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Google Maps Nearly Kills Woman
Amy Laviero :: Friday, June 4th, 2010 5:30 pm
The other day I was driving from “Lawn Guyland” to NYC, and was psyched to be getting there with the help of my shiny new iPhone. I have a perchant for getting lost, so Google Maps was helpful, although halfway through the trip I realized manually written directions would have been easier to look at while driving. The phone’s small touch-screen was a hard to maneuver behind the wheel, but it’s proven invaluable while wandering city streets. If I were Lauren Rosenberg, however, I may hold a different opinion; while using Google Maps on her BlackBerry in January, Rosenberg walked onto a four-lane highway and found herself right in the path of an oncoming truck. She’s now suing Google Maps for their less-than-accurate directions. I’d say this may be worse than the woman who sued McDonald’s over her hot coffee. MORE »
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National Doughnut Day; America Should Rethink Her Cuisine
Amy Laviero :: Friday, June 4th, 2010 3:00 pm
Today marks the first Friday of June and, subsequently, National Doughnut Day. Celebrated since 1938, the day was meant to mark summer’s approach (88 degrees means the arrival of summer in my book) and was initially used to celebrate the women who served soliders doughnuts during World War I (because nothing spells appreciation like “doughnut”).
Does anybody else find dough fried in fat totally disgusting? MORE »
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Debrahlee Lorenzana Is A Moron, A Vaguely Sexy Moron
Amy Laviero :: Friday, June 4th, 2010 1:00 pm
No one said it was easy to be homely, but according to Debraalee Lorenzana it’s even more difficult being (vaguely) hot. The now former Citi-bank employee filed a lawsuit through the Manhattan Supreme Court against Citigroup claiming sexual harassment and unlawful termination. According to Lorenzana, she’s just too damn hot for the stiff suits over at Citibank. Despite her efforts, however, it’s unlikely the lawsuit will ever make it to trial thanks to a mandatory-arbitration clause Lorenzana signed upon being hired at Citibank. Womp, womp, womp. MORE »
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Homeland Security Fail - Rene Gagnon Not A Terrorist
Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 2:00 pm
Street artist Rene Gagnon’s self-portrait has been making appearances all over the world since 2005, although his most recent cameo at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, VA, has caused quite a stir among the Department of Homeland Security. After one of Gagnon’s stickers was found on a trashcan in the airport, DHS sent out an e-mail with a photo attachment, asking anyone with information to “please contact [a] local InfraGard Cooredinator and/or DHS SA.” Government Security News ran an article describing the sticker as “highly unusual,” with “a man clad in a long black jacket, all black pants, shirt, boots and baseball cap with his arms outstretched, his gaze pointed upwards and a bomb prominently attached to his chest.” Gagnon responded to the incident on his website: MORE »
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Fixed-Gear Culture Starting to Grind Mine
Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 7:30 pm
Urban Outfitters’ moderately-priced, pseudo-hipster regalia has become a staple among suburbanites trying to achieve that “hip, urban” look. Stroll into any Long Island location and you will spot countless overprivileged kids donning sunglasses (inside), ready to pay for their goods with mommy or daddy’s credit card. UO is definitely self-aware; they first appealed to the suburban “hipster” culture with their vintage-inspired “Urban Renewal” line which takes vintage fabrics and repurposes them into new fashions. It’s a nice idea, and I guess it’s “green.” However, I still think it’s ridiculous that Urban Renewal also plucks items like bags and shoes right out of thrift shops, only to re-sell them at astronomical prices. I’d rather not pay $98 for a pair of beat-up oxfords Urban Outfitters got for five, but I guess it’s simply beneath some people to actually set foot in a thrift shop. UO has targeted subculture in nearly every way with their fashion, books, and home goods. It was only a matter of time before they graduated to the fixed-gear bicycle phenom, as well. MORE »
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Banksy Paints NYC!
Amy Laviero :: Friday, May 21st, 2010 4:00 pm
After stops in LA, San Fran, Detroit, Chicago, and Boston, it seems the world’s most famous anonymous street artist has finally arrived in the Big Apple. A multitude of Bansky imitations have been spotted in and around New York City, with artists such as Dolk adpoting a Banksy-esque approach to street art. Large, mono-chromatic pieces in busy NYC areas are usually mistaken for a Banksy, though there is nothing like his tongue-in-cheek approach to politics and social commentary. The “I Heart NY” piece was spotted on Cedar Street between Greenwich and Trinity on Monday. Banksy works are being spotted all over the U.S. as he promotes “Exit Through the Giftshop,” a satirical documentary about street art. His work is way more impressive in person than photos, so click through a full list of his New York locations! MORE »
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Justin Bieber Eats It
Amy Laviero :: Friday, May 21st, 2010 1:00 pm
Goddamn it. I swore I would never post about Justin Bieber. The level of adoration tween girls have for this kid is nothing short of disturbing. When everyone else was “aw-ing” over that video of the three-year-old crying simply because she loves Justin Bieber, I kind of wanted to vomit. Do none of these girls realize he looks like a chick and speaks like a total douche? Anyway, today marks the day when I put my foot in my mouth, but it’s all for a good cause, because the video after the jump is just great. I’d go so far as to say it was the perfect accompaniment to my morning coffee. MORE »
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Nothing Says Rock ‘N’ Roll Like Blue Paisley
Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 5:15 pm
There’s something to be said for surviving a brain hemorrhage, though for Bret Michaels, it’s all in the bandanna. Apparently Michaels, who was only just released from the hospital, refused to wear a hospital gown, or remove his trademarked bandanna and cowboy boots. “I said, ‘If I’m gonna go out, I wanna go out rocking’,” explained Michaels. I’m not sure which is more ridiculous; the fact that a man whose brain was bleeding was more concerned with his “rock and roll” image than hospital policy, or that hospital personnel actually let him get away with it. Listen Bret, I’m sure no one at the hospital would judge your receding hairline. Furthermore, last I checked bandannas and cowboy boots were the antithesis of rock and roll. Maybe I’m missing something…
News
Bear in Heaven Summer Tour
Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 3:15 pm
Bear in Heaven played a sold-out show at New York’s Terminal 5 on Sunday in support of their latest release, Beast Rest Forth Mouth. The band’s music exudes a physicality that translates better on the stage than the stereo, and although they have been touring as a three-piece, they had no problem filling the venue with larger-than-life, psych-pop tunes that enfold you. Their 40-minute set boasted tracks off Beast Rest Forth Mouth, including “Lovesick Teenagers” and the epic “Dust Cloud”.
