Curly is his own sovereign nation. Aubrey can't tell where you're going with this.
31 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #18
Curly is his own sovereign nation. Aubrey can't tell where you're going with this.
SOMETHING COOL #18
The movie Brazil.
Currently Brazil ranks as my second-favorite movie of all time, but my first favorite is already plenty popular, so I don't need to endorse it. Brazil comes from Monty Python's Terry Gilliam, and it shows. Essentially it's a funny version of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four; at least, it's funny if you like black comedy.
Sam Laury, a low-level government grunt, is tasked with figuring out some controversy after a small mistake leads to the wrong man being arrested. As he goes, he finds out just how clogged up and flawed his dystopian government really is. Starring Jonathan Pryce, Robert DiNiro, Kim Greist, and Michael Palin.
Why haven't you heard of it before? Well, the film was a big success in Europe, but it flopped completely in the States. It doesn't get a lot of mention over on this side of the pond. Still, I strongly recommend you rent it.
Just how good is it? Well, my dad rented it a few months ago. Later, since our Blockbuster was going out of business, we decided to buy a copy. Of course, I was going off to college soon afterward, and we couldn't decide who would keep it. We had to buy another copy since neither of us wanted to part with it.
In case you were wondering, my favorite movie is Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
--Curly
Currently Brazil ranks as my second-favorite movie of all time, but my first favorite is already plenty popular, so I don't need to endorse it. Brazil comes from Monty Python's Terry Gilliam, and it shows. Essentially it's a funny version of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four; at least, it's funny if you like black comedy.
Sam Laury, a low-level government grunt, is tasked with figuring out some controversy after a small mistake leads to the wrong man being arrested. As he goes, he finds out just how clogged up and flawed his dystopian government really is. Starring Jonathan Pryce, Robert DiNiro, Kim Greist, and Michael Palin.
Why haven't you heard of it before? Well, the film was a big success in Europe, but it flopped completely in the States. It doesn't get a lot of mention over on this side of the pond. Still, I strongly recommend you rent it.
Just how good is it? Well, my dad rented it a few months ago. Later, since our Blockbuster was going out of business, we decided to buy a copy. Of course, I was going off to college soon afterward, and we couldn't decide who would keep it. We had to buy another copy since neither of us wanted to part with it.
In case you were wondering, my favorite movie is Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
--Curly
29 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #17
Curly is a bad troll, a very bad troll. Aubrey is not a hipster. That would be too mainstream.
SOMETHING COOL #17
Today: Exit Through the Gift Shop
Exit Through the Gift Shop is an excellent documentary about the underground world of street art. Directed by secretive street artist Banky, it follows camera-obsessive Thierra Guetta as he follows some of the biggest names in the art form, and, eventually, his own ventures into street art.
It really is a very good documentary. I recommend it to anybody who enjoys art and/or film. It's available to stream on netflix or, if you are lacking the beauty that is Netflix streaming, you can watch it here: http://vimeo.com/17753809
--- Aubrey
The second comic in as many posts making light of the tragedy in Ethiopia. I suppose I should feel guilty. So I'll just post this here:
Donate here. Please donate if you can. You're using a device that converts a nearly infinite source of information into light that it shoots at you so you can look at funny cats. There are children who have never had a proper meal. Okay, I feel less guilty now.
--Curly
Exit Through the Gift Shop is an excellent documentary about the underground world of street art. Directed by secretive street artist Banky, it follows camera-obsessive Thierra Guetta as he follows some of the biggest names in the art form, and, eventually, his own ventures into street art.
It really is a very good documentary. I recommend it to anybody who enjoys art and/or film. It's available to stream on netflix or, if you are lacking the beauty that is Netflix streaming, you can watch it here: http://vimeo.com/17753809
--- Aubrey
The second comic in as many posts making light of the tragedy in Ethiopia. I suppose I should feel guilty. So I'll just post this here:
Donate here. Please donate if you can. You're using a device that converts a nearly infinite source of information into light that it shoots at you so you can look at funny cats. There are children who have never had a proper meal. Okay, I feel less guilty now.
