DK Art

Ten folks spent five hours creating this 4-story re-creation of Donkey Kong using 6,400 Post-It Notes. If you happen to live near UC Santa Cruz, it will be on display at the E2 Building until May 1.

If You Know Cookie, This Situation Is Hilarious

Cookie: so my rental car for tomorrow for work is a fucking chevy uplander

Cookie: its huge

Cookie: and i hate it

Torrey: what the hell is an uplander?

Cookie: it took 50 bucks to fill up the tank

Torrey: there can be only one!

Cookie: Click here for a picture of the "The Uplander"

Cookie: its a mini van almost

Torrey: aaahahahaa

Cookie: haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate it

Torrey: I CANNOT see you driving that

Torrey: hilarious

Cookie: me either

Torrey: it's like a minivan SUV

Torrey: I didn't even know it existed

Cookie: its just so... meh!!!!

Cookie: hate it!

Torrey: you know what that is? Republican transportation

Cookie: i KNOW

Cookie: its as big as an elephant

Torrey: lol

And Something About Bunnies, Too

Hey everyone, keep your eyes peeled today for Zombie Jesus!

Smoke Screens

The MPAA is considering banning smoking from all films accessible to minors. Essentially, this would mean scenes with cigarette smoking would only be allowed in R-Rated movies. Anyone agree/disagree/care to comment on this?

Someone Take A Letter

Dear Life Cereal,

Where do you get off? Part of a balanced breakfast and delicious? Who do you think you are?

By now you may have guessed I'm speaking ironically and have nothing but good things to say about what you do. Life Cereal, do not change a thing.

-Peter Griffin

I couldn't agree more.

It's So Obvious!

Why didn't I think of this? Rodrigo Piwonka suggests using your old CD-R spindle as a means of transporting your delicious bagel sandwich while maintaining freshness.

This Silver Spoon Needs Some Polish

I don't want to sound mean, but I feel this needs to be said... Ricky Schroeder has not aged well.

Is This Beating A Dead Horse Yet?

But I really dislike the horse...

Turning Tides And Such

The Pew Research Center tells us that only 35% of Americans now identify as Republican. This is down from 43% just five years ago.

They obviously know what they are talking about because they have graphs:

The Browncoats Have Spoken

The UK's SFX Magazine recently polled its readers on their favorite sci-fi films of all time. Here are the winners:

1. Serenity
2. Star Wars
3. Blade Runner
4. Planet of the Apes (1968)
5. The Matrix
6. Alien
7. Forbidden Planet
8. 2001: A Space Odyssey
9. The Terminator
10. Back To The Future
    

From the magazine:

Serenity, about the crew of a spaceship of the same name, was a spin-off from a short-lived US TV series.

SFX magazine editor Dave Bradley said: "Seeing Serenity topple Star Wars as the UK's favourite sci-fi movie is a massive surprise.

"The TV show may have been cancelled, yet the Serenity universe clearly struck a chord with fans, thanks to its likeable characters, witty dialogue and amazing special effects.

"Our list features some really classic movies, many of which, like Serenity, launched to no praise or applause at the box office, but have lived on for many years thanks to the fans, and continue to influence today's films and TV."

Who Started This Holiday, Anyway?

Some of the World's best April Fool's Day hoaxes:

• In 1996, American fast-food chain Taco Bell announced that it had bought Philadelphia's Liberty Bell, a historic symbol of American independence, from the federal government and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Outraged citizens called to express their anger before Taco Bell revealed the hoax. Then-White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale and said the Lincoln Memorial in Washington had also been sold and was to be renamed the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial after the automotive giant.

• In 1957, a BBC television show announced that thanks to a mild winter and the virtual elimination of the spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. Footage of Swiss farmers pulling strands of spaghetti from trees prompted a barrage of calls from people wanting to know how to grow their own spaghetti at home.

• In 1992, US National Public Radio announced that Richard Nixon was running for president again. His new campaign slogan was, "I didn't do anything wrong, and I won't do it again." They even had clips of Nixon announcing his candidacy. Listeners flooded the show with calls expressing their outrage. Nixon's voice actually turned out to be that of impersonator Rich Little.

• Discover Magazine announced in 1995 that a highly respected biologist, Aprile Pazzo (Italian for April Fool), had discovered a new species in Antarctica: the hotheaded naked ice borer. The creatures were described as having bony plates on their heads that became burning hot, allowing the animals to bore through ice at high speed -- a technique they used to hunt penguins.

• Burger King, another American fast-food chain, published a full-page advertisement in USA Today in 1998 announcing the introduction of the "Left-Handed Whopper," specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new burger included the same ingredients as the original, but the condiments were rotated 180 degrees. The chain said it received thousands of requests for the new burger, as well as orders for the original "right-handed" version.

• Noted British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on the radio in 1976 that at 9:47 am, a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event, in which Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, would cause a gravitational alignment that would reduce the Earth's gravity. Moore told listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment of the planetary alignment, they would experience a floating sensation. Hundreds of people called in to report feeling the sensation.

(info from Brietbart)

Blades Of Glory Review

HIGHS

• This may be the first Will Ferrell comedy I've seen that stays consistently funny from start to finish. I love Anchorman, but they really took a carpet-bombing approach with that one- if that joke didn't get you, maybe this one will. With Talledega Nights, the movie started pretty strong, but then stalled out some through the middle before it finally re-gained speed in the final laps. Blades really does an admirable job of maintaining very consistent humor throughout.
• A high point for me was the fact that they didn't go for the easy/obvious jokes you would expect to find in a movie about a pair of male figure skaters. The writing is better than that and I give them major kudos for taking the high road. Also on the subject of writing, I was impressed at how well structured the script was. The story isn't anything mind-blowing but they did a great job building from scene to scene while still allowing for zany antics along the way.
• If you like Will Ferrell, I can't imagine you not enjoying Blades. The guy is just 24 karat funny. Also, I finally saw John Heder as John Heder, not Napoleon Dynamite like I do in everything else that he does. So that was a nice plus.
• I will take the comedic pairing of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler any day of the week.
• This is really a film to experience in a packed theatre. Everyone seemed to be having a great time and it only heightens the experience when that happens.
• No Ben Stiller cameo.
  

LOWS

• Jenna Fischer is a delight, but I just can't see her as anyone but Pam Beesly. I really tried!

Torrey's Opinion:
5- Strongly Recommended
4- Recommended
3- A Mixed Bag
2- Sub-par
1- Don't Bother

Random related fact: Contrary to every routine performed in Blades of Glory, the music for competitive programs in singles and pairs figure skating may not have vocals.

Not To Be Confused With Austrian Nazis

Here are the 20 worst song lyrics ever, according to spinner.com:

20)
"If I was a sculptor
But then again, no"
-Elton John's Your Song

19)
"Lucky that my breasts
Are small and humble
So you don't confuse
Them with mountains"
-Shakira's Whenever, Wherever

18)
"I love you like
A fat kid loves cake"
-50 Cent's 21 Questions

17)
"There's an insect
In your ear
If you scratch
It won't disappear"
-U2's Staring at the Sun

16)
"Relentless lust
Of rotting flesh
To thrash the tomb she lies
Heathen whore
Of Satan's wrath
I spit at your demise"
-Slayer's Necrophiliac

15)
"Leaving was never
my proud"
-REM's Leaving New York

14)
"I ain't never seen
An ass like that
The way you move it
You make my pee-pee go
'Doing-doing-doing'"
-Eminem's Ass Like That

13)
"There were plants
And birds
And rocks
And things"
-America's Horse With No Name

12)
"Time is like a clock
In my heart"
-Culture Club's Time (Clock of the Heart)

11)
"I wish it was Sunday
That's my fun day
My I-don't-have-to-run day"
-The Bangle's Manic Monday

