text:
Friday, July 31, 2009
Theological Updates
Monday, July 27, 2009
Hasn't Come Out Yet: Why? - Eskimo Snow
release date: September 22nd, 2009
I feel obligated to talk about this "leak of the week." Last year, my favorite album of the year was Why?'s Alopecia. It was my favorite by far, and I began to think of Why? as one of my new favorite bands. I think they still are, but Eskimo Snow isn't helping.
Yoni Wolf was one of my all time favorite interviews as well. He's a very fascinating dude, mysterious and perverse and creative. So when I experienced such underwhelming feelings upon my first listen of Eskimo Snow, I frowned. All of the low points of Alopecia and Elephant Eyelash are stronger than the best parts of this new one.
I think I need to explain what I loved about Alopecia and Elephant Eyelash before I go on tearing into Eskimo Snow. Elephant Eyelash first. This album still doesn't really have a peer. The dark, poetic hip-hop rhymes amidst multi-instrumental surprises gripped me quick. The music is as startling as the lyrics, and you have no idea what sound you'll hear next. Nor do you have an inkling into what horrific image Yoni's lyrics will put into your mind. You feel bold just listening to the album.
And then Alopecia stepped up a notch higher. Any edgy, unsettling feeling that I had with Elephant Eyelash was now tripled. The album challenged me. Spiritually, artistically and intellectually, Alopecia was brutal. Eskimo Snow is anything but brutal. It's ten tracks, all devoid of hip hop, all lyrically tame. The album is monotone. Yoni has rhymed the monotone thing before to great success, because he always backed it up with intense lyrical imagery and brilliant orchestration. But Eskimo Snow doesn't leave this strange zone of unwavering monotony. Folks, you know how much it pains me to say these things, but the new Why? album is boring.
But I shouldn't be that surprised. It's basically a b-sides album for Alopecia. All of the songs were recorded at the same time, Anticon has just been trying to release them in their own context. It's kind of like when Sufjan released The Avalanche. And we all know how mixed those feelings were.
Folks, this is why editing is one of the greatest virtues creative people can have. There is a lot of art that must not ever see the light of day. That's not to say that its creation and existence is not important, the unseen art is absolutely essential. But some art merely exists to show its creator what is effective and what isn't, what is for the world and what is for the individual creator. The songs on Eskimo Snow should tell Yoni that he made the right decisions by cutting them out of Alopecia. They would have muddled the album. But now here they are, trying to stand on their own merit. Suddenly, Why?'s intrigue has diminished, and we have disappointment as a result of lacked artistic self-control.
The three tracks at the end are the album's best. Berkeley By Hearseback, This Blackest Purse, and Eskimo Snow. Those three should have been released by themselves, as an EP, maybe with a remix for a fourth track. Everything else sounds like They Might Be Giants without the fun. It's fine if Yoni wants to sing through an entire album and try different things. But if that means that his music becomes less dynamic as a result, then he shouldn't. Eskimo Snow is a huge sidestep for Why?. A misstep.
Now, the undeniable theme of the album is death. Irony, irony, irony. Ironic, dear readers, because this album kills the fantastic and mystical elements that used to be one of Why?'s strongest qualities. The discography is now forever tainted. Let's just hope that Yoni experiences a resurrection. That's why I'll attend the Chicago date of his upcoming tour. I think Yoni needs our support more than ever. Despite the sentiment of Eskimo Snow, this isn't the end of Why?. Not yet.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Regarding the Fanny Pack
Originally published at: http://www.ehow.com/about_5209504_fanny-pack-rules.html
The fanny pack is sort of the human being's attempt at becoming a kangaroo. This saggy, funny pouch sits just below the belly. It's a vital accessory for tourists and irony-crazed hipsters. The fanny pack isn't taken very seriously in the fashion world, but that doesn't mean it can't (or shouldn't) be worn with dignity.
- Fanny packs become popular in the late 1980s. They were worn not only by bicyclists and tourists, but by any average young person in touch with the times. The "fanny" title came as a result of where the pack was first intended to sit. Originally, the pack was supposed to sit just above the buttocks, but eventually become more fashionable to rest on the side hip. Tourists usually wore the pack just over their crotches, and some continue to do so today.
- The fanny pack is worn like a belt around the waist. One area contains a pouch for storage. People store glasses, money, gum and various valuables that they wish to keep near when they are active. It's ideal for bicyclists and runners who do not have pockets.
- Most fanny packs are made out of relatively cheap, thin fabric and a zipper. This is the sort that athletic types and hipsters usually choose to wear.
Other fanny packs are surprisingly expensive. Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs have all created lines of fanny packs recently. These newer, leather fanny packs usually sport a button or flap instead of a zipper. They are called Buffalo pouches in the fashion world, and are almost always worn on the side of the hip.
- Tourists are not the only people who wear fanny packs. Any stylish person can wear a fanny pack if he doesn't look lumpy while doing so. Finding a sleek fanny pack is very difficult, though.
- If you're a hipster, don't wear a neon retro fanny pack anymore. These are entirely associated with hipsters now, and should be retired from the ironic wardrobe. A more appropriate hipster fanny pack is associated with Native American Buffalo pouches. These are still relatively inexpensive and usually feature Native American designs on thin leather hides.
ewoh said
on 7/26/2009 Thanks Mr. Peterson. I was just about to buy some neon fanny packs in bulk, but then I read your insightful article. I canceled my order and instead bought a couple buffalo pouches. I even saved $12.89!
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Perfect Game
I think this is the 2nd sports post I've ever attempted, possibly the third. But 30 years from now when I look back at the things I cared enough to write about, I just know that I would be pissed at myself for not having made special mention of Mark Buehrle's perfect game. When it happened, I called my dad and texted my wife. It felt like a once in a lifetime event, not unlike the moon landing I would assume. I think it's safe to say that this was the south side's moon landing. Boy was it huge.
I didn't watch the actual game, I was following the play-by-play online. I wasn't listening to the radio or any commentators, but when I noticed that we were in the sixth inning without allowing any hits, I perked up. Bill Gallo and I started talking about it online. It was possible. He could get a no-hitter. Before we knew it, the 7th inning was over. I started getting butterflies in my stomach. By the time he finished off the 8th, my heart was beating like a double bass drum.
Watching the 9th inning online was very strange. It didn't show exactly what was going on, but it momentarily showed the Rays with a hit. A double. I groaned, shrugged my shoulders and got happy for our win. But in the matter of a minute, everything changed. Out of nowhere, it showed three outs, no men on base, and the hit was no longer on the board for the Rays. What just happened? Did he do it?
I could have turned the radio on at any point after the sixth inning, but I was being superstitious. I really didn't want to jinx anything. So I stayed in my seat all the way to the end. But once the score was final, I ran to the radio. "A PERFECT GAME! For Mark Buerhle!" He did it. I don't know how, but he did it.
I turned the TV on. The news was coming on in 5 minutes, and they would surely have the replays.
Holy Dewayne Wise Batman!
Now, I think that baseball is generally a very boring sport. Games like this are one in a million. But that catch in the 9th inning by Wise was unbelievable. It was like the climax of a baseball movie. You could hear everyone at the park gasp when they ball was hit, silent as it took its downward plunge, but the eruption when Wise came up with it was like a volcano. What a badass catch.
And then hearing Hawk's play by play at the last out. "AlexeeeiiiiIIII!!!"
Oh my God. It sounded like he was about to cry. I've never heard more emotion in a sports announcer's voice. I loved it.
Boy did it feel good.
When you're raised a Sox fan, you're raised to assume that your team is going to suck. So when something like this happens, you're even more exuberant and joyful. It's not only surprising, it's unbelievable.
But this perfect game has jolted some energy into us Sox fans. We're fueled and ready to win this division now. We're ready for the playoffs. We have Obama behind us, and we don't want to let him down.
All I want to do now is go to a Sox game with my dad and brother. Because sometimes this silly old tradition is just the perfect way to spend our time together.
Go Sox.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Paradoxically Pitchfork
I have childhood memories of going to toy stores. The feeling I had when I was in these toy stores was pure and joyful, a feeling that I haven't had in a long time. Today those stores are gone. Maybe it's sad that I can't physically go visit a memory and feel that old joy again, but it actually feels right that some of my past has ceased to exist. It's almost as if my own physical growth is somehow connected to the external world, and vice versa. I mean, if everything that existed as it did when I was younger continued to do so today, then how could I have really changed? If I intend to grow and develop as a human being, don't my surroundings need to change as well?
Blacks start moving in, whites fly away. Urban neighborhoods decay while suburbs sprawl into oblivion. The senior citizens remember the good old days when things were good. Because they're not good now. They were good then.
Change is one of those things we love to hate, and hate to love. But in the end, we know we need it. We know it's inevitable.
I've gone to the Pitchfork Music Festival every year since its inception. Every year, I see changes that I immediately want to condemn. The first year was perfect. And now… it's just not.
The Flaming Lips were memorable for many reasons at this year's Pitchfork Fest, but their front-man made one statement that jumped out at me louder than any of the songs or images that surrounded it. Wayne Coyne confidently declared, "Everybody knows that Pitchfork is the best music festival in America." And a few of the thousands cheered. But I groaned.
Now that the secret is out, expect legions of marketers and corporations to force their way into Ryan Schreiber's little indie block party. The pure fun has turned into obligation. Daily lineup schedules have become checklists. Once I've seen a band, I can now tell everyone that I have done so. Nothing happens for the moment anymore at Pitchfork Fest. The monster lives and breathes and grows, more monstrous every year.
I'm exaggerating, but there is a problem at Pitchfork Fest. The problem comes by its own self-awareness. Once anything realizes how it can be marketed, its artistic value declines. And yes, this is a problem. Like hipster backlash in Wicker Park, insincere "cool" is unforgivable.
On Friday night, Built to Spill, Yo La Tengo, Tortoise and the Jesus Lizard played sets that were made up entirely of audience votes. It was called, "Write the Night," in conjunction with ATP's "Don't Look Back." How ironic, right? On Sunday, The Flaming Lips half-assedly took part in this activity too (they snuck in some of their new songs in half-assed defiance). The Flaming Lips hence revealed the great folly of this "pick the setlist" idea. When Wayne came on the mic between each song explaining why they were playing it, how many votes it got, or gave excuses for playing something else, it sounded like mumbling around censorship. Because, honestly, that's what it was. Pitchfork fest and its audience censored some of these artists.
I skipped Friday night. Censorship in rock and roll is one of those sins I refuse to break bread over. If me, you, or anybody else is telling an artist how they must express their art in any setting, the artist is being degraded to the role of a performing monkey.
"A new one! Bahhhh! Play your old stuff!" The guy who says this is the worst fan. In essence, he's not a fan at all. He should just listen to his ipod for his musical fulfillment.
For my first impression of Pitchfork this year, the entire festival seemed to say, "No to art. Yes to entertainment." Give us what we want, artist. Or else we'll just ignore you.
I have this pessimistic attitude about Pitchfork every year, but then I always stick around for the rest of the day in hopes of getting my money's worth. And then I always get my money's worth, and then some. I always have fun at Pitchfork. For all of my criticism and negativity, I can't really deny it when I'm just wandering the premises and a band like Japandroids catches my ear.
I hadn't heard the Japandroids album before this weekend. The duo became my surprise of the year at Pitchfork fest. These two men filled the stage with their energy. Both singing/shouting, one on electric guitar and the other drumming like he could've been a cousin of Brian Chippendale. These guys were entirely concerned with rocking. A more sincere rock band couldn't have been found anywhere else in the weekend's line-up. It wasn't the lo-fi noise of No Age or the overindulgent smarminess of Death From Above. It was more like classic punk, or even a remnant of garage rock. Japandroids were a source of energy for me; a new band giving me an old feeling, a rock and roll feeling of guileless emotion.
What a weird event. I always hate it at first, declare its downfall upon viewing the added vendor booths and raised ticket prices, find a band like Japandroids that makes me feel like it doesn't even matter, and then the ongoing paradox just levels me.
Andrew Bird once said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times: "self-awareness is the enemy of creativity." And he's right. The Flaming Lips played a strangely awkward set as a result. But if Pitchfork fest changes, then I have to be ready to take my own medicine. Pitchfork will continue to grow, and I'll have problems with it just as the old man complains about the present while recalling the "good old days."
I mustn't forget to wander the premises. I have to look around and find what's happening now, because whatever gives me that rock and roll feeling is the thing I can't deny. That feeling is always there somewhere, it just moves around. It's not concrete. It's not in one Built to Spill song or any particular music festival. But it's there. I felt it this weekend. It might not be there next year, but change is a wandering wind without worry of alliteration.
I'm glad those toy stores are gone. That old joy has moved elsewhere, and I'm still able to find it every now and then upon wandering.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Grant Park Films: Duck Soup
The Marx Brothers are good once or twice a year. Anything more would cause seizures. But I took my yearly dose tonight in Grant Park. Before the film started, everyone in the audience received a free pair of Groucho glasses. Apparently we set a world record for the most people wearing funny glasses in one place for ten minutes. I'm not sure what the record was before, but i think there were about 4000 people watching Duck Soup tonight. They were all wearing that funny nose and glasses piece. What a sight it was.
Oh, silliness. It is a part of life. But sometimes, we're too serious. Sometimes we don't know how to be silly. That's when we put these funny glasses on. These glasses are instant silly. Even if we're in the middle of presenting dissertations or raping animals, wearing these glasses makes everything silly. All seriousness is removed as silliness takes over.
But the source of the silliness is to blame for these immortal glasses. Groucho Marx is the awful hero of Duck Soup, the smart-alec of the century and unrivaled king of the bad pun. I groaned so many times tonight. But I couldn't stop smiling either. When Groucho asked Harpo what his name was and Harpo showed him a tattoo on his arm of his own face, I nearly lost it. Then after asking where he lives, Harpo opens his shirt to reveal a tattoo of a doghouse on his chest. Groucho leans in, meows, and a real dog pops out of Harpo's tattoo barking. I nearly died.
I mean, what the hell were these guys on?
If things were this silly in the 30s', we really haven't come very far in the comedy world. Family Guy seems outrageous to the teenager, but the mature comedy fan knows just how fluffy it really is. The Marx Brothers, now that's hardcore. That's timeless comedy.
"Ah, to be married... I can see you right now in the kitchen, bending over a hot stove. ...But I can't see the stove..."
