It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

Many of my friends know that years ago there was a song out (mostly played in South Florida) and it shouted out that it was "PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!"

Well a few years later it got some internet buzz and suddenly there was a banana singing along to it on some website.

It looks like the Family Guy has finally found a way to bring it back...check it out!

(another website with a link to the video)


This post is dedicated to Julie :) Because I know she loves the song.

(Thanks Best Week Ever - I didn't actually see it on the show but I know that if it was done on the Family Guy it has to be good)

An Internet Phenomenon

A True Over Night Sensation

A little known group (which is quickly gaining popularity) has been through the unthinkable. The "discovery" began when a blogger saw their name on an MP3 site and was both "attracted and repulsed" by the name and he had to download the song. The Group's name - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

The blogger loved it - wrote about it -and then within 2 weeks the band was all over the internet and all types of blogs and then the single was reviewed on Pitchfork magazine. Soon thereafter they were reviewed in numerous big city magazines and finally the entire album had a review on Pitchfork. They weren't even on a label or had a distribution company - so they were in their homes burning cd's, licking stamps, and personally sending cd's out to people writing in their cd orders.

They went from selling a few hundred cd's at shows to 10,000 after the buzz got all over the internet. And recently they have decided to join a label and have sold over 25,000 cds - which is a lot for the indie world.

The singer didn't even know what Pitchfork was - he got an email from a friend congratulating him on the review - and only then was starting to realize what was happening.

Read NPR's story about the power of the internet and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!

Personally I find Clap Your Hands to be catchy but I can't understand a word they say - so I often make fun of it. It sounds kinda like a lot of moaning but the beat is definitely catchy and will stick in your head all day. It took awhile for me to actually start to understand it. But Elad and my friend Danya have loved the album for a few months now.

75 Band References

Let's see how many we can all come up with...(larger version here)

1. Smashing Pumpkins
2. Led Zepplin
3. Eagles
4. Gorillaz
5. Rolling Stones
6. Spoon
7. White Snake
8. Guns and Roses
9. Scissor Sisters

(I will post more in the comments if I can come up with any - please do the same!)

(Thanks Best Week Ever)

This Is What We Need More Of

The Starsight is a solar-charged utility pole that powers a WiFi access point, a streetlamp, a CCTV snitchcam, and a light-pole.

(Thanks Boing Boing.)

Where Did November Go?

So Thanksgiving is now past and I ask myself - where did November go? I can't recall anything that occurred in this last month (besides this past week). Does anyone else feel the same way?

And now the new month is almost here - and the question on everyone's minds is what do you want for hanunkah/christmas/the holidays?!?! And I sadly do not have an answer - so I better start thinking hard for some cool gifts.

Is it better to let people just buy whatever they want to buy - or should you direct them towards a certain something that you want? In my opinion it is interesting to see what other people would purchase for you - it lets you see what they think about you and the things you like (or what they think you should like). But then you take the risk of people not getting who you are and buying an item that might just sit pretty on the bottom of your dresser drawer.

But I guess that would make it seem like the things you own reflect on who you are. Maybe it is just the opposite and it is just things that you should enjoy - and it shouldn't define you. Maybe gifts are something that are just supposed to enhance the world in some way - put a smile on your face - remind you of the person who gave it to you.

But then again - would I rather have the cool new electronic devices I have been drooling over for weeks or a cute teddy bear that is nice and cuddly but would just sit and collect dust? Oh the holiday season...

Postsecret Fav (Shawn)

This one seems like something I would think of. I like to think that every once and awhile something is just for me :)

11.27.05

Hard to choose at PostSecret today. That cigarette box one speaks volumes to me; use to be my brand. Very familiar with keeping that secret. But, I like this one best. Why is this a secret?



A nice change of pace for postsecret.

:)

That Time Of Year Again

It's the holiday season! Gifts! Ribbons! Tassels! And Best Of The Year lists!

For a music fan, years are synonymous with styles. With emotions. With certain albums. I think back to 2003, my head spins with The Notwist's hypnotic beats, The Flaming Lips' certain-shade-of-dementia. I think about 2004 and I think about The Arcade Fire and winter.

