One-Man Wind Waker Theme

This is a delightful cover of The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker's theme song, played on numerous instruments by one dude.



[via Joystiq]

No More Kings - "Sweep The Leg, Johnny"

No child of the 80's can watch this without being moved. While I don't know a damn thing about this band - nor do I really care - they've created a tribute to one of the greatest movies of all time. And for that we are grateful.

Aimee Mann's Christmas Carol

This is a great parody of A Christmas Carol, featuring Aimee Mann as Scrooge. Michael Penn, John C. Reilly, Paul F. Tompkins, and Michael Cera also make appearances, as well as others.

Christmas Playlist

1. "Winter Reveries", Hans Zimmer, Toys Original Soundtrack
2. "Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow", Knoxville First Baptist Church Choir
3. "Christmas Lullaby", Songs For A New World
4. "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch", Aimee Mann, One More Drifter In The Snow
5."God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen", Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan, Maybe This Christmas
6. "12.5 Days Of Christmas", unknown acapella group
7. "Winter Weather", Squirrel Nut Zippers, Christmas Caravan
8. "O Come O Come Emmanuel", Sufjan Stevens, Songs For Christmas, vol.1 - Noel
9. "When The River Meets The Sea", cast of Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas
10. "The Closing Of The Year", Tori Amos, Toys Original Soundtrack

Merry Grizmas

In this clip from the Colbert Christmas special, Stephen learns to accept his nemesis. It's a glorious message of peace, love, and understanding.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: Peace, Love and Understanding

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

Boy-gojevich

I haven't been following the Blogojevich news that closely, but his picture is all over the place right now. And every time I see it it strikes me as a bit odd.

There's just something about him that looks kind of artificial, or something.

Than it hit me.
Am I crazy, or does he bear a slight resemblance to Boy?

The Complete 8-Bit Jesus

Apparently that chiptune Christmas album I linked to recently was just a sample of the full album yet to come. And it has now arrived. So go download it.



Bonus: a completely different chiptune Christmas album, via Offworld.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I've always loved the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", but Zhubin's post from last year made me love it even more. It bears re-posting.

"Did you ever notice how stupid the lyrics to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are? Specifically, the second to last line:

Through the years
We all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

I always thought it was weird, because the melody has such a wonderful melancholy undertone to it, but the lyrics don't match it at all, and that one particular line seems jarringly out of place. You're whispering to me that we'll always have each other, and then you suddenly command me to decorate a Christmas tree? Well, fuck you. That's not the kind of relationship I want to last through the ages.

Well, guess what? I did some research on the subject, by which I mean I Googled the song title and looked at the first few websites, and it turns out I have a good perception of editing. The "shining star" line is a revision of this original verse:

Someday soon
We all will be together
If the Fates allow
Until then, we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Much better. Now the whole verse makes sense. The first three lines aren't a throw-away line about how happy we are together, but actually a hope that someday we'll be together."

Read the whole thing.

I've heard this a few times this Christmas season, and I always sing along with the original lyrics.

No...No! NOOOOOOO!!!!!! *sob*

Some interesting updates on the Cowboy Bebop movie.

Apparently they want to stretch the series' first episode into a full length movie. While that was a great episode, and introduces the series nicely, it doesn't contain half of what made Bebop a great series. Fey Valentine, Radical Edward, and Einstein were all introduced in later episodes. And while I'm sure they'll try to cram all of their introductions into the movie, it just isn't going to work properly. They either need to create an original story, or focus on one of the bigger stories with Spike and Vicious.

But the worst possible news is this: Keanu Reeves wants to play Spike.


Spike is witty, charming, and subtle. Keanu Reeves has all the charm of a mildewed log at the bottom of a compost heap. And he would look ridiculous with all that hair.

I am no longer looking forward to this.

Laser Sharkbear Holiday Gift Guide

Here is a quick list of things you should all buy for me.

1. A signed Brandon Bird print. Preferably this one:

I've already expressed my love for this.

2. Adorable 9/11 plushies

Unfortunately, these aren't actually for sale. But I want them.

3. Donkey Kong Jenga

A geek must-have.

4. Creepy baby head bowl

If this wasn't sold out I'd be eating tomato soup out of it already.

5. Horrified B Movie Actor Action Figure Set

These would go great with my tiny teddy.

6. Steam Punk goggles

Steam Punk is the tits. Back off, haters!

7. Kickass 3D anatomy puzzles

So much tidier than actual cadavers.

