Thursday, April 30, 2009

Röyksopp - Happy Up Here

Today we find ourselves with an indie electro-pop (or at least that's how I'd describe it) music video from Norwegion electronic duo Röyksopp. No, I do not know how to pronounce them, and yes, I did just say Norwegion electronic. That's pretty cool in itself. The song is called Happy Up Here, from the album Junior.

Anyways, this music video is pretty cool: It's a jammy little piece with a lot of synth effects, which does have a pretty upbeat feel to it. More importantly, the music video involves a real life game of SPACE INVADERS. Cool has just been redefined.

Shazam!


Anyways, I'm leaving for the National High School Debate Tournament of Champions in Lexington, KY tomorrow morning. There I will be debating with some of the top debaters in the U.S. It's gonna be kraaazzzyyyyy. That said, you likely won't hear from me for nearly a week. So I suggest playing this video at least six times just to amuse yourself. 

Or just go watch Chuck.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Craaazzaaaaay

Sometimes, there are a few days that, strung together, make you realize that your life is a little crazy. Not necessarily out of control, just busy or eventful, or... whatever. And it's pretty cool when you get through all of it.

Saturday: Got my license... and broke up with my girlfriend. (V_V) Then hosted family friends for dinner four minutes later. Yay.

Sunday: Did schoolwork. All day.

Monday: Wake up early to get bloodwork. Go into school. Leave school early for a tennis match. Leave tennis match early to go back to school. Change into nice clothes. Go to National Honor Society Induction. Come home at ungodly late hour to eat dinner and do homework.

And there's plenty more, culminating in my eventual departure for the forensics Tournament of Champions in Kentucky.

And yet, I feel oddly satisfied by the fact that I survived it all and can totally handle it. I juggle this, I juggle that, and I walk a tightrope to keep it all in balance. But at the end of the day, I like it. I wonder if I'm the only one that feels that way about their life...

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Shot in the Back of the Head - Moby

Today we find ourselves with a lyricless song by electronica artist Moby (you might know him by the famous song Porcelain, or Extreme Ways, the theme to the Bourne movie series) called Shot in the Back of the Head, a preview of his new album Wait for Me (out June 30). I've gotten really into over the past few days. It's got an almost ambient feel to it, but it's much deeper, and frankly a good bit more melancholy and moving. It takes pulsing distortion combined with a few synthesizers and builds over three minutes, eventually reaching a climax, and quickly fading. It's really nice.

Also the music video is sort of weird. A bit trippy.


Thursday, April 23, 2009

Heavens to Purgatory

Recently, I posted a review of one of my favorite bands, The Most Serene Republic. Their last album, Population, was released in 2007. As of Monday, TMSR has announced a new album, called ...And the Ever Expanding Universe, due for release on July 14th.

Along with this (at least in my own opinion) joyous news has come a free download of the album's second track, called Heavens to Purgatory. It's a little bit more... organic than their earlier stuff, but still contains the depth that I have come to love from this band. It's actually a bit heavier in the bass range, giving it a more dancy feel, which I think I like. Plus it clocks in at under three minutes, a short little twinkling gem.

Indulge yourself.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Pokerap

Well, by now, hopefully some (or all) of you have seen the umu-infested Charlie the Unicorn 3. Yes, it is quite funny. However, didn't that fish-themed rap at the end sound vaguely familiar? Almost like you had heard the tune before, but you couldn't quite put a finger on it..
Well, that's because it was blatantly stolen from the greatest song of all time, the POKERAP.
Check it, yo.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Grab Onto Our Tongues!

For those of you unfamiliar with the famous Charlie the Unicorn series... well, it looks like you have some catching up to do. For the rest of the population who hasn't been hiding under a rock for the past several years, Charlie the Unicorn 3 is here. And oh my is it maaaaaggggiiiiicaaaaal. 

Just remember: THe DOOR can see into your SOUL.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

The Credit Crisis, Explained and Animated

The credit crisis is confusing. That's just part of the nature of it. Not many people really understand what's causing our economy to contract and how this all got started, beyond the general notion of "overwhelming greed" and some terms like "subprime mortgages" and "credit default swaps".

I've stumbled across an 11-minute animation that actually explains it all pretty well - I actually feel like I understand things a bit better. It's a bit dry, but overall fairly entertaining in its presentation. If you have ten minutes and an open mind, I suggest you watch.


Wednesday, April 8, 2009

ACTIVATE SPRING BREAK

Well, spring is finally upon us (in its wonderful 40s and windy state... *twitch*) and the lucky denizens of public schools all over the country are relaxing for a few days of well-deserved rest! Well, sort of. My school gives a total of four days off this year; longer than the usual three. Yes, it's pitiful compared to other places. I know.

Still, this year's spring break feels a bit different than those of past years. Instead of hanging with friends and overall chillin', I find that nearly all of my friends are now on week-long college tours, while I am currently staying at home, and will be celebrating Passover with relatives. Still: In the midst of all this, I find myself covered in homework, studying frantically for AP exams, and also touring Brown and possibly Yale.

What ever happened to dreamy, carefree spring breaks? Of warm days outside, laughing with friends? Of not caring about school for the duration, until it started back up? Graduating from childhood, apparently, is not all fun and games.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Mix CDs

A friend of mine recently gave me a very impressive mix CD... 19 tracks, beautifully mixed, all new stuff from indie bands I'd never even heard of before. And man am I impressed.

So, although I am still in the process of listening to it as we speak, I'm mixing back. That is, making one for said friend. It's really fun, actually, giving someone else a taste of, well, your tastes.

Homework: Make a mix CD for someone.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Cow

Spent the day walking around with a cow on my head. A stuffed cow, named Cow, who I have recently become very attracted to. I luffles him ^^

It's very interesting the reaction that you get from other people when there's something significantly odd about your appearance. Upon walking out of my microeconomics classroom I heard someone mutter, "Does that guy have a cow on his head?" followed by a loud hoot of "How now, brown cow?" It was actually pretty funny.

Seriously, it is very amusing to watch a dozen people do a double take in the span of a minute or so.

Plus, a dialogue between my orchestra teacher and myself:
Him: "What's that on your head, Jon?"
Me: "A cow."
Him: "Oh."

And he blinked and continued going on with the business of collecting peer coaching forms, to the amusement and slight confusion of the orchestra.