Remember Black Bart Simpson??

Like so many classic cartoon characters throughout the years, The Simpsons created a world wide Mega fan base and popularity. And with the fan base and popularity comes the bootlegging.

Back in the early 90s, you couldn't go to a weekend swap meet without finding bootleg cartoon characters sprawled on an XXXL t-shirts. Most of the dressed in urban attire and colored in to be turned into a minority. There is Latino Micky and Minnie Mouse, Asian Bugs Bunny and the most popular by far, The Black Simpsons, and the leader of the ethnic alternative is 'Black Bart Simpson' himself.

I suddenly remembered the counter fitted character this morning after watching an early episode from 1990, I flashed back to the days where a chocolate Bart in a jersey with a basketball and tracks shaved on the sides of his head graced my p.j. shirt. Call it ghetto if you must but the swapmeet was the hot spot to be on weekends in Las Vegas in the 1980s.

When The Simpsons first hit the airwaves, the star of the show was Bart (before Homer became the shows mascot), and everybody and their mama was doing the 'Bartman'.
Thanks to the ginormous commerical success of hip-hop in the early 90s, Bart Simpson began rapping himself in the Simpson's album, The Simpsons Sing The Blues. Thus the yellow Dennis the Menece found himself spitting lines from popular rap songs and calling people 'Homeboy'.

The Streets of New York were suddenly selling black Bart shirts: decked in gangsta apparel, slamming dunks on the court and wearing African fezes. We had taken him as our own...and ripped off Groening.

Click here to read an article all about the Black Bart franchise in The Washington Post by David Mills and why the black communitiy wanted to related to this famopus cartoon character. It was published on June 28, 1990. This was the only article or useful piece of information I could find about Black Bart, seriously.

And, just for fun, here is Bart Simpson's "Deep, Deep Trouble", produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff, from their 1990 album The Simpsons Sing The Blues. And if your asking, yes, I did have it-still do.

Kids run, swim, pedal at triathalon

With the aim of introducing outdoor sports to youngsters younger than 12, several families gathered early Saturday morning at the Sparks Marina for the Third Annual Sparks Paddle, Pedal, Patter Kids Triathlon.

The triathlon included swimming, biking and running and, for the first time, kayaking.

"It's being physically active in a noncompetitive setting," said Kathleen Bloom, recreation supervisor of Parks and Recreation for the city of Sparks and also director for the annual event. "It's giving kids a chance to have fun and not so much on competition.

"We're proud of our marina and want to make use of it," Bloom said. "So, we added kayaking this year. We want to expose the kids to another sport."

The event was not just for kids, but for the entire family.

"We encourage parents to go along with their children through the paths to encourage them," Bloom said. "We want everyone to come out and have a good time."

Audrey Blondfield, 10, was the first place winner for the triathlon in her first year at the event.

She smiled and said she was "tired" after the event.

Her family met her at the finish line.

"She's been wanting to do this for a while now," said her mother, Jodie Blondfield, "We knew she'd be great at the swimming, she's part of the Sparks Piranhas swim team so it didn't intimidate her."

Her father, David Blondfield, also has competed in many triathlons.

"We've been running together lately," he said. "I took her to a mountain bike race, and Audrey said, 'I can do this.'"

They promised to be back next year.

Logan Thomason, 9, won third place in the triathlon. It was his second year participating.

"I thought it was really fun," Logan said, swinging the medal he won around his neck. "Especially the variety of sports, you can kayak, swim or walk through the water. It was fun to try something new and a little different."

"It's a chance to introduce them to physical activities." Caryn Thomason, Logan's mother, said. "It's also a great way to have fun on a Saturday morning and the great weather."

Bloom was proud of the outcome.

"The best part about it is the smiles when the kids cross the finish line," Bloom said. "They feel like it's the Olympics."

Photo by Andy Barron/Reno Gazette-Journal
Children take to the water for the Paddle, Pedal, Patter Kids Triathlon on Saturday at the Sparks Marina. Log on to RGJ.com to view a slideshow of the event.

Slasher recreates 80s thrash metal, will probably f*&@!?$ kill you

Sh*t + thrash = slash. That equation equals one of Reno's most famous and infamous bands, Slasher.

"Slash metal, nothing technical just simple 80s thrash riffs, silly a$$ song writing and mostly sh*t," says lead vocalist and guitarist Death Steve about the band, his pride and joy.

