Jorai So - Random news, music, thoughts.

Jorai's Ride To Conquer Cancer 2012!

2011-12-08T00:45:00.002-05:00

So I signed up for this Ride To Conquer Cancer. I heard it's 200km and you have to wake up early in the morning! NOOOO!

I'm not a cardio athlete, in fact I barely do any cardio when I work out. I haven't been on a bike in years, as of now I don't even have one! I'm going to have to buy one then relearn how to ride a bike again, this is going to suck. I'm going to fall for no reason, I'm going to face plant, I'm probably going to catch air when I don't want to catch air. I mentioned earlier I'm not a cardio athlete so training is going to suck. I'm going to fall off my bike as I struggle to do 20km, 40km, 60km as I work to be able to do 100km in one shot. Every morning when I wake up my ankle hurts. My large muscular legs I built from squats and sprinting are going to gasp for oxygen, the lactic acid is going to burn as my legs get heavier and heavier. That's going to suck!

You know else sucks? Having cancer. That would just put a damper on your day so I'm going to embrace the suck and do this ride! I ride for the memory of my aunt, my uncle, my two grandmothers. I know this affected my parents way more than me, so I'm doing this ride for them. I'm doing this ride for me, I'm doing this ride for you.

It's a great cause and you get a tax receipt for your donation over $10. Donate today, thanks guys!

http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/JoraiSo

Facebook drove me to Google+ and this.

2011-09-22T01:28:00.003-04:00

I logged into Google+ for the first time in....months(?) today. What drove me back there was the latest round of Facebook changes. I need information, I need to consume bits and bytes. I need pictures. I need text. I liked how I had a good stream of articles from friends and sites like Inhabitat feeding my craving for information and knowledge. Now Facebook has set it itself to (pre-)determine what a top story was and there doesn't seem to be an easy way yet to change it back. First world problems.

In other news....

Winter. IS COMING!!

Talk about a pit maneuver!

Gnarly instrumental

Kashiwa Daisuke - Bogus Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-sk6870Vas

Have a pleasant day and make someone smile.

Kinda Friday chill - July 29, 2011

2011-07-29T15:18:00.002-04:00

Robert Babicz - Don´t give up / BABICZSTYLE.

http://t.co/zcot8Qd

He's also playing in Toronto tomorrow at the Footwork Bar downtown, I'm pretty excited to see that July 30th.
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=237903756233702

The Weeknd - What You Need

2011-07-04T23:00:00.001-04:00

Well acted and directed, the sensual music video is a perfect fit for this soft hip-hop song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFiiq40lL34
Thanks to a friend for posting The Weeknd.

Download here: http://the-weeknd.com/

Love babies? Love laughter? LOVE TERROR?!?!

2011-05-25T00:18:00.003-04:00

But seriously, you need to watch this. I used to watch it a few times every day for a few weeks when it first came out and it brightened my day so much. Thanks to Emerson's mom for finally deciding to leave it online (they were concerned about privacy even after they did a short segment on a national television news channel...)

Click play! :D

Emerson - Mommy's Nose is Scary! (Original)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9oxmRT2YWw

2010-12-23T17:41:00.001-05:00

Welcome to another edition of JoraiMix Radio!

The holidays are here, but never fear as I’ve got just the right thing to get you in the mood for relaxation! We’ve got a bigger list for you today, partially to make up for time between updates, partially since you should have more spare time to spend with those close to you. So gather round your friends and family, raise a glass of your favourite beverage and turn these up!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours. May you make the New Year a great one!

4Tunes - Statements

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQuipta8wz4

Not to be confused with British pop group 4Tune, this group produces mainly instrumental down tempo music. If you like Spanish guitar, you’ll love this song!

Kaskade - My Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt2-KKXNwxM

DJ Kaskade always makes solid tracks, this one is My Time from his 2003 album It's You, It's Me. This vocal house track has dubstep sounds that give it a unique flavour. If you liked this, check out more Kaskade, as well as his other group Light Night Alumni who I’ve featured before.

Deeper and Pacific (feat. Daniela Ferraz) - Una Passion Perdida - Song ends about 4:05, it’s a YouTube upload thing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCbDzDL26zE

Soothe me and draw me into your lullaby. A book marked site on all computers I use, Dictionary.com defines emotion as an affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or the like, is experienced, as distinguished from cognitive and volitional states of consciousness. For me, I barely know how to capture the evocation of emotion this songs brings in me, if only to mirror the passion from the singer. Have you lost yours? How will you rekindle it for the New Year?

Madrid De Los Austrias - Mas Amor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssri96EBrgA

Madrid De Los Austrias is Austrian duo Michael Kreiner and Heinz Tronigger. The name literally means The Madrid of the Austrians. I really enjoy the use of different instruments, that comes together to create something beautiful.

Frontera - Rouge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j6QVLiXTMQ

Don’t know too much about this group, but when I heard it on 1.FM’s Chill Out Lounge internet radio station it really jumped out at me. This song completely fits into my main genre of music I’m discovering these days, what I like to call ‘intense chill.’ Give the song a try and you’ll see what I mean. Love all the different layers here.

Madrid de Los Austrias - Buscando (Karuan vs. Circus Remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOnLDM5NXc8

Saving the best for last, here’s a little more energy to send you on your way. With teasing guitar licks, this hip hop influenced remix will soon your head bobbing.

Make it a great year!

Jorai

Any last minute shopping plans?

