Spider-Man

Insomnia calls for many remedies depending on the night, the situation, and your mental state. Tonight the remedy was drawing. I saw this picture of the new Spider-Man and figured I'd do a quick drawing of him and throw on a little color.
I'm not a huge fan of the Spider-Man movies, but I like the kid the cast as the new Peter Parker/Spider-Man. He was in the Social Network, and was amazing in it. The kid has some chops. Hopefully he'll help make the movie worth watching. 
I honestly don't know why I just wrote all this down. It's just a quick little sketch that doesn't really need a introduction or prologue. So...yeah...

Song of the Day

Gray skys. A steady flow of rain. The rhythmic metronome of windshield wipers. Gray suit accompanied by your favorite, your only, slim black tie. Sunglasses (remember: It's never to dark to wear sunglasses, but it takes a certain type to pull off that look). All these elements come together to form a vibe. A feeling. 

The only thing missing? An accent of some kind? Some subtitles at the bottom of the movie screen that frames your life? And this song.....

                                                         SMOKE & MIRRORS by RJD2

From China, with Stealth

Say whaaaaat?! That seemed to be the general feeling of many of the political and governmental players across the globe as China beat the rest of the world in a friendly game of, Who got the coolest Christmas present? China put iPads and tow-socks to shame as photo sand videos emerged, and buzzed the Internet, of its new J-20 stealth fighter jet shortly after Christmas.

The tests coincided with a scheduled visit from United States defense secretary Robert Gates. Secretary Gates, who was in China for talks intended to improve military ties and relations between the U.S. and China, directly asked Chinese President Hu Jintao during one of their meetings if the test of the J-20 stealth fighter jet had anything to do with his visit.

When asked Gates told reporters "I asked President Hu about it directly, and he said that the test had absolutely nothing to do with my visit and had been a pre-planned test". Gates added when asked if he really believed that it was just a coincidence that the J-20 test flights just so happened to coincide with his visit to China, "I take President Hu at his word that the test had nothing to do with my visit."

Thus avoiding any public awkwardness, and any private slap fights, between Secretary Gates, President Hu Jintao, and their two respective nations.

The development and test flight of China’s J-20 stealth fighter jet came faster than many had expected, and took the folks at the Pentagon by surprise. The Pentagon had predicted that China wouldn’t have a stealth fighter for at least another decade. Oops.

But even with that said the plane is still years away from seeing full-time service.

Vice Adm. David J. "Jack" Dorsett, deputy chief of naval operations for information dominance, told reporters, “They enter operational capability quicker than we frequently project."

Dorsett acknowledged that the stealth fighter was real, but said it would be years before the jet could be deployed. "Developing a stealth capability with a prototype and then integrating that into a combat environment is going to take some time," he said.

So as of right now, with the J-20 being years away from actual operation, China has a really cool plane they take out for a spin occasionally for testing purposes, and also when the pilots or military big wigs want to impress a girl they fancy.

I think we can all admit that China gave themselves a pretty impressive “toy” for Christmas, and that only time will tell how this development will effect U.S. defense strategy and relations with China.

For now lets all forget about stealth fighter planes and U.S./ China relations, and appreciate the Chinese presidents name, Hu Jintao, and what a great substitute it is for swear words. The next time you stub your toe, get cut off in traffic, or find out that one girl/guy you’ve had your eye on has a boyfriend/girlfriend or a husband/wife, don’t pollute yourself with a curse word. Instead of swearing just exclaim, “HU JINTAO!”

Song of the Day

Not all music needs to have real deep meaning behind it, or cause you to look within to find a deeper meaning. Sometimes, a lot of the time, it's nice to have a song with a decent beat, passable guitar riff and hook, and lyrics that don't necessarily have any other meaning other than to have words and a voice to go along with the music in a somewhat complimentary way. 


A perfect example of this is the band...Beady Eye.
Beady Eye is basically Oasis without Noel Gallagher...since Oasis broke up last year. Oasis was the first band I really fell in love with. I'm still a loyal fan to this day. Oasis may not have the same musical powers they did at their zenith during the mid to late 90's, but they do know how to craft a good rock n roll song. Sometimes that's all I'm really looking for.