Dressed in black, 80s metal shirts, endless vulgarities, and METAL METAL METAL, this is Slasher and their reign of loud, in-your-face madness has enlisted a massive fan base that has reno on their knees.

"Basically it was an idea, ever since I was a little kid growing up in the 80s I remember seeing the dirt bag heavy metal kids, band shirts and heavy metal art work," Steve said. "Metal became a dirty word and basically I was thinking how rad the whole dirt-bag metal culture was. I was enthralled with it."

Slasher is made up of three old friends: Death Steve on lead guitar, Awlbawls Paul on bass and Thayne in the basement on drums. Together for four years, the band lives by the three rules of Slasher, Rock. F*$!. Kill.

"In high school I was way into Slayer," Steve said. "I thought of the Slasher idea as dirty 14-year-old metal kids drinking beer, killing cats and getting into trouble. It's a juvenile expression of pure 80s metal, hedonism in metal, and F%@! everything else. We’re going to be ridiculous."

Slasher came together for the love of the music-their strong passion for metal and their "total f^@!ing Slayer worship".

The band is playing with a handful of others on Saturday night at Studio 4 on fourth and Valley Road as part of the Rock for Rock's Sake. Even though the basis of the band's idea may seem dark and bleak, Steve is extremely and positive and optimistic.

"We're going to have a good time, mostly to have fun and surprise a few people,"
Steve said, "Be the odd man, cause no matter where we go we’re the F&@!ing weirdos and inspire kids. A big chunk[at our shows of the crowd is usually 'What the F*@!, and the other part totally gets it and loves it.

"Kids will come up and say, your just like us, they get the humor and appreciate the vulgarity of the lyrics," Steve says with gusto as he clips his sharp nails on break at work over the phone. His band is his angry rotten little snot faced kid, and he loves it. You can tell in the way he speaks about Slasher.

"We do it for anyone who loves metal and understands that sometimes music doesn't need to be taken seriously and the serious part is having fun. " Steve said. "We do a different thing with our band, now a days people take music in the technicality, try to fit it into a certain scene. We’re doing our own thing, it's not about the scene. We want to inspire."

Slasher is currently recording their new album, Smell Awaits.

Go to their myspace to listen to their music

See Slasher on Saturday July 28 at Studio 4 at 2:00 pm. So much awesomeness your head will explode.

The Simpsons Greatest guest voices

Bullz-eye.com has contributed to the endless bunch of Simpson lists that have taken over the Internet.

Bullz-eye has created The Simpsons (87) Greatest guest voices about the most from the good years for their website, reminiscingmemorable guest voices featuring Albert Brooks, Glenn Close, Michael Jackson, Phil Hartman,George Harrison, Anne Bancroft, Tito Puente and many many more.

Here is part of the article written by Will Harris and David Medsker:

2. Danny Devito

CHARACTER: Herb Powell, Homer's long-lost half-brother and a millionaire automaker who, within days of their first meeting, Homer manages to completely bankrupt.
EPISODES: "Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?" (Season 2), "Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?"(Season 3)

	Lisa: Why didn't you write, Unckie Herb? Herb: Hey, if I wrote to you, what was I supposed to say?"Dear Lisa, last night I used a rat for a pillow, thanks to your pop?"

7. Michael Jackson

CHARACTER: Leon Kompowski, a large white man who believes he’s Michael Jackson.
EPISODE: "Stark Raving Dad" (Season 3)

Homer: If you ever find your marbles, come visit us. Leon Kompowski: Well, how about today? I'm only here voluntarily. Homer: You are!? Why? Leon Kompowski: Well, back in 1979, I got real depressed when my Off the Wall album just got one lousy Grammy nomination. 39. Michelle Pfieffer CHARACTER: Mindy Simmons, the nuclear power plant’s new "token" female employee with whom Homer becomes instantly smitten. EPISODE: "The Last Temptation of Homer"(Season 5) Homer: Uh...so, let's have a conversation. Um...I think we'll find we have very little in common. Mindy Simmons: Can't talk. Eating. Homer: Hey, my favorite -- raspberry swirl with a double glaze. Mindy Simmons: Double glaze... (Starts drooling) Homer: D'oh! Okay, so we have one thing in common. But you know what I hate? Drinking beer and watching TV. Mindy Simmons: Oh, not me. That's my idea of heaven. Homer: D'oh! Me too. Mindy Simmons: Really? I can see I'm gonna love working with you. Well, gotta go. (Whispers) I wanna sneak in a quick nap before lunch. (Walks off) Homer: Foul temptress. I'll bet she thinks Ziggy's gotten too preachy, too!

