To all my Facebook friends out there, here’s a humorous rant about the typical Facebook types.  If you’re easily offended, you may not want to read this.  It’s a little bit o’ smartass, but I like it.

I’ve started following TheOatmeal’s posts since reading “How to use an Apostrophe“.  I think his illustrations are fun and his site is a great example of simple, clean web design.

Current Mood: Relaxed

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This animated short by Chris Jones is a dark and humerous style that I love.  “Beware the Goldfish” is an apt description from io9.

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These guys remind me so much of my days in college as a music major.  Not to mention the crazy-cool Eigenharps they’re playing.  And if you like Moby and James Bond themes, definitely have a listen.

Thanks Boing Boing and Alan.

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Here’s a fantastic Disneyland video from 1958, “Magic Highway USA” that explains all the wonderful technology we should be seeing today.  This includes, color-coded lanes (apparently, yellow leads to Dallas), Ceramic keels that creates bridges as it traverses the crossing, and escalators for cars for crossing difficult or steep mountains.

Unfortunately, it seems that we’ve only slightly improved our roads over those that the Roman’s built.  Our usage has increased so quickly that we are in a never-ending loop of repairs and relaying pavement.

I wonder what will happen with the crisscross pattern of highways when we all switch to transporters or flying cars… perhaps we’ll finally have plenty of green space like Boston’s Big Dig central artery re-purposing.

I wonder what the no hover-car parking signs will look like…

Current Mood: Curious & Nerdy

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It’s just one of those minor annoyances, but every day I see apostrophes used where they’re not needed.

Apostrophe.me is a simple and easy to follow “flow chart” explaining when and how to use apostrophes.

The  parent site, TheOatmeal.com, has several fun reads including “How Web Design Goes Straight To Hell”

Thanks to Lifehacker.com

Current Mood: Awake

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I moved to Oklahoma City in the summer of 1993, and spent most of my “coming out” years at Angles on 39th Street.  Angles was (at the time) the coolest dance club in OKC, with DJ Checkerz (Michael Chechoratti(sp?)) at the helm most nights.  Checkerz got most of his music from Oaklawn Records, formerly at Commerce and Oaklawn in Dallas.

While organizing my old stuff recently, I found two Hi Energy and Progressive Top 40 lists from from Oaklawn Records, still in their original envelopes addressed to me.  Coincidentally, one of the lists was from April, the month of my birthday.  So no doubt I was dancing to these toons at Angles when I turned <ahem> – something something.

Now be honest… how many of you have danced to “Mr Personality” or “Cotton Eyed Joe”?

Here’s the Top 40 Hi Energy list with a few videos of my favs from the time.  I’ve included links to the rest that I could find.

1. The Bomb – Bucketheads
   
   
2. Reach Up – Perfecto Allstars
3. Lick It – Roula
   
4. Baby, Baby – Corona
   
5. Bedtime Story – Madonna
6. Axel F – Clock
7. Your Loving Arms – Billie Ray Martin
8. Release Me – Industry
9. You Can Have It All – Eve Gallagher
10. Mr Personality – Gillette
    
11. Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Harajuka
12. You Belong to Me – JX
    
13. These Are the Days – Human League
14. Here I Go – 2 Unlimited
15. Sleeping in My Car – Mobius Loop (I couldn’t find the Mobius Loop version, but here’s a pretty good version by Dancefloor Driverz feat Joana)
16. Come Back – London Beat
17. Bloke – Republica
18. What Hope Have I – Sphinx
19. Tonight is the Night – Le Click
20. Hot Stuff – DJ Miko
21. I’m Ready – Size 9
22. Move It to the Rhythm – Technotronic
    
23. I Only Wanna Be With You – Barry White (Dance Mix)
24. Nights in White Satin – Sandra
25. Always Something There to Remind Me – Tin Tin Out
26. Don’t Fear the Reaper – Apollo 440
27. Situation – Tom Jones
28. We Got Love – One Family
29. Don’t Be Proud – Cappella
30. Be My Lover – La Bouche
    
31. Keep the Fire Burning – Dan Hartman and Loleatta Hollaway
32. Party People – KGB
33. Keep on Trying – Twenty 4 Seven
34. Love Come Rescue Me – Love Station
35. I Wish – Eric Gadd
36. Cotton Eyed Joe – Rednex
    
37. Take Me Forever – Data
38. You Bring me Joy – Mary J Blige
39. Respect – Judy Cheeks
40. The First, The Last Eternity – Snap

Here are the originals:

• Oaklawn Records Top 40, March 1995
• Oaklawn Records Top 40, April 1995

Current Mood: Hyper

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I’ve recently been doing a little cleaning up of boxes from my college years at Arkansas Tech University and ran across some marching layout/designs from 1991-1992.  For all you band geeks out there, this may be a little bit of cool.

Unknown Show, 1991-1992

Here’s a show from before our director made the switch to computer-based show design.

“Ouachita” Show, 1992

If I remember correctly, this was the first show that Mr. Cooper designed using the computer, and I think it was the first show of our season.  I believe the design (not to mention the readability) was greatly improved by computer-based design.

“Gavorkna” Show, 1992

This was our main show of the season, and was a bit more difficult.  For one thing, it began with entire band expanding from between the 40 yard lines to the 10 yard lines in about 16 counts.  I remember practically leaping backwards carrying my tonal bass and, oh yah, playing Gavorkna Fanfare.  If you haven’t heard it, see the video below (and note that the guys in the video are stationary).

Current Mood: Hyper & Nerdy

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Cedar Springs’ Halloween street party was this past weekend, and friends Jeremy and Tician came down from OKC to join the party.  A great time was had by all, even though Ticia lost her cell phone and her ID.

Since all my friends that are waiting with bated breath can now see the photos.  See the Street Party pics here, and friend pics here.

Current Mood: Exhausted

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When our friend Jeff invited us to the Black Tie Dinner, I had heard about it but didn’t know much.  I kind of expected a dinner with a bunch of guys in tuxedos.  What I didn’t realize is that the Black Tie raises over $1 million dollars a year for North Texas charities.  This year, Gavin Newsom was the featured speaker, and Cindy Lauper and Judy Shepard were award recipients.  Jason Walker performed several dance songs (which I thought were a little heavy with vocal runs and wanderings), though is performance of “True Colors” with Cindy Lauper’s sister on guitar was excellent.  Cindy apparently had a “family situation” that prevented her from being there, but she deliver a pre-recorded video message.

Thanks, Jeff, for inviting us to this amazing evening.  Here’s us with Jeff…

Michael, Jeff and Rich at the Black Tie Dinner

Current Mood: Energetic

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I stumbled across “Little Secrets” by Passion Pit today and instantly fell in love with this song.  It’s a bit of 80’s fun with just a little Mika mixed in.  I can’t but help moving to it.

Here’s a video by Jay Diaz featuring the song.

Current Mood: Silly

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