New (to me) Downtempo

If you dig the relaxed-type beats, check out Nitin Sawhney. Of course I don't encourage downloading unpaid-for .mp3s, but if someone was to hypothetically go to www.torrentz.com and look up "Nitin Sawhney" they might find his entire catalogue in one convenient package. Some of it is pretty experimental, lots of Asian, jazz and world music influences and tribal-type percussion. Definitely worth checking out. I'm starting with "Beyond Skin"

Some crazy-type shit

Photorealistic sculpture is the way forward, imo. Aussie artist Rob Mueck does post-modern the cool way: without shitting in a fish tank and selling it. He was actually the guy behind the special effects in Labyrinth - I can only assume that includes David Bowie's massive cod-piece.

Free Subscription to EGM

12 months free, no strings attached. Why the hell not?

New Browser in Town

I've been hearing rumblings from the mac-nerds that Camino is the new hotshit browser on the block. I'm not unsatisfied with Firefox, but since this is by Mozilla as well I'm more than a little curious. The site claims and easy transition if you're already a firefox user. I think I may give it a shot tomorrow, if for no other reason than the appeal of being an early adopter. Then I can tell other people in 3 months that I can't believe they JUST found Camino cuz I was on to it before it was cool.

How to make a REAL Chicago-Style Hotdog

How to do it up Chi-Town style. Accept no substitutes. I had a proper one last year when I was there and it truly is a beautiful thing.

Most Addictive Flash Game EVER

Prepare to waste some serious time on this. I'm up to level 16.

Virgin America, ftw

If there's anything the American airline industry could use right now, its some competition. Enter Sir Richard Branson and Virgin America. They're not even cleared to fly by the FAA yet, but the demo plane that Engadget got a look at is absolutely off the chain. Make sure you check out all the pictures of the in-seat entertainment system, its worth it. Rumor is they're going to come in with really cheap rates when they hit the market.

Expanding My Musical Horizons

I recently stumbled upon Karl Hyde's list of his top 20 albums from an interview he did with The Guardian in 1997. Being a huge Underworld fan, I've decided to go through and check out the ones I haven't heard/heard of. So far I'm really liking Black Uhuru. Captain Beefheart is pretty strange stuff, but I'm going to give it a few listens before I pass judgement.

The list:

1. The Isley Brothers - 3 Plus 3
2. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew
3. The Prodigy - Music For the Jilted Generation
4. Kraftwerk - Computer World
5. Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica
6. Ella Fitzgerald - The Cole Porter Songbook
7. Black Uhuru - Red
8. The Groundhogs - Split
9. Toots and the Maytals - Reggae Greats
10. Arvo Part - Tabula Rasa
11. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
12. Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain
13. The Beastie Boys - Check Your Head
14. Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band - Strictly Personal
15. Goldie - Timeless
16. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Deja Vu
17. The Beatles - Revolver
18. Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works
19. Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life
20. Sly and the Family Stone - Fresh

Greatest Box Set Ever

Janus Films, probably the greatest ever home film distribution company (and one of the driving forces behind the Criterion Collection) has released a 50-disc box set spanning 50 years of releases. Tons of awesome stuff in here, including Rashomon, The Rules of the Game, The Seventh Seal, M, Black Orpheus, The Grand Illusion...the list goes on. Its available for a limited time at $650.00, which, if you think about it, is a pretty good deal. A few years back Amazon did a semi-comprehensive Criterion Collection set (minus the stuff they don't have the rights to anymore) that went for $5000.00. I think I need this.

How to eat sushi

The ultimate guide for the sushi-loving gaijin. Was going to get sushi yesterday but ended up eating mexican food and getting blackout drunk instead (thanks Mike).

Epuron Commercial

Pure genius. I guarantee you'll watch it at least twice.

Sometimes its just mutha-fuckin' Waffle House time

iTV

While at first I wasn't that interested in iTV, now that they've come out with a 160 Gb version, I think I might have to get one. The prospect of having access to my 50 Gb iTunes library as well as downloaded movies and TV shows in my living room sounds pretty awesome to me, A quick browse for torrents this morning made me realize how easy it is to find content that's iTunes/iTV viea. I'm currently downloading 300 just to see how the quality is. AND since the interface actually requires a widescreen TV and works best with an HDMI connection, it would fit nicely into my setup. Also of note, Apple sells HDMI cables for $19.95, which is well cheaper than the one I bought at Circuit City a few months back.

