HTTP 411: Cool Links

My buddy David is what I like to call a "net hound." He's always bring up some really interesting/weird/scary website in casual conversation. The man is a champion web surfer of the highest order. I'm always telling him he should start a "cool website of the day" type blog. I'm not sure if he's just being polite or what, but he always agrees...then never does it.

So, I went and set up "HTTP 411: Cool Links." I added David, Leah, and David's brother Jimu as authors. Anytime any of them find something cool they're supposed to contribute. Anything cool or interesting (or even better--useful) on the web. This stuff is out there, it's crazy how much crap is out there. If nothing else, I think it'll be good to have a place where these links exist together (when my laptop died I lost ALL my "favorites" but luckily have a bunch of them saved up here on "Thoughts of a Limemonkey").

Anyway, go check out "HTTP 411," and every so often pop back in and see what's been added. You never know, your new favorite website could be lurking there...

http://411coollinks.blogspot.com/

Texas trio blows the Limemonkey AWAY!!!

So I'm in St. Louis, which means only one thing: I had tickets to a concert. Last night was the big "Arch High School Reunion" show down at the Scottrade Center. Me and Leah parked at Union Station and had lunch/dinner in the food court before heading over to the show. I was tired. I mean really, really, really tired. I worked the night before, 11PM to7AM. When I got off I jumped in my car and made the 3 hour ride. I got to her parents house in time to see Leah off before her playoff game (they lost, they're out of the playoffs...which sucks). Anyway, despite being so tired I was ready for a good time.




The Gin Blossoms went on a little after 6:00PM. I felt bad for them, they were the youngest and thus least successful act. They were alright, they played all their radio hits: "Follow You Down," "Hey Jealousy," "Hear it From You," etc. I have nothing really good or bad to say about them, they kinda just were there.

Then they Stray Cats came one. Holy shit were they good!!! Brian Setzer is an AMAZING guitarist. I love rockabilly and New Wave...they were great. Good stage show (running around, jumping). They played "Stray Cat Strut" and of course, "Rock this Town." I wasn't really too familiar with them prior to the show (other than "Rock this Town" which everyone pretty much knows). After seeing this set though, I'm sold. As soon as I get some money (i.e. never) I'm going to buy a CD or two.

The Stray Cats were followed by The Pretenders. I had high hopes for the The Pretenders. They were just put in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...chick guitarist/singer. They have a really good song in Guitar Hero II. And yet, they let me down. For one thing, Chrissy Hynde is suffering from "I'm not too old to be doing this"-syndrome. She still wearing the outfits, the hair, cussing, etc. Only she looks like my grandmother. I guess it's sexist, but women of a certain age can't pull off the "young and sexy" act. Beyond that, though, she sounded terrible--screeching her way through past hits like "Back on the Chain Gang," "My City was Gone," "Precious," "Special," and "I'll Stand by You." I was bored to tears (when my ears weren't in pain). Leah was pissed they didn't play "Tattoo Love Boys" (from GH). I glad to see them leave.

ZZ TOP came out after The Pretenders and fucking blew everyone away. I was expecting the guitar virtuosity...but not the sheer...for lack of a better word "heaviness" that the band has. ZZ Top is a heavy band. Sure, the blues influences were there...but they loud and vicious. The hits kept coming as the dudes with beards ripped through their greatest hits: "Cheap Sunglasses," "Pearl Necklace," "I'm Bad...I'm Nationwide," "Rough Boy," and of course..."La Grange." They also did a smokin' cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady." They busted the big fuzzy guitars out for "Legs" (which made me happy). The Top sounded great...they moved like they were still kids (instead of being 30+ year band vets). Overall, they kicked ass.

Leah still fell asleep (how the hell she managed that is beyond me). Anyway, a good time was had by all. As we were leaving, we even got our "diploma":

TDK

Teaser trailer for THE DARK KNIGHT. Visually--it's not very impresive, but listen to Heath's Joker at the end...scary/good stuff (love the laugh):

http://www.whysoserious.com/

MONSTROUS

The Ain't it Cool News people posted this pic from Comic-Con. Check out the release date...



