The Daily Notch

Nazi Gold

2010-01-04T18:26:00.006-05:00

Oh don't go and get all offended on me yet.

Jerry Hsu - you might have heard of him before, he skates here and there - recently launched this Tumblr called NAZI GOLD and it's like crack. The premise is simple, he takes cellphone pics of shit he sees, posts it and viola. Internet gold.

Trust me, there are far more offensively amazing photos there, but I'll leave you to your own devices to find them.

via EverythingIsAnnoying

Snooki For Rent!

2009-12-21T17:01:00.005-05:00

If you haven't seen The Jersey Shore, you are missing out. The show and it's "stars" are so bad they're good. Really, I can't stop watching. Ugh.

I happened upon an article today about how you can rent out Snooki, the lil Italian meatball, for your party for only $2000 a night (+ transportation - a minor price to pay for such quality company). I'm stoked I discovered this just in time to rent her out for NYE.

Party time with the queen Guidette!

Miike Snow - Sylvia

2009-12-21T16:47:00.004-05:00

Miike Snow were pretty much the soundtrack to my summer, so I was oh so happy and a little nostalgic for hot summer nights when I saw they just released a video for Sylvia.

On a side note, I saw them live with Jack Penate this summer and they were AMAZING. They are coming back to the States in March, who wants to go with me?

Site of the Day: Sketchy Santas

2009-12-14T18:50:00.009-05:00

Inappropriate Santa (hint: his hand)

Really Creepy Santa

Evil Possessed Santa

Drunk Santa w/ Evil Elf

Kanye Santa

Homeless Santa

www.SketchySantas.com

Guitar Hero Christmas

2009-12-14T18:05:00.004-05:00

I didn't think it was possible for anyone to even compare to, nonetheless beat, Clark Griswold in the exterior Christmas light display department, but a guy named Ric Turner definitely did.

Turner, a former Disney 'imagineer' and special effects specialist, turned his yard into a game of Guitar Hero, built out of 21,268 lights and LEDs, that plays Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover." To play, all you have to do is ring his doorbell. Read in more detail about it here.

via Geekologie and CNET

And because I'm mildly obsessed with Christmas Vacation, here's one of my favorite clips to get you in the holiday spirit...

Merry Christmas To Me

2009-12-14T17:58:00.003-05:00

This table is called Paint or Die: But Love Me by John Nouanesing. I really want it.

File Under: Stupid Inventions

2009-12-14T17:39:00.005-05:00

People, is this really neccessary? Apparently someone on Etsy is selling these "Rear Gear" cardboard cutout dingleberry blockers with the tagline - waaaaait for it - "No More Mr. Browneye." Haha the worst part is, I'm serious.

Gross gross gross...and kind of funny.

Kids Write Entertaining Letters To God

2009-12-14T16:24:00.010-05:00

Kids really don't have censors, which make them awesome in my book. Lil Ginny's response here is my favorite, because really, there can never be too many holidays.

A New Kind of Rockstar

2009-12-10T16:53:00.001-05:00

This little guy is amazing. His facial expressions are priceless!

You're Going to Hell For Laughing At This

2009-11-10T12:48:00.004-05:00

I recently discovered this YouTube video where a Dutch TV interviewer absolutely loses his shit and can't keep a straight face while interviewing his guests. Trust me, it gets worse as it goes on. It's oh so wrong, but oh so funny.

Take a look if you don't mind hating yourself and feeling like an awful person for a minute after watching it!

Um, Taylor Swift Is A Guilty Pleasure of Mine

2009-11-10T10:52:00.003-05:00

Yeah, I said it. And this clip from her on SNL last weekend makes me like her even more. She makes fun of Kanye and the Jonas Brothers, what's not to like!

Castle on the Ocean

2009-11-10T10:29:00.007-05:00

An extremely talented Japanese artist by the name of Wataru Itou created this amazing piece of work - it took 4 years to create! - for a paper craft exhibition in Tokyo. Called 'Castle on the Ocean, it's a complete city with electrical lights, a working ferris wheel and a train. All made of paper! I can only imagine the time and dedication needed to create something on a level such as this.

Lots more photos here.

Shit My Dad Says Got a Book Deal AND a TV Show

2009-11-10T10:15:00.005-05:00

Yep, Justin Halpern, the guy who writes Shit My Dad Says just got a book deal. And a TV show deal. The guy wrote 1 tweet and day, repeating what his dad said, and got a book deal and TV show! Shoot, it seems about time that I hopped on the Twitter band wagon now!

I was under the impression that this kid was unemployed and just kicking back in his pj's at the parents' house, but apparently he had/has a real job too - he's the senior editor over at Maxim.com.

Way to go Justin, you win at life today.

It's All About Performance

2009-11-03T00:01:00.002-05:00

MC SpandX has something to say about bikes. Hilarious. Just watch and listen.

Horror Photography - Joshua Hoffine

2009-11-02T19:10:00.004-05:00

"I believe that the horror story is ultimately concerned with the imminence and randomness of death, and the implication that there is no certainty to existence. The experience of horror resides in this confrontation with uncertainty. Horror tells us that our belief in security is delusional and that monsters are all around us." - Joshua Hoffine

via Vice

Hands Down, the Best Halloween Costume.

2009-11-02T17:05:00.008-05:00

Roy Lichtenstein/comic book character inspired Halloween costume from a MAC makeup artist. I feel good that I already know what I'll be next year for Halloween!

via Geekologie

Danish Tattooing, by Jon Nordstrom

2009-11-02T15:43:00.008-05:00

"Danish Tattooing” traces the visual development from 1895 up to the present day, with the Golden Age of the 1960s particularly rich on fascinating tales from a rough scene. The book is full of anecdotes and historical photographs of larger-than-life characters and tattooing hotspots: the raw Nyhavn, where sailors and drunk Swedes got their tattoos, and the even rougher Istedgade, which developed into a new tattooing hub in the 1980s. Actually, Copenhagen was the heart and soul of tattooing in Scandinavia until the mid-seventies.

