The Flaming Lips Video for Watching the Planets

Prepare to have you mind blown by nakedness in this video for Watching the Planets from the new record by the Flaming Lips, Embryonic
http://www.nme.com/video?bcpid=26429438001&bctid=49582897001

Craigslist Scammer

I have been trying to sell a fridge on Craigslist, and every so often I get harassed by some moron trying to buy my items via a wire transfer or money order. What makes this so ridiculous is Craigslist forwards every email with a bold, multi-color header that warns against making such a transaction.

This morning I received one of the worst, most flagrant scam emails that has ever graced my inbox.

Hello,
I appreciate your item ads posted at www.craigslist.org and i will like to make inquiry. Am interested in buying the item from you. I would have love to come and check it myself and make payment with cash but I just got married and am presently on a honeymoon trip to Hawaii with my wife. Kindly withhold it with immediate effect from the advert Web as i don't mind adding $50 for you to do that, so I can be rest assured that the item is held for me.

I should believe it is in good condition as stated. I will be making the payment via Money Order,which my secretary will mail across to you. My Mover will be coming to check it from you once the payment has been cashed. Please I will need both your full Name, Phone Number and physical Address to issue out the payment. Awaiting your reply.

Regards
Gary Collin

After reading this, I was moved to reply to this asshole.

Dear Mr. Collin,

I appreciate your interest in my listings. Your generic email which makes no reference to any of my items for sale made me optimistic. If you would like for me to hold the items, I would appreciate it if you please send the money order to my cousin in Nairobi. He has been having some tough times as the prince of an obscure territory in Africa and has found much of his funds locked up in a bank. In order for him to get access to his funds, he needs a small loan which will allow him to get his money and pay back 10 times your investment! If you are interested, please wire the funds to
8 Valley Road. P.O Box 42254.
City, Nairobi. Country, Kenya
c/o Prince Mahmoud Bhaja

I look forward to doing business with you.

Sincerely,

The Rapscallion

P.s.- Go F*** Yourself and Stop Ruining Craigslist you sack of s***!

If you would like to sell anything to Mr. Collin, please feel free to email him at garrycolline@gmail.com. I am sure he will make you a good deal.

Discovery: Vampire Weekend + Ra Ra Riot = Album of Summer 09

Started as a side project in 2005, Discovery is the interesting pairing of Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot. Discovery was put on hold after both gentlemen found success in their respective bands. However, with some down time, they managed to craft a unique pop record that makes use of hand claps for rhythms and synthesizers for harmony. Their debut LP, aptly titled LP, combines auto-tuning and drum machines with the R&B vibe of Vampire Weekend and the straight ahead melodies of Ra Ra Riot. LP by Discovery comes out on XL July 7th. Listen to both "So Insane" and the incredible remake of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back."

("I Want You Back" by Discovery)

("So Insane" by Discovery)

Sneak a Peek at Burton's Wonderland

When Tim Burton announced his plans to film a live action version Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland," many questions were raised how the visionary director would distinguish his work from the classic 1951 Disney film, "Alice in Wonderland." Well the first images are out, and judging from the looks of Johnny Depp in the role of the Mad Hatter, audiences young and old are in for a treat next March when Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" hits theaters.
Alice's adventures down the rabbit hole have become a literary favorite since they were first published in 1865. Since then, Alice and here whimsical Wonderland counterparts have enjoyed many cinematic treatments, including a 1903 silent film directed by Cecil Hepworth. The best known version is Walt Disney's "Americanized" treatment of the British text. Although it strays from the source text, it succeeds in creating a visual spectacle which has mesmerized audiences for the last 50 years.
The legacy and popularity of Disney's original "Alice in Wonderland" is unmatched, but Tim Burton is one director who is not afraid to tread on hallowed ground. Roald Dahl's whimsical "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" enjoyed an excellent film treatment with the 1971 musical which starred Gene Wilder as the eccentric Willy Wonka. While "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" has become a children's classic since its release, Burton felt that there was still something more to get from the original story. With the help of Johnny Depp and his Michael Jackson-esque portrayal of Wonka, Burton brought audiences back to the Chocolate Factory in his 2005 version of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
The most recent treatment of note for Alice was in 1999 with a TV version released by the Hallmark company. The costumes and make up were pretty, but many critics complained that it lacked the punch of the Disney film. Ultimately, it left the door wide open for one more shot at a visual manifestation of Wonderland.
Disney had long desired to do more with the Alice story, and Joe Roth started putting the pieces together in 2007. It was not until later that year that the project solidified with the inclusion of Tim Burton as director. He originally stated that, "the goal is to try to make it an engaging movie where you get some of the psychology and kind of bring a freshness but also keep the classic nature of Alice." Fortunately, that freshness will come in 3D, as Disney and Burton believe that technology has progressed enough to offer the film in the exciting medium.
The film is already in the can, having been shot last winter over 40 days. All we are waiting on now is the CG to be finished. Starring Johnny Depp, Matt Lucas, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, "Alice in Wonderland's" "important date" for release is March 19, 2010. Don't be late.