UPDATE! From EW (due out tomorrow):

The Limemonkey @ Work Part II

Yeah, I lied. What can I say? I just can't stay away...I've been up for over 24 hours, but before I nod off I wanted to post these pics I took yesterday during my marathon shift. I felt like a paparazzi, what with all the guerrilla photography (the places I work and the company I guard are VERY secretive--they don't advertise but they own 85%-90% of the buildings downtown...needless to say they don't like getting their picture taken). Anyway, I know a bunch of you wanted to see my goofy ass on the Segway...so I took a short little movie with me riding it.

Enjoy.

The Lyric Opera House (home to Channel 9):


They had a tennis match yesterday down at B. Allis Plaza (about a stone's throw from our Command and Control Center):







Inside the Deramius building (used to be a hotel, now it's corporate):



This is the KC public library...did you know they have a garden on top? I didn't:








Alright, I mean it this time...I'm going to be gone for a few days...

Back in the Kitchen (again)

With the move out coming up, I suddenly realized that I'm going to have to cook A LOT really soon. Sure, Leah is a good cook too...but she might not always be around. Therefore, I've been trying to get back into the habit/practice of making my own food. I also figured out that most of the cookbooks aren't mine...so I'm having to record the recipes I like and use the most.

Tonight I made Chicken Parisian with crisp onion-roasted potatoes. The worst part about potatoes (besides having confusing spelling (for Republicans)), is having to peel them. Ugh. We have two 'tater peelers in my house: a new one and an old one. Guess which one works better? The old one! For some reason, the new one sucks (too much safe plastic...not enough finger slicing metal). I could peel a ton (literally and figuratively) of potatoes in no time at all with the old one. But with that crappy new peeler...ugh...takes all day to just peel half of one. This just goes to show you how important the proper tools can be.

Anyway:

Chicken Parisian~


1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 skinned boneless chicken breast halves
3 tablespoons margarine or butter
8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup dry white wine (I'm not allowed)
2 teaspoons Wylers chicken-flavored instant bullion cubes
2 teaspoons chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon thyme leaves

Directions:
In a plastic bag, combine flour, paprika, and pepper. Add chicken, a few pieces at a time; shake to coat. In skillet, brown chicken in margarine; remove from pan. In same skillet, add remaining ingredients, simmer 3 minutes. Add chicken; simmer covered 20 minutes or until tender.

Crisp Onion-Roasted Potatoes~


1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion soup mix
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup butter or margarine (melted)
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 teaspoon marjoram leaves
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds potatoes, cut into quarters

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a shallow baking or roasting pan, thoroughly blend all ingredients except potatoes. Add potatoes and turn to coat thoroughly. Bake, stirring occasionally for 60 minutes or until they are tender. Garnish with parsley.

Easy!

The Con

I'm a sexist-pig, and like all sexist-pigs...lesbians fascinate me. Like so many good things in life, I found out about Tegan and Sara from Little Steven's Underground garage. Their third album SO JEALOUS was a fantastic blend of garage rock and Lilith Fair type folk. The girls have sugary sweet voices but what really interested me was:

1. Identical twins

2. Cute as hell

3. Lesbians (both of 'em)

Putting all that aside (stupid male brain), Tegan and Sara are a great musical talent. I think SO JEALOUS is one of the best records of the past 10 years. Hell, Jack White agrees...his little band, The White Stripes (perhaps you've heard of them?) released a single a year back (or so) that was a Tegan and Sara cover ("Walking with a Ghost"). And in general, they're the best Canadian artist...like ever (sorry BNL and Rush). Anyway, I've been waiting for them to put out a new record--and they finally did. It came out today, and I streamed it on Myspace.

How is it? Not as good as SO JEALOUS. My biggest problem with THE CON is that it's nearly all acoustic indie-folk...not much garage here. I don't mind folk, per say...but Tegan and Sara devolve into (let's face it) a music cliche (thank you Indigo Girls) without the harder stuff. Sure, the voices are still sickly-sweet (even as they sing about heartbreaking things)...but it feels like a rehash.

There are a few highlights: "Hop a Plane" is quicker and recalls the better tracks on SO JEALOUS. I love the synthed out treatment this song got...I wish they would have diversified their sound like this a bit more. Another good one is "Burn your Life Down." The title track "The Con" is also really good...everything else just sort felt like filler. I was disappointed. Rather than buy this one, I think I'll just download those "choice cuts."

Jason gives THE CON a "C-"