Quickies - Booooooo-yah Edition

Windows Media Classic - a media player which is modelled after the lightweight Windows Media Player 6.4 from MS but adds more features and has none of the crap (skins, viz plugins, DRM, etc) that the later versions have.

Terribly interesting article/interview with physicists about how advanced civilization can really get.

Kash over at Angry Bear takes a look at Sam Alito, the latest Supreme Court nominee, by looking at the opinion he wrote regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act and the subsequent overtuning of his decision made by the court.

Song of the day (week?) is Been Robbed by Consequence featuring Mike Jones (Who?!?) and can be found over at Fluxblog.

Filed in: quickies

Fitting Tribute

Apple revived its Think Different theme to honor the passing of Rosa Parks. Even though this campaign makes my mother, a teacher and world class "grammar hammer", crazy because it should be "Think Differently", I thought it was genius marketing.

Filed in: tribute rosaparks brands ads apple

My Halloween Costume

For Halloween I plan on being a 27 year old who freely excercises bad judgement and inappropriate behavior and displays a penchant for awesomedosing all while dressed as a ninja.

Filed in: halloween weekend

Fun with eBay AdSense

eBay - Handjob
Originally uploaded by merlinmann.


Merlin Mann of 43Folders is collecting funny eBay AdSense ads in this Flickr set. (via Kottke)

Filed in: funny marketing

PGA to rotate Western Open Through Midwest!?!

I am not going to argue that the PGA Tour needs to do something about their schedule to keep the Tour financially secure and increase the return for both TV and its sponsors who are taking huge losses from their participation in golf. There has been a lot of talk about changes in both the length and the structure of the season which starts in late January and officially ends two weekends from now with the Tour Championship. The biggest rumor being talked about is a move to a NASCAR-like playoff which 3 events being played after the PGA Championship in the New York, Boston and Chicago markets and concluding at the Tour Championship sometime in the middle of September.

This sounds cool and many of the players including Tiger and Phil have talked publicly about shortening the schedule so that the PGA Tour isn't going up against the NFL and the strength of the fields would increase. The one thing I have a problem with is proposed changes to Western Open which has been played in the Chicagoland area forever. The Tribune picked up on this story from Golf World and added that this might cause the Western Open to be rotated around the Midwest.

The Western's slot likely would be after Labor Day week. The Tour, however, might seek to rotate future Westerns among other venues in addition to Chicago, such as St. Louis, Indianapolis and Minneapolis.

The Western has been staged at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont since 1991. Western Open officials, meanwhile, have explored the possibility of keeping the tournament in the Chicago area but alternating sites each year among several local courses, including Cog Hill.

While I am taking all this with a grain of salt since nothing official has been announced, it makes me nervous that Chicago might lose the oldest PGA Tour event held and might be left without a Tour stop due to a shortened schedule (admittedly highly unlikely given the market size and support of the Western).

Filed in: sports golf business pgatour

The Black Keys

The Black Keys
Originally uploaded by CATFM.

The buzz machine was humming about The Black Keys coming off their Austin City Limits set in late September and I have to say I've been pretty impressed. This two man band from Akron have a great raw sound that translates very well to live performances as the mp3's from ACL show. Their sound is gritty, raw, and bluesy. Check these tracks out if you are growing tired of depressing emo indie shit and then buy Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory because they are your new favorite band.

Recommended Tracks:
Thickfreakness (Live @ ACL)[mp3] (follow link)
She Said --> Have Love Will Travel (Live @ ACL)[mp3] (follow link)

The entire set available in mp3 at CallMeMickey

Filed in: blackkeys music recommended mp3

LP Chad

Hilarious send up of the LP Trixie counterpart the LP Chad. Creative, well written, and VERY funny.

Filed in: lpchad chicago satire parody funny

Message from the Fun Police about Halloween

Ladies, what ever you do this Halloween, do not listen to this person.

Filed in: halloween funpolice

Inconceivably Stupid: C&D Letter to The Onion

The President has sent a cease and desist order to The Onion.

"It is inconceivable that anyone would think that, by using the seal, The Onion intends to 'convey... sponsorship or approval' by the president," wrote Rochelle H. Klaskin, the paper's lawyer, who went on to note that a headline in the current issue made the point: "Bush to Appoint Someone to Be in Charge of Country."

Let's be serious. With this White House is it really that inconceivable?

Filed in: stupid theonion

Danger Mouse

The fact that these two DVD sets have been released make me happy.

Filed in: dangermouse dvd cartoons

WS 2005

It really looks like the Sox can do no wrong in this World Series. They are doing all the things necessary to win a championship: getting incredible starting pitching, stellar defensive play, clutch hitting, and most importantly capitalizing on breaks. Frankly, for a series which is expected to get terrible ratings, these have been exciting games with a lot of drama.

