Kiss me, I’m Irish! At least that’s what I’ll be telling any dapper looking dude this St. Patrick’s Day. It’s the one time of the year when the colour green doesn’t offend me and it’s politically correct to pretend to be from another country. Celebrate the man who drove all the snakes from Ireland with this playlist and get into some serious craic.
1) Green Garden – Laura Mvula
This is the holiday celebrating all things green, so why not start the day off right with a song that has green right in the title? Laura Mvula sings about enjoying a garden and the great outdoors which should please anyone thinking about good ol’ Ireland today.
2) Shots – LMFAO ft. Lil Jon
But lets not forget what St. Paddy’s Day (not Patty’s. Get it right, people!) is really about. Drinking copious amounts of (green) alcohol until you do something dumb/can’t see straight/fall over. Normally drinking this much shouldn’t be advocated, but when in Ireland (everywhere is Ireland today!) one must do as the Irish do.
3) Pour It Up – Rihanna Read more…
There are a couple of things I’d rather not see while on vacation, middle-aged men in tiny speedos being one of them. But this incident I will let slide because this rather pot-bellied man looks like he’s having the time of his life.
Just watch as he marches fiercely in place, doesn’t some amazing finger point and just generally shaking his groove thang during his aerobics class. The lesson to be learned here: just do your thing, bro, no matter what they say.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
On this week’s episode, the gang got weird.
It was a milestone for the series as the study group spent Thanksgiving with the family. Jeff finally meets with his father (with Britta tagging along, of course) while the rest of the group spent the holiday at Shirley’s. It was an episode that would have made more sense if it had aired on the scheduled October date and which felt like the darker timeline Abed predicted back in season three.
This week’s guest stars alone may just be what it took to turn the season’s record of disappointing episodes, but even the writing was remarkably better. The slight nod to the Shawshank Redemption was subtle enough to bring us back to seasons one and two style writing and served as a reminder of just how great the show is at doing this kind of thing. Well boys, it looks like we’re finally getting back in the Community groove!
Here are five things from this week, Shawshank style:
1. James Brolin.
Finally, FINALLY the show utilizes the talent that comes to them in a celebrity guest star as Brolin joins the cast as Jeff’s father. Though he has some entertaining lines, his character had a more serious tone. Having a character/actor keep an appropriate tone for the story line isn’t something we’re used to seeing from the show (even with more serious plot lines) and it was refreshing and extremely well done. Brolin’s ability to keep a straight face while informing Jeff that he had nothing to worry about in the bedroom when he got older made him the perfect Papa Winger. It’s safe to say that this week’s guest appearance was a home run for the series.
2. “He’ a Schwarzenegger; I’m a DeVito! I get it!” Read more…
Being able to adequately express yourself is never an easy thing and if we learned anything this week, sometimes plagiarizing is the best way to go.
Luckily for you, we already found some content that you could (or more like should) rip off. Here are just some classic Valentine’s Day ideas:
- Overly Attached Girlfriend’s Valentine’s Day poem
But just in case you’re quickly running out of options, here are some highly original ways to go about saying, “I love you.”
The Passive Aggressive Love Note:
The Newspaper Love Note:
And, the re-used Christmas Card:
I could hear it now, “No, Baby. I didn’t forget Valentine’s Day! I’m just trying to safe the Earth from our consumerist ways!”
However, I would suggest avoid giving your boo a Valentine’s Day message inspired by fugitive ex-cop, Christopher Dorner. It doesn’t really send the right message, does it?
When Mariah Carey says it’s Christmas, YOU BETTER FOLLOW HER LEAD.
Making the best of the snowstorm yesterday, the singer decided to treat the blizzard like a holiday by turning on the fireplace and eating Santa Claus cookies.
It’s hard to hear exactly what she’s saying over the blaring music, but it appears that she’s still in denial that Christmas is over.
However, the diva does offer an important message right at the end of the clip.
“Listening to Christmas music today, driving around, seeing different people made me feel GOOD! And that’s what life is about. So you can say what you want to say but we’re having fun!”
You have a fabulous life Mariah and I also wish that every day was Christmas !
Can we be BFFS, please?
You think after such petitions like “Build a Death Star” and “deport Piers Morgan,” you would think the U.S.A. government would finally realize that their petitions website has become a breeding ground for idiots and trolls (which, by the way, are not mutually exclusive).
