Why I Have Cable

While I have often considered following the advice of the Aquabats and turning off the idiot box (it's a disease, just like the chicken pox!), I just haven't been able to muster the will. There are too many good shows on, like Mad Men, and I love me my DVR (maybe even I'll get around to watching Seven Samurai one of these days).

And then something so awesome gets stumbled upon it totally makes my patronage of Bresnan (even if we still don't have VOD in Sheridan) totally worth it. Something that can only be described inadequately, and thereby must be experienced. BEHOLD!



Thank you, God, for creating MTV Tr3s,
Regis

Because I Love You All So Much

I haven't been having a terribly great day for a number of reasons, but this put the biggest, stupidest smile on my face: an all keyboard cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It." I have no words for this.



You're welcome,
Regis

What We Need More Of...

... is science. And, by extension, Chris Rothfuss. 

I finally got to meet Dr. Rothfuss tonight at a candidate forum for state- and national-level legislative races at Sheridan College, and I was pretty jazzed (it may not have showed so much, as I had just gotten back from concrete testing outside Rock Springs, my day started at five this morning). The guy is clearly smart - he earned a BS in international studies and then a master's in chemical engineering at the University of Wyoming, and then a doctorate and another master's from the University of Washington, and more (just read his bio) - but he can relate to people. He's also got a good sense of humor and a grasp of nuance that involves more than tap-dancing and legalizing around the issue at hand. This is definitely a guy that can get the ball rolling on energy issues.

Even better, he's got the mindset that the people of Wyoming - and the country as a whole - need in the Senate. Dr. Rothfuss isn't interested in a political career, or party interests at the expense of success, he wants consensus. Not just a narrow majority, but 70+ vote consensus that serves the interests of all involved. Neither Democrats nor Republicans (nor Libertarians, or Greens, or Constitutionalists, or whatever) have a monopoly on good ideas, and being able to see and admit that is huge to me.

It's worth pointing out that Senator Enzi - the incumbent that Dr. Rothfuss is challenging in this election - was absent from the event (as was Senator Barasso); he sent a letter that didn't really say much of anything in his place. Interestingly enough, his campaigning vehicle was spotted outside Republican Party Headquarters in downtown Sheridan this afternoon/early evening, which leaves me with one question: if he was in town earlier today, why couldn't he make an appearance? I can't even find a campaign website for him, so we know two things: (1) he doesn't have a public campaign schedule I can check and (2) he doesn't seem to be taking this election too seriously. Which is a damn shame, because if he wins it'll be because his name has an "R" after it and too many people in this state will go off that and that alone. Which isn't to say that he's done a bad job, but color me underwhelmed.

I can also move Nick Carter (he's running against Barasso) into the growing list of candidates I'm actually voting for, instead of against their opponent. He's got a position on (or rather, against) blind party loyalty much like Rothfuss and Gary Trauner, who was also in attendance.

Which brings me to the big surprise of the evening - Cynthia Lummis showed up! Of course, it's just as underwhelming to see her talk in person as it is to hear her on the radio or read about her in the paper. When she was spoke, it felt like I was being talked down to by that aunt that everybody has and doesn't really like; when she didn't, she just sat there with either a valium housewife sort of smile or a regal look at her assembled subjects, I'm not quite sure which. She didn't seem to make any effort to listen to Trauner - who was in fine form tonight and had a couple great jabs that I'll get to later - or W. David Herbert (the Libertarian in the race) when they spoke, and she disappeared as soon as the forum was over. Maybe she had another fundraiser to attend?

Oh, and if you missed it and you're in Sheridan, the forum will be broadcast several times on Channel 14 in the near future, so try to catch it.

End ramble,

Regis

D is for Damn!

Just got back from The Dark Knight, and all I can say is, Holy ±µ¢&ing $#¡t, Batman!

Seriously, that's all I've got,
Regis

If You Watch One Superhero Musical This Summer...

Drop whatever you're doing and check out Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog, the latest bit of Joss Whedon-spawned awesomeness. Now. Normally I have no use for musicals, but this is seriously fantastic.

Why are you still reading this? Acts I and II are currently up for free, Act III goes up on Saturday, and they all go down Sunday. They'll all be available for download and on DVD in the future, but go get it now!

Goodness, look at my arm!
Regis

DUDE!

The missus and I just got back from seeing Iron Man, and all I can say is "DUDE!" Meg concurs to a degree that is borderline frightening. I cannot wait for the sequel and Avengers spin-off. Hell, even the trailers were awesome (with the possible exception of The Happening, which I'm not entirely sold on, but it could be cool). I have the feeling we're going to see this one again.

DUDE!
Regis

And Now For Something Completely Different...

I found this over on Andrew Sullivan's blog (link is to the right, gang), and felt compelled to share it with you: The Most Unwanted Song.

A description:

The most unwanted music is over 25 minutes long, veers wildly between loud and quiet sections, between fast and slow tempos, and features timbres of extremely high and low pitch, with each dichotomy presented in abrupt transition. The most unwanted orchestra was determined to be large, and features the accordion and bagpipe (which tie at 13% as the most unwanted instrument), banjo, flute, tuba, harp, organ, synthesizer (the only instrument that appears in both the most wanted and most unwanted ensembles). An operatic soprano raps and sings atonal music, advertising jingles, political slogans, and "elevator" music, and a children's choir sings jingles and holiday songs. The most unwanted subjects for lyrics are cowboys and holidays, and the most unwanted listening circumstances are involuntary exposure to commercials and elevator music. Therefore, it can be shown that if there is no covariance--someone who dislikes bagpipes is as likely to hate elevator music as someone who despises the organ, for example--fewer than 200 individuals of the world's total population would enjoy this piece.

Hooray science!

While it isn't something I'd normally throw on to listen to or play while driving (like Electric Six, for instance), I have to admit I generally enjoyed the piece. The combination of so many musically unrelated elements had an almost Dadaist quality. Some of the elements of the music were quite lovely if taken on their own. Some parts (mainly the kids singing) made me laugh out loud. Overall it kind of felt like watching the infamous Monkees movie Head - weirdly random, but not quite unpleasantly so.

So if you've got 25 minutes to spare, check it out. I think you'll thank me.

Schools are closed and pools are open,
Regis

Don't Be Late

I caught the end of this video on VH1 Classic the other day and finally remembered to find online. This clip, "Don't Be Late" by Saga (off their 1980 album Silent Knight), features excessive synthesizers, presumably cutting edge visual effects, a mid-song bass handoff, and a lead singer that reminds me a little too much of Thomas Jane's character in Boogie Nights.

Behold!


This metal is a cold home,
Regis