Faded

2009-04-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

I came up with a long, narrative post today about the latest round of layoffs. It would describe in poetic detail the exhaustion, stress, and sorrow that this economy brings with it. I saw several adults weep openly today as a security guard packed their things for them.

I am sick to my stomach thinking of it, so I will just not. I will say an image burned into my mind was a coworker with his head hung in shame, holding a picture of his wife and kids as he was escorted out of the building. I saw him whisper "i'm sorry" to the picture, and I could see him start to tear up.

Take that as you will.

Not really back, just saying hi.

2009-04-25T21:37:00.001-07:00

Is there anything more ironic then to look at the internet, the collective brian-dump for a huge part of the planet, and feel you don’t belong?

Strange, abstract thoughts to be having on a Saturday night.

I’m seriously considering making a comeback to this blog. As you are well aware reader, holding your breath on something like this would be ill-advised.

Love from Iowa.

Nothing to see here, move along.

2009-03-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

One thing I have learned since I left school is how little I really know. When attending a tough private school and getting decent grades, you feel like pretty hot shit. Going into the real world and teaching yourself how to change your oil, do your taxes, and pay rent shows you that the majority of things you know amount an amusing collection of facts that can only be dicussed with fellow private school grads.

I've grounded quite a bit since college. I love my friends, I deeply love my girlfriend, and I am so grateful for my family.

Life isn't terrible for me right now.

Have a diet coke on me.

-Faded.

Back from DC

2009-02-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

Back from a looonnngg trip to DC. Feeling very mixed feelings after seeing my girlfriend again. Very unsure why we are apart right now.

I am a little worn out from a long day, but I feel like I will have more to post soon. Just wanted to say "I am alive" to all my fanboys out there.

Update

2009-02-08T17:08:00.001-08:00

I'm working on some stuff. Stay tuned. Sorry for the wait.

Presidential Humor

2009-01-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

I think all presidents make attempts at humor. For anybody that watched them, John McCain on late night comedy shows was great. Even entering into a hostile environment after snubbing David Letterman, McCain was cracking jokes and seemed to be having a great time. So much so that I remarked he may make a better late night television show host then president.

Bush loves to make jokes. He makes jokes all the time.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/10/bush-says-refused-bail-republicans-iraq-withdrawal/

Unlike his son, the elder President Bush served only one term, leaving him to wonder about "things I'd like to have done" on his "unfulfilled agenda." But he has remained active since leaving the White House, even skydiving well into his golden years. He plans another jump in June, when he will be 85."I think he's a nut to jump out of airplane at age 70, 75, 80 and 85," remarked his son, who added: "Actually, I think it's cool." His dad, who now walks with a cane, agreed. "You don't want to sit around just because you're an old guy, drooling in the corner," the elder Bush said. "Old guys can still do stuff." To which his son quipped: "You can drool and jump at the same time."

One can argue if this is funny or not (it's certainly gross) but Bush really tries to use humor frequently in interviews.

I think Obama really sets a different tone with the press and on TV. Instead of using humor (as in actual jokes) he instead talks about parts of his family's life that make us think "oh, they are just like us!". The new dog for the white house would be the best example. Saying "we want to get a mutt, just like me" isn't really humor, but it is endearing anyway.

I'm not sure what I prefer in a president. It was inspiring to see Bush so angry and moved after 9/11. I think the country as a whole, for a moment, wanted to go kick some ass. But Bush's stubborn and reactionary leadership proved to be a determent in the long term. His humor came off in a bad way after a while. The infamous clip of him giving the middle finger to a cameraman has been viewed millions of times on youtube.

Which is preferable, a likeable and relatable president or a president who try to be "professional" and keep his calm at all times? I don't mean to try and compare Bush and Obama, I mean in general. I am certainly more like Bush in my responses to everyday life (I yell on the phone half of the day) and try to use humor frequently throughout my days. I sort of envy Obama's permanent sense of calm. My dad remarked this morning that it was that sense of calm that made him not trust Obama. He wanted to be able to see through body language how the president was feeling. I thought this was strange, as my dad has this aura of intellectual calm about him as well.

Maybe there is a clip out there of Obama being a dumbass in front of a camera too, and it just takes time for these things to get out there. I'm not really sure. Was Clinton funny? Is this a democratic thing? I'm not sure, I didn't really watch Clinton on TV.

I can understand the need to be liked (I really enjoyed McCain on Letterman) but in my opinion just because your job is so public doesn't mean you can be unprofessional. I think it is funny to hear presidents joke, but I would overall prefer a more serious person in the role. I don't think not smiling is a qualification for president, or that is somehow makes Obama more qualified to be an effective leader. It just reassures me that we have a president who has an overall plan, and it not as reactionary as past leaders have been.

Just some thoughts on a Sunday afternoon.

Burris in the Senate?

