Mirzipan blog @ Vorg

A guy with cat and glasses

Mirzipan — 2009-01-12T18:45:51-05:00

Jamie Lidell - Yougotmeup (Warp Records) from Konx-om-Pax on Vimeo.

NPH + SNL = GOOD

Mirzipan — 2009-01-12T18:42:51-05:00

I saw two clips from Saturday Night Live hosted by Neil Patrick Harris (Jan. 10, 2009). Can anyone who saw the show tell me if it was funny? Thanks.

So hungry I could eat my eyeballs

Mirzipan — 2008-09-04T17:36:51-04:00

Here's some gourmet stop motion called Western Spaghetti. Eat it up!
(I'm sorry about the ad scrolling on the bottom of the video. X it out.)

Size 0/2

Mirzipan — 2008-07-03T12:01:48-04:00

Ashley Judd is releasing a new clothing line for plus-sized women

Storytelling with Ira Glass

Mirzipan — 2008-06-19T12:27:18-04:00

This may be really inspiring to some of you. It's about the art and difficulty of telling stories (esp. on radio and TV), and doing it from the heart. In four parts, via YouTube, here.

Ira Glass is the popular host of "This American Life" on NPR and Showtime on TV. He says, "In the purest way, it's about luck."

Yo, check it out

Mirzipan — 2008-05-14T12:36:44-04:00

Esquire's 75 skills every man should master.

Some good suggestions. Some skills that have fallen by the wayside. Most (if not all) good for guys and gals.

Six degrees of starvin' nations

Mirzipan — 2008-04-09T19:23:49-04:00

In 788 words, Paul Krugman sums up the global policy trap surrounding food. It's not funny or youtube, but it is insightful. He goes from the food crisis to emerging economies to oil prices to bad weather to biofuel to political mis-management.

Here's the beginning of Krugman's NY Times Op-ed 7Apr2008, "Grains Gone Wild":

"
These days you hear a lot about the world financial crisis. But there�s another world crisis under way � and it�s hurting a lot more people.

I�m talking about the food crisis. Over the past few years the prices of wheat, corn, rice and other basic foodstuffs have doubled or tripled, with much of the increase taking place just in the last few months. High food prices dismay even relatively well-off Americans � but they�re truly devastating in poor countries, where food often accounts for more than half a family�s spending.

There have already been food riots around the world. Food-supplying countries, from Ukraine to Argentina, have been limiting exports in an attempt to protect domestic consumers, leading to angry protests from farmers � and making things even worse in countries that need to import food.

How did this happen? The answer is a combination of long-term trends, bad luck � and bad policy.
"
Article continues in link above

Social Networking and Business

Mirzipan — 2008-02-27T20:33:27-05:00

Janeane Garofalo is having (with Dana Gould, Paul Provenza, and maybe the ACLU) an exclusive event for a certain kind of person. It's Friday, free, and part of Vancouver's Comedyfest. All it takes is lining up (first come, first served) with a print-out of your MYSPACE profile.

Is this the sort of thing that Dave Pollard is talking about in his "how to save the world" blog item 10? Your previous link-love got me thinking about it, and I later found myself on the comedy show's page. How can web-based social networking and the business mindset be used and harmonized? Or is this simply cross-promotional corporate advertising on the web?

Soleil Moon Frye = Lunar Eclipse

Mirzipan — 2008-02-20T15:44:16-05:00

Tonight there will be a total lunar eclipse. Hope for clear skies!

The moon will be completely "hidden" around 10pm EST / 7pm PST. Partial shadows of the Earth will be noticeable about ninety minutes on either side of the peak time. Check it out outside your window.

Super Duper

Mirzipan — 2008-01-29T12:39:50-05:00

I do not want to wager about next week's Super Tuesday outcome (anything is possible), but I can predict the Superbowl results.

The Giants will win.
And I will eat one pig-in-a-blanket* for each point scored.

*Otherwise known as franks-in-the-jackets.

Sir Dance-a-lot

Mirzipan — 2007-10-25T09:46:35-04:00

Dancing Prisoners. Orange jumpsuits. Thriller. Radio Gaga. YouTube. Remember?
Here's some backstory on the Cebu Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines. Apparently, dancing is good for you. And fun.

Barcelona

Mirzipan — 2007-09-27T08:30:22-04:00

Sangria is GOOD!

Independent thinkers

Mirzipan — 2007-06-17T15:13:34-04:00

"The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) was established to oversee the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons in Ireland, as part of the peace process."

They could have used a commission to oversee the naming of said group.

Tip of the tongue, tip of his hat

Mirzipan — 2007-06-12T16:57:49-04:00

I feel compelled to increase posting. This I like. The 20 Best "That Guys" of All Time. Have any to add?

A human giant is coming at you

Mirzipan — 2007-04-04T22:06:28-04:00

MTV is in search of some cred and they are trying their luck with the new sketch comedy show The Human Giant. I like 'em. Funny guyz Paul "Babyface" Scheer, Rob "OliveGarden" Huebel, Aziz "Wonderboy" Ansari and director Jason "Smartguy" Woliner have made a name for themselves on the 'net but Thursday, April 5th, 10:30EST is their American TV debut.

