Brains

BRAINS!!!

Dignity

Such a precious commodity. And the kind you don't miss until it's gone. Everything's going fine and then- WHAM! Christmas sweater!

And the damage is done... What can you do afterward... except maybe piss on the carpet? Yeah, that'll do. [This works in just about any dignity robbing situation, by the way - trust me on this.]

Hard News Coverage

You know what reaffirms my faith in humanity: the fact that all of the networks, news outlets, magazines, radio stations and blogs have steered clear of the tawdry, sensational story of Tiger Woods and his mistresses. You may not have heard, because it kind of flew under the radar, but he's apparently been caught cheating on his wife.
I, for one, am glad this story didn't get the kind of attention you might think, not because I empathize with Tiger (because I don't), and not because I don't find these types of stories juicy (because I do), but because I am sure that the problems that face America, nay the world, are far bigger and merit far more attention than some golfer 'sinking some putts' on... not his wife (the metaphor kind of fell apart on me).
It's almost like the media (or whoever owns them) would want to distract us from 30,000 troops going to Afghanistan or the debates in Congress over healthcare... I'm surprised they resisted the temptation, but I guess you can't give them too much credit - it's not like we (America and the world) as an audience would fall for those tricks anyway...
Anyway, I would love to preach more, and woo you with further sarcasm, but I have to go - CNN just reported Tiger had relations with a baby walrus while he was at the zoo. Details?!?

Outliers

This is the first book I have read of Malcolm Gladwell's, but I found it very interesting and an enjoyable read. Apart from the part where he writes about plane crashes. Because I happened to be on a plane at the time. When I got to that part. So it was a little unnerving. But otherwise very good. A tip: enjoy it on the ground.

The Rhythm of the Night

The best thing about DeBarge is that they are still relevant today. You can hear echoes of their sound in U2 and Michael Buble, and their look is definitely holding on thanks to Tyra Banks and Borat (including the pencil-thin mustaches). This song completes me.

Andrew W.K.

This guy is bat-$hit crazy, but it's definitely working for him. I am one of the few connoisseurs out there who truly appreciate the musical theory and composition of his songs "Party Hard" or "She Is Beautiful," and yet enjoy the brainless lyrics and their "constipated old man" delivery.

If you are not familiar with his work, check out "Party Hard" or "She Is Beautiful," not because they're his best work, but because those are the only ones I know. Watch the videos. Then watch this:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120758328&ps=bb1

If you can make it past the first 12.5 minutes of unaccompanied piano improv (which is pretty good and yet mind-numbing enough that I skipped through parts of it), you will be rewarded with a spectacularly Johnny-Cash-esque version of "I Get Wet" (it's like you think), and then a pretty guttural, riveting cover of "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress." All told, this guy is a study in contrasts, and my favorite musician with two initials for a last name.