Danish King Frederik the 9th - Royalty to the Extreme

Jon Nordstrom

Dexter.

2009-10-27T18:27:00.004-04:00

My absolute favorite tv show...and if you aren't watching this season, I highly suggest you start. It's that good. Promise.

And if somehow, you've managed to have never seen the show, you owe it to yourself to watch the intro sequence. It's pure genius and the cinematography is incredible!

ESPN Magazine: The Body Issue

2009-10-27T17:37:00.007-04:00

Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Athletes put their bodies on the line. Here are the scars to prove it.

Laird Hamilton - Big Wave Surfer - Introduced tow-ins, revolutionizing the sport.

Torry Holt - Jacksonville Jaguars Wide Receiver - Holds NFL record with 6 consecutive 1,300-yard seasons.

Randy Couture - MMA Fighter - UFC best 5-time champ across 2 weight classes.

Bryan Clay - American Decathlete - The reigning Olympic champion and a world champion in 2005.

My friend and kickball teammate, the very talented Koji Toyama, shot this gallery of weathered athletes. What they put their bodies through on a daily basis is incredible and these photos capture that reality beautifully.

Check out the rest of the photos HERE.

Green Label Sound Show @ Brooklyn Bowl

2009-10-27T16:35:00.023-04:00

The highlight of CMJ week, by far, was the Green Label Sound Show at Brooklyn Bowl. Holy Ghost, Amazing Baby, Solid Gold and Chromeo all played awesome sets and on top of good music, we got hooked up with free drinks, food, a great view and free bowling. All. night. long.

THANK YOU!

Chromeo

Solid Gold

Amazing Baby

Friends

photos courtesy of Darkroom Demons

CMJ!

2009-10-27T16:08:00.004-04:00

Another CMJ come and gone...

It was a whirlwind of mayhem and madness, show after show, drink after drink, good friends and new friends and of course, good new music and straight rock n roll. Here are some of my favorites.

We Have Band

Phantogram

The XX

Solid Gold

Daily Awe - Teacup Pigs!

2009-10-14T17:13:00.004-04:00

I am not an animal lover in any sense of the word. Buuuuut I would consider dropping $4,000 for one of these little guys!

You Can Still Shake It Like A Polaroid Picture!

2009-10-14T16:38:00.012-04:00

Oh happy day! The Impossible Project did the impossible - they're bringing back instant, polaroid film!

"We are pleased to herewith announce a history making cooperation between Polaroid and The Impossible Project:

As we have created quite some buzz about Analog Instant Photography over the past 12 months, the Polaroid licensee - The Summit Global Group - now can't resist any longer and announced at a press conference on October 13th in Hongkong that they will re-launch some of the most famous Polaroid Instant Cameras.

Therefore they are commissioning The Impossible Project to develop and produce a limited edition of Polaroid branded Instant Films in the middle of 2010.

The Impossible Project is proud and excited that its ambitions and all the relentless work that has already been invested are now becoming the foundation for Polaroid's comeback as a producer of Instant Cameras.

Large-scale production and worldwide sale of The Impossible Project's new integral film materials under its own brand will already start in the beginning of 2010 - with a brand new and astonishing black and white Instant Film and the first colour films to follow in the course of the year."

via Telegraph

Photos of the Polaroid Factory

PS. If you see me out, don't worry, I'm not abandoning my trusty disposable cameras just yet!

The Old Hollywood House

2009-10-14T16:08:00.007-04:00

The Daily Notches dear friend, the lovely and talented Old Hollywood co-owner Tiffany Porter, is featured in TimeOut New York's new Home Design issue, where they featured 12 interesting New Yorkers' apartments.

Tiff lives for thrifting, antiquing and collecting massive amounts of vintage things (scissors, suitcases, owls, old magazines, you name it, etc), so her retro apartment is a wonderful extension of her wonderful personality!

Check out the entire article, plus tons more photos here! And don't forget to check out Old Hollywood's blog - Get Moxie Kids!

I'm Taking Notes From This Guy

2009-10-06T18:12:00.002-04:00

Think you’re winded after chugging over the Williamsburg Bridge? Clinical social worker Joe Simonetti rides three hours (it’s 44 miles) from Westchester to his midtown office-apartment twice a week. Here’s what it feels like:

“I get up at 7:30 a.m. and have a bowl of cereal, put some air in my tires (I ride a road bike), fill up two water bottles, and leave by 8:30. The moment I start pedaling, there’s this incredible release. The first highlight is an illegal shortcut through a private community in Connecticut, which has a beautiful little lake. After eighteen miles, I stop for breakfast at the Rock Ridge Deli in Rye; I order egg whites and Swiss on a whole-wheat roll. The low point is the South Bronx. It’s like running a gauntlet. When I make it over the Madison Avenue bridge into Manhattan, I’m a Tour de France rider seeing the Champs-Élysées. Even though my shoulders are aching, I’ll blast through Central Park. When I arrive at work, there’s always a sense of victory. It’s been ten years, and I still like when people say ‘Wow.’”

via NY Mag

Free Vampire Weekend MP3

2009-10-06T17:20:00.004-04:00

It's called 'Horchata'* and you can download it over at Stereogum. It features no guitars, but lots of kalimba, marimba and other interesting instruments. I'm stoked to be hearing some good new stuff from these guys!

*Horchata is a traditional Mexican drink made of rice, almonds, cinnamon, lime zest and sugar. It sounds delicious so I'm going to attempt to make one while listening to this song. You can too, with this recipe here. Lets see how it goes!

2009-10-06T17:05:00.004-04:00

I want to go camping and see this.

Halloween Is Only 25 Days Away!

2009-10-06T16:58:00.004-04:00

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday! And look at this house up in Greenpoint at 648 Humboldt Street. I will be taking a walk to check it out in the very near future!
via NewYorkShitty

Atom Bomb Test, Bikini Atoll

2009-10-06T16:42:00.003-04:00

(via National Geographic)

Incredible picture, incredible destruction.

