Month: November 2007

Nov302007 by Chris Holmes6 Comments
In Concert: Cold War Kids – Philadelphia, PA, 11/29/07

In Concert: Cold War Kids – Philadelphia, PA, 11/29/07

Music
I'll admit up front that I'm not what you would call an überfan of Cold War Kids. I first heard their debut LP, Robbers & Cowards, about six months ago and have dug it ever since. I whiffed on a chance to see the band earlier this year, so I was definitely looking forward to last night's concert at the venue now known as Fillmore at the TLA. So we (me, Mrs. Suit, Jeff and Sara) loaded up the trusty Corolla and made it to the venue (after some trouble finding a parking garage and other navigational difficulties) in time to catch the last few songs of opening act We Barbarians. They seemed somewhat interesting I suppose, but we were busy scoping the place to get a Douchebag Hat count (don't ask). (more…)
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Nov262007 by Chris HolmesNo Comments
Nevermind the best new music release of 2007…

Nevermind the best new music release of 2007…

Music
I think we have a winner for Greatest CD in the History of Ever. That's right, the magic of the Weather Channel's local forecasts is finally available for us mortals to listen to with The Weather Channel Presents Smooth Jazz -- A collection of instrument smooth jazz heard on "Local on the 8s." Calling this a sublime musical experience would be like saying the Grand Canyon is a big hole. This is more like...aural manna. Also, if you don't buy this CD Jim Cantore will fly to your house and punch you in the brain. He farts in Atlanta and causes earthquakes in California, so don't think for a second he views you as a challenge.
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Nov212007 by Chris Holmes4 Comments
Classic Thanksgiving ephemera – Indian Gum Cards

Classic Thanksgiving ephemera – Indian Gum Cards

Ephemera
In days of yore companies issued trading/bubble gum cards depicting not just baseball players, but even actors, U.S. Presidents, and license plates. One such manufacturer, the Goudey Gum Company of Boston, began issuing cards picturing Indian tribes and well-known Indians in 1933. This series ended in 1940, but Goudey began printing a new series depicting "Indian and Pioneer romantic days" in 1947. Shown here are two cards from that series, owned by a family member. Up top is a card showing a member of the Huichol, native to Western Central Mexico (yes I know that a native Mexican has nothing to do with American Thanksgiving). Most curiously about this card is that it speaks of the Huichol as if they were extinct, but according to their Wikipedia article they are very much alive...
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Nov202007 by Chris HolmesNo Comments
Scenes from the WGA strike

Scenes from the WGA strike

Funny Stuff
Most of the picket signs I've seen during the two-week-plus WGA strike have been pretty uninspired. But if you look closely enough you can spot some real keepers: I think Jesse floats through the air when cameras are near, like the old Looney Tunes bits where a character would drift towards a freshly baked pie.   I'm surprised Jerry Seinfeld didn't use this space for another friggin' Bee Movie ad. Yes, we know Tina.   A rare moment of intellectual honesty from Hollywood.
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Nov182007 by Chris HolmesNo Comments
What’s Hot for Christmas? Lowered Expectations.

What’s Hot for Christmas? Lowered Expectations.

Games & Toys
I understand the appeal of children's playsets designed to let kids do adult things -- bubble lawn mowers, Matchbox car washes, even the Fisher-Price My First Meth Lab. It's fun to act like a grownup, even if you're pretending to perform the most mundane of adult tasks. But I have to say that the McDonald's Playset just doesn't sit right with me. I remember being a kid and using a broomstick guitar while imagining I was Ace Frehley. I used to run with a Nerf football and imagine I was John Riggins romping over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. I just can't picture my kid playing "McDonald's Drive-Thru Worker" with this set and imagining they would do anything more than peak in high school. Oh sure, you could buy this for your child and boast of the fact that it "teaches math...
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Nov162007 by Chris Holmes2 Comments
Who’s Who? I am, of course.

Who’s Who? I am, of course.

Advertising
Before I jettison this little nugget into the cold, dark vacuum of Outlook's Deleted Items folder I wanted to preserve it for posterity: Dear GRAY FLANNEL SUIT, You were recently appointed as a biographical candidate to represent your industry in the Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals, and for inclusion into the upcoming 2007-2008 Edition of the registry. We are pleased to inform you that on November 15th, your candidacy was approved. Your confirmation for inclusion will be effective within five business days, pending our receipt of the enclosed application. The Office of the Managing Director appoints individuals based on a candidate's current position, and usually with information obtained from researched executive and professional listings. The director thinks you may ...
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Nov122007 by Chris Holmes19 Comments
Memo to Millennials – You suck

Memo to Millennials – You suck

Rants
I happened to catch a 60 Minutes segment last night detailing a generation of Americans known as "Millennials." I had never heard that term before, but apparently it translates roughly to "entitled, coddled, self-centered punks." According to the report this new generation is going to, like, totally change the way the world works. You know, because life is hard and it's totally reasonable to change things around to make it more comfortable for them. It starts in childhood, when these snots play youth sports and get trophies just for showing up. Because the pain of not winning tee-ball is apparently too psychologically scarring for kids to handle anymore. It gets progressively worse, and reaches the point of parents bitching out college professors for deigning to give little Connor or Sa...
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Nov92007 by Chris Holmes1 Comment
The first 5,000 popped collars win a free home tanning kit!

The first 5,000 popped collars win a free home tanning kit!

Mental Debris
I can't believe I missed this little announcement that Continental Airlines Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena) is now going to be called the IZOD Center, but it is now abundantly clear that New Jersey isn't even trying to stop making itself the butt of jokes.  And to think, according to the article we just missed being home to the Southpole Dome or Rocawear Arena!  I suppose it could be worse -- we could see the Jets and Giants playing next door in Zubaz Stadium. Anyway, see you next year at IROC-a-Thon '08!
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