<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775</id><updated>2012-01-13T16:27:27.782-08:00</updated><category term='Modernism'/><category term='DC Talk'/><category term='Sea Shepherd Conservation Society'/><category term='Portland'/><category term='Intellectual-rock'/><category term='Owl City'/><category term='Friends'/><category term='Moby'/><category term='Ohhh...'/><category term='David Bazan'/><category term='Beck Record Club'/><category term='Thoughts'/><category term='Yakima'/><category term='Film'/><category term='Modest Mouse'/><category term='Beer'/><category term='Synths'/><category term='nerd'/><category term='Last post'/><category term='Interview'/><category term='Remastered'/><category term='Creativity'/><category term='Videos'/><category term='Technicolor Messiah'/><category term='Michael Cera'/><category term='Minimalism'/><category term='Collections'/><category term='Seattle'/><category term='Impressionism'/><category term='The Roman Catholic Church'/><category term='Neil Patrick Harris'/><category term='Subtly Implied Dedication'/><category term='Independent music'/><category term='Youth In Revolt'/><category term='Poetry'/><category term='David Lynch'/><category term='Companions'/><category term='Dark Night of the Soul'/><category term='Old Spice'/><category term='Faraway So Close'/><category term='Procrastination'/><category term='Reviews'/><category term='The Past'/><category term='The Beatles'/><category term='Postmodernism'/><category term='Interpol'/><category term='Blonde Redhead'/><category term='Covenant Theology'/><category term='Radiohead'/><category term='Camera Obscura'/><category term='Anticipations'/><category term='Starbucks'/><category term='The Vatican'/><category term='Julian Casablancas'/><category term='Oral sores'/><category term='Music'/><category term='Chuck Klosterman'/><category term='The Socratic Method'/><category term='Cold War Kids'/><category term='Watchmen'/><category term='Comics'/><category term='Coldplay'/><category term='Unreleased'/><category term='Third Day'/><category term='The Masses'/><category term='Gear'/><category term='Edgar Allan Poe'/><category term='Sea Wolf'/><category term='Air'/><category term='Wim Wenders'/><category term='Rogue Beer'/><category term='Bono'/><category term='SUPPORT'/><category term='FREE'/><category term='Christopher Walken'/><category term='Max Payne'/><category term='U2'/><category term='Dispensationalism'/><category term='Pictures'/><category term='The Character of Jesus'/><category term='Failed Attempts'/><category term='Beck'/><category term='Crocodiles'/><category term='Coeur d&apos;Alene'/><category term='Priory'/><category term='Bob Dylan'/><category term='Discoveries'/><category term='12 Days of Christmas'/><category term='Mike Mills'/><category term='Computer Game Music'/><category term='Orthodoxy'/><category term='G.K. Chesterton'/><title type='text'>Skeptical thoughts from a skeptic of thoughts</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>72</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-5338384950041708742</id><published>2010-07-02T00:46:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-07-02T00:46:47.705-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Last post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Neil Patrick Harris'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Old Spice'/><title type='text'>All good (or just mediocre) things must come to an end.  Last post.  Also Neil Patrick Harris.</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/TC2U6BYtoDI/AAAAAAAAAOU/oC8-brIN_NY/s1600/sc00185f75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/TC2U6BYtoDI/AAAAAAAAAOU/oC8-brIN_NY/s400/sc00185f75.jpg" width="313" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Well, this is the end of the road for me. &amp;nbsp;However, if you're&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Neil Patrick Harris, there is still a long road ahead of you. &amp;nbsp;Why, you might ask? &amp;nbsp;Because Neil Patrick Harris is funny. &amp;nbsp;He's on a deodorant advertisement. &amp;nbsp;That's funny. &amp;nbsp;Do you know what else is funny? &amp;nbsp;When you make jokes about a show you were in, while you are in a different show. &amp;nbsp;Yeah.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;So long readers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Steve&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-5338384950041708742?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/5338384950041708742/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=5338384950041708742' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5338384950041708742'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5338384950041708742'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/07/all-good-or-just-mediocre-things-must.html' title='All good (or just mediocre) things must come to an end.  Last post.  Also Neil Patrick Harris.'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/TC2U6BYtoDI/AAAAAAAAAOU/oC8-brIN_NY/s72-c/sc00185f75.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1815665549819694833</id><published>2010-06-23T16:46:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-06-23T16:46:43.949-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Intellectual-rock'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='FREE'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Independent music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Priory'/><title type='text'>Priory : Free 2 song download. Check this out.</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Delicious.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="100" width="400"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer.swf/album=1948369738/size=venti/bgcol=eaf415/linkcol=000105/" /&gt;&lt;param name="quality" value="high" /&gt;&lt;param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" /&gt;&lt;param name="allowNetworking" value="always" /&gt;&lt;param name="wmode" value="transparent" /&gt;&lt;param name="bgcolor" value="#eaf415" /&gt;&lt;embed src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer.swf/album=1948369738/size=venti/bgcol=eaf415/linkcol=000105/" width="400" height="100" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality=high allowScriptAccess=never allowNetworking=always wmode=transparent bgcolor=#eaf415 &gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;noembed&gt;&lt;a href="http://priory.bandcamp.com/album/lady-of-late"&gt;Devil vs. Heater by Priory&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/noembed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://priory.bandcamp.com/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;priory.bandcamp.com&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1815665549819694833?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1815665549819694833/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1815665549819694833' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1815665549819694833'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1815665549819694833'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/06/priory-free-2-song-download-check-this.html' title='Priory : Free 2 song download. Check this out.'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-8070488894431146329</id><published>2010-05-24T15:44:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-24T15:44:43.019-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Beatles'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Chuck Klosterman'/><title type='text'>Chuck Klosterman dissects The Beatles.</title><content type='html'>&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/S_sAnOpqL0I/AAAAAAAAAN4/aQjzeideIko/s1600/beatles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/S_sAnOpqL0I/AAAAAAAAAN4/aQjzeideIko/s200/beatles.jpg" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Chuck Klosterman: pop culture critic and pseudo-musicologist unveils his thoughts on The Beatles eight year career. It's very good. Very good. Grab a coffee or a beer and scoot up your little computer desk chair. Or put your laptop - that white thing with an apple on it - on your lap.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Read &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/chuck-klosterman-repeats-the-beatles,32560/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;RIGHT HERE.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Also, click &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/chuck-klosterman-repeats-the-beatles,32560/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;RIGHT HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/S_sAn5g5wEI/AAAAAAAAAOA/fVDKwuLFFmM/s1600/chuck-klosterman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="183" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/S_sAn5g5wEI/AAAAAAAAAOA/fVDKwuLFFmM/s200/chuck-klosterman.jpg" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-8070488894431146329?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/8070488894431146329/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=8070488894431146329' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8070488894431146329'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8070488894431146329'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/05/chuck-klosterman-dissects-beatles.html' title='Chuck Klosterman dissects The Beatles.'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/S_sAnOpqL0I/AAAAAAAAAN4/aQjzeideIko/s72-c/beatles.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-6825369140675239143</id><published>2010-02-16T14:49:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-02-16T14:50:55.782-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Vatican'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Roman Catholic Church'/><title type='text'>L’ Osservatore Romano, the Holy See's official newspaper on the top 10 rock and pop albums of all time</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;The Vatican is full of surprises. This article dictates that the Holy See's official newspaper,&amp;nbsp;L’ Osservatore Romano, just released a top 10 list of the greatest Rock and Pop albums of all time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Within its lineup, we see listed such greats as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, U2 and even the (un)verbose Oasis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;However, I &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;must&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;speculate. The very nature of some of these albums listed are, in my opinion, far outside the boundaries of Christian thought and doctrine. And while I may count myself as something of a liberal when it comes to music, and I may stray into the fringes of music, I cannot help but beg the question: Why?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;I must take into account that I do not have a good understanding of the qualifications of this list, or how deep the authority of the Roman Catholic Church actually stretches. Obviously, the newspaper does not have the authority to write or produce&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclical" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Encyclical"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;encyclicals&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;or&amp;nbsp;papal&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allocution" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; text-decoration: none;" title="Allocution"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;allocutions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;. However, I &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;must&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;speculate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Now, to my speculation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Has anyone heard &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;(What's the Story) Morning Glory?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;My gosh. The Gallagher brothers. We all know of their fighting, and we all know of their breakups and makeups. But how about the album itself? Drugs, drugs, drugs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;A bizarre collection. How culturally relevant of the Vatican.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;Lastly, the paper's comment of Bob Dylan's omission from the list frustrated me:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;"Dylan was excluded from the list despite his 'great poetic vein' because he paved the way for generations of unprofessional singer-songwriters who have 'harshly tested the ears and patience of listeners' with their tormented stories."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;That is presuming that he had anything to do with said singer-songwriters' unprofessionalism, or even the content of their writing. Bizarre.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-6825369140675239143?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/6825369140675239143/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=6825369140675239143' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6825369140675239143'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6825369140675239143'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/02/l-osservatore-romano-holy-sees-official.html' title='L’ Osservatore Romano, the Holy See&apos;s official newspaper on the top 10 rock and pop albums of all time'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3299232559105322338</id><published>2010-02-16T13:50:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-02-16T18:37:37.563-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Friends'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thoughts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Portland'/><title type='text'>Thoughts on Portland</title><content type='html'>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;This last weekend my wife and I spent our free time in Portland, with our friends and our family. The entirety of the weekend was in some capacity spent under those grey, rainy skies; with disregard to Monday morning, of course.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;My dear uncle and his family had the two of us over for dinner Friday evening, and we all shared pizza and hilarious conversation. We had the opportunity to share with them our future plans, as well. My beautiful cousins are all grown up, and Kelsey has really developed into quite a woman. I am very proud.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Side note: Kelsey's brother, Kory, is the drummer for a metal/hardcore outfit tucked away in the crevices of Beaverton. After dinner, he retired to the upstairs to practice, and I was amazed at what I heard. He seems to be a very talented drummer, from a family full of pianists.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&amp;amp;videoid=49218161"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Call Us Forgotten&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;object height="360px" width="425px"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/&gt;&lt;param name="wmode" value="transparent"/&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=49218161,t=1,mt=video"/&gt;&lt;embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=49218161,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.myspace.com/ottawasens20"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;kory&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;|&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="http://vids.myspace.com/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;MySpace Video&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;The rest of the weekend was spent in joyful abundance with my friends in Portland. My good friends, Kyle and Kailey, showed us the ins-and-outs of the city, and let us stay with them while we were in town. To them we are so thankful.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Kyle, Greg and I shared some pretty entertaining moments together. I have them to thank for the trips around Portland, late into the evening. It was such fun.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Also, Whitney Walters was particularly lovely to talk to this past trip, as she always dictates the world to me in such style, and with such pursuit.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"&gt;Thanks again, good friends and family, for our time spent in Portland. We love you all, and we are most anxious to be there soon.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3299232559105322338?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3299232559105322338/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3299232559105322338' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3299232559105322338'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3299232559105322338'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/02/thoughts-on-portland.html' title='Thoughts on Portland'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1705962930677024273</id><published>2009-12-25T15:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-25T15:00:02.052-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 12)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;And on the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;twelve Christmas Carols&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;eleven loving friends&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;ten totem poles&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;nine purring cats&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;eight smelly dogs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;seven Game Boy games&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;six Sega Saturns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;div  style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1705962930677024273?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1705962930677024273/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1705962930677024273' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1705962930677024273'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1705962930677024273'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-12.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 12)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-8036886066892045342</id><published>2009-12-25T09:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-25T09:00:07.879-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 11)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;eleven loving friends&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;ten totem poles&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;nine purring cats&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;eight smelly dogs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;seven Game Boy games&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;six Sega Saturns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;div  style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-8036886066892045342?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/8036886066892045342/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=8036886066892045342' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8036886066892045342'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8036886066892045342'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-11.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 11)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7139800966145077539</id><published>2009-12-24T15:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-24T15:00:05.070-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 10)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;ten totem poles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;nine purring cats&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;eight smelly dogs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;seven Game Boy games&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;six Sega Saturns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;div  style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt; &lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7139800966145077539?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7139800966145077539/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7139800966145077539' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7139800966145077539'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7139800966145077539'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-10.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 10)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1002413418739193556</id><published>2009-12-24T09:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-24T09:00:00.860-08:00</updated><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 9)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;nine purring cats&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;eight smelly dogs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;seven Game Boy games&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;six Sega Saturns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;div  style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1002413418739193556?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1002413418739193556/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1002413418739193556' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1002413418739193556'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1002413418739193556'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-9.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 9)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-162308911567414368</id><published>2009-12-23T15:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-23T15:00:01.004-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 8)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;eight smelly dogs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;seven Game Boy games&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;six Sega Saturns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;div  style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-162308911567414368?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/162308911567414368/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=162308911567414368' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/162308911567414368'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/162308911567414368'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-8.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 8)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7452567369631628114</id><published>2009-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-23T09:00:00.241-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 7)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;On the 7th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;seven Game Boy games&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;six Sega Saturns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;div  style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7452567369631628114?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7452567369631628114/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7452567369631628114' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7452567369631628114'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7452567369631628114'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-7.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 7)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-924069749365143084</id><published>2009-12-22T15:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-22T15:00:02.740-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 6)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" &gt;six Sega Saturns&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-924069749365143084?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/924069749365143084/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=924069749365143084' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/924069749365143084'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/924069749365143084'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-6.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 6)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-6533281140865019459</id><published>2009-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-22T09:00:03.171-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 5)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;FIVE THOUSAND BUCKS!!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-6533281140865019459?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/6533281140865019459/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=6533281140865019459' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6533281140865019459'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6533281140865019459'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-5.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 5)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-515782008144425339</id><published>2009-12-21T15:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-21T15:00:00.536-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 4)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;four hockey sticks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-515782008144425339?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/515782008144425339/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=515782008144425339' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/515782008144425339'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/515782008144425339'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-4.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 4)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-2488508861004815129</id><published>2009-12-21T09:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-21T09:00:00.534-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 3)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;three Big Screen TVs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;two CD players&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-2488508861004815129?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/2488508861004815129/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=2488508861004815129' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2488508861004815129'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2488508861004815129'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-3.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 3)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7338667285257219098</id><published>2009-12-20T15:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-20T15:00:01.511-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 2)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;two CD players&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;and a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7338667285257219098?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7338667285257219098/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7338667285257219098' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7338667285257219098'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7338667285257219098'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-2.