Paraphenelia

i've been thinking about lots and do not have the time to write entries on all of them (would be one a day for the rest of the year not counting the new ideas i have every day) so i'm doing a strapped for time, quick rundown, but don't call it a list.

THRICE: their last album was one of the most under-rated albums in recent history, and yes i know i've mentioned that before. Today they released "The Alchemy Index: Volume I & II". My understanding is they planned on writing 4 E.P.'s with the themes of the 4 elements (earth, water, fire, wind). Island dropped them from the label (Island also fought with Thursday who are now no longer on the label) and were picked up by good olde indy label Vagrant.

i've only listened to the 2 disks once but already i am enjoying it. It's a nice progression from their previous work with a bit more electronic Radiohead sprinkled in. i can't wait to listen to it more and look forward to the III & IV volumes which re rumored to be released next year.

RESIDENT EVIL: no i'm not bringing up Bush Jr again, i'm talking about the third installment of this video game to movie series. i know, i know... for crying out loud i know the second one sucked my left dick. If it wasn't for the naked shot of Mila at the end to distract us we all would have stormed the box office for our money back, but it worked. The first one was so good and Mila is so cute that i decided to give the third one a try and it was very decent. Not quite as good as the first but far better than the second. Maybe i should have tittled this one Mila... lets fix that...

MILA: you could do worse things with $8.25.

MACBOOK: yeah, it's been a couple weeks with the MacBook and those Mac/PC ads can go suck it Trebeck (imagine that with a Sean Connery accent). Apple has put some real thought into the physical design with clever features like a magnetic power connector and magnets to keep the screen down rather than a latch (it must be a big year for magnets). Apple has addressed some of the problems that pc's have suffered from for years but Apple has just as many of it's own problems.

It's a wash. They all have the same number of problems. The MacBook doesn't burn my lap but it's programs are just as faulty. When over 90% of the world speaks one language, why would you go with the other, especially when it is no more efficient. A top notch pc is still better than any Apple in my book. No one can touch the iPod however.

FALL: great temperature, nice colors, what's not to love...

RECORD LABELS: fuck 'em. Radiohead is releasing an album on their own where you can pay what you want. Most artists earn around a dollar an album so if you pay $2 for theirs they will earn twice as much and you save tons o' money. Great bands all around are fleeing from major labels to either start their own or to work with independent labels. If major labels are going to push for more Britney Spears like artists, wine about decreases in revenue, and sue people for downloading music then they can get ready to go the way of the dinosaur. iTunes, indy labels, and the Internet in general will pick up the slack and we will all be released from the ridiculous tyranny of the major labels. Buy indy.

AL GORE: smart guy, Nobel Prize, strong belief in his convictions... why is he no longer in politics? Oh yeah, because their is no room for intelligence or moral fortitude in American politics. Silly rabbit. Deciding NOT to get into politics seems to be a positive character trait now a day. i hope Christopher Walken doesn't get sucked into that den of evil. i am retracting my support for ol' Chris for president, for his own good. We don't want to lose him to the dark side.

SILK COFFEE SOY MILK: my enjoyment of coffee and my new phobia of not getting enough calcium all solved with a daily pint of this very acceptable tasting beverage.

TEXT MESSAGING: taking me one step closer to the goal of never having to talk on the phone.