--Curly
26 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #16
SOMETHING COOL #16
Matt & Kim.
From humble origins (effectively started because one of their friends needed a band to open for another band), Matt & Kim have been surprisingly successful. They manage to make surprisingly addicting songs for people with little to no formal musical training.
On top of that, they are famous in the entertainment community for their shows' high energy and fun.
A few songs I recommend checking out: "Good for Great", "Where You're Coming From", "I'll Take Us Home" and "Daylight".
Side note, most of their songs are pretty easy to learn, so they're good if you're just getting started on an instrument. "Daylight" was the fourth song I learned on accordion.
--Curly
From humble origins (effectively started because one of their friends needed a band to open for another band), Matt & Kim have been surprisingly successful. They manage to make surprisingly addicting songs for people with little to no formal musical training.
On top of that, they are famous in the entertainment community for their shows' high energy and fun.
A few songs I recommend checking out: "Good for Great", "Where You're Coming From", "I'll Take Us Home" and "Daylight".
Side note, most of their songs are pretty easy to learn, so they're good if you're just getting started on an instrument. "Daylight" was the fourth song I learned on accordion.
--Curly
24 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #15
Curly is the product of billions of years of evolution. Aubrey is the last remaining World War I survivor.
23 August 2011
SOMETHING COOL #15
Today: Stuff You Missed in History Class, a podcast free to download on itunes.
As a history nerd, I love this podcast. Subjects of some recent episodes include the Orsen Welles and the War of the Worlds radio broadcast, other historical hoaxes, the Bayeux Tapestry, False Dmitry, and countless others. The two women who do the podcast also have a blog at howstuffworks.com and a twitter.
--- Aubrey
As a history nerd, I love this podcast. Subjects of some recent episodes include the Orsen Welles and the War of the Worlds radio broadcast, other historical hoaxes, the Bayeux Tapestry, False Dmitry, and countless others. The two women who do the podcast also have a blog at howstuffworks.com and a twitter.
--- Aubrey
22 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #14
Curly knows when to hold them, fold them, walk away, run, etc. Aubrey has a passion for fashion.
SOMETHING COOL #14
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. It came out around eight years ago, but it's my favorite video game of all time.
Why? Because of how elegantly it's made. Not only are the graphics better than just about any GameCube game I've ever seen (and most next-gen games), it has smooth gameplay, genuine challenge, and a great story to back it all up.
The game never took off because it required so much peripheral equipment. In order to play the game, all you need is the basics. But if you want to do well on the game, you need a GameBoy Advance and a connector cable (and a DS won't work). And the game is most fun when played with a group, so that means another GBA and another cable for each player. Still, if you have three friends and a GameCube or Wii, it's definitely worth the investment.
The game does not have any follow-up. I say that despite the existence of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, Echoes of Time, My Life as a King, My Life as a Darklord, and The Crystal Bearers. Those games fundamentally altered the gameplay, turning it into a stereotypical platformer rather than the unique RPG-adventure blend that made the first game great. Do not buy them; they range from "atrocious" to "middling".
Still, the original game provides many hours of adventuring fun for one to four players (four players is recommended).
Why? Because of how elegantly it's made. Not only are the graphics better than just about any GameCube game I've ever seen (and most next-gen games), it has smooth gameplay, genuine challenge, and a great story to back it all up.
The game never took off because it required so much peripheral equipment. In order to play the game, all you need is the basics. But if you want to do well on the game, you need a GameBoy Advance and a connector cable (and a DS won't work). And the game is most fun when played with a group, so that means another GBA and another cable for each player. Still, if you have three friends and a GameCube or Wii, it's definitely worth the investment.