I can't wait to read all the bitching by the fans and media about how the Astros got screwed by the phantom hit-by-pitch. Do they forget the Oscar worthy performance Lance Berkman put on versus the Cubs when he faked getting hit in the head by a pitch? This wouldn't even be that big an issue if Konerko didn't bang that Chad Qualls meatball into the bleachers.

As a diehard Cubs fan this pains me. I usually don't even concern myself with the White Sox and frankly don't really care about the team (which I think is the #1 thing that frustrates White Sox fans) but this is a Chicago thing and we take care of our own. Go Sox.

Filed in: worldseries baseball sports

Free Wilco EP Available for Download

Wilco has posted the bonus CD included in the Austrailian vesion of YHF online at their website. They also have posted a 4 song preview of their DVD release Kicking Television. Can't wait to see that as I was at the first night of the shows they filmed.

Ftp link to the full 30Mb Zip file here'

Filed in: wilco bands music

Ugh. The So Busy Edition of Quickies.

Extremely busy week so far with school and work which does exactly jive with my passion to get as little sleep as possible on weekends.

Quick recap from last weekend...
Bears D was shaky early but locked it down and got it done. They are filthy in the red zone only allowing 3 yards per play, causing 3 turnovers and only allowing 1 TD.

Apparently the O realized they have a TE on the roster and even found him for a couple TD's. The offense is struggling still but looked suprising well in the red zone. Thomas Jones has really stepped up this year (4.6 yards/carry and 6 TDs including a sweet 24 yard scamper last weekend) and is making a serious bid at a Pro Bowl spot. Amazing what drafting someone at your position at the top of the first round will do for your production.

The NFC North is pretty awful right now but I think the Bears stand the best chance of winning it because they have the best defense. Also, thanks to my man B, I am probably going to end up going to the Ravens game this weekend.

Wolf Parade was excellent on Friday night and I really enjoy Schuba's for a concert venue.

And on to the Quickies...
Check out this awesome Sears Tower model made out of Jenga blocks (via boingboing)

Couple of Death Cab articles here and here. The Onion AV Club article is really good and has Chris Walla giving a shout-out to SofaKing fav Laura Viers.

Online gambling site Bodog.com has put odds on the first NBA player to get fined for violating the leagues dress code. No big suprise that A.I. is the heavy favorite. (via oddjack)

Third new Strokes track 15 Minutes of Pain leaked and available on the internets. Get the details at stereogum.

First night of the Decemberists two night set in Chicago is here in FLAC format. I was at the second night and supposedly both nights were recorded. Review to follow.

Jenny Lewis, indie-music hottie and Rilo Kiley front woman, talks to MTV about her upcoming solo album. One of the tracks included is a cover of The Traveling Wilburys Handle with Care which features Ben Gibbard and Conor Oberst. Can't wait to hear that.

Filed in: quickies weekend music nfl

Oh my god it is Fri-turday!

Well, well, well. What do we have here. Another weekend is upon us and it is going to be go time in a couple hours. Here's how it looks to unfold.

Stopping down to see Tim and the Hawkettes at his club for lunch which might get blurred into happy hour. Nothing big planned for the early evening before I go and check out Wolf Parade at Schuba's for the late show.

Saturday I am planning to trade in football, jager bombs, and burger baskets for a little culture, wine, and sushi because my liver and I haven't exactly been on the best terms lately.

I have to pass, as much as it pains me, on playing golf on Sunday since I am hitting the ball so well right now but I have good reason. Bears vs. ViQueens. My first game this year and I am looking forward to it. After that I have to get my hustle on down to my parents place for my Dad's birthday party. Good times.

And do yourself a favor.
Go. Read. Phat. Phree. Now!

Filed in: weekend

the Phat Phree

I am really, really enjoying the Phat Phree these days and I think the writing is better and has been more consistent than The Onion lately.

Check out today's stories on Lawn Games and the "news feature" titled Fat Girl Quietly Hustled Out Back Door. Genius.

Filed in: funny satire recommended

File this one under duh...

No additional commentary needed on this one.

via fark.

Filed in: duh crazyeuros sex

Death Cab Show...Meh.

[2005.10.13] Set list from last night's Deathcab show
Originally uploaded by feralgoat.

Fairly disappointed by the Death Cab show tonight. All the elements were in place for a great show: eager crowd, decent sounding venue, excellent mix and a band that is able to translate everything that works on their albums and add a little something extra to their live sets but alas the show never really got going and in fact stalled in a few places.

Admittedly, DCFC deals with loss, heartbreak, sadness and with brooding melodies and introspective lyrics but the entire catalog isn't completely bleak or devoid of catchy hooks. Tonight's setlist was both save for Crooked Teeth (why wasn't this the first single?!?) and Marching Bands of Manhattan . The "dance" song The Sound of Settling which was meant to get the crowd riled prior to the encore was a little too late and average at best.

