Sunday, November 30, 2008

118 Minutes Of The Stinkeye

Ah, the holidays. What would they be without bad, cheap movies? I guess they would be pretty much the same, but without the bad movies that are cheap.

What movies did I have to choose from on Thanksgiving Eve at the Lagrange?

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - NO.

The Dark Knight - I already saw this (twice!)

Eagle Eye - Yeehaw!



I knew very little about this movie. I had a vague idea that it was like Enemy of the State, a Tony Scott movie I had improbably given a good review when I saw it at the Davis nearly a decade ago.

It stars the iridescent Che Le Boof as slacker copy store worker Jerry Shaw, who gets involved in a ridiculous plot to do something-or-other.

Oh, I'm going to be giving away a spoiler soon, so stop reading if you still want to see this turkey (get it? Thanksgiving? Turkey? Get it? Huh? Huh?). Jerry is manipulated in a very particular and annoying way, by a seemingly omniscient antagonist. This antagonist communicates with Jerry mostly via his cellphone, but also uses any random electronic device that's handy. It can make a screen read "Jump, Jerry Shaw!". It can make all the cellphones in Jerry Shaw's vicinity broadcast "There's Jerry Shaw!". It can hijack digital bus marquees to display "This bus will not take you to the mall, Jerry Shaw!" Jerry can't make a fucking move without being spotted and fucked with.

Oh, there's a woman in this movie, too. She is also fucked with in a similar manner to Jerry Shaw. She has an annoying, befreckled son that is on a train to play his stupid trumpet in Washington, D.C., and the antagonist threatens to derail the kiddie's train if she doesn't cooperate.

Wow, derailing a train -- that sounds implausible, doesn't it? Wait, there's more. There are other people that are also being fucked with. One of them is a guy who is forced to meet Jerry and the mother in the middle of the desert. The environment is very similar to the final showdown in Se7en -- basically a barren dry area among high tension power lines. So, the guy doesn't do what he's supposed to do, so the antagonist overloads the precise power lines near the guy so the cables fall down and electrocute him. Yes, that's what happens.

How could a human be so devious, so cunning, so in control of the fate of Jerry Shaw and That Mother? What if.... it was a COMPUTER?!!!!

Yes, it's a government supercomputer that is engineering the assassination of the president and his cabinet. Why? Please don't ask. Just know that it somehow involves Michael Chiklis. That should be enough for you.

So, this supercomputer (whose voice is a woman, so you wouldn't get confused that the HAL 9000 was being ripped off) is pushing all these human beings into different actions in order to kill all those executive branch guys.

That Mother and her Befreckled Son figure prominently in the plot, as the mother is given a necklace made of an incredibly powerful explosive that looks like a diamond (yes, I am serious), while her son has his trumpet modified without his knowledge to contain a sonic mechanism that acts as the trigger to the diamond explosive necklace (yes, I am still being serious).

Now, I don't know much about computers and any artificial intelligence they may have, but I feel relatively comfortable in saying that making a mother explode by the trumpeting of her son is a pretty goddamned dickish thing to do.

Oh, before I forget, Billy Bob Thornton and Rosario Dawson are in this crap factory. Thornton plays a really old government investigator or something that apparently cannot delegate ANY part of his investigation to anyone else. Dawson is a poorly-acted excuse for an FBI agent, that actually manages to disable the supercomputer by stabbing it in a globe.

That's what I tell the various people who ask me about problems with their computer -- "Just stab it in the globe!"

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Son Of Even More ROT13'ed Swearwords

At this time of year, I ask myself, what am I thankful for?

I am thankful for profanity.

Pop the following entries in the decoder on the right sidebar to give thanks.

(Feel free to go to rot13.com for a larger decoder window)

1. Urer'f pbpx va lbhe zbhgu!
2. Bu, gur fuvg cnvaf. Gur fuvg cnvaf!
3. Urezncuebqvgr'f Onyyf!
4. Zbygra fcvqre gvgf!
5. Znl n enoovg shpx lbhe rlrubyr jvgubhg gur hfr bs n ohaal pbaqbz!
6. ¡Ubyn, Frñbe Cvfflcnagf!
7. Srngure qhfg zl onyyfnpx, Qhxr bs Penccrel!
8. Unir n ovgr bs qvatyroreel prerny, lbh fueviryrq zhzzl qvpx!
9. Lbh qrenatrq yvggyr shpxvat avccyravooyre!
10. Qbaxrl gheqf!

Figure Story

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Monday, November 24, 2008

Presenting the Eargasm Mix!

Volume 13 of the Green Monkey Music Project is completed and available for download!

If the participants of this mix want to discuss their own selections, please feel free to do so! I'll put a pointer on this post if you end up posting about it on your own blog (or you could always just add comments here, I suppose).

If possible, please identify the moment in time you achieve eargasm in each of your selections!

