Dharni…

So logging into Youtube to get a tutorial to fix something on my car, I figured I’d get distracted for about 4 hours.     This little gem appeared on my homepage and I can’t help but be insanely impressed by this dude.  Check out his other vids he’s legit.

 

I Miss J Dilla…

Recently I started a play through of all 1500 songs on my MP3 player in order to revisit some old favs and delete some shit I didn’t even know was on it.  One of many artists that stood out in its personal timelessness is J Dilla.  As an ex hip hop fan and having worked in the Mix Tape/DJ retail business for two years, I’ve heard about everything there was to listen to.  I currently have very little hip hop left in my MP3 player due to its lack of actual instruments and redundant themes.  The Big Ls, Tupacs, and Biggies left a void in the genre that can never and will never be filled in my opinion.

Dilla however stands out as a musical super talent even with my own super critical view of hip hop.  Sadly he died prematurely but his body of work is amazing nonetheless.  Even though he’s gone, I smile and turn up the volume whenever he randomly pops on my playlist.  That’s about the best legacy anyone could ask for.

 

 

Volumes…

Easily my most listened to song of 2012, had to give Volumes some props.  They were my go to snowboard (and gym) soundtrack this season which saw some pretty spectacular powder days so I’ve definitely bonded with their last album VIA.

Caught them at 2011 and 2012 NE Metalfests, these guys show up live too and the ones I met are super cool guys.  If you’re already a fan go buy some merch and support these dudes.

 

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 48,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 11 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

 

THE WALKING DEAD – Season Two Premiere Analysis: The Fuck Up List…

I wasn’t disappointed enough with Season 1 to write a review COUGH… scathing analysis. However after three minutes of the Season 2 Premiere I quickly changed my mind.

The Season starts off with a recap of how awful the 1st season was which I brought back fond memories of wasting hours of my life hoping the actors would suddenly learn how to act.

Then it kicks in with the main character Rick Grimes talking about his feelings over a walkie talkie to someone from the first or second episode thats been dead for weeks. It quickly moves to their caravan of survivors rolling out of ATL to Fort Bennett. They quickly become stuck on the highway due to overturned cars and gridlocked traffic. Oh and then their 30 year old RV surprisingly breaks down…

FUCK UP #1 – In the Zombie Apocalypse, invest in new whips and equipment and by INVEST I mean STEAL something new that isn’t 30 FUCKING YEARS OLD. Nobody gives a shit what you steal; EVERYONE IS FUCKING DEAD.

As the kids wander off in a sea of cars and they all meander away solo to reluctantly scavenge supplies, an old man on a roof keeping watch doesn’t see a pack of zombies walk up behind him from the direction they just came 10 minutes ago (somehow driving right past a pack of 200 zombies?). Finally, they notice they have company. They are 50 yards away… Officer Rick Grimes stands among the cars with his sniper rifle breaking all rules of having a fuckin sniper rifle in your hands.

FUCK UP #2 – Put someone with a SNIPER RIFLE and better vision than a 70 year old on fucking roof for look out detail.

 

Crush Em All Tour Review…

Just saw the Crush Em All Tour this past Monday at The Met in Pawtucket RI.  Co-headlined by Veil of Maya and After The Burial, the tour also included Misery Signals and Within the Ruins as well as Structures.  Originally I though Volumes was playing but they played select dates in order to join a different tour to promote their new album “VIA” which is sick.

I got there at the beginning of Within the Ruins set.  I saw them at Metal Fest this year, they are pretty solid. Singer seemed pissed the crowd was hardly moving but on a Monday at 7:30 in Pawtucket you aren’t gonna get much energy…  Kudos to him for trying though.

I was looking forward to Misery Signals the most as their album “Controller” is in steady rotation on my MP3 player.  They didn’t disappoint and the crowd was really into them; there were some die hard MS fans fucking shit up.  I figured they would be the best band of the night but I couldn’t even pick a favorite if I tried.

After The Burial really killed it.  Their lead guitarist Trent Hafdahl is a BEAST.  I haven’t been that impressed by a guitarist in a long time.  “Aspirations” is ridiculous live.  Both guitarists ripped on black-light 8 strings and the singer kept the energy super high.  He dedicated a song to his late mother which was so intense it gave me the chills.  The whole band was impressive.

Veil of Maya is a band I never really got into but live they were great, very technical. Sometimes it takes seeing a band live to get into them.

I would definitely HIGHLY recommend both this tour and seeing any of these bands perform outside the tour.
The Met is also a decent little venue.  Lots of pillars so I can’t see any great pits going on here (the circle pit attempt was interesting) but spacious with good sound and a nice deck for smokers.  Too bad Pawtucket is a fucking shithole!

 

Monday Night MTV: Death Valley & Ridiculousness…

Death Valley is MTVs latest show designed to phase out music videos entirely. Debuts tomorrow at 10:30 after the new Rob Dyrdek show Ridiculousness at 10:00.  Looks like a Reno 911 + a George Romero movie sprinkled with some True Blood.  I enjoy the Sean of the Deadesque treatment of the undead genre almost as much as I like 28 Weeks Later style flicks.  Also keep an eye out for the upcoming “World War Z” movie starring Brad Pitt.  If they got Brad for it, its gotta be a dope movie.  Might need to check out the book too.

