...due to stomach flu.

| Comments (2)

A message I created using dylanmessaging.com. [via]

| Comments (1)

This is kinda not safe for work. [contains the eff word]

It's definitely not safe for the dinner table.

More blister fun here, here and here.

| Comments (3)

Continue reading "How To Speed Your Mail Delivery" »

Back in the 80s, I used to occupy myself by doing something I called "Reckless Recording." That is, I used to just flip back and forth between the various music video channels like anyone does when they're bored, but I'd record the whole thing on the VCR. Someday, I thought, this will be really funny.

Sadly, none of those tapes survived. I have no idea what was on them. Chances are, they were pretty lame. Instead, I'll dredge up my memories of the 80s, and utilize You Tube to create the ultimate video edit.

MTV Goes on the Air, August 1, 1981
Mark Goodman was annoying. Alan Hunter was a putz. J.J. Jackson was OK. But Nina Blackwood and Martha Quinn were hot. RUMOR: In real life, Nina was actually the shy one, and Martha was the wild one, despite how they were portrayed on MTV. FACT: My sister had five goldfish, named Mark, Alan, J.J., Nina, and Martha.

Hello Again - The Cars
This video was directed by Andy Warhol, who also appears in the video. I remember liking this song and then seeing the video, which was very strange yet very exciting. Now, it makes me wish I could go back in time to New York in 1984. Plus, Ric Ocasek has the biggest adam's apple in the history of necks. Also he eats Hello Jello. And then...OK, just watch the video.

Ace of Spades - Motorhead (Musical segment from "The Young Ones")
I loved "The Young Ones." Also Motorhead is one of the few bands from the 80s that I still stand behind 100%. They were punk, metal, and just plain rock 'n' roll. No one has ever done what they did, and continue to do.

Advertisment - 1984
This was a really cool commercial. Now that I'm a Mac person, I like it a lot and totally grok it. But back when I was a PC person, I secretly loved it when Bill Gates would make speeches with his face spread across a huge screen.

Dog Police - Dog Police
I've tried to describe this video to various people on countless occasions. If you're one of those people, this is what I meant. If you aren't one of those people, prepare to be confused.

Dare to be Stupid - Weird Al Yankovic
Weird Al is known for his parodies, but fans know that his original stuff is so much better. This video is an anthem. For nerds.

Pretty Woman - Van Halen
Quite possibly the greatest music video of all time. I think if I ever meet a woman who's twice my height, I'll tie her up and feel her legs. I think if I ever become David Lee Roth, I'll dress up like Igor and/or Napoleon, and save her via telephone and/or limosine.

Mr. T - Styling
Consider this one to be the cherry on top.

Starring Mr. Paul Lundgren

Music by T. Nile

Watch it.

| Comments (6)

When you leave booze lying around, it attracts the worst element.

| Comments (4)

If things are going to go too far, this is when it will happen.

--------

Here's Nathan Anderson of Dance Escape performing at the 2005 Miss West Duluth pageant. Thanks to Ca-chee for the video.

[NOTE: VIDEO REMOVED DUE TO BANDWIDTH ISSUES]
--------

| Comments (1)

It should be a rite of passage for every freshly purchased car in the Twin Ports -- head to A & Dubs for some drive-thru.

[Quicktime | Music by The Beastie Boys]

(Note to out-of-towners: This is A & Dubs, not A & W.)
--------

I got a surprise 5-day vacation this week, which means one thing: flee the country. Thank you Jerree for your hospitality.

[Quicktime | music by Jerree Small]
--------

Six years of good times has come to an end. If you don't know what this means, I can't explain it to you.

--------

The obligatory Vloggercue movie. Some people talk. I just shoot. In social situations, I treat the camera like cigarettes.

--------

--------

Despite the darkness and seediness, there is fun, wonder, foot-long hot dogs, cotton candy and genuine white tigers. These times are the best times. Happy Independence Day, everybody.

[Quicktime | 2 min. | music stolen from Ben Kweller: "Living Life"]
--------

I made this video awhile back, as I was struggling with the dilemma of whether to be ultra personal on the vlog or not.

I decided not.

[WMV | 2Mb | music: loop stolen from "Single" by Everything But the Girl | video: stolen from Nadja by Michael Almereyda]
--------

"Mild, please."

