To whom it may concern:

Retired drummer - now willing and available - to provide backbone for the dense musical narrative of a band of Norse Godmen and the souls they mercilessly reap. Mounted upon unholy iron steeds, armed with war hammers and charged with the electricity pulsing through their veins, these barbarians, with ambiguous alignments, vanquish all those who obstruct their fervid march. Hordes of opposition try to stand in the way, and yet wave upon broken wave collapse at the their might. One Godman, still part-mortal, becomes weary of crushing skulls to which he passes off his hammer to a comrade saying, "My arms fail me. Go on with the work. I have done pretty well."

Skufka, I'm looking in you're direction...

(*Y$h9d9@WD-_@dndn)E)@)#1~!~!!

Holy crap we have a lot of crap. Or maybe it just seems like there’s a lot of crap because not all of our crap is stored away in closets or storage spaces – where crap belongs. Instead, crap is lying anywhere there was empty floor space - where crap does not belong - because all the closets and storage spaces – where crap belongs – are already full of crap.

So, I gather a pile crap and pack it away into moving bins, but then have nowhere to put this bin of crap because there are still piles of crap anywhere there was empty floor space – where crap does not belong. Vexed, I leave this bin of crap where it is in hopes that I can pack away some other pile of crap and, in turn, make some empty floor space to put this other bin of crap.

So, in theory, we want to have a stack of bins full of crap over there in the corner. But there are so many layers of unpacked crap that it is necessary to shuffle the bins already stuffed with crap more than once because the floor space needed to store these bins that are full of crap are already occupied by massive, heaping piles of crap! Holy crap we have a lot of crap!

The Jones legacy

This is a picture of me 'n my bruhdder, Brad. Yep, check us out. It's actually a pretty good picture - surprising, even - given how neither of us fully cooperates when it comes to saying cheese. We have differing, yet agonizingly obstinate approaches.

Brad is too busy doing crap like this:




And I'm too busy being all elusive and mysterious because I hate frikkin posing for pictures:




So, all things considered, the first picture posted is, in essence, a miracle. Sarah must have sensed that the planets were aligned when she spun around, camera in hand, and didn't even give us the chance to pull our usual stunts. Props to you, Mrs. Jones!

But, it is this representation I want to instill upon the minds of all when I officially declare that these two sterling gentlemen are the ones who will be continuing to build the Jones dynasty. Awww yeah! An exhilarating yet troublesome thought, I know: Exhilarating in that we're both geniuses and exemplars in our own capacity; Troublesome in that when we're together it's like listening in on a pair of 7 year-olds giggle about poop and farts and boobs and video games. Regardless, it takes well-rounded leadership to rule the world... Just be mindful of that when elections roll around in a couple of years.

Brad's birthday is tomorrow. He's gonna be 20... or 21; whichever, I don't remember. He'll be celebrating on the other side of the continent from me. Y'see, Brad's faithfully serving a mission in the great state of California. He's committed to something that's right and true, and I'm proud of him for it. I know and feel that his selfless service has blessed, and will continue to bless, our little family.

His absence is surely felt. To me, the din of family powwows has witnessed a steady decline in recent months. In part, it's because newly formed family units have gradually splintered off to nest elsewhere and are unable to make it to every gathering. And that makes sense, yes? Fewer loudmouths in one place equals less raucous. But something still felt off, something is still amiss. Indeed. The slight lack of enthusiasm I feel at family gatherings is due to the fact that I really, really miss my brother.

BUT, ALAS!Brad is involved in a worldwide effort to bring about the greater good. An effort and message that can only be successful if carried and accepted by people who strive to do the right thing. You go, Brad!

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

Seeing as how things will be...

December is gonna be crazy for us. C-I-Z-Z-R-A-Z-A-Y!

Despite all the planning and social engagements that is inherent in living through the month of December, and with the impending logistical headaches of pulling up stakes and moving the Jones camp ten minutes to the west, The Music spoke to me these past two nights. In doing so, January's mixtape basically sequenced itself. Here's a picture preview of where the vibe sits now:

*gets all fidgety with anticipation*

Chew on this

Once the game is over,
the King and the Pawn go back into the same box

- Italian Proverb

Nukes and Good News - December '09 BRR Mixtape Brigade

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M7ZI696I

"Still the calm continued...

We ate dinner, a hurried and anxious meal for me with eighteen men abroad on the sea and beyond the bulge of the earth and with that heaven-rolling mountain range of clouds moving slowly down upon us.

