Jay V’s Vidcast: Weekends
Here’s another of my strange projects. It’s called Jay V’s Vidcast, and this episode is entitled “Weekends.”
The reason I bring it up is because I was trying to figure out how to make the BB gun look more like a real gun when fired. A little article at Stormforce Productions helped me out immensely. The Desert Eagle sounds came from freesound.org, because it costs less than the website Stormforce suggested.
There’s a lot of other great information at Stormforce, in case you fancy yourself a filmmaker. Check it out for some fun.
1×09: Thanks, Black Friday
This week, Jay V talks about Twilight, Brady talks about Zack & Miri Make a Porno, and the two talk about Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and the top 13 horror movie kills, courtesy of Bloody-Disgusting.
Video: What Barry Says
Not only is this a very awesome visual, reminiscent of the new Call of Duty: World at War intro, but it’s quite a fascinating look into current world politics, relating capitalism and war.
Who loves capital letters?
Doris Nesswater of the Brown Spot does.
I LOVE CAPITAL LETTERS!11 I LOVE THE WAY THEY MAKE ME FEEL POWERFUL! I LOVE EXCLAMATION POINTS! THEY REALLY DRIVE IT HOME THAT I MEAN BUSINESS, AND I MEAN IT NOW!!1111 SOMETIMES, I JUST END UP WITH LONG STRINGS OF UNREADABLE SYMBOLS AFTERWARD BECAUSE I HOLD THE KEY DOWN SO LONG, BUT I THINK THAT’S JUST ME ONE-UPPING THE COMPETITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111!1ELEVENT
Read on at the Brown Spot, your source for satire, in Chicago and beyond.
Twilight sequel?
According to M&C, Twilight,the Smeyer drivel-turned #1 movie of the weekend, is getting a sequel. Smeyer’s second book, New Moon, has been announced. I also found out that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was bumped back from its scheduled November 21 release to July 19, 2009. That would have severely hampered Twilight’s reign, I’m sure, and though I do not care about either film, that Twilight is #1 on a technicality is a tragedy.
I am not writing anything about this travesty because I plan on finding time on this week’s podcast for it. If not, I will have to bring it to you on the blog. But know this, earth fans, the world is a sad place today.
A sad place, indeed.
The XBOX Experience is New
When attempting to review the poorly named New XBOX Experience the easy thing would be to call it a blatant rip-off of the Wii. On first glance those accusations would be accurate, from the avatars to the “channel” system it certainly looks like a Wii rip-off. However after having played around with it for the past few days I can gladly say that there is far more substance to the NXE than one would think.
1×08: Movies and Beer
More than just a movies and beer episode, but Brady and Jay V delve more into their offline lives; Jay V makes a public apology, and a big announcement.
New XBox LIVE Experience!
Our best video game writer, Chris, will be writing a little something about Microsoft’s latest development, NXE, aka the New XBox Experience, for the XBox 360. In the meantime, TG Daily has their own first impression. Their impression is a little more positive than mine, because while I like the new look, I was used to the old one, and currently still prefer the old 2D-panel design. Plus, avatar creation seems like a direct ripoff of the Nintendo Wii. It is my favorite addition, as I really only wanted the Wii so I can make my own avatars. Mine looks like Conan O’Brien.
Let’s just kick back and see what Chris has to say, though. He matters more than TG Daily. His article is slated to appear both on About 12 Minutes as well as his own blog, kariyanine.com.
New: GMail Themes!
Anybody who’s anybody knows that GMail had released themes to customize your screen as you see fit! I already applied the Ninja theme to mine and can’t wait to see how it reacts to the cold, the heat, the snow, and the rain!
There are people out there who think the themes are quite terrible, but personally I like the personalization.
Obama won – and this is late
This was written on Election Day.
I am truly proud to be an American (U.S.) today. When I went to the voting booth, and I hit the green VOTE button, I almost got choked up, thinking that THIS election was going to be memorable, historical, exciting–and the results met all of my expectations. This was the first presidential election where I was truly behind a mainstream candidate, and it was the first presidential election where the person I voted for WON.
I don’t care that Obama was born in Hawai’i to a black father and a white mother. I don’t care what Obama’s ethnic background is. I don’t care what Obama looks like. I voted for Obama because I believed in his politics, and, quite frankly, I’m a big supporter of hope.
Unfortunately, there was a time (and, sadly, there still is a time) when people cared about whether someone was white or black or Asian or Hispanic or Native American or Other. Whenever I talk about racial issues with my students, I give them random scenarios like, “Would it be nice if you were mean to me simply because I was short?” or “Would it make sense if you decided you didn’t like me because I have green eyes?” Kids are great though. I’ve worked at two schools, and it seems like kids are not prejudiced these days. It seems like they understand that if they aren’t going to like someone, it is going to be because of someone’s personality, and not his or her appearance or background.
