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Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Decade!
Although the media has hardly noticed, today is the last day of the decade I call the Naughts (I think they think it ended last year, which is incorrect). Over all, I think the Naughts was a very bland decade, much less flashy than say the Sixties or the Eighties. Even the Nineties I think were more interesting. But then the Naughts had much that made it differently from other decades.
For myself, this would be the first decade I would spend without my parents. My mother died in October 2000, just shy of seeing the new decade and new century in. For myself this meant a huge change in my life. My sister is much older than I am, and had married while I was still very much a child. My brother was pursuing his own path. As a result, I found myself caring for my mother, very much a part of the Sandwich Generation. It would take a toll on my personal life, but I do not think I would have had it any other way. Regardless, the loss of my mother meant a very big change in the role in which I saw myself. I was no longer a caretaker, so I had to essentially redefine myself. Now that 10 years have passed, I find I am redefining myself again. I have decided to try to make a living at what I was born to do: writing.
As to the world beyond myself, perhaps the biggest impact on pop culture was the growth of the internet. The internet had been around since the late Sixties and the World Wide Web since the mid-Nineties, but the Naughts would see phenomenal growth. As the decade passed more and more people began accessing the internet by broadband. The higher speeds of broadband allowed for the rise of video sharing sites like YouTube. The various broadcast networks, such as the BBC, ITV, NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox began offering their shows on the internet. Cable channels such as TNT and USA did as well. Netflix, the video rental site, also began allowing movies to be viewed on the internet.
While social networking sites had existed in some form since the Nineties, the Naughts would see a phenomenal rise in their popularity. First MySpace and then Facebook became very popular, creating a new form of communication for many. Towards the end of the decade Twitter would arrive on the scene, creating the phenomenon of microblogging. Blogging, which had been around since the Nineties, would become a bit of a fad in the years 1984 and 1985, giving rise to thousands of blogs (including this one). By the end of the decade blogging would be an established part of pop culture and an important source of information for many.
Relatively uncommon at the start of the decade, cell phones would become as common, if not more so than landline phones. What is more, as the decade passed, cell phones would become more and more powerful, with more and more functions. In the early Naughts, it was remarkable if a cell phone had a camera. By the end of the decade cell phones would be capable of accessing the internet, and would essentially become, micro-computers.
In film computer generated imagery came to dominate. In many films it was used to create special effects, replacing the models and even make up of old. Computer animated films tended to be more popular than traditional cel animation. The success of Spider-Man in 2000 led to a new cycle of superhero films, including a revived Batman franchise, a new Superman movie, an Iron Man franchise, and the decidedly adult Watchmen. Epics of all sorts were popular during the Naughts, including Peter Jackson's adaptation of Lord of the Rings, the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and The Matrix trilogy. A new cycle of fantasy movies also came about, embracing both animated films (the Shrek franchise, How to Train Your Dragon) and live action (the Harry Potter films and Lord of the Rings). Independent films grew more popular, from Little Miss Sunshine to Juno.
In music rap dominated the early part of the decade before, thankfully, heading towards extinction in the latter part of the decade. Power pop would make a comeback, with such new bands as Farrah, Hellogoodbye, OK Go, My Chemical Romance, The 88, and Throwback Suburbia. Heavy metal, indie rock (which was often power pop), and post punk also made comebacks. Synthpop would also make a noticeable comeback, particularly in one of the biggest artists to emerge at the end of the decade. Lady Gaga borrows a good deal from Eighties synthpop in her songs. R&B would come to dominate the charts in a way it had not since the Sixties. Many new artists made their way to superstardom. Lady Gaga would even be included in Time magasines 100 Most Influential People. Taylor Swift would emerge as country's only real superstar of the decade. Katy Perry would become one of the most popular pop rock performers. Digital technology would revolutionise the sale of music, with many songs downloaded from a computer rather than bought on CD, through programmes such as Napster and ITunes. The rise of video sharing sites would mark the rebirth of the music video, abandoned by MTV early in the decade.
Television in the Naughts would be rather depressing. For much of the decade American broadcast television was dominated by police procedurals (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order, Criminal Minds), reality shows, and talent competition shows (American Idol). While I liked many of the police procedurals (I am a big Law and Order fan), I despised many of the reality shows, many of which are simply exploitative. Cable finally caught up with the broadcast networks, producing such hit shows as Mad Men, Burn Notice, Leverage, and Nip/Tuck. For the broadcast networks and the cable channels alike, the biggest change may have been the increase in the number of people connecting to the internet via broadband. As a result, many shows would be watched on the network and cable channels' web sites, as well as downloaded through programmes such as ITunes or sites such as Amazon.
As far as literature, the Naughts may be remembered as the Decade of Harry Potter. The Harry Potter series became the smash hit of the decade, selling in numbers usually only reserved for the Bible. The book series would produce movies, games, and other memorabilia. Indeed, the Harry Potter series created a boom in young adult books, with such series as the Artemis Fowl series, A Series of Unfortunate Events, the Percy Jackson series, and many others. Sadly, among the most successful of the young adult series would be the Twilight Saga. While it has a large number of fans, there would be many more who would recognise how poorly the books were written. The decade saw an increase in the popularity of genre fiction, including mystery, fantasy, horror, and romance. It would also see the rise of digital books, read on such devices as Amazon's Kindle.
Sadly, print media would not see the success that books would. With more and more people turning to the internet for their information, newspapers and magazines would suffer. Many would fold during the decade, including some of the major newspapers and magazines. Yet others would go totally to the internet. Amazingly, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, the decade actually showed an increase in reading.
For me and many others, the Naughts would be a decade of tears. Many greats in the fields of film, television, music, and literature. It would be impossible to cover them all, but I will cover those who meant the most to me. Perhaps the deaths I took the hardest were musicians. Beatle George Harrison died at the start of the decade after a long bout with cancer. Both as as a Beatle and a solo artist, he had an impact on my life I cannot begin to measure. John Entwistle died in 2002. The Who was always my second favourite band after The Beatles, and had an enormous impact on my life. Mr. Entwistle composed some of my favourite songs. This year saw the death of Doug Fieger, leader and founder of The Knack. The Knack is my second favourite American band after Cheap Trick, and "My Sharona" my third favourite song of all time. Many of my favourite actors also died in the decade. As many of you know, I have always had a crush on Janet Leigh. I was very hurt when she passed from this world. I also have a crush on Cyd Charisse. Perhaps best known for her fantastic legs, she was a very fine actress and possibly the greatest female dancer on the silver screen. Two of my favourite actors died within a day of each other. Patrick McGoohan was John Drake and Number Six (whom I think were one and the same) and Dr.Syn. I remembered him from childhood from the Disney miniseries The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh and from the TV series Danger Man and The Prisoner. His characters taught me much about honour and decency. Ricardo Montalban was Khan in the TV series Star Trek and the movie Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. He was also a bona fide movie star who later made many guest appearances on television shows. Mr. Montalban had a phenomenal voice and could play almost anything. Jack Lemmon will forever for me be Baxter from The Apartment, the everyman who always gets taken and never does the taking. He played many similar roles, always convincingly. Tony Curtis was the handsome leading man, but so much more. He had a gift for comedy, but could play drama equally well. Leslie Nielsen may well have been Canada's best import. He was the handsome leading man in the early days. He was the commander in Forbidden Planet and Frances Marion in the Disney mini-series The Swamp Fox. He always had a gift for comedy, however, and in his later years he would use that to revive his career. With a deadpan delivery he could be hilarious. Television saw the passing of so many great actors who played some of my favourite characters: Don Knotts, Bob Denver, Don Adams, Gene Barry, Frank Gorshin, Peter Graves, and John Forsythe. Kurt Vonnegut was one of my favourite authors of all time, and in my wildest dreams I would like to think I was influenced him. Even given such greats as John Updike (one of my other favs) died, I think Kurt Vonnegut was the greatest author to pass in the Naughts. Robert B. Parker was another one of my favourite authors to die, just this year. He gave the world detective Spencer and Police Chief Jesse Stone. Frank Frazetta was one of my favourite artists of all time. Indeed, he was perhaps the most famous fantasy illustrator of them all.
Over all, I think the Naughts were a bland decade in television and to a lesser degree music. It was actually quite a good decade for movies. Sadly, it would be a decade that would see so many great actors, musicians, authors, and artists pass. My hope for the Teens is that it is a more colourful decade, producing better movies, music, television, and books. I also hope for fewer tears in the Teens, although I fear we might see even more of the greats from pop culture pass.
For myself, this would be the first decade I would spend without my parents. My mother died in October 2000, just shy of seeing the new decade and new century in. For myself this meant a huge change in my life. My sister is much older than I am, and had married while I was still very much a child. My brother was pursuing his own path. As a result, I found myself caring for my mother, very much a part of the Sandwich Generation. It would take a toll on my personal life, but I do not think I would have had it any other way. Regardless, the loss of my mother meant a very big change in the role in which I saw myself. I was no longer a caretaker, so I had to essentially redefine myself. Now that 10 years have passed, I find I am redefining myself again. I have decided to try to make a living at what I was born to do: writing.
As to the world beyond myself, perhaps the biggest impact on pop culture was the growth of the internet. The internet had been around since the late Sixties and the World Wide Web since the mid-Nineties, but the Naughts would see phenomenal growth. As the decade passed more and more people began accessing the internet by broadband. The higher speeds of broadband allowed for the rise of video sharing sites like YouTube. The various broadcast networks, such as the BBC, ITV, NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox began offering their shows on the internet. Cable channels such as TNT and USA did as well. Netflix, the video rental site, also began allowing movies to be viewed on the internet.
While social networking sites had existed in some form since the Nineties, the Naughts would see a phenomenal rise in their popularity. First MySpace and then Facebook became very popular, creating a new form of communication for many. Towards the end of the decade Twitter would arrive on the scene, creating the phenomenon of microblogging. Blogging, which had been around since the Nineties, would become a bit of a fad in the years 1984 and 1985, giving rise to thousands of blogs (including this one). By the end of the decade blogging would be an established part of pop culture and an important source of information for many.
Relatively uncommon at the start of the decade, cell phones would become as common, if not more so than landline phones. What is more, as the decade passed, cell phones would become more and more powerful, with more and more functions. In the early Naughts, it was remarkable if a cell phone had a camera. By the end of the decade cell phones would be capable of accessing the internet, and would essentially become, micro-computers.
In film computer generated imagery came to dominate. In many films it was used to create special effects, replacing the models and even make up of old. Computer animated films tended to be more popular than traditional cel animation. The success of Spider-Man in 2000 led to a new cycle of superhero films, including a revived Batman franchise, a new Superman movie, an Iron Man franchise, and the decidedly adult Watchmen. Epics of all sorts were popular during the Naughts, including Peter Jackson's adaptation of Lord of the Rings, the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and The Matrix trilogy. A new cycle of fantasy movies also came about, embracing both animated films (the Shrek franchise, How to Train Your Dragon) and live action (the Harry Potter films and Lord of the Rings). Independent films grew more popular, from Little Miss Sunshine to Juno.
In music rap dominated the early part of the decade before, thankfully, heading towards extinction in the latter part of the decade. Power pop would make a comeback, with such new bands as Farrah, Hellogoodbye, OK Go, My Chemical Romance, The 88, and Throwback Suburbia. Heavy metal, indie rock (which was often power pop), and post punk also made comebacks. Synthpop would also make a noticeable comeback, particularly in one of the biggest artists to emerge at the end of the decade. Lady Gaga borrows a good deal from Eighties synthpop in her songs. R&B would come to dominate the charts in a way it had not since the Sixties. Many new artists made their way to superstardom. Lady Gaga would even be included in Time magasines 100 Most Influential People. Taylor Swift would emerge as country's only real superstar of the decade. Katy Perry would become one of the most popular pop rock performers. Digital technology would revolutionise the sale of music, with many songs downloaded from a computer rather than bought on CD, through programmes such as Napster and ITunes. The rise of video sharing sites would mark the rebirth of the music video, abandoned by MTV early in the decade.
Television in the Naughts would be rather depressing. For much of the decade American broadcast television was dominated by police procedurals (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order, Criminal Minds), reality shows, and talent competition shows (American Idol). While I liked many of the police procedurals (I am a big Law and Order fan), I despised many of the reality shows, many of which are simply exploitative. Cable finally caught up with the broadcast networks, producing such hit shows as Mad Men, Burn Notice, Leverage, and Nip/Tuck. For the broadcast networks and the cable channels alike, the biggest change may have been the increase in the number of people connecting to the internet via broadband. As a result, many shows would be watched on the network and cable channels' web sites, as well as downloaded through programmes such as ITunes or sites such as Amazon.
As far as literature, the Naughts may be remembered as the Decade of Harry Potter. The Harry Potter series became the smash hit of the decade, selling in numbers usually only reserved for the Bible. The book series would produce movies, games, and other memorabilia. Indeed, the Harry Potter series created a boom in young adult books, with such series as the Artemis Fowl series, A Series of Unfortunate Events, the Percy Jackson series, and many others. Sadly, among the most successful of the young adult series would be the Twilight Saga. While it has a large number of fans, there would be many more who would recognise how poorly the books were written. The decade saw an increase in the popularity of genre fiction, including mystery, fantasy, horror, and romance. It would also see the rise of digital books, read on such devices as Amazon's Kindle.
Sadly, print media would not see the success that books would. With more and more people turning to the internet for their information, newspapers and magazines would suffer. Many would fold during the decade, including some of the major newspapers and magazines. Yet others would go totally to the internet. Amazingly, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, the decade actually showed an increase in reading.
For me and many others, the Naughts would be a decade of tears. Many greats in the fields of film, television, music, and literature. It would be impossible to cover them all, but I will cover those who meant the most to me. Perhaps the deaths I took the hardest were musicians. Beatle George Harrison died at the start of the decade after a long bout with cancer. Both as as a Beatle and a solo artist, he had an impact on my life I cannot begin to measure. John Entwistle died in 2002. The Who was always my second favourite band after The Beatles, and had an enormous impact on my life. Mr. Entwistle composed some of my favourite songs. This year saw the death of Doug Fieger, leader and founder of The Knack. The Knack is my second favourite American band after Cheap Trick, and "My Sharona" my third favourite song of all time. Many of my favourite actors also died in the decade. As many of you know, I have always had a crush on Janet Leigh. I was very hurt when she passed from this world. I also have a crush on Cyd Charisse. Perhaps best known for her fantastic legs, she was a very fine actress and possibly the greatest female dancer on the silver screen. Two of my favourite actors died within a day of each other. Patrick McGoohan was John Drake and Number Six (whom I think were one and the same) and Dr.Syn. I remembered him from childhood from the Disney miniseries The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh and from the TV series Danger Man and The Prisoner. His characters taught me much about honour and decency. Ricardo Montalban was Khan in the TV series Star Trek and the movie Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. He was also a bona fide movie star who later made many guest appearances on television shows. Mr. Montalban had a phenomenal voice and could play almost anything. Jack Lemmon will forever for me be Baxter from The Apartment, the everyman who always gets taken and never does the taking. He played many similar roles, always convincingly. Tony Curtis was the handsome leading man, but so much more. He had a gift for comedy, but could play drama equally well. Leslie Nielsen may well have been Canada's best import. He was the handsome leading man in the early days. He was the commander in Forbidden Planet and Frances Marion in the Disney mini-series The Swamp Fox. He always had a gift for comedy, however, and in his later years he would use that to revive his career. With a deadpan delivery he could be hilarious. Television saw the passing of so many great actors who played some of my favourite characters: Don Knotts, Bob Denver, Don Adams, Gene Barry, Frank Gorshin, Peter Graves, and John Forsythe. Kurt Vonnegut was one of my favourite authors of all time, and in my wildest dreams I would like to think I was influenced him. Even given such greats as John Updike (one of my other favs) died, I think Kurt Vonnegut was the greatest author to pass in the Naughts. Robert B. Parker was another one of my favourite authors to die, just this year. He gave the world detective Spencer and Police Chief Jesse Stone. Frank Frazetta was one of my favourite artists of all time. Indeed, he was perhaps the most famous fantasy illustrator of them all.
Over all, I think the Naughts were a bland decade in television and to a lesser degree music. It was actually quite a good decade for movies. Sadly, it would be a decade that would see so many great actors, musicians, authors, and artists pass. My hope for the Teens is that it is a more colourful decade, producing better movies, music, television, and books. I also hope for fewer tears in the Teens, although I fear we might see even more of the greats from pop culture pass.
Times of Grace - Live in Love
Que mejor forma de cerrar el año en el blog que con el que posiblemente sea el disco del año 2011. Adam Dutkiewicz y Jesse Leach nos van a hacer gozar con su "The Hymn of a Broken Man" de su nuevo grupo Times of Grace.
Hoy os dejo con una de las canciones que nos han adelantado, una e esas canciones épicas con un estribillo supremo. Se trata de "Live in Love". En esta canción Jesse explota tanto sus voces melódicas como las más potentes.
Con toda seguridad, esta canción junto con las que ya nos han adelantado, van a conformar un trabajo realmente sublime que dudo que otro disco le pueda superar en calidad en el próximo 2011. Va a tener serios competidores como Mercenary o In Flames.
Os dejo con "Live in Love":
Hoy os dejo con una de las canciones que nos han adelantado, una e esas canciones épicas con un estribillo supremo. Se trata de "Live in Love". En esta canción Jesse explota tanto sus voces melódicas como las más potentes.
Con toda seguridad, esta canción junto con las que ya nos han adelantado, van a conformar un trabajo realmente sublime que dudo que otro disco le pueda superar en calidad en el próximo 2011. Va a tener serios competidores como Mercenary o In Flames.
Os dejo con "Live in Love":
2011: Reading Life and the Goon Squad
Time is the Goon Squad and you can't escape. It's inexorable movement forward is captured by Jennifer Egan with excellent writing, humor, and a variety of styles including a Power Point chapter presentation. Each chapter's little stories ultimately link characters, places, and life itself. The main backdrop is the music industry, and in it Bennie Salazar fights to remain valid. Sasha, his young assistant, journeys through the book stealing possessions and our hearts. From New York to San Francisco, Naples, and Africa, characters interlock, live, love, and manage to survive. A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan enthralled me.
From The Great Santini to Prince of Tides to Beach Music, Pat Conroy's lyrical prose with a southern lilt made me a fan. Now with My Reading Life, he shares his love of books, reading, libraries, and words. Whether it's Gone With the Wind or Charles Dickens, Conroy's passion for books and his enthusiasm for other writers is infectious. His anecdotes are humorous and touching, as his skill as a writer kept me turning the pages. I received this book as a Christmas gift, and cherish it as such.
P.127 "I selected all my books for the possibility of some flare of candles along the road toward illumination or enchantment."
P.140 in regards to a beloved bookstore (now sadly closed): "It was once a home of thirty thousand books, a village of lost souls who once held citizenship in a princely city of ideas where the bright glimmer of the English language formed a great wall before the assembled forces of chaos."
p. 304 "Good writing is the hardest form of thinking. It involves the agony of turning profoundly difficult thoughts into lucid forms, then forcing them into the tight-fitting uniform of language, making them visible and clear."
Pat Conroy's thinking appears effortless on the page.
Begin 2011 with these two book recommendations and you are on the road to discovery. Time is the goon squad. Use it wisely.
Mikko Sirén cumple 35 años
El batería del grupo de cello-metal Apocalyptica cumple hoy 35 años.
Mikko Sirén nació el 31 de diciembre de 1975 en Helsinki, Finlandia. Fue invitado en 2003 a hacer la gira con Apocalyptica, ya que Dave Lombardo no pudiera asistir. Dos años más tarde, Perttu Kivilaakso anunciaba que Mikko pasaba a ser miembro oficial de la banda.
Para mí, Apocalyptica dio un paso importantísimo cara alante tras la contratación del batería, creando un estilo más fuerte y potente.
Mikko Sirén nació el 31 de diciembre de 1975 en Helsinki, Finlandia. Fue invitado en 2003 a hacer la gira con Apocalyptica, ya que Dave Lombardo no pudiera asistir. Dos años más tarde, Perttu Kivilaakso anunciaba que Mikko pasaba a ser miembro oficial de la banda.
Para mí, Apocalyptica dio un paso importantísimo cara alante tras la contratación del batería, creando un estilo más fuerte y potente.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Former NBA Star Nick Van Exel Son Murder Case Updates
This news is pretty unusual for a former NBA player son who's been with Spurs. According to report, Nickey Van Exel is currently facing a murder case in Dallas, the son of Nick, because of the strong evidence leading to open mystical death of Bradley Eyo, a 23-year old friend of Exel who's body has been dumped in the nearby side of Lake Ray Hubbard. Exel is currently facing the toughest case happened to an NBA star son and we cannot deny the fact that the situation of this guy is getting more complicated.