2009-01-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090106/ap_on_go_co/senate_burris

(I wrote this monday morning, no time to post till now)

Believe it or not, some kid in finance knows next to nothing about Constitutional Law. I’ve most certainly read the constitution and the federalist/anit-federalist papers, but unlike many of my former classmates I don’t believe that somehow makes me an expert on the topic. I wrote a paper about the provisions in the constitution protecting us from having a standing army in our homes and its applications to the modern world are staggering. Beware servicemen who crash on my couch, for you will get an intense lecture.

In all seriousness though, this has to be the most interesting legal issue I know of since Bush vs. Gore. I can only imagine the heated debated occurring in the ivory tower of legal thought around the United States. Unlike some poorly written Jerry Failhemier production, this entire saga has incredible implications for our legal and political future as a country. Assuming there is at least one other corrupt politician out there (and I know it’s a stretch), can political positions be given as favors by corrupt politicians?

Let’s say the Governor of Iowa is found guilty of corruption. During his term, he appointed a judge to a vacant seat. Is this appointment legal? I have no idea. Pretty interesting stuff though.

Leon Panetta

2009-01-10T17:03:00.000-08:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Panetta

Head of the CIA isn’t quite a give-away position. I’m not saying any secretary position is, or that any of the appointments so far aren’t very serious jobs. I do see a trend here to appoint old Clinton-era advisors. In fact, every player from Clinton’s white house already has position with Obama (most notable of course being Rahm). Non-partisan question here: Why is this man qualified to be the head of the CIA?

Seriously, it's like watching the wire.

2009-01-10T17:02:00.002-08:00

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-dixon0109,0,3147190.story

Shit is real.

New Look

2009-01-10T17:02:00.001-08:00

I didn't like the old look. Very loud.

This Week

2009-01-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

Big week for me, moving around between companies (to the parent company, same place really) or at least hearing about my assignment. Should be exciting.

More updates later.

Happy New Year.

2009-01-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

I can't let the new year pass without some kind of reflection. I've learned a lot in 2008. To say that 2008 was the year when I finally grew up would be...a lie. Still very much a kid. Still love video games.

I approached reflection as I do with most things in my life; black and white. Was this year good or bad? Win or fail? You can't do that though. I have to take the good with the bad. I guess I will go into finance-mode and track my performance.

In the year where my entire industry got laid off, I kept my job. For now. That is an accomplishment. If anything, 2008 was the year that I did well at work. So plus +1.

I love music, but I have pushed the making of it out of my life as I have got busy. My guitar case hasn't been opened for almost a year. That's -1.

I went to amazing parties. I bought bottle service at the most exclusive club in Iowa (which is kind of like saying I bought one beer in NYC on the coolness scale). I have had so many amazing nights, at least I believe so. In my do or don't do at all attitude, I have periods of no drinking at all and nights that go to 6 in the morning. I don't like that. It's not really a resolution per se, but 2009 will be the year where drinking takes a back seat to everything else. It's dumb to say I am going to quit drinking altogether, but I no longer see the connection between good times and drinking. I have much more fun sober. (no real + or - there)

2008 was the year I quit smoking! I have a smoke every now in then with old friends, but amounts to two cigs over the last 3 months. A co-worker asked me, "wow! How did you do it?". I responded "I just stopped". +1

2008 was the year i did not care about my body. Ate whatever, didn't work out, always with the excuse I didn't have time. 2009 will be better. -1

2008 was the year the absolute love of my life spent with me. Then she left. I don't know how it is going to work, but by the end of 2009, we are not going to be in different cities ever again. It may take me giving up my job to move to DC. Oh well. Kicking ass and taking names is just not worth it if there is nobody to come home too. +1 wonderful times, -1 her leaving

So that nets to zero. Sounds about right. Didn't need any excel marcos to calcuate the IRR on those numbers.

Happy new year all. Let's make 2009 just +1 better.

Hm.

2008-12-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

Everything is equal to what you put into it. I have a very strong opinion that something is not worth doing if you don't give it your all. I think this blog falls into that. I mean, there is nothing wrong with writing a post now and then. But I can't do it. I feel like I need epic posts 5 times a day with tons of readers for it to be worth it.

In short, I am perfectionist who is impatient. I need to start a little bit at a time and try to provide something fun for you to read dearest reader (s?).

Hopefully that will come soon.

CNBC now-Auto industry bailout

2008-11-06T17:10:00.001-08:00

The 25 billion dollar question:

Which is worse: making government pay for pension plan benefits with little chance of recovery, or jobless claims hitting 15%?

I had no damn idea. Socialism (it smells like socialism in here!!) or a depression? Lose freaking lose senario.

2008-11-04T17:50:00.000-08:00

“When the fight begins within himself, a man's worth something.” -Robert Browning,Bishop Blougram's Apology, 1855

GTA4 online

2008-11-01T16:43:00.000-07:00

Playing some GTA4 online with Applied Pragmatism right now. I have played a lot of online games, and I know there are better, but there is something about GTA4 online that is so addicting. Relatively simple controls, quick spawns, and the team combat is fun to get involved with.

I believe in a rock, paper, scissors rule when it comes to team deathmatch.

