Goodbye.

Goodbye So You Think You Can Blog.

This course is done, and quite frankly, I care more about my other blog. So check it out because it has everything thats on here, plus a heck of a lot more.

king-klog.blogspot.com

Happy Summer everyone.

Why the F do you have a kid?

Why the F Do You Have a Kid.com. Priceless.

Jason Lee Parry Photography.

Jason Lee Parry is a 29 year old photographer who currently lives in Los Angeles, California. With his specific artistic style, he offers something different to the world. These days it seems that just anyone can snap a picture and call themselves a photographer, but Jason has a talent for telling a story and capturing an authentic response of any kind from his audience. He is self taught and originally from Portland, Oregon.


I'm really, really into this guys stuff. It's really unique and has this classy grunge feel. LOVIN!

YouMightLIkeTHis.com

YouMightLikeThis.
They thought I might like this, and boy were they right! A blog that posts about art. All kinds. My personal favourite (seen above) the SCANWICH. Scanning of sandwiches. Why didn't I think of something so smart?

Yet another blogging.

Jason Clark. Western grad turned west coast inhabitant turned blogger! Yet another friends blog to explore. JC's Anchors. & Hearts. is full of anything from life stories, music, politics, and more. Check a homie out.

Sharing is Caring...

And just because the PeepShow post left me in the mood for boarding, here's the teaser for Alex Beebe's PeachHat movie featuring some of my favourite Ontario boarders and people in general.

PeachHaat Teaser from Beebe on Vimeo.

THE END?

The videos we watched in class last week really made me realize that THIS IS THE END!!!
of RADIO
of TELEVISION
of PRINT!
Well, maybe things arent all that dramatic...yet. But the more I think about it, the more I tend to believe the things that were discussed in the videos. I mean, as a "twenty-something" (ok just twenty) year old student I:
1. Get any news about the world either from my iGoogle homepage, people's facebook statuses, the Western Gazette, or flipping through the TV channels around 5pm.
2. Listen to the radio only when in my car and my iPod is either a) at home or b) out of batteries.
and
3. Watch the majority of television online (I tend to forget when my favourite shows are on) or casually for 15 minutes as i'm eating a meal.

So it's clearly been established that I am not contributing to the last strings holding up these industries. Almost everything I do no is online!

I think this is probably the case because it's just so convenient. I wake up, there's my laptop beside my bed. Open it up, and with a click of a button I can get anything I would get from Radio, TV, or News all in once place, and all at one time! I can be much more selective as well. I dont have to sit through Soap Operas or Celine Dion to wait for my favourite thing to come on.

Even though I tend to consider the suffering of these three to be quite a considerble loss, I really have no place in saying it, i'm the reason they are suffering how they are. It's because of my generation, the twenty-somethings that have embrased the power of Web 2.0 and the technologies that go along with it. And it doesnt even end at what I use on a daily basis. There's still podcasts, satellite radio, DVRs, WebMagazines and Newspapers, all contributing to this loss in their own way. I think it's time for us to embrace this change, not try to fight against it. What's wrong with change? Obama digs it...

Peep Show!

You all probably know by now that I enjoy snowboarding just a little. Today I came across a GOLD MINE of a blog.
peepshowpresents.blogspot.com is the blog associated with one of the only girls snowboard videos made each year. This particular one features a ton of rad boarder gals showing off their moves, both board related and film related. The blog itself is also killer, keeping fans up to date with rider's lives, and just blurbing about random non-snow related stuff. I know I can't wait to see this video when it's done, BOARD OR DIE!

Check out the teaser for a sneak peak of what's to come:

Fox News. You know you love 'em.

Follow up CBC "Apology" article.

newschoolers.com

I get hated on by some of my boarder buds for being friends with skiers (blame Alex for this), but doesn't matter cause sometimes skiers do cool things.
Newschoolers.com is an online community for all the kids who freeski out there. It's a collection of blogs, posts, videos, photos, and forums where the entire community can come together to chat about all things skiing.

