Let Us Clear Our Throats: March 2006

One time at band camp......

If you haven't clicked on the link for PostSecret yet, you really should.
Here is an article that tells you information about how the site and project got started. Basically this guy started it as an art project asking people to mail him their secrets on a postcard. It has ballooned into much more, a book, a website and even art shows. To see more secrets click this link from the article that showcases some of the postcards that have been sent in.

I love the site of course for its voyeuristic nature but I also think there is something therapeutic about it as well. It provides a place for people to get things off their chest but also a place where people can recognize that they're not alone. Makes me wonder what my secret would be if I were to mail one in......
what would yours be?

Ringtone ramblings and more nintendo nostalgia

Those near and dear to me (and those near me when I can't find my phone in public) know that my ringtone is the Super Mario's Theme
Here is a video of a guy playing the theme song on two, count'em two guitars!

Some people view the super mario brother's theme as an improvement from my old ringtone (an indian pop song) and some just view it as another annoyance.
Its sad but I have to admit that one of the only reasons I want a new phone is so I can download ringtones at a reasonably monthly fee instead of paying 2 bucks for one from Verizon. Just imagine the million more 'annoying' ringtones I could have personalized for each and everyone one of you!

However with ringtones comes great responsibility. One must deal with the issues of ringtone equality and ringtone pressure. With personalized ringtones for some but not all, you run the risk of friends questioning why they don't have a special ring or why they have the ringtone you designated them. Should you have to explain your ringtone reasoning or hierarchy? That's like having to justify your speed dial or top 8. Your ringtones and speed dialing are something you decide on but never want to back up with logic and reason to a third party that may have been excluded.

Our ringtones say a lot about us. Did we take the time to change the preprogrammed ringers? Do we even care? Did we make the effort to pick particular song for a particular person or just designate the same one for everybody? Do we have to pick a song that will correctly represent us to the world or atleast those standing around us when the phone rings? What if the person next to you doesn't realize you chose that song or ringtone in jest and thinks you actually really do love that new Hillary Duff song!

hmmm...maybe I'll just stick to the super mario brothers theme, it is a classic.

Sign # 101that I've not grown up yet......

There are two cartons of expired milk in my fridge, a box of wine and cooking means pushing start on the microwave.

Hi-larious Cartoon!

Features a confused and reluctant 5 year old action hero.

Watch all 7 minutes of Dr. Tran its more than worth it!

Sign #35 that I've not grown up yet.....

I ohhh and awww more over dogs and cats than little kids and babies.

You've got Text!

Cute story about a 'relationship' through text message:

R We D8ting?

Some of the highlights:
"I like text messages. They fill an ever-narrowing gap in modern communication tools, combining the immediacy of a phone call with the convenience of an answering machine message and the premeditation of e-mail."

I'm a huge fan of the text. Convenient way to get in touch if you can't call (work, class, crowded place) or need to get across a short quick message, fake a kidnapping , recruit college athletes, prepare for the SATs or like in the article, a fast fun e-flirt. But also great for getting in touch with people you don't want to necessarily have voice to voice contact with. (The friend you have/want to cancel on but don't wanna have to verbalize your excuses. The guy you met at the bar last night but never want to see again. The person whose phone calls always result in agonizing silences and awkward moments)

"Google failed me. One time, armed with only a guy's first name and the fact that he sold sneakers, I had found his full details and photos online. But all I had here was a cellphone number and initials, and Friendster, MySpace and Technorati - the entire digital detective squad of the modern dater - were stumped."

How true is this guys? You all know you've done it. Met someone, googled them and of course looked them up on myspace, friendster, or thefacebook. And those who know me, have to know of my amazing stalker, I mean detective skills. I've found the person that sat next to me on the bus up to NY, the girl that liked amol, guys I've met out, and other people friends have liked. Scary? No way! Too much time on my hands? Perhaps. Curiosity? Definitely.

Read the article for a chuckle and remember, Practice Safe Text :)

Harrison is Hazardous to your Health

(in honor of Frankie's last day of work)

Evolution of Disgrace? or Pathway to being On Fire?