Wolf Larson did not seem affected, however... His face was stern, the lines of it had grown hard, and yet in his eyes, - blue, clear blue this day, - there was a strange brilliancy, a bright scintillating light. It struck me that he was glad there was an impending struggle; that he was thrilled and upborne with knowledge that one of the great moments of living, when the tide of life surges up in flood, was upon him...

He was daring destiny, and he was unafraid."

- Jack London

He's doing it on purpose!

Jack London is great.

In 1904 London published The Sea-Wolf. I'm about a third of the way through reading it and am thoroughly enjoying the way London describes his philosophical views of life. Man oh man, he is great.

The Sea-Wolf takes place on a seal-hunting Schooner; a smaller boat but well-equipped for speed during long hauls. Wolf Larson is the notorious, callous and surprisingly well-read captain with some twenty men under his command, one of which is the novel's protagonist the soft and domesticated "gentleman" Humphrey Van Weyden. "Hump" dictates the story in 1st person past tense (though sometimes London will slip into present tense just because he can, I guess... Man, he is great) and gives us the contrasting philosophical view of Altruism to Wolf Larson's Materialistic Monism. Behold! A base-line philosophical conflict that writers/thinkers like Jack London lusted over.

These are the fundamental questions that have been probing humanity since the history of recorded thought. This is some serious stuff, man!

But, Jack London foolishly overlooked one critical aspect of his composition. The Sea-Wolf takes place on a sailing vessel. Sailing vessel's have poop decks. "poop deck" has the word "poop" in it. Indeed, London failed to take into account that I think the word poop is funny.

Giggling like a 9-year old every time my eyes grace upon the word poop totally disrupts my reading experience. It distracts from my pondering the deeper philosophical meanings behind what London is trying to convey. And the fact that the boat is named "Ghost" kills me even more. GHOST POOP! BWAAAA HA AHA HA AHAHA!!!!1111

And I quote:

Occasional light airs were felt, however, and Wolf Larson patrolled the poop constantly, his eyes ever searching the sea...

He abruptly turned on his heel and started forward. He stopped at the break of the poop and called me to him.

The Wolf Larsen shouted from the poop: "Grab Hold of something, you - you Hump!"

Do you see? It's hard to take this infamous character seriously if he's just hanging out on his poop all day. Likewise, it's difficult to process all the philosophical goings on when the debate is taking place on a giant Ghost turd. Man, Jack London is great.

And you don't even know how giddy I am now just in typing this post about why I think poop is funny. I could read more of The Sea-Wolf right now, but instead I'm gonna go eat beef jerky and watch Ren & Stimpy.

A petty rant

Dear people who take the elevator up or down a single level,

Why do this? Why? Why are you going to delay the progress of my day just because you're too lazy to collapse your dumb schoolbag on wheels and carry it down the stairs? Buy a backpack! This way you can carry all the overpriced nursing and accounting tomes you need by using the solid strength of your humanoid physique. It'll surprise you how much your shoulders and back can support, give it a shot!

And double-shame on you who don't have dumb school bags on wheels but still take the elevator up or down a single level. Seriously? Take the stairs, fatty!


^^^^^^^^^ USE THEM! ^^^^^^^^^

Your monkey might need feeding!

Dave was right in the middle of watching this video when I walked into the room the other day. I dig it. Big fun!

The unifying force of The Universe

Modern-day scientists have been tripping themselves up trying to figure out the deeper mysteries of what's keeping The Universe together and just how reality - as we know and perceive "it" - is enmeshed with it all.

On the macrocosmic scale it is widely agreed that gravity is dominant force. Gravity and spacetime work hand-in-hand as they carryout the theater of the cosmos. There are several rogue scientist who dispute this and have their own little pet-theories about how the universe is leaking gravity or how radio transmitions from remnants of the big bang aren't telling us what they want us to or how blackholes are just fantastical concoctions of humanoid imagination. Generally, we have a basic understanding, albeit fascinating, but still don't really have a clue.

And then there's the quantum level - the very, very, very small. Oh, man; talk about not having a clue! This is still a new field of study that is just advancing beyond the stage of ideas and crazy, googly-eyed theories. Scientists now know enough about the microcosmic that it is widely agreed and accepted that the macrocosmic vista of the cosmos function on completely different set of natural laws - of which are mutually exclusive.