However, according to our source, Nickey Van Exel faced a $1-million bail from his murder case. Guess what, he also admitted this crime to his legal adviser. Here's a story from Zap that will confirm the story talked by anyone else in regards with Nickey Van Exel,
However, according to our source, Nickey Van Exel faced a $1-million bail from his murder case. Guess what, he also admitted this crime to his legal adviser. Here's a story from Zap that will confirm the story talked by anyone else in regards with Nickey Van Exel,
"It's a real sad situation. Emotions are running high, and, obviously, we recognize that some very bad decisions were made on how he responded."This statement came from Paul Johnson from his recent interview in News Radio 1080 KRLD as Exel confessed everything he knows about of what happened to his friend Bradley Eyo. Furthermore, according to other source, he also admitted that he just accidentally shoot the man far from his intention. Let's keep on following the story of Nickey after of this break.
Remembering Rosie the Riveter or Geraldine Doyle
The iconic face of Geraldine Hoff Doyle is a great inspiration to everyone who knows the goal of the group who's been on the World War II, right? Rosie the Riveter passed away last 26th of December 2010 but her contribution in the history of mankind especially with the group of women who's been on the toughest situation of the world remains in books, minds, and heart of everyone who's been with her.
She is the woman in a slogan named "We can do it!", a poster used by her group to get the attention of those women who would like to participate and to share their goal in life. They are all in the history of the world and Geraldine Hoff Doyle is not just an inspiration but of course, the woman behind the logo that captured the minds of others to be a part of their group.
According to our source, he died at the age of 86 in a hospice. Her early days brought her to a metal factory after she graduated in high school. Later, she give up her job for a certain situation and probably because of the war.
How she ended with a "We can do it!" poster? The following details noted by The Washington Post gave us a little idea about of what happened during that time of her in the metal factory,
Related story about Geraldine Doyle
She is the woman in a slogan named "We can do it!", a poster used by her group to get the attention of those women who would like to participate and to share their goal in life. They are all in the history of the world and Geraldine Hoff Doyle is not just an inspiration but of course, the woman behind the logo that captured the minds of others to be a part of their group.
According to our source, he died at the age of 86 in a hospice. Her early days brought her to a metal factory after she graduated in high school. Later, she give up her job for a certain situation and probably because of the war.
How she ended with a "We can do it!" poster? The following details noted by The Washington Post gave us a little idea about of what happened during that time of her in the metal factory,
"One day, a photographer representing United Press International came to her factory and captured Mrs. Doyle leaning over a piece of machinery and wearing a red and white polka-dot bandanna over her hair."Although she is not aware of that time when a photographer take a shoot of her, way back in 1982, everything has been unveiled as the truth of that woman who's been with a "We can do it!" slogan. Try to check some more soon as we continue to bring you the highlights and other related details in regards with Geraldine Doyle. Let's remember her once again and treasure the goal of that group who used her photo to inspired those other women during her time.
Related story about Geraldine Doyle
Goodbye, 2010
Twenty ten is coming to a close and with the decade I call the Naughts. I'll talk more about the decade tomorrow, but today I thought I would discuss 2010 itself.
Last year I proclaimed 2009 to be the Year of Death. Now I know that I spoke too soon. If ever there was a Year of Death, it was 2010. I suspect more important figures from pop culture have died this year than any other. We lost some major stars in film, many from the Golden Age of Hollywood, including Jean Simmons, director Eric Rohmer, Lionel Jeffries, Kathryn Grayson, Lynn Redgrave, Dennis Hopper, Patricia Neal, director Clive Donner, Kevin McCarthy, director Arthur Penn, Gloria Stewart, director Roy Ward Baker, Sir Norman Wisdom, producer Dino DeLaurentiis, Ingrid Pitt, and director Blake Edwards. In television such figures passed as Gumby creator Art Clokey, Pernell Roberts, producer Aaron Ruben, Peter Graves, Robert Culp, John Forsythe, Allen Swift (the voice of Simon Barsinsiter and Riff Raff), Dixie Carter, Art Linkletter, Rue McClanahan, Peter Fernandez (the voice of Speed Racer), Maury Chaykin, writer Jackson Gillis, Bonanza creator David Dortort, newsman Edwin Newman, Harold Gould, producer Stephen J. Cannell, actor and producer William Self, Tom Bosley, Barbara Billingsley, James MacArthur, and Jill Clayburgh. The field of music saw the passing of guitarist Mick Green, Dale Hawkins, founder and leader of Type O Negative Peter Steele, Lena Horne, Ronnie James Dio, Paul Gray of Slipknot, Robert Wilson of The Gap Band, bassist Peter Quaife of legendary rock band The Kinks, and Eddie Fisher. In the realm of literature, comic books, comic strips and art, Robert B. Parker, J. D. Salinger, comic book legend Dick Giordano, legendary artist Frank Frazetta, Modesty Blaise creator Peter O'Donnell, legendary EC Comics artists Al Williamson, and underground comics creator Harvey Pekar.
At times this year I felt as if it was not enough for the Grim Reaper to take many of my favourite actors, writers, musicians, and artists. She had to take some of those I loved the most. Fess Parker had a huge impact on my young life, as Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. Much of what I learned about honour, I learned from Daniel and Davy. Tony Curtis was one of my favourite actors of all time, a master of epic movies and comedies. As much as I mourned over Messrs. Parker and Curtis, however, they would not be the men I mourned over the most. Leslie Nielsen was one of my favourite actors from childhood. As a child he was the handsome leading man, playing in Forbidden Planet and the Disney mini-series The Swamp Fox. As I reached adulthood he became a master comic actor, giving me many hours of laughter. I cry when I think he is gone. By far the worst death for me, however, was the passing of Doug Fieger, leader and founder of The Knack. I was so upset the day he died I could not write his eulogy in this blog right away. Try as I might, I would start crying. And the crying would not stop for some days. Not since John Lennon, George Harrsion, and John Entwistle passed had I mourned a musician so. Quite simply, The Knack was my second favourite American band of all time (second only after Cheap Trick), and only a few musicians had as huge an impact on my life as Doug Fieger.
In movies the big news was 3-D. In fact, it is difficult to find a major motion picture that was not released in 3-D in 2010. Certainly most animated films and sci-fi/fantasy epics seem to be released in 3-D these days. While many seem to enjoy the format, I am personally hoping it is a fad. While many films are impressive in 3-D, with many other films it just seems unnecessary. As has been typical of the past few years, there were many remakes and sequels. In fact, of the highest grossing films thus far this year, five were sequels and one was a remake. Worst of the remakes were those of horror movies, whether classic (The Crazies) or definitely not classic (Friday the Thirteenth). Fortunately, the year would end well, with a movie that many thought was a remake but was actually another adaptation of a popular novel. The Coen Brother's True Grit is worth the full price of admission.
As far as television, the best new shows all seemed to be on cable. The Walking Dead continued AMC's winning streak begun with Breaking Bad and Mad Men. Showtime scored big with Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Pillars of the Earth. If Laugh In was around, NBC would surely have received the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award. Twice. The first time would be for returning continuously unfunny Jay Lenno to and bumping Conan O'Brien from The Tonight Show. Not surprisingly, Leno's ratings are lower than Conan's. Even more surprisingly, NBC has not booted Leno off the show yet. The second time would be for cancelling Law and Order, right when it was poised to break the record set by Gunsmoke as longest running drama on American television. The show was still popular and only needed one more season to break the record! The 2010-2011 season as been unimpressive thus far on American broadcast network television, and the film industry's taste for remakes seems to have reached the broadcast networks. ABC returned their remake of V this season, while CBS debuted remakes of Hawaii Five-O and The Defenders.
In music in 2010, Billboard seemed to be dominated by R&B artists such as Rihanna and Usher. Lady GaGA (who defies genre classification) and Katy Perry also continued their dominance of the charts. Taylor Swift continued as the only country artist to enjoy superstardom (I think it's the movie star good looks, myself). Rock music is still alive and well, with top albums by such artists as Bruce Springsteen and Kings of Leon. Rap, with the exception of Eminem, seems to be dying (thank heavens for that).
Over all 2010 was not a stand out year. Movies were dominated by remakes and sequels, a trend which seems to be creeping into television as well. Nothing particularly impressive emerged in the field of music, aside perhaps from the dominance of Lady GaGa. If the year stands out at all it is for a particularly sad reason. I was wrong. Twenty aught nine was not the year of death. It was twenty ten. It is a sad trend that so many of the greats of movies, television, and music are passing. Sadly, I am not sure it is a trend that will end soon.
Last year I proclaimed 2009 to be the Year of Death. Now I know that I spoke too soon. If ever there was a Year of Death, it was 2010. I suspect more important figures from pop culture have died this year than any other. We lost some major stars in film, many from the Golden Age of Hollywood, including Jean Simmons, director Eric Rohmer, Lionel Jeffries, Kathryn Grayson, Lynn Redgrave, Dennis Hopper, Patricia Neal, director Clive Donner, Kevin McCarthy, director Arthur Penn, Gloria Stewart, director Roy Ward Baker, Sir Norman Wisdom, producer Dino DeLaurentiis, Ingrid Pitt, and director Blake Edwards. In television such figures passed as Gumby creator Art Clokey, Pernell Roberts, producer Aaron Ruben, Peter Graves, Robert Culp, John Forsythe, Allen Swift (the voice of Simon Barsinsiter and Riff Raff), Dixie Carter, Art Linkletter, Rue McClanahan, Peter Fernandez (the voice of Speed Racer), Maury Chaykin, writer Jackson Gillis, Bonanza creator David Dortort, newsman Edwin Newman, Harold Gould, producer Stephen J. Cannell, actor and producer William Self, Tom Bosley, Barbara Billingsley, James MacArthur, and Jill Clayburgh. The field of music saw the passing of guitarist Mick Green, Dale Hawkins, founder and leader of Type O Negative Peter Steele, Lena Horne, Ronnie James Dio, Paul Gray of Slipknot, Robert Wilson of The Gap Band, bassist Peter Quaife of legendary rock band The Kinks, and Eddie Fisher. In the realm of literature, comic books, comic strips and art, Robert B. Parker, J. D. Salinger, comic book legend Dick Giordano, legendary artist Frank Frazetta, Modesty Blaise creator Peter O'Donnell, legendary EC Comics artists Al Williamson, and underground comics creator Harvey Pekar.
At times this year I felt as if it was not enough for the Grim Reaper to take many of my favourite actors, writers, musicians, and artists. She had to take some of those I loved the most. Fess Parker had a huge impact on my young life, as Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. Much of what I learned about honour, I learned from Daniel and Davy. Tony Curtis was one of my favourite actors of all time, a master of epic movies and comedies. As much as I mourned over Messrs. Parker and Curtis, however, they would not be the men I mourned over the most. Leslie Nielsen was one of my favourite actors from childhood. As a child he was the handsome leading man, playing in Forbidden Planet and the Disney mini-series The Swamp Fox. As I reached adulthood he became a master comic actor, giving me many hours of laughter. I cry when I think he is gone. By far the worst death for me, however, was the passing of Doug Fieger, leader and founder of The Knack. I was so upset the day he died I could not write his eulogy in this blog right away. Try as I might, I would start crying. And the crying would not stop for some days. Not since John Lennon, George Harrsion, and John Entwistle passed had I mourned a musician so. Quite simply, The Knack was my second favourite American band of all time (second only after Cheap Trick), and only a few musicians had as huge an impact on my life as Doug Fieger.
