Leeder

Leeder

:: 2010 10 May :: 1.23am

Fringe - A Show on the Rise
So, I have a question for you fellow TV viewers out there: When did Fringe all of a sudden get so good??

I've been watching this show since the beginning, and despite the fact I immediately saw it for what it was (a 'X-Files' ripoff), it didn't stop me from making it a part of my regular viewing rotation for the past couple of years. While I've always enjoyed (most of) the characters and its escapist/sci-fi tones, I always felt it was vastly inconsistent. Well, that's not entirely true... it was consistent in its inconsistency. The mythology episodes were usually good-to-great, while the stand-alone episodes were usually boring-to-silly. But something's happened since it came back from hiatus. To start, even the one-offs have been captivating, with the time-traveling episode guest starring Peter Weller (aka RoboCop) the most noteworthy example. But, more importantly, I think the showrunners are finally letting the characters and the storyline find their own voice. Yes, they are still ripping off 'The X-Files' (even going so far as cribbing the "I Want to Believe" tagline in last week's episode), but for once, I'm able to see past the similarities because I find myself totally engaged in the stories on their own merits and not as a derivative of another show. To wit, last week's twist evoked an audible reaction from me usually reserved only for my most "hardcore" shows. (As a side note to complete the 'X-Files' comparison, they have even managed to do something the veritable FOX show couldn't, making local law enforcement characters richly detailed with their own angles and motivations. Hell, it's even picking up at the same time 'The X-Files' did: late second season.)

More than anything, the one facet of this show that has kept me coming back through its ups and downs (and is all the more richer now that the rest of the show has caught up) is Walter Bishop. Make no mistake, John Noble's character is the best, most complete, and engaging currently on television (and yes, I'm including 'LOST' in that discussion). There's no other character I can think of--on any medium--that can have me laughing out loud one moment, pulling on my heartstrings the next, than back to guffaws, all within the space of a single scene, as the supermarket scene in last week's "Northwest Passage" did (see link below). Noble's performance is absolutely gripping, and the range and nuance he brings to the already juicy lines reminds me of how criminal it is that this man has not even yet been nominated, let alone won, for this role yet. (Seriously Hollywood, get on this!)

If you haven't seen the show or previously gave up on it, now's the time to give it a(nother) chance. As sad as I am to know that my favorite Leonard Nimoy won't be making any appearances past this season, I can't wait to see where they take it from here.

"Delicious Strawberry-Flavored Death!":
http://www.hulu.com/watch/144902/fringe-northwest-passage

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taoman1121

:: 2010 5 March :: 1.52pm
:: Music: The White Stripes - Little Cream Soda

Well every highway that I go down
Seems to be longer than the last one that I knew about
Oh well

And every girl that I walk around
Seems to be more of an illusion than the last one I found
Oh well

And this old man in front of me wearing canes and ruby rings
And it's like a dang explosion when he sings

And with every chance to set himself on fire,
He just ends up doin' the same thing

Well, each beautiful thing I come across
Tells me to stop moving and shake this riddle off
Oh well

And there was a time when all I wanted
Was my ice cream colder and a little cream soda
Oh well, oh well

And a wooden box and an alley full of rocks
Was all I had to care about
Oh well, oh well, oh well

Now my mind is filled with rubber tires and forest fires
And whether I'm a liar
And lots of other situations
Where I don't know what to do
At which time God screams to me
There's nothing left for me to tell you
Nothing left for me to tell you
Nothing left
Oh well, oh well, oh well, oh well
Oh well, oh well, oh well, oh well

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jedibumblebee

:: 2010 3 February :: 5.25pm
:: Music: Hockey- Song Away

I'd like to let you know I'll always be straight with you/ I stole my personality from an anonymous source/ And I'm getting paid for it too, I don't feel bad about that.
Make me a deal and make it good for me,
I won't get full of myself, cause I can't afford to be.
This is small town music, this is big town music,
He's ahead of his time, you know... but, he can't use it...
If only he could prove it.

Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.
Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.
It's just a song away.

See what your man has done to the world,
See what the world has done to your man.
You know I'm leaving you, you don't need me,
Lovin' you wasn't always so easy.