10)
"I'm all out of faith
This is how I feel"
-Natalie Imbruglia's Torn

9)
"Now you're amazed
By the VIP posse
Steppin' so hard
Like a German Nazi"
-Vanilla Ice's Play That Funky Music

8)
"My panty line shows
Got a run in my hose
My hair went flat
Man, I hate that"
-Shania Twain's Honey I'm Home

7)
"I don't think that I've
Got the stomach
To stomach calling
You today"
-Saves the Day's See You

6)
"Your butt is mine"
-Michael Jackson's Bad

5)
"But if this ever-changing
world in which we live in..."
-Paul McCartney and Wings' Live and Let Die

4)
"Young, black and famous
With money hangin'
Out the anus"
-Puff Daddy and Mase's Can't Nobody Hold Me Down

3)
"I don't like cities
But I like New York
Other places
Make me feel like a dork"
-Madonna's I Love New York

2)
"War is stupid
And people are stupid"
-Culture Club's War Song

1)
"Coast to coast
L.A. to Chicago"
-Sade's Smooth Operator

Simply The Best

If you ever notice that The Decemberists are coming to your area for a show, I strongly recommend you check them out. Even if the show is a couple of hours away, still make the effort. I really cannot stress this enough- you will have a blast. They are simply amazing in every possible musical way. And if you are lucky, they will play The Mariner's Revenge Song and your life will be changed forever.

Accuracy Counts

Someone finally got it right...

Mega Man Ready For Action

Clearly this dude would vaporize you without thinking twice. He is not to be messed with.

The Wii60 Beat Down Continues

This photo was taken outside a Newcastle Virgin Megastore one day before the PS3 European launch. I'll let the picture do the talking.

Unintentionally Funny Comic Panels From Our Past

I Like The Pretty Colors

Behold, Wikimedia's Picture Of The Year 2006:

Priorities

This week, we celebrate the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. Take a look at these calculations:

The newspaper today states one minute of war in Iraq costs US$380,000. A calculation made by Joseph Stiglitz, a US Nobel Prize-winning economist. This is almost double the cost of the Vietnam War.

According to WFP, the UN's food aid organization, it costs US$0.19 to feed a child for a day.

Combining those two figures, one minute of war in Iraq would feed 2,000,000 children for a day. One day of war in Iraq would feed 20,000,000 children for a year. And we've been at this for four years now.

(from The Road To The Horizon Blog)

Stalemates For $300

Whether you watch Jeopardy or not, this is pretty cool...

All those years of answers and questions, and it's never happened before on "Jeopardy!" What is a three-way tie, Alex?

The three contestants on the venerable game show all finished with $16,000 after each answering the final question correctly in the category, "Women of the 1930s," on Friday's show. They identified Bonnie Parker, of the famed Bonnie and Clyde crime duo, as a woman who, as a waitress, once served one of the men who shot her.

"We've had a lot of crazy things happen on `Jeopardy!' but in 23 years I've never seen anything like this before," host Alex Trebek said.

The show contacted a mathematician who calculated the odds of such a three-way tie happening — one in 25 million.

The three contestants, Jamey Kirby of Gainesville, Fla.; Anders Martinson of Union City, Calif.; and Scott Weiss of Walkersville, Md; were all declared champions and taped a rematch that will air Monday.

(from the AP)

Nerd Alert

Bryan informed me that today is Pi Day and should be observed at 1:59 pm. Please make a note of it.

[update] Today is also Albert Einstein's birthday. Coincidence???

Orange Is The New Blue

The one thing I enjoy about owning a cell phone (and I do mean one thing) is random text messaging. Here is an exchange that took place earlier today between Chris Brewer and myself...

Chris: Decemberists playing over Home Depot pa right now
Torrey: Huh?
Chris: On the muzak
Torrey: Valencia?
Chris: Yup
Torrey: You wouldn't find a liberal band like that playing in Lowes, no sir.
Chris: Yes the Depot is the only progressive voice in home improvement

How Nerdy Are You?

