ARCHIVE: Miscellaneous

June 28, 2008

From Movable Type to Wordpress..?

So, I've been thinking about switching GarageSpin from Movable Type to the latest version of Wordpress for a long time.  Mostly for the amazing plugin support WP has, and because of the many, many, many free WP templates/themes that have... Read More

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June 14, 2008

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters Documentary

I just watched The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, a documentary about an underdog-guy trying to take the world high score record for Donkey Kong from the current record holder.Though the plot may seem overly geeky, the movie... Read More

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May 19, 2008

I Need a USB Rocket Launcher

Cubicle turf wars got you down at the office?  Rogue band mates disagreeing with your creative vision during a recording session at your DIY home studio?  No more...I need one of these bad boys...a USB powered, web cam guided Rocket... Read More

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April 29, 2008

Meeting Friends is Good

Spending "chill" time with cool peeps is a good thing.  On Saturday, I attended Megan Moss Freeman's photography exhibit at Greenwich Yoga; funky neon light-play photos in a zen environment...groovy stuff.  Also got to hang out with playwright Tara, cholonic hydrotherapist Xell, youth counselor... Read More

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April 03, 2008

Rock Band Comic Strip for Rock Bands: Buddy and Hopkins

I know what you're thinking.  "Why isn't there more entertainment created with ME in mind?  Me, me, ME??  Marsha, Marsha!"  No?  Maybe that's just me.  In any case, if you haven't already, check out Jason Nocera's "Buddy and Hopkins" comic strip... Read More

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March 20, 2008

Ashley Alexandra Dupre: $200k in Music Sales, Loses $1MM

So apparently, since the Governor Spitzer episode, Ashley Alexandra Dupre has made over $200,000 in mp3 downloads of her two club tracks on Amie Street, and is getting radio play.  (She was also offered $1,000,000 to be in the new... Read More

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March 06, 2008

Sad News and Glad News - Dungeons & Dragons and Tron

I was both saddened and heartened today by some news:Gary Gygax, co-creator of the game Dungeons & Dragons (introduced in 1974!), died on Tuesday of this week.  Pretty amazing imaginataion.  Hey, he was the inventor of "Hit Points" for stamina,... Read More

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February 15, 2008

Launching a Wordpress-Powered Artwork Portfolio

We recently launched a simple, 'beta' online portfolio for my dad's artwork, including acrylic, watercolor, and oil paintings of landscapes and still life.  Recently retired, he's unleashed mad-crazy painting skillz that have caught us by surprise -- we always knew... Read More

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February 07, 2008

Improv Everywhere Fakes a Band's Audience at a Gig

Improv Everywhere is a comedy/improv group that creates scenes by laying out a series of actions in public spaces with numerous 'actors' -- their latest feat involved over 200 people freezing in poses throughout Grand Central Station, while onlookers and... Read More

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January 22, 2008

The Youngest Mandolin Player, Ever

It's never too early too start learning to play the Mandolyn. Case and point, Morgan Olivia, who at 2 weeks, is rocking like it's nobody's business.Congrats to Jay and Natalia!... Read More

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December 19, 2007

Secret Santa Bounty: Tron and a Snow Tube

It's true, office Christmas parties CAN be a blast.  We held one of those Secret Santa anonymous gift-giving delios today...and apparently, my co-workers know me pretty well.  First, I got a Tron DVD (20th Anniversary Collector's Edition). (The old Tron... Read More

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November 21, 2007

Best Ad Placement Ever: Mac Spanks Vista on Home Court

Gotta love da Apple, jabbing at Vista in its own ad space. Microsoft may be none too pleased with CNET after this... Check out the video ads before they're pulled here.  UPDATE: Well, the ads have already been pulled. Fortunately,... Read More

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The Thanksgiving Song, an Adam Sandler Turkey Classic

There aren't many turkey songs in the world, let alone Thanksgiving songs.  You never hear about anyone going Thanksgiving caroling on T-Day eve.  But the Adam Sandler turkey song (i.e. the "Thanksgiving Song") is a classic of classics.Though I couldn't... Read More