2010-12-23T02:36:00.004-05:00

Do you use any of those online coupon sites? One, two? More than three?
Wouldn't it be great for you to have a site to put all those together?

A friend of mine has created his own version, and is constantly upgrading the site.

http://www.alldailydeals.ca/

A drop down box allows our lovely fellow Canadians the ability to select the closest city or region. For ease of navigation, the site is segmented into Activities, Events, Food and Drink, Health and Beauty, Retail and Services, and Other.

Clicking 'Like' on this Facebook page for Toronto will save you another step of visiting the site, you can have it populate your Facebook news feed and pass it on to your friends when planning events.

What do you guys think?

Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik

2010-12-22T12:42:00.004-05:00

Bernard Hopkins vs. Kelly Pavlik - Boxing

Just came across highlights for this fight (yes I rarely watch boxing and yes I realize this is from 2008). Of course, person who made it quite likely was a Bernard Hopkins fan, but something near the end of the clip really caught my attention. Skip to the 6:10 mark, Hopkins is face to face with his opponent, who minutes earlier both were still trading punches at each other after the final bell, the referee bravely trying to separate the two men.

The audio cuts in to Hopkins encouraging him with advice. Hopkins tells his defeated opponent not to be discouraged by this loss, not to let 'this loss destroy you.'

To me, that is classy. For me, I put myself in Kelly Pavlik's shoes and take Bernard Hopkins' advice to heart. Don't be discouraged by set backs, instead rise up and get at it again to come back better.

Enjoy.

Fun art type links you should click on and be inspired.

2010-11-01T01:50:00.000-04:00

Greetings greetings, hope everyone had a safe Halloween weekend.

Some fun links to share, first of all we have LikeCOOL which calls itself the Coolest Gadget Magazine. Has some music videos, links to quality Flickr accounts, techy gadget stuff, most of all I like the cool art displays.

I first thought this was some bizarre Olympic structure, but then I quickly realized it was a massive climbing wall tower! This is going on my To Do list to visit and climb!

From the article:
"At 121 feet in length, "The Excalibur" at the Bjoeks Climb Center in Groningen, The Netherlands, is considered to be the tallest climbing wall in the world."
From the source:
"37 metres high, with an overhang of 11 metres."
http://likecool.com/The_Excalibur--Other--Gear.html

By climb, I mean is there an elevator somewhere for me?

Another site I've recently discovered, but unfortunately haven't looked beyond the first two index pages, is HipBip. Looks like they have a lot more architecture, cool gadgets and feature different artists. I literally laughed out loud at the angry pepper sculpture, then want to eat it. Oh Carl Kleiner, so talented you are!

http://www.hipbip.com/2010/09/carl-kleiner/

What do you guys think? Cool and hip?

Friday Chill Mix - Oct. 15, 2010

2010-10-15T19:03:00.003-04:00

Welcome to another edition of JoraiMix Radio! Dear friends I appreciate your support in my musical journey, from Metallica in bluegrass to the powerful vocals of trance goddess Jan Johnstone, to the crying guitar of Gary Moore. I encourage your journey, as you expand your own horizon.

Today we start off with Marc Antoine, contemporary jazz/jazz fusion guitarist. Like this Chill Mix the song starts off slowly introducing the notes then expanding the range. Marc started off at a young age when his parents bought him his first guitar at age 11. Unfortunately disaster struck when he was 18, while playing with his dog Marc fell through a glass door. The surgeon that operated on his hand told him his chances of playing guitar again were slim to none. Marc refused to be deterred, and over the next three years embarked on a vigorous rehabilitation program

During one of my growing attempts at creating something edible in my kitchen I heard a most delectable song on Jazz FM 91.1, Canada's only not-for-profit radio station dedicated to jazz. The crisp clear vocals captured my attention immediately; whose owner I discovered later belonged to bilingual chanteuse Brandi Disterheft. Brandi is a Canadian bassist and composer that grew up in Vancouver . Twilight Curtain is truly a beautiful song you can enjoy over and over, appreciating all the differing layers of instruments and their flowing interaction. From the same album, we present Brazilian and Parisian influenced Combien de Chances. Somber and playful at the same time, this song gives you many chances to swing to the beat. Like the dancers, you can hear the notes from the instruments split off, and then come back together with measured aplomb.

Marc Antoine - Madrid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgaPz0BhTWU

Brandi Disterheft - Twilight Curtain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVBqmCfYBgo

Brandi Disterheft - Combien de Chances

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COB40c3HM4s

What do you guys think?

Jorai

Quick music update - The Space Agency

2010-10-12T13:38:00.002-04:00

A self-described psychedelic, garage and surf group, I feel they provide a modern touch of a classic rock style. Give it a try.

http://www.youtube.com/user/thespaceagency#p/u/10/atUprRwWruc

Also 'Yosakoi Bushi' off their MySpace page is grooving too. Probably my favourite song I've from them so far. Almost mix of surf, electro and Japanese sounds. Find it here on their MySpace.
http://www.myspace.com/thespaceagency

What do you guys think?

Friday Chill Mix - Aug. 20, 2010

2010-08-20T17:25:00.002-04:00

Welcome to another edition of JoraiMix Radio! My friends I most humbly beg your favour in neglecting your discriminating audiophonic tastes for these past warm weeks. I was swamped taking care of my house with nary a moment’s breath to research and write.