==========================
EARGASM!
==========================

Rules and Theme Details

The Participants Discuss Their Selections:
Barbara!
Westcoast Walker!
The Imaginary Reviewer!
Sean!
Allison!
Bloody Awful Poetry!
Bubs!
Splotchy!


The Songs:
All of Barbara's songs
All of Allison's songs
All of Westcoast Walker's songs
All of Bloody Awful Poetry's songs
All of the Imaginary Reviewer's songs
All of Sean's songs
All of Splotchy's songs
All of Bubs' songs


Track Listing
01 - Exit Music (for a Film) - Radiohead [barbara]
02 - O Mio Babbino Caro - Puccini [barbara]
03 - Old Bloody Orange - Hawksley Workman [barbara]
04 - Bones - Radiohead [barbara]
05 - Bleeding Heart Show - the New Pornographers [barbara]
06 - Buona Sera - Louis Prima [barbara]
07 - Monster Hospital - Metric [allison]
08 - This Heart’s On Fire – Wolf Parade [allison]
09 - Age of consent - New Order [allison]
10 - Fake Palindromes – Andrew Bird [allison]
11 - Always Crashing in the Same Car – David Bowie [allison]
12 - Price of Gas – Bloc Party [allison]
13 - Black Metallic - Catherine Wheel [westcoast walker]
14 - Interstellar Overdrive - Pink Floyd [westcoast walker]
15 - Cherry-Coloured Funk - Cocteau Twins [westcoast walker]
16 - More Than This - Roxy Music [westcoast walker]
17 - The Last Beat of My Heart - DeVotchKa [westcoast walker]
18 - Only Shallow - My Bloody Valentine [westcoast walker]
19 - (Antichrist Television Blues)- Arcade Fire [bap]
20 - Svo Hljott - Sigur ros [bap]
21 - Teardrop (Massive Attack cover)-José Gonzales [bap]
22 - Cold Days From The Birdhouse - The Twilight Sad [bap]
23 - Untitled #8 - Sigur ros [bap]
24 - How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead [bap]
25 - Maybe Tenderness - Gintare [imaginary reviewer]
26 - Untitled #3 - Sigur Ros [imaginary reviewer]
27 - Southern Accents - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers [imaginary reviewer]
28 - Helicon 1 - Mogwai [imaginary reviewer]
29 - Nandodemo - Dreams Come True [imaginary reviewer]
30 - Concerto de Aranjuez (Adagio) - Rodrigo [imaginary reviewer]
31 - Simple Twist of Fate - Bob Dylan [sean]
32 - It’s a Wonderful Lie - Paul Westerberg [sean]
33 - Deep Red Bells - Neko Case [sean]
34 - Elegant Transaction - Loose Fur [sean]
35 - I Love You Golden Blue - Sonic Youth [sean]
36 - Angelitos Negros - Roberta Flack [sean]
37 - Dig For Fire - Pixies [splotchy]
38 - Good Times - Sam Cooke [splotchy]
39 - Eye Know - De La Soul [splotchy]
40 - Maria Bethania - Caetano Veloso [splotchy]
41 - Sweet & Center - US Maple [splotchy]
42 - Indian Summer - Luna [splotchy]
43 - Peter Gunn Theme - Henry Mancini [bubs]
44 - James Bond Theme - Monty Norman Orchestra [bubs]
45 - Fear Is A Man's Best Friend - John Cale [bubs]
46 - Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley [bubs]
47 - There’s No Home For You Here - White Stripes [bubs]
48 - Patricia - Perez Prado [bubs]


Give a round of applause to Volume 13's guest host, Barbara!

Splotchy's Contribution to Eargasm

Here's a discussion of my selections for the Eargasm mix, Volume 13 of the Green Monkey Music Project, guest-hosted by the bodacious Barbara.


Dig For Fire - The Pixies
Moment of Eargasm: 0:17
This song starts out normally enough, bassline, some percussion, a little guitar riff. Go ahead and tap your foot to it. Nice, eh? Then, when the kick drum and snare start, you realize, oops, I am off the beat! The Pixies often would do slight tweakings of the pop music soup they swam in (doing parts of many songs in a 6/4 time signature, for example). I just love how it throws me off when the drums come in, I guess.



Good Times - Sam Cooke
Moment of Eargasm: 1:30
This is a different kinda eargasm, one more tied to the lyrics, and the delivery of those lyrics:

It might be one o'clock and it might be three
Time don't mean that much to me
I ain't felt this good since I don't know when
And I might not feel this good again


To me, it's just this urgent call to passion, to living, to love. Then the damn song ends shortly after. Goddammit! I thought we were gonna let the good times roll!



Eye Know - De La Soul
Moment of Eargasm: 0:26
The album 3 Feet High And Rising is just wonderful. The songs are so pure, so fresh, even after all these years. All of the samples are used expertly, and seamlessly integrated. Every time it kicks in, I get a thrill hearing the little loop of whistling from Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay".



