"What, What in the Butt"
Last night's episode of South Park was the kind of send up we have all anticipated since the end of the WGA strike.
Butters' video was a priceless piece.
Dog Praying in Japanese Shrine
The real Temple of the Dog...
Caption: Chihuahua dog "Conan" prays with Joei Yoshikuni at the Shuri-Kannondo temple in Okinawa islands, southwestern Japan, Monday, March 24, 2008.(AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
90 Day Jane - A Suicide Blog Watch -- That Was Fake Anyway
**Updated as of 2/15**
Yep, all the attention she apparently didn't want finally made the creator/author/architect of "90 Day Jane" come clean about the blog. A highly strange art project. I hope she gets an "A". An "A" for *sshole!
First of all, when you create a blog account, you're not exactly using the account to show a few people your experiment. You're showing the entire world. So her excuse was sooooo weak that you can literally call out "b*@!sh!t".
----------------------------------------------------
Yes, you read that right. As I was reading through my reports and newsletters, this site came up on the radar as getting a lot of hits and visits. Contrived? For real? Part of an elaborate scheme to develop a show that MySpace overlooked? You be the judge.
Jump here to read the fascination.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force "Sirens" Episode
You most likely saw this mentioned on Pitchfork's site a couple weeks ago. This was the season premiere episode featuring Neko Case, Kelly Hogan and former Phillies' John Kruk.
The video on [adult swim]'s website has already garnered over half a million views since the episode debuted last Sunday. That's a fuckn' lot for a 15min episode! Awesome lines to date... "This is the BJ Queen"; "I am your fantasy Carl. There is no credit card required."
Jump here for the episode. And if you can't wait for the new upcoming episode titled "Couples Skate", then jump here too. Best line from that ep... "Did you ride the white horse?"
Remember this Super Bowl Ad?
Go Giants!
How Other Countries Celebrate the New Year
From the US to the UK, see traditions from weird to plain Jane.
I like how the Germans are so efficient with staying in shape while other countries either do parades or condone hypothermia.
Peruvian Fist-Fight Holiday
This is how Peruvians wipe their slates clean before entering the new year.
Open to all ages and sexes. Duke 'em up! Knock 2007 out of your system.
Hello Kitty Merch for Guys
Young men need not worry (or feel left out). Hello Kitty for guys is haute. Or at least Sanrio is trying to imply.
Look...its either this or Gundam, ok?
From AP:
Hello Kitty is no sexist.
The cute cuddly white cat from Japan's Sanrio Co., usually seen on toys and jewelry for girls and young women, will soon don T-shirts, bags, watches and other products targeting young men, company spokesman Kazuo Tohmatsu said Friday.
"We think Hello Kitty is accepted by young men as a design statement in fashion," he said.
The feline for-men products will go on sale in Japan next month, and will be sold soon in the U.S. and other Asian nations, according to Sanrio.
The usual bubble-headed shape of Hello Kitty was slightly changed for a more rugged, cool look to appeal to men in their teens and early 20s.
For example, a picture of the cat on a $36 black T-shirt has the words, "hello kitty," instead of the usual dots for the eyes and nose.
Hello Kitty is one of mascot-obsessed Japan's biggest "character" hits, decorating everything from a humble eraser to a $48,000 diamond necklace.
The planned products mark the first time Sanrio is developing Hello Kitty items especially for males, Tohmatsu said.
But Sanrio had tried a "limited edition" collaboration in men's clothing with designers in Tokyo's chic Harajuku section earlier this year, and they proved popular, he said.
"Young men these days grew up with character goods," said Tohmatsu. "That generation feels no embarrassment about wearing Hello Kitty."
And for something completely different (and yet Hello Kitty related)
Steve Brule's "Kill 'Em With Kindness"
John C. Reilly as Dr. Steve Brule from Tim & Eric Awesome Show on [adult swim].
The Machine Girl Trailer
For those who like female revenge flix, I think you'll enjoy this one. I think I was sold on the tempura machine gun arm...