*gasp* Where's the solidarity? Where's the unification?

And what about us? Humans and our history? There is a natural tendency towards discord. We can see all throughout history and across cultures and civilizations that we're missing something. Some "thing" that can bind us all together in peace and harmony. Some "thing" that can unify and bring together all the levels of existence.

So, I did some homework. And after much reasearched, pondering and soulsearching I found it! I FOUND IT! The unifying force of The Universe is: Utz Pub Mix.

BEHOLD!

I mean, it was so obvious! Within the generous cylindrical container Utz Pub Mix contains all the necessary ingredients for a mass Utopian society! It's been here all along! The evidence is everywhere! Here, the proof is in the pudding:


Is Gravity really the shared force between these two galaxies, or is it the scrumptious Rye chips that are aplenty within each container of Utz Pub Mix?


And look at this! When observed through a powerful microscope we can clearly see that Utz Pub Mix is the binding force of even those most basic - and essential, mind you - of elements.

Ok, our natural surroundings, both big and small, have been accounted for. Our observations yield definite empirical evidence that Utz Pub Mix is on our side! Now, let us turn our attention inwards; let us examine our own history. With the benefit of hindsight it seems so silly that we are always mired in conflict when the answer to a peaceful existence has always been right in front of us! I mean, look:


Look at this Classical Roman mosaic. If this gladiator would've just looked down he would've seen a container of Utz Pub Mix - and all the crunchy, delicious rye chips, cheddar chips, pretzel rods - he would've shared them with his fellow combatants and all would've been well.


Utz Pub Mix is a requirement for Shamanistic rituals. If the early American cowboys and Calvary would've just stopped for one frikkin second, got off their horses and hung out with these dudes everything would be totally copacetic.


Oh look, this friendly bull wants to share his heaping helping of honey roasted sesame chips and oriental rice crackers with is friend. If this bullfighter wasn't such a pompus jerk he could've clearly seen the peace offering. This explains the escalating number of goredings, doesn't it.


Yeah, dude, these chicks get it! Party On!

I'm convinced! Now if someone could please .pdf me the application for the Nobel Peace Prize I'd be much obliged.

Sufficient for our Needs - November '09 BRR Mixtape Brigade

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=783MWZM0

HAIL! Fellow denizens, the time for scraping, drudgery and grinding our weary bones has come to an end! We know not from whence this parcel has come, but gratefully engage in it's nourishing properties. Indeed! Spacious, capable and fully amplified sonic soundscapes that are sure to wax strong in even the most timid of persons. This winter will be formidable, that much is certain. We are but a simple people, and need only the modest of sustenance. We are now armed with the necessities and power to overcome all adversity. PRAISE BE!

Where's this going?

Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Balloon Boy Hoax
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Balloon Boy Hoax
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Balloon Boy Hoax
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Swine Flu Swine Flu
H1N1
Balloon Boy Hoax

And I quote:

I've found my new hero, role model, and all-around BFF.



"At the start of the eleventh century Byzantium enjoyed something of a resurgence of wealth and power under the ferocious despot Basil II (976-1025), also known as Basil the Bulgar-Slayer. He earned this epithet through an act of unparalleled ruthlessness.

Facing renewed Bulgar agression in 1014, he outmanoeuvered and trapped their army, capturing 14,000 prisoners. The Bulgar Prince Samuel escaped, so Basil decided to send him a clear message about the dangers of threatening the empire. He chose to release reather than execute his prisoners, but had ninety-nine out of every hundred blidned, leaving the hundredth man one eye with which to guide his mutilated companions back into Bulgar territory. The sight of this train of broken wretches crushed Samuel's spirit and he died of shock two days later."
Taken from Thomas Asbridge's book The First Crusade.

X infinity

Your world is not ready for this

Here is a pictorial preview of November's mixtape.

Sauntering About - Oct 09 BRR Mixtape Brigade

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3OSACWVA

October is my favorite month ever. EVAR!

This is the time when the scourge of Cleveland summers begins to wane and the cool breath of God flows down from the Great White North. This is the onset of the harvest; when the fruits of labors are rewarded. This is the season of Fall Festivals, hoodies, hay rides, antique fairs, skyscapes. The scent of autumn is pronounced, exciting and far surpasses the shallow whiffs that spring can only manage to blow about.

This is peak foliage season, folks. This is when earth colors are both vibrant and muted. Light takes on a different attitude. The chilly morning air now has that certain bite that only occurs during the days of October. Indeed, mornings in general are palpable, divine, sober.