This is believe me music, this is forget me music,
This is who can love me, you know, this ain't no roxy music.
This is new form music, this is old form music,
This is I paid attention not some makes his prediction music.
Oh, he could let me use it.

Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.
Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.
It's just a song away.

Not wanting to write a truthful song over an eighties groove,
I'd like to let you know I'll always be straight with you.
I stole my personality from an anonymous source,
And I'm getting paid for it too, I don't feel bad about that.
Give me my chance back.

This is on the rise music, this is novelty music,
This is who can blame music, I don't get fooled by it
This is "where'd you go" music, this is "come home" music,
This is down to the wire I'm such a perfect angel music.
Who really tries?

Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.
Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.
It's just a song away.

Ah well,

This is success music, and what's it to ya?
My lawyer always says these are the facts about the future, well....

Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.
Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.

Tomorrow's just a song away, a song away, a song away.
It's just a song away.

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jedibumblebee

:: 2010 19 January :: 8.40pm
:: Music: MGMT- Time to Pretend

Yeah it's overwhelming, but what else can we do?/ Get jobs in offices and wake up for the morning commute?
I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life
Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives
I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin and fuck with the stars
You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars

This is our decision to live fast and die young
We've got the vision, now let's have some fun.
Yeah it's overwhelming, but what else can we do?
Get jobs in offices and wake up for the morning commute?

Forget about our mothers and our friends
We were fated to pretend

I'll miss the playgrounds and the animals and digging up worms
I'll miss the comfort of my mother and the weight of the world
I'll miss my sister, miss my father, miss my dog and my home
Yeah, I'll miss the boredom and the freedom and the time spent alone

But there is really nothing, nothing we can do
Love must be forgotten, life can always start up anew
The models will have children, we'll get a divorce
We'll find some more models, everything must run its course

We'll choke on our vomit and that will be the end
We were fated to pretend

leave a comment

jedibumblebee

:: 2010 19 January :: 8.06pm

Bands/artists I would like to see in concert soon-ish:

Eric Hutchinson (again)
Modest Mouse (again)
MGMT
Ben Kweller (again)
Passion Pit
Vampire Weekend
Beck
Death Cab for Cutie (again)
Regina Spektor
Matt and Kim
Phoenix
Franz Ferdinand
Ben Folds (again)
Mates of State
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (again)

2 comments | leave a comment

jedibumblebee

:: 2010 10 January :: 7.42pm

Ok, is there a website like this?

I want a site where I can enter the names of bands that I like, and it will provide me with something like Google Reader where I can check ONE PLACE to see all of their upcoming shows, albums, etc.

I mean, I could just like, put parts of their websites in Google Reader but it seems so ineffective to sort through all the stuff I don't care about just to get a quick list of places/dates.

Ya'all are hooked up... any thoughts?

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jedibumblebee

:: 2010 10 January :: 6.44pm
:: Music: Barenaked Ladies- What a Good Boy

I wake up wondering if anything in my life is ever going to change...
When I was born they looked at me and said
What a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy
And when you were born they looked at you and said
What a good girl, what a smart girl, what a pretty girl

We've got these chains that hang around our necks
People want to strangle us with them before we take our first breath
Afraid of change, afraid of staying the same
When temptation calls we just look away

This name is the hairshirt I wear
And this hairshirt is woven from your brown hair
This song is the cross that I bear
Bear it with me, bear with me, bear with me
Be with me tonight
I know that it isn't right
But be with me tonight

I go to school, I write exams
If I pass, if I fail, if I drop out, does anyone give a damn?
And if they do, they'll soon forget
'Cause it won't take much for me to show that my life ain't over yet

I wake up scared, I wake up strange
I wake up wondering if anything in my life is ever going to change
I wake up scared, I wake up strange
And everything around me stays the same

I couldn't tell you that I was wrong
Chickened out, grabbed a pen and paper, sat down and I wrote this song
I couldn't tell you that you were right
So instead I looked in the mirror watched tv laid awake all night

We've got these chains that hang around our necks
People want to strangle us with them before we take our first breath
Afraid of change, afraid of staying the same
When temptation calls....

