The-Svelte

Musical Interlude

2010-01-21T18:13:00.003-05:00

OK, really just a rundown of some tunes I've been listening to as of late.

DJ Spooky The Secret Song. This guy just doesn't seem to miss a beat. An eclectic mix of hip-hop, electro, and world beats. Also, Zep covers including Dazed and Confused.

Deadmou5, various. I've probably listened to the New Years eve essential mix (live at O2) five times by now. It's no wonder this guy is blowing up right now.

RJD2, The Collosus. I have to give props to the man for branching out from the DJ/producer role but I think he may have missed his mark this time around. It has it's moments but...

Four Tet, There is Love in You. It's been about five years since these guys have done anything. Still on point though it seems that the begining of the album doesn't quite flow as much as expected. Typically relaxed and mellow dj'ing and production with a jazzy feel good for late nights.

Also, if you haven't been listening to The XX and Yacht, well, you should...

Banksy Movie

2010-01-21T17:50:00.001-05:00

Apparently there is a movie premier at Sundance this year that may, or may have not been directed by the infamous street artist himself. If you're not familiar with Banksy's work you should check him out, he tends to have an interesting social commentary.

Bum Democrats

2010-01-21T17:34:00.000-05:00

Kucinich gives a scathing review of what the Democratic Party has turned into and, as far as I can tell, he is exactly right. I'm still not sure why their are so many people and media outlets are so willing to give these guys the benefit of the doubt when they have shown us nothing but lies and inability, just like the republicans

Big Banking

2010-01-13T23:59:00.002-05:00

So instead of just bitching about the banks handing out 7 and 8 figure bonuses to their "super- important peoples" of the American people's monies perhaps we should take a different approach as prescribed by the nice folks over at The Huffington Post. If we all remove our money form the Banks and put our money in to smaller local banks then perhaps we will have an affect on the system instead of just waiting for our government to do something for us. Oh, wait, there the same people aren't they...

OMG! This can't be good

2010-01-13T23:46:00.000-05:00

Apparently somebody needs to check their personal hygiene routine.

Book Review: The Rules Of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis

2010-01-13T22:43:00.002-05:00

The Rules of Attraction is a story set in the 80's, and for these kids there are no rules. A small college town full of spoiled rotten rich college kids who have always had everything they could have ever wanted. The story is about wanting nothing, about caring for nothing, a lack of emotions and common sense. I mean when your 18 and have already had and done everything what else is there to do? I guess sit around drinking, doing copious amounts of drugs and fucking anything and anyone whom is willing. And that is just about everyone because everyone is essentially the same. Full of dark humor and wit The Rules of Attraction is an excellent look into the sociological lives of the privileged few. Perhaps this is what happens when Ayn Rand's belief system fails. Perhaps if we are willing to admit to what the rich and to be famous and powerful were doing and willing to do in the 80's then we shouldn't be so surprised by what the college kids (and high school) are up to today. The movie was OK but the casting was horrible and you just miss to much of the grittiness and depravity. Watch American Psycho instead.

Book Reviews: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

2010-01-13T22:23:00.002-05:00

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand is the story about the demise of (industrial) civilization due to the ineptitude of socialist leaning businesses and government officials who think that they can have it all while being fair and lamely attempting to providing for everyone else. Usually I am not a proponent of capitalism per se but within the confines of this novel it actually works and has allowed me to glean some important aspects of capitalism that I would not have previously entertained. In Ayn Rand's viewpoint there is nothing more important for society, nothing more important to the individual than production and reward with the underlying motive of monetary gain. Unfortunately for Mrs. Rand her ideals do not seem to work in the real, the concrete world in which we live. Much like Marx's The Communist Manifesto, it looks terrific on paper; in the world of the mind, yet sadly again we find that we cannot truly find those in power to be good, honorable and trust worthy individuals. In light of today's economic situations (and plight for many) Atlas Shrugged is worth reading as it forces the reader to examine and re-examine the world we live in. The novel begs a new understanding of those that are in control and have so much power and say about what we do and the importance and meaning of it. Atlas Shrugged is definitely worth the time it takes to read and has the ability to spark insightful and meaningful debated with those around you. Relatively easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable. Read it, get back to me. (Oh, and feel free to skip about 100 pages towards the end, she's already made her point and at this point is just tooting her own horn and looking for converts.)

A kinder, gentler philosophy of success

2010-01-13T21:01:00.004-05:00

Check out this TED video and reaxamine the way we look at how we live, how we define ourselves and how we allow ourselves to be defined. It's worth the time and if you're not familiar with TED check the website out, it's full of cool and interesting stuff.

Cool Japanese Barcodes!

2009-11-08T23:58:00.000-05:00

Movie Night

2009-11-08T23:39:00.001-05:00

Remind you of anything? Check out the site www.youfellasleepwatchingadvd.com

Our Respectful Politicians

2009-11-08T23:16:00.000-05:00

This is just stupid, and apparently went on for half an hour or so. This was Sat morning before the health care reform vote. Can't we get bailiffs in there or something?