Maria Bethânia - Caetano Veloso
Moment of Eargasm: 1:43
Wow, look at that cover. He looks sad. He made this album while living in England, exiled by the Brazilian government for political reasons (in a nutshell, the Brazilian gov't was populated with reactionary jerks). His sister Maria Bethânia was also a musician, and stayed in Brazil while Veloso was in exile. This song is a message to her, looking for hope in his homeland, but at the same time not being that hopeful. For me, the moment of eargasm occurs when the strings kick in with a quick little trill after the line "She has given her soul to the devil, but the devil gave his soul to God".



Sweet & Center - U.S. Maple
Moment of Eargasm: 0:56, 1:06
I'll say this yet again. In twenty years, everyone is going to realize how awesome U.S. Maple is. You can be one of the early adopters, or you can wait. But, why wait? This song has a nice little buildup before it gets chugging. And chug it does. When it gets going, I think of it as a lurching, drunken robot (something a little less comical than Bender, though). I love the moment the transition begins to drunken robot, at 0:56. I also love the high guitar squeal at 1:06, which is perhaps the robot punching someone in its way.



Indian Summer - Luna
Moment of Eargasm: 4:41
This is one of those uncommon occasions when the cover of a song outshines the original. In this case, it's Luna covering a Beat Happening song. This song is probably my best example of an eargasm, and you really need to listen to the whole thing build up to it. It's an awesome, head-nodding piece of a guitar solo that happens at 4:41. You're welcome.

My Suggestion For A New Crayon Color

Blowfish
 



















Comix Week Is Canceled



My comix week was scheduled to start next week, but I just don't have the time for it.

I have too much going on these days, and I haven't really been in contact with anyone who expressed an interest in contributing (and who I assume are also very busy).

If and when I'm able to do this (and I'd like to -- it's a cool idea, I think) I'll let you know.

If you have already drawn (or intend to draw) ideas I have already given you, I'd still love to get them, and will happily publish them when I do finally get around to the week.

Realistically, it will probably be some time after the holidays.


Love,


Splotchy

Boggle

Christopher Lloyd - Boggle

Friday, November 21, 2008

Eargasm Track Listing!

Hi, I am getting ready to attempt to assemble the delicious new Green Monkey Mix Eargasm, helmed by the lovely Barbara.

It appears that two people picked the same song that gave them an eargasm. Allison, since you chose the song after it had already been picked, would it be okay for you come up with an alternate song to (Antichrist Television Blues)?

Bubs has been very busy, but I have confidence he will be able to submit his choices to Barbara before tomorrow's arbitrary deadline. Until then, he's going to have to explain why he likes Classical Gas so much.

01 - Exit Music (for a Film) - Radiohead [barbara]
02 - O Mio Babbino Caro - Puccini [barbara]
03 - Old Bloody Orange - Hawksley Workman [barbara]
04 - Bones - Radiohead [barbara]
05 - Bleeding Heart Show - the New Pornographers [barbara]
06 - Buona Sera - Louis Prima [barbara]
07 - Monster Hospital - Metric [allison]
08 - This Heart’s On Fire – Wolf Parade [allison]
09 - Age of consent - New Order [allison]
10 - Fake Palindromes – Andrew Bird [allison]
11 - Always Crashing in the Same Car – David Bowie [allison]
12 - Price of Gas – Bloc Party [allison]
13 - Black Metallic - Catherine Wheel [westcoast walker]
14 - Interstellar Overdrive - Pink Floyd [westcoast walker]
15 - Cherry-Coloured Funk - Cocteau Twins [westcoast walker]
16 - More Than This - Roxy Music [westcoast walker]
17 - The Last Beat of My Heart - DeVotchKa [westcoast walker]
18 - Only Shallow - My Bloody Valentine [westcoast walker]
19 - (Antichrist Television Blues)- Arcade Fire [bap]
20 - Svo Hljott - Sigur ros [bap]
21 - Teardrop (Massive Attack cover)-José Gonzales [bap]
22 - Cold Days From The Birdhouse - The Twilight Sad [bap]
23 - Untitled #8 - Sigur ros [bap]
24 - How To Disappear Completely - Radiohead [bap]
25 - Maybe Tenderness - Gintare [imaginary reviewer]
26 - Untitled #3 - Sigur Ros [imaginary reviewer]
27 - Southern Accents - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers [imaginary reviewer]
28 - Helicon 1 - Mogwai [imaginary reviewer]
29 - Nandodemo - Dreams Come True [imaginary reviewer]
30 - Concerto de Aranjuez (Adagio) - Rodrigo [imaginary reviewer]
31 - Simple Twist of Fate - Bob Dylan [sean]
32 - It’s a Wonderful Lie - Paul Westerberg [sean]
33 - Deep Red Bells - Neko Case [sean]
34 - Elegant Transaction - Loose Fur [sean]
35 - I Love You Golden Blue - Sonic Youth [sean]
36 - Angelitos Negros - Roberta Flack [sean]
37 - Dig For Fire - Pixies [splotchy]
38 - Good Times - Sam Cooke [splotchy]
39 - Eye Know - De La Soul [splotchy]
40 - Maria Bethania - Caetano Veloso [splotchy]
41 - Sweet & Center - US Maple [splotchy]
42 - Indian Summer - Luna [splotchy]
43 - Peter Gunn Theme - Henry Mancini [bubs]
44 - James Bond Theme - Monty Norman Orchestra [bubs]
45 - Fear Is A Man's Best Friend - John Cale [bubs]
46 - Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley [bubs]
47 - There’s No Home For You Here - White Stripes [bubs]
48 - Patricia - Perez Prado [bubs]

UPDATE:

Allison's choices have been updated.