In movies the big news was 3-D. In fact, it is difficult to find a major motion picture that was not released in 3-D in 2010. Certainly most animated films and sci-fi/fantasy epics seem to be released in 3-D these days. While many seem to enjoy the format, I am personally hoping it is a fad. While many films are impressive in 3-D, with many other films it just seems unnecessary. As has been typical of the past few years, there were many remakes and sequels. In fact, of the highest grossing films thus far this year, five were sequels and one was a remake. Worst of the remakes were those of horror movies, whether classic (The Crazies) or definitely not classic (Friday the Thirteenth). Fortunately, the year would end well, with a movie that many thought was a remake but was actually another adaptation of a popular novel. The Coen Brother's True Grit is worth the full price of admission.
As far as television, the best new shows all seemed to be on cable. The Walking Dead continued AMC's winning streak begun with Breaking Bad and Mad Men. Showtime scored big with Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Pillars of the Earth. If Laugh In was around, NBC would surely have received the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award. Twice. The first time would be for returning continuously unfunny Jay Lenno to and bumping Conan O'Brien from The Tonight Show. Not surprisingly, Leno's ratings are lower than Conan's. Even more surprisingly, NBC has not booted Leno off the show yet. The second time would be for cancelling Law and Order, right when it was poised to break the record set by Gunsmoke as longest running drama on American television. The show was still popular and only needed one more season to break the record! The 2010-2011 season as been unimpressive thus far on American broadcast network television, and the film industry's taste for remakes seems to have reached the broadcast networks. ABC returned their remake of V this season, while CBS debuted remakes of Hawaii Five-O and The Defenders.
In music in 2010, Billboard seemed to be dominated by R&B artists such as Rihanna and Usher. Lady GaGA (who defies genre classification) and Katy Perry also continued their dominance of the charts. Taylor Swift continued as the only country artist to enjoy superstardom (I think it's the movie star good looks, myself). Rock music is still alive and well, with top albums by such artists as Bruce Springsteen and Kings of Leon. Rap, with the exception of Eminem, seems to be dying (thank heavens for that).
Over all 2010 was not a stand out year. Movies were dominated by remakes and sequels, a trend which seems to be creeping into television as well. Nothing particularly impressive emerged in the field of music, aside perhaps from the dominance of Lady GaGa. If the year stands out at all it is for a particularly sad reason. I was wrong. Twenty aught nine was not the year of death. It was twenty ten. It is a sad trend that so many of the greats of movies, television, and music are passing. Sadly, I am not sure it is a trend that will end soon.
EADJ Surprising Hostility: "Magic" Wine Holder
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
-Arthur C. Clarke, "Profiles of The Future", 1961
Today we direct our enmity towards any cantilever-style or so-called "magic" wine holder.
Why? Well, it's hard to articulate exactly what's so fucking annoying about these things, but here's a general walk-through of the logic of any person who buys one:
1) Oh wow! Look at that wine bottle holder! It makes it look like the bottle is floating!
2) But how does it work? Magic?!
3) Oh, I see! The piece of wood forces the heavy bottle to act as a counter-balance, and the angle of the base of the wood ensures the stability of the cantilever! How surprising and utterly elegant!
4) I've got to decorate my condo with this wine holder! This will both show off how sophisticated I am and baffle my douchebag friends!
So people who buy these things aren't only idiots when it comes to basic physics, but they're also eager to show off the fancy bottle of wine they bought.
When it comes to level of taste, I think I'd have to categorize the "magic" wine bottle holder with Patrick Nagel prints, halogen lamps, and those posters that have a rose on some piano keys.
-Arthur C. Clarke, "Profiles of The Future", 1961
Today we direct our enmity towards any cantilever-style or so-called "magic" wine holder.
Why? Well, it's hard to articulate exactly what's so fucking annoying about these things, but here's a general walk-through of the logic of any person who buys one:
1) Oh wow! Look at that wine bottle holder! It makes it look like the bottle is floating!
2) But how does it work? Magic?!
3) Oh, I see! The piece of wood forces the heavy bottle to act as a counter-balance, and the angle of the base of the wood ensures the stability of the cantilever! How surprising and utterly elegant!
4) I've got to decorate my condo with this wine holder! This will both show off how sophisticated I am and baffle my douchebag friends!
So people who buy these things aren't only idiots when it comes to basic physics, but they're also eager to show off the fancy bottle of wine they bought.
When it comes to level of taste, I think I'd have to categorize the "magic" wine bottle holder with Patrick Nagel prints, halogen lamps, and those posters that have a rose on some piano keys.
Actualización System of a Down
La lista de conciertos de la gira del 2011 parece cerrarse poco a poco. Hay que decir que será una gira europea (supongo que por el antiamericanismo del grupo...) Me sigue pareciendo increíble que no pasen por USA, el país que les permitió ser lo que son, siendo incluso uno de ellos (Malakian), por mucho que le fastidie, ciudadano americano de nacimiento. Ante la petición popular parece que darán dos conciertos en Francia, pero de momento la lista es ésta:
6/2/11 - Italy, Milan, Milan Fiera Arena
6/4/11 - Germany, Nurnberg, Rock im Park
6/5/11 - Germany, Nurburgring, Rock am Ring
6/6/11 - France, Paris, Omnisports de Bercy
6/9/11 - Switzerland, Interlaken, Greenfield Festival
6/11/11 - UK, Castle Donington, Download Festival
6/13/11 - Austria, Nickelsdorf, Novarock
6/15/11 - Germany, Berlin, Wuhlheide
6/17/11 - Sweden, Gothenburg, Metaltown Festival
6/19/11 - Finland, Seinajoki, Provinssirock
En principio no parece que vayan a pasar por España, algo que veo muy normal si tienen una pequeña idea de la incultura musical de este país que idolatra a pseudo-artistas que ellos llaman rock como El Canto del Moco o Gruñido de Cerdo (Pig Noise para los pijos).
6/2/11 - Italy, Milan, Milan Fiera Arena
6/4/11 - Germany, Nurnberg, Rock im Park
6/5/11 - Germany, Nurburgring, Rock am Ring
6/6/11 - France, Paris, Omnisports de Bercy
6/9/11 - Switzerland, Interlaken, Greenfield Festival
6/11/11 - UK, Castle Donington, Download Festival
6/13/11 - Austria, Nickelsdorf, Novarock
6/15/11 - Germany, Berlin, Wuhlheide
6/17/11 - Sweden, Gothenburg, Metaltown Festival
6/19/11 - Finland, Seinajoki, Provinssirock
En principio no parece que vayan a pasar por España, algo que veo muy normal si tienen una pequeña idea de la incultura musical de este país que idolatra a pseudo-artistas que ellos llaman rock como El Canto del Moco o Gruñido de Cerdo (Pig Noise para los pijos).
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
At last, some birds!
I've been seeing a lot of Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Red-shouldered Hawks, and possibly even a Rough-legged Hawk (but I didn't get a good enough view to call it a lifer), and today I went down to the Duck Pond near PSU and saw some nice ducks:
a cute little female Ruddy Duck, complete with perky stiff tail, and
and a beautiful female Redhead. There is some back-and-forth on the listserv today about whether this is a Redhead or a Scaup -- I think the consensus is Redhead. Any other offers?
I'm also super pumped about three upcoming events:
1. Flying to Boston tomorrow for New Year's with AB and some of her old friends.
2. My bff Gretchen is moving back to State College next month!
3. I'm participating in the Christmas Bird Count for Bald Eagle State Park on Sunday! (that means a quick turnaround on the Boston trip)
So much fun, so little time!
Happy New Year, everyone!
a cute little female Ruddy Duck, complete with perky stiff tail, and
and a beautiful female Redhead. There is some back-and-forth on the listserv today about whether this is a Redhead or a Scaup -- I think the consensus is Redhead. Any other offers?I'm also super pumped about three upcoming events:
1. Flying to Boston tomorrow for New Year's with AB and some of her old friends.
2. My bff Gretchen is moving back to State College next month!
3. I'm participating in the Christmas Bird Count for Bald Eagle State Park on Sunday! (that means a quick turnaround on the Boston trip)
So much fun, so little time!
Happy New Year, everyone!
Stone Sour - Hesitate
El grupo de Des Moines nos ha deleitado con un nuevo vídeo correpondiente a su último trabajo Audio Serecy. La canción elegida para ser el 3º videoclip del disco es "Hesitate". Se trata de una preciosa y melódica canción en donde Corey Taylor demuestra que lo suyo es esto y que su voz melódica es casi insuperable.
El vídeo es un poco extraño, viendo la vida de Corey a cámara lenta y entre llamas, pero muy interesante.
"El hombre de prominente cuello" nos vuelve hacer disfrutar junto con Jimbo Root, Roy Mayorga y compañía con esta maravillosa canción que os dejo, "Hesitate":
El vídeo es un poco extraño, viendo la vida de Corey a cámara lenta y entre llamas, pero muy interesante.
"El hombre de prominente cuello" nos vuelve hacer disfrutar junto con Jimbo Root, Roy Mayorga y compañía con esta maravillosa canción que os dejo, "Hesitate":
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas in New England
AB and I spent Christmas in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, visiting AB's family and friends. We got caught by the big storm on our drive home on Sunday, though we'd thought it would miss us. It wasn't too bad, though; AB's a pro on the snow.
We had a great time with AB's parents and grandma, and I even got to walk on a frozen pond!
So cool!
There was a big beaver dam across the pond, and lots of the trees looked like this:
Real beaver teeth cut that tree down! I've never seen anything like it. I wish we could've seen the beavers, but I'm guessing they were underwater in their lodge.
AB's parents' dog Nora chases BIG sticks, no matter what the condition of the water:
Apparently, little sticks hold no challenge for her. She was so funny, running and slipping around and grabbing the stick in mid-slide.
Didn't see too many birds, but I did get some great bird gifts! A neat bird whistle, bird books, and a beautiful cup:
and this cool sweatshirt:
My sister Nora got me that one. Cool!
Hope everyone had a great holiday/Christmas/Xmas/Yule/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/etc. (I'm doing my part in the Liberals' War on Christmas!)
We had a great time with AB's parents and grandma, and I even got to walk on a frozen pond!
