Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Pay What You Want to Download the New Girl Talk Album



The recording artist Girl Talk is the ultimate mash-up king: his new album "Feed the Animals" is said to sample more than 200 different songs. In fact, the "songs" by Girl Talk (real name Greg Gillis) are totally composed of ingeniously spliced clips of songs from disparate genres. Following in the footsteps of Radiohead's "In Rainbows," Girl Talk is offering "Feed the Animals" in digital download format on a pay-what-you-want basis. You can get the name-your-price download at the Girl Talk MySpace page, among other places.

"Feed the Animals" got a write-up in today's New York Times Magazine, so he can expect a lot of downloads in the next few days.

Girl Talk's songs contain a dizzying array of samples in each selection (one of them combines's "Jesse's Girl," Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone," and The Prodigy's "Firestarter," among a number of others), and he hasn't obtained permission for any of them. Apparently he hasn't been sued yet, maybe because the original artists are happy to get the added exposure or consider it a form of indie cred to get sampled in a Girl Talk tune.
Source

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Redskins Agree To Terms On Deal For Jason Taylor



Jason Taylor is on the verge of dancing on over to the Washington Redskins. FOXSports.com has learned that the Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms on a trade that would send the All-Pro defensive end and reality show star to the 'Skins in exchange for a second-round pick. The teams were hopeful to have the deal finalized later Sunday night. The move speaks volumes about the severity of the injury sustained by Redskins defensive end Phillip Daniels during the first day of Washington's training camp. According to reports, Daniels injured his left anterior cruciate ligament during 7-on-7 drills Sunday and it was believed that the injury was season-ending. Taylor started all 16 games for Miami during the Dolphins' woeful 2007 season. But even as the Dolphins went 1-15, Taylor still showed a glimmer of the ability that made him the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, leading the team with 11 sacks.


Source: Foxsports.com


Monday, July 28, 2008

Light at the end of the tunnel?



A good deal of my time so far this summer has been consumed with scanning pictures and preparing pictures for scanning. On June 2nd I reported that another 970 pictures had been scanned since mid-May, plus the 575 pictures of mom's that had been scanned in April.

For the heck of it, I decided to keep track of how much time was spent in scanning. In hindsight I probably should have tracked how much time was spent in preparing the pictures for scanning as well. Once I started on the magnetic albums, it's highly likely that as much time was spent in prep as in actual scanning.

The prep work consisted of removing the pictures from the albums, sorting them into the order in which they were to be scanned, then attaching them to archival paper. After fiddling with trying to put multiple pictures on the scanner bed and getting irritated with them moving when the cover was lowered (due to static), I decided to put the pictures on the pages where I wanted them, add captions as needed, then individually scan the pictures along with their corresponding captions. Too bad I didn't think of that when I was scanning mom's first album. Something to keep in mind for the next one!

Out of the past 48 days, scanning was done on 21 of them, usually 2-3 hours a day but occasionally 4 hours. One day I was on a roll and spent 6 hours scanning! I'm not totally crazy, it wasn't all at one sitting. I did get up a few times to stretch my legs and grab a bite to eat. And yes, I washed my hands after eating and before handling the pictures! Anyway, a total of 70 hours of scanning in 21 days netted another 2278 images. That's an average of 3.3 hours and 108.5 images per day.

That takes care of my personal albums. There are still a few more of Mom's to do. Next up will be the genealogy documents. But, they too need to be sorted prior to scanning. I've mentioned before that with my filing system I put documents of the same type together, regardless of who they are for, whether an ancestor or other relative, giving each document a number. I could find them easily because of the numbering system and the fact that when something was entered in my database the document number was entered for reference, so all I needed to do was look up the person in the database to see where the document was filed. But that system isn't really intuitive and I need to make it easier for whomever will take over my research (assuming there is a family member who wants it or in case it gets donated to a library or society). So that means sorting and putting the documents together for a given person or family. I haven't decided yet whether I'll scan "everything" or just the ancestral documents. "Everything" includes a lot. I think, after I've sorted through stuff I'll do the ancestors first and save the rest for another time. I want to get back to researching! And doing other things. But at the least, I want to get the ancestor documents scanned.

There may not yet be light at the end of the tunnel, but it will be there one day. Soon, I hope.

The picture below was taken in September 1978 while I was stationed in Japan. Above the Clouds. Sunrise from the top of Mt. Fuji. There is a story to tell that goes along with the picture, but it'll have to wait for another time.

Photo Copyright © 1978/2008 by Rebeckah R. Wiseman

Source

Sunday, July 27, 2008

CatttFighttttt...



