New logo too similar?

Okay, help me out here folks. Engadget is reporting that the logo on the left for the new XBOX360 MAY be the official logo. Isn't it a little too close to game-maker Ubisoft, which you see on the right? Yes? No? Perhaps?

Microsoft "podcasts"

I was wondering when Microsoft would formally address the audio phenomenon known as podcasts. The podcast is, of course, named after rival Apple's iPod, so I was curious to find out if Microsoft would ignore podcasts completely, try desperately to rename the podcast something more ms-friendly like "audioblog", or whether they would go with the flow. I'm pleasantly surprised to say they chose door #3.

Here you'll find an official microsoft site referring to official microsoft "podcasts". Found this via curry.com. Thanks Adam.

Raining in West Orange, Podcast #7

It's a rainy night in West Orange and I'm podcasting a day earlier than usual. New music, a review of the great sci-fi film Primer, and more.

Download Podcast #7 here: stp-04-24-05

Branch Brook Park, Newark

Okay, so I was really late in posting this picture but I think it's pretty nice. It's from the trip we took last weekend to Branch Brook Park in Newark to see the Cherry Blossoms.

Honor System Trivia Winner!

Congratulations to Dave Huppert. Once again, he was the quickest draw in the honor system trivia competition. He knew that David Bowie portrayed Andy Warhol in the film Basquiat. He sent along this photo of himself. Please don't add comments about the hair. He's pretty self-conscious about it.

Those of you in the area (DAVE!), be sure to check out the Basquiat exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.

XBOX 360 Pics (maybe...perhaps)

I apologize for the lack of posting. It's been a long week. But hey, I got somethin' nice to make up for it. Engadget and other sites are now reporting that THIS is the new XBOX! Of course, no one knows for sure, but this actually looks pretty legit. Now if we can just see some video from some of these next-gen games...

Podcast #6: The first "propaganda" podcast

The new podcast is available. I've purchased a new software program created specifically for the creation of podcasts. I'm pretty impressed with Propaganda. There are some distinct limitations to what you're able to do, but for my purposes it's certainly an improvement over my previous set-up. Should be a quicker & easier recording process and I now have real editing capabilities. Some music and film reviews, a quote of the day from Laurie Anderson, honor-system trivia, our continuing celebration of National Poetry Month, and podsafe music from Samantha Murphy.

Download the sixth podcast here: stp-04-18-05

Podcast feed issues resolved

A few problems with the podcast feed seem to be resolved thanks to the hard work of Dave over at LibSyn.com. If you're subscribed to the podcast and your software recently attempted to download the latest podcast (#6), you MAY have received the original test file of The Shaun Townley Podcast from March 13th. It's possible you didn't receive any file at all.

It should be all cleared up now. If you have any issues, please let me know.
If you'd prefer, you can download the podcast HERE.

Sweet!

MacFarlane Toys will be releasing Napoleon Dynamite action figures this fall. If you're not familiar with the company, it's worth browsing around their site. These are not the action figures you remember.

Propaganda

I'm really excited about a new software package I'm testing out for the podcast. It's called Propaganda. It streamlines the recording process and will cut down immensely on the time it takes me to put these things together. They'll hopefully sound a whole lot better too because I'll be able to drop in music, sound effects and other recordings in post-production instead of trying to do everything live. We'll see.

Dreams

I had a dream this morning just before waking. My buddy Mickey and I went camping with a couple of friends...Yasser Arafat and Doctor Emmett Brown, portrayed beautifully in the dream by Mr. Christopher Lloyd who originated the role on celluloid. The DeLorean broke down so I had to get out and PUSH it up to 88 mph. Then Yasser decides to pull out a sub-machine gun and start firing rounds near my head, celebrating the score of the Seahawks game. I'm rolling around in the dirt trying not to get hit. It's about this time that Mickey heads over to the tent and begins to brew a pot of decaf.

"Bright As You"

For those of you who have been listening to the podcast (subscription information available in the LINKS secion), I've mentioned Jason Harrod a few times. His new album, Bright As You, was just released a few days ago. It's extremely good, in fact it's one of the best I've heard so far this year. It's not available on iTunes or Amazon, so you'll need to visit www.jasonharrod.com for more information. You'll be glad you did.

The Fifth Podcast is now available!

