More Root Beer related news

Laura from Thomas Kemper contacted me yesterday with some good news (if you don't know what I'm talking about- link link). Looks like they're coming out with skinny versions of my 3 favorite flavors: Root Beer, Ginger Ale, and Black Cherry. The Root Beer clocks in at 20 cal/bottle and the others at a measly 10 cal/bottle. So, how do they taste? Don't know yet, but according to my info, they're using Splenda and honey to sweeten them, so it's got the makings of something good. More info as it becomes available.

Trust me on this one...

According to the heart-shaped Reese's that I ate yesterday, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I'm no hater. Any holiday that encourages good food, romantic music and alone time with that special someone gets a pass in my book. This year I've decided to contribute to the common good, and though fine food and special someone's aren't my strong points, I do know a thing or two about romantic music. Here's the list (iTunes links provided for your previewing pleasure, where available):

• "My Lament" by the Maria Schneider Orchestra


• "When I Fall in Love" performed by the Miles Davis Quintet
  
  


• "Moody's Mood For Love" sung by Eddie Jefferson
  
  


• "It Never Entered My Mind" performed by the Miles Davis Quintet
  
  


• "In a Sentimental Mood" performed by John Coltrane and Duke Ellington
  
  


• "You Are Too Beautiful" perf. by John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman
  
  


• "Someone to Watch Over Me" perf. by Ben Webster
  
  


• "My Funny Valentine" perf. live by Sarah Vaughan
  
  


• "Blue In Green" perf. by the Miles Davis Sextet
  
  


• "I'm Old Fashioned" perf. by John Coltrane
  
  


• "When I Fall In Love" from the soundtrack of Good Night, and Good Luck
  
  


• "When I Look in Your Eyes" perf. by Diana Krall
  
  


• "My Foolish Heart" perf. by the Bill Evans Trio
  
  


• "A Child Is Born" by Thad Jones
  
  


• "Li'l Darlin'" perf. by The Count Basie Orchestra
  
  

The genre should come as no surprise, as I do consider Jazz to be the most romantic of the musics. But whether you agree with me or not on that point, hopefully you will agree that whether paired with a romantic meal at home or a bit of after-dinner canoodling, this set should fit the bill perfectly.

Even though it was the middle of the night when I saw this (I had heard the news earlier), I was still surprised to see it featured so prominently on the NY Times web site. He will be greatly missed.

Really Massive Irish Rockers

Just got back from U2 3D. If anyone can take you on a mindbending multi-dimensional rockstraveganza, it's Bono. In fact, there were moments that I was worried that the man was going to fall off the screen and in to my lap. I don't know if I could handle that. He even used his multidimensionality to try to wipe away each audience member's tear during "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Thanks Bono.

OK, all joking aside, it was a pretty awesome movie/concert/experience. I'm not a huge U2 fan, but I like them enough to sit through 1.5 hrs of concert. The 3D effects were done tastefully and worked to great effect. Sure, Bono's pretentiousness seemed bigger in 3D, but so did The Edge's awesomeness which provided a nice counterbalance. I get the feeling that he's the one that helps Bono keep it real. The best numbers on the film are: (Musically) "Where the Streets Have No Name," which is saying something since I'm tired of hearing the recorded version, and (Visually) "The Fly," where they managed to take the stuff shown on the billboards behind the band and make them work on the screen. So, basically what I'm saying is that if you even kind of like U2, it'd be worth your while to get yourself a ticket. Just don't cry during "One" like the guy in the corner of the screen was doing. How embarrassing.

Monumental Revisit

I picked up the Village Voice today, only to find that Pazz and Jop 2007 is out. I haven't really looked at it yet, but I did notice that "All My Friends" was the #3 single, and Sound of Silver the #1 album of the year, both of which made my lists here and here. Should I feel cool about this? (Answer: No) Admittedly though, this does stroke my musical taste's ego just a bit- that is if Pazz and Jop means anything (Answer: probably not).

Best of 2007

A recent spate of emails (and a lack of anything interesting happening lately) has inspired me to share with you my 'Best of' list for 2007. So, let's get on with it, eh?

Movies
Winner: The King of Kong. As if the movie weren't good enough, the fact that Steve Wiebe teaches at a school in the town I grew up in and was kind enough to accept an offer to meet me (which because of scheduling problems didn't happen) put this at the top of my list for 2007.

Runner's up: The Bourne Ultimatum, Juno

Comments: I missed an embarrassingly large amount of movies this year.

Games
Winner: Oh, easily Guitar Hero. Since Feb 2007, I have bought all of the games and currently own 3 guitars. Did I mention that I also bought a PS2 just to play this game? Yeah, most of you knew that...

Runner Up: Wii Sports

Music
Winner (Album): Sky Blue by Maria Schneider. Bet you haven't heard of it.

Runner's Up (Album): Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem, The Reminder by Feist

Winner (Live): Daft Punk's Alive 2007 @ Keyspan Park.

Runner's Up (Live): Doesn't matter.

TV
Winner: 30 Rock. We TiVo all of the 'Must See TV' block. I have to watch this last because everything else is a letdown after.

Runner's Up: Heroes, Chuck, Planet Earth, The Office

Comments: No, I am not receiving money from NBC.

Books
Winner: Harry Potter VII. The Ultimate Guilty Pleasure.

Runner's Up: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, The Tabasco Brand Cookbook.

Whoa

Apple's newest toy:

MacBook Air

Now, I'm just waiting for the MacBook Air Jordan. That would be awesome.