Rock-Car
Paper-Wall
Scissors-RPG

Players do run around and shoot at each other, but I mainly see the above three strategies in team deathmatch. Rock is to hop in a car, barrel through streets, and try to run over your opponents. AP is quite good at Rock, is very effective with it. Hitting a player, while often not totally killing them in one pass, is great because of the "reset" time that it takes for a player to stand back up. You can typically come back for another swipe before the have moved much.

Next is paper. As fast or expensive as your car may be, if I stand behind even a 1 foot concrete wall, you can not hit me. I will just stand and snipe cars as they drive by. When they drive up, it's like delivery.

Last there is scissors. For every guy hiding behind a wall, laughing at cars, there is one who will simply blow him away. In GTA, sticking to one spot or "camping" as it is known is often fatal as once you are locked into the wall structure, it is hard to get out. It provides protection from cars, but you are a fish in a barrel for an RPG.

I think the one flaw here is that an RPG is good against cars too. I do think that if you are using a car well, and watching what is going on around you, an RPG can be hard to use against a car.

You stay classy.

You can buy anything these days

2008-10-26T20:40:00.001-07:00

2008-10-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end — which you can never afford to lose — with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
-James Collins outlining the “Stockdale Paradox”

Tis the Season

2008-10-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

Watching the Final Debate

2008-10-15T18:21:00.001-07:00

I'm sick currently, so I won't liveblog this one. I will be drinking some serious tea however amd enjoying watching this very much. I drink green Tazo and loose leaf Oolong.

New posts soon.

Paul Krugman Wins Nobel for Economics

2008-10-13T05:15:00.001-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-nobel-economics.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Raise your hand if you saw this comming.

UPDATE:

The Nobel prize for economics (let’s just call it that) is a subject near and dear to my heart. If the 2008 election was is my NCCA championship, then to me the Nobel prize for economics is the superbowl. I love it. I wrote papers in college about Markowitz and his famous Ph. D thesis. During a class on portfolio theory I corrected my professor on his faulty assertions of Markowtiz’s theories. Merton, Scholes, and Black’s work brought about from the 1997 prize and papers on the topic dominate a good part of my weekly workload. The 1976 winner single-handedly convinced my all-time favorite columnist, David Brooks, to study economic theory.

I will stop for a minute to say that I love the work of these great men with a hint of realism. In short, all of their theories have been more or less proved wrong by Tabel’s Black Swan Theory (Update: just the financial theory ones, obviously MF is still right on Econ). If any fool thought that 1987 crash wasn’t enough data, please read up on the last year or so of volatility and macro-blunders by the fed to end the argument.

I won’t give my opinion on Krugman. Read between the lines and find out for yourself (update: tried to be impartial below, didn’t really succeed very well). I will say that I read every one of his articles in the NYT for quite some time now and have watched numerous interviews with him on Countdown on MSNBC.

In my opinion, Krugman’s win is a direct consequence of John Nash’s 1994 win. Yes, the beautiful mind guy. In 1994, his win of the prize caused a huge amount of controversy. Namely because awards for intellectual ability do not often fall to the totally insane. Yes, I love game theory. A lot. I think my only regret in life so far is not studying game theory (or really engaging with my classes at all in college; that is a different story though). Nash’s work is incredibly important. But his win changed the rules about who gives out the award. A forced changing of the guard so to speak has allowed political theater to enter into what was once a purist award for classic Austrian theory or modern interpretation of those theories. I will not say the change in direction is due entirely to Bertil Holmlund being the new chairman. Honestly, I know nothing about the man (Holmlund). But something really changed, even since last year’s very important and deserving win.

This pick is going to go down as controversial. Why? Well, at the moment, Krugman is a pundit. I have been saying for months now he is the next secretary of the treasury (under Obama) and really has campaigned as such. He spends the entirety of his time railing on the Bush administration while keeping busy with his one class at Princeton. Why this troubles me is that Krugman is (hold your breath) actually incredibly intelligent. His body of work is simply breathtaking. He work in trade theory is deserving of a Nobel Prize. In fact, I would say less then 5% of the economists whose opinion I have read today are surprised (I read quite a few). Krugman wasn’t shocked or even pleased really in his NYT statement.

But why now? Right before arguably the most important election in modern memory? Look at this: http://scientific.thomsonreuters.com/nobel/nominees/#economics I was pulling for the Hansen, Sims, and Sargent ticket. Econometrics is so very important, and the attention gained from a nobel win would have really advanced the science. I mean, if I really wanted a pick out of left field I don’t think Eugene Fama has his yet? Reuters didn’t even have Krugman as a possible win. Does this pick, at this time, indicate anything else but the Nobel prize committee’s interest in the apparent Obama regime?

I can’t help but feel cynical (as I did with McCain’s pick of Palin). This is political theater and in my opinion tarnishes this win. In summation: think what you will of Krugman, but the timing of this is suspicious to say the least. Krugman just joined a club with Hayek and Milton Friedman as members. I wonder if we could go back to 1976 and ask Friedman what he would say about the Krugman pick.

