Happy Halloween from Hoobastank

In my teen years, I used to really like Hoobastank's first album. Eventually, though, I stopped listening to their music. Way to make me remember why you guys rock Hoobastank! Check this out!

Creepy and Bizarre Halloween Pumpkins.

Keeping with yesterday's Halloween theme I came across this video that showcases some pretty morbid, yet undoubtedly awesome Halloween Pumpkin carving. Enjoy!

Top 5 Awesome Halloween Costumes

With Halloween around the corner, I thought it'd be cool to share the 5 most creative costumes I've seen lately while on my online forays. While I'm a fan of the "Sexy/Slutty Insert random profession or animal here" costume ideas for women like any other man, they don't really get my respect so you wont see them on this ramshackle list. Unless you're a sexy Jawa. that's pretty bad ass. Without further ado and in no particular order:

SAY ANYTHING'S TOP 5 HALLOWEEN COSTUMES FOR 2009



OK. Yes, I'm a bit John Cusack obsessed, but this Lloyd Dobler costume wins points in the creativity department because once wearing it your hands are free the whole night, but you never stop holding up the boombox. Props.



What I love about these Spy Vs. Spy costumes is that it takes couples costumes to a new level. Gone is the blatant sexuality of the "Light Socket & Plug" costume. The war of the sexes has never been so subtly put forth on display.



Pet costumes cannot be ignored. A chihuahua dressed as a luchador? No brainer. Nachooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Now if only he had a Greyhound dressed as Eskeleto.



Couples costumes are not only for those romantically involved. There's nothing sweeter than a parent teaming up with their child to create Halloween magic. While cynics might find this a bit creepy, I say shhhhh and enjoy the WALL*E and Eve goodness.

I lied, there is an order. There is one costume to rule them all. Wow. I love the commitment. Drum roll please!



I hope you guys enjoyed my list. What's yours?

POW: U2 on YouTube

Simply amazing. Last night YouTube and U2 joined forces to live stream U2's performance as a global webcast from their concert at the Rose Bowl in CA. Click here for the story. You know what? Why don't you just see for yourself? Click here to see the concert in its entirety when they rebroadcast it. If you weren't watching last night do yourself a favor and check it out. Do not kid yourselves, this is a historic event. We just witnessed the first global concert broadcast on YouTube... for free! :D What a concert!

Do Not Overlook Paolo Nutini, You'll Regret It

The first time I heard of Paolo Nutini was a few years ago. Rob Thomas was plugging his first single, "New Shoes," on his website. While I enjoyed the song, I didn't really get into his album, "These Streets," at that point in time, though it did grow on me. When Paolo came back with his sophomore effort, "Sunny Side Up," he forced me to recognize the immensity of his talent. This Scottish singer/songwriter of Italian descent has a scratch in his voice that recalls but never imitates greats like Ottis Redding, Joe Cocker, and Wilson Pickett. I recommend that you guys click here to learn more about Paolo Nutini.

Check out the video for his new single, "Pencil Full of Lead," an awesome throwback to big band jazz:



And if you're like me and can't do without your acoustic performances, check this version of the song out:



Enjoy!

Coldplay: First Class all the Way

The UK's Royal Mail service is selecting 10 classic rock album covers to feature in a series of First Class stamps. Coldplay's cover art from a Rush of Blood to the head was confirmed as one of the selections. Click here for the story. I find this unbelievably cool, what with my new found love for vinyl. I wonder what the other 9 selections are going to be.

8-bits of Swedish Rap... or is it 16-bits?

I've got to credit my boy Steve Strait with this one (No, not the guy from 10,000 B.C.). Great find. In his words, "For all those who love Swedish Rap and can name a stupid number of 8 and 16 bit video games from sight alone (hello childhood), your match from heaven has come down to Earth." Not only are the featured rappers talented, but the ending of this video does what I've wanted to do for years. I hate that dog. You'll see what I mean. How can i not give this video airplay?!

Enjoy!

POW: Maximizing Office Space

Part of me thinks this is a new viral campaign by Apple to promote it's MacBook, but if it is I totally want one. The Backstreet Boys were never as fun as this, and I'm counting their "Everybody" performance in the VMAs over a decade ago. If this is what it means to work in an office, count me in. I hope you guys enjoy the lip synching goodness!

Inigo Amescua: Photographer, Poet, Bohemian, and Original AEIOU Champion.

Ever since I revamped the blog, the question that I get most often is, "Wow, what a great pic of the boombox! Did you take it?" The answer is no. I wish, but I cant claim that. The one responsible for that bit of awesomeness is my very dear friend and much much shorter brother :p Inigo Amescua. Inigo and I met in grad school where we hit it off immediately. He's from Spain, I speak Spanish with a lisp, we were bound to become friends.

It didn't take long for me to realize that aside from being an incredibly warm and compassionate human being, my friend was also incredibly talented. His photography is some of the best work I've ever seen. In my opinion his work is comparable to Bruce Davidson's.