CAA Screams - "Show Me the Money!"
Now pay attention indie filmmakers, producers, tech start-ups, digital boutiques and any other media-centric newfangled thing that is currently in beta stage... There is a trend among Hollywood talent agencies that doesn't seem to be letting up. The latest agency to get into the VC fray is CAA (Creative Artists Agency). Following in the footsteps of rivals ICM, UTA and William Morris (I have a personal beef with that agency), they are setting aside some money and looking to invest in digital entertainment. This was first published in paidContent.org and is making its rounds among several entertainment trades.
Broadband entertainment is maturing - very fast. It took about ten years to get here but its finally here. Now we're seeing talent agencies hedging their bets on future content because, let's face it, content is king - always and forever. Technology is forcing the hand of filmmakers and musicians to think drastically outside their normal business. This is just one aspect that's taking shape. Will this make Hollywood, or at least entertainment, better? How does this business model affect future filmmaking? If I had a crystal ball, I wouldn't be here blogging about this. I would be listed on Forbes list of the top 20 richest people on the planet.
New Mexico - It's Like Being in a Different World (Really)
This promotional video for New Mexico's tourism and visitor's bureau is starting to cause chatter amongst the blogosphere (or at least amongst the tourism blogs). I've been to The Land of Enchantment and let me tell you, using their public toilet in the rest area is quite scary. Are you aware that they have "natural toilets" where you walk into the stall and squat into a dark, cavernous toilet seat with no flush handle? Its just you and the seat and this dark, cavernous hole in the ground. Apparently, the human waste ends up somewhere in the earth. Eewwwww. Just don't drop anything down that hole.
Facebook Numbers - Fact or Fiction
You decide...
I saw this post on Digital Music News about Facebook and its growing demographic. Its not scientific or official in any way, but it does start conversations and brings that whole - "social networking is a fad" arguement to another level.
What surprised me about the stats is that Japan - the world's most technophile country - is at the bottom of the pack. With their mobile phone usage and download capabilities that puts our mobile use to shame, its interesting that Facebook has not caught on. But I guess that's what makes me think the numbers are badly skewed. Anyway, feel free to look and discuss.
Pablocita Labs
Back in 1998, I interviewed Adria Petty, Anna Gabriel and Howie Statland for their project called "Low Flame". Just recently, I re-connected with Adria via Facebook and she mentioned that she's now involved in a new venture called Pablocita Labs. It takes film and video experiments from various filmmakers and showcases them on Pablocita Labs' website. The difference is, filmmakers must have produced these gems at little to no money. Totally low budget - like under $200 dollars.
Check it out. Adria did two videos for Brazilian Girls, "Jique" and "Rules of the Game". I like Adria's version of "Jique".
Rules of the Game
And for Jique
Go here or visit the Pablocita Labs site because people are naked in the video. For real.
"I do not like it when you touch my breasts," says Aiko the robot
Have you watched "Ghost in the Shell: Innocence"? I urge you to watch it. There will come a day when robots will take over menial jobs and humans will need to adapt to the ever changing workforce. Humans (or at least mostly pervy guys) will use robots as sex slaves and other things.
Click here to get to the video because the playback is not working. For more info, visit the Project Aiko site.
"Foutaises" - Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Thank you StumbleUpon StumbleVideo for having me stumble upon this gem:
Je t'aime!
Women-Only Subway Cars (aka Anti-Groping Subway Cars)
There seem to be more stories about "women-only" subway cars cropping up these days. I know Tokyo did a trial run (or is planning to do a trial run) of a women-only subway car for one of their JR lines. But now this story from Seoul, Korea was just released by Reuters and it got me thinking about all those subway and Path rides I take around NJ & Manhattan. Yes, I was groped while riding the Path one night from NY heading back to NJ. The car was packed and sadly there were way too many young drunk professionals riding along. Unfortunately, I ended up standing next to some guy who must've poured Chivas Regal all over his clothes because he simply reaked of it. And the next thing I knew, I felt a hand grab my rear end and I jumped forward only to push another person in front of me. I knew it was that drunk bastard who touched me and I wanted to punch him but I didn't have enough room to turn and deck him. Instead I just turned and glared at his bloodshot eyes and made him regret that he ever wanted to reach for my rear end. He knew I was staring him down (people who know me know about my "death stare" - its the kind that makes people cower over and denies them the chance to look up and stare me straight in the face). He did give a half-assed apology where I only kept staring and shook my head in silence. I did not want to exchange words with a drunkard. That would be considered a waste of good words.
