MD 1178 - Intro to Digital Media

Haven't decided if I want to pick this blog back up and use it as my blog for class or if I just want to start another one....on top of my 2 Tumblrs, this, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and possibly a WordPress....

Current Ultimate Team - FIFA 2011

Chrysler Eminem Super Bowl Commercial - Imported From Detroit

My Pick for the Super Bowl Thanks to Lil Wayne - Green & Yellow

Who would have assumed that Lil’ Wayne was a cheesehead? The liberated Young Money general presents his take of Wiz Khalifa’s platinum-proven “Black & Yellow” to show which side he is rooting for on the approaching Super Bowl Sunday. Don’t get it twisted though, this is no diss song, but Green Bay love.

Thanks to HypeTrak

The New Brasilian Kit by Nike

 

1/25/2011 - Linkin Park Concert

This past week I attended Linkin Park's A Thousand Suns Tour at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI. I was impressed to say the least. I'll start with the openers, Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Pendulum. Both were sort of techno, dance, electronic bands with a TON of energy. At the beginnings of both of their sets I was kind of turned off to their sound but both grew on me fast. The accompanying light shows were crazy too. All in all they both put on remarkable shows. In fact, I have recently bought DIOY,Y?'s album and Pendulums newest one and love both.

Which brings me the Linkin Park. They brought the house down. Earlier I posted about attending the Home and Home Series, Jay-Z and Eminem, at Comerica Park. Given that show was life-altering and probably one of the biggest concerts in history, it wasn't like this one. The biggest problem with the H. and H. series was that the sound was slightly messed up since a baseball stadium isn't ideal for a concert. The sound of the LP concert was amazing. No reverb or feedback from the walls or seats at all, which I have to give mad props to the sound guys. They played 22 songs, which is a HUGE setlist and what was even better was that the entire crowd knew the words to literally every song. My favorite parts had to be Bleed It Out with the add-in of Place For My Head and One Step Closer to end it all. Brilliant performance by them and I was dumbfounded by how Chester could keep screaming and still have such a clear voice for over and hour and a half, amazing.

The last part I want to talk about was their promo for the concert. Between sets they offered a number to text, 50505 or something and you text LPSET or something to it. You got a text back asking for your email and you send that back. I did it during the show and never thought anything of it. I received an email the next morning telling me I could download the set from that night. Again, never thought anything of it. Received a second email saying it was ready, clicked the link and a file downloaded. To my surprise, I opened the file and the contents kind of shocked me. They had created a custom album cover for the concert, split their set into MP3's for each song and included a picture of each band member and the setlist actually used that night. I've never heard of any other band doing this and thought it was pretty neat.

Below is one of the videos from the concert I shot. It gives you a point-of-view from where I sat. Also is the picture of Chester (one of 6 total pictures included) that was in the folder that downloaded. You can see banners of the Red Wings championships above him in the background. So it shows they aren't just generic photos. Click here for the other videos.

I'm Back: What's Going On In The World

     Since I last posted A LOT has changed in the world. Egypt is in an uproar, political chaos has broken out and no one seems to be able to remotely control it. Wikileaks is either on your side or it isn't. Personally, I feel what they are doing is fine. Some feel the other way. Ehh, opinions. The Oscars are about to be insane this year. I'm personally counting down every day until that night. I've seen 127 Hours, The Social Network, Inception, Toy Story 3, and Black Swan (5 of the 10 up for Best Flick isn't terrible). I still would like to see The Fighter and The King's Speech before Feb. 27th. The North American Auto Show was very promising this year. I didn't make it to the show but my favorite car the see and hear about was Porsche's new 767 HP, monster-hybrid, the 918 RSR. We saw Verizon get the rights the iPhone 4, even though the prices and problems (like faced with AT&T at first) have scared some away. Sony has released their newest toy, the PSP2. Little is still known about it, but lets face it, it's a Sony product, it WILL rock. The BCS Bowl season was up and down and fun as always. Lastly, the Super Bowl, I don't care about either team, next subject.