I'll have a tough time, in the future, recalling just a single album from this busy, busy year, but one will (and has) stood the test of repeated listening to come out on top of My Year's Best List:

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm

I once, famously, publicly, called this album "overrated." It was a knee-jerk reaction, from the hordes of praising press and a single, passive, listening. It took a few weeks, but I retracted my position, much to my embarrassment, and began to embrace the brilliant layers of musical bliss herein enclosed. It's a long album, full of highs and lows, with a centralized political theme and a strong sense of adventure.

From love stories to elaborate metaphors to realistic eulogies of the modern world, Bloc Party's frontman and lyricist, Kele Okereke, has crafted an impressive collection of angry, modernist, poetry that speaks volumes about the world we live in, coincidentally halfway through this "transition" decade. Musically, Bloc Party is as indie as The Arcade Fire, mashing together styles from disparate sources and creating a unique, if not wholly original, sound. They have punk roots, metal tendencies, and rock sensibilities, brit-pop rhythms and grunge guitars, all with a dash of arena rock.

Individually, all the musicians shine. The drumming is ace-perfect, perfect syncopation like the sound of an adrenaline rush. Guitars screech and scream and give Interpol a real run for their money. Bass licks stand out, oftentimes forming a solid post-punk base that runs through the whole album.

Like so much of what we call "great," Bloc Party's appeal is personal. Their politics appeal to me. Their chopped up sound tickles me, reminds me of the old days of hair metal and ambitious rock epics. They embody a lot of the frustration and anger associated with people living in a world run by morons and sycophants. More simply, they are flashes of memories while driving, of being in a car with loved ones or rocking out on the way to work while driving by an airport while the song "Price of Gas" blares.

Silent Alarm is important work at a time when art is as important as air.

Yay Thanksgiving!

Many of my close friends and family know that this is my favorite time of year. Not because of the "togetherness" or the days off of work.

I love Thanksgiving because it is one of the few times where it is acceptable (and expected) for you to pass out at the table with food hanging out of your mouth.

Every year I try to eat enough to get to the point of falling asleep at the table. I have never been able to achieve this goal - but hey I'm still young!

So wish me luck as this Thanksgiving I gorge myself with sweet potatoes, turkey, stuffing and all the other wonderful treats on the table - and attempt, once again, to pass out in front of my plate.

For all of the readers - Have a Great Turkey Day Weekend (and for the Vegans - have a great Veggie Weekend)! I will be in Florida for the big day - but over the weekend I will be celebrating a good friend's birthday in NY and will actually face the lines in the airports!!!

Why We Love Google (I Should Start Numbering These)

Google Click-to-Call

We're testing a new product that gives you a free and fast way to speak directly to the advertiser you found on a Google search results page – over the phone.

Here's how it works: When you click the phone icon, you can enter your phone number. Once you click 'Connect For Free,' Google calls the number you provided. When you pick up, you hear ringing on the other end as Google connects you to the other party. Then, chat away on our dime.

We won't share your telephone number with anyone, including the advertiser. When you're connected with the advertiser, your number is blocked so the advertiser can't see it. In addition, we'll delete the number from our servers after a short period of time.

Cool! Now you don't have to look up the advertiser's phone number - just click and it calls! Yet another reason to love Google and the Internet

(let's just rename the internet to google already!)

Thanks Digg for the link.

Michael, I Have Always Been A Fan

Michael Jackson. I still listen to your albums. I supported you through all the drama. I never let the allegations against you change the way I felt about your music.

But for some reason you just keep on doing dumb things. I don't care that this coversation was recorded without your permission. We aren't in a Court of law right now. Why can't you just keep your mouth shut and keep the few fans you have left?

In phone messages obtained by ABC News, the apparently prejudiced pop star likens [Jews] to "leeches" and claims they conspired to leave him "penniless."

"They suck...they're like leeches...I'm so tired of it," Jackson tells former adviser Dieter Wiesner in one of them. "The Jews do it on purpose."

Top 10 Products to Avoid

Before going holiday shopping this year, check out this list of top ten electronics to avoid. This list details what is wrong with some of the newest gadgets out there.

And damn - the ROKR (itunes cell phone) is on this list!! I was totally going to buy that (if I had the money).

