I forgot how great this song really is

John Frusciante - The Past Recedes from MIKE PISCITELLI on Vimeo.

New Mac Book is More Bang for the Buck. Literally

So its been sometime since my last post, and even though about 2 (maybe 3) people read this, I still feel as if it is my duty to apologize. Lots of stuff has been goin on and I will post it. But for now, please take a look at the Apple Mac Book, it is quite simply, the most advance piece of machinery that I have ever seen.

I couldn't agree more

I came across this image while reading The Elegant Scoundrel and I thought it was quite fitting. I feel strongly about the idea of living your dreams. Without them, what do we have? Are we really truly happy? I don't know about you, but I wouldn't feel alive. Granted, there are circumstances that occur which may throw us off course, but that's not to say that we shouldn't give up. Maybe it's a sign for us to find a more elegant and clever way of achieving our dreams? Perhaps I am taking this too far? Let me clarify, regardless of your dreams/failures/fears/whatever, get out there and LIVE LIFE. Be happy and think outside the box. We all have a little bit of mad scientist in us, we just have to find it.

Cheers,

Ray

Feeling like a lab rat has never felt cooler.

While sufulating the interwebs I came across an interesting post in the Cool Hunter's Transportation section. The post pertains to an innovative way for cyclists to get around the city of Toronto during the winter months. Essentially, it is a series of elevated tubes that will provide all season cycling. The system is said to create a natural tail wind that will reduce resistance, thus allowing cyclists to go faster. I certainly hope this concept catches on, as I would love to have something like this in Miami.

Go Atlantis! Go!

Earlier today at precisely 2:01PM the Shuttle Atlantis took off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. For those of you that don't know me, then I feel as if its my duty to inform you of my love for all things regarding space flight. Ever since I was kid I've romanticized about going into space, and after meeting my girlfriend Monica (see previous post), the feeling has only grown.

Anyway, like the opening line reads, the shuttle Atlantis has lifted off! It's currently on its way to fix the Hubble Telescope. The mission entails a series of space walks, installations and the repair two inactive components. The objectives NASA says, should keep the Telescope functioning until 2014.

If you would like to view more photos and watch a video of the launch, please visit NASA's website. They have tons of neat information that is sure to turn anyone into a space nut!

As always, here are some more photos:

Bill Withers

While reading Benny Gold's Column for Highsnobiety I came across this movie trailer for a Bill Withers Documentary.

Star Wars Weekends

While browsing the STANDARD blog I came across the lovely ad you see above. Are you as pumped as I am?

Who Goes There?

I receieved two emails this morning notifying me that I had received two new "followers" on Twitter. When I clicked on both links to see who these individuals were, I was stopped by the "Twitter owl," another light-hearted cartoon. If you have read my previous post (I Tweet Therefore I Am), then you will know what I'm on about. Anyway, the owl notified me that the pages I was trying to visit were suspended. I guess Twitter is also being infultrated by the evil SPAM. Here he is:

Incubus-Black Heart Inertia

Incubus - New Music - More Music Videos

It's been a while since we've heard from Incubus, and I'll be quite honest, its been a while since I've listened to them. Growing up, they were one of my favorite musical groups and somewhere along the line I tucked them away into the confines of some of my fondest memories. However, they weren't too far away, as I can now feel myself getting a little nostalgic and (quite frankly) excited about seeing them on their North American Tour this summer.

Above is the video for the group's latest single "Black Heart Inertia." The band is also releasing a record on June 16 titled "Monuments and Melodies," containing 13 of their biggest hits as well 11 rare tracks. There are also a few more surprises in the works. Please CLICK HERE for more information.

The Kooks: One Last Time

It fascinates me, how a song can immediately change your mood. Sometimes its not the lyrics but rather the music that captures me. The other night I was driving to my local pub to meet up with some friends and "One Last Time" by The Kooks came on and it completely altered my mood. It made me feel relaxed and (just a little bit) sad. I suppose with this song it wasn't just the lyrics, but also the music itself that affected me. It's a mellow song, but through out it's structure there are all these different textures that come and go. I desperately wanted to write what I was feeling at that moment, but sadly I couldn't. To double check my feelings about this song, I am currently looping it, and I am glad to say that these emotions are back (for the most part).

Music has always had that effect on me, and I suppose it goes for many of the people on this Earth (if not all). However, I also believe that its not just music, but literature, art, daily events, etc., that take us back and allow us to pause, if just for one second and drift away. Its a comfortable feeling (at least for me), knowing that within this hectic world I can still escape no matter where I am.

Cheers,

Ray

Linn Olofsdotter

While reading "The Cool Hunter's" art section, I came across the work of Linn Olofsdotter. You may read more about her HERE.