8. T-Qualizer shirt

So everyone at the club will know I'm feeling it more than they are.

9. Karakuri Tea Serving Robot

Feudal Japan + robots. Yes, history was this cool.

10. Ice sphere tray

Or the professional version, for making perfect spheres. Because cubes are sooooo last century.

11. Banana Bunker

Just because it makes me giggle.

eMusic/Amazon downloads of the month:

1. Anonymous 4 - The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen
2. Final Fantasy - Plays To Please
3. John Denver & The Muppets - A Christmas Together
4. Sparks - Exotic Creatures of the Deep
5. Sparks - No. 1 In Heaven
6. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
7. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
8. Ratatat - Ratatat
9. The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale
10. School Of Seven Bells - Alpinisms
11. Stars - Sad Robots

These lists are subject to change depending on movies viewed before the year ends, or simply due to a change of mood.

Top Ten:
1. The Fall
2. Wall-E
3. In Bruges
4. The Dark Knight
5. Elegy
6. Redbelt
7. Mongol
8. Iron Man
9. Burn After Reading
10. Religulous

The Worst:
-1. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull
-2. The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor
-3. Nick And Norah's Infinite Playlist

Entertaining Diversions:
1. Encounters At The End Of The World
2. Be Kind Rewind
3. Kung Fu Panda
4. The Incredible Hulk
5. Tropic Thunder
6. Wanted
7. Quantum Of Solace
8. Pineapple Express
9. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
10. Cloverfield
11. The Strangers
12. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
13. Harold And Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

Biggest Let Downs:
1. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull
2. Quantum Of Solace
3. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
4. W.

Most Wanting To See:
1. Synechdoche New York
2. The Wrestler
3. Rachel Getting Married
4. Frost/Nixon
5. Milk
6. Repo! The Genetic Opera
7. Teeth
8. My Blueberry Nights
9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Avoided Like The Plague:
1. The Love Guru
2. The Happening
3. You Don't Mess With The Zohan
4. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
5. Superhero Movie/Disaster Movie
6. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

I compiled a playlist of some of my favorite music of the year. In an effort to keep things under control I forced myself to only include songs that were released in 2008. A shame, considering some of my favorite and most-played albums were a year or two old. Such is life.

I'm not going to attempt to pick favorites, although there were definitely some albums I listened to more than others. All of this music is stuff that I really like for one reason or another. And this list could have been two or three times as long. I devoured a ton of music this year, and still feel like a missed quite a bit.

Here is the list, in roughly the order that I listened to them:

Offworld

Offworld is Boing Boing's spin-off video gaming blog. It's relatively new, and so far it's been just as good as Boing Boing. They cover everything from mainstream gaming to indie games, and gaming culture.

It's where I found out about 8-Bit Jesus. It's also the first place I found out about Scribblenauts. One of the most ambitious and exciting games I've seen for the DS. If they pull it off it could be infinitely replayable and fun.

The trailer gives a brief, but tantalizing glimpse at the possibilities:

8-Bit Jesus

8-Bit Jesus is an awesome chiptune Christmas album that contains classic carols done in the style of classic 8-bit games. Super Jingle Bros., for example.
And the best part is: it's free!

Do-It-Yourself Holiday Tip #87

Winter scarves are great for holding ice packs on your whiplash injuries.

These Vines Are Infested With Scorpions!

I first heard NYC Playwright, Edgar Oliver, on the amazing storytelling podcast, The Moth. I don't know much about him except that I could listen to him speak forever. He has a voice that is very unique, and listening to him is like giving your ear drums a delicate massage.

Here he is telling a story about his youth and reading a hauntingly beautiful poem:

Friends

The new xkcd strip is...wow. This is yet another example of why this is one of the best comics anywhere.

Mario Kart Love Song

"When we slide together we generate sparks in our wheels and our hearts." Love it!

[via Laughing Squid]

Star Trek

You've seen this already. But just in case...

Prop 8 - The Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Nostalgia Overload

I felt like rediscovering some of my favorite childhood television programs. Some are pretty obvious, but I'd almost forgotten about a few of these. I've focused on some of the odder shows, skipping favorites like Chip And Dale's Rescue Rangers or Tail Spin (or pretty much anything that Disney made in the 80's and 90's).

I've listed them in the order that they originally premiered:





























Bonus - My favorite recurring segment (besides Mathnet) on Square One Television: