Tuesday, March 31, 2009

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!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

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?

Friday, March 27, 2009

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.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

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:

Monday, March 23, 2009

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!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

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.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

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.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

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:

Monday, March 16, 2009

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.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

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.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

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.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

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!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

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.)

Saturday, March 7, 2009

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;

Friday, March 6, 2009

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;

Thursday, March 5, 2009

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.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

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.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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;

Sunday, March 1, 2009

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?