I'm not typically one to take online quizzes but I decided to give this one a shot. 28 out of 100 sounds about right to me. Those who know me best may dispute that it should be higher but they are probably already bigger nerds than me and are simply envious of my 72% coolness factor.

Click on the image if you'd like to take the test for yourself. (just be sure to share your results in the comment section!)

Shmucks In The City

I don't even use a subway system and I found these comments to be hilarious. They are very transferable to other social situations such as the ATM line or the debit card swipes at supermarket checkouts.

Everybody Say "Pointless" On Three. One... Two...

The Always Topical FoxTrot

Back To The Polls!

What is your favorite Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration?
	Edward Scissorhands
	Ed Wood
	Sleepy Hollow
	Corpse Bride
	Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Candidate For World's Greatest Billboard

Not exactly something I'd want outside my house, but creative advertising nonetheless...

Makes Mouth Happy

My cousin, who used to work at a toothpick factory, once told me that Maine produces 90% of the world's toothpicks. I always thought that was a very random, yet interesting fact.

Elizabeth Robbins Will Not Be Denied

The following comments were left on my Instant Messenger this evening from the High Roller herself...

mr. ham, for some reason i am unable to comment on your blog, but i remain a faithful reader
i shall now IM you the comments i'd like to make
1) Excellent use of Frankenstein. I sent that out to people at work but nobody got it.
2) the computer generated asian girl frightens me - she looks real. will cloning happen now? if so, i'd like to clone myself.
3) Martin Scorsese is incredibly short. but incredibly talented.
and 4) you better believe i wished everyone a happy liz taylor's birthday yesterday
the woman is a legend.
not so fast.
these have always brought me luck.

I Never Forget A Woman In Diamonds

Happy 75th Birthday to Dame Elizabeth Taylor.

Beauty and elegance have never been more clearly defined.

FINALLY!

Food For Thought

If you consider that there has been an average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq Theater of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2112 deaths, that gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000.

The firearms death rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 per 100,000.

That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in our Nation's Capitol, which has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation, than you are in Iraq.

Conclusion: We should immediately pull out of Washington D.C.

(from dysan.net)

How To Kill A Brand

I certainly haven't been shy about expressing my feelings toward the abomination known as the Playstation 3 but someone has certainly kicked it up several notches by producing this song/video that highlights Sony's many mis-steps on their journey of self-destruction. This is actually very well done. Watch now!

3D Rendered Wow

Want to see the future of computer generated people? This gal isn't real!

I Need A Hacksaw!

Rawson and I agree that Jack Bauer would love living in outer space because in space, no one can hear you scream.

Bono Is A Tool

I'd like to think this actually happened...

Bono is at a U2 concert in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when he asks the audience for some quiet. Then, in the silence, he starts to slowly clap his hands.

He says into the microphone, in a deep solemn voice ….

“Just for a moment, think outside yourself … outside this arena. Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies.”

A loud Newfy voice from near the front pierces the moment …

“Well, Lard tunderin jasus, ya stupid arse, stop yer fockin’ clappin’, then!”

Science Vs. Faith

(you'll want to click on this to get a better look at it)

This One's For Cookie

Bill's Got Your Number, America

Quote of the Day courtesy of Bill Maher:

"In America, when a man puts something in another man it had better be a bullet."

Arnold Is Cumming Day And Night

Brent shared this clip with me today. There's not a lot that needs to be said, just watch...

Tim Hardaway Doesn't Like Me [Update]

(this is an excerpt from a post I found on cbs4.com.)

Former Miami Heat superstar Tim Hardaway told a local sports radio show that he "hates gay people," and he's gotten a lot of peoples' attention especially in South Florida.

Hardaway made the comments while he was being interviewed by Dan Le Batard on 790 the Ticket Wednesday afternoon.

The five time All Star was asked how he would deal with a gay teammate.

"First of all I wouldn't want him on my team," said Hardaway. "Second of all, if he was on my team I would really distance myself from him because I don't think that's right and I don't think he should be in the locker room when we're in the locker room."

Le Batard took Hardaway to task, pointing out that his comments were 'flatly homophobic' and bigoted, but that only seemed to stir up the former point guard.

"Well, you know, I hate gay people," Hardaway said in response to Le Batard. "I let it be known I don't like gay people. I don't like to be around gay people. I'm homophobic. It shouldn't be in the world, in the United States, I don't like it."

Hardaway spoke to CBS4's Sports Director Jim Berry Wednesday evening saying, "I don't condone it. If people got problems with that, i'm sorry. I'm saying i can't stand being around that person, knowing that they sleep with somebody of the same sex."

Hardaway's comments come on the heels of a groundbreaking revelation made by former player John Amaechi, who became the first professional basketball player to openly identify himself as gay.


But he still expects me not to hate him because he's black, right?

[update] And now George Takei's heartfelt rebuttal:

Good one, Mr. Takei.

Happy Frankenstein's Day To All!

Digit Designs

Rawson linked me to a guy who transforms people's hands into animal heads. They really are quite amazing. Click on the picture below for more of them.

Simpsons BSG

These are pretty funny if you follow the show...

Impotent Folks Should Die Alone

I refuse to believe this is being taken seriously by anyone. Such a ridiculous law would be detrimental to everyone, gay or straight.

A new initiative is turning heads around the state of Washington as the gay-marriage debate heats up again. A bill has been introduced that would allow only couples capable of having kids to marry, and require that they file "proof of procreation" within three years of the marriage. If the couple fails to have a child in time, the marriage would be annulled.

(from KNDO.com)

How Awkward

This was an unfortunate time for a pop-up ad...

Nicely Played

Do You See What I See?

B3ta.com recently held the "Phallic Logo Awards" where they asked their readers to send in logos from around the world for evaluation. This beauty from The Brazilian Institute of Oriental Studies was the definitive winner. The Institute claims that it is "a stylized pagoda against the setting sun." Who could think it was anything different?

The Cat's Out Of The Bag

I heard somewhere that this is the year of "seven" so I'm asking folks to list seven guilty pleasure songs that you just have to listen to when they play over the car radio (when you're driving alone, of course!)

Against all better judgement, here are my seven:

Miss Independent - Kelly Clarkson
Walking in Memphis - Cher
Complicated - Avril Lavigne
Addicted - A Simple Plan
Toxic - Britney Spears
Helena - My Chemical Romance
King Of Wishful Thinking - Go West

It distresses me a bit that I could keep going...

Don't Offer Him Decaf

Because I never get tired of these and neither should you, here is a Chuck Norris joke I received on my cell today from Cookie:

"Chuck Norris grinds his coffee with his teeth and boils the water with his rage."

The Greeters Do Nothing!

Consumers Beware: You are 400% more likely to be attacked at Wal-Mart than Target stores.

According to walmartcrimereport.org, that is.

50 Bonus points goes to the person who can tell me which Simpsons episode I'm referencing in this post's headline.

Pan's Labyrinth Review

HIGHS

• I've been a fan of Guillermo Del Toro's work for some time now, so when I heard about Pan's Labyrinth I was immediately excited even before seeing the excellent trailer. My expectations were not only met, they were exceeded. I think I remember reading a quote from Roger Ebert somewhere calling Pan's a "fairy tale for grown-ups." I think that's a very accurate way of summing it up. Pan's Labyrinth is a magical, violent, imaginative, heart-breaking work of art to behold.
• The fact that the film uses subtitles really worked to enhance the experience for me. I felt more like someone was telling me a story as I read along. The narrative is structured very much like a classic fable.
• I'm not familiar with many of the actors in the film, but they all suited their parts marvelously. The two actresses who played Ofelia and Mercedes were particularly outstanding.
• There are some fantastic character designs in the film that really add to the fantasy element. The costumes and cinematography were also top-notch. Pan's had a very modest budget- somewhere around the $5 million mark- but every single penny was put to good use.
• To put it bluntly, if you enjoy using your imagination and have an appreciation for fine film-making, Pan's Labyrinth is a wondrous experience.
  

LOWS

• The only possible low that could come of all this is if Pan's doesn't snag the Oscar for Best Foreign Film this year.

Torrey's Opinion:
5- Strongly Recommended
4- Recommended
3- A Mixed Bag
2- Sub-par
1- Don't Bother

Random related fact: Doug Jones, who plays both Pan and "The Pale Man" in the film, was also Abe Sapien in Del Toro's Hellboy film adaptation. Jones also played the lead Gentleman in my favorite episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer ever, "Hush." (You can probably guess who supplied the Joss Whedon-related portion of this.)

Now We'll Just Need To Get Our Hands On Some Plutonium...

Someone at the DeLorean Motor Company has a keen sense of humor. Click here and run a search for "flux." I especially like the item #.

Degrees Of Whedon

Cookie seems obsessed with tracing everything entertaining and good back to Joss Whedon these days, so I'm throwing down a challenge. Ms. Treible, I challenge you to link Uma Thurman to Joss Whedon using three people or less. Your challenge begins NOW! (or immediately following your reading this post)

You Don't Say

Take a look at this stunning bit of information I found today:

Studies going back over 50 years have repeatedly arrived at the same conclusion -- racists have lower IQs than non-racists.

(info from SAYAR at Penn State) Way to go, guys.

How Much Is Too Much?

Here's a little factoid I came across today:

If you stand on the corner of Regent Street and Wigmore Street in central London, you are within five miles of 164 Starbucks restaurants.

Jokes Made By Robots, For Robots

BY J. ALEX BOYD

- - - -

A rabbi, an Arab, a robot, and a Catholic priest walk into a bar. Only the robot exits.

A robot walks into a pharmacy. The pharmacist asks him if he'd like anything. The robot replies, "A soul."

How do you stop a robot from destroying you and the rest of civilization?
You don't.

"Waiter! Waiter! What's this robot doing in my soup?"
"It looks like he's performing human tasks twice as well, because he knows no fear or pain."

Knock knock.
Who's there?
A robot.
Oh, shit.

What's the difference between a regular robot and a killer robot?
The gnawing jeers of men.

What's a robot's favorite cereal?
Rob-os.
(Note: Rob-os are made of the tears of human children.)

Little Susie tosses a clock out the window. A robot inquires, "Why did you do that?" She replies, "I wanted to see time fly!" The robot says, "Ah ... A perfect subject for elimination," and shoots her with a laser beam through the face.

Why did the robot order a milkshake?
To blend in with the general human population, making it easier to infiltrate society and—in time—conquer it.

Why was six afraid of seven?
Because seven was a robot.

(thanks to Cookie for sharing this via gmail)

Children Of Men Review

HIGHS

• After seeing Y tu mamá también and the third Harry Potter, I knew Alfonso Cuarón was good. I had no idea he was this good. The direction of this film, both artistically and technically is beyond impressive. I was flat out astounded at what was achieved.
• I can't think of another movie that offers such a realistic look into the future. The landscape is so convincing that you find yourself never doubting their situation for a second. There have been other sci-fi movies that have done a respectable job portraying possible futures (Bladerunner, Minority Report, Waterworld, etc.) but for me COM takes the cake.

(I was just kidding about Waterworld. That movie is ridiculous.)

• I have not felt so emotionally jarred by a film since Schindler's List.
• Children Of Men contains what have to be the most amazing continuous shots (meaning the camera doesn't cut away as we travel throughout a scene) that have ever been done before. It is impossible to explain just how impressive they are; you have to see for yourself. I can't imagine the amount of prep work that went into these shots but the results are very literally jaw-dropping.
• Clive Owen has quickly become one of my favorite actors over the past few years. The man picks interesting and varied roles and does a superb job with them, always. He also has a very commanding screen presence.
• I am pretty certain that Children Of Men immediately made it into my Top 5 Favorite Films. That's after one viewing. It's just that good.
  

LOWS

• The fact that Children of Men has to be shown in the same building as Code Name: The Cleaner.