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 2)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-8287782459752118192</id><published>2009-12-20T09:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-20T09:00:01.549-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><title type='text'>A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 1)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;a pair of leather shoes by Nike&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-8287782459752118192?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/8287782459752118192/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=8287782459752118192' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8287782459752118192'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8287782459752118192'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-12-days-of-christmas-day-1.html' title='A Modern 12 Days of Christmas (Day 1)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-5381476091282084237</id><published>2009-12-17T12:26:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-17T12:45:43.712-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Socratic Method'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='12 Days of Christmas'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Modernism'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dispensationalism'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Postmodernism'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Covenant Theology'/><title type='text'>Attention! A Modern 12 Days of Christmas to be released</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Starting this Sunday, I will be revealing to you, my devoted readers, a modern rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas. This rendition was created years ago, when I was at the ripe young age of eleven. Each day I will release two verses of the song. (seeing as how I missed the 12 DAY mark awhile ago)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;'Tis the Season.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-5381476091282084237?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/5381476091282084237/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=5381476091282084237' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5381476091282084237'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5381476091282084237'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/attention-modern-12-days-of-christmas.html' title='Attention! A Modern 12 Days of Christmas to be released'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-9204537327638414143</id><published>2009-11-20T10:15:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-11-20T11:05:07.485-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cold War Kids'/><title type='text'>Cold War Kids : Audience Of One</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SwboEVh1PwI/AAAAAAAAANw/2oZ17zSICvY/s1600/coldwarkids.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SwboEVh1PwI/AAAAAAAAANw/2oZ17zSICvY/s400/coldwarkids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406263563901026050" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;They're back. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/10/january-19.html"&gt;As posted last month&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;, the Cold War Kids are releasing an E.P. in January. This is the first leak from the coming E.P. and it is good to hear the Kids back in form.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;The song is straight ahead soulful. The middle eight is especially good. I think this song more than makes up for their repetitive ramblings of something not being right [with them].&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;To those of you who are reading this and know what 'an audience of one' implies: good for you. And for those of you who don't, here is a list of comprehensive search engines that might help you figure it out before you decide to leave a smart-ass comment on my blog:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.ask.com/"&gt;Ask.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.google.com/"&gt;Google&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://m.www.yahoo.com/"&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Yahoo&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.bing.com/"&gt;Bing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;And here's the track:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://sideonetrackone.com/audio/Cold%20War%20Kids%20-%20Audience%20Of%20One.mp3"&gt;Cold War Kids : Audience of One&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-9204537327638414143?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/9204537327638414143/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=9204537327638414143' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/9204537327638414143'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/9204537327638414143'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/11/cold-war-kids-audience-of-one.html' title='Cold War Kids : Audience Of One'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SwboEVh1PwI/AAAAAAAAANw/2oZ17zSICvY/s72-c/coldwarkids.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-6201978541414192139</id><published>2009-11-05T23:39:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-11-06T00:11:38.668-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Reviews'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ohhh...'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Owl City'/><title type='text'>Owl City : Fireflies . . . Ha Ha</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SvPTFFNcLMI/AAAAAAAAANo/_WMrOgTOdUY/s1600-h/Owlcity_fireflies_cover.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 263px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SvPTFFNcLMI/AAAAAAAAANo/_WMrOgTOdUY/s400/Owlcity_fireflies_cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400892462398713026" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I stumbled across &lt;a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11613-fireflies/"&gt;this great review of Owl City's hit single, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Fireflies&lt;/span&gt;. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Reviewed by Pitchfork, the single received a gracious rating of &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;1&lt;/span&gt;. That's right, less than two and a bit more than nothing (though not much).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To summarize the review, I've selected this passage to highlight the essence of &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Fireflies&lt;/span&gt;:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;blockquote style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:100%;"&gt;"Like most 'brought to you by...' attempts to connect with the disaffected, it's delivered in an emasculated, cloying wheeze that serves as a cutesy defense mechanism for a guy who's trying so hard to be sincere, he forgets to say what he actually means"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;Read the review in its entirety. It is intensely gratifying. I promise.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-6201978541414192139?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/6201978541414192139/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=6201978541414192139' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6201978541414192139'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6201978541414192139'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/11/owl-city-fireflies-ha-ha.html' title='Owl City : Fireflies . . . Ha Ha'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SvPTFFNcLMI/AAAAAAAAANo/_WMrOgTOdUY/s72-c/Owlcity_fireflies_cover.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-4076879221886710494</id><published>2009-10-31T14:42:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-31T14:59:43.651-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Moby'/><title type='text'>November 24</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SuyvlBckPrI/AAAAAAAAANg/gbrPHKL0SoE/s1600-h/Wait+For+Me+Deluxe.jpeg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 223px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SuyvlBckPrI/AAAAAAAAANg/gbrPHKL0SoE/s400/Wait+For+Me+Deluxe.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398883103888654002" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Moby : Wait For Me Deluxe Album/Version/Edition&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I got pretty excited over the &lt;a href="http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/05/june-30.html"&gt;June 30th release&lt;/a&gt; of Moby's album, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Wait For Me&lt;/span&gt;. However, this deluxe release has me ecstatic.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A three disc release.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The first disc is the entire original album, plus two unreleased bonus tracks.&lt;br /&gt;The second disc is an ambient version of the original album, with new interpretations of each of the 16 tracks, re-recorded and re-interpreted by Moby himself. No funky remix album in sight.&lt;br /&gt;And the third disc is a video DVD including live performances, music videos and of course, what we all know and love, more Little Idiot animated shorts for each of the tracks on &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Wait For Me&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-4076879221886710494?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/4076879221886710494/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=4076879221886710494' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4076879221886710494'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4076879221886710494'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/10/november-24.html' title='November 24'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SuyvlBckPrI/AAAAAAAAANg/gbrPHKL0SoE/s72-c/Wait+For+Me+Deluxe.jpeg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-10280736480207360</id><published>2009-10-28T16:34:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-28T16:51:21.276-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Synths'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Gear'/><title type='text'>Korg X3</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SujWi6-mrkI/AAAAAAAAANY/dl7ZAUMJacY/s1600-h/x3.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 136px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SujWi6-mrkI/AAAAAAAAANY/dl7ZAUMJacY/s400/x3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397800048839274050" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;I used to play one of these.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The &lt;a href="http://www.vintagesynth.com/korg/x3.php"&gt;Korg X3&lt;/a&gt;. I remember this thing having wonderful string and piano sounds. A nice cello patch. While it didn't have much to boast about in the way of knobs and tweaking cutting-edge sounds, its sound banks were huge.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-10280736480207360?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/10280736480207360/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=10280736480207360' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/10280736480207360'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/10280736480207360'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/10/korg-x3.html' title='Korg X3'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SujWi6-mrkI/AAAAAAAAANY/dl7ZAUMJacY/s72-c/x3.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3816688021394061164</id><published>2009-10-27T14:34:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-28T00:10:35.812-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cold War Kids'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><title type='text'>January 19</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: right;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sudqve89tsI/AAAAAAAAANQ/3UUTfqw_ABY/s1600-h/Behave+Yourself.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sudqve89tsI/AAAAAAAAANQ/3UUTfqw_ABY/s400/Behave+Yourself.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397400042421991106" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;The Cold War Kids are planning on releasing a 4 song EP entitled, "Behave Yourself," on January 19th. New material is currently being worked on for the upcoming album, following the release of the EP. Also, here's a little promo video they put together for the whole thing.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;LA bands. *Puh.&lt;/span&gt;*&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object width="560" height="340"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8qtCHmWKpuc&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1&amp;amp;"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8qtCHmWKpuc&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1&amp;amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3816688021394061164?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3816688021394061164/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3816688021394061164' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3816688021394061164'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3816688021394061164'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/10/january-19.html' title='January 19'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sudqve89tsI/AAAAAAAAANQ/3UUTfqw_ABY/s72-c/Behave+Yourself.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-5115792376691540031</id><published>2009-10-24T11:33:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-27T16:47:37.067-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Interview'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Gear'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Moby'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='nerd'/><title type='text'>Moby and his drum machines</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;script src="http://www.vbs.tv/vbs_player.js?width=584&amp;amp;height=328&amp;amp;ec=FuZjV4OmC1eCIkbKYHC6GYlkiq2tQI3U&amp;amp;st=undefined&amp;amp;pl=http://www.motherboard.tv/2009/10/19/electric-independence-moby--2" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;Moby talks about his gear, shows us his drum machine collection and rants about the nerds in electronic music. This is a submersion into Moby's home studio in New York. This is SO COOL.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;If the vid doesn't work, check out the interview &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.motherboard.tv/2009/10/19/electric-independence-moby--2"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-5115792376691540031?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/5115792376691540031/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=5115792376691540031' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5115792376691540031'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5115792376691540031'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/10/moby-and-his-drum-machines.html' title='Moby and his drum machines'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1385259626489456554</id><published>2009-09-30T14:45:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-30T15:11:43.585-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sea Wolf'/><title type='text'>New Sea Wolf album</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SsPUwUEe7vI/AAAAAAAAANI/UXG3N48VdHE/s1600-h/Sea-Wolf-White-Water-White-Bloom.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 342px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SsPUwUEe7vI/AAAAAAAAANI/UXG3N48VdHE/s400/Sea-Wolf-White-Water-White-Bloom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387383505751568114" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Released September 22.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How did I miss this?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here's a free download (enter your email to acquire) of a bonus track off of the album, entitled &lt;a href="http://seawolfmusic.com/"&gt;Stanislaus&lt;/a&gt;. I've listened to it a few times now. It has that bohemian-gypsy-thing going again. It's melodramatic. However, it's tastefully melodramatic. Nonetheless, I am anticipating picking up &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;White Water, White Bloom&lt;/span&gt;. It seems Alex Brown Church, lead singer of Sea Wolf, "couldn’t have known beforehand what the next record would sound like, but I did know I wanted it to be bigger, with a band feel, rather than another series of intimate confessionals.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With this crisp Autumn weather at hand, Sea Wolf seems fitting to be listening to.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1385259626489456554?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1385259626489456554/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1385259626489456554' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1385259626489456554'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1385259626489456554'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-sea-wolf-album.html' title='New Sea Wolf album'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SsPUwUEe7vI/AAAAAAAAANI/UXG3N48VdHE/s72-c/Sea-Wolf-White-Water-White-Bloom.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3945453368504902679</id><published>2009-09-24T18:22:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-24T19:22:10.575-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='G.K. Chesterton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Orthodoxy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Character of Jesus'/><title type='text'>Orthodoxy: G.K. Chesterton's closing thoughts</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;"Joy, which was the small publicity of the pagan, is the gigantic secret of the Christian. And as I close this chaotic volume I open again the strange small book from which all Christianity came; and I am again haunted by a kind of confirmation. The tremendous figure which fills the Gospels towers in this respect, as in every other, above all the thinkers who ever thought themselves tall. His pathos was natural, almost casual. The Stoics, ancient and modern, were proud of concealing their tears. He never concealed His tears; He showed them plainly on His open face at any daily sight, such as the far sight of His native city. Yet He concealed something. Solemn supermen and imperial diplomatists are proud of restraining their anger. He never restrained His anger. He flung furniture down the front steps of the Temple, and asked men how they expected to escape the damnation of Hell. Yet He restrained something. I say it with reverence; there was in that shattering personality a thread that must be called shyness. There was something that He hid from all men when He went up a mountain to pray. There was something that He covered constantly by abrupt silence or impetuous isolation. There was some one thing that was too great for God to show us when He walked upon our earth; and I have sometimes fancied that it was His mirth."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3945453368504902679?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3945453368504902679/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3945453368504902679' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3945453368504902679'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3945453368504902679'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/09/gk-chestertons-closing-thoughts-in.html' title='Orthodoxy: G.K. Chesterton&apos;s closing thoughts'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-9139481312923220557</id><published>2009-09-21T16:51:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-21T16:52:51.879-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Beck'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Beck Record Club'/><title type='text'>Beck's Record Club</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Beck is exorcising his creativity in yet another way: a Record Club.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This group, composed of &lt;a href="http://www.myspace.com/devendrabanhart"&gt;Devendra Banhart&lt;/a&gt;, both of the dudes of &lt;a href="http://www.myspace.com/mgmt"&gt;MGMT&lt;/a&gt;, legendary producer &lt;a href="http://www.nigelgodrich.com/discs.htm"&gt;Nigel Godrich&lt;/a&gt;, actor &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Ribisi"&gt;Giovanni Ribisi&lt;/a&gt;, members of &lt;a href="http://www.myspace.com/littlejoymusic"&gt;Little Joy&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myspace.com/wolfmother"&gt;Wolfmother&lt;/a&gt;, and of course &lt;a href="http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/culture/2006/05/26/beck250x267.jpg"&gt;Beck&lt;/a&gt; himself, is going through choice classic albums and covering all of the tracks. This formula produces a track once a week. The site states, “There is no intention to ‘add to’ the original work or attempt to recreate the power of the original recording. Only to play music and document what happens.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SrgOVHdd19I/AAAAAAAAANA/qDaNYMrVM4o/s1600-h/beck.png"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 190px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SrgOVHdd19I/AAAAAAAAANA/qDaNYMrVM4o/s400/beck.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384069110464108498" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;So far, &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Velvet_Underground_&amp;amp;_Nico"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;The Velvet Underground &amp;amp; Nico&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; has been covered. The project at hand is the misty, clairvoyant, &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_of_Leonard_Cohen"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Songs of Leonard Cohen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Check it out: &lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.beck.com/record_club"&gt;Beck Record Club&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-9139481312923220557?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/9139481312923220557/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=9139481312923220557' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/9139481312923220557'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/9139481312923220557'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/09/becks-record-club.html' title='Beck&apos;s Record Club'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SrgOVHdd19I/AAAAAAAAANA/qDaNYMrVM4o/s72-c/beck.png' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1301489882977800897</id><published>2009-09-18T20:16:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-18T22:42:16.925-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Julian Casablancas'/><title type='text'>October 20</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SrRNrIDcZAI/AAAAAAAAAM4/MISzSRbmfws/s1600-h/Phrazes+For+the+Young.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 279px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SrRNrIDcZAI/AAAAAAAAAM4/MISzSRbmfws/s400/Phrazes+For+the+Young.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383012857906226178" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;Julian Casablancas : Phrazes for the Young&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you're not familiar with this name, you may know him better as the moppy-haired lead vocalist for super-group, The Strokes. If you're not familiar with that name, leave my blog. NOW.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Listen to the single &lt;a href="http://www.myspace.com/juliancasablancas"&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1301489882977800897?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1301489882977800897/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1301489882977800897' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1301489882977800897'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1301489882977800897'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/09/october-20.html' title='October 20'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SrRNrIDcZAI/AAAAAAAAAM4/MISzSRbmfws/s72-c/Phrazes+For+the+Young.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3683189544330378702</id><published>2009-09-18T17:24:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-18T20:18:16.772-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Remastered'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='U2'/><title type='text'>October 26</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 275px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SrQlkNMQTZI/AAAAAAAAAMw/gTnQGRXYNZI/s400/medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382968758561164690" border="0" /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;U2 : The Unforgettable Fire, REMASTERED&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Completely and fully remastered. &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;The Unforgettable Fire&lt;/span&gt; is U2's 1984 album; the first album to see collaboration with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. It is the most experimental of U2's albums, leaving pictures, abstractions, poetry, colors, and images in the mind of the listener. No &lt;a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_f2A0whTF7Xc/SJp4BjXDxTI/AAAAAAAACkk/KWyH_ivFZ0I/351-10209-size3.jpg"&gt;waving of white flags&lt;/a&gt; here. Just, simple, beauty. The album also boasts the climbing number, "&lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdDBV6VX3fc"&gt;Bad&lt;/a&gt;," my favorite of U2's songs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh October 26, come quickly.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3683189544330378702?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3683189544330378702/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3683189544330378702' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3683189544330378702'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3683189544330378702'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/09/october-26.html' title='October 26'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SrQlkNMQTZI/AAAAAAAAAMw/gTnQGRXYNZI/s72-c/medium.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-4726574225093158965</id><published>2009-09-05T22:37:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-06T16:40:46.131-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Film'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thoughts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bob Dylan'/><title type='text'>"Dylan-kick"</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Y&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;ou may be asking yourself what a "Dylan-kick" is. This would be especially true if you've read &lt;a href="http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/09/october-13.html"&gt;my latest blog entry&lt;/a&gt;, posted earlier this evening.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqNh3B-n0sI/AAAAAAAAAMA/NKcOMY_D8ac/s1600-h/dylan+small.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 89px; height: 111px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqNh3B-n0sI/AAAAAAAAAMA/NKcOMY_D8ac/s400/dylan+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378249978062295746" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqNh3rmXl7I/AAAAAAAAAMI/dlLnX5m8VAA/s1600-h/kick.gif"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 111px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqNh3rmXl7I/AAAAAAAAAMI/dlLnX5m8VAA/s400/kick.