December 20, 2007
December 17, 2007
Please no...
*For the record, I am fond of the website of the same name, but I hate that it is called that.
December 12, 2007
Roll Call
I'm just curious who, if anyone, is still reading this blog. We need to spice it up. For now, just let me know if you are still paying attention, even if you don't usually comment or plan to comment.
November 15, 2007
November 9, 2007
November 8, 2007
November 2, 2007
November 1, 2007
October 30, 2007
8 Halloween Costumes Sure To Piss Everyone Off
these are pretty... well, not pc. without a doubt, all are "too soon."
and this...
Ninja Parade Slips Through Town Unnoticed Once Again
October 26, 2007
October 14, 2007
New SNL Digital Short
I don't know what to say. It sort of just speaks for itself. Its just... damn silly. And I can't help but laugh. I'm not sure if it is all the random violence, enthusiastic dancing, funny music, or the zombie cameo at the end.
October 2, 2007
You Don't Know What Hits Are
See video below. Mind you it's on an album that's been out for a good 5 months, yet top 40 radio seems to have ignored it. And I just discovered it on Lightning 100.
Just a sad state of Top 40 who are too busy playing Nickelback or Justin Timberlake....to recognize good songs....
September 26, 2007
September 24, 2007
Discuss...
Nina showed me this editorial in the CSU newspaper on Friday. I was surprised, and assumed that it would produce a good deal of attention and debate, but didn't think it would reach beyond national news. Any thoughts?
September 21, 2007
Things I like
So there isn't anything major going on in my life (I took the GRE this week...yee-haw), and I haven't stumbled upon anything interesting or funny on the internet recently either. So, I thought I'd lay out what I've been doing to keep busy lately. Everything on this list comes highly recommended by me, so I'd advise you to check out anything that sounds interesting.
Superbad: Hopefully most of you have seen this. This has been a really good year for comedies, but I think this one was my favorite. It also has one of the most disgusting things I've seen in a comedy since There's Something About Mary.
Muse: Hunter actually got me started on Muse a couple years ago. If you haven't heard of them, I would describe them as a harder version of Radiohead. I went to see them in concert at Red Rocks on Tuesday and it was amazing. They had 3 huge screens behind them, a display on the platform for the drums and an intricate lighting system. Every song they played had a specific presentation that was tailored to it. It was the best show I've seen in years.
Bioshock: I don't know if anyone else has an Xbox 360 or a high end PC, but if you do, and you like games, you should check out Bioshock. It is one of the best games I've ever played, and I've played quite a few games over the years. You play as a character who survives a plane crash in the middle of the Atlantic only to discover the entrance to a gigantic city built on the bottom of the ocean. The city, Rapture, was founded by a wealthy industrialist who took the philosphy of Ayn Rand a little too seriously, which led to it's collapse (along with rampant genetic modification). There is so much in the game, it's impossible to be concise in describing it. Everything about it is excellent, so click on the link and read the review if you are interested.
(Also Halo 3 comes out tomorrow. All signs point to awesome for that one too.)
Battlestar Galactica (2004): Ok, it's a SciFi Channel original series. Ignore that fact for a second. I would say it is of the same quality as any big budget serialized drama on one of the major networks. The budget is a little smaller, but the special effects are still pretty decent as evidenced by the fairly complicated and intense space battles. The story, acting and direction are all great. The series begins with a miniseries that is the equivalent of about 4 or 5 episodes. Check it out if you enjoy science fiction. Personally this show restored my faith in the genre.
A Song of Ice and Fire: Most fantasy sucks. Tolkein did a great job establishing the genre and providing creatures and archetypes, but it seems like many authors can't move past his ideas. This series of books is shaping up to be better than Lord of the Rings. George R. R. Martin does something that most fantasy writers can't: create compelling and complicated characters. His world isn't populated by virtuous elves and evil hideous orcs. There are only people, many times conflicted and morally ambiguous. His world is also extremely harsh. Beginning with the second book, there is a war raging with the severity of something in Braveheart. HG, if for some reason you read this post, you especially should read this series.
That's all I have. Let me know if anybody checks out any of this and enjoys it.
September 17, 2007
Best Emmy's Moment
Kanye West and Rainn Wilson play "Don't Forget the Lyrics"
Worst Emmy Moment... this is so great. Sally Field says something about the war, but she prefaces it with the word "g-damn" and FOX cut her off (or rather mutes the sound and cuts away on camera). so the internet spins it like this:
Fox censors Sally Field’s anti-war speech at Emmy’s
no, FOX just didn't want to get sued by the FCC... cause you can't say that on primetime television. so so stupid.