Here is a smaller but equally awesome list from Duff Gardens.

My personal favorite guest voice is #6 Dustin Hoffman as Mr. Bergstrom, hands down the sexiest cartoon substitute teacher EVER! Lisa fell in love with him in season two, "Lisa's Substitute" and could you blame her? Those eyebrows, that deep Dustin Hoffman charm, his broad knowledge of Jewish cowboys...yowza.

Awesome Music Video Wednesday

I would just like to announce my upcoming big move to Atlanta,Georgia in two weeks. I'm packing my bags and heading south with my boyfriend to greener pasture and leaving behind my home state of Nevada. Come on, I've been here for almost 23 years and the time has DEFINITELY come.

Please, no, don't cry for me readers, you'll find me again. Although I'll be leaving my beloved blog behind I plan on converting it to an independent blog-which means the weird can only get weirder. Look for me on the web in the fall!

It's time to shed my audacious college girl persona behind and venture into the adult world (i.e. welcome to hell). That's why I chose Sublime's Bad Fish for today's AMVW.

Sublime, to me, represents the lazy and reckless days of my youth. Easy, west coast style; living in your swim suit all summer long, sneaking into movies, staying up all night and sleeping all day, getting into trouble and madness and just looking forward to the next day. You always think that these days will never end-until you get that wake up call that forces you to grow up.

Sublime was always playing-at the pool, in the car, in our bedrooms and at parties. Road trips to Santa Cruz and San Francisco were spent listening to Bradley Nowell's perfect pitch that every girl fell in love with. The cool sounds of dub style rock that went along to the beat of your heart.

Another tragic talent in the world of music that died much too young, Nowell died at 28, just one year older than those in the "club" of rock star prodigies who died at 27 (Hendrix, Joplin, Morrison and Cobain).

They all died young, stuck in time forever holding onto their troublesome youth. Although it's extremely difficult to make the transition to adult life it should be seen not as a punishment but as part two of your life on this planet.

Sublime is my true first love for sure, so please enjoy the nice and easy sounds of "Bad Fish". And remember, growing up isn't so bad, you should be proud you made it this far!

It's a House of Cosbys

I've debated for months. I've fought with myself whether those who haven't heard of this fantastic creation, should.

I finally have decided...more people in this world need to know about The House of Cosbys.

Before Vh1's Acceptable .TV, a 30 minute comedic show featuring five three minute mini-shows, there was Channel 101. Channel 101 is a website where, similar to Acceptable.TV, folks can submit their own five minute pilots and viewers can choose what stays and what goes.

In 2005, Channel 101 young talent Justin Roiland created 'The House of Cosbys", a hysterical animated short about one Bill Cosby fan and his cloning machine that keeps producing Cosbys to entertain him. It's kind of like Multiplicity, except funny. Each Cosby has their own purpose, like dancing Cosby, moral support Cosby, Curiosity Cosby and Bath tub Cosby. They each resemble the comedian but in their own way, while consistently using the same words, "Theo" "Rudy" and "Ya see".

It was a success, following three more episodes-although the first one is the funniest in my opinion. The rest of the House of Cosby series is odd and random, featuring hundreds of more Cosbys such as Mood Swing Cosby, BC-D2, Data Analysis Cosby, Cosbyette, The Cosby Team Triosby and the Evil Cosby. As you can see, it gets pretty ridiculous.

But of course, the MAN had to step in and take legal action against the series; the man being Bill Cosby himself.

As if the whole world doesn't do enough Bill Cosby impersonations???

Channel 101's administrator Dan Harmon received a letter from Cosby's attorney:

We have just learned that you offer a deeply offensive animated film that you created, entitled "House of Cosbys". [...] As you are certainly aware, none of you are licensed or in any way authorized to use Mr. Cosby's voice, name, or likeness. [...] Therefore, we demand that you immediately cease and desist from any use of our client's name, voice, and likeness, including the development and distribution of the "House of Cosbys" series.

Bill must have not liked the idea of a house of credulous and crude cosbys running around like nutcases. Why?? So funny!

Harmon responded about the whole ordeal in a Statement on Channel 101, you can read it here.