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378249989234857906" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;A Dylan-kick is when you start listening to the music of Bob Dylan, incessantly and without end. It's when you're at work, and you just can't get "Positively 4th Street" out of your head. It's when singing Bob Dylan songs becomes the most delightful thing you could possibly do with your time. It's when you find yourself dwelling upon the depth of Dylan's early work, considering its (more than) possibly, politically-charged themes. It's when you think about how cool it would have been to have liked Dylan when he went electric, even though everyone around you would have thought it was shite. (or shit, if you saw him in America) It's when you purchase two albums of his in less than a week. It's when you randomly ask the nice people at the record shop why there is a small box of Bob Dylan posters lying &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;on the ground behind the counter, and they give you one for free because you bought a Bob Dylan record.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqNf0sOEWbI/AAAAAAAAALw/pBfUUTjYiDo/s1600-h/Dylans.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 126px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqNf0sOEWbI/AAAAAAAAALw/pBfUUTjYiDo/s400/Dylans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378247738838505906" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;It's when you can't get enough of Bob Dylan. It's when you watch &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZGseissqX8"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;I'm Not There&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, and consider that perhaps &lt;a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01182/arts-graphics-2007_1182344a.jpg"&gt;Cate Blanchett&lt;/a&gt; plays Bob Dylan better than &lt;a href="http://i.realone.com/assets/rn/img/5/8/4/5/15825485-15825488-slarge.jpg"&gt;Bob Dylan&lt;/a&gt; plays Bob Dylan. It's when you start realizing you really, REALLY want to get your hands on Martin Scorsese's biopic of Dylan, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSaqSWIaMSw"&gt;No Direction Home&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt; It's when you decide your wife rules, because two of the Dylan DVDs you do own, she bought for you, even though she can't stand him and his music. It's when you open your closet and consider putting on all black and wearing sunglasses indoors.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How does it feel? So good.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-4726574225093158965?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/4726574225093158965/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=4726574225093158965' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4726574225093158965'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4726574225093158965'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/09/dylan-kick.html' title='&quot;Dylan-kick&quot;'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqNh3B-n0sI/AAAAAAAAAMA/NKcOMY_D8ac/s72-c/dylan+small.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3098872548959584878</id><published>2009-09-05T21:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-05T22:38:57.899-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Film'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bob Dylan'/><title type='text'>October 13</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;As a continuation of my Dylan-kick,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqM88c538QI/AAAAAAAAALo/gmWqEylgGsg/s1600-h/Bob+Dylan.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 336px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqM88c538QI/AAAAAAAAALo/gmWqEylgGsg/s400/Bob+Dylan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378209389259256066" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;blockquote  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;"This film traces the early career of Bob Dylan in a manner no other has ever attempted telling his tale from his birth in Duluth, Minnesota; through school and college; across his years as New York’s bright young star, through to his electric phase, culminating with the controversial 1966 world tour. Featuring interviews with a host of friends, colleagues and associates from that era, and numerous others, rare and often previously unseen footage, daring and outspoken contributions from the very finest Dylan writers [such as Derek Barker, CP Lee and Clinton Heylin] and a host of other features, this film is among the finest Bob Dylan documentaries yet to emerge."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ooooohhh yes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3098872548959584878?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3098872548959584878/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3098872548959584878' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3098872548959584878'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3098872548959584878'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/09/october-13.html' title='October 13'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SqM88c538QI/AAAAAAAAALo/gmWqEylgGsg/s72-c/Bob+Dylan.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1963367646014685362</id><published>2009-08-25T18:08:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:13:14.653-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Modest Mouse'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Masses'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='SUPPORT'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sea Shepherd Conservation Society'/><title type='text'>Proceeds from Modest Mouse's "King Rat" going to non-profit marine life organization</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" class="Apple-style-span" &gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;I am apparently, severly misinformed. The musical chronology of Modest Mouse is far less expansive than I was under the impression of. I am of course referring to their albums, not every thing else. They have under their belts five official studio albums (LPs), as well as six EPs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;However, though their collection of released albums is shorter than I was aware of, their strew of songs is longer than ever.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;On a serious note, this video, entitled, "King Rat," is taken from the newly released EP, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a2/Modest_Mouse_-_No_One%27s_First%2C_And_You%27re_Next.jpg"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;No One's First, and You're Next&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;. It was directed by Heath Ledger, and was completed after his death by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.wearethemasses.com/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;The Masses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;, an ambitious film and music company he was a partner in. Ledger's intent for making this video was to bring an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&amp;amp;friendId=4341225&amp;amp;blogId=503656804"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&amp;amp;friendId=4341225&amp;amp;blogId=503656804"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;impassioned stance against the illegal commercial whale hunts taking place off the coast of Australia each year."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;Proceeds from the video when purchased on iTunes go to the non-profit, marine life organization &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.seashepherd.org/"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;Sea Shepherd Conservation Society&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;. Be sure to check out their stance on wildlife conservation, as well as the many ways each of us can be involved in aiding this organization.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;object width="560" height="340"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qlk8ZbjEXWw&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1&amp;amp;"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qlk8ZbjEXWw&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1&amp;amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;You can download the video &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewVideo?id=325930774&amp;amp;s=143441"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;HERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"  style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt; for a humble price.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1963367646014685362?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1963367646014685362/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1963367646014685362' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1963367646014685362'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1963367646014685362'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/proceeds-from-modest-mouses-king-rat.html' title='Proceeds from Modest Mouse&apos;s &quot;King Rat&quot; going to non-profit marine life organization'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1050644162925651647</id><published>2009-08-22T01:15:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-31T12:18:20.872-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Wim Wenders'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Film'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thoughts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Faraway So Close'/><title type='text'>Faraway, So Close!</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/So-o-F8ut1I/AAAAAAAAALY/ZCXGVpn99ic/s1600-h/Faraway+2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/So-o-F8ut1I/AAAAAAAAALY/ZCXGVpn99ic/s400/Faraway+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372698665178543954" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;h1 style="margin: 0px; text-align: left; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 31px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;I just finished watching &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Faraway, So Close!&lt;/span&gt; (or in German: &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;In weiter Ferne, so nah!&lt;/span&gt;). The 1993 film is directed and co-written by Wim Wenders, the man who gave us a number of movies, in and of his own unique, tasteful, and arguably, sometimes daft style. A few of his films include, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick&lt;/span&gt;, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Hammett&lt;/span&gt;, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;The State of Things&lt;/span&gt;, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Wings of Desire&lt;/span&gt;, and &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Paris, Texas&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLtZuxgll7A"&gt;opening credits of the film&lt;/a&gt;, we find the protagonist nested on top of the &lt;a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Viktoria_Siegess%C3%A4ule.jpg"&gt;Berlin Victiory Column&lt;/a&gt;. He is an angel. Him and his divine kin traverse (more like waft) the earth. Their job is to guide human beings, whispering words of truth to them, carrying them through the darkness at the end of their lives, and above all, watching them. A striking statement comes out at the beginning of the movie: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;"We are neither the light, nor the message. We are the messengers."&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;Another beautiful monologue in the film stood out to me, this time coming from an Italian man, working in his shop, as he lets his thoughts pour out of him. The angels after all, hear the thoughts of humans, thereby knowing the present conditions of their hearts. It is as follows:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;&lt;blockquote style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"&gt;"It still amazes me, that you don't have to think about what you do, once you've established a routine. You can think any thoughts, draw your conclusions, contradict them, just like an angel, but without the exclusivity.&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;blockquote style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"&gt;Meanwhile you create something! Something to eat, a chair, a fur hat, a pizza. Lot's of necessary things, and plenty of them, so there'll be enough some day. At the same time, you must think about what isn't necessary and what's still missing. Otherwise you'd only have things that already exist. And you'd be bored."&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1050644162925651647?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1050644162925651647/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1050644162925651647' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1050644162925651647'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1050644162925651647'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/faraway-so-close.html' title='Faraway, So Close!'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/So-o-F8ut1I/AAAAAAAAALY/ZCXGVpn99ic/s72-c/Faraway+2.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-5212792760561818668</id><published>2009-08-21T17:12:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:13:42.220-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Michael Cera'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Youth In Revolt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><title type='text'>Michael Cera plays someone we have not met before</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Finally, Michael Cera being portrayed as something other than a sensitive youth, finding his way in to hilarious sexual situations. &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Youth In Revolt&lt;/span&gt; looks like a comedy, and judging by this trailer, is most certainly a comedy.&lt;br /&gt;Boy wants to get girl. Boy can't get girl, so decides to make for himself an alter ego named Francois. Francois is a deeper voiced, sarcastic version of himself, who seems to have stumbled out of Wes Anderson's closet. He also has a mustache. I will leave it up to you to decide whether Francois is merely an alter ego, or is in fact an example of multiple personalities.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object width="560" height="340"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/109DbfWQvf4&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1&amp;amp;"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/109DbfWQvf4&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1&amp;amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-5212792760561818668?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/5212792760561818668/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=5212792760561818668' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5212792760561818668'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5212792760561818668'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/michael-cera-plays-someone-we-have-not.html' title='Michael Cera plays someone we have not met before'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-8757177168557692056</id><published>2009-08-10T21:28:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-10T22:59:49.909-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Crocodiles'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Discoveries'/><title type='text'>Crocodiles sound like a girl group from the 60's</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDyQ1WRItI/AAAAAAAAALA/Mmkihl-fjx4/s1600-h/CrocCover_01-1.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDyQ1WRItI/AAAAAAAAALA/Mmkihl-fjx4/s400/CrocCover_01-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368557126837936850" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So I'm listening to this song called "&lt;a href="http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Crocodiles/track/I_Wanna_Kill"&gt;I Wanna Kill&lt;/a&gt;," by this band called Crocodiles. They're rad. They have an old 60's quality to their guitar styling. As I'm enjoying every moment of being immersed in their sonic tapestry, my wife yells at me from the couch, "Hey! This has the same guitar part as the song "&lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE_jOD2Fxvs"&gt;And Then He Kissed Me&lt;/a&gt;!"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I quickly googled this claim. My wife was right. The Crystals performed the song, which included said guitar part. And it &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;is&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt; the same lick! I'm not surprised that she was correct. My wife is very intellgent, and has a great memory. I am just extremely surprised she plucked that obscure little detail right off the top of her head.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In the Arts Beat section of The New York Times, under the heading, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;SXSW: Four Word Reviews, Wednesday Afternoon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;, Crocodiles are described as:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Stylish wall of throb&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is a perfect description. Listen to these guys.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-8757177168557692056?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/8757177168557692056/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=8757177168557692056' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8757177168557692056'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8757177168557692056'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/so-im-listening-to-this-song-called-i.html' title='Crocodiles sound like a girl group from the 60&apos;s'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDyQ1WRItI/AAAAAAAAALA/Mmkihl-fjx4/s72-c/CrocCover_01-1.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-2370913066006467279</id><published>2009-08-10T18:38:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-10T18:41:52.698-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ohhh...'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Radiohead'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Failed Attempts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Third Day'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Discoveries'/><title type='text'>Radiohead and Third Day set to release collaborative effort</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;I am just kidding.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I stumbled across this article, comparing christian act Third Day's newest album, to the artwork of Radiohead's 2003 release, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Hail to the Thief&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Radiohead : &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Hail to the Thief&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDErprQQWI/AAAAAAAAAKw/eRos4c4VOo4/s1600-h/Hail+to+the+Thief.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 210px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDErprQQWI/AAAAAAAAAKw/eRos4c4VOo4/s400/Hail+to+the+Thief.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368507010026324322" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Third Day : &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Revelation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDEUfRo2wI/AAAAAAAAAKo/1GnP_GBkJHU/s1600-h/Revelation.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 209px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDEUfRo2wI/AAAAAAAAAKo/1GnP_GBkJHU/s400/Revelation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368506612097538818" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDET7K92GI/AAAAAAAAAKg/-3gGkAbcmtM/s1600-h/Hail+to+the+Thief.jpg"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Since we all know what Radiohead was communicating through their title &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Hail to the Thief&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;*&lt;/span&gt;, what was the source of "revelation" that took the name for Third Day's newest creation? Was it implicit of anything specifically? One would think it must be, to possess such a title as REVELATION. In fact, I would only assume the best from my fellow Christian brothers, whose insight into the salvation of humanity puts them ahead of the game of life. In fact, if I had a chance to talk with the men from Third Day, I would encourage them to look for truth in all places, and claim all truth as God's. Look to culture, look to other musicians, look to what's going on in the world; mimic that which inspires you. But come on guys, don't copy what someone else has already done.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can read the full article &lt;a href="http://www.patrolmag.com/arts/436/hail-to-the-thieves"&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;*&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Though Thom has stated that the album's content was heavily influenced by current events, he denies it having strictly political intent. However, the artwork of the album has been called a "roadmap," a reference by Radiohead to the Bush Administration's &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadmap_for_peace"&gt;2003 plan&lt;/a&gt; for peace in the Middle East.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-2370913066006467279?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/2370913066006467279/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=2370913066006467279' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2370913066006467279'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2370913066006467279'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/radiohead-and-third-day-set-to-release.html' title='Radiohead and Third Day set to release collaborative effort'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoDErprQQWI/AAAAAAAAAKw/eRos4c4VOo4/s72-c/Hail+to+the+Thief.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-8960681320637380239</id><published>2009-08-10T13:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-10T13:55:19.059-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Subtly Implied Dedication'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Camera Obscura'/><title type='text'>Tracyanne's Idaho</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;I just stumbled across this blog post from lead singer of Camera Obscura, Tracyanne Campbell. I found her meandering thoughts to be quite entertaining, especially at the mention of our very own Idaho.&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoCG9Yu827I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/eyR94Ozbtmw/s1600-h/3504280807_1f2ef4f353.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoCG9Yu827I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/eyR94Ozbtmw/s400/3504280807_1f2ef4f353.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368439144995150770" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also, I am delighted with the realization that Camera Obscura have made their way so far west in this tour of the United States. I have heard of some bands hitting up California alone (which is a mistake) and skipping the much more interesting entirety of the West Coast. NEXT TIME, eh Louis?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here is the post: &lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.camera-obscura.net/blog/96/my-own-private-idaho"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 37px; height: 31px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoCG9vECz5I/AAAAAAAAAKY/m2Bn0Wh1iz4/s400/Camera_Obscura2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368439150989201298" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This reminds me; I still don't have their new album.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-8960681320637380239?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/8960681320637380239/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=8960681320637380239' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8960681320637380239'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8960681320637380239'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/tracyannes-idaho.html' title='Tracyanne&apos;s Idaho'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SoCG9Yu827I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/eyR94Ozbtmw/s72-c/3504280807_1f2ef4f353.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-2903175196447250590</id><published>2009-08-06T16:41:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-06T16:44:10.385-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='David Bazan'/><title type='text'>September 1</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SntqayM8fMI/AAAAAAAAAKI/a4B1stjUWtw/s1600-h/curse-your-branches-350.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 249px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SntqayM8fMI/AAAAAAAAAKI/a4B1stjUWtw/s400/curse-your-branches-350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367000389327289538" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;David Bazan : Curse Your Branches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-2903175196447250590?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/2903175196447250590/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=2903175196447250590' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2903175196447250590'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2903175196447250590'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/september-1.html' title='September 1'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SntqayM8fMI/AAAAAAAAAKI/a4B1stjUWtw/s72-c/curse-your-branches-350.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-6788468391664960387</id><published>2009-07-09T09:37:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-07-09T09:44:38.776-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Air'/><title type='text'>October 6</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SlYeH_iKkzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/yFb-dN8xVYA/s1600-h/air_1.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 242px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SlYeH_iKkzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/yFb-dN8xVYA/s400/air_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356501929466434354" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;Air : Love 2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-6788468391664960387?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/6788468391664960387/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=6788468391664960387' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6788468391664960387'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6788468391664960387'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/07/october-6.html' title='October 6'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SlYeH_iKkzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/yFb-dN8xVYA/s72-c/air_1.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-4711976071301675362</id><published>2009-07-05T22:13:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-07-05T22:15:27.928-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Pictures'/><title type='text'>For those who have never been to Idaho (or have, but not inside our residence)</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;So here is our place.