In the immortal words of Kosmo Kramer from Seinfeld, a "cat fight!!!!!" took place on the Indy Circuit over the weekend and this is getting the viral blogplay like nothing not involving the fake Messiah Barack BroBama:


Mid-Ohio Endures IRL Cat Fight Epidemic:

Danica Patrick: "If the concept of Ohio depresses you, at least the cities of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Youngstown, and Toledo all lie on or near the state border, opening up hopes and promises of other states. But Mid-Ohio? That's a lot of driving to exit the state, and driving in rural Ohio is a good way to lose one's mind. Racing in Mid-Ohio can't be much more exciting, given that I'm sure state troopers patrol the speedway to make sure you don't go over 65.

And the Mid-Ohio madness finally got to Danica Patrick at this weekend's IRL practice session, because she snapped at, a.k.a, the female racer who has remained neutral on where we should by our Internet domains.

After getting out of her car, Patrick walked to where, the only other woman in this weekend's race, was pitted and confronted the driver about getting in her way several times during the practice.

The confrontation lasted about a minute, but witnesses said was heated and that Duno flung a towel in Patrick's direction as the two exchanged words before Patrick walked away."

Here's the above referenced Seinfeld Episode called "Summer of George" where Elaine gets ina "catfight" with Raquel Welch and another woman she works with who walks like a statue with her arms straight downward. One of the truly classic Seinfelds.


Source

Friday, July 25, 2008

Shockey left Giants no choice: He simply had to go



Talented? No doubt. A weapon? Sure. But simply became too much trouble for the Giants, Clark Judge says after the Super Bowl champs deal the cranky tight end to the Saints for two draft picks.


Source

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Shockey could bring a first-rounder in 2010



Did the Saints use one of the Jets’ picks in the 2009 draft to acquire yesterday?

When the Saints traded for Jonathan Vilma earlier this year, they gave the Jets a fourth rounder in the 2008 draft with a conditional pick in the 2009 draft that could go as high as the second round. That second round pick in 2009 was then included with a fifth-rounder in the more recent deal for Shockey. So what gives?

According to a league source, the Jets would get the second round pick if Vilma plays 85 percent of the defensive snaps and the Saints sign him to a new deal before the end of this season. If those criteria are not met, the Jets will receive a third-rounder and the Giants get the second- and fifth-rounders. If the Jets get the second rounder, though, the Shockey value will change from a second- and a fifth-rounder in 2009 to a first-rounder in 2010.

"That’s not going to happen because the Saints hold all the cards, and they’re not going to just give away that first rounder when they really don't have to," the source said.

It’s been speculated that Vilma, a fellow University of Miami product, was one of the players who was in Shockey's ear, trying to lure him to the Saints during this summer. If that’s the case (and we're not saying it is since that would probably be some type of tampering), Vilma may have recruited his way out of a new contract in New Orleans -- at least until after free agency opens up.

Many have called the Shockey trade a win-win deal. The only loser appears to be the Jets, who will undoubtedly see their potential second-round pricetag for Vilma shrink to a third.


Source

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Elle Woods Wannabes: Where Are They Now?



MTV's Remote Control blog caught up with all the ": TSFEW" contestants to find out what they've been up to since filming. Here are some highlights from your favorite gals:

  • Emma tells a sneaky backhanded story about Bailey saying dumb things about Chinatown. Bitter much?
  • Autumn's boyfriend bought her a puppy!
  • Celina is a natural blonde and is now roommates with Bailey.
  • On the show, Natalie snorted an omelet up her nose, by accident, and she wants MTV to show it.
  • Cassie S. is conspicuously absent from the catch-up sesh. Where is that crazy, Claires-loving ho?
  • And duh, Bailey's been rehearsing. She says the best part about playing Elle Woods is the clothes and shoes. So that whole dream coming true thing, that's just icing on the high heel?

Source

Monday, July 21, 2008

A local legend lost



Khia “K-Swift” Edgerton has died.

She was one of the most popular names and faces on the party scene in Baltimore.

She was born and raised here.

LaDawn Black, host of’s “The Love Zone” and b columnist, issued this statement:

On a personal note on Monday my co-worker and probably one of the coolest people I have ever worked with The Club Queen K-Swift of Off the Hook Radio on passed away. We worked together four years and Swift was the best example of how to take radio success to the next level and she freely shared her tips and insights with me — no jealousy, no attitude, and no pretense just positive vibes from day one. She was a gift to someone totally new to the radio business. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time. I will miss her.

K-Swift began DJ’ing at the age of 11. Seven years later, she found herself interning at Jams. A couple years later, just barely into her 20s, she began DJ’ing for a show called “Ladies Night.” She quickly became known as Baltimore’s best female DJ, if not its only one.

She overcame many obstacles, including opposition from some of Baltimore’s male DJs. Still, she successful co-hosted a nightly show from 6 to 10 p.m. Baltimore loved her. Her show became one of Baltimore’s most popular.

In the midst of all of her hard-fought and well-deserved success, she never lost her roots. While she mixed for some of the hottest clubs in the city, she still made time to mix for local high school parties.

Her MySpace page (click) is filled with comments from people all over the city. Some talk about seeing her recently at Artscape. All express shock and sadness that the person they grew to love is gone.