[Quicktime, 5.8Mb]
--------

Riding from the North End bars to the Twin Ports Brewery on a rainy Saturday night in Superior, Wisconsin. Decrepit is the new pretty.

[WMV | 7Mb | music: Tom Waits - "New York Mood (A New Haircut and a Busted Lip)"]
--------

Either I've got to stop vlogging the weather, or I've got to apply for the weather position on Rocketboom.

Um. I'll stop vlogging the weather.

Download [WMV, 11Mb]
--------

Ruvelson's investment-house has an incredible 360-degree view of the Lake and the Ghetto. The roof is four stories up and has easy access ... if you're half monkey.

Download the video [WMV | 7Mb | music: "Glassy Dusty" by Grandaddy]
--------

Here's me wandering around with my new Mini DV cam. I have to say it's a pretty boring video, but I do wax poetic about what it means to vlog.

On a side note, the Pioneer Press article ran again today in the Duluth News-Tribune, but they cut out the quote from me. But hey, the quote was about how I use a crappy camera, so I guess it's irrelevant anyhow.

Video [WMV, 8.5Mb]
--------

I thought I was going to have a lousy day off, but then I realized: I'm not made of sugar, I won't melt.

Download the video [WMV, ~3Mb, music by Eleni Mandell]
--------

Jaysus! I just got back from the LCO Casino in Hayward, Wisconsin, where my old high school classmate "Luscious" Lenny Lane was wrestling with the AWL.

Forgive the camerawork, as it's grainy and shaky and generally crappy. But nonetheless, you have to watch this video. [WMV, 13Mb]

After this happened, it was kind of difficult to believe.

Also in attendance were my new favorites, the High Rollers, as well as everyone's all-time favorite, Baron Von Raschke. I had the Baron sign a photo for Ca-chee's nephew, who is a HUGE fan of "The Claw."

Y'know, the thing about Baron Von Raschke, he's a really nice guy.

If you want to see this again in professional quality video, watch AWL. We don't get it in Duluth, but it's on channel 45 in the Cities, Saturdays at 11am. This show will air in two weeks, I believe.

Damn. Goddamn damn damn.
--------

| Comments (1)

There would be some moving footage from the rink itself, if I could skate at all. Note to self: when explaining to others that you're really no good at skating, be sure to convey to them that you are dead serious, and that you are not just being modest.

Still ... fun, fun, fun.

Download the video. [WMV, 2Mb, music by Goldie Lookin Chain]
--------

Last year I did a pretty good wrap-up of the Homegrown Music Festival. This year, I just have one highlight. It's all you need, really.

Download the video [WMV, 1 Mb]
--------

Tasting: The Final Chapter

Download the video [WMV, 4Mb]
--------

So, you see, Lundgren and I have known each other for about 20 years now. And today, something interesting happened. His parents finally found out that we used to hang out in their attic. Why we hung out in their attic, I don't quite know. But we did.

The thing about roofs and attics is that they need to be refurbished and re-insulated now and then. Imagine the surprise when the roofers came and found not an empty attic, as they had expected, but an attic full of the detritus of two West Duluth hooligans.

We had to go fetch our stuff. And of course, I had to bring my video camera.

Download the video. [WMV, 9Mb]

Also, be sure to check out my "cross post" on Perfect Duluth Day for more attic fun.
--------

Nervewracking and exciting! My iPod's battery really started crapping out on me, so instead of shipping it back to Apple for the $99 battery replacement, I ordered a new one from macsales.com and did it myself. The new battery is supposed to last up to twice as long as the original. I'll try it out at work tomorrow and see.

Download the movie. [WMV, 7Mb]

Update: The process was actually a lot easier than I expected it to be. The hardest part was opening the damn thing, and after that it was just a matter of being careful. I tried out the new battery at work on Saturday, and it lasted my entire 8-hour shift, plus the ride home, and still had plenty of juice to spare. After the first 3 hours of listening, the battery indicator was still at the same point it would have been after just 20 minutes with the old battery.

In short, there is no reason to pay $99 to Apple, as long as you are very careful and very confident. DIY.
--------

One of the best features of my new apartment.

Download video [WMV, 4Mb]
--------

Gartman returns from his first-ever massage with stories to tell.