Check out this mix

2008-10-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Watch the video to see who is rapping over the beat: fantastic stuff. Heard this song all over the place this weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9JprYbmW8Q&feature=related

More to come. Damn we keep it busy and popping around here. I heard this song at three sunday morning.

Check out Gawker's Depression playlist

2008-10-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

http://gawker.com/5061990/whats-your-depression-playlist

Thoughts on Saturday morning

2008-10-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

I love using the music service pandora radio. I think that they make the strong point that musical tastes are better organized by elements within the music you listen to rather than liking a list of artists.

I think I should make it clear that as I write this it is early in the morning, I am alone, and I am thoughtful after a very busy week. When I'm out at a club I might here a song that I would like when I'm having a good time. But for me, hip hop is to be enjoyed alone with headphones. Hip hop party music is totally overused, overhyped, and just boring. Any of the songs below would clear a dance floor and I understand some beats are more dancable than others. That's fine. When I talk about loving hip hop, I mean for personal enjoyment. I'm not talking as a DJ; just as a fan.

Elements I enjoy:

I like music that has a dramatic quality to it. Listen not only to the lyrics on this track, but more importantly the beat behind it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlDo81vu7wY

The first element you hear is a heavy, slightly blown out kick. This kick sound was very common in rap several years ago and is more or less designed for what Em calls "rolling music". The kick is going to provide loud bass for trying to blow your speakers out to in your suburb.

I think Em's major contribution to beatmaking in his music was the use of guitar. You can hear the sample of a guitar strumming three times over the E-string on a guitar and the sound being faded out through the volume knob on the guitar.

Finally there is the snare. This is really important to me, and again emblematic of Em's music. Em samples acoustic drum samples. As in, he records each element of the drums off of an actual drum set. When you get low-level recording software it will come with pre-made sounds that are not an actual sample of live drums. It sounds shitty. Listen to "Stan" by Em again and just listen to the snare. Again, reall drum samples, slightly blown out bass, guitar in the background.

Finally (and get back to my first statement), the strings add the dramatic element that I really enjoy. When I think dramatic, my first thought it soundtrack. Now, this is clearly from the soundtrack to a film in the first place, however I think being able to tie a visual image to music is really important. I love Spank Rock to death, however if you hear the song "Rick Ruben" I can't imagine any image that could go with it. Maybe classic video games? Again, just not dramatic.

Alright. Next song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUrJdf4PbEk

I have read on several different occasions that Ready or Not is Obama's favorite song. I am still looking for the statement that says that however. I don't think this song is composed as well as "love me" as using a cheap flanger on a horn is just tacky.

I love the song because it is well...haunting. And sad. I like introspective music with a narative quality to it that hip hop seems to have almost completely lost.

I had a dicussion recently with AP here on my Tupac post. The music and flow of Biggie falls into elements of what I am dicussing above. From Wikipedia:

"Biggie was noted for his "loose, easy flow",^[4] dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities"

Again, just right up my alley. Listen to the song "what's beef". All of it. So damn good. Gentle, haunting strings, acoustic drum samples, narrative storytelling, and smooth ride into the hook.

As a final word on gangsta rap, I want to hear the thoughts of an actucal gansta, not a back-up dancer.

But don't take my word on what's street. I'm off to brunch.

Love.

Great shot

2008-10-08T15:11:00.001-07:00

Watching the debate now, leave a comment if you are as well.

2008-10-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

DJ Sega

2008-10-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.myspace.com/djsegatheblackknight

Check out DJ Sega. I love my old Sega (still play Sonic on it every so often!).

I enjoy intricite sampling methods in modern music. Alberton live is the software of choice for serious DJ and you can hear it very cleary through DJ Sega's music.

Again, as a plug to an earlier post, you can check out Fly Lo, the king of using Alberton live to remix himself live here.

Update:

To anyone who has been over to a get together at my place recently, the ACDC mash up was by DJ SEGA.

Currently listening too

2008-10-07T17:56:00.000-07:00

A remix of Um Milhao by Buraka Som Sistema & Diplo. I don't know very much at all about Portugal's house scene, however I really do enjoy the almost tribal beat to it. It isn't quite jungle, it isn't quite drum and bass, and it isn't quite progressive enough to be trance (or shitty). The lil'Wayne sample is almost funny and is done very, very well.

Like it? Buy it.

http://www.bluecollardistro.com/maddecent/product_info.php?products_id=2844&cPath=320_395&store=0

Live Blogging the hip hop honors

2008-10-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

9:09-Who is this guy introducing? Not Tracy Jordan, the next guy. Whatever. Repping Cyprus Hill-the spanish lyrics mixed with the ghetto all around the love of one thing: Weed? "certain herbal remedy"

9:11-I agree that the CH really influced the spanish scene in a major way. Interview with CH right now. They are big Run DMC fans.

9:12 "People know, we get baked. That's a big part of it. It's an important issue to us. It's something we believe in" Wow.

9:13 Run DMC shout out again

9:15 Gym class heroes, playing live with fat joe.

