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Announcing Iconic Camping!
I’m excited to announce the launch of Iconic Camping!
Recounting our childhood camping trips my friend Jeff and I decided to start looking for some of the gear that we remember our families using back then. As we hunted around we got the idea to start our own camping gear company specializing in these classically styled goods. And so Iconic Camping was born!
Iconic Camping is a full Optimus stove, Rome cookware and Benchmark maps reseller. We carry all of these manufactures “classic” equipment such as Pie Irons and Svea stoves in stock and can generally ship same day or are available for local pickup. We can also fulfill special orders for any of these manufactures other products.
So head on over to Iconic Camping and pick up a Pie Iron, sign up for our newsletter, check out our blog and follow us on Twitter!
Jean Shepherd’s “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”
Mr. Shepherd was never much for book reports in school (he was strictly a C+ guy) so I figured I’d write a review in his vein.
by
Jean Shepherd
In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash is about this old guy named Ralph who goes back to his hometown of Hohman, Indiana from New York. He stops at a bar to see his friend from school, Flick, and ends up spending the whole day talking about their school days during the Depression.
There are lots of stories about fights, blind dates, fishing and getting a Genuine Red Ryder BB gun with a special Red Ryder sight and a compass in the stock with a sundial for Christmas (fortunately, he did not shoot his eye out). Most of the stories are when he was in elementary school, but some are when he is older. Things that happened to him as a kid seemed to have a lot of affect on Hohman, Indiana and all of the Midwest. He must have been very important as a kid.
I think books like this are very exciting, and In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash is a very exciting book. It has two hundred and sixty four pages, and I think anyone would enjoy reading In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.
Drat! Only one hundred and ninety-two words and I need two hundred! What more can I add? Umm… Umm… Wait? Is that Little Orphan Annie on the radio? Can’t miss that, I just got my decoder ring today! One ninety-two is good enough. After all, I’m a strictly C+ guy too.
(Next up: Revolution 1989 by Victor Sebestyen)
The War Ends
Just over one year and 4,147 pages (excluding appendices) I have finally finished reading Winston S. Churchills memoirs of the Second World War. All I have to say is insightful. Terribly insightful.
It is amazing that someone who was at the top of world affairs during one of the most tumultuous times in human history would sit down to publish such a detailed account of his thoughts during that time. An amazing account that painted the British perspective in such vivid colours.
The question now, what do I read next? Oh yeah, Jean Shepherds In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. I figured it was time for some lighter fair, even after all the splendid humour Churchill peppered throughout his books (no, I’m not kidding, the guy was hilarious).
Tron: Legacy [Entertainment: Movies]
Here is my impression of Tron: Legacy:
Taking a movie that is a pillar of computer nerd culture, revitalizing it and presenting a sequel with broad market appeal a generation later is a hard thing to do. The story itself was relatively weak, but easy to follow. But you’re not going to see Tron for the story. Thats like saying you wanted to see The Expendables for the acting. No, you go to see Tron for the special effects, and they were there in spades!
The graphics in this film were nothing short of spectacular. Between paying homage to the original and pushing the boundaries of what is currently capable, Tron: Legacy was all over it. You just couldn’t help but be in awe of the world that they managed to create. The fact that every frame of this movie was digitally enhanced is impressive. And yes, that has been done before, but where movies like the Star Wars prequels failed miserably, Tron succeeded.
All that being said, I think that Tron can also be seen as a bit of a social commentary. Here we are in 2010 and this movie all about a computer world is a major box office release that has garnered a lot of attention. Twenty-eight years ago when the original was released it was praised for its technological achievements, but generally forgotten except for by a very small group of people categorized as nerds. But now everyone is a computer nerd. Who doesn’t have a computer in their pocket? Who doesn’t get on the computer at home multiple times a day? Who doesn’t constantly get online to communicate with other people over vast distances? That is why Disney decided to make a sequel to Tron, because we now live in a world full of nerds, even if most people won’t admit it.
I’ll close with this fantastic comic from Scott Ramsoomair’s VG Cats which sums up my feelings with how society is now pretty well:
Altima Coupe vs. Genesis Coupe [Auto Text]
Back with another exciting installment of Auto Text! Eric and I discuss the Nissan Altima Coupe and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
Eric: Why can’t the Altima Coupe be RWD with a 2.0T and a 6-speed? Why Stephen? Why?
Stephen: Because the world hates you. Besides, just get a Genesis Coupe.
Eric: But the Altima Coupe is so much sexier. Kind of an awkward ass, but I can forgive that.
Stephen: Yeah, I know. But do you love what’s on the inside? I mean, she may be a pretty face but does she make you smile? The Genesis Coupe may not have the looks, but she’ll keep you happy.
Eric: Ms. Altima could make me smile in SR trim with a V6. But at that point she really let herself go with the weight and that gold digging $32k sticker. The Genesis accepts me for who I am in 2.0 R-spec trim for $10k less and she makes me laugh and feel young again. Do you know what it’s like to laugh like that?