 

Go Pro HD and UFC & Professional Sporting events…

Advances in wearable HD videography have really raised the bar on extreme sports and how they can be watched and filmed. No more 3rd-person-only shots now that you go POV and strap a Go Pro or ContourHD camera on your helmet, handlebars, chest, wrist, surfboard, kayak, etc…  My personal favorite use of these is definitely backcountry and big mountain snowboarding and also kayaking.  If you’ve ever been waist deep in powder your likely also a fan of these vids.  I’m actually considering getting one of these this winter for some trips of my own; they both offer a myriad of accessories and they take some great photos.  Plus crazy shit can happen at any time and getting it on film might be pretty awesome.

What I’m really interested in however is applying this technology to UFC and other MMA venues.  An upfront view of highlight knock out replays would really be stepping it up from ringside cameras.  Can you imagine seeing Anthony Petis’ ninja kick from Herb Dean’s vantage from inside the Octagon?  Also after the fact, this would be a great way to judge the actually referee’s performances as their decisions would be closely scrutinized and I believe this could lead to much better reffing.  Obviously the main draw back is fighter’s safety, you can’t be jumping on an unconscious fighter and smashing them in the face with the camera strapped to your chest… But as the technology gets better and smaller, I guarantee you will see this type of footage coming to live events, maybe even sports like football, hockey, or baseball where the camera could be integrated into the actual helmet design.  Now that’s a reason to stare at the jumbotron!

What’s your favorite use of these cameras?  What do you think about UFC and Pro sports using them?

 

Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir vs Fedor …

This shit gave me a good chuckle.

 

Dallas Mavericks in 6 bitches!

Dallas Mavs win in 6

So I have to gloat that I called this shit.  And I really have to gloat because I did so on my old college buddies D-Wade Facebook Profile picture, thus ruining it forever.  I really wanted to rub it in but she prob already hates me and her life so I resisted the urge…  After they swept LA with a sick performance, I thought it was pretty obvious who would win the trophy, but to the Heat’s credit I thought the Mavs were going to beat the Bulls.

 

How to beat Anderson Silva…

I was just playing the new Mortal Kombat at my buddies place and Scorpion has a bad ass flying scissor.  I didn’t realize til a few minutes ago its the same move Anderson Silva lost to Chonan by paired with a bad ass heel hook.  If this is what it takes to beat the guy, I don’t think anyone is going to do it anytime soon. Kind of reminds me of Oleg Taktarov’s Rolling Knee Bar, my favorite old school UFC move besides the “Tank Abbott Turtle”.  I wonder if Chonan learned that move from Steven Segal? heh

 

“La Haine” AKA “Hate” the film…

La Haine Trailer from Nicolas Heller on Vimeo.

I first saw this as a film major at Emerson College about 9 years ago.  Shortly thereafter I quit film school when I realized that 98% of “films” are nowhere near as amazing as this one.  If you can’t handle subtitles, (the whole film is in French) then you should stop being a fucking pussy, learn how to read, and watch this incredible film.

Love the black and white and the three main characters and acting are amazing.  The social, racial and economic issues are always at the fore front here as the French projects get crazy after a Muslim youth is beaten into a coma by reckless cops.  Referred to as the French “Boys in The Hood”, La Haine really gives you a great insight into French B-boy and street culture and makes you realize its really no different then our own.  The racial unity is also a refreshing change of scenery.  The below scene is Cut Killer dropping some anti-cop dopeness on his hood, one of my favorite scenes.

Couldn’t find the trailer in English Subtitles but check it out on Netflix where it rocks a five star rating.  The ending gives me chills no matter how many times I see this…

 

Clif Bar Wine…

Clif Family Wine

As one of my favorite companies, Clif Bar products fuel most of my days and all of my outings.  I’m kinda hooked on their extensive line of Energy Bars and usually keep two 12 count boxes in my house.  Lately I got into their “Shot Bloks” when I need extra energy.  It’s kind of like cheating really and a great electrolyte replacement when you are only drinking water but sweating like Shaq on the free throw line.  Anyways they always put together an outstanding product, usually organic and low impact, so I’ll definitely be buying this when I see it.  Although not sure you want to be getting shitfaced on a cliff face, but its always nice to have something to look forward too after a long day of hiking or climbing.  This product hits the backwoods booze hound demographic with both brand familiarity as well as tailored packaging, I just wonder about the availability.  Personally I prefer IPA to wine but IPA’s don’t have cool carabiner clips built in.  Hit this link to read more on Gearjunkie.com.

 

Dubstep X Beatboxing…

Like dude says in this clip, Beatboxing for the past 20 years has been a baby.  It’s kinda funny that Dubstep is taking it to that next “Toddler” level.

 

“COLD” – Trailer…

“For the past 26 years 16 expeditions have tried and failed to climb one of pakistan’s 8,000 meter peaks in winter.”

This trailer alone gave me the chills.  With all the media frenzy around NFL, NBA, MLB and all the other mainstream sports, extreme athletes like these hardly ever get noticed and they are making historical achievements and nearly killing themselves in the process.  -51 degrees F?  Insane…  I think what these guys do is absolutely incredible.  I can’t even imagine the conditioning and perseverance it takes to climb a 21,000+ foot peak in the summer let alone the winter.

I love the candid line at the beginning, “What the FUCK am I doing here???”