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Various Distractions

If you haven't played the new Adult Swim game Robot Unicorn Attack, take a moment to partake. The artwork and music are perfect and the Death Screen is not to be missed. The gameplan is pretty rudimentary but that's really beside the point. I found it highly amusing to see Conan O'Brien on Twitter with a handful of posts; all perfectly self-deprecating and in line with what you'd expect from a man who had his late night dream snatched away from him. It just so turns out that he's really running seven other accounts - @CoCosBeard, @ConansSharpie, @CoCosATMCard, @ConansTaurus, @ConansMonkey, @ConansFreckles, and @ConansSquirrel. Granted, Conan himself may not be writing them alone but that is beside the point.. it's a good gag and an entertaining way to keep up with ole Conan if you're somehow feeling a void.

Whiskerino: Fin

Yesterday marked the end of Whiskerino, a bittersweet event in my life for sure. Since 2003 I've been having some sort of biennial beard growing event and now I've officially closed the book on it. Granted, I've still got other avenues of mini-social networking but it's not quite the same.

While I'm sure hearing me go on and on about Whiskerino is the last thing anyone really wants to read about I have to say that I'm extremely proud of it. I don't know why it worked as well as it did but it's insanely humbling to see how connected people are and to know that legitimate friendships were created via a facial hair contest. Ridiculous.

Anyway, just a heads up.. this is likely the last you'll hear of Whiskerino for some time. Thanks to everyone who participated or watched from the sidelines, it was much appreciated.

Friday Videos - Feb. 26th, 2010

I went nuts this week.. not sure what you'll think of them all but I find myself highly amused by the majority of it. Enjoy the playlist.

• Crazy Koala Fight - up until seeing this video I considered Koala's lovable, cuddly creatures. Now I know they are capable of something far more terrifying. Those noises will haunt me. Via Chad.
• Your Cat Is Tripping Balls - apparrently Friskies takes your cat into a portal of magical wonderment beyond his wildest dreams.
• Grande Days - public access TV on youtube is the best combination since peanut butter and chocolate. I think I legitimately love the song. Via Hale.
• The Saddest Beard in the World - yes, this is an oldie (and also Hale himself) but Whiskerino ends on Sunday. This is appropriate.
• Hale Tribute 2010 - Falfa pays tribute to the previous video. Spot on.
• Horse Apples Closeups - deleted scene from Wonder Showzen that will probably make you ill but amuse in the process.
• Spoon - Written in Reverse - nothing too crazy about this but I've been loving the new Spoon record so much lately that I felt it only appropriate to post this.
• Subway Pigeon - with enough patience, even a Pigeon can behave himself on public transportation.
• Attacked by Pelican - yes this is totally America's Funniest Home Video style but that mans screams are too amusing not to enjoy.

If that somehow isn't enough for you, try your hand at Hoop Dreams or anything from Luke Prior.. some craziness in there.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Weekend Explained

Today starts the beginning of the end for the 2009 Whiskerino. Beards of all sorts will converge on the greater Nashville area and celebrate the fact that they haven't shaved in nearly 4 months. It's weird and impossible to explain to others but I'm excited for it. That being said, no links today.. I've got much preparing to do.

CHDK

I had heard of this before but never seen a centralized depot for the goods. If you are the owner of a Canon Powershot, you can hook yourself up with CHDK - the Canon Hack Development Kit. It lets you "upgrade" your camera by unlocking and adding a number of features previously stinted by the Canon team. I'm sure it breaks your warranty but you can churn out images like this with a simple point and shoot... and that's an endeavor worthy of investigating.

Whiskerino 09: The Great Beard Ship

I am proud to present the Whiskerino 2009 Tee; designed by Andy Vastagh.. aka BOSS Construct. The image is simple, a magnificent ship sailing on a Sea of Beard. I think it's fair to say that captures the essence of the journey of Whiskerino. We're taking pre-orders now so, if you're interested, get in there and order one and we'll start shipping next week. This really is the final Whiskerino, so if you've always wanted a beard tee vaguely referencing the event, this is your last chance.

→ Whiskerino Tee: The Great Beard Ship.

Casey Britt is Your Favorite

Casey Britt, aka Your Favorite, has launched a new site chronicling a daily creative endeavor intended for the duration of 2010. I Am Your Favorite is one of those simple sites that keeps my attention as it obviously has a good bit of smart coding behind it but also manages to present a hefty amount of creativity in each piece - not always a common combo. Given that it's only the 8th day of the month there isn't a ton there yet but give it a bookmark and check back with regularity to keep him on task.

