Stop yourself from drunk calling before it gets too late. LG is bringing to the US a cell phone (LP4100) that comes equipped with a breath analyzer...So, not only can you test your blood-alchohol level before you get behind the wheel, but you can also block access to certain numbers while you are under the influence. LG has several similar phones out in Korea already, where more than 200,000 have been sold.
ABC News
-jmd
Equipped with an array of instruments (including a horn section), Tucson-based Calexico showed off their wide musical range last night at Warsaw in Brooklyn. Led by the soothing and enchanting vocals of lead singer/guitarist Joey Burns, the band filled the school gymnasium-esque venue with their eclectic southwest mariachi/indie rock sound, clearly impressing the sold-out crowd....set to the backdrop of rodeo-themed video projections. Calexico is on tour in promotion of their latest full-album release, "Garden Ruin". Definitely gonna hit this one up again next time they come to town.
Casa de Calexico
-jmd
| ||
| With proper hair, makeup, and post-shoot retouching, we're reminded of the Britney that used to be. Not to say that the whole thing isn't just a little bit weird. Read what the gossip blogs are saying about it (Dlisted has a good selection of the images in high-res): Gawker Dlisted Pink is the new blog Also, if you haven't seen it, and you're feeling brave, catch a glimpse of last week's interview here. -jmd |
Posted yesterday on YouTube...This poor girl is deathly afraid of pickles...it made us laugh in horror. Since yesterday, the Maury clip has been viewed over 300,000 times. Check it out for yourself.
-ca, jmd
The popularity of internet video is growing ever-so rapidly. YouTube and NBC announced their partnership today....The popular online video hub will feature a separate channel for NBC video, featuring clips, highlights, and possibly even full episodes of their upcoming Fall lineup...Meanwhile, advertisers continue contemplation on how to best reach consumers with the new online venue, which has been said to have a "greater reach among some US audiences than MTV".
Meanwhile, ABC has been offering free streaming episodes of their most popular shows such as "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" on their website.
ABC NEWS
Forbes
-jmd
All along, we've heard about the dangers of cell-phone use...particularly reports on brain tumors, etc...but finally, some interestingly positive effects of using your mobile have come to fruition. New Italian research suggests that prolonged contact with the electomagnetic field (EMI) generated by cell phones use could "activate" parts of your brain...and may "have beneficial effects for people with migraines, stroke or dementia"...but it is also noted that there could be "possible detrimental effects for those with epilepsy"...I'm sure, however, that any new developments, good or bad, regarding health and cell-phones won't change the habits or mobile users. Interesting, nonetheless.
Forbes
-jmd
One large step for the development of a robot-takeover. British and American scientists have devised some rather creepy technology that reads facial expressions to determine emotional status. This could change the face (no pun intended) of advertising, as consumers could be targeted/filtered by their current emotional state...All it takes is a video camera, or even a webcam. The program will make it's public coming-out on July 3 in London at the Royal Society's summer science exhibition.
"Imagine a computer that could pick the right emotional moment to try to sell you something, a future where mobile phones, cars and Web sites could read our mind and react to our moods."
CNN International
...Less tantalizing, however, is the prospect of a machine translating our fears and emotional vulnerabilities. More to come on this one, I'm sure.
-jmd
ecco restaurant - industrial and cool! had just opened 5 weeks ago - only cute boys (interior decorators and wedding planners) seemed to know about it the nite we went.
i love charcuterie and cheese platters - and ecco's is outstanding. if you're a cheese fiend like me, make sure you try the epoisses - their most pungent cheese and absolutely yummy! also recommend the fig glazed lamb loin (most expensive item on the menu at $34). a very good wine list but avoid the cocktail menu unless you love super-sweet drinks.
a beautiful, airy space, open kitchen - we were able to watch the food stager prepare all the dishes before they were sent to their tables. one wooden donald judd style table in the center of the room is perfect for a large group - and is the only table set without table linens. the staff at ecco is very friendly and helpful. the front desk is a little standoffish and overly impressed by itself but overall this joins my two other favorite atlanta restaurants: two urban licks and rathbun's.
dinner for two was $180 with tip.
Official Website
-iz
EW recently reported that Robert Altman is making a fictional version of the 1998 documentary Hands on a Hard Body. The film chronicles the comedy & tragedy of 23 contestants vying to win a Nissan truck by being the last person to keep his hand on the vehicle. (One of our faves - & a real crowd pleaser!) If that isn't exciting enough, the "Daily Dish" column of the NY Daily News reported today that Altman is in talks with Jake Gyllenhaal to star.....