I was recently asked by my skier friend Jason to edit an article he had to write for the site so thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share the site with you. Even if you're not into skiing, some of the videos on this site will blow you away, especially because some are just posted by amateurs who are fans of the site! Yet another site for you to procrastinate on... and if you're particularly bored check out Jason's wicked article on the Telus Triple Challenge!

Stuff White People Like

Another week, another page worthy of the bookmark. Stuffwhitepeoplelike.com is a hilarious website (turned book) that includes ridiculous posts featuring, as it's title suggests, the stuff that white people like.

This website was featured in the power point in class this week, and after Liz had also recommended it to me I decided to check it out.

Here is my favourite post. Pay close attention to the second paragraph because I absolutely LOL'd.

My personal favourite post:

#104- Girls With Bangs

If you see a white woman and you are trying to figure out whether she is liked or just merely tolerated by white people, the best thing you can do is get a quick look at her haircut. It is a known fact that white people love women who wear their hair with bangs that hang straight down.

A number of very popular white women have worn this hairstyle including Joni Mitchell, Jane Birkin, Jenny Lewis and every girl ever photographed by Vice Magazine or the Cobrasnake. (Note: it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these two things as they are both beloved by cool white people. Follow up note: these same things are hated by cooler white people).

Many people associate this type of haircut with children and people looking for the most efficient way to get hair out of their eyes. But for white people, this simple haircut makes a bold declaration by saying that the wearer is artistic, deep, and has probably dated a guy in a band you like. Of course, as with many things loved by white people, simple often means expensive and these haircuts usually cost upwards of $100.

It is essential for you to know this haircut is more than a mere fashion statement– it is an important cultural marking. Throughout the world, many cultures feature ceremonies to announce that a girl has become a woman. For white people, the haircut-with-bangs is an important symbol that a female has completed her transformation from a nerdy girl to a cool woman. In fact, if you went to high school with a nerdy white girl who moved to a big city, there is a good chance she will show up to your high school reunion with this haircut.

When you are introduced to a group of white people, it’s a good idea to befriend the girl with the bangs. She’s probably the most popular.

So, if you thought that post was funny, check out the whole site. Equally hilarious posts await you.

Bob's (Rob's) Thots (Thoughts)

Another friend of mine has hopped on the blogging bandwagon! Rob C's Bob's Thots is just as it says- thoughts. A random but entertaining blog. Check it.

icanhascheezburger.com

Will LOLcats ever get old? I know my roomate Christina would think "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
I remember when these were just exploding around a year ago but I think they are so hilarious they still deserve a post in 2009.
I was always more of a facebook LOLcat fan so have never really explored the website they came from, ICanHasCheezBurger.com. After exploring I was surprised to find so much more LOL fun! Up top there's links for LOLdogs, LOLcelebs and even my personal favourite, LookaLikes. Another helpful feature is an extensive tag secion on the right side of the homepage. It'll take you straight to the LOLanimal/human you are looking for!

Overall, some good procrastination fun. And here's a gem I found in the spirit of St. Patty's day:

SBC Women

The folks at Snowboard Canada have finally smartened up and created a complete site for the gals.
Snowboard Canada Women is just the same as it's male counterpart except WAY BETTER as it features all of the chick boarders who are just killing it. They are super good at updating as soon as anything noteworthy happens, getting girl pros and ams alike posting blogs and articles to keep the world up to date. Anything you need to know about the world of female snowboarding will be posted here, so if you're bummed the season is coming to an end maybe this site will brighten your day.

Gawker.com

Gawker.com is a gossip news website that I enjoy particularly because it actually strays away from the typical celebrity gossip blog. Each post is condensed which is perfect for people who just like to get the info and go, and is categorized into sections like "gossip", "celebrity", "media", and "recaps", making navigating to the stories you're interested in easy! There's a top stories section right off the bat, followed by the most recent posts, a simple way of organizing the site effectively! You can also change your settings easily to display the stories that are "most discussed", or "most popular" if you prefer reading that way.