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT6c_CGBpI/AAAAAAAAAIM/DemfRoPy-X0/s1600-h/DSCN1706.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT6c_CGBpI/AAAAAAAAAIM/DemfRoPy-X0/s400/DSCN1706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351677633086490258" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Here is the front of the house. It's an old house-turned-duplex, and our side is on the right.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT7Jfgj32I/AAAAAAAAAIc/P1FuICzYndg/s1600-h/DSCN1712.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT7Jfgj32I/AAAAAAAAAIc/P1FuICzYndg/s400/DSCN1712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351678397718454114" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Front door/incoming mail box&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT-6-6GcQI/AAAAAAAAAJk/j2dO02EnWhc/s1600-h/DSCN1714.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT-6-6GcQI/AAAAAAAAAJk/j2dO02EnWhc/s400/DSCN1714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351682546495549698" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Living room, shot #1.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT9vLd99AI/AAAAAAAAAJc/iIKkJV0sOFQ/s1600-h/DSCN1702.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT9vLd99AI/AAAAAAAAAJc/iIKkJV0sOFQ/s400/DSCN1702.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351681244197155842" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Living room, shot #2.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT-7RnfgTI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/wXY-BbPimZw/s1600-h/DSCN1716.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT-7RnfgTI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/wXY-BbPimZw/s400/DSCN1716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351682551517774130" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Living room, shot #3. This is where we do a lot of our reading.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT9uqU6BLI/AAAAAAAAAJM/suU6lnEUTOQ/s1600-h/DSCN1689.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT9uqU6BLI/AAAAAAAAAJM/suU6lnEUTOQ/s400/DSCN1689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351681235300779186" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  This is the kitchen! And that table is where we do a lot of our reading.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT9u34ZIKI/AAAAAAAAAJU/0FmQzSwPRdw/s1600-h/DSCN1692.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT9u34ZIKI/AAAAAAAAAJU/0FmQzSwPRdw/s400/DSCN1692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351681238939279522" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Yes, we have an indoor window. It's pretty nice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT9ufxag6I/AAAAAAAAAJE/V38-6vjhvcY/s1600-h/DSCN1687.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT9ufxag6I/AAAAAAAAAJE/V38-6vjhvcY/s400/DSCN1687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351681232467559330" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Looking in to the kitchen, through the indoor window.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT8l_mPCBI/AAAAAAAAAI8/86nRY_90_jQ/s1600-h/DSCN1685.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT8l_mPCBI/AAAAAAAAAI8/86nRY_90_jQ/s400/DSCN1685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351679986880153618" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  These lead to the dungeon/torture chamber.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT8lsmK_7I/AAAAAAAAAI0/B8bY9O0iyyE/s1600-h/DSCN1674.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT8lsmK_7I/AAAAAAAAAI0/B8bY9O0iyyE/s400/DSCN1674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351679981779615666" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  This is the basement. This is where we go to watch movies, play video games, and stay cool in the summer. (the basement stays monumentally cooler than the upstairs)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT8lE9oSeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/xmWJ1aACDKE/s1600-h/DSCN1669.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT8lE9oSeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/xmWJ1aACDKE/s400/DSCN1669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351679971140585954" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Music room, shot #1; Equipped with an electric piano, vintage synths, and recording equipment. It is also a wonderful room to relax in and listen to music via the record player.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT8k-8H50I/AAAAAAAAAIk/aLCN2QFtqBo/s1600-h/DSCN1665.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT8k-8H50I/AAAAAAAAAIk/aLCN2QFtqBo/s400/DSCN1665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351679969523656514" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;  Music room, shot #2.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-4711976071301675362?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/4711976071301675362/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=4711976071301675362' title='6 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4711976071301675362'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4711976071301675362'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/07/for-those-who-have-never-been-to-idaho.html' title='For those who have never been to Idaho (or have, but not inside our residence)'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SkT6c_CGBpI/AAAAAAAAAIM/DemfRoPy-X0/s72-c/DSCN1706.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>6</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7175196991368585096</id><published>2009-06-11T15:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:14:20.454-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blonde Redhead'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Minimalism'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mike Mills'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><title type='text'>Blonde Redhead : "My Impure Hair"</title><content type='html'>&lt;object width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JL97bfnhyvM&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1&amp;amp;"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JL97bfnhyvM&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1&amp;amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is the final Mike Mills/Blonde Redhead collaboration for &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;23&lt;/span&gt;. And in some ways, this is the purest and most simple of the videos.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"My Impure Hair" is a delicate song, resting quietly at the closing of the album. After so much layering and stacking, thick with humidity, drug-swirls, an intangible sense of déjà vu and song after song of night-climbing city tracks, beautifully and perfectly wound into a soundtrack of concrete and post-modern thought, this track brings such sweet closure to this album destined for its place in the darkness. Its simplistic format beckons the morning sun, as it slowly rises above the end of all that was terrible about the night before.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I love how, with glooming bravado, the video slowly fades to black.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7175196991368585096?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7175196991368585096/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7175196991368585096' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7175196991368585096'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7175196991368585096'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/blonde-redhead-my-impure-hair.html' title='Blonde Redhead : &quot;My Impure Hair&quot;'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7605828750694394740</id><published>2009-06-11T14:24:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-11T14:28:55.665-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Unreleased'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='David Lynch'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dark Night of the Soul'/><title type='text'>Dark Night of the Soul</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;I was recently pointed in the direction of some great music, by a friend of mine from Minnesota. She made a post of an upcoming/postponed (at the time) collaboration of one Danger Mouse, and Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse. The project was cleverly named, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;Dark Night of the Soul&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;, a phrase coined by 17th century Spanish mystic Saint John of the Cross. Naturally, I had to pursue the project.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Upon reading my friends' post, which referenced coverage by NPR, I came to find out that David Lynch himself had signed on to the project to do a 100-page book of original photography, inspired by the music of said collaborators.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some research later, I have come to find that the project has been canned by EMI, due to some unknown copyright claim. It's become a "lost album," if you will. But let's not lose hope so quickly. After all, this is the digital age.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On June 15th, this "lost album" is going to be made available. There will not be a label-backed album release. Instead, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;Dark Night of the Soul&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt; will be releasing two versions of the same thing. The first is a poster and a blank CD-R. The second option is the 100-page Lynch-made booklet and a blank CD-R.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Underneath the ordering form on their website, a note is made: "&lt;strong&gt;Due to an ongoing dispute with EMI,  Danger Mouse is unable to include music on the CD without fear of legal entanglement. Therefore, he has included a blank CD-R as an artifact to use however you see fit.&lt;/strong&gt;"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Wow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I know what I will be doing on Monday.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Check out the official site below, and be sure to read up on the list of collaborators included in this project.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.dnots.com/"&gt;http://www.dnots.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7605828750694394740?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7605828750694394740/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7605828750694394740' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7605828750694394740'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7605828750694394740'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/dark-night-of-soul.html' title='Dark Night of the Soul'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1936884360949315702</id><published>2009-06-11T13:11:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-15T21:49:33.803-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Coldplay'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Discoveries'/><title type='text'>Free live Coldplay album</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;LeftRightLeftRightLeft&lt;/span&gt; is the title of Coldplay's new, self-released, completely free live album. It's available &lt;a href="http://www.coldplay.com/lrlrl/lr.html"&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Check it out.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1936884360949315702?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1936884360949315702/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1936884360949315702' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1936884360949315702'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1936884360949315702'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/free-live-coldplay-album.html' title='Free live Coldplay album'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-5355552179957545550</id><published>2009-06-05T13:16:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-05T14:16:33.079-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ohhh...'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Starbucks'/><title type='text'>Be careful where you buy your coffee in the next few months; Starbucks set to play Hardball</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sil9SLj5CxI/AAAAAAAAAIE/VFLC8CA3u8I/s1600-h/0430_beware.gif"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 393px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sil9SLj5CxI/AAAAAAAAAIE/VFLC8CA3u8I/s400/0430_beware.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343940184146250514" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt; Check out this &lt;a href="http://www.thebigmoney.com/blogs/sausage/2009/05/01/starbucks-plays-hardball?&amp;amp;obref=obnetwork"&gt;corporate video&lt;/a&gt; for a taste of what is to come.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;(no pun intended)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-5355552179957545550?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/5355552179957545550/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=5355552179957545550' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5355552179957545550'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5355552179957545550'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/be-careful-where-you-buy-your-coffee-in.html' title='Be careful where you buy your coffee in the next few months; Starbucks set to play Hardball'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sil9SLj5CxI/AAAAAAAAAIE/VFLC8CA3u8I/s72-c/0430_beware.gif' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7949747690913469117</id><published>2009-06-02T16:32:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-02T16:34:48.329-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ohhh...'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='DC Talk'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Discoveries'/><title type='text'>DC Talk is of the devil!!! + Jimi Hendrix was a drug-crazed New Age occultist + a crucified monkey</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;You know, &lt;a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/"&gt;Jesus-is-savior.com&lt;/a&gt; is actually quite interesting. You should check it out.&lt;br /&gt;No really. It's shocking, self-righteous, and it looks like someone went crazy with the exclamation points. Yeah, you know what kind of site I'm referring to. It's freakin' crazy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;ANYWAY, I didn't begin this post to tell my readers solely about this site. I intended to bring to attention a particular set of accusations against the group DC Talk, based upon biblical principles and truths. Or at least, that is what the author of this article states.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The article is entitled, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;DC Talk &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Exposed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;, and begins by introducing the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Jesus Freak" music video as one of the most popular Christians videos ever recorded. But, how "Christian" is it? (asks the following line) The author then goes into not-so-great depth to gorge this subject.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From here, we are told the director of the video is none other than Simon Maxwell, an Englishman and collaborator with the "satanic and blasphemous Nine Inch Nails." We learn that DC Talk was interested in roping him in for this project, due to his particular style, demonstrated specifically in NIN's "Closer." [side note: pay attention to anything with 3 or more exclamation marks (!!!), brackets, or anything that is CAPITALIZED]&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And I quote,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The author refers to "Closer" as "ultra-blasphemous," pointing out the fact that the video shows a monkey crucified on a cross. It then goes on to quote Mr. Reznor himself,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;blockquote  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;"If you think I WORSHIP SATAN because of          something you see in the 'Closer' video [with its images of a crucified          monkey]- great!"&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(Trent Reznor, People, Feb. 6, 1995)     &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;ANNDDD for the conclusion: Because Trent Reznor talks about wicked, satanic blasphemy &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;+ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;DC Talk proudly admitting to watching Nine Inch Nails videos + liking those videos and hiring Simon Maxwell to direct their video = GOING TO HELL.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"And believe me there's NOTHING Christian about the video!"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;End quote.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here is the full article in its entirety:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/dc_talk_exposed.htm"&gt;http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/dc_talk_exposed.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I want a lot of dialogue on this one. Share your thoughts. Let me know what you think about this article. Go crazy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7949747690913469117?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7949747690913469117/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7949747690913469117' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7949747690913469117'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7949747690913469117'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/dc-talk-is-of-devil-jimi-hendrix-was.html' title='DC Talk is of the devil!!! + Jimi Hendrix was a drug-crazed New Age occultist + a crucified monkey'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1411065547116719426</id><published>2009-06-02T14:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-02T15:25:07.061-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thoughts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='DC Talk'/><title type='text'>Is DC Talk a Boy Band? I think so.</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;What exactly can we classify or genre-fy, in the most culturally specific of terms, DC Talk to be? Are they a Christian rock band? Boy band? Some kind of R'nB?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In an interview with Alarnet TV, a no longer aired Christian music entertainment talk show, Kevin Max is asked if he was in "some sort of boy band, back in the day." He responds with a simple yes, and gives a brief explanation:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;blockquote  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2a3ac_kevin-max-from-dc-talk-interview-on_music"&gt;"I've always been into rock 'n roll, but the other two guys were in such reverse musical patterns at that time, that I think we came out as this, this thing that nobody could really put their finger on, and go, is it Pop? Is it AC? Is it a boy band? Is it R'nB? Is it Hammer? You know, they couldn't figure it out."&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SiWZwSfx1NI/AAAAAAAAAH8/DArbxtaGoqk/s1600-h/dctalk_promo.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SiWZwSfx1NI/AAAAAAAAAH8/DArbxtaGoqk/s400/dctalk_promo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342845587822859474" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;First, let's ask ourselves what constitutes a band as a boy band.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1) Limited creativity and overall input in direction of music.&lt;br /&gt;2) When said band members don't play any instruments.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;According to Allmusic.com, the three members of DC Talk were not comfortable playing instruments on their recordings. Instead, they decided to contribute only vocals to their albums.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Because of this, I am skeptical as to the level of which each member contributed musically and creatively, to the creation and production of each piece of music. Is DC Talk just a moniker for *Boy Band?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I suppose it's a viable conclusion to come to, if such a conclusion can actually be made. After all, I don't know any of the members personally, and aside from pieces of data here and there, the question remains unanswered. However, this I know: I will never listen to DC Talk again. I MEAN, the same again.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;*If you like Boy Bands, be sure to check out these groups:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Take That, Westlife, New Kids On the Block, New Edition, The Monkees, B2K, Boyzone, BoyzIIMen, 98 Degrees.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1411065547116719426?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1411065547116719426/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1411065547116719426' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1411065547116719426'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1411065547116719426'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/06/is-dc-talk-boy-band-i-think-so.html' title='Is DC Talk a Boy Band? I think so.'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SiWZwSfx1NI/AAAAAAAAAH8/DArbxtaGoqk/s72-c/dctalk_promo.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-8826737437538924517</id><published>2009-05-31T12:59:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-31T13:11:41.040-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Discoveries'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='nerd'/><title type='text'>Ringtones...4 Free!</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;Oh, what is wrong with me?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just in case no one has heard of this site, &lt;a href="http://www.myxer.com"&gt;Myxer&lt;/a&gt; is a free online program for creating your own, personalized ringtones. Overall, it's a pretty simple, well-intentioned program. However, the fact that I am posting a blog about this, shows that I have succumb to my nerd side; thus, the 'nerd' tag.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-8826737437538924517?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/8826737437538924517/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=8826737437538924517' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8826737437538924517'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/8826737437538924517'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/05/ringtones4-free.html' title='Ringtones...4 Free!'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-2974076898314440787</id><published>2009-05-30T22:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:16:19.892-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='David Lynch'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Moby'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><title type='text'>"Shot In the Back of the Head"</title><content type='html'>&lt;object width="400" height="270"&gt;&lt;param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4146911&amp;amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;amp;show_title=1&amp;amp;show_byline=1&amp;amp;show_portrait=0&amp;amp;color=ED8B1C&amp;amp;fullscreen=1"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4146911&amp;amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;amp;show_title=1&amp;amp;show_byline=1&amp;amp;show_portrait=0&amp;amp;color=ED8B1C&amp;amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="270"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Taken from Moby's upcoming album, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Wait For Me&lt;/span&gt;, here is the video for "Shot In the Back of the Head." Directed + created by David Lynch himself. Enjoy. Very dark.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also, the song is free to download &lt;span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" &gt;&lt;a href="http://www.moby.com/download/1"&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-2974076898314440787?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/2974076898314440787/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=2974076898314440787' title='4 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2974076898314440787'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2974076898314440787'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/05/shot-in-back-of-head.html' title='&quot;Shot In the Back of the Head&quot;'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>4</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-5615377875621126653</id><published>2009-05-30T22:32:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-30T22:38:16.030-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Moby'/><title type='text'>June 30</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SiIW_V050QI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Lx3QFcTEL1Q/s1600-h/Wait+For+Me.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 301px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SiIW_V050QI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Lx3QFcTEL1Q/s400/Wait+For+Me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341857385461436674" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;Moby : Wait For Me&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-5615377875621126653?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/5615377875621126653/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=5615377875621126653' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5615377875621126653'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5615377875621126653'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/05/june-30.html' title='June 30'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SiIW_V050QI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Lx3QFcTEL1Q/s72-c/Wait+For+Me.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-350032865191185566</id><published>2009-05-17T17:11:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-18T09:40:37.554-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Max Payne'/><title type='text'>Check this out</title><content type='html'>&lt;object width="720" height="320"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.theworldofpayne.com/trailer.swf?id=1505356091"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.theworldofpayne.com/trailer.swf?id=1505356091" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="720" height="320"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.theworldofpayne.com/trailer.php?&amp;amp;id=1505356091"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;http://www.theworldofpayne.com/trailer.php?&amp;amp;id=1505356091&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-350032865191185566?