Anyway, that happend about four or five years ago. But it seems that groping on trains and subways is still prevalent and is encouraging a new way of thinking among transit systems worldwide. It would be very interesting if New York's MTA would consider womens-only subway cars. But then I realized that it would take away the unique ridership that is the New York subway system. Sure there are creepy people who jump on board and wack-off at the sight of a pretty woman. I've heard stories from friends who have been the object of one's wack-off desires. But what really makes the New York subway ridership unique from other major cities is the fact that most of the female ridership is fiercly independent. Plus, it kinda sends the wrong signal about riding a NY subway - like its dangerous or something. Ever since they started that "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign, its interesting how that phrase actually encourages people to be more vigilant than usual.
Weird Bollywood Music Video
Turn that frown upside down! You don't need to get high while watching this video. Its a trip already. Really.
Chocolate Rain & some SNL shorts
C'mon...You've probably heard of this phenomenal song and the guy (boy?) who wrote, plays and sings the tune. Its such a bad song that it practically caught fire on You Tube. I'm sure it was already written about here somewhere by another blogger but hell, why not talk about the song again?
The original by Tay Zonday:
And his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel this past summer:
And here's a cover of the song in 8bit:
Chad Vader gets into doing a cover of the song:
And last but not least, John Mayer (really?) apparently does a "crappy" cover:
Now on to SNL. I haven't been watching SNL for almost an entire year. And then recently, I read in one of the newsletters I get from Cynopsis that SNL plans to re-post the short that pokes fun at Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his remarks at the UN Council where he denies the existence of gays in Iran.
And a spoof on High School Musical:
Enjoy!
Have you Simpsonized Yourself Today?
I did. It was kinda fun. Not sure if it resembles me though...
If you wanna try, go to the viral Burger King site.
"24" + Japan = Calorie Mate commercial
Japan really loves 24. I mean, REALLY LOVES 24. Check out one of the Calorie Mate commercials that features Keifer Sutherland.
When I visit Tokyo, I'm going to have to try this Calorie Mate. I know its featured prominently in all the Metal Gear Solid video games. I love that game.
Hard Gay Tries to Save a Ramen Shop
You must watch this clip. Pardon the pun but this guy is starting to grow on me.
Midget dance Part 2 - The beatdown
Ok. Maybe you have noticed that Tom - the MySpace web manager - took down the original clip. Apparently, that midget dance clip was viewed over 2.1 million times. But after popular demand, Tom allowed to upload the clip again; albeit slightly edited at the beginning and end. Its too bad they had to edit the end because that's what did it for me -- the midget taking a slow drag off his cigarette. Priceless.
Here's the edited dance clip:
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
And now, watch the continuing saga where the dancing midget climbs a man via his tie (not kidding) and bitch slaps him.
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
I wish MySpace had a better codec. It looks like the little man is cockeyed.
The South Indian Movie You May Not Have Seen
I don't know the name of the movie this clip comes from (if you do, please share). Its posted on someone's MySpace page and made it on TV Week's Daily Viral Video roundup.
Get this video and more at MySpace.com
Looks like early Bollywood (the boombox and choice of music gave it away).
A View From NY Waterway
I was in NYC Sunday to visit and catch up with a couple of old friends. I can't believe how much lower Manhattan has changed since I last visited. Here's an embarrassing fact, I totally missed my stop to get to St. Marks Place. And, I really should've taken the N-R-W to 8th St. instead of the 6 to Bleeker. What the hell was I thinking?
