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Hear it while you read: Creepin Up the Backstairs
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When it comes to fun garage laden rock with a punk twist, the fratellis seem to have got it right with Costello Music. I probably would have reviewed this a long time ago, but I’ve been stuck listening to it for a few months now. You may recognize the song Flathead from Apple’s Itunes commercials.

From beginning to end the album exudes what fun music should be. Top to bottom, this is one indie rock album that is insanely catchy and potent. You’ll even hear echoes of the Kinks, and early Beatles; and their music is very reflectant of those influences. Although the melodies lack range, it gives you moments to enjoy the instrumentals which are so full of sound and energy.

But most of Costello is like a madcap Glasgow pub crawl: It makes you elated in the moment and sorry when it’s over. - Rolling Stone

Their music is earning more attractive critiques, garnering comparisons to compatriots like the Kooks, Dirty Pretty Things, and Babyshambles. – Spin

I absolutely believe anyone could enjoy a track or two on this album, it’s far too much fun to not enjoy. I can understand that possibly some people may be sick of the Itunes song, but there is a lot more to the album and should be listened to.

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Why can’t they put HD camera’s in cop cars these days. Have you ever actually watched any of those videos from the camera in the car? The image is so fuzzy, its like watching YouTube while squinting and sitting in a chair comfortably 10 feet away from your screen. I’d just like to watch in High Definition, and in superb sound quality for that matter, someone getting arrested, or a wild car chase. Is that so bad.

See what I mean:

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I was reading about new vehicles in concept stages that automakers are trying to develop to mitigate the high emissions and fuel shortage problems, and came about a very promising and interesting vehicle GM and Chevrolet are attempting to bring into the market.

The Chevrolet Volt is GM’s new plug-in hybrid which uses a lithium ion battery powered electric motor supplemented by a gasoline powered engine as a generator to recharge the batteries. This is somewhat reverse from traditional hybrids (a gas engine with electric assist) and seems to be a positive step in the direction of reducing emissions.

While current hybrids employ a battery-powered electric motor to supplement or complement a gasoline-powered engine, the Volt runs only on electric power until the battery runs down. Then and only then does the internal combustion engine kick in but not to propel the car but to feed the onboard generator that produces electricity while the car is operating. The electricity is then stored in the battery. Energy normally lost in braking also is recaptured and sent to the battery. The batteries can also be recharged by plugging into an electrical outlet.

GM says the Volt will save a driver about 500 gallons of fuel per year, which should net a savings of about $900 per year (assuming gas is like $2.40 p/gal). Your average increase in electric bill (when charging at home) will be an extra $300 or so a year.
But the most important factor will be that it saves the environment about 4.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide which would be emitted into the air.

The great part is the electric motor will run the car about 40 miles with no gasoline engine assistance. So for your typical commute, you would not be using any gasoline whatsoever, which is nice for your wallet and also our planet.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been far too long since I last posted, so inspired by the discovery channels special on the Galapagos, I figured I’d do animal factoids…

• The milk of a hippo is bright pink.
• A ducks quack doesn’t echo and no one knows why.
• Jaguars are afraid of dogs, even little ones.
• Sitatunga, an African antelope, has the rare ability to sleep under water.
• A chimpanzee can learn to recognize itself in a mirror, but monkeys can’t.

and finally, an albatross can sleep while it flies. It apparently dozes while cruising at 25 mph.

Let the geek insults ensue.

For anyone that is in to social networking, or as I like to call it, the devil’s workshop, please check out virb, who has recently gone public. I was cool enough to be invited for the beta testing of this website. It is basically like a MySpace on steroids.

For those who love customization, especially on their social networking websites, this is for you, albeit you are a small group, it does not take away from the point that Virb has the potential to blow myspace out of the water. Unfortunately it may be a difficult climb, as myspace has a virtual (pun intended) chokehold on this corner of the world.

It seems as though virb could become huge, and would be worth checking out, if you can get past the fact that it isn’t myspace. But it is a lot nicer looking, and far more customizable.  They are really trying to put into effect user driven content, and will be linking a lot of culture including: Music, Video, Blogs, Fashion, Photography, Design, Comedy, Art, Sports, etc. etc.

Check it out here: http://www.virb.com ; and friend me, http://www.virb.com/jaggedlines