Pagan cartoonists suck.
Apocamon: The Final Judgement ("recommended for mature viewers").
The truly sad thing is that the heathen who cartooned this probably spent more time reading the Book of Revalations than 97% of Christians have done.
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Oddly enough, this doesn't sound nearly as scary as the lesbians at my High School. We didn't have dances (too cool and alternateen for dances), but if we did, I have a feeling all the teenage guys would've been chanting "Put down the knife! Put down the knife!" instead of "Kiss, kiss, kiss!"
Back in 1984, when I was eight, my parents would sometimes take me to this arcade on South U. in Ann Arbor. I don't recall the name of the arcade, but it was in the old Wherehouse Records store (which has long since closed). Anyway, on one of these trips I played a game which featured a bunch of elfs racing through the woods, falling into holes, picking up gems, and so on. I was entralled by this game, but eventually had to leave the arcade. I never saw that game again (the videogame market crashed in '84, and this game probably lasted all of a month in the arcade).
For almost 20 years now I've been searching for the name of this game. Numerous google searches for "elf footrace arcade game" have proven fruitless. Today, though, almost by accident I found it.
Behold Midway's Mystic Marathon. It's not on the Midway Arcade Classics disc, but I managed to find a ROM for this and give it a go. I remember the graphics being a lot better, but this was still a blast to play after all these years. It rules.
And now I am, at long last, at peace.
For almost 20 years now I've been searching for the name of this game. Numerous google searches for "elf footrace arcade game" have proven fruitless. Today, though, almost by accident I found it.
Behold Midway's Mystic Marathon. It's not on the Midway Arcade Classics disc, but I managed to find a ROM for this and give it a go. I remember the graphics being a lot better, but this was still a blast to play after all these years. It rules.
And now I am, at long last, at peace.
Video Game Cameos and Reference Database
If you're like me, this will be the coolest site you see today.
If you're like me, this will be the coolest site you see today.
The Guardian: Captured python said to be world's biggest snake
Oh, yeah? I've got your world's biggest snake right, oh, never mind.
It's a fussy eater, apparently. But when you are longer than a double-decker bus, and weigh as much as six grown men, you can afford to be.
Certainly, the owners of a zoo in Indonesia haven't been quibbling over the dietary needs of an enormous python, which prefers to eat four fierce brown dogs every month.
I guess if the dogs are neither fierce enough nor brown enough the python won't eat them. Crazy.
Oh, yeah? I've got your world's biggest snake right, oh, never mind.
It's a fussy eater, apparently. But when you are longer than a double-decker bus, and weigh as much as six grown men, you can afford to be.
Certainly, the owners of a zoo in Indonesia haven't been quibbling over the dietary needs of an enormous python, which prefers to eat four fierce brown dogs every month.
I guess if the dogs are neither fierce enough nor brown enough the python won't eat them. Crazy.
StLinusReview.com: Poetry and prose for orthodox Catholics!
Scheduled for first publication in Autumn 2004, St. Linus Review is a new semi-annual magazine of poetry and short prose by orthodox Catholic writers, traditionally printed and mailed to our subscribers.
Members of SSPX need not apply, thankfully. I can't tell you how furious reading their sedevacantist poetry makes me: "I think that I shall never see, a real Pope in the Holy See". I keep telling them that homophones aren't really rhymes, but they never listen to me.
Seriously, it looks like it's shaping up to be quite the review. Please consider contributing and/or subscribing. No word yet if they'll be doing any sort of They Might Be Giants/McSweeney's-style crossover in the near future, but if they do consider it, I'm ready!
Scheduled for first publication in Autumn 2004, St. Linus Review is a new semi-annual magazine of poetry and short prose by orthodox Catholic writers, traditionally printed and mailed to our subscribers.
Members of SSPX need not apply, thankfully. I can't tell you how furious reading their sedevacantist poetry makes me: "I think that I shall never see, a real Pope in the Holy See". I keep telling them that homophones aren't really rhymes, but they never listen to me.
Seriously, it looks like it's shaping up to be quite the review. Please consider contributing and/or subscribing. No word yet if they'll be doing any sort of They Might Be Giants/McSweeney's-style crossover in the near future, but if they do consider it, I'm ready!
Monday, December 29, 2003
Burundi: Home of the Bujumbura Saintmakers.
Another loyal follower of Christ reaches the mandatory age of retirement.
Another loyal follower of Christ reaches the mandatory age of retirement.
I got some encouragement out of this article.
Indie -- An artist who produces, records, and promotes his or her own music without the aid of a major or feeder label.
Indie is not -- An artist that is signed to an "independent" label that is run by people from a major or feeder label.
I guess officially I am an "indie" musician and have been for quite some time. Still, what I wouldn't give right about now for a few "sycophants that believe in you solely based on a label-created image and will discard you when you enter your thirties or beyond".
Indie -- An artist who produces, records, and promotes his or her own music without the aid of a major or feeder label.
Indie is not -- An artist that is signed to an "independent" label that is run by people from a major or feeder label.
I guess officially I am an "indie" musician and have been for quite some time. Still, what I wouldn't give right about now for a few "sycophants that believe in you solely based on a label-created image and will discard you when you enter your thirties or beyond".
Mercy and Mary, Thoughts from a Marian of the Immaculate Conception, has discovered my music.
Thanks for the comments and for all of you in the St. 'Blog's community (and anyone who liked Robot Love), I think you'll enjoy what I've got planned, musically speaking, for you in 2003.
Thanks for the comments and for all of you in the St. 'Blog's community (and anyone who liked Robot Love), I think you'll enjoy what I've got planned, musically speaking, for you in 2003.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Has anyone read this book? Is it any good? I mean, if Q endorses it, how could it not be? Just want to know if anyone has read it.
Cafeteria Catholics
Guess which part of Paul's letter to the Colossians didn't get read at Mass today? I've noticed that the new lectionaries are all printed up with those two or three sentences not part of the "for short form read only the part in brackets", as if adding 30 or 40 words to a 150-word epistle would make any difference.
Guess which part of Paul's letter to the Colossians didn't get read at Mass today? I've noticed that the new lectionaries are all printed up with those two or three sentences not part of the "for short form read only the part in brackets", as if adding 30 or 40 words to a 150-word epistle would make any difference.
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Light 'blogging today because Midway Arcade Classics is just so much fun. Seriously, pick it up if you have any of the big three consoles. There are several of the included 20 titles which alone would warrant spending the $20 on the collection (Marble Madness is still so much fun). Anyway, it's a blast. From the past, even.
Friday, December 26, 2003
ABCNEWS.com: Fla. Gets Nation's 1st Faith-Based Prison
I guess if you have to go to (state) prision, this would be the one to go to.
Oh, and Merry Christmas!
I guess if you have to go to (state) prision, this would be the one to go to.
Oh, and Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 25, 2003
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
NORAD Tracks Santa
Last I checked he was flying by Mt. Fuji. This is pretty sweet, with the Santa Cams and all. 'Xander enjoyed it. He also enjoyed the big-band Christmas tunes on the "music" page.
Last I checked he was flying by Mt. Fuji. This is pretty sweet, with the Santa Cams and all. 'Xander enjoyed it. He also enjoyed the big-band Christmas tunes on the "music" page.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
And in other 'blog news, Sarah Hempel seems to be making great progress on her neo-Classical sculpture of the virgin Mary (scroll down through the December entries for pictures). If the images don't come up for you, hit reload oncertwice.
Bekah Faith left this in my comments box and it was so great, I just wanted to be sure you all saw it.
I wanted to send you a Christmas card,
But they don't make those anymore.
For they all spoke of winter solstice;
"Baby Jesus, there's the door."
And what they've done to poor St. Nicholas!
As if they don't realize
He once punched out a fellow bishop
Who denied the divinity of Christ.
I'd like to follow in his footsteps
And smash a card maker in the nose,
And shout, "Parsley's greetings!"
As out the door I go.
But in the interest of peace on earth
The only thing I'll say
Is "Merry Christmas one and all,
And pagans can go eat hay."
I wanted to send you a Christmas card,
But they don't make those anymore.
For they all spoke of winter solstice;
"Baby Jesus, there's the door."
And what they've done to poor St. Nicholas!
As if they don't realize
He once punched out a fellow bishop
Who denied the divinity of Christ.
I'd like to follow in his footsteps
And smash a card maker in the nose,
And shout, "Parsley's greetings!"
As out the door I go.
But in the interest of peace on earth
The only thing I'll say
Is "Merry Christmas one and all,
And pagans can go eat hay."
ComingSoon.net brings us The "King Arthur" Trailer.
Okay, is it just me or is it going to be the case that every movie released over the next few years is going to have mutiple scenes of hundreds of shield-bearing extras charging across a field? Still, it's nice to see Clive Owen getting some legitimate work (well, as legitimate as a movie which purports to be the "true story of the real King Arthur" can ever actually be).
Check ComingSoon.net for other trailers, like the SpongeBob Squarepants teaser, which is actually a fairly clever use of about 10 seconds of animation. I am not, however, going to watch anything having to do with a Stepford Wives remake.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow looks smegging fantastic, though -- not bad for a movie with no actual sets at all. You can never beat giant robots vs. 1930s-vintage fighter planes. Hogarthhhhh...
It's almost enough to make me want to start seeing movies in the theater again. Almost.
Okay, is it just me or is it going to be the case that every movie released over the next few years is going to have mutiple scenes of hundreds of shield-bearing extras charging across a field? Still, it's nice to see Clive Owen getting some legitimate work (well, as legitimate as a movie which purports to be the "true story of the real King Arthur" can ever actually be).
Check ComingSoon.net for other trailers, like the SpongeBob Squarepants teaser, which is actually a fairly clever use of about 10 seconds of animation. I am not, however, going to watch anything having to do with a Stepford Wives remake.