I feel exhausted by the Marx Brothers now. It's too many jokes in a short period of time. It becomes an intellectual exercise after a while. I've heard that Groucho was a very intelligent person, I'll look into that and verify. But I wouldn't be surprised if he was a genius. Comedy is not mindless. Quite the opposite really, it's incredibly intense brain-work. The trick is making the jokes seem effortless and ridiculous. That's what's called "wit." And there may not have been anyone with more wit than those Marx fellas.
I forget who said it, but it usually doesn't matter who says things, once they're said the sayer gives up all of his saying rights. So I guess I'm saying it. Seriousness is weak, because it closes off the possibility for playfulness. Seriousness is single-minded and elitist. But playfulness is strong, because it includes the possibility for dealing with seriousness, and oftentimes makes light of it. Playfulness is open-minded and free.
The Marx Brothers help us towards playfulness, open-mindedness and freedom. Every time Harpo gives somebody his leg, it's like the political world falls to pieces. Religions forget that they're arguing over ultimate truth with each other when Chico says, "At's the mattah for you?!"
Comedy isn't a way to pacify the serious trouble that exists in the world, it's the way to laugh at it. Laugh or be laughed at, dear readers. Laugh with me. Otherwise I'll make fun of you.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Halfway Through the Middle
I hallucinated this weekend. I was walking up stairs that were taking me downward. I saw a creature with the face of an owl, wings made of firewood and feet that were alarm clocks. If only I had known that I was hallucinating, I would have spent more time with this nonsense. But I was disturbed by these images and feelings. I wanted them to leave me. Why? I'm not sure. They did me no harm. But I did not want to interact with them.
And a few days after my hallucinations, I watched a movie that matched my feelings of the weekend. The Holy Mountain. This film challenged me unlike anything I've experienced in cinema. The images were so grotesque at times, they disturbed me. At times, it felt like everyone involved in the film was on LSD, and I still consider it a possibility. And yet, there was a clear message and direction. Alejandro Jodorowsky believed in something, and he was using cinema to express himself. He may have been disgusting, but some of the topics and themes being explored were surely disgusting as well.
A screaming naked man, covered in spiders while grasping his genitals. A transgendered old creature, naked with half a beard. Sagging breasts are softly sucked upon, until screaming again. The breasts turn into leopards and spray milk out of their mouths like fire hoses. Surrealism beyond Dali and Bunuel. John Lennon and George Harrison gave it two thumbs up.
I watched The Holy Mountain a second time, and the horror has diminished a little bit. Is this ongoing desensitization of my own mind? Or am I merely expanding my artistic horizons? Did Jodorowsky go too far? Or not far enough?
At least now I can be sure of where MGMT and Santogold got their ideas for their music videos.
Do not be afraid of art or spirituality. It is understandable to be afraid of these things, but don't do it. Spirituality is something that never leaves us. To you who do not believe in God, you may leave now. You have no place in humanity. But to be sure, I do not mean the Christian God. I do not mean any particular God. I mean God. If you do not believe in God, I am bored for you. And I do not envy you.
I used to be afraid of Buddhism. I had a dream a few years ago, when I was sleeping in a dorm room. This dream came before and after classes on theology. I only learned about Christian theology though, and knew nothing of other religions. So when this dream came upon me, I dreamed as an ignorant spirit dreams, fearful of what it does not understand. The dream begins on a front lawn, facing a one-floor house with a long porch. All over the porch, and even on some of the lawn, Buddhist statues are situated amidst plants. I think to myself, "A Buddhist must live here." But it is quiet. A thin statue of Buddha is there on the grass. And I walk away from it, towards the open garage door on the side of the house. I walk into the garage, and see the door into the house slightly open. I call out something. I don't remember what. But I begin to hear quick little footsteps from inside the house. I see nothing for a while, but the sound grows nearer. Quickly, around a corner comes a raggedy, old Asian woman. She is quickly waddling towards me, something is in her hand. I am scared right away, she comes at me directly. I see what she holds up at me, it is a small drinking glass, her eyeball is inside. "MY eye! MY eye!" she shrieks as she comes. I look at her face, only one eye in its socket. I am so scared, and I want to run, but I am frozen. She is coming at me faster than I can move, and she will be upon me in moments. "MY eye! MY eye!"
Of course I must wake up here. I was too terrified to deal with whatever gruesomeness was about to occur. I never want to face my fears, who does? But perhaps someday I will. Maybe I'm not desensitizing myself after all. Maybe I'm on a journey towards enlightenment. Who the hell knows.
Enlightenment, finding myself, becoming more and/or less aware, whatever. I can feel the darkness beginning to dissipate either way. The thing about darkness though, it only exists through contrast. Contrast is the entirety, and so never leaves. If light will shine on me, I only hope that it doesn't become blinding. That would be no better than total darkness. I'd like to be able to see.
What symbol or tarot card can comprehend? When Campbell and Jung speak to each other, do they laugh or cry at me?
With less frequency writing, and more radios to tie dials together.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Reevaluating Cannibalism
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Back in Business
Editorial Comments
Jul 8, 2009 - there's more to undershirts than you'd think! well written.
Can you wear just any old shirt underneath a dress shirt? Is there undershirt etiquette? The following article will answer these questions and provide details on how to wear an undershirt.
Wear an undershirt to keep your dress shirt cleaner. Your skin sweats, and if an expensive dress shirt is against your oily body for hours, your shirt may become damp and uncomfortable. An undershirt is a comfortable alternative to the single-layer dress shirt.
Most undershirts are plain white t-shirts because they are the most difficult to see through a dress shirt. Some undershirts are black and gray, but these should only be worn with dark dress shirts. Some other undershirts are sleeveless.
Make a habit of tucking in your undershirt. Seeing an undershirt sticking out the bottom below your dress shirt looks tacky.
As a general rule, your undershirt should not be visible. If you're wearing a short-sleeve collared shirt, your undershirt should not stick out from the sleeve area.
Don't wear just any t-shirt, either. A graphic tee might be visible through a dress shirt, and that's anything but classy.
Stick to a tucked in, plain white t-shirt that fits, and you'll have the most successful undershirt experience possible.
Don't wear an undershirt that's wider than your dress shirt. This may cause bunching underneath your dress shirt. Bunching will make you look lumpy and generally unattractive.
The proper undershirt shouldn't fit too loose or too tight. Check for a few inches of space between the bottom of the shirt and your waist. You don't want the undershirt to hug your waist, nor do you want it to be a foot wider than your torso.
A v-neck undershirt is the preferred option of undershirt if you are trying to stay cooler. For example, if you are at an outdoor wedding where you aren't wearing a tie and you have a few of the top buttons of your shirt undone to keep cool, then don't wear a crew-neck undershirt; go with the v-neck. Remember the general rule, the undershirt should never be visible. Treat it like underwear.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Best of the Decade: Music
Perhaps it's a little early for this. There are a few months left in the year, after all. But 2009 has already proven itself. It made a number 3 spot on this list. Besides, I had a really hard time making my decisions for the remaining nine. I doubt something will come out in the next few months that will have a bigger impact on me than these ten albums. A lot of personal opinion went into this list, but I also took into consideration the overall influence that these albums had on the popular culture as well. That being said, a U2 or Coldplay album cannot be on this list due simply to their massive perpetuity. What I consider "the best," are those artists who have not only broken new ground, but have planted strong roots as well. Who did something new? And who wasn't forgotten afterwards? Those are artists on this list. We can come back to these albums anytime and still enjoy them. This is timeless music, released over the course of the past 10 years.
To kick the list off, I have the nerve to pick a Chicagoan. But I have a few good reasons for my bias. For one thing, this might be the most listenable album on the entire list. Every song is entirely enjoyable, and I feel like it's stating a fact by saying that you're missing out if you haven't heard The Mysterious Production of Eggs. This album deserves to be on this list mainly because of its uniqueness though. Andrew Bird is in a league of his own, and this was the album that knighted him a one-man orchestra. The looping, whistling violinist. There is none other like Andrew Bird, and for his breathtaking originality, he must be regarded as one of the seminal artists of the decade.
You might not remember, but when Franz Ferdinand stormed into our musical consciousness, they came with a goal: to get people dancing again. Up until this album, rock and roll and dancing were not bedfellows. So in this sense, their self-titled album is a no-brainer for one of the decade's best. Franz Ferdinand accomplished their goal, and made those mopey Strokes fans remove their hands from their pockets and move around. They set a precedent for the rest of the decade thats band like The Killers and Black Kids are in debt to.
Not only did Franz Ferdinand pave the way for dancy rock and roll for the rest of the decade, they put out an album that plays well from beginning to end. It wasn't just the alarm of "Take Me Out" that made this band great, it was all 11 tracks of disco-tinged garage pop.
The start of the decade heralded the resurrection of garage rock. There were a lot of bands to choose from, The Strokes, The Vines, The Hives (all of the "the" bands, remember?). But I don't think any of them hold a candle to The White Stripes, especially after Elephant. This was the album that said, "Alright guys, we got this," to the rest of the garage rock world. Jack White crowned himself king, and never thought twice.
This album is also a great homage to the best rock and roll of yesteryear. The White Stripes reminded us how good Led Zeppelin really was. We met our parents half-way and said, "okay, maybe you're not entirely wrong when you say music has gotten worse." Music was awful at the turn of the century! Limp Bizkit? Kid Rock? We were living with musical malnourishment. So The White Stripes' virtue was two-fold, it made the younger generation come around to the greatness of past rock and roll, and awoke the old generation to the possibility of excellent new music. Rock and roll shouldn't be generational, Elephant assured us that it wasn't.
Is there any reason I shouldn't put experimental music on this list? Well I don't care, because The Books are absolutely one of my favorite bands and I can't imagine leaving them off this list. The care for creation is so comforting on The Lemon of Pink. All of the found sounds and editing epiphanies are on display for all of us to share. "We went through hell, all's well that ends well. Well, well." Oh God, is there a more beautiful intro song?
I believe that the extent of The Books influence has only just begun to scratch the surface of the collective culture, but will slowly continue to shed its light on our creative sides. If I ever need to audibly hear creativity in action, I can always trust The Books.
I feel funny putting this on here, especially in front of so many incredible albums. It's weird because In Rainbows is the "obvious" choice for one of the best albums of the decade. We've heard it a million times, the album broke new ground by letting consumers purchase it online for whatever price they wanted to pay. That's the story of the decade right there. Online downloading changed the entire music industry, and Radiohead kept up with the times. For that reason alone, it's unavoidable for a list like this. Its impact is profound.
But it's not just the story behind the music that makes In Rainbows legendary; it's the music too. I'm one of few, I know, but this is my favorite Radiohead album. Since the 90s', I was never sold on Radiohead as one of the world's greatest bands, but they convinced me with In Rainbows. This album proves, musically, that Radiohead isn't an old dog. They're still just as innovative as ever, an unmatched talent in the world of music, completely devoid of predictability. They put Coldplay and U2 to shame.
What kind of decade would it be without hip hop? A pretty boring decade, actually. Kanye West made damn sure that rap, the biggest selling genre of the past 20 years, remained on top. Late Registration was the album that kicked off Kanye's famous ego too. Before anybody even heard it, he was heralding it as the best rap album of the year. He was entirely confident. And then, to the surprise of many, he was right. But he was coming off a surprise hit on College Dropout, and he had to prove himself. I guess if you snag Jon Brion for a rap album, your balls are already enormous. But Late Registration really did revolutionize the rap world. It hasn't been the same ever since. And luckily, rap is now more adventurous and daring than we even could have hoped. Thanks be to Kanye, bringing weirdness back into the streets.
I still can't wrap my brain around this one. How can a band completely come out of nowhere and define the sound of a decade? Funeral is one of those albums you just can't argue with. The ambition, the multi-instrumental rock outs, the catchiest-of-catchy melodies. How can a debut album sound like this? I don't understand how Arcade Fire did it, but they came out of the gate already in the lead.
Nothing sounded like Funeral at the time, and now a lot of things do. But it seems like Funeral may have set the stage for something that could never upstage it. It's a one-take work of genius, and sounds like it knows it's the best.
This album signals an exciting end to the decade. If Animal Collective's massive popularity means anything as we move into the next 10 years, hopefully it's that we'll hear a lot more experimentation in our pop music. Kanye is partly to thank for this, but hearing Animal Collective on the radio is one of those things that just blows your mind. There was nothing weirder and more experimental than this band a few years ago, and actually, this is still true today. But something has changed amidst the collective consciousness of music lovers. We're more open to new ideas today. We crave innovation now. Animal Collective doesn't sound as weird and difficult to us anymore, but that's not because they're any less experimental. They're just playing to the crowd. And they're playing brilliantly. They're at the top of their game right now, and it sounds phenomenal. If their sole virtue has been the expansion of musical tastes amidst the mass culture, they're more than worthy of their spot at number 3.
Some albums sound like they were thrown together in a day or two. Illinois sounds like it took a decade. Sufjan is hilariously ambitious, dishonestly ambitious even. Yet, he manages to temper himself when it counts. He runs his own label, plays all of his own instruments, he works when he wants and how he wants and (unbeknownst to many) why he wants. He is the personification of the indie ideal. Not only does he create some of the most enjoyable music an ear can behold, he does so completely devoid of outside forces tampering with his art. In a sense, this music is pure. It also set the stage for In Rainbows by proving that signing to a big record label as the best means for support was a complete myth. Sufjan is a true existential hero, a champion for conceptualism and an unparalleled talent of writing and musicianship.
Start and end with Chicago, that's what I always say. Wilco is the greatest band in the world, and the radio still doesn't know what song they can play off their new album. In one way or another, every band on this list owes a thank you to Wilco. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot set a tone at the beginning of this decade. The album broke rules that caused record labels to worry. It ignored capitalism, and embraced art. It assured us that we are not lost. It proved that art would prevail in the face of controlling forces. It made us sing. It made us think. It moved us. It did everything that great art should do, and still does today, and will continue to do into the next decade. Dear readers, we can trust art. Wilco proves it.
The Top 10 Albums of the Decade. Listed.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Yes, I Do Write These Things
Getting Started
Adding Songs
Mixing Songs
Mixing with Effects
Monday, July 06, 2009