Combine these feelings of contentment with the nip in the air, the theater of deciduous forests and wandering paths within, and these twelve rustic tunes and you will only kind of glimpse how enriching I find this time of year. Dig it.

Sure, why not...

While we're on the topic of music videos...

It's like they told The Edge, "Ok, just sit here in front of the camera and let people do stuff to you."



It's like they told Bryan Adams, "Ok, lets get together and make the most epic music video ever."

Whatever bubbles, bubbles up!

Remember this video? It's awesome on so.many.LEVELS! Watch it! JUST WATCH IT! I dare you to deny it's awesomeness. It's like M.C. Escher free flowing with swingin' hip hop. I remember buying the cassette single and romping around with my walkman. Shucks, I'd do the same now if I cared enough to carry around an iPod.

Awesome tune, Awesome video - Good stuff, man. Good Stuff. Defying physics, defying musical genres. Proof positive that one thing can appeal to everyone. Sure to put a smile on your face and get your foot a'tappin'. Dig it.

The yin & yang of it all

Me 'n Pelican have had a bit of a rough past. No, not rough - I take that back. Misunderstanding, perhaps? That sounds better; Yes, an askewed relationship that continues to this day. Even now as I listen to their latest album, "City of Echoes."

The band is an instrumental quartet that... well... here's what Hyrdahead Records has to say:
When the quartet's first full length, Australasia, came out in late 2003, it was an experiment in crushing heaviness, albeit melodic and compositionally a breed apart from their contemporaries.

And I can, and do, appreciate this kind of sound. But, during the physical act of listening to Pelican it always feels like we're not quite on the same frequency: I should be enjoy this; I applaud their solid compositions and guitar work/tones, but I just can't sink my teeth into this! I.JUST.CAN'T! I've inquired with several longtime Pelican fans about what it is I'm overlooking, what misunderstanding that's obstructing that longed-for Eureka! moment when one can officially declare, "OH! Ok, I get it now." All of the answers were pretty much in the same vein of praising the guitar work and song-writing skills.

I've always likened listening to HELMET to being force-fed a stale loaf of bread. The sound is right there in your face, filling and obvious, but very little actual nourishment is gained by its consumption. Part of me wants to write off Pelican with this same description. Time and time again while listening I feel.... meh....

Sure, the theory is something to take note of, but I would rather sacrifice unusual chord progressions and/or off-beat time signatures for some good 'ol fashioned FEELING! You've got three guitars and a solid drummer! Quit sounding like you're taking yourselves too seriously. JAM OUT A LITTLE BIT! Lock into a wicked groove and see where it takes you! Your music feels like you're site reading. I feel like I need to keep looking for the "Quantize" button on my media player but can't seem to find it. Come on, guys!

I want to enjoy Pelican. I really do. I don't know why, but I'm holding to the instinct that one day - someday - we can enjoy a fulfilling relationship. I will casually continue my psychological and academic investigation into this band.

But, for now, Karma to Burn and their bouncing 4/4 grooves are sustaining me just fine.

Mitchell looooooves corn on the cob

Dude, corn on the cob Mitchell! Try it! It's good.


Atta boy, You've got the idea! What do you think?


Sweeeeeeeeet.

You can admire my Pandora station now

Pandora is fickle and fun. It's got the excitement of not knowing what song the station will play next, but the comfort in knowing it'll stay in tune with what genre(s) you're trying to mingle together. While listening you've sometimes gotta nudge Pandora back in line. Sometimes it is of more benefit to let a song go without giving it a thumbs up or down.

Example: If you say you like a particular Foo Figthers or Weezer song Pandora will play a song by them once every 45 minutes - depending on the station's mood this statement may or may not be an exaggeration. But, if you give it a thumbs down Pandora will deny you other great tunes that share the same vein as these bands. But, this is the kind of spontaneity I embrace when in the mood. Sure, little 10 seconds ads will sometimes creep in in between songs but it's easy to dismiss them. Sure, free accounts are only limited to 40 hours a month now, but, y'know what, that's fine. A little Pandora goes a long way.

- Anyways, to the topic at hand -

It's through the methods described above that... Dude, I think I've been able to sculpt pretty much the greatest station in the history of Pandora Internet Radio, the Internet, and the Radio - oh yeah, this is serious business. It's taken some time but I think I've got the station locked into the vibe I'm going for.