WOW.
Haven't seen it? Run, don't walk:
Amazon.com
IMDB
-ad
Driv-e-mocion...A very funny and quite novel product...attach it to your rear-window and articulate your feelings towards those behind you. Can't imagine that something like this would actually take off, but for those who battle road-rage on a more frequent basis, this might take a little bit of the pressure off.
Sci-fi
Driv-e-mocion
-jmd
Hilarity ensued in our office today, as our copy of US Weekly sports a blood red ink splotch down page 51, marking up Mary Kate Olsen's face in an almost violent manner. The quotation in the lower lefthand corner reads, "A source says Olsen 'is totally being the aggressive one'"....
-jmd
Cheers to Thom Yorke (Radiohead), on his exceptional upcoming solo effort, "The Eraser". The album maps out a slightly more vulnerable direction for Yorke, setting aside the complex signature sound of Radiohead for a more raw and intimate vibe.
..Some track highlights: Harrowdown Hill, Atoms For Peace, Analyse and Black Swan...The album officially drops July 10 (UK) and July 11 (US).
The Eraser Official Website
-jmd
Bored of the same old variety of frappuccinos at Starbucks? Customize it. Granted, a personalized frapp isn't the best way to get on an employee's best side, but they'll still do it up for you real nice...and you won't regret it.
Our suggestion: Try the new "banana coconut frapp" without the banana...and instead, add malt flavor. Sounds a little odd, but you'll be back for seconds...and thirds...
Starbucks
-jmd
In an obvious, yet exciting next step, Apple has been in dealings with major movie studios to offer feature films via the iTunes store. While download pricing reportedly remains the biggest hurdle in negotiations, the prospective movie download service could be the answer to more recent slumping DVD sales. Rumored to coincide with the release of the new download library is an updated iPod video, more apt for playing feature length films (larger screen, presumabely longer battery-life)...
Variety
-jmd
Oh so smart...if you've forgotten to charge any of your mobile gadgets before leaving home (cell phones, PDAs, ipods, etc.)...*and you live in London*, keep your eyes out for the "ChargeBox", a public locker system that charges up any number of tech accessories. Takes about 40 mins and ₤1 for a full dose....Maybe soon we can get some of these over onto this side of the Atlantic?
-jmd
The other night, I caught the Sci-Fi Channel special, "Countdown to Doomsday" with Matt Lauer, where they counted down the top ten "doomsday scenarios". The list included such lovely happenings as pandemics, asteroid impacts and global warming. Nothin like a little doomsday-talk to add some cheer to your evening before bed. Well, after about 24 hours of general anxiety fueled by this heartwarming program, I finally started to feel a little bit less skittish about all of the impending disasters we are certain to face...
Of course, just as I'm feeling a little better about it all, I read about all the fun stuff going on right now in Siberia. Apparently, there's some massive thawing of 400,000 square miles of permafrost over there...thawing woolly mammoth bones, sabre-tooth tigers, general grasslands, etc. after about 10,000 years of frozen peace. Once things start warming up just a little bit more, scientists expect about 500 gigatons of once-protected carbon to be released into the atmosphere, dramatically accelerating global warming. Even better, Siberia isn't the only place at risk. There's an estimated 500 gigatons of carbon in other permafrost areas all over the world just waiting for a little bit of warming action. Read more about it by clicking the links below. Fun times.
LA Times
MSNBC
-jmd
Caught Radiohead at MSG last night...absolutely brilliant...riveting. still sinking in...wow.
Setlist:
The Gloaming, National Anthem, 15 Step, Arpeggi, Kid A, Dollars and Cents, Videotape, Nude, I Might Be Wrong, Paranoid Android, Bangers 'n Mash, Pyramid Song, My Iron, Lung, Bodysnatchers, Myxomatosis, No Surprises (dedicated to Michael Stipe), Everything in it's Right Place
-Encore 1:
A Wolf at the Door, Down is the New Up, Like Spinning Plates, Spooks, Idioteque
-Encore 2:
Just, The Tourist
-jmd
ezGear ezVision Video Wear, portable video display unit simulates a 50" widescreen display...so you can watch video from your ipod, computer, portable DVD player, etc....comes with a strapping price tag of $400.
ezGear Official Site
-jmd
Following Sprint's release of Family Locator (April), Verizon launched this week, Chaperone, a GPS-based cell phone service that allows parents to get the real-time whereabouts of their children. It even comes with an "invisible fence" feature that beeps when the child goes over pre-determined boundaries.
