Leonard Cohen - Friday night music

Leonard Cohen, the ultimate songwriter. What can one say about a songwriter where every one he writes is a gem, some better than others, but never a bad one.
So to help you through the long weekend here is a great taste of Leonard.
First let's take a listen to Closing Time.


Here's Leonard with U2 from the movie I'm Your Man, if you haven't seen it, why?
Anyway here is the great
Tower of Song.


From the Dear Heather album, the delightful Because of.

And our last selection today Dance me to the end of love.


7-25-2011 Three of these had to be replaced, see if you can guess which.

Lewis Black - Homeland Security

Lewis Black discusses homeland security, time to get shares in duct tape.

Singing in the Rain - restored by George Lucas

Forget Ted Turner and his colorization phase. Digital restoration of classic movies by contemporary directors, with additional story is the way to go. So here we have the trailer for the new digital version of Singing in the Rain Force. George Lucas is the master.

All hail the Firefox God

If you are using Firefox, and who isn't these days, it would behove you to mosey on over and check out the Firefox God at Mashable there will surely be something there of use to you. There are add-ins and tools for virtually anything you desire. If you don't install at least one of them, I'm afraid you are already brain dead. Go ahead, enjoy.

Tim Minchin - Inflatable You

Tim Minchin sings his love song to an inflatable doll, hilarious. Also a song we should all be singing every day to try and help with the global warming problem. Canvas Bags.

Then there is his awesome Peace Anthem For Palestine.

You can also check out his version of a real song, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

Beer Commercials are the best

It strikes me that as a rule the best commercials are for Beer. They always seem to have something funny going in them. I liked this one for Stella Artois.

Now this Guinness ad is not funny, just awesome.

Of course then there is the Big Ad for Carlton Draught which was so popular last year. And this year there Carlton Draught came up with the Flashdance commercial.
Then there is the clearly macabre humor from England like this one for Greene King IPA.

Finally one more Guinness commercial for today, Pure Genius.

Mormon Rap

The Real Mormon Rap by DJ RMP. I didn't see this on Big Love, they is all country music and stuff. But gotta love that show, hope it is coming back for another season, I just want to see Albie get his.

Doing the Hulu Hulu

Coming soon to the internet a new website. Hulu, where they will be showing video's I'm assuming from various cable and broadcast networks. More grist for the mill that is public demand. Go there and sign up to become a beta subscriber (it's free of course or I wouldn't suggest it).

Opening Champagne with a sword

I'm sure this is something you always wanted to try, I know I did. But until now you probably weren't sure how to go about it. So here, step by step, is a wonderful way to impress your paramour. Welcome to the wonderful world of Le Saberage.

VideoJug: How To Open A Bottle Of Champagne With A Sword

2.5 Buck chuck

I don't know if this is faked, or how it could be. But it is an impressive skill or trick. The guy chucks ten quarters onto a table and they bounce once and end up in 10 different shot glasses. I'm impressed, not something I'd try unless I had just emptied all ten of said shot glasses with tequila.

Thanks Jimmy

Jimmy Kimmel explains the answer to the question that Miss South Carolina gave. You know the one that has been on every blog in the world since it came out. It has had a gazillion hits and will probably end up number one for the year. But Jimmy explains very succinctly what her intention of meaning was to be. Thanks again Jimmy, one request. Keep doing your late night show, but that other show Set for Life fugheddaboutit.

glumbert.com - Jimmy Kimmel explains Miss Teen South Carolina

One man's art

One man's art is another man's pornography?? What's that? Jonathan Yeo was commissioned to do a portrait of Dubyah, then someone canceled. Mr Yeo decided to continue the project on his own, now some are calling it pornography. That in a nutshell is what this little storm in a teacup is all about. You be the judge.

Global Warming and Burning Man

Someone tried to start the Burning Man burning a few days earlier than scheduled. Doesn't he look happy with his fifteen minutes of fame!
Then there is some serious global warming warning. Check out the co-anchors face at the end. This is from Fairfax, Alaska. And they should know.

I'm working with a new video feed, ClipsSyndicate, very interesting. Still learning the ropes on it, so this is why these two items ended up in the same post.