Fun Fact of The Day

2009-10-06T16:24:00.005-04:00

Where's Wally, the first book in the Where's Waldo series, ranks #88 on the American Library Association's list of "100 Most Frequently Banned Books". How is this so, you ask? One of the female characters in the beach scene has a partially exposed breast.

I had no idea Waldo was so scandalous! I certainly don't remember seeing sideboob when I first read this book, but see if you can spot it for yourself now...

Another interesting fact about Where's Wally: the final 12, 2-page spreads were the result of more than 2 years of detailed work by illustrator Martin Handford.

Chris Rock's Thoughts on Roman Polanski

2009-10-02T12:27:00.003-04:00

My thoughts exactly Mr. Rock.

I honestly don't understand these big Hollywood types who are defending Polanski. It's incredibly frustrating and disappointing to see people defend a man, who has admitted to drugging and raping a 13 year old girl, just because he's made a few good movies. Newsflash, just because you're talented, doesn't mean you aren't a sick person. And it certainly does not give you a free pass to flee the country, avoid arrest for 30 years and claim because it's been 30 years, that you should be a free man.

Ahh, ok my rant is over. Anyways, go here to Jezebel to watch the rest of Rock's thoughts on the Polanski debate, its definitely worth it.

Wearable Art?

2009-10-02T00:44:00.014-04:00

This right here is the Teddy Bear Jacket from Sebastian Errazuriz, the artist/designer who also brought us the Zipper Dress (see below).

Let me just say that the TB coat is creepy. Soft, but still creepy. It reminds me of that scene from Ghostbusters, when the rich lady is walking down the streets of Manhattan and her fox fur coat comes alive with lots of little foxes and starts to attack her. Remember that scene? Not fun.

The Zipper Dress is cool actually, I like the idea behind it. But a) I bet it's extremely uncomfortable and b) you run the risk of looking like a big ole ho if not zipped properly!

The World's Largest Gummy Bear...

2009-10-02T00:13:00.002-04:00

...will give you the worlds worst stomach ache. See:

"The World's Largest Gummy Bear is the lion of the candy world. There is no candy more magnificent or more powerful. This five-pound beast is the equivalent of 1,400 regular sized gummy bears and packs a whopping 12,600 calories.

Its monstrous size is only matched by its enormous taste. The World's Largest Gummy Bear tastes just as delicious as its pint-sized counterpart.

Available in several flavors: blue raspberry, red cherry, and green apple. Hand-made in the USA."

via Geekologie

Wheels To Hell

2009-10-02T00:04:00.002-04:00

haha.

Where The Wild Things Are: Full Album Stream

2009-09-29T16:46:00.004-04:00

I once knew a boy in college who had a really wonderful half-sleeve of the characters from Where The Wild Things Are. The book obviously held a place near and dear to him and I wish I had photos of his sleeve to share with you. I wonder if he'll feel any differently about it once the movie comes out...

On a related note, a full album stream just popped up of Karen O & The Kids', Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack, so go on over to Stereogum to take a listen. You won't be disappointed. It's dreamy, playful, innocent and though I had no idea what Karen O would come up with, this is exactly how I think the soundtrack should sound.

Full Album Stream here.

Tim Burton Is Genius, As Always

2009-09-29T16:00:00.011-04:00

Tim Burton recently styled a shoot for Harper's Bazaar and of course it's brilliant, just like everything else he does! Tim Burton really, truly can do no wrong in my eyes. His visions are always so creative and different than everything else going on and this shoot is no exception. It's fun, creepy and darkly whimsical and features some of his more well known characters (look for Edward).

(Tim in front of the camera)

Beautiful spread, no? Check out lots more pics here!

Intervention Update: Allison the Huffer

2009-09-29T15:37:00.005-04:00

I have a slight obsession with A&E's Intervention. It's definitely a sad show to watch, but I'd say most of the time, the addicts go to rehab, get the help they need and seem to stay clean.

There was a girl on the show once named Allison, who was a huffer - meaning she'd huff cans of dust remover. Her catchphrase was 'It's like I'm waking on sunshine,' if that rings any bells. She huffed so many cans on a daily basis and seemed so wacked out and brain damaged on her episode, I honestly didn't think she'd stand a chance for a 'normal' life again. But I was wrong!

A&E just did a follow up on her and she's sober and healthy. And even makes a few jokes about her episode. Yay for Allison, this makes me happy!

Here is Allison pre-intervention:

And CLICK HERE to see how she's doing now (can't seem to find this video anywhere besides Jezebel, so click on through people)!

I Want To Ride My Biiiicycle.

2009-09-29T14:28:00.003-04:00

These glow in the dark rims are badass.

And this bike looks like a cartoon bike. A Smurf bike to be exact!

Lots more rad fixed gears here!

by Robert Longo

2009-09-03T18:23:00.004-04:00

I am very drawn to this 'Heros' series by NYC artist Robert Longo. You know I love my black and white photos, which is of course one reason I love these photos, but I really love the subject matter here.

I'm sure my dad being a Marine pilot has something to do with it and growing up in that environment, but I've always been intrigued by airplanes and airports and flying - the potential for travel, to experience new places and environments - the possibilities for exploration are really endless. And this world is just so big.

I digress though, because while these photos make me think of travel, they really evoke feelings of power and strength. These pilots look straight up tough and menacing. I certainly would never want to cross paths with them in the sky.

via The Selby

2009-09-03T17:35:00.004-04:00

Dear Fall,

I'm a little bit excited for you to get here so I can wear these precious heart tights. But just so you know, it's still summer. Yep, it's still summer until September 22nd. So why don't you back up off the warm weather now for a few more weeks, it's not your turn yet. Thanks!

Love,
The Daily Notch

image via garance dore

Death From Above 1979

2009-09-03T13:06:00.005-04:00

Romantic Rights.