Let’s hope that the world is changing for the better. Tonight, I watched The Secret Life of the Bees, a movie where a black woman was beaten because she wanted to register to vote in the mid-1900s. Today, Obama was elected president. I don’t want to paraphrase Obama’s speech, but it’s true that the country has come a long way. That does not deny the fact that there is more that needs to be done. Homosexual rights and women’s rights need to exist. There are many healthcare, environmental, fairtrade, and FDA concerns that need to be addressed. I don’t know what is going to happen, but I do feel that Obama will do a good job.
Likewise, I hope that McCain does a good job as well. I hope that he joins the cast of Saturday Night Live. To all of the McCain supporters out there, I mean no disrespect to him by saying that. I really like him and respect him as a person, a hero, and as an actor. The man has determination, loyalty, and talent. I didn’t support his politics, end of story.
Italian Murder Mystery
http://www.marieclaire.com/world/articles/italian-exchange-student-murder?click=main_sr
I like this article for it’s change of point of view. I’m not sure who did what in this story, but they all deserve fair trials and punishment if truly guilty of doing something wrong. It’s a waste for an innocent person to go to jail and a guilty person to be set free. I’m thinking of writing the ambassador to tell him that much.
Giovanni Castellaneta,
Ambassador of Italy to the U.S.,
Embassy of Italy
3000 Whitehaven Street,
N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008
Digital TV and Why I Hate It
Local news fails to cover all of their stories in enough detail, leaving their viewers the opportunity to learn more online. I don’t have a problem with obtaining more information online, but I do have a problem with the amount of time they waste after nearly every story telling their viewers to gather more information online. That time could have been spent sharing the rest of the information, because, face it, not everyone has access to the Internet. Or they could just say at the end of every episode that their viewers can go online and learn more.
I hate Digital TV because there are people who do not have a new TV that is Digital Ready. Why the government decided to force the citizens to obtain Digital-ready TVs or Digital Cable is beyond me. There are people who looked forward to watching TV on their old black and white boxes or their old TV with an antenna attached. It doesn’t seem fair to make these people go out and buy new TVs –OR BE LEFT WITHOUT ACCESS TO A TV. This is ridiculous. There’s an economic crisis going on. People are losing their jobs. People are struggling to pay their rents and have enough to eat, and now the government may be taking away their entertainment.
I have two TVs that are digital ready, but the old TVs will be thrown out soon. What a waste. If anyone knows of a place that would like to recycle old TVs, let me know.
Caffination Bumper
Jay v recorded a short bumper for Puzzle Piece’s Caffination podcast. Let’s now see if he uses it!
Caffination — the podcast dedicated to all things technology- and coffee-related — is one of Jay V’s favorite podcasts, though listening to the show on those long drives to and from work is sometimes annoying because Jay V can never remember to check out the great items mentioned on the show.
Another of Jay V’s favorite podcasts is The Moth Podcast.
15 Minutes and Redesign
Every time I have to watch Robert De Niro die in 15 Minutes I get all emotional, like the real Bobby D just got offed by some Eastern Europeans. Eddie Burns shedding a tear doesn’t help, either.
Robert De Niro has been in so many of my favorite movies. The Godfather: Part II. Goodfellas. Casino. Heat†. Ronin. Meet the Parents (but not its sequel). Cop Land, Brazil, The Score. 15 Minutes was the first movie where I went emo at his death scene.
I guess this is what happens when I blog while watching movies. Also, since About 12 Minutes is still finding its identity, we will probably be going through some site redesigns in the near future. Stay tuned, guys.
If you ever have anything exciting to say, call our hotline at (206) 203-4079 and say something exciting!
Today, Wall-E and Tropic Thunder are released on DVD. Not so good news, so is the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.
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† Incidentally, Heat is reported as “in production” for a next-gen video game, releasing in 2009, with Alpa Chino, Bobby D, and Val Kilmer reprising their original roles.
Prop 8
Marriage. Say what you want about the definition of marriage; it did not begin as a way for men and women to increase the population of the world. It began as an institution to basically enslave women. (Visit the Emlen Physic Estate in Cape May for further details). What can I say; I’m a romantic. While remnants of the forced marriage era still linger (think: name changes), fortunately the institution of marriage evolved, in most countries, into a public display of love and dedication of one man and one woman from now to eternity or until the legal system deems them apart.
Some say this eternity is meant to be spent with children. There are many men and women who get married without the intention having children. Some don’t want them. Some can’t have them. Some have no desire to adopt them. And some simply can’t afford them. Fortunately for them, according to my Bible of Dictionaries, Merriam Webster does not mention children in its definition of marriage. In fact (and I believe this is recent because I look up this word often), m-w.com added same-sex marriages in its definition. This is not surprising because, if you can add bootylicious to a dictionary, is it really hard to add a little number (2) to an existing definition?
Dark Chocolate is good for you
I used to really dig milk chocolate. Or, maybe, I just liked it. Especially Whachamacallits and Snickers. Milk chocolatey goodness, wrapping peanuts and nougat and caramel and any variety of nommy confectionaries. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Whoever invented peanut butter and milk chocolate should be hailed as a God! White chocolate? Ick. Dark chocolate? Not as much ick, but still, ick. It was too much . . . chocolate. Milk chocolate was where the money was, and Milk chocolate was the best kind of chocolate! I mean, it had milk, right? So it had to be good for you!
