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.

Deconstructing innovation

I'm a advocate of change and early adopter of many web technologies. I've seen this interweb turn into this convoluted and confusing place. I welcome folks to take risks and look at "stuff" from a different perspective all the time. Having the job most of the time to lead seemingly naive folks to think different (TM) and realize the propriety of humanity. So I was psyched to read and see this old apple commercial post over at the 5th Finger Food mobile blog. The simple message reminded me that it is important to be creative in these strange and uncertain times as this is when great changes and innovation happens. When and if mobile can support Flash on all platforms things are going to go nuts and it will be good for all.

Who has the best guinness Pour in NJ?

Ever wonder where to get a good beer. Where there is respect for the tap system? Go and vote for one of these New Jersey Pubs and be the decider for the Best Pour of your favorite brew.

Old faces same scene

Sometimes it is very nice to play shows in your old element. Sometimes. Had a blast rocking out and you remember why you did it so much. All the smiles and cheering was awesome. The late night shenanigans that turn into drunk on drunk suck but that is part of the danger i guess. Where's my limo driver man?

Stress Reducing Kit for the overworked

Please do not do this exercise on your home computer. We recommend doing this on your work PC or MAC. The harder the surface the better. You can also just draw a circle on nice brick or concrete wall but for something more forgiving plywood or a sheet-rock wall works just as well. The last thing helps in relieving stress besides the obvious self help is to crank some rock-n-roll really, really loud. If that does not work just punch a co-worker in the face. Preferably one nobody likes.

"Do You Wanna Get It" by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosions [mp3]
"Delay Your Pressure" by Young Widows [mp3]
"When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty" by XTC [mp3]

What's that damn sweet smell in NJ?

North Jersey is known for bad smells but there was a mystery smell like maple syrrup wafting in the air every once in while for past 5 years. Sensitive noses that were out and about picked up on it. I sure as hell didn't. I try and keep my windows closed and doors locked whenever I'm up in the JC, Newark or Hoboken area in my car. AC or heat. Whatever the case the mysterious smell has been discovered. Now we a can go on with our lives and all you other people can stay away.

Unless if you are so inclined make to it a miller night out by going to the noise pollution reunion show featuring aviso'hara and the ankles at The Lamp Post Sat Feb 21 in Jersey City, NJ. Do it.

Download some Aviso'Hara mp3s:
Bradley Wake-up
Raspberry Barret (by Prince)

Friend on last.fm | Friend Aviso on FB | Buy some on Emusic

Plug into one cubicle for fun and one for work

As I joked, I did status this week and say I am "a cold Italian pizza and could use a lemon squeezer" but instead of a Monkey Man here is the Savage Chicken sticky note version. Ha! Distract yourself with some music stuff or get some DJ SPORK podcast. ya that is what you should do. Subscribe to the podcast RSS.

Download:
Chicken Blows Guided By Voices Alien Lanes [ buy ]
Monkey Gone to Heaven The Pixies Doolittle [ buy ]
Monkey Man Rolling Stones Let it Bleed [ buy ]

Star Wars retold by somebody who never really saw it

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo. This goofy girl who was definitely born in the 90's retells the story of the Star Wars saga from having only seen it in bits and pieces comes via fishrockit.com. If you have friend that is this sci-fi challenged you'll get a kick out of this.

Here are some songs with Star Wars themes that you should download.

Red Five (standing by) by Aviso'Hara [ BUY ]
Red Five (reprise) by Aviso'Hara [ BUY ]
The Cantina Mambo by DJ Slink. This is actually really fun with tons of movie samples.
The original Star Wars Theme song.

I'll find more and post.

Beer Pong for iPhone

I played the iPhone beer pong game this morning and it was pretty cool. So if you need another reason to avoid getting a wii this might solve that issue but is certain to test your dexterity and gamer wrist. In general games are fun. There was a period of time where gaming sucked the life and creativity out of me. I do make a lot Flash stuff for living and it is amazing that everybody wants a game to help bolster their brand identity. So good for me and my team. Come on America get with the program.

Westfield Indoor Tennis pick-up Clinic

Thanks to my friend Adam who used to work at the Westfield Indoor Tennis Club who hipped me to a pick-up Tennis session at the Indoor club in town Sundays (2:30- 3pm) and Wednesday (9:30- 11Pm). The clinic moves fast and if you are looking for good work-out or just want to hone your skills this might be the thing for you. This is not for beginners or pros. The clinic will run you $30 but more than reasonable if you break it down in 30 minutes increments. Ask for Anton.