Something Shiny

	Jimi Hendrix – Star Spangled Banner
	Found at skreemr.com

Here’s wishing everyone a happy 4th of July. And remember, if it’s on fire, and it’s not a sparkler, PUT IT DOWN!

Everyone should try to wrap up the day with the same number of [attached] fingers with which they started the day.

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• Roman Candles (neatorama.com)

Rejoice for it is the eve of another holiday weekend, but first, the traffic. I’m hoping since tomorrow isn’t the actual holiday, not everyone will be fleeing for the hills (and lakes and streams, and whatever else it is that people flee to in the summer) tonight. I am cautiously optimistic.

I’ve embedded the video below to get everyone in the right frame mind. You don’t want to listen/watch though, I can guarantee you that. But how can you not, the play button taunts you… You must be strong, you must resist…

• A Tribute to Splendid Half-Assery [Hacks] – This has perhaps become my new favorite feed in my RSS reader.
• Lord of the Rings considered as a D&D game — webcomic – I don't know why most of my webpourri posts have been primarily web comics, but here's another one. Huzzah!
• The Devil's Kettle – I've been here a few times and it is a spectacular sight. Fun to see it get some national attention.
• Lifehacker – Google City Tours Builds Itineraries for Multi-Day Trips – Search engines – Neat idea, although the route suggested in Lifehacker's screen-shot doesn't look very efficient.
• $99 Palm Eos To Challenge Apple? – I like WebOS and I'm actually on Sprint but don't want to upgrade my plan. Conjecture like this gives me some hope additional options are coming soon.

The White Rabbits are playing at the 400 Bar in Mpls tonight. Anyone know how they are live?

	Led Zeppelin – Black Dog
	Found at skreemr.com

Although not last chronologically, this is the last Chuck Klosterman book I have left to read, and so far, it’s alright. It’s a collection of articles he’s written for various publications over the years with forwards to each to explain the context. So far I’ve been enjoying the forewords more than the actual articles, but the articles themselves are not unentertaining (ok, not a word, but you know what I mean).

For others’ opinions on Chuck Klosterman IV see (more…)

Goodnight moon, goodnight… um… other stuff…

Bat for Lashes in Mpls @ Varsity Theater 8/7, gotta get me a ticket.

	The The – Love Is Stronger Than Death
	Found at skreemr.com

Ok, I guess I knew not to expect Thank You for Smoking or Boomsday, but this is still a bit of a surprise. Losing Mum and Pup is Buckley’s response to losing both of his parents in about a year’s time. It’s very personal, which isn’t surprising, but what is surprising is that he’s seemed to have used an extraordinarily stiff style. I suppose that’s to be expected from a presidential speech writer, but it’s still a bit distracting from the sentiment.

Combine the style with the name dropping, and it’s hard to get more than the emotional reaction one would have to a mediocre newspaper obituary for a stranger. As a result, I can really only recommend this to the Buckley super-fans (who probably already read it anyway).

Follow the jump to see what others have to say about the book.

(more…)

Having (eventually) seen the previous Transformers movie, I’m making some assumptions about the new movie. One of those assumptions is that the clip embedded below is more entertaining the the new movie.

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The Uptown Bar in Mpls has chicken-fried bacon?! How did I not know this?

• Google Account Recovery via SMS – Given how Google-centric I've become, it's good to see another account reset tool.
• How to Enjoy Collecting Things –
• How to Write Fan Fiction – Awesome, A-Team fan fiction.
• How to Recover from the Failure of Your Broken Phone – This pretty much sums up my love/hate relationship with all my gadgets
• Addiction – XKCD tackles internet addiction

	Phoenix – Long Distance Call
	Found at skreemr.com

According to The Today Show, Google Voice is going into public beta today. Looks like it’s not open yet, but keep checking back. I’ve been using it for quite some time now and enjoy it quite a bit.

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Technology is pretty cool, but occasionally the “they do exactly what you tell them to” disclaimer on their intelligence is pretty clear.

The post category in the image on the right caught me off guard just enough to surprise a laugh out of me. I’m not sure exactly how the free chili dog is supposed to fit into the category of “Pets,” but I’m pretty sure giving a chili dog to my dog would be a disaster (much as she might enjoy it).

In case this leaves you hankerin’ for a chili dog, here’s the link.

	Flight of the Conchords – The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)
	Found at skreemr.com

The Current must have had some success with The Flight of the Conchords’ Hurt Feelings and dug deep into the Conchords’ back catalog (their other album), to bring us The Most Beautiful Girl (in the Room).

Fantacular!

It is a good song though. Possibly their best, definitely in the top 25…