     In Me News, I just saw Linkin Park in concert and that was, dare I say, life-altering. The show those guys put on is unbelievable. If you remotely like rock music I promise you'll enjoy it (more about that concert later). Big news and deals in world football as recently as today. Fernando Torres AND David Luiz will be joining my team, Chelsea. Can't explain how excited I am for that. My class schedule is the best I have ever had in school, period. High School, middle school, college, anything, ever. Finally, I am in the process of getting the paper work and materials ready to travel to England for school. Can't wait if this actually goes through.

Pharrell Williams House

The Selby enters the home of multi-talented designer, producer and rapper Pharrell Williams in this latest feature. Over the years, we’ve seen many Williams’ so-called toys and commissioned art pieces all make an appearance including KAWS and Murakami as well as work from Keith Haring. The shoot took place at Williams’ beach-side home in Miami.

More Photos Here

2018 World Cup -> Russia, 2022 World Cup -> Qatar.....where???

The FIFA Executive Committee has chosen Russia to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, while the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ was awarded to Qatar. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter announced the result of the FIFA Executive Committee's secret vote on Thursday 2 December 2010 in Zurich’s Messe.


In lauding the victorious nations, the FIFA President also made a point of praising those who missed out. He said: “I have to say thanks to to the Executive Committee of FIFA because for 2018 and 2022 we go to new lands, because the FIFA World Cup has never been in eastern Europe or the Middle East. So, I'm a happy president when we speak of the development of football.

"But I have to give big compliments to all the bidders for the big job they have done and the messages they have delivered. All have delivered the message that football is more than just a game. Football is not only about winning; it is also a school of life where you must learn to lose, and that is not easy.”
England, Netherlands and Belgium, Spain and Portugal, and Russia all submitted bids for the right to stage the 2018 finals. Both England and Spain are previous FIFA World Cup hosts, with the 1966 tournament on English soil ending in the Three Lions' only world crown to date. The Iberians staged the 1982 edition of world football’s showpiece event, when the Trophy was won by Italy.

"or 2018 and 2022 we go to new lands, because the FIFA World Cup has never been in eastern Europe or the Middle East."

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

Igor Shuvalov, Russia's deputy prime minister, vowed that his country would justify the faith placed in them by the Executive Committee. He said: “You have entrusted us with the FIFA World Cup for 2018 and I can promise that you will never regret it. Let us make history together.” 
Five candidates were bidding to stage the 2022 edition of the world’s greatest sporting event. As well as eventual winners Qatar, Australia, Korea Republic, Japan and USA also submitted bids for the highly-sought after hosting rights. USA, Japan and Korea had all previously staged the FIFA World Cup finals, with Japan and Korea becoming the tournament’s first joint-hosts back in 2002. The 1994 finals took place in the US.
A clearly delighted Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani also expressed gratitude for the honour of hosting football's greatest tournament, while insisting that Qatar's historic FIFA World Cup would meet all expectations.  "Thank you for believing in change, for expanding the game and for giving Qatar a chance," he said. "You will be proud of us - and you will be proud of the Middle East. I promise you this
The final presentations and the announcement of the host nations for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups was one of the biggest media events ever seen in Switzerland. Some 70 TV stations reported live from the official announcement at Zurich Exhibition Centre, where around 1,000 reporters from all over the world also covered the event.

Did You Know?

Maybe You Should Rise (Michael and Lebron) "Original"

All Day Andre OWNS NFL's 'Biggest Bitch'

Thank You Scientists!

Sleep is a fundamental component of animal biology. New evidence confirms that, in humans, its timing reflects intelligence. People with higher IQs (intelligence quotients) tend to be more active nocturnally, going to bed later, whereas those with lower IQs usually retire to bed sooner after nightfall.

