Just in Time for Christmas

A Flip Side to the Dark Side

Is it you see the past in rose shade glasses, or the past is scene through rose shade glasses? Well anyway, the recreation of Pink Floyd's, The Dark Side of the Moon brought me back to a time where I worried about nothing but having fun.

The Flaming Lips's interpretation of the album is lovable, and unique from its predecessor. Remember the gorgeous woman's voice from the Floyd's album? The Lips's girl sounds like Janis Joplin with a synthesizer. (aka very cool) Money has a twangy, electric vibe. It kind of reminds me of a voice box for cig smokers but classy. It feels good to listen to it.

The only draw back, and this is where the rose shade glasses come in, that the Lips's missed the mark on the mysterious presence of Pink Floyd's vocals on the original version.

Not sure if this will sync up with The Wizard of Oz, but for a last minute Christmas gift would make the old and the young smile.

FB Quizzes Steal Your Information

Facebook Quizzes: Another Big Brother Product

What celebrity are you? When will you get married? What decade are you? Chances are you have taken a quiz like these on facebook, but what exactly are you risking?

These quizzes are not just a time killer, but a welcome mat for companies to sneak a peek at your profile. Often, these quizzes are created by companies that want your personal information. This semingly innocent quizzes are programs that tap into your profile to "scrape" all of you personal information. That means your pictures, political views and relationships status.

Facebook has already taken some of these companies to court, for breaking Facebook's terms of service. Illegally scraping data from Facebook users is serious business. According to Tim Sparapani, director of public policy at Facebook, "It is technologically possible for anyone who writes an application to write an application that abuses a user's privacy."

So the next time you want to know "What Greek God You Are," just put the mouse down, and back away slowly.

Not satisfied? Here's some - Credibility

Atlanta's Got It's Groove Back

While Atlatna is known for their music scene, there does isn't too many radio stations out there...until now. Clear Channel has just launched it's newest station Groove 105.7. The station plays a wide variety of dance music from the 90's, some hip-hop of today, and a disco song now and then.

Interning for Clear Channel, you would think I would have known about the brand new station- WRONG. It was a complete secret, except for the select few who developed the Groove's website and those who conjured up the idea.

If all goes as planned, the station will fit nicely into Atlanta's radio market. It should fall somewhere between B98.5 and STAR94. Right now, the Groove is playing 10,000 song in a row....no commercials...no DJ...just one dance song after another.

If you haven't heard it yet. You should check out their website.

Hopefully, this new stations will spark other markets to push to create new music for the Atlanta listeners. The more competition - the better the music.

Feeling Scary

My Mask is Collector's Addition = Run!

Because today felt rotten, cold, and rainy, let's talk about scary stuff! When I see the guy in a Mexican outfit walking up and down Barrett I think - Halloween is here! The major question: What are you going to be? That is why Halloween is today's "Dig It".

Costumes can be revealing:

Example:

Witch: I'm not creative

Sexy Kitty: Look at me I'm single and potentially drunk!

Freddy Kruger: This is only part of his elaborate collection from home.

Toilet Paper Mummy: Procrastinator

No Costume: Halloween is Devil Worship

iTunes Most Played, Most Revealing

Pop in the Country

One way to really get to know someone is to click on their iTunes "Top 25 Most Played" list. iTunes will track the songs you listen to, for your "convenience", so you can rock out to your favorite songs with a mouse click. This is all great, unless you are a closet N'SYNC fan and Bye,Bye,Bye has been played over 50 times. (Not that I own that song.) ¶ However, I will admit that I enjoy pop music over any other genre.


Here are my top 5:


18 plays - Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me


17 plays - When I Grow Up - Pussy Cat Dolls


16 plays - Christina Agulara - When I Grow Up


15 plays - Hilliary Duff - Reach Out


15 plays - Janet Jackson - Feedback


OK - I'm kinda proud of my number one song, but the others, I don't think I would play in my car too loud in fear of someone overhearing! But what is really strange is my 6th top choice: Reba, Strange with 14 listens.¶ This brings me to my point today, somewhere along the line, Pop has trickled into the Country Music business. As Tim McGraw sings on Back When, "they put the pop in my country." Maybe he got something right there...country is losing some of its basic sounds.¶ Not satisfied? Check out Carrie Underwood's newest video Cowboy Cassonova. Visually, it has the characterists of a Britney Spear's video.¶ Still, I'm not sure how I feel about the matter yet. What do you think?