The game does not have any follow-up. I say that despite the existence of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, Echoes of Time, My Life as a King, My Life as a Darklord, and The Crystal Bearers. Those games fundamentally altered the gameplay, turning it into a stereotypical platformer rather than the unique RPG-adventure blend that made the first game great. Do not buy them; they range from "atrocious" to "middling".
Still, the original game provides many hours of adventuring fun for one to four players (four players is recommended).
19 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #13
Curly is off fulfilling his dream of managing a modest shredded cheese packaging plant in upstate New York. Guns don't kill people, Aubrey kills people.
18 August 2011
SOMETHING COOL #13
Today: The Cardiff Giant, a historical hoax that happens to be one of my favorites, if only for the insane amount of conspiring and planning it took to pull off.
So a tobacco farmer George Hull got into an argument with a Methodist about the plausibility of giants mentioned in the bible (Hull being an atheist). Inspired by the argument, he hired some men to dig out a large quantity of gypsum in Fort Dodge, Iowa (telling them that it was for a monument to Abraham Lincoln). He then later sent it out to another man (who he made swear to absolute secrecy) who carved it into the form of a ten foot tall petrified man. After having invested a few thousand dollars in this hoax, he and his cousin William Newell buried it at Newell's farm. A full year later, Newell hired men to dig in the spot where the "giant" was buried, telling them that he was having a well dug out.
After the giant was found, Newell charged people 25 cents, and then 50 cents, to look at it. He later sold it to David Hannum for $25,000, who in turn was offered $50,000 by P.T. Barnum. However, Hannum refused, prompting P.T. Barnum to create his own plaster giant, which he touted as real, and called Hannum's giant fake. In response to this claim, Hannum is quoted with the ironic statement, "There's a sucker born every minute."
Finally, in 1870, George Hull admitted that the giant was fake, though that did little to stop the petrified man/giant craze sweeping sideshows throughout the United States.
--- Aubrey
So a tobacco farmer George Hull got into an argument with a Methodist about the plausibility of giants mentioned in the bible (Hull being an atheist). Inspired by the argument, he hired some men to dig out a large quantity of gypsum in Fort Dodge, Iowa (telling them that it was for a monument to Abraham Lincoln). He then later sent it out to another man (who he made swear to absolute secrecy) who carved it into the form of a ten foot tall petrified man. After having invested a few thousand dollars in this hoax, he and his cousin William Newell buried it at Newell's farm. A full year later, Newell hired men to dig in the spot where the "giant" was buried, telling them that he was having a well dug out.
After the giant was found, Newell charged people 25 cents, and then 50 cents, to look at it. He later sold it to David Hannum for $25,000, who in turn was offered $50,000 by P.T. Barnum. However, Hannum refused, prompting P.T. Barnum to create his own plaster giant, which he touted as real, and called Hannum's giant fake. In response to this claim, Hannum is quoted with the ironic statement, "There's a sucker born every minute."
Finally, in 1870, George Hull admitted that the giant was fake, though that did little to stop the petrified man/giant craze sweeping sideshows throughout the United States.
--- Aubrey
17 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #12
Curly is legally obligated to notify you that he is a registered zombie hunter. Aubrey was the one on the grassy knoll.
16 August 2011
SOMETHING COOL #12
Today: I come bringing a recipe for those of us who routinely have to cook for themselves, yet rarely escalate above the level of microwaving a frozen dinner. Don't be afraid... this has been specially prepared for the kitchen illiterate.
Cheestacular Quesadilla
Ingredients:
Tortillas: Either 1 big, white kind or 2 of the little white kinds (can be bought at 99 cent store). The yellow kind don''t work so well for these things.
Cheese: pretty much any kind of shredded cheese will do. Ralph's sells an enormous bag of it for pretty cheap.
Butter: Other recipes will tell you this is "optional." WELL THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL. The butter is what allows for the fine browning of the tortilla, allowing your taste buds to go on a delicious flavor adventure with every bite. Butter substitutes, like marjorine, are acceptable, so long as they are spreadable.