When I was born they looked at me and said
What a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy
And when you were born they looked at you and said
What a good girl, what a smart girl, what a pretty girl, hey

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taoman1121

:: 2009 29 December :: 4.13pm

Top 50 Films of the 2000s
1. Munich (2005)
2. Lost In Translation (2003)
3. Children of Men (2006)
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
5. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
6. Memento (2000)
7. Minority Report (2002)
8. There Will Be Blood (2007)
9. The Dark Knight (2008)
10. Kill Bill, Volume 1 (2003)
11. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
12. Moulin Rouge (2001)
13. American Psycho (2000)
14. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
15. Adaptation (2002)
16. The Hours (2002)
17. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
18. Amelie (2001)
19. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004)
20. The Departed (2006)
21. The Incredibles (2004)
22. The Prestige (2006)
23. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
24. Gladiator (2000)
25. Vanilla Sky (2001)
26. The Lives of Others (2006)
27. I Heart Huckabees (2004)
28. 25th Hour (2002)
29. Volver (2006)
30. Bowling For Columbine (2002)
31. Collateral (2004)
32. Ratatouille (2007)
33. Juno (2007)
34. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
35. Mystic River (2003)
36. Donnie Darko (2001)
37. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)
38. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)
39. Closer (2004)
40. Walk The Line (2005)
41. The Bourne Identity (2002)
42. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
43. The King of Kong (2007)
44. Star Trek (2009)
45. The Wrestler (2008)
46. Once (2006)
47. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
48. Away We Go (2009)
49. A History of Violence (2005)
50. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

# of films, by year
8 (2002, 2004); 7 (2006); 6 (2001); 5 (2005, 2007); 4 (2003); 3 (2000); 2 (2008, 2009)

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taoman1121

:: 2009 24 December :: 2.16pm

Best of 2009
Top CDs
1. Regina Spektor - Far
2. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
3. The Decemberists - Hazards of Love
4. Silversun Pickups - Swoon
5. Pearl Jam - Backspacer
6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
7. Eels - Hombre Lobo: 12 Songs of Desire
8. A Fine Frenzy - Bomb in a Birdcage
9. David Gray - Draw the Line
10. Moby - Wait for Me

Top Movies
work in progress
1. Away We Go
2. Star Trek
3. Sherlock Holmes
4. Avatar
5. Where the Wild Things Are
6. The Informant!
7. The Men Who Stare at Goats
8. Watchmen
9. Public Enemies
10. Angels & Demons

Top Video Games
played, not necessarily released, in 2009
1. Bioshock
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)
3. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
4. NCAA Football '10 (2009)
5. Half-Life 2
6. Rock Band 2
7. House of the Dead: Overkill (2009)
8. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009)
9. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
10. Silent Hill: Homecoming

Top Books
read, not necessarily released, in 2009
1. Nick Hornby - Juliet, Naked (2009)
2. Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons - The Watchmen
3. Markus Zusak - The Book Thief
4. Mark Blake - Comfortably Numb: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd
5. Flannery O'Connor - Everything that Rises Must Converge
6. Dave Eggers - Zeitoun (2009)
7. Brian Vaughan & Pia Guerra - Y: The Last Man
8. Patrick McGilligan - Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness & Light
9. Michael Kane - Game Boys
10. Mark Oliver Everett - Things the Grandchildren Should Know

2 comments | leave a comment

jedibumblebee

:: 2009 1 December :: 8.28pm

seriously...

