Passion Pit

Just got into a new band.  I like it a lot.  

Its called Passion Pit, and it started life as  one guy's valentine's day mixed tape for his girlfriend.  That mixed tape got him a record deal.

Its hard to exlpain the music...  its like MGMT meets Vampire Weekend meets Postal Service meets the Shins meets Beirut.   Like all those bands?  Go check out Passion Pit.  watch at least until 1:20 when the serious synth kicks in...

whats even more impressive is that they can pull this off live:

Swim for your life*

One of my favorite bands is having an open call for artwork featuring the word/theme of "Swim" for their upcoming music video of the song of the same name.    I'm going to submit something.

*edit*  Something like this:  

or this:

nope.  I'll send all three, but I think this will be the one with a "chance."

A much deserved holiday

After all the.... hulabaloo of the last two graduation commencement speeches that BO has made, his most recent address at the Annapolis Naval Academy was a nice contrast. No protestors, no fuss about honorary degrees... just an inspirational speech and excited grads.

John McCain's son happened to be one of the graduating cadets. McCain and his wife were in the crowd as well. Not only were there no protests or booing or hecklers - the place erupted when Jack McCain (John S. McCain IV) walked across the stage to receive his diploma. Obama gave Jack a big smile and a few words along with a clap on the shoulder while the place went nuts for the Jack and John both. Its a great clip, I'm sure its on the net somewheres.

Smoke, Lies, and Cigarettes

An appeals court upheld a prior decision that US tobacco companies (including Phillip Morris) were guilty of lying about health risks of smoking. The ruling could result in a permanent ban of labels such as "low tar" and "light." The point being - while it may be 'lighter' than other cigarettes, they'll still kill ya. No word on whether it will be appealed again or what kind of staying power this ruling will have, but I'm just excited about the trend in the US to call out Big Tobacco for the evil lying bastards they are. I'm not saying people shouldn't be able to smoke, I'm just saying that it needs to be regulated WAY more than it is. Any other product specifically designed to addict you wouldn't last 2 weeks on the shelves but because there's so much $$$ to be made..... we turn the other way. Yet growing a plant with zero arsenic (rat poison) and ammonia artificially added is grounds for time in federal prison - which all of us have to pay for.

Again - I'm not saying "legalize pot" or "ban cigarettes," I'm just sick of the blatant and widespread hypocrisy in this country on the subject. I'm just asking for an honest discussion here.

Read about the ruling on BBC

Adele

I'll bet you've heard the song "Chasing Pavements" by the brit singer Adele.  Her whole album is solid, but I was instantly sold on her when I saw her perform live on some late-night show.  She's got an Amy Winehouse-type retro pop voice that is so smokey and mature that it sounds like you pulled her right out of Motown.   Her voice is one of the hottest voices I've heard in a while (I'm looking at you Xtina...)    She also writes all her own music.  Impressive.  I also dig her look - which is just being herself.   Keep on doin' what ya do, Adele.   

When we fall...

In case of outbreak...

Apparently I've been practicing for this outbreak for the past year or two without even knowing about it...

Fair and UnBalanced

I love to hate FOX news. Its just because they're so biased, then pretend like they're not biased. Their tag line "Fair and Balanced" couldn't be farther from the truth. I mean, I get that every reporter, every station has a certain level of personal bias - its just that FOX is so blatant about it.

For example - remember the NYC fly-over from a few posts back? FOX news SLAMMED the administration and Obama in particular for this mistake. Even today, here's how they quoted Obama's response:

"It was a mistake, as was stated ... and it will not happen again."

Here's the actual quote: "It was a mistake, as was stated. It was something we found out about along with all of you, and it will not happen again."

Nice, FOX. Obviously he didn't know about it, or it wouldn't have happened. Way to make sure your conservative viewership continues to think he somehow personally signed off on it.

to the jerkoffs @ Fox - STOP TRYING TO MAKE NEWS AND JUST REPORT IT.

Stick to shows like 90210, Fox. Leave the intelligent programs to intelligent stations.

Plateaus and Pentatonics

My brother used the phrase "breaking out of your plateau" once when we were lifting during my freshman year of high school. I remember thinking about how fitting of a euphemism that was at the time. He was talking about the times that it feels like you just aren't making any gains in your lifting despite consistently working out. Not seeing improvement even though you're putting the time in. Then, one day, you notice that you've suddenly jumped up 2 notches. Its almost odd how you've forgotten how it feels to experience improvement and that rush comes back the same each time.

I'd been in a serious playing plateau lately, and feel like I just broke out of it in the past few days. I've been focusing on the positions/ boxes/ patterns/ scales/ shapes/ whatever you want to call them- that I don't use very often. This guy in particular is sweet, and I need to use him more. Minor Pentatonic Scale - Position "3" or "C" shape:

a hint at my next project