Do You Feel Pressure in Your Face? Is Your Flesh and Bone Exposed?
When head nasal congestion hits, it can feel disabling. But there are ways to overcome the discomfort of a stuffy head.
Cheap Relief
Also, you can buy bulk containers of medicine to save even more money on your head nasal congestion medicine. This is recommended for people with recurring allergy problems.
Recurring Symptoms
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Pick a Vice, Any Vice
If you've been in touch with me at all this year, you've realized that I am fully equipped with barrels of negativity. I am a dark cloud to be around. Not goth, but depressingly serious and saddening. This negative attitude has come as a result of a hard year, full of misfortune. But I refuse to feign good out of my circumstances, I swallow the bad as it comes and shit out pure, dark negativity.
But one virtue I've had a hard time sorting out in all of this has been my own personal vice. Mark Twain had his cigars, Hemingway had his whiskey, Hunter Thompson had his …everything. But what about Dylan Peterson? His tortured mind needs some sort of negativity outlet too. He can't just harbor all of his hideous thoughts in his own conscious self. That would surely be psychological suicide!
So when the vile weight of the world has me pinned, what's my anesthetic? Let's go down the list…
Every so often, I turn to the Ibuprofen for one of my migraines. But other than that, I'm practically a Christian Scientist. I believe in free will, and along with that comes great will power. With great will power, comes less medicinal responsibility. If I feel a flu coming down, I just drink more water. Drugs are not my vice.
I drank a couple times before I turned 21, never to the extent of drunkenness. Once I moved into legality, I drank a little more. I worked as a server and bartender during college, and so had to taste all sorts of wines, champagnes, whiskies and mixed drinks for my job. But when my brain is telling me that life is worthless, I never get thirsty. If anything, I avoid alcohol even more when I'm swimming in darkness. I mean, come on, only idiots drink and drive. If I'm pondering one of the many disturbing aspects of human existence, the last thing I want to do is wreck my train of thought with alcohol. Alcohol isn't my vice.
This is possible. Well, it would be possible, but again, I'd rather have sex when I'm feeling good. Depressing sex is bad sex. I try to avoid that at all costs. And I'm not so insanely self-deprecating that I go to strip clubs or hookers for a sex vice fix. I don't think sex is my vice. But then again, I still don't know how much sex is too much. I think I can really relate to Woody Allen in some ways. Sex is something that people get really hung up on, but I just don't know about myself yet.
This is one of the stupidest vices. I can't imagine how people can do this. Casinos are some of the most depressing places in the universe (probably because they're full of depressed people in need of a vice outlet), and I don't like my depressing thoughts. To be honest, I really don't want to have the thoughts that I have. Some of these blog posts pain me to write, but I don't believe that there's anything worst than dishonesty. So I endure. It's like when Johnny Cash sings, "I'd love to wear a rainbow every day, and tell the world that everything's okay." I wish you could have too, Johnny, but I know all too well why you couldn't. Oh I wish I could have hung out with Cash. We would have had so much to talk about. He's one of the few persons in history that I feel like I could relate to. But like Cash, I cannot focus on good things when there is so much negativity, and I won't. "But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back, till things are brighter, I'm the man in black." I'm with you there Johnny. But you had your vices as well. Sure you had your June as I have my Jaclyn, but we are troubled men. We need to place our dread into something.
I asked my wife what my vice is. She gave a pretty good answer…
I wouldn't necessarily put this on the list of typical vices for the ages, but I think this might be mine. When I lost my job earlier this year, I started watching movies like I was the reincarnated Gene Siskel. Godard, Fellini, Herzog, Kubrick and the Coens were suddenly sharing their stories with me for six to eight hours a day. Whether it was Netflix, hulu or borrowed movies from the public library, I couldn't stop. In my darkest hour, I turned to film.
But still, I'm not sure if I can really call this a "vice." A vice is something altogether unhealthy, like smoking, drinking or gambling. Movies can be wonderful. But I do tend to treat them as if they were my vice. This should stop though, because the manner in which I watch movies should be a psychologically healthy experience. I shouldn't escape into them, I should engage with their artfulness.
So I think I need to find a vice. What do you say? How do I neutralize my natural urge towards negativity? What is my proper avenue for self-destruction? What flavor is my poison?
All vice suggestions are encouraged. Thank you for reading.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Everything in between is full of birth and death. The birth of galaxies, and the death of stars. For a long time there was death, long before there was a human being. Life and death make up the entirety of the universe. There isn't a center, nor are there edges. Only cycles. Life and death, over and over again.
The death of the first plant wasn't special, it was necessary. The first death of an animal wasn't anything remarkable either. Even the first human death was just part of the billions of years of a perpetual cycle: life and death. It wasn't tragic, sad or unjust. Death came after birth, and so all was natural.
Eventually, the birth of something strange came along, and is still with us today. The birth of awareness. Humans became aware of their death. They realized that they would eventually die. This is relatively new, only a few thousand years old. Before this, nothing realized that it would die. It simply lived until its completion. Whether it was an amoeba, a flower or a kangaroo, it just did it's thing until the end of its life.
The birth of human awareness has not yet died, but it will. Everything has its cycle, and so we will have ours. It's possible that other creatures possessed self-awareness before our time, but that is not for us to know. But while we have awareness, we must grapple with things like justice, religion, emotion, logic and freedom. We have created these rules for dealing with our awareness, this way in which we can cope with our "knowledge" of ourselves. We are blessed and cursed to be born with awareness. But also just in the midst of another cycle.
And so it is appropriate to ponder these things on Independence Day. We live in a country that admits us to think for ourselves. It is a great privilege to be free, but one that requires a mess of idiocy. We must live amidst Westboro Baptists, racists and fools. And we must give them just as much freedom as the meek, the poor and the mistreated. It is a terribly unfair country, but it must be in order to maintain our human rule of freedom. So in some paradoxical way, it is entirely fair.
It is fair, because it is a part of a present cycle. America will eventually see its death, and the birth of something else will emerge. Perhaps whatever is born will be without awareness, and the death of America will coincide with the death of human awareness. That is surely an absurd assumption, but only because I choose to follow the rules that coincide with my awareness. In the end, I don't know. My awareness is limited to birth and death. Whatever happened in the beginning is not for me to know, for it was not birth. And whatever happens in the end will not be for me to know either, for it will not be death. Birth and death are for us, and when we lose our awareness, they will cease to exist.
But there was a beginning, it came before birth. And the end will come, it will be long after our deaths.
Friday, July 03, 2009
A Return To: Grand Funk Railroad
The Millennial generation probably knows the name Grand Funk Railroad solely as a result of the Hullabalooza episode of The Simpsons (or Homerpalooza, for the Simpsons nerds). But most of us haven't actually heard Grand Funk's music. "Nobody knows the band Grand Funk? The wild, shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher?? The competent drum work of Don Brewer??? … Oh mannn." Homer moans the lack of rock and roll knowledge amidst the generation X-ers.
But since the depiction of Homer's music taste was significantly less than hip in that particular episode, we didn't rush out to the record store in search of Grand Funk after watching it. We rushed out for the cool bands like Nine Inch Nails and Sonic Youth. Like Bart and Lisa, we had no idea who that old, boring Grand Funk band was, and we didn't care. We just figured that Homer had old-fashioned taste, so we never decided to give it a chance.
But that's when we were kids. We liked Cypress Hill and Smashing Pumpkins back then. We didn't even really know who Peter Frampton was. Once we grew a little older, we saw Frampton Comes Alive! on vinyl for 5 bucks, and in the stack beside it, Grand Funk… for three. Our curiosity got the better of us, and we shelled out 8 bucks in honor of Hullabalooza.
Ironically, so many of the "cool" bands in that episode have become laughable today (save Sonic Youth). Billy Corgan is pathetic now, nobody crowdsurfs anymore and Apple Computers is a pretty recognizable name nowadays. A decade and a half later, Homer was right about rock and roll. He may have seemed old fashioned in the mid 90s', but he was right all along. Grand Funk does rock.
Upon first listen, the fuzzy bass and driving beats sound like a precursor to Rage Against the Machine. And sure enough, there are alarming similarities, even an alarm sound effect. The first two minutes of Paranoid almost sound exactly like a Rage song. It's the same formula of a slow, ominous opening for 30 seconds, cue a tornado alarm sound, and scratch the guitar strings like Tom Morello before dropping the beat with a bass line and an awesome riff. Homer wasn't giving Don Brewer enough credit either, his drumming isn't just competent, it's great. There's intense energy in both Grand Funk and Rage, but Grand Funk did it first.
Unfortunately, the lyrics are ridiculous. Try your best to tune those out. It shouldn't be too hard, because there are plenty of jam sessions to get caught up in. There are sounds on this record that don't sound like 1968, and I can only imagine how people must have felt when they first heard this music. They're definitely not virtuosos like Led Zeppelin, but Grand Funk set a lot of important stages in the progression of rock and roll. Said band included.
It's a great time to revisit Grand Funk Railroad. Or if you've been avoiding them your entire life assuming they're another Starland Vocal Band, check them out now. They can rock the blues, the prog and the funk. Don't let what you've heard from The Simpsons keep you away from Grand Funk. They're a solid rock-out band who should never be forgotten.
And you'll never pay more than a few bucks for their record. Add it to your collection and get your needle grooving on the Grand Funk Railroad tracks. It's a lot better than the new Smashing Pumpkins album.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
A Bob Dylan Concert
There was so much that led up to this moment. The prophecy was made over 25 years ago, and last night was the fulfillment. I saw Bob Dylan.
I had heard so many stories about how terrible his live show was. One friend who saw him a couple years ago told me that he sat at a piano, mumbling incomprehensible nonsense the whole time. My brother in law told me that he could only recognize one of the songs. And sure enough, before Dylan took the stage last night, I heard a conversation a couple seats in front of me:
"Alright, well we're gonna take off."
"You were only here for Willie Nelson?? Oh man, you've gotta stick around for Bob."
"Y'know, I've seen Bob before. I don't think I need to again."
"Oh, man, he's off and on. That's just how it is. You've gotta stick around."
With some apprehension, he stuck around. Along with thousands of other middle aged Wisconsinites, crusty old hippies, stoned college kids and die hard Dylan fans. There were all sorts at Summerfest last night, but I felt like this moment was handcrafted just for me.
When Dylan came out, he was standing there in all black, like a Mexican cowboy. He was as skinny as ever, with one knee jutting out, an electric guitar above it. I had no idea what the song was, but it was bluesy, and loud. And his mouth was full of gravel. There was so much attitude on stage. It was great.
The first song ended quickly and then it was on to another bluesy tune. After a minute or so, I recognized a couple lyrics. "It ain't me babe," he mumbled. I turned to my wife, and told her what it was. She squinted her eyes, and then smiled. "It is!" We love that song.
When it was over, another song that I couldn't recognize was played. But he went over to a keyboard and changed his stage presence up a bit. After this though, "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again." And it's never sounded bluesier. It took a while to figure that one out too, but my wife and I were enjoying the guessing game. The rearranged songs sounded livelier, and the band was tight.
It went on like this for the entire hour and a half concert. About half of the songs were recognizable, half of them were mysteries. Maybe I was familiar with all of the songs he was playing, but I'll never know now.
By the time he played the fifth or sixth song, I wondered if I would even hear him play his harmonica. Ever since hearing that blaring ending on "Desolation Row," I've decided that the sound of Bob Dylan playing a harmonica is my favorite sound in this world. How fitting that the first appearance of the harmonica last night was during an ominous retelling of "Desolation Row." The band was frontlit with yellow. Tension built. A long song, well beyond eight minutes. And all I could think was, "this is so cool, but I want to hear that harmonica." When it finally came at the end, it tore into my ear drum. It was so harsh. So loud. As it was over 40 years ago on Highway 61 Revisited, so the 2009 version of "Desolation Row's" harmonica solo was played with reckless abandon. This moment brought tears to my eyes. I heard the sound of independence in that harmonica. I heard freedom of speech and religion. I felt the rebellion of rock and roll screaming "fuck you" to all of those with fingers in their ears, unable to ignore the truth of authentic, unapologetic artistic integrity. Bob Dylan's harmonica blared, "I'm here. And you're welcome."
Some of his other great moments came in Highway 61, Like a Rolling Stone, Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll and All Along the Watchtower. By the time he finished his encores, I felt really good. It thought he sounded like a seasoned headliner at the Chicago Blues Fest. When the lights came back on and he took a bow with his band, I felt privileged. I looked down at Bob Dylan. I couldn't believe it. I had just experienced an hour and a half of entertainment, rock and roll style. It was just a concert, a show. But in this last moment, the weight of his career struck me. This one man just entertained me for an hour and a half, but for 50 years, he has been a centerpiece of American popular culture. America would not exist as it does today without this man's art. This is absolutely true, and if you don't believe it, just take a quick look back at the 60s'. It's not just the history of rock and roll that Dylan impacted, it's world history in general.
This one man. Standing right up there. 68 years old, and still causing people to leave their seats grimacing while they plug their ears. A living legend, still misunderstood by millions, still too weird for the radio. He plays blues rock and makes college pseudo-hippies dance around stoned. What an honor it was to see him.
It was an important show for me, but just a day's work for Bob Dylan. He doesn't know me, he never will, and there's nothing I can say to him if we ever did meet. But I've never been more sincere with my applause than I was last night. I wasn't just clapping for the hour and a half of entertainment. I am so appreciative of the inspiration that he's brought to so many. Without Dylan, we wouldn't have Wilco or Tom Petty. I've even heard that the Beatles didn't get "experimental" until they met Dylan. After Chuck Berry and Elvis, there is no artist more vital in rock and roll. He is the very definition of artistic integrity. He assures all artists for all time that if they don't create exactly what they want to create, they will regret it. He has assured us that there is nothing to fear. There is no life change too difficult. No pain too brutal. A real artist will not lie. Bob Dylan stands today.
In my most hopeless moments, Bob Dylan, at 68 years old, makes my ears ring. My namesake gives me hope. Whether he's on or off, I'll take it either way. Hell, he might have been off last night, I don't even know. But it didn't matter.
Next time (and there will be a next time), I'll go with my dad. And we can compare past Dylan shows. We can get filled with the Spirit and fulfill more prophecy. We can be encouraged and applaud that which deserves the loudest applause.