Here's one of Bruce's photos:



Here's a link to one of Inigo's photos.

The reason I'm writing about my friend today is that he's recently published a new set of photos about NYC and it really is something to behold. Click here to see that I'm not exaggerating.

Here now, are a bunch of links:
His Flicker
His Studio Blog
His Poetry Blog

Congratulations buddy. You really are a talent.

2010 World Cup Breeds Unrest in South Africa

The world is about to be taken over by World Cup fever once again. With the qualifiers all but over, the anticipation for the return of "el jogo bonito" to the world's center stage is palpable. However, we must be aware that soccer has changed over the years. Perhaps I have a romanticized view of what futbol used to be due to countless Sunday afternoon's spent on my grandfathers couch listening to the history lessons that accompanied every contest we saw together, but it seems to be more of a business now.

My cousin Christian has been calling for a boycott of the 2010 World Cup. When I asked him why, he had this to say:

"I'm disgusted with FIFA, they're a bunch of liars who claim to help children and the poor. Damn politicians are taking advantage of an event like the World Cup to displace and even kill poor families and FIFA would rather stay quiet and rake money into their pockets. $70 million US has been invested and the people there are hungry without a roof over their heads, when all you need is a ball to play such a beautiful game. What a world."

Apparently, thousands of South Africans are being displaced from their homes as finishing touches are put on the Durban stadium in preparation for the World Cup. On Saturday, October 26, a group of 40 armed men ran amok in an informal settlement in Durban's Kennedy Row, destroying at least 30 shacks and killing at least 2 people. Click here for Democracy Now's story on the matter.

Most of us will watch the World Cup and have no idea what price was paid by those who could least pay it for our entertainment. While I personally feel that a boycott would be ineffective, we need to be aware of what's going on. This story isn't being covered by the media here. Show FIFA that we know that they know. Perhaps we could influence them to stop these illegal and immoral displacements of South Africa's poor.

Watch the following video starting at minute 48:35 in order to see the World Cup story:

Thanksgivings

This one was a poem I wrote as a thank you to a friend for her kindness towards a member of my family. My friend Inigo, a fellow bohemian, a true artist, and tomorrow's featured performer, reminded me that I hadn't put it up and that I should. Here you go, enjoy the Haikuiness.

Thanksgivings

Amber Polaroids
framed by snapdragon petals
document the Falls

spent flying, fighting;
atop Baba’s woods crowing
at the smirking sun:

“Que onda, Guero?!”
as light rays engendered the
freckles on your thighs.

7 Love Letters, 7 Different Brands of Endearing Wackyness

New York, I Love You opens today in limited release and in honor of the occasion I want to share 7 different expressions of love with you guys. Click here for a good read. The Star Wars love letter is my favorite. Thanks to my friend Carrie for bringing this to my attention. A friend of mine teased me the other day about being in love with love. I think there are many forms of love and that there's nothing wrong with being a romantic. So go get in touch with your romantic side and go watch New York I Love You... when you're not watching Where the Wild Things Are! Great weekend for movies!

John Stewart, Al Franken, Haliburton, and Gang Rape in Iraq

I can't say enough about this topic. Alex Leo of the Huffington Post wrote a story about an incident that happened in Iraq a few years ago:

"In 2005, Jamie Leigh Jones was gang-raped by her Halliburton/KBR co-workers while working in Iraq and locked in a shipping container for over a day to prevent her from reporting her attack. The rape occurred outside of U.S. criminal jurisdiction, but to add serious insult to serious injury she was not allowed to sue KBR because her employment contract said that sexual assault allegations would only be heard in private arbitration--a process that overwhelmingly favors corporations.

Former SNL alum and new junior-senator (D-MN) Al Franken proposed an amendment that would deny government contracts to defense companies that asked for rape disclaimers. The amendment passed but 30 senators, all Republicans, voted against it. You can read Alex Leo's story on the matter here.

Wow. I could go on a rant about how outraged i am, but I think Jon Stewart said it best. Take a look at this:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Rape-Nuts
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Rape as a Weapon of War

I was sent this link by my cousin and I find it my moral duty to share it with you. However, I will post this disclaimer: The images you are about to see when you click the forthcoming link, despite some censorship, are incredibly graphic. The Asian Tribune is running a story on the use of rape by US forces as a weapon of war in Iraq. The editor begins the story with a specific case:

"In March 2006 four US soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division gang raped a 14 year old Iraqi girl and murdered her and her family —including a 5 year old child. An additional soldier was involved in the cover-up."

However unpleasant it is to think that OUR side can be responsible for such atrocities, we cannot turn a blind eye to these proceedings. Are we to believe that in order to fight "agents of evil" it is necessary to become evil?

Click here for the Asian Tribune's story.

elipdg5 &The PEN Story

Mornin' folks. Here I am bringing you the stop-motion animation goodies again. This one was a pleasant surprise. Thanks to my friend Eli PDG for bringing this to my attention. Check out her own videos on her youtube page. I hope you guys get as much of a kick out of this as I did.

