Thoughts by Ryan

MADDESS

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:23:25 GMT

This is why I love college: last night I totally ended up partying with the people who made one of my favorite music videos ever. They're in a band called the Buddy System but two of the members animated Of Montreal's Wraith Pinned to Mist...

Horray!

First update in 9 weeks or some such thing

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:17:18 GMT

So, one of the main reason I haven't been updating is that I've gotten a lot of my random thoughts out in my twitter.

I may start updating this again someday...maybe.

Hoping for Change

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:54:19 GMT

Ladies and Gentleman, today I get to say words that still too good to be true: the president of the United States of America is Barack Obama. Today, this entire week in fact, has been so excited I can't even put it into to words. However, I think everyone should listen to This American Life's broadcast on the man of the hour, they do a fantastic job of showing why this man has won the right to become the most powerful man in the world. He is a unitor and has the ability to give hope to so many. I really hope that many Americans can find their patratism again and be proud of the man leading the country they live in.

Merry Christmas and all that

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:14:17 GMT

Ah, just a quick note to wish everyone reading a Merry Christmas and all that other jazz.

If you're looking for some good music I highly recommend 8BitPeople's "8 Bits of Christmas" or Doctor Octoroc's "8 Bit Jesus".

Perhaps its the geek in me speaking but 8 Bit Christmas music works way better than it should.

Now a picture that has nothing to do with Christmas.

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:20:29 GMT

There is no part of this movie that doesn't look good.

Update: Apparently its a feature film version of this short film.

Sesame Street is so damn hip

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:02:07 GMT

I don't know how Sesame Street struck up this relationship with indie bands, but I like it. I know what my kids will be watching.

First, Feist:

Now, Tilly and The Wall:

Tilly & the Wall on SESAME STREET from Team Love on Vimeo.

Tis a good day

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:14:48 GMT

In case you didn't notice, there is an election tomorrow

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:38:23 GMT

Actual political preferences aside, this election is starting to piss me off. Namely, I've gotten at least 10 phone calls (5 to my cell phone, 5 to my home phone in Pittsburgh) reminding me to vote. Now, I'm a firm believer in doing your civic duty and voting, in fact I sent in my absentee ballade almost two weeks ago, but dear god. I'm pretty sure anyone who isn't voting is doing it out of either laziness or lack of political awareness not that they forgot tomorrow is election day. Even beyond that, every call I've received to my cell phone hasn't even been directed towards me. They've successfully asked for a different person every time without ever actually asking for me. I don't mean to undermine the volunteer's efforts, I'm glad they are trying to make a difference. I'm just annoyed that they can't get in touch with me proper like.

All that said, you better vote tomorrow. If you don't then you better not so much as whine about the decisions of the next administration. You have your chance to make a difference, please act on.

That time of year

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:04:10 GMT

Well, its the time of year when mother nature turns to a cold, frigidity bitch. It means its time to layer up if I plan on leaving my apartment for more than 30 seconds. It also means its time to drag out the winter coats and see what the Winter Coat Pocket Fairies brought me. So far, I've found a key to a car I no longer own, movie tickets for Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia, an earring I haven't worn in 2 years, and a tube of chapstick. So far, not nearly as cool as last year's $20 bill.

Anyone get something cool this year?

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:22:48 GMT

I don't normally post twice in the same day but....

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:33:00 GMT

Life lesson #4

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:19:43 GMT

Do not attempt to eat an entire spoonful of butter by its self.

My personality

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:13:25 GMT

Because I was bored:

House of Cards

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:08:55 GMT

Radiohead released a new music video today. Its quite possibly the greatest music video I've ever seen. Not because its visually stunning or fits the song in some perfect manner but because they managed to do something no other musician has done before. They released a video that is pure data. There is absolutely no video information. What that means is that one can manipulate the "video" in real time. Every single viewer gets their own unique experience. This is probably my inner nerd talking but this is something so unbelievably beautiful that I cannot rightly put into words. Oh yea, and the song is absolutely fantastic. Radiohead, you win. I'll see you August 4th.