9:16 CH loves their own music, really head-knocking at this point.

9:17 guy from GCH is killing it. Insane in the membrane!!! Loving the old school beat, so solid. Standing bass and drums.

9:18 they are on stage to finish the song. You can hear the age in the voices though. Still cool. Here is something you can't understand...How I can just killa man!

9:19 They are covering a new school track? Rockstar? Damn, did NOT see this coming. Pretty good.

9:20 I can see how this song sort of works with their past. Very interesting pick. The edge in the voice is great, you don't get a ton of that anymore.

9:21 Commerical Break, then De La Soul, who I am LBing this for. Just a huge fan.

9:23 LL Cool J clothing line being pushed over the commerical breaks. Looks like really cheap express clothing? Just bad.

9:26 Back. De la Soul time!!! Interview. Talking about the lyrics. Evolution of a style. How do you write lyrics? The thoughts behind them. So cool. First group to have skits. I have this album. We weren't hippies, but that image really worked well with us.

9:29 Joy Bryant leading in the next rappers. She looovvess De La Soul. She calls them "Dayla". Q-Tip and Ce Loo, Mos Dep to rock the tribute!!!

9:30 crowd does not get it at all. So dumb. Not moving at all.

9:30 Mos Def is on and killing it with Flava. Boo on Flava.

9:31 Here is Cee loo. Wearing allllll silver.

9:32 Man I love De La Soul.

9:34 Tracy Jordan, just not funny.

9:35 holy shit, kid rock is on this thing? Why? I will tune out by then.

9:37 ON THE STAGE, DE LA SOUL BBBAAABY!

9:38 Me, myself, and I. Such a classic hook.

9:41 they may not be jumping, but they all know the words!

9:42 Q-Tip back on

9:43 looks like the roots are coming up with Cee lo...that should be sweet.

9:44 I'm up at 5, love to all. De la soul, remember the name.

Recent Conversation

2008-10-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

I had a conversation recently about Biggie vs. Pac. I naturally (and incorrectly) assumed that Pac was widely considered to be better than seemingly more obsurce Bigge. Not so! The conversation started with this:

http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN0319369220080903

I have been quoted to say that Tupac was the greatest (read: most prolific) rapper of all time. Vibe, in 2004, made a similar statement. I will admit here, right now, after some thinking and research I was quite wrong.

Tupac's career was started by being a back-up dancer for these guys:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Underground

According to wikipedia, he studied acting, the arts, and ballet in high school:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur

A lot of this missed me. I've never really studied Tupac, but just made the assumption that he was the best. Why do I still like him?

1. My first vinyl was Tupac's "Thugs get lonely too" for a dollar.
2. The song "can't C me" bangs so. damn. hard.
3. Tupac was the first rap I was every really into. I thought it connected on a more cerebral level to me than, say, Nelly. Which is does (compared to Nelly).

For that, I will always love Tupac. I think Blender made that statement to sell copies and not out of truth. What I DO think is that the fact that Tupac is the biggest selling rap artist of all time in ludacris (ok, pun a little bit intended there).

Three dates are important: 91, 93, 95, 96, and 96 again. He made 5 albums. Loyal to the Game, and Pac's Life (Shady's and TI's albums, more or less) are terrible. They still sold quite well. Pac's legacy lives on only to promote record sales. I mean, how many times you can sample lyrics from 5 CDs already somewhat void of content?

As a counterpoint, he does have several songs that I really enjoy (still):

1. (as noted above) "Can't C me" and "Thugs get lonely too"
2. California Love
3. To Live & Die in L.A. (such a great tribute)
4. Changes
5. Thugz Mansion

All bonified pop singles, but you really have to enjoy them.

I spent the weekend listening to some of the competition (from the same time period) Biggie and Mobb Deep. Though I don't think I truly understand the term, I think that a pragmatist could argue that Tupac's importance shouldn't be any greater than those two rappers (Biggie in particular).

I do understand the fame and importance of Tupac though in what he means to people though. He really is a symbol for a lot of people. For me though, you have to judge his music on his actucal talent. On flow alone, I think that Biggie completely owns Tupac.

Thoughts? I know this was kind of a ramble, today was exhausting.

Chromeo

2008-10-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Chromeo is the self-proclaimed "first band composed of a Jew and an Arab" which I think it pretty awesome. As one could assume from the title, the band is A. electronic (chrome), B. dramatic, 80s-like (romeo), C. somewhat unserious (dumb mash-up name).

http://www.myspace.com/chromeo

I love synth right now. I really feel like music like this has a place in modern clubs. Check out Fancy Footwork for a taste of the new school of club music, and Momma's Boy to hear a true 80s tribute track.

Most of all, it is refreshing to have 80s tribute music that lacks the sort of seriousness and pretension that so invades the majority of other groups.

Enjoy.

Quick update

2008-08-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

Music-Various Baltimore hits, Fleet Foxes, The Faint, Simon Mobile Disco

Games-GTA Online (ranked baby!), Mass Effect, Soul Caliber (Rach is actucally very good at this), LOTRO, and WoW.