Things You Will Need
A stove (or hotplate, if you're living in a dorm or are otherwise bereft of a stove).
A pan of some kind (these can be purchased at the 99 cent store as well).
Directions:
1. Start the stove. It doesn't really matter what heat you set it to, so long as it's not a teeny tiny barely-gives-enough-heat-to-warm-a-caterpillar flame or a "SWEET JESUS THERE IS A DRAGON IN THE BURNER!" flame. (Now would be a good time to turn on any fans near the kitchen if you have a sensitive fire alarm).
2. Butter one side of the tortilla (if you're using one) or one side of one tortilla (if you're doing two). Place it butter side down in the pan.
3. Layer that sucker with cheese. I have yet to have used an amount of cheese I would consider "too much," so don't be shy.
4. Wait until the cheese has melted enough to not fall off the tortilla when you have to flip it (Now would be an appropriate time to add salsa, avocado, etc. if you like that sort of thing in your quesadilla).
5. Either fold over the single large tortilla (a spatula would be good for this, though I've used my hands with little repercussions) or add another small buttered tortilla, this time with the butter facing you.
6. Flip that sweet delicious being over (once again, hands will do for the braver of quasi-chefs, though a spatula or at least a knife is ideal).
7. Continue to cook until you're too hungry to care if it's underdone.
8. Bite into it the moment you slide it off the pan, not caring if it burns your tongue, and relish in its sweet, sweet deliciousness.
There you have it.
---- Aubrey
Cheestacular Quesadilla
Ingredients:
Tortillas: Either 1 big, white kind or 2 of the little white kinds (can be bought at 99 cent store). The yellow kind don''t work so well for these things.
Cheese: pretty much any kind of shredded cheese will do. Ralph's sells an enormous bag of it for pretty cheap.
Butter: Other recipes will tell you this is "optional." WELL THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL. The butter is what allows for the fine browning of the tortilla, allowing your taste buds to go on a delicious flavor adventure with every bite. Butter substitutes, like marjorine, are acceptable, so long as they are spreadable.
Things You Will Need
A stove (or hotplate, if you're living in a dorm or are otherwise bereft of a stove).
A pan of some kind (these can be purchased at the 99 cent store as well).
Directions:
1. Start the stove. It doesn't really matter what heat you set it to, so long as it's not a teeny tiny barely-gives-enough-heat-to-warm-a-caterpillar flame or a "SWEET JESUS THERE IS A DRAGON IN THE BURNER!" flame. (Now would be a good time to turn on any fans near the kitchen if you have a sensitive fire alarm).
2. Butter one side of the tortilla (if you're using one) or one side of one tortilla (if you're doing two). Place it butter side down in the pan.
3. Layer that sucker with cheese. I have yet to have used an amount of cheese I would consider "too much," so don't be shy.
4. Wait until the cheese has melted enough to not fall off the tortilla when you have to flip it (Now would be an appropriate time to add salsa, avocado, etc. if you like that sort of thing in your quesadilla).
5. Either fold over the single large tortilla (a spatula would be good for this, though I've used my hands with little repercussions) or add another small buttered tortilla, this time with the butter facing you.
6. Flip that sweet delicious being over (once again, hands will do for the braver of quasi-chefs, though a spatula or at least a knife is ideal).
7. Continue to cook until you're too hungry to care if it's underdone.
8. Bite into it the moment you slide it off the pan, not caring if it burns your tongue, and relish in its sweet, sweet deliciousness.
There you have it.
---- Aubrey
15 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #11
Curly's album just dropped. Aubrey is not the real Slim Shady, for that would be ridiculous.
SOMETHING COOL #11
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal.
Actually, I accidentally ripped SMBC off when I made this comic. But I had already made the sketch, and I was like, "whatever".
SMBC loves to make jokes about math, science, religion, philosophy, and penises. Interestingly, Zach Weiner, who writes, draws, and publishes the comics is actually paying his way through college with it. So unless you hate America and the future, go visit his site.