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October 30, 2007

"Accomplice: New York"

Accomplice: New York was a blast; I recently went with my family this last weekend. If you haven't heard of it already, it's a sort of show that's part game, part scavenger hunt, part theater.  You buy tickets to it... Read More

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September 14, 2007

"You Make The Call!" - HR Nightmares

Friday miscellany time.  The Office Overlord, a good friend of mine, has some of the best HR stories I've ever heard.  Check out his "HR Nightmares:  You Make The Call!" post -- too funny.  These scenarios should absolutely be part of... Read More

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August 20, 2007

Create a Band for 10 Seconds of Amusement

Create Bands is amusing for about 10 seconds, until you want to put your fist through your keyboard to make it all stop.Choose your players, their audio loops, the backdrop, and lighting, and let the pain begin...(Personally, I'm a much... Read More

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August 06, 2007

The Pickup Artist on VH1

The Pickup Artist, a reality show following Mystery (apparently, a famous pickup artist) as he teaches 8 socially awkward dudes to pick up women, kicks off today on VH1.  Desperate men rejoice; I know I could've used something like this... Read More

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August 03, 2007

Theme Songs: The Office vs. Malcolm In The Middle

Watching The Office yesterday, I unconsciously began singing the lyrics from the Malcolm In The Middle theme song to the The Office theme song.  They fit quite well, after the intro. Try it:The Office theme:  mp3"The Office Theme" by The ScrantonesMalcolm... Read More

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July 02, 2007

Transformers and GoBots Movies Double Feature

I just about pee'd in my pants when I learned I might be able to see both the Transformers AND the GoBots wreak havoc on humankind.  Which trailer is better?  You tell me...The Transformers Movie Trailer: The GoBots Movie Trailer (courtesy... Read More

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June 07, 2007

A Capella Reunions Rule: the Colgate Thirteen

The Colgate 13 is an all-male a capella group at Colgate University, sort of a cross between a frat, a choir, and a comedy troupe.  It's a little different from most a capella groups, in that in addition to learning... Read More

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May 20, 2007

Random: A Turtle Bullies a Poor Cat

I've never seen such an aggressive turtle (tortoise?) before.  Maybe it's one of those teenage mutant ninja turtles.... Read More

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May 04, 2007

Fun for Friday: "Net_Work" by Black20

This stuff is funny.  "Net_Work" is an online video series developed by Black20, a small video production group based out of some guy's Brooklyn apartment.  One episode follows below. Grimlock laugh hard. (They were just featured in a NY Times... Read More

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April 16, 2007

Installed the Dada Mail Email List Manager

I added a DreamSpin Music Alert to the website today, which is just an email subscription list for anyone that wants to know when new DreamSpin music is available.  (The sign-up field and button are in the right column.)Since I'll... Read More

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April 15, 2007

American Idol, Sanjaya, and VoteForTheWorst.com

This is too funny.  VoteForTheWorst.com is a site dedicated to a single mission: propel the worst American Idol contestant to the top.  They're currently campaigning for Sanjaya Malakar, who as a result, has made it quite far, despite his painful... Read More

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April 10, 2007

It's Been a While, and Song Walls

I've been on hiatus from the blogosphere due to a combination of business travel, sickness, birthdays, Easter, and other good stuff.  None of it included music production, unfortunately...though I may actually have some time to fool around a bit this... Read More

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April 01, 2007

Amazing Leaked Transformers Movie Footage

Wow.  I really need to see this movie. (Thanks, Mike!)... Read More

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March 08, 2007

Piano Playing Cats Are Cool

I like this cat. If I take in a cat of my own, I will most definitely teach him/her to play "Heart and Soul" on the piano.... Read More