The latest stupid petition: “Declare the Monday following the Super Bowl a national holiday.” Apparently, “There’s no reason not to sign this. If you don’t sign this, you hate America.”
At the present moment, it has garnered just over 7,500 signatures since it’s inception on January 24th.
While I understand that people need the morning after to recover from their day of beer-drinking and nacho-munching debauchery, it doesn’t exactly warrant a national holiday. It’s not the government’s fault you can’t control your glutinous ways.
Just drink a lot of water before you go to bed (number one cause of hangovers is dehydration) and you should be good to go the next day.
Whenever the so-called “Kristmas Kard” for the Kardashian family comes out I’m all “And I care because?!” But another other part of me (hidden way down in a dark place) is like “Okay, screw it, show it to me.”
The 2012 card includes a few more members of the family, including Kourtney and Scott’s new baby girl Penelope and Kim Kardashian’s white Persian kitten Mercy. Sadly, the cat died at four months old this December because of stomach problems so the card is somewhat of a memorial.
The card is as light and cheerful as New Years Eve, as they sip on champagne while confetti streams behind them.
Last month, Khloe Kardashian went on Ellen and told her the whole family can never get together for one sitting, which is why they often take their photos separately.
What do you think of the card. Would you rather get this one in the mail or Honey Boo Boo’s holiday card? (See it after the jump.) Read more…
Thank God these basketball players are already talented in playing sports because their voices probably won’t take them far.
Singing the Holiday classic “I Have a Little Dreidal,” the Houston Rockets have me cringing instead of smiling because their renditions sound completely tone deaf.
(And as for the Dallas Mavericks, I can’t say that I don’t feel the same way. But while embarrassing, both of these videos are very endearing.)
Well, you have to give the Victoria’s Secret Angels a pat on the head for TRYING to sing the Christmas carol “Deck the Halls.” A few of the doe-eyed beauties took on the lyrics for a VICTORIASSECRET holiday ad, of course, while conveniently showing off their red lacy corsets.
Supermodels Candice Swanepoel, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge and Lindsay Ellingson managed to get through it in one piece, though there were a couple hiccups along the way. Some of them don’t actually speak English fluently or they strictly sing sexier tunes like “Santa Baby” (ahem, Miranda Kerr).
Of course, the result was a bunch of thumbs ups and inappropriate comments from older unemployed men sitting drooling in their parents’ basement.
Watch it here
No holiday is complete without someone wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, whether your aunt is legitimately wearing it because she thinks it’s funky or because your hipster friend Wheatgrass thinks it’s ironic. And when you really shop around, there’s an ugly holiday sweater for everyone!
Ellen premiered some of her favourite ugly Christmas sweaters on her talk show this morning and they were positively horrendous, but in the best way possible. The best thing is, they’re all REAL sweaters that you can purchase… we promise. Here are her favourites.
For the mom that means business:
For the holiday Ho Ho Ho
For the Jewish fashion diva
Watch the runway here Read more…
Well it’s that time of year again. Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte has been replaced by the Caramel Brûlée Latte, Christmas music is blaring out of store speakers, and oh yeah it’s cold. So take a time out from dropping subtle hints to your mom, and check out this holiday gift guide for the music lover on your Christmas shopping list. From the new iPod nano, and Beats headphones to concert tickets, you’re sure to find something for whomever, whether they are 10 years old or 55.
1. O.N.I.F.C. Wiz Khalifa, Amazon, $15
Wiz Khalifa’s much delayed and much anticipated sophomore album dropped on Dec. 4. This is the perfect gift for that friend who still sings “Black & Yellow” all the time. You can pre-order it on iTunes and Amazon.
2. iPod Touch Vintage Moustache case, Etsy, $15
So maybe you don’t know what kind of music this person is into, but you know they like moustaches and have an iPod Touch. Behold, the perfect gift.
3. Layla Rose Gold Headphones, The Fancy, $201
If you’re itching to shell out a couple of hundred bucks, but the person on your list is a trend-setter rather than a follower, then consider these gorgeous headphones instead of the Beats. They also come in silver and black.
4. Carbon Audio Zooka Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, Best Buy, $100
Give the gift of better sound with this wireless and affordable speaker, compatible with select iOS, Android, webOS, Windows 7 and QNX devices.
5. Collegiate Turntable by Crosley, Urban Outfitters, $161
Your DJ friend will love this vintage, portable, easily store-able turntable. It comes in blue and pink.