I'm glad it was a beautiful day. Hot, but beautiful. I made it to my lunch date all sweaty and panting -- very bad. In any case, it was really great seeing my friends and catching up (V - we really should go up to Maine some time ;) How 'bout it BK?).
On my way back to NJ - I took the ferry from Midtown to Hoboken. Here are some pics below:
Photo by Amanda Nanawa
Photo by Amanda Nanawa
Photo by Amanda Nanawa
Photo by Amanda Nanawa
Sarah - The 29-Year-Old Virgin
I had to blog about this. At first, I thought this was just some random joke article from Jane. But, I read the contest and I just couldn't believe it.
Click here to see what I mean...
Duck Swallows Alien! (or something)
This picture is too weird for words...
Photo by: AP Photo/International Bird Rescue Research Center, Marie Travers
Here's an excerpt from AP:
CORDELIA, Calif. - The International Bird Rescue Research Center in Cordelia plans to raise funds with an unusual duck X-ray. The bird came in with a broken wing, but when Marie Travers, assistant manager of the center, radiographed the duck, she was stunned to see a very clear image of what appeared to be the face, or head, of an extraterrestrial alien in the bird's stomach.
Read the rest here.
I think it's a hoax (I don't care if this research center insists on it's authenticity). I think the duck swallowed someone's alien head keychain.
Playstation 2: Porn Stars vs Golfers
I don't know what country was lucky enough to run this commercial, but it was FUNNY.
Enjoy!
Gladiator the Musical
Yeah. For real...
James Bond Drives a...
And Daniel Craig hinted that this Bond might actually show his stick shift, if you know what I mean.
Yup. It's come to that...
Source: Digital Spy
Sex Me Up
From Wired's Sex Drive Daily blog. Hot sex!
Vincent Gallo is Such a Man Whore
I guess getting his dick sucked by Chloe Sevigny was simply not enough. Have you visited his website lately? Or ever? I just happen to know this link via a posting on another message board (I won't say where b/c I don't want to associate this mysoginist to that particular board).
Click on this link and read where you can rent Vincent Gallo for an evening of whatever- sex, I guess. For $50k, you can rent Vincent Gallo for a night. Oh, and if you scroll all the way to the bottom, you can purchase his sperm for $1million. I can't make this shit up, people.
New Jersey's New Tourism Slogan
Unfortunately, "Baddabing!" was not the winning slogan. But this was, "New Jersey: Come See for Yourself." Do you like? Residents of America's most densely populated state were asked to vote on five finalists, and the winning slogan, submitted by Jeffrey Antman of Passaic, got the largest number of votes, 3,373 out of a total of 11,227. Congrats, Jeffrey!
Here are the other slogans that failed to catch fire:
"New Jersey: Expect the Unexpected"
"New Jersey: The Best-Kept Secret"
"Come Out to New Jersey: It's Not as Bad as it Smells"
"New Jersey: Hey, at Least it's not West Virginia"
"New Jersey: We'll Win You Over" (Which was devised by an image consulting firm that charged the State $260,000 to come up with that brilliant failure)
I still think "New Jersey: Medicine Chest to the World" would've worked. But then it sounds too close to that fictitious pharma in The Constant Gardener
Source: Reuters
Japanese Shut-Ins
This strange phenomenon ranks right up there with suicide clubs, panty sniffing and visual kei. There is an article in the January 15th issue of The New York Times Magazine titled "Shutting Themselves In" written by Maggie Jones. Not to give too much away, but it deals with a particular social ill that is plaguing Japan's urban centers. Mostly affecting teenage boys and a small segment of girls, a 'hikikomori,' which translates to 'withdrawal,' is known to stay within the confines of their bedroom and not leave for a good number of years. They do venture out to the 24-hour convenience store once in a while (while society sleeps) and return to their rooms before dawn breaks. The article is a must-read. Something to remind us all that adolescence in this day and age is more complicated and requires us to re-think the way we raise children.
(Thanks BK for pointing out the article.)