"Gritty and Good For You" is an irreverent romp in celebration of Orange fullstacks and clouded judgment - a sound that I get the itch for and indulge heavily upon. Here's an abbreviated playlist of the past hour or so:

My Wave - Soundgarden
Ghosts Along the Mississippi - Down
World of Fire - C.O.C
Malfunction - Don The Reader
Let's Lynch the Landlord - L7
Won't Tell - Babes in Toyland
Thirty Nine - Karma To Burn
Plush - Stone Temple Pilots
Shake it Loose - Fu Manchu
Undertow - Tool
Rats (Live) - Clutch
In The Meantime - Helmet
Descent - Knut
Bifter - Staring Problem
*currently playing* Riddles are Abound Tonight - Les Claypool's Frog Brigade

*sigh* It's a beautiful thing, it is.

A neat Pandora feature is that a user can share stations with friends. I could email this to you, very easily, but I won't. This is my personal stash. Git yer own.

Twitter is dumb

So, it was Thursday night, 9PM, top of the hour. I’m plopped down on the couch indulging in some good ‘ol fashioned channel surfing. Seeing as how we have the uber-basic cable plan my options are extremely limited, but nonetheless…

*click* I come to channel 8…

There’s a young lady sitting in the window seat of a city bus. She looks somewhat fidgety and distressed. Oh dear, what ever could be the problem? It becomes quickly apparent that something is terribly amiss with this character. She tugs away at her scarf like it’s a boa robbing her of breath. Regardless, her breathing then becomes rapid and shallow. Panic attack, perhaps? Her face blushes a deep, painful hue. Heart attack, perhaps? She leans against the window in growing despair. Condensation begins to form around her head. She glances feverishly to newspaper sitting in the seat in front her, which looks to be slowly catching fire! What the?? The lady starts totally freaking out and forces her way off the bus. She darts out in front of the bus, shrieking and flailing, and crosses the street with no awareness of her surroundings. Pedestrians are caught in the same state of alarm that I share: What is wrong with this chick?! Acid Flashback? Wicked cramps? Appendicitis? WHAT!?! Then what happens? Right there, broad daylight in the middle of a busy metropolitan area this young lady frikkin SPONTANIOUSLY COMBUSTS!!!!! BOOM!!

*cue: FRINGE opening credits*

Okey dokey! So, THIS is Fringe. I’ve heard good things. Many good things. Well, the opening scene has sure as you-know-what earned my attention! I shall continue watching…

Doopty doo watching Fringe doopty doopty doo… I know this actor, I’ve seen him is something else – I wanna say Into The Wild but I know that’s not right. And this older guy, he looks really familiar too. Anyways. Doopty doo watching Fringe… Ok, clearly I’m watching a story that is well into itself. Is this season one or two? Or three? How long has this show been on the air? Dylan would know, probably. Well, hey, this seems pretty cool so far. I’m diggin’ it….

Wait, what the…

WTF is this? “Twitter chat”? Huh? This…This is annoying. Get this crap outta here. Ok, these little chat bubbles are taking up half the screen. Are these, like, the producers or something? Is all this behind-the-scenes information really necessary RIGHT NOW; y’know WHILE the show is broadcasting? I can’t… I can’t see what’s happening. Wait! What was that? Something happened on the show! Was it important? What was it? I couldn’t tell because the people in these little twitter tweeter bubbles are talking about BooBerry cereal! Why won’t this stop? Shut up, all of you! How much more distracting could this possibly be? Whichever FOX executive approved of this idea should be shot in the foot. This is not POPUP VIDEO! If I cared so deeply about the production of the show I’d visit the website or something! Wow! This is dumb. My attention is quickly fleeting. What an unfortunate turn of events! Three minutes ago I was all hyped up to see what this show was about. But now...

No, I’m done. I think This Old House is on PBS right now.