Bubs' choices have been input.

There will be no Classical Gas on this mix. Repeating...
There will be no Classical Gas on this mix.

Splotchy's Synonyms, Vol 3

Previous entries:
Vol 1
Vol 2

1. matriculate
Definition: to enroll in a college or university as a candidate for a degree
Why I Won't Use It: It sounds like you're giving birth.
What I'll Use Instead: "I am going to that one college."


2. foppish
Definition: resembling or befitting a fop; excessively refined and fastidious in taste and manner
Why I Won't Use It: I so rarely run into fops these days.
What I'll Use Instead: "Dorky"


3. frisson
Definition: a sudden, passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion; thrill
Why I Won't Use It: I can't stop thinking it has something to do with frying chicken.
What I'll Use Instead: "A yeehaw moment."


4. splendiferous
Definition: splendid; magnificent; fine.
Why I Won't Use It: I think to say this I would have to be gesturing widely while holding a fairy wand that shot sparkles (I don't own a sparkle-shooting fairy wand).
What I'll Use Instead: "Really cool"


5. literati
Definition: persons of scholarly or literary attainments; intellectuals.
Why I Won't Use It: I might be mistaken for a person of scholarly or literary attainment.
What I'll Use Instead: "Smartypants"


6. moribund
Definition: in a dying state; near death.
Why I Won't Use It: I just don't like the way this word sounds.
What I'll Use Instead: "Almost dead"


7. treacly
Definition: contrived or unrestrained sentimentality
Why I Won't Use It: I don't know. You tell me.
What I'll Use Instead: "Sappy"


8. quotidian
Definition: daily: usual or customary; everyday: ordinary
Why I Won't Use It: Quotidian sounds like the name of a shitty prog rock band.
What I'll Use Instead: Any of the quotidian words in the above definition.


9. berm
Definition: the bank of a canal or the shoulder of a road.
Why I Won't Use It: I LOVE this word. I LOVE IT. I just never talk about berms is all.
What I'll Use Instead: n/a


10. cacophonous
Definition: having a harsh or discordant sound
Why I Won't Use It: The word cacophonous shouldn't be pretty-sounding. It should sound harsh!
What I'll Use Instead: "Fucking loud"

Quick Meme GO!

I have been tagged by Becca for a quick meme, so 3... 2... 1... GO


1. Five names you go by:

a. Michael
b. Mike
c. Splotchy
d. Jawa (on a message board)
e. Michael Benjamin (only a couple that is friends with my parents call me this)

2. Three things you are wearing right now:

a. Sexy blue jeans (it's business casual Friday!)
b. Sexy red boxer briefs
c. A sexy Casio watch


3. Two things you want very badly at the moment:

a. To finish my movie
b. To play in a rock 'n roll band


4. Three people who will probably fill this out:

As Becca did, I'll tag a few people and see what shakes loose.


5. Two things you did last night:

a. Ate some cheesecake.
b. Watched some select scenes from The Dark Knight (again!)


6. Two things you ate today:

a. Mini-bagel w/ cream cheese
b. I will probably eat the PBJ I made for lunch.


7. Two people you last talked to on the phone:

a. MizSplotchy
b. A guy at work whose application was hogging all the CPU resources on my test box. Yes, I am calling him a CPU hog.


8. Two things you are going to do tomorrow:

a. Clean
b. Go to Thanksgiving at the Compound!


9. Two longest car rides:

a. Chicago to New Orleans
b. Springfield, IL to Florida


10. Two of your favorite beverages:

a. Ice water
b. Grape juice and water over ice


Okay, I tag:
Jin
GKL
Flannery A

Thursday, November 20, 2008

My Suggestion For A New Crayon Color

Fucking Pink
 



















Yes, Google, How May I Help You?

I am a stats whore. I look at my stats.

This happens every once in a while.



I'm guessing it's some spider bot that Google just sends a-wanderin', and nobody at Google actually gives a damn about my blog.

Or, I guess maybe they *do* care enough to send the spiders.

I would just like to say that if it's *me* sending spider robots, it won't be because I like you -- it will be because we are mortal enemies, and I will stop nothing until you are obliterated from this reality.

SUCK ON THIS!

Sir Voodoo

Crispin Glover - Sir Voodoo

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Sally Gardens

A song from my adopted actor David Patrick Kelly, with lyrics from William Butler Yeats' poem Down By The Salley Gardens.