Allow me to present you with a little known fact: I actually grew up listening to music of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s so I am passionate about this era as well.

Santa and Johnny are two brothers from Brooklyn. They got into music after their father, who was drafted in World War II, heard a steel guitar on the radio, he wrote to his wife, "I'd like the boys to learn to play this instrument." The rest as they say is history, groovy groovy history. Once it starts, you’ll quickly recognize ‘And I Love Her’ as a cover one of the classic Beatles’ songs. This instrumental cover features a few different instruments different from the original, can you pick them out? Their biggest single, and used in many movies and commercials since, is another instrumental song called ‘Sleep Walk.’ With calming chords comforting the crying guitar, this gorgeous track is the perfect soundtrack for an after dinner stroll in the park.

As always, my predilection is to finish off a bit more energetically. We’ll source The Chantay’s hit song ‘Pipeline’ from 1963. The Chantay’s were formed in 1961 when five high-school friends decided to start their own band. As you can tell from the name, Pipeline is a manically appropriate title for a for surf song. Surf’s up!!!

Santo & Johnny – And I Love Her
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x43guk3aRQ4

Santo & Johnny - Sleep Walk (1959)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekk1qkH3T54

The Chantays – Pipeline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7c2ZKamzS4

What do you think?

Jorai

July 2010. A few things.

2010-07-11T22:23:00.004-04:00

Been super busy of late, renos, cleaning, dust everywhere! Cleaning. Weeding. Thank goodness for shop vac we bought a few years ago. Did I mention cleaning?

Been a great few weekends and parties, thanks to my immediate family, family and friends for the help and support! I don't take it for granted!

A picture. Toronto city night, July 9th

Also music, one of my passions. Amazing Guitar work!
Buckethead - Night of the Slunk

Buckethead - For Mom (acoustic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJud5kqFEDU

Nun Chuka Kata was actually the first Buckethead song I heard, about 7 years ago. A burnt CD was lent to me from an acquaintance in summer school. Had this electro-type song on a CD full of death metal

Friday Chill Mix - May 21, 2010

2010-05-21T16:45:00.000-04:00

Friday Chill Mix - May 21

Long weekend here in Canadian, celebrating the life and death of the Queen Victoria and current monarchy.

The forecast for this weekend is AWESOME.

DJ Junior Jack and his moody opening start us off, but quickly elevate into a brighter mood. Make sure you have the bass up for this eargasmic track. The juxtaposition of the differing cadences of the lead guitar and bass, accompanied by the ear catching drums is enough to get you moving. The end bit is a big strange to me, but no doubt on the album feeds into another song.

Skalpel are nu-jazz DJs and musicians from Poland. Their musical style is a distinctive blend of hip hop beats, laced with samples lifted from the rich seam of Polish jazz records of the 1960s and 1970s. I copied that line from Wikipedia. What I really like about them is that you can really imagine the artists playing instruments, but feeling so relaxed at the same time. ‘Break In’ has more of a vintage jazz sound, while my favourite ‘Theme From Behind The Curtain’ has more of a trip-hop feel similar to bands like Vpey or Portishead. Delicious.

We’ll end off with the French house duo Cassius and their energetic foot-tapping song ‘Rock Number One.’ I love the changing tempo here and sensual vocals. Give these a try.

Junior Jack – Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrEV27Mu5XA

Skalpel - Theme From Behind The Curtain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vPJ8DEdd-o

Skalpel - Break In
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFscgjr22jU

Cassius - Rock Number One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHYMsCDJa-g

What do you guys think?
Have an amazing weekend!

Friday Chill Mix - May 7

2010-05-10T00:42:00.001-04:00

“When the music hits you feel no pain.”

Next Tuesday, May 11th marks the 29th anniversary of Bob Marley’s death. He died at the young age of 36 from cancer. We celebrate his life and his message of love. Bob Marley remains the most recognizable figure in reggae and one of the most when it comes to the message of peace. On the topic of reggae, I’ve included a favourite group of mine, Thievery Corporation featuring Sleepy Wonder on vocals. Enjoy these songs and love the ones you love.

Bob Marley - Forever Loving Jah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUqHHYfpGvU

Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjYg5Mw_qo0

Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnrKAGmAvv4

Make it a great week!

Some instrumental rock I've been listening to lately

2010-05-04T17:04:00.001-04:00

Some instrumental rock I've been listening to lately

Explosions In The Sky - A Song for Our Fathers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JkksFySAiE
Watch at about 3/5 of the way through it gets loud!

Explosions In The Sky - Wall Of Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44iRH4uZGt0&feature=related

This Will Destroy You - Quiet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F836tdz1Meo

This Will Destroy You - A Three Legged Workhorse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BSHAXpNey0

Kilowatts - Monument
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCdt317YVxQ
More electronic stuff, make sure your bass is high.

What do you guys think?

Friday Chill Mix - Apr 9, 2010 (Don't miss this one)

2010-04-10T01:48:00.003-04:00

Seize the weekend!
Am I ever excited about this one, you can’t miss this one, you NEED to listen it. I even used caps locks there for an important word.

I debated placing this one first or last, but here it is first in line because I’m so emphatically passionate about this song so let’s fire it up! First up is Flash’s delicious song Right Here, make sure you turn this one up proper. Make sure you are properly seated for this delightful bit of dubstep, for when the bass drops you are guaranteed an eargasm. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. From the dreamy vocals to the baby crib twinkling, this is one for sure you’ll get an intense chill from.