Music to Get Life Going

As I wind down on the massive amount of school work that awaits anyone who plan on attending college, I feel as though I need a last bit of stimulus and pick me up. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are just the band to help me get through it. Their latest single, Young Adult Friction," from their self-titled release is stellar.

Young Adult Friction - The Pai...

Final Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Trailer

The new trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is online now. Let the squealing commence.

This is the final trailer for the upcoming film adaptation of the sixth book in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Those who have read it know that this Harry Potter book is probably the darkest of the series, and it could be compared to another "the bad guys seem to be winning" sequel, The Empire Strikes Back.

From this trailer and the previous two, we can gather the dark look and tone that director David Yates has chosen for his film adaptation of Half-Blood Prince. Unlike the previous five films, including Yates' previous film, The Order of the Phoenix, this Harry Potter film employs a darker, more muted color pallete.

The wobbly bridge also looks especially wobbly, the room of requirement looks great, and the climax looks incredible. I believe this may very well be the best adaptation of a Harry Potter film yet. Let us hope that the tone translates throughout the entire film. A brief synopsis of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince can be found here, via the film's website.

Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn’t counted on Romilda Vane’s chocolates! And then there’s Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

Dan Deacon in New Orleans

Dan Deacon is coming to New Orleans at Tulane University on Monday, April 13 2009. And you should be there. If you do not know who Dan Deacon is, then stop reading this and start reading this. His new record Bromst was released a few weeks ago, and it is one of the best records of the year. Bromst combines lush electronic arrangements with interesting beats and a bevvy of backing instruments. "Red F" and "Snookered" are just two of the outstanding tracks that Dan Deacon had provided for his faithful followers on Bromst.

Anyways, Dan and his Bromst band are touring the country in a school bus that has been converted to run on vegetable oil. It is as awesome as it sounds. In an effort to keep costs down and recycling up, Dan is asking folks coming out to his concerts to bring some vegetable oil by his show in exchange for a +1 on the guest list. His full request can be read here, via Pitchfork

hello,

the school tour bus the 20 of us are riding in runs on veggie oil. we need help gathering that oil to fuel our bus. if anyone can bring at least 5 gallons of waste veggie oil to one of the shows we will put you on the guest list. it is easily found behind almost all restaurants.

if the oil looks dark and full of crud we can't use it. the lighter the color and the less viscous the better. if you can bring us CLEAN and filtered oil we can put you + 1 on the list.

an easy way to filter the oil would be to stretch a tight sheet or t-shirt over a bucket and pour the oil into the bucket through the sheet to get all the gunk out. a slower way, but better way, would be to tie one of the pant legs of jeans into a tight knot and hang that over a bucket and pour the oil into the jeans, and clean oil will slowly pass into the bucket.

to arrange the grease for list swap you can call geoff at 862-266-6130. call or text him. he is our oil master. the more oil the better. we have enough storage for 100 gallons of oil. if you can get us 30 gallons we'll cook you dinner on the bus (we have a little kitchen and many great cooks).

please repost this to anywhere you think it might help. thanks you!

dan deacon

Not only is this a good cause, it's a great show. Consider bringing yours to Tulane when you come over to the show on Monday. Listen to "Build Voice" from Dan Deacon's new record, Bromst, via Nasty Panda.

Ratatat in New Orleans at House of Blues

Everyone's favorite guitar-synth duo Ratatat are returning to New Orleans for a show at the House of Blues. Tickets are still available at the door, and Ratatat are a guaranteed good time. Last year's LP3 made most top ten lists, so I am not only one hyping this show. So put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to climb aboard the Ratatat railway. Check below for a sample of their sound.

"Hey, Stella!," It's The Tennessee Williams Festival

Tennessee Williams' 1947 New Orleans masterpiece "A Streetcar Named Desire" remains an important piece of popular theater 50 years after its first performance. Streetcar is also the play that inspired the literati of New Orleans to organize a festival honoring Tennessee Williams. The Tennessee Williams Festival has attracted writers, actors, students, and play goers to New Orleans since its inception years ago, and this year's festival was the biggest and best yet.

One of the most popular events is the "Stella" screaming contest, during which, 25 participants gather in the heart of the French Quarter and get the opportunity to yell out Stanley Kowlaski's famous exclamation, "Hey, Stella!" While the role is probably best known for Brando, Williams' Stanley is dynamic enough for any festival-goer to find a new way to scream out to the Stella stand-in perched on a balcony on one of the famed Pontalba apartments in the French Quarter.