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February 27, 2007

The (White) Rapper Show Finale -- Shamrock Wins

So, I passed on watching the Academy Awards on Sunday night, but planted myself down to watch the last episode of Ego Trip's The (White) Rapper Show last night.  Ah, the degradation of pop culture.  Halleluiah, Hollaback.  Caucasian rapper-wannabe Shamrock... Read More

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February 14, 2007

Hemp, A Good Way To Start Each Morning

Yes, Hemp Plus Granola is a real cereal. And tasty, if you like granola-type stuff.  (I happen to.) It's an interesting marketing campaign -- either they'll succeed wildly with the 420 crowd, or they'll get arrested trying.What's next...Weed-Os?  Ganja Flakes? ... Read More

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February 03, 2007

Second Life Spoof, Get a First Life

Brilliant.  A couple weeks ago, Darren Barefoot put up a Second Life spoof page called Get A First Life.  (If you scratched your head, Second Life is an online, 3D virtual world where people hang out and do...anything.)  I love... Read More

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January 23, 2007

First Kazaa, Then Skype, Now Joost

Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google are facing serious rivalry in the realm of "ultimate cool entrepreneur dudes".  Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis are simply on fire, volcanically speaking.  First they launched Kazaa, a de-centralized file sharing service that... Read More

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January 16, 2007

Netflix Starts Streaming Movies

I'm a big Netflix fan, and now even more so.  Mike at Hacking Netflix reports that Netflix started offering streamed movies (to a PC) to a selected number of customers.  Hopefully I'm one of them...I'll have to check when I... Read More

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January 14, 2007

Updates to GarageSpin.com

This weekend may have been one of the most active and surprisingly productive in a while for me: Worked on my next song, "Take a Stand", and now have the chord progression for a pre-chorus and chorus.  Chorus lyrics are... Read More

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January 10, 2007

Acapella Music is Dangerous

Or rather, being in an acapella group is.  The Baker's Dozen, an acapella group from Yale, was jumped on New Year's Eve in San Francisco after singing the Star Spangled Banner.  It's a nasty world out there...I mean, who doesn't... Read More

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January 09, 2007

I Want an Apple iPhone

The most anticipated event of the MacWorld conference took place today, in which Steve Jobs announced the launch of the Apple iPhone.  Holy cow.  This thing is UNBELIEVABLE -- iPod, phone, and internet browser combined.  (more iphone extras here) There's... Read More

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January 07, 2007

I Love Tron 2.0

Tron 2.0 totally rocks.  I've always been a fan of the movie, in a geeky sort of way, and had seen the PC game when it came out in 2003.  This Christmas, I snagged a copy, thanks to my bro-in-law. ... Read More

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December 21, 2006

The Diet Coke & Mentos Experiment Videos

I guess I've been on a viral video kick, lately... This series is fantastic, and I thought I'd post it for anyone that hasn't seen it yet.  The guys at EepyBird.com have taken the whole Diet Coke and Mentos phenomenon... Read More

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December 13, 2006

The McDonalds Drive-Through Rap + Lyrics

Awesome. These guys went to a McDonalds drive-through and rapped their order into the speaker. The lyrics and beatbox are pretty good, but what I love even more, is when the order-taker says, "I'm sorry, I only caught the cheeseburger;... Read More

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December 10, 2006

Christmas Carols Stop WWI Trench Warfare

I just finished watching Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas), a french movie based on a true story of soldier fraternization that took place in World War I trenches during Christmas.  Basically, Scottish, French, and German troops end up drinking together in... Read More

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November 29, 2006

What's On Your Christmas or Chanukah List?