All in all an excellent gossip source! Lovin the organization.

rcrdlbl.com

This is my the newest bookmark on my bookmark toolbar.rcrdlbl.com is the newest music related website I have discovered (Thank you Liz and Maddie). It's homepage is really as far into it as I've gotten as it's so packed full of goodness. Each post features an artist and includes a blurb about them, a few songs to sample, show dates, and related artists. You can also search by label to find artists that may be related to ones you already enjoy. And of course it includes my absolute FAVOURITE thing for any websites to have: a giant list of more blogs and sites for me to explore.

The Hood Internet

Every year at this time, the popular Ontario ski and snowboard resort Blue Mountain plays host to the Telus Triple Challenge. Each year the 'festival' showcases some of Ontario's best snowboarders and skiers, but also includes a musical element.

This year we're lucky enough to enjoy The Hood Internet. This group consists of two deejays who collaborate to create "mashups" of popular hip hop and rock tunes. The Hood Internet's blog features posts including all their tunes, while their left sidebar also features some of their full length mixtapes. The right sidebar also features an extensive list of similar music blogs. The best part about The Hood Internet is that every song and mixtape is available for download, for free! So expand your musical horizons and enter the world of The Hood Internet. And if you're around Collingwood, Ontario this weekend go check em out on the Telus Stage!

Freshjive: The World's Got Problems.

Politics? On my blog?
New week, new stuff.

In MIT we learn about sensationalized mass media and news. We learn about the things that are left out, the things that are edited for the public. We learn about alternative news sources that are probably as close to the truth as we'll ever get.Although Freshjive is probably known for their stylish threads, upon lurking their website for new their spring collection I came across something rather unexpected. A blog called The World's Got Problems that features some horrific stories that are twisted or completely ignored by mass media. Tag categories like "Terror Wars", "Emperor Obama", and "Human/Nature" will give you a slight idea about what goes down on this blog. It features stories and videos of the truth.. or so we're led to beleive.

Either way this blog is sadly refreshing. It's nice to hear an alternative opinion, and even nicer to hear it from people who design nice clothes. (I would rather read about clothes and that is why this isn't a blog about politics.)

Swiss Miss.

In keeping with this week's theme I have asked another friend and blogger, Smolik for one of his favourite blogs to explore. SwissMiss is a blog belonging to "a swiss designer gone nyc". The fusion of European design and the style of New York City is what makes this blog unique. Although the posts can be completely ranodm, it is this element that gives it it's style. Unique gift ideas, products, trends, can all be found here. She also makes excellent use of tags to organize her posts into categories like "kids stuff", "photography", and broader things like "made me look", and "made me smile". Enjoy;

The Sartorialist

I suppose I'm starting some sort of a theme for this week's posts. Or perhaps I've just run out of fresh ideas and need to turn to my blogging friends for help. This time it was Dani B who suggested I take a look at this blog.
The Sartorialist is a blog that showcases fashion on the streets of the world, focusing on the fashion capitals of the world: New York City, Paris, and Milan. There are no words that go along with the posts, just pictures. And they sure speak for themselves. Enjoy;

Addictionary.org

Thanks to blogger extraordinaire, PH, I have discovered the wonders of Addictionary.org.Addictionary is essentially a wiki that allows users to upload definitions to words they create. Although it is a similar concept to Urban Dicationary, it differs in it's layout and word selection. The majority of the words on addictionary are made up by users to describe something that might not necessarily have a word to itself yet.

Addictionary also has another feature called "There Oughta Be A Word For" where users can upload definitions they believe need to be defined. Users can then interact by suggesting words for the definition provided.
Ironic challenge of the week as I was recently told to "shut up" by a woman sharing a shuttle ride to the airport with me. Guess I'm just a gabbygabber.

Youtube

As one of the most popular sites on the web, it would come as no surprise to me if youtube is one of the sites you have in your bookmark bar. It's a site that allows users to upload, watch, comment on, and rate videos of all sorts. You can find anything from music and home to how-to and commercial videos on the site and with thousands of new ones being uploaded every day you're sure to have a source of constant entertainment.