Edit: Also worth noting is the new Time Capsule.

More decorational thoughts

Here's a few doodles I did while trying to figure out what to do about this.

I intend for a cork/whiteboard to go over the desk.


I'm not so sure about this one. There's lots of space to fill, but I'm not really sure how to fill it. Probably not this way, but with several smaller things. But really, what do I know. I'm a scientist, not an interior decorator.

The dino goes roar!

Now presenting photos! From the American Museum of Natural History! Not featuring Pamela, even though she invited me! Exclamation points! Roar!

Ancient Mayan Superheros. Very popular with the kids.

My roommate, who once won a regional dinosaur drawing contest, has stated that the following pictures are, "Passable." Enjoy.

Roar!

"Just looking for some tail. Oh, there it is."

Two dino buddies walking off into the sunset, or possibly extinction - it's hard to tell.

Monumental Music of the Moment

So, it's been a really long time since I've done a Music of the Moment, so I thought I'd drop a mixtape's worth of moments on you to help catch up. Here's what's been bouncing around my ear canals of late:

• "Heroes" by David Bowie - How have I missed this song until now? Sad, I know.
• "Rock and Roll" by Led Zeppelin
• "I Feel It All" by Feist
• "Radio, Radio" by Elvis Costello
• "Search and Destroy" by The Stooges - I really haven't been off this one. Thanks Jeff.
  
• "Like A Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan
• "I Got the Feelin'" by James Brown
• "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" by Dusty Springfield - This song is a crushed velvet jacket and the girl to go with it.
  
• "Sea Lion Woman" by Fiest - Because I'm a sucker for hand claps. Plus, the guitar interlude is bitchin'.
• "You Got It" by Roy Orbison - Proving yet again that strategic use of timpani can really make a song.
• "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
• "Viva Las Vegas" by the other Elvis
  
• "L-O-V-E" by Al Green
  
• "Little Triggers" by Elvis Costello - Some day I'm going to play this at a dance and chuckle to myself while everyone slow dances.
• "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash
• "All My Friends" by LCD Soundsystem - This CD kind of blew my mind the first time I heard it. Truly an superior cut off and excellent album.
  

Third post of the day

So, to complete today's trifecta of titilating tidbits, check out the comments section for the "Northwest Junk" post. How cool is that? I have absolutely no idea how she found my blog, but I'm pretty excited she did. Hmm... perhaps I should write more? Perhaps she might send soda?

HD DVD

M and I have been talking about the next gen format wars for a bit now, and thanks to slashdot and the financial times, there is apparently more to talk about.

Link

Mad Marketing

So, if you own a Mac you may have heard of this thing called MacHeist. The idea is more complicated than I wish to explain, and has generated some controversy (yay controversy!), so go check Wikipedia if you want the full details. Here's the Reader's Digest version: basically, you do these computer-related puzzles that have you looking all over the internet and you get free programs for finishing them. At the end of it all (which is probably today, from the news I'm getting), they release a bundle of apps on the cheap for public purchase. Agents (those who solve the puzzles) get a discount depending on how much they solved. Basically, this boils down to a very creative marketing strategy that happens to also be really fun.
So, the big reason why I'm passing all this info on is that if you own a Mac, you should really check out the bundle that's coming out tonight. Last years was loaded with a ton of great apps and rung in at $49 (click the Wiki for a list). I'm hoping that this year's bundle will be of equally awesome proportions. If you want to check it out, the reveal party is over at www.macheist.com at 7 PM EST tonight.

By the way, in case you are wondering, here's the list of apps I've gotten for free through doing the heists (some more useful to me than others):

• BitClamp
• Santa's Gizmo
• Overflow
• WireTap Pro
• iota-calc
• Runic
• Mouseposé
• Enigmo
• Catalog
• Wallet
• Podcast Maker
• Freeze Frame
• Voice Candy
• Billy Frontier
• Hana
• DEVONnote
• Xslimmer
• Sofa Control
• Monkey Lover
  

Northwest Junk

A recent post has me thinking about this:and this:
Aside from my family, these are probably the two things I miss most about Seattle - Thomas Kemper sodas and Tim's Cascade chips. When I moved to Utah for college, you couldn't get either of these locally. In fact, my Mom used to ship me Tim's, which I would treat like fine wine. Typically, I'd get two or three bags. One was strictly mine, the others were shared generously with other Seattleites and those found worthy of the experience. Ha! I was a bit of a nut. But with flavors like Coney Island (hot dogs and mustard) and steak and onions, so were they. Most of their weird flavors are gone, but I'm still convinced that some of these Seattle-based food companies (Jones Soda is another notable example) make their flavor choices during cannabis-induced cases of the munchies.
Luckily, product planners over at Thomas Kemper have generally avoided that trend, sticking to the classics: Ginger Ale, Cream Soda, Orange Cream Soda, Grape, Black Cherry, and of course, Root Beer. Mmm... their root beer. I wish I could buy you all a glass so you could try it. I've been drinking the stuff since the late 90's and my Mother makes a point of having a cold one in the fridge whenever I visit. Their ginger ale is more of a ginger beer, and really burns going down. It's taken me awhile, but I really like the stuff. Also, their black cherry is the best I've ever tried.
Thankfully, after I returned from Mexico, both of these were available at the Orem Costco (another great Seattle-based company), which makes me wonder if they can be had at one of the local Costcos. Either would certainly be worth the trip.