" response.
I understand that a fear of death is a large instigator in the formation and propagation of these fairy tales. But I just don't see that we can accept that anymore. Especially when you consider the harm that religion has caused: not just the familiar historical litany of Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, Witch Trials, Holocaust, etc, but today the effects from the ignorant religious are nearly as bad. The Mormon church poured 20 million dollars (tax-free dollars at that) into preventing same-sex marriages. Why? George W Bush started a holy war in the middle east because "god told him to do it." How is that acceptable in the 21st century?! We have a name for people who hear voices in there head that tell them what to do.
The counter arguments for religion seem to come in two forms. One is some variation of Pascal's wager: why not believe in religion if it guarantees you a spot in the afterlife? This meager position has been debunked many times; obviously choosing one religion over the hundreds of other choices isn't such a clear bet after all.
The other religious perspective I've encountered is the idea that without religion, there is no ethics. In other words, being an atheist or agnostic is just an excuse to live a life of hedonistic pleasure. Leaving aside the hypocrisy of such a position ("judge not..."), it simply isn't validated by any evidence. Atheists donate per capita more than any other group. Atheists are the smallest representation in prisons. This might correlate with another factor (education) rather than be a casual relationship, but the fact that education and atheism/agnosticism correlate so strongly is room for thought. I think you can go so far as to say that education/intelligence is mutually exclusive from religion. You can take a Kierkegaardian leap of faith, sure, but it doesn't require thought or reason to make that leap.
Everyone has faith in something; even it's simply faith in their own lack of faith. I do think people should have the right to believe in what they want. But there's a lot of knowledge out there. Limiting yourself to a book of 2000 year old desert superstitions isn't constructive for yourself, for your society, or for the world as a whole. It's time that we as a people stop turning a blind eye to such cultivated ignorance.
It seems to me that any good thing associated with religion (namely ethics) can be arrived at a variety of ways, and most of those other ways don't have the inherent cost of intolerance, ignorance, and blatant disregard for reality.
Dec 1, 2008
A hundred or so news cycles old, but the State still reels --
Their highest profile politician grows a goatee and accepts an irrelevant cabinet position after getting bypassed in favor of Hillary for Secretary of State.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
