Inspiring Gentlemen?

New Podcast 4-22

2010-04-29T19:46:00.003-04:00

Link to Podcast!

Finally a new one!

Music

Trampled By Turtles - Wait So Long

Dirtfoot - Cast My Plans

Good Old War - Coney Island

Trampled By Turtles - Feet and Bones

American Aquarium - Betting Man

Go Berserk !

2010-04-12T19:36:00.003-04:00

Seriously it is a way of life.

PODCAST!

2010-03-15T20:46:00.008-04:00

Listen!

to download

Windows - Right click save as

Mac - ctrl + click download linked file

From March 7th 2010.

Music by locals headed to have fun at SXSW:

Cowboy Indian Bear - Saline

The Roman Numerals - Go/No/Go

The Sailor Sequence - Salt

The Noise FM - Who Are We

OK people! This is Lover's Rock!

2010-03-11T12:54:00.034-05:00

This is to be considered part 2 of Reggae, 'Face it: It's Awesome!'When people tell you reggae all sounds the same they are totally mistaken. There exist so many variations in the evolution of reggae with differences both subtle and vast to make this statement is both a showing of folly and of ignorance. Although I can forgive this mistake because my heart is infinitely compassionate. I will not abandon you to this ignorant existence and like the thousand injuries of Fortunado this situation will not go on unredressed.
So firstly let's listen to some Sugar Minott and learn about lover's and the evolution of dancehall.

Lover's Rock or as it is more commonly referred to by it's fans lover's is a style of reggae dancehall mainly consisting of slower "rub a dub" style rhythms and lyrics about love. Love songs and crooner style songs have been an important part of Jamaican musical history since the beginning. In fact a large amount of early ska and rocksteady tracks are covers of American rhythm and blues love songs.These covers mixed with Jamaican musical innovation developed into the style we know generally as reggae today. Artist like John Holt, Gregory Isaacs, Johnny Nash and Ken Boothe made long careers for themselves singing sweetly over rocksteady and more traditional roots reggae sounds. However in the in late 60's and 70's a new style began to develop based on "toasting" a rap like singing style developed and made popular by artist such a U-roy.

U-roy

So the story goes first there was mento, then there was ska then rocksteady then dub then reggae then toasting came along and you have dancehall which splits into consciousness , slackness and lover's.

Sugar Minott

The appeal and popularity of lover's rock came about in the early 80's. The late 70's in the world of reggae saw a major curve in the spike of the influence of Rasta on the culture. It's uncompromising religious fundamentalism and political militancy did not play well to all audiences in England where reggae had most firmly taken root outside of Jamaica. At this time artist like Sugar Minott , Bobby Parker and Carroll Thompson began to appear on the scene. Providing a sweet and smooth new danceable style for lovers to rock to in partnered dance. Thus lover's rock or just lover's as you hear it shouted in dancehalls round the world.

Sugar Minott

Louisa Mark

Caroll Thompson

In more contemporary sound we have something like this.

Busy Signal

Buju Banton

Weird Things in Kansas City: The Ed Begley Jr. billboard

2010-03-04T20:24:00.005-05:00

Ed Begley Jr. is one of my favorite actors.This guy has been in everything from My Three Sons and Baretta to more recently my personal favorite the character of Lars Olfen in A Mighty Wind. Ed Begley Jr. continues to work and never disappoints. Look him up on IMDB seriously he is amazing. Also he is a serious environmentalist and from what I read all around cool guy. I just saw this billboard and it reminded me of when celebrities do advertisements in foreign countries. Pretty much Ed Begley Jr. and Tech-9 are the only giant billboard faces in Kansas City.

Also remember this movie fucking Phil Hartman, Michael J. Fox and Ed Begley Jr.

This Speaks for Itself

2010-03-03T20:13:00.001-05:00

Better Scarfing via The Sartorialist

2010-03-03T15:05:00.004-05:00

A new way, so so elegant. This guy makes me think I should be wearing a ring too.

Reggae, Face it it's awesome

2010-02-28T20:45:00.007-05:00

Some people will tell you that reggae is not awesome. I know it's so sad. They will tell you it all sounds the same. They will tell it is uncreative and repetitive. Its so sad. They are so wrong.The same people in the same breath will tell about a college bar wherein a band comprised of 40 something white folks and a few possibly overweight possibly legit Rastas maybe if your are lucky will be playing some "really good reggae".These same people will tell you they hate Bob Marley and they also, same breath, will tell you they totally arbitrarily "can dig" Buju Banton. Fucking dolts. But I digress. Reggae is the best. I am not here to tell you why. That would be like the proverbial finger pointing at the moon. It's not the moon. You have to look at the moon yourself. So with reggae I can point in the direction of roots and culture, but the way is vast and you must examine for yourself. But I am here to help.

There are a few must see movies:
1.Rockers

2.Countryman

3.The Harder They Come

4.Life and Debt

5.BBC's The Story of Jamaican Music

I also recommend reading up on : Marcus Garvey, Haile Selassie and Dedan Kimathi for starters.Consider this reggae primer #1.Good luck. Enjoy!

Bonus Video Reggae Big Sound of the week!