The actions of Cosby's legal team are somewhat laughable, somewhat sad and ultimately symbolic of a quantum shift in the business of entertainment: The Internet is breaking a zillion dollar pinata, free candy is flying everywhere and the candy companies are understandably upset. You can't control digital information the way you can control radios, television and movies. Lawyers threatening web sites, the FCC clamoring to regulate cable, record labels making speeches about mp3s: I hear it all as a death rattle. They have my sympathy but not my respect.

The rest is history. And although House of Cosbys is not shown on Channel 101, you can find it almost anywhere on the web. And bless those crazed and maniacal, kooky kids at Channel 101 for standing their ground, fighting for their creative justice and giving the world the gift of House Of Cosbys.

Unfortunately I can't post the video here because it's kind of sick and twisted and may be offense to some. That's probably why it's so great!

You can watch House of Cobsys here,
and don't forget to get yourself a jell-o pudding pop ya see.

From Cromulant to Craptacular: The Top 12 Simpsons-Created Words

Cracked.com is known for their offbeat and hilarious lists for every aspect of pop culture.

With the upcoming release of The Simpsons Movie comes the enormous hype that has been unleashed worldwide: the numerous 7-11 makeovers to Kwik-E-Marts, BurgerKing's new Simpsonizeme website that uploads your photo and turns you into a Simpson-esque character, Mr. Burns taking over the blog of David Neeleman, JetBlue's chairman and founder and the giant Homer holding a doughnut painted on the Dorset hillside in Britain next to the Cerne Abbas Giant. The pagans weren't too happy about that.

Cracked.com has created their own list of the Top 12 Simpsons-created words, a collection of hysterical and memorable words from popular episodes that, if you watch enough Simpsons, you will remember. Unfortunately Jebus and Yoink didn't make the list but are recognized as honorable mentions.

My favorite has to be "cromulent", as in "Embiggen is a perfectly cromulent word" from the Jebediah Springfield episode. The word is used throughout the episode, along with Embiggen to make bigger or overpower. Hilarity ensues.

Harry Potter Party at Borders

If you haven't seen it already, venture over to my Harry Potter Party gallery at Borders on Friday night.

I arrived around 11pm and found myself lost in a sea of Potter people, many dressed up as wizards, witches and students of Hogwarts.

Many fans also wore stickers that based on whether they believed the character of Snape would be loyal or betray. What do you think will happen??

I felt a bit out of place at first but was soon welcomed by the swarm of giddy fans bouncing and shaking with excitement. From the pictures you can see the enthusiasm in everyone. It's wonderful that a book can get so many people of all ages reading!!

A few of the pictures were taken by Rachel Levy, special to the Reno Gazette-Journal, as she went earlier in the evening to catch more pictures of kids.

Windy skies greet family kite event

Winds picked up just in time for the fourth annual Northwest Reno Kid's Kite Festival on Saturday afternoon.

The festival began at Northgate Park near Robb Drive and featured an assortment of colored kites soaring around the park's sky.

Event sponsors included the Sommerset Development and the local neighborhood advisory board.

"It's great because kids get to get outside and enjoy themselves," said Jocelyn Lantrip, the marketing manager of the Sommerset Development. "They get to be creative at the same time too."

The festival, which is part of Artown, is not just for the people of Sommerset, she said, it's for all of Reno and free, too.

"It grows every year, and we got a really big response this year."

The community groups provided markers and glitter for children to decorate easy-to-assemble kite kits. Plastic rods helped finish the assembly job.

Kids and their parents crowded the park tables, adding multicolored garnishes to the kites.

A group of parents sat around at the kite station known as the "frustrationless flier," said Trish Tucker of the neighborhood advisory board.

"It's the busiest it's ever been" she said, smiling as she watched several youngsters run around the park.

The kite station provided the sturdy strings for the kites.

Multicolor ribbons were added, the color choice depending on the child's preference.

"We have a good relationship with Sommerset," Tucker said. "And it's great to get kids playing outside and enjoying the summer."

On the grass, Scott Coontadt helped his son Brandon, 11, untangle the strings of his crimson ribbon kite.

"This event is very cool," Coontadt said as he freed his son's kite. "We will absolutely return next year."

With the knots then untwisted, the kite was tossed to hover in the blue sky.

"In the four years we've had this event, this is the best attendance for our Artown event," said Sue Ward of the neighborhood advisory board.

Go to Andy Barron's Kite Festival photo gallery for more pictures.

Photo:

ANDY BARRON/RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

Dante Dominquez, 2, cheers as he and his father, Rich Dominquez, get their kite kit in the air Saturday at the fourth annual Northwest Reno Kid’s Kite Festival at Northgate Park. The Artown event, which was sponsored by the Northwest Reno advisory board and Somerset, included free kites, refreshments and art supplies for decorating the kites.

