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Nick

Video effect that I adore

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There have been a number of videos recently that employ an effect that can only be described as turning the artifacts of streaming buffering into something truly artistic. I saw it first with Beck’s “Youthless:”

And then again last week with Cassettes Won’t Listen’s video for “Into the Hillside:”

And finally, tonight, from the Presets. How I had never seen the video for “Are You the One?” is really beyond me:

Maybe it comes from years of surfing the internet on Venus Telephone’s blistering and never-changed-since-2000 384 kbps connection, but there’s a part of me that will always have a soft spot for these whacky pixelated messes.

Downhill for 100 miles

Food/Drink, Movies by

Did you know that you can essentially plan on coasting the entire way from State College to Lancaster because it’s like 99% downhill? I do, because I just returned from a weekend at home with Kate.

The reason?

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Clarion’s Autumn Leaf Festival 2009, of course.

“Why go home for such a thing,” you are no doubt wondering. Well, my sister was crowned Miss Teen ALF and, despite the fact that she wore her crown the entire time we were home, we needed to see the spectacle of her in the Saturday parade.

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Squint hard, you can see her throwing candy off the back of a Sebring.

My mom – infinitely wise – reserved seats in the front row and brought along daiquiris.

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No idea why we never thought of this in high school.

And speaking of drinking, the drive home also afforded us a chance to hang out with both Dusty and Hoover. We went to Cozumel (in the Quality Inn) and saw Zombieland (during which the line “thank god for rednecks” got a round of applause from the locals.) It was stupendous, but not as much so as Dusty’s massive margarita:

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Random Object Generator

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Installment #9:

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What is it? snowglobe with a cat in it from the Warhol Museum

What’s its deal? it’s a cat in a snowglobe – I mean, what else do you want?

Where does it live? same table as Amber’s beloved landline phone

Any notable facts? Kate might think the vacuum was our first joint house purchase (or Rigel) but it’s actually this – which speaks volumes, when you think about it.

Random Object Generator

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Installment #8:

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What is it? postcard of Indian lovers

What’s its deal? purchased forever ago at an art museum I visited on a school trip for my Western Civ class

Where does it live? beside the oh-so-important landline phone on the end table to the right of the couch

Any notable facts? usually buried behind a wall of books after following me from one home to the next since high school

The French to ban undisclosed Photoshop-in’

General Entertainment, News, Technology by

But how will we ever buy products if we can see pores, veins, the natural color of teeth or – heaven forbid – stretch marks?!

According to Gizmodo, the French parliament is considering passing a mandate that would require all advertisers to notify the public whenever an ad has been through the Photoshop perfection engine. The penalty? Fines as high as half the cost of the ad campaign.

Part of me loves this. And part of me loves Mark Wilson’s quote at the end of the article:

“[…] the skeptic in us might see this as the lame excuse of someone not committed enough to rigorous cosmetic surgery.”

Will it only apply to skillful Photoshop work? Because sometimes, it’s damned obvious.

Best album I forgot I had: Pet Grief by The Radio Dept

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Sometimes I open iTunes and scroll through my music library without really knowing what I’m doing or looking for. This past Saturday morning was one of these times and I’m glad it was because I landed myself on a real gem that I forgot I even had lying around: Pet Grief by The Radio Dept.

This 2006 album is an absolute ideal compliment to making pancakes after sleeping in. Or reading a magazine after all the chores are checked off for the day. Or taking a long drive with the leaves falling and the roof open (as I hope to do in a few days.) Essentially, it’s a relaxed weekend bordering on contented boredom in musical form.

A few of the bands’ tracks were on the Marie Antoinette soundtrack. I needn’t say more.

So, now is the time when I pick my favorite tracks and provide you with a small army of links: “It’s Personal,” “Pet Grief,” “The Worst Taste in Music” and “Always a Relief.”

As you can hear, it’s a little like merging Air and New Order. Kind of a perfect combination in my book.

And the Wikipedias tell me that 2009 will see a new release as well. Hooray for accidental rediscovery!

Today is the Beginning

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(Actually, it was yesterday, but John Allison broke his schedule.)

The newest comic from John Allison, Bad Machinery, has launched. The style seems to split the difference between old ScaryGoRound and new and the storyline feels familiar and intriguingly unfamiliar at the same time. Won’t you give it a spare moment?

I’ve also just realized that this is my 500th post (catalogued on this blog, at least.)  September is the month of milestones for me, readers!  Happy 500th post to all – but most especially you, Mr. Allison, since I’ve unwittingly made a donation to your cause.