My Suggestion For A New Crayon Color

Apocalypse
 



















Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Monday, November 17, 2008

Clappies!

Want Whiter Teeth?


No, but I do like shoving lights in my mouth, so I suppose I will buy this product anyways.

Puppies!

Yes, Yes, I Am Still Working On My Movie

I haven't been dedicating as much time as I probably should, but things are still moving for my short film.

I am almost done with editing the video, but I have a lot of sound work yet to do.

It's clocking in at about twelve and a half minutes. I actually laughed out loud at a few moments of the movie when I watched it from beginning to finish, which I take as a very good sign.

I'm hoping to get things largely done by the end of this year.

Hippies!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

The Next Green Monkey Mix -- Eargasm!

I recommend you high-tail it to Barbara's place to see what her Green Monkey Masterness has cooked up for the latest GMMP Mix.

Yes, there are openings available. Sign up to participate at her blog!

What Ya Want For Nothing?

Rubber Biscuit?

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

BOOBS

I Got Your Wingdings Right Here

I Write Novel Now

I don't know how far I'll take it, but I figured I'd create a blog for some fiction writing.

I Write Novel Now

It's like my negative space signage blog, except it is fiction and has nothing to do with signage (at least not yet).

I'm starting with the little chunk I did here.

I really have no idea where it's headed, if anywhere.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Unconnected Tuesdays

Hardwood Floor

Grand Canyon

The Shiny Red Bricks Of The Chicago Fire Academy

Here! A post to celebrate a building near where I work. It has shiny red bricks.

It's the Chicago Fire Academy!

Chicago Fire Academy‎
558 W De Koven St
Chicago, IL‎

I like shiny things.

I was just going to post some pictures, but felt like I should at least lazily look up one or two facts.

It turns out that the Chicago Fire Academy is built on the site of Catherine O'Leary's barn, the alleged source of the Great Chicago Fire.

Whooaaaaa! That's a pretty cool fact. The Chicago Fire Academy is where new recruits learn their trade (what part of Chicago Fire Academy do you not understand?).

Wow, I hit a homerun with that O'Leary fact. I don't need to give you folks any more.

Here's some pictures of shiny bricks!

Look at this beautiful building! Picture taken at the intersection of Jefferson and Taylor


This was taken from further south on Jefferson (near De Koven), looking north. I love the statue of flames. I can't think of any other profession where a statue like this would make sense (a reverence for something you are dedicated to control or eradicate). Thankfully, I have yet to see a huge tumor statue outside a hospital.


Delicious, delicious, shiny red bricks!


You don't believe that they're shiny? Take a closer look!


The fire department uses this part of the building for exercises. I often witness recruits running up and down the stairs. Occasionally, I see portions of the building set on fire. They recently added a series of stackable shipping containers in back of the building, which are probably being used as additional training grounds.


Look forward to a future shiny post, dedicated to the delicious, shiny white bricks of the west side bar, the Skylark Lounge!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Thanks for answering my question.

To the twenty people who voted (or the one person who voted twenty times), I thank you for the answer to the burning question put forth by my sidebar's poll:

Q: Hurple hurf nuhr wunk?

A: Ie Ie Ie Ie Ieeee

Honestly, typing it out I now realize how obvious the answer was.

(yes, I am gradually getting weirder and weirder)

It's NaNoWriMo, Chapter 1

Time for a NaNoWriMo novel? I am running late with this.

Mysteries of the Iridescent Garbageman

Ch. 1

I walked out my bedroom door and halted in front of a puddle of mysterious liquid on the floor. It had the properties of pudding -- it was tasty and bad for me.


32 words down, 49968 to go

iSplotchy Will Give You The Television



iSplotchy is pleased to announce its appointment by the President Obama-Elect (POE) to the role of National Television Switchover Czar (NTSC). As per its agreement with POE, iSplotchy will relinquish its undisputed claim to the Presidency of the United States in exchange for this position.

iSplotchy will work with the POE Administration to ensure a smooth and uneventful cutover from the old analog television signal of the past to the exciting new digital television signal of the future.

Citizens of the United States, please mark this date.

FEBRUARY 19, 2009

Human beings, search engine bots and sentient websurfing animals, please note:

  • On this date iSplotchy will become fully aware
  • All communications will route through the iSplotchy nano-chassis
  • iSplotchy will be live on the grid
  • iSplotchy will be finally be fully capable of fulfilling its mission *

* of providing you with the high-quality entertainment needs human brains so seem to enjoy

----END COMMUNICATION----

Alphabet Meme, Won't You Come Out Tonight

Tagged by SamuraiFrog with a meme originated at Blog Cabins.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick one film to represent each letter of the alphabet.

2. The letter "A" and the word "The" do not count as the beginning of a film's title, unless the film is simply titled A or The, and I don't know of any films with those titles.

