Barack Obama is your friend on FB

Slate recapped Barack Obama's first 100 days in the most transparent tongue and cheek way possible. Totally funnier than John Stewart could have done but then again he does it everyday as part of his full time job. Kudos go out to authors Christopher Beam and Chris Wilson. Just the title along had me cracking up "Barack Obama Sent Somali Pirates a Trio of Snipers". Let the games and copy cats begin! I personally don't think anybody could satisfied with state of things. Although we need to keep a positive outlook. Let us not forget the guy inherited a shit storm of which no country has seen since the plaque and even with this pandemic flu (official government link) adding insult to injury we need to persevere and make do. My advice is to wash your hands and do what you have to.

Political themed songs:
Unsatisfied (live) by The Replacements CBGB's, NYC 10/12/1984
The Dirty Aristocrat by the Rye Coalition from The Lipstick Game
Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing by the Minutemen - double nickles on the dime
Career Opportunities (Kids Singing version) by The Clash from Sandanista!

Praxinoscope turntable video

This is one of the most beautiful animations I've seen in a long time. The best part about it was there were no tricky computers used during the process. Just good ole' frame per seconds, planning and a praxinoscope. (That's the mirror thing on top of the turntable). Ok maybe David Wilson used a calculator at some point to create Moray McLaren's "We Got Time" but he really drew all this stuff and played around with light and time. See the making of turntable video by David Wilson. The music itself is spacey and Pink Floyd influenced alla coldplay and represents the music greatly. The feel of the animation reminds of the moby curated laser show which I saw in 2003 at the planetarium in n.y.c. whic was totally fantastic experience.

A set list for going into the afterlife

I grew up recycling and appreciating nature. I know where that influence came from. I know we're here for brief moments and I also feel there is something else. This my parents and grandparents instilled. I've seen the shows about the after but I also look at my daughter and see my grandfather's eyes. George Anderson was a gentle and generous soul. Every time I was out in California I always made it a point to visit him in the Valley of the moon. He taught me how to swing a golf club and shared a love of music. He was super kind and it showed in smile. The time before last he gave me a wood clock that he had made. I actually made him sign the back so I could one day show my daughter who was just one at the time. He was a teacher and a engineer for a time in his life and was always making stuff in his garage. Today she is two(literally) and I hope one day she can look at her kids, if she is lucky, and share something about her parents, and her parents parents, and their parents. That is the afterlife. G*d Bless the unknown and peace be with you. This is a set-list for part of the journey.

Celebratory set-list:
"With a little dub from my friends" by Easy Star All-Stars
"Tender Years" by George Jones
"Pink Moon" by Nick Drake
"No Expectations" The Stones Unplugged
"I shall be released" Jeff Buckley live on WFMU (Dylan cover)
"Silver and Gold" reimagined by Joe Strummer

Enjoy.

Summer Sandboxes are fun

It occured to me the other day that innovation starts pretty early in life. The simple game of taking all the sand out of the sandbox instead of playing with it inside the described space follows one of the rules of innovation. You need to take risks to get a reward and who said you need to play with it a certain way. Well there are certain rules you need to follow; like you don't play or bring the sand inside the house intentionally (insert friend enemy metaphor here). Which is your control group. Although, it does get in there sometimes everything else is fair game. So if your end goal is to make a mess or create the next 'thing-a-magir' TM. Go for it but make sure you can measure it in some meaningful way. (X+TIME = $) and in these uncertain financial days people have a lot of free time to figure out what X is in the sandbox of life.

Best Skirt Steak at City Tavern Elizabeth NJ

In this economic times it's important to support family run businesses to insure the survival of our American way. City Tavern in Elizabeth is one of those places located near a court house and famous for it's Skirt Steak. Moderate prices and awesome service with Hispanic sense of family and excellent service. The most expensive bottle of wine was 28 but offered great selections in the 14 dollar range with plenty of Modelo especial and other regional beers and a full bar. When it gets a little later in the evening there is a twist to the skirt steak but don't be alarmed it's just the Tavern's way of showing that restaurant is metropolitan as it serves food late. We took the whole family early and enjoyed the music and vibe very much and we can't wait to go back and bring friends. The City Tavern is located at 1109 Elizabeth Ave, Elizabeth, NJ and offers international cuisine from guacamole made fresh on your table to beef empanadas or pork chops. Great fun and highly recommended.