Here’s a hilarious alternate music video version of the Lazy Song by Bruno Mars starring the legendary Leonard “Mr. Spock” Nimoy! It seems to be homage to the Big Lebowski by the Coen brothers as he goes shopping in his robe just like the Dude.
The Lazy Song
May 30th, 2011 Posted in Music
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25th Anniversary of the 1986 World Series
May 28th, 2011 Posted in Sports
Even though I’ve been a lifelong Yankee fan, I’ve also pulled for the Mets from time to time. The only time I don’t like the Mets is when they play my Yankees. Anyway, I really liked the Mets teams from the mid-80s. They had an amazing team that only managed to win one world series but what an unforgettable way they won it in 1986! I can’t believe it’s the 25th anniversary of that incredible World Series!
The Mets victory was extra sweet because of the team they beat, the dreaded Boston Red Sox! Yankee fans do not like Boston at all so I did not want to see them win so watching them lose in such a painful manner made it all the more enjoyable. They came within one strike of ending the curse but fate stepped in. Ahead 5-3 in the 10th inning with 2 outs and nobody on base, the Mets rallied to score 3 runs and win game six and went on to win game seven to clinch it.
I know it might sound harsh but Boston fans feel the same way about the Yankees and their fans. Anyway, I do have a heart and actually felt bad for Bill Buckner who was a great ballplayer who deserved a better fate than what happened to him. People should not forget his superb career because of one bad moment.
Here’s a fantastic special about the 1986 World Series with plenty of behind the scenes stuff. It is so well done that it actually made me feel sympathy for the Sox and their fans. But then I remembered what happened in 2004 when the curse ended as my Yankees blew a 3 game to none lead and Boston went on to win the World Series and again in 2007 and I hate them all over again. 2009 soothed the pain a little as the same Yankee team that choked in 2004 redeemed themselves and won it all thanks to Alex Rodriquez, World Series MVP Matsui and former Red Sox Johnny Damon. How ironic.
Always loved this one from George Michael. “Too Funnky”.
“Too Funky”
Hey, You’re Just Too Funky For Me
I gotta get inside of you
And i’ll show you heaven if you let me
Hey you just too funky for me
I gotta get inside, (i gotta get inside)
I gotta get inside of you (so when will that be)
I watch your fingers working overtime (overtime)
I got to thinking that they should be mine. Oh!
I’d love to see you naked baby
I’d like to think that sometime maybe
Tonight, if that’s all right, yeah!
Hey, you”re just too funky for me
I gotta get inside of you, (won’t let you go)
Won’t let you, no-no
Hey you just too funky for me
I gotta get inside, (i gotta get inside)
I gotta get inside of you (i’ll let you love me)
I watch you drinkin’ and i take my time
I watch you drinkin’ all that cheap red wine, oh!
I’ve got to see you naked baby
I’d like to think that sometime maybe
Tonight my goal’s in sight, yeah!
Baby, baby, baby why do you do this to me?
Won’t let you go, (won’t let you go)
You’re such a, you’re such a
Baby, baby, baby why do you do this to me?
I’ve got to know. (i’ve got to know)
(i’m gonna be the kind of lover that you never had)
Hey you’re just too funky
(you’re never gonna have another lover in your bed)
You’re just too funky for me
(would you like me to seduce you, is that what your trying to tell me?)
(everybody wants a lover like that) baby
(everybody wants a lover like that) yeah! Yeah!
(everybody wants a lover like that) everybody, everybody
(everybody wants a lover like that)
(everybody wants a lover, everybody wants a lover like that
Everybody wants a lover, everybody wants a lover like that
Everybody wants a lover, everybody wants a lover like that
Everybody wants a lover, everybody wants a lover like that)
(would you like me to seduce you?)
You’re such a, you’re such a
(would you like me to seduce you?) Yeah! Yeah!
(would you like me to seduce you?) You’re such a, you’re such a
Yeah!yeah!
(would you stop playing with that radio of yours, i’m trying to get to sleep!)
The Trade-Ins
May 21st, 2011 Posted in Life
I love Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone. The Trade-Ins is one of my favorite episodes from the series. It centers around an old couple who want to get new bodies, especially because the man is suffering with a serious illness. It’s an emotional story that brings up many questions about life, love and youth. As always there’s a surprising twist at the end.
The actor that gave the memorable performance for the old man was Joseph Schildkraut who won an Oscar in 1937 for The Life of Emile Zola. He was also the grandfather in hiding in the powerful Diary of Anne Frank (1959). What’s important to note for his performance in this special Twilight Zone was the fact that his wife of 29 years passed away during the shooting and he insisted on completing the work, thus postponing his mourning. This pain comes through in his unforgettable performance.
Rod Serling quotes two passages from poems in “The Trade-Ins.”
The first is from Robert Browning’s “Rabbi Ben Ezra” here, beginning:
Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith “A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”
The second is from Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, a series of 28 essays. “The Trade-Ins” quotes from the second one, called “Love,” found here. The lines Rod quotes in his outro are:
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
Love gives only itself and takes nothing from itself.
Sneak peek of the Rapture
May 21st, 2011 Posted in Life
The Rapture is predicted to start at 6 PM today May 21, 2011. Here’s a sneak peek for those who want to get a glipse of what to expect.