Torrey's Opinion:
5- Strongly Recommended
4- Recommended
3- A Mixed Bag
2- Sub-par
1- Don't Bother

Random related fact: For the first week of release at Leicester Square in London, there was a mistake on the cinema marquee, declaring the film title to be "Children of Me."

The Meaning Of Gibbing

If you think you know video games, take The Ultimate Game Quiz! (I scored 86%)

What's In A Name

I came across a thread containing a bunch of photoshopped images people had done giving various retail outlets alternative names. I chose a few of the better ones to share with you now...




This one is my personal fav...

Music For My Ears

Just because I'm in the mood to construct a list, here are the ten albums that get the most play on my ipod. As always, feel free to share your own list if it pleases you.

1. The Crane Wife - The Decemberists
2. Transatlanticism - Death Cab For Cutie
3. Twin Cinema - The New Pornographers
4. Electric President- Electric President
5. Funeral - The Arcade Fire
6. Picaresque - The Decemberists
7. Oh, Inverted World - The Shins
8. Antics - Interpol
9. Set Yourself On Fire - Stars
10. Summer In Abaddon - Pinback

Vodka Fixes Everything!

Good gravy, it's been a long time since I've posted on here!

Today I came across a website that has the results from every episode of MythBusters. Something informative AND fun!

Why Isn't This Taught In School?

Finally, a means of conquering brain freeze...


"Brain freeze" is the pain sometimes inflicted by devouring something cold like ice cream or a cold beverage, often very quickly.

The reaction is (obviously) triggered by the cold ice cream or beverage; coming into contact with the roof of the mouth. It triggers nerves that give the brain the impression of a very cold environment. To heat up the brain again, blood vessels start to swell, which causes the headache-like pain for approximately 30 seconds.

The temperature change in the roof of the mouth has to be rather drastic; this is why brain freeze often occurs on warm days.

The pain can be relieved by putting the tongue to the roof of the mouth, which logically will heat it up.

(from answerbag.com)

Recognition Deserved

I've been away for awhile but I wanted to drop by for a second to post a "HAPPY BOXING DAY" to all the Commonwealth folks who frequent my blog (especially you Canadians)!

Reno Balloon Race 2006

I'm posting this because I think it's fun to watch. Also, I like hot air balloons. I like the tradition that if someone lands a hot air balloon in your backyard they have to share cheese and champagne with you. Much like dry land, it's not a myth- I've seen it.

What's The Opposite Of Progress?

Here's a little factoid to make you feel like your federal government is concerned with the major issues facing us all...

Of the 383 pieces of legislation that were signed into law during the two-year 109th Congress, more than one-quarter dealt with naming or renaming federal buildings and structures - primarily post offices.

(info from CNN)

The Mob Has Spoken

NPR listeners have impeccable taste!

See? I'm Not Crazy

Today I came across an article on Reuters that supports my outrageous claims...

Blu-Ray Drive No Bonus For Most PS3 Buyers

HD Is For Me

For all my praise of the HD-DVD format, I figured I should provide some evidence supporting my claims. Below you will find two comparison screen caps between the standard DVD release of Return of the King and the upcoming HD-DVD version. While the differences aren't mind-blowing, there is a very noticeable improvement in clarity. Focus particularly on the stubble on his face and the individual strands of hair. As the term "high definition" would imply, the image is significantly sharper. It is also worth mentioning that the colors in the HD-DVD cap are not as washed-out and the shadows are much more clearly defined.

(click on the photo for a much larger version)

Star Wars Auditions

I'm posting this video in honor of Chris & Megan's swell Christmas party last night. She's fast enough for you, old man.

There Can Be Only One

I've put together a list of reasons why HD-DVD should be the chosen format for anyone interested in high-definition movies. I'm a big supporter of the format and I think it's the most logical choice. I believe that in order for both formats to survive, HD-DVD should be used for movies while Blu-Ray could be used for storage. As it goes right now, this unnecessary format war is hurting everyone involved.