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow looks smegging fantastic, though -- not bad for a movie with no actual sets at all. You can never beat giant robots vs. 1930s-vintage fighter planes. Hogarthhhhh...
It's almost enough to make me want to start seeing movies in the theater again. Almost.
Merry and Christmas
If the ACLU and the terrorists' mission was to ruin everyone's holiday, well then MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Seriously: Puritans (who once banned the celebration of Christmas), Terrorists, and the ACLU... can YOU spot the ideological differences or variances in the means of accomplishing their goals (read: self-aggrandizement and terror)? Because I sure can't.
A pox (not Epyx, because that was actually cool -- particularly this remix of the "Temple of Apshai" theme) on them all!
Sigh.... you can never go back to Apshai. I know that's a little off topic, but I miss it.
If the ACLU and the terrorists' mission was to ruin everyone's holiday, well then MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Seriously: Puritans (who once banned the celebration of Christmas), Terrorists, and the ACLU... can YOU spot the ideological differences or variances in the means of accomplishing their goals (read: self-aggrandizement and terror)? Because I sure can't.
A pox (not Epyx, because that was actually cool -- particularly this remix of the "Temple of Apshai" theme) on them all!
Sigh.... you can never go back to Apshai. I know that's a little off topic, but I miss it.
Monday, December 22, 2003
Click here to see a panorama shot of Jackie's Piano-top Christmas Village (by night).
Maybe tomorrow I'll do a daytime panorama.
Maybe tomorrow I'll do a daytime panorama.
Truth
"Join the College of Athanasius," by Steve Kellmeyer
This is a truly awesome article and should be read by everyone who reads this 'blog (and particularly by all the fathers and Fathers who read this 'blog). It's a call to not be cowards.
Let's never be afraid to speak the truth, people. No matter what the setting and context. No matter what the temporal cost. To paraphrase my Penny Catechism, God is Truth and lies cannot abide within Him. I suppose the broad category "liars" would also include all of us who, in Kellmeyer's words, are cowards and let those lies slip by unchallenged.
Besides, sometimes it's just fun to be a brat and make the liars of our culture get all frustrated ;). I especially like the part when they get self-righteous and, abandoning all logic or coherence, try to turn it back around. When it happens in real life, it's funnier than an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond".
Best of all, you don't have to be all that clever or articulate to state the truth -- that's what's so great about it: it's the anti-Sophistry. So do us all a favor and tell some Truth to a total stranger today; even if it just means saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Various inspecific felicitations of the presumed wintertime season."
"Join the College of Athanasius," by Steve Kellmeyer
This is a truly awesome article and should be read by everyone who reads this 'blog (and particularly by all the fathers and Fathers who read this 'blog). It's a call to not be cowards.
Let's never be afraid to speak the truth, people. No matter what the setting and context. No matter what the temporal cost. To paraphrase my Penny Catechism, God is Truth and lies cannot abide within Him. I suppose the broad category "liars" would also include all of us who, in Kellmeyer's words, are cowards and let those lies slip by unchallenged.
Besides, sometimes it's just fun to be a brat and make the liars of our culture get all frustrated ;). I especially like the part when they get self-righteous and, abandoning all logic or coherence, try to turn it back around. When it happens in real life, it's funnier than an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond".
Best of all, you don't have to be all that clever or articulate to state the truth -- that's what's so great about it: it's the anti-Sophistry. So do us all a favor and tell some Truth to a total stranger today; even if it just means saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Various inspecific felicitations of the presumed wintertime season."
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Happy Holidays from Meeka and her Cool Cousins
Listening to this made me want to die. No offense to Meeka or her cool cousins, of course. But, hey, it's free and approximately 20-minutes long. What do you want? Okay.. okay.. when you keep listening to it, it's actually kinda cute. And I appreciate that someone is living out their dream (okay, my dream) of making music with their kids (at least I hope it's their kids). Sheesh. I take back everything I ever said about Meeka and her Cool Cousins. I'm not THAT big of a Scrooge.
Another free kids' music site I'm checking out is Playhouse Radio. So far some good (and some odd -- in the "Marching" category, check out "Thor, the Dinosaur") stuff there. If you can find "Dance Party" by ScribbleMonster it's well worth the search (hint: song category = "Dance").
Listening to this made me want to die. No offense to Meeka or her cool cousins, of course. But, hey, it's free and approximately 20-minutes long. What do you want? Okay.. okay.. when you keep listening to it, it's actually kinda cute. And I appreciate that someone is living out their dream (okay, my dream) of making music with their kids (at least I hope it's their kids). Sheesh. I take back everything I ever said about Meeka and her Cool Cousins. I'm not THAT big of a Scrooge.
Another free kids' music site I'm checking out is Playhouse Radio. So far some good (and some odd -- in the "Marching" category, check out "Thor, the Dinosaur") stuff there. If you can find "Dance Party" by ScribbleMonster it's well worth the search (hint: song category = "Dance").
Saturday, December 20, 2003
This last summer, while unemployed, I made some cartoons. 'Xander watched the Farmer Joe cartoon a few times back then and seemed non-plussed by it. Today, though, I showed it to him again and he couldn't get enough of it. Every time it would end he'd say "Watch, more!" and I'd play it again and again (until I found the handy "loop" feature in Quicktime).
He watched it so many times that he started doing the little robot dances in the appropriate parts (waving his arms around when Farmer Joe breaks and goes mental, bobbing his head up and down with the chickens). And after every time: "Watch, more!" As a father, it was one of the most gratifying moments of my life.
He watched it so many times that he started doing the little robot dances in the appropriate parts (waving his arms around when Farmer Joe breaks and goes mental, bobbing his head up and down with the chickens). And after every time: "Watch, more!" As a father, it was one of the most gratifying moments of my life.
The Argument
Heard these cats on NPR's Mountain Stage program. Very good keyboard-driven rock band from West Virginia. Can't wait until their record comes out. Check out the free mp3s on their webpage.
Heard these cats on NPR's Mountain Stage program. Very good keyboard-driven rock band from West Virginia. Can't wait until their record comes out. Check out the free mp3s on their webpage.
Lebanese Says U.S. Troops 'Tortured' Him with Rap
"They didn't torture us physically but they did psychologically by raising the volume of rap music all day until it became unbearable and by withholding food," he said.
But Jaber said he kept one secret from his captors, fearing the treatment could get worse.
"I mean I like rap, just imagine them playing jazz."
Link via regular 'blog reader, John. Thanks, John. I *did* find that link interesting.
"They didn't torture us physically but they did psychologically by raising the volume of rap music all day until it became unbearable and by withholding food," he said.
But Jaber said he kept one secret from his captors, fearing the treatment could get worse.
"I mean I like rap, just imagine them playing jazz."
Link via regular 'blog reader, John. Thanks, John. I *did* find that link interesting.
They Might Be Finished!
I've been working here and there on setting up a Linux based Dial-A-Song answering machine for They Might Be Giants. I promised it to them in April, really buckled down in October, and I'm finally (almost) done today.
Way to go, Leo Laporte!
I've been working here and there on setting up a Linux based Dial-A-Song answering machine for They Might Be Giants. I promised it to them in April, really buckled down in October, and I'm finally (almost) done today.
Way to go, Leo Laporte!
Thursday, December 18, 2003
Prayer requests
Please pray for my cousin's husband, Lucas, who is a great musician, father to three children (one just born), and Arny Reservist who was just today, a week before Christmas, shipped off to Iraq.
Please pray for Jackie's best friend Dawn who was supposed to watch 'Xander tonight so we could go out but had instead to go into the hospital for emergency surgery. On her way to the emergency room she called, sobbing, because she didn't want to let Jackie down on her birthday.
Also pray for Jackie and 'Xander who seem to have this pneumoniatic bug that's going around. Jackie's almost beat it, 'Xander has just started with the hacking cough.
Thanks! And if you're an atheist or capitalist who doesn't believe in the power of prayer, I've got a PayPal donations button at the top of the page for you. Everyone can do something.
Please pray for my cousin's husband, Lucas, who is a great musician, father to three children (one just born), and Arny Reservist who was just today, a week before Christmas, shipped off to Iraq.
Please pray for Jackie's best friend Dawn who was supposed to watch 'Xander tonight so we could go out but had instead to go into the hospital for emergency surgery. On her way to the emergency room she called, sobbing, because she didn't want to let Jackie down on her birthday.
Also pray for Jackie and 'Xander who seem to have this pneumoniatic bug that's going around. Jackie's almost beat it, 'Xander has just started with the hacking cough.
Thanks! And if you're an atheist or capitalist who doesn't believe in the power of prayer, I've got a PayPal donations button at the top of the page for you. Everyone can do something.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Some thoughts for a cold Tuesday night... (your answers appreciated, particularly to question 1)
How much is the pearl of great price worth, anyway?
Wouldn't you think that if you sold out to mammon, you'd wind up getting paid at some point?
This is beautiful. But how come?
How could I forget the camera bag? It's the reason I went to the store in the first place.
What happens to all of the people who never followed their dreams when they die? Is there some reward for that?
What leads one to even ponder such things?
And if dodongo dislikes smoke, how come he eats bombs?
How much is the pearl of great price worth, anyway?
Wouldn't you think that if you sold out to mammon, you'd wind up getting paid at some point?
This is beautiful. But how come?
How could I forget the camera bag? It's the reason I went to the store in the first place.
What happens to all of the people who never followed their dreams when they die? Is there some reward for that?
What leads one to even ponder such things?
And if dodongo dislikes smoke, how come he eats bombs?
Because murder always has a "Plan B".
I think it's time to face the facts and hang it up: Civilization is lost.
Una salus victis nullam sperare salutem.
Roughly translated: "It's just about time to break out the case of scotch and the shotgun."