September 12, 2007
September 11, 2007
September 7, 2007
August 29, 2007
August 21, 2007
August 20, 2007
August 13, 2007
August 8, 2007
August 7, 2007
August 6, 2007
August 5, 2007
July 31, 2007
woohoo!!
derren brown's new show is on USA right now!!!
(thats the guy who i posted videos about from youtube the one who does mind control stuff....)
he has had a show on the BBC for the last several years and he's finally made it over here...
there have been a few old clips from his show over there but several new segments on the streets of NYC... this guy is so awesome- i just love it-
its on for an hour- between 11-midnight
oh man they just showed some of my favorite clips- with the blank paper money and him getting a guy to hand over his wallet and keys...
Funny Commercial
This is great.
#1, it is really clever, watch it all the way through.
#2, it has a huge french (or french-ish) guy who looks retarded and wears a tiny tiny hat.
You should run this directly in this page as it is embedded below. If you go over to the youtube site, it will ruin the ending for you from the title. You have been warned!
July 29, 2007
pappert-
whats up man? (you're not on facebook, and i dont have your email address so this will have to do)
hows it going?
hows neenya (i'm sure thats how its spelled... 100% sure.... )?
what direction are you heading with your career/ are you planning to do any more school or just gonna stick with the CDC?
give me a call sometime-
615-838-4130
i'm usually up till at least 2am CST... holla...
July 20, 2007
Why I Take So Long to Go Through Pictures
(the one on the left is completely untouched, straight out of the camera.)
hopefully this gives you an idea. i just like giving people the "after" one better.
July 18, 2007
July 13, 2007
July 12, 2007
Look-a-likes
I've never really been a fan of contemporary Christian music. Just merely a personal preference I guess.
Whenever I see the album cover below, I always think of another contemporary pop/rock/alternative album. I would even go as far as to say that Casting Crowns purposesly picked the name and album design to confuse people with Counting Crows.
July 10, 2007
its that time of year...
yeah- nobody cares- but i'm posting a DCI link... cause i like it...
friday is the big MTSU show and if you know me at all- you probably know that i'm feeling like a kid before christmas... hard to really explain- but thats how it is. so suck it.
best part? i guess the first couple of minutes- past the bohemian rhapsody part... this is a mid-level corps ("carolina crown") but one of the best from the southern (musically-underfunded) states- they're sitting about 7th place right now- but their show is a really great experience this year- i gotta give them some e-props...
(FYI: all the music you hear, even the stuff in the background, is them)
yeah... the link is here...
July 9, 2007
July 6, 2007
Fine, I'll post too
Hey everybody. I was shown something interesting on the internet, so I can post it on the blog now. It's a band of sorts that I thought was pretty funny. They are called Flight of the Conchords, and they have a variety of videos on youtube. Check them out, but be warned: their humor is fairly dry. If you'd like specific suggestions: bam, bam, bam and bam.
Did anyone see Transformers? Was I alone in thinking it was AWESOME? In my opinion, it was the best summer movie so far. Let me know what you think.
June 29, 2007
hey bryan, after this post, it's back to your turn to post, then it'll be mine again.
anywho, maybe some random kid from Chile will happen upon this blog and see these pictures and set himself a goal to make it up to Manchester to attend Bonnaroo and then someday actually attend Bonnaroo.
so who's coming next year?
June 27, 2007
June 25, 2007
June 13, 2007
Casa Cantrellsky
So I've been in NJ with Oksana for the last 5 days. It is very exciting, and I can't wait to move (we'll close August 27, 2007) I put together an album of photos of the house. Check it out and let me know:
EDIT (6/20/07): So I finally got around to reading my own post, and I realize I failed to note that the point is that we were in NJ looking for a house and chose this house. Duh
http://www.cbryancan.com/house/house01.html
Also, it is neat to note that the town we are moving to, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, NJ, was #17 overall on the CNN/Money 2006 Best Places to Live (and top in NJ)
June 4, 2007
My letter from the White House
Ok. I'm going to ask you all to please put aside all your political leanings for a second. I realize this guy is not popular, and frankly I don't know if anyone is happy with him (myself included). But think of the president as an office, not a person.