Keeping busy.

Big couple of weeks. Will post more later.

Live Blogging Dr. Horrible's Sing along blog, Act 1

2008-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

0:07-NPH in the house ya'll!
0:35-Sounds like the premise of the show is the our hero...is actucally a villian. Which is aweomse.
1:03-Emails!
1:42-Gold looks an awful lot like chocolate pudding after it has been transported.
2:25-Eyebrow action=Priceless. I have a feeling even KKR would invest in one of his schemes with that sales pitch. Sweet.
2:59-Three minutes in, I notice the pans hanging from the celling in the upper left corner. Back of a kitchen? Perhaps part of Barney's awesome pad? Stay turned.
3:45-HOLY SHIT IS NPH GOING TO SING?????
3:52-LOLZ GREATEST SHOW EVER!!
4:48-This is some twisted, evil villian, musical action going on here.
5:31-Roomate's name is moist? My girlfriend's least favorite word ever. Interesting.
6:21-The king of all evil goes by the name of Bad Horse. Huh.
7:00-Singing letters. I need those.
7:15-Best line so far, "do you need another dampended, or made soggy?" Oh moist.
8:25-Evil gadgets are controlled by an Iphone? Awesome.
8:38-Akward run-in. Nice.
9:05-Billy is his name. Nice.
9:50-"Buy rocket-packs, go to the moon, and become florists. You know".
11:12-Why NPH? Because this a poorly written epic you tube clip, that's why.
11:29-You know, he can sing ok. Crazy.
11:54-The guy from Firefly??? WTF???
12:00-Wow, what a douchebag.
13:00-This akward three-way musical needs to stop.
13:47-Last word of act one sums it up: "Balls".

Blog 2

2008-07-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Really? Another blog, when you barely update the one you have?

Really. I am looking at starting a video game blog, considering the prolific amount of time I spend playing and reading about them. To those of you who didn't know me in high school, I was a very adept gamer for a long time. I ran a 60 person guild at 16 in Asheron's Call 2,was ranked 7 on my Unreal Tournament 2 server, and was a HUGE fan of many other PC games. I was more or less exculsive to the computer, however these days I pretty much only play my Xbox 360 Elite.

I would cover games, reviews, gear, upcoming titles for the Xbox360 and the computer. What gear do I have? Which router do I use? Do I have a direct link adapter for my xbox, or I did go cheaper? What wireless network do I use? A? B? G? N?

Let me know if there would be any interest.

Love.

What are you listening too?

2008-07-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

Where have you been?

2008-07-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.80-35.com/
There. I talked to several local DJs and backstage with DJ Flash. Flash is tight with Matt at Guitar Center where I pick up gear I don't want shipped to me. Check out the set list below:

American Trust DJ Stage
12:45 p.m. - DJ Flash
2:00 p.m. - Jade Reed
3:30 p.m. - TouchNice
5:00 p.m. - Tim Grimes
6:30 p.m. - Brad Goldman
8:15 p.m. - DJ Diverse

DJ Flash was very good, thought very ambitious with his mixing. He started off with a clash-up of Led Zepplin with MF Doom which was mind blowing considering his "you have never heard of me ever" status (for Des Moines obviously). I heard Slim Shady in the mix after that with some fairly bland electro that I didn't know. A ton of Dr. Dre in the mix as well. Really, it sounded like he went with blends he had done in the past. Keeping it safe for the home crowd.

Jade Reed was ok. I heard "Put your hands up for Detriot" in a mainly electronic mix which my girl typically goes crazy for. At this point, a ton of....uniquely lubricated and poorly showered people flowed into the stage. Considered that they danced for the entire set list, in circles, puking and wild-eyed led me to believe a strage blend of Acid and something else. My friend John suggested it was laced X which one of the confirmed when they fell on me and couldn't stop rubbing my feet.

DJ Diverse was the only DJ I stayed for the entire set for (The Roots played, can you blame me?). I have to say, easily the best DJ in Iowa. Check out his Myspace below, his current profile pic is him life at the show.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=78059243

I am going to hit up his show at the Crush club soon. I'll try to get backstage for a quick word; I'll let you know how it goes.

New Vinyl is in, check it out.

2008-06-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk265/hamsterswitch_photos/

Flying Lotus

2008-06-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Late-night caffeine can often make sentences that sound coherent to the writer virtually impossible to understand for the reader. Bottom-line? I work too much. But when inspiration knocks, you’ve got to answer the door. Still, even within that late-night train wreck, my final paragraph had some great points that I want to elaborate on, specifically with my newfound fascination with Flying Lotus.

Flying Lotus is a one-man show. He is more or less a DJ with some great reviews as a producer and beat maker. I think that for many fans of the LA hip hop scene, we are always looking for the next Madlib or DJ Shadow (I will post many, many things on them in the future if you don’t already know the names). California claims to be the most forward thinking state and in terms of Hip Hop, I believe they truly are. First, you need to understand the history of what Flying Lotus is really trying to embody, and why with only major release he already has a huge fan base equal to that of his detractors.