What is so astonishing about youtube is it's growth since being established. In his video (coincidentally posted on youtube and sitting at just over 1 millions hits) entitled "An anthropological introduction to YouTube", Dr. Michael Wesch discusses the growth of youtube and it's effects on people's every day lives both on and offline.



Here we see how by the creation of simple home videos (as in the case of "Charlie Bit My Finger" or "Numa Numa") can begin with what is likely a simple joke, and end in youtube fame. Users who upload these types of videos can have their lives changed just if, by chance, their video becomes a new youtube hit. When traffic is circulating through their videos, users can be approached by the site to begin posting advertising on their page. This begins to generate revenue on a 'per hit' basis. When you're looking at over 85 million hits, this can create quite the profit.

For many users, youtube has become more than just a place for them to share video footage. For those uploading videos with high traffic, it is a place where they can make some extra cash. For others it has become a place where they can establish and form relationships, express opinions they may feel ashamed to within thier own community, or simply be themselves and avoid any scruitiny they may face from their peers. A true example of the aspect of community behind Web 2.0, youtube allows users from all over the world to connect, discuss, debate, and perform to what is one of the largest and most diverse audiences in the world.

Take 2 friends of mine as an example of the potential youtube has. They made what I believe was the first ever remix of "Charlie bit my finger again". 4 and a half million hits later, Jon and Hayden have gone from bored sitting in their living room to youtube sensations. And all because of 2 little kids playing around across an ocean.

KLOG.

Shameless self-promotion begins now.

Before this class started I had another blog. It's called KLOG. The reason it is called that is because I am known by some as KING and it is a blog... hence, Klog.

Anyway, I post about a lot of very random stuff there, and I enjoy doing it, so maybe you'll enjoy reading it.

Enjoy;

Twitter.

I've had a twitter account for almost 2 months now and I just have to say, I DONT GET IT! I just do not understand what the excitement is about the whole thing. Why do I need an entire website (not to mention another new account name/ password) just to update what is essentially a glorified facebook status?Even after exploring (thinking there just MUST be something more to this site) extensively there really is nothing more to it! Well, I suppose there is if you count what seems like endless numbers of pointless 'apps' designed to make posting your every move easier. I think I just dont need a whole website for what I usually post on my facebook status. After all, i'm on facebook far more times a day than I'm on twitter.

Can someone just tell me... WHAT IS THE POINT?

Geezus.

GEEZUS. is my new friend Stephen's blog. He likes to talk about things such as girls, snowboarding, and basically anything on earth that interests him. I am quite entertained by it, and I'm certain you will be too.

SUPRA.

Some are attracted to the opposite sex because of hair, some need a sense of humour, others are captivated by eyes or hair, intelligence or charm. For me, it's shoes. For some reason I have yet to determine, a pair of shoes just does it for me. That being said, there is one brand of shoes that I happen to prefer. SUPRAs on the feet of the opposite sex are like McDreamy's hair for Meredith, and Brad Pitt's jawline for Angelina.. hot!

Visit their site to scope out the spring collection's amazingness, browse their blog that features special edition styles as well as their crew's updates. Also check out SupraNS for extra specially beautiful footwear.

Want to impress me? Visit Echelon at Oxford and Richmond to grab a pair for yourself.

F... my life.

Lets start with a story:

Today, an extremely large lady came into the dry cleaners where I work. She puts what I assume is a blanket on the counter to be dry cleaned. I say "So just the one blanket then?" She replies "Those are my pants.....not a blanket." She was a size 56. FML


FML. Also known as F*** My Life. Something you might be thinking as the weeks of midterms and essays seem to be never ending. While you're stuck in Weldon cramming probably last minute because you absolutely did not bring your textbook on the plane with you to Dominican because that would absolutely put you over the luggage weight limit and therefore cause you to pay the required fee, check out F My Life. It is sure to provide you with at least one F my life story that's slightly worse than yours. And we all like to laugh at the expense of others.. right?