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/350032865191185566/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=350032865191185566' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/350032865191185566'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/350032865191185566'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/05/check-this-out.html' title='Check this out'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-4508130681595296391</id><published>2009-05-15T18:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-15T18:09:38.937-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Reviews'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Max Payne'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Film'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thoughts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Failed Attempts'/><title type='text'>Max Payne: An analytical comparative piece</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;No matter which way you look at it, Max Payne is an awful movie. It's only slightly cheeky and watchable more than once. Those who have never played the video game, which is the film's &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;predecessor, will not like this movie. And to those who are well aware of the game's nature, having played it in full, enjoying it or not, I say this to you: I guarantee you will not see this movie as &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;anything more than a trite, weakened adaptation of the original.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The reason I come back to the subject of the Max Payne film, is because there is more to be said and uncovered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Just this morning, I finished another complete game of Max Payne, and took it upon myself to rent the film, being slightly intrigued to pursue the "Director's Cut" qualities that prompted me. Among the obvious boastings, I had hoped to find some deleted scenes, perhaps some insightful featurettes, some actor interviews; I even hoped to find some sort of "From Game to Film" piece/thing/short.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Needless to say, I was let down once again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;There were no deleted scenes, no insightful featurettes, no actor interviews, and certainly no "From Game to Film" piece. All that the disc contained was a theatrical version and a director's cut version of the film, and an audio commentary with the director. But come on, do I really want to watch this movie again, this time with the sound stifled, and the director bragging about his multi-million dollar grossing movie?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh yeah, speaking of money, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Max Payne earned $17 million+ in its first week at the &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;B&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;oxoffice.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sg4K6Xj_X9I/AAAAAAAAAHc/U3ydNYVU_Mc/s400/Max_payne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336214606354276306" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;"  &gt;Max Payne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;   &lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne_%28film%29"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sg4MH3HXbSI/AAAAAAAAAHs/F7hhf0ddjrw/s400/Max_Payne_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336215937674079522" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;For some reason, John Moore, the movie's unimpressive director, felt it was necessary to steer the film completely away from its predecessor's original storyline.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some of the changes that were made:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;ul  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;The role of Jack Lupino is hyped up, being more of a super-human on drugs than a madman affected by drugs, on drugs.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;The role of Norse mythology symbolism is at large in the game. However, the film takes the idea of Valkryes, Valhalla, etc, and turns it into a literal, insinuating reality, that these bad dudes really DO have wings, and really are waiting for the Valkryes to carry them off the battlefield. This is especially so with the character of Jack Lupino.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;The character of B.B. is revealed to be a counterpart in the whole of the Valkyr operation. However, he is not part of the drugged-outs who killed Max's family.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;Nicole Horne is killed in the final shoot out on top of the Aesir building. She does not live for a sequal.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;Vladimir, head of the Russian mafia never makes an appearance in the film. (unless he is the man, walking opposite Max on the street; this would in turn make sense, seeing as how &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" &gt;that&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;character was at the party in Mona's gang, as she attempted to strong-arm her sister Natasha)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;Natasha Sax, Mona's sister, is not a character from the storyline. In the game, she is Don Punchinello's wife. Punchinello is head of the Italian mob.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;The character of Mona Sax is a twin sister to Lisa, and not at all Russian (which is how she is portrayed in the movie). She is most certainly American.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;Alfred Woden, head of the Inner Circle (a secret society responsible for funding all sorts of things, from the shadows of course) is nowhere to be seen in the film.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;The scene that introduces the game, is of Max on top of the Aesir building, punctuating the end of his vendetta by claiming "They were all dead." This is the same scene in which the final scene exits as well. The film was consistent with mirroring a scene in the introduction, and further into the movie. Well done, film. HOWEVER, it is not of Max's final scene on top of the Aesir building. It is instead of him floating in the river, telling us about the criminals and such that hang out with him at the bottom of the Hudson River. A dizzying inclusion.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;The story behind Max's vendetta is made visually clear in the beginning of the game. We see him coming home to find his wife and baby murdered. However, in the film, the emotional response to the scene is not seen until nearly half way through the movie.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Scott Miller, CEO of 3D Realms (producer of the Max Payne games) put it best, when asked asked for his thoughts on this &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;minor &lt;/span&gt;alteration: &lt;blockquote&gt; "Saving this scene until mid-film is a narrative blunder, because the audience needs to empathize with Max in order to like him and understand what drives him."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://www.edge-online.com/news/3d-realms-bewildered-max-payne-flick"&gt;Edge Online&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;This is exactly what the game, or should I say, the original storyline accomplished. Its portrayal of Max's unspoken plight was indeed made clear, and his taste for revenge (to an extent) did seem justified. But most importantly, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;from the very beginning &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;(and this is where the movie lost points) we could understand his anger.  There was never any confusion as to why you &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;were &lt;/span&gt;Max Payne, and why Max Payne had &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;nothing &lt;/span&gt;to lose.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another fact about the film:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/max_payne/"&gt;Rotten Tomatoes gives it 18% on the Tomatometer&lt;/a&gt;. Out of 123 reviews, 22 were fresh and 101 were rotten. An average of 3.8/10&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As for reviews of the film, here are a number of them that stood out to me. Click for a link to the full review:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div  style="text-align: left;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;-&lt;a href="http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/oct/17/entertainment/chi-max-_payne-review-1017oct17"&gt;"Honestly, you find yourself rooting against Payne's survival, even with a good actor in the hollow role. There's nothing inside the film's sour, slovenly spirit of vengeance." Michael Phillips, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Chicago Tribune&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2008/maxpayne.html"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;"Simply terrible. An insult to gamers and action fans. Frankly, it doesn't even deserve notoriety as one of the year's worst; it deserves to be forgotten." Russ Breimeier, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Christianity Today&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a href="http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/reviews/major-releases/e3ic3df70bc11b72c526f406736bf22cf86"&gt;"A profound feeling of laziness hovers over the entire picture, suggesting that it was as joyless to make as it is to watch." Ethan Alter, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Film Journal International&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/20727344/review/23653638/max_payne"&gt;"Max just drags on as it drags you down. If you stay and watch the endless end credits, there's a short scene that hints a sequel is coming. That's what I call real pain." Peter Travers, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Rolling Stone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;-&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;"Max Payne is content to be an efficient vehicle for the delivery of a familiar range of sensations, some of which almost rise to the level of feelings." A.O. Scott, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;New York Times&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;-&lt;a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/movies/2008274827_mr17max.html"&gt;"A movie that cares much more for poetic choreography in explosive gunfights than gaping lapses of logic in a flimsy crime narrative." Ted Fry, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Seattle Times&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a href="http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/518959"&gt;"Maybe somebody decided the movie was already so convoluted and leaden that throwing in a few swooping, screeching valkyries could only help. They do not." Rob Salem, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Toronto Star&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;-&lt;a href="http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/10/reviewmax-payne.html"&gt;"The willfully absurd action sequences help the movie slog along, but slog it does, right through to the obligatory after-credits scene to establish the possibility of a franchise." Jeffrey Bloomer, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Paste Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;-"Every shot, every edit is well thought out. But in the end, I didn't care about anyone." Austin Kennedy, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Sin Magazine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;As you can see, many reviewers share my thoughts on Max Payne.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A reviewer at the Internet Movie Database put it best when he said,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;blockquote  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;"I wanted this to be good. I kept lying to myself and saying it would get better any minute.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;People who say I am disappointed because it isn't the video game need to understand I didn't want the video game I wanted an action film that captured the essence of the game.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We are left with no reason to care for Max Payne. If I was the writer I would have been ashamed to have my name attached.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Max Payne got the Indy treatment.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I really want my money back on this one. I felt insulted that they thought this script was a passable story"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;Check out if interested:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a href="http://www.maxpaynethemovie.com/graphicnovel/index.html"&gt;Graphic Novel&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.valhs.org/history/articles/mythology/myths/text/myths.htm"&gt;A good run down on the basics of Norse mythology&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://faqs.ign.com/articles/436/436914p1.html"&gt;Script of Max Payne video game&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-4508130681595296391?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/4508130681595296391/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=4508130681595296391' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4508130681595296391'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4508130681595296391'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/05/max-payne-analytical-comparative-piece.html' title='Max Payne: An analytical comparative piece'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sg4K6Xj_X9I/AAAAAAAAAHc/U3ydNYVU_Mc/s72-c/Max_payne.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-6845802682441056139</id><published>2009-05-14T14:36:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:16:42.757-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blonde Redhead'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Minimalism'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mike Mills'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><title type='text'>Blonde Redhead : "Top Ranking"</title><content type='html'>&lt;object width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JXHMVgVgf0g&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JXHMVgVgf0g&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Mike Mills and Blonde Redhead. What is it about their collaborations that insist he make simple, artistic music videos? Whatever the reason, it's always a delight. This one isn't like the last two I have posted.&lt;/span&gt; It's &lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;fun&lt;/span&gt;, rather than dark or sad.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-6845802682441056139?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/6845802682441056139/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=6845802682441056139' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6845802682441056139'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6845802682441056139'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/05/blonde-redhead-top-ranking.html' title='Blonde Redhead : &quot;Top Ranking&quot;'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7970178641536930245</id><published>2009-04-22T10:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-22T10:01:02.302-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Computer Game Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Collections'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='nerd'/><title type='text'>Computer Game Music</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;I have a confession to make. I collect computer game music.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yes, it's true. I have a little over 100 different folders, containing every thing from complete soundtracks to single track treasures. The music takes up about 4 and a quarter gigabytes of hard drive space and is comprised of a variety of stylistically different computer games. However, the bulk of my collection, consists of old Sierra (Sierra On-Line) adventure games.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am currently organizing each collection, meticulously citing my sources as I make adjustments.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;This process seems to never end.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;There are titles to verify, track numbers (if ever the music had an order), album titles (if there ever was such a thing; many times, no official soundtrack was ever produced, but rather its form is dictated by the essence of the original game), and of course album art (or in many cases, &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;the picture on the box that the game was sold in&lt;/span&gt;).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;However, I am nearing the end of my archiving.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here follows a complete list of my computer game music:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Willy_Beamish"&gt;Adventures of Willy Beamish&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Empires_II"&gt;Age of Empires II&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Empires_II:_The_Conquerors"&gt;Age of Empires II: The Conquers Edition&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_McGee%27s_Alice"&gt;Alice&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betrayal_at_Krondor"&gt;Betrayal at Krondor&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betrayal_in_Antara"&gt;Betrayal In Antara&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_of_Duty"&gt;Call of Duty&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_Dr._Brain"&gt;Castle of Dr. Brain&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=1165583"&gt;Code-Name: ICEMAN&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquests_of_Camelot"&gt;Conquests of Camelot: The Search For the Grail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquests_of_the_Longbow"&gt;Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-David Wolf: Secret Agent&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descent_II"&gt;Descent II&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descent_3"&gt;Descent 3&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_Ex"&gt;Deus Ex&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo_II"&gt;Diablo II&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo_II:_Lord_of_Destruction"&gt;Diablo II: Lord of Destruction&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EcoQuest#EcoQuest:_The_Search_for_Cetus"&gt;EcoQuest : The Search for Cetus&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EcoQuest#EcoQuest_II:_Lost_Secret_of_the_Rainforest"&gt;EcoQuest 2: Lost Secret of the Rainforest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everquest"&gt;EverQuest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thexder_2"&gt;Fire Hawk: Thexder the Second Contact&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_Throttle_%28computer_game%29"&gt;Full Throttle&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Knight:_Sins_of_the_Fathers"&gt;Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beast_Within:_A_Gabriel_Knight_Mystery"&gt;The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Knight_3:_Blood_of_the_Sacred,_Blood_of_the_Damned"&gt;Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Clancy%27s_Ghost_Recon_%28video_game%29"&gt;Ghost Recon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Clancy%27s_Ghost_Recon#Ghost_Recon:_Desert_Siege"&gt;Ghost Recon: Desert Siege&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Clancy%27s_Ghost_Recon:_Island_Thunder"&gt;Ghost Recon: Island Thunder&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_II"&gt;Gothic II&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grim_Fandango"&gt;Grim Fandango&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_%28computer_game%29"&gt;Half-Life&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_China"&gt;Heart of China&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes_of_Might_and_Magic_IV"&gt;Heroes of Might and Magic IV&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman:_Codename_47"&gt;Hitman: Codename 47&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitman_2:_Silent_Assassin"&gt;Hitman 2: Silent Assassin&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icewind_Dale"&gt;Icewind Dale&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icewind_Dale:_Heart_of_Winter"&gt;Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_%28video_game%29"&gt;Inca&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jones_in_the_Fast_Lane"&gt;Jones In the Fastlane&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest:_Quest_for_the_Crown"&gt;King's Quest: Quest For the Crown (VGA)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest_II:_Romancing_the_Throne"&gt;King's Quest II: Romancing the Throne&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest_III:_To_Heir_Is_Human"&gt;King's Quest III: To Heir Is Human&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest_IV:_The_Perils_of_Rosella"&gt;King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest_V:_Absence_Makes_the_Heart_Go_Yonder%21"&gt;King's Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest_VI:_Heir_Today,_Gone_Tomorrow"&gt;King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest_VII:_The_Princeless_Bride"&gt;King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest:_Mask_of_Eternity"&gt;King's Quest VIII: Mask of Eternity&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Colonel%27s_Bequest"&gt;The Colonel's Bequest: A Laura Bow Mystery&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dagger_of_Amon_Ra"&gt;Laura Bow In: The Dagger of Amon Ra&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_Suit_Larry_in_the_Land_of_the_Lounge_Lizards"&gt;Leisure Suit Larry In the Land of the Lounge Lizards&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_Suit_Larry_Goes_Looking_for_Love_%28in_Several_Wrong_Places%29"&gt;Leisure Suit Larry 2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_Suit_Larry_III:_Passionate_Patti_in_Pursuit_of_the_Pulsating_Pectorals"&gt;Leisure Suit Larry 3&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_Suit_Larry_5:_Passionate_Patti_Does_a_Little_Undercover_Work"&gt;Leisure Suit Larry 5&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_Suit_Larry_6:_Shape_Up_or_Slip_Out%21"&gt;Leisure Suit Larry 6&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_Suit_Larry:_Love_for_Sail%21"&gt;Leisure Suit Larry: Love For Sail!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lords_of_the_Realm_II"&gt;Lords of the Realm II&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_Time_%28video_game%29"&gt;Lost In Time&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne"&gt;Max Payne&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne_2:_The_Fall_of_Max_Payne"&gt;Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid"&gt;Metal Gear Solid&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_2:_Sons_of_Liberty"&gt;Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_3:_Snake_Eater"&gt;Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myst"&gt;Myst&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myst_III:_Exile"&gt;Myst III: Exile&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwinter_Nights"&gt;Neverwinter Nights&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_One_Lives_Forever"&gt;No One Lives Forever&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaws_%281997_video_game%29"&gt;Outlaws&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantasmagoria_%28computer_game%29"&gt;Phantasmagoria&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantasmagoria:_A_Puzzle_of_Flesh"&gt;Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Quest:_In_Pursuit_of_the_Death_Angel"&gt;Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel (VGA)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Quest_II:_The_Vengeance"&gt;Police Quest II: The Vengence&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Quest_III:_The_Kindred"&gt;Police Quest III: The Kindred&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Quest_IV:_Open_Season"&gt;Police Quest IV: Open Season&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_for_Glory_I:_So_You_Want_To_Be_A_Hero"&gt;Quest For Glory: So You Want to Be a Hero&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_for_Glory_II:_Trial_by_Fire"&gt;Quest For Glory II: Trial By Fire&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_for_Glory_III:_Wages_of_War"&gt;Quest For Glory III: Wages of War&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_for_Glory_IV:_Shadows_of_Darkness"&gt;Quest For Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_for_Glory_V:_Dragon_Fire"&gt;Quest For Glory V: Dragon Fire&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Clancy%27s_Rainbow_Six_%28video_game%29"&gt;Rainbow Six&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-Rainbow Six: Eagle Watch&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Clancy%27s_Rainbow_Six:_Rogue_Spear"&gt;Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-Rainbox Six: Rogues Spear: Urban Operations&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_to_Castle_Wolfenstein"&gt;Return to Castle Wolfenstein&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Dragon"&gt;Rise of the Dragon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silpheed"&gt;Silpheed&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorcerian"&gt;Sorcerian&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Quest:_The_Sarien_Encounter"&gt;Space Quest: The Sarien Encounter&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Quest_II:_Vohaul%27s_Revenge"&gt;Space Quest II: Vohaul's Revenge&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Quest_III:_The_Pirates_of_Pestulon"&gt;Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Quest_IV:_Roger_Wilco_and_the_Time_Rippers"&gt;Space Quest IV: Roger Wilco and the Time Rippers&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Quest_V:_The_Next_Mutation"&gt;Space Quest V: The Next Mutation&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Quest_6:_The_Spinal_Frontier"&gt;Space Quest 6: The Spinal Frontier&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StarCraft"&gt;StarCraft&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StarCraft:_Brood_War"&gt;StarCraft: Brood Wars&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Quest:_SWAT_2"&gt;SWAT 2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curse_of_Monkey_Island"&gt;The Curse of Monkey Island&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Machine#The_Incredible_Machine"&gt;The Incredible Machine&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Machine#The_Incredible_Machine_2"&gt;The Incredible Machine 2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Machine#The_Incredible_Machine_3"&gt;The Incredible Machine 3&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Island_of_Dr._Brain"&gt;The Island of Dr. Brain&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sims"&gt;The Sims&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sum_of_All_Fears_%28video_game%29"&gt;The Sum of All Fears&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thief:_The_Dark_Project"&gt;Thief: The Dark Project&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thief_II:_The_Metal_Age"&gt;Thief II: The Metal Age&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Barker%27s_Undying"&gt;Undying&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Warcraft"&gt;World of Warcraft&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7970178641536930245?