As luck would have it, “Endtroducing...” was actually the first CD I would ever buy. I saw it in the alternative section at Best Buy when I was a little kid back in 1996. I don’t know if I buy into it being fate or not, but it sure is an awful coincidence that it is one of my all time favorite CDs. I remember thinking that DJ Shadow was the coolest name I could think of. If you (whoever you are dear reader) ever see this on vinyl, I will pay you handsomely for it.

So why should you care about a record from twelve years ago (man I feel old these days)? It is still in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the first album to be made entirely of samples. Basically, it was the first album pieced together by mixing different pieces of old records. A drum line from an old jazz beat, an organ from Beethoven, spoken word from a collectors set, etc. Check out my favorite track “Organ Donor” here.

DJ Shadow added to what would latter be labeled as “Trip Hop”. Trip hop was a global phenom that especially took hold in the UK. Even though he refuses to allow his music to be classified in this manner (“I wanted to add to the library of Hip Hop. I don’t want to be grouped in this fake genre created by the media”) he is overwhelmingly reduced to just that. But seriously, I understand his point. If experimental hip hop has to be put into a sub-genre just to be considered hip hop, that means that only pop hip hop is actually that kind of music. It would seem to discourage development into new areas (ie. Sounds) that I think would set the industry back. If anything, we need more experimental music rather than less.

Next up: Madlib. Madlib really pushed the creative limits of hip-hop early on as well. I’ve already gone into J Dilla a little here, but the idea is similar: using unique samples to create a whole new style of hip-hop. Check out Accordion by Madvillain (aka Madlib on production with MF Doom MCing). Think about 2002. Air Force Ones by freaking Nelly is the number one song in the nation. Imagine the courage it took to produce an underground experimental record that flew in the face of commercial hip-hop. It was like raising your hand and saying, “Actually, I don’t want to make money….”

Finally, we have Flying Lotus. What does he bring to the table? Now that really is the question. I would very loosely say DJ Shadow added the ambient sound, Madlib added the jazz sound, and Flylo adds electro (and his own interpretation of both of the others). In terms of sales, message boards, and DJ playlists it would appear the target audience for this music (i.e. Producers, DJs, whatever I am) agree that for all of the hype of being labeled the next big LA producer brings, Flylo comes correct on his latest release.

As a side note: Please support innovative artists (such as Flylo) by purchasing music like this rather than just downloading it. The more we steal music, the cheaper it becomes to us.

Catch Up

2008-06-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

Crushing your hit in 30 second or less-1-5 scale

Love in this Club-Usher-2
Beeper-Kid Sister-3
Black Stars-Sway-4
Real thang-EryKah Badu-4
Blame-Temposhark-1

Who is crushing it?

Everything. Ever-Portishead-5
Propane Nightmares-Pendulum-5
Schranz Music-Dark by Design con A Kidd-5
You Know the Sound-Far Too loud-5

Everything Flying Lotus has every touched, will touch, may touch-11. Dope. Flylo keeps the Coltrane in the family. I dropped scrilla to pick up his latest EP.

http://www.flying-lotus.com/destroy/

If you don't get it, you will.

KILLS IT

2008-06-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2LnLwxcPGc

Beat Street

2008-06-13T19:59:00.001-07:00

Well, as my city floods, I have no choice but stay in and deliver up some tracks for you guys to check out. Tonight I'm going to talk about J Dilla.

I often get into a debate with hip hop heads about who is the greatest MC of all time. Considering most of them rest this blog, I'm not going to get into it again. What I CAN do is talk about producers. Beat makers. The men behind the music.

So why J Dilla? First of all, I'm going to spare you the BS and link you over to Wikipedia for general background:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Dilla

Quick run through of the things that make a difference. Detriot boy. Grew up on 7 mile. R.I.P. He spent his final days in a hospital bed making the album "Donuts" which is a masterpiece.

Next note of importance is "Champion Sound" with Madlib (group called Jaylib). The group was called by many critiques "your favorite hip hop producer's favorite producers" first on Pitchfork and was then picked up by other media.

Finally, Ruff Draft which is more of less the leftovers and unmade beats from his career. While there are other great things that he did (chart topping songs with many artists, other albums like Jay Love Japan) I think these three albums represent the best J dilla has to offer.

Thankfully, you don't need to be in my apartment to hear these amazing albums. Enough time has passed for You Tube to contain many, many great songs from these albums. Give it a listen.

I suggest the following tracks: The Shining, Last Donut of the Night, Workinonit, Two Can Win, and Bye.

I feel like I could ride off into space with his beats. The use of strange Jazz loops, soft electro, and solid D&B makes his music trully amazing.

On a different note (and I think a fairly easy connection) check out my FAVORITE new group right now out of LA doing a J Dilla tribute!

Back.

2008-06-12T18:46:00.001-07:00

I know it's been a while. Too long, really. Bad news is: no real time for a new post yet. The great news is: I think I bought ~20 new vinyl that I can show off and review for you.