The precise function of sleep is arguable. But, accumulating evidence shows that lack of sleep in humans and animals can result in obesity, high blood pressure and reduced life spans. Drowsiness impairs mental performance. For instance, 37 per cent of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by drowsy motorists, according to a University of Pennsylvania study. Even minor sleep deficiencies impact on body chemistry.
According to Juliette Faraco of Stanford University, sleep loss generates a proportionate need for "sleep rebound".
One of the most controversial and significant recent findings is the correlation in humans between the earliness/lateness of sleep preferences and intelligence.
Robert Bolizs at Semmelweist University, and his coworkers, have shown that encephalograms during sleep illustrate how sleep elements are directly related to "wakeful cognitive performance." Studies by researchers H. Aliasson and colleagues show the timing of intervals of sleep "correlates closely" with student academic achievement.
Extensive research by Satoshi Kanazawa and colleagues at the London School of Economics and Political Science have uncovered significant differences in sleep-timing preferences among people, depending on their IQ scores.
People with higher IQs are more apt to be nocturnal night-owls. Those with lower IQs tend to restrict their activities primarily to daytime.
People who prefer to go to bed early, and who are early-risers, demonstrate "morningness," whereas those whose sleep patterns are shifted later demonstrate "eveningness." Researchers say eveningness tends to be a characteristic of those with higher IQs.
According to Kanazawa, ancestral humans were typically diurnal, and that a shift towards more nocturnal activities is an "evolutionarily novel preference" of the type normally found in more intelligent individuals, demonstrating "a higher level of cognitive complexity" in the practitioners.
Recent studies at the University of Bologna suggest early-risers are comparatively more conscientious people. Related studies indicate eveningness is often age-related and that eveningness usually peaks at between 17-21 years of age; thereafter morningness becomes more prevalent.
A 2008 study by psychologist Marina Giamnietro and colleagues indicates evening-types tend to be less reliable, less emotionally stable and more apt to suffer from depression, addictions and eating disorders.
Morningness or eveningness are often genetically-based, according to researchers Lambertus Klei at Carnegie Mellon Univesity, Patrick Rietz at the University of Pittsburgh and their associates. In 2008, studies at Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry demonstrated sleep-time preferences are often inherited, and subsequent data indicates that 50 per cent of sleep-time choices are dictated by genetic factors.
"Hypocretins" are inextricably linked to sleep/wakefulness, according to Stanford University research. Hypocretins react with "wake-up" cell groups, including dopamine.
Sleep parameters vary among animals. Cows, for instance, sleep open-eyed. Horses sleep standing up. Some birds can sleep in flight, others while standing. Dolphins sleep in one-half of their brain while the other half remains awake. Bats need 19.9 hours of sleep every 24 hours, lions need 13.5, rats 13, cats 12.5, whales 5.3, deer 3.1, giraffes 1.9, most birds three to eight and donkeys three.

Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta: Grade A Badass

Today, President Obama awarded Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta the Medal of Honor, making him the first living recipient of the award since the Vietnam War.  The tale of how he earned this distinction should pretty much guarantee that this man never has to buy another beer in his life.  From President Obama’s remarks:

Salvatore Giunta’s time came on October 25, 2007. He was a Specialist then, just 22 years old.
Sal and his platoon were several days into a mission in the Korengal Valley — the most dangerous valley in northeast Afghanistan.  The moon was full. The light it cast was enough to travel by without using their night-vision goggles.  With heavy gear on their backs, and air support overhead, they made their way single file down a rocky ridge crest, along terrain so steep that sliding was sometimes easier than walking.
They hadn’t traveled a quarter mile before the silence was shattered.  It was an ambush, so close that the cracks of the guns and the whizz of the bullets were simultaneous.  Tracer fire hammered the ridge at hundreds of rounds per minute — “more,” Sal said later, “than the stars in the sky.”
The Apache gunships above saw it all, but couldn’t engage with the enemy so close to our soldiers.  The next platoon heard the shooting, but were too far away to join the fight in time.
And the two lead men were hit by enemy fire and knocked down instantly.  When the third was struck in the helmet and fell to the ground, Sal charged headlong into the wall of bullets to pull him to safety behind what little cover there was.  As he did, Sal was hit twice — one round slamming into his body armor, the other shattering a weapon slung across his back.
They were pinned down, and two wounded Americans still lay up ahead.  So Sal and his comrades regrouped and counterattacked.  They threw grenades, using the explosions as cover to run forward, shooting at the muzzle flashes still erupting from the trees.  Then they did it again.  And again.  Throwing grenades, charging ahead.  Finally, they reached one of their men.  He’d been shot twice in the leg, but he had kept returning fire until his gun jammed.
As another soldier tended to his wounds, Sal sprinted ahead, at every step meeting relentless enemy fire with his own.  He crested a hill alone, with no cover but the dust kicked up by the storm of bullets still biting into the ground.  There, he saw a chilling sight:  the silhouettes of two insurgents carrying the other wounded American away — who happened to be one of Sal’s best friends.  Sal never broke stride.  He leapt forward.  He took aim.  He killed one of the insurgents and wounded the other, who ran off.
Sal found his friend alive, but badly wounded.  Sal had saved him from the enemy — now he had to try to save his life.  Even as bullets impacted all around him, Sal grabbed his friend by the vest and dragged him to cover.  For nearly half an hour, Sal worked to stop the bleeding and help his friend breathe until the MEDEVAC arrived to lift the wounded from the ridge.  American gunships worked to clear the enemy from the hills.  And with the battle over, First Platoon picked up their gear and resumed their march through the valley.  They continued their mission.
It had been as intense and violent a firefight as any soldier will experience.  By the time it was finished, every member of First Platoon had shrapnel or a bullet hole in their gear.  Five were wounded.  And two gave their lives:  Sal’s friend, Sergeant Joshua C. Brennan, and the platoon medic, Specialist Hugo V. Mendoza.

Influencers: How Trends & Creativity Become Contagious

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

And you thought you can play the drums....

Call of Duty: Black Ops TV Commercial: "There's A Soldier In All Of Us"

I don't know how well this game will actually do in market but I absolutely love this commercial, still up in the air as to if I will buy it or not.

New University of Oregon Basketball Court

As you’re well aware, Nike and the University of Oregon go together like ham and burger, thanks in no small part to counting among its alumni both Nike founder Phil Knight as well as vice president for design and special projects Tinker Hatfield. The latter just finished up some of his highest profile work in years, completing the new Oregon Ducks basketball court. The darker brown framing center-court is comprised of a tree design, honoring both the Pacific Northwest’s green image as well as the 1939 Oregon national championship team known as the Tall Firs, while three graphics along the court pay tribute to the three phases of the life (so far) of Pat Kilkenny. Kilkenny is an Oregon donor and former athletic director who is the namesake of the new floor as well as being among the people most responsible for Oregon’s new basketball stadium, Matt Arena, named in honor of Phil Knight’s late son. While the above photo shows a decent picture of the court, there’s another below the cut (enlargeable if you click it, too), and you must check out the videos below for a little more background from Tinker, and logo designer, Todd Van Horne, as well as some much better shots of the floor. The videos are definitely worth watching, as the arena, and especially the floor, are truly an accomplishment in both architecture and design.

Playstation Move: Visualized by Mashable

 

Via Mashable

The Works: John Wall Dances, and a Fool Rushes In

Colin Cowherd is an unmentionable. I don't know the man, and might not even mean it as an insult. It's a character he plays on ESPN Radio, one he's gotten a lot of mileage of. Radio is all about knowing your audience, catering to them, indulging them, and interacting with them. Throw them a bone, and they will make you rich, famous, and something of a people's god. It's the ultimate bait-and-switch, or turning-of-the-tables -- you convince them you feel like they do, and from there, the power flows like barf.

Yesterday, Cowherd let loose with his brash, take-no-prisoners assessment of John Wall's debut in DC, or at least tried to. As you'll see, ol' CC didn't bother much with the specifics of the game -- in fact, he seems to have pretty much ignored even the day-after box score -- but instead with Wall's pre-game dance routine. Wall and dancing have a long history together; he made up a rather famous move of his own at Kentucky. For his coming-out party as a Wizard, though, the ever-humble Wall decided to go with the Dougie, throwing in the John Wall as a coda. As Joey Litman put it, this one's a few months of basketball away from becoming the new Soulja Boy.

Full Article: FanHouse