PS: Eli just informed me that you can download the song for free here. Bonus! Didn't we just blow your minds!? :-p

Summer Olympics at Coors Field

I'm not much of a baseball fan, but this play by Rockies' rookie Dexter Fowler was something to behold. Click here for yahoo's take on the play. The Rockies went on to lose the game 5-4 after a miraculous comeback by the Phillies which also lead to the end of the Rockies' post season hopes. However, this play is still nothing short of amazing. Click here for the video.

POW: The Swell Season's Strict Joy

Once is one of my favorite movies. It's a beautifully simple little tale about connecting with another person through music. The duo behind the music of the film, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, otherwise known as the Swell Season, are about to drop their new album, "Strict Joy" on October 27th. My friend Josh came across this concert the other day, and I gotta tell you, you're in for a treat. Enjoy.

Rest in Peace Zambo

The Peruvian singer Arturo "Zambo" Cavero, one of the greats in Peruvian creole music, passed away this afternoon from septicemia, a generalized infection in the body that was aggravated by his obesity. Click here to read Isabel Guerra's report on the Living in Peru website. I grew up with el Zambo's music playing in my house, one of the last links to my country of origin left to us after emigrating to the US. I didn't really appreciate el Zambo until later in life. I want to share with you one of his greatest songs, "Nuestro Secreto (Our Secret)." Truly an amazing song by an artist without equal. The Peruvian waltz is basically the Viennese waltz on 'roids. What these guitar players can make their guitars do in 3/4 time is out of this world. My uncle Jorge played "Nuestro Secreto" at family gatherings. I truly hope that el Zambo can find the peace in death that eluded him in life. What a day for news.

Obama: Nobel Peace Prize Winner

I awoke this morning to watch the lunar missile, and was greeted with news that President Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I agree with most critics when they say the young president might not have had time to do enough to merit this award. However, I honestly think that after 8 years of Bush, Obama could have slapped Mahmoud across the face with his shoe and still won the Nobel Peace Prize. This is indicative that the world has high expectations from Obama, and perhaps this serves as motivation for him not to be derailed by the divisive politics and infighting within the government that has recently marred his administration's tenure. You can read all about it, including the reaction from some world leaders, here. I for one will take this news with optimism and expect better things in the coming years. Congratulations, Mr. President. I don't know if you deserve it, yet, but I hope that you earn it.

To Wong Kung Fu

Two thugs were walking the Kingsway Swansea in Wales and decided to attack two transvestites who were glammed up for a night on the town. Turns out the two transvestites were cage fighters. You can read the Mail Online's story here as well as watch the video of the incident. It doesn't pay to commit hate crimes folks. The seemingly inoffensive tranny your prejudiced self wants to pick on:



Will go Road House on your ASS!:

POW Guns 'N Strings?

Came across this little gem earlier today. Adam DeGraff, the violinist/fiddler from Pianafiddle is seen here warming up before a concert with his version of "Sweet Child O' Mine." Pretty sweet. Enjoy!

Tweeting during a Protest now Punishable by Law?

Elliot Madison, a 41 year old NYC social worker and self-described anarchist, had his home raided and was subsequently arrested by Pennsylvania state police for using electronic means to help coordinate protest during the Pittsburgh G-20 summit. What this means is that he tweeted the locations of police officers in order to help protesters evade them during the G20 summit in Pittsburgh. You can read the Huffington Post's story on the matter here.

Why is this important? First of all, I'd like to quote my cousin referencing the incident at the Obama speech a few weeks ago: "Damn, right wingers can show up to protests carrying loaded weapons, but an anarchist tweeting about police activity during the G-20, now that's an arrestable action!" My cousin also linked me to a website he follows that explores this matter further. Click here for an alternate perspective. I'm more specifically concerned with two factors:

1) The Internet is supposed to be this new communication arena free of regulation. However, with police monitoring new social networks such Twitter, Facebook, or even texts, is the foundation of the Internet about to change? What does this mean for the future of communication? I'm of the idea that in order to prevent crime we must do what is necessary to keep people safe. However, what Madison was doing is not a crime. The constitution clearly states that our first amendment rights include "freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

2) To me this rings of hypocrisy. When a similar situation was occurring in Iran during the presidential elections not so long ago, the same type of criminalization of protest was condemned by most Americans. The American government even provided Irani dissidents with advanced satellite technology so that they could keep Twittering information that would help protesters avoid retaliation from the Basij forces and sending info outside of Iran so that the rest of the world would be aware of what was happening as it happened. If the Iranian people had that right, why don't these people also have that right?

What concerns me is this disconnect. If the US is so eager to become a moral leader in global affairs, it has to practice what it preaches. This is not the way to do that.

The 'itis Commercial

Wow. Just wow. Jimmy Dean has officially put out one of the most borderline racist commercials I've seen in a long time. While my first impulse was to laugh, we need to be aware of why we find certain things humorous. See for yourself.