Curse those bastards at Apple! The new iPod touch commercial has literally infected my brain, and in no small part due to the addictively catchy song from yet another band we’ve never heard of, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. Seriously, every time the commercial comes on (and because Apple clearly spends billions of dollars on advertising, it comes on A LOT) I find myself wanting to bust a move on the living room floor. It also makes me want to buy an iPod touch like nobody’s business, so clearly the advertising firm involved is earning its check. Check out the band’s website to hear the full song, plus a couple others. They don’t have an album out yet, but (NATURALLY) you can download this and a few other singles off of iTunes.
In a speech inspired by historic initiatives put forward by some of our country’s greatest leaders, Nobel Laureate and former Vice President Al Gore today issued a challenge to the United States of America: remove our dependence on oil and foreign powers by creating all of our own electricity with renewable and carbon-free energy in ten years’ time.
The essence of his speech was this: if you unravel all of the problems our country is facing today (the economy, steadily rising fuel costs, rising unemployment, etc…) the core of the problem is this: a stubborn reliance on carbon-based fuels which can only be provided by the middle east, and which we can only continue to purchase with the aid of foreign powers such as China.
Essentially, he has thrown down the gauntlet: we need people to join in this cause, and those who do not need to step aside. Our role in the world, our health as a nation, and the health of our planet depends on it.
The beauty of Al Gore stepping out of mainstream politics is this: he can now challenge the system without fear of systematic retribution. Which is what this country needs more than anything.
Being there for the speech was truly inspiring…it always feels good to find out you’re not the only person having these feelings of frustration and anxiety over the state we are in. Its always nice to know other people….large numbers of people… are just as concerned as you are. Because that is the direction in which hope lies.
Once they get video of Gore’s challenge to America, I will link to it or post it here. You should definately check it- its well worth the watching.
Former VP Al Gore will be making a presentation on resetting how we think about energy and climate. The event is being presented by the We Campaign, a nonprofit, nonpartisan program of the The Alliance for Climate Protection.
Why am I writing about this? Well, in addition to having an interest in protecting the environment and reducing global climate change, I also happen to have a ticket to attend this event…and will be doing so in about an hour.
If you are at all concerned about the environment and Global Warming, I urge you tro sign-up for the We Campaign here. There are a lot of great nonprofits out there (and I should know, I work for one of the best) but I really think this is one of the most important ones right now. They offer a lot of ideas on things you can do to make a difference, and they invite you to write your governor, congressperson, etc… regarding certain key events and topics.
OK, so this is probably really old, but I came across it quite randomly today. As a fan of Dave Eggers, nonprofits, and educating the youth (not to mention Pirate wares), I feel compelled to share. Its only 18 minutes long, so pour yourself a cup of coffee, kick back and prepare to be inspired.
Johann Krauss is voiced by Seth McFarlane, creator of Family Guy; McFarlane also provides the voices for many of the characters on Family Guy and American Dad!
Abe Sapien was voiced by David Hyde Pierce (uncredited) in the first movie; he is now voiced by the actor in the costume, Doug Jones
Director Guillermo Del Toro (who also directed the first movie, in addition to many other fine films) turned down the opportunities to direct the Halo movie, I Am Legend, and the next Harry Potter movie so he could focus on this film
Ron Perlman (who plays Hellboy) was offered the role of Piccolo in a live action Dragonball movie; he turned it down to reprise the role of Hellboy
The film was the first American production to shoot at Korda Studios in Hungary, then newly built outside Budapest
The antagonist, Prince Nuada, bears a striking resemblence to the character Elric of Melnibone, created by fantasy writer Michael Moorcock
Luke Goss, who plays Prince Nuada, also played the antagonist Nomak in Blade II, also directed by Del Torro
and get out your fake tail. At long last, Hellboy II opens this Friday. In case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s the trailer. You can bet your sweet bippy I’m going to be there this weekend.
but the new Coldplay album, Viva La Vida (or Death and All His Friends), sounds pretty incredible on a good pair of headphones. Given all the hype and the good singles they’ve put out, I gave in and actually bought the mp3s on Amazon yesterday. The mix on a few of the tracks is a little muddy at times (that could be the headphones I’m wearing at the moment, too), but overall its got this great, dense, wall-of-sound thing going on that reminds me of what it was like to listen to Radiohead or Pink Floyd for the first time on headphones back in high school.
The addition of Brian Eno as producer of this record really helped the band out and pushed them to rise above what it meant to be “Coldplay,” which is really kind of awesome. As a creative type who always wants to be better at what I do, nothing earns my respect or appreciation quite like another artist who does the same things and succeeds, and without a lot of ego discoloring that success.
There’s a really great interview with Chris Martin in last month’s Rolling Stone which you can read most of here. When so many mainstream musicians seem terribly unlikable, its refreshing and almost inspiring to read something like this, that paints him as a pretty sincere, funny, and artistic individual.
As a whole album, Viva la Vida really is a solid piece of work (even if the name is a little silly). Admittedly, the singles “Violet Hills” and “Viva la Vida” probably are the strongest tracks - but the rest of the album supports them well, and makes for an enjoyable listen.
This one gets a respectable Four Stars from 79soul.com.
You will be hard pressed to find a better cafe latte then one which is brewed in a little shop in Rome. Starbucks may try to emulate it, but they will never truly succeed.
Coffee bought at a gas station, regardless of location, brand, or size, will always taste like crap. How they manage to screw up something that you can easily do to satisfaction in your home is beyond scientific explanation.
but the new Coldplay album, 
, sounds pretty incredible on a good pair of headphones. Given all the hype and the good singles they’ve put out, I gave in and actually bought the mp3s on Amazon yesterday. The mix on a few of the tracks is a little muddy at times (that could be the headphones I’m wearing at the moment, too), but overall its got this great, dense, wall-of-sound thing going on that reminds me of what it was like to listen to Radiohead or Pink Floyd for the first time on headphones back in high school.