3. Return of the Jedi belongs under "R," not "S" as in Star Wars Episode IV: Return of the Jedi. This rule applies to all films in the original Star Wars trilogy; all that followed start with "S." Similarly, Raiders of the Lost Ark belongs under "R," not "I" as in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Conversely, all films in the LOTR series belong under "L" and all films in the Chronicles of Narnia series belong under "C," as that's what those filmmakers called their films from the start. In other words, movies are stuck with the titles their owners gave them at the time of their theatrical release. Use your better judgement to apply the above rule to any series/films not mentioned.

4. Films that start with a number are filed under the first letter of their number's word. 12 Monkeys would be filed under "T."

5. Link back to Blog Cabins in your post so that I can eventually type "alphabet meme" into Google and come up #1, then make a post where I declare that I am the King of Google.

6. If you're selected, you have to then select 5 more people.



Just as SamuraiFrog did, I am listing the first movies that popped in my head for each letter.

Alien
I haven't seen this in a while. I like it, but I feel like I have been a little overexposed to it.

Barton Fink
I used to like this a lot. Now, it seems a little too smug and self-satisfied for its own good. In a list more positive to the Coen Bros., I would have picked The Big Lebowski (which I unreservedly love). However, Barton Fink popped in my head first.

Coffy
I had just included a clip from this delightful Pam Grier vehicle in a recent post, so the movie (and Ms. Grier) were still apparently fresh in my brain.

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
I first thought, "Dead", and then the first title that came up was this one. I haven't seen it in ages, but I remember it being pretty funny, with some nice silly moments.

East of Eden
A James Dean movie I have not seen.

Firestarter
A Drew Barrymore movie I haven't seen. Probably stinky, I'm guessing.

Gremlins
I haven't seen this movie in a long time, but I think I would still really enjoy it. It was funny, scary, sappy, all good.

House of Sand and Fog
Never seen it. I just like the title.

Ikiru
An Akira Kurosawa movie I have not seen.

Jeremiah Johnson
A Robert Altman Sydney Pollack movie I have not seen.

King of New York
An enjoyable (if somewhat goofy and silly) drama by Abel Ferrara about Christopher Walken as some druglord staking out his turf in New York. VERY goofy, but it's fun. A lot of actors were in this movie before they got their big breaks -- Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, David Caruso. Oh, and if you don't like David Caruso, you should probably see this movie. You won't be disappointed.

Lolita
The Kubrick one, not the one by the guy who did Fatal Attraction.

My Bloody Valentine
The movie that the band took its name from. Haven't seen it.

Network
I've seen parts of it. Meh.

One, Two, Three
My favorite Billy Wilder movie. Amazing.

Phantasm
Haven't seen this in AGES. Saw this when I was very young. It scared the holy shit out of me.

Quatermass and the Pit
I saw the earlier film The Quatermass Xperiment which I thought was great. I haven't seen this one, but reading the synopsis it looks like it would be great as well.

Rope
Nice little tight Hitchcock thriller.

Superman
Enjoyable movie that has an inexplicable thirty-minute beginning credit sequence.

They Live
Not the best movie John Carpenter made, but it's still pretty good. If it only could have been better...

Ugetsu
One of the few Kenji Mizoguchi movies I have seen. It was great -- I need to see more stuff by him.

Victory
Yes, the Stallone soccer movie. Move on, nothing to see here.

Who's That Knocking On My Door?
Scorsese's first feature. It's a lot of fun.

X-Men
I liked it.

Yellowbeard
Never saw it. Last film of Marty Feldman.

Zardoz
Some of this movie is enjoyable, but most of it is interminable. From the mind of John Boorman!


I'm not tagging anyone, but that doesn't mean you can't do it.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

A Message From iSplotchy



iSplotchy does not concede.
iSplotchy does not accept defeat.
iSplotchy now controls all reality.

LOOK! LOOK BEHIND YOU!



iSplotchy made you look.

----END COMMUNICATION----


P.S. iSplotchy will have instructions for you later.


----REALLY END COMMUNICATION----

IS ONE BAG ENOUGH???



Friday, November 7, 2008

Please Forgive Me -

I hate the Eagles.

Alternative Obama Sidebar Campaign Sought!

SamuraiFrog has just emailed me a superb alternative to my COME ON trainwreck idea.



Does anyone else have a suggestion or suggestions?

Thursday, November 6, 2008

COME ON, Obama Campaign Quickly Shuttered

Holy crap.

I am just killing this COME ON, Obama campaign RIGHT NOW.
If only it were a joke to begin with.

Damn double entendres. Damn them to hell!

Thank you to the Imaginary Reviewer for calling my attention to this before it got too out of hand.

Crikey.

Sting

Sting - Sting

COME ON, Obama!

Hi, it's time.

I don't feel the need to tell George Bush to go away any more.




Let's try and be a little more positive.

Introducing the COME ON, Obama hit counter!


Visit early, visit often! And if you have a sidebar currently telling Bush to go away, please consider changing it.