So cool!There was a big beaver dam across the pond, and lots of the trees looked like this:
Real beaver teeth cut that tree down! I've never seen anything like it. I wish we could've seen the beavers, but I'm guessing they were underwater in their lodge.AB's parents' dog Nora chases BIG sticks, no matter what the condition of the water:
Apparently, little sticks hold no challenge for her. She was so funny, running and slipping around and grabbing the stick in mid-slide.Didn't see too many birds, but I did get some great bird gifts! A neat bird whistle, bird books, and a beautiful cup:
and this cool sweatshirt:
My sister Nora got me that one. Cool!Hope everyone had a great holiday/Christmas/Xmas/Yule/Hannukah/Kwanzaa/etc. (I'm doing my part in the Liberals' War on Christmas!)
Ill Niño - Against The Wall
Hace un par de días salió el esperado primer vídeo del nuevo álbum de Ill Niño. La canción elegida para el videoclip es "Against The Wall", uno de los singles que habían lanzado previos a la salida del disco.
El vídeo se rodó en una especie de bosque en donde ellos tocan. En mi opinión se trata de un videoclip bastante flojillo, ya que tiene poca historia y no aporta mucho. Lo realmente deprimente es el final con esos "efectos especiales" del siglo XIX cuando un par de guantes infames simulando un monstruo se llevan al tío para debajo del agua.
A pesar de que no es muy bueno, siempre es interesante ver nuevos vídeos. En este podemos comprobar el pésimo estado de forma actual de Cristian Machado y la perilla que lleva luciendo un par de años o el nuevo look de Danny Couto, sin rastas y con una espesa barba.
Aquí os dejo con "Against The Wall":
El vídeo se rodó en una especie de bosque en donde ellos tocan. En mi opinión se trata de un videoclip bastante flojillo, ya que tiene poca historia y no aporta mucho. Lo realmente deprimente es el final con esos "efectos especiales" del siglo XIX cuando un par de guantes infames simulando un monstruo se llevan al tío para debajo del agua.
A pesar de que no es muy bueno, siempre es interesante ver nuevos vídeos. En este podemos comprobar el pésimo estado de forma actual de Cristian Machado y la perilla que lleva luciendo un par de años o el nuevo look de Danny Couto, sin rastas y con una espesa barba.
Aquí os dejo con "Against The Wall":
Onward to 2011
Final hurrah on the 2010 Christmas season. Texas Santa stayed warm by the fireplace
Handpainted ornament, from a good friend, is only one of many cherished memories on the tree
A German ornament highlights many travel memories
Nutcracker sentry guarded the entryway. Maybe he should have been watching over cookie consumption in the kitchen.
Winnie the Pooh will be heading back to the attic for another year.Finale: Christmas poem by me
Dismantle Christmas
slam attic door on
Baby Jesus, Santa, & joy
Open mailbox to bills
Meanwhile, At Toucan Cleric's Fun...
Pictured above, a tray at an A/V station whose use I never figured out. As far as I know, it's still there.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Lone Ranger Announcer Fred Foy Passes On
Fred Foy, best known as the announcer on The Lone Ranger, passed on December 22, 2010 at the age of 89.
Fred Foy was born on March 27, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan. Not long after graduating high school, he was hired by radio station WMBC. It was in 1942 he was hired by WXYZ, the radio station from which The Lone Ranger, Sgt Preston of the Yukon, and The Green Hornet aired. During World War II Fred Foy served in the United States Army as an announcer for Armed Forces Radio in Cairo, Egypt.
It was in 1948 he began announcing The Lone Ranger. He was certainly not the first announcer on the radio show (it had begun in 1933), but he would become the voice most identified with it. Beginning in 1949, he also announced the television version. He remained with both until they went off the air. He also announced The Green Hornet and Sgt. Preston of the Yukon. Mr. Foy would later serve as a narrator on documentaries, as well as an announcer on The Dick Cavett Show. The Generation Gap, and The $20,000 Pyramid.
Author Jim Harmon called Fred Foy as "the announcer, perhaps the greatest announcer-narrator in the history of radio drama." I doubt there would be many who would say Mr. Harmon was exaggerating. Mr. Foy had a stentorian voice that fit adventure series such as The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet perfectly. Indeed, it is because of his magnificent voice that he would become one of the most celebrated announcers among fans of Old Time Radio. He was truly one of the greats.
Fred Foy was born on March 27, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan. Not long after graduating high school, he was hired by radio station WMBC. It was in 1942 he was hired by WXYZ, the radio station from which The Lone Ranger, Sgt Preston of the Yukon, and The Green Hornet aired. During World War II Fred Foy served in the United States Army as an announcer for Armed Forces Radio in Cairo, Egypt.
It was in 1948 he began announcing The Lone Ranger. He was certainly not the first announcer on the radio show (it had begun in 1933), but he would become the voice most identified with it. Beginning in 1949, he also announced the television version. He remained with both until they went off the air. He also announced The Green Hornet and Sgt. Preston of the Yukon. Mr. Foy would later serve as a narrator on documentaries, as well as an announcer on The Dick Cavett Show. The Generation Gap, and The $20,000 Pyramid.
Author Jim Harmon called Fred Foy as "the announcer, perhaps the greatest announcer-narrator in the history of radio drama." I doubt there would be many who would say Mr. Harmon was exaggerating. Mr. Foy had a stentorian voice that fit adventure series such as The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet perfectly. Indeed, it is because of his magnificent voice that he would become one of the most celebrated announcers among fans of Old Time Radio. He was truly one of the greats.
Lars Ulrich cumple 47 años
El batería de Metallica, el egocéntrico Lars Ulrich cumplió ayer 47 años.
Lars Ulrich nació el 26 de diciembre de 1963 en Gentofte, Dinamarca. Abandonó Europa con 16 años para continuar su educación en USA (gracias a la acomodada situación económica familiar). En 1981 decidió formar el grupo de thrash metal Metallica, que se convertiría en uno de los referentes del metal underground a nivel mundial.
Lars Ulrich nació el 26 de diciembre de 1963 en Gentofte, Dinamarca. Abandonó Europa con 16 años para continuar su educación en USA (gracias a la acomodada situación económica familiar). En 1981 decidió formar el grupo de thrash metal Metallica, que se convertiría en uno de los referentes del metal underground a nivel mundial.
Jared Leto cumple 39 años
El ex-metalero Jared Leto cumplió en el día de ayer 39 años.
Leto nació el 26 de diciembre de 1971 en Bossier City (Luisiana). Conocido actor, decidió pasarse a la música en 1998 creando un grupo de metal alternativo junto a su hermano Shannon, 30 Seconds To Mars. Tras dos grandes discos decidieron venderse el pasado año publicando un álbum pop.
Desde aquí espero que fracase estrepitosamente en sus próximos trabajos musicales.
Leto nació el 26 de diciembre de 1971 en Bossier City (Luisiana). Conocido actor, decidió pasarse a la música en 1998 creando un grupo de metal alternativo junto a su hermano Shannon, 30 Seconds To Mars. Tras dos grandes discos decidieron venderse el pasado año publicando un álbum pop.
Desde aquí espero que fracase estrepitosamente en sus próximos trabajos musicales.
And Now, Vince's Uncle Roberto On How To Handle A Lacrosse Stick
Any lacrosse coach will teach how to play lacrosse by dwelling on lacrosse skills. But the only way to become a fundamentally sound player is to work on basic skills.
Get into the habit of turning to face the direction the ball is coming from when passed to you. As you catch the ball in the lacrosse stick head, let the stick give as it receives the pass. This means that you must be aware of the location of the ball on the field and face the passer. That way you have a better view of the arc the lacrosse ball takes toward your stick.
Cradling is holding the ball in the pocket of your stick when you are not catching or passing. It's also your time to assess the field and choose your next move. Imagine having to watch your stick constantly to make sure you still have the ball. That leaves no time to scan the field and set a play. You have to be able to protect the ball from the defenseman while you look for an opportunity to shoot or pass the ball.
And speaking of stick handling, if I ever look in my rear view mirror and see one of you kids giving your prom dates a handjob in the back of my limo, I'm going to pull the car over until you have some tissue handy; I am NOT cleaning up after you kids every spring.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Steve Landesberg Passes On
Comedian and actor Steve Landesberg, best known as Detective Sergeant Dietrich on Barney Miller, passed on December 20, 2010 at the age of 74. The cause was colon cancer.
Steve Landesberg was born in New York City on November 23, 1936. In the late Sixties he was a stand up comic, known for his deadpan delivery and akimbo observations. He made his film debut in a bit part in You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat (1971). He also made his television debut that year on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In 1972 he made his first of many appearances on The Dean Martin Show. He also appeared on The David Frost Show. In 1973 he appeared in the movie Blade. From 1974 to 1975 he was a regular on the TV show Paul Sands' Friends and Lovers.
In 1975 Mr. Landesberg was cast as Detective Sergeant Arthur P. Detriech on Barney Miller. Detective Sergeant Detriech was a soft spoken genius with knowledge on nearly every subject under the sun. Indeed, he often stated such facts in Mr. Landesberg's standard, deadpan delivery. He stayed with the show until it went off the air in 1982. In the Seventies he would also guest star on When Things Were Rotten, The Rockford Files, On the Rocks, and Fish (as Detective Sergeant Dietrich). In the Eighties he guest starred on Mr. President, Nine to Five, and Saturday Night Live. He also appeared in the movie Leader of the Band (1988). In the Nineties he guest starred on The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, Dinosaurs, Law and Order, Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place. He appeared in the movies Little Miss Millions (1993), The Crazysitter (1995), and Puppet (1999). In the Naughts he guest starred on Twice in a Lifetime, That 70's Show, Everybody Hates Chris, and The Cleaner. He was a regular on Head Case. He appeared in the movies Wild Hogs (2007), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008).
Steve Landesberg was a great actor, with a gift for playing intellectuals. Indeed, aside from Detective Sergeant Fish (played by the great Abe Vigoda), Detective Sergeant Dietrich was my favourite character on Barney Miller. Landesberg not only made Dietrich intelligent, but also very cool and likeable. He proved one can be a bookworm and still be hip. Although best known for his role on Barney Miller, Mr. Landesberg was also a great comedian. He was exceeding funny, make left of centre observations on life and society, always delivered in his deadpan style. Steve Landesberg died all too young.
Steve Landesberg was born in New York City on November 23, 1936. In the late Sixties he was a stand up comic, known for his deadpan delivery and akimbo observations. He made his film debut in a bit part in You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat (1971). He also made his television debut that year on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In 1972 he made his first of many appearances on The Dean Martin Show. He also appeared on The David Frost Show. In 1973 he appeared in the movie Blade. From 1974 to 1975 he was a regular on the TV show Paul Sands' Friends and Lovers.