Naked News Japan
At last, Japan gets their Naked News. As cited in Reuters, Japanese mobile subscribers will get a taste or tease of news reports in the buff. Since making its debut in Canada in 1999, Naked News has become available via the Internet, television and mobile phones in North America, Australia and Europe.
Canadian-born presenter Lily Kwan says, "I love being able to go out onto the streets and take my clothes off. While we have been in Tokyo, people have been very surprised to see us with no tops on, but they're very happy and interested in talking to us."
This shouldn't be a surprise. Japanese viewers get their pervy fix via other means such as Hentai anime shows. I can count the ways how many times in the past I've been asked to air Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend in the States. I laughed every time I get asked. Like I'm really going to air that!
Pole Dancing with Dannii Minogue
Here's a news flash. Kylie's little sister Dannii wants to pole dance in her London pad. According to Digital Spy, Dannii is negotiating a way for a pole to be installed, but it may not actually be feasible.
Too bad. If her place went on the market, I'm sure it would fetch for a hefty price tag. I mean, a pole in the middle of the room? Can you imagine the realtor trying to explain with a straight face that the flat once belonged to a musician who had a hankering for a pole because she wanted to pole dance for recreational reasons?
23rd Annual AVN Awards
People who know me well know exactly what this post will be about.
The 23rd Annual Adult Video News (AVN) Awards were held last night at the Venetian Hotel Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The big winner was a porn film called Pirates which walked away with 11 awards. That's a whole lotta booty (no pun intended, really). The film stars Jesse Jane as she and a bunch of scantilly clad co-stars do battle with skeletons in between sex scenes (think The 7th Voyage of Sinbad meets...a porn movie).
Here's a quote worth noting from Ron Jeremy, "I'm still working, not as much but as long as the penis works I'm going to exploit it."
Source: Reuters
French Riots Animated
Remember some weeks ago on the news about the riots in the streets of Paris, France? And it apparently had something to do with race and religious differences/bigotry/discrimination? Check this article out about what one man had created to make sense of the senseless.
Muy Fea! "Hung Up"
Click here for a good laugh. I hope your Spanish is good because not only are La Terremoto de Alcorcón parodizing Madonna, but other Spanish celebs. You should also check out their parody of Michael Jackson's "Thriller". God bless the Internet...
Rap Music Used as Torture
As reported in Digital Spy, rap music was used as one of the many forms of torture at a secret prison near Kabul, Afghanistan. Human rights group Human Rights Watch claims that detainees were kept in dark cells and subjected to loud music. Terrorist suspects interviewed by the group say heavy metal and hip hop were used to shake them.
"There was loud music, [Eminem's] "Slim Shady" and Dr. Dre for 20 days," said Benyam Mohammad, an Ethiopian. Then "they changed the sounds to horrible ghost laughter and Halloween sounds. ... The CIA worked on people, including me, day and night.... Plenty lost their minds. I could hear people knocking their heads against the walls and the doors, screaming their heads off."
Eminem and Dr. Dre for 20 days straight...that's harsh. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I wouldn't even listen to Coldplay for 20 days straight. If I were to torture someone (not that I will), I would most likely choose the theme song to Barney (yeah, the purple dinofag), theme song to Spongebob Squarepants and any Celine Dion song. Oh, and the James Bond theme song Sheryl Crow sang. That was painful in 5.1 Dolby Digital.
Pommes Frites
Oh my God! I found Heaven!
After attending a party, a member of our party suggested we stop by this place before we went our separate ways. French fries are my weakness. I can succumb easily to well fried potatoes and tonight was no exception. Cooper Union has changed since I last traversed the area. It's definitely gentrified and St. Marks Pl. looks strangely quaint (not something you could say 10 years ago). But this place...I never knew of it's existence until tonight.
Go to their site and if you're ever in the East Village and have a slight hunger or hangover, this place is it. I had the Regular with Parmesan Peppercorn sauce. Yum!
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Recent Posts
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- 90 Day Jane - A Suicide Blog Watch -- That Was Fake Anyway
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