Categories
Technology

The Wonders of Internet Shopping

So, I’m out sick from work today and bored as heck. To cheer me up, my friend Robin pointed me to an Amazon link for Tuscan Whole Milk, 1 Gallon, 128 fl oz.

That quite possibly might be the most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen. Who in their right mind would buy a perishable food item online? Especially considering that, with shipping and handling to get the item to your household without spoiling, it might cost you as much as ten times the price of going to your local store.

The best part by far is the product reviews, all 835 (and counting) of them that get a good laugh at the absurdity of the idea—a worthwhile read.

Categories
Pop culture Technology

Thank You Zach Miller

joe and monkey nintendo wii

For knowing exactly how to put it.

That is all

-J

Categories
Technology

Rules of the Audio Cleanup Game

Since March, I’ve received a lot of feedback regarding my cleaned up remix of the Gimp version of ‘Supernothing.’ (In case you’re not familiar with what I’m talking about, take a look at this post here.) In fact, the .mp3 file generates the majority of the traffic that this site receives. So much so that I needed to up my hosting plan.

I don’t mind, though. As a Streetlight Manifesto fan, I’m just glad to be contributing and helping other people enjoy their music as much as I do. I’m delighted that people are grateful for the work I did, and I appreciate the comments and messages regarding it. Most of which come from people from Skachilles (the official unofficial Streetlight Manifesto message board.)

It’s because of this response that I am writing this. The majority of the messages come with questions as to what I’m working on. As well as encouragement that I work on more. Most ask me to take a crack at Catch-22’s ‘Rules of the Game’ EP. I figured I should post something of a follow up to that since I get asked so often.

Although I’m a graphic designer, not an audio engineer, back in March, I was very excited by the work I had done. As such, I took a serious stab at cleaning up ‘I’m Better Than You.’ I even went as far as to buy good studio headphones to work on the project. However, once I got into it, I found that the recordings of ‘Rules of the Game’ are a bit more challenging than ‘Supernothing’ was. Partially due to the recording quality, partially due to the speed/intensity of the songs, but mostly due to my personal lack of expertise.

With ‘Supernothing,’ there is a lot of silence and lows in the song. That gives me more to work with to take out the ambient tape noise. When working with a song like ‘I’m Better Than You,’ that’ is not the case. Thus far, I’ve had no luck with any of the other recordings and haven’t produced anything worth releasing or commenting on here. I haven’t given up entirely, but at this time, it’s not within my skill level, nor is it high on my list of priorities. (No offense!) 

While I appreciate all the encouragement and feedback, what it comes down to is this: I’m a graphic designer, not an audio engineer.

It’s just something I tried out and got lucky. I’m going to keep trying, and I’ll keep you guys posted should I manage any other future miracles, but I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up too much.

Thanks again for the interest and kind words, keep me in your bookmarks if something pops up, here will be where to find it.

Categories
Pop culture

‘The Prestige’

The Prestige‘ was everything a good movie should be. It had everything: thrills, suspense, mystery, heartbreak, humor, and romance.

Much applause for Christopher Nolan, who really put together a fine film. I was also floored by the excellent cast and the stellar performances all around.

2006 has been an excellent year for movies. I am curious to see what the holiday season will bring.

Categories
Pop culture

Killers singer ‘offended’ by Green Day

Apparently, Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, was a bit annoyed by Green Day‘s 2005 DVD ‘Bullet In a Bible’. In particular, the performance of American Idiot and how Billie Joe pumps the audience during it.

“I just thought it was really cheap,” he explained. “To go to a place like England or Germany and sing that song – those kids aren’t taking it the same way that he meant it. And he [Billie Joe Armstrong] knew it.”

After reading the article, I tend to agree with him. There are parts of ‘Bullet In A Bible’ that kinda struck me as Green Day deliberately missing their own point and playing up anti-American hatred. That said, to get offended is somewhat ridiculous if you ask me. What were they supposed to do, not play the song?

That said, the phenomenon he’s referring to does bother me. While I was in Ireland in 2004, there were a ton of kids wearing ‘Not My President’ shirts with swastikas drawn on Bush’s forehead. I wore that shirt with pride as an American just as I sing along to American Idiot. With pride in my nation and what it stands for, in civil disagreement of my government’s policies. Not because I hate my country, but because I love it. Somehow I don’t think those kids in Europe get that. In that sense, I agree with Flowers, and it scares me.

It’s just a shame it he is saying it a year too late, and for shameless self-promotion:

The Killers frontman said he believed that his band’s new album ‘Sam’s Town’ is a much better representation of America.

“People need to see that, really, there are the nicest people in the world here!” he declared. “I don’t know if our album makes you realise that. But I hope it’s from a more positive place.”

(Via Punknews)