Beast Rest Forth Mouth is currently available on CD and LP, both of which feature deluxe packaging. The LP will be also be available in two colorways. If these just don’t cut it, be glad because the band have no intention of stopping anytime soon. They will support Metric for the remainder of their US tour dates, and scheduled a tour with Twin Sister, as well as performances at South Street Seaport, the Pitchfork Festival, and Austin City Limits. Click through for a full list of Bear in Heaven’s summer dates. MORE »
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New Aphex Twin Song Is Underwhelming
Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 1:15 pm
I enjoy Aphex Twin as much as the next person, but video of new material suggests that Richard D. James just might be out of fresh ideas. Clocking in at over 6 minutes, the new song sounds like any ambient, techno-y track you might hear at a Brooklyn loft party. A representative for Aphex Twin said that his shows are “full of unreleased tracks,” but there is no word about whether or not this particular song will be featured on any upcoming release. The video, which was recorded at Aphex Twin’s show at Metz, France’s Centre Pompidou on May 15, has the clearest audio I’ve ever heard from an amateur live recording, but it’s a shame there isn’t much to listen to. Don’t take my word for it though, click through and check it out yourself. MORE »
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Paul McCartney Live Webchat This Thursday, 5/21
Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 12:30 pm
If you’ve dreamed of waiting on an infinite cyber-line in the hopes of talking to Sir Paul McCartney, get ready to queue up this Thursday 12pm EST when he will take a break from tour rehearsals to participate in a live webchat and answer questions posed by fans. Presuming you don’t mind drinking at noon, I suspect this will be as good a time as any for a drinking game (mimosas, perhaps?). Drink any time someone asks Sir Paul about vegetarianism, death conspiracies, being the most famous man on the planet, etc., etc. You get the idea. Despite inevitably bland questions, Sir Paul always provides an engaging interview, so I’m sure it will be worth checking out. The winner of McCartney’s exclusive website competition will also be announced live during the broadcast. Winners will be flown out to Mexico’s Foro Sol Stadium on May 28th where they will receive VIP access to sound-check before watching the show.
Although the Up and Coming Tour initially concluded at Hyde Park in London on June 27, Macca announced two additional U.S. dates this Monday. MORE »
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Good Morning America Inadvertently Pedophilic
Amy Laviero :: Friday, May 14th, 2010 3:30 pm
This morning, Good Morning America ran a segment about this monstrosity. The video depicts five eight- and nine-year-olds bumping and grinding to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” and it makes me uncomfortable. Taped at the WOD competition in L.A. (of course), the girls’ parents say the performance was never intended for the public and that the skanky outfits made sense in the context of the competition. Fuck. I competed in dance at the national level. Even at 18 I never wore such whorish costumes. Yes, the girls are excellent dancers, but their moves are, well, over-sexualized to say the least. This aside, I’m curious why no one over at ABC caught the pervvy headline for before airtime: “Too Young to Be So Sexy?”
News
Sufjan Stevens Backs The National on Letterman
Amy Laviero :: Friday, May 14th, 2010 2:15 pm
I love The National and I love Sufjan Stevens and the two together are just divine. Last night, the Brooklyn rockers killed yet another late night appearance with their performance of the beautifully desperate “Afraid of Everyone” on Letterman. Stevens, who supplied the track’s backing vocals on High Violet, came through to sing during the Letterman performance as well. Click through to check it out. MORE »
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The Pains of Being Furry
Amy Laviero :: Friday, May 14th, 2010 12:15 pm
Indie-pop darlings The Pains of Being Pure at Heart debuted a video for the song “Higher Than The Stars” today on Spin.com. The video is cute if you have an affinity for furries. If not, it’s just a little bit creepy. The song on the other hand is great with feathery vocals and an upbeat, yet melancholy synth line reminiscent of the Cure. You can also stream their new single, “Say No to Love” via Pitchfork.
The Pains just wrapped a tour of Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, and have settled back in Brooklyn to begin recording a follow up to their self-titled debut, out next Spring. A US tour with Surfer Blood and Hooray for Earth is set to begin in June. Click through for a list of dates. MORE »
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Playboy’s June Issue to Feature 3-D Centerfold
Amy Laviero :: Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 4:30 pm
I’m not sure where to begin with this one. CNN posted a video today about Playboy’s upcoming June issue, which will feature Hope Dworaczyk as its first 3D centerfold. However, CNN correspondent Jeanne Moos’ and Playboy chief content officer Jimmy Jellinik are definitely the best parts of the video. With her 3D glasses on, Moos took to the streets to ask pedestrians what they thought about seeing “every dimension” of Dworaczyk. Awkward, coming from a nerdy looking 40-something. Jellinik also wears his 3D glasses the entire time, and his enthusiasm for Playboy’s June issue comes across as blatant idiocy. He thinks this issue is “a big deal for men everywhere who want to see women in three-dimensions.” Definitely, because without Playboy, that never would have been possible! Click through to watch the ridiculous video. MORE »