Flash - Right Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZrSGp6RKPk

Next up is Jose Padilla’s Que Bonito. Jose is a resident DJ in Café del Mar bar on the island of Ibiza, Spain. Que Bonito is Spanish for ‘how pretty’ or ‘how beautiful’ and I think the name is apt for how Jose wove all the different layers together into a beautiful tapestry we can enjoy. Google some images of Ibiza, close your eyes, listen to this song, imagine you’re basking the warm sun on the beach in Ibiza. No need to thank me for the free vacation trip I’ve given you!

Jose Padilla - Que Bonito
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEqAc70TQ4E

We end off two from Miguel Migs, a Californian DJ and producer. In Mesmerized the uploader filmed some footage from Toronto’s lovely transit system, used a relaxing house song as the soundtrack. I find this a most odd juxtaposition of opposition, as anyone that has commuted in Toronto during rush hour knows people are hardly relaxed then. So Far, a song featured on Hed Kandi (hence the picture) compilations. The smooth vocals and positive lyrics always give me a boost to my day, hope you guys enjoy these!

Miguel Migs - Mesmerized
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sazmZCN3SUM

Miguel Migs – So Far
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6wypu_Re7A

What do you guys think? Add a comment!

Light as furniture as light!

2010-04-05T21:58:00.003-04:00

Light as furniture as light!

Quick link here:
http://design-milk.com/get-out-outdoor-lighting-adopt-the-lounge-attitude/

I do adore the second picture onward. I like the idea of lighting as usable furniture; it really saves a lot of space. Maybe your new foot rest can warm your feet as well?!

I did email Modoluce and they were very quick to respond to me. Unfortunately they only have an affiliate with a company in the States and not here in Canadia. That other company was quick to email me back as well so I may be doing business with them in the future.

Chill mix coming up for the weekend, this one will be a great one!

Heh, iPhone

2010-04-05T21:43:00.003-04:00

Sunday Mar. 28th, switching themes constantly to run down the battery to zero so I can do a full recharge. This madness pops up!

Theme is Drawn2Me. 5 Icon Dock and 5 Column Springboard through Cydia. The Categories app as well through Cydia, so all my icons are in folders and I only have one page on my springboard.

The 3.1.3 patch does fix this, but forces you to at max have a tethered jailbreak. If you're coming pre-3.1.2 to 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 then you'd lose all your jailbreaking if you have done so already, not good. Shame on Apple for restricting themes, that is something I would pay money for. Shame on you for forcing a sterile boring interface on us. Thanks to the dev team for imparting on us this freedom of expression and beauty.

Why should you jailbreak your iPhone?

Friday Chill Mix - Mar 12

2010-03-14T22:58:00.002-04:00

Friday Chill Mix - Mar 12

The weather is warming up so let’s start planning out our beach trips and BBQs. Good thing I have just the thing needed to take us there.

Let’s whet our listening buds first with Bonobo’s curious song Flutter. With notions of Thievery Corporation’s employment of the sitar, this British DJ mixes a variety of layers for your listening pleasure. It’s been a while since I’ve raved about an artist like this, so I encourage you all to check out more of Bonobo’s material on YouTube and support him how you can. BONOBO!!!

Now turn up the bass in your headphones and kick up your feet, unless you’re still at work then you have my empathy. Belgium group Sweet Coffee is up next with a sultry song. Don’t miss the deliciously smooth jazz found in the second part of the song.

We head back to Bonobo with the song ‘Pick Up’ which seems to bring a bit more funk to a St. Germain sound. It sure helped pick up my step as I head into the weekend.

Click below to give it a try.

Bonobo - Flutter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2pG8EtH6CM

Sweet Coffee - In Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv2gwhk_vAw

Bonobo - Pick Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A49i2ptrqE

What do you guys think?
Have a great weekend!

Combating Pests In Your Backyard With Stars Wars Technology

2010-02-17T00:33:00.009-05:00

Ok, were you thinking lightsabres? Because that'd probably require a lot of effort. While you may get your dream of Biggest Nerdiest Loser this endeavor likely would be quite counter-productive in regards to maintaining a state of unbittenness. Yeap, I like that word I just made up too. Your friendly neighborhood mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon monoxide and lactic acid (produced by muscle metabolism) in your breath and your feet.
At times to the I delight in vagueness and conversation topic jumps to the consternation of others. Let's have a generic update hidden in the second paragraph. Yes it has been near two years since I have made an entry, but I've occasionally checked it again and a few people have discovered this blog e-stalking me. I have not 'blogged' yet I have, and constantly do. Some of that is spamming friends with amazing music I've discovered, some of that is a more formal introduction and collection of the aforementioned. I may post some of those later on. I haven't bothered to update my Blogspot in near two years, and I'm doing that on a creative outburst. (I actually wrote 3/4 of this one night then finished it now. Bad Jorai, bad.)

The first two videos illustrate the pesky insect's flight mechanics, pretty boring stuff. Our violence craving society skips immediately to the third video which promises Star Trek or Star Wars, whatever it is, it promises to dole out some delightful destruction of devastating proportions.

http://intellectualventureslab.com/?p=653

Graphic content?
Can destruction be art? Can you believe 'Alex' wondered why mosquitoes had to die for this human promoting cause? Do we need a kinder, gentler laser gun hand? More importantly, why didn't they shoot one that had just sucked blood because we love explosions and car chases?