There are some downsides, however...Chaperone only works with the LG Migo, which has limited options, and is made for children five to nine. With Sprint's plan, there are many compatible phones, and tracking features are open to a larger range of customers. Hence, if you're planning on stalking someone outside of your family network, go with Sprint.
PC Magazine
-jmd
I attended my first performance driving event at Mid America Motorplex in Nebraska.
The event was sponsored by BMW CCA - Iowa chapter. My dad is a performance driving instructor & he let me drive his Honda Civic for the weekend. (But I got a few rides in the BMW M3's with him & my uncle!)
-I learned how to tighten the lug nuts!
-Switching back to street tires to head home.
-Last stop at Bob's in LeMars, IA
-ad
7-Up has gone au-natural...which intrigued us at first...until we took a peek at the ingredients....Basically, they've tagged each item with, "natural" (ie. "natural citric acid" and "natural potassium citrate"). They have, however, rid the soft drink of it's caramel color and other artificial colorants, which isn't so hard to do, since it's already pretty much clear. Still sporting the high fructose corn syrup (find me where that comes from in nature)...They boast only five ingredients...but that's really only 2-3 less than the average soda, anyway. Basic point, it's still soda, even with the word, "natural" attached, if you're aiming to be healthy and organic, you're not going to be drinking regular soda. Period.
Sprite, on the other hand, has taken to just plain weirding us out with their video-art/design-laden "SubLYMONal" campaign (from ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky). Totally love this one, but y'all judge for yourselves. Check it:
7-Up website
Sprite website
Crispin Porter + Bogusky
-jmd
A detox facility has opened its doors in Amsterdam...for videogame addicts. Um....
Yahoo News
-jmd
It's not often you see practical integration of tech and businesswear. Very nice!
The Thomas Pink Commuter Tie:
Limited edition - the commuter tie features a pocket on the reverse to hold your iPod Nano or MP3 player and an extra fabric loop to keep headphone wires out of sight and close to your body. 100% Silk - dry-clean only - imported. [Pink]
There is also a "Commuter Shirt" but we've heard that it's a little more difficult a wiring process...and the tie just seems to be a perfect fit for a little ipod...
-jmd
US Weekly has a countown on their website tracking the last time Britney Spears and K-Fed were photographed together (3/25/06). Novel.
US Weekly Countown
-jmd
Finally, we get our first glimpse at the newborn child of Brad and Angelina! Shiloh Jolie-Pitt graces this week's cover of "Hello Magazine"...Tabloid blogs like Gawker and Dlisted jumped on the story and cover image almost immediately. Along came mega-corporation, Time Inc., with legal threats and the demand that the sites remove the picture.
Gossip blog, Dlisted removed the image from their site almost immediately saying: *Time Inc. sent us a letter asking us to take em or down or they will sue our asses! I'm sure they will be up legally very soon!* [Dlisted]
Gawker, however, did no such thing...I've pasted below the original letter sent to Gawker. Read their full interraction with the big guns (and see the small thumbnail pic at the center of debate) here. Rather amusing....I'd say Gawker is pretty bold to stand up against Time Inc...I can't imagine they'd stand a chance.
Official letter to Gawker Media:
From: Nick Jollymore
To: Lockhart Steele
Dear Mr. Steel:
We will be sending you more formal legal notices shortly. Gawker’s posting of the Hello! Magazine cover with Angelina Jolie and Bradd Pitt is an infringements of Time Inc.’s exclusive rights to that photograph. I need to talk to you or your attorney immediate.
Nick Jollymore
Deputy General Counsel
Time Inc.
[Gawker]
CNN.com
-jmd
We are all very excited about the addition of Pee-Wee's Playhouse to Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup!
Pee-Wee Official Site
Reuters
-jmd
Had a lot of fun playing around on this website. I've pasted a little bit about the group below:
DGPH is a design group formed at the beginning of 2003, by two Graphic Designers from the Buenos Aires University, in Argentina; Diego Vaisberg and Martin Lowenstein.
The idea of this project was to combine graphics and visual arts, with every other issue in the design areas: design, arts, fashion...
