Pop Culture Blog: Music, Movie and Humor

Leveraging low-hanging synergies outside the vertical fruit box since 1999.

The Distant Call Of The Hamster Wheel.


in

When I started my current job in 2003, I was pleased to learn that I’d have access to the office building’s gym. And access it I did. In fact, I accessed the frig out of it – I got down to about 210 pounds at one point, and was looking pretty twatting svelt if I do say so myself. I like going to the gym. Once it’s in your routine, it’s easy to make time for and you even miss it when time does not allow. But it is so, so easy to fall out of step. And oh how the svelt have fallen.

With a little effort, my body gains and drops weight like Barbapapa in a trailer park meth lab. A lot of my friends have started back after long hiatuses – even DVS has been going daily – so I think it’s high time I joined the let’s-get-physical-fray. I went down to City Sports at lunch, got me some socks, a cool Under Armor water bottle, a pair of lacrosse shorts and tonight will be spent creating an audio steriod mix. During my last gym phase, I had a crappy 20 song 128MB MP3 player. I had to choose my workout tunes very carefully, lest I go crazy listening to the same songs for a week on end. Now I have a 60GB iPod, so I’m going to compile the biggest, rockingest gym mix derived from all iron pumping playlists of the past.

With no further adue, I will now share my top ten favorite gym mix songs of all time. There’s not a lot of rhyme or reason here, and it has nothing to do with BPM. These are simply songs that get me fired-up for whatever reason. I’m not going to write them all up, as I do actually need to actually get to the gym this evening.

  1. Where the Rose is Sown – Big Country
  2. Humbolt County Massacre – Frank Black
  3. There Goes the Fear – The Doves
  4. 100 Miles and Running – N.W.A.
  5. Acquiesce – Oasis
  6. You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar But I Feel Like a Millionaire – Queens of the Stone Age
  7. Springtime in Vienna – The Tragically Hip
  8. House of Pain – Van Halen
  9. The Queen is Dead – The Smiths
  10. Irish Pride – House of Pain

A lot of houses, and a lot of pain, I just noticed. But then, isn’t that what a gym is? Regardless, if you wish to know more about any of these songs or artists, Google them or simply trust your friend. Your big, fired-up, sweaty, dry-heaving, dead-on-an-elliptical Canadian friend.

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George Clooney Is Not Cary Grant.


in Movies

The George Clooney kudos crescendo is caving my head in. 10 years ago he was a regular on Roseanne, lest we forget. Jake Gyllenhal had to play tongue-hockey with another stinky man repeatedly for his nomination, and what did he get? Sure, Clooney had his fingernails pulled out with pliers, but I actually really enjoyed that scene. Most folks probably cringed watching the torture, but I stood up on a chair and cheered: “That’s for Return of the Killer Tomatoes, ya bastard.” And quite possibly for this.

“Actually, it would probably be easier if I just said ‘Anyone who wasn’t in Crash please stand up’.” – Jon Stewart

I wanted Munich to win, because it actually deserved to, but had no pipe dreams about that happening. I cashed in my chips and went downstairs to watch Life on Mars long before the Oscars had ended. I fully expected to see Brokeback on the front page of CNN this morning, so imagine my surprise. Crash is an OK movie, but I think the Academy really lost the PC plot this year. If you’re on the fence about that last statement, you need only be reminded of Stewart’s most prolific joke of the evening:

“Once again, for those of you who are keeping score: Martin Scorcese, zero Oscars. Three-Six-Mafia, one.”

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Alright, So I Might Have Lied.


in

Yes, it’s another Squidoo-related post. Some fellow lensmasters and I are starting our own related site called SquidooItYourself. I launched it today, and want to get it spidered… So here we are.

I honestly believe that Squidoo is going to be enormous, in case you haven’t noticed. This site will be an objective 3rd party source of external news and tips, and it’s the first of its kind. If you think I’m crazy, you might not get a ride on my cigarrette boat in 2 years. So just watch it, buddy.

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Friday’s Quizzlet: Meming Out Justice.


in Monday's Quotelet

Kids, you’ve heard me talk about memes a time or two. Friday’s Quizzlet is a meme I get from an external source and I use it as a catalyst for material on dreary Friday mornings. I grow tired of it from time to time, and would also like to foster a little reader participation this week – so I’m going with more of a bullet-point quiz that I hope you’ll enjoy and take for a spin yourself. I stole it from The Duck, and God only knows where she dug it up.

What is your name?: They call me Pye.
What is your astrological sign?: Sagittarius
What time did you get up this morning?: 9:00 am.
Favorite toothpaste: Some sort of Crest. I’m in and out of CVS in a flash.
Oprah or Dr. Phil?: Heterosexual.
What was your prom theme?: I have no idea. But based on all recollection, probably something from Ritual de lo Habitual.
3 Favorite Movies to Watch Hungover: Whatever’s playing on TV in the Emergency Room at MGH.
Wax, pluck or shave: I pluck my eyebrows in the middle a wee bit and do a little ‘dirty lawn’ maintenance.
If free plastic surgery existed, what would you consider?: Contrary to what you read on here sometimes – I’m quite fond of myself. Nothing.
How do you take your coffee?: Cream and sugar if I’m out, black at home.
Favorite song in 6th Grade?: Pale Shelter by Tears for Fears.
Name Three Guilty Pleasures: The only question I’ve had trouble answering. I feel guilty enough about beer sometimes for all 3 spots. Sorry, Walla.
Who would you cast as you in the film adaptation of your life?: Vaughn, Fraser or Livingston – in that order.
If you could choose it, your last meal would consist of: Greek food, but I’d have no idea it was my last. As long as I stay out of the drug trade, I won’t.
Age you lost your virginity: TMI. Far too young.
Is there any accessory you wear every day?: My Bruins charity bracelet.
Favorite Vacation Ever: South Africa for scenery, Australia for fun.
Current Celebrity Crush: Rachel Weisz.
Favorite Book as a Child: John Christopher’s Tripod series. Now that I’m older and I know better, I liked it more when it was called War of the Worlds.
Where Were You on Your 21st Birthday?: The Brass Taps in Guelph. I’d been of age for 2 years. Big whoop. Here’s an actual photo from that night.
Side, stomach or back?: All three, repeatedly, incessantly, please crush up some Ambien so I can snort it immediately.
Your Most Overused Phrase or Word: ‘Comprehensively.’ At work. At home, it’s ‘Nate, lower your voice, it’s only basketball‘.

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