Staff Picks of the Week
Joe:
If you've ever been a fan – or, better yet, if you've never been a fan – of blaxploitation films, you need to check this out. TheWoodcreekFaction have been favorites of mine for a while now because of their off-color humor and prank calls. Now with “GhettoMan” in the lineup, I'll never stop checking for new episodes. Tell me it doesn't make you crack up "Fo' Treal." Episode 2 is also available if you enjoy this as much as I did.
Steve:
Ever wonder why elections in the U.S. are held on a Tuesday? So did Jacob Soboroff and Barnett Zitron, who launched "Why Tuesday," an organization dedicated to starting a national conversation on election reform. Their take is that if the election were held on a weekend, or made a national holiday, more people would vote. (National turnout in the 2006 midterm elections was 41%, though I'm proud to say my home state of Minnesota had the highest turnout rate, at 60%.) So last winter Jacob and Barnett held a video contest in which they challenged people to get elected leaders on camera answering the question, "Why do we vote on Tuesday?" This trailer shows several of their efforts to chase down such political figures as Sen. Richard Lugar, Sen. John Kerry, and Presidential hopeful John Edwards. It's a great tactic, a great campaign, and a great use of YouTube. Be sure to subscribe because their efforts are just now gearing up for 2008.
Mia:
As the mother of a five-month-old, my son and I aren’t getting into arguments just yet. He has virtually no choice about when he eats, sleeps, bathes, and all the rest of it. But I know there will be a day when our wills collide, and I’m bracing myself for it now. I appreciate the honestly of this rant and the courage it takes to admit that though of course you love your children you may not like them at times. We’re still in the honeymoon phase at my house, but I’m realistic about the fact that there’s going to be a day when I’ll need to vent like this.
Sadia:
Oh how I love Dntel. Let me count the ways. D’oh...word count limit. Oh well, all I can say is any man who can make the almost-perfect sounds of Ben Gibbard even better is a god in my eyes. I love seeing what machines he uses and how he creates all of his sounds. It's like watching a painter describe his brushes and showing us how they affect his strokes. To me, they're massive and complex, but to him each one brings its own individual sound that gives him exactly what he needs. I love getting this inside view of his studio and finally being able to see how he makes those magical beats that keep me dancing until the wee hours of the morning.
Bye-bye,