On a serious Death From Above 1979 kick this week. Can't stop listening.

Death from Above 1979 - New Music - More Music Videos

Blood On Our Hands

I Want.

2009-09-03T12:36:00.008-04:00

Oakley's Frogskins are some pretty iconic shades (see above). I've toyed with the idea of getting a pair for a while now but for some reason, just never did. But after seeing the amazing new woodgrain pair (see below) that Oakley and Eric Koston teamed up to make - drool!! - I'm finally going to make that purchase!

Global Warming's Not Real

2009-09-03T11:54:00.008-04:00

To symbolize the effect of global warming, Brazilian artist Nele Azevedo created 1,000 ice sculptures in the shape of people, and placed them on the steps of a Berlin music hall yesterday. Within 30 minutes the sculptures started to melt.

This is kind of a cool idea, except global warming clearly is not real. Did they not go outside at all this summer and feel how chilly its been!

via Winnipeg Sun

Kurt Cobain Is Rolling Over In His Grave

2009-09-02T16:24:00.003-04:00

I heard that Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was going to be on the new Guitar Hero game, but I didn't know that Kurt Cobain would be a playable character. Which means he sings along and dances to any song you play...you can watch him rap as Flava Flav, pretend to be Gavin Rossdale in Bush or, probably worst, prance around in Bon Jovi.

Courtney Love, we all know you need a paycheck and all, but seriously? This is pretty tasteless, even for you.

via Stereogum and Pitchfork

STUNNA!

2009-09-02T16:05:00.004-04:00

I present to you, the 2009 summer cover of Stunnazine Magazine (an artsy little website I was lucky enough to stumble upon while doing research for a client about teen advice websites).

Who Cares.

2009-08-31T16:36:00.001-04:00

Captain Obvious Does Exist

2009-08-31T16:29:00.002-04:00

Astronomy Picture of the Day

2009-08-31T15:16:00.005-04:00

NASA created this awesome site, which features a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe every day, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

Today (Aug. 31): OPEN CLUSTER M25 (see pic above) Explanation: Many stars like our Sun were formed in open clusters. The above pictured open cluster, M25, contains thousands of stars and is about two thousand light years distant. The stars in this cluster all formed together about 90 million years ago. The bright young stars in M25 appear blue. Open clusters, also called galactic clusters, contain fewer and younger stars than globular clusters. Also unlike globular clusters, open clusters are generally confined to the plane of our Galaxy. M25 is visible with binoculars towards the constellation of the Archer ( Sagittarius).

And I liked the entry from Aug. 27: A DARK SKY OVER SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK

(click to enlarge)

I Like Meat!

2009-08-28T16:58:00.002-04:00

“ Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans, are a persistent irritant to any chef worth a damn. To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living. Vegetarians are the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit, and an affront to all I stand for, the pure enjoyment of food. The body, these waterheads imagine, is a temple that should not be polluted by animal protein. It’s healthier, they insist, though every vegetarian waiter I’ve worked with is brought down by any rumor of a cold. Oh, I’ll accommodate them, I’ll rummage around for something to feed them, for a ‘vegetarian plate’, if called on to do so. Fourteen dollars for a few slices of grilled eggplant and zucchini suits my food cost fine. ” - Anthony Bourdain

Fact: Heroin Cures Heroin

2009-08-27T14:58:00.003-04:00

A recent study on heroin addicts was just published in Canada and it's got some interesting/ridiculous results:

"The study focused on addicts who took heroin for at least five years and had already failed two attempts at treatment. One of those attempts had to involve methadone, which helps manage heroin cravings and blocks the drug’s euphoric effects.
The goal wasn’t necessarily to get study participants to stop using heroin altogether, but to turn their addiction into a manageable fact of life instead of a source of high-risk, illegal and/or anti-social behavior."

Basically, there were 2 study groups - 115 patients who got to shoot up diacetylmorphine (the active ingredient in heroin) and 111 patients who shot up methadone, up 3 times a day, in a controlled clinical environment.

I know heroin is one hell of a drug, but isn't the point of treatment to get you fully, 100% clean so you can lead a healthy, happy life? I'm no drug expert, but isn't heroin 'being a manageable fact of life' a bit of a contradiction.

Anyways, the studies uncovered this: heroin addicts who were given free heroin "did better" than addicts given methadone. Yeah, no shit. It's heroin, the real thing! And what does "did better" mean, in a scientific sense, you ask? The LAT reports:

After one year, 88% of those in the [free heroin] group were still in treatment, compared with 54% in the methadone group. They were also more likely to curb their illegal behavior – including use of illicit drugs – by a margin of 67% to 48%.

Of course they curbed some of their illicit, street behavior because these super helpful doctors were giving heroin out for free like candy on Halloween! I'm convinced the doctors were sampling the goods!

Anyways, addictions and treatment are extremely complicated so I understand it's not that cut and dry, but go read the entire article, it's quite interesting.

via Gawker

PS. I'm too vain to do heroin. Be warned, that link is graphic!

Shit My Dad Says

2009-08-27T14:50:00.003-04:00

Ohmyfuckingod! Go follow this guy over on Twitter, it's the funniest thing I've read all week!!

This 28 year old guy lives at home with his 73 year old dad and just tweets some of the more ridiculous things his dad says. He's a sassy, grumpy old man that I can't get enough of!

Daily Tunes

2009-08-26T13:25:00.004-04:00

Have you heard about this little Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson collaboration? Inspired by Serge Gainsbourg's 1960s recordings with Brigitte Bardot, they recorded The Breakup, an album about a tempestuous love affair.

They released the first song, Relator, this week and I never thought I'd say this about a Scarlett Johansson song, but I LOVE it! It's so good! I know she gets a lot of shit for her music (she's not nearly as bad as everyone says) but Pete Yorn does great things for her on this song. I can't stop playing it!

Go take a listen and watch the video here, I bet you'll like it too.