I think it's time to face the facts and hang it up: Civilization is lost.
Una salus victis nullam sperare salutem.
Roughly translated: "It's just about time to break out the case of scotch and the shotgun."
Another argument for putting entertainers in cryogenic stasis tanks when they are not performing. Though I guess in Hill's case you'd have to put her in one even when she was onstage, too. How much navel-gazing do you actually need to do to make it to the point where you think this sort of thing is actually a good idea?
Crazy.
Crazy.
Monday, December 15, 2003
WashingtonPost.com: Hussein Exposed, By Jim Hoagland
Not so much for the article, but for the Crossfire ad on the right-hand side. Don't James Carville and Paul Begala look like siamese twins conjoined at the forehead? Hee!
Not so much for the article, but for the Crossfire ad on the right-hand side. Don't James Carville and Paul Begala look like siamese twins conjoined at the forehead? Hee!
Gimli for ruler of the world!
I've always liked John Rhys-Davies, ever since his turn as Sallah in Indiana Joneses I and III. I hope he makes it into IV. Seriously, though... I can almost imagine 98% of the journalists in the room holding back a collective gasp as he spoke (among those journalists present who understand words like "demographic" and "genetic", I mean). It's almost like Belloc entered our century from the past for some reason (usually because Samantha wrinkles her nose and screws everything up) and was lecturing modern-day journalists.
Anyway, you have my axe, John!
I've always liked John Rhys-Davies, ever since his turn as Sallah in Indiana Joneses I and III. I hope he makes it into IV. Seriously, though... I can almost imagine 98% of the journalists in the room holding back a collective gasp as he spoke (among those journalists present who understand words like "demographic" and "genetic", I mean). It's almost like Belloc entered our century from the past for some reason (usually because Samantha wrinkles her nose and screws everything up) and was lecturing modern-day journalists.
Anyway, you have my axe, John!
This month's KVR-VST contest topic is Covers! Be sure to check out the entries here.
Mr. Me's version of "Walk on the Wild Side" is not bad at all!
(And with that, the Music Monday hat-trick o' links comes to a close).
Mr. Me's version of "Walk on the Wild Side" is not bad at all!
(And with that, the Music Monday hat-trick o' links comes to a close).
Preisner.com
The homepae of Zbigniew Preisner. About what you'd expect for the homepage of a world-class composer. Nice Flash work and some neat streaming music. Check it out.
The homepae of Zbigniew Preisner. About what you'd expect for the homepage of a world-class composer. Nice Flash work and some neat streaming music. Check it out.
All Hail our pro-life, Republican President. He gets results!
CExchange.com: Planned Parenthood Kills Record Number of Babies in 2002-2003; Profits Way Up
While the overall number of abortions are declining in the US, PPFA surgical abortions increased over 14,000 [to 227,385] from 2001 and the group's profits shot up 300 percent from $12.2 million in 2001 to $36.6 million last year. The profit margin is based on the 2002 PPFA income of $766.6 million, $254.4 million of which was US taxpayer money.
CExchange.com: Planned Parenthood Kills Record Number of Babies in 2002-2003; Profits Way Up
While the overall number of abortions are declining in the US, PPFA surgical abortions increased over 14,000 [to 227,385] from 2001 and the group's profits shot up 300 percent from $12.2 million in 2001 to $36.6 million last year. The profit margin is based on the 2002 PPFA income of $766.6 million, $254.4 million of which was US taxpayer money.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
New Song!
This one is a cover of the theme for the Midway arcade classic "Paperboy", put together for the KVR-VST December contest (the topic, apparently unaware that such things are illegal, was covers). Anyway, throwing caution to the wind, here is my 1970s jazz/funk fusion version of the arcade classic.
"Paperboy (1970s version)" 128kbps .mp3, approx. 1.8MB, right-click to save-as or stream by clicking here
Read more about Paperboy (and listen to audio snippets) here.
This one is a cover of the theme for the Midway arcade classic "Paperboy", put together for the KVR-VST December contest (the topic, apparently unaware that such things are illegal, was covers). Anyway, throwing caution to the wind, here is my 1970s jazz/funk fusion version of the arcade classic.
"Paperboy (1970s version)" 128kbps .mp3, approx. 1.8MB, right-click to save-as or stream by clicking here
Read more about Paperboy (and listen to audio snippets) here.
And all these years I thought I was "Deck Us All With Boston Charlie"
Okay, I deleted the image because it was just too big and awful, but...
You are 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing'. You take Christmas very seriously. For you, it is a religious festival, celebrating the birth of the Saviour, and its current secularisation really irritates you. You enjoy the period of Advent leading up to Christmas, and attend any local carol services you can find, as well as the more contemplative Advent church services each Sunday. You may be involved in Christmas food collections or similar charity work. The midnight service at your church, with candles and carols, is one you look forward to all year, and you also look forward to the family get together on Christmas Day.
What Christmas Carol are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Okay, I deleted the image because it was just too big and awful, but...
You are 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing'. You take Christmas very seriously. For you, it is a religious festival, celebrating the birth of the Saviour, and its current secularisation really irritates you. You enjoy the period of Advent leading up to Christmas, and attend any local carol services you can find, as well as the more contemplative Advent church services each Sunday. You may be involved in Christmas food collections or similar charity work. The midnight service at your church, with candles and carols, is one you look forward to all year, and you also look forward to the family get together on Christmas Day.
What Christmas Carol are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
And so it ends: not with a bang, but a bunker.
It's like Lee Trevino said: "Grizzly Adams did have a beard!"
It's like Lee Trevino said: "Grizzly Adams did have a beard!"
Saturday, December 13, 2003
I guess I missed the new ChopLifter game when it was released last year (I don't own a PS2, so that's probably why). Judging from the trailer, though, it doesn't look like you can blow the little bunkers open and then mow down with your chain-gun all the little hostages that come running out. And that's a shame.
If you missed those bygone days of Stereo's first introduction to the public, awing them with panoramic sound, zany sound effects zipping from one speaker to the other, and feel your life has been lacking something because of that, mope no further:
Dr. Chesky's 5.1 Surround Show on DVD-Audio.
Features 38 tracks of original music and wild sound effects that will shake-up your sound system - all recorded in 5.1 surround sound.
...
A mind-boggling array of original world music, percussion and a few very strange tunes [Track 9. Music for Cello, Helicopter and Cars!] especially created to highlight your 5.1 surround sound system.
Read more in this interview with Dr. Chesky.
I almost want to run right out and buy a DVD-A player just to listen to this disc. Almost. More realistically, I understand Pioneer has introduced a universal DVD player which plays all the new formats (SACD, DVD-A, etc.) for less than $200. One thing I've realised, though, is that when you're a single-income household coming off five months of unemployment, there's not much difference between $200, $2,000, or $20,000. Regardless, these are exciting times.
Dr. Chesky's 5.1 Surround Show on DVD-Audio.
Features 38 tracks of original music and wild sound effects that will shake-up your sound system - all recorded in 5.1 surround sound.
...
A mind-boggling array of original world music, percussion and a few very strange tunes [Track 9. Music for Cello, Helicopter and Cars!] especially created to highlight your 5.1 surround sound system.
Read more in this interview with Dr. Chesky.
I almost want to run right out and buy a DVD-A player just to listen to this disc. Almost. More realistically, I understand Pioneer has introduced a universal DVD player which plays all the new formats (SACD, DVD-A, etc.) for less than $200. One thing I've realised, though, is that when you're a single-income household coming off five months of unemployment, there's not much difference between $200, $2,000, or $20,000. Regardless, these are exciting times.
A New Low
RCA Red Seal and Victor releases Shacking Up to Chopin. The Amazon.com page has some nice, outraged reviews (a well as a close-up of the "Parental Advisory, Sexual Content" sticker on the pornographic album cover). Also, don't miss Bedroom Bliss with Beethoven and Making Out to Mozart. Andre Previn was (suitably) outraged that one of his recordings appeared on one of these records.
We've come a long way since "Holding Hands with Holst" or even "Sucking Face to Stravinsky", haven't we? What's next? "Pants Off with Part?" I shudder to think what their record of Orff would be called.
RCA Red Seal and Victor releases Shacking Up to Chopin. The Amazon.com page has some nice, outraged reviews (a well as a close-up of the "Parental Advisory, Sexual Content" sticker on the pornographic album cover). Also, don't miss Bedroom Bliss with Beethoven and Making Out to Mozart. Andre Previn was (suitably) outraged that one of his recordings appeared on one of these records.
We've come a long way since "Holding Hands with Holst" or even "Sucking Face to Stravinsky", haven't we? What's next? "Pants Off with Part?" I shudder to think what their record of Orff would be called.
Light 'blogging today. Our "free" Legend of Zelda: Collectors Edition disc arrived today (Friday night) and we dove right into Majora's Mask (after laughing at the graphics for The Legend of Zelda and Link's Adventure and how we thought they were so cool-looking when they first came out -- which they were... when they first came out). Majora's Mask is a lot less stressful than I remember it (you'll recall that each game episode has to be played in three days before the suicidal moon crashes into the clock tower and if you reset time too early you'll lose all your work for the past three days... it's my ultimate nightmare... not being able to save my work and having to do it all over again). Plus that moon always freaked me out. Still does.
"Tingle! Tingle! Kooloo-Limpa! These are the magic words that Tingle created himself. Don’t steal them!"
"Tingle! Tingle! Kooloo-Limpa! These are the magic words that Tingle created himself. Don’t steal them!"
Friday, December 12, 2003
Thursday, December 11, 2003
I've been getting more agressive about spam and I think I accidentally deleted an email with the subject "Request to use your poem-tag". Unfortunately I didn't see who it was from. If that was you, email me again. But otherwise, yeah, you have permission to use my poem tag for just about anything, provided I get a cut (if there's money or prestige involved).