Philippine prisoners reenact "Thriller"

Yeah, you read the headline right. I don't know whether to kiss the feet of those at Best Week Ever or Youtube for providing our lives with endless absurd entertainment but bless them both. Because my head is about to explode from all the work I'm doing this week I haven't been posting much-sorry Awesome music video Wednesdays. Therefore I'm reduced to post ridiculous viral videos that crack me up.

Here we have the inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines recreating Michael Jackson's "Thriller", staring a collection of inmates and one pony tailed drag queen as the girlfriend. What a performance. Thank god for the Internet.

Buster's school of magic tricks

Hey guys I really apologize for the slow week but it's not slow for me!! I have tons to do but will still post wonderful and delicious entertainment just for you. It just might be cramped all together tomorrow. For now, enjoy this video from Funny or Die- Just in time for Harry Potter. Without a School voucher aspiring wizards can't go to Hogwarts, instead they are sent Buster's school of magic tricks.

Reno celebrates 40th Basque festival

The bright colors of red and green splashed the grounds of Wingfield Park near the Truckee River on Saturday to celebrate the 40th annual Reno Basque Festival.

The colors were worn by patrons and the Zazpiak Bat Basque Club members to show off the proud Basque culture that flows through Reno.

The festival began with the pledge of allegiance recited by Jim Ithlurralde, the Basque Festival announcer since 1972, and The Basque National Anthem, "Gernikako Arbola," was sung shortly after.

The Reno Zazpiak Bat dancers, led by instructor Kathleen Camino, performed traditional dances.

Andie Swanson, member of Reno's Basque club, watched as her daughter, Courtney, led a traditional Basque dance while holding an American flag on the Wingfield stage. Swanson is in charge of the Basque sports including weightlifting and wood chopping.

"It's fun because I get to take care of the big boys," Swanson said.

Swanson was once a Reno Zazpiak Bat dancer as well.

"Then I became a teenager. You go your own way," she said. "But you always find your way back."

Swanson is a second-

generation Basque. Her grandparents came to the United States in the 1920s on a ship that arrived at Ellis Island. She inherited her grandmother's $20 gold piece from the 1920s, as well as a gold necklace she wore.

"It's very special to me," she said.

Swanson has worked with the Zazpiak Bat Basque Club for so many years that she said she couldn't remember the exact number.

"The Reno Basque Festival brings us all together as one," Swanson said. "We're one big, happy group."

Basque club members were stirring giant pots under the tents to make stew with pork loins, potatoes, beans, onions and chorizo, which is sausage.

Local artists Linda Barrenchea and Holly Waltz were selling their handcrafted gourds. They came in all shapes, sizes and colors -- brightening up the booth they were held at Saturday.

The gourds, Barrenchea said, can be made with leather or silk dye.

"They are all different in their own way," Barrenchea said. "They are similar to pottery, but you can make masks and other decorative objects with them. We look at a gourd and say, 'What can we try with it?"

A weightlifting demonstration was held in the afternoon followed by a wood chopping demonstration.

Printed on the back of Swanson's shirt was a colorful display in bright red and green letters that read "Eat, Drink, and Be Basque!!"

"The Basque festival is important because it's going back to our roots," Swanson said. "Nobody's a stranger here, and everybody is a friend.

Photos: ANDY BARRON/RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

Shaylene Lewis of San Diego is cheered on by her family and friends as she competes in the weight-carrying contest in which female contestants carry two 75-pound weights on Saturday at the 40th annual Reno Basque Festival at Wingfield Park. Lewis carried the two weights for 214 yards.

Check out my gallery of the Basque Festival at RGJ.com
Click to see photographer Andy Barron's Gallery here.

Plenty of shows this weekend!

This weekend there's a lot going on, so plan on doing something suckas!

Tonight, July 13, at the Truckee Regional Amphitheater is the 80s British SKA band The English Beat and Reno's own Keyser Soze for an all ages concert. Gates open at 6pm.

A huge Reggae show to save the River School will take place on Saturday at the river school om 7777 White Fir Street in West Reno. The show features Zion Roots, Jahzilla and JTHX Reggae Shack DJ Too Dread, and the Mark Sexton Band. Show starts at 6pm all ages with a $10 suggested donation. For more info call 427-2182.

