5.12.2008

Enter the Dragon

I gots to give my boy pSlim props for this. As far as these self-helpy and listy things go - there is some sage advice in here...I found much of it applicable.

Bruce Lee’s Top 7 Fundamentals for Getting Your Life in Shape:

While you are at it head to:
http://spinner.aol.com/artists/new-releases-full-cds
And listen to the new collection from Sasha's Label: The emFire Collection. Some nice dark trance there...

That is my yearly update. Thanks.

4.28.2008

A little shoegaze mix over at:
seang.muxtape.com

4.20.2008

Muxtape/Mixtape

I am toying with some new tech over at - seang.muxtape.com.

Let's you build a mixtape and share - cool stuff. My first one is themed - live tracks - with leanings of melancholy...

4.19.2008

Elemental Change

I hope to re-design this blog shortly. Have been involved with a few other projects. Will also be writing with some really smart guys over here: elemental change.

I don't totally understand what we are writing about. But it's good stuff none the less.

4.16.2008

Fun with Craigslist

My favorite thing to do the last few months is to open up DC Cragislist and hit up 'RealEstate/ForSale' and type in 'bank owned' into the search. The results get better and cheaper with each passing month:
washington, DC craigslist > > real estate for sale: search for "bank owned"

Works pretty well for the SF area as well...what the hell is going on in Pittsburg/Antionch?? Bloodbath up in there....
s.f. bayarea craigslist > > real estate for sale: search for "bank owned"

3.31.2008

Thanks - Will be Here all Week

Heading to CTIA 08 in Vegas this afternoon. Staying at the Bellagio if anyone is around and wants a place to crash. : )

3.19.2008

Race in America

Did you expect something serious? This was too funny not to point out:

Black Guy Asks Nation For Change The Onion - America's Finest News Source

2.18.2008

Dumb dee Dumb

Many interesting points and frightening statistics in this article:

The Dumbing Of America - washingtonpost.com

2.07.2008

2007 Fave Albums

I did not 'consume' quite as much music in '07 as much as I caught up on a lot of the collecting I did over the last few years. I am up to about 131 Gigs which comes down to about 20,000 songs - which if played 24 hours a day would take just shy of 100 days to listen to. If one listens to 2 hours of music a day - well I basically will never be able to listen to all of the music I have - which is kind of a strange concept actually.

In '07 I did discover a few new gems though - bands that really impressed me - no easy feat mind you. A few off the top of my head:

The National: Boxer
These guys had been critical darlings for a few years - but were totally new to me. I stumbled up this album The Boxer and it has been in heavy rotation ever since. It's hard to describe the sound except to maybe say they have the lyrical poise of Dylan, the driving rhythms of early U2, the dusty tired sound of Springsteen. It is basically angsty, thoughtful, poetic music for the 30 something crowd. And that fit me just fine last year. Can't recommend this highly enough.
Opening Track: Fake Empire.mp3

Silversun Pickups: Carnavas
I am not sure what grabbed me so much here. It sounds like early era Pumpkins but a bit more melodic. The entire set is strong from start to finish. But it also contains what I would consider one of the most astounding pop singles I have heard in a while. Lazy Eye. And what a great title that is for a single.
Glorious Single: Lazy Eye.mp3

The Field: From Here We Go Sublime
Glitchy and meditative. It reminds me of driving through northern Scotland in drizzling rain. They are from Scotland so it sort of makes sense. To the untrained ear this will sound like trance at first pass - but it is actually a closer cousin to ambient. Sort of glitchy meditative ambient is what I would say. Everyone who has heard it in my car wants it. So it is catchy - but does not wear thin. Sublime indeed.
Cool Track: Over the Ice.mp3

and better late than never...
Radiohead: In Rainbows (props Naisan and pSlim for pushing me to listen)
How do they keep doing it? It still sounds like Radiohead - yet they always progress. And somehow they continue to sound like nothing else out there. A lot of jangly guitars that somehow create a melancholy mood. No one has done that so well since Reckoning era REM. Still some electronics - but the arrangements sound simple and lush at the same time. Did not know that was possible. Special mention to Weird Fishes Apregi which makes me want to cry.
Moving: WeirdFishesArpeggi.mp3

Also Better Late than Never - 2006's Honorable Mentions that Continue to Grow on me:
Junior Boys: So This is Goodbye
This is a fun album. Groovy beats and synths. Catchy melodies and changing moods. Got to give it up for the analog sounds.