Also-my dream and goal is to set up a way to put music on the internet from my life vinyl mixes. I have yet to find a great way to do this that won't cost me a few hundred dollars.

As for right now....you should be listening to the violent, passionate, and totally stripped down new roots EP. Start to finish. A lot of the tracks just have drums, bass, and quiet synth. Best album of the year so far IMHO.

A quick side note

2008-05-21T17:35:00.001-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/17/business/yourmoney/17money.html?_r=1&partner=rssuserland&oref=slogin

The author Michael Pollan offered an elegant seven-word mantra in his best-selling book "In Defense of Food" that provides clarity amid the bounty of choices on supermarket shelves: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Boiling down investing is a similar exercise: Index (mostly). Save a ton. Reallocate infrequently.

Vista Effects

2008-05-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

I often have You Tube, deckadance, fruity loops, plus several webpages open at once. If you are looking for Vista effects or an upgraded Alt-Tab, please check out WFlip.

http://tokyodownstairs.blogspot.com/2007/11/winflip.html

Hold down the windows key and tab through. Very useful.

Stone's Throw Records

2008-05-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

Indie hip hop heads-Check out Stone's Throw (If you don't already know about it). Is Madvilliany the greatest indie hip-hop record of all time? I can't say. Top 5, easy though. ST is the home of indie smash MF Doom, Madlib, and J. Dilla (rest in peace). Finally, you mix in the fresh James Pants LP, and you have the start of one of the most promising indie labels in recent memory.

Check out the above link for clips, or try here.

Gear/Pratice Run

2008-05-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Here's the gear I'm working with. I run two Numark T200 tables, and a DM 1002 MKII mixer. Great entry-mid level gear. The T200 has fantastic torque (1.7 kg/cm) which is better than the SL 1200 (industry standard table).

You can see a few other photos below of a mix I'm working on of Portishead's "humming" and several different tracks by the Wu Tang Clan. It ends up sounding like a hip hop soundtrack to an abandoned city. I'm going to try to get a cheap recording device to start uploading mixes. For now, just some pictures:

Billie Jean

2008-05-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKiZBlelIzc&feature=related

Billie Jean is one of my all time favorite dance songs. The above single is off of Thriller 25. Reponses to this remix have been extreme; hate or love. The sound quality isn't the best on the above clip, but turn it up and let me know what you think.

Lollipop

2008-05-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxjsUxDp_z8&feature=related

It's been moving around a lot recently, but easily still one of the biggest singles to drop so far this year (in terms of Itunes sales).

I think you would be hard-pressed to deny the song has a great hook. It rides so smoothly, monster club moment. Lyrically, very poorly put together. I really don't get anything out of the song other than Lil Wayne really enjoys head. Again, who is really going to think about the words to a song on a dance floor. The structure of the song suffers from the song really having no point. You have a very, very basic beat in between the hook which only keeps me waiting for the hook to come back (dead air).

Without getting too into it, I think it's a flash in the pan song to get you ready for summer. Actually, from reading online, this song is a monster in gay bars. Apparently there is a mix floating around out there where all of the "she" have been made into "he". That would be a major contender for the most homoerotic song of the year (maybe of all time?)

3 out of 5. You'll forget about this song by this fall.

Love.

Late Night Cravings

2008-05-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

To borrow a played out anology, being a DJ is a lot like being a chef. It reminds me of an episode of Kitchen Confidential where Anthony Bourdain is trying to sell sweetbreads (thymus glands) in his high-end Manhatten restaurant. It may be amazing, but the average person just isn't going to get it (or want to eat it. Seriously).

So it is with DJing. One component I think it is important to remember is alcohol. The smooth talking, well read invidivual will sing out just loud to "Sweet Caroline" as anybody else with a few shots in them.

Going back to the food anology, when substances are introduced into your Friday night and it's late, what do you crave? An apple? A glass a milk? Or a massive, greasy, and sloppy fast food burger?

Same deal with music. Now, I'm not saying you can't try to educate your audience. Slip Justice in with your Hip Hop set. The first Hot Chip single off of their fresh album, Shake a Fist, could easily fit in with a top 40 mix.

It's about knowing your audience too. Here in Des Moines, if you dropped Nelly you might get a posistive response. Try it in a Chicago club and you would be booed off stage. How eduated is your room? How drunk is your room? Who is on the floor?

Would a pitchfork critic be the best DJ? I doubt it. I think they would be unwilling to drop "Gimme More" even though a room would go nuts for it.

I have a new shipment of vinyl coming in this week; photos to follow.

My Vinyl

2008-05-10T22:12:00.001-07:00

Photobucket Album

Ready for the Floor

2008-05-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

I work all of the time. It doesn't matter doing what. What does matter is my passion outside of my career; music. Over the last several months, I have started getting in DJing. I will be posting photos, videos, tracks, and recent vinyl aquisistions.

I'll be pulling together several different things to post in the upcoming week. Most of all, I want this to be a forum to my friends and for my readers (more than likely one and the same).

Till then, let it spin.