I gots to get GPO. It's important.
I gots to get GPO. It's important.
Okay, here's another BAD IDEA.
USAToday.com: 'Space Invaders' set for new U.S. invasion
Did anyone actually think this game was fun when it came out 25 years ago? I remember playing it then and it was the most boring thing I'd ever seen... and I was only three!! It was slow-paced, it took forever for your bullet to get to the top of the screen so if you missed the little space monsters, which was nearly impossible, you were left sitting around for like five minutes until you could shoot again.
And now they want to charge you 50-cents (that's the old-school equivalent of "Fiddy Cent" for all you new-school hip-hoppers out there) for it? Honestly, I like retro-video-game-nostalgia as much as the next guy. I'm looking forward, with all of my heart, to seeing Midway Arcade Treasures under my tree this "holiday" (I can not WAIT to play Rampage, Rampart, and SmashTV again! Not to mention Sinistar, Vindicators, Gauntlet II, Spy Hunter, and the other 13 games in the collection) but give me a break! Space Invaders? And they want people to spend 50-cents on it? Who is going to be fool enough to do that?
So, kids, here's your choice: you can sit at your table or at the bar or whatever and rip up a paper napkin into little shreds or take half-a-dollar and expose yourself to huge massive amounts of boredom for ten minutes during which time your girlfriend or wife or whatever will have taken the car and driven home to watch "Trading Spaces" which is even more exciting than Space Invaders (and, yes, Space Invaders is the ONLY videogame -- including "Elmo's Typing Adventure" -- which is more boring than "Trading Spaces").
Galaga or R-Type, I could understand... but SPACE INVADERS? Did I mention it was BORING? Oh. I did? Good.
USAToday.com: 'Space Invaders' set for new U.S. invasion
Did anyone actually think this game was fun when it came out 25 years ago? I remember playing it then and it was the most boring thing I'd ever seen... and I was only three!! It was slow-paced, it took forever for your bullet to get to the top of the screen so if you missed the little space monsters, which was nearly impossible, you were left sitting around for like five minutes until you could shoot again.
And now they want to charge you 50-cents (that's the old-school equivalent of "Fiddy Cent" for all you new-school hip-hoppers out there) for it? Honestly, I like retro-video-game-nostalgia as much as the next guy. I'm looking forward, with all of my heart, to seeing Midway Arcade Treasures under my tree this "holiday" (I can not WAIT to play Rampage, Rampart, and SmashTV again! Not to mention Sinistar, Vindicators, Gauntlet II, Spy Hunter, and the other 13 games in the collection) but give me a break! Space Invaders? And they want people to spend 50-cents on it? Who is going to be fool enough to do that?
So, kids, here's your choice: you can sit at your table or at the bar or whatever and rip up a paper napkin into little shreds or take half-a-dollar and expose yourself to huge massive amounts of boredom for ten minutes during which time your girlfriend or wife or whatever will have taken the car and driven home to watch "Trading Spaces" which is even more exciting than Space Invaders (and, yes, Space Invaders is the ONLY videogame -- including "Elmo's Typing Adventure" -- which is more boring than "Trading Spaces").
Galaga or R-Type, I could understand... but SPACE INVADERS? Did I mention it was BORING? Oh. I did? Good.
Okay, can I believe my eyes? Did ABC really just broadcast something called the "Billy Graham Crusade"? Billy Graham?! CRUSADE?!
Weird.
Not everyone likes the Billy Graham Crusade, of course. For some, it's just too Catholic-friendly. I'm just sorry that the link at the bottom of that page to the review of "The Assimilation of Evangelist Billy Graham Into the Roman Catholic Church" doesn't work.
Weird.
Weird.
Not everyone likes the Billy Graham Crusade, of course. For some, it's just too Catholic-friendly. I'm just sorry that the link at the bottom of that page to the review of "The Assimilation of Evangelist Billy Graham Into the Roman Catholic Church" doesn't work.
Weird.
My sincere apologies to everyone who felt compelled to gouge their eyes out with a grapefruit spoon earlier today after clicking on one of my links.
To make up for that, go to Google.com enter in "the most beautiful thing in the world" (without the quotes) and click "I'm feeling lucky". Prepare to weep at the sheer awe of it all. And if THAT doesn't do it for you try "the most beautiful thing that ever existed" (again, without the quotes) and prepare to go "Kitties!"
(What's weird, though, is how many of these beauty links "the most beautiful thing on earth" for example, link to science sites. Is science the one area of our lives where we, as Americans, can admit that beauty still exists? When was the last time you read a movie review or a music review that used the word "beautiful"? A discussion for another day, perhaps).
To make up for that, go to Google.com enter in "the most beautiful thing in the world" (without the quotes) and click "I'm feeling lucky". Prepare to weep at the sheer awe of it all. And if THAT doesn't do it for you try "the most beautiful thing that ever existed" (again, without the quotes) and prepare to go "Kitties!"
(What's weird, though, is how many of these beauty links "the most beautiful thing on earth" for example, link to science sites. Is science the one area of our lives where we, as Americans, can admit that beauty still exists? When was the last time you read a movie review or a music review that used the word "beautiful"? A discussion for another day, perhaps).
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918
The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster.
And yet you don't really hear too much about it these days. Which is odd in an era of medical triumphs where three dead people in Toronto constitutes an "epidemic".
The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the Great War, known today as World War I (WWI), at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. More people died of influenza in a single year than in four-years of the Black Death Bubonic Plague from 1347 to 1351. Known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe" the influenza of 1918-1919 was a global disaster.
And yet you don't really hear too much about it these days. Which is odd in an era of medical triumphs where three dead people in Toronto constitutes an "epidemic".
Barbara Nicolosi nicely summarizes the reception of "The Passion of the Christ" by the Ain't It Cool News crowd. I pretty much got chills reading this.
Slate: Meet the Greedy Grandparents; Why America's elderly are so spoiled.
Why do we keep indulging the grizzled ones? The most obvious reason is that they are so tireless and well-organized in demanding alms. No politician ever lost an election because he was too generous to little old ladies. A lot of people are suckered by the image of financially strapped seniors, even though the poverty rate among those 65 and over has been lower than that for the population as a whole since 1974. But it's not just the interests of old coots that are being served here. Young and middle-aged adults tend to look kindly upon lavish federal generosity to Grandma because it means she won't be hitting them up for help. Paying taxes may be onerous, but it's nothing compared to the cost, financial and otherwise, of adding a mother-in-law suite to the house. Working-age folks also assume that whatever they bestow upon today's seniors will be likewise bestowed on them, and in the not too distant future. It's not really fair to blame the greatest generation for this extravagance. They are guilty, but they have an accomplice.
I guess even Slate can come close to getting it right every once in a while. Link via Zorak.
Why do we keep indulging the grizzled ones? The most obvious reason is that they are so tireless and well-organized in demanding alms. No politician ever lost an election because he was too generous to little old ladies. A lot of people are suckered by the image of financially strapped seniors, even though the poverty rate among those 65 and over has been lower than that for the population as a whole since 1974. But it's not just the interests of old coots that are being served here. Young and middle-aged adults tend to look kindly upon lavish federal generosity to Grandma because it means she won't be hitting them up for help. Paying taxes may be onerous, but it's nothing compared to the cost, financial and otherwise, of adding a mother-in-law suite to the house. Working-age folks also assume that whatever they bestow upon today's seniors will be likewise bestowed on them, and in the not too distant future. It's not really fair to blame the greatest generation for this extravagance. They are guilty, but they have an accomplice.
I guess even Slate can come close to getting it right every once in a while. Link via Zorak.
I'm Justin Katz' Song You Should Know this week, and, well, I really need to get around to re-recording those vocals.
Thanks, Justin!
Thanks, Justin!
After watching the streaming-video preview of Stephen Ray's "Footprints of God" series, I think I'm going to have to pick up a few of them on DVD. I know the "Jesus" episode is on DVD, and hopefully they'll go back and release the others on DVD, too. I'd be interested in picking up the "Peter" DVD.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
From the country what brung you the "lambada".
For years, apparently, men have been shoving cucumbers down their pants in an effort to emphasize or augment their manhood as perceived through tight-fitting swimwear. For years, it seems, women have been left out of this cycle of escalation and augmentation. Until now.
Warning: the following link will offend some of you but it's important (I assume) that you, as parents, know this sort of thing exists. And you'd probably never ever in a million years learn about this thing any other way. Which means that I'll be the first 'blog you've ever seen that links to it. And that makes me cooler than Mark Shea or Fr. Bryce. For today, at least. And even if I alienate 83% of my readers, I'll still have 52,943,876 of you left (beat that, Shea!!!).
Periquitex
Don't ask me what "Periquitex" means in Brazilian, because I don't know. Part of the text, when translated with Babelfish, reads "exhiba with pride, shows, points! horta goes to rain man in its." So I guess this sort of thing will attract Dustin Hoffman. And apparently it comes in three sizes depending on what level of Mariah Carey-ness you're going for. Whee.
For years, apparently, men have been shoving cucumbers down their pants in an effort to emphasize or augment their manhood as perceived through tight-fitting swimwear. For years, it seems, women have been left out of this cycle of escalation and augmentation. Until now.
Warning: the following link will offend some of you but it's important (I assume) that you, as parents, know this sort of thing exists. And you'd probably never ever in a million years learn about this thing any other way. Which means that I'll be the first 'blog you've ever seen that links to it. And that makes me cooler than Mark Shea or Fr. Bryce. For today, at least. And even if I alienate 83% of my readers, I'll still have 52,943,876 of you left (beat that, Shea!!!).