Here's the one I ripped off: Unicorns. See my shame.
--Curly
Actually, I accidentally ripped SMBC off when I made this comic. But I had already made the sketch, and I was like, "whatever".
SMBC loves to make jokes about math, science, religion, philosophy, and penises. Interestingly, Zach Weiner, who writes, draws, and publishes the comics is actually paying his way through college with it. So unless you hate America and the future, go visit his site.
Here's the one I ripped off: Unicorns. See my shame.
--Curly
12 August 2011
SOMETHING COOL #10
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
I consider myself a connoisseur of cinema. I intend to pursue a career in film and television (albeit more on the writing side of things), but I have still studied many of the important aspects of framing and composition. And let me tell you: this show gets it right. On top of that, it's cleverly written and genuinely entertaining on many levels.
What I think may be the most important factor is that I'm outside the target fanbase. Nothing destroys a show faster than trying to please its fans. So since it's not trying to do that, the bronies can look forward to many seasons of pleasure.
Interestingly, I'm currently engaged in a debate with a friend who refuses to watch it yet continues to criticize it based entirely on speculation. In the length of time we've been having this rather one-sided debate (I say one-sided as he has yet to provide a piece of logically-cogent information), three more friends of mine have started watching it and enjoyed it.
You can see some more of my thoughts here: My Deviant Art page
--Curly
10 August 2011
SOMETHING COOL #9
Y'know what's kind of cool? Cyanide and Happiness.
One of my all-time favorite webcomics, as well as where we got the idea for sharing cool stuff (although they mostly do it for other webcomics). Anyway, thanks to their low-quality drawing and multiple authors, they get to update daily, and have a library of about 2500 comics so far.
A clever blend of childishness and dark humor (not to mention Depressing Comic Week) keep this webcomic entertaining. Visit it at explosm.net.
One of my all-time favorite webcomics, as well as where we got the idea for sharing cool stuff (although they mostly do it for other webcomics). Anyway, thanks to their low-quality drawing and multiple authors, they get to update daily, and have a library of about 2500 comics so far.
A clever blend of childishness and dark humor (not to mention Depressing Comic Week) keep this webcomic entertaining. Visit it at explosm.net.
08 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #8
Curly is unavailable at the moment, please leave a message. Aubrey's life ambition is to own an ostrich farm.
By the way, EVERY WEBCOMIC EVER: let us do guest comics! E-mail us at shinyobjectsvideos@gmail.com.
07 August 2011
SOMETHING COOL #8
Today's Something Cool: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Book and film).
Book: The product of Ken Kesey's acid-fueled hallucinations whilst working on a mental ward, this novel deals heavily with the concept of flawed perceptions as well as with the definition of insanity. Ken Kesey's diction allows the novel to be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. I recommend it highly.
Film: Directed by Milos Forman and starring Jack Nicholson as the pseudo-protagonist Randle McMurphy, the film is an excellent adaptation of the novel. Though, in my opinion, the novel is superior to the film, that's not to say that the film isn't absolutely wonderful in its own right.
--- Aubrey
Book: The product of Ken Kesey's acid-fueled hallucinations whilst working on a mental ward, this novel deals heavily with the concept of flawed perceptions as well as with the definition of insanity. Ken Kesey's diction allows the novel to be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. I recommend it highly.
Film: Directed by Milos Forman and starring Jack Nicholson as the pseudo-protagonist Randle McMurphy, the film is an excellent adaptation of the novel. Though, in my opinion, the novel is superior to the film, that's not to say that the film isn't absolutely wonderful in its own right.
--- Aubrey
05 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #7
Curly is a naturally-occurring source of cold fusion. Aubrey doesn't have time for your silly mind games, Joker.
SOMETHING COOL #7
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.
I'm under the impression that shortly after the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon wronged a gypsy or something and has since been cursed so that everything cool he makes is cut tragically short. But being Joss Whedon, he made the most of it by creating a three-part series called Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.