Girls Like Funny Boys

2009-08-26T12:56:00.002-04:00

Where can I meet this man?

New World Record

2009-08-24T18:33:00.004-04:00

Last week, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt set not 1, but 2 new world records at the World Championships in Berlin last week. What's up superman! He set the new 100m record with a time of 9.58 seconds.

When you break that down, it means he was running at 28 miles per hour. 28 miles per hour!!

Someone give that man a Wheaties box cover!

I need Winkers!

2009-08-24T16:09:00.003-04:00

All I have to say about this is whoa. Someone get me a pair of these ASAP. For real. I need them.

Friend Love!

2009-08-24T15:12:00.004-04:00

Well look at this! The Notches good friend, the lovely and talented Miss Bernadette Paolucci, was featured in Daily Candy today for her awesome rope necklaces! They're sold exclusively at The Notches favorite boutique - the best store in the whole wide world - Old Hollywood, so be sure to have a look around there!

We have the best friends ever!

True Blood Pie Chart

2009-08-24T14:36:00.004-04:00

I love you, whoever created this lovely little pie chart! I fully appreciate your love and dedication to True Blood. And it's nice to see you know what's up in regards to Eric! And people, just check out the picture below if you don't know what all the blue on the chart means...

Drug Money

2009-08-24T13:54:00.005-04:00

Dang. According to new reports, 90% of US currency contains traces of cocaine! And 2 years ago only 67% of US currency had coke on it. What happened D.A.R.E!

The researchers found that bills from Washington had the highest prevalence of cocaine, about 95 percent. Over all, $5, $10, $20 and $50 bills had more cocaine than $1 and $100 bills.

That little tidbit above surprises me. Why, you ask? Because a) they must not have tested bills from NYC, because I'm pretty sure it's percentage would be higher than Washington's and b) in this recession, you know people are broke and $1's are all anyones got!

(image via Gawker.)

Daily Film- Point Break

2009-08-21T15:22:00.004-04:00

At some point this weekend, I plan on watching this cinematic surf masterpiece. Keanu Reeves is in fine form and Patrick Swayze is a tough dreamboat. Yes and yes.

Empire of the Sun - Walking On A Dream.

2009-08-21T12:03:00.004-04:00

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream

'Walking on a Dream' by Empire of the Sun is not a new song but it's brand new to me. And yes, it's solid gold.

I just heard singer, Luke Steele, is going to be on the new Jay-Z record - I must say I'm looking forward to hearing that collaboration.

New Facebook App Idea!

2009-08-21T11:57:00.002-04:00

via dontstaylong, he's onto something here...

"let’s be honest: facebook’s entire point is to see what the more popular, prettier, more athletic people you knew in high school are doing, and then to make sure you’re doing better than them.

with that in mind, i propose Facebook: The Game: The App. A list of every person you’re friends with and a scale of 1-5 on who’s more successful/less fat/not living with their parents. bonus points are given if you know they live within a 5 minute drive to walmart (and are proud of that fact). at the end, you’re left with a score to accurately determine whether you’re Winning At Life or if you’re a Complete And Total Failure.

someone do it. we’re gonna make a million bucks."

ps. i googled 'a million bucks' and the picture above is the 4th pic that popped up. too good not to use.

Those Dancing Days

2009-08-17T18:40:00.003-04:00

Oh Em Gee! I am in love with this band! Those Dancing Days are a talented, 5 piece all girl band from Stockholm, Sweden. Try listening to them without smiling and wanting to dance. Seriously, try.

Check out their song 'Those Dancing Days' too on their myspace. It's worth it if you like adorable, fun, dancy, upbeat, indie pop music. Now excuse me while I try to join the band.

Privacy Is So 20th Century

2009-08-13T13:55:00.004-04:00

Face.com has launched a new Facebook application called Photo Finder - it's a face recognition application designed to tag pictures of you and your friends fast. It's still in beta mode, so it's not available to the general public yet, but it's treading on scary, big brother territory here.

Once a person uploads the app, it automatically scans not just your own pictures, but the pictures of each and every one of your friends. When the scan is done, it sends you a list of ALL photos you're in, which you can then choose to auto-tag yourself in or not.

According to Mashable, "Face.com seems to have an ambitious goal: to complete the picture social graph. No person left untagged, no photo left by in digital space, and every person in every picture tagged and sorted."

While I think this is convenient and fast, the issue of privacy comes up. Right now it doesn't seem to be too invasive, but think about how it's going to change and progress in a few months time.

Say you download the PhotoFinder app, are out at a bar with some friends and see an attractive person, lets call them Pat, across the room. You take a picture of your friends, with Pat conveniently in the background. You go home, upload the pics to Facebook. If Pat has PhotoFinder too, will that mean they automatically get tagged too? Which means that you could essentially find out who anyone was if they have this app.

This is where the big brother, creep factor comes in. Stalking people would be so easy. Seriously, would you want someone to be able to take a picture of you without your knowledge, upload it to Facebook and then, thanks to facial recognition software, know who you are? As of right now, it seems the app scans only your friends' faces, but still. The potential for this to be abused is high. Maybe I'm just reading way to much into this.

Mashable said it best: "PhotoFinder is a reminder that anything you or your friends put on the Internet is public domain and will probably be found one way or another."

via Mashable

Daily Awesome.

2009-08-13T13:39:00.003-04:00

Photographer Michael Bosanko swapped spray cans for torches, to graffiti British landmarks in a new set of images commissioned by TalkTalk to mark the launch of an advertising campaign that uses the same technique. -via Telegraph UK

I'm looking forward to seeing how Talk Talk use Bosanko's images in their campaign.

Fact. Al Roker Is The Slimer.

2009-08-12T17:35:00.006-04:00

My boss Ben has an intense hatred for Al Roker. At first I didn't understand - how can one hate Al Roker in the first place, nonetheless hate his guts with so much enthusiasm!? He's just a jolly ole weatherman, right?