Band of Horses: Everything all the Time
This band reminded me of My Morning Jacket when I first heard them. For those that this means nothing to - think sort of dreamy folky southern melancholic rock with reverb drenched vocals. This album does not get old. I actually forced myself to remove it from my car CD player this week.

Music continues to redeem and heal.

(Ariped, Naisan, Cyrus - bring your lists brothers!)

2.06.2008

Do the Hustle

This video of prisoners dancing is pretty astounding. Makes them all look like nice chaps actually.

"Do the Hustle" (The Dance)

(props D'manda )

1.29.2008

I am flying to Seattle right now. I think I might have to start mobile blogging. This is a test on my BB.

1.09.2008

There Will Be...

Come one come all and witness the power of THERE WILL BE BLOOD. If you are sick it shall heal - if you are downtrodden it shall lift you up.

I watched this last Thurs during what was for me a difficult time. For some reason the bleakness and stark nature of the film was a strange salve for me. Like giving Ritalin to a a hyperactive child I guess - more speed to slow you down - it improved my mood - and I never looked back.

The acting of Daniel Day Lewis is astounding. Local blogger DCist has a nice take over here: DCist: Out of Frame: There Will Be Blood

Go forth and be happy.

(all props Ed who took me to a free pre-release preview)

12.25.2007

Spirit of Season

Warriors' Stephen Jackson plays Santa for Oakland families

"The families have fallen on hard times and Christmas looks a little grim this year. There's a Christmas tree in the living room, but no presents under it. The adults chat, and the kids run around and scream at each other."

Let's all be happy for what we do have.

12.23.2007

Merry Merry

Paul McCartney really is pretty annoying and horrible. I had been leaning toward that position for some time - but after hearing his abomination of Christmas song a few times this year - you know the one that goes '...simply having...a wonderful Christmas time' where that trite little chorus repeats for about 10-15 unbearable refrains - my thoughts about him are confirmed.

Anyways - quite counter to that is one of my all time favorite Christmas tracks - one I recently dug up from the Pogues and had never seen the video for until now:

YouTube - Fairytale of New York

Coming in a close second is Christmas in Hollis

And to all a good night!

12.20.2007

Engrish

Those who have been around here long enough know that we were early fans of Engrish.Com. Even tried to make a submission after jPhresh went to Japan and had some great pics. Was just talking to a co-worker and funny enough her brother submitted the pic below after stumbling upon the sign at a local Korean market here in VA (i say here in VA cuz I work deep in VA and in case you did not know 'VA is for Lovers'). I guess this was right next to the Flounder which had been dubbed 'Rounder'

Happy Turkey Day

12.17.2007

Browser Wars

This is a great one. The Boy Genius Report has a story about a student who got busted at school for opening a strange program called 'firefox.exe' when he was supposed to be doing his work in Internet Explorer. The kid got detention for it. The note home makes me laugh.

Fiasco

If you check out CD Listening Parties this week you should be able to stream the new album by Lupe Fiasco. While listening I began to think a couple of you folks (Quinnee/pSlim) would especially like this album.

U Bore Me

Mashable has a nice Top 5 Websites of 2007 We’re Tired Of. Funny thing is they are amongst the people that wrote too much about those same sights. So it is really about the sites they bored us with.

12.14.2007

Can you Hear me now?

Since I am sort of building my 'story' around this space - this does my heart good:

The Year of the Cellphone - New York Times

I thought it was just me noticing this - but our lives are increasingly reliant on these little devices - for better or for worse.

12.10.2007

Mr. Scrooge

Watching this makes me feel kind of creepy. What do you think??

12.06.2007

No Comment

Sorry for those trying to leave comments - all 5 of you. The database/servers of my commenting software seem to be having issues. I might switch tech soon if this does not fix itself - because I realize how annoying it is. I may update the whole site at some point in the very new future since someone told me my site is getting a little long in the tooth (ahem). But you know - this design ethic has lasted a good 3 years - which is pretty amazing in web time - a testament to my subtle and refined style. Hahaha.