Swell Cartoon

I'm sure they said "Swell" back in 1951 when Tex Avery made his "Symphony in Slang" cartoon. Although many of the expressions are dated it should not distract from your enjoyment. Look out for the cat.

Awesome Sculptures

This is the work of Ron Mueck that was shown at at The National Gallery, London. then subsequently shown at the Brooklyn Museum, November 3, 2006–February 4, 2007. If it comes to a town near you, go see it. It is the ultimate realism in the art world. Simply the best.

This video contains some representational nudity. Adult discretion is advised..

Run, Fatboy, Run

Here's the trailer for what looks like a hilarious movie coming soon to a multiplex near you. Starring Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton, Dylan Moran and Hank Azaria (Bring back Huff!!).
"Women remember that stuff." lol

A single thread - Ignition

In our Monday strange music section check out Ignition played on the Igil which is a folk instrument from the country of Tuva, traditionally played acoustically and used to accompany Throat Singing. Here it is accompanied by some digital effects and Moog analog filters. Check out some of the other music by A Single Thread on their Youtube page.

How long was that?

There now, that didn't take long did it? A seventeen year old spent his summer un-locking the iPhone. And apparently a few others have also done it. So now you don't have to pay AT and T it's exorbitant fees just to use your iPhone. For details of how it's done, follow the link.

Return of the Western?

Are we in for a revival of the Western genre? I certainly hope so, maybe these are pre-cursors of things to come. First up The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Starring Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Mary-Louise Parker and a host of others.

Then we have 3:10 to Yuma starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. A good looking re-make of the Glen Ford classic movie.

Beauty and the Beast

It's Friday afternoon, we need some music for the weekend. Let's start of with something different. From the Tribute to Gram Parsons concert here's Norah Jones and Keith Richards singing Love Hurts. Does she look a little scared? There are other versions around by Nazareth, Cher, Ann & Nancy Wilson, Elvis Costello & Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, and my favorites always The Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison (sadly as the Gram Parsons in Audio only).

Bohemian Rhapsody A Capella

Continuing in our unusual music section this Friday we have an all male A Capella group performing the Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody. The group are the UC Men's Octet.

Hocus Pocus

More of the Friday music scene. Here's Focus doing Hocus Pocus live in 1973. Drums, Guitars, Keyboards, Flute, Whistling, Yodeling they don't make 'em like this anymore.

When will they ever learn?

I really don't understand the rash of young Hollywood and drinking and driving. Surely most of them can afford to take a taxi? And probably most of them could even afford a full time chauffeur. So why do they risk it? Now Austin Nichols is added to the list, but I'm betting the judge won't be so lenient in Jackson, Michigan as they are in Hollywood. I saw this on TMZ this morning, in fact this is how I found out that John From Cincinnati was cancelled.

The Police stopped him just before 3:00 AM after he was seen driving the wrong way down a one-way street in a silver Mercury Mountaineer, in Jackson Michigan. TMZ says If convicted of drunk driving, Nichols could face up to 93 days in jail, a $500 fine and community service. Raise your 82 minutes / 1 day / three weeks and call me king.

Before becoming John from Cincinnati he played Wyatt Earps younger brother Morgan on Deadwood.

HBO trying to tell me something?

I think HBO wants me to cancel my subscription. Why?
1) Sopranos finished
2) Deadwood cancelled, no warning, no finality
3) Rome cancelled, minimal warning, badly rushed finale
4) John From Cincinnati cancelled, no warning, no ending
5) Flight of the Concords and Curb your enthusiasm not my cup of tea
6) Six Feet Under, Carnivale, Lucky Louie, and Sex and the City all long gone
7) Boxing, very few good fights nowadays, where have all the fighters gone?
What's left?
Movies? seen 'em all at the movies or on DVD
Big Love for one more episode, will that also be cancelled?
Bill Maher, thank something (not God) for Bill Maher
Entourage, I think when it goes, I go. Wickedly funny series.
The Wire, for at least one more series?? We hope so.