text:
Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to Soni Sori, a tribal teacher, and journalist Lingaram Kodopi in a case lodged against them for allegedly receiving money from Essar Group on behalf of Maoists.
A bench of Justices SS Nijjar and FM Ibrahim Kalifulla granted relief to the duo but imposed a condition that they will not be in Chhattisgarh during the probe in the case.
Their plea was opposed by advocate Atul Jha appearing for Chhattisgarh government, but the court directed that the duo be released on bail as the other accused in the case, too, had received bail.
The 36-year-old Sori and her activist-nephew Kodopi (25) were arrested on charges of acting as Maoist conduits who had allegedly received protection money for the rebels from Essar Group in Chhattisgarh.
The court passed the order on their plea challenging the Chhattisgarh high court ruling of July 8 denying them bail.
According to police, Kodopi and BK Lala, a building contractor with Essar Steel Ltd, were nabbed from a weekly market at Palnar village in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on September 9, 2011, with Rs 15 lakh in cash, which was allegedly meant to be paid to Maoist ultras.
Police had claimed that Sori was also associated with Kodopi, but had managed to flee the spot.
Sori was arrested on October 4, 2011, in New Delhi while Essar Steel Ltd General Manager DVCS Verma, too, was arrested in connection with the case.
A Dantewada district court had granted bail to Verma and contractor Lala.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans
That's Cold: Splitsville, USA has two new residents! According to Us Weekly, Paris Hilton and her latest boyfriend, Cy Waits, have split. "They are broken up," a source told the mag. "It's sad, she cares about him a lot and thinks he's a great guy but they really hit a rough patch." Hilton's rep would not comment on the reported breakup. See the rest of Hollywood's biggest splits of 2011, HERE!
May-December Love To The Extreme!: We're in awe of the news that "Lost" and "The Green Mile" actor Doug Anthony Hutchinson, 51, married aspiring country singer Courtney Alexis Stodden, who is only 16! The cross-generational couple told E! Online that age ain't nothing but a number to them. "We're aware that our vast age difference is extremely controversial," the actor told E!. "But we're very much in love and want to get the message out there that true love can be ageless." Not that we're hoping for a breakup, but we'll leave room in our Splitville gallery… just in case!
New Couple Alert!: It appears any chance of a reconciliation between Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz is not going to happen! The singer/actress was spotted in New York City on Monday locking lips with new man, actor Vincent Piazza. Check out the duo in action, HERE!
Nic Serves Up Britney!: Some have questioned Britney's dancing abilities on her "Femme Fatale" tour, and if the pop star needs a stand-in, we know just the star who can bust a badass Brit move when needed. Check out Nicole Richie in a "Slave 4 U" dance-off, HERE!