GeeTasks Improves Google Tasks
May 19th, 2011 Posted in Freeware
I am always on the prowl for a new task management system for my computer and mobile devices. There are many solutions out there but none of them have been able to subplant my current favorite which is Google Tasks. Yes, I know it’s rather simple and limited compared to many of the new kids on the block but its simplicity is part of its charm and its power.
For example, since I work in gmail a lot, it’s convenient having google tasks available right there. I also have a bookmarklet on my browser toolbar that open up a slick view of my google tasks. Check it out. https://mail.google.com/tasks/canvas
You can also use google tasks on your iGoogle homepage and on your mobile device by saving the bookmark to your home screen where it looks and feels like a native iPhone app…well, almost anyway. I keep hoping Google will break down and release a true app for google tasks but they refuse to do so.
In steps in GeeTasks! I love this new app for google tasks which is not from Google. They have a free lite version and a pro edition. I really like this app because it makes using google tasks actually fun! Here’s a screencast that shows what it can do.
fkfkf
Google Art Project
May 15th, 2011 Posted in art
Amit Sood from Google gave an exciting demo of the Google Art Project that he’s been working on for a while now. In short, we will be able to visit many museums online and zoom into classic works of art and even create our own art collections to share with others. Obviously, nothing will ever replace the experience of seeing art in person but using technology in this way is a wonderful option to have for art lovers. We can learn more and see more and share our favorite art in ways we could never do before.
To learn more checkout this blog entry: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/explore-museums-and-great-works-of-art.html and go visit the official website: http://www.googleartproject.com
Here is Amit’s delightful presentation of this jaw-dropping technology.
Here’s a closer look at the Art Project.
Behind the scenes look at the Art Project and how to painstakingly capture all of those museums and art work.
Office Space
May 14th, 2011 Posted in Movies
I’m I.T. professional and many of my colleagues have given me a hard time through the years for never watching the 1999 movie “Office Space”. I finally gave in to see what all the fuss was about and I was blown away by how much I loved it. Not only was it funny, thanks to Mike Judge (who did Beavis & Butthead, The Family Guy, etc.) but it captured the true essence of working in corporate America. Yes, it was over the top and the characters were cartoonish at times (it was born in a comic strip called Milton, after all) but that’s what makes Office Space such a cult classic.
Ron Livingston was wonderful in the lead and so was Jennifer Anniston in a superbly laid back role. Gary Cole was amazing as the annoying boss from Hell…and Stephen Root was hilarious as Milton. The rest of the casting was also incredible as every single one of them was perfectly selected. David Herman as the other Michael Bolton (the nerd who loves hip hop music) and the break dancing Samir played by Ajay Naidu. I also thought Peter’s mullet-wearing neighbor was fantastic (Diedrich Bader).
Over a decade later and the film’s popularity continues to grow thanks to video/DVD rentals and Netflix. Many of the lines from the movie has slipped into every day vernacular. They had a 10th anniversary special for the cast of Office Space where they shared memories of their experiences working on the movie. Here are some clips.
Here is the trailer
Essential Michelangelo Antonioni
May 9th, 2011 Posted in Movies
My favorite Italian director is Fellini but I have to admit that I also love Michelangelo Antonioni and his unique voice in cinema. I know that his work is not everybody’s cup of tea but that’s what makes him so incredible and thus unforgettable. There is so much emotion and beauty in his films despite many complaints regarding flaws in plot structure or characterization that you still can’t help falling in love with his films. Even when you’re annoyed by his patented abrupt and seemingly negative endings you still appreciate the experience in total. His films require more than one viewing and you have to let them settle in for a while before judging them. Time has been very kind to the maestro for his best works are aging like fine wine. Here are the films that I consider Essential Michelengelo Antonioni.
L’Avventura (1960) is considered to be part of an existential trilogy of love and isolation followed by La Notte (1961) and L’Ecclisse (1962). Many include Red Desert (1964) as part of this series of isolation in the modern age of Man. Yes, the unanswered questions will irk you at first but you will come to appreciate it all.
La Notte (1961) Marcello Mastroianni and Jeanne Moreau are a couple on the verge of breakup. They visit a dying friend and then deal with the realization that they might not be in love with each other anymore.
L’Eclisse (1962) Monica Vitti and Alain Delon starred in this third film of the trilogy. The chemistry between this two beautiful stars was powerful. Alain was french but starred in many Italian classics including Vischonto’s Rocco and His Brothers. The ending might leave you scratching your head but trust me, this movie is a priceless gem.
Red Desert (1964) Antonioni’s first film in color is a brilliant masterpiece. He used all of his artistic skills as a painter and made celluloid his canvas with the gorgeous Monica Vitti as his Mona Lisa. They were lovers during this incredible period of filmmaking.
Blow Up (1966) This is Michelangelo’s best work in most people’s mind. It came to symbolize the generation with its hip cool story about a photographer and all of the beautiful models that surrounded him. A gorgeous young Vanessa Redgrave shined brightly in this one.
Michelangelo made some other quality films before and after these films that I’ve selected such as 1955’s Le Amiche (The Girlfriends) and The Passenger in 1975 starring Jack Nicholson but I think the five that I picked out should be considered merely a starting point into the amazing body of work from one of the greatest filmmakers of all-time.