*click*

Epic Ambient Rock

Just what does Epic Ambient Rock sound like? Click the cover to download Kelbach's new album "The Last Sunset" and experience it first hand. Blow-your-mind-stuff, man. Check out his commentary at http://quasiimado.blogspot.com/

These Guys - Sept 09 Monthly Mixtape Brigade

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0L3OKT0X

Perhaps it's a pang of guilt? Perhaps that ain't hunger gnawin atchoo belly. If you succeed at failing are you a success or a failure? STOP! Who stole my lighter!? It's the one with a grizzly bear catching a trout. That's it, everybody uses their own lighters from here on out. No, Harold is fine, I'm not using barbed wire this time. No, really! I must be going soft in my old age. Gangly, gnarled, salty. Maggots will clean the wound. Remember that part in Fantastic Planet? When they...Ugh, Just why are flashlights black, that never made sense to me. This is taking too long... oh wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait... yeah, this is taking too long... oh wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, w -w-w -w-w -w-w-w-w-w---w-w -w-w-w -w- w-w-www.icanhascheezburger. That's it, I'm calling Gregg. Why? Because. Because Why? He's upstream and doesn't like the shenanigans. Did you just say "pods of grilled bananas?"

Howie Mandel likes to point at you

I dig it

R.A.T. v 2.0

Badass Boss Battles - Aug '09 BRR Monthly Mix Brigade

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VBZ4A02Y

The idea for this mix came suddenly. Here I was polishing off what was originally intended to be August’s mix, and then – BAM! It was an itch that wouldn’t subside until I indulged in scratching it. When promptings are this strong and this sudden you run with it!

“Badass Boss Battles” is the soundtrack to the hypothetical METROID: The Movie – the greatest movie never created. Oh yes!! I’ve ALWAYS - always always always - thought that the Metroid series would prove to be a solid foundation for a slammin movie. And thanks to modern advancements in cinematic production the feasaability for a movie this huge and this awesome is now all too real. Think about it:

- A foxy protagonist who is like a cross between Laura Croft and Lt. Ripley. Indeed! An interstellar amazon warrior woman sealed within a wicked cool space suit fitted with all the fixins to capture her bounty.

- Flying neon energy-sucking parasites that, once they’ve latched on, only get angrier and more vicious the more you struggle to shake them loose;

- Teams of technologically advanced space pirates who are addicted to a rare radioactive mineral and will do anything necessary to obtain it;

- Huge, ominous caverns, lit by winged luminescent octopods, that undoubtedly house little alcoves and nooks in where powerups are attained;

- Ruins of an extinct noble alien civilization situated in a snowy canyon under a sapphire sky

- Haunted spaceships, eons after crash landing, that are home to indigenous creatures and flora both beautiful and deadly…

Basically, the game has an overall perfect melding of futuristic technology, extraterrestrial geography, and alien biology. Put in the right hands, the cinematic production of these locations and characters would catch the attention of anybody with a set of eyeballs and even a rudimentary understanding of what makes stuff awesome.

But, to get to the main point: I adore the musical element in all of the Metorid titles. They convey space and atmosphere in each of the massive levels like the ones described above – Hence, the overall goal of this mix.

It’s critical to acknowledge that Metroid is not just a shoot-‘em-up-with-everything-you’ve-got type of game; There are rarely waves upon waves of cracked out aliens fuming to get at you. NAY! 75% of the game is spent EXPLORING! And through it all, the music is appropriately composed and non-intrusive. These locations are included in this months mix.

On the flip side: I’ve played other games with a constant trancey/techno soundtrack and after a while it just sounds repetitive; totally ineffective when the time calls for a hard, driving beat… Like during a Badass Boss Battle!

The bosses in Metroid are awesome! They come in all shapes and sizes. From a single massive spherical entity with pustules that birth tentacles intended to whip around and knock you off into the pool of acidic excrement, to the mother of all mother brains who will eventually morph into a slobbering 50 ft. steel skeletal figure. I love the initial panic that’s felt when the boss battle begins because chances are you’re not exactly sure how to take this monstrosity down; what is it’s head and what is it’s rear end? What are these swooping flashing neon rings spewing out of that one orifice on it’s… I guess it’s abdomen??? Why are my super-missles completely ineffective?!!? AND IS THERE SERIOUSLY NO WAY OUT OF THE BATTLE ARENA?! Ah, well then… It’s time to jump in headfirst! Indeed. And during it all, a pulsating 140BPM track is much needed to enhance the experience of fighting a Badass Boss Battle. These tracks are also included in this month’s mix.

So, to bring this back around to the legitimacy of becoming a movie… Taking all of this into consideration how awesome would this be in a fully equipped cinematic environment? Yeah, that’s what I thought. To deny the movie’s plausible awesomeness is to deny the very existence of the universe itself.