Click here to download. [WMV, 6.38Mb]
--------

The obligatory Geek Prom 2005 highlight reel. I missed a lot of the action, but that's why we all need to vlog.

Click the pic. [WMV, 3.46Mb, music by Arling & Cameron]
--------

I'm sure you're wondering how the beer is coming along. Here we are bottling. Soon, we will be able to taste. Ahhhh, taste.

Pic is clickable. [WMV, 6.72Mb]
--------

Click the pic, as usual. [WMV, 4Mb]
--------

I am all moved into my new place. Starfire finished refinishing, the floor is dry, and a lot of my stuff is stowed in the appropriate places.

Once I make the place prettier, I'll post more pics and videos. For now, here's a little vid, just to cement this move in time.

Click the pic to watch. [WMV, 1.58Mb]
--------

I don't know why I'm so fascinated with eyesores. Anyway, yesterday was beautiful, and here is an account of my walk from downtown Duluth to the gas company, where I signed up for services for my new digs.

Click the pic to watch.

[WMV, 2.8MB, music by the Eels]
--------

Here's me walking around at the crack of dawn as it's beginning to snow. (WMV, 1.95Mb, Click the pic to view.)

I found out last night that tonight will be my final night working at the REC. Starting Monday, I will be temporarily transferred to the main office where I'll work on the CFS (Computerized Forwarding System) for a few months until I am involuntarily reassigned to Timbuktu.

There are some benefits to this. For example, I will work days, have Sundays off at least, and I will get yet another raise in pay.

The downside is that I will have to wake up at a time when I'm used to getting off work.

*Sigh* This is why my job classification is officially called flexible.

I wonder if I'll get to process my own forwarded address.
--------

| Comments (1)

This episode covers the ever-exciting topics of sanitization and fermenting. More bathroom humor than ever before!

[WMV, 7Mb, music by Bob Dylan]
--------

In this episode, we explain the ingredients used to make beer, and begin our brewing process.

Click the pic to watch. [WMV, 12Mb, music by AC/DC]
--------

The first in a series of intructional videos about the delicate art of homebrewing. If this project were The Lord of the Rings, you could consider this episode to be The Hobbit.

As always, click the pic to download. [WMV, 4.84Mb]
--------

I have a 30-minute lunch. It takes only a few minutes to eat a sandwich. I have to do something with my time.

Click the pic to watch. [WMV, ~1Mb]
--------

My girlfriend lives in the party town of Superior, Wisconsin. One Sunday morning when I couldn't sleep, I wandered around with my camera as the rest of the city slept off its hangover.
[WMV, 4.2Mb, music by Johnny Cash]
--------

Jody is the greatest karaoke singer in the world, and he sings at the Keyport Lounge every weekend. This short clip doesn't really do justice to his performance.
[WMV, 1.6Mb]
--------

Last summer I atteneded the Spirit Valley Days Street Dance, where I found this campy hair-metal cover band. They have two singers who alternate for each song, and literally have something like 50 costume changes. They played for three hours, and it was bliss. [WMV, 3.8Mb]
--------

Geeks getting funky at the Great Lakes Aquarium, April 2004.
[WMV, 13.9Mb, music by the Hospital People]
--------

One of the highlights of the Homegrown Music Festival is the Saturday kickball game for the performers. Here's a rare glimse of Duluth's finest musicians in the sunlight, showing off their scrawny rock-n-roll arms and pasty-white skin, and following up their afternoon of exertion by doing some healthy beer bongs.
[WMV, 15.7Mb, music by Bone Appetit]
--------

When I first got the idea for The Product, I figured that I would keep my original blog and The Product would be a secondary site, which would be either a video blog or a podcast. And when I really thought about it, I didn't want to do a podcast, because in order to do it the way I wanted to do it, it would have been a serious commitment.

And then, there was the problem of vlogging. Video scares me, because while it's OK to make an ass of yourself in print, and it's sort of OK to make an ass of yourself using audio, video is a whole other world.

I started thinking about this back when the Justin Hall video came out. I had mini-meltdowns of all sorts on my old blog, but the thought of that happening of video is just horrifying.

Still, I want to use video. And I will.

And so, with all of that in mind, I made this. [WMV, 3.44 Mb, music by Wild Man Fischer]
--------