I will post more "real" stuff on woohu once I have stuff worth sharing.... or should I say, that I want to share with this audience.

these are still my thoughts (in song form) and woohu's still my journal :)

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jedibumblebee

:: 2009 21 November :: 9.54pm

Update
Start: April 4, 2008
End: January 1, 2011

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

My 101:

De-Cluttering/Organizing/Practical
~~1. Replace pictures in frames around the house~~
2. Get wedding dress cleaned and boxed
~~3. Organize the den~~
~~4. Get rid of old clothes that I haven�t worn in 1+ year~~
~~5. Back up files on the computer(s)~~
6. Give away three items on Freecycle
~~7. Take one full carload of stuff to Goodwill~~
8. Shred old documents and set up a better filing system
9. Have a garage sale
Relationships
10. Get a new address book- update, add anyone I am missing, add birthdays
11. Send out greeting cards to at least 8 people/families each for 4 holidays other than xmas
~~12. Actually throw our belated housewarming party~~
13. Send someone a surprise "care package" for no reason
~~14. Email or call Grams at least 1x per month~~
~~15. Make two new friends~~
~~16. Celebrate a random anniversary with Paul~~
17. Have a baby (I have, like, three years, right?)
Giving & Community
~~18. Volunteer for a charitable organization~~
19. Make a loan on Kiva.org
~~20. Donate to a cause~~
21. Give a 50% tip for service well done.
22. Pay for someone�s meal in the drive-thru behind me.
Going Without
23. Go one month without buying anything Made in China
24. Go one month without eating any fast food
25. Go one week at work without using the Internet for anything non-work related
~~26. Go one week eating only at home (including no take-out/pick-up), or with food brought from home~~
27. Go one week without spending any money.
~~28. Go one weekend (from Friday after work through bedtime Sunday night) without using the computer~~
29. Go one weekend (from Friday after work through bedtime Sunday night) without watching any TV
Health & Nutrition
30. Weigh the same or less than I did when I got married
~~31. Shop for fruits & vegetables at farmers market~~
~~32. Go for a walk (20 minutes or more) every day for one week~~
33. Go one month without drinking soda
~~34. Work out at least 2x per week~~
~~35. Go to bed by 10 PM every night for one week~~
36. Take vitamin every day
~~37. Try a new fitness class~~
~~38. Buy a Weight Watchers cookbook and start cooking better~~
~~39. Join a gym~~
House & Home
~~40. Make ten new dinner recipes~~
~~41. Purchase something from a local crafter/artisan that I would otherwise buy from a mainstream retailer~~
42. Have the hardwood floors refinished
43. Plant trees and vines in the back of the yard
44. Paint the main level of the house (or get it painted)
45. Put crown molding in the bedrooms
46. Build a headboard for the bed
~~47. Plant a vegetable garden~~
48. Buy a new vacuum
49. Buy a new washer and dryer
50. Redecorate the kitchen
51. Complete the landscaping in the backyard
52. Paint the windmill in the backyard
53. Complete an insurance inventory for the house
54. Put a new floor in the kitchen and entryway
Finances
55. Increase savings by $4,000.00
56. Sell something on Ebay
57. Buy some more stock
~~58. Increase income by $20,000.00~~
59. Eliminate all consumer debt
60. Increase 401(k) contributions to 15%
61. Create a will
62. Create and stick to a monthly budget
63. Put $5 into said savings for every item I crossed off and then do something fun with it at the end of 1001 days.
64. For every item on the list not completed at the end of the 1001, donate $5 to charity.
Personal/Professional Growth
65. Finish my CEBS credentials
~~66. Finish PHR designation~~
67. Start work on my MBA
~~68. Get promoted~~
69. Start building a real professional wardrobe
70. Start pursuing my resume writing/critiquing business
The Arts
~~71. Go to a show at Miller Auditorium~~
~~72. Go to 2 concerts per year~~
73. Go to a touring production of a Broadway musical
74. See a concert in another state
Travel
~~75. Visit two states I haven't been to before (actually spend time- not just drive through)~~
76. Travel to a country outside of North America
~~77. Visit Traverse City~~
78. Visit Mackinaw Island
79. Go on a road trip
~~80. Go to Vegas~~
81. Take a cruise
82. Visit Mom/Dad at least 2x per year
Hobbies/Leisure/Random
83. Go camping
~~84. Buy a new (used) car~~
85. Go to a drive-in movie
86. Buy a drink for a stranger
~~87. Go to a Red Wings game~~
88. Take a dance class
89. Go to an ethnic cultural festival
~~90. Buy a case of wine~~
91. Take a cooking class
92. Take another personal interest/leisure activity class
93. Learn how to mix a signature drink
94. Try ten restaurants that I haven't been to before
95. Go rock indoor climbing
96. Publish a secret I have on www.postsecret.com
97. Register a dollar on wheresgeorge.com
98. Color an entire coloring book
99. Learn origami
100. Go roller skating again
101. Get someone else to do 101 things in 1001 days