Yearbook Yourself.

This may be old news for some of you but at one point this school year Yearbook Yourself was the site to be on. This website produces some hilarious pictures by placing your face onto the body of a yearbook photo circa 1940-1990, complete with horrible hairstyles.
Although the site doesn't re-launch until the summer, here is a sneak preview of what you could have looked like in the 50s, or 60s, or 80s. (Thanks to Jason and Ben for unknowingly donating their pictures to my blog.)
Before:


After:Before:

After:

Hilarious. Get on that Summer 09.

Cheap. Healthy. Good.

After grossing myself out with my "This is Why You're Fat" post, I decided to go off in search of some blogs that display the opposite: food that wont make you want to puke.One of my favourites is a blog called Cheap. Healthy. Good. This site is perfect for a starving (both in terms of hunger and cash..) student. Right off the bat you'll find links to articles about healthy eating, as well as a link to recepies recommended by bloggers. What's really cool about this site is the "Posting Schedule". This provides a guide to what post topics will be each day of the week:

Monday: Recipe
Tuesday: Megalinks & City Kitchen Chronicles (bi-weekly)
Wednesday: Article
Thursday: Favorites of the Week & Veggie Might
Friday: Recipe

On the right-hand side of the page you'll find information relevant to the particular month, suggested recepies, foods in season and such. You'll also find an extensive list of links to other food websites. So forget my last post and start eating healthy! Summer and bikini (or board short) season is only a few months away!

This is why you're fat.

It has become common knowledge that obesity levels in North America have escalated over the past years. Although this is a sad fact as it causes the rate of diabetes, heart disease, and a slew of other health problems to increase as well, some fun can surely come out of it.Alas: ThisIsWhyYoureFat.com. A blog whose posts are dedicated to showcasing the disgusting concoctions that some consider 'treats'. Although I must admit some seem rather delicious (deep fried oreos), some are just plain disgusting!

Take a gander at this is why you're fat and you may find yourself on an unintentional diet..

LOOKLET.COM

Although still in it's trial stages, LOOKLET.COM shows much potential. After sending in your email to get an activation code, you are granted access to the biggest online closet around. Once logged on you can change your model, set, and of course outfits. What's different about this site is that each piece of clothing comes complete with designer name, so that you have the ability to distinguish where your look originates from. Once your piece has been placed on the model you have options to re arrange the article. For example, if you place a scarf on your model, you have the option to wrap it around her neck, or simply drape it. You can also choose to have shirts tucked in, or out, have sweaters buttoned or unbuttoned and have jewlery exposed or hidden.

As the site develops, weekly style contests, as well as saving looks and creating portfolios are planned to be introduced. So get on Looklet and start styling! I can't think of a better way to get through 3 hour night class.

FRIENDZ..

I have awesome blogging friends. I've shared some of them with you already but I think a list of my favourite blogging friends is in order.

1. DANI..
Dani's blog is close to the best. Whether she's ranting about celebrities, friends, or snowboarding she's always got something fun to say. She's also spons'd by L'Oreal. So yea, she's THAT good.

2. HIPDAThe Hipda is my friend Alex's blog. His posts go under the category of close to completely random but they are so entertaining! He knows how to write too. Smart kid. Also check out his website cause he's also one of the most talented artists I know!

3. SHE & HIM DO MUSICLiz and her friend do an awesome job keeping you up to date on music on this gem. They really know their stuff so if you're looking to treat your ear to something nice you should for sure check it out.

4. THIS IS A WEAPONTyler's blog is also a keeper when it comes to music and snowboarding, two of the best things ever. He's also one of the nicest people ever so you should read it just for that anyhow.

5. VARIETY PACKThis should probably be a separate post (and probably will be later) but Eddie just posted the teaser for his new video 'not bad!'. Its awesome and the boarders are awesome and the video will be awesome so go watch it quick!

