NIKE: Write the Future

Nike's marketing department is out of control and the best in the world. For those of you who are big soccer (or should I say football/futbol) fans, here is a commerical featuring some of the sport's greatest heroes. And for those of you who are only into international soccer every two years (or should I say Americans), here is Kobe Bryant, Homer Simpson and Gael Garcia Bernal.

Like I said. Out of control.

Great Cover

When a band covers a classic tune it can either come off as endearing or down-right offensive.

I once butchered "Let's Get it On" at a karaoke bar. I mean.. I really butchered it. All I remember was a table of semi-pro karaoke patrons giving me the death glare, as if they wanted to see me disintegrate on stage and have the janitor come sweep me under the door.

This is an example of a great cover because it stays true to the original song. They didn't change it much and try to make it their own, but the accuracy they maintained in spite of a drastic change in instrumentation (produced completely with toy sounds) is impressive. Also note how the singer does his own thing with the vocals, rather than attempt a faux- Michael McDonald voice. He doesn't attempt to do a soulful big-man voice. He sticks to what he knows and it works.

Enjoy.

Winner - A Tribute to Rec. League Basketball

The last time I played "rec. league" basketball was 7 years ago. A group of my high school friends who for many summers congregated at the school yard to play pick-up games decided to join a league. From that day we were known simply as "The Living Legends", a name that derived from a popular hip hop group, but not a reflection of our skills as ball players (maybe it was wishful thinking).

We had a decent team and as I recall, we were a force to be reckoned with among other teenage teams in the area. We were all decent athletes, we pushed the ball and played a fast-paced game, which in retrospect I'm sure was a characteristic we picked up from watching "And 1" videos and our Lakers (who were '3-peat' World Champions at that point). But our team's tragic flaw was our short tempers.

Unfortunately our season came to an abrupt end one hot summer night. Tensions rose during a close game against another young team in our league. An elbow was thrown after a basket and one of our guys lost his cool. I took the ball down court and watched my teammate sprint out ahead of me. I soon realized he wasn't making a cut to the basket, but rather a bee-line to the guy who elbowed him. He charged up to him and collard his sweat-drenched white tee. I caught a glance of the rage in his eye and knew at that point the game was over. The benches cleared and fists flew from both sides. Let's just say the rest was a blur. Ten minutes later we stood huddled outside the entrance to the gym like some helpless kids stuck out in the rain. The director stood on the steps above us and banned us from the league for life.

Today I'm playing rec. league basketball again. I play on my office's team. I would say we are equally tenacious as the "Living Legends" and a slightly more civil team of economists, paralegals and trial attorneys. But what we have in civility does not make up for the heart and competitive spirit that defined the "Living Legends" With a 5-0 record we're one game away from clinching the 1 seed in the playoffs. And on that note, here is a tune that makes me feel like a winner. Enjoy. Go play basketball!

Rule #47

Do your best and forget the rest!

You're Made That Way

I like the idea of small, intimate studio audiences kind of like they used to have on shows like MTV Unplugged.

Here's a performance that predates the short-lived MTV show. The Doobie Brothers were some of the most soulful R&B artists of their time. I wish the audio quality for this vid was slightly better but I think their hair. the outfits and the antiquated synths add to the groovy effect of the song.

Enjoy!

Congratulations D-Mac!

Doug "D-Mac" Mckain, author of the The Douglas Daily and photoshop extraordinaire in a truly "Rudy-esque" underdog story will be attending the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) next fall. Props to the soon-to-be oldest undergrad in LA.


Hate it or love it, the underdogs on top.

Phoenix @ DAR Constitution Hall (DC)

Come check out my favorite band Phoenix on April 26th at the DAR Constitution Hall! Enjoy this acoustic version of a classic. Onetimetoomany

Rogue States

Picture courtesy of some random Flickr account (sorry)

Since the governor of Virginia declared the month of April "Confederacy Month" I have silently protested by refusing to go to VA for the Month of April. A year ago this would mean nothing, and I would likely have no problem doing this but since discovering Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington I am faced with a perplexing moral dilemma. Rather than give into my burger cravings and patronize a business that pays taxes that in some way helps Virginia and its ridiculous governor, I opted for some local fare.

A burger place on Conneticuit Ave. recently opened up which ironically (not in the tired hipster way) is called Rogue States. At the restaurant standard of $7 per burger not including premium toppings this place is pretty steep for a walk-up burger joint. I ordered the basic "Rogue States" burger with cheddar cheese and grilled onions. Rouge States skillyfully forms each of their patties folded with a unique flavor profile of spices and herbs (i.e., jerk, habenero, curry or basil patties). Burgers are smoked over wood chips and grilled to medium or rare.

As unique as the place seems it is difficult to overlook how Ray's in Arlington has influenced this burger joint such as the table-ready condiments, picnic style tables and even the usage of soft airy brioche buns.

