November 2008
49 posts
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They play for a month, ad infinitum. →
Yes, we’re all beaten down by bad novelty Christmas songs every year. And yes, this is a novelty Christmas song, but done as only Stephen Colbert can do it. Brassy horns and self-aware lyrics make for a jazzy little holiday carol somewhere between “Sleigh Ride” and the theme from “Family Guy”. Who is such a Grinch that they can’t appreciate couplets like...
Biggie was right. →
Everything I need to know about managing money, I learned from the Notorious B.I.G.
“I cannot overstate the cultural impact of untucking one’s dress shirt...”
– Chuck Klosterman, in his essay “Mannequin Appropriation Project”
Who doesn't love a good Post-It Mosaic? →
Whether you work in an office, or you’re just bored and have access to a large quantity of post-it notes (or very possibly a combination of these things)- knowing how to make a post-it note mosaic of Elvis’s face is an important life skill. Do with it what you will.
Well, I sure wasted 120 large.
A NY Times interview with Charles Murray who argues that for the majority of high school graduates, obtaining a B.A. is a waste of time, and is simply a “meaningless credential.”
In a word: Pandora. →
This is one I assume folks know about by now, but if not, Pandora is greatness. It’s a (free) online radio station that plays songs with musical qualities similar to those of any artist or song that you type in. Great for background music, but also a great tool for discovering new bands similar to your current favorites.
Bill Hader, impressionist extraordinaire. →
I love Bill Hader- he’s funny and down to earth, and has been fantastic in all of Judd Apatow’s movies. In this YouTube video, he shows off his talent with a fantastic Tom Cruise and Seth Rogen impression. Very funny.
"I'm Jack Donaghy. I'm important. I just bought... →
I love Alec Baldwin. I love Jack Donaghy. I loved this interview with Alec Baldwin in the New Yorker. It’s a bit long, but provides a really interesting and in-depth look at the man who so brilliantly brings us Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock.
Welcome to my study - my creepy, creepy study. →
Mitchell Magee is lonely (re: very, very lonely) and he collects things. These video shorts feature him sharing the contents of his study desk’s drawer, from crabs to an avocado to a rubber boot. I’m still trying to figure out the level of self-awareness this guy has; it’s either nonexistent or ridiculously, off the charts high. (Also could be a subtle shout out to the...
Love is a mix tape →
“Love is a Mix Tape” is Rob Sheffield’s desperately touching and poignant memoir of love and death that will strike a chord with anyone who has used a small, selected set of songs to describe something that can’t be adequately put into words. This book is as unpretentious and as honest as they come. Read it once, loan it out to everyone you know, and then read it again.
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The Jonas Brothers wish you an awkward holiday.
Thanks to People magazine’s special holiday entertaining issue, we now know what Thanksgiving and the holiday season is like for a select group of “celebrities.” For example, for inexplicable teen heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers, the holidays are about filling their heads with fresh Styrofoam, and posing for excruciatingly stiff portraits alongside designated holiday and family...
“You can only be young once- but you can always be immature.”
– Dave Barry
Keeper of the Knowledge- Mr. Steve Jobs. →
ITunes offers a really impressive quantity of academic lectures and “access to educational content from hundreds of top colleges, universities, and educationally focused organizations across the country.” Download lectures, class sessions and the like to your computer or MP3 player. Did I mention it’s free? Just go to ITunes and click on “ITunes U” on the left...
The Dude behind the Doodle →
Ever wonder who does those cartoon drawings of Conan O’Brien’s head for the Late Show? Watch this short [mind-blowing] video, and find out.
What Writers Are Reading →
An interesting blog that, (as the title suggests) interviews writers and asks them about what they’re currently reading. If you’re like me and are sometimes stumped trying to find something else to read, this is a great resource. The books mentioned here run the gamut of topics and the majority of them end up on my “books to read” list. The short interviews with the writers...
“I’m a failure - I can’t even fake the death of a stripper.”
– Gob Bluth, Arrested Development
How Many Five Year Olds Could You Take in a Fight? →
Ah, the online quiz - a dying artform. This absolute gem tells you how many five year olds you could take in a fight, taking into consideration factors like arm reach, how high you can kick, and how morally comfortable you would feel picking up a child and using him/her as a weapon to throw at other children.
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“I used to think I was unstable; then I met every girl I ever dated.”
– Mike Birbiglia
Vote Hall & Oates in 2012
I know I’m more or less 30 years late to this party, but I’m currently obsessed with the Hall & Oates song “You Make My Dreams.” (Melee also does a nice cover). It’s the kind of song that makes me wish I had a sunny afternoon so I could drive around, blast this jam, sing along and attract those strange looks I’ve come to be so fond of. The cold Chicago...
Things falling from space are cool →
With meteors from outer space hurtling towards the earth, it’s a good thing we have Morgan Freeman as our President.
Even Satan Barack-ed the vote! →
Finally, a political piece I can get behind. Our friends over at The Talking Mirror give us a great article that lets us in on why Satan voted for Barack Obama from the perspective of the Dark Lord himself (Satan, that is- not Obama). Funny article, funny site- check it out, home slices.
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Now, does it come in Vista? →
It looks just like your standard, green, hilly Windows XP desktop, but it’s not of course (it never is). Read classics by twenty different authors in PowerPoint form; all while your desktop looks as work-related and boring as Microsoft intended.