In 1975 Mr. Landesberg was cast as Detective Sergeant Arthur P. Detriech on Barney Miller. Detective Sergeant Detriech was a soft spoken genius with knowledge on nearly every subject under the sun. Indeed, he often stated such facts in Mr. Landesberg's standard, deadpan delivery. He stayed with the show until it went off the air in 1982. In the Seventies he would also guest star on When Things Were Rotten, The Rockford Files, On the Rocks, and Fish (as Detective Sergeant Dietrich). In the Eighties he guest starred on Mr. President, Nine to Five, and Saturday Night Live. He also appeared in the movie Leader of the Band (1988). In the Nineties he guest starred on The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, Dinosaurs, Law and Order, Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Place. He appeared in the movies Little Miss Millions (1993), The Crazysitter (1995), and Puppet (1999). In the Naughts he guest starred on Twice in a Lifetime, That 70's Show, Everybody Hates Chris, and The Cleaner. He was a regular on Head Case. He appeared in the movies Wild Hogs (2007), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008).
Steve Landesberg was a great actor, with a gift for playing intellectuals. Indeed, aside from Detective Sergeant Fish (played by the great Abe Vigoda), Detective Sergeant Dietrich was my favourite character on Barney Miller. Landesberg not only made Dietrich intelligent, but also very cool and likeable. He proved one can be a bookworm and still be hip. Although best known for his role on Barney Miller, Mr. Landesberg was also a great comedian. He was exceeding funny, make left of centre observations on life and society, always delivered in his deadpan style. Steve Landesberg died all too young.
Discos del año
Debido a que este año 2010 ya está a punto de irse, me pareció una buena idea recopilar los que son, para mí, los mejores discos de esta temporada, recordando también algún fiasco.
Antes de empezar recuerdo que ésta es mi lista de discos del año, así que si no estais de acuerdo con ella, espero vuestros comentarios con vuestras opiniones.
1. AB III (Alter Bridge). Se trata sin duda del mejor disco del año en mi opinión. Cada canción es mejor que la anterior haciendo que al terminar de escucharlo te quede una sensación magnífica.
2. Nightmare (Avenged Sevenfold). El disco Nightmare de A7X fue la sorpresa del año. Con un estilo mucho más variado que lo que nos tenían acostumbrados, consiguieron crear un completo y maravilloso álbum.
3. Dead New World (Ill Niño). Maravilloso disco el que publicó este año el grupo de nu-metal de New Jersey haciéndonos olvidar el fracaso de su anterior trabajo Enigma.
4. Audio Secrecy (Stone Sour). Se quedan a un paso del podio por muy poco. Audio Secrecy se ha ganado a pulso estar en este 4º puesto de los discos del año gracias al saber hacer de Corey, Jimbo y compañía.
5. 7th Symphony (Apocalyptica). El cuarteto finlandés volvió a sacar un excelente álbum demostrando que son incapaces de defraudar a sus más fieles seguidores continuando con la misma línea de su anterior disco.
6. Truth or Dare (Oomph!). El grupo de metal industrial alemán publicó un recopilatorio con sus mejores canciones traducidas al inglés. A pesar de ser un recopilatorio, la elección de sus canciones hace que merezcan este 6º puesto.
7. KoRn III Remember Who You Are (KoRn). Los creadores del nu-metal volvieron este 2010 para sacar su nuevo disco. A pesar de ser bueno, sinceramente me esperaba más, aunque para mí es digno de ser el 7º mejor disco del año.
8. Imperfect Harmonies (Serj Tankian). El cantante armenio publicó su nuevo disco en solitario sorprendiendo con un nuevo estilo incorporando sonidos orquestales. A pesar de quedarse lejos del gran Elect The Dead, Serj ha vuelto a triunfar.
9. Asylum (Disturbed). 100 % Disturbed, así se puede definir este disco. Siguen fieles a su estilo mereciendo entrar en este Top 10.
10. Feeding The Wolves (10 Years). Y la lista la cierra el nuevo álbum del grupo de metal alternativo 10 Years que se han sabido rehacer de la marcha de su guitarrista para sacar un buen trabajo que para mí es merecedor de este 10º puesto.
Con esto cierro mi lista de los 10 mejores discos del año, aunque este año también nos ha dado algún que otro fracaso.
- Gold Cobra (Limp Bizkit). A pesar de que su primer single prometía, el resto del disco es bastante mediocre, al más puro estilo Limp Bizkit que no acaban de enterarse mucho de que va el negocio.
- A Thousand Suns (Linkin Park). Negocio es el que han querido hacer estos 6 personajes, dejando a un lado el nu-metal para publicar este vergonzoso álbum pop. La calidad brilla por su ausencia, dejándonos un puñado de canciones casi iguales.
- Danger days: the true lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (My Chemical Romance). Otros que sufrieron un notable cambio en su música fue MCR. Si bien nunca destacaron por ser enormes músicos han dejado claro con su nuevo disco que tras años y años tocando, aún no saben que música hacer.
Espero que os gustara mi elección y de lo contrario, como ya os dije anteriormente, dejad vuestras opiniones en forma de comentarios. Os dejo con una de las mejores canciones del disco del año, "Ghost Of Days Gone By" del disco AB III:
Antes de empezar recuerdo que ésta es mi lista de discos del año, así que si no estais de acuerdo con ella, espero vuestros comentarios con vuestras opiniones.
1. AB III (Alter Bridge). Se trata sin duda del mejor disco del año en mi opinión. Cada canción es mejor que la anterior haciendo que al terminar de escucharlo te quede una sensación magnífica.
2. Nightmare (Avenged Sevenfold). El disco Nightmare de A7X fue la sorpresa del año. Con un estilo mucho más variado que lo que nos tenían acostumbrados, consiguieron crear un completo y maravilloso álbum.
3. Dead New World (Ill Niño). Maravilloso disco el que publicó este año el grupo de nu-metal de New Jersey haciéndonos olvidar el fracaso de su anterior trabajo Enigma.
4. Audio Secrecy (Stone Sour). Se quedan a un paso del podio por muy poco. Audio Secrecy se ha ganado a pulso estar en este 4º puesto de los discos del año gracias al saber hacer de Corey, Jimbo y compañía.
5. 7th Symphony (Apocalyptica). El cuarteto finlandés volvió a sacar un excelente álbum demostrando que son incapaces de defraudar a sus más fieles seguidores continuando con la misma línea de su anterior disco.
6. Truth or Dare (Oomph!). El grupo de metal industrial alemán publicó un recopilatorio con sus mejores canciones traducidas al inglés. A pesar de ser un recopilatorio, la elección de sus canciones hace que merezcan este 6º puesto.
7. KoRn III Remember Who You Are (KoRn). Los creadores del nu-metal volvieron este 2010 para sacar su nuevo disco. A pesar de ser bueno, sinceramente me esperaba más, aunque para mí es digno de ser el 7º mejor disco del año.
8. Imperfect Harmonies (Serj Tankian). El cantante armenio publicó su nuevo disco en solitario sorprendiendo con un nuevo estilo incorporando sonidos orquestales. A pesar de quedarse lejos del gran Elect The Dead, Serj ha vuelto a triunfar.
9. Asylum (Disturbed). 100 % Disturbed, así se puede definir este disco. Siguen fieles a su estilo mereciendo entrar en este Top 10.
10. Feeding The Wolves (10 Years). Y la lista la cierra el nuevo álbum del grupo de metal alternativo 10 Years que se han sabido rehacer de la marcha de su guitarrista para sacar un buen trabajo que para mí es merecedor de este 10º puesto.
Con esto cierro mi lista de los 10 mejores discos del año, aunque este año también nos ha dado algún que otro fracaso.
- Gold Cobra (Limp Bizkit). A pesar de que su primer single prometía, el resto del disco es bastante mediocre, al más puro estilo Limp Bizkit que no acaban de enterarse mucho de que va el negocio.
- A Thousand Suns (Linkin Park). Negocio es el que han querido hacer estos 6 personajes, dejando a un lado el nu-metal para publicar este vergonzoso álbum pop. La calidad brilla por su ausencia, dejándonos un puñado de canciones casi iguales.
- Danger days: the true lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (My Chemical Romance). Otros que sufrieron un notable cambio en su música fue MCR. Si bien nunca destacaron por ser enormes músicos han dejado claro con su nuevo disco que tras años y años tocando, aún no saben que música hacer.
Espero que os gustara mi elección y de lo contrario, como ya os dije anteriormente, dejad vuestras opiniones en forma de comentarios. Os dejo con una de las mejores canciones del disco del año, "Ghost Of Days Gone By" del disco AB III:
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Happy Holidays 2010
Today I thought I would share with you some of my favourite Yuletide songs. The first one I just discovered this year. It's "All I Want for Christmas is You" by My Chemical Romance. I was never a big fan of the original version by Mariah Carey, but I really like this one.
Next up is "Don't Shoot Me, Santa" by The Killers. I never pictured Santta with a gun, but come to think of it, Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn looks sort of like Santa. Well, if Santa had an eyepatch and a Peacemaker....
Next is one of the greatest songs, period. "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" by John Lennon.
Finally, here is what I consider the greatest rock 'n' roll Yuletide carol of them all: "Merry Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love.
Wishing everyone a happy Yuletide!
Next up is "Don't Shoot Me, Santa" by The Killers. I never pictured Santta with a gun, but come to think of it, Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn looks sort of like Santa. Well, if Santa had an eyepatch and a Peacemaker....
Next is one of the greatest songs, period. "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" by John Lennon.
Finally, here is what I consider the greatest rock 'n' roll Yuletide carol of them all: "Merry Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love.
Wishing everyone a happy Yuletide!
Dioses del metal (Parte 17): Perttu Kivilaakso
Con más de una semana de retraso publico hoy la 17º edición de Dioses del metal, que hoy será en honor del violonchelista de Apocalyptica Perttu Kivilaakso.
Perttu Paivo Kullervo Kivilaakso nació el 11 de mayo de 1978 en Helsinki (Finlandia). Con tan sólo 5 años, aprendió a tocar el cello con su padre Juhani, así como la guitarra y el piano. Estudió en la academia de música de Sibelius, una de las más prestigiosas de Europa situada en Helsinki. En ella, el joven Perttu conoció a Eicca Topinen, Max Lilja, Paavo Lötjonen y Antero Manninen, miembros de Apocalyptica. Él iba a unirse al grupo pero se encontró con un problema, era menor de edad y los demás no quisieron aceptarlo todavía, dejando que acabara sus estudios.
En 1999, tras la marcha de Antero Manninen, entra a formar parte del grupo a sus 21 años. Antes de eso, Perttu había formado parte de la Orquesta FIlarmónica de Helsinki junto a su padre.