Then I discovered this hilarious little article on Stereogum about another guys hatred Mr. Roker and it makes a bit more sense now. Not entirely, because I still don't mind the guy, but yeah.

The picture of Al up there reminded my coworkers of Slimer. Yes, Slimer of Ghostbusters fame. So I set out with my brilliant photochopping skills to see if this was true. And voila! They were right. Al Roker is Slimer. The resemblence is uncanny! Sometimes I love my job too much.

You Can Make Fonts From Google Maps?

2009-08-11T15:36:00.003-04:00

Someone had some time on their hands. A researcher named Rachel Young created a NY state alphabet, based on images she found on Google Maps. Interesting.

via Flavorwire

Don't Judge My Hair

2009-08-11T15:23:00.005-04:00

Another gem of a time-wasting site: Don't Judge My Hair. You're welcome.

Zoo York 'Sky High Series' Decks

2009-08-11T13:17:00.005-04:00

"Italian photographer, Alessandro Zuek Simonetti is most known for his photographs of the youth, and New York street culture. He most recently teamed up with Zoo York to lend a couple of his photographs for their Sky High Series skate decks." via mashKULTURE

I absolutely adore black and white photography. If I ever get my own place and do it up proper, I want only B&W photography to adorn the walls. There is just something so timeless and glamorous about it. And the photos on these skate decks prove my point - NYC shot in B&W is just so right, on so many levels. Thank you, Zoo York.

Alas, these decks are far too pretty to skate on. They belong on my walls instead.

Summer In The City

2009-08-11T12:26:00.000-04:00

...my summer anthem, in case you were wondering.

Sum-Sum-Summertime!

2009-08-11T11:57:00.003-04:00

I have returned to NYC from my wonderful and very relaxing vacation in the land of oranges and old people, also known as Florida. Apologies for the lack of recent posts, but I tried to stay as far away from my computer as possible while gone.

Anyways, I returned to New York on Sunday and was greeted with a blast of humidity. The city if officially swampy now - I can't complain too much though, because I've continually whined about how summer, thus far, had forgotten about NYC. So the mugginess is here, and I'm embracing it (within the confines of my air conditioned bedroom of course).

When I do venture outdoors, I'm going to be on the lookout for this Big Gay Ice Cream Truck. How have I not seen this around yet?? It's amazing! Totally want some big gay ice cream right now...

Folsom Prison Blues - As Sung By a 5yr Old

2009-07-30T16:40:00.005-04:00

If you take Suri Cruise - then dye her hair blond, give her a guitar and turn her into a boy - you'd have Wesley here singing Johnny Cash's song 'Folsom Prison Blues'!

Just wait for him to get to the 'I shot a man in Weno just to watch him diiiiie' part! Adorable.

Cheers, Vampires!

2009-07-30T16:14:00.003-04:00

It's no secret I love HBOs True Blood - have you been watching this season?! Holy Erik and LaFayette plotlines, thank you writers. So you can imagine my delight when I heard show creator, Alan Ball, announce at Comic Con that they've made a real 4pack of the TruBlood vampire beverage of choice.

Ball even 'joked that the drink was a mixture of 'wine, vodka, Vicodin, Viagra and Ecstasy' and that it was 'completely illegal.'" HEYOOOOOOO! Don't worry, it's just soda.

They even made up a drink menu for it:

Drink Menu:
The Fangbanger - Tru Blood, Vodka
Death on the Beach - Tru Blood, Peach Schnapps, Pineapple Juice, Vodka
Plasmapolitan - Tru Blood, Citron, Cointreau, Fresh Lime Juice

Let me just say, I think it's no coincidence that this gem of a drink comes out on my birthday (you can go pre-order it here). Just sayin...

The Daily Awe

2009-07-27T16:25:00.004-04:00

I don't particularly care for rodents of any kind, but these lil baby otters are oh so adorable. I'll take one, please. A few more pics here.

The Daily Ew

2009-07-27T15:58:00.002-04:00

Madonna, step away from the gym. This is not a good look on anyone.

Alice in Wonderland Trailer

2009-07-23T14:06:00.004-04:00

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=pt-br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;from=sp&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;vid=44ad7500-98da-43a6-b7ec-2796f73849c9" target="_new" title="Trailer"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Video: Trailer&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

This movie looks so incredible/creepy/pretty/tripped out/glorious that I almost want it to be March 2010 (release date) already! Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter can really do no wrong in my eyes - Edward Scissorhands was hands down, my favorite movie growing up and I've looked forward to every Burton/Depp collaboration ever since.

The highly anticipated trailer for Burton's Alice in Wonderland premiered yesterday on IGN. The only problem is that Mr. Burton was supposed to premiere it at Comic Con today - whoops - someone leaked it a bit early.

Of course the fine folks at Disney freaked the F out and had the trailer pulled from YouTube and IGN. The only trailer I found left on the internet to share with you is at MSN - the quality is poor - but it'll do for now!

via Mashable

Nerd Alert!

2009-07-22T17:03:00.004-04:00

This is Trent from Punchy

2009-07-21T12:06:00.003-04:00

Trent is an Aussie dreamboat!

And I think he likes drugs, but it's hard to say. The guys who shot this found him in a train station and paid him $20 for an interview. Enjoy!

J-Stache!! and Hall & Oates!!

2009-07-21T11:44:00.005-04:00

J-Stache - Official Trailer - watch more funny videos

Meet J Stache! He is Mr. Oates' mustache - as in John Oates, of Hall & Oates fame, the King of rock n soul! J Stache is a shit talking, prostitute loving, coke snorting, homeless wandering mustache. And my work premiered his new cartoon trailer on Funny orDie.com.

Amazing, no? And (shameless plug) follow J-Stache on Facebook for some wise words of wisdom. He's got a few gems up his sleeve, as you can read.

Dial 911 for Math Homework Problems

2009-07-16T13:33:00.003-04:00

I hate math. And apparently this little 4 yr. old boy does too, because he called 911 to get help with his math homework. His mom flips her shit at the end of the recording when she finds out what he's doing, so wait for it!