text: I tested 6 products against oxalis. Under my conditions (moist soil, temps about 80) T-zone was most effective. Surge, Speedzone, and Quicksilver were almost as effective. A three-way and Drive were less effective. All spray solutions contained a surfactant. I used hand sprayers or squirt bottles( the bottles delivered 1/40 of an ounce per squirt). I tried to use label rates but the rates are approximate of course. The photographs are below, although the results are difficult to see against the grassy background. It appears that T-zone killed many of the leaves immediately and outright, and the seed pods turned brown also.


text:
EAD students whose work focuses on work-based or work-related learning, including but not limited to issues surrounding school to work or career preparation, and education, training, retraining and career transitions in business and industry. Applicants must submit a 2-3 page written statement about work/interests and 2 letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their work.
This Fellowship honors Dr. Casmer F. Heilman, Professor in the College of Education, 1972-1997 and Co-Director of the Michigan Center for Career and Technical Education, a unit he founded in 1976.
Give Now to the Casmer F. Heilman Endowed Fellowship within the College of Education
For information on how to apply for this scholarship please visit Graduate Student Endowed Scholarships/Fellowships


text:
Lots of freelancers vouch for the many benefits associated with home based jobs. They can perhaps even do significantly better when compared with regular office work when it comes to earning opportunities. Listed below are just a few things that you could enjoy by working online.
Flexible schedule of work. It isn't always easy to get take a vacation from work. But working from home will give you the choice to work and / or play as you like. You will have plenty of time for family affairs or night outs with good friends.
Significantly less cost. If you work in an office, you will need to spend some money on commuting, meals, dress, as well as other miscellaneous costs. When you do business from home, you don't have to travel, pay for food, or perhaps follow a dress code.
A lesser amount of time. In general you would need to have around an hour in order to prepare for regular work, and also one more hour to go to work. When you actually work at home, you'll have much more use of your time, plus you can maximize your earning potentials.


text:
10 Kinds of People Having a Great Century
When history books write about our times they'll call it the "Golden Age" of communication. Internet, digital movies and music, television, FaceTime, Skype, cell phones, social media and more. But there are nine more groups who are also having one hell of a century so far:
1. Pornographers.
2. Women. Many are seeing increased employment opportunities because of No. 1, but all kidding aside, it's never been a better time to be a woman on planet Earth. For safety, education, quality of living, freedom, etc.
3. Television viewers. Who needs plays and concerts and movies when the stuff coming through the boob tube is so damn good!?
4. Nerds. Comic book movies, ComiCon, LOTR, Game of Thrones, smart phones, Reddit, Hipsters, cosplays, video games, Star Trek, Star Wars — being nerdy couldn't be cooler. We win; game over.
5. Women who look good in tight pants.
6. Music fans. iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, iPods, headphones, live streaming, digital downloads, Youtube, Soundcloud, Reverbnation and all the ways bands have to promote performances.
7. The Fuzz. The planet has never been a safer place and law enforcement has never before been so well trained and well equipped.
8. Narcissists. Selfies, Twitter, blogs, photo galleries, Instagram, Facebook, Foursquare — and all the other ways you can tell people what you're doing, thinking and feeling whether they care or not.
9. Procrastinators. Reddit, Buzzfeed, TheChive, BroBible, Hulu, Netflix, Huffington Post, Fark, Wikipedia and all the places that are more fun than doing stuff.