If this is somewhat mass produced for commercial purposes, what about other animals whose diet the mosquito makes up a large part of their diet? Won't someone please think of the dragonflies?

Rob Orbison - Classic music

2008-02-27T12:52:00.003-05:00

Rob Orbison was a pioneer of rock and roll. He was born in Texas in 1936 and passed away in 1988. At times I confused him with Elvis Presley, for the soft crooning love songs and soothing voice. He has a wonderfully powerful voice, don't just let me talk about it, hear for yourself. Here are two of my favourite songs from him.

Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman

Roy Orbison - Only The Lonely (1960)

Heh, Cute Overload is great.

2008-02-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

You got fun pictures like this, don't think it is fake. Does it remind you of Bush using those pin-hole binoculars?

CuteOverload

What........

Thy calling is calling.

2008-01-29T17:19:00.000-05:00

I like it. I wonder how much he squats.

Who is excited for the UEFA EURO Cup 2008?

2008-01-22T12:54:00.000-05:00

I used to play soccer quite a bit, now.......I'm just lazy and hate running. Anyways, watch these penalty shots.

This one is worth watching too, never seen anything like it myself.

Long overdue music update.

2008-01-17T00:57:00.000-05:00

David Guetta's hit single Baby When the Light featuring Cozi Costi

Does every Guetta video have to have lots of women dancing? The main girl is some model winner from a model search reality show apparently.
Cozi has such a cute voice, search hard enough and you will find a clip of her doing the song 'live.' Her MySpace page also has a few good songs I enjoyed.

Queens Of The Stone Age - Make It Wit Chu (No embedding.)
Presenting the third single from QOTSA's Era Vulgaris album.
Click Here!
I was pretty disappointed at the Era Vulgaris album, really felt it was a step back. My understanding is that the leader singer Josh was in a poor (angry) state of mind when they were recording the album. I really felt that came out with most of the album moving towards more of a thrash sound. I like their older stuff, has a groovier feel to it, ya dig?

The Killers - Shadowplay

To the centre of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you
Moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
In a room without a window in the corner I found truth

This is actually a cover of a 1979 Joy Division song called Shadowplay, from the album Unknown Pleasures. I actually like the modern take much better. Not a fan of The Killers, but this they did a good job here. Ok, that isn't the official video, this one is. The official video doesn't allow embedding, which really takes away the flow of this blog. Check it out still, it pays homage to Joy Division and is a decent watch.

Ballet dancer, 88, takes to stage

2008-01-13T13:45:00.000-05:00

An 88-year-old man is set to star in his first ballet show after taking up dance at the age of 79.

Grandfather to 11, John Lowe, of Witchford, Cambs, took up dancing having watched his daughter Alison become a professional dancer.

The retired teacher said: "It's a wonderful thing to do and I can't understand why more men don't do it."

Mr Lowe is due to appear with the Lantern Dance Theatre Company, in Ely, on Sunday evening.

Pirouettes have been perfected in daily practice at home ahead of Mr Lowe's performance in Prokofiev's The Stone Flower at The Maltings.

'Incredibly fit'

"I went to a dance school in the high street in Ely and asked if I could do tap and ballet and they said 'well of course you can' and I've been doing it ever since," Mr Lowe said.

"I've got a rope at home that I use to pull my leg up higher. I'm lucky that I don't have any problem with the routines but that's because I exercise.

"There's nothing effeminate about it - you have to be incredibly fit to dance.

"I see these people crawling around , hunched over smoking a cigarette - they should be doing ballet."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/7185908.stm

Impressive! I just hope I still have my hips at age 88.

Looking for wedding cake designs?

2008-01-10T13:29:00.000-05:00

I-Reporter's wedding cake is a full-size likeness of herself

Chidi Ogbuta of Allen, Texas, gets wedding cake that looks just like her
Bride had longtime fantasy of having a doll modeled after her
Cake fulfilled bride's dream, and took about a week to finish off

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/01/07/cake.irpt/index.html

How.......creepy.....

Does the Queen have Wii?

2008-01-07T00:40:00.000-05:00

MAKE WAY FOR THE Q Wii N

Elizabeth hogs Wills' Xmas gift from Kate ROYAL EXCLUSIVE

By Dean Rousewell

The gadget-loving Queen has become HOOKED on Prince William's new Nintendo Wii games console.

William's girlfriend Kate Middleton bought him the £200 gift for Christmas - but he now has to share it with his grandma.

A Palace source told The People: "When she saw William playing a game after lunch at Sandringham she thought the Nintendo looked tremendous fun and begged to join in.

"She played a simple ten-pin bowling game and by all accounts was a natural.

"It was hilarious. William was in fits of laughter. He was enormously impressed at having such a cool gran.

"And although she is 81 the Queen's hand-eye co-ordination was as good as somebody half her age."

The Wii was this Christmas's musthave gift. Players can create their own customised on-screen lookalike - just like our jokey Elizabeth pictured above.

Kate, 26 on Wednesday, watched as William, 25, unwrapped the gift at the Royal Family's festive gathering. Our source said: "He loves his gadgets and boys' toys. So it was the perfect present for him.

"His only difficulty nowis prising it away from the Queen's clutches. She showed all the signs of becoming a Nintendo addict."

It's not the first time the Queen has joined the hi-tech revolution.

In 2001 she got her first mobile phone and has regularly upgraded to one with the latest features.

Her Majesty set up her own email account years ago.