Stephen: To laugh like you’re young and free without a care in the world? Son, I drive a Miata. I know.
Eric: How I long for that unbridled passion. How could I even think of that money grubbing Altima when the sweet Genesis is at my beck and…
OMG Integra what are you doing home so soon? I.. I was just looking at this C&D Genesis article for Stephen… No, it’s got nothing to do with you! Honey, come back here!
Stephen: Eric, you’ve got to man up and tell Teggy that you’re growing apart. That you have adult needs that she can’t fulfill. You want to do power slides and lay down insane patches of rubber. You want 50/50 weight distribution. You want boost! She needs to know it’s not her, it’s you.
Eric: I know. I’ve tried but she gets so angry and yells at me. Deep down, I’m scared to leave her.
Stephen: Some times, Eric, bold action is the only way.
Eric: Some day. But not today. Shhh… She might hear us.
Stephen: I’ll pray for you.
Eric: Thanks.
Sex, Drugs and Rusty Cars [Auto Text]
My friend Eric and I are members of the automotive enthusiast fringe. The weirder, harder to find the better. This is an absolutely hilarious text message exchange we had the other day regarding one of my favorite websites, Bring a Trailer.
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Eric: Dude, what have u done? Bringatrailer.com is cocaine. I Keep telling myself I have it under control.
Me: Yes… Yes it is. That Cosworth gave me a redwood.
Eric: Oh yeah! and the 953 Rally! Boing! I can stop any time.. I can stop any time.
Me: Snooort.
Eric: Oh yes… (wipes blood from nostril) thats it right there
Me: Rusty pipe? Been awhile since you thought about buying a 30 year old 25k garage find?
Eric: Apparently. I usually fap to the stuff on hemmings site, but this stuff is more kink… I mean unique
Me: Its kinda like 8mm snuff films, I know. The stuff on Hemmings is so pedestrian and clean. You have to be really out there to like BaT.
Eric: Oh yeah. It makes me feel so dirty.. and I love it. I also love our seemless transition from drug to sex innuendo
Me: Sex, drugs and rusty cars baby!
Pioneer One [Entertainment: TV 2.0]
Those that know me and frequently tolerate my futurist rants know that for many years I have mused about the end of television as we know it. That eventually everything will be distributed free online. Yes, I know that you can already go to Hulu or YouTube and watch your favorite sitcom or webisode, but even there, it’s not free. You have the website littered with ads and there are still those annoying commercials. No, the day is nigh where people with an idea, passion and desire will create high quality entertainment for the masses and distribute it freely without the confines of the studio system, advertisers and Nelson ratings.
The most recent in this burgeoning market is Pioneer One. A sci-fi web series that is rather X-Filesesq, but with a much more interesting twist on the extraterrestrial life part.
Not to spoil the whole pilot episode, but basically an unknown object enters the atmosphere over Montana and leaks radiation on it’s way down. The Department of Homeland Security suspects a dirty bomb and investigates only to find it was an old Soviet spacecraft. What is in the spacecraft is the mystery.
This show plays to all my loves. Sci-fi, Cold War intrigue, the possibility of life on other planets (notice, not aliens) and mystery. The quality of the show is good for a totally independent production. And when I say totally independent, I mean totally (stuff it Sundance). The project is completely funded by public donations. They filmed the pilot episode for only $6,000, and its pretty good for that. The picture is high quality, the acting by the main characters is good and they keep the effects to a minimum, letting the lighting, music and dialog carry the show. Something that is so rare in sci-fi today.
If you’re interested in taking a chance on something a little different, I would highly recommend downloading it over at VoDo.
The Indelicates [Entertainment: Music]
There are few bands that just wow me. Early Guster, The Sounds and Tally Hall are the short list. About a month ago I discovered another band that I can add to that list:The Indelicates.
Wonderful guitar rock mixed with brilliant lyrics shared between Simon Indelicate (Clayton) and Julia Indelicate (Clark-Lewis). Simon’s voice is just angry enough to make you feel like perhaps what he has to say is important even though it’s laced with humor and Julia’s dreamy voice takes you back to when female vocalists knew how to do something other than just scream.
Their first album American Demo is one of those perfect albums, where every song can be listened to multiple times without finding it boring. Stand out songs are “Julia, We Don’t Live in the 60′s” and “The Last Signifigant Statement…”.
Their second album Songs for Swinging Lovers is good, but not quite as thoroughly perfect. “Sympathy for the Devil”, a twangy countryesq number, is the standout on that album.
If you want to take a chance, pick up their albums over at Corporate Records where you can pay what you feel like (awesome), you won’t be sorry. Here is a sample of what you can expect:
Music Update: Mumford & Son’s
The British folk band Mumford & Son’s album Sigh No More is hands down the best album I have heard in a long time. Probably since I got Tally Hall’s Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum.
The album blends folk, rock and bluegrass in a very warm melodic way. The lyrics are very folky in that they tell good stories that you can (well I can) relate too. The lead singer has a slightly raspy voice which I feel really works with the bluegrassy elements.
Definitely worth a look for anyone who likes some good music.