So, when I sent graduation invitations out, I had few extra. Just like when I got my BA, I figured it can't hurt to send one of these to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (look it up if you haven't already figured out what is there). It is mostly for feces and laughter, but I did remember that last time (undergrad) I got a nice prefabricated postcard congratulations from the president. The signature on that card was obviously pre-printed, but still a neat little thing anyway. I had like 5 extra, so it can't hurt right?
Well I was surprised when I got the mail today. There was a large hard envelope from "The White House, Washington, DC." Upon opening it, I found it contained a cardboard backer and this letter:
The stationary and letterhead are actually nice, 100% cotton with metallic embossing. So I'm thinking they just sent me a NICER completely prefabricated letter. But then I started taking a closer look. First of all, the signature was hand written by someone. I know this because it bled through to the back a little bit. It was clearly done in a Sharpie or some other permanent marker.
yes, I do know that celebrities often have people who just sign things on their behalf. But take a look at google images search for "George W. Bush signature" or this example from the White House Website. You have to admit this signature matches those. So either an EXCELLENT forger wrote this OR someone wrote all the signatures contained on the google page and whitehouse.gov above OR George W. Bush actually signed this letter.
Furthermore, other evidence suggests authenticity. 1) If you are going to forge a signature, why bother putting it in a nice envelope with cardboard backing clearly designed to protect the document from damage during transport? 2) Real postage stamps were used, although curiously not canceled (maybe they don't bother since most white house mail doesn't need postage?). Again, why go to the trouble for a fake? It wasn't part of a presorted mass mailing.
I am not so disillusioned as to think that W plopped down in the executive chair in the oval office and typed up a letter for me. PROBABLY the body of the letter is a form sent to JDs . What I think is that he gets a stack of these every so often and signs them as a gesture of good will and public accessibility. Whether I got lucky to be selected or he does all graduate or professional invitations I don't know. Of course there is the cynical view that I got this because I consistently vote republican, including voting for him twice (He's not perfect.. or great.. or maybe even good, but I still think definitely better that Gore or Kerry). There is the paranoid view that the government is watching us all and perhaps saw that I am a Republican becoming less satisfied with the party. Who knows?
One last thing, a little oddity. I don't understand why the letter was addressed to "Christopher B. Cantrell" but the salutation is "Dear Bryan." The invitation definitely said "Christopher Bryan Cantrell." The return label said "C. Bryan Cantrell." I just think it is odd that it got address to one but the salutation is another. Some lowly intern was actually paying attention, at least half way.
Anyway, I just thought it was at least a little bit cool. I mean... maybe this letter was in the oval office a few weeks ago? Some might think it is no big deal at all, but I love government and political theory, so it is just sort of cool.
Immersive Media street-scanning car
here's what they're gonna look like...
check out the 11 lens mounted camera on top...
(this is assuming you've all seen the new google street view.)
say hello to the JL421 Badonkadonk Tank
JL421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser/Tank
(the reviews are hilarious. it's funny how big it looks until you see the picture of the guy in it.)
these are also great:
Relaxman Relaxation Capsule
Inflatable Party Sheep
May 25, 2007
Mmm, spicy Jamaican style!
This is a real product. No joke. I bought one of these in NJ several years ago. I had it for a long time but I haven't seen it lately. Click the title of this post to see the manufacturer's website showing the product.
May 23, 2007
My blog is up
Based on the urging of Josh, I finally got my blog going. It will likely go through some formatting changes in the near future, but I am planning to post every couple of days. I try to keep them short, so I appreciate anyone taking the time to check it out and especially to comment (even if you only have some smartass remark to make... I think you know who I am talking to)
Here you go
May 22, 2007
May 20, 2007
Evey's Birthday
May 18, 2007
May 15, 2007
May 14, 2007
MacGruber
(billy showed me this. i missed it cause i was watching 28 weeks and forgot to set the Videocassette Recorder.)
May 12, 2007
... and yes I AM a lawyer ...
... just an unlicensed one. And I'll be doing something about that in a few months.
May 7, 2007
May 3, 2007
ninjas dancing...
so this is like a dance performed in a round (like row row row your boat...)
first he does it by himself to show you- and then everyone together-
and then they did it in a prison...
May 2, 2007
hot off the presses
Josh Scholes called me today to tell me that he just got engaged!
how about that?
here's a picture of the happy couple- i janked it from facebook- (which i still dont understand why some of you arent on- but thats another story...)