Sign #18 that I've not grown up yet....(even though I'm 26)

I still use the phrase:

"So do you like him, or do you like him like him?

Bosom Buddies

Warning: Reading the following post may result in a mild case of TMI*

Click here for a clearer view of Shekhar (the monkey) and I's (the robot) conversation

And for more boobie fun:
Click here for a definition of All the different Types of Cleavage
my favorite and the most disturbing:

Cleavage Cleavy - Cleavage occurring from all directions.

*too much information

Say it ain't so Pac Man, say it ain't so....

The truth about Pac Man: drinking, drugging and video game drama.

Click on this link for the shocking video. (found via BoingBoing)

And in other Pac Man related news......

Check out this video to see Pac Man invade a college campus.

How did Whitney spend St. Pattys day in 3 pics or less...

Jail..... Drinking... and Dancing....
I think I win.

Single Vs. Relationship

I stumbled across this post on a blog called The Company Bitch which gives 5 advantages to being single and 5 advantages to being in a relationship.
My two favorite reasons its better to be single are:

4. You may or may not be skinnier, but if no ones seeing you naked are the extra pounds really there?

5. You can apply the foul-smelling tanning lotion, make your eyebrows red and puffy by waxing them and/or use the green clay mask on your "problem areas." You wind up being hotter in the long run because you can afford to be short term ugly.

# 5 hits close to home as I type this with said green clay mask applied to my 'problem areas'. Many of you will say that once in a relationship you can be short term ugly with the one you love. But I think that takes some time, trust, comfort and/or mood-altering substances.

And the best reason its better to be in a relationship?

4. You have someone who is obligated to have sex with you

well...cuddling sure is nice too ;)

Karl Pilkington is a genius

Well come on guys, do you use your tighty whiteys correctly?

Nintendo Nostalgia

After watching some of Vh1's I love toys I started to reminiss about the toys of my youth. And of course I thought of Nintendo. And I'm not talking about the gamecube or gameboy or nintend 64. I'm talking about the orignal, the best, the nintendo entertainment system.
Gotta love the classic games, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros. and Dunk Hunt. I still miss the gun and pretending to shoot my twin brother with it and blowing on the cartridges when they wouldn't work.

Remember R.O.B? (Robotic Operating Buddy) Wtf was he suppose to do? I seem to remember that I had to have him but once we got him he was frustrating, didn't work well and broke easily. After he broke he ventured into My Little Pony and Barbie world while making stop offs in Transformer and GI Joe land. He was put to use none the less, cause you had to have R.O.B!

And what about the the power pad? The orginal dance dance revolution without the crazy tecno music. Remember competing in track and field events, running as fast as you could in place and then jumping up in the air to simulate a long jump? Of course that got old after awhile and you'd start to experment with using your hands as the feet and seeing how fast you could 'run', but guaranteed fun for a few hours atleast. Maybe they should go the old skool route to fight obesity and put this in schools instead of dance dance revolution.
In homage to our memories of NES and super mario brothers check out this great video clip of a group of kids at a talent show peforming the theme music. It's over 6 minutes long but definitly worth it. Promise!

Bands to Listen to

# 1 is Aqualung, his best known singles are Strange and Beautiful and Brighter than Sunshine

Stars (one more night and elevator love letter) are also amazing and their music offers a real and unique perspective on relationships and love.

The New Pornographers ( the bleeding heart show and sing me spanish techno), Arcade Fire (crown of love and rebellion, lies) and GoldSpot (rewind and friday) are more on the indie rock vibe.

Shout out Louds(please, please, please and oh, sweetheart), Stellastarr* (untitled and somewhere across forever), Ok Go (Oh lately its so quiet and A million ways), Hard-Fi (feltham is singing out and move on), Artic Monkeys (I bet that you look good on the dance floor and mardy bum) and Ringside (struggle and miss you) (Amol's find) are all great rock groups. All great for rockin out in the car and singing with at the top of your lungs.

KT Tunstall (black horse and the cherry tree and suddenly i see) is a great scottish rocker with a crisp different sound.

And of course ya gotta love Jack Johnson (simple but comforting) and John Legend (not only does he have a dreamy voice but also a dreamy face).