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7970178641536930245/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7970178641536930245' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7970178641536930245'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7970178641536930245'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/04/computer-game-music.html' title='Computer Game Music'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-9066488301017042137</id><published>2009-03-31T16:22:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-03-31T16:34:32.993-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Friends'/><title type='text'>A good time with good friends.</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SdKmXRwWrQI/AAAAAAAAAHE/tSmnUq58Auc/s1600-h/DSCN1626.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SdKmXRwWrQI/AAAAAAAAAHE/tSmnUq58Auc/s400/DSCN1626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319497028711394562" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SdKmp4es8LI/AAAAAAAAAHM/3K9JezaLFYM/s1600-h/DSCN1625.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SdKmp4es8LI/AAAAAAAAAHM/3K9JezaLFYM/s400/DSCN1625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319497348343984306" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SdKmqNgUP4I/AAAAAAAAAHU/Spu-MBpNkOc/s1600-h/DSCN1627.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SdKmqNgUP4I/AAAAAAAAAHU/Spu-MBpNkOc/s400/DSCN1627.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319497353987899266" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-9066488301017042137?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/9066488301017042137/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=9066488301017042137' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/9066488301017042137'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/9066488301017042137'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/03/good-time-with-good-friends.html' title='A good time with good friends.'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SdKmXRwWrQI/AAAAAAAAAHE/tSmnUq58Auc/s72-c/DSCN1626.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-6294990007076860849</id><published>2009-03-29T11:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-03-29T12:00:00.576-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Friends'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Coeur d&apos;Alene'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Yakima'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Past'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Seattle'/><title type='text'>Friends</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;This past week, two of my dear friends made their way over to Coeur d'Alene to spend some quality time with me. Kyle was my best man, and is my best friend. And my friend Greg was one of my groomsmen. Both of them are wonderful men, with robust hearts. It was wonderful, however, brief. Though it always is. When you have a limited amount of time to spend with friends that you are unable to imagine not having, the time you are given, never seems long enough.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This got me thinking about just how many people I have known across the span of my life; and I am &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;only&lt;/span&gt; twenty-three years old! I have dear old friends from Seattle, friends from my time in Yakima (some of the best I could hope for), and others still in limbo here, in my home of Coeur d'Alene. But how fleeting these years have been. I say I have had many good friends. I recall years of bliss, of rolling around in the mud, playing prince and princess with many of my lady friends, running wild in the urban jungle I grew up in. I will always remember and be reminded of the great figures who raised me, and nurtured my wild little heart. Those that have passed, I respect with an unknowning. But now, I feel there are many answers to be sought out about my past. I can't help but feel hopelessly lost, disconnected from myself...whomever that &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;is&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;All I have are fragments and many contradictions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Were we so great of friends? Perhaps. It is just not a friendship that lives on to this day. I suppose I must learn to accept this. It is a difficult pill to swallow, when I want so desperately to know and relate with all those I have known, to find out for myself (at this point in my intellectual development) just who these people were.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-6294990007076860849?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/6294990007076860849/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=6294990007076860849' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6294990007076860849'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6294990007076860849'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/03/friends.html' title='Friends'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-5840983940713254046</id><published>2009-03-05T15:22:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:17:03.956-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Interpol'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Impressionism'/><title type='text'>Interpol : "The Heinrich Maneuver"</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;object width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h3hm-PlN6rg&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h3hm-PlN6rg&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have put off posting "The Heinrich Maneuver" for quite some time. My only reason for not making this post until now, had something to do with the idea, that saving the best, for the absolute last minute, is ideally the best possible thing to do. Much like when we were younger, all of us relished our bag of goods after a visit to the candy store. Some of us ate only a small portion daily, but stowed away larger quantities for a special day. Likewise, it's time this immensely disturbing video got some air-time.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is as haunting as it is intriguing. With broad strokes and the help of Paul Banks' choice of cryptic symbols for words, "The Heinrich Maneuver" is dazzling. The story unfolds slowly as, frame-by-frame, our perception pans out in impressionistic bravado.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I can't help but feel this video flirts with some sort of symbolism, as its emergent characters divert, and regress back into the frame.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-5840983940713254046?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/5840983940713254046/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=5840983940713254046' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5840983940713254046'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5840983940713254046'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/03/interpol-heinrich-maneuver.html' title='Interpol : &quot;The Heinrich Maneuver&quot;'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3239950995036536049</id><published>2009-03-03T10:30:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-03-06T22:30:14.241-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Unreleased'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bono'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='U2'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Poetry'/><title type='text'>"In Cold Blood"</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Today the new &lt;a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Line-Horizon-U2/dp/B001O0EQ5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;amp;s=music&amp;amp;qid=1236105463&amp;amp;sr=1-1"&gt;U2 album&lt;/a&gt; is released. And for those of you who no longer purchase digital discs, there are more than a few alternatives available. I will say no more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now to business.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In celebration of the day, I've decided to post something I stumbled across a couple of months ago.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Following the success of U2's seventh studio album, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Achtung Baby&lt;/span&gt;, while still on their (now famous) Zoo TV Tour, Bono sits in the studio for a one-on-one interview discussing the thoughts and delves of the band as they put the finishing touches on their follow-up album, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Zooropa&lt;/span&gt;. It is August 1, 1993.&lt;br /&gt;During the heart to heart, Bono discusses the nature of the new songs: the band's fascination with the overstimulated, media-driven world of technology. He then relinquishes this gem to the interviewer:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;i&gt;I read a book once, called &lt;/i&gt;In Cold Blood&lt;i&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;Pages of fact did me no good.&lt;br /&gt;I read it like a blind man, in cold blood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So the story of a three-year-old child.&lt;br /&gt;Raped of soldiers, though she'd already died,&lt;br /&gt;Made the mother watch as they fucked her in the mud.&lt;br /&gt;I'm reading the story now, in cold blood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;More now coming off the wire&lt;br /&gt;City surrounded, funeral pyre&lt;br /&gt;Life is cheaper than talking about it&lt;br /&gt;People choke on their politicians' vomit.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On cable television I saw a woman weep&lt;br /&gt;Live, by satellite, from a flood-ridden street&lt;br /&gt;Boy mistaken for a wastepaper bin&lt;br /&gt;Body that a child used to live in.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I saw plastic explosives and an alarm clock&lt;br /&gt;And the wrong men sitting in the dock&lt;br /&gt;Karma is a word I never understood&lt;br /&gt;How God could take a four-year-old in cold blood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I live by a beach, but it feels like New York&lt;br /&gt;I hear about 10 murders before I get to work.&lt;br /&gt;What's it going to be, Lord, fire or flood?&lt;br /&gt;An act of mercy or in cold blood?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;He then tells Mr. Jackson of his interest in reciting the poem over the backdrop of U2's then unreleased song, "Numb" while the audiovisual loop of an 11-year-old Nazi plays the drum, at the 1936 Olympic Games. Very eerie stuff.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3239950995036536049?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3239950995036536049/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3239950995036536049' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3239950995036536049'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3239950995036536049'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/03/in-cold-blood.html' title='&quot;In Cold Blood&quot;'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-6838105049632731235</id><published>2009-02-20T10:42:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-20T11:05:32.971-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Camera Obscura'/><title type='text'>April 20</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="embedmp3player" width="300" align="middle" height="90"&gt;&lt;param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://camera-obscura.net/embedmp3player.swf?myLoad=http://camera-obscura.net/audio/my_maudlin_career.mp3&amp;amp;myImage=http://camera-obscura.net/images/mmc_player.gif"&gt;&lt;param name="quality" value="high"&gt;&lt;param name="bgcolor" value="#cccccc"&gt;    &lt;embed src="http://camera-obscura.net/embedmp3player.swf?myLoad=http://camera-obscura.net/audio/my_maudlin_career.mp3&amp;amp;myImage=http://camera-obscura.net/images/mmc_player.gif" quality="high" bgcolor="#cccccc" name="embedmp3player" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" allowfullscreen="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="300" align="middle" height="90"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.camera-obscura.net/"&gt;http://www.camera-obscura.net/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;Two things:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1) Louis rules for introducing me to this outstanding band from Glasgow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2) This song makes me want to start singing, "Come back Margaret, he wants to adore you..." This could be a bad thing. Very bad.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The band is now on &lt;a href="http://www.4ad.com/"&gt;4AD&lt;/a&gt;. Surprising and deserved.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-6838105049632731235?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/6838105049632731235/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=6838105049632731235' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6838105049632731235'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6838105049632731235'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/02/april-20.html' title='April 20'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-4240136550040783250</id><published>2009-02-18T11:41:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:17:29.022-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blonde Redhead'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Minimalism'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mike Mills'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><title type='text'>Blonde Redhead : "The Dress"</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;object width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pT7mIQntjZU&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pT7mIQntjZU&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another Blonde Redhead video, directed by Mike Mills. Once again emphasizing the subtle, and giving way for some flagitious, unspoken event, "The Dress" comes through, lyrically, so much clearer, than if we were to be watching some preordained set of images. This is such a sad song. However, I see this video as much more than merely an artistic effort to stretch the boundaries of the "less is more" mentality.&lt;br /&gt;By displaying images of sadness, we are given only a piece of some thought, some perception that all of us can relate with. Each of us have a subconscious understanding/ability to relate with the images of all these sobbing individuals.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-4240136550040783250?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/4240136550040783250/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=4240136550040783250' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4240136550040783250'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/4240136550040783250'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/02/blonde-redhead-dress.html' title='Blonde Redhead : &quot;The Dress&quot;'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7164608993733699029</id><published>2009-02-12T00:08:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-12T01:00:38.120-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Beer'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rogue Beer'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Discoveries'/><title type='text'>Capone's has a secret...</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;So the other day, I took to the pub up the road from us, with a friend of mine, for a bit of food/drinks/conversation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I made a startling discovery:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SZPcjWPQDoI/AAAAAAAAAGs/mLGBM7KgAf4/s1600-h/hazelnut-brown-label.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 163px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SZPcjWPQDoI/AAAAAAAAAGs/mLGBM7KgAf4/s400/hazelnut-brown-label.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301823686168284802" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;  They have Hazelnut Brown Nectar on TAP.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;It's been under my nose this whole time! I have been a mere few blocks away from this great discovery. My FAVORITE beer, on tap. This is unreal. Is this happening? After all, this &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;is&lt;/span&gt; &lt;a href="http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1377240.jpg"&gt;north Idaho&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh! Son of a bitch!! This is wonderful. I am going to visit often. I'm considering becoming a barstool romantic.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I do wish you could still smoke in bars.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;do&lt;/span&gt; and I &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;don't&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I do.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7164608993733699029?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7164608993733699029/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7164608993733699029' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7164608993733699029'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7164608993733699029'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/02/capones-has-secret.html' title='Capone&apos;s has a secret...'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SZPcjWPQDoI/AAAAAAAAAGs/mLGBM7KgAf4/s72-c/hazelnut-brown-label.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-111268968412484988</id><published>2009-02-11T12:23:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-11T12:57:59.570-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Creativity'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thoughts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Failed Attempts'/><title type='text'>How to DO, giving in, and the hour of creativity.</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;Why do we give in to our unrest?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's as if, whilst the hour of creation approaches, we become aware of a prevailing sense of angst, a wall in which we are too short to climb over. Every possible excuse becomes ONE, as fatigue, and unrest, and misdirection, and vagueness fight against us.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As I am feverishly creating, sculpting, reading, writing, understanding, devouring; it is then, that I find myself, fighting myself for all control of my being. I cannot help but feel overcome by &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;something&lt;/span&gt; and ravished by another.&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Take last night, for example. Last night possessed the ideal framework for a perfect evening of thought and discovery. I had a number of hours all to myself in which I could read, write, think, and/or create anything. ANYTHING. Time was of no concern. I had legs that could run any distance, and I seemed to possess the endurance of a cheetah. Time was of no concern.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Multiple pistons were firing off, simultaneously in my mind. I was ready to engage my Creator.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But this is where the purpose of me writing this comes out: Even in my well-placed circumstances, I fell to idleness, to laziness. In my most (potentially) creative hour, I gave in to, that which seems to constrict everything I wish to be, everything I wish to pursue, everything I wish to do.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I failed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-111268968412484988?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/111268968412484988/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=111268968412484988' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/111268968412484988'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/111268968412484988'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-do-giving-in-and-hour-of.html' title='How to DO, giving in, and the hour of creativity.'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-7180391054456675783</id><published>2009-01-28T00:15:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:18:04.784-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Comics'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Watchmen'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Film'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><title type='text'>March 6</title><content type='html'>&lt;object width="480" height="295"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2VLA0tg5yI0&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2VLA0tg5yI0&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-7180391054456675783?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/7180391054456675783/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=7180391054456675783' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7180391054456675783'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/7180391054456675783'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/01/march-6.html' title='March 6'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3083711605134602686</id><published>2009-01-27T23:11:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-05-30T22:37:45.811-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='U2'/><title type='text'>March 3</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sa16ncYFJtI/AAAAAAAAAG8/dG06YZ3t274/s1600-h/190209.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 259px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sa16ncYFJtI/AAAAAAAAAG8/dG06YZ3t274/s400/190209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309034353790363346" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;U2 : No Line On the Horizon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3083711605134602686?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3083711605134602686/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3083711605134602686' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3083711605134602686'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3083711605134602686'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/01/march-03.html' title='March 3'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/Sa16ncYFJtI/AAAAAAAAAG8/dG06YZ3t274/s72-c/190209.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3110736465848862079</id><published>2009-01-27T11:33:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-27T12:14:54.680-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Technicolor Messiah'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anticipations'/><title type='text'>I patiently await</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;I patiently await your next comic, &lt;a href="http://technicolormessiah.blogspot.com/"&gt;Technicolor Messiah&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rorschach...Rorschach...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3110736465848862079?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3110736465848862079/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3110736465848862079' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3110736465848862079'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3110736465848862079'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-patiently-await.html' title='I patiently await'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-3343687212011537556</id><published>2009-01-27T11:15:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-27T11:31:50.303-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Max Payne'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thoughts'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Failed Attempts'/><title type='text'>Max Payne piece: failed attempt</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;A few months back, I was working hard on an analytical comparative piece, on the similarities and distinctions between &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne_%28film%29"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Max Payne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; the movie and &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Payne"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Max Payne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; the video game.&lt;br /&gt;Obviously, I never finished it. And I don't think I will. It was long-winded, and I think I intentionally did not finish it for this reason. I had substantial connections between Norse mythology and characters within the movie/game, however those connections were merely well-placed. There was no symbolism, no powerful caricatures to speak of. It &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;was&lt;/span&gt; fascinating, (especially learning what I did of the mythology) however, it led to nowhere.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But the worst part about it all, was the fact that the movie failed MISERABLY to stand up to its predecessor. Big surprise. I was hoping that the film might obliterate the common missteps that, more often than not, video game-based movies tend to make. However, it was a huge letdown.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But hey, nothing is as bad as &lt;a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_Fighter_%28film%29"&gt;Street Fighter&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-3343687212011537556?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/3343687212011537556/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=3343687212011537556' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3343687212011537556'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/3343687212011537556'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/01/max-payne-piece-failed-attempt.html' title='Max Payne piece: failed attempt'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-214030861481558628</id><published>2009-01-14T15:06:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-25T13:10:00.385-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Companions'/><title type='text'>Mix Companion</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;This is a Companion intended to assist my friend in his listening to the mix I have made for him. Its contents are composed by track number, title and artist. And following, I have laid out a brief set of thoughts concerning each track; what one should listen for within the track, and a mentionable lyric to take notice of. The Companion is as follows:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Chris/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /&gt;&lt;img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Chris/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.jpg" alt="" /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;1. Slow and Steady Wins the Race&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;by Pedro the Lion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZQtRV-IRI/AAAAAAAAABY/HXorQZoWAAE/s1600-h/Winners+Never+Quit.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 127px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZQtRV-IRI/AAAAAAAAABY/HXorQZoWAAE/s200/Winners+Never+Quit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289003551073116434" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;: 2&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: This song is perfect for starting everything off.    It's a gentle acoustic guitar &amp;amp; vocal driven story, allegorical and ambiguous in its content.    