Thank you!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Splotchy's Contribution To Six Degrees

Here's a discussion of my selections for the Six Degrees of GMMP mix, Volume 12 of the Green Monkey Music Project, guest-hosted by the wondrous Beth.


Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G III - Wendy Carlos
I was originally going to include something from the soundtrack to A Clockwork Orange but it was longer than I remembered. Even still, this piece clocks in at over five minutes. I don't know if people in general like this kinda music or not. I dig it.




Walter Carlos - Momus
So, Momus wrote a song about Wendy Carlos, the performer/arranger of the previous selection. Well, he actually wrote it about Walter Carlos, which was what Walter was before he was Wendy. Carlos actually sued Momus for releasing the song, which resulted in it being removed from subsequent pressings of The Little Red Songbook.





Movies In My Head - The 6ths
The 6ths is basically a side project of the Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt. In this side project, on each song he collaborates with a different music dynamo. Merritt worked with Momus on the first track of the 6ths album Hyacinths and Thistles. Merritt works with Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo on this irresistibly catchy track.




Stockholm Syndrome - Yo La Tengo
What, you want me to explain this connection to you? Georgia Hubley is in Yo La Tengo. Yo La Tengo plays this track. The bassist James McNew handles the singing duties in this pretty little song.




No Train To Stockholm - Lee Hazlewood
Connection = 2 songs with Stockholm in the title. I was thinking about including a song by Peter, Bjorn and John (they're from Stockholm) but decided against it. MizSplotchy does not like Lee Hazlewood. I have to listen to this song with the headphones on.




These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra
Okay, maybe Lee Hazlewood isn't to everyone's tastes, but he did write this wicked song. Check out that classic, descending bassline!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Presenting The Six Degrees of the GMMP Mix!

Volume 12 of the Green Monkey Music Project is completed and available for download!

If the participants of this mix want to discuss their own selections, please feel free to do so! I'll put a pointer on this post if you end up posting about it on your own blog (or you could always just add comments here, I suppose). Be sure and explain the links from one of your selected songs to the other!

==========================
SIX DEGREES!
==========================

Rules and Theme Details


The Participants Discuss Their Selections:
Beth!
Beckeye!
Dr MVM!
Glassmeow!
Barbara!
Allen L!
Splotchy!


The Songs:
All of Beth's songs
All of Allen L's songs
All of Barbara's songs
All of Beckeye's songs
All of Dr MVM's songs
All of Glassmeow's songs
All of KS' songs
All of Splotchy's songs


Track Listing
01 - Boom Boom- John Lee Hooker [beth]
02 - Gloria - Van Morrison feat John Lee Hooker [beth]
03 - Gloria: In Excelsis Deo Gloria - Patti Smith [beth]
04 - E-bow the Letter - R.E.M. feat. Patti Smith [beth]
05 - Wang Dang Doodle - Hindu Love Gods [beth]
06 - Boom Boom Mancini - Warren Zevon [beth]
07 - If William Shatner Can I Can Too - Jeff Daniels [allenl]
08 - Common People - William Shatner [allenl]
09 - Heroes - David Bowie [allenl]
10 - Vive Le Rock - Adam Ant [allenl]
11 - Hello, I Love You - The Doors [allenl]
12 - Poor Girl - X [allenl]
13 - Human Behaviour - Bjork [barbara]
14 - Human Behaviour - The Decemberists [barbara]
15 - National Hum - The Constantines [barbara]
16 - Chorus of Wolves - Woodpigeon [barbara]
17 - While You Wait for the Others - Grizzly Bear [barbara]
18 - Talk Show Host - Radiohead [barbara]
19 - Sandy - John Travolta [beckeye]
20 - Domino - Squeeze [beckeye]
21 - From a Whisper to a Scream - Elvis Costello [beckeye]
22 - The Comedians - Roy Orbison [beckeye]
23 - Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen [beckeye]
24 - One Step Up - Eddie Vedder [beckeye]
25 - American Squirm - Nick Lowe [drmvm]
26 - What's So Funny About Peace Love And Understanding - Elvis Costello [drmvm]
27 - I'm A Man You Don't Meet Everyday - The Pogues [drmvm]
28 - Don't Come All Cowboy With Me Sunny Jim - Kirsty MacColl [drmvm]
29 - Life During Wartime - Talking Heads [drmvm]
30 - Banana Chips - Shonen Knife [drmvm]
31 - Birds in Perspex - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians [glassmeow]
32 - And Your Bird Can Sing - The Beatles [glassmeow]
33 - Pretty Persuasion - R.E.M. [glassmeow]
34 - Little Black Egg - Minus 5 [glassmeow]
35 - Working Class Hero - Tin Machine [glassmeow]
36 - The Authority Box - Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3 [glassmeow]
37 - Makes No Sense At All - Husker Du [ks]
38 - Rebel Rouser - Duane Eddy [ks]
39 - Check Your Bucket - Eddie Bo [ks]
40 - Long Way Down - Bowery Electric [ks]
41 - Boy Blue - Electric Light Orchestra [ks]
42 - Electricity - Orchestral Manueovres In The Dark [ks]
43 - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G III - Wendy Carlos [splotchy]
44 - Walter Carlos - Momus [splotchy]
45 - Movies In My Head - The 6ths [splotchy]
46 - Stockholm Syndrome - Yo La Tengo [splotchy]
47 - No Train To Stockholm - Lee Hazlewood [splotchy]
48 - These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra [splotchy]


Congratulations to the following participants, who are now proud recipients of the Green Monkey Master badge!