Desde su entrada al grupo ya pasó a ser la referencia de la banda junto al líder Eicca Topinen (que reforzó su posición tras la discusión con Max Lilja que acabó con este fuera de Apocalyptica). Perttu y Eicca son los principales compositores del cuarteto finlandés, dejando a Paavo en un segundo plano. Kivilaakso es normalmente el encargado de poner las melodías "vocales" de las canciones con su cello, haciendo que de su instrumento parezca salir una voz cantora.
Además del metal, Perttu es un buen aficionado a la ópera, siendo sus principales influencias Monserrat Caballé, Franco Corelli o su compañero Eicca Topinen, con quien comparte la influencia de grupos como Rammstein, Metallica o Sepultura.
En el escenario se le reconoce por su larga melena ondulada de color castaño y su perilla. EN los vídeos suele aparecer con sombrero de copa estilo Abraham Lincoln.
En total, Perttu publicó un total de 8 discos con Apocalyptica y colaboró con grupos como Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica o Hevisaurus.
Con esto he repasado la biografía musical de este joven Dios del metal finlandés. Aquí os dejo un vídeo tributo que encontré por Youtube:
Perttu Paivo Kullervo Kivilaakso nació el 11 de mayo de 1978 en Helsinki (Finlandia). Con tan sólo 5 años, aprendió a tocar el cello con su padre Juhani, así como la guitarra y el piano. Estudió en la academia de música de Sibelius, una de las más prestigiosas de Europa situada en Helsinki. En ella, el joven Perttu conoció a Eicca Topinen, Max Lilja, Paavo Lötjonen y Antero Manninen, miembros de Apocalyptica. Él iba a unirse al grupo pero se encontró con un problema, era menor de edad y los demás no quisieron aceptarlo todavía, dejando que acabara sus estudios.
En 1999, tras la marcha de Antero Manninen, entra a formar parte del grupo a sus 21 años. Antes de eso, Perttu había formado parte de la Orquesta FIlarmónica de Helsinki junto a su padre.
Desde su entrada al grupo ya pasó a ser la referencia de la banda junto al líder Eicca Topinen (que reforzó su posición tras la discusión con Max Lilja que acabó con este fuera de Apocalyptica). Perttu y Eicca son los principales compositores del cuarteto finlandés, dejando a Paavo en un segundo plano. Kivilaakso es normalmente el encargado de poner las melodías "vocales" de las canciones con su cello, haciendo que de su instrumento parezca salir una voz cantora.
Además del metal, Perttu es un buen aficionado a la ópera, siendo sus principales influencias Monserrat Caballé, Franco Corelli o su compañero Eicca Topinen, con quien comparte la influencia de grupos como Rammstein, Metallica o Sepultura.
En el escenario se le reconoce por su larga melena ondulada de color castaño y su perilla. EN los vídeos suele aparecer con sombrero de copa estilo Abraham Lincoln.
En total, Perttu publicó un total de 8 discos con Apocalyptica y colaboró con grupos como Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica o Hevisaurus.
Con esto he repasado la biografía musical de este joven Dios del metal finlandés. Aquí os dejo un vídeo tributo que encontré por Youtube:
Friday, December 24, 2010
Happy Birthday, Ava Gardner!
Today in 1922 one of the most beautiful women ever to live was born. Ava Gardner was not simply any movie star. She was both a sex symbol and a talented actress. She looked as good as Marilyn Monroe (well, better, really) and could act as well as Bette Davis. What is more, she never forgot her roots. She was always a true Southern belle.
Here Ava is in seasonal garb, looking as fetching as ever. I rather think most men would prefer a visit from Ava on Yule Eve than Santa!
Here Ava is in seasonal garb, looking as fetching as ever. I rather think most men would prefer a visit from Ava on Yule Eve than Santa!
Adrienne Nicole Martin Was Found Dead
It is great to share this news to anyone who knows too much about Adrienne Nicole Martin who's body was found dead recently in the house of August Busch IV. And who is responsible for her death? That's the question you probably need to follow from now because according to reports, it is actually hard for the authority to figure out of what happened during the day she spent her time with the former CEO of few respected companies in United States.
An autopsy is currently ongoing and people are now probably asking for the result of the thorough investigation in regards with her death. Here's a statement from the legal adviser of Busch IV noted by our source recently,
An autopsy is currently ongoing and people are now probably asking for the result of the thorough investigation in regards with her death. Here's a statement from the legal adviser of Busch IV noted by our source recently,
The attorney for Mr. Busch said there was “absolutely nothing suspicious” in regards to the death of Adrienne Nicole Martin.Try to check some more soon as we continue to follow the latest updates we can get from the case of Adrienne Nicole Martin as the story of her death is currently developing from now. Asking for her personality? Martin is an aspiring model, a 27-years old mom on her one and only child.
After Christmas Day Sale 2010 is Up!
There are variety of products that awaits you before the year ends few days from now. It is great to share this few words of us to anyone who are currently asking for a piece of advice just to get the best stuff they can get from anywhere else. Experience the biggest shopping spree now aside from the past Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale last November 2010 because right now, you can look around from here to check the latest promotional stuff of Macy's, Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and other participating stores which are now on their way giving us the great variety of prices on a several products.
Coupon codes are now rounding up and you can start to look around on the above mentioned sites to see the latest and significant stuff you can get from any online stores around the web. You can make a several rounds in the nearby stores but shopping online is quite different, right? Try to check some more soon as we continue to bring you the highlights and the next upcoming news we can get related to this global celebration, the Christmas Holiday Season 2010!
Coupon codes are now rounding up and you can start to look around on the above mentioned sites to see the latest and significant stuff you can get from any online stores around the web. You can make a several rounds in the nearby stores but shopping online is quite different, right? Try to check some more soon as we continue to bring you the highlights and the next upcoming news we can get related to this global celebration, the Christmas Holiday Season 2010!
ENTRADA ESPECIAL: The Underside - The Eternal Flame
Bueno, pues después de algo más de 4 meses desde que inicié con este blog, hoy he alcanzado las 1000 visitas. Es un tópico decir que no llegaría a ellas sin un número de personas que casi día tras día entran para leer mis nuevas entradas. Por eso hoy hago esta entrada especial con una especial dedicatoria a mi lector más fiel, el futuro dios del metal, Nelson.
Y para dedicársela en condiciones, que mejor que un vídeo de este fantástico grupo de aquí de Lalín, cuya última formación estaba compuesta por Nelson (vocales), Javier "Gavel" (guitarra y coros), Bertín (guitarra), Álex (bajo) y Pepe (batería). He escogido este vídeo porque es el único que tienen y da la casualidad que es con mi canción favorita suya, "The Eternal Flame".
El grupo se fundó aquí en Lalín (Pontevedra) en el 2006 tocando metalcore melódico. Poco después reformaron el grupo con nuevos miembros, publicando antes de eso su primera maqueta The Last Remains. Tras un tiempo de descanso volvieron con más ganas que nunca para dar a conocer su segundo trabajo conocido como Scars, con un estilo más agresivo que el anterior. Debo salientar que los dos trabajos han sido producidos y grabados por ellos mismos.
Tras esto, os dejo aquí esta canción de mis vecinos y amigos llamada "The Eternal Flame", a disfrutarla:
Y para dedicársela en condiciones, que mejor que un vídeo de este fantástico grupo de aquí de Lalín, cuya última formación estaba compuesta por Nelson (vocales), Javier "Gavel" (guitarra y coros), Bertín (guitarra), Álex (bajo) y Pepe (batería). He escogido este vídeo porque es el único que tienen y da la casualidad que es con mi canción favorita suya, "The Eternal Flame".
El grupo se fundó aquí en Lalín (Pontevedra) en el 2006 tocando metalcore melódico. Poco después reformaron el grupo con nuevos miembros, publicando antes de eso su primera maqueta The Last Remains. Tras un tiempo de descanso volvieron con más ganas que nunca para dar a conocer su segundo trabajo conocido como Scars, con un estilo más agresivo que el anterior. Debo salientar que los dos trabajos han sido producidos y grabados por ellos mismos.
Tras esto, os dejo aquí esta canción de mis vecinos y amigos llamada "The Eternal Flame", a disfrutarla:
Ozzy Osbourne - Life Won´t Wait
Bueno, pues casi dos semanas después, bastante más tarde de lo esperado, vuelvo por estos lares para ofreceros los mejores vídeos del metal.
A pesar de no ser yo mucho de Ozzy... hoy os muestro este vídeo de este año 2010 de la canción "Life Won´t Wait", que me encanta.
La voz de Osbourne nunca me ha convencido y sigue sin hacerlo, a pesar de que la canción me parezca excelsa.
Su estribillo es impresionante con unas buenas melodías en la guitarra.
Sin más que añadir aquí queda "Life Won´t Wait" de Ozzy Osbourne, el primo americano de Bertín:
OZZY OSBOURNE - " Life Won't Wait "
Cargado por jamiecat. - Ver más clips de música, videos en HD!
A pesar de no ser yo mucho de Ozzy... hoy os muestro este vídeo de este año 2010 de la canción "Life Won´t Wait", que me encanta.
La voz de Osbourne nunca me ha convencido y sigue sin hacerlo, a pesar de que la canción me parezca excelsa.
Su estribillo es impresionante con unas buenas melodías en la guitarra.
Sin más que añadir aquí queda "Life Won´t Wait" de Ozzy Osbourne, el primo americano de Bertín:
OZZY OSBOURNE - " Life Won't Wait "
Cargado por jamiecat. - Ver más clips de música, videos en HD!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Who is the 1999 Time Magazine Person of The Century?
Who is the 1999 Time Magazine Person of The Century and why is it people are now talking about him while on the midst of a holiday season? That's Albert Einstein and no other than because of his prestigious and remarkable contribution on the history of mankind? Probably, a big "Yes" from us and we know too much of his creation way back in 20th century during his time. He lives in 1879 to the middle of 1950's and aside from him, according to the Examiner, Bill Gates and Elvis Presley are also the other contender in this title. We cannot deny the fact that these other personalities have a potential but as we look back to the written history, Albert Einstein is pretty different in terms of his time and the availability of our technology. How much more if he lives on our days?
We think of the possible important stuff he could bring as far as we are concern of his contribution. Your physic subjects might be complicated as we can imagine if he is not aware of his theory, right? That's the most important thing we should remember from Albert Einstein.
However, we try to figure out the exact reason why people are now talking about the Time Magazine Person of The Century 1999 and we guess that Examiner is pretty good for making our wild imagination works because they recently noted a couple of sentence from the prestigious magazine telling everyone that Albert Einstein is a great man during his time. Here's a statement from the contributor who turned our head on recently,
We think of the possible important stuff he could bring as far as we are concern of his contribution. Your physic subjects might be complicated as we can imagine if he is not aware of his theory, right? That's the most important thing we should remember from Albert Einstein.