Each entrant competes by calling " "Stella!" (or "Stanley!") three times. Loudness counts, but contestants should also portray Stanley’s angst and emotion. Finalists selected in the outdoor portion of the contest compete on the main stage of Le Petit Theatre for the grand prize.

For the past several years, the French Quarter contest has grown in size, and the quality of the competition has also improved.

This year's competitors, not all of whom were from New Orleans, ranged in age and approach, but all of them yelled for Stella with intensity and passion. It was a fun and interesting way to successfully close this year's Tennessee Williams Festival. It was also just one more reason why you should come and visit New Orleans, one of the most interesting cities on Earth. Below is one "unique" performance that attendees were treated to.

Google Gmail Autopilot

While checking my Gmail this morning, I noticed the most fantastic new feature. It is called "Autopilot" and it allows Gmail to draft automatic Gmail responses to all of your pesky emails. As they explain it how Autopilot works:

The more Gmail messages Autopilot can sample, the better. With fewer than 100 messages, there may not be enough data to calibrate Autopilot effectively. You can adjust tone, typo propensity, and preferred punctuation from the Autopilot tab under Settings.

This is another brilliant time management tool from Gmail and the folks at Google. For more information, check the terms to find out more about it.

11:30AM-12PM, The Final Countdown

The work space by the end. Note the copy of Walden I read for 8 minutes during the only downtime we experienced around 4AM. I should note that after reading it, we received $150 to make me stop. It worked.

Caitlin just holding down the final minutes of the broadcast, trying to make sure we have the right tally of money going toward my gallon challenge. For the record, we did not get the $1,000 in the hour, as I had wanted. It took one hour and 20 minutes, so I ended up scrapping it, and leisurely drinking a single glass of milk.

Even after nearly 24 hours on air, I am still amused by the simplest things.

The official end of WTUL New Orleans Marathon with The Rapscallion. In the end, we managed to raise some stations funds, so it was all worthwhile. Thank you everyone who supported us and cared enough to invest in the future of WTUL.

11-11:30AM, The beginning of the end of the reign of madness of Marathon.

11-11:30AM, The beginning of the end of the reign of madness of Marathon.

Passing the time, for the last time, during my 24 hour stint.

A big swing, and a big miss from the Rapscallion. Perhaps that hat is hindering my view...

The set-up outside, in the rain. It is super comfy in a cold and wet way.

10AM-11AM, Breakfast with Bryan, Hoping to Raise Money for the Gallon Challenge

The addition of the beard indicates I have lost my mind by hour 23.

DJ DPMD, DJ Nothing Special, DJ Disc Jockey, and the Rapscallion

Just hanging out in the last few hours, waiting for pledges.

Two lovely ladies, who are also fans of community radio.

8AM-9AM, I am getting my fifth wind.

Caitlin and the Lady Iyann. We had some good support for the classical listeners, so thank you for that.

Even Mike, the microphone mascot, is starting to look tired.

The beard means that things are getting dire. However, I did enjoy running my hands through it.

6AM-8AM, I am starting to wind down, starting to feel it.

This is my sign. But despite it being in front of my face every time I went on air, I still managed to say this phrase. When I slipped up, people beat me.

Caitlin, my final on-site producer. You were so groovy, so cool. Thank you, dear, for getting me through the final stretch.

Wake up! It's only 7:10!

Perhaps I need to wake up first. I think part of my exhaustion is due to the exorbitant number of times we listened to Ian Drur's "Spasticus Autisticus." If I never hear that song again, it will still be too soon.

4AM-5AM, The beautiful ladies of the station, and Marathon Upstairs

The ladies of the downstairs broadcast. Without them, we would have no signal. Thank you ladies.

So beautiful, so committed. I am indebted to you.

So happy, all smiles.

Still kicking at 4:11AM. Erdi, thank you, man.

3AM-4AM, Things are Slowing Down for the First Time, and Exhaustion is Starting to Take Hold

Sam Kramer "DJ Corn," with us through thick and thin.

Erdi, mixing and eating. So multi talented.

All thumbs up, still at 3AM. I am still stoked. Let's see how long that lasts

Apparently, it does not last too long.

2AM-3AM, Wiffle Ball Expands

DJ Snow Ball brought her Massachusetts friends by to hang out and listen.

The wiffle balls ladies were superior to some of the male players. Thank good ness they stopped by to make the game competitive.

The entire wiffle ball crew. It was a rousing match, but in the end, Team Awesome, (led by the Rapscallion), defeated team whatever.

Temporary DJ Emily, live on 91.5 FM. Note the sign telling me to stop saying "Ladies and Gentlemen."