April 23, 2007
derren brown
i wont take up an entire post- but anyone with 10 spare minutes- please do yourself a favor and put "darren brown" into youtube- he's one of the most amazing performers i've ever seen (has his own show on the BBC)- some really really amazing stuff that you can just watch for hours if you've got some spare time- i've put afew videos on My blog if you feel so inclined- i challenge you to find fault in authenticity of the one about the grocery store (the top video)
April 22, 2007
SNL
This is from last night's SNL. The show wasn't very good, but then this sketch came on. And you watch it... and you sit there thinking... this is dumb.. and gross... and then it just gets funny. I can't explain it. And then it goes completely random (esp. the very end). But I loved it.
April 20, 2007
April 19, 2007
April 16, 2007
ESPN map
so.... i was checking out ESPN recently and there was a vote in reference to the fact that South Carolina has a confederate flag flying on the grounds of its capital- it was previously on top of the actual building but in 2000 was moved to the side near the grave of a confederate soldier...
there has been considerable debate about NCAA sporting events being held in the sate- the most recent decision that came down a few months ago was that no conference championships could be held in the state because of the flag-
so they the poll today was:
"Do you object to the presence of a confederate battle flag on the state capitol grounds in South Carolina?" (yes or no)
i found it rather interesting (but i suppose not unexpected) that the vote was pretty close and how certain states fell along a certain line in a certain pattern...
any thoughts?
(p.s.- i voted "no": i think slavery was very very wrong, but i also think that the civil war part of our nation's history is something we should remember-- in order to perhaps prevent such a thing from ever happening again)
Dear Sister
this is hilarious. (man they already took down the first one i put up.)
i'm glad andy and bill are doing so well on snl. it's really impressive being it's their 1st or 2nd season.
did anyone see ATHFCMFT this weekend?
pappert, i'm looking in your direction....
if you did, here are the lyrics to the opening song. (if you havent seen it, the setup is a "let's go out the lobby" song before the movie and it gets interrupted by a very unsavory, pierced, tattooed, heavy metal food item band (Mastodon). they're screaming the lyrics. so much that there are subtitles in the movie for it. it goes like this...)
"Cut You Up With a Linoleum Knife"
Don't talk, watch!
Don't talk, watch!
You came here, watch it!
Don't like it? Walk out!
We still have all your f-ing money!
Do not kick or jiggle the seat in front of you while you are sitting there.
I am everywhere at once and I will cut you up.
If you make out here I will cut your lips and tounge from your head with a LINOLEUM KNIFE!!!!
Do not explain the plot,
if you don't understand then you should not be here
Your money is now our money and we will
SPEND IT ON DRUGS!
Do not crinkle your food wrapers loudly,
be considerate to others
or I will bite your torso
and give you a disease.
Did you bring your baby?
Babies don't watch this.
Take the seed outside.
LEAVE IT IN THE STREET!
Run it over after the show.
If I see you videotaping this movie,
Satan will rain down your throat with hot acid,
and dissolve your testicles and turn your guts into snakes.
This is a copyrighted movie for Time-Warner
If I find you sold it on eBay
I will break into your house and tear your wife in half
April 15, 2007
A Gamers' Manifesto
I stumbled across this and thought it was just too funny not to share with the video game lovers on this blog.
A Gamers' Manifesto
The State Easter Eggs
Each year the 50 states (and District of Columbia) select artists to decorate Easter eggs to the send the White House. The artists within each state vote amongst themselves to select their state's egg to present to the First Lady. Here is Tennessee's egg:
Then there's Wyoming:
Not so good, eh, Wyoming? Here is some background on what happened to Wyoming's egg.
April 14, 2007
April 13, 2007
Will Ferrell short film
Have you guys seen the Will Ferrell/Adam McKay short film called The Landlord? If not, click on the link in the title and enjoy. If someone wants to imbed it in the blog feel free. I thought it was pretty funny, let me know what you think.
Oksana and Bryan circa 2050
I found this really cool thing online that lets you submit a picture and it "ages" you. It will also let you see what you might look like as various races and in a few particular artists unique styles.
Anyway, this is supposedly we will look like when we're "older adults" (I estimated 2050, a nice round number... we'll be 68):
Kinda scary, I think, since it looks like my dad + 15 years.
Check it out for yourself: http://morph.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Transformer/. The aging is much better than the de-aging in my opinion. You can also do humorous pictures of yourself as a few different races.