Album Covers

Running Whiskerino can feel a bit like High School Spirit Week at times trying to come up with creative themes that people can play off of for their photos each day. However, whenever "Album Cover Recreation" day comes up the creativity flows full force from the participants. It's really quite impressive. So, if you've ever wondered what the big deal about Whiskerino is about - please check out Album Cover Day and maybe it will finally click how it's a great bit of comradery mixed with creative photography.

Friday Videos (Wednesday Edition) - Nov. 25, 2009

In the words of jnonfiction: "it's a Friday dressed up like a Wednesday with a whole lotta Saturday to follow." In other words, I'm planning on going on a mini hiatus until Monday but wanted to throw out some quick video entertainment to get you through the rest of the day. Here is the playlist.

• American Budget Shopping Network - Andrew Daily in a viral video series as promo for the new Avett Bros album. This works surprisingly well.
• Hamburger Time - I don't watch Metalocalypse but I'm guessing this is atypical of the show and entirely ridiculous. There is one, censored, naked lady in the mix.. so be warned.
• Maru in Slow Mo - be sure to skip to about 0:59 for a ridiculous leap. I am entirely unapologetic for my appreciation of Maru.
• Eagle Owl in Slow Mo - just to offset the good feelings of that Maru video be sure to watch this Eagle Owl about to tear into your flesh. Terrifying.
• Crossballs Episode 2 - apparently this was a Comedy Central show featuring a ton of notable comics debating absurd topics. Sort of like The Onion newsroom but with unsuspecting real guests. I've not watched this in its entirety yet but I plan on it.
• The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody - the entire song. Pure and awesome. I would point to a specifically awesome part but I legitimately love the entire thing.
• The Mai Shi: Maury Povich: "We Do This All The Time" - the lead up to the payoff is entirely worth it.. watch the whole thing without skipping.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy some time off doing nothing.

Fantastic Lurking

One of the greatest things about the whole Whiskerino community is that there is a lot of potential for exposure to new and great artists. For example, the work of Bill McRight came into my awareness thanks to Benjamin; who has been doing a running series of his own personal (great) art collection.

Long story short, the work of Bill McRight is new to me but I'm loving diving through the portfolio and seeing all the bizarre creature creations. The line style makes it feel like a historic print unearthed from some terrifying time long forgotten.

Friday Videos - Nov 20th, 2009

Pretty tame this week folks but be sure to check the bonus offerings for some non-Youtube goodies. Here's the playlist...

• Auto-Tune the Ads - seems like these guys are quickly moving past their prime and trying to embrace something new. At first I thought this was a bit disappointing but after watching the original ads I think what they've done is pretty amusing. Now how long until they actually get paid to do this?
• What If House Party Were An Action Movie? - the trailer works surprisingly well as a drama/action movie.. I think it's all about the music.
• Cat vs Cop - this is America's Funniest Home Video style humor but seeing a cat climb on top of an officers head is undeniably amusing. Bonus: the cops name is Keith Urban.
• Face Off With a Deadly Predator - National Geographic photographer gets adopted by enormous, terrifying, leopard seal. It offers him penguins, presumably out of pity.
• Jookabox - You Cried Me - Janet introduced me to these guys the other day and I've been pouring over the album. This video is a nice introduction to them and an excellent compliment to the song. Also, ghost eating a hot dog - try not to like that.
• Charlotte Gainsbourg - Heaven Can Wait - from the forthcoming IRM album this video consists of an endless number of absurd vignettes. Skateboard on some hamburgers? Got it. Spongebob being tackled by a cop? Done. Pancake Astronaut? Yep. Charlotte Gainsbourg doing her makeup wit a demon in the bathtub? Easy. And the songs pretty great too.

Bonus:

• Beard Bird Cage - Yes, I have seen this. No, I don't believe it's legit.. but it is a funny concept.
• Pop-up Book of Phobias - possible Christmas present for your kids. jk.
• Streaming Gradient by Jen Stark - nice to see some animation implemented with the style of Jen Stark
• Dock Ellis & The LSD No-No - great animation capturing the tale of Dock Ellis and his no hitter, while on LSD.

Have a great weekend.