A Band With A Heart

Franz Ferdinand visited the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital on Monday night (November 21) to play a three-song set to young dialysis patients.

The band presented the hospital's consultant paediatrician Dr Ian Auchterlonie with a cheque for £10,282 on behalf Of the charity Kidney Kids Scotland.

According to The Scotsman, the money will go towards specialist beds, dialysis scales and a part-time dietician focused on attending to children with renal disease.

Yet another reason why You Could Have It So Much Better with Franz Ferdinand.

I hope you all have been listening to the new album!

Is CNN Trying To Tell Us Something?

CNN was airing Vice President Dick Cheney's speech live from the American Enterprise Institute in Washington -- when a large black 'X' repeatedly flashed over the vice president's face!

The 'X' over Cheney's face appeared each time less than a second, creating an odd subliminal effect.

Can someone explain what is going on? It seems like it was a practical joke - but maybe CNN was trying to tell us something...

(Thanks Drudge)

On The Scene

I came across this video clip today thanks to Best Week Ever...

A tv news station correspondent was reporting on an intersection where car accidents often occur.

As he is reporting on the dangerous intersection, an accident happens at that very moment! The report quickly changes from a report to "breaking news" of a car accident and the correspondent continues to report on the situation (instead of running over to help)

Take a look at this crazy clip of the day!

Shawn's PostSecret Favorite

An Idea

Hey guys, here's a thought. Everyone checks PostSecret on Sunday, right? How about we pick our favorites for that week (I've always got one). Kinda of a second-degree secret sharing.

PostSecret continues to fascinate me. It's sometimes dark to the point of depressing. But more often it illuminates some hidden emotion or thought that I've had, kinda similar to the effect of identifying with good literature.

Here's mine for the week: (UPDATE! There's now a tie for my favorite.)



and



(To add your own, you can edit this post or create a new one or describe your pick in the comments.)

One Reason We Love Google...

...the cool logos!





And now you can check out Google Logos Through the Ages.

Enjoy. Courtesy of Boing Boing.

Is Your Internet Love Match Real?

Online dating has become one of the biggest trends over the past few years. From personal experience/knowledge, I would say more than half of the population has gone on a date with someone they met either through a chat room, myspace/friendster or one of the many online dating websites (Match.com, Jdate.com).

So why am I talking about this?

Looks like Match.com and Yahoo Personals have put their public relations people to work - and I am not talking about the commercials or websites.

Online daters sue matchmaking sites

Match.com is accused in a federal lawsuit of goading members into renewing their subscriptions through bogus romantic e-mails sent out by company employees. In some instances, the suit contends, people on the Match payroll even went on sham dates with subscribers as a marketing ploy.

In a separate suit, Yahoo Inc.'s personals service is accused of posting profiles of fictitious potential dating partners on its Web site to make it look as though many more singles subscribe to the service than actually do.

WHAT!?

If people want to stop finding dates online then it is probably because they aren't meeting people they are interested in. These people are in a vulnerable position (maybe feeling lost/lonely/rejected) and these online dating sites are playing on this vulnerability - and making money off it.

It's one thing to get people to sign up for your site by putting cute people in your ads (that aren't really on the site) but it is a whole other thing to put those fake daters out on dates.

In Case You Forgot

People are still stupid. (Especially Staten Islanders.)

People still don't read.

FOX still sucks.

And Here's The Good News...

It's Friday.

The Dream Has Come Alive

I know you are an avid reader of this Blog - so you MUST remember when I posted about the $100 Laptop....right?

Well, the dream has come alive. The prototype has been built by the "One Laptop Per Child" not-for-profit group, it has corporate sponsors like Google and Advanced Micro Devices and it actually is pretty cute!

Is this gonna be like the new Ipod or something?

This Guy Got Screwed!

Elad and I recently got into a discussion about the wonderful "George Foreman Grill" and how Foreman must be a rich man right about now because of it.

But this guy (in the picture) is the real inventor of the "Short Order Grill" and only gets a "modest semimonthly paycheck." So Foreman wasn't the inventor? And he actually is making 40% of the profits, just because he is the face of the company.