1. HD-DVD players are much less expensive than Blu-Ray players. Sony's first stand-alone Blu-Ray player costs $999. Stand-alone HD-DVD players debuted at around $499 and a very good quality HD-DVD drive accessory is available for the Xbox 360 for $199.
2. HD-DVD movies have been out-selling Blu-Ray at a ratio of 11 to 1.
3. Most releases on the HD-DVD format have consistently demonstrated better picture quality than Blu-Ray due to its useage of the superior VC1 encoding technology.
4. HD-DVD discs can be manufactured in the same factories that make standard DVD movies. Blu-Ray discs require all new technology that is both costly and less efficient.
5. There are approximately seven times more HD-DVD players than Blu-Ray players in homes around the country.
6. HP, who originally sided with Blu-Ray at the outset, has now jumped sides and will soon be offering a $100 HD-DVD drive upgrade for their media center PCs. By comparison, Sony's Blu-Ray VIAO solution weighs in at $749.
7. When you look at Sony's history with introducing new formats to the masses, they've basically failed with almost every attempt. From Betamax to Mini Discs to UMDs, their track record is less than stellar.
8. Many people are viewing the PS3 as sort of a "trojan horse" in that Sony is using it to force Blu-Ray players on consumers whether they want it or not. Sony will tell you that the PS3 is a gaming system but what they are more concerned with is that it's a Blu-Ray player. When asked, the majority of consumers say they would have preferred that the drive be offered as an optional accessory like the HD-DVD is for the Xbox 360.
   

Experts say that unless one format is chosen, they both will very likely fail. I hope to see HD-DVD embraced as the new standard for high definition movies by studios and consumers alike.

(sources: Digital Trends, HD Now)

Richard Simmons' New Exploding Steamer

I Think We Have A Winner Here

Considering the plot, casting and director this could really be something special...

Potential Greatest Movie Ever?

(thanks to Chris for the link)

Dear Torrey #1

It has been requested that I start an "advice column" of sorts on the ole blog so here's my first attempt at an entry:

Dear Torrey,

What is the deal with the Wii? The controllers look odd and I am not entirely sure how they would work. Do you hold a vendetta against the Wii, as you do for the PS3?

Sincerely,
Wickedly Confused

Dear Wickedly Confused,

I will start off by stating that I haven't yet used a Wii console. Most stores didn't get interactives (for fear of injuries and lawsuits, among other things) and I haven't purchased one for myself. So everything I know is based on information I have read and from people who are playing the Wii for themselves. In summary, it's basically a souped-up Gamecube with funky new controls. The controller is shaped like a television remote and contains gyro technology that translates your movements to the images on the screen. If you're playing a golf game, you swing the controller like a golf club. Baseball? Swing it like a bat. The major push for the Wii is the promise that simpler controls make the system more accessible to a general audience. It's supposed to be a gaming console that the entire family can play with ease.

As far as my feelings about the Wii are concerned, I give Nintendo a lot of credit for trying something new. The system is extremely gimmicky but it does promise to offer a gaming experience you can't get elsewhere. It strives to be a "party" console and I can't fault it for that. I think they will succeed in reaching a lot of people who tend to shy away from the more "hardcore" systems. Judging from the amount of people I see clamoring for one at work, it seems like they have a hit on their hands; at least for the time being.

My ill-will for the Playstation 3 is based on months and months of negative press and ridiculous moves made by Sony. They have carried themselves as pompous and untouchable when they had no right to be either. And now it's coming back on them and I feel it is more than deserved. The PS3 "launch" was the worst I can remember and had such a low impact that it almost feels like it never happened at this point. Sony wasn't ready, isn't ready and now the future of their gaming division has an enormous up-hill climb ahead. Sony makes decisions purely for Sony's sake- they aren't thinking about the gamers who are laying down the cold hard cash. It's a system built to sell Blu-Ray and anyone who says differently is a fool.

And more important than all of this is the fact the Xbox 360 is better anyway.

Thanks for writing!

~Torrey