McRibbed, McListened, McLoved It
I’m a big fan of Matt White’s album Best Days. Diverse range of songs, great vocals, and all around just a really enjoyable listen. I hate, however, that they used “Love” for the new McRib commercial. Where there is great music, I guess, there will always be McMarketing moguls.
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“Have you ever had Fruity Pebbles? Once that stuff hits milk, it turns into a...”
– Conan O’Brien
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A curious thing →
We’re still not really sure what the hell this is. But it’s from Australia, it has a cool name (The Lifted Brow), and it looks flat out awesome- we want in.
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A classic comic sans its title character →
“Garfield minus Garfield” creator Dan Walsh finds the weirdness and angst in Jim Davis’ achingly banal comic strip Garfield by erasing the title character, plus selected word balloons from other characters, in order to leave Garfield’s owner Jon Arbuckle alone in the strip. The results are surreal and depressing: Jon talks to himself, attempts to amuse himself, and bursts...
“You used to be able to tell the difference between hipsters and homeless people....”
– Chuck Klosterman
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It's a bit like having your own librarian around... →
Ever had the problem of wanting something to read, but not knowing exactly what to pick up next? Well, with the holiday season and all its downtime approaching, this website could be the perfect tool for liberating you from your literary quandary. Type in the last book you read and get some great suggestions, presto. Genius.
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More obscure than Legends
Drawing inspiration from some of the highlights of pop music through the ages (thundering Motown dance beats, the famous “wall of sound”, sweet harmonies of the girl group sound, and the churning guitars of indie rock), the Legends sprinkle their 2004 debut record “Up Against the Legends” with tambourines, handclaps, and guitar fuzz to end up sounding like the best...
"Look at his stupid face." →
Unless you were one of the 17 people that watched the Emmys this year, you probably didn’t see this gem. The two Office dynamos comedically squaring off. The clip is hilarious and at times mildly uncomfortable. I don’t think either David Brent or Michael G. Scott would have it any other way.
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Receive magical phonecalls from the web. On... →
Since we at The Poptimist are into helping you solve life’s dilemmas, we offer you this handy little website. No need to fake a phone call again to get out of a boring meeting, date, or whatever precarious situation you find yourself in. Now you can get them at your whims. The website claims it’s useful for phone call reminders; we find it just as useful for anonymously prank calling...
“Inflation is bad. Deflation is bad. Is there a direction prices can move in that...”
– The Onion
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Kermit the Frog is a Creep →
Let it be known - I love cover songs. I’m a cover nerd. But Kermit the Frog covering Radiohead’s “Creep” is among the cooler, if not stranger covers I’ve ever heard. I guess it really isn’t easy being green.
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Halfway to genius →
Technology holds the promise to solve all of life’s problems. Sort of. And while this website of genius won’t yet provide you with someone to meet, it will theoretically give you a place of interest to meet your friends halfway.
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No dessert until you finish your carrots, mister →
One of my very favorite McSweeney’s lists, ”Other Things There Will Be, In Addition To Blood.” Brilliance.
Back to reality →
I’ve seen this video [multiple times] and I still don’t believe it. It’s a choir of older folks, singing rap and hip hop songs. It’s absolutely the best, and worst thing I’ve ever seen.
First-rate stories from the Dark Continent
If you’re looking for a truly outstanding book to read, I suggest Say You’re One of Them, a collection of five stories written by Nigerian-born Jesuit priest Uwen Akpan. These are gritty and desperate tales from war-torn Africa as told through the eyes of children, but Akpan’s towering skill as a writer keeps them from becoming mere diatribe or object lessons in the hardships of...
How you feel, Eskimo? →
Yes, I know the election is over, but this remains a must-see. In an interview with Terry Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air, Seth Meyers called this video of Amy Poehler rapping ”one of the greatest performance moments in the history of Saturday Night Live.”
A Passing Feeling
Shades of Elliott Smith, with a dash of Ryan Adams, and a bit of Matt Nathanson mixed in for good measure. It’s Jacob Golden and his lovely song On A Saturday, and as its name would suggest, it’s perfect for any of your upcoming wintery Saturdays; the rest of the album certainly has its strengths though too. Recommended.
“Nothing spoils the taste of peanut butter like unrequited love.”
– Charlie Brown
Don't say I didn't warn you →
Just consider this a public service announcement. They’ll probably do a “More You Know” spot on NBC on how to tell if your cat Is plotting to kill you. Just get a dog already.
Financial Flight of Fancy →
Watch as a paper airplane tossed from a 31st story window flies around Manhattan’s financial district for a minute and a half; all with majestic music to boot.
Cristal poppin' in my stretch Navigator
I saw Eric Hutchinson at the Double Door on Tuesday, and I have to say, it was a completely satisfying concert experience. Matt Hires and Meaghan Smith were solid openers and are worth a listen, which is a little bit of a rarity. Eric Hutchinson was a great performer who kept everyone laughing and entertained the whole show. A definite high point was his cover of “My Girl,” straight...
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The Poptimist
Welcome to The Poptimist, where you’ll be kept in the loop when it comes to all things pop culture related. I’m a pop culture junkies, and if you’ve made to this little corner of the web, I assume you probably are too. Check in from time to time for all things music, movie, and book related; as well as some suggestions for things (hopefully) interesting, amusing, or otherwise...