6. Mumford & Sons Babel on Vinyl, Amazon, $15 Read more…
UCmagic pranked oblivious holiday shoppers with a storefront snowman. As people casually strolled by the store the “snowman” conveniently lost its happy holiday sign. A bystander asked shoppers to pick it up and as they placed it back in the mascot’s hands it suddenly burst to life. One girl was so freaked out she howled like a wolf.
If you remember, this is from the same guy who pretended to sneeze his head off one day around Halloween! It was loaded onto magician Rich Ferguson’s YouTube channel.
Watch it here
Christmas is a joyous time of year, but that doesn’t mean it’s exempt from FAILS. Surprisingly, a lot of them have to do with deadbeat Santas or overworked elves. Don’t forget it’s also the time of year for winter sports, meaning slippery falls are inevitable.
The holiday fails compilation was put together by JukinVideoDotCom, though surprisingly it’s missing all those last minute shopping fails.
Watch it here
If you can’t decide whether to listen to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” or Justin Bieber’s “Drummer Boy,” just throw on Brett Domino Trio‘s “Ultimate Christmas Compilation.” The guys mashed up 40 Christmas songs into an epic 16 minute melody so no one can complain you didn’t play their fave tune at your upcoming holiday party.
The guys even donned ugly Christmas sweaters and strung garland and fake snow around their instruments. We love their sense of humor. Previously, they posted a hilarious cover of LMFAO’s “‘Sexy and I Know It.”
Watch “Ultimate Christmas Compilation” here
George Clooney spent some time in Sardinia this week meeting the parents of his current flame, Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis. Radar Online is reporting that the couple spent two days visiting the European island, presumably to make sure their syrupy couple goodness was equally spread over the entire geographical area.
Clooney dedicated a good chunk of the trip to Elisabetta’s hometown to bonding with her family, but he wasn’t shy about spending some…ahem, alone time with his beau at the romantic Hotel Villa Las Tronas.
What can we say? A gentleman knows what he wants and how he wants it.
In all seriousness, the experience must have been a little weird for Canalis’ parents. Georgey is probably closer to their age than their daughter’s! Alas, true love prevails over all, especially in an enduring relationship like this one.
Aww, who are we kidding?! Clooney goes through young, hot women like crazy. At least he treats them well and it’s a mutually understood agreement!
What do you think? Could Clooney meeting the parents mean he’s finally settling down with someone?
On December 31, 2007, the 10 members of Straight No Chaser were just ordinary guys living their lives in cities all over the world. Then on January 1, 2008, all of that changed because of a video of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ that was filmed in 1998 and went ‘viral’ on Youtube that holiday season. The former Indiana University a cappella group was asked to come back together and record a Christmas album for Atlantic Records. The album appropriately titled ‘Holiday Spirits’ went on to become a media sensation all throughout the holiday season.
After a whirlwind of success and development during the 2008 holiday season, Straight No Chaser is currently back in the studio recording their second holiday album titled ‘Christmas Cheers’ including original music such as ” The Christmas Can Can’. Sticking to the formula that made them both a novelty and a sensation, “Christmas Cheers” is a collection of both new and classic holiday songs with smooth harmonies and a comedic twist. With the holiday coming up fast, it’s time to bring on the cheer and get ready for another round of Straight No Chaser!
Check out the video and don’t forget to enter the contest!
The event was packed with tons of PS3 games
SONY HOLIDAY PRESS EVENT 09: A casual analysis.
Ahsan says:
So then, let’s talk about the Sony holiday press event
April says:
You really don’t care about my well being do you? >. < anyways, What did you think?
Ahsan says:
Where do I begin, I loved the fact that the entire event was held in such an inconspicuous place and just felt like a modern art gallery.
April says:
I know! It looked like an empty building and right on the upper floor was the event. Like some secret organization having a meeting or something!!! Read more…
Many people (and by this I mean many single women) have a love-hate thing with romantic comedies; myself included.
We love the dream of a handsome man riding up in his white Mustang and fighting until the credits roll to win our hand. Going home after this blissful fantasy to hug nothing but the extra pillow in your bed usually kills the warm fuzzies pretty quickly though.
Now add to this the backdrop of the Christmas season, and you’d think The Holiday would take home the most depressing rom com ever title. Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised.
In The Holiday, Cameron Diaz and the amazing Kate Winslet star as successful women who have issues with the men in their lives on either side of the pond. In England, Winslet’s Iris finds out the object of her unrequited love has gotten engaged, while in Los Angeles, Diaz’s Amanda discovers her boyfriend has cheated on her and kicks him out of the house.