It is unmistakeably Pedro the Lion, complete with &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;elongated, almost drunken lyrical emphasis.    However, his lyrics pack a punch, asking thoughtful questions about religion.    And it's such an articulate song, I find it difficult not to take notice of its meaning. Whether it is seen as cynical or contemplative is up to you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: A definitive allegory with a Post Modern twist.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "She asked me where my brother was / I said I don't know, and ate"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;2. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Sigur Rós&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZQKFQt1ZI/AAAAAAAAABQ/Z359NAj_D_w/s1600-h/Inn%C3%AD+M%C3%A9r+Syngur+Vitleysingur.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 128px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZQKFQt1ZI/AAAAAAAAABQ/Z359NAj_D_w/s200/Inn%C3%AD+M%C3%A9r+Syngur+Vitleysingur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289002946534430098" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 2008&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: Translated plainly, "within me a lunatic sings."   This is a gorgeous song taken from the band's newest record.   If their prior work was an album celebrating/brooding the cold winter in the snow, then this is all about the spring.   And this is indeed a perfect song to show this.   It's a song of celebration; my reason for picking it.   Generally speaking, I tend to gravitate toward the darker &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Sigur Rós songs as my personal picks.   But I figured you would enjoy the sporadic joyful sound, with all of its bells, horns and piano.   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;And just a heads up, this song is in fact sung in Icelandic.   No made up languages here.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: Just about everything in a song that should make somebody happy to be alive.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: Unfortunately, I am not fluent in Icelandic.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;3. Gold Mine Gutted&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;by Bright Eyes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZRsgg-MBI/AAAAAAAAABg/hwC1oXUcpJE/s1600-h/Digital+Ash+In+a+Digital+Urn.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 127px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZRsgg-MBI/AAAAAAAAABg/hwC1oXUcpJE/s200/Digital+Ash+In+a+Digital+Urn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289004637477548050" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 2005&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: Conor Oberst released two full length studio albums in early 2005 (three albums total, counting one live addition made later that year).   The first was a folk album full of slurrish love songs, and political acoustic wagon numbers.   The second, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Digital Ash in a Digital Urn&lt;/span&gt;, was a product of his listening to The Postal Service. An entire using only what is electronic; synths, guitars, drum machines, cryptic lyrics.   Its songs are dark meditations on the current state of the world.   And this one is no exception.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: An unforgettable, pristine, and chilling keyboard line. It sets the tone for the entire song.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "And all those white lines that sped us up / We hurried to our death / Well I lagged behind, so you got ahead"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;4. Dr. Strangeluv&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;by Blonde Redhead&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZTzyHcUsI/AAAAAAAAABo/NyPZEwMDQwQ/s1600-h/23.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 126px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZTzyHcUsI/AAAAAAAAABo/NyPZEwMDQwQ/s200/23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289006961484649154" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 2007&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: "Dr. Strangeluv" is an accomplishment within Blonde Redhead's own right.  It is a first for them, having never written anything quite like it.  The song is masterfully crafted, so equal and fitted between all of the instruments, that one needs not strain to pick out each and every one of the sounds escaping your speakers.  Completely melancholy.  Completely gorgeous.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: An infectious guitar sound, played beautifully and to full capacity during the chorus.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "Where have they gone / I always thought I could never leave them / They are calling me / But they don't know I can't stay all night long"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;5. Transmission&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;by Joy Division&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZUUNTd9yI/AAAAAAAAABw/Hp640Rvi7vU/s1600-h/Still.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 127px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZUUNTd9yI/AAAAAAAAABw/Hp640Rvi7vU/s200/Still.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289007518538659618" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1981&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: The sound of so much to come.  I imagine you've heard it before, but Joy Division paved the way for so much music.  Their sound was truly an extraordinary one, unlike anything released before.  Though the album that first harbored this song was released in '81, the song itself had been written two years earlier and released as a single, and was actually what they played on their television debut.  Its styling, perhaps seems somewhat familiar.  And you would be correct in thinking so, because so much music and so many bands have accredited to this bands' sound over the years.  In light of lead singer Ian Curtis' suicide, this song, already dark in theme, is given a haunting second listen as its chilling romp gives you reason to dance, dance, dance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: A preface to a generation of new music.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "Touching from a distance / Further all the time"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;6. Spectacle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;by Sean Lennon&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZkzzDwYyI/AAAAAAAAAB4/vROiYeoXh4o/s1600-h/Friendly+Fire.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 126px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZkzzDwYyI/AAAAAAAAAB4/vROiYeoXh4o/s200/Friendly+Fire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289025653435294498" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 2006&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: Sean Lennon: son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, half brother to ostracized Julian Lennon, and subject of "Beautiful Boy." This is such a miserable song, obviously about heartbreak. I feel that most can relate with these lyrics; a woman who seeks the affection and attention of anyone and everyone. The worst kind of unfaithfulness. Perhaps one of the best releases of 2006.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: An astonishing arrangement, exceeding even his daddy's own.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "Your favourite dress for the world to see through / You spilled your drink, but you didn't mean to"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;7. Hard to Explain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;by The Strokes&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWcBqHkV-aI/AAAAAAAAACA/21DKNCdyNF8/s1600-h/Is+This+It.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 123px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWcBqHkV-aI/AAAAAAAAACA/21DKNCdyNF8/s200/Is+This+It.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289198110467553698" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 2001&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: The Strokes have a way of calling to mind a certain place, a certain time for music. They have a way of beckoning us to exist in their realm. In one respect their music is reminiscent, paying dues to the greats (especially those in the same band as Lou Reed). But all that velvet carpet aside, they have proven to be unmistakeably in their own league. Their very &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;ethos&lt;/span&gt; gives off a sense of certainty, as if nothing else really stands up against this. Their assurance embedded within the lyrics of their songs is fascinating. The lyrics themselves are nothing to shit your pants over. The real magic of The Strokes exists in their music. And the lyrics never cease to casually and intelligently fall in line.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: An amazingly melodic guitar walk throughout the song, courtesy of one Albert Hammond, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Jr.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "Oh man, can't you see I'm nervous, so please / Pretend to be nice, so I can be mean"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;8. Paranoid Android&lt;br /&gt;by Radiohead&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWcMvZuxVOI/AAAAAAAAACI/iDtW6gttng4/s1600-h/OK+Computer.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 128px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWcMvZuxVOI/AAAAAAAAACI/iDtW6gttng4/s200/OK+Computer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289210295870379234" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1997&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: Released in the middle of 1997, this album was a departure from the Radiohead that used to be, and this song is one strong declaration of this departure. The complexity of "Paranoid Android" is dizzying. It's a three part, 6-and-a-half-minute epic, complete with tempo changes, multiple time signatures, and one very anxious Thom Yorke. I considered many other tracks, however nothing seemed more appropriate for this mix. Had I chosen a song from &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Pablo Honey&lt;/span&gt; or &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;The Bends&lt;/span&gt;, you might have thought them too soft, or some kind of "strange grunge." Had I chosen a number from &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Kid A&lt;/span&gt; or &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Amnesiac&lt;/span&gt;, you might have figured Radiohead to be an electronic band, or just too experimental for your tastes. Or I could have given you a song from &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Hail to the Thief&lt;/span&gt; or &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;In Rainbows&lt;/span&gt;. No. &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;OK Computer&lt;/span&gt; is where you must begin with Radiohead. Some don't like the album. But as for the other seven-eighths of music enthusiasts, this album falls somewhere between AMAZING and PERFECT. Great rock 'n roll; creative, insightful, unabashedly their own.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: A cleverly placed computerized voice, confirming that it may be paranoid, but insisting that it is no android.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "Ambition makes you look pretty ugly"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;9. Troy&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;by &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Sinéad O'Connor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWcN1HH5PEI/AAAAAAAAACQ/dtZqrNLC9gU/s1600-h/The+Lion+and+the+Cobra.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 127px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWcN1HH5PEI/AAAAAAAAACQ/dtZqrNLC9gU/s200/The+Lion+and+the+Cobra.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289211493466324034" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1987&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;This song, whether it be about a murder, a failed love, or both, is a magnificent move to be made by an artist. But even more so, to be made on one's debut album. With vocals shrieking and wailing like a sea-laden siren, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Sinéad&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt; paints us a picture that is both epic and tragic. And you can hear the betrayal in her voice as she sings, "I have learned."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: A tragic, foreboding string section.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "And you should've left the light on / You should've left the light on"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;10. Not Even Jail&lt;br /&gt;by Interpol&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWcOzV16bnI/AAAAAAAAACY/_3y1FOPGUI0/s1600-h/Antics.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 126px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWcOzV16bnI/AAAAAAAAACY/_3y1FOPGUI0/s200/Antics.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289212562569326194" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 2004&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: Interpol has never sounded so good, so full, so confident. Lead singer, Paul Banks' lyrics set up a scenario of impending doom, on whatever level of intensity this song might be written in. And as always, his words seem caught up in a cryptic fray. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;With playful jabs, he levels out the end results of a life that &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;not even jail&lt;/span&gt; can contain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt; This is the dubiously warm current of &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Antics&lt;/span&gt;, Interpol's second record. The album went, pretty much full circle from its predecessor. Even if you cannot come to a solid conclusion as to what he is divulging, one does get the feeling that it is honest, whatever it is. And it is very good.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: A glistening guitar and rhythm section outro.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;"I'm subtle like a lion's cage / Such a cautious display"&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;11. Dancing Barefoot&lt;br /&gt;by Patti Smith Group&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlF07tAa_I/AAAAAAAAACg/DLTjZVb0Vn0/s1600-h/Wave.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 130px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlF07tAa_I/AAAAAAAAACg/DLTjZVb0Vn0/s200/Wave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289836013005335538" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1979&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: In what seems to be a drug-induced set of lyrics, using more than a handful of pronouns to initiate each sentence, Patti Smith (and Group) take us through a mirage of a story. It's beautiful, and dark, and holds an almost spiritual theme to it. Released in '79, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Wave&lt;/span&gt; was a disaster, commercially speaking. Its unsuccessful reception resulted in an almost decade-long hiatus. However, there were gems on the album. "Dancing Barefoot" is most certainly one of them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: That perfectly fitting, tastefully expelled, middle eight synth solo.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "The plot of our life sweats in the dark like a face / The mystery of childbirth, of childhood itself / Grave visitations / What is it that calls to us? / Why must we pray screaming? / Why must not death be redefined? / We shut our eyes, we stretch out our arms / And whirl on a pane of glass / An afixiation, a fix on anything / The line of life, the limb of a tree / The hands of he, and the promise that she is blessed among women"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;12. Daysleeper&lt;br /&gt;by R.E.M.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlIXEKCPlI/AAAAAAAAACo/IMvQOmSj3yY/s1600-h/Up.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 126px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlIXEKCPlI/AAAAAAAAACo/IMvQOmSj3yY/s200/Up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289838798413381202" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1998&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: Appropriately placed following this &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;mixes' &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;prior track, Michael Stipe, who needs no introduction, never ceases to impress me. He follows in the tradition of his hero, Patti Smith, and continues with the onslaught of lyrical poetry, at times, even in the beat fashion. However, he carries himself and R.E.M. with a lighter touch than the "Godmother of Punk" ever did. His words flow like an effortless ride into the sea, in a boat of paper, in this story of one who works while everyone else sleeps.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: Desperately emotional songwriting, showcasing every thing that makes R.E.M. completely there own.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "I'm the screen, the blinding light / I'm the screen, I work at night"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;13. Between My Legs&lt;br /&gt;by Rufus Wainwright&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlMyzZe4hI/AAAAAAAAACw/1QqXsfYj_Tc/s1600-h/Release+the+Stars.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 127px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlMyzZe4hI/AAAAAAAAACw/1QqXsfYj_Tc/s200/Release+the+Stars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289843672997618194" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 2007&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: There is a subconscious similarity between the classical music styling (as vast and disputable as that may be) and sex. Its crescendos, rising and falling, are much like foreplay, and its eventual resolve is just like smoking that much needed cigarette after the fact. But this song: it's not even within a classification close to that of 'classical.' But here we are with a musical orgasm on our hands (sorry, no pun intended). Dirty? Oh yes. Very. But so good, so very good. Rufus Wainwright is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;the catchiest songwriter to be heard in years, with a voice uniquely so. His talent has grown (as his gay vibe). But all in all, this number showcases so much, and will leave you speechless as to what in God's name just happened. Also, don't be surprised if you can't get this song out of your head for weeks.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: A middle section that never quite ends, with British actress Sian &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Phillips reciting a perfectly placed climax over a momentous finale.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "Again, I'm afraid of one thing / Will I walk away from love, knowing nothing / wearing my heart between my legs?"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;14. Hand In Glove&lt;br /&gt;by The Smiths&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlNBDAbkfI/AAAAAAAAAC4/2Dl36LMjN7k/s1600-h/The+Smiths.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 127px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlNBDAbkfI/AAAAAAAAAC4/2Dl36LMjN7k/s200/The+Smiths.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289843917705679346" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1984&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: The Smiths had a short-lived career, and in such a small amount of time, they developed an almost cult like following. Their lineup of four, consists of two that precede their reputations. Johnny Marr was the mastermind behind the music, while Morrissey was the lyrical writer and melodramatic front man. This song is thick with The Smiths' signature sound, and is as well, a robust example of Marr and Morrissey's lethal combination.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: Johnny Marr, as he delivers a spinning acoustic, signature guitar part.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "Hand in glove / The Good People laugh / Yes, we may be hidden by rags / But we've something they'll never have"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;15. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll&lt;br /&gt;by Bob Dylan&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlNSz64SuI/AAAAAAAAADA/BkkLnan1j3k/s1600-h/The+Times+They+Are+A-Changin%27.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 128px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlNSz64SuI/AAAAAAAAADA/BkkLnan1j3k/s200/The+Times+They+Are+A-Changin%27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289844222893509346" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1964&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: The profound and thought-provoking Bob Dylan is on this mix because he is an incredible musician. Even more so, he is an incredible lyricist. As he sees it, Bob Dylan tells it. This song is a story that leads us into an unraveling injustice. Dylan asks the listener to refrain from feeling pity or sympathy, as each blow to the character delivers a sorrowful sigh. But at the end of the song, after all has been done, and the final blow of greatest proportions has been served, he says "Now is the time for your tears." The final stanza will blow you away.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: The slight bursts of emotion and woe throughout the song. (at a point in the song, he even speeds up in tempo, seemingly more and more angst-ridden as the song develops)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished / And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance / William Zanzinger, with a six month sentence"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;16. Dirty Day (Better Kiss)&lt;br /&gt;by U2&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlOM6sp5JI/AAAAAAAAADI/5anDo3VQQTk/s1600-h/Please.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 128px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlOM6sp5JI/AAAAAAAAADI/5anDo3VQQTk/s200/Please.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289845221145306258" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1997&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: Obscure in its accessibility, "Dirty Day" is a fascinating song about the complicated relationship between a father and son. Released originally on U2's 1993, &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Zooropa&lt;/span&gt;, this version was given play four years later on a single from the album to follow. It's chock-full of quips and truths, and rightfully holds some of Bono's most subtly clever lyrics. (I have so many favorites in this song) Bono learned to master the art of couplets through Dylan. But apparently, Charles Bukowski was a large inspiration for the creation of this song.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: An ending to the song, that borrows a phrase from Bukowski.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "Looking for explanations I don't even understand / If you need someone to blame, throw a rock in the air, you'll hit someone guilty"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;17. Dream Brother&lt;br /&gt;by Jeff Buckley&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlOcnYCBPI/AAAAAAAAADQ/wb3gh0UTAW4/s1600-h/Grace.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 127px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlOcnYCBPI/AAAAAAAAADQ/wb3gh0UTAW4/s200/Grace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289845490836440306" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;release: 1994&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;thoughts&lt;/span&gt;: I did in fact save the best for last. This song comes from an album I know like the back of my hand. "Dream Brother" is a mystical story, rich in middle eastern theme. I picked it because it's the odd song out on &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Grace&lt;/span&gt;, therefore eliminating any preconceived notions you might have had about its sound or delivery. This was no easy decision. I nearly didn't pick this track at all. However, ending your mix with such a magical story of passion and betrayal seems only appropriate. Dig deep into this one.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;listen for&lt;/span&gt;: Jeff's beautiful voice, as a completely original instrument itself.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;mentionable lyric&lt;/span&gt;: "The love you lost with her skin so fair / Is free with the wind in her butterscotch hair / Her green eyes blew goodbyes / With her head in her hands / And your kiss on the lips of another"&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-214030861481558628?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/214030861481558628/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=214030861481558628' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/214030861481558628'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/214030861481558628'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/01/mix-companion.html' title='Mix Companion'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWZQtRV-IRI/AAAAAAAAABY/HXorQZoWAAE/s72-c/Winners+Never+Quit.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1277266489964549704</id><published>2009-01-10T18:06:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-10T19:32:58.973-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Technicolor Messiah'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Comics'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bono'/><title type='text'>Bono receives the Nobel Peace Prize</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;This was a comic drawn by a friend of mine, as a response to one of my posts. Check out more of his stuff &lt;a href="http://technicolormessiah.blogspot.com/"&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlmJqiCAzI/AAAAAAAAAFA/VwmkTReK5eg/s1600-h/C1NEW.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlmJqiCAzI/AAAAAAAAAFA/VwmkTReK5eg/s400/C1NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289871553545241394" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWljvXa7QJI/AAAAAAAAAEI/RXBYOHRwJ9A/s1600-h/C2NEW.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWljvXa7QJI/AAAAAAAAAEI/RXBYOHRwJ9A/s400/C2NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289868902715310226" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWljvkYILMI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/vv5Q66ZPMeI/s1600-h/C3NEW.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWljvkYILMI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/vv5Q66ZPMeI/s400/C3NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289868906193235138" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWljvk_dWYI/AAAAAAAAAEY/CCKUHE-oTF8/s1600-h/C4NEW.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWljvk_dWYI/AAAAAAAAAEY/CCKUHE-oTF8/s400/C4NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289868906358200706" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWljv45nIAI/AAAAAAAAAEg/NQI3RvK3zCc/s1600-h/C5NEW.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWljv45nIAI/AAAAAAAAAEg/NQI3RvK3zCc/s400/C5NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289868911702384642" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlk88bhsPI/AAAAAAAAAEo/wNlj43BXwgw/s1600-h/C6NEW.