However, we try to figure out the exact reason why people are now talking about the Time Magazine Person of The Century 1999 and we guess that Examiner is pretty good for making our wild imagination works because they recently noted a couple of sentence from the prestigious magazine telling everyone that Albert Einstein is a great man during his time. Here's a statement from the contributor who turned our head on recently,
"As for the remaining people who could have been on the top of Time Magazine, Bill Gates and Elvis Presley could be on the top of the magazine but their contributions were not as significant as Einstein's. That's not to say they weren't worthy, but on a scale were towards the bottom."Try to check some more soon as we continue to bring you the highlights of Albert Einstein, Time Magazine People of The Century and a lots of surprising ideas from the issue.
Merry Christmas Everyone! - from Life Streams
Have a Merry Christmas everyone and be a part of once in a year celebration of life from the birth of Jesus Christ! It's a remarkable day for each and everyone of us and have a joyful moments with your family, friends, and love ones who's been with you for all the time. Let's celebrate Christmas full of joy in each of our heart and not just from the food we will going to take today and the gift that awaits you. People learned how to love this holiday season because of the common thoughts shared by the Roman Catholic and other religions blessings. The night is full of wonderful songs that cross the streets of every neighborhood, Christmas parties, and other happenings that could bring the true spirit of the season.
Be a part of everything that binds your heart this December 25, 2010 and witness the wonderful voice of choirs in each of your church. We are not actually aware of what is going on the other side of the world but of course, the Internet is giving us the opportunity to greet everyone a "Merry Merry Christmas and Advance Happy New Year!"
Here's a song that could give you a pleasant evening as we celebrate the love and birth of Jesus Christ, hope this could help you to know the exact spirit of Christmas from here.
Be a part of everything that binds your heart this December 25, 2010 and witness the wonderful voice of choirs in each of your church. We are not actually aware of what is going on the other side of the world but of course, the Internet is giving us the opportunity to greet everyone a "Merry Merry Christmas and Advance Happy New Year!"
Here's a song that could give you a pleasant evening as we celebrate the love and birth of Jesus Christ, hope this could help you to know the exact spirit of Christmas from here.
We wish you a Merry Christmas;Try to check some more soon as we continue to bring you the highlights of this Christmas Season 2010 after of this break.
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Google Corporate Logo Turns to Christmas Wallpapers
It is great to share this idea for anyone who are currently looking for a great wallpapers from anywhere on the Internet because you don't need to look for a site from here. You can visit Google official website because right now, you will see how the corporate logo of the company turns to animated wallpapers. You can grab the opportunity to get your favorite theme for your computer by making a great change this Christmas Season on your desktop background, right? Try to check www.google.com now cause there are bunch of photos, images, and graphics that awaits you.
The above photo is a screen shot of what is going on in Google official website. You can have your chosen wallpaper from any source on the web but of course, it is good to have it from the giant search engine who just recently change their corporate logo for anyone of us. The company is also giving us the opportunity to remember the exact thing that is currently going on around the world as people starts to make their day full of fun not just in front of their computers but the neighborhood get the best they can do this Christmas season.
There are only few who are not aware of December 25, 2010 but let's keep our celebration full of spiritual activities rather than keeping up with a can of beers and foods, right? Try to be good to commemorate the life of Jesus Christ by celebrating the Christmas Season with HIM in each of our hearts. Merry Christmas from Life Streams!
The above photo is a screen shot of what is going on in Google official website. You can have your chosen wallpaper from any source on the web but of course, it is good to have it from the giant search engine who just recently change their corporate logo for anyone of us. The company is also giving us the opportunity to remember the exact thing that is currently going on around the world as people starts to make their day full of fun not just in front of their computers but the neighborhood get the best they can do this Christmas season.
There are only few who are not aware of December 25, 2010 but let's keep our celebration full of spiritual activities rather than keeping up with a can of beers and foods, right? Try to be good to commemorate the life of Jesus Christ by celebrating the Christmas Season with HIM in each of our hearts. Merry Christmas from Life Streams!
The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)
The holidays have always been a time for novelty songs. Songs such as "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and even the bizarre "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" were hits during the Christmas season. As many novelty songs have there have been in Yuletides past, there is only one that created a multi-million media franchise. That was the "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late).""The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" and hence The Chipmunks (Alvin, Theodore, and Simon) were created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Ross Bagdasarian Sr. had a good deal of previous successes prior to his biggest hit. With his cousin, William Saroyan, he co-wrote "Come on-a My House," the first hit for Rosemary Clooney. He had also appeared in bit parts in movies, including Rear Window (1954) and Stalag 17 (1953). He recorded many records under his given name before scoring a minor hit with "The Trouble with Harry" under the stage name of David Seville in 1955. Several more singles would follow, but he would not have a huge hit until "Witch Doctor" in 1958.
"Witch Doctor" took advantage of a fact many children had long knew. If a record was played at a higher speed than it was meant to be, the voices on that record would become very high pitched. Record players weren't the only technology in the Fifties capable of this, as the effect could also be achieved with a V-M tape recorder. Mr. Bagdasarian (or Mr. Seville, if you prefer) used his V-M tape recorder to achieve the high pitched voice of the witch doctor in the song. Ross Bagdasarian Sr. would use the effect again in another novelty song, "The Bird in My Head," which did not even hit the top 40.
"Witch Doctor" only used the sped up voice in its chorus. "The Bird in My Head" only used it in parts of the song. David Seville's next novelty song would be a quantum leap forward where the effect of sped up voices was concerned. First, it would use three sped up voices (all done by Ross Bagdasarian) singing in unison. Second, the sped up voices comprised nearly all of the song. That song was "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)." For the record David created the characters of three chipmunks, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, named for Liberty recording executives Alvin Bennett and Simon Warnoker and recording engineer Theordore Keep. Each Chipmunk had his own personality. Simon was the intelligent, capable one. Theodore was the shy, sensitive, slightly none too bright one. Alvin was impulsive, anarchistic, anti-authoritarian one (in his original incarnation he was a lot like Bart Simpson). David Seville himself appeared as a character on the record, conducting The Chipmunks and keeping Alvin in line.
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) proved to be a huge hit. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the last Christmas song to do so. It also hit number one on Billboard's special Christmas singles chart. For several years afterwards, until 1962, "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" would re-enter the Top 100 each holiday season. Ultimately, it would sell 4.7 million copies.
Indeed, so successful was "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" that David Seville was invited to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show with his singing rodents. This created a bit of a problem, as The Chipmunks did not actually exist. David Seville then went to legendary animator and puppeteer Bob Clampett (best known as the creator of Beany and Cecil), who created three puppets based on The Chipmunks as they appeared on record sleeves. Here it must be pointed out that The Chipmunks in their original incarnation did not look as they do today. At that point The Chipmunks looked more realistic, more like actual Chipmunks. Regardless, David Seville and The Chipmunks did well enough on The Ed Sullivan Show that they appeared five more times. "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" would also win three Grammy Awards: Best Comedy Performance, Best Children's Recording, and Best Engineered Record (non-classical).
So successful was "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" that it created a media franchise. In 1959 David Seville would have two more hits with his singing rodents ("Alvin's Harmonica" and "Ragtime Cowboy Joe," as well as a full length album (Let's All Sing With The Chipmunks). The Chipmunks would also appear in a comic book, in Dell's Four Color Comics #1042, December 1959. The success of The Chipmunks would not only lead to more records, but to a prime time television series. The Alvin Show aired on CBS in the 1961-1962 season. The original designs for The Chipmunks were rejected for the television show, and entirely new designs were provided for The Chipmunks. In other words, The Chipmunks' modern appearance was created for the TV series. Afterwards, The Chipmunks' earlier records would be re-issued with the new design from the TV show. Although lasting only one season, it would appear in network Saturday morning line ups for years and would be a huge success in syndication.Throughout the Sixties The Chipmunks continued to release records, even tackling The Beatles' early hits and a few rock songs. Their last album in their original incarnation was The Chipmunks Go to the Movies, released in 1969. Ross Bagdasarian Sr. died in 1972 from a heart attack, putting an end to any more Chipmunks records. It was in 1980 that Ross Bagdasarian Jr. revived The Chipmunks with the album Chipmunk Punk. This would lead to more records and in 1983 a new animated series, Alvin and The Chipmunks. The new cartoon differed considerably from the original incarnation of The Chipmunks to a degree, particularly in that Alvin was no longer quite the anti-authoritarian, anarchistic reprobate he had been. Since then there have been two live action movies.
By 1961 The Chipmunks had already become a million dollar business. They not only sold records, but appeared on television and in comic books (a Dell comic spun off from The Alvin Show ran from 1962 to 1973). It had all began with a single record, a Christmas novelty song, which became an enormous hit. While there have been holiday novelty songs since "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)," it is the only one that can truly claim to have created a media franchise.
Landon Donovan and Bianca Kajlich Divorce Statement
At first, we are not aware of what is going on with Landon Donovan and Bianca Kajlich when a few rumors on the Internet drives us to cover the story that rounds on a divorce issue that coupled with the soccer superstar and her lovely actress wife. According to a celebrity gossip site, the two is now up for a divorce and guess what, the couple recently gave their public announcement from a legal paper which has been submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court that will confirm their plan.
Here's a statement noted by CNN recently in regards with Landon Donovan and Bianca Kajlich divorce,
Here's a statement noted by CNN recently in regards with Landon Donovan and Bianca Kajlich divorce,
"We remain the closest of friends and will always be important parts of each other's lives," the pair say in a joint statement.However, it is hard for us to determine the cause of their divorce but try to check some more soon as we continue to follow the story that people are now probably talking about on the field of sports and Hollywood.
Merry Christmas
"Oh my, it's fruitcake weather!" (from Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory) In our case, it's time for mini-pecan pies. This recipe was handed down from my mother. Fairly easy to bake, these treats are a hit at home or the office.
Hunting Santa is a new addition this year. He was wrapped and tucked into Ray's mid-December carry bag. Figured his deer lease trailer could use some decorating. Ray got a laugh out of it, and now Santa hangs on our tree. Guess he's guarding the presents.
"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ..." (The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore). We have stockings and also Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus. I love these two. They come out of the original sent box that's taped and glued and disintegrating. But I patch because it has my mother's writing on the tag, and she delighted in Christmas so much.
Penguins guard our front door and keep out the winter cold. "And the Grinch, with his grinch feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling; How could it be so?""Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas ... perhaps...means a little bit more!"
Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward MenMerry Christmas.
As Tiny Tim observed, "God Bless us, every one." (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)
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