Doesn't something seem wrong here? I guess the sales wouldn't be so high without Foreman? Who knows? But this guy definitely deserves more.

Check out "I Invented the George Foreman Grill" for this man's story, and other less-known inventor's stories who get zero credit for huge inventions.

(Thanks Boing Boing)

another sign that i watched too much tv as a child

if you are aware of any celebrity gossip, then you may have heard that gisele (i can't be bothered to check the spelling on her last name...is it bundchen?) dumped leo dicaprio b/c he was flirty with sienna miller who cried foul when jude law cheated on her w/ the nanny only to look bad when it turned out she had cheated on him with future 007 replacement, daniel craig. man, i can't believe i know all that...anyway so apparently gisele's eyes have landed on new prey, a surfer by the name of kelly slater, whom you might know of as pamela anderson's former boy toy who disappeared from the scene when she announced she had hepatitis c. (i swear i just learned that this morning over the radio). what's the point of all this nonsense gossip, you ask? well just to indicate why i was so confused when i heard his name. b/c when i think kelly slater, i assume that kelly kapowski married a.c. slater, much to zack morris' dismay.

would you make the same mistake if i didn't tell you that kelly slater was a real life man and not a 80's tv show teen girl?

(btw, yes, i know i'm gone from the blog for weeks and this is what i come up with. sorry, i'll try harder)

YOU SUCK, FOX

'Arrested Development' on hold

Fox is pulling critically acclaimed comedy Arrested Development from its schedule, effective immediately.

Two episodes of Arrested Development aired this week, after a month-long pause, but the run won't be resumed until after the all-important ratings period in November.

And instead, what is Fox going to play? REPEATS of Prison Break. REPEATS!!!!

I think I am about to lose my mind!

We've Moved

Oh Fox

I thought Bush said we don't torture.

A Crime

Yesterday, hotels in the city of Amman, in Jordan, were attacked by suicide bombers, which killed 59 people, and wounded at least 100 more.

In the middle of this chaos, a day of celebration was taking place in the Radisson SAS hotel. A wedding ceremony had been underway when the attacks took place. Many of the guests died, including the fathers of the bride and groom.

"This is not Islam. Muslims don't kill each other or any other person, what can I say? This is crime, not a fight against oppression in the world. It's a crime," said Akhras. (the groom)

Did She Go Too Far?

Some parents in a local [Pittsburgh] school district say the principal was out of line for taking by the hand an 8-year-old accused of stealing into every classroom in the school and telling kids she is a thief and a liar.

Marlene Whitby is the principal of William Penn Elementary School.

The parents of the little girl she humiliated say she scarred their child for life.

The girl's father told Channel 4 Action News, "What good can you get out of that -- abusing a child? What good can you get out of that."

Another student accused his 8-year-old daughter of stealing $5.

That's when her family says Whitby walked the girl into each and every classroom at William Penn, telling all of the students she was a thief and a liar.

Later, the girl's accuser recanted her story.

The story goes on to detail the uproar in the town...but this is the worst part...

One of the saddest parts of the story is that the girl's father says the little girl's sister kicked her out of their room because the principal said she was a bad person.

Turning A Red Paper Clip Into A House

The story begins with a red paper clip...



His name is Kyle MacDonald, and he plans on trading items until he can get a house.

First, the paper clip traded for a fish pen, which then traded for a door knob, which then traded for a coleman stove, which then traded for a red generator...

His trades take him from city to city. Where will he end up next? What is he going to get next?

(Thanks Boing Boing for the link)

Best TV Name Ever?

Some of you may remember that I posted a long time ago about Scott Baio being casted as the Bluth's new lawyer on Arrested Development.

Well the genius writers have picked the best TV name I have heard in a long time. Maybe ever!

Bob Loblaw

(please repeat it a few times and you will get it)

This isn't exactly an original name - there is a Canadian company called Bob Loblaw Digital Media - which is where I suspect the writers got it from. But kudos to Arrested Development for using it perfectly!

Email Time Capsule

What if you could write an email to yourself, and be assured of receiving it twenty years in the future?
Forbes is giving you the opportunity to write yourself an email - and you have the option to receive it in either 1, 3, 5, 10 or 20 years

It may sound like Forbes has a bad email server, but Forbes is actually doing this so you can have your own "time capsule" without the need for digging up dirt and burying a box.