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlk88bhsPI/AAAAAAAAAEo/wNlj43BXwgw/s400/C6NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289870235499868402" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlk82YYnNI/AAAAAAAAAEw/u7K1Oy_ZPHc/s1600-h/C7NEW.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlk82YYnNI/AAAAAAAAAEw/u7K1Oy_ZPHc/s400/C7NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289870233876077778" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlk9O0NEZI/AAAAAAAAAE4/6g9eeU0q20Q/s1600-h/C8NEW.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlk9O0NEZI/AAAAAAAAAE4/6g9eeU0q20Q/s400/C8NEW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289870240435212690" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1277266489964549704?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1277266489964549704/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1277266489964549704' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1277266489964549704'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1277266489964549704'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/01/bono-receives-nobel-peace-prize.html' title='Bono receives the Nobel Peace Prize'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9tZ7Ht7sADA/SWlmJqiCAzI/AAAAAAAAAFA/VwmkTReK5eg/s72-c/C1NEW.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-2129658255755414038</id><published>2009-01-05T22:59:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:18:32.488-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Music'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blonde Redhead'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Minimalism'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mike Mills'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><title type='text'>Blonde Redhead : "Silently"</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;object style="font-family: verdana;" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zpFjXEG4Ug8&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1"&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zpFjXEG4Ug8&amp;amp;hl=en&amp;amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;This song is gorgeous.   Blonde Redhead is &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://progressivescript.com/images/Mother%20of%20All%20Sunsets-peak.jpg"&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;gorgeous&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;.    "Silently" is some kind of love song, but its initial subject matter seems to differ with the dialogue and context of this video.   The video tells a story of a woman, who witnesses a crime.    And as we learn, she witnesses it incorrectly.    Maybe she understands compassion after thinking on the the scenario the second time around.    Or perhaps, she just couldn't bring herself to speak up against what had happened.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;"Silently" is just one of many finely attributed music videos created by film director Mike Mills.    His touch for the simple is showcased here; Minimalism at its finest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-2129658255755414038?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/2129658255755414038/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=2129658255755414038' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2129658255755414038'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2129658255755414038'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/01/blonde-redhead-silently.html' title='Blonde Redhead : &quot;Silently&quot;'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-6950596839572207499</id><published>2008-12-17T20:19:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-18T12:12:32.766-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Oral sores'/><title type='text'>Canker Sores; making eating food, just like eating glass</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Here's what I've discovered.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To start off, let's begin by pointing out the two very different classifications of oral sores.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;First, we have &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;cold sores&lt;/span&gt;.  Cold sores are unsightly, and occur around the mouth area.  These little guys are contagious.  Cold sores are also caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus, similar to its genital-infesting cousin, which hails as a type 2 virus.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Second, we have the infamous &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;canker sores&lt;/span&gt;.  Canker sores are found exclusively inside the mouth.  They can form in a number of places within your mouth; from the tongue, to the floor of the mouth, to the inside lining of your lips and cheeks.  And unlike cold sores, canker sores are unknown in their cause.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;According to doctors, there are two types of canker sores:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Simple&lt;/span&gt; canker sores.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;  These may appear three or four times a year and last up to a week.&lt;br /&gt;2. &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;Complex&lt;/span&gt; canker sores.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;  These are less common and occur more often in people who have previously had them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So what causes them to emerge?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As I said above, the cause of canker sores is unknown.   Nevertheless, there is speculation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;BUT, here's a little something I stumbled across.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;a name="Sodium Lauryl Sulfate"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;blockquote  style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;a name="Sodium Lauryl Sulfate"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;a name="Sodium Lauryl Sulfate"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;a name="Sodium Lauryl Sulfate"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;a name="Sodium Lauryl Sulfate"&gt;Sodium Lauryl             Sulfate&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; (SLS): is the foaming agent found in most toothpaste             and mouthwash formulations.  Foaming agents fill the mouth with             suds, sending a signal to users that their mouths are clean.  Ulcers             may be caused by using SLS because it causes excessive sloughing of             oral mucosa and dries the protective layer of oral tissues which             causes underlying tissues to become damaged.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;-&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/cancer_sores_copy%281%29.htm"&gt;dentalgentlecare.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/cancer_sores_copy%281%29.htm"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;So if I use products that don't have SLS in them, I'm bound to have less problems with sores forming?  I suppose that's possible.  I have to say, stumbling across this was very reassuring.   Another reassuring factoid I came across:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;Mouth rinse containing tetracycline can     reduce the unpleasant symptoms of canker sores and speed healing by     preventing bacterial infections in the sores.  This mouth wash, used     several times a day, relieves pain for 24 hours and allows complete healing     in 5-7 days.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;-&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/cancer_sores_copy%281%29.htm"&gt;dentalgentlecare.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/cancer_sores_copy%281%29.htm"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;p style="font-family: verdana;" align="left"&gt;                                   &lt;/p&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;The same article also encourages the use of an antimicrobial mouthwash to help reduce irritation of the sores.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And immediately after reading this, that's exactly what I did.  I rushed to the bathroom, endured around 40 seconds of intense Listerine®&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt; induced pain, and returned to the computer here in my living room.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;HOWEVER, then I got to thinking: Hmmmmm, I wonder if my&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt; mouthwash has SLS in its ingredients.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It certainly does.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So at this moment, I'm currently at an impasse.  I am without the proper tools to maintain a healthy oral standing.  I do at the moment have (a)mouthwash to cleanse my &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/94/Canker_sore.jpg"&gt;aphthous stomatitis&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt; out.  But that's about it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;Do I have Crohn's Disease?  Do I have Behcet's Disease?  I do not know.  All I know is that I'm in pain.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-6950596839572207499?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/6950596839572207499/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=6950596839572207499' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6950596839572207499'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/6950596839572207499'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/12/canker-sores-making-eating-food-just.html' title='Canker Sores; making eating food, just like eating glass'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-2683921540323071144</id><published>2008-12-16T10:19:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T18:18:52.371-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Christopher Walken'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Videos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Edgar Allan Poe'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Poetry'/><title type='text'>"The Raven" interpreted by Christopher Walken</title><content type='html'>&lt;embed style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/yt-VFy7XidbnKw/edgar_allan_poes_the_raven.swf" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="345"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:78%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:verdana;"&gt;Christopher Walken reads Edgar Allan Poe.  This is too great a combination to fathom.  I need a drink.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-2683921540323071144?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/2683921540323071144/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=2683921540323071144' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2683921540323071144'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/2683921540323071144'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/12/raven-interpreted-by-christopher-walken.html' title='&quot;The Raven&quot; interpreted by Christopher Walken'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-5840889010886538314</id><published>2008-12-14T12:49:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-14T18:15:32.420-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bono'/><title type='text'>Bono awarded annual Nobel "Man of Peace" prize</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;Just a few days ago, fellow Nobel Prize laureates gathered in Paris to award Bono their annual "Man of Peace" prize, for his relentless humanitarian work. (Relentless? Yes. Understatement?  Yes.)   Coincidentally, it has also been 60 years since the UN established The Declaration of Human Rights, which took conception and adoption in Paris.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here is Bono's acceptance speech:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;blockquote style="font-family: verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;'The Man of Peace Award… come on…. let’s be honest… we all know this is as close as I’m going to get to the real thing… so I am holding on tight to this …&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Seriously though… I am really honoured to be here… to accept this award from all of you… thank you for taking me seriously… because that’s not a given when you’re a rockstar. Even worse, a rock star with a conscience …..spare me.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The ONE campaign, the organization that I represent when working on these issues is very serious by the way….&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Deadly serious, thanks to support from people like Bill and Melinda Gates and John Doerr and Susie Buffett who fund our organization and our work…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And the world’s poor deserve seriousness… they deserve the best representation in the world’s capitals – they deserve their own interest group, their own powerful lobby…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The US gun lobby spends nearly $200 million dollars a year making sure you can’t get elected if you support gun control.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tobacco companies spend $19 million on lobbying Congress&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The world’s poor deserve more than that.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For them it’s quite literally life and death. 4000 people dying every day of a preventable treatable disease… HIV/AIDS, 10,000 dying every day of a mosquito bite… 5000 children dying every day of diarrhea…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I mean, diarrhea can be a problem in our house, but it is not a death sentence….&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So that’s why we set up the ONE campaign…I think our voices were heard during the presidential campaign in the US.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Did you notice that neither Barack Obama or John McCain ever once criticized aid, never used it as a pawn… Despite the huge economic crisis, Barack Obama has made a bold promise to double aid to Africa… part of the reason for this, I believe, is the 2 million members of the ONE campaign that we have in America… they showed up at every town hall meeting during the elections… making sure the candidates knew that this stuff mattered to them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And you know that it’s not just Obama himself that’s committed… its his whole team… even his security team…the tough guys.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On the way here yesterday, I got to thinking about this guy Alfred Nobel – what an incredible guy – then I thought – hang on a second… isn’t he the guy that invented dynamite…?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I know it’s a bit of a cliché to talk about Nobel and dynamite.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But it is a funny thing, that it’s the people who know the real cost of war that fight hardest for peace…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I’ve been working on these issues of extreme poverty for quite a while…maybe 10 years now… when I started, I never would have expected a phone call from the head of NATO, General Jim Jones – who will soon be President Obama’s national security advisor.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He’s an extraordinary man.  A six foot three gentle giant.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He said to me we have billions of dollars of high tech equipment floating in the Mediterranean Sea and yet we are losing to Hezbollah because they are building schools…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And then he said, I’m a marine… the men and women of the marine corps don’t mind being shot at for the right reasons but they do not like being shot at for being the wrong reasons – I asked what the wrong reason were – he said, for being American…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That sent a chill down me… I mean, this was America we were talking about… America that liberated Europe after the second world war, America that wiped out smallpox and polio… America that created the Peace Corps… and they are being attacked because they are American?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But America is about to present a new face to the world. Barack Obama, Jim Jones, and the person who said this: ‘Instability and extremism fester in places where infrastructure, education and opportunity are lacking… The battlespace goes far beyond the battlefield.’&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That’s the next Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;‘Security, stability and development go hand-in-hand.’&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Who said that?  That one’s Robert Gates, the US Secretary of Defense, present and future.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There’s new thinking in America… a reimagining of how to deal with some of the greatest challenges of our time… things like extreme climate change… extreme ideologies… and extreme poverty, which is entangled with both.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With a new US administration taking the reins, where does Europe stand on all this? Europe that has long led the world on development issues? Well, let’s not be left behind….&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We do see great leadership from Spain… Zapatero is keeping his promise…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We see great leadership from the UK….&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Great leadership from Germany… a country that, for the last almost the last 20 years… spent 4 % of GDP on reunification…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Where does France stand, a long time champion on global health, and you could argue, joined at the hip and the heart to africa through its history? Truthfully? France isn’t quite doing its bit against the promises made… and we’re not sure why, because we are pretty sure the french people do care about this stuff. Carla Sarkozy certainly does… she’s just been named ambassador for the Global AIDS fund… and apparently… rumour has it, she sleeps with the President… he has spoken passionately about these issues, but we might need her to do a bit of pick pocketing… France is not however slashing its aid budget…which is what its next door neighbour Italy is doing…what an embarrassment for the next chair of the G8 to be slashing its aid budget.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And today, not far away from here… President Sarkozy and the rest of the European heads of state are trying to figure out where they stand on the link between extreme climate and extreme poverty… will a new grand bargain take shape under which, the people who created the problem of climate change (us) will make sure the people worst affected (the poorest of the poor) benefit financially from a new carbon deal.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now there’s a bold idea. You know I think that Europe is a thought that needs to become a feeling. I get the sense that for many europeans, europe is defined by geography and bureaucracy. I think it’s through working together on bold projects like this, looking outside of ourselves, that we can start to really feel Europe—what it means, what it’s about, the big idea.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I know I am saying all of this at a time when financial markets are melting down and I might sound like I never read a newspaper … but it is in troubled times, when times for ourselves are toughest, that we reveal who we really are. Do we baton down the hatches and protect our own, or do we join forces and make sure the most vunerable are not forgotton. Do we dwell on the problems, or the solutions. Because in troubled times, I'd argue precisely what we should be doing is looking for new ways to fix old problems.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just look around this room… the people in this room – you’ve all come out of conflict is the truth… you’ve all seen opportunity in moments of crisis…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just think about Europe at the end of World War II.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Germany was in ruins.  Britain, penniless.  France, been starved and suffocated. Economies, hopes, the future seemed wrecked.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And through the wreckage walked giants. De Gaulle, Monnet. Churchill, Keynes. Truman, Marshall, Adenauer. Amid the ruins, they could see a path to a more broadly shared peace and prosperity. And that’s what they built—a post-war order of security and opportunity that endured for half a century.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Out of that conflict came the Declaration of Human Rights… 60 years ago this week.  But its basic ideas were older than that.&lt;br /&gt;On the ruins, they built a new world.  They envisioned it, and then they built it to last.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That was their wisdom.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What is ours?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Look we all know it… we’re at a moment in time here, just like after the first world war when the league of nations was set up, just like after the second world war when the UN and the World Bank and the IMF were formed… the world is up for grabs…a system that has benefited the lucky few and excluded the unlucky many is under the microscope... Soon to be on the operating table. New ideas are in play. Creativity is needed. all the creativity in this room…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It raises eyebrows, fists even, when musicians enter these debates....it is unusual but it shouldn’t be… I may be biased but I think we need all disciplines (art, commerce, fashion, science) as well as politics to converge on these challenges.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sometimes it takes crisis to reimagine the world and what we are capable of… To shake up the established order. To make old, bad ideas look ridiculous.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In fact, history has a way of making ideas that were once acceptable look ridiculous…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You know that… Willem de Klerk… you worked side by side with Nelson Mandela to figure out a new future for South Africa…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Who would have thought in our lifetime there would be peace in Northern Ireland? You did John Hume – you did Betty Williams – you did Mairead Maguire.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Who would have thought that there was to be a peaceful way out of the cold war and the spectre of mutually assured destruction… MAD madness…? Mikhail Gorbachev knew that… and we’re missing the great man here today…&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As I said, what is our wisdom. Could it be that we decide it is no longer acceptable that an accident of geography—where you are born—can decide whether you live or whether you die… that we decide that human rights, the right to live like a human, belong not just to those who live in the comfort of their freedom. I think so but we haven’t quite got there yet.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But with your help, we might get there soon.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Since the start of the 21st century, just 8 years ago, many millions more African children are in school, millions on life-saving ARVs, millions protected from malaria by bed nets. Momentum is building. Energies are converging. The wheels of change are turning and the people in this room are living proof that we can alter their direction.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You know, this is not a burden, this is an adventure. Its exciting. Together we can make the insanity and injustice and inequality of extreme stupid poverty look ridiculous… a child dying in a world of plenty for lack of food in its belly... Death by mosquito bite or dirty water... These things we can consign to the ash heap of history… and write a new history which makes us all proud.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Merci beaucoup....'&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;-&lt;a href="http://www.u2.com/news/"&gt;U2.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:85%;" &gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here is the &lt;a href="http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html"&gt;Universal Declaration of Human Rights&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-5840889010886538314?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/5840889010886538314/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=5840889010886538314' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5840889010886538314'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/5840889010886538314'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/12/bono-awarded-annual-nobel-man-of-peace.html' title='Bono awarded annual Nobel &quot;Man of Peace&quot; prize'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924033850175128775.post-1089635938202361942</id><published>2008-12-03T00:24:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-05T12:37:09.674-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Procrastination'/><title type='text'>Blog Introduction</title><content type='html'>&lt;div  style="text-align: left;font-family:verdana;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;Have you ever been so bent on getting something right, so fixed on perfecting something, that you end up putting it off until the end of time? (or just until after the &lt;a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/42/1992_Rapture.jpg"&gt;rapture&lt;/a&gt;)   Or perhaps you know the regret that follows. (or what follows the regret)   Or perhaps you never did it.  You never wrote that life-changing blog you'd always dreamt of; you never calculated the time it would take you to get to the moon, while maintaining a slight jog.&lt;br /&gt;Procrastination is a bitch, isn't it?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:85%;"&gt;I want you to know that I mean this in the most respectful way possible.  That is a fact.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"  &gt;&lt;br /&gt;Welcome to my world...welcome to my blog.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6924033850175128775-1089635938202361942?l=skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/feeds/1089635938202361942/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6924033850175128775&amp;postID=1089635938202361942' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1089635938202361942'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6924033850175128775/posts/default/1089635938202361942'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://skepticofthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-introduction.html' title='Blog Introduction'/><author><name>Chris</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJRqehA9ApA/TheOU0MTuYI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8GL3wLc81eE/s220/270688_10150682496610618_649890617_19024441_348084_n.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