SIGN THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PETITION TO SAVE DARFUR

From an E-Mail from R.E.M. Please help before it is too late.
For four years now, the people of Darfur have been suffering on an unimaginable scale. The Sudanese government and the militias it supports have been carrying out a scorched-earth campaign against the people there.
Please take just a few minutes to add your name to the list of those who insist that the violence stop immediately. Go to instantkarma.org and sign the Amnesty International Petition to Save Darfur. It matters.

Remember the 80's?

Lipps Inc. Funky Town. From German TV, why are they no longer around?

The Right Time.

The Cosby Show was "must watch" TV in the early days, although it tapered off in later series. This, in my opinion, is their finest piece. It has everything. Cliff and family 'perform' Ray Charles' "Night Time Is The Right Time" from season 2. Check out little Rudy belting out her solo section.

Largest chest ever

Robert Earl Hughes still holds the record for the largest chest measurement on a human ever at 124 inches (10 feet 4 inches or 3.15 m). He lived near the town of Fishhook in Pike County, Illinois. It is doubtful that he could blame his size on a Big Mac, since McDonald's didn't open until 1940 in California, and it's doubtful they could have spread that far so quickly. This newsreel clip from 1946 is typical of the breezy way that the news was presented back then, always leave them with a pun.

Abraxas String Quartet + 1

Abraxas String Quartet + 1 in Covent Garden performing Rondo Alla Turka, Radetsky and Pachelbel's Canon for the delight (or dismay) of the passers by. I doubt we'll ever get this kind of talent at The Hub or Newpark Mall, shame. Check out other films by GsyMoo including Steel Band music.

Harold and Kumar go to Amsterdam

AKA Harold and Kumar 2, that's original. But the first movie was very funny, despite my misgivings regarding White Castle. Neil Patrick Harris playing himself was hilarious, I see he is back in the sequel, I'm sure his sterling work on "How I met your mother" will bring in extra viewers. Plus I see Rob Corddry is in it. 2008 is a while to wait, but it should be worth it.

Saturday Night in England

David Attenborough narrates this short documentary about the wild life in England on a Saturday night.

Saving Grace

This is the best show on basic cable. There are three new shows this summer, any other time they could all be the best show on basic cable. But since they all came out together I have to rank them 1) Saving Grace, 2) Mad Men, 3) Damages. Saving Grace has the amazing Holly Hunter tearing up the scenery, awesome. And it also has this wonderful theme song by Everlast.

My Journey through Life

View Larger Map

These are the places I have lived. My definition of lived is that I stayed in that place longer than three weeks, no vacations.

Groucho Marx and Jack Benny

Jack Benny Show - April 3, 1955
Jack Benny plays a contestant on Groucho's "You Bet Your Life" Program.
Irene Tedrow is in between the two. Still funny.

Facebook Off

You are just a person, this is a website. And this is funny.

What book are you?

There is a website (BluePyramid) that after you answer a few questions will tell you which book you are. Not sure if I agree, since I haven't read the book I am, but I know it comes out as a movie real soon.

You're Love in the Time of Cholera!

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Like Odysseus in a work of Homer, you demonstrate undying loyalty by
sleeping with as many people as you possibly can. But in your heart you never give
consent! This creates a strange quandary of what love really means to you. On the
one hand, you've loved the same person your whole life, but on the other, your actions
barely speak to this fact. Whatever you do, stick to bottled water. The other stuff
could get you killed.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Saturday Night Football

On Saturday we went to the 49ers vs Raiders pre-season game. We had a great tailgate thanks to Chef Gabe and his Sou Chef Sarah. The steaks were wonderful as was the rest of the meal.

I added a bunch of other vids on YouTube covering the parking lot, the drum squad, the Raiders taking the field, etc. you can find all of them here.

Surfing a bore

Is surfing a bore? Not when you are surfing a bore. Here is a clip of some guys surfing the Amazonian Pororoca, which I assume is Portuguese for Bore.

