Welcome back to the V+V 2014 Summer Jams party. It has not gone unnoticed that this years’ contenders have been, for a lack of a better term, not as bad-ass as they could be. Sure, there’s some good tracks, performed by some talented musicians, and sure, some of them have been bad-ass to an extent. But, let’s throw one out there especially rocks. I’ve always said that if you like guitars you like Mastadon, so here’s one that just came out (off their upcoming album “Once More Around the Sun,” dropping 6/24), and I’ll even say, it’s for the nerds...
Continue reading...The World Cup Trophy Is Not a Cup, and Many Other Words
Hi everybody! (Stranger danger!) I’m the writer formerly known as Ghost. In the first iteration of this here blog, I mostly stuck to sports and booze, dabbling in the religion and politics beats — which is essentially how I spend my real life as well. There’s a really big sports event about to start in a few hours, so I figured now would be as good a time as any to make the first of possibly many infrequent contributions. I am not good at “blogging” both because I do not post regularly and because when I do,...
Continue reading...Watch: President Bush gets older, falls from the sky
For his 90th birthday, President George H. W. Bush was more bad-ass than any of you pip-squeaks, in that he once again went sky-diving. His landing, though, wasn\’t the best: Mr President, you’re going to need to do better if you want to get your Pilotwings A License. Just kidding. I’m in no position to give advice. I certainly ain’t jumping out of the sky anytime soon. You know, on account of how I’m a big wuss.
Continue reading...What we learned from Cantor’s loss and what it means
Yesterday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost the Republican primary in his district in Virginia. It’s the first time since 1899 that a sitting House majority leader lost reelection, and probably the firs time ever it was because of a primary. That’s mostly because primaries as the democratic vehicles we know them as us a relatively new invention of the past few decades. So, you’d think with such a newsy event that seems historical, there would be a lot to write about it. What lessons have we learned? How does this “titanic” political shift change the landscape? OMG WHAT DOES...
Continue reading...V+V 2014 Summer Jam Party Time Excellent Episode IV A New Hope
Welcome back to the V+V 2014 Summer Jam Party. For our fourth installment, here are a couple more songs vying for 2014 Official V+V Summer Jam. First, here’s Sia, who you may recognize from her having written a ton of huge hits for all kinds of pop artists, with her new single “Chandelier.” This one you could swear was one of those, until you realize it’s her singing, and her performance especially in the chorus weighs similar to getting hit by an out-of-control semi. Next is “Reflections” from MisterWives, which is so catchy I feel like I must have heard it before....
Continue reading...Today in History: The Sex Pistols play a poorly-attended show in Manchester
Today (June 4) marks the date in 1976 that the Sex Pistols played a show at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester. There were only about 35-40 people there (the space was big enough to hold hundreds), but it’s considered still one of the most important concerts in music history. Why? Well, there’s this: “We know that Morrissey was there, who went on to form the Smiths. We know that the lads who went on to form the Buzzcocks were there because they organised the gig. We know that two lads from Lower Broughton were there...
Continue reading...V+V Summer Jam Super Fun Time Party Part Three3Three
Here we are, back again for another installment of our V+V Summer Jam Party. I just noticed that our first episode’s star, Fancy, is now at the top of the charts, so we’re doing some good work here. It just got super dark outside, and looks like some weather is going to fall, so I have to admit that it’s a little strange to be right now picking out what Summer Jams™ you guys are going to be rocking out to this summer. But never fear; I’m sure we can do it. Today’s track is “Rather Be” by Clean...
Continue reading...V+V 2014 Summer Jam Party Part Deux
Here we are back again, trying to figure out which of this year’s super summer jams can be the Official V+V 2014 Summer Jam. In this installment, we’ll bring another couple jams that most people wouldn’t listen to together. Just a note: I heard “Fancy” on the radio at the liquor store yesterday, so either I’m really good at this or really bad at this. Anyways, first off, here’s Lily Allen, who apparently is now back to making music. Sure, the young woman sort-of-alternative pop scene’s a little crowded, with Azealia Banks, Lorde and Lana Del Ray...
Continue reading...You Better Be Hungry: Polpette (Meatballs)
I’m not very good at a great many things. Despite my median height and more-than-median girth, I’m not very good at basketball (ghost will second this enthusiastically). My chess game lacks an endgame. I never beat Contra. I’m really, really, really bad at tennis (sorry, jack burden). But, there some things at which I excel. I’m a good driver. I’m at expert level on Wii Tennis. I’m currently on level 25 of Quizup Simpsons trivia. Oh, and I can cook some good foods. So, shit, why not tell you how to cook some good foods? Thus, here’s a new...
Continue reading...Watch: Maya Angelou reciting “On the Pulse of Morning” at Clinton’s first inauguration
Sadly for humanity, Maya Angelou died in her North Carolina home at 86. Above she is reciting what is likely her most famous poem. Below, a tweet from just four days ago that is beautiful in its simplicity and lyricism. Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God. — Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) May 23, 2014
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