The Superficial

If you missed any of the hype surround the Grammy awards check out The Superficial. It's one of my favourite celebrity gossip sites that is just full of Grammy red carpet gossip. Plus, when there are no awards to be handed out the bloggers on this site are still on top of all of the gossip. Who doesn't love a site whose motto is "Becasue you're ugly."?

Blogebrity

I came across this 'mashup' while researching for a MIT 2500 project. It uses data from Technorati.com to give your blog celebrity status.




So, is your blog an A-list like Paris Hilton, or a measly C-lister? Click here to find out.

TECHNORATI.com

Technorati.com is a website that is basically the blogging headquarters of the Internet. It's homepage features the snippits of the most blogged about things on the web including topics surrounding anything from politics to sports, food and entertainment.
One of my favourite parts about Technorati is it's list of the 100 most popular blogs on the web. This gives you an excellent starting point to start browsing from if you're new to the whole blogging thing. What's excellent is that no matter where your interest lies, there is sure to be a blog in this list for you, and from there who knows what amazingness you will discover!

Technorati also deconstructs the blogging world from a "numbers" point of veiw. In "The State of the Live Web, April 2007", the blogs of the web are looked at from every potential angle, from number of posts, to language, and even daily posting volume. One of the blogging aspects discussed in this article is the use of tagging in blogs. You may notice that I tag my blogs based on their content. For example, this blog is tagged as "Assignment" because it's for class as well as "Lovin" because I think the website is helpful. Other posts include tags such as "Snowboarding" or "Music" and even "Friends" if the blog I am writing about is one that belongs to a friend of mine. This makes searching for things you may be interested whithin my blog much easier.

Youtube uses Tags to help you search for videos!

Today a common trend in blogging is revolving around the tag, and as Technorati's study has discovered, more and more blogs and websites are including tags to aid in navigating their sites. I think tags are an excellent tool on the web. They not only allow the poster to give the reader a one word summery of sorts, but they help find relevant alternative sources containing similar information. Tags also give websites like Technorati the ability to group things with similar content. Technorati.com's analysis of tags shows that as blogging continues to become more popular (as it's results show it already has), tags will also increase, helping you find the information or entertainment you need!

FAIL BLOG

A blog dedicated to showcasing those who fail. Need I say more?
FAIL!

GNARCORE

Last week was the SIA Snowsports Tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unfortunately this year was the last year the show was taking place in sin city so in honour of this I have decided to share one of my favourite snowboard blogs, GNARCORE.COM.Gnarcore is one of those daily clicks for me. It never fails to entertain whether it's bloggers post random music videos, documentaries featuring homeless shopping cart racers, or short edits showing off the talent of some of the best snowboarders around.

Gnarcore also boasts a gallery full of extremely fascinating party pictures and a list of links not to be looked over. So whether you dig snowboarding or not, gnarcore will have something for you.

COACHELLA.

So this is far from a blog but it needs to be posted. COACHELLA is a music festival held in California once a year. This year it's April 17-19 so if you're done exams early (like me!) you have the opportunity to check out some seriously unreal acts.


Let's just take a moment for:
Paul McCartney
The Black Keys
Felix de Housecat
Switch
Gui Boratto
Amy Winehouse
TRAV$DJAM
Atmosphere
Lupe Fiasco
Public Enemy
K'Naan
Lykke Li..

Need I go on?
See you in cali.

The Lemur Blog

The Lemur Blog is a site I came across through The Hype Machine. I found as I browsed on HypeM, a lot of the songs I took interest to were found on the Lemur Blog. After exploring this blog it has become one of my favourites for finding new music.

What I like most about the Lemur Blog is that almost all of the songs they post have one or more links to a download of the mp3. On the left side of the blog you'll also find the LONGEST list of music blogs known to man.. maybe, while also providing a list of links where most of their music can legally be purchased. With frequent updating, and posts including images and videos, this blog is really one to 'follow'. Plus, who can resist the cute face of the lemur??