$55K for a Closet!?

closet size bedroom in my condo/equity deed:

Date: 2007-12-03, 8:26PM EST "$55000 closet size bedroom in my condo/equity deed - i am selling my walk in closet at my condo in bethesda,bathroom is included."

Indeed things are getting rough in housing when people are trying to sell their walk-in closets. This guy must be over his head with a resetting ARM and is thinking outside the box - or inside the closet. Let's see - buy someone's closet for $50K!? Um. No. You could by an RV and sleep in that and ultimately have more space and the freedom to drive your house around. I think that beats camping in someone's closet. You could probably pick up this 2000 Coachmen Santara MBS-3400 for about $45K and have 5K leftover for year's worth of gas. Hey this sounds fun.


This looks kinda fun.

12.04.2007

Sweet

Neil Diamond rocking Sweet Caroline in an unplugged type setting. This sort of made my day.

12.03.2007

Been a Long Time

Hey Kids. Sorry to let the site lapse for so long. I was trying to change hosts and launch a cool new site using Wordpress. Something strange happened on the way to the forum. I slacked.

Have not been totally wasting time though - in the last few months been spending a lot of time launching and tweaking a new website for the Baha'is of DC. Built this from the ground up - check it dcbahai.org.

Over the last month I have thought of so many witty and insightful things I have wanted to say. But now that I am here I am speechless. Oh well. Hopefully the muse arrives and there can be much rejoicing that seang.net is back in businesses. Or maybe like a tree falling the in the forest - no one will hear. Hope everyone had a great weekend...

9.18.2007

Ride the Slut

That is great. Almost like the joke my dad used to make about the Freemont Area Rapid Transit...ahem...

SLUT -- Streetcar's unfortunate acronym seems here to stay

Free Times Returns

I used to link a lot to the NY Times years back. Then they made a lot of content paid only. Looks like they are retreating from that idea. Cool.

Funny to see a NY Times article about the NY Times.

Times to Stop Charging for Parts of Its Web Site - New York Times

9.13.2007

I wonder if the Oasis boys went...

A Gaggle of Gallaghers!

9.06.2007

This site is not dead! Despite our best efforts to make it appear that way. We were mulling a makeover but it has taken longer than thought. Darkness spreads.

Enfant Terible

Interesting story in the NY Times and other papers this week:

More Children Being Treated for Bipolar Disorder - New York Times

I am not sure what that says about us and what the causes are. Are they diagnosing something that has been there all along. A 40 fold increase seems so steep. Is it something int he chemicals around us? Are mothers more stressed out? Is Baby Einstein screwing with children's heads? So many questions...

9.01.2007

Great Song Titles Mr. Kelly

There is something odd about this song list. If you read it from top to bottom...

1.The Champ" Swizz Beatz R. Kelly, co-produced by The Runners 1:50
2 "Double Up" Snoop Dogg R. Kelly, co-produced by Khao 4:48
3 "Tryin' to Get a Number" Nelly R. Kelly 3:47
4 "Get Dirty" Chamillionaire R. Kelly, co-produced by Mysto & Pizzi 3:56
5 "Leave Your Name" R. Kelly 3:27
6 "Freaky in the Club" R. Kelly 4:35
7 "The Zoo" R. Kelly 3:38
8 "I'm a Flirt (Remix)" T.I. & T-Pain Lil' Ronnie 5:30
9 "Same Girl" Usher R. Kelly, co-produced by Lil' Ronnie 4:13
10 "Real Talk" R. Kelly 3:01
11 "Hook It Up" Huey R. Kelly, 4:15
12 "Rock Star" Ludacris & Kid Rock R. Kelly 4:47
13 "Best Friend" Keyshia Cole & Polow Da Don R. Kelly 4:41
14 "Rollin'" R. Kelly 4:47
15 "Sweet Tooth" R. Kelly 2:50
16 "Havin' a Baby" R. Kelly 3:34
17 "Sex Planet" R. Kelly 5:35
18 "Rise Up" (Virginia Tech Memorial Tribute track) R. Kelly 3:31

I don't know after all the talk of freaky freakin' stuff the Memorial Tribute sounds funny to me. Oh R. Kelly you are walking mountain of contradictions...troubled genius you are...