The longest waves ever surfed was the Amazonian Pororoca in 2006 by Serginho Laus where he covered a distance of 10km without proning or touching his board (approx 6 miles).
There are reports that Steve King did a longer distance on the River Severn in April 2006 ,at over 7 miles. Back in the early sixties I met some guys down in St Ives, Cornwall and they were telling us how they had surfed the Severn Bore. They got a lot of media attention for that time, local newspapers, surfer magazines, etc. We met up with them a year or so later and asked if they were still surfing the bore, and they said they had passed on it because so many people were doing it now that as the river narrowed more and more surfers were wiping out on the banks. Over and above that you have the bridges to contend with, it's not that they are low, it the water is high.

Do you Remember?

I resemble that remark, or in this case that song. If you were around in the 60's I'm sure you can relate to it too. Tom Rush, still got it even if he has forgotten where he put it. You gotta love his line, If you remember the 60's you weren't there.


On a totally different track, do you know what kind of transformer you would be?
I AM
80%
BUMBLEBEETake the Transformers Quiz

Where was I?

In Your Eyes

Peter Gabriel & Youssou N'Dour perform In Your Eyes from Geneva in 2005, certainly one of his best songs.

Madness, total insanity

Who the hell wants to drive like this?

Nice Shooting

This guy wanted to kill himself, and wanted his girl friend to witness it. But that's where the police marksman stepped. Wouldn't it be nice if all standoff's finished this easy.

Sniper ONE Shot - Click here for more home videos

Norm

Here's a collection of some one liners from Norm Peterson in the first season of Cheers. Some things just cannot be improved on.

Surströmming - Fermented herring

This guy is just too funny. Eating this Swedish delicacy is a real challenge. But I can tell him what he did wrong, apart from not having the other stuff to go with it. The milk, there is no way you drink milk as an accompaniment, or as a prelude to or post drink. The only way to eat this is to have about ten shots of Aquavit's before and about ten more after. Then if you are sick you really don't care. Skål! Helan går!

Tusen Takk to Buzz for the hint.

Stringfever, they rock!

In my ongoing search for unusual music and musicians here we have Stringfever quartet. Four guys with only one instrument between them, and they do a wonderful job on Ravel's Bolero.

Here they add three more instruments and perform the History of Music. Wow!

Rube Goldberg would be proud

How many different fires can you start, things can you move and ultimately extinguish the fire? This Rube Goldberg scenario must have taken for ever to set up. Don't try this at home, or in a forest. If you want to get the full story there is a DVD that covers it completely. What can I say, awesome! Just watch it.

Timber

There are many, many times I am thankful I have a desk job. And this is one of them.

The Duct Tape Bandit

Duct tape bandit caught in sticky situation
By Associated Press
Thursday, August 16, 2007 - Updated: 01:59 PM EST
ASHLAND, Ky. - A man with his head wrapped in duct tape tried to rob a liquor store over the weekend but was chased off by the manager with a duct-tape-wrapped wooden bat.
Headlines to bring a smile to Darwin. And now video of the jail cell interview of the genius from Ashland, KY. And people wonder why there are redneck jokes.

Red vs Green

I think I always get stuck at a light behind the guy who is imagining this, which is probably why he doesn't move of so quick on the green.

30 Years ago

Today is the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. If you were around at the time most folk will remember where they were on that sad day. Personally I was in Spain on vacation, and not speaking Spanish didn't listen to the radio in the hotel room. Spanish package deal hotels at that time never had TV's in the room either. So we came down to the pool area and found it in complete silence, and almost everybody had managed to get a British newspaper from somewhere and all the headlines shouted "Elvis is Dead" or "The King is Dead". It sure put a damper on that vacation. Anyway to honor the anniversary here is a video tribute of stills, put out by marco31768, featuring one of Elvis' greatest vocals. This one proves he could sing the blues as good as any, and better than some. This is the original version with the great Boots Randolph sax section, there are also live versions on youtube.
Reconsider Baby

And thanks to jackiej61 for putting up "Like a baby", both of these songs come from the LP "Elvis is back" which I think is is greatest album. Before he went into the army his output had been prolific, pretty much all singles, pretty much all fantastic. So we were worried that when he came back he would have changed, yes he did change, but for the better. Enjoy, Like a Baby.

The wonderful world of MS Paint

In praise of MS Paint, by the development team. So interesting to find out how some off the features evolved, or were created.

You can visit the development team here.