DGPH Website
-jmd
After making headlines a few weeks ago for his sarcastic and blunt roast-style speech at the 2006 White House Correspondents Dinner, Stephen Colbert stood behind the podium again on June 3 at Knox College in Illinois...this time as the commencement speaker...presiding over the graduating class of 2006. Bringing his snarky humor to the stage, Stephen kept true to his "Colbert Report" character...some excerpts:
First of all, when you go to apply for your first job, don’t wear these robes. Medieval garb does not instill confidence in future employers—unless you’re applying to be a scrivener. And if someone does offer you a job, say yes. You can always quit later. Then at least you’ll be one of the unemployed as opposed to one of the never-employed. Nothing looks worse on a resume than nothing.
And when you enter the workforce, you will find competition from those crossing our all-too-poorest borders. Now I know you’re all going to say, “Stephen, Stephen, immigrants built America.” Yes, but here’s the thing—it’s built now. I think it was finished in the mid-70s sometime. At this point it’s a touch-up and repair job. But thankfully Congress is acting and soon English will be the official language of America. Because if we surrender the national anthem to Spanish, the next thing you know, they’ll be translating the Bible. God wrote it in English for a reason! So it could be taught in our public schools.
Read the full transcript
Mercury News
-jmd
Musician/Director/Artist Rob Zombie has announced his plans to ressurect the story of Michael Myers in a new Halloween film (October 2007). Zombie's previous flicks, House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects are tremendously thrilling, frightening, graphic, and well, generally horrific. On the flip-side, Zombie has brought a dense and quite beautiful artistic angle to the horror genre...The new rendition of the classic Mike Myers narrative is sure to impress horror buffs and art lovers alike (well, at least those who aren't particularly faint at heart). Leave the kids at home for this one.
MTV News
-jmd
On Friday, JetBlue acquired a license that will allow them to offer in-flight wireless internet! Yet another reason to choose JetBlue....
Reuters
-jmd
Back in 2001, mysterious "blood-colored showers" fell from the sky onto southern India. After testing the stuff, scientists are now hypothesizing that the strange fluid may in fact contain alien life.
Specifically, Louis has isolated strange, thick-walled, red-tinted cell-like structures about 10 microns in size. Stranger still, dozens of his experiments suggest that the particles may lack DNA yet still reproduce plentifully, even in water superheated to nearly 600 degrees Fahrenheit . (The known upper limit for life in water is about 250 degrees Fahrenheit .) [CNN]
-jmd
chinatown brasserie, lafayette street - WOW! AWFUL...
was a long time fan of Time Cafe and was excited that a chinese restaurant specialized in dim sum and peking duck was moving into the neighborhood.
went last nite - official opening night - and was underwhelmed and disappointed on almost all counts. the place looks hideous - heavy handed, nothing charming or whimsical or even truly kitschy. it felt like a bad times square theme restaurant - it actually elevates ruby foo's. the food is only ok - dim sum are fine, nothing to rave about, the peking duck can't stand up to the preparation at peking duck in chinatown. we did love the peanut butter dessert and our waiter (and really all the staff) were terrific. 2 orders of dim sum, one peking duck and 3 glasses of wine set us back $180 with tip. i give the place 2 years max.
Chinatown Brasserie
-iz
Opening up a new tech gadget can be almost as exciting as actually playing with it...There's a blog dedicated to the unveiling of new products.
unboxing.com
-jmd
Erwin Olaf produces some of the most beautiful photographs I've ever seen. Some of his series are questionable in taste...Noneless, his imagery is nothing short of breathtaking.
erwinolaf.com
-jmd
Took a trip down to Kenneth Volk Vineyards recently. Ken is the former owner of the ever popular Wildhorse Winery. He's moved to the Santa Maria Valley off of Foxen Canyon ("Sideways" area) and is back with great wines. Here's what I took away from the trip-- It's ALLLLL about non-traditional varietals. Though Ken has killer Chardonnays-- I tried Malvasia Bianca (a white varietal-- fruity and fun), Tempernillo (Spanish red -- deep and earthy), Trousseau (Rhone red -- as tasty as cherry cola!) and Mourvedre (Rhone red -- mostly used in blends, but great as a stand alone). All were great. The winery isn't officially open until July, but the wines are in stores nationwide and I'm glad I got the sneak
peek. Really, step outside the box and try some non-traditional varietals.
-a peek inside the barrel room
Kenneth Volk Vineyards
-bks
So, sealed up in some cave in Israel for millions of years was this other ecosystem with a bunch of little creatures we had no idea existed. More interesting, all eight of the newly found species had no eyes, as five million years of evolution in a dark cave would have it.
[The Guardian]
-jmd