Like Muppets? Like Jamaica? LIke Muppets Singing About Weed in Jamaica?

2009-11-03T01:12:00.000-05:00

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Appalling!

2009-11-03T01:01:00.000-05:00

The article is about underage life sentencing but the 16 year old girl should of been given the medal of honor for what she did; not be sentenced to life imprisonment. Check the casualty here

George Washington - The New Mythos (SNSFW)

2009-11-03T00:52:00.006-05:00

I never realized!

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Other Scientists Quit Over Nutt

2009-11-02T23:49:00.001-05:00

As I mentioned previously, Dr. Nutt was fired because of his scientific stance on drug classification and harm. Now it turns out that six of his fellow colleagues will resign due to his being fired. Theirs is a view that says "What we say is objective and evidence-based. Sometimes people do not want to hear that" to me that sounds very reminiscent of arguments from the pulpit versus science from ages ago, which, unfortunately still seem to permeate our culture today. Does anyone still believe the Earth is flat? Why do we continue to discredit science and the achievements of science? Why is it so hard to work together for the benefit of all, you know, that greater good crap, instead of fighting for more power?

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Ecstasy, Marijauna, LSD better than Alcohol and Cigarettes for Your Health

2009-10-30T12:50:00.002-04:00

The Daily Mail in London is reporting that scientific evidence differs from what the government tells the public in regards to illegal drugs. So it seems that the discussion of drug use and how it is classified is going on other places than just here in the U.S. Wouldn't it be nice to actually have our various government's tell us the truth; if they are still willing to lie about drugs (i.e. - we know that our U.S. presidents have refused to acknowledge the truth regarding the actual effects and harm of cannabis from their own scientifically commissioned studies) to the public why should we believe them about anything else they tell us?

So how long you think before the government fires this guy for his scientifically based views?

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Corrutpion at every level

2009-10-29T17:13:00.002-04:00

So, you've probably heard about the cop (story here) who has been indefinitely suspended. What I can't believe is that there is no talk of corruption in this article. So a police officer gives someone a ticket, then essentially loses his job because the person happens to be the Mayor's son. How is it that the Mayor hasn't been fired? How is it that the police officer hasn't gotten his job back? I'm not a fan of cops, basically ever, but at least he was just doing his job unlike the majority of politician(s) whom we have become used to screwing everyone over that they have no interest in. Basically that means the rest of us, the have-nots, and, believe it or not, the middle class. Shouldn't there be more of an uproar over the simple fact that those in power protect their own versus those that may actually need their help?

WTF?!

2009-10-29T16:20:00.005-04:00

This is completely crazy. Apparently some girl in Japan thought that it was possible to do all the Special K around and still survive. My understanding (and experience) is that when/if doing Special K one only needs a little bit in order to feel the desired effects. I mean this amount would be crazy even if it was blow! And the worst thing about this is that nobody seemed to think that this was a bad idea! I mean REALLY, 50 bucks is not worth dying for!

Nerd Rap

2009-10-28T10:58:00.002-04:00

This is a few weeks old at this point but still funny and Community is a pretty funny show. I recommend.

Book Review

2009-10-28T10:44:00.000-04:00

The Names by Don Delilio

I had high expectations for this book. I initially thought that it was about language and semantics; about travel and murderous cults. To an extend it was all of these things yet the promise of the back flap never delivered. While very well written the story never managed to rise above its own pretentiousness. Every Character delivered the most poignant lines, grand and all-encompassing soliloquies which, in the end, were all for not. The majority of the time I was unable to tell who was who and by the end I could not have cared any less about the story, the characters, or the pointless grandiose writing. For a book with (seemingly) such potential it ended up being nothing more than an exercise of wordy masterbation.

Freakonomics by Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner

Hate numbers but enjoy sociology? Me too. If you haven't read this book, you should. Though I read The Tipping Point first I was still able to appreciate and enjoy this book of social issues and consequences/outcomes. Engaging, informative, and at times controversial Freakonomics will most definitely leave you thinking about the world in ways you have never imagined, and perhaps more importantly, you will walk away with a different vantage point than you had when you first began the book. A must read.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

A well-crafted and beautifully written novel. Set mostly during the Vietnam war the story details the experiences of a small group of soldiers and the realities and absurdness of war. Not preachy or condemning, the story is about people, and for lack of a better description, it is about people's baggage, both physical and emotional. Touching and poignant to everyday life I was completely surprised by how much it was not a story about war and how much it was a story about everyday life and what is truley important. A surprisingly touching and important novel.

"What" ain't no country I ever heard of! They speak English in "What"?!"

2009-10-28T09:16:00.001-04:00

B.A.M.F.

Here comes the Predator!

Scary Rocks, or A Fetishes Dream

2009-10-27T18:45:00.001-04:00

I Like This Guy's Philosophy; I Think...

2009-10-27T18:37:00.002-04:00

Because How I met Your Mother is Awesomeness

2009-10-27T18:24:00.002-04:00

Check out Barney's Blog if you don't get enough of the funny

Who likes ass-cars?

2009-10-27T17:36:00.001-04:00

xkcd funny comics