Periquitex
Don't ask me what "Periquitex" means in Brazilian, because I don't know. Part of the text, when translated with Babelfish, reads "exhiba with pride, shows, points! horta goes to rain man in its." So I guess this sort of thing will attract Dustin Hoffman. And apparently it comes in three sizes depending on what level of Mariah Carey-ness you're going for. Whee.
KurthAlsey.com -- Depressing cartoonist.
This sums up his work. Poignant or just creepy? You decide. Imagine "Precious Moments" meets self-destructive one-night sexual-encounters and you've pretty much got the idea.
And he's nowhere near the artist/cartoonist that Sam Torode is.
This sums up his work. Poignant or just creepy? You decide. Imagine "Precious Moments" meets self-destructive one-night sexual-encounters and you've pretty much got the idea.
And he's nowhere near the artist/cartoonist that Sam Torode is.
Mark Shea keeps getting all sorts of ominous warnings about how he's alienating loads and loads of people (apparently -- I haven't actually seen the warnings). This is apparently because some folks disagree with Mark's very legitimate, carefully thought-out (I've been reading his 'blog for years now, and know that Mark -- unlike myself -- doesn't post something unless he's thought it through) objections to the war in Iraq. Clearly Mark is not entitled to his voice his opinion unless he's thought about how many people he's alienating (alienation from what? one wonders).
Obviously Mark doesn't know that the only sure cure for this is to post, on his 'blog, a picture of his bare buttocks pressed up against a plate glass window. The so-called "pressed ham" should take care of all those alienated by his voicing of his opinions. For good.
Obviously Mark doesn't know that the only sure cure for this is to post, on his 'blog, a picture of his bare buttocks pressed up against a plate glass window. The so-called "pressed ham" should take care of all those alienated by his voicing of his opinions. For good.
CSMonitor.com: Preempting China's Missiles
Is anyone else disappointed with Pres. Bush's "Free for me (and the Iraq-i), but not for thee" stance in regards to Taiwan? Taiwan isn't even asserting their independence from mainland opressor, China, just wishing to put to a vote whether they're cool with China deploying missles aimed right at them (note: Pres. Bush is not cool with Chinese missles pointed right at us: witness missle defense).
Note to the president: some things, like a trade war with the European Union, or the impeachment of 5/9ths of our Supreme Court "justices", are inevitible if our country is to survive in any recognizable form. Taiwan probably feels the same way about their national identity (and liberty).
Is anyone else disappointed with Pres. Bush's "Free for me (and the Iraq-i), but not for thee" stance in regards to Taiwan? Taiwan isn't even asserting their independence from mainland opressor, China, just wishing to put to a vote whether they're cool with China deploying missles aimed right at them (note: Pres. Bush is not cool with Chinese missles pointed right at us: witness missle defense).
Note to the president: some things, like a trade war with the European Union, or the impeachment of 5/9ths of our Supreme Court "justices", are inevitible if our country is to survive in any recognizable form. Taiwan probably feels the same way about their national identity (and liberty).
The promise of an authentic-sounding vocal synthesizer has eluded the music industry for many, many years (or some such superfluous lead-in sentence). Enter Zero-G's Vocaloid. And, well, as you can hear from these audio samples the technology clearly has a ways to go (check out the "Ave Maria" in particular and be prepared to laugh your butts off...). "Soul Vocalist", indeed.
I'm trying to think of a musical application for Vocaloid, and considering how easy it is to get your friends to sing for you, I really can't think of one (unless you're going to be doing a Robot-themed album in the near future, of course -- and even then, Vocaloid Lola doesn't sound nearly robotic enough). But, of course, three months from now don't be surprised if there's some big 30,000,000-selling record that comes along featuring Zero-G's Mongoloid extensively.
I'm trying to think of a musical application for Vocaloid, and considering how easy it is to get your friends to sing for you, I really can't think of one (unless you're going to be doing a Robot-themed album in the near future, of course -- and even then, Vocaloid Lola doesn't sound nearly robotic enough). But, of course, three months from now don't be surprised if there's some big 30,000,000-selling record that comes along featuring Zero-G's Mongoloid extensively.
The Curt Jester's Avazon.com
$13.88 sounds about right for my CD+G. Does anyone have any CD+G players anymore? Maybe those new Bratz karaoke machines could play it.
Very funny stuff, anyway.
$13.88 sounds about right for my CD+G. Does anyone have any CD+G players anymore? Maybe those new Bratz karaoke machines could play it.
Very funny stuff, anyway.
CatholicExchange.com: Parent Sues School Over Anti-Christmas Bias
A mother of two has taken the New York City public school system to court over its policy prohibiting nativity scenes.
When Andrea Skoros of Queens learned that a display of her sons' model of the baby Jesus in a manger was not allowed at their school, she sought the help of the Thomas More Law Center. With the Center's assistance, the angry parent filed a federal lawsuit against the school system.
The city permits Menorah decorations and displays of the Islamic star and crescent in schools, but has banned Christian symbols. Skoros believes the city is intentionally discriminating against Christians.
So the kid couldn't even bring in his shoe-box diarama? That he made? And meanwhile they're putting up taxpayer-funded Islamic Crescent decorations? Thank God (not Allah) for the Thomas More Law Center. It's so refreshing to finally see these abuses and usurpations of Americans' civil liberties in the public schools being challenged. It's important to keep fighting these things, until the public schools are free of these sorts of bigoted, anti-Christian jerk-offs (or until there are no more public schools).
In some respects I wish all the Christians in this country would just give up and let this self-destructive culture just implode or be overrun by Islamists or abort itself out of existence (or a combination of the three), but I realize we can't just do that. It sucks, fighting for the existence of people who don't appreciate you and would just as soon see you dead or shipped off to Iceland or something... but it seems to me there was once a Guy who did just that.
A mother of two has taken the New York City public school system to court over its policy prohibiting nativity scenes.
When Andrea Skoros of Queens learned that a display of her sons' model of the baby Jesus in a manger was not allowed at their school, she sought the help of the Thomas More Law Center. With the Center's assistance, the angry parent filed a federal lawsuit against the school system.
The city permits Menorah decorations and displays of the Islamic star and crescent in schools, but has banned Christian symbols. Skoros believes the city is intentionally discriminating against Christians.
So the kid couldn't even bring in his shoe-box diarama? That he made? And meanwhile they're putting up taxpayer-funded Islamic Crescent decorations? Thank God (not Allah) for the Thomas More Law Center. It's so refreshing to finally see these abuses and usurpations of Americans' civil liberties in the public schools being challenged. It's important to keep fighting these things, until the public schools are free of these sorts of bigoted, anti-Christian jerk-offs (or until there are no more public schools).
In some respects I wish all the Christians in this country would just give up and let this self-destructive culture just implode or be overrun by Islamists or abort itself out of existence (or a combination of the three), but I realize we can't just do that. It sucks, fighting for the existence of people who don't appreciate you and would just as soon see you dead or shipped off to Iceland or something... but it seems to me there was once a Guy who did just that.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Not surprised.
Take a gander at these marker drawings and tell me they're not drug-induced. I thought everyone knew about Clinton's addictions, though. None of that changes that he's one of the best composers/arrangers/producers who ever lived. Put him together with Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Junie Morrison, and Fred Wesley and tell me their work doesn't match up favorably with the best of Bach or Beethoven in its complexity of harmonies, melodies, and of course rhythm.
Run out and buy "The Motorbooty Affair" on CD (or on vinyl, if you can find the picture-disc with Starchild water-skiing on the backs of the dolphins) right now.
I'd write more but Fairly Oddparents is coming on. I can't be the only one who though (and was surprised to find himself thinking) that the Fairly Oddparents "Christmas" special was better than the Jimmy Neutron "Christmas" special (even if it did have Mel Brooks as the voice of Santa).
Take a gander at these marker drawings and tell me they're not drug-induced. I thought everyone knew about Clinton's addictions, though. None of that changes that he's one of the best composers/arrangers/producers who ever lived. Put him together with Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Junie Morrison, and Fred Wesley and tell me their work doesn't match up favorably with the best of Bach or Beethoven in its complexity of harmonies, melodies, and of course rhythm.
Run out and buy "The Motorbooty Affair" on CD (or on vinyl, if you can find the picture-disc with Starchild water-skiing on the backs of the dolphins) right now.
I'd write more but Fairly Oddparents is coming on. I can't be the only one who though (and was surprised to find himself thinking) that the Fairly Oddparents "Christmas" special was better than the Jimmy Neutron "Christmas" special (even if it did have Mel Brooks as the voice of Santa).
Monday, December 08, 2003
So there's this 2-page flyer in our Parish bulletin this week, put out by the Office for Christian Worship of the Archdiocese of Detroit (written by a Dennis C. Smolarski, SJ -- who I guess is a pretty effective Math teacher) In addition to the bad woodblocky picture of Christ, this flyer has a bunch of text under the headline "What is the gesture of reverence for Communion?" Putting aside the fact that up until about six weeks ago I had spent 28 years as a Catholic and never once heard, in Church, anyone mention anything about any sort of gesture of reverence for Communion. But I guess when the Pope issues a document promoting reverence for the Communion, you have to do something, and if it means you can take care of the one or two young men in every Church who insist on genuflecting before receiving, or kneeling while receiving, so much the better.
So anyway, the flyer says that from now on we should bow at the neck (and presumably announce "domo arigato", though watching the folks receiving tonight, this comes to mind, too) just before receiving. Basically, the entire document can be summed up (I assume) in the quote they've pulled out (I forgot what that's called in newspaper terms, like a drop quote or something) from the main text: "The sign of unity is absent when people use different gestures or postures."
Tell you what. When the Cardinal does something about the sign of unity absent when prominent (and not-so-prominent) Catholics in his Archdiocese can't even agree that sticking a pair of sissors into a baby's skull as it's being born and then sucking out her brain is something that is morally "not good", then we'll worry about the sign of unity absent when Victor genuflects before receiving the Eucharist.
