Auto-Tune News… Awesomeness
July 25th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I simply can’t find the words to introduce this video.
You’ll find some of the same clips from the House floor in a later post, just less… musical.
Houston: The New York of the South or Armpit of America?
July 25th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
I’ve never been particularly proud of my hometown – Houston. It’s flat and crowded, and the humid air mixed with car exhaust is less than ideal. On the other hand, the rich cultural diversity and thriving economic environment offer some things to love. And the food – where else can you get top-notch BBQ or mexican food for lunch, then for dinner go out for some Vietnamese pho (pronounced “fuh”) or smoke hookah at a Lebanese place. Last night I attended a Gilbert and Sullivan Opera (Pirates of Penzance). Between my car and the theatre I walked passed a Whitesnake and Judas Priest concert and an R&B festival. Only in Houston.
For all of my conflicting feelings about Houston, it pains me to acknowlege that on the national front, Houston seems to garner attention only for its bad apples. What do you suppose is the most frequently quoted Houston-related line? “Houston, we have a problem.” Yes, even when referring to NASA, one of our most notable acheivements and possibly our only worthwhile tourist attraction, the thing that stands out in the minds of America is that there is a problem!
Tom Delay’s political scandals and recognition as the most polluted city in 1999 and the fattest city in the U.S. from 2001-03 did not help our image.
We stepped back out into the national stage in 2004 to host the NFL Superbowl, and lo-and-behold, the famous wardrobe malfunction known affectionately as Nipplegate stole the show. Now, as if the relationship between Houston and the Jackson family was not already tainted enough, we now claim as one of our own the very doctor who at this very moment is being accused of responsibility for Michael Jackson’s death.
Thank you national media, for contributing to the legacy of Houston, which is becoming known for its scandals, mistakes, bad habits and apparent disdain for the Jacksons.
I like to think we’re improving, as I’ve noticed more hiking trails, bike lanes and “green” improvements to buildings. It seems a little cleaner and a little safer than it used to. However, I doubt anyone will take notice unless someone around here becomes a national role-model for healthy living – then dies tragically.
Perhaps Houston does live up to it’s branding as the armpit of America. At least we have Saint Arnold.
Obama Healthcare Plan in a Nutshell…
June 2nd, 2009 § Leave a Comment
A forward from HotAir.com
Michael Ramirez, who recently won a Reuben Award from his peers for his excellence in editorial cartooning, puts Barack Obama’s health-care plans in their most appropriate setting in today’s IBD Editorials:
That’s more than just a laugh. People who pursue equality in outcomes rather than equality in opportunity inevitably become nihilistic. They want to destroy wealth because not everyone is wealthy, and they justify that by confiscatory government practices in the name of fairness. Everyone eventually becomes poor, and a client of the state; just ask the former Iron Curtain countries. Well, everyone but the elites, and those choose early to join the party, or the Party, in order to ensure their place at or near the top of the food chain.
Designer’s Job Description
March 19th, 2009 § 1 Comment
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a graphic designer?
It always seemed odd to me that people who are aware of their lack of creative taste, and thus pay someone else to design things, insist on the designer following their precise directions. Art will always be subjective and we all have opinions, but there are times when the customer is not always right. Good design is a mix of natural talent, technical know-how and time tested principles. I love architecture, and I know right away whether or not I like the design of a building, but I haven’t the slightest clue how to build a house in a way that is both beautiful and functional. I leave that up to those in the field. But ever since Microsoft Powerpoint made everyone a professional graphic artist our jobs have become more difficult.
“He’s Barack Obama”: JibJab’s Most Impressive Work Yet
June 25th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
You can’t quite tell if they’re praising him or mocking him – though they’re definitely playing off of his persona as The One, which is something that is played up on conservative media than that of the left. In general, I think JibJab does a great job of trying to avoid partisan statements and tries to stay in the comfortable middle. I other words, they’re trying to get a laugh, not a vote.
No matter your position, we can all appreciate this very funny and very well executed video. The graphics and effects are top-notch, the words are great, and the singing captures the drama of it all quite well.
Click here to view