My burger was cooked medium and the patty cooked down to a smaller size than I would have liked to see for a $7 burger. The bun overpowered the patty and although the signature burger is infused with cilantro, I tasted nothing extraordinary about the meat itself.

I would give this place another try, perhaps for the jerk or curry blended patties but from what I can discern from my first trip it's nothing to write home about.

A Song For No One

It's that time of year again! The Lakers are on what looks to be a very promising playoff run. The sun is out and the weather is warm. And as I prepare for yet another big move back West from the DC to SF, here is some sweet driving music that'll surely be in heavy circulation on my iPod as I make it up the coast for my annual pilgramage to San Francisco on the third Sunday in May.

Enjoy!

The XX

Here's some ammunition for your next dinner party, or friendly gathering. Groove to the mellow steal guitar riffs of these young Londoners. With great background music at least you'll have a good reason to tune out that one guy who won't stop shut-up about his "huge plans to invest in real estate".... riiiight.

Enjoy!

Awe Struck

Brian "B." Reith (not coincidentally pronounced "Be Right") is a Christian rapper from Milwaukee, WI, proving that talent can be found in the most peculiar places. When my cousin forwarded me this track a few days ago he described B. Reith's lyrics as "Eminem-ish (yet toned down, positive and less annoying)". What do you think? Give him a shot and temporarily forget any negative preconceptions you might have about Christian music. Enjoy this one.

Check out the story behind this song and CLICK HERE

Back to the Grind

Last week I remedied the emerging symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder by spending the week in LA. February in LA is basically the first week of May in NYC.

The trip was a whirlwind of food and Sebastien Tellier's latest album, Sexuality (of American Apparel fame). The album was in heavy circulation at my brother's place and I haven't been able to get him out of my head all week! Still on the fence about his beard, but his music is definitely catchy. The man has got style.

Here's a popular track from his 2005 album Politics called La Ritournelle (of Ugly Betty fame).

Office Jams - Vol. 2: Stranger in Moscow

Snowpocalypse. Snowmaggedon. Blizzard 2010. The snowstorm that has buried DC in the past week is finally coming to an end. It has put us all out of work, stuck indoors and immobile. Heres a likely for your cabin fever and help you get back into work tomorrow.

Enjoy the one day week and President's Day weekend!

Intervention

Intervention airs on A&E. The show takes an in depth look into crippling drug and alcohol addictions. If you haven't tuned in yet, then check your local listings soon for this eye-opening documentary series.

Here is a clip from a show on "huffing". . .

Exception to Rule #46

Craig Sager-- He can pull it off

Rule #46

Dress appropriately. There is a fine line between classy and comical.

West Coast PDT?

Not quite. But clandestine bar entrances are spreading faster than gourmet food trucks.

La Descarga is Koreatown's latest hipster magnet. A Cuban cocktail bar and cigar room. Boasting an eclectic Rum collection in the hands of a bartender from Doheny, it seems like the stars are aligned for this place. Check it out.

Read about it on Thrillist HERE

Passion Pit - Swimming in the Flood

They opened for Phoenix last summer in NYC, but you might have heard them on Gossip Girls. Check them out at Coachella in April.

Mmm... Asada

This isn't really a Christmas song but it does mention December. I don't know whether to love or hate Vampire Weekend. I guess before hearing this song I was only indifferent because I was simply unimpressed.

This track has definitely changed my mind. Give it about 58 seconds and you'll be hooked. It reminds me of waiting in line for tacos past midnight when I go back to LA for the holidays.

Thanks to the bzablog's unofficial correspondent to the hipster world-- 'lil grumbles, who posted this vid recently on Facebook.

Ray's Hell Burger

The first snow of year fell as we followed our noses across a strip mall parking lot in Arlington, VA. The entrance to Ray's Hell burger was virtually unmarked aside from the laminated menu taped up next to the door. It's your typical no-frills burger joint. The burger spoke for itself.

Behind every great burger is a carefully chosen bun. At RHB the buns are spongy, soft and moist. They soak up the juice from the burger well. I usually don't like seeds on buns, but the poppy seeds on the brioche buns at Ray's add a perfectly subtle hint of flavor. Like a kaiser roll, these buns are round on both ends almost making for a horizontally symmetrical burger (if not for the cheese and other tasty toppings).

Any burger lover can tell at first bite that these are made to perfection. The patties pack enough flavor to make you want to eat them plain. And if not for the abundant options of grilled savory goodness they offer as trimmings you just might.

I'll save you time and give you the two reasons you must go to Arlington before you die.

1)The Burger of Seville: seared foie gras, Sauteed mushrooms, Bordelaise sauce, white truffle oil.

2)The "Let's Get It On" burger: Applewood Smoked Bacon, Swiss & Vermont White Cheddar Cheeses, Cognac & Sherry Sauteed Mushrooms, Grilled Red Onions, Sauteed Peppers, Roasted Garlic, Lettuce & Tomato