So anyway, the flyer says that from now on we should bow at the neck (and presumably announce "domo arigato", though watching the folks receiving tonight, this comes to mind, too) just before receiving. Basically, the entire document can be summed up (I assume) in the quote they've pulled out (I forgot what that's called in newspaper terms, like a drop quote or something) from the main text: "The sign of unity is absent when people use different gestures or postures."
Tell you what. When the Cardinal does something about the sign of unity absent when prominent (and not-so-prominent) Catholics in his Archdiocese can't even agree that sticking a pair of sissors into a baby's skull as it's being born and then sucking out her brain is something that is morally "not good", then we'll worry about the sign of unity absent when Victor genuflects before receiving the Eucharist.
Electronic Musician's November, 2003, article on free (or inexpensive) Algorithmic Composition software. This is something I've always been at least a little interested in, though I don't know that I'd devote any serious time to the project. Still, it'd be interesting to hear what the Summa Theologica in Latin would "sound" like, run through MuSoft's Musical Generator. If you have a few minutes to spare, download the shareware (free for 30 days, $25 after that) and maybe you can be the first!
If you do this, let me know -- I would love to hear it!
If you do this, let me know -- I would love to hear it!
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Saturday, December 06, 2003
I want this. Someone buy me this. When it comes out, I mean.
Aww... who am I kidding: it's a top-flight sample library from Bela D Media (albeit one of Latin plainsong). It's going to cost at least $400.
Aww... who am I kidding: it's a top-flight sample library from Bela D Media (albeit one of Latin plainsong). It's going to cost at least $400.
'Xander found my current issue of Keyboard magazine with Daffy Duck on the cover and immediately started saying "Da Duck! Da Duck!" Now, we know he knows Jimmy Neutron ("Nootron!") and Spongebob Squarepants ("Spon-bob!"), but we had no idea he knew Daffy Duck.
And on top of that we're watching NickToons this afternoon and that freaky guy comes on after one of the shows to show the kids another "NickGroove", which is basically a short dance step, this one was called the "Cosmo and Wanda Hand Jive" (trust me, it's a lot better than the "Jimmy Neutron Butt Boogie" or the "Chalk Zone Freak-Bone Skank"... okay, that last one is a dance I made up) and the guy demos the move and 'Xander copies it nearly perfectly. The music starts and 'Xander starts dancing, doing the Cosmo and Wanda Hand Jive... pretty impressive for a 23-month old, but I guess kids are very impressionable at that age.
And, of course, he's a genius when it comes to dancing and cartoons! And numbers. What's most enlightening to me as a parent is how much of this stuff he comes up with on his own:
And on top of that we're watching NickToons this afternoon and that freaky guy comes on after one of the shows to show the kids another "NickGroove", which is basically a short dance step, this one was called the "Cosmo and Wanda Hand Jive" (trust me, it's a lot better than the "Jimmy Neutron Butt Boogie" or the "Chalk Zone Freak-Bone Skank"... okay, that last one is a dance I made up) and the guy demos the move and 'Xander copies it nearly perfectly. The music starts and 'Xander starts dancing, doing the Cosmo and Wanda Hand Jive... pretty impressive for a 23-month old, but I guess kids are very impressionable at that age.
And, of course, he's a genius when it comes to dancing and cartoons! And numbers. What's most enlightening to me as a parent is how much of this stuff he comes up with on his own:
Democracy: Your choice of one of two appointed tyrants!
Not that it matters of course: any law that can be signed by our un-democratically-elected leaders can be overturned by our un-elected supreme-court Judges. To paraphrase a recent Pat Buchanan article: "The worse the better", though, as far as counterrevolutionaries are concerned.
The counterrevolution will not be televised, will not be televised, will not be televised....
Which reminds me. I should dig up my Gil Scott Heron CDs.
Not that it matters of course: any law that can be signed by our un-democratically-elected leaders can be overturned by our un-elected supreme-court Judges. To paraphrase a recent Pat Buchanan article: "The worse the better", though, as far as counterrevolutionaries are concerned.
The counterrevolution will not be televised, will not be televised, will not be televised....
Which reminds me. I should dig up my Gil Scott Heron CDs.
Friday, December 05, 2003
Women Dig In: The defense of Planned Parenthood is the latest battle in a long campaign
As long as they're digging their own graves, which is pretty much the case. I like how they say "Women Dig In" with reference to Planned Parenthood, despite the fact that the majority of women are Pro-Life.
It's been a month since an anti-abortion boycott brought construction to a halt on a new Planned Parenthood clinic at Ben White and South Congress, where all that visibly remains, for the moment, is a chain-link fence giving way to a cheerless dirt lot.
Yeah, because, you know, Abortion Clinics are traditionaly such cheery places, when compared with sandlots. Anyway, you can read the rest of the article, which reads like an editorial in the Bizzaro-World Times until you realise that this is indeed Amerika, 2003. This Chris Danze fellow is a bonafide hero. I hope we, in the culture of life, recognize and take care of him as befits a hero. The article unjustly calls him a Puritan because the writer, quite obviously, lacks the self-reflection to see that she is, in fact, the Puritan, up in arms over the one man who dares defy her purityrannical (that's my word) belief in the sanctity of murder on demand.
The article is pretty much unreadable, but note the quotes from Rep. Rodriguez a bit later in the article, where he expresses his endorsement for the abortion mill, as it would support the lower-income citizens of Austin. I guess when you've already got the Hispanic vote locked-up, you don't need to be too concerned about a mill pretty much set up in such a location as to kill Hispanic and other minority babies.
And of course the final quote of the article goes to some ponce who faults Danze for not coming up with a "positive way" to reach his "goals". Uhhh... reality check: "negative way to reach goal" = "blowing up existing clinic" vs. "positive way to reach goal" = "acting well within your rights and the law to let the Free Market do it's thang"
As long as they're digging their own graves, which is pretty much the case. I like how they say "Women Dig In" with reference to Planned Parenthood, despite the fact that the majority of women are Pro-Life.
It's been a month since an anti-abortion boycott brought construction to a halt on a new Planned Parenthood clinic at Ben White and South Congress, where all that visibly remains, for the moment, is a chain-link fence giving way to a cheerless dirt lot.
Yeah, because, you know, Abortion Clinics are traditionaly such cheery places, when compared with sandlots. Anyway, you can read the rest of the article, which reads like an editorial in the Bizzaro-World Times until you realise that this is indeed Amerika, 2003. This Chris Danze fellow is a bonafide hero. I hope we, in the culture of life, recognize and take care of him as befits a hero. The article unjustly calls him a Puritan because the writer, quite obviously, lacks the self-reflection to see that she is, in fact, the Puritan, up in arms over the one man who dares defy her purityrannical (that's my word) belief in the sanctity of murder on demand.
The article is pretty much unreadable, but note the quotes from Rep. Rodriguez a bit later in the article, where he expresses his endorsement for the abortion mill, as it would support the lower-income citizens of Austin. I guess when you've already got the Hispanic vote locked-up, you don't need to be too concerned about a mill pretty much set up in such a location as to kill Hispanic and other minority babies.
And of course the final quote of the article goes to some ponce who faults Danze for not coming up with a "positive way" to reach his "goals". Uhhh... reality check: "negative way to reach goal" = "blowing up existing clinic" vs. "positive way to reach goal" = "acting well within your rights and the law to let the Free Market do it's thang"
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Pope: Music Must be Appropriate for Liturgical Celebration
VATICAN CITY, DEC 4, 2003 (VIS) – Yesterday afternoon, a chirography by the Holy Father for the centenary of the motu proprio “Tra le sollecitudini,” promulgated by St. Pius X and which considered sacred music in religious functions, was made public. A chirograph is a papal document which bears the signature of the Pope and which provides instructions on an administrative order.
In the message, dated November 22, the feast day of St. Cecilia, patron of music, the Pope emphasizes that “music used for sacred rites must have sanctity as its point of reference” and he underscored that “not all musical forms are appropriate for liturgical celebrations.”
My favorite bits so far:
"The sacred environment of liturgical celebration must never become a laboratory for experimentation or trial compositions and performances, introduced without careful consideration."
and
"It is necessary to be careful that the instruments are appropriate for sacred use, for the dignity of a church, and that they are able to accompany singing by the faithful and edify it."
VATICAN CITY, DEC 4, 2003 (VIS) – Yesterday afternoon, a chirography by the Holy Father for the centenary of the motu proprio “Tra le sollecitudini,” promulgated by St. Pius X and which considered sacred music in religious functions, was made public. A chirograph is a papal document which bears the signature of the Pope and which provides instructions on an administrative order.
In the message, dated November 22, the feast day of St. Cecilia, patron of music, the Pope emphasizes that “music used for sacred rites must have sanctity as its point of reference” and he underscored that “not all musical forms are appropriate for liturgical celebrations.”
My favorite bits so far:
"The sacred environment of liturgical celebration must never become a laboratory for experimentation or trial compositions and performances, introduced without careful consideration."
and
"It is necessary to be careful that the instruments are appropriate for sacred use, for the dignity of a church, and that they are able to accompany singing by the faithful and edify it."
Morpheus Labs is an Audio Production studio, specializing in professional, high quality musical composition and sound designing for videogames and motion pictures.
The Labs is run by 29 year old classically trained composer / producer....
Sadly, this is not my "About" page, but the "About" page of Rom Di Prisco. That's okay, though. I look terrible in eye makeup.
The Labs is run by 29 year old classically trained composer / producer....
Sadly, this is not my "About" page, but the "About" page of Rom Di Prisco. That's okay, though. I look terrible in eye makeup.