Over at The Studio on 4th (432 Fourth Street) on Saturday, The Holland Project presents rock bands Rocky Votolato, Langhorne Slim, My Flag is on Fire and Buster Blue for an all ages show at 6pm. $10 Holland is also delivering a show on Sunday with The Bindle Stiffs at Satellite Lounge. $10 show starts at 8pm.

La Bussola (now located at 20 Cheney Street at Salon 7) is celebrating their 4th anniversary party from 5pm-7pm on Saturday July 14. Hank The Revelator will also be there reading his poetry and stories. For more info go to the Artown website.

Also The Basque Festival Saturday 10am-5pm at Wingfield Park is always a nice cultural experience, I'll be covering it for Sunday's paper.

AND... The Reno Gazette-Journal's own photographer Candice Towell will be presenting their intimate look at Rabondo and Megwarra, Kenya with photos and stories. PLUS amazing jewelry for sale made by the people of Kenya, the money goes to the villages. It starts at 6pm over at 5 Sunnycrest Drive. If you missed it last year you really should go this year, it's an amazing presentation. Read my article about October's show, Kenya in Pictures.

And now, just to leave you all content before your weekend begins one of my favorite viral videos, the Stoned Professor...enjoy! "Boston's a great city!"-Best part

TWO, TWO, TWO Awesome Music Video Wednesdays in one

The Vino Italian Restarunt and Lounge is a wild and ravenous hot spot at 2 am. Dozens of sweaty and inebriated bodies rub together under a manic strobe light to New Wave and other 80s songs. Often when I'm there I do wonder how much more general 80s songs I can take. I love the 80s, but who can really groove to "I Love Rock and Roll" and "Pour some sugar on me" five times during the night?? I can't ever-but very seldom do they play a song that is perfect at 12:30 am on a Friday night with your best friends and dancing like a bumped-out Mick Jagger.

Two of the best songs they play is The Cure's 'Close to me' and Tom Tom Club's 'Genies of Love'. Now they don't play them very often, if at all. And even when you rush up to the DJ booth and wail out your favorite song for them to play, chances are you'll hear it after you leave. But you gotta give it to the DJs, they have hundreds of drunks who want to hear their favorite song right away-a DJ's job is never done

'Close to me' is my absolute, hands down, favorite Cure song, The song is upbeat and playful with an addictive and bouncy baseline. It's one of the happier tunes given by The Cure, most of them a little darker, the goth side of 80s pop.

The song sounds to be about waiting for a loved one to return after being gone for a while. While waiting their return, Smith is sick with anticipation, wanting to sleep days away to get closer to the day that person comes back. But that's just my opinion. The lyrics are exhilarating and an uncomfortable reminder of what anxiously waiting is like. As Tom Petty puts it, "The waiting is the hardest part."

The video is a little strange; the group members rolling around in a tiny, tumbling house crowded by tight interior and water continuously filling up. You won't hear it too often at Vino's so make sure to request it-go ahead, do it!



This song is a fantastic one-hit piece of danceable perfection. Tom Tom Club's 'Genius of Love' was their only hit but totally one of the best dance songs to come out of the 1980s. Talking Heads members Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz branched off to make the Tom Tom Club, a funk inspired pop turn from their predeceasing band.

Like a Rasta song with a little faster tempo and entrancing female voices, the tropical feel is more than refreshing. You can't listen to it in a bad mood- or else it will change the mood for you. And the baseline? Ah, you'll notice I have an obsession with funky baselines, maybe it's the black in me but I think it's the perfect ingredient to a song.

The video is unforgettable-it's colorful, off the wall cartoons sparkle up the screen and bounce to the beat. It reminds me of teenager girly doodling: a million hearts, rainbows, spiral designs, kissing fish and dancing dogs. It brings you back to a less industrious time, when the worst worry in your life was if you and your best friend were crushing on the same guy.



Buy The Cure's Greatest Hits or 'Head on the Door' at Amazon.com
Buy Tom Tom Club at amazon.com as well!

And hey, I love Vinos regardless of what they play, 'Girls just wanna have fun' sung by a hundred trashed women at 2 am isn't better anywhere else.

People of Keizer, OR : Gettcha mind outta the gutter!

The City of Keizer, Oregon has a few things on their dirty little minds. A group of cement posts were installed around the city and a bunch of residents have complained that the posts look a bit phallic.

Are you kidding me? Maybe it's the summer heat making everyone hot but WOAH, cool out people!