On a whim, the two connect over a house-trading Internet site and soon are escaping their plights and jetting across the Atlantic to swap homes for two weeks.
Where I usually find Diaz to be an annoying actress who lacks believability, she harnesses her ditzy persona and uses it for the benefit of Amanda’s character. The couture chick who we see struggling through the snow in heels at the beginning of the movie slowly loses her emotional walls when she meets Iris’ brother Graham (Jude Law) and opens up on her own terms, in her own way.
Meanwhile, Iris strikes up a friendship of her own in L.A. with elderly film writer Arthur (Eli Wallach). She also finds romance with film composer Miles (Jack Black), but this story line is delightfully subtle and doesn’t overshadow her endearing and unlikely friendship with Arthur.
Black may seem like an odd choice for a leading male in a romantic movie. Where you wouldn’t think he could take on any role that didn’t play up his Tenacious D character (think his ho-hum “serious” turn in King Kong), he is given the chance to both act and be goofy in The Holiday. Black’s lines are charming and also delivered with fantastic comedic timing.
The Holiday is perhaps so pleasant because the dialogue is fresh and modern, lacking any clichés typical of the romantic genre. But it’s not the only thing that’s fresh. The plot is clever and quirky, weaving two very different stories together seamlessly with humour and understated charm. A couple surprise celeb cameos and unforgettable one-liners keep any scene from getting stale.
It’s the girl power that radiates from Iris and Amanda, though, as they toss out the crappy men in the lives and realize who they are and how to get what they want, that really makes The Holiday different from other movies in the genre.
The Holiday is the best and freshest romantic comedy I’ve seen since Love Actually. Grab a couple of your single friends and make sure you can cross seeing The Holiday off your wish list this season.
Rating: 4.5*/5*
In our multi-cultural societies today the run up to Christmas is experienced in many different ways. The commercial version pioneered by Coca Cola’s magazine advertisements which established the red suited Santa Claus image, washes over us all through the TV advertisements and the decorations in the High Streets and shopping Malls. They built on and reinforced the Victorian version of Christmas celebrations which was dramatised by Charles Dickens in ‘A Christmas Carol’ which established many of the associated food and garland rituals in the public imagination – and helped Coca Cola promote their winter beverage sales. Much of this is accompanied by ‘seasonal’ music in the form of carols and hymns – often coral arrangements but sometimes instrumental – especially brass bands and the dreaded sentimental Christmas pop songs.
Music is often a subtle way of getting under the radar and evoking emotional responses from our subconscious. The commercial focus on Christmas seeks to convert these feelings into purchases – sometimes in crude direct appeals to consume but often in a more indirect atmospheric ways. While the committed Christians concentrate on re-telling the Christmas story through as many media as possible, including music – using the Advent season to recharge their spiritual batteries and encourage others to join them. Their tunes and some times even the words are often hijacked by those who wish to evoke a warm hearted relaxed atmosphere for the sale of their particular goods.
Much of this activity assumes a common Christian heritage and must strike those who do not share that background very oddly, not to mention the truly seasonal issues for those in the Southern Hemisphere who celebrate Christmas in mid summer rather than the deep mid winter. There is also the rival celebration of New Year which is a predominantly secular affair with a very limited musical repertoire – mostly of Scottish origin for some reason and this eclipses Christmas in many countries. Christians adopted the pagan Winter Solstice celebrations as part of their missionary progress but those ties were loosened by the reformation and the French, American and Russian Revolutions amongst others.
The seasonal hit at Download2MP3.com is Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite with its Sugar Plum Fairy which fits neatly into the Victorian Christmas story telling context. While Debussy’s Children’s Corner with it’s ‘The Snow is Dancing’ (Northern Hemisphere Christmas/Mid Winter associations) is another favourite and forms the backbone of our Children’s Classics Collection which includes several of our shorter and lower priced recordings. Other beneficaiaries include our instrumental versions of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah and Gounod’s Ave Maria
Recordings like these are an ideal way to personalize those iPod or MP3 player gifts for a few dollars more – perhaps introducing children to the classics in an accessible, amusing and memorable way.
About The Author
Tony Wiseman has been involved in music production using computers for more than 20 years and now publishes MP3 recordings of his original percussion arrangements of selected Classical and Ragtime pieces at Download2MP3.com.