Then my friend Lys said dark chocolate is good for you. She said she loved the stuff. Couldn’t get enough of it. If she were stranded on a desert island (I almost typed dessert) with only coffee and dark chocolate, I bet she’d be fine.
So I tried some dark chocolate one day. The chocolate store at the mall had dark chocolate truffles. I picked one up …
Uncyclopedia Sunday: Your Mom
Every so often I will bring you an entry from Uncyclopedia, the world’s foremost leader in misinformation next to Wikipedia (which, I hear, is supposed to be legit). This week’s entry comes from reader and girlfriend Vanessa in Pittsburgh, PA, who tells a lot of “Your Mom” jokes, also covered in the article. You’ll be hearing a lot from her.
Your Mom, Born approx. 30 years before you were (15 for trailer trash), is a well known parent and parental figure, celebrated for her dedication to keeping you out of R-rated movies, calling just to “check up on you”, and whoring herself on the streets like a Taiwanese prostitute. Despite a “lack of credibility” most likely caused by said sluttery, your mom is always there to do your laundry, include love as an ingredient in her recipe, or crush you with her massive gravitational pull.
Read more about Your Mom at Uncyclopedia.
Demise of the iPod?
Content Quake has a story about the iPod that has me sad. Granted, it’s two months old, but I just found the site. CQ says that because of the cell phones that can double as MP3 players—proven, ironically, by Apple’s iPhone—the iPod is no longer necessary.I don’t really want to get an iPhone. But, I will be sad when Apple announces they will no longer be making iPods. I still whip out the old 2G, 20GB iPod, when it’s been charged, and go for a round of bad music. I’m so glad it doesn’t have the stuff from the 90’s. What was I thinking, listening to bad techno music? I must have gotten in with the Azn crowd, I guess.The most exciting part of the CQ article, to me, is the mention of hard drives in cars to play all your MP3s. That would be totally sweet.
1×07: Solo II
Brady is feeling uninspired, so instead we play Rock Band all night and don’t record. And then Jay V puts together a show that includes planets, DVDs, and Paula (for those who don’t read the blog).
All Things Lindsay Lohan
I kind of feel bad looking at this site. Wait, scratch that. I feel VERY bad looking at the site.
I suppose the rest of Content Quake isn’t all that bad, but they could have at least picked out better celebrities to follow.
A Tale of Two Paulas
More news from the Hollywood Land! Paula Abdul (pictured, left) had an obsessed fan named Paula Goodspeed. The thirty-year old wannabe American Idol contestant was shot down on the show, and next thing you know, she’s overdosing in front of Abdul’s home.
ABC News reports, and I commentate. I sit here wondering how one can be so messed up in the head that she would die in front of Paula Abdul’s own house.
Sansa MP3 Player
On 28 October 2008, woot was selling the model m240 mp3 player. It’s small, plastic, a child’s toy. It was 2for Tuesday, so I got two, one in silver and one in pink. I ordered them because they were cheap and were a voice recorder. When it arrived today (two weeks later) I popped out the silver one and immediately went to work. It has an FM radio and stopwatch built in, too. The package came with tiny USB cables, and earbuds that look too big for my ears, let alone my niece’s, but on a quick check of the voice recording function seems like it was a worthy cheap-buy. It only takes one AAA battery and can run for 18 continuous hours. It’s easy to use and tiny.
Amazon has it for sale at its original retail price of $99.99, and CNET reviews it, listing the same price. This thing feels like a twenty-dollar item. Though the sound quality, I’m sure, is not that wonderful, it will do for podcasting.
I’m glad I got this Sansa m240. Now I can record interviews and such. I’m also glad I didn’t accidentally pop open the pink one.
I’m Beginning to Believe
I’ve waited for a very long time for this, not my whole life like some people but for almost half of my life. It’s been a long road and I began to lose hope many, many times but the signs keep getting bigger that it is truly coming.
What I am talking about is the long awaited opus by Axl Rose, Guns N’ Roses long awaited album of new material. Every original member except for Axl is gone, most people don’t even consider the band Axl has assembled to be Guns N’ Roses anymore but still I have patiently waited. I was ecstatic in 1999 when Axl released “Oh My God” on the End of Days soundtrack as a precursor to the actual album releasing (of course then I heard the song and felt he should maybe head back to the studio). Then I was ecstatic when he re-appeared, with his new lineup at the MTV Awards, all signs pointed to the album releasing. Of course he then caused a riot in my hometown and the tour was called off, as were the imaginary plans to release the album.
I was beginning to think that this day would actually never come but then he released “Shackler’s Revenge” in Rock Band 2 (not the best track in retrospect but something new). Then it was “If the World” during the end credits of the Ridley Scott film, “Body of Lies”. I began to hope again. Best Buy put up a pre-order page and this past Sunday iTunes put one up as well, complete with the first single “Chinese Democracy” (again not the best track but not bad).