text:
Home is where we all feel most comfortable, a place where we belong. It is where difference is celebrated, cherished and encouraged. For all whose minds and spirits are aimed towards the betterment of that shared home, our home, regardless the differing voices, they deserve to be heard.
Heart is our utmost treasure, the very attribute that makes us human, that enables us to love and be loved, that creates beauty in this world we live in.
Indonesia is what we, the big family of Travel Bloggers Indonesia, call home. A place where we put our hearts into. It is our shared love of home that unites us to bring good news from this vast archipelago to the world; to introduce the unique traditions and cultures constantly reshaped by the nation's quarter of a billion people; to promote the practices of sustainable tourism and responsible development so our children will still be able to experience this country's unspoiled beaches, lush tropical forests, symphony of nature, friendly people and colorful cultures it is known for. This is a vision we, TBI members, share. Because Indonesia is our home, it is in our hearts, we are passionate about sharing inspiring travel stories and images from our beloved home with you.
Happy responsible travels!
Here is our recent group activity :


text:
As one of Switzerland's biggest insurers, we have a duty to the country and to its society. Read about the causes we're particularly committed to.
Responsibility to our customers
What this means for us:
- We keep our promises, fulfil our contractual obligations, and walk with our insurance customers down the road of life in a responsible way.
- We promote digital innovation in order to make insurance solutions accessible any time and everywhere.
- We develop individual insurance and pension products that also express our sense of social responsibility.
Fair and modern working conditions
What this means for us:
- We maintain open dialogue at all levels and guarantee the same opportunities for all members of our staff.
- We value our employees' dedication and hard work and encourage them in ways appropriate to them as individuals.
- We promote human rights and support a culture of diversity and togetherness within our company.
Find out more about our profile as an employer here
Responsible value creation
What this means for us:
- We generate sustainable value for our shareholders.
- When taking investment decisions, we assess the value of the investment to all stakeholders and ensure that the capital is securely invested.
- We take account of our social and environmental responsibilities when devising investment strategies.
Find out more about the results of our activities here.
Commitment to society
What this means for us:
- We involve ourselves in society at both national and local level.
- We support public and private organisations working in the fields of health, culture, the environment and sport.
- We support those charitable organisations and other institutions that make a contribution to sustainable development in Switzerland.
Are you interested in the possibility of our working with you on a project you're already running in the spheres of society, culture, the environment and sport? Then send us an enquiry using this: Sponsoring enquiries form
Transparency and sustainable compliance
What this means for us:
- We conduct our business in a responsible manner, always complying with the provisions of the law.
- We promote a corporate culture of transparency and support those regulations and laws that help to avoid and prevent corruption.
- We accept responsibility for our business environment and for our value chain.
Find out more about the Generali Group's Code of Conduct Code of Conduct (1.6 MB) and our Code of Ethics for Suppliers (542 KB)
Socio-demographic change
What this means for us:
- We apply foresight to active risk management and maintain a culture of prevention and due care.
- We encourage our customers to take responsibility for adopting those habits of life that are healthy and abandoning those that are not.
- We help people in Switzerland to discern their present and future security needs and address them conscientiously and with foresight.
Environment and climate policy
What this means for us:
- We keep to a minimum anything that might have a harmful impact on the environment and make responsible use of resources, processes and value chains.
- We engage in constant dialogue with state agencies and other organisations in order to enhance public awareness of risks to the environment and of the consequences of climate change.
- We invest in renewable energies, energy efficiency and clean technologies.
Find out more about our environment and climate policy: Generali Group environment and climate policy (944 KB)


text:
Written on: 27/01/2011
Got my LG COOKIE KP500 phone in April 2010 as a long awaited birthday gift. Was initally very pleased with the phone but then problems arose like: kept switching on/off when it wasn't supposed to, problems with the phone freezing when texting, etc. HOWEVER the biggest setback was 7 months after having the phone:went to switch my phone on in the morning to find that a crack had formed on the inner screen! The phone was kept on an empty shelf in its "sock" overnight and there was no damage to the outer screen!!! Went on the internet and realised that this is a very common event with this phone. LG said that we would have to pay for repairs which were more than the purchase price of the phone!!Phone now unusable!! Will never buy any LG products ever again.


text:
Watch movie
This is what happens when three sexy teens have a picnic in Tirol. Cayla, Karol Lilien and Nikki Dream are enjoying a bite to eat near a lake when their urges get the best of them. These aren't the type of girls that let anything get in the way of the satisfaction they seek. Before long, all three pussies are being pleased to orgasmic satisfaction. The fact that this is happening in the open outdoors doesn't phase any of these bliss seeking blondes. Anyone within eyeshot could've seen what these three sizzling hot blondes were up to. The bliss comes to a climatic halt as all three of them reach their pleasure destinations. No one will ever question how sexy or down right dirty girls are in Tirol after watching these three in action.
Download "! 014. Teens & Tiroler Sex /(Seventeen) !" in HD quality!
Genre: Amateur , Babes , Big Tits , Hardcore , Teens | Length: 01:56:44 | Land/Year: USA
Regie: Seventeen | Actors: Nikki Dream, Morgan R, Anabelle
Recommended movies


text:
Medical Definition of Recommended Dietary Allowance
Recommended Dietary Allowance: The RDA, the estimated amount of a nutrient (or calories) per day considered necessary for the maintenance of good health by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council/ National Academy of Sciences. The RDA is updated periodically to reflect new knowledge. It is popularly called the Recommended Daily Allowance.Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
Last Editorial Review: 1/25/2017
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z
Search Medical Dictionary