Beliefnet.com: Shamans at the Cineplex; The real-life American Indian shamanism behind Disney's 'Brother Bear'
Just in case there was any doubt left in your mind, Parents, after reading this.
Anyway, back to Belief-Nuts:
American Indian medicine powers are badly understood by those who conquered Indian country. One of the great American myths about native shamans is that they were rare. This fact applies only to more recent times. My reading of the historical records is that at least half of the people had spirit helpers. Yes, powerful shamans who could cure were rare, but the use of medicine powers was not. Most people had at least one small power.
Too bad the people who conquered "Indian country" (I guess that'd be next to "Bear County") are all dead, or else we could ask them exactly what their understanding of American Indian medicine powers were. My guess is that they had a pretty good and clear idea of what they were. Anyway, just one more brief excerpt.
Be sure to watch for how many times along Kenai's way a prayer is given in a time of need or danger, and help is instantly there. That's exactly the way it works in the reality where humans and animal spirits walk through life in unison. And, believe me, that reality still lives hidden away out there among our American Indians. So another star for Disney's realistic portrayal of that seldom seen realm of American Indian medicine powers.
"That's exactly the way it works in the reality where humans and animal spirits walk through life in unison." Yeah. Reality. Too bad all those people in the World Trade Center didn't walk in union with their animal spirit guides, eh? And, come to think of it, how were the Europeans even able to conquer the American Indians anyway? Seriously, pagansism is so lame.
Anyway, I guess it's good to know that even after 10 or 15 years, Disney can still be poison.
Just in case there was any doubt left in your mind, Parents, after reading this.
Anyway, back to Belief-Nuts:
American Indian medicine powers are badly understood by those who conquered Indian country. One of the great American myths about native shamans is that they were rare. This fact applies only to more recent times. My reading of the historical records is that at least half of the people had spirit helpers. Yes, powerful shamans who could cure were rare, but the use of medicine powers was not. Most people had at least one small power.
Too bad the people who conquered "Indian country" (I guess that'd be next to "Bear County") are all dead, or else we could ask them exactly what their understanding of American Indian medicine powers were. My guess is that they had a pretty good and clear idea of what they were. Anyway, just one more brief excerpt.
Be sure to watch for how many times along Kenai's way a prayer is given in a time of need or danger, and help is instantly there. That's exactly the way it works in the reality where humans and animal spirits walk through life in unison. And, believe me, that reality still lives hidden away out there among our American Indians. So another star for Disney's realistic portrayal of that seldom seen realm of American Indian medicine powers.
"That's exactly the way it works in the reality where humans and animal spirits walk through life in unison." Yeah. Reality. Too bad all those people in the World Trade Center didn't walk in union with their animal spirit guides, eh? And, come to think of it, how were the Europeans even able to conquer the American Indians anyway? Seriously, pagansism is so lame.
Anyway, I guess it's good to know that even after 10 or 15 years, Disney can still be poison.
Slate: SCOTUS for Dummies! By even bigger, bigoted, Dummies!
Scope out that headline: "Rock of Ages and a Hard Space; The Supreme Court searches for breathing room in its religion cases." The phrase is "between a rock and a hard place", not "space" you morons. If you were between a rock and a hard "space" (whatever that could be: "Careful, Flash! The space is unbelievably hard on this planet!") you would just move into the space to get away from the rock. Unless you were a Slate columnist, that is, in which case you'd blithely and repeatedly beat your head against the rock until you got that one, remaining, annoying, functioning brain cell.
If you could bottle up all the stupid at Slate and sell it on the Internet... well, I'm not sure where I was going with that analogy, but -- golly! -- that'd certainly be a lot of stupid being sold on the Internet, wouldn't it?
Update: This must just be one of those weeks (you know, the kind where the names of all the days end in "-day"?): Dummy La Dimwit is on a roll!!
Scope out that headline: "Rock of Ages and a Hard Space; The Supreme Court searches for breathing room in its religion cases." The phrase is "between a rock and a hard place", not "space" you morons. If you were between a rock and a hard "space" (whatever that could be: "Careful, Flash! The space is unbelievably hard on this planet!") you would just move into the space to get away from the rock. Unless you were a Slate columnist, that is, in which case you'd blithely and repeatedly beat your head against the rock until you got that one, remaining, annoying, functioning brain cell.
If you could bottle up all the stupid at Slate and sell it on the Internet... well, I'm not sure where I was going with that analogy, but -- golly! -- that'd certainly be a lot of stupid being sold on the Internet, wouldn't it?
Update: This must just be one of those weeks (you know, the kind where the names of all the days end in "-day"?): Dummy La Dimwit is on a roll!!
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
WorldNet Daily: D.C. to install free-condom machines
Great. And what D.C. really needs, in the interest of protecting its citizens (from the government, from muggers, from snipers) is free-ammo dispensers.
And seriously... who's going to take a condom from a free dispenser who wouldn't already have stolen one from the drugstore or gotten one for free at the local high school? I hope these condoms have little Department of the Interior logos on them or some other indiciation that, in addition to being of loose morals, your "partner" for the evening (or, in the documented case of most homosexual relationships, the next 10 to 15 minutes) is also exceedingly cheap.
"When you care to send the very best."
Oh, and those hideous Planned Barrenhood "Choice on Earth" cards are coming back again this year, which means that my Planned Parenthood Poster Contest entries should probably come back at some point this week, as well. Let's say... Friday?
Great. And what D.C. really needs, in the interest of protecting its citizens (from the government, from muggers, from snipers) is free-ammo dispensers.
And seriously... who's going to take a condom from a free dispenser who wouldn't already have stolen one from the drugstore or gotten one for free at the local high school? I hope these condoms have little Department of the Interior logos on them or some other indiciation that, in addition to being of loose morals, your "partner" for the evening (or, in the documented case of most homosexual relationships, the next 10 to 15 minutes) is also exceedingly cheap.
"When you care to send the very best."
Oh, and those hideous Planned Barrenhood "Choice on Earth" cards are coming back again this year, which means that my Planned Parenthood Poster Contest entries should probably come back at some point this week, as well. Let's say... Friday?
Having been through this in the past year (last month would've been Baby Lams #2's birthday), I'm not sure how I feel about this. One the one hand it'd be good to know, to have time to prepare, on the other hand, it gives you time to know.... I don't know.
Rodny Greenblat has a new art gallery online, featuring a whole load of whimsey. And also 20 years of paintings, drawings, and digital art from his career as an artist. His online gift-shop contains many rarities (and over 200 different items!). Apparently the Baby Sea Robot EP (another Robot CD... this one predates my own by a good three years -- in fact it was Rodney Greenblat who first suggested I release a CD... If I ever catch that guy, I'm gonna... just kidding ;) is now available again on CD and fans of Um-Jammer Lammy will want to cast their attention to the MilkCan "Make It Sweet" Press Kit (regrettably priced out of my range at $50, but it's ultra-rare, of course). Good think I'm not an otaku fanboy. And here's more proof that life in Japan is a lot more fun than it is here.
Check out WhimseyLoad... it's been one of my favorite yearly stops on the web for a while now, though RodneyFun.com is probably a better representative of the impact Rodney Greenblat has had on Japanese pop-culture.
Check out WhimseyLoad... it's been one of my favorite yearly stops on the web for a while now, though RodneyFun.com is probably a better representative of the impact Rodney Greenblat has had on Japanese pop-culture.
Boston.com: High court says every second counts in search for illicit drugs
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court yesterday strengthened the power of police to investigate drug crimes, ruling that officers are allowed to break down the door of a private home to make a search if no one answers their knock within 15 to 20 seconds.
That period is a long enough wait to let the occupants respond, but not so long that anyone inside would have a realistic chance to flush any drugs down a toilet or a kitchen sink, the court said in a unanimous decision.
Uhhhhh... yeah. 15 seconds is not enough time to flush anything else down the toilet either. Or wipe your butt or pull up your pants. Or step out of the shower. Or turn down the television. Or walk from the bedroom to the front door. Goodbye, civil rights.
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court yesterday strengthened the power of police to investigate drug crimes, ruling that officers are allowed to break down the door of a private home to make a search if no one answers their knock within 15 to 20 seconds.
That period is a long enough wait to let the occupants respond, but not so long that anyone inside would have a realistic chance to flush any drugs down a toilet or a kitchen sink, the court said in a unanimous decision.
Uhhhhh... yeah. 15 seconds is not enough time to flush anything else down the toilet either. Or wipe your butt or pull up your pants. Or step out of the shower. Or turn down the television. Or walk from the bedroom to the front door. Goodbye, civil rights.
My Robot Friend ... more Robot music! I'm trying to break into this whole independent record label, underground electronica scene, but somehow I think it would involve me having to leave the house.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Kim Jong Il (the illmatic)'s LiveJournal
Link via Meredith, who is absolutely right about Tron blowing away the Matrix trilogy in just about every respect.
Oh -- and to whom it may concern: "Quadrilogy" is not nohow a word.
Link via Meredith, who is absolutely right about Tron blowing away the Matrix trilogy in just about every respect.
Oh -- and to whom it may concern: "Quadrilogy" is not nohow a word.
Cry Havoc! and let slip the 'blogs of... you get the idea.
How you know an article is going to suck: it's headline is The Bible’s Lost Stories. And then it begins:
The year’s surprise “it” girl is the star of a mega best seller, a hot topic on campuses and rumored to be the “special friend” of a famous and powerful man. Yet she’s still very much a woman of mystery. For close to 2,000 years, Christians have known her as Mary Magdalene, but she was probably named Miriam, and came from the fishing village of Magdala. Most people today grew up believing she was a harlot saved by Jesus. But the Bible never says that. Scholars working with ancient texts now believe she was one of Christ’s most devoted followers, perhaps even his trusted confidante and financial backer.
