INSPIRATIONS


FRIENDS



PAST

SYNDICATE

 

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

- 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

This has been ringing in my head quite a bit recently...

posted by Jason | 10:43 PM
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I've been listening to the great Dismemberment Plan quite a bit recently, so I've decided to narrow down their (sadly) too-brief career into a top ten. Here goes...

Top Ten Dismemberment Plan Songs

10. Dismemberment Plan Gets Rich

9. Academy Award

8. You Are Invited

7. Ellen and Ben

6. Time Bomb

5. Memory Machine

4. Back and Forth

3. One Too Many Blows to the Head

2. The City

1. Ice of Boston


Not surprisingly, Emergency and I has the most entries on the list, but Is Terrified still has two of the best songs they ever made. I would post more descriptions of my reasoning but it would probably be a moot point, so I'll just let everyone else post their fav D-Plan songs in my comments :)

posted by Jason | 4:29 PM
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Video Game Review

Title: Red Dead Revolver
Systems: Xbox and PlayStation
Review: I had seen ads for this one on TV and online for the past month and thought it had some potential. So when I saw that Todd had rented it, I thought I would give it a go. The graphics are pretty sub-standard (especially on the Xbox version) with boxy characters and okay particle effects (sunlight, explosions, etc.) One of the biggest detractions of the game was it's linearity in terms of gameplay, particularly since it was developed by Rockstar Games, the company who created Grand Theft Auto, the most open-ended game I have ever seen (MMORPG's notwithstanding). The only time that you were allowed to explore your surroundings was in the town where your only option was where to purchase the 'unlockables'. These unlockables consisted of extra weapons (good), extra multiplayer characters/levels (okay), and journal pages (completely stupid). The journal was a book you could access in the main menu that would show you details of all the weapons, characters, and levels in the game; which is completely pointless if you are playing the game! However, besides these flaws, the game did have it's upside. The whole concept of playing a Eastwoodesque gunslinger in the Old West is pretty appealing. The variety of weapons was a fun touch and the music seemed to be well-done too. I especially liked gunfighting around corners and the dueling mode (You can't have an Old West game without some Dueling!). The Multiplayer had some fun little twists (each kill gave you a card, and if you got a good hand you would earn a bonus), but the levels were so small that it became boring rather quickly. Altogether, the game was a fun distraction but seemed a little too simple with not enough payoffs.
Playtime: approx 8-10 hrs
Rating: B-

posted by Jason | 5:02 PM
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Designing Time

I have a couple of web projects I'm trying to work on at the moment. There's a DVD rental store a block from my apartment called the Digital Shelf that I frequent almost daily. They have one of the best selections of DVDs I've seen, although they could still use a bit more in their foreign section. Anyways, if you check out their link, you can see that their website is pretty ugly and poorly designed. Thus, I'm working on redesigning it myself and seeing if they would be interested in purchasing it, or at least giving me free rentals or something comparable. Then again, I am leaving in the Fall, so maybe just money instead. I've also been asked (not officially yet, but..) to design a website for Andy's roommate's band, Scrivner or Scribner. Thankfully, they've changed their name, but I don't know what it is yet. So, if anyone has any band sites that they like or find interesting, send me a link through my comments ;) I'm also looking to tweak the design of my own site here...Not quite sure how, but keep your eyes open.

I also found giant 6-packs of Yoo-Hoo cans on sale at Wam-Lart! It's chocolatey goodness is irresistable, folks (and 99% Caffeine Free)! I suggest picking some up today...before I drink them all!

posted by Jason | 12:40 PM
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A Most interesting Musician

Now this guy definitely has a unique talent.

posted by Jason | 6:28 PM
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...and they're on TV?

Have any of you seen the new ad for Coors Low-Carb beer, "Aspen"? I ask, not because of a fondness for diet-friendly beer, but rather because the background music for said commercial is none other than My Morning Jacket! I was quite taken aback when I saw/heard it today...kinda like the first time I heard Modest Mouse on that Nissan minivan commercial. If only the radio would give these guys a chance...

posted by Jason | 8:24 PM
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They're Alive!

A while back I downloaded a few songs off of Pitchfork by a little band called Frankenixon hailing from that bastion of indie rock- Ames, Iowa! (Rock over London, Rock on Chicago....Wheaties- Breakfast of Champions!) So whilst you sit at your computer for at least the next few moments, hop on over to Frankenixon's website and download some goodtime prog-pop fun. (I recommend Sell Me off of their Depth Perception album) And if you can find a way to get them to come visit Lawrence for a show, I'll name a star in your honor. Come on folks, that's a free celestial body at your fingertips!

posted by Jason | 3:28 PM
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