What do you want to be reminded of on November 7, 2025?

Update: http://futureme.org/ has been doing this same thing for a long time - and they even let you pick the exact date you want the email delivered on. You can also read through anonymous emails to see what people want to be reminded of.

(Thanks Boing Boing)

San Fran in Jell-O

check out more here, by Elizabeth Hickok

(Thanks CityRag for the link)

One Of The Best Websites..

.. I've ever been to.

(and I've been to a lot.)

http://arcadefire.com

turn off your music so you can hear theirs. adds a lot of the atmosphere of the site.

Did you know...

that there have been riots going on for weeks in Paris?

The riots were sparked last week by the accidental electrocution of two teenagers who had hidden in an electrical sub-station to escape a police identity check in the suburb at the epicentre of the troubles, Clichy-sous-Bois.

Hilton Halloween Ho Down

I don't know why I am so compelled to post this, but here it goes....



I just want to know, why does she have 2 different bunny outfits?

and here is her jungle outfit:



The Hiltons apparently had three days of Halloween ho'ing.

Quick story - there was one time I was at the beach in NY and this little girl was sitting with her family. She was telling them how Paris Hilton's shoe size is 10. Why does she know that? What difference does it make? The scary thing is that she probably really looks up to this mess. She is so not a role model for little kids.

Just to scare you a bit more - there are tons of other Paris photos on the web where she is out at parties wearing similar outfits, and they have nothing to do with Halloween.

(Pictures from Just Jared and Hollywood Rag)

Things I Learned Today

1. Whoever said that thing about mixing family and business was totally right. This I learned by losing my mind while helping Elad's mom by representing her during her sale of her condo.

2. If you have high hopes and expectations for something, it probably won't meet them. This I learned because my sister, who just went to Hawaii to find her "paradise" is already coming back because she realized it isn't there.

3. Everything goes around in circles. This I learned because Elad's mom's real estate agent talked smack about me, pissed me off, and now she is gonna get hurt because she also is the agent for my mom, who is about to fire her because of what she said about me.

4. I want to be a grown up so bad. This I learned because I try my hardest to be/act/sound like an attorney but I usually just come off as confused.

5. I want to be a little kid so bad. This I learned because I spent way too much time eating cereal and reading a music magazine this morning.

6. I am super lucky. I learned this after Elad let me sleep in this morning and he walked the dog, and didn't complain about it. He also let me call him and complain as much as I want :)

The list doesn't end there...but it just gives you a hint at how insane my day has been.

And how was your day? Learn anything new?

Halloween Fun!

Oh Halloween Fun!!

We went to Lincoln Road in South Beach and there were hundreds of people there all walking up and down the streets with great costumes. There were also areas with music and people bumping and grinding in the Miami fashion. Tons of fun - totally recommended.

Danya is Punk Rock
Rob is Evil Harry Potter
Sarah is Slutty Hermione
Elad is a Hipster (as you can see by the slicked hair, t-shirt with blazer, and ipod headphones)
and I am a Mardi Gras girl (I went around saying "I'm so drunk" and made sure to pose with a peace sign whenever possible because that seems like something a drunk girl at mardi gras would do. And there was no booby flashing if you were wondering)

Hippo Water Roller Project

The Past:

(ouch!)

The Future:


(aaaah)

What is a Hippo Water Roller Project? Click here to learn more

(Thanks Boing Boing for the link)

A New Contributor?

A few months ago I sent an invitation to my sister, Lori Bain, to join as a contributor to this Blog. Well, it looks like she finally accepted it! YAY!

Now, I am not going to get my hopes up and say that she is going to actually post (besides comments) - but I would like to welcome her to the community!

Lori just moved to Hawaii with her husband, Chris, and they currently have a beautiful view of mountains, lush greenery and the vast Pacific Ocean. They are looking to start growing their own fruits and veggies (they are Vegan/Raw) and hope that Hawaii will be a good place to do that.

Here is Lori's informational website - http://infinitelove.info/index.htm