WHAT THE SMEGGING HELL?!?!? FINANCIAL BACKER!? "SPECIAL FRIEND"!? And has anyone even used the phrase "'it' girl" since Biblical times? Seriously, if you ask me the Church actually should have gone around burning the Gnostic gospels, as she is charged to have done in the relatively-enlightened (by today's standard) golden age of Christendom (being the Middle Ages). I am reminded of a day in college when Charles Robison asked Dr. Lorna Holmes, our awesome Hellenist Classcical studies teacher, "In the Illiad, were Patroclus and Hercules... uh, you know, was Patroclus Hercules', uh... minion?"
Dr. Holmes, who is about five feet tall, just STARED at him for a good minute and then said "Charles, is there any evidence that that was the case?" It seems to me these neo-Gnostics need a good dose of Dr. Holmes right about now. And HELLO -- ever hear of a little something called tradition?! And since when does the MSNBC/Newsweek cabal care about the veracity of anything remotely textual in the Bible (aside, of course, from the extent to which they can make it out to be anti-Semetic). Chesterton was right, once you abandon the Church (or, true belief in God... pretty much the same thing) you really do start to believe everything.
Anyway.... Scandal! Blasphemy most foul! But scroll down to watch video footage of charlatan Dan Brown working the crowd on the Today Show. The truly telling thing? Of the two, it's clear that Matt Lauer is the superior intellect. Honestly, Americans can be so crap-headed sometimes -- Dan Brown not the least of them. Makes me want to move to the continent where at least people wear their erroneous intellectual faddism on their sleeves... at least until the Fad Police come and take you away to a concentration camp. But then at least you're dead and don't have to endure such lies. The one, sole reason anyone might actually want to go to Hell for all eternity would be to witness the morally funny sight of Satan chewing on Dan Brown's entrails.
How you know an article is going to suck: it's headline is The Bible’s Lost Stories. And then it begins:
The year’s surprise “it” girl is the star of a mega best seller, a hot topic on campuses and rumored to be the “special friend” of a famous and powerful man. Yet she’s still very much a woman of mystery. For close to 2,000 years, Christians have known her as Mary Magdalene, but she was probably named Miriam, and came from the fishing village of Magdala. Most people today grew up believing she was a harlot saved by Jesus. But the Bible never says that. Scholars working with ancient texts now believe she was one of Christ’s most devoted followers, perhaps even his trusted confidante and financial backer.
WHAT THE SMEGGING HELL?!?!? FINANCIAL BACKER!? "SPECIAL FRIEND"!? And has anyone even used the phrase "'it' girl" since Biblical times? Seriously, if you ask me the Church actually should have gone around burning the Gnostic gospels, as she is charged to have done in the relatively-enlightened (by today's standard) golden age of Christendom (being the Middle Ages). I am reminded of a day in college when Charles Robison asked Dr. Lorna Holmes, our awesome Hellenist Classcical studies teacher, "In the Illiad, were Patroclus and Hercules... uh, you know, was Patroclus Hercules', uh... minion?"
Dr. Holmes, who is about five feet tall, just STARED at him for a good minute and then said "Charles, is there any evidence that that was the case?" It seems to me these neo-Gnostics need a good dose of Dr. Holmes right about now. And HELLO -- ever hear of a little something called tradition?! And since when does the MSNBC/Newsweek cabal care about the veracity of anything remotely textual in the Bible (aside, of course, from the extent to which they can make it out to be anti-Semetic). Chesterton was right, once you abandon the Church (or, true belief in God... pretty much the same thing) you really do start to believe everything.
Anyway.... Scandal! Blasphemy most foul! But scroll down to watch video footage of charlatan Dan Brown working the crowd on the Today Show. The truly telling thing? Of the two, it's clear that Matt Lauer is the superior intellect. Honestly, Americans can be so crap-headed sometimes -- Dan Brown not the least of them. Makes me want to move to the continent where at least people wear their erroneous intellectual faddism on their sleeves... at least until the Fad Police come and take you away to a concentration camp. But then at least you're dead and don't have to endure such lies. The one, sole reason anyone might actually want to go to Hell for all eternity would be to witness the morally funny sight of Satan chewing on Dan Brown's entrails.
Father McKenzie, not their real name, has some rather nice posts (even if they spell "favorite" all wonky). Scroll down to read the humorous mergings of contemporary films (me, I'm still waiting for Peter Jackson's whimsical Christmas comedy "Orc!").
Also, scroll down to click this link to the worst Christian site ever. Not that they're bad Christians, necessarily, just that their website burns my eyes... click on the "Do not click" button and find yourself in a Hanna-Barbara cartoon -- the poorly-animated yet nonetheless nude humanity! Quick! Somebody page James Vipond!
It is truly like that Qui-Gon Jinn said: there's always a bigger freak.
Also, scroll down to click this link to the worst Christian site ever. Not that they're bad Christians, necessarily, just that their website burns my eyes... click on the "Do not click" button and find yourself in a Hanna-Barbara cartoon -- the poorly-animated yet nonetheless nude humanity! Quick! Somebody page James Vipond!
It is truly like that Qui-Gon Jinn said: there's always a bigger freak.
Monday, December 01, 2003
Sorry, that was too extremely bad, even for this 'blog. Erase that from your minds.
Since I'll probably never get around to writing it, check out the introduction to VSTi articles provided by TraxMusic.org. A good introduction to VSTi, details what you need, and it has pictures!!!
Music Studio Independence seems to be a relatively inexpensive ($39) audio/MIDI sequencer/VSTi host, and worth checking out if you're interested in computer music and on a budget (this, along with an ASIO-capable soundcard and all the free VSTis out there should get you started, even if you don't have a MIDI keyboard).
Read more impressions of Music Studio Independence in the kvr-vst.com forums. I haven't used the program myself, but the price seems about right (though for $13.95 you can pick up a copy of Computer Music magazine and get Computer Muzys and a bunch of synths and samples on the included CD).
Here's a TraxMusic.org article on free VST effects. I'm going to have to check out Flaser, Green Machine, and Ambience.
Music Studio Independence seems to be a relatively inexpensive ($39) audio/MIDI sequencer/VSTi host, and worth checking out if you're interested in computer music and on a budget (this, along with an ASIO-capable soundcard and all the free VSTis out there should get you started, even if you don't have a MIDI keyboard).
Read more impressions of Music Studio Independence in the kvr-vst.com forums. I haven't used the program myself, but the price seems about right (though for $13.95 you can pick up a copy of Computer Music magazine and get Computer Muzys and a bunch of synths and samples on the included CD).
Here's a TraxMusic.org article on free VST effects. I'm going to have to check out Flaser, Green Machine, and Ambience.
Counterpoint.
While I can't comment directly on the musical merits of 14 Year Old Girls' "Zombies In, Robots Out", I definitely disagree with the premise which their album title suggests: that we are somehow living in a global culture which is largely post-Robot and where zombies have become the preferred existential metaphor. I would argue that we are, in fact, far beyond the heyday of zombie-oriented entertainment: the late 1970s of the Ford and Carter administrations, where the mindless, walking-dead aspects of zombie culture seemed entirely appropos. We are, on the other hand, very much a part of the Robot era, where objectiviation of the human other results in the treatment thereof as purely functional entities.
Don't believe me? Weigh the entertainment industry's pro-Robot output of the last five years against the pro-zombie output of same: on the zombie side you have "Resident Evil", "28 Days Lamer", and Aston Kutcher -- all three of which adopt the now-commonplace post-modern "zombie-as-retro-virus-or-birth-defect" mythology. Meanwhile, on the other side, classical Robotism reigns supreme (with an iron fist, even!) with Robot-oriented entertainments such as "AI", "The Matrix Trilogy" (in the Matrix, Programs are Robots), "The Iron Giant", "I Was a Teenage Robot", "Bicentennial Man", "Whatever Happened to Robot Jones", "I, Robot" (due out next year), the new "Star Wars" Trilogy, and some guy who did a whole CD about Robots (which is just as timely now, if not more so, as when it was first released three years ago).
Consider the evidence. Zombies in, Robots out? I think not! Robots are very much the preferred cultural metaphor for human existence and show every sign of staying that way for an infinite number of years to come.
(P.S. Monkeys and Pirates: waaaaay out).
While I can't comment directly on the musical merits of 14 Year Old Girls' "Zombies In, Robots Out", I definitely disagree with the premise which their album title suggests: that we are somehow living in a global culture which is largely post-Robot and where zombies have become the preferred existential metaphor. I would argue that we are, in fact, far beyond the heyday of zombie-oriented entertainment: the late 1970s of the Ford and Carter administrations, where the mindless, walking-dead aspects of zombie culture seemed entirely appropos. We are, on the other hand, very much a part of the Robot era, where objectiviation of the human other results in the treatment thereof as purely functional entities.
Don't believe me? Weigh the entertainment industry's pro-Robot output of the last five years against the pro-zombie output of same: on the zombie side you have "Resident Evil", "28 Days Lamer", and Aston Kutcher -- all three of which adopt the now-commonplace post-modern "zombie-as-retro-virus-or-birth-defect" mythology. Meanwhile, on the other side, classical Robotism reigns supreme (with an iron fist, even!) with Robot-oriented entertainments such as "AI", "The Matrix Trilogy" (in the Matrix, Programs are Robots), "The Iron Giant", "I Was a Teenage Robot", "Bicentennial Man", "Whatever Happened to Robot Jones", "I, Robot" (due out next year), the new "Star Wars" Trilogy, and some guy who did a whole CD about Robots (which is just as timely now, if not more so, as when it was first released three years ago).
Consider the evidence. Zombies in, Robots out? I think not! Robots are very much the preferred cultural metaphor for human existence and show every sign of staying that way for an infinite number of years to come.
(P.S. Monkeys and Pirates: waaaaay out).
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