Carrie Underwood More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

Dresscode Drama for Cobb County

Dude Looks Like a Lady

Johnathon Escobar becomes an ex-student of a Cobb County school because of fashion choices. The six-teen year old wore a bright pink wig and high heels to school that quickly became a distraction to other students. When Escobar chose to use the girls’ restroom instead of the boys’ restroom, teachers became concerned for the student’s safety. ¶ Many of the students backed up Escobar’s attempt of self-expression, while other were more hesitant about the topic. The principle of the school wants to talk to Escobar on still being able to attend school, and also addressing the school’s dress code.¶ As for Escobar, he continues to insist on wearing women’s clothing.¶Jonathon has given multiple news interviews, and there is already a Facebook support group for the teens struggles for acceptance.

Read more on Escobar!


Are Escobar’s rights being infringed upon?

College Comedy

Yes, His Last Name is Jester

Seeing you name in lights, calling the shots, and having a posse might seem tempting to persue, but how many of us actually take the plunge into show biz? Kennesaw State University student, Tim Jester, 21, is taking a jab at it. ¶ I lucked out and got to watch his first performance in front of a crowd of his friends, a herd of other comedians, and a few hecklers. His routine consists of World of Warcraft, seeing his parents do the deed, and getting arrested for playing lazer tag. ¶ It is nearly impossible to dislike Jester's character onstage and that is why he is today's "dig it". Jester plays up the "underdog" personality on stage and it seems to be working for him. ¶ Take a moment out of your day and friend Jester on Facebook. Oh, and listen to quick sample of Jester's stand up below.

WATCH JESTER LIVE

Big Hair Rock for Today

The Bigger the Hair, The Better the Rock

Picture big hair, rock-n-roll clothing, and big boots... He might hit on you, but take him home and your mother might fall in love with him first! With a personality that entertains for hours and a voice that will make you shake your fro, Brother Love is today's "dig it".

BroLow is a bad boy is worth an itune preview. He's making ground in the podcast word, and is sneaking in and out of rock tours in the US. Brother Love aka Lary Florman. With his newest album, Album of the Year, BroLo dominated the Pod Music Network.

The songs Summertime and There She Goes seem to be the fan favorites but I'm digging Sick of Chicks. Now, I got a soft spot for pop music in my heart and Brother Love gives us the pop, plus the rock. I downloaded this album song by song,starting with Push and working my way down the list.

LISTEN TO PUSH:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDUomgyU1oA

Backspacer: Songs We Won't Hear on the Radio

Backspacer: Songs We Won't Hear on the

Radio

I have never been a big Pearl Jam fan. Not that they are not talented, nor I was unaware of the band's name. I just felt like I "missed" it growing up. So when Pearl Jam's newest album, "Backspacer" fell into my hands I became curious.

How can a band have such a huge following, and not have heavy airplay?

Lets backtrack:

Working in radio, I have been learning about ratings and working with a program that tracks listenership. All day I look at songs and watch a graph. When the graph spikes, people tune in. A dip means listeners leave. Listeners will go in and out for many reasons: commercials, the DJ is boring, they have to get out of the car, or they do not enjoy the song.

Basically, the more listeners, the more air play.

So why would Pearl Jam, with all its success and glory, not get dominate airplay? It seems "Jeremy" is the good ol' stand by for Pearl Jam. However their fan base so big, why isn't the graph jumping when PJ songs air?

My only conclusion is that the listeners that dig Pearl Jam, aren't the type to listen to radio. Perhaps PJ fans are more likely to listen to "Backspacers" on their ipod, or using satellite to hear their favorite tune.

There is one major difference between radio users and media music/ipod users: choice. While a radio listeners waits for the radio to give them what they want, the media music user demands their entertainment.

Perhaps we are ending this age of the man telling us what is good, or what is cool. Maybe this next generation will have organically cool music.

Oh, and "Backspacers" is worth a spin.