Budget concerns aside, what would you love to receive during the holidays?  Right now, I'm thinking it'd be nice to have:A celloa small drum seta chromatic harmonicaa left BX5a monitor that worksa fanbasesome kind of portable, multi-track recorder that's compatable... Read More

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November 06, 2006

Headed to Ad:Tech Conference in New York

I'm headed to Ad:Tech New York tomorrow (Monday) to check out the latest in advertising and marketing technology.  I'm looking for the latest developments in online lead generation, search engine marketing, and contextual marketing for work...But of course, under my... Read More

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November 02, 2006

Songbird - Browser and Jukebox Mashup

Songbird's a pretty cool little app, sort of a mashup of iTunes and Firefox.  It's all customizable and open source, allowing for a lot of cool functionality.  One of the coolest -- you can subscribe to podcasts or mp3 blogs,... Read More

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October 30, 2006

Happy Halloween - Carve a Pumpkin

If you're like me, actually cleaning out and emptying an entire pumpkin seems a bit labor intensive.The solution: carve one online here, then place your computer monitor on your front door step.  Poof!  You've got a pumpkin.  Hopefully no kids destroy it while trick... Read More

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October 19, 2006

Favicons, PageRank, and DreamSpin

I can hardly contain myself.First, I successfully changed by Favicon from   to .  (i.e. "Favorite icon", an icon that is tied to your URL, that can be seen in Firefox or 'Favorite Page' lists)  Sweet, huh?Second, GarageSpin jumped from... Read More

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October 06, 2006

Teleportation is REAL???

Get this -- people are already teleporting light and matter all over the place. Professor Eugene Polzik and the crew at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen totally rock my world: "... Until now scientists have teleported similar objects such... Read More

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September 06, 2006

Instant Album Cover Art

You've got a band. You've got an album. You're all set to go, but your collective creativity has failed to produce cover art that you can be happy with. You're in luck -- check out the handy, dandy Jackson Pollock... Read More

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August 24, 2006

SingShot - Awesome YouTube-like Karaoke Site

SingShot is an online karaoke platform that lets you record and share karaoke performances.  But what's really cool is the ability to generate a widget you can insert into any website that will play your performance.  How's that for some funky Web... Read More

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July 31, 2006

James Earl Jones Star Wars Voiceover Remix

Check out the clip Vader Sessions, by AkJak.  Absolutely friggin brilliant.  Take 9 minutes of Star Wars footage, use James Earl Jones voice clips from movies he's been in, besides Star Wars, and you've got a work of art.My favorite... Read More

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July 17, 2006

Comic Strip For Musicians - Bassist Wanted

If you've ever been in a band, you'll enjoy Bassist Wanted, the online comic strip by Porter Mason.  All your classic band struggles are there -- playing a "gig" to an audience of four, deciding whether or not to expose your musicianship... Read More

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July 13, 2006

The New Transformers Movie

I am a happy man. A new Transformers Movie will be coming out in May 2007.  Check out the new site here, or skip right to the trailer.Have you seen the old school animated movie from 1986?  (I proudly own... Read More

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July 05, 2006

GarageSpin Mini-Updates

Fireworks were not enough.  I needed some REAL excitement.  So, I created a favicon for GarageSpin.  (favicon = a "favorite icon" that shows up in some URL boxes and bookmark pages of different browsers (Firefox is best)...all the cool kids... Read More

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June 17, 2006

Another Artist Goes Online

Tara Meddaugh, author and playwright, just launched her brand-spankin' new portfolio website to place samples of her work online. It was a fun project with a tight deadline; the goal was to get it up before the Last Frontier Theatre... Read More

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May 12, 2006

Sonar, Cubase, GarageBand, ProTools on Google Trends

Google Trends just launched this week -- how fun!  I compared keyword search traffic for "Sonar," "Cubase," "GarageBand," and "ProTools" for kicks, and here's what I found: Hooray!  Steve Rubel at Micropersuasion had some additional fun with Google Trends...nice. ... Read More

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March 31, 2006

Royalty Free Music Biz Growing

The business of royalty free music (where one pays a one-time fee to license a music track in perpetuity for any use) is growing.  Jupiter Images has made an absolute killing in the image licensing industry by acquiring a ton... Read More

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March 29, 2006

MusicSage, The Music Search Engine

MusicSage is a new music search engine that launched last month that attempts to differentiate itself by presenting meaningful sentences of content instead of chunks of info.  I tried it out -- it's not bad considering it's only been up... Read More

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