Quote

Operator: 911 emergencies.
Boy: Yeah I need some help.
Operator: What’s the matter?
Boy: With my math.
Operator: With your mouth?
Boy: No with my math. I have to do it. Will you help me?
Operator: Sure. Where do you live?
Boy: No with my math.
Operator: Yeah I know. Where do you live though?
Boy: No, I want you to talk to me on the phone.
Operator: No I can’t do that. I can send someone else to help you.
Boy: Okay.
Operator: What kind of math do you have that you need help with?
Boy: I have take aways.
Operator: Oh you have to do the take aways.
Boy: Yeah.
Operator: Alright, what’s the problem?
Boy: Um, you have to help me with my math.
Operator: Okay. Tell me what the math is.
Boy: Okay. 16 take away 8 is what?
Operator: You tell me. How much do you think it is?
Boy: I don’t know, 1.
Operator: No. How old are you?
Boy: I’m only 4.
Operator: 4!
Boy: Yeah.
Operator: What’s another problem, that was a tough one.
Boy: Um, oh here’s one. 5 take away 5.
Operator: 5 take away 5 and how much do you think that is?
Boy: 5.
Woman: Johnny what do you think you’re doing?!
Boy: The policeman is helping me with my math.
Woman: What did I tell you about going on the phone?
Operator: It’s the mother…
Boy: You said if I need help to call somebody.
Woman: I didn’t mean the police.

via here

Found on a Telephone Pole

2009-07-16T13:28:00.004-04:00

Ladies, any takers?

via Boing Boing

The Wall Street Journal Says Boys Wear Skinny Jeans! Who knew!

2009-07-15T15:09:00.008-04:00

BREAKING NEWS: Holy shit! The WSJ have just discovered a brand new trend: boys wear skinny jeans!

That video is amazing, if not for all the dummys they interviewed ("I ripped my skinny jeans at a Vampire Weekend show" and "I've been wearing skinny jeans my entire life"), but for the fact that the reporter doesn't even leave the corner of the Bedford L stop. It's like he's a war zone reporter - keep close guys, we don't want to wander too far from the safety of the train, we're in Brooklyn now. You might get mugged, or even worse, offered cocaine! - thanks Apex!

In all seriousness, don't they have better things to report on than boys in skinny jeans? They have an entire article on it!

via Free Williamsburg

You Can Blow With This or You Can Blow With That!

2009-07-14T11:10:00.002-04:00

Yet another reason to love Christopher Walken! YouTube is being cranky and won't let me upload the video, but GO HERE to watch Mr. Walken dance in Fatboy Slim's video for 'Weapon of Choice'. The mans got moves.

Sexy Hot Tan!

2009-07-10T13:44:00.004-04:00

Don't forget to put this on this weekend!

And yes, it's actually real. Will Ferrell teamed up with the Cancer for College charity to sell these sexy lotions, with 100% of the proceeds going towards the charity, which gives scholarships to cancer patients.

I <3 you Will Ferrell...

Awkward Family Photos

2009-07-09T13:48:00.004-04:00

Oh no. No no no. What crack pipe are these parents smoking?! This picture is just not right. I hope the baby got possessed by the devil*, who then forced the parents to lose all sorts of self respect and pride in order to dress the entire family like this. That is the only reasonable excuse for this picture.

Plain Jane Creepsters.

Awkward Family Photos

*and of course I don't really hope the baby was possessed by Satan, but you get my point.

Brazilian Child Preachers.

2009-07-09T10:37:00.007-04:00

Managed by their parents, on tour 365 days a year, and charging $900 for a two-hour sermon, child preachers are big business in Brazil. Each event is a finely tuned marketing maneuver promoted with posters, magazine coverage, and radio ads. If you want one of these kid wonders to visit your parish, you’ll also have to fork over a down payment on a minimum of 150 DVDs (around $750). -Vice

Vice Mag recently chatted with 3 of Brazil's most popular little Catholic prophets - Ana Carolina Lucena Dias (14), Matheus Moraes (11) and Alex Silva (15) - to see what life's really like for them (pray, preach, pray, sermon, pray, travel and repeat). The article sheds some light on the life these kids lead and how unwaivering they seem to be in their devotion to serving God and the people. Matheus has been preaching sermons since age 6 and Alex is the only one who seems remotely well-rounded because he mentions he likes soccer - the other kids talk only of god and their parents.

I can't help but feel sad for these kids -of course they're going to believe what their parents tell them. Everyone does when you're that young. But these fanatic religious parents are telling their kids stories of being born as prophets, building them up and touting them as such across the country to make quick and easy money. I mean, come on, preacher Alex gets a new suit for every sermon he does!

I would very much like to catch up with these same kids in 10 years to see what they're like and if they still feel the same.

Read the whole article here.

Spoiler Alert : Britney Spears REALLY Can't Sing (as if you didn't already know)!

2009-07-09T10:29:00.004-04:00

I get why Britney doesn't sing live, I do - she can't with all the choreography and running around she does. Which is fine because people don't go see her in concert to see a good singer, they go to see a big performance.

But this? Really? Oh, it's bad.

Breakfast at Sulimay's

2009-07-08T13:56:00.004-04:00

I don't know how in the world this slipped by me, but I finally caught my first episode of Breakfast at Sulimay's and am officially hooked! The premise of the youtube series are 3 elderly people, er, critics - Bill, Ann and Joe - reviewing current 'hip' music. It's hilarious. And sweet. Old people are so cute.

Here's one where they review a Yo La Tengo song, which they all unanimously like. Ann, looking like a crazy bag lady, goes so far as to call it 'a humping song' and instructs everyone to 'lick their lips'. And Joe is adorably serious about his job as a critic.