By Melica Johnson and KATU Web Staff

KEIZER, Ore. - The City of Keizer is taking heat for installing a group of cement posts designed to protect pedestrians from cars, but which some say is a phallic symbol.

A total of 52 of the posts were installed at a busy intersection in Keizer and they are getting a lot of second glances.

A number of residents have complained to the city that the posts resemble male genitalia.

"I can't disagree with that," said City Manager Chris Eppley. "They certainly did not turn out the way we anticipated."

According to Eppley, the posts were ordered from a catalog and looked much different on paper.

"They're a standard style," Eppley said. "I think in the right context they look fine. They just happened not to (look fine) here."

Read the rest of the article here!!!

Next thing you know there's going to be a boycott on the yield sign!

People of Keizer, you get it!

Who's your favorite Simpsons Character?

How can anyone not like The Simpsons? I've loved and dedicated my Sunday nights for 18 years to the show, even catching them before commericals on the Tracey Ullman show when I was five.

With all the hundreds of characters ever to appear on The Simpsons, how can you pick ONE favorite character??

Over at RedEye, they've come up with "Best Simpsons Character" tournament. Although not EVERY character is included, most of the typical cast is on the list.

Go vote for your favorites in the first round. I have to give to Krusty the Clown, who I've always had a soft spot for. After decades of being on television and lost in an abyss of alcohol, cigarettes, depression and Xanax, the clown continues to do it for the kids.


Read Merrie's TV blog to see a list of Vanity Fair's 10 best Simpsons Episodes.

Who's your favorite character or which character would you have liked to see on the list?
Unfortunatly you won't be seeing the Yes Guy on the list, another hilarious recurring character, but cross your fingers that he's in the movie.

Thank you readers!!!

Hey guys, I had no idea so many of you actually read my little blog!!!

Now that it's just me writing about whatever and random nonsense, I thought for sure I wasn't getting many readers, but I'm number four on the blog list with 1,391 for July 2-July 8!! Thanks guys!!!

Of course Mostly Dogs, Dining Defined and Film rant are in front of me but it's pretty hard to top animals, food and movies-plus they've been doing this stuff for years!!

Not too bad for little ol' me who posts videos of craw fish on treadmills.

Thank you again readers, couldn't do it without you!!

Walk It Out, Fosse

Thanks to the Best Week Ever blog for the idea, here's a hot little mash up of The Unk's "Walk It Out" to Tony award winning dancer and actress Gwen Verdon dancing Fosse style in the mid 60s. The best of both worlds, this little you tube gem is not the only "walk it out" mash up, but definitely the best.



Work it girls!

Nikki Beach photos

Woah, the new Nikki Beach pool at The Grand Sierra Resort is like nothing I've seen here in Reno!

It was like a Miami Beach style resort meets the Las Vegas nightlife-in RENO!

This is just what Reno needs, especially during this ridiculously hot summer. The pool is open all day and although it's closed at night (for safety reasons I'm sure), the atmosphere keeps Nikki Beach a cool place to be this summer.

Check out the photos I took at RGJ photos.

Friday afternoon excitement-hilarity ensues

This weekend there are a few things going on this weekend including at Contemporary Gallery benefit tonight July 6th at XOXO featuring Amber Rubarth, Buster Blue and Schixopolitan as well art Chase Chivers and live artwork by Erik Burke, Rob Brown and Omar Pierce. The show is a club pick on Misc. Debris
and I got the info from fellow RGJer Merrie Leininger, thanks Merrie.
$5 cover and $1 tall cans of PBR

Saturday night is the opening night of Nikki Beach, the Grand Sierra Resorts outdoor pool and cabana. I will be there taking pictures of party goers and watching L.A. Guns. Jason Kellner put up a more descriptive blog at Misc. Debris as well! :)

So have a good weekend everyone, and enjoy my favorite viral video of the month.

Eye-popping "cartoon couture" by Cassette Playa

The future of fashion is here, and it's getting bigger, brighter and more outrageous than ever. Carri Mundane is a British artist and fashion designer, known as Cassette Playa, and she's quickly becoming the hottest new designer that's infecting the london underground scene.

Using a concoction of early 90s chroma featuring safety orange, florescent lime green and soda pop purple, Mundane's imaginative cerebra has brought elements of early video games, psychedelia and the nu rave movement.

Nu rave you say? Didn't that mess die out in the late 90s? Over in London, a new wave of talent is emerging using pixel designs and hallucinogenic colors to transform the sense of style for a mental and visual overload enough to insight seizures.