Have no fear, kids. Podcast #5 is here. Same format, including some great music and chatter from the recesses of my mind on this blissful Sunday night. A new honor system trivia question to tickle your brain and some poetry for y'all from a seemingly unlikely source.

Download the fifth podcast here: stp-04-11-05

Drive By Truckers!

If you're not familiar with Drive By Truckers, you can click the link below to find their music at iTunes. Also, visit www.drivebytruckers.com for more information about the band. They're great songwriters, great storytellers and they rock. I've got "Decoration Day" & "The Dirty South" and love 'em.

When you get to iTunes, also try searching Drive-By Truckers with that hyphen in there. That will bring up two other records, "Alabama Ass Whuppin' (Live)" and "Southern Rock Opera". iTunes has it listed in such a way that you won't find it without searching with the hyphen.

Huh?

It was reported recently that Cole Ford, a former pro football player who allegedly drove by Siegfried & Roy's house last October and began shooting, did so in order to "warn the world of the illusionists' unhealthy danger to them and to animals".

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the "unhealthy danger" starts when mentally ill placekickers fire off shotgun rounds at the homes of magicians.

You can read more about this at WIRED NEWS.

Fever Pitch

The wife & I saw Fever Pitch today, the new Farrelly Bros. film. They've eased up on the nasty this time 'round and put together a nice little movie. Jimmy Fallon & Drew Barrymore are both better than I expected and the story moves along at a good pace. I chuckled when I realized why Jimmy Fallon's character, the world's biggest Red Sox fan, is a teacher.

The film is based on the book by Nick Hornby (About a Boy & High Fidelity) which was about a soccer fan. Can you think of a British novelist with a better track record for creating stories that connect with American film audiences? Strange, but cool.

If you'd like to see some actual, professional reviews of the film, there's a great site that collects reviews and gives films (& books, music, games, etc.) a score based on those reviews. It's called Metacritic.
Click here for their page on Fever Pitch.

Oh my goodness, this is funny

My friend Taj pointed this one out to me. I happen to think it's extremely funny. You may find it pointless. But that's why America is the greatest country in the world (Switzerland is second, Nigeria third), because we can agree to disagree about these things.

Another brilliant bit of comedy from McSweeneys.net:
A REALISTIC ASSESSMENT OF HOW MANY 12-YEAR-OLDS I COULD BEAT UP BEFORE THEY OVERTOOK ME.
by Matt Schweiger

100 Best April Fool's Day Hoaxes

It's late, I know. April Fool's Day was last week. This is funny stuff though, no matter what day it is. I especially like #4 and #7.
Check it out: THE MUSEUM OF HOAXES

Podcast #4 has arrived!

"The Shaun Townley Podcast", now with 84% more coughing throughout! I learned a valuable lesson tonight. Don't try to podcast when you've got a cold, folks. Just wait. Seriously though, this podcast has a little of everything including a tribute to Neil Young who's recovering from surgery, a look at the latest podcasting news, music reviews & your quote of the day. Enjoy!

Download the 4th podcast here: stp-04-05-05

New & Improved Google Maps!!

Okay, Google Maps was incredible before tonight, but check it out NOW. You can click on "satellite" in the upper right-hand corner and the map will instantly convert to a satellite image of the area you've selected.

Ever wanted to see your neighborhood from space?!!!

Neil Young

Prayers and good thoughts go out to Neil Young. He's recovering from treatment after a brain aneurysm.

Podcast #4 coming soon!

Sorry folks, I didn't get a chance to put together a podcast for you Sunday night as I expected to. I hope to have one up soon. Had a great time at my cousin's wedding this weekend. Saw lots of family and I even cut loose on the dance floor to the sounds of a great band from Philly called Jellyroll.

Upcoming podcast (#4!)

I hope to bring y'all a new podcast this weekend but I will be out of town until Sunday evening so I'll probably record and post it then. If you have any suggestions about what you'd like to hear, please let me know. Send me MP3s or links to sites that you're diggin' or email me with questions or just things you're thinking about. My hope is that the podcast will be a way to build upon a community that shares information and experiences. Your participation is essential to the success of this endeavor. To all of you who have subscribed to the podcast, thank you! It's a really cool feeling to check my stats page and see how many are listening!