I have a *friend* who would really appreciate the following video game as a present for Valentine’s Day. It’s me. But seriously lol at the 11 second mark as that peppy music plays over a scene that looks like it’s from a Saw movie.
Chromeo “Night by Night”
Dan Black “Symphonies”
My love for “Stuff You Missed In History Class” stretches backs months and months. The most important thing you should know about this podcast, is that you don’t listen to it for the history lessons. I’m obsessed with this podcast because all of the thinly veiled drama between the hosts that seems to be boiling right underneath the various civil discussions of Alexander the Great or Queen Elizabeth.
The podcast began well over a year ago with a male and female host. There was light banter between the two, mild flirting, and then the guy was gone and replaced by this really butch girl. Fem Girl #1 was clearly upset that New Butch Girl was now her co-host on this podcast and the tension between the two periodically came to a head in various throwaway statements like “Oh, well, you WOULD be into that form of medieval torture during the Spanish Inquisition. That is just so YOU.”
Anyway, eventually Butch Girl leaves, and #1 Fem Girl suddenly gets a new co-host that is EXACTLY LIKE HER. From a period that I now refer to as the “sugar/spice era,” these 2 girls tried to out nice each other on topics ranging from the holocaust to mass suicides. Their competitive cheerfulness added a horrifying peppiness to pretty much every historical subject tackled. In an epic defeat, #1 Fem Girl finally waved the white flag, and #2 Fem Girl is now piloting the ship. Ohmygod, you guys, history can be fun.
Before the holidays, my hilarious friend, Liz Kreutz, and I did this mess of a video for Time Out New York. Every time I watch it I crack up not only because of all these sloppy santas, but also because the entire thing took place before I’m usually out of bed. I think one of the funniest things about this annual event was how everyone referred to themselves in the third person as “Santa.” For example, “Santa loves house music” or “Santa doesn’t talk to the press” which was another wonderful reoccurring theme of this morning of serious, embedded journalism. Click image above for video.
Today, I put together a pretty interesting piece using footage from USC’s Shoah Foundation Institute on a 95 year old Jewish Queens resident who just had her German high jump record reinstated after having it taken away by the Nazis in 1936. This woman has an amazing story of being the only Jew on the 1939 German olympics team. She didn’t end up playing, but the experience that she went through leading up to the Games was fascinating enough. Click the image above for the interview.
Fun fact: Earlier today, this fashion video that I did for the Post was uploaded. I just went to youtube the movie that it was based on “The Hunger,” and this video is now that first thing that shows. SUCK IT SUSAN SARANDON. Anyways, yes. Journalism. Vampires love fashion, didn’t you know? As I told my friend Lily, the only 2 sure fire ways to distract a vampire is by scattering silver coins and/or taking them for a late night showing of The September Issue. You’re welcome. On a side note, speaking of vampires, did you know that Anne Rice is an incredibly passionate devout Catholic now? Reference this anti-drinking PSA after the jump. You’re welcome again.
I edited this video for Pop Wrap a few days ago of an interview with Jamie Campbell Bower. First of all, it must suck being so horrendously ugly with such an unfortunately asymmetrical bone structure. Poor thing. Secondly, after watching literally MINUTES of footage from AMC’s new miniseries The Prisoner I have to admit that I am quite looking forward to it. Thank you for not letting my Sunday nights go to waste, AMC. I need a weekly ritual other than deciding to skip Yoga so that I can order Thai food from Delivery.com. Click for video.
Footage has been released by the NYPD of a man who has allegedly robbed 3 homes in the West Village over the last month. In the past, he’s posed as a UPS delivery man to get into buildings. THE CRAZY ROBBING NANNY BEATER ALWAYS RINGS TWICE. Click the image above for video.
I’ve been walking around in a daze all day since last night’s episode of Mad Men. There’s something about a Television episode where everyone is watching TV that really affects me. The character’s are being affected by something they’re watching, while I’m being affected by something I’m watching, while everyone on the internet who enjoys my lifecasting is also being affected. It’s very meta. Seriously. I haven’t had a TV-induced existential crises like this since the second season finale of Alias when I discovered that both I and Sydney Bristow’s murdered, clone-replaced roommate share a strong distaste for coffee ice cream.
Halloween is by far my favorite holiday after Internet Week. This Halloween I’m going dressed as a mystical shaman witch doctor. I’ve come to the conclusion that a Halloween costume isn’t it worth it if it doesn’t need at least four words to describe it. The noted exception to this rule is clearly when I spent 2007 masquerading as Drunk Lord Byron. History can be fun!
Have you ever noticed that the best thing about many modern Halloween films is their openings? These usually involve extended establishing fly overs of New England woods. Let me share my two favorites with you after the jump. read more…