1 comment | leave a comment

jedibumblebee

:: 2009 18 November :: 10.09pm
:: Music: 3OH!3- Starstrukk

'Cause I just set them up/ Just set them up/ Just set them up to knock them down
Nice legs, Daisy Dukes,
Makes a man go (whistles),
That's the way they all come through like (whistles),
Low-cut, see-through shirts that make ya (whistles),
That's the way she come through like (whistles),

'Cause I just set them up,
Just set them up,
Just set them up to knock them down,
'Cause I just set them up,
Just set them up,
Just set them up to knock them down

I think I should know how to make love to something innocent without leaving my fingerprints out,
Now,
L-o-v-e's just another word I never learned to pronounce,
How do I say I'm sorry 'cause the word is just never gonna come out,
Now,
L-o-v-e's just another word I never learned to pronounce

Tight jeans, double d's makin' me go (whistles),
All the people on the street know (whistles),
Iced out, lit-up make the kids go (whistles),
All the people on the street know (whistles),

'Cause I just set them up,
Just set them up,
Just set them up to knock them down,
'Cause I just set them up,
Just set them up,
Just set them up to knock them down

I think I should know how to make love to something innocent without leaving my fingerprints out,
Now,
L-o-v-e's just another word I never learned to pronounce,
How do I say I'm sorry 'cause the word is just never gonna come out,
Now,
L-o-v-e's just another word I never learned to pronounce

Push it baby, push it baby,
Out of control,
I got my gun cocked tight and I'm ready to blow,
Push it baby, push it baby,
Out of control,
This is the same old dance that you already know,
Push it baby, push it baby,
Out of control,
I got my gun cocked tight and I'm ready to blow,
Push it baby, push it baby,
Out of control,
This is the same old dance that you already know

I think I should know how to make love to something innocent without leaving my fingerprints out,
Now,
L-o-v-e's just another word I never learned to pronounce

leave a comment

jedibumblebee

:: 2009 9 October :: 7.54pm
:: Music: Gossip- Heavy Cross

We can play it safe, or play it cool/ Follow the leader, or make up all the rules/ Whatever you want, the choice is yours/ So choose...
Last night I found myself begging Paul to agree to move out of state.
I'm feeling restless again.... it's time to make a change.

5 comments | leave a comment

Jedibumblebee

:: 2009 8 October :: 8.24am
:: Music: The Killers- Read My Mind

I never really gave up on/ Breakin' out of this two-star town./ I got the green light/ I got a little fight/ I'm gonna turn this thing around.
on the corner of main street
just tryin' to keep it in line
you say you wanna move on and
you say I'm falling behind

can you read my mind?
can you read my mind?

I never really gave up on
breakin' out of this two-star town
I got the green light
I got a little fight
I'm gonna turn this thing around

can you read my mind?
can you read my mind?

The good old days
the honest man
the restless heart
the promised land
a subtle kiss
that no one sees
a broken wrist
and a big trapeze

Oh well I don't mind
if you don't mind
coz I don't shine
if you don't shine
before you go

can you read my mind?

it's funny how you just break down
waitin' on some sign
I pull up to the front of your driveway
with magic soakin' my spine

can you read my mind?
can you read my mind?

The teenage queen
the loaded gun
the drop dead dream
the chosen one
a southern drawl
a world unseen
a city wall
and a trampoline

Oh well I don't mind
if you don't mind
coz I don't shine
if you don't shine
before you jump
tell me what you find
when you read my mind

Slippin in my faith
until I fall
He never returned that call
woman, open the door
don't let it sting
I wanna breathe that fire again

She said
I don't mind
if you don't mind
coz I don't shine
if you don't shine
put your back on me
put your back on me
put your back on me

The stars are blazing
like rebel diamonds
cut out of the sun
can you read my mind?

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