I judge them, and a lot of bands/musicians, by there replayability. There are some songs that you could listen to over and over again, and to me...Oasis has an entire catalog full of songs worthy of the repeat function on your iPod, iTunes, or whatever your music player of choice is.
Some of their songs have a deeper meaning or story behind them, which is always appreciated. Some of their songs are just good old fashioned straight forward rock n roll songs that you can get off on. God love em for it!


Because of my enduring love of Oasis, it was pretty certain that I'd like at least one song that Beady Eye would be offering out to the public at large, and Oasis fans like myself. And luckily for me...they did have at least one song, but more surprising...the had a couple. Beady Eye carries on the Oasis-ian tradition of straight forward get-off-on-it rock n roll songs to help implement a little swagger in your ordinary day.


If you're looking for deep meaning, feeling, and purpose in your music...go listen to Bob Dylan or The Boss. If you want just plain ol good rock n roll...then crank it up to 11 and let Oasis, and now Beady Eye, provide you with a sneer and some, lets face it, much needed swagger.

                                                           Sons of the Stage - Beady Eye

                                                             Bring the Light - Beady Eye

                                                           Four Letter Word - Beady Eye

Moustache Bob

Vicky O'Flannagan

Vicky O'Flannagan wears only 1940's era dresses.
She wears no kilts.
She's a classy dame. She would use one of those long cigarette handles if she smoked, which she doesn't, she is health conscious.
Except for her crippling addiction to Vicodin.
She picked up on it after the car accident, when she lost three toes on her right foot.
- Ajax

You see me here, you gods....

Three different performances of the 2nd Act of King Lear. Each one of them absolutely brilliant

Pete Postlethwaite

Ian McKellen

Paul Scofield

Skeleton Boy

I never get tired of listening to this song, and when nobody is around...I never get tired of wearing my speedo and cowboy boots whilst dancing to it

Here's to you, Ahab!

Mermaid

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

In no particular order: Favorite Songs of 2010

My favorite songs of 2010. They may not all be from 2010, but they are the ones I listened to the most, and the ones that accompanied me along my journey throughout the year.

Again, in no particular order...

Pyro by The Kings of Leon

Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap

Fader by The Temper Trap

Barricade by Interpol

New Fang by Them Crooked Vultures

Intriguing Possibilities by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

Percussion Gun by White Rabbits

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

Crying Lightning by Arctic Monkeys

I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers

Norway by Beach House

Mountains by Biffy Clyro

In A Big Country by Big Country

At My Window Sad and Lonely by Billy Bragg & Wilco

Jealous Again by The Black Crowes

Everlasting Light by The Black Keys

Bad Blood by B.R.M.C.

The Rent by The Bowery Riots

Fresh Air by Brother Ali

Bankrobber by The Clash

Blue Day by Darker My Love

Red Lights by Delphic 

Speaking in Tongues by Eagles of Death Metal

Rad Pitt by Egyptian Hip-Hop

Space Age Love Song by Flock of Seagulls

Skeleton Boy by Friendly Fires

When You Walk in The Room by Fyfe Dangerfield

American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem

On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz

Sixteen by The Heavy

Take It In by Hot Chip

Clarity by Jimmy Eat World

Go Do by Jonsi

Monster by Kanye West, etc.

Angel Dance by Robert Plant

Bout to Get Ugly by Mark Ronson feat. Rhymefest

1901 by Phoenix

Auto Rock by Mogwai

Necro Hex Blues by Primal Scream

Man of Misery by Liam Gallagher

Bring the Light by Beady Eye

Mea Bloanasir by Sigur Ros

Got Nuffin by Spoon

Jazz

Thief

Faster than a Speeding Bullet

Rock on, Hulk!

The Wolverine

If this is your first night at Fight Club...

King Lear

You see me here, you gods, a poor old man,
As full of grief as age; wretched in both!
If it be you that stir these daughters' hearts
Against their father, fool me not so much
To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger,
And let not women's weapons, water-drops,
Stain my man's cheeks!

Revenge