The first free episode is on iTunes. There are lots of short films, leaks and clips around. They tend toward the weird and wacky (lots of wigs and oddballs) and have an background in improv, friendship, and being funny.

Simplify my electronic life

Mirzipan — 2007-03-28T16:37:15-04:00

I need a new email program for Windows with both web and hard-drive accessibility (POP). Preferably it should be low in cost and glitches, and high in safety and awesomeness. Good enough? Any Thunderbird or Opera fans out there?

Pull Another All-Nighter

Mirzipan — 2007-02-21T20:36:45-05:00

In Nuit blanche style, Montreal will be having a night-long series of events starting Saturday night, March 3rd, to wrap up the High Lights Festival. Show us that there is some life left in winter!

Man is dolphin's best friend?

Mirzipan — 2006-12-15T17:22:10-05:00

Someone has their thinking cap on. Wow.

Yuk yuk yuk

Mirzipan — 2006-11-04T11:45:07-05:00

I walked by a construction site yesterday morning and I heard "Girls just wanna have fun" blaring from their stereo. They listen to that stuff, too?

Rant and Rave Post

Mirzipan — 2006-09-23T11:14:53-04:00

Recent posts have got me thinking:
Do you have any general rants?
What's on your mind?

One Negative
One Positive

More than street hockey

Mirzipan — 2006-09-21T19:12:36-04:00

The Come out and Play Festival in NY sounds right up someone's alley, Dustin. Large scale games, mostly tech based, will be played outside through the city streets. Think man hunt with satellite tracking, scavenger hunts for everyday events, and street size mindsweeper. I'm being vague so you click to read about some of the creative ideas that have materialized.

Genghis Can

Mirzipan — 2006-07-22T10:28:32-04:00

Their tagline is, "What are you doing this summer?" Their answer is racing clunky old cars from London to Mongolia as fast as they can. They need all the luck they can get since only 1/3 of the cars have made it in the past. The teams will be messaging in their progress. Mongol Rally go!

What was that taste test outcome again?

Mirzipan — 2006-03-15T09:31:38-05:00

With warm weather on the brain, you may be thinking about exercising the ol' bod' and working up a sweat. The latest research suggests that an old childhood standby is the best thing to drink. Moove over, water.

Dr. Penfield's toast

Mirzipan — 2005-10-29T15:34:49-04:00

A few weeks ago, during a rain storm, I was walking around and could smell garlicy tomato sauce throughout my neighborhood. A bit strange. Then Thursday, I thought I smelled caramel (and images of burnt toast and epilepsy research filled my mind). Apparently, I'm not the only one!
I've often said that Montreal smells like hot apple juice on cold nights. Anyone else?

Not feeling social? Laugh out loud instead

Mirzipan — 2005-09-06T17:18:41-04:00

For all you lazy-dazers/hayfever afflicted people out there, there are two television specials this week that will make you laugh. Note: Check you local listings. I have a feeling that both shows will not be shown in Canada unless they are hugely popular in southern markets first. Find a friend with mega-satellite or hope that the CBC picks this stuff up during their negotiations.

First up, The Upright Citizens Brigade taped a special star-studded, veteran performer driven "Asssscat" improv pilot which will air on Wednesday September 7, 11pm on Bravo or Bravo.ca.

Then, the sheepishly endearing New Zealand musical duo, Flight of the Conchords, are chasing their big break with an HBO special, Friday September 9, 11:59pm. They write some very witty songs, search them out before they sign multiple figure contracts.

Times and availability will vary, so don't take my word for it.

For the technological audience

Mirzipan — 2005-08-18T22:39:50-04:00

Caspar Melville of opendemocracy.net writes:

"This is all part of the shift from mass media to personalized media," says Paul Saffo, a technology forecaster and director of the Institute of the Future. No doubt this is true, but is it, I wonder, a good thing? For all the cachet and control implied by the iPod, the laptop, the Blackberry, the digital camera, and wi-fi, in the end what seems to be on offer are particular kinds of distraction and avoidance, and a peculiar kind of 21st-century digital loneliness.

-- Via Utne (July/August 2005) from the New Humanist (March/April 2005)

No running required, but maybe a roadtrip

Mirzipan — 2005-07-14T13:11:42-04:00

Here's a wild and crazy NYC improv event. Although it isn't one troupe doing continuous improv for 24-hours, it's still a personal learning experience. (Sorry for the late notice.)

No old wife here

Mirzipan — 2005-07-03T11:59:32-04:00

Do you ever sneeze when you see the sun? I don't, but there is some science behind it.

More Street Shenanigans

Mirzipan — 2005-05-11T17:08:41-04:00

If you haven't heard about the fun loving antics of Improv Everywhere, let them jumpstart your Spring fever. A Chicago public radio show recently profiled the mischief surrounding two of their missions which try to bring an improv mentality to the unassuming public. To hear it, check the archives on the left of This American Life for: Mind Games 4/8/2005 Episode 286 ...starts about 12 minutes in.

Hong Kong!

Mirzipan — 2004-02-16T01:24:38-05:00

We found Bai Shi Ke le!