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So after an initial failed attempt at getting a grasp at Ableton, I finally decided to put in some effort -- and what do you know. It's one of the easiest programs I've had to learn since Word.
If you want to make music but don't have the patience for the theory, Ableton Suite is perfect for those with a musical ear. It's even better for the ones who actually know (or portend to know, at the very least) the actual logistics of music making. Anyway, the virgin fruit of my labor follows the gap. Be gentle.
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. . . Yeah well, in a CNN article scientists are reporting that 24 baby bottle nosed dolphins have washed up dead off the coast of Alabama and Mississippi since the beginning of the year. While dolphins becoming stranded on shore is not uncommon in that area, according to them this is ten times the standard rate, too early in the year, and too many young dolphins to be anything approaching a normal occurrence.
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In the opening scene of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (the movie, although the book is much better) the narrator declares that:
"humans are only the third smartest creatures on the planet, and dolphins, being the second smartest, have futilely been trying to warn people about the Earth's impending doom. When their warnings are misinterpreted as adorable aquatic antics, like jumping through hoops or trying to kick a football high in the air, they decide to save their own hides, and subsequently, all the dolphins disappear one day with the farewell of, 'So long, and thanks for all the fish.'"
"humans are only the third smartest creatures on the planet, and dolphins, being the second smartest, have futilely been trying to warn people about the Earth's impending doom. When their warnings are misinterpreted as adorable aquatic antics, like jumping through hoops or trying to kick a football high in the air, they decide to save their own hides, and subsequently, all the dolphins disappear one day with the farewell of, 'So long, and thanks for all the fish.'"
. . . Yeah well, in a CNN article scientists are reporting that 24 baby bottle nosed dolphins have washed up dead off the coast of Alabama and Mississippi since the beginning of the year. While dolphins becoming stranded on shore is not uncommon in that area, according to them this is ten times the standard rate, too early in the year, and too many young dolphins to be anything approaching a normal occurrence.
Alarmingly, the article doesn't even mention the major BP oil spill that happened over the summer until three quarters of the way down the page. When it is discussed, the executive director for the agency investigating the situation states that due to the government's ongoing litigation with BP, the results of necropsies on the dead dolphins have been slow in coming due to carefully restricted handling protocol.
Wait . . . what?
Did they just say it's harder to do research to understand how badly BP has jacked up the Gulf of Mexico, because we're holding BP accountable for the jacking up the Gulf of Mexico? This is crazy, but we all know that so I'll leave you with this: Next time you stop to fill up you're overpriced, gas guzzling, SUV/Minivan think about how you won't be able to take your 2.5 kids to see Flipper at Sea World . . . because all the dolphins will be dead.
Wait . . . what?
Did they just say it's harder to do research to understand how badly BP has jacked up the Gulf of Mexico, because we're holding BP accountable for the jacking up the Gulf of Mexico? This is crazy, but we all know that so I'll leave you with this: Next time you stop to fill up you're overpriced, gas guzzling, SUV/Minivan think about how you won't be able to take your 2.5 kids to see Flipper at Sea World . . . because all the dolphins will be dead.
And I'm pretty sure that if the dolphins don't make it out, the prognosis for us isn't great. We can all point fingers at BP, or we can get our asses on public transit, and push for affordable electric cars. Also, I'd stay away from sea food.
Just Sayin,
C
Just Sayin,
C
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J
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An ode to Mac fans? I don't know. I'm hoping to get one of the new ones, but I've been a fan of PCs my whole life. There's a huge world of Mac fans online that I didn't know about until I started researching Macs. This is my quickly-written tribute to them.
This is a script. Meaning screenplay format. Characters in the scene are in the center, as is dialogue. The stuff that looks like prose is action that's happening. And a 'beat' is a moment.
This is a script. Meaning screenplay format. Characters in the scene are in the center, as is dialogue. The stuff that looks like prose is action that's happening. And a 'beat' is a moment.
J
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So the drama is done -- finally. Melo has been traded to the Knicks, along with Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman. Phew. That's a mouthful. Billups is the most painful to say, though. The guy went to GW (George Washington High School in Denver, if you're confused). No, I didn't go there, but definitely drove past it plenty of times.
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Last time I heard about it, it was still one of the better known high schools near downtown Denver. Good to know he's Colorado-born. When questioned about the trade a month ago, I remember him saying he didn't want to leave, and how it hurt to hear his name in the trade talks.
Melo's a heartbreaker, but at least he was honest. He got his trade, and New York officially has a superstar.
We get Raymond Felton, tard-face Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Wilson Chandler, New York's 2014 first-round draft pick, Golden State's 2012 second-round pick and 2013 second-round pick along with $3 million cash. The best part? No Curry -- the Knicks can keep his fat ass and comparable contract in New York.
We'll rebuild, but it still burns me. Not a single championship trophy in all of Nuggets history, and he pussies out. I hope he enjoys the big lights.
I'm officially the Anti-Spike Lee of filmmakers and (hopefully) rich basketball fans. Floor seats and everything -- one day.
J
We get Raymond Felton, tard-face Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Wilson Chandler, New York's 2014 first-round draft pick, Golden State's 2012 second-round pick and 2013 second-round pick along with $3 million cash. The best part? No Curry -- the Knicks can keep his fat ass and comparable contract in New York.
We'll rebuild, but it still burns me. Not a single championship trophy in all of Nuggets history, and he pussies out. I hope he enjoys the big lights.
I'm officially the Anti-Spike Lee of filmmakers and (hopefully) rich basketball fans. Floor seats and everything -- one day.
J
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Marvel has 7 comic book adaptations slated for release over the next two years, some of which include an X-Men prequel and Spider-man reboot (this following the collapse of negotiations over 'Spider-Man 4'). That's $120 million-plus for each film, which still amounts to less than 'The Dark Knight's' total haul, twice over.
I would call it safe to say that the big man on everyone's list remains DC's golden ticket, Batman, and Nolan's 'The Dark Knight Rises'.
Tom Hardy was confirmed as a villain for the film months ago, but Warner Bros. just yesterday revealed his role as venom junkie and steroidal freak, Bane. Personally, Hardy stole the show in Inception. Few people have that type charisma on film -- Idris Elba is another one (see 'RocknRolla' if you haven't; Hardy and Elba are hilarious with Gerard Butler).
Additionally, Anne Hathaway has been given the role of Catwoman? I have yet to see 'Rachel Getting Married', so I'll withhold judgement for now, but in full disclosure, I was also skeptical of Ledger as the Joker, whereas the Oscar now speaks for itself.
On a side note, Nolan reiterated that 3D was definitely out, preferring to stick with the higher-resolution IMAX instead. I can't thank him enough -- 3D has some serious issues to work out.
Here's hoping for a rare good trilogy.
J
I would call it safe to say that the big man on everyone's list remains DC's golden ticket, Batman, and Nolan's 'The Dark Knight Rises'.
Tom Hardy was confirmed as a villain for the film months ago, but Warner Bros. just yesterday revealed his role as venom junkie and steroidal freak, Bane. Personally, Hardy stole the show in Inception. Few people have that type charisma on film -- Idris Elba is another one (see 'RocknRolla' if you haven't; Hardy and Elba are hilarious with Gerard Butler).
Additionally, Anne Hathaway has been given the role of Catwoman? I have yet to see 'Rachel Getting Married', so I'll withhold judgement for now, but in full disclosure, I was also skeptical of Ledger as the Joker, whereas the Oscar now speaks for itself.
On a side note, Nolan reiterated that 3D was definitely out, preferring to stick with the higher-resolution IMAX instead. I can't thank him enough -- 3D has some serious issues to work out.
Here's hoping for a rare good trilogy.
J
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I love Google. I love that I can call people's phones from it for free. I love that I can pull up any chat conversation I've had . . . ever. I love the way my email conversations are organized. I just love the way Google makes my life easier. In fact, I've been calling for Google to finance universal health care since Obama got into office. I think we could all use a little Ghealth in our lives.
That being said, I'm pretty sure that Google will be the end of the human race. Almost every detail of my life over the past 3 years since I started using Gmail is stored in some computer somewhere owned by Google. Multiply that by the more than 200 million Gmail users and it's only a matter of time. I can say with confidence that when Google servers become self aware on December, 21st 2012 and Judgement Day begins, I'll be dismayed, but not surprised. And if you fail to get that reference, get your life together, and get back to me.
I for one am going to keep using the Big G, until the robots come to forcibly remove me from my computer. If I'm going down, I'm going down in style. However, if Google doesn't get to us first, residents of California, can trust that the super storm that will last more than a month and dump over 10 feet of rain on the Sunshine state will wipe them off the face of the planet. But climate change is a myth, right? Loser say "what?"
Just sayin,
C
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J
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Last June, an 8-minute short was released, serving as a reintroduction to the world of Mortal Kombat. Directed by Kevin Tancharoen, the trailer sparked plenty of speculation that a new Mortal Kombat film was in the pipepline. Now, Kotaku alleges that instead of a movie, we'll be treated to a web series.
Web series? Really? The only good web series I've seen was Dorm Life and that was low-budget comedy on Youtube. At most they had a few cameras and some sound equipment. The production value on this one betrays the good chunk of change spent for an 8-minute short/pitch.
Looks like Hollywood didn't get hooked on this one. And I can't really blame them, noting their recent entries into the franchise. Who knows. With a healthy budget, it might end up actually being good. But with the history Mortal Kombat has on film...well...we'll just have to wait and see. Here's hoping Black D makes an appearance.
Looks like Hollywood didn't get hooked on this one. And I can't really blame them, noting their recent entries into the franchise. Who knows. With a healthy budget, it might end up actually being good. But with the history Mortal Kombat has on film...well...we'll just have to wait and see. Here's hoping Black D makes an appearance.
J
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Never discount the underdog. Patriots got burned once badly by Eli, and still didn't learn. Playoffs are a whole new season. 42-3 doesn't change the 0-0 scoreboard at the start of the game. And if you're not prepared to play, chances are the other team will be. Personally, I don't mind our New York siblings sharing a bit of the spotlight. We had our glory in '07, at the expense of the same Patriots and I, for one, am willing to take a backseat and get ready for next year.
As for the Jets: Cromartie, Revis, Holmes, Edwards, Cotchery, Ellis, Green, Tomlinson. That's a lot of talent, and it doesn't come cheap in the NFL. The Jets' offseason was filled with free agent signings and contract extensions to some of their biggest players (they even got Revis his $46 million) all to get them to this point. In Ryan's mind, playoffs was a given. We watched him tell his players this every week on Hard Knocks.
Regardless today came as a surprise, though a pleasant one. I watched Brady all season, shredding defense after defense, exploiting holes and laying the ball into all sorts of coverage, for all sorts of touchdowns. The Pats were a machine.
But sometimes you can't beat a team that wants it as badly as the Jets do. Even Sanchise managed to sparkle, setting a record 3 TDs, while managing to tally up 5 playoff wins, a Jets QB best. When the Jets play good, they look great.
Superbowl? Maybe. Sadly, the Steelers are thinking the same thing.
J
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As for the Jets: Cromartie, Revis, Holmes, Edwards, Cotchery, Ellis, Green, Tomlinson. That's a lot of talent, and it doesn't come cheap in the NFL. The Jets' offseason was filled with free agent signings and contract extensions to some of their biggest players (they even got Revis his $46 million) all to get them to this point. In Ryan's mind, playoffs was a given. We watched him tell his players this every week on Hard Knocks.
Regardless today came as a surprise, though a pleasant one. I watched Brady all season, shredding defense after defense, exploiting holes and laying the ball into all sorts of coverage, for all sorts of touchdowns. The Pats were a machine.
But sometimes you can't beat a team that wants it as badly as the Jets do. Even Sanchise managed to sparkle, setting a record 3 TDs, while managing to tally up 5 playoff wins, a Jets QB best. When the Jets play good, they look great.
Superbowl? Maybe. Sadly, the Steelers are thinking the same thing.
J
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And ending seasons is what the playoffs are about, assuming your up to the task. Put up, or go home. And if Atlanta couldn't do the job, the Jets are going to have a shit fest on their hands come next week.
I don't like rooting for the Packers. But if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. At least we'll be able to say we fell to the champs.
Giants 2011,
J
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I watched Atlanta play once before during their home loss to the Saints, dropping Matt Ryan's record at the Georgia dome to 19-2. But even with the 'L', their defense made an impression, serving Breesus Christ headaches all day.
If you were looking for a good game, I share your disappointment, but you can't always have what you wish for. Still, I saw my Giants get embarrassed week after week in December, so Falcons fans -- I understand your pain. It's unbearable to watch your team just give it away. That DeSean run for the win still burns me, almost as much as the sight of Matt Dodge.
And ending seasons is what the playoffs are about, assuming your up to the task. Put up, or go home. And if Atlanta couldn't do the job, the Jets are going to have a shit fest on their hands come next week.
Giants 2011,
J
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Alright, well, it's the New Year, and with that comes the resolution to actually contribute to this blog...regularly. What is this supposed to be, exactly?
Social commentary, you could call it, "social" being something of a general term, of course. And we intend to be just that: indiscriminate in our choices of topics and discussion, but at least persistent in our coverage of what we choose to talk about.
And with two contributers, hopefully we'll strike gold on occasion.
Look for some politics, a lot of films and music, sports, and some other stuff in there.
Social commentary, you could call it, "social" being something of a general term, of course. And we intend to be just that: indiscriminate in our choices of topics and discussion, but at least persistent in our coverage of what we choose to talk about.
And with two contributers, hopefully we'll strike gold on occasion.
Look for some politics, a lot of films and music, sports, and some other stuff in there.
Updating Regularly,
J