In 2005 she took delivery of an iPod that stores more than 100,000 tunes.

And last June she added a trendy BlackBerry to her technological armoury - and made sure her senior staff were equipped with them too.

http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=make-way-for-the-q-wii-n%26method=full%26objectid=20276099%26siteid=93463-name_page.html

They also have a YouTube account, which I am too fatigued at this hour to find for you my friends.
Imagine battling with your grandmother for control of the video game console. NO I'M THE QUEEN!!!

Cool pictures of random stuffs

2008-01-06T22:13:00.000-05:00

Well I've been home sick for the last couple days, spending it in my bed and in front of the computer so I was able to find lots of funtastic things for you happy peoples to click on and enjoy!

Look at how he folds his hands in such a gentlemanly manner!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31715949@N00/1803950301/
5 unbelievably cool research facilities
http://deputy-dog.com/2008/01/04/5-unbelievably-cool-research-facilities/
Two-edged Media Sword: 10 Examples of Counteradvertising, Commerce Jamming and Propaganda Remixes
http://individualathome.blogspot.com/2008/01/two-edged-media-sword-10-examples-of.html

Question

2008-01-06T17:17:00.000-05:00

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

2008-01-05T12:09:00.000-05:00

Man using GPS drives into path of train in New York suburb

BEDFORD HILLS, New York - A Global Positioning System can tell a driver a lot of things - but not when a train is coming.

A computer consultant driving a rental car drove onto train tracks Wednesday using the instructions his GPS unit gave him.

A train was barrelling toward him, but he escaped in time and no one was injured.

The driver had turned right, as the system advised, and the car somehow got stuck on the tracks at the crossing.

Metro-North railroad spokesman Dan Brucker says the man jumped out, tried to warn the engineer by waving and managed to get out of the way just before the train slammed into the car at about 100 kilometres per hour.

The car was pushed more than 30 metres during the fiery crash and some 500 train passengers were stranded for more than two hours during the Wednesday evening rush hour.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080103/koddities/oddity_gps_train_crash

Winner! Not sure what he was thinking when he was waving his arms to the engineer, not like these things have a small stopping distance.

That being said, if you are going to get a GPS, get one that verbalizes the directions. Squinting at a small screen as you ignore traffic is never the way to go.

Is that a stag beetle fighting a lobster?!

2008-01-05T12:00:00.000-05:00

I'm probably a bad person for spreading this, but there is a new site going around the internets. The description is in the URL name, JapaneseBugFights.com.

http://www.japanesebugfights.com/20.htm
Um, whoa.

So where do draw the distinction and say this is allowed or not allowed? Is this worse than cock-fighting, dog-fighting? Human cock-fighting? Does the tolerance scale relative to how close to a human it is?

Foreign Artist Spotlight - Xavier Naidoo

2007-12-27T23:52:00.000-05:00

Xavier Naidoo is a German singer and songwriter of South African descent, who sings in German and occasionally in English. He is known for his soulful voice and has collaborated with several famous artists such as the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA and Deborah Cox.

Xavier Naidoo - Bist du am Leben (Are you alive?)

I first heard that song from some MTV 2006 hits compilation. A German song? MTV hit? (Incidentally one other German band that I like, Rammstein, also had a song on the compilation Mann Gegen Mann.) It took me a few tries to 'get it' and once I did was explored some of his other material and was quite happy with it. Give this one a try as well.

Xavier Naidoo - Führ Mich Ans Licht (Lead Me To The Light)

Bonus video! Xavier Naidoo - Wo Willst Du Hin? (Where You Want?)

Why haven't I posted this yet?

2007-12-22T11:15:00.000-05:00

Poor hamster! Stop laughing!

I normally like to give gifts early anyways

2007-12-22T11:09:00.000-05:00

Wife stabs husband who opens Christmas gift early

Dec 21, 2007 10:36 PM

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. – A woman stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife following an argument that began when she accused him of opening a Christmas present early, authorities said Friday.

Misty Johnson, 34, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery, a felony, and misdemeanor domestic battery. Her husband, Shawn Fay Johnson, 34, was treated at a hospital for a wound to the chest, police said.

Misty Johnson made an initial court appearance Thursday in which she requested a court-appointed attorney, authorities said. She was released after posting bail, which was set at $7,500 (U.S.).

There was no telephone listing for her in Rock Springs.

Authorities said Shawn Johnson called 911 just before 1 a.m. Wednesday to report that his wife had stabbed him. He told police that his wife started arguing with him over his opening a Christmas present, according to court records.

As the argument escalated, Misty Johnson accused her husband of having an affair, authorities said. Police found a marriage license in the couple's apartment stating they were married in late September.

Police Detective David Thompson said he didn't know what the present was, or if it was intended for the husband.
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/288087

Wow, first Christmas married together too!
I normally like to give gifts early anyways, especially if it is something they can use.

Awwww cute rat!! Snuggle it!

2007-12-19T00:59:00.000-05:00

Giant rat found in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Researchers in a remote Indonesian jungle have discovered a giant rat that is about five times the size of a typical city rat and a tiny possum, scientists said Monday.

Unearthing new species of mammals in the 21st century is considered very rare. The discoveries by a team of American and Indonesian scientists are being studied further to confirm their status.

The animals were found in the Foja mountains rainforest in eastern Papua province in a June expedition, said U.S.-based Conservation International, which organized the trip in the Southeast Asian nation along with the Indonesian Institute of Science.