KATG: The Best Podcast Today

What happened to talk radio?

I grew up watching my mom iron while listening to talk radio. I would wander in and out of the mud room. It was hot and the air was heavy with moisture. My mom would have Dr. Laura blasting in the background, and I would smell the detergent.

Today radio effects my daily life. One, I work for a radio station. Two, I am a devote Keith and The Girl follower. I discovered KATG in art school. I would spend hours listening to their podcast and drawing.

(Chemda and Keith)

Chemda can and will roast anyone and then burst out laughing until I can't help but giggle to myself. Keith is fantastic. He reminds me of a smart kid, but in adult clothing. What I enjoy the most about the podcast is that there is no "side-kick" routine. This couple gets their audience- no gimmicks - just great radio.

So, instead of listening to the usual crap at work, I would insist on downloading KATG. Sample some from their early days, and then fast forward up-to-date. Careful though, this podcast is not for the easily offended. Also, the show has been known to be highly addictive. Radio is changing, demand only the best.

HUAR!

Nonfashion Icons

I get sick of reading about the same fashion icons in movies: Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe. Here are some newbies for you.

Here is Diane Keaton's character in the film, Because I said So. If my mother let me dress her, she would wear an A-line skirt, blouse, and a big belt. This look reminds me of Meg Ryan in You Got Mail.

There is something so ultra-feminine and strong about this look.

Or what about J.Lo's character in Monster in Law?

Hold on, before you start laughing, check out her wardrobe in this film. For the most part, it has a California cool feel, but has a form-fitting Latina cut. J.Lo also rocks "jeans under the dress" look. That is difficult if you have a big booty...I won't say more! This particular outfit surprised me because Lopez sports a pretty knit - and she doesn't look doubty!

Let's go up to speed -

Tarantino fan or not, I could not leave out the character Shosanna Dreyfus in the film Inglorious Bastards. Trench's, though a classic piece, are often hard to pull off unless perfectly tailored. Look at the boyish fit of the coat, the earth tones used, and the paperboy hat and -GASP- mixing browns and blacks?!

Amazing.

Like jeans, the more you wear, the better trenches the look and feel. I want to believe the coat is bought at a second hand shop, and she has to make do with the fit.

Kids of America

Finally, here is Juno. I felt that this film really represented today's fashion of the youth. There has been this strange 90's grunge trend happening the last five years.

Yes, she is young.

Yes, she is pregnant, but the Juno wears layers well.

These are just a few that I thought of between classes, who are some of your nonfashion icons?

Dangerous Games

RISK

Does anyone really know the rules of RISK? It seemed like the more we drank, the more fluid the rules became!

I get MUGGED

Amsterdam Mug

Smithsonian Mug

New Addition to the Group

So, when my bf goes out of town, he always brings back a mug for me. These are just a few mugs from the group....

Crazy Daises

Maybe I'm not a rosy girl

But crazy daisy do just fine

I care that they are funky.

IGOR

Well poor Igor will have to be on its side for now. I have no idea how to flip this picture. If anyone knows how...a little help please?

Zero

I don't eat tons of sweets, but zeros remind me of long drives with my family.

They are so good.

The Daily Grind

The Commute

I usually start my day off by driving down 75. This is a picture of me checking my hair. Pictures are better than mirrors by far.

The Office

So this is the lobby I walk through everyday. I can not get through the glass door until someone lets me in...If it's early, this could be a tad tricky.

My Domain

There is my office...ok, maybe it is just a cube that anyone and everyone can work it BUT, it is a start. Maybe I will decorate it...I think I will start the key box over there...OR removing the telephone that I never use.

Ms. Lacy

Let's just compare cubes here. She pretty much runs the entire office, because people run past my cube to get to her's 24/7.

My Appartment

Apartment on a Tight Budget

My roommate and I had zero money and a big red couch! We let the red monster be our big, fat focus and attempted to sprinkle red here and there.

The table was handmade and the top was left over from a broken IKEA table. I painted it one afternoon with the intent of it being a hung on the wall, only to find it way too heavy.

Here is a board my father and I made out of an old window frame I received as a strange gift. The clock was my grandfathers and mysteriously works now and again.