The Meme-Mandated, Semi-Regularly-Updated, Occasionally Coherent Thoughts of G.M. Skarka
So yesterday was Pi Day (3.14, geddit?), and so I decided to try my hand at a new recipe. It went over really, really well (if I do say so myself), and I had some requests (via Twitter, Facebook and email) for the recipe — so I’ve decided to check off another mark in the “blogger cliché checklist” and do a recipe post.
Without further ado:
Jamaican Meat Pies
Some related data points, for your consideration:
Amazon to start selling Kindles via AT&T stores. An additional 2000 retail outlets, nation-wide, on top of Best Buy, Target, Staples (and of course the main site).
Rumor circulating that Amazon might start offering a Kindle free to Amazon Prime members. The razor/blade model — here’s the device, since we know we’ll make money on what you purchase to fill it.
26-year-old Amanda Hocking, top selling indie author on Kindle — on pace to make $1 MILLION this year. 100K units per month, priced between 99 cents and 2.99, of which she keeps 70%.
As the first line of the last linked article says: Welcome to disruption.
…and this is exactly the sort of thing that I’ll be covering in my forthcoming podcast, Insurgent Creative, which will launch in April. (was originally going to be March, but I’ve got a house to move in the coming 30 days, and doubt my ability to do both).
OK, here we go again:
The Foo Fighters have a new album coming in April, produced by Butch Vig (who was the producer of Nirvana’s Nevermind). The first single from the album has been popping up on music blogs all over the web. Sounds pretty damned good: Foo Fighters – “Rope.”
Been listening to Hooverphonic’s last album with original vocalist Geike Arnaert, 2008’s President of the LSD Golf Club. A bit more straightforward than their usual trip-hoppy sound, but still plays through my head as soundtrack pieces from imaginary Bond movies. Hooverphonic – “50 Watt.” Has anyone heard the new stuff with the new vocalist? Post in comments.
Ah, the 90s. Back then, we didn’t care what a “Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe” was. Nobody knew. Didn’t matter. The song was odd, and slammin’. That’s all we needed. Whale – “Hobo Humpin’ Slobo Babe.”
As per usual, the underground/alternative hip-hop scene — the *true* hip-hop scene — continues to produce material that leaves the corporate bitches-and-bling crap in the dust. Here’s a brilliant bit of work en Español from French-born Chilean MC Ana Tijoux. Love the mix on this. Anna Tijoux – “1977.”
Watched Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome on cable last weekend. I can still recite that movie from memory (I saw it something like 7 times when it was released), and I am still struck at just how good the soundtrack is. “We Don’t Need Another Hero”, with its children’s choir, was the big single — but I really prefer this somewhat darker track from the opening titles: Tina Turner – “One of the Living.”
Lastly, in solidarity with the union protesters in Wisconsin, I post the following: Billy Bragg – “There Is Power In A Union.” Hang in there, folks.