text:
The Chicago Fire (6-5-3; 21 points) welcome the Columbus Crew (5-4-4, 19 points) to Toyota Park on Saturday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. CT (NBC 5.2/97.5 ESPN Deportes) for the second of three Eastern Conference duels between the two Midwestern sides.
The Fire head into the match with a 20-12-13 all-time MLS Regular Season record against the Crew, including an 11-5-7 record in games played at home.
In the first leg of the three-part series, the Men in Red traveled to Columbus May 23 and gave a hard fought performance in front of 600 traveling supporters, but Austin Berry's 72nd minute goal was not enough to overcome goals from Eddie Gaven and Emilio Renteria giving the Columbus Crew a 2-1 victory at Crew Stadium.
Columbus enters the match after earning a point on the road in a 0-0 draw against the New England Revolution June 16. The two teams played to a scoreless draw at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: June 18 – June 25
Monday, June 18: Training 11:00 a.m.*^
Tuesday, June 19: Off
Wednesday, June 20: Training 9:30 a.m. – Toyota Park Stadium Field*^
Thursday, June 21: Training 9:30 a.m.*^
Friday, June 22: Training 9:30 a.m.*^
Saturday, June 23: Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew – Toyota Park – 7:30 p.m. CT – NBC 5.2/97.5 ESPN Deportes
Sunday, June 24: Training 11:00 a.m.*^
Monday, June 25: Training 9:30 a.m.*^
*Training is open to the media. Fire players and coaches will be made available immediately following training.
^Training times are subject to change. Please contact Brendan Hannan at 720.937.8962 for media requests.
CHICAGO FIRE VS. Columbus Crew
· The Fire are 20-12-13 all-time against the Crew including an 11-5-7 record in matches played at home.
· This is the second matchup between the two sides this season. More than 600 traveling supporters saw Austin Berry find the back of the net as the Fire fell 2-1 at Crew Stadium.
· The Fire went 2-0-0 against Columbus during the 2011 MLS Regular Season. Cristian Nazarit's 90th minute goal put to end an eleven game winless streak at Crew Stadium on June 12. Rookie Jalil Anibaba scored his first two career MLS goals and Diego Chaves found the back of the net in the 80th minute for the game winner as the Fire notched a 3-2 victory in the season finale at Toyota Park on October 22.
· Columbus Crew defenders Rich Balchan and Danny O'Rourke, midfielders Eric Gehrig and Kirk Urso, as well as forward Ethan Finlay all spent time with the Chicago Fire PDL team during their collegiate careers.
· Forward Chris Rolfe made his first appearance for the Fire at Toyota Park in Sunday's 3-1 win over New York since re-signing with the club April 16. Rolfe's last appearance at Toyota Park was in the 2009 Eastern Conference Final which the Fire lost 4-5 in penalty kicks against Real Salt Lake.
· Chris Rolfe opened his goal scoring account for the 2012 season with his goal in Sunday's 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls. Rolfe's goal in the 81st minute was his first since re-joining the club in April. Rolfe sits second all-time on the club's MLS goal scoring list with 37 career goals. The Dayton University product continued his scoring prowess against New York tallying his seventh goal in 14 matches against the Red Bulls on Sunday.
· With the win Sunday, the Fire moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the fifth place Columbus Crew.
With his goal in the 81st minute of Sunday's match, Chris Rolfe opened his goal scoring account in his second stint with the Fire. Heading into this weekend's matchup against the Columbus Crew, the Kettering, Ohio native faces off against a team that he has much success against in the past. In 15 regular season appearances against the Crew, Rolfe has notched six goals and tallied three assists.
When Rolfe is in the lineup for the Fire, the Men in Red hold a slight advantage over the Crew with a 4-3-8 record.
Media planning to cover the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game may now apply for credentials online by CLICKING HERE.
Without exception, credential applications must be received by Monday, July 9 at 4 p.m. CT. A limited number of parking passes are available on a first come, first served basis for media members who complete their applications early.
MLS All-Stadium credentials, team season credentials, and credentials from previous MLS events will not be recognized for any of the media events surrounding the MLS All-Star Game.
The 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game will be held at PPL Park in Chester, Pa., on July 25 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The 2012 MLS All-Stars will take on current European champions, Chelsea FC in a rematch of the 2006 event when the MLS All-Star team, led by Peter Nowak, defeated Chelsea FC 1-0 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. MLS and Philadelphia Union will host five days of festivities, culminating in the kickoff of MLS' best against the best team in Europe.
Questions about the application process may be submitted to the All-Star Game accreditation officer Sarah Lerner, email@example.com
Voting for the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game against UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea Football Club on July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, Penn. has now begun. Voting is available at www.MLSsoccer.com and via text message.
The Men in Red are represented on the fan ballot by goalkeeper Sean Johnson, defender Gonzalo Segares, midfielders Sebastian Grazzini, Marco Pappa and Pavel Pardo, and forward Dominic Oduro.
Pappa is the only Fire player on this year's ballot with previous All-Star game experience, having represented the Fire in 2010 when the MLS All-Stars hosted Manchester United at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Pappa started and played the entire first half as the MLS All-Stars fell 5-2 in front of a record crowd of 70,728 fans.
A panel of media members nominated a total of 114 players, the top six per team, to the fan ballot. Fans can vote by clicking here. Voting is also available via text message by sending a players first and last name to 22442. Twitter voting will occur later this month.
The players with the highest combined votes from these three voting methods will become the first 11 All-Stars – known as the All-Star First XI. The player who receives the most text votes by 4 p.m. CT on Monday, July 2 will automatically earn a spot among the All-Star First XI.
All-Star Head Coach Peter Nowak of the Philadelphia Union will choose the gameday roster and the starting lineup against Chelsea FC on July 25. The first marquee MLS event ever to be held at PPL Park in Chester, Penn., will be broadcast live on ESPN2, TeleFutura, and in Canada on TSN and RDS starting at 7:30 p.m. CT.
A total of 32 All-Stars are named each year, per the collective bargaining agreement. Media, fans, players, the All-Star coach and MLS Commissioner Don Garber all contribute in the All-Star selection process.
The 32 players named 2012 AT&T MLS All-Stars will be selected in four phases:
1) Ballot creation: A select media panel determined the field of players – six players per team – who are most deserving of consideration for this year's All-Star Game. Those 114 players are eligible for fan voting.
2) Fan voting: Through July 2 at 4 p.m. CT, fans will select the "First XI" All-Stars. Fans can vote via any of three digital platforms:
a. At MLSsoccer.com: Vote for your starting lineup of 11 players, beginning June 8.
b. Via text message (SMS): Text an MLS player's first and last name to 22442.
§ Each vote will count equally with those submitted online in determining the First XI.
§ The player who receives the most text votes will automatically earn a spot among the First XI.
§ Message and data rates may apply.
c. Twitter: Details of Twitter voting will be released in the near future.
The First XI will be announced on Sunday, July 8, on ESPN during halftime of the Chicago Fire-LA Galaxy game that begins at 2 p.m. CT.
3) Team selection: The MLS All-Star head coach will select the gameday roster from the pool of eligible players, consisting of the First XI as determined by the fans, MLS Commissioner Don Garber's two selections and players who received votes from at least two players.
The Commissioner selections and gameday roster will be announced on Sunday, July 15 on ESPN during halftime of the New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC game that begins at 3 p.m. CT.
4) Player selections: MLS players will determine the remainder of the 32 All-Stars named annually per the CBA (known as the "inactive roster").
The final list of 32 All-Stars (4 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 13 midfielders and 7 forwards) will be announced on MLSsoccer.com on July 25.
The Chicago Fire U-18 and U-16 squads advanced to the playoffs of the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy playoffs which begin Monday, June 25 in Dallas, Texas.
On Monday, the drawing for the Academy playoffs was held with the Fire U-18s grouped with Solar FC (Texas), Albertson SC (New York) and Concorde Fire (Georgia) while the U-16s were drawn against Seattle Sounders FC, Real Salt Lake AZ (Arizona) and Clearwater SC (Florida).
Both squads are highly ranked heading into the playoffs. The U-18s are currently the best top in the country and the U-16s are ranked fifth. The U-18s and the U-16s both finished atop the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference, and are the highest ranked MLS Academy in each age group.
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced that the Fire will take on seven-time English League champions Aston Villa in an international friendly at Toyota Park on Saturday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Advance tickets for the Chicago Fire vs. Aston Villa are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire, by visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com or Ticketmaster. The international friendly will serve as Bonus Game 1 in the Fire's Season Ticket Package, and is also a part of the Ten Game Plan.
Aston Villa, one of the oldest and most successful clubs in English football history, will make their first trip to Chicago. Since its founding in 1874, Villa has amassed 19 major domestic honors, including seven English Premier League titles and seven FA Cups. The Villans also won the 1981-1982 European Cup. One of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992, Aston Villa has competed in the top flight of English soccer ever since.
This is the second consecutive year the Fire will host an English Premier League team. In 2011, the Fire took on famed English club Manchester United in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 61,000 soccer supporters at Soldier Field, scoring first before falling 3-1 to the eventual Premier League Champions. The Fire currently hold a 2-1 record against English Premier League foes, defeating Everton FC by a score of 2-0 in 2008, and Derby County 1-0 in 1999.
Aston Villa features two former Chicago Fire PDL players, goalkeeper Brad Guzan, originally from Homer Glenn, Ill. and defender Eric Lichaj, a product of Downers Grove, Ill.
Major League Soccer has launched the 2012 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP contest. Fans throughout the League will be given the opportunity to nominate themselves of other individuals who have made a difference in their communities. Winners will be selected based on their work in one of the following areas: general community service; youth programming; environmental sustainability; health and wellness; education; military or civic service.
One (1) Community MVP will be chosen to represent each of the 19 MLS clubs and will receive a prize package including VIP tickets, local recognition and an autographed item. One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 donation to the charity of their choice and a trip to the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at PPL Park on July 25. Chelsea FC, winner of this year's UEFA Champions League, will return as the AT&T MLS All-Star Game opponent. The Grand Prize winner will receive roundtrip airfare, two nights' accommodation, a crystal award from Tiffany & Co. and official MLS merchandise as part of the prize package.
The MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP contest will be open until June 21, 2012 at 6:59 p.m. CT. Nominations must be 500 words or less and can be submitted by visiting the Community MVP website. Following the announcement of the local winners, fans will have an opportunity to vote for one (1) Grand Prize winner by visiting the Community MVP website or the MLS W.O.R.K.S. tab on Facebook from July 2 – July 13. The Grand Prize winner will be announced during halftime of the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at PPL Park.
A component of Unite. Volunteer. Serve., the Community MVP contest seeks to identify MLS fans who are passionate about making a difference in the lives they touch and are dedicated to improving their communities. Unite. Volunteer. Serve., the League's community service program, is a collaborative effort to combine sport and service, promote goodwill within MLS markets and improve lives and communities at the grassroots level.
In 2011, Robert Kellum, a highly decorated 11-year veteran Chicago Police officer was honored as the Fire's Community MVP. Six years ago, Kellum started K.I.C.K.S. , Keeping Inner City Kids Safe, which provides free soccer clinics for inner city children in conjunction with Community Policing events. Robert also started the Chicago Police Soccer team, which participates in charity matches and has raised over $10,000 for charity.
Information on the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP contest can be found at http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsworks.
Like for like among old soccer rivals - Matthew Futterman and Jonathan Clegg - The Wall Street Journal - June 13, 2012
Friedrich: MLS the right move - FIFA.com - June 15, 2012
Fire forward Chris Rolfe joins CTL - Comcast SportsNet Chicago - June 14, 2012
Brazilian midfielder ready to join Fire - Jack McCarthy - Chicago Tribune - June 13, 2012
Showbiz Smackdown: Sean Johnson Of The Chicago Fire - B96.com - June 14, 2012
Five Things You Should Know About Sunday's Game vs. Red Bull – June 17, 2012
Win at home, draw on the road – June 13, 2012
The mystery is over with the arrival of Alex – June 12, 2012
All-In Podcast with Chris Rolfe – June 12, 2012


text:
Now I'm back in Luxembourg and looking forward to the Safety Days event (driving workshop) tomorrow that I will be attending with my mum.
Happy days in Milan
Now I'm back in Luxembourg and looking forward to the Safety Days event (driving workshop) tomorrow that I will be attending with my mum.
12 comments
The food look truly interesting this time. Oh...and gelato. I don't blame you on indulging on that. I would totally too as well! I love your new fashion purchases. You look great in monochromatic tone clothing! (sexy lingerie haha). As for me, not much have happened in the past two weeks as I have been very occupied at work (daily routine plus training new assistant plus lack of sleep these days, sigh). I hope to come back to post real soon!ReplyDelete
Nam!!! Im so jealous! Ive had a huge tooth ache for the last three days and could only eat bread and butter :(ReplyDelete
Everything looks beautiful, the view of Duomo and Messi , the food but the gelato is what I mostly love.ReplyDelete
I don't think you wear too much makeup by the way, of course my personal opinion and blond look great on you.
Well, to be honest I dont agree, the color you have now is really beautiful and suits your skin tone and eyes very well, is like they stand out even more. Plus, I dont think you exaggerate with the make up and the red lips are always very feminine, hope you wont stop to wear it! Btw, Milan is always gorgeous, I see you had good food and had a lovely haul, the dresses are so chic!:) Have fun tmw! Kisses Anouka! xoReplyDelete
Oh take me to Milan please! Lovely photos, the food looks yummy and the Italian coffee is the best! Congrats on your purchases! The dresses would be great for summer. I think the collar shirt is perfect for wearing it under a jumpsuit. I don't think you look like a tranny or... I like your hair colour very much. It's nice that you have a friend living in Milan and you could spend some time together :)ReplyDelete
I love your hair!ReplyDelete
Italian gelato is the best ever! I ate something similar in Hungary, but it was not as good as in Italy :)) Great pictures!ReplyDelete
I miss reading your blog! I always love to read and keep updated on your travel posts because I want to see those virtual images which makes me feel I'm with you whenever you travel. You inspire me a lot! :)ReplyDelete


text:
When my son began to exhibit explosive behavior at the age of two, I tried using the skills I learned in college, as a volunteer, and as a professional. Guess what? It didn't work! I found myself getting angry, frustrated, yelling, and basically doing exactly what I was taught not to do. But, here's the thing — this was my child.
In first grade my son's teacher had several "land mines" to get through each day. Clean up, finishing projects, and class activity transitions were all major challenges. I didn't know what to say or how to help her, but the message was clear — I was a terrible Mom and he was an awful child. He could not be "controlled." Sadly, his teacher was old school, so the power struggles ended with him shutting down until the principal and I had moved to another more creative class.
My son's sixth grade teacher could not have been a worse choice. She was new to the district and so was my son after a move. She developed an instant dislike to him because of his lack of organization among other things. No matter how closely I worked with his teacher, it wasn't enough. He didn't become compliant, respectful, or get his work in on time, if at all. He would do it, not hand it in, or blow it off. These experiences were so painful and destructive to him. It was heart breaking for me.
In middle school, the principal came out of her office each time she saw me come into the school. She seemed to get some sort of satisfaction as I walked by, several times, with my arms full of old papers, snacks, and homework that wasn't turned in as I emptied his locker….every month. Rescuing — yes. Over-functioning, yup. Enabling — absolutely. It was humiliating, and it didn't change a thing!
From a mom's perspective, I was fiercely determined to protect my son from any and all scrutiny. Elaborate excuses and reasons started spilling out of my mouth. Putting out fires became my full-time job. Breaking up fights or arguments with my son's peers, his sibling, or teachers were constant and exhausting. Homework and chore reminders were an invitation to a power struggle or turn around, usually ending with it being my fault if it didn't get done. Really?
It took many years, especially through adolescence, to give up feeling RESPONSIBLE for his behavior, academics and disappointments. I loved my son intensely through all the arguments, broken electronics, holes in the wall and insults, but, I hated his tone of voice, blaming and defiance. When he was not in an ODD state, he was the kindest, most affectionate, interesting, and funny person.
This is what I have learned from my son, The Total Transformation and The ODD Lifeline:
- Disconnect at the first sign of him/her becoming agitated to prevent an escalation — especially in public.
- Practice phrases such as, "Yeah, I don't know why he/she chose not to hand that in" or "Let's give him/her some space to calm down."
- When the facts of a situation don't match yours, try saying: "That's not the way I remember it, but I'm not going to argue about it."
- Give a choice of two things to avoid making demands that could be rejected with
"NO!" Such as, "Do you want to do your homework now or in an hour?" Give them control when possible.
- When you are ready to explode, take a time out and drive, scream, or talk to a trusted friend.
- Get enough sleep! It is imperative to be able to cope with the constant barrage of opposition, defiance, and embarrassment.
- Cry in the shower because no one can hear you.
When you raise a child with ODD, remember that you are not crazy, cruel, unreasonable, or responsible for their choices. As the authors of The ODD Lifeline, Kim and Marney state: children with ODD are resistant to teaching, control, and thinking beyond now. Expand and rely on as many resources as you can to take care of yourself. The good news is, they do grow up, and with help, can learn alternative appropriate ways to behave.
About Holly Fields
Holly Fields has worked with children with emotional and physical disabilities for more than 15 years in the home, at school, and in rehabilitation settings, as well as therapeutic riding programs. She was with Legacy Publishing Company as a 1-on-1 Coach for two years. Holly has a Masters Degree in Special Education. She has two adult children, two rescue dogs and one cat.