WJZ is reporting that she drowned (click) and that her body was found this morning.

The Baltimore Sun reports (click) that an autopsy is pending.

She was just 27 years old.

In her honor Jams is running the rest of today without on-air personalities. Special memories of K-Swift are now being aired.

A voicemail set up at the station to take calls from people wishing to remember K-Swift is full. It is just one indication of how much she meant to the area.

Please share your memories of K-Swift and let us all keep her in our thoughts.


Copyright bthesite.com � 2008

Source

Air Force To Use Counter-Terrorism funds to build "comfort capsules"



comfort-capsules.jpgGoing by what the Washington Post says, the Air Force, in the last three years has been diverting $16.2 million from the counter-terrorism funds to build "comfort capsules". These sealed rooms will be installed in large military planes and will be fitted with beds, a couch, 37-inch flat-screen monitor, and other facilities "to reflect the rank of the senior leaders using the capsule." The Project on Government Oversight says that these capsules actually have "no special communications or work capabilities beyond those already available for top officials." They presently have "two high-end add-ons for top brass, as well 100 special VIP planes." An Air Force document specified that the capsule's seats are to swivel such that "the longitudinal axis of the seat is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft" regardless of where the capsules are facing. A series of demands for modifications by Air Force generals resulted in the color of the leather for the seats and seat belts in the mobile pallets be changed from brown to Air Force blue and that seat pockets be added; these changes cost at least $68,240. Although they ordered ten capsules, the order has been cut down to three, plus four Senior Leader Intransit Pallets with chairs. Making that a grand total of $7.6 million. This what Gen. Robert H. McMahon, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for logistics, had to say: They're trying to "create an environment that whoever was riding in that would be proud of" and that the "the people of the United States" would be proud of too. Via - Luxurylaunches
Source

Saturday, July 19, 2008

The Mile High Music Festival



DENVER (KWGN) — The starts Saturday, billed as the biggest concert event ever held in Denver. The two-day event will feature more than forty bands, including headliners Tom Petty, The Dave Matthews Band, and John Mayer. Six local bands will also perform.Friday, organizers were still busy making last minute adjustments. D.J. [...]


Source

Friday, July 18, 2008

"It Was Kovacs Who Closed His Eyes. It Was Rorschach Who Opened Them Again."



The trailer for Zak Snyder's Watchmen is online.

An ominous thing that occured to me on my second (third?) viewing: Where had I heard that Smashing Pumpkins song before? The answer is on the soundtrack of.


Source

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

American Beauty Gets Engaged!



MSuvari031908_03.jpgThough it seems like all we've been reporting on lately is celeb breakups, it looks like we may have broken that cycle! Mena Suvari and music producer are engaged, according to People. Sestito proposed to the American Beauty actress during their recent vacation to Jamaica, and a source close to Suvari told the magazine, "They're taking their time planning the wedding. They are in no rush." Suvari met Sestito last year at the Toronto International Film Festival when Suvari was there promoting her film Stuck. Suvari was previously married to cinematographer Robert Brinkmann, whom she divorced over three years ago. Think this couple can make it work? They're awful lovely dovey together!

Source

Monday, July 14, 2008

Miss USA Upholds Metaphor for America's Current World Status



Crystle

Miss USA took a spill at the Miss Universe pageant last night. It's the second year in a row the American entrant has taken a runway plunge. After she tripped, Stewart, who had made it to the Top 10, stood up and applauded herself.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...


Source

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Vivienne Marcheline Photo Gallery



Vivienne Marcheline is the daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The newly born, five-pound baby was delivered by the 33-year-old actress after a Cesarean section in the Santa Maria maternity clinic at the Fondation Lenval Hospital in Nice, France, along with her twin brother, Knox Leon, before 10 p.m. this Saturday.

After the birth of Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon, a doctor at the hospital reported, "Angelina is in very good spirits. Brad Pitt was at her side. He was there and all was well." Apparently, the anticipation was so great that her first baby photos have already been sold for $11 million to a U.S. newspaper.

Giving birth to Vivienne Marcheline, who is named after her late mother, Jolie will have added another two children to her already ample family. In 2006, she gave birth to her first biological child, daughter Shiloh, but she had already adopted three children from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. In anticipation of her impending delivery, Jolie and her family had emigrated to the south of France, but the birth was not without complications, evidenced by the C-section implemented for medical reasons.

No Viviennce Marcheline photos have yet been published, but this page will be updated with her photos once they are available.

Vivienne Marcheline Photo Gallery

Angelina Jolie Pregnant with Vivienne Marcheline and twin

Angelina Jolie Pregnant with Vivienne Marcheline and twin

Angelina Jolie Pregnant with Brad Pitt

Angelina Jolie Pregnant with Brad Pitt

Angelina Jolie Carries Two Sons

Angelina Jolie Carries Two Sons

Angelina Jolie Pregnant

Angelina Jolie Pregnant


Source