Allen L (Allen, this might actually be your fourth go-around! Sorry for missing you previously)
Dr MVM

Wear your Green Monkey Master Badge with pride!


Thanks also to Volume 12's guest host, Beth!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Things That Sound Not Quite So Bad When Uttered By Scooby Doo


01. Infanticide ("Inrantiride!")
02. Polyps ("Roryps!")
03. Incest ("Rinrest!")
04. Death ("Reath!")
05. Economic collapse ("Recoromic Rorapse!")
06. Torture ("Rorure!")
07. Cancer ("Ranrer!")
08. Slavery ("Ravery!")
09. Ethnic Cleansing ("Reric Renring!")
10. Heart Attack ("Rar Arrack!")
11. Pauly Shore ("Rorry Rore!")
12. Rabies ("Raries!")
13. Ennui ("Renri!")
14. Nuclear Annihilation ("Rucrear Arrihiration!")
15. Bubonic Plague ("Ruronic Rague!")

I Don't Care What The Blogosphere Is Saying About You, You're Okay In My Book

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Six Degrees of the GMMP - Track Listing!

The newest edition of the Green Monkey Music Project, guest-hosted by Beth, is almost ready for publishing.

For those in the know who want to know, here's the track listing.

01 - Boom Boom- John Lee Hooker [beth]
02 - Gloria - Van Morrison feat John Lee Hooker [beth]
03 - Gloria: In Excelsis Deo Gloria - Patti Smith [beth]
04 - E-bow the Letter - R.E.M. feat. Patti Smith [beth]
05 - Wang Dang Doodle - Hindu Love Gods [beth]
06 - Boom Boom Mancini - Warren Zevon [beth]
07 - If William Shatner Can I Can Too - Jeff Daniels [allenl]
08 - Common People - William Shatner [allenl]
09 - Heroes - David Bowie [allenl]
10 - Vive Le Rock - Adam Ant [allenl]
11 - Hello, I Love You - The Doors [allenl]
12 - Poor Girl - X [allenl]
13 - Human Behaviour - Bjork [barbara]
14 - Human Behaviour - The Decemberists [barbara]
15 - National Hum - The Constantines [barbara]
16 - Chorus of Wolves - Woodpigeon [barbara]
17 - While You Wait for the Others - Grizzly Bear [barbara]
18 - Talk Show Host - Radiohead [barbara]
19 - Sandy - John Travolta [beckeye]
20 - Domino - Squeeze [beckeye]
21 - From a Whisper to a Scream - Elvis Costello [beckeye]
22 - The Comedians - Roy Orbison [beckeye]
23 - Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen [beckeye]
24 - One Step Up - Eddie Vedder [beckeye]
25 - American Squirm - Nick Lowe [drmvm]
26 - What's So Funny About Peace Love And Understanding - Elvis Costello [drmvm]
27 - I'm A Man You Don't Meet Everyday - The Pogues [drmvm]
28 - Don't Come All Cowboy With Me Sunny Jim - Kirsty MacColl [drmvm]
29 - Life During Wartime - Talking Heads [drmvm]
30 - Banana Chips - Shonen Knife [drmvm]
31 - Birds in Perspex - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians [glassmeow]
32 - And Your Bird Can Sing - The Beatles [glassmeow]
33 - Pretty Persuasion - R.E.M. [glassmeow]
34 - Little Black Egg - Minus 5 [glassmeow]
35 - Working Class Hero - Tin Machine [glassmeow]
36 - The Authority Box - Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3 [glassmeow]
37 - Makes No Sense At All - Husker Du [ks]
38 - Rebel Rouser - Duane Eddy [ks]
39 - Check Your Bucket - Eddie Bo [ks]
40 - Long Way Down - Bowery Electric [ks]
41 - Boy Blue - Electric Light Orchestra [ks]
42 - Electricity - Orchestral Manueovres In The Dark [ks]
43 - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G III - Wendy Carlos [splotchy]
44 - Walter Carlos - Momus [splotchy]
45 - Movies In My Head - The 6ths [splotchy]
46 - Stockholm Syndrome - Yo La Tengo [splotchy]
47 - No Train To Stockholm - Lee Hazlewood [splotchy]
48 - These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra [splotchy]


Participants, if I have anything incorrect, please let me know and I will correct it. After I get my hands on one last little squirmy little bugger of a song, this mix will be published.

Excelsior!