Thrillpeddlers :: Weblog

The Longest Line

As you may or may not know, when Apple opens a new retail store, Mac fans start lining up hours in advance to be the first ones inside, and to get the free Apple swag that's traditionally given away. But on November 30th, when Apple opened its Tokyo store (their first store outside the U.S.), the lines were... well... seriously, I have never seen anything like this, for any event, anywhere, ever. Here's the video. Remember, they're in line to get into a computer store. (Scenes like this must make Gateway cry.)

Damn hippies!

Many more outrageous album covers at BizarreRecords.com. I have to admit I've wasted entirely too much time browsing the collection. Several of the entries even include audio samples, like this one by Tom n' Jerry's Rockets. Dig in.

2003 Was Windows-free

Detroit Free Press technology columnist Mike Wendland recently celebrated the one year anniversary of his switch from Windows to Mac. His weblog, which documents his experiences as a switcher, has become a pretty valuable resource for anyone who's been thinking of moving to the Mac. I only mention all of this, because it reminded me that I'm coming up on my first year as a Mac user. One year of being virus, worm, pop-up, spyware, .dll error, critical update, and crash... FREE! Mike lists the top five reasons he'll never go back. I'll add a sixth: No more talking paperclip!

Hinn-sanity

There's a very informative article on the "Skeptical Inquirer" website about the faith-healing methods of evangelist Benny Hinn. (He's the guy on TV in the white suits with the outrageous comb-over.) For those of you not familiar with audience manipulation methods used by faith-healers and stage hypnotists, I encourage you to check it out. And while you're in the mood, take a look at James Randi's book The Faith Healers, which was my introduction to the tricks of the trade.

Paris Writhes Again?

Why are fans of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's new show The Simple Life flocking to the Thrillpeddlers' website? It seems that when you Google the misspelled 'Nicole Riche,' the first 20 results include 2 articles on our site about the 1950 Grand Guignol production of No Orchids For Miss Blandish. The production starred an actress named Nicole Riche who famously faked her own kidnapping as a publicity stunt for the show. (Miss Hilton, whose entire life seems to be a publicity stunt, proves that the practice is alive and well today.) The two articles are named The Lady Vanishes and Paris Writhes Again. Which one to you think gets the most clicks?

News In Brief

From this week's edition of The Onion.

Hasbro Pledges Additional 30 Marbles For Hippo-Hunger Relief

PAWTUCKET, RI—With global famine worsening, Hasbro pledged an additional 30 white marbles Monday to hippo-hunger relief efforts. "To see those starving, starving hippos just lying there, not knowing if they will ever get another chance to click and clack for life-giving marbles—it's too much for anyone to bear," Hasbro spokeswoman Lisa Reiderer said. "We cannot stand idly by while these sweet plastic creatures slowly die. It is up to all of us to get the most marbles for our hippos."

God bless Terry Zwigoff

Went out to see Bad Santa last night, not really knowing quite what to expect. I loved Terry Zwigoff's earlier films, Crumb and Ghost World, but I haven't liked Billy Bob in anything since Sling Blade. Well, I'm happy to report that Bad Santa is a small miracle. I'm giving the bulk of credit to director Zwigoff. In his hands, what could have been a crass, vulgar mess, turns out to be a very skillfully crafted (and hilarious) black comedy. Roger Ebert, in his review, makes a great point:

"Movies like this are a test of taste. If you understand why "Kill Bill" is a good movie and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)" is not, and "Bad Santa" is a good movie and "The Cat in the Hat" is not, then you have freed yourself from the belief that a movie's quality is determined by its subject matter. You instinctively understand that a movie is not about what it is about, but about how it is about it. You qualify for "Bad Santa."

So how did Zwigoff do it? Restraint. Yes, the characters are crass and vulgar, but they don't revel in it. They're miserable, and there's nothing funny about it (to them). As outragous as the story gets, I never had the sense that the actors were 'trying' to get laughs, or 'winking' to the camera in any way. And yet, the humor comes through. It's a remarkably delicate balancing act that produced some of the biggest laughs I've heard in a movie theatre in a long time. That being said, the movie is not perfect. The story took a couple of twists in the third act that struck me as being a bit out of tune, and there's an epilogue that was certainly tacked on by the studio to help soften Zwigoff's bleak vision. But those are minor quibbles. I will now cross my fingers and hope that this movie finds an audience.

The iPod era

The New York Times Magazine published a very interesting examination of the iPod phenomenon today. [Note: Requires free registration to access the article.]

I've had my iPod for just over a year now, and while I won't go so far as to say it's changed my life, it has certainly brought music back into my life. Over the years, I've amassed a huge collection of CDs. Unfotunately, the bigger my collection grew, the harder it was for me to manage it. What ended up happening was that I would only listen to a handfull of CDs on a regular basis, not having the time or energy to sift through the 400 or so others. The iPod changed all of that. Now I carry most of my music with me. Random playlists serve up songs that I haven't heard in years. And the iTunes Music Store has got me browsing (and buying) new releases again.

Yes, the iPod carries a hefty price tag, but for size, style, and ease of use, it can't be beat. I've used mine daily for 14 months, and it's still going strong. That breaks down to around $1.20 per day... a bargain, if you ask me.

How did Bush sneak into Iraq?

Just found the above item on MSN Newsbot UK.
George W. Bush: Master of disguise??

(Obviously, the photo belongs with this story.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Aquarius Records

If you enjoy music that comes from somewhere other than your local Top-40 radio station, you owe yourself a click on Aquarius Records. This online CD shop features the best alternative, underground, and downright unbelievable selection of music anywhere. Been looking for Cambodian psychedelic rock from the 70's? How about Techno covers of Iron Maiden? Or maybe a DJ that mixes rap with Rush? It's all here... and much, much more. But be warned: A trip to the Aquarius website might result in an hours-long musical detour. The hundreds of album descriptions are entertaining and informative, written by people who are passionate about music (betcha can't read just one). And, if you're like me, at the end of the day your cart will be filled with CDs you've never head of, yet know you must own.

For anyone who lives within 100 miles of San Francisco, the actual Aquarius Records store is located at 1055 Valencia.