I probably wouldn't be as disappointed at the show if they didn't sound really good tonight musically and if I hadn't seen them perform a lot in the past. Hey, they're on the road constantly and everyone has an off night but I can't help but feel that the setlist choices tonight hurt what could have been a great show.

Highlights:
Marching Bands of Manhattan
Crooked Teeth
Tiny Vessels

Filed in: shows reviews deathcab dcfc

ViQueens Know How to Party

Even though I absolutely hate the team, I will admit to having a hard time thinking about something that I wouldn't give up to have been on these Minnesota Viking party boats during their bye week. This whole ordeal couldn't come at a better time since the beloved play the Vikings this weekend in the Chi. Big ups to my man B for hooking me up with a seat.

Filed in: funny sports awesome

Saudade

I am pretty sure this is what it sounds like...

Lyon
Pinback off their self-titled album.

I'm headed to the ditch
To take my fifteenth leap
Gonna be out of touch
Once I carry our legs
Backward sweeps the tide

I'd take you to the bridge
But the bridge has seen better days.
I'd take you out to the park.
We don't know who's working there tonight.

Pave the way for the Manta-Ray
Pave the way for the Manta-Ray

I wish that you were here
We'd have a tea party to celebrate
Drive a cop car into the lake
Hold our breath for two long boring days

Pave the way for the Manta-Ray
Pave the way for the Manta-Ray

Sometimes wish there was a slide out my window.
Sometimes wish there was a flume ride at Wonderland.
That way, no one's gonna steal your wallet
Buried in the sand under your blanket.

Move her out of that hot burning sun.

And I'll take you, take you with me.
to the deep end....

S-K brings it

Quickie about the Sleater-Kinney concert last week.

At some point I suppose I'll stop being surprised at how great their shows are. I am amazed at the confidence, tightness and energy that they have as a band. It is hard not to marvel at a band that is operating at the top of their game. The setlist was a treat and included a few suprises like the Fortunate Son cover in the encore and a personal favorite of mine One Beat.

Favorites:
Jumpers
What's Mine Is Yours
Let's Call It Love -> Entertain
Fortunate Son (CCR Cover)

picture via 5500's flickr stream

Filed in: shows reviews sleater-kinney

Greatest. Energy. Drink. Evar!

I have a strong suspicion that this weekend will be sponsored in part by Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt Energy Drink.

I happened to be involved in intense mortal combat and an extreme situation requiring ultimate energy last weekend during the all-day tailgate bender and something just didn't feel right. I clearly was missing this.

Features:
* 100% Pure Steven Seagal Juice
* Designed for intense mortal combat or any extreme situation requiring ultimate energy
* Can has Steven Seagal’s face on it (who could ask for more!?!)

Filed in: energydrink funny consume culture awesome

Quickies

Apparently Chocolate Milk == Gatorade in terms of sport drink performance.

Fortune write up of Jay-Z as a CEO. via prefixblog

Deadspin, which is quickly becoming a daily read, has a link filled post about the Sports Guy.

MF Doom and RZA have a track out that is tight. The track is a part of a project billed as "Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture". Can't wait.

Filed in: quickies mfdoom jayz science food

Quickies

The Denver Airport suspends employee access to CBS Sportsline because of a huge spike in traffic to the fantasy football pages during NFL games. via oddjack

Funny parody about The President's incredible gifts when it comes to public speaking.

Michelle Wie inks deals with Nike (~$4 to $5 million) and Sony (multimillions) and turns pro.

Some reports on how Bill Self is going after Chicago recruits and prying them away from the ol' ILL.

(Photo above is Kyle Orton at the Union Bar in Iowa City courtesy of deadspin.com)

Filed in: quickies

New Strokes

The Strokes have a new album coming out by the end of the year and a few tracks have surfaced on the internets. Juice Box is slated to be released in November as the first single off their third album tenatively titled First Impressions of Earth. While I like Juice Box, I like You Only Live Once much better.

heads up via: stereogum.

Juice Box [MP3] (follow link)
You Only Live Once [MP3] (follow link)

Filed in: music strokes

So awesome it hurts

Where to start? This weekend had a little bit of everything and a whole lot of awesome.

I still haven't fully recovered physically and I don't really think that I want to recount all the antics and stories here other than to say it was a defining football Saturday in my tailgate career. Yes, I am a few years removed from college. No, that isn't pathetic. Really. It isn't.

There was a positive to come from this weekend. The bike I found in the middle of the street on Iowa Avenue (I think) and rode back to Tim's mom's house at about 3:30 am was returned to the owner who abandoned the bike because he himself was so drunk. No harm, no foul. Go Hawks.

Filed in: weekend awesome