Mundane's mind-tripping designs have already conquered Tokyo, London, Copenhagen and are taking over New York along with the nu-rave scene featuring early 90s track suits, colored tights and bright neon Reeboks. Remember Neneh Cherry-well think her, dipped in a liquidized Crayola box (sans brown and black), put into a sonic-the-hedgehog video game and fed LSD.

Only Mundane creates the experience of an uncontrollable acid-trip without taking drugs. She creates these digital prints as entertainment for the eye and mind, her clothes featured in London's fashion week earlier this year.

Not only has Mundane's fashion raided the youth of London, she also designs clothes for English Sri Lanka born rapper/singer M.I.A, Nu Rave punks The Klaxons and Sh*tDisco.

It's true this style is hard to pull off, especially in Reno, but I wouldn't be surprised if in the next few years, or even in 2008, you'll see the trend on all the kids of the downtown nightlife. Ladies, if you look a little deeper at Wet Seal you'll notice the colors hidden in the racks...it's coming.






See more of her imaginative designs here, featuring her trademark pineal eye.
or here.
Here is a piece on her from Topmanzine.
Watch out, Cassette Play's website may make your eyes bleed. So will M.I.A's.


Cassette Playa (bottom right), designs by Cassette Playa

All that, and a bag of chips

Ok so I might have not said that since 1996 but according to Radar that marvelous phrase is number 24 in their list of 50 Things You Should Never Say.

Their hilarious list includes In Living Color's most famous character Homey in the clown's catch phrase 'Homey don't play that'-45, the dark teenager's favorite clothing store : 'This old thing? Got it at Hot Topic'-17, the over played film critics response to comedy-You'll laugh until it hurts, and beg for more-36, and a more recent remark ranking number 4-check it out.

The list is pretty funny so go read it in it's entirety and Radar's other oblong and entertaining articles at radaronline.com

Awesome Music Video Thursday

Did you enjoy your burnt crumbled burgers and warm Pabst Blue Ribbon in bottle form this Fourth of July? I did, but damn was it hard coming back to work today.

For today's late AMVW, I wanted to pick in all American musician in celebration for Independence day so I went with Tom Petty.

I was lucky enough to WITNESS Tom Petty at Vegoose 2006 last year, and even in the freezing desert night he was fantastic!!

We managed to watch a few minutes of his act before sprinting to my truck and watching him from the parking lot. It was an icebox that night, but we still managed to enjoy the 56-year-old's energetic performance.

If you don't think that a massive crowd of people screaming the words to "Free Falling" back at Petty's toothy grin isn't all American than you can shut the hell up.

In his third decade as a musician, Petty isn't planning on backing down anytime soon, playing music festivals like Vegoose and Bonnaroo with his Heartbreakers last year.

Petty was also asked to do the music for ABC's NBA playoffs in 2006.

The same year he and the Heatbreakers were given the key to the city of Gainesville, Florida, where Petty was born and raised.

For the song of the day, I chose 1994's "You don't know how it feels", one of my favorite Petty songs, I blast it while doing yoga on my living room floor.

From the Wildflowers album, Petty wrote this song in his solo days, a tune possibly about the aftermath of an unwanted break-up presumably the end of his 22-year marriage with his high school sweetheart Jane Benyo.

The lonely depression of the end of a relationship and getting high to ease the pain. Anyone can relate to this song, and most people know what it feels like to get their heartbroken, but every individual's reaction and steps to coping are all different. That's why you don't know how it feels to be Tom.

What's going on in the background of the video you say? I'm not too sure-but the blurry figures kind of look like acrobats or circus performers, and that tall woman(or man) makes Tom look a little sawed-off.

The wrecking ball flying through the room, the collapsing of a wall, gun shots fired at a shooting range and an affair going on in the bank window could possibly mean that it was his wife's wrong doing that ended the marriage?

Also, I couldn't seem to find an embedded version of the video without the word "joint" being impaired. Doesn't it sound goofy? But we can always keep young naked a$$es shaking on MTV.

Petty makes his point clear about the death of radio and the meaning of "rock" vs. "rock and roll". Read this thought provoking interview here at VH1.com.

Remember David Spade playing Tom Petty on SNL? Here is the only picture I could find of that skit featuring Dana Carvey as Bob Dylan.

Here's an incredible video of a guy with no arms playing "Mary Jane's Last Dance" with his FEET!! Youtube, you are the greatest relief for boredom.