If you’re here, on a computer, reading a blog, you’ve probably never owned an actual record. This is the typical case, at least in my experience; my first piece of purchased music was on cassette and, like so many of my efforts in life, was made obsolete quickly. With no way to play my New Kids on the Block tape these days, I have only nostalgia for the days when making a mixtape took hours and required flawless execution. I’ve also heard this rumor floating around the internet that there used to be entire stores built solely for housing and selling these records. Crazy stuff, I know. Well, for those curious what the iTunes experience would have been like in 1981, Urban Outfitters has a cool wall mural to make that happen.

It’s a great idea for apartments or dorm rooms where you can’t paint but hate the look of that dingy off-white coat of cheap industrial paint. I’m looking to move in a month or so and I’m pretty sure this is getting thrown up on one of my four walls. $200 gets you in the door and this thing on the wall. When I find a place that sells parachute pants and boomboxes, I’ll let you know.

Filed under: Home | Garden — Roy @ 1:59 am

I caught the second LA showing of the Kanye West Glow in the Dark tour tonight and was very impressed. I knew I would enjoy it because the lineup was solid and the venue nice and new. I was afraid that all the hype would ruin it, though. There’s been a lot of good reviews and I’ve been waiting to see this show since Prince was on Apollonia, since OJ had isotoners. Despite all the hype and having to wade through 17 year old hipsters to get to my seat, the show lives up to all the lofty reviews.

Continue reading Kanye West glows in the dark

Filed under: Music — Roy @ 1:10 am

Usually, it seems like Pilar covers all the home and garden stuff here but today I’ve decided to steal a little of her thunder. Why? Simple: I love thunder. Also, just like Pilar, I live in a home too. I have no garden though, so we’ll stay inside for the next 200 words. Anyway, Urban Outfitters has some neat couches that are good looking and functional. The following two couches are more than meets the eye. That is to say that they transform.

They are not robots.

Continue reading Couches! Excited Yet?

Filed under: Home | Garden — Roy @ 11:49 pm

I am green with envy when it comes to the Japanese and their cellular devices. One of these days I’m going to flip on the news and see them zooming to work on hoverboards all nonchalantly, like they’ve had it for years. This time they’re not breaking any data speed records or showing off any TV equipped phones. No, that’s old hat for the land of the rising sun. This time, their phones are making smells.

Continue reading What’s That Smell? Oh, someone’s calling me.

Filed under: Phones — Roy @ 8:32 am

I don’t think anyone familiar with their larger body of work is surprised, but the new Black Keys album is fantastic. I’ll keep this short because instead of listening to me you should be opening iTunes and buying it now. Or you could go to Amazon if you prefer those impossible-to-open jewel cases. And if it’s currently downloading, stick around, read something Max wrote, he’s usually pretty entertaining.

 
 
 
 
 
Highlights: Strange Times, Lies, Remember When (Side B), So He Won’t Break

Filed under: Music — Roy @ 9:50 pm

Jurassic 5 is one of my favorite hip hop groups and their recent break up saddens me greatly but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Two-fifths of the Los Angeles based group is working on a new project with a refreshing spin. The Dino 5 is a kid friendly hip hop group with reptilian alter egos like Tracy Triceratops, DJ Stegosaurus and MC T-Rex. The group consists of Chali 2na and Prince Paul from J5, Ladybug Mecca of Digable Planets, Wordsworth of eMC and Scratch of the Roots. The Roots are tied for being my favorite artist (great live show, make it a point to see it before you die) and all the other members belong to groups that will be remembered in hip hop.

Continue reading Rapping Dinosaurs = Awesome

Filed under: Music — Roy @ 12:45 am

You’d think people with really cool news would just wait until the 2nd to make announcements or start rumors they want believed, but I guess rumor mill knows no time. This time, it’s Mortal Kombat series creator Ed Boon with a coded message and some other videos floating around the net that point to a iPhone and iPod Touch port of Mortal Kombat II. The video shows player control through specific touches and tilt sensing. I’d take this with a huge grain of salt, given the date, but with the SDK out, it’s certainly a possibility. An awesome possibility.

Source TMRK

Filed under: Phones, Video Games — Roy @ 7:17 am

I’m learning so much these days. First, I found out that bitch is the new black. Now it seems that the Middle East is the new hood. 50 Cent: Bulletproof came out just over two years ago and dazzled…well, no one. Somehow, though, it sold enough units to warrant both a sequel and my deep concern over how 18 to 25 year olds in this country spend their money. Get ready for 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. Oh, and in case you were wondering, this is why the terrorists hate us.

Continue reading 50 Cent gets Blood on the Sand, another paycheck

Filed under: Video Games — Roy @ 1:19 am

I love my Rabbit, but if I do have one complaint it’s mileage. I knew what I was getting into from the beginning; if I wanted fuel economy, I’d have purchased a Civic or Corolla like many of my other friends. Still, sometimes I just wish I didn’t have to fill up as often as I do. I had come to terms with having to trade enjoying driving my car for a few MPG’s until I saw this pretty blue baby.

Continue reading I Want One VI: Diesel Hybrid VW Golf

Filed under: Cars | Transportation — Roy @ 6:41 am

The Japanese have us beat in a lot of places and the convenience store is one area where the gap is considerable. Journey into your typical American store of convenience and you’ll find that, often, the most convenient choice is leaving. I have never been to Japan, but I’m told that things are much nicer. Now, us Americans have something close in Famima!! (The exclamation points are not mine). Famima!!’s store front boasts “Super Convenience” and does not disappoint upon entry. It’s really nothing revolutionary but it’s just a nicer way to shop for prepared foods, sundry items or stationery. I would love to have one of these within walking distance of work because the prices and selection make it perfect for a lunchtime constitutional. I picked up the salmon roll sushi and a box of Pocky for $7.27. Not bad for something I stumbled upon. There are 11 locations, all of them in the Los Angeles area. Check it out; if you, like me, have an affinity for things Japanese, you should enjoy it.

Filed under: Other — Roy @ 10:22 pm