Read and watch:

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:41:30 GMT

I realized I haven't posted anything that wasn't friends only in a while so here are somethings that make me really happy, regardless of what's going on in my life:

Where The Hell Is Matt?

Sorry life is too dramatic for more public posting. I'll try to get back to that. Bye!

Songs I'm obessed with this week

Mon, 26 May 2008 20:27:58 GMT

I've been listening to following songs pretty much non stop this week, I thought I'd share:

MGMT - Time To Pretend
The Ting Tings - Great DJ (Calvin Harris Remix)
Mates of State - My Only Offer
Victor Wooten - U Can't Hold No Groove
Teddybears - Different Sound
Yo-Yo Ma/Bobby McFerrin - Hush Little Baby

You should definitely check out all of the above bands ASAP.
Thanks

The Slip

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:46:55 GMT

Thank you Trent

More bacon...

Fri, 02 May 2008 05:46:47 GMT

Bacon, is there anything you can't do

Thu, 01 May 2008 03:24:05 GMT

In more bacon news, cells from a pig's bladder were used to REGROW A FUCKING FINGER:

http://digg.com/health/Lose_A_Finger_Put_Some_Powder_On_It

mmm...I'm hungry now.

I really need to start sleeping...

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:46:37 GMT

Perhaps one of the greatest lists ever devised by man:

50 Ways to Use Bacon

mmmmm

OK Computer is amazing

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:42:13 GMT

I just had a really surreal music listening experience. I have gained access to certain music databases which allowed me to come into possession of a absurdly high quality transfer of Radiohead's OK Computer ripped from the vinyl edition. (The version that I had previously been listening to was sub-MySpace quality) The difference was more than just a little noticeable and just reminded of how wonderful listening to well written, well recorded music can be. The vocal break down on Paranoid Android (a song I've probably heard hundreds of times) was so awesome I completely stopped what I was reading and didn't even blink until the next song.

I know I'm 11 years too late, but thank you Radiohead. You're one of the greatest bands ever. EVER!!!

South Dakota Day 3

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:38:18 GMT

Holy crap, today was so much fun. After a short orientation we did light work until the kids started to arrive. Then from 3-7 we just played with kids outside. One of the smallest ones, Casem, decided I was his new dad. He is the man. Every time he would see me he would start yelling "Ryan! Ryan! Ryan! Go long!" then we would play catch for 45 minutes or so. Let me tell you, he's better at football than me. Also, he's down with the streets. This is the actual face and pose he would throw down every time we tried to take his picture.

We did tons of other awesome stuff with the kids. Emily made blown eggs with the kids and made a huge mess, but they had so much fun blowing the inside out of the eggs.

Carrie made friends with all the girls. They found out that Carrie and I were dating and would not stop bothering us about it. It was really funny. They would keep trying to get us to kiss but then acting like dating is so gross. Also, they decided we were goth. Carrie was wearing yellow and brown.

South Dakota Day 2

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:36:03 GMT

We finished the last leg of our drive. It went fine but dear god these states are flat. We stopped off at the Corn Palace, and it was indeed a building covered in pictures made up of corn. We also counted 48 signs for a apparently massive drug store that is on the other side of the state. Signs for it started 200 miles away. We're going to try to go visit it at some point. We didn't really do much at the youth center, we were only really here for about an hour and half before it closed. There is another group here from Miami (11 girls). Apparently I'm the only boy who ever volunteers and isn't trying convert anyone to Christianity. Also, there is a giant stuffed buffalo in our room. That will have to do for now.

South Dakota: Day 1

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:12:54 GMT

We heroically set out into the wilds of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa on our epic quest to South Dakota. So far, nothing really sweet to report, everything is pretty much flat and cold. We saw some awesome sunsets (well, one) and had a fantastic sing along to Blink 182. Oh, and we saw a town called Kickapoo, rock.

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:23:16 GMT

Turns out Garfield is much better without the title character. READ IT NOW!