"The giant rat is about five times the size of a typical city rat," said Kristofer Helgen, a scientist with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. "With no fear of humans, it apparently came into the camp several times during the trip.''

The possum was described as "one of the world's smallest marsupials.''

A 2006 expedition to the same stretch of jungle – dubbed by Conservation International as a "Lost World" because until then humans had rarely visited it – unearthed scores of exotic new species of palms, butterflies and palms.

Papua has some of the world's largest tracts of rainforest, but like elsewhere in Indonesia they are being ravaged by illegal logging. Scientists said last year that the Foja area was not under immediate threat, largely because it was so remote.

"It's comforting to know that there is a place on Earth so isolated that it remains the absolute realm of wild nature," said expedition leader Bruce Beehler. "We were pleased to see that this little piece of Eden remains as pristine and enchanting as it was when we first visited.''

http://www.thestar.com/article/286588

No kidding!

W00t woot w0o0t!

2007-12-13T14:13:00.000-05:00

"w00t" crowned word of year by U.S. dictionary

BOSTON (Reuters) - "w00t," an expression of joy coined by online gamers, was crowned word of the year on Tuesday by the publisher of a leading U.S. dictionary.

Massachusetts-based Merriam-Webster Inc. said "w00t" -- typically spelled with two zeros -- reflects a new direction in the American language led by a generation raised on video games and cell phone text-messaging.

It's like saying "yay," the dictionary said.

"It could be after a triumph or for no reason at all," Merriam-Webster said.

Visitors to Merriam-Webster's Web site were invited to vote for one of 20 words and phrases culled from the most frequently looked-up words on the site and submitted by readers.

Runner-up was "facebook" as a new verb meaning to add someone to a list of friends on the Web site Facebook.com or to search for people on the social networking site.

Merriam-Webster President John Morse said "w00t" reflected the growing use of numeric keyboards to type words.

"People look for self-evident numeral-letter substitutions: 0 for O; 3 for E; 7 for T; and 4 for A," he said. "This is simply a different and more efficient way of representing the alphabetical character."

One Web site, www.thinkgeek.com, already sells T-shirts with the word "w00t" printed on the front.

"w00t belongs to gamers the world over. It seems to have been derived from the obsolete 'whoot' which essentially is another way to say 'hoot' which itself is a shout or derisive laugh," Think Geek said on its Web site.

"But others maintain that w00t is the sound several players make while jumping like bunnies in Quake III," it added, referring to a popular video game.

Online gamers often replace numbers and symbols with letters to form what Merriam-Webster calls an "esoteric computer hacker language" known as "l33t speak." This translates into "leet," which is short for "elite."

A separate survey of words used in the media and on the Internet by California-based Global Language Monitor produced a different set of winners on Tuesday. "Hybrid" took top honors as word of the year with "climate change" the top phrase.

Global Language Monitor, which uses an algorithm to track words and phrases in the media and on the Internet, said "hybrid" had broad connotations of "all things green from biodiesel to wearing clothes made of soy to global warming."

Runner-up was "surge," based on the "surge" of 30,000 extra U.S. troops deployed to Iraq since mid-June, followed by the word "Bluetooth," a technology used to connect electronic devices via radio waves.

"The English language is becoming more and more a globalized language every year," said Global Language Monitor president Paul Payack, noting that this year's list included words also culled from India, Singapore, China and Australia.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/071212/odds/odd_language_dc

My girl sent me this news, which is hilarious because my audio unit is set to output this sound file at random times. She always asked me what 'w00t' was and now she knows!

What did the chicken cross the road?

2007-11-09T16:50:00.000-05:00

Man, you find you find all sorts of odd things online.
Edit: Ok, y'all will need to go ahead and click up there on that picture. For some reason I have not yet explored, the animated .gif does not show.

Talk to a financial advisor today to begin a savings plan.

2007-11-09T01:01:00.000-05:00

Exploding piggy-bank aims to scare Japanese into saving

TOKYO (AFP) - Greying Japan has a new weapon to scare people into saving for their retirement -- an exploding piggy bank.

The "Savings Bomb," which goes on sale in Japan next week, "explodes" and scatters coins if users fail to save for a long time, toy manufacturer TOMY Co Ltd said Thursday.

The battery-powered toy -- designed as a cartoon-style, ball-shaped black bomb with a skull and crossbones logo -- lights up, makes a noise, shakes violently and scatters coins if it is not topped up for a long time.

"Users must pick up and collect the scattered coins and reflect on their laziness," the Japanese company said.

Japan has the world's oldest population and one of the lowest birthrates, raising fears of a future demographic crisis with a smaller pool of workers financially supporting a growing number of elderly.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/071108/oddities/lifestyle_japan_toy_offbeat

Would be a fun gift, just don't tell them it explodes.

Dance it up now.

2007-11-06T22:04:00.000-05:00

For those that know me, I ever in search of new music to expand my musical horizons. I will listen to nearly every genre of music and find a lot of music I can appreciate (save for country and polka.) Today we'll explore a few tracks that I feel can really energize and pump you up. Unfortunately YouTube being YouTube, the video quality is poor, so try listening to these tracks first, maybe even with your eyes closed to really feel the music.

