Songs For Silverman

I've been listening to the latest from Ben Folds, Songs For Silverman, and have to tell you it keeps getting better each time I hear it. I suggest you pick it up if you haven't already. Now, I've yet to try this new DualDisc format so I can't vouch for it. Do your research first or just go ahead and buy from iTunes.
Here's the link to Ben Folds:

It's been a while...podcast #9

It's been a while, but podcast #9 is here. Podcasting news, book/tv/music talk, a bit about Star Wars, your quote of the day, & honor system trivia.

Download the ninth podcast here: stp-05-29-05

Submissions

A reminder to anyone out there with music or other audio pieces that they'd like to share, I'm always taking submissions for inclusion in the podcast. Send attachments to shauntownley@gmail.com

I don't think this is a joke

Uhhh... CHECK THIS OUT

Segway Centaur

Segway has a new concept vehicle called the Centaur that I first saw in the new WIRED this month. The video of this thing in action at the Segway site is pretty cool.

CLICK HERE: Segway Centaur Video

Creepy Kooky Robotic Cats

What would we do without Boing-Boing?
So many crazy things I never would have found if it weren't for this fantastic collection of oddities.

Take a look at this video: CLICK HERE

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs

I forgot how great Chuck Klosterman is. No excuses. I just forgot. I picked up his book "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs" tonight, flipped to a chapter about Star Wars, and remembered again. Chuck Klosterman is the man.

Exhibit A: "Luke went to the University of Dagobah with a major in Buddhist philosophy and a minor in physical education. There's not a lot of career opportunites for that kind of schooling; that's probably why he dropped out in the middle of the semester."

Exhibit B: His funny & revealing "Fargo Rock City", another great book.

Your honor, the defense rests.

Movies on XBOX Live...Part II

So, if you look back a few posts, I was going on about how I thought it would be cool if you could download video content via broadband to be stored and accessed via XBOX360. I was at Joystiq just now and they've posted an interview with Steve Ballmer and they asked him that very question.

Here's that part of the interview:

Q: Is there a plan for people to be able to purchase TV shows or movies via their Xbox even if they don’t have a Media Center PC?

A: Right now we’re working hard with a number of partners, like SBC, like Bell Canada, a number of others, to get IPTV to critical mass. As IPTV gets to critical mass, you will find that those partners are anxious to have as many people monetizing their investment as possible , and the Xbox community will be one of them.

Q: They’re looking at Xbox as a distribution channel?

A: I think so, we’re certainly talking to them about all of these things. Until there is some real business deal to announce I won’t announce it, but we’re set up technologically, but it does require some sort kind of business relationship.

Sith Happens

So it's 11:43pm as I write this and it occurs to me that folks all over are probably settling into their seats about now to see Revenge of the Sith. My folks took me & my sister to see Star Wars at the drive-in when we were less than a year old. I'm told I stared slack-jawed at the giant spaceships flying overhead. I fell asleep pretty quickly as I understand it, but hey, it was my first film.

It's incredible to me that 27 years later I'd have the opportunity to see the the final film projected digitally on the big screen as crisp as the day it was shot. It's a stunning movie in many ways and I had a huge grin on my face watching it. And this time I didn't fall asleep.

Hamburger America!

If you're in the NYC area, be sure to check out the May 24th screening of Hamburger America, a great documentary by George Motz. If you're not in the area, don't worry. DVDs are available at the site as well.

CLICK HERE for information about the May 24th screening. George will answer questions afterwords, so stick around for that. If you love burgers (and I know you do), don't miss it.

Movies on XBOX LIVE?

So, the grand unveiling took place Thursday night on MTV and I have to say, I was expecting more. But then I thought, this is just to whet our appetites. We'll get more information at E3. So, let's hope so.

I'm thinking if Microsoft is serious about positioning the XBOX360 as the new media hub in the home, why not USE that 20GB hard drive to store films downloaded from XBOX Live? I've been reading that you will be able to network a Windows Media Center PC to stream stored video to the 360, but what about the millions of us who don't have a Media Center PC?

Picture this. You go on XBOX Live and scroll through a list of new releases. Select a film from the list and pay $3 via your Live account to rent the movie in standard definition or HD. The download begins while you listen to music, watch a show you recorded earlier, or play a game with friends. Or you might choose to start watching the first part of the film as you download the rest of it. The film is stored on your XBOX hard drive for a specified amount of time or maybe until you rent another few films (the netflix model).

More announcements to be made about XBOX Live at E3, so we'll see.

Trivia Winner: Scott Ledridge!

Congratulations to Scott Ledridge. He's our honor system trivia winner for podcast #8. Believe it or not, he knew that the first Cracker Barrel was built in Lebanon, Tennessee. Also in the photo is his daughter Aaralyn. All together now...Awwwwwww.

Best cardboard sign...ever

Spending most of every day in New York City, you're bound to see some crazy stuff. On the way home today, I caught a glimpse of this dude with a wild beard and a big cardboard sign that read "Ninjas killed my family. Need money for kung-fu lessons". I usually have my camera at the ready for moments like this, but alas, I didn't get a photo.

It's times like these that the beauty of the internet is so abundantly apparent. I figured if I saw it and thought to take a picture, maybe someone else did too. Little did I know, this guy is ALL OVER the internet. The photo above comes from citynoiseorg.

I also found a mention of him in this "dear diary" entry in the New York Times!

Mickey's first podcast!

My friend Mickey joins me for his very first podcast. We talk about all kinds of stuff for a little less than an hour. Enjoy.

Download the eighth podcast here: stp-05-07-05

For those of you who don't know...

I'm a bit late in getting up this week's podcast, but for good reason. I'm in the middle of editing a sprawling conversation with my friend Mickey, who joined me via skype for the podcast. I should have it up in a day or two.

Eddie Izzard's new pilot

Eddie Izzard is extremely funny. I first saw him in the HBO special called Dress to Kill and made an audio cassette of it that I listened to constantly in my old Saturn that had a tape deck. I later saw his act on stage in New York and it was great. Sooooo...I was happy to hear that Mr. Izzard is working on a pilot for FX. You can read more about it HERE.

If it's as good as Denis Leary's Rescue Me (I can't wait for season two to start on June 21st!), we're in for a treat.

Follow the link to iTunes to get buy some of Eddie Izzard's live shows.

Patience is a Virtue

No podcast yet. You can listen to the post below to find out why. I called it in this morning. Ain't technology grand? I'll get one up as soon as I'm able. I appreciate your patience.