Kyuss, The Stoniest of Rock

2010-02-24T14:05:00.003-05:00

I don't listen to a ton of rock. Furthermore I hardly would imagine myself listening to long defunct American southwestern desert stoner rock bands. But stranger things have happened. Hanging in the back of a Kansas City tattoo shop I have thus discovered Kyuss. I have gone on to enjoy the further works of John Garcia such as Hermano and Unida. All I can say is bliss. It will make you wish you had an American muscle car, a shotgun and black leather jacket. Is my love of these bands a phase? Will I wear black jeans and high tops? Will I buy a long jet black weave for to headbang with?No.But I am enthusiastic about the music of John Garcia.

Also in reggae sounds this week the vibe is Perfect Rasta Dubplate.Boom!

UPDATE: New Friend Found.

2010-02-21T19:30:00.003-05:00

That whole 'not getting a dog' stance I had taken didn't take long to come crumbling down. Between writing my last posts about the search for a new animal friend (2/3/10), and the area of February 9th, we found our new buddy. The Meatball was adamant about wanting a dog for his birthday, and seeing as how he was turning 4, his share of the electoral college is not enough to sway any of the major elections in the household. The mistake I made however, was visiting the website of Wayside Waifs. Amid the collection of sad orphans, was Germaine, a 2 1/2 year old rottweiler mix. Growing up with a similar dog, I was immediately rendered useless my nostalgia and pity.

The Lady, Mr. Meatball and I made the trip 45 minutes north to meet Gerry at his foster home. He immediately reminded me of our old family dog 'Hailey', and I made my best effort to pretend that I was unsure if he would come home with us. The vote on the ride home was unanimous. One week later, we would pick him up, and Germaine would join the family.

After 5 days in his new home, things are going well. 2/3 of the cats have accepted they have to share the house with a much larger and very excitable giant. He loves the family, and seems to have accepted his role in the house. Although I protested the most initially, it seems that Gerry will actually be my dog. Honestly, I quite like him, and it seems that despite his seemingly low I.Q., and a few hot paper towel surprises, he will be an excellent edition to the family.

WANTED: Animal Friends!

2010-02-03T19:15:00.001-05:00

I imagine it's the cold. This winter has been taking it's toll on me, and it seems like the obvious answer is get more animals inside the house to huddle up when the temperature dips into subfreezing. This has to be the reason that I can't stop loitering at the Pet World during my trips to buy crickets for our newest friend, Fortsy.

This is a short list of little buddies I would like to come live with me. Due to my busy schedule, the high maintenance, and the fact that I would like to hold out from becoming 'that guy' (for a few more years at least.), these will probably not be coming home anytime soon.

This seems like one of the more realistic options. I went to pet store, and they let this thing just hang out on my shoulder like some sort of amazing post apocalyptic parrot! They get to be a pretty good size, and they don't require me feeding them something that could also be considered a pet.

Downside: Crazy reptile guys.

Hedgehog! They are super cute, and super pointy! This seems like a good small mammal considering the amount of cats that live in our house. A hamster or gerbil would last about 20 minutes, but the hedgehogs natural defenses will deter any hungry felines from disemboweling our own personal 'Sonic'. Also: They swim!

Down side: Besides the aforementioned pointy problem, they are pretty sensitive to climate. Lawrence, Kansas is not known for this arid climate of subtropical temperatures. If Pointy gets too cold, they hibernate: forever. A mammal that is immune to snake venom, but can be killed by 65 degree weather seems a bit high maintenance.

A dog. I would love a dog. We grew up with a dog. I remember having a canine companion fondly, and want my son to be able to grow with up 'man's best friend' as well. Trudging through the woods with the family dog as a sidekick is a wonderful feeling.

Downside: Our son, Meatball, will not be doing any woods trudging in the near future. Nor will he be walking, training, feeding, or using papertowels to pick up still warm dog crap off of the hardwood floors. These jobs will be mine and the lady's. I am just not that far away from diaper duty to want to clean up another mammal's leavings.

Wife's suggestion: A baby!

Downside: Read the downsides for dog, but times like, one million.

Wife's least favorite suggestion: A Burmese python, or known in the zoological community, as a huge fucking snake. They live to be about 25 years old, average about 12 feet, and eat live prey. Having a giant snake, is about as cool as having a BADASS airbrushed van, or one of those guitars, that is like two guitars.

Downside: None I can think of.

On Internet

2010-01-27T03:29:00.009-05:00

Barely Legal: I can haggis, alas!

Awkward moments from some dick interviewing G.O.B.

McDonalds pays a little over $6000 for a slice of cheese

Woman trips and rips a Picasso painting

Swordsman vs Boston Police!

above [via]

Safety First

2010-01-25T06:13:00.003-05:00

[via]

On Internet

2010-01-23T11:21:00.008-05:00

I can haz history

Old auto service reminder. Shit used to be crazy cheap!

Otter plays hiding game

LL Cooked J

Fuck The Police

T.R.O.Y. Apache

2010-01-22T14:29:00.005-05:00

Gangsta boogie with your gangsta bitch....in heaven

Apache - Gangsta Bitch
by homhom

2010-01-22T13:36:00.004-05:00

above: Banksy in Salt Lake City [via]

Get Smart

2010-01-21T23:56:00.006-05:00

For a taste of how news used to be (i.e. calm, neutral, intelligent and without stupid fucking graphics and crawls) check out Charlie Rose on Hulu. (thanks Chris). Charlie is gentleman through and through, as well as the supremely talented journalist Bill Moyers. Bill is unfortunately retiring from his weekly show in April, so go out there and listen. Although Bill isn't what you'd call unbiased, his sober left of center perspective is certainly a dinosaur in todays profit driven news format and should be just the pin to stick in Keith Olbermann already enormous and still inflating head.

On Internet

2010-01-21T20:07:00.011-05:00

Bronald Oil's still the company and Baby's the boss

Rhode Island investigative reporter Jim Taricani gets to the bottom of things.

I Want That: Book Book for MacBook

Zombie Antoinette: Let them eat brains

Eat Fresh: New on the $5 menu

above: [via]

Rebirth of blue.

2010-01-21T13:36:00.006-05:00

My style could be roughly classified as new blue collar casual. Three items make up my base level daily wear: plain blue jeans, plain pocket T's, old school vans. Jeans may be switched up with a heavier work pant. Add ons can consist of button ups, crew neck sweater, plain zip up sweatshirt, work jacket, etc.

I rarely, if ever, wear logo'd or heavily branded items. I have no desire to advertise for others after having already paid them once to wear their clothes. I don't wear slogans or tags for the same reason I dislike bumper stickers. My beliefs are my own. I live them. I don't broadcast them.

I wear what i live. Simple rugged clothes for a simple but at times rugged life. Although I understand and own the necessities for special occasion needs, I don't daily wear anything I can't roll up the sleeves of, dip one knee into the dirt, dig a toe in, and do something myself. I try to never look dirty or disheveled, but I don't shy away from a dirty project.

I appreciate the current return in fashion to work wear and blue collar styles. I understand the resurgence in job specific looks, i.e. lumberjack shirts. The concentration on quality material and construction is absolutely a positive one. The attention paid to the where and how of production will hopefully push for improvements overall in the marketplace.

I only hope the look will also drive a change in attitude of the wearer. Look the part? Act the part. Learn to do it yourself. Own some basic tools. Go to the library or the bookstore. The home/auto repair, diy section of almost any library can be found chock full of books on any question you have. Get your hands dirty. Get your brain greasy.

One thing I always admired in my father was his ability to answer a question. If he didn't know, he'd find out. He'd approach any problem hands on. Of course this meant more than one unfixed, seriously dismantled appliance around the house, but not every battle's a win. My father continued in the long line of men who fixed things. Being your own man meant doing on your own. This used to be the norm. Grandfathers and fathers dismantling the lawnmower on Saturday, cutting the grass on Sunday. Care for what you owned. Care in what you did.

For the record, my father also rocked a mean pair of Levi's and a plain pocket T.

On Internet

2010-01-20T04:59:00.011-05:00

Kitteh: Motherfucker, this is cute.

A League Of Their Own: Whites only basketball league prepares to barnstorm America!

Condiment Fail: I prefer mustard with my hotdog

Bummer Of The Day: John Cryer NOT murdered

The many injuries of Evel Knievel.

The complete Poochinski pilot!!!

Enjoy! Above all enjoy!

2010-01-20T02:01:00.005-05:00

"It is not what we have but, what we enjoy that constitutes our abundance.-Epicurus

Tobacco Shop

The tobacco leaves
so nicely cut,
such a fine color
and fragrance;
one good puff, though,
and all that is left is ash.
-Yamoaka Tesshu

Recipe time!

2010-01-19T18:34:00.006-05:00

Nothing ruins a good day, like a perfect hangover! I like to spice up my morning, until afternoon, (and as I get older, evening as well) with a nice reminder of the previous evenings indulgences. I present to you, a good way to feel bad:

1. Half of a pain pill for a pulled groin. (insert pulling groin joke here)
2. 3 Guinness
3. 2 Bulleit bourbons. Neat.

Mix all of these in your stomach in the course of about two hours, and then enjoy!*

Now, the perfect accoutrement for your sour mood: BAD NEWS!

Go get some canned goods, and buy a jacket!

*You will not enjoy any of this.

On Internet

2010-01-19T14:24:00.010-05:00

Cochella 2010 lineup announced: Some really good stuff in there but I have too much social anxiety to ever go to something that crowded again.

I Need A Hero: And he's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and he's gotta be fresh from the fight. Well done Anderson Cooper

Your Situation Is Serious: Come to find out she's like that everyday

ONN Report: New season of Lost promises to make fans more annoying than ever.

MacGruber: first redband trailer

I Want That: Holy Fuck! An arcade claw game for catching fucking live lobsters!

above: Shark Attack!!! [via]

2010-01-18T17:41:00.010-05:00

I Want That: Actually I already got it, sooo dope! (plus a portion goes to Yele!)

Happy Birthday Jr.!

2010-01-18T14:24:00.003-05:00

Today be nice like MLK and Thich Nhat Hanh!