Summer

The official beer: Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat



















The official booze: Tanqueray Rangpur





















The official activity: smoking all day

Time

Is it just me, or are there not enough hours in the day? Running a business produces an amazing phenomenon where you get in, drink your coffee, start working and by the first time you check a clock, its 4:15. I'm getting out of here at 6:30 today and I'm pretty psyched...at least I think I am. I'll call Josh later to make sure.

Update: Annie's New AUNT

It was brought to my attention that in the world of pet ownership you usually refer to your pet like its your child. That would make my parents new puppy Annie's aunt (and MY sister). My parents even decided to call her "Tia" which means aunt in Spanish. Tia is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. I spent most of yesterday afternoon playing with her at my parent's place. Annie's childhood Corgi instincts definitely kicked in when Tia tried to play with her. I've never seen her actually play with another dog, but after a few minutes of Tia nipping at her heels, Annie started to jump around and get into it. Tia also tried to nurse a few times, which totally freaked Annie out, but you can't really blame her, having just left her mom and Annie being a female Corgi. Either way, I think they're going to be good friends.

Top 5

For a filmmaker, nothing is more fun than having someone ask you what your top 5 all-time films are. The topic came up over dinner last night and we all had a blast thinking up our lists and explaining the choices. The answer is different almost any time I'm asked, although number 1 has been constant for about 10 years. I couldn't stop thinking about it last night after we left the restaurant, so I'm going to expand it to my top 10:

1) Brazil
2) Casablanca
3) Glengarry Glen Ross
4) The Seven Samurai
5) The Big Lebowski
6) Goodfellas
7) Requiem for a Dream
8) BladeRunner
9) The Empire Strikes Back
10) Oldboy

Henry to Barca

The turmoil at Arsenal came to a head today as Thierry Henry signed a 4-year deal with Barcelona. Without their captain and most experienced striker it looks like the Gunners are going to need to make some big acquisitions to stay anywhere near top of the table. Word is even longtime skipper Arsene Wenger might be moving on to greener pastures before the start of the next Premiership season.

Annie's New Sister

After months of coveting my Welsh corgi Annie, my parent's have finally decided to bite the bullet and adopt one of their own. Davina, Annie and I will be driving down to McDonough with my folks tomorrow to adopt this little puppy. No name yet, but its a girl and since my Mom has always wanted a dog named "Biscuit", my money's on that being the moniker. Annie and Niebla (Davina's childhood cat that we brought back from Spain a few weeks back) have been getting along fairly well. Should be fun to see how Annie reacts to a puppy of the same breed.

Best T-Shirt Ever?

Tea House Searching

One of the things I miss most about living in Boston is the great little teahouse I used to go to in the South End. It was the perfect place to hang out and read on a rainy day and I found going there could completely relax me in a matter of hours. I'm now looking for a similar spot here in the Atlanta area. This place in Little Five Points seems like it might be decent. Suggestions welcome if anyone happens to know of a good one.

Buy This Book

I'm currently re-reading "The Conversations" by Michael Ondaatje. Being an editor by trade, this book is, to me, THE quintessential text on the craft. Walter Murch was lead editor and sound designer on Apocalypse Now (both versions), lead editor on The Conversation, sound editor on The Godfather I & II...the list goes on. He even co-wrote and directed Return to Oz, which, if you haven't seen it, is one of the creepiest movies ever made. There's a great quote at the beginning of the book that totally sums up how I feel about editing:


"Film editing is a wonderful arcane art, like mosaics. I love to watch it being done, but they of course hate to be watched."'
-Donald E. Westlake

Long Way Down

I'm a huge fan of the 2004 documentary series Long Way Round and I just found out that they're making a sequel called Long Way Down that the BBC will be airing this coming September. If you've never seen the original I HIGHLY recommend checking it out. I'm in the midst of watching it through for the second time and it still totally blows me away. Basically, Ewan McGregor and his best mate Charley Boorman decide to travel by motorcycle from London to New York and document their journey. Try to find the 10-episode special edition if you can, the series feels really rushed in the 7 episode form that originally aired on Sky One in the UK.

Genesis?

I've decided to start a blog, mainly because I feel like I don't take the time to write nearly enough anymore. Will I keep up with it? Hard to say. I'd certainly like to, but between running the business and Davina & I's ever-increasing travel schedule it might be tough. Nothing ventured, nothing gained I suppose. Since this is the first post I guess I'll explain the title, which is an uber-dorky reference to Jack McKinney's Robotech novel series (yes, like the cartoon, but MUCH better). One of my favorite characters, Rand, keeps a journal entitled "Notes on the Run" that documents his journey across the surface of post-apocalyptic earth with a band of rebels who are trying to reach "Reflex Point"...anyway, you should read it. The only person I know who would have gotten it without the explanation is Mike Peters.