sTmykal

In all the things that suck, this does not. Courtesy of Boing Boing...
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/02/21/video_explains_the_w.html

Video explains the world's most important 6-sec drum loop

This fascinating, brilliant 20-minute video narrates the history of the "Amen Break," a six-second drum sample from the b-side of a chart-topping single from 1969. This sample was used extensively in early hiphop and sample-based music, and became the basis for drum-and-bass and jungle music -- a six-second clip that spawned several entire subcultures. Nate Harrison's 2004 video is a meditation on the ownership of culture, the nature of art and creativity, and the history of a remarkable music clip.

The video, while more of an artsy narrative, is awesome, with fantastic samples and a solid grasp on the evolution of this sample. It is indeed amazing to think about how a six second loop can influence so much and be re-used so offten that it becomes a cultural staple. It's like hearing Big Mama Thornton's recording of Hound Dog, realizing that no, Elvis did not write the song, and in fact, the guys who did prolly stole it from an ancient folk song.

This is why I love being a music geek.

My iPod Photo crapped out. So Apple gave me a new one. I figured I could sell it on eBay and pick up a new iPod video for cheap. Luck went my way and I got the full asking price for the replacement iPod. This was a week ago...

The funds from Pay Pal have YET to show up in my bank account. 5-7 business days... sure... ok... Well - it's been EIGHT. I was hoping they would show up today or tomorrow at the latest. This has been sticking in my craw for a bit.

AND NOW - I get an email from the winner of the auction asking for a refund if he sends the iPod back! His reason? HE LOST HIS LAP TOP AND NOW HE CAN'T USE THE IPOD. Lost... stolen... who knows? HIS ENGLISH SUCKS!

What the hell should I do? I stated on the auction that all sales were final and NO REFUNDS. If I give him his cash back, I'm out 10 bucks because of Pay Pals crappy service charge. I also have to deal with eBay, telling them that the sale didn't go through so that THEY don't charge me. And then - I have to try to sell the frickin thing AGAIN!

Holy Christ. I don't want to be a dick but, SORRY ABOUT YOUR FUCKIN' LIFE! You saw the auction - you sent me money - IT'S YOURS.

Protesters in Pakistan Target West
AP - 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
LAHORE, Pakistan - Thousands of protesters rampaged through two cities Tuesday, storming into a diplomatic district and torching Western businesses and a provincial assembly in Pakistan's worst violence against the Prophet Muhammad drawings, officials said. At least two people were killed and 11 injured. Security forces fired into the air as they struggled to contain the unrest in the eastern city of Lahore, where protesters burned down four buildings housing a hotel, two banks, a KFC restaurant and the office of a Norwegian cell phone company, Telenor.

Warning - Ignorant Knee Jerk Reaction
How long do you think it will be before the world gets sick and tired of the "muslim" community destroying everything in its path over every single offense?

Without knowing every single nuance of the climate and society, my western sensibility tells me that if there wasn't already a "War on Islam" as the propaganda claims, then there will be one soon.

The Pendulum swings both ways. For a long while it seemed like "oh my - we can't do X because it will offend Y". But that just feels like a losing battle. Everything will offend Y no matter what. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. World leaders everywhere will eventually stop caring about your "religion" folks. If not, the western media will.

And damnit - they just went too far! They burned down a KFC! Don't they realize how sacred fast food chicken is to the West? Crispy barn yard fowl lovers everywhere will rise up and smite these chicken-less pig dogs from the face of the earth! Make mine extra spicy, because breaded nuggets of fire will rain down on these infidels! Their destruction of the ediface of the Colonel will be their undoing!

Hrm... The Colonel as Muhammed... now there's an image...

People who get pissy when you try to give them an alternate method for doing something can go right to Hell.