text:
Liam Andrew Swinney
Liam Andrew Swinney was born on March 12, 2012 at Stevens Community Medical Center, Morris, to Matthew and Jaclyn Swinney of Hancock. Liam Andrew weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 21" long. Grandparents are Rev. Harrison and Debra Newhouse of Hancock and Rev. David and Lynda Swinney of Burdett, Alberta, Canada. Great-grandparents are Merlyn and Helen Beekman of Raymond, Jacoba Newhouse of Holland, Mich., Ron and Marge Morris of Brandon, MB, Canada and Patricia Swinney of Greeley, Colo.


text:
I had been hyping myself up for this special event for some time. Sure Brooklyn's KC/DC skateshop hosts a shitload of art shows, but this one was going to be quite different. It was to feature artwork by some of my favorite skate legends, including an infamous line-up of Mark Gonzales, Lance Mountain, Pat Ngoho, and OG Steve Olson. In addition to the badass work of the previously mentioned, the event had more of a purpose than to simply give collectors a chance to spend some loot and acquire high profile, original art. This show would also act as a benefit for New York's own, Andy Kessler. Andy (of Wounded Knee Skateboards fame) recently broke his hip skating the Brooklyn Bowl. Without health insurance and in need of surgery, proceeds from the art sales were to go toward Andy's medical expenses. I think it's safe to say that the skaters of NYC have Mr. Kessler's back. And hip.
Upon arrival, I was beginning to regret my earlier experimentation with the now distinct taquito. My stomach was shaking and squirming like a caged animal that was rapidly being stung to death by wasps. Meanwhile, the shop was jam packed with fans, friends and scenesters who surfaced in the name of free liquor and good times. While the shop mini ramp was receiving a UFC style beat down from the loc dogs, I drifted through the congestion and attempted to take in each artists work.
All the work was hot, especially Lance Mountain's and Steve Olsen's. Steve used color griptape and plastic letters to send a powerful message and a middle finger salute to the non-skating public. I also loved Lance's work. His framed, pool tile paintings would be my choice to buy if I actually had a pot to piss in. In fact, I liked it so much that I approached Lance to congratulate him on his work. Not particularly in my best physical state for an introduction, I went against my instincts and asked Lance if I could take his photo. At this very moment, my brow moistened and my thighs started to tremble. My worst public nightmare was becoming a reality as my ass muscles began to rumble and gyrate violently, like the hips of a particularly talented Britney Spears back up dancer. "Hey Lance, can I take your picture, I mumbled, certain of what was to come. "Yeah sure, he replied. It was painfully apparent that Lance new something was very wrong with me (see picture).
I followed up my strange interaction with my favorite pro by visiting the bar that was fully stocked, thanks to the good folks over at Red Stripe and Zygo Vodka. I had myself a glass of vodka, hoping that the peppery liquor would act as some sort of anti-diarrheal agent. But I was just a fool to believe. While waiting in line to use the toilet, I "sharted twice. For those that don't know, a 'shart' is a fart that ends in a squirt. I had been defeated by Mother Nature herself. I didn't even bother to use the bathroom. Instead, I walked home in the rain, hating taquitos, loving Lance Mountain and feeling major discomfort as my underwear pressed against my two cheeks. I'd like to give a big spicy shout out to KC/DC, all the artists, Red Stripe, Zygo and Lolas Mexican Café.—Jay Riggio


text:
Firefighters battle brush fires in Hopkinton, Holyoke, Monson, Medford, Belchertown
Firefighters across Massachusetts worked Sunday to extinguish several brush fires in the central and western part of the state, with a 15-acre blaze burning in Hopkinton, a 15-acre fire on Holyoke, and a 5-acre spread in Monson, according to local fire departments.
Fire officials said brush fires in Massachusetts are common in the springtime due to rising temperatures and wind speeds, coupled with a lack of precipitation.
The flames in Hopkinton began around noon Sunday near Clinton Street and spread wildly by 4 p.m. across what officials believed to be 40 acres, according to the Hopkinton Fire Department. However, State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said a GPS tracking of the fire found it to be spread across 15 acres.
Local fire officials had no other information on the Hopkinton fire's cause, or if anyone was injured or in harm's way.
Meanwhile, a blaze at the Mount Tom State Reservation in Holyoke also began around noon Sunday, spanning 15 acres by Sunday evening.
Traffic on Interstate 91 southbound was funnelled down to one lane as firefighters rushed to bring to the scene water, as there are few fire hydrants in the area, said Holyoke Fire Lietuenant Tom Paquin.
"We've been shuttling water in from different surrounding towns,'' Paquin said.
The flames in Holyoke were fueled by rotting drywood left behind by tornadoes and tropical storms in the past few years, Paquin said, and although the town has seen a few brush fires this season, today's was the biggest one Holyoke has seen so far this year, he said.
The Monson fire began in the south part of town around 2 p.m. Sunday, and firefighters were still working to contain the 5-acre blaze by around 5 p.m. Sunday, according to the fire department there.
Coan said brush fires were also reported Sunday in Belchertown, and in the state-owned Middlesex Fells Reservation in Medford.
Representatives from the National Weather Service said the dry, warm weather probably exacerbated the brush fire, but noted that relatively low wind speeds prevented the flames from spreading even more.
"If the winds were blowing at 30 miles per hour, that would be more of a concern,'' said Rebecca Gould, a meteorologist with the organization. Today's wind speeds in the greater Boston area hovered just below 10 miles per hour, according to the service's website.
Coan told the Globe in early April that brush fires in Massachusetts are most common during April, as ground-level plant-life that died over the winter can easily catch fire as temperatures and wind speeds rise. An average of 1,400 brush fires have been reported in Massachusetts during each of the past five Aprils, Coan previously said.


text:
Did you know that the more a man has sex with his wife during her pregnancy, the more his semen enhances the future child's intelligence?
Neither did I, but perhaps that's the reason why Muslims have among the lowest IQ's in the world. Apparently, their increased presence in the the US is reducing the IQ rate there, too.


text:
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup: France Could Do the US a Huge FavorJune 30, 2011
Germany, Brazil and the US are the favorites to win the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. Everyone else is just trying to keep up.
With the way the brackets were set up, assuming everything went to plan, the US and Germany would've met in the semifinals on July 13, with Brazil in the other section and an easy road to the final on July 17.
But things may not go according to plan.
Germany sits in Group A with Canada, France and Nigeria and were expected to win it easily. They hadn't bet on France dismantling Canada, however.
France defeated Canada 4-0 Thursday and sit atop the group with six points from two games. Germany also has six points, but France is plus-five in goal difference compared with Germany's plus-two.
France now has an excellent chance to win Group A and turn the table upside down.
Both teams are in the quarterfinals, but the positions are still up for grabs.
Nigeria and Canada are out and will play for nothing more than pride on Tuesday.
Canada was expected by many (including myself) to be the second team out of Group A because of their recent run, and of course, Christine Sinclair.
Sinclair scored Canada's only goal so far in this tournament with a superb free kick in the 2-1 defeat to Germany in the first game. Germany could've had more goals, but Canada also did not take their chances against Germany's defense, which looked anything but solid.
There's still no shame in losing to Germany, but Canada's performance against France was a different story.
Sinclair had her nose broken against Germany and was playing with a protective mask, so she may have been hurting more than we know, but her team was second best the whole 90 minutes.
France were first to every loose ball, took advantage of their chances and passed the ball between them very well.
France and Germany will face off Tuesday, and Germany have to win if they want to win the group. France will likely play for the draw, and that's a great result for them.
This is only France's second World Cup, and in 2003, they didn't make it out of the group stages.
They won't play defensively from the first kick, but don't expect them to be too aggressive going forward. France will likely load the midfield and try to cut off Germany's passing (like they did to Canada), thereby eliminating the threat of their attackers.
If France can win the group, very likely considering how solid their defense and midfield have looked so far, Germany will move to the bottom half of the bracket.
That means Brazil and Germany would be on course to meet in the semifinals, leaving the US to face France, or someone else, in the other half.
This is great news for the US.
Having gone out in the semifinals the past two tournaments, the US didn't want to have to face the favorite and hosts in the semis. Facing them in the final is much more desirable.
For Brazil, this is all bad. They go from having a clear path to the final to having to face the two-time defending champions in the semis.
The biggest winners here are the viewers.
We'd all much rather see the two best teams in the final, fighting for the ultimate prize, than in the semis.
Brazil may have the world's best player in Marta, but Germany and the US have deeper starting lineups and benches than Brazil.
The US can't think too far ahead though. They've got to secure their own group first, but for now, vive la France!