Here they review Beirut's 'My Night With A Prostitute in Marseille'. Anne says, 'How boring! That is not a prostitute song, I would know.' And Joe thinks the song is 'after dinner music, when you're throwing up.'** Then they review Sepultura, which Bill likes and Ann headbangs along too. Sounds amazing, no?

**Of course, if you know me, you know I love Beirut and have to disagree with the critics' opinions of him, no matter how cute and old they may be. And because I can, here's a video for Nantes, a song I'm quite enamored with. And if you've got time to kill, go watch this version too!

Because We Can't Have Drive-In Movies...

2009-07-08T13:37:00.003-04:00

Summer movies in the park start tonight at McCarren. Reality Bites. Dusk. See you there!

My Dream House Belongs to Max Azria

2009-07-07T15:55:00.009-04:00

These photos are from a recent spread Harpers Bazaar did on Max and Lubov Azria's Los Angeles home.

This house is amazing, I would absolutely move into this place in a heartbeat if I could. I love the playful, eclectic look and feel of the entire house - the play of black and white, bold colors and graphic prints. Ahhhh, I want!

And how incredible is that crystal chandelier spilling into the solid wood table in the first picture? I think I'm going to redecorate my house now. Goodbye!

via Harpers Bazaar (more pics)

Carefree Summer

2009-07-07T15:33:00.004-04:00

I love this photo by Sara Norris. All I can think of while looking at it is 'bubble gum gritty', whatever that means.

And because it's finally beginning to feel like summer, now that it's July (ironically enough, it just started to rain as I typed that), here are a few more summer themed shots...

via Vintage Indie

Crazy Lady, Center Stage

2009-07-07T14:59:00.002-04:00

A lobster/crawfish shirt and a Native American headdress made of paper hands with eyes on them. Is there anything Karen O can't pull off?

via The Vogue Blog

Daily Video - Sour's 'Hibi no Neiro'

2009-07-06T18:16:00.003-04:00

neat music video = understatement.

via BOOOOOOOM

Website of the Day

2009-07-06T16:47:00.006-04:00

WhyTheFuckDoYouHaveAKid.com - Hilarious and sad. This site, like A&E's Intervention, make me feel pretty good about my life!

About the letter above : “This magnificent letter was put into all the mailboxes of my friend’s building. It is also proudly on display on the bulletin board.”

Total Eclipse of the Heart : Literal Video Version

2009-07-06T16:10:00.004-04:00

Oh god, I love music videos from the 80s. And this video has Bonnie Tyler looking like a hot tranny mess. Winner.

Clearly the people who dubbed over this video can't really sing, but that's not the point. It's just silly.

Fallen Princesses

2009-07-06T15:50:00.005-04:00

Princess Jasmine

Snow White

"These works place Fairy Tale characters in modern day scenarios. In all of the images the Princess is placed in an environment that articulates her conflict. The ‘…happily ever after’ is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues… Disney’s perfect Princesses [are] juxtaposed with real issues that were affecting women around me, such as illness, addiction and self-image issues." - photographer Dina Goldstein

See the rest of this interesting series here.

Wha Wha In The Butt!

2009-06-24T15:47:00.006-04:00

Because everything's funnier. In the butt.

Ok, this site further goes to show that I do indeed have the sense of humor of a 6 yr old boy. I'm ok with that.

And I love True Blood so I had to post the pic of the tagged True Blood poster. Good god, that show is good.

Marina And The Diamonds - I am Not A Robot

2009-06-24T15:44:00.004-04:00

Ohhh this is pretty! If you like glitter, rhinestones, body paint and a cute song, then you'll love this video.

Teachers Paid to do Nothing?

2009-06-23T11:56:00.003-04:00

Let's all get hired as teachers and try to get fired! Who's with me?!

Get this, so teachers' contracts make it so hard for the city to fire them, that the city banishes them to the "rubber rooms" (or temporary reassignment centers) if they get into trouble instead. The teachers stay there for however long it takes to figure out each individual case (usually months to years)!

While in the rubber room, teachers keep their normal working hours, get holidays and summers off and get paid their full-time, regular wages. Except they're not teaching, they're just sitting in a room for 8 hrs a day, doing whatever they please.

700 teachers or so, who on average make about $70,000 a year, are banished to the rubber rooms. Which means the taxpayers of NYC end up paying about $65 million a year on them. Crazy!

Of course that's the short of it, so click here to read in more detail about it.

via Yahoo News

Dumb Dumb and Dumb

2009-06-23T10:32:00.005-04:00

You've got to be kidding me!! Did that woman seriously just tie a dog up in her belt?!

Apparently, this is a real thing and is called, wait for it..... a dog fanny pack. Here's the description I found about it:

"If you have a small dog and don’t feel like leaving it at home while you are out for a run or a brisk walk, you can bring it with you in a Pooch Fanny Pack. This innovation promotes a healthy lifestyle for both you and your pooch."

Wait, I'm sorry, but if you're going on a brisk walk, why would you not take your dog out with you? Dogs are made for walks! And how in the world does hooking your dog to a belt on a walk promote a healthy lifestyle for an animal? It actually looks like it's being squished to death, which I would venture to say, is not very healthy.

This is so utterly ridiculous it's got to be fake, right?

E-Mails From An Asshole

2009-06-22T16:01:00.003-04:00

My new favorite website is called Dont Even Reply and it's amazing! I know I say a lot of things are amazing, but this site really is.

Basically, this guy finds ads on Craigslist and then fucks with the people who posted them. via email Then he posts the responses on the site. Here's one from today...

Somehow this woman knew exactly what I was trying to do.
Original ad: litter of 5 kittens. two orange, two black, one mixed-grey. all are three weeks old and looking for a good home!

From Yin Chang to *********@***********.org
hello i buy all kitten you have. how much? - yin chang

From ************@hotmail.com to Me
Sorry. These kittens are not being sold for food.

I posted that one because it was the shortest, but there are some other gems on there too, like this one about a cheap car (my personal favorite) or the grandma babysitter or the prick of a husband. Enjoy!