The tracks in this month’s mix CD would be mixed in surround, with more a little more emphasis on volume in the side and rear speakers. A cinematic production can get as CGI-intensive and 3D as it frikkin wants, but it is bupkis – BUPKIS! B-U-P-K-I-S- without surround sound.

But, until then (if ever) trip to these tracks and create your own Metroid experience.

My new desktop wallpaper...

And will remain so for a great while:

New banner

Ewww.

It's comical how abruptly I realized that the old ManCalledSun banner was butt-ugly. It shot down my spine like a jolt of electricity. I'm almost embarrassed that it stayed there to so long. So, I made another one. It's serving more as a place setter right now and is an idea that may get built upon. Something, anything than that previous atrocity. I'm currently going for a different look; something that doesn't scream, "HEY CHECK IT OUT I'M USING PHOTOSHOP WEEEEEEEEE!!!!! DISTORT IMAGE DISTORT TEXT DISTORT DISTORT DISTORT"

In all honesty one of the main motives behind creating this blog was to give me a reason to finally learn Photoshop. The covers for the Monthly Mix Brigade are also good practice. It's all in good fun.

p.s. I cannot get enough of the new MELVINS album.

Emily Post - Shmemily Post

I like to think of myself as a civilized fellow. I make eye contact, have a hearty handshake, say please, say thank you, strive to keep my elbows off the dinner table... that sorta stuff. But this lady, and her influence on innocent women - like my poor wife - make me want to revert back to barbarianism. Say hello to "Miss Manners" herself - Emily Post:

Emily Post lived a million years ago. She was born into affluence which apparently gave her the notion and ambition to dedicate her life to being annoying about etiquette. At some point in MIZZ Post's life (Her husband left. Take a wild guess why) she basically crowned herself the world's leading authority in what is and what is not frikkin PROPER!

In One Trillion Million B.C. she even created the "Emily Post Institute" intended to draw other people (mostly WOMEN who nag their husbands about not blowing snot rockets at the dinner table) into the fold of etiquette snobbery. Within the walls of this sanction they came up with a gaggle of other ideas and concepts for other modern uptight socialites to live by. Like this:

A proper place setting? PROPER? says who? YOU!? HA! Gimmie a wooden bowl, a cork on a fork, a Stein of Grog and sit me at the kiddie table, thank you. We'll bark Clutch songs in unison, toast to our barbarianism, and start a totally awesome food fight while you folks, with raised pinky fingers, sip your dainty little tea cups and discuss fancy ornamental bureau's and dog breeding or whatever.

Then Emily Post died. Her followers took it upon themselves to continue her legacy. Part of the curriculum is learning how best to badger and nag people who don't walk on egg shells wishing to be proper during every passing second of every passing day. Modern-day outlets of high-brow education and naggery include podcasts, seminars, college classes, the central hub of a universe full of hassle and frustration: Emilypost.com, and a newly-completed biography on the evil one herself:

Oh good, a paper weight for all the research I'm doing on the Crusades - something way awesomer than salad forks and doilies...

HELLS YEAH!!!!!!

Hey, look what I found

Pictures! I took these during the course of the summer about three years ago - or was it four? Whichever. My pappy was generous enough to lend me his Cannon yadda-yadda-yadda and gave me a brief run through on camera mechanics. I was using standard 400-speed film and shot three or four rolls. The pics I have posted here are a few of my favorites.

I really enjoyed going out with a keen eye. It wasn't my intent to capture romantic settings but more so get crazy with shutter speed and aperture width. With film there's always the thrill and hope that the picture will come out as you intended. Sometimes it doesn't develop how you wanted, it turns out better!

The Nebula/Dozer split on a 12" LP convincingly dyed to mimic flames. With this I was more interested in how the drawing in the center would turn out with a slower, but not too slow, shutter speed. Good tunes. Oh man, good tunes!

Don't remember what I was going for in this one. Still cool, I think.

This was shot downtown on Superior. My intent was a flat still life but at the last second the camera autofocused on the reflection in the puddle.

Outside the Rock Hall. This was towards the end of my afternoon and I was weary of walking around so much. I basically took this just for the heck of it.

Cruising down lake road approaching a group of trees. I really like how this turned out - very... Pastel, whispy... or blurry if you wanna be a prick about it.

Totally just messing around

At the Old Field in the Chagrin Metro Parks. I love it back there. Why not bring a camera and see what catches my eye?

I forgot what I did here

A personal favorite. I don't know what it is about this one but it just tickles me.