Paul van Dyk feat Jessica Sutta - White lies

Video is decent, featuring former Pussy Cat Dolls singer Jessica Sutta. Goofs include PVD 'throwing' Jessica his hat at the end, but shots throughout have her wearing it. Of all of Paul van Dyk's material I've heard, I may have to say I like this song the best. Poppy? Maybe. PVD brings his organic sounds and alternation of rhythm together beautifully.

Artist: STUNT Song: RAINDROPS

Hold my hand lets chase the sun
we both know something's begun
Nothing feels that real without you
Wanna learn so much about you

What happened to these guys? I can't seem to find much more information on this group, nor the featured singer Molly Smithen-Downes. This came out Jan 2006. More please?

Offer Nissim And Maya Simantov - First Time (Live In Israel)

Wow what a voice! This song is epic!!! LET'S GO OUTSIDE AND JUMP UP AND DOWN!!!! NOT ENOUGH EXCLAMATION MARKS AND TYPING IN CAPS!!!!! She was in Toronto recently, and Offer Nissim will be visiting TO Dec. 31st for what promises to be an exciting show.

What is art?

2007-10-25T13:02:00.000-04:00

(baby don't hurt me)

1. By Koopa
2. Matta (Roberto Sebastián Antonio Matta Echaurren)

Pictures copyright original owners.

Sleep is Very Important

2007-10-21T23:57:00.000-04:00

Or else this could happen.

Hiromitsu Agatsuma - Interview and Music

2007-10-18T00:21:00.000-04:00

Allow me to introduce and please your ears with a bit of Hiromitsu Agatsuma. From `Breakfast with the Art.` The instrument is called the shamisen, (more specifically, the tsugaru-jamisen.) There are obviously other artists out there that play this specific instrument, but I`ve really found his work to be most in line with my tastes. Give parts 1 and 3 a listen, I hope you may find a new artist to enjoy.

Part 1. The song is "Solitude" from album "Beams."

Part 2. Short interview.

Part 3. The Song is "Moment" from his 3rd album "Eternal Songs."

You probably couldn't make this up!!!

2007-10-01T23:39:00.000-04:00

Police: Woman Chases Kids With Samurai Sword
Amanda Harris Faces Numerous Charges

EAGLE, Colo. -- An Eagle woman accused of chasing a group of Hispanic children with a sword faces a number of charges, including ethnic intimidation, after allegedly calling them "illegal spics," according to police.

Amanda Jane Darling Harris, 21, allegedly chased the children, aged 9 to 15, with an 18-inch samurai sword because they were playing in a parking lot of the Villa apartments, according to a police report.

Police investigated the incident on Sept. 20, and Harris was jailed until she posted a $3,500 bond this week.

ccording to the police report, the teens said Harris yelled at the children, "If you're scared, then you're guilty." That is when they said she chased them with the sword.

One boy said Harris grabbed him and held the sword to his throat, telling him he "needed to stop causing her problems."

A girl told police that Harris chased and grabbed her and threatened to cut off her ponytail.

Harris chased the other five children through the parking lot, brandishing the sword, according to her arrest affidavit.

The children told police that Harris called them "little f****ing wetbacks" and told them to go back to their own country.

Arresting officers said Harris stated that she should have hurt one of the "illegals" if she knew she was going to go to jail over it.

Harris was arrested in her third-floor apartment on suspicion of menacing -- use of a deadly weapon, misdemeanor third-degree assault with a weapon, ethnic intimidation and harassment.

Harris is employed by Pooh Corner Preschool in Minturn, Colo., according to the arrest report. A spokeswoman for the preschool said she couldn't comment on Harris' current employment status.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14227684/detail.html

What..........what........

Blue Oyster Cult - Classic music

2007-09-15T00:33:00.000-04:00

Burnin' For You - Blue Oyster Cult

Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear the Reaper (live)

Favourites, of sorts.

2007-09-09T15:49:00.000-04:00

Neat Links Around the Interwebs

Astronomy Picture of the Day - This archive showcases "different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer" every day! The beauty of nature and the universe.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html

CuteOverload - Take a guess what this blog site is about. It'll blast you with so much cuteness that you may experience a sensory overload. When someone hopefully will come by to rouse you from thy bewilderment, you'll wonder where the last few hours have gone. I've been checking out this site since shortly after it began, lots of amusing pictures in the archives. There is a foil site yes, called UglyOverload.

http://www.cuteoverload.com/

FireFox - Looking for another web browser? Does nay matter! I've been using this years ago since 0.7 beta, and it really is a great alternative to Internet Explorer. From an integrated pop-up blocker, to popularizing tabbed-browsing FireFox has excellent tools. Of further note, since most people had IE installed on their machine by default, a lot of hackers wrote problems to exploit the vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer's code.

Firefox downloads top 400 million http://theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=42279
Short article I skimmed: 15 Coolest FireFox Tricks Ever http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/15-coolest-firefox-tricks-ever.html

http://www.mozilla.com/

Dictionary - A free online dictionary. More people should use this and help make the world (especially the internet) a better place. It is bookmarked on all the computers I use.

http://www.dictionary.com/

Doot doot.

In your eye!

2007-09-07T14:03:00.001-04:00

Here I am, rock you like a hurricane!

2007-09-07T01:11:00.000-04:00

Well here I am, joining the ranks of internet mediocrity online.

I promise to use spell check, grammar and proper punctuation to the best of my ability. I promise to avoid glorifying any internet trends, though I will satirize them.

I currently plan to use this blog to note significant/amusing news, reprinted for posterity.

Cheers,
Jorai