A brilliant subversion and analysis of the classic hero-villain archetypal story, Dr. Horrible provides a wonderful message with great cinematography and some really catchy tunes. If you haven't seen it yet, I urge you to do so now.
--Curly
I'm under the impression that shortly after the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon wronged a gypsy or something and has since been cursed so that everything cool he makes is cut tragically short. But being Joss Whedon, he made the most of it by creating a three-part series called Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.
A brilliant subversion and analysis of the classic hero-villain archetypal story, Dr. Horrible provides a wonderful message with great cinematography and some really catchy tunes. If you haven't seen it yet, I urge you to do so now.
--Curly
03 August 2011
NO BLACK PLUME #6
Curl once ate curly fries and was accused of cannibalism. Aubrey pours the milk before she pours the cereal and it works out just fine.
02 August 2011
SOMETHING COOL #6
Today: Brave New World, a novel by Aldous Huxley.
If you're even slightly into dystopian fiction you will enjoy this novel. It borrows it's title, as well as many thematic elements, from Shakespeare's The Tempest. I won't give away the plot, but I strongly advise anyone and everyone to read it. It's, in my opinion, better than Orwell's 1984 (and I thoroughly enjoyed 1984). Anyway, I'm rambling, go read the book. Now.
Do you not have legs/are too lazy to go to the damn bookstore to read this beautiful piece of literature? Well it's your lucky day! Click on this link to read it online!
--Aubrey
If you're even slightly into dystopian fiction you will enjoy this novel. It borrows it's title, as well as many thematic elements, from Shakespeare's The Tempest. I won't give away the plot, but I strongly advise anyone and everyone to read it. It's, in my opinion, better than Orwell's 1984 (and I thoroughly enjoyed 1984). Anyway, I'm rambling, go read the book. Now.
Do you not have legs/are too lazy to go to the damn bookstore to read this beautiful piece of literature? Well it's your lucky day! Click on this link to read it online!
--Aubrey
01 August 2011
SOMETHING COOL #5
Something cool: History, part 1 of infinity.
Probably the most important person you've never heard of: Mansa Musa. This king of Mali in the 14th century is responsible for every modern innovation since the Renaissance. How?
In 1324, Mansa Musa travelled to Egypt, carrying loads and loads of gold, 'cause, you know, everyone loves gold. He intended to trade his gold for the riches of Egypt. Problem is, he didn't know the exchange rate. So Egyptian merchants gouged his entire caravan for all it was worth. As a result, Egypt actually ended up with too much gold. Their economy became bloated and overinflated.
Europeans, doing what Europeans do, decided to take advantage of this. Several powerful Italian families took advantage of the lowered price of gold to get tons of it for cheap. And these families included the later-famous de Medicis, da Vincis, di Lodovicos, etc. And once they were rich, the Renaissance began.
So, yeah. History is pretty cool.
On an unrelated note, if you're ever in Mexico, grab a couple of sodas. They use cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup like they do in America, so it's actually higher quality.
Probably the most important person you've never heard of: Mansa Musa. This king of Mali in the 14th century is responsible for every modern innovation since the Renaissance. How?
In 1324, Mansa Musa travelled to Egypt, carrying loads and loads of gold, 'cause, you know, everyone loves gold. He intended to trade his gold for the riches of Egypt. Problem is, he didn't know the exchange rate. So Egyptian merchants gouged his entire caravan for all it was worth. As a result, Egypt actually ended up with too much gold. Their economy became bloated and overinflated.
Europeans, doing what Europeans do, decided to take advantage of this. Several powerful Italian families took advantage of the lowered price of gold to get tons of it for cheap. And these families included the later-famous de Medicis, da Vincis, di Lodovicos, etc. And once they were rich, the Renaissance began.
So, yeah. History is pretty cool.
On an unrelated note, if you're ever in Mexico, grab a couple of sodas. They use cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup like they do in America, so it's actually higher quality.
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