Gimme, Gimme Superbowl and Bacon!

What could possibly be better Sunday, than sitting in front our television sets, watching the Superbowl and waiting for the most anticipated ad commercials of the year (this year with heavy advertising dollars being put towards going digital)?

How about serving a dish that would make a vegetarian cry! Well, not that I would want a vegetarian guest of mine to run out screaming and hollering, but you get the gist.

The ultimate meat dish. A serving full of oh-so-yummy, ultimate meatyness, named appropriately the Bacon Explosion. Definitely an attention grabber for the guys this year, this innovative recipe was spawned by creators Jason Day and Aaron Chronister, members of the competing barbecue team Burnt Finger BBQ. The recipe starts with layered strips of bacon resembling that of a woven quilt, then seasoned and topped with a thick layer of sausage. Lastly, bits of cooked bacon are sprinkled atop the sausage layer before being rolled up tightly and put into a backyard smoker.


Don Ipock for The New York Times

This mammoth of a meaty dish gave me the same emotional feeling when I saw the famous "Turducken" recipe. That feeling of, "who is the mastermind behind this awesome creation?", as well as "wait... how many calories are in that?"

So, whether you are cheering for either the Cardinals or the Steelers this Sunday, make sure you've got some good food to serve. Because, hey, it could be a great conversation piece in the office Monday if your team loses.

New Generation of Synthetic Sound

I received a call from a friend the other day who was very eager to tell me something.

She began the conversation, explaining she heard about a specific type of electronic instrument that is beyond anything she has ever seen before.

Now, when I saw pictures of this device, I thought I had stumbled upon some kind of alien blueprint for the future. It looked like a scene out of some sort of warped, futuristic, paranormal movie. But, I could not take my eyes off of it.

It's called a "Reactable". Objects are placed on this synthetic, interactive tabletop surface creating various frequencies and rhythms that other electronic instruments could only aspire to create. I watched a demo performance online.



Though it is a couple years old, debuting around 2006, word did not circulate until later. This could be in part due to the ever alluring singer, Bjork. She used the Reactable during various performances, specifically an energetic performance on the Coachella tour.

Inaugural Festivities

With our 44th president to be sworn in on Tuesday, it can seem only fair to say that Washington, D.C. is preparing for quite a day.

With concerts, inaugural balls, tourists, locals, police and everything in between, DC this weekend could have easily been the most exciting place to be.

On Saturday I enjoyed quite a lovely dinner at Chef Geoff's, (which by the way I highly recommend eating here if you ever have a day to spend in DC) observed the crowd gatherings at the BET Honors Ball held at the Warner Theatre, and drove by what appeared to be the frantic workings of volunteers, officials and vendors. All preparing for the event that is to come.

Traffic was terrible, attitudes flared, cab drivers insisted that they cut in front at all possible opportunities...yet in some twisted way for me this was all somewhat enjoyable. To be stuck in traffic, not moving, yet in some way seeing the world move together all at once. Everyone being in the same place, at the same time, and preparing for the same moment; Obama taking the oath of office.

I for one will be skipping my Tuesday classes to watch, without a doubt. With this inauguration, I'm particularly happy to see the way media has adapted to technology. Live streaming coverage will be available at the click of a mouse all over the web. Webcasts will also be showing bits of after parties and dinners all over town. History will be captured for the world to see. Bravo!

Price Change for Itunes

Late post. Sorry folks, the start of a new semester at my university was a bit of a tumultuous event today. But never fear, the new post is here!

This past week was chock-full of happenings in the media world: the ever continuing battle of Blu-ray vs. HD DVD, my obsession with the Blackberry Storm, and a press frenzy following Obama as he stopped by one my hometown favorite spots, Ben's Chili Bowl.

All very interesting things for 2009, but I was particularly intrigued by the Macworld keynote address recently given in San Francisco, California. Presented by Apple Vice President, Phillip Schiller, the deliverance of a new set-up on Itunes was met with praise, as well as speculation.



Beginning April 1, 2009 (subliminal April Fool's joke anyone?), Itunes will begin to implement a new pricing plan. We can expect to see three prices: 69 cents, 99 cents, and $1.29. The lowest cost would be for those songs that are the oldest, and the highest cost for new songs (maybe the intermediate price will be for those catchy one-hit wonder's we all love).

This decision didn't come from within the Apple corporation. Record labels, seeing the success of Itunes, now want in on the royalties being made.

I for one will not be happy to see my favorite songs be pushed to more expensive rates. Yes, it may be a mere 30 cents extra, but who is to say the rate won't continue to increase? Why should I feel so saddened to realize, that my sacrifice for five piece nuggets at Wendy's to get an Itunes track, was all in vain? I say, not too fair of a trade.

It will be interesting, to say the least, how consumers react to the upcoming change.

Ronnie Radke Stumbles Upon His Own Fate

It’s not easy to be the frontman of a girl-crazed and highly successful, post-hardcore band. But Ronnie Radke fills this position commendably. Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Escape The Fate is signed to Epitaph Records. Their debut album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion, was released on September 26, 2006 peaking at #12 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers and #19 on the Top Independent Albums. The band was added to the 2007 Vans Warped Tour bill, where they played back-to-back shows throughout the U.S from June to August.

But it’s not the chart numbers, or the Nikki Sixx like aura that is drawing me to write about Ronnie Radke. It’s his 18-48 month sentence he is currently serving at High Desert State Prison, located in Indian Springs, Nevada.

Now, I am a big fan of Escape The Fate and I find Ronnie to be a highly skilled vocalist and performer. But his ongoing problem with drugs has caused quite a bit of trouble for the band, as well as himself. Ronnie and fellow bandmate/bass player Max Green have been good friends since high school. But, after a 2006 altercation they will never play in the same band again, and may never speak to one another either.




According to Las Vegas Sun and Las Vegas Weekly, Radke had been dodging Nevada authorities after his involvement in a May 2006 fight that left 18-year-old Michael Cook dead. In January 2008, Radke plead guilty to one charge of battery with substantial bodily harm and was sentenced to an 18-48 month probation term (ordering to pay almost $100,000 in restitution and to enroll in a drug rehabilitation program) that he did not properly adhere to.

Radke was arrested on June 16, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. on Arroyo Grande Boulevard and Sunset Road. Then on August 4, 2008, courts ordered to reinstate Radke’s original sentence of the maximum 48-month term.

It saddens me to see such an amazing and inspiring singer behind bars. Though, Ronnie states on his myspace that he will continue to write tracks in prison. He has even created a new band, named From Behind These Walls. This sort of situation is eerily reminiscent of a recent Sonny Moore departure from the band From First To Last. His solo career has caused an ongoing split between fans and the same seems to be happening with Ronnie.

Escape The Fate will continue on without Ronnie, as well as ex-guitar player Omar Espinosa, who reportedly still has negative views towards Max Green. A new singer was added to the band, Craig Mabbit ex-blessthefall vocalist.

Escape The Fate will begin their headlining tour in January in support of their new album, This War Is Ours.