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.

 

What is it like to be a dolphin?

Introducing the “Flyboard.” You need some serious cojones to strap into one of these (or at least a helmet). I cringed watching how close to the ocean floor these dudes were getting just waiting for one to swan dive skull first into the reef. Get me deeper water, some form of protection, a scuba mask, and I would have a ball with this thing. Pretty freaking cool.

 

Heat Bank Heist x Legos

Don’t know how I stumbled upon this gem but I’m glad I did. Brilliant take on a classic scene. I was sold as soon as the Lego version of Bobby D walked through the door. Hilarious.

 

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.

 

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.

 

UFC on Versus 4: Barry vs. Kongo predictions…

Rick Story and Anthony Johnson were originally scheduled to headline this card. Johnson had to pull out with an injury, so the UFC replaced him with Nate Marquardt. Now earlier today Marquardt had to pull out because he was not medically cleared to fight. Finally in comes Charlie Brenneman who will hopefully be last name thrown in the mix.

 Rick Story must have some set of balls on him. He begins training camp with plans to fight Johnson. Then he has to switch it up and train for Marquadt instead. Now here we are less than 36 hours away from the bout and Dana throws in Charlie Brenneman. Not only that, Story is bumped of the main event. He must be pretty desperate for a payday because training for three different fighters in one camp is no easy task. I hope for Story’s sake that it doesn’t come back to bite him in the ass.

 

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?

 

Kick ’em when they’re down!

This was delightfully unexpected and perectly appropriate. I almost feel bad for these dudes. Not really though. Haha! No Amaechi but the video actually makes you ask yourself hmmm..they always do have joint press conferences. Always a bit too goofy together. Just sayin…

 

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…

 

Maloof Money Cup 2011 and thoughts on skateboarding contests…

Street skateboarding contests have evolved dramatically over the course of about 5-10 years or so. Gone are the days when vert skaters could enter street contests, air crazily off of quarter pipes, land routine transfers (routine in the world of vert), grind some coping, and walk away with the win while all the street technicians were left in the dust. The new jam and/or best trick format in present day contests has filtered out nearly all of those wanna-be street skateboarders. The scoring system now allows for competitors to go all out and not be penalized for bails. What this amounts to is insane skateboarding. Something that you wouldn’t have seen in the 1998 X-Games. Combine these factors with a handful of the best skateboarders competing for a 1st place purse of $160K. The anti was consistently being upped throughout the course of this particular contest.