August 2009 Archives

 

Oh Mad Men. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. As anybody who knows C$ - C$ loves him his serials. The Sopranos, the lovely Dexter and now, Mad Men on AMC. It stands to reason I love this show, considering Matthew Weiner was a writer and executive producer on...The Sopranos. Once again, real recognizes real.

Where to begin with my description/love/fascination/addiction to this series? For those that haven't seen or heard of this show (you miserable bastards, you know who you are), Mad Men is set in the 1960s and focuses on the Madison Avenue advertising firm of Sterling/Cooper. But the real star, of course, is Don Draper (Jon Hamm), a man with a mysterious past and an innate ability for advertising and philandering - not necessarily in that order. Despite Don's flaws, his intelligence and insight make for fascinating show after show - sprinkle in some great character actors, give them a great script week after week and you have greatness.

Don't believe me? Take a look at how Don nails the pitch to Kodak - giving it's 'new' slide projector a new moniker, the Carousel. I believe that Don's ability to draw on his life and apply it to pitch after pitch is the impetus of the show. Isn't that everybody's pitch? Mixing and matching one's passions and career to make whatever we are selling (don't be fooled people, no matter what you do, you are selling). Don shows the true creativity behind a good ad and shows that art and creativity can be found in what many would describe as the darkest corner of capitalism.
 
Please, do yourself a flavor and watch this show. And by all means go to the site and create your own Mad Men avatar. Hell, leave it on the starting screen and just rock the tune. Dah, da da, da dah da dah da dah....

Let's take two songs from the Mad Men season 1 soundtrack, first is a sneaky caper tune called 'Lipstick' by David Carbonara and the theme song, from who else but our pals RJD2 and Aceyalone 'Beautiful Mine'. Drink an Old Fashioned, smoke a cigarette (or 40) and enjoy!

David Carbonara - Lipstick.mp3
Aceyalone & RJD2 - A Beautiful Mine.mp3

Hi b-holes. So, I wanted to steal some of Fresh's thunder and share some new items on the glorious Web 2.0...or is it 2.4. Based on these two sweet programs, you might just agree. First up, is Simplify. Basically, it means I can access your iTunes if I show you mine. Quid pro quo, Clarice. So, contact your pals gets to sharing.

Second up, is regarding your financials. Please check out Mint. It doesn't matter if your financial situation is shambles or you are taking daily dives in your money bin - this site is pretty damn cool. And fear not, from everything I have read, your financials will be safe with Mint. Basically, Mint allows you to get your money/assets/bill organized and if you are anything like me, a checkbook ain't happening. I'm signing up today, so check it out and follow suit. I suppose I could talk about Drop Box, but I think all my pals are already using it. Still, I'll include a hyperlink all the same...here.

As for tunes, how about Lake with 'Madagascar' reminds me of some smoothed out 70's groove and Javelin 'Tell me, What will it be (take 2)'. Gems!

Lake - Madagascar.mp3

Javelin - Tell Me, What will it Be (take 2).mp3

First, isn't 38,000 feet somewhere between the Rockies and Seattle lovely? I thought so at least. And I guess my trip and a certain someone's closet got me to thinking - don't we all have too much crap?

I'm not saying I could approach the discipline of owning just 100 things, but it does certainly make one think. Even if I narrow my worldly possessions to 500 things, I still think that would be something. Don't me wrong, I am not naive enough to say that we can do without material possessions. I'll even take it one step further - I think it is healthy to work and set goals based on said work - material or otherwise. But, in very simple terms - I think all of us could manage just fine without so much crap. Don't you think? Do I need 30 pairs of pants and shoes? Do I need three TV's? I think you get the point.

So, take some time and look at the things you have. Take a gander in that closet, turn your clothes around on a hanger. As you wear a shirt, turn it the other way as I sign you use it. Then come back in 3 months and see how many shirts still are hanging the original way, those that are, give 'em to Salvation Army and enjoy a tax write off. Less is more, y'all. Less is more. Here's a fella that really took in the nth - a guy named Dave - maybe we all can get to a 100 like Dave...

Anyway, let's move to the music. First, please check out Los Colorados doing an incredible cover of 'Hot and Cold' - not a fan of Katy Perry's version, but these guys rawk it.

Also, I'm going to repeat myself. Please people, for the love of all that is good - listen to the new Grizzly Bear, Vecktameist. I am hopelessly addicted to their new album...a sophomore release no less. Here's two more too back up my bold statement.

Grizzly Bear - All We Ask.mp3
Grizzly Bear - Ready Able.mp3