The Compartment Man

Read all about it HERE

Mariachis Are The New Black

This weekend we not only celebrated Easter, but we also took part in a two day celebration of my Grandmother's birthday. On Friday (her actual birthday), my family, girlfriend and I took my grandmother out to a lovely seafood dinner, where we over did it on crab claws, fish and desert (deeeelish). The next day, was her birthday party, and let me just say, that it was "off the hook." Is it OK if I say it like that? "Off the hook?" Either way, my mother had the party catered with all these Delicious and fattening Cuban dishes. We had masita de puerco, arroz imperial, congri, platanitos maduros and plenty of other dishes. Not to mention, an abundance of adult beverages and Coca-Colas in glass bottles. But what really made the party, was the surprise attack by three Mariachis! Excuse my Miami lingo again, but "bro, those guys can jam."

The Mariachis performed a great set, playing classic Mariachi songs like "El Rey." My grandmother was completely surprised and even got a little emotional at first. However, the tears washed away when her good friend decided to jump on the mic and become the fourth member of the Mariachis. In short, the party was a great success and there were enough left overs sitting in my fridge to feed a family of 10 for the next week. As always, here are some pictures:



Birthday Candle Blowout

Grandma and the kids

The men of the hour

The fourth Mariachi

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Who You Gonna Call?

Ok, so I may be one of the few American semi-adults in this country (make that the WORLD) that doesn't really partake in video games. Now that's not to say that I don't play completely, occasionally my friends will be playing something that looks interesting and I'll give it go. However, after reading the New York Times blog Arts Beat, I think I may explode of sheer excitement. Why you ask? Ghostbusters, that's why! One of the most popular movies of any generation (I have no data to back that up), and one of my favorite series of movies, is now releasing a video game. Which, Dan Aykroyd hopes will lead into a THIRD movie! (I'm about to spontaneously combust). Above is a (you guessed it) screen shot from the game. Please read the full post HERE.

So Who Wants To Go?

Photo: Kevin Moloney for The New York Times


Photo: Kevin Moloney for The New York Times

CLICK HERE

Friday, April 10, 2009

Chester French

Earlier this week I saw Chester French perform a free acoustic show at Culture Kings in the Design District. For those that don't know who Chester French are, then I urge you, URGE YOU to check them out. In short, they're a dynamic duo of wit, swagger and charm that got signed to Star Track Records in their Senior of college. Their music is (how do I put this?), the love child of The Beatles, The Beach Boys & N.E.R.D. Perhaps that's not even a good enough explanation. In all honesty, they write extremely catchy and hilariously thought provoking music. I discovered them about a year ago through the infamous Johnny Cupcakes, and I've been hooked ever since.

Like my post started off, Chester French's performance at Culture Kings was my first time ever seeing them and my girlfriend's first time ever hearing them. I am grateful for the opportunity to have witnessed them in such an intimate setting. Moreover, they came across as polite and humble people. Please check out their website and download their FREE (yes FREE) mix tape. The tape will wet your appetite for their full length release which is due out on the 21st of this month. So please, sit back and enjoy.

Cheers,

Ray

Thursday, April 9, 2009

The road less traveled usually leads to better stories

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The West

While reading the very popular New York Times blog "The Moment," I came across a post that caught my attention. New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) is currently having an exhibition pertaining to the American West. Please checkulate: MoMa & NYTimes The Moment


Darius Kinsey (Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art)Felling a Fir Tree, 51 Feet in Circumference (1906).


Edward Sheriff Curtis (The Museum of Modern Art)Watching the Dancers (1906)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The Beatles' entire original recorded catalogue Re-Mastered and set for relase on 09.09.09

The Beatles, what can I say about them that isn't completely typical and cliche? I mean seriously, this is a good thing. They've touched so many lives that everyone says the same great things about them. However, its not going to keep me from trying to find another way to describe their AMAZINGNESS.

At just about every Delpaxton practice, towards the end we go into a Beatles sing along/jam along. My singer owns a "Beatles music book," and we just play the songs. Its refreshing because it doesn't give us time to rehearse, rather we just read the music and play. From doing that, I have had the opportunity to understand them well beyond their obvious impact on not just music, but society and pop-culture. Their chord structures, although they may sound simple, are arranged in such a well thought out manner, that one cannot deny that these four gentlemen were born to do what they did. I am truly grateful that this world was given The Beatles and that I happened to be one of the many that have been influenced by them.

Anyway, for more info on the actual recordings and other Beatle-mania, please click here: LOS BEATLES

Monday, April 6, 2009

I Tweet therfore I am

I joined twitter about 3 weeks ago, and I must say that it has become rather addicting. But what I love more than the act of "twittering," is when Twitter is "Over Capacity," because then they post these light-hearted cartoon images. I suppose they do this to soften the blow. Either way, I wish twitter was over capacity more of the time.