Old News. That's an Oxymoron.

It's well known around these parts that I have a hugely irrational fear of earthquakes. I still imagine that they involve the earth opening up, people falling in, and then it closing up again. And then came the news of the Guatemala Sinkhole. Shoot. I'm a little stunned that this could actually happen.

Dude, dolphins can use the iPad. I have to admit, Apple, that's cool.

I'm not entirely sure that Gaga is that influential. Not until you can actually write a treatise like this about one of her songs. Single Ladies is still the shiz.

American Idol is trying to fix itself in completely the wrong way.

Idiot.

This is the sort of statistic that makes me just hate those who think that legislating social norms is a good thing.

WTF.

I hate the current Google beta.

I already have the Vampire Diaries' blessing to use Bing. Do you want me to actually prefer Bing now?

My Latest Podcast Recommendation.

Chris Hardwick, erstwhile/quondam host of MTV's Singled Out (which was awesome - shut up - it was - you know it), has just started putting out a podcast called The Nerdist. It's on iTunes, and it's also here.

It's basically Chris and a few friends, sitting around and interviewing/shooting the sh__/joking with a famous funny person. Who knew that Drew Carey was so funny? Or that Joel McHale's radio voice is so geeky? Or that Jon Hamm is good-looking?

Chris, being somewhat known but not nearly as famous as his friends, has good insight into life as a comedian-cum-superstar without the second part. It makes for genuinely interesting questions and genuinely interesting answers. Sure, there's the requisite amount of sycophantic fawning and preening, but it's nothing that you wouldn't naturally do with your friends. And it's just fun eavesdropping on a bunch of jokers talking about random stuff.

Plus, on top of that, Chris is a major nerd, and geeks out about all sorts of tech goodies and stuff like that. They talk about Caprica and Lost and Joss Whedon and Dr. Who. SWEET.

Add it to the pile o' podcasts. Good stuff.

I Heart the 90's.

Jimmy Fallon pointed me to a picture that encapsulates the 90's.

Not bad, Mr. Anonymous Website Guy. I should doubt you less often.

Freebird!

Oh, GOP. From Joe the Plumber to Joe the Heckler? Really? With tactics like that, you're just asking for retaliation. (Keep refreshing the linked website for hours of entertainment.)

I'm Old.

The Beloit College list is out for the new Class of 2013. For the past ten years or so, these profs at Beloit have published a list to give other faculty a sense of what the cultural worldview is of the incoming freshmen. It's sort of a fascinating time capsule of how much has changed in such a short time.

These in particular make me feel like I'm 93 years old:

• They have never used a card catalog to find a book.
• Salsa has always outsold ketchup.
• Earvin "Magic" Johnson has always been HIV-positive.
• Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream has always been a flavor choice.
• They have never had to “shake down” an oral thermometer.
• The European Union has always existed.
• Desperate smokers have always been able to turn to Nicoderm skin patches.
• There has always been a Cartoon Network.
• They have never been Saved by the Bell. [<---ARE YOU KIDDING ME???]
• There has always been a Planet Hollywood.
• Two Koreas have always been members of the UN.
• Official racial classifications in South Africa have always been outlawed.
• Nobody has ever responded to “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”

Marketing 101.

I was reading an article at boston.com about hangover cures (no special reason -- seriously), and it said that menudo is a traditional remedy in Mexico. It's a soup made with tripe, which is intestinal lining of a cow.

You'd think Ricky Martin's managers would have been a bit more fastidious with the groups they throw him into.

I'm a Little Late to the Party.

But American sign language (hereinafter "ASL") interpretations of pop songs is kinda awesome. Thanks to EW.com for pointing me to these samples. And yes, there's a Single Ladies version there.



If someone does a "We Didn't Start the Fire" cover, I'll give you my left kidney. Twould be too cool.

Merry Easter.

Do this.

You Go. Girl.

So, I heard about this new product on the radio.

I... I'd make fun of it, except I heard that the military uses it. And, well, you know, it's uncool to make fun of them. But, come on, this is killing me not saying anything.

Seriously. I'm just dying inside.

Dr. Horrible!

I like to think that I'm on top of pop culture crap--sort of like the only thing of social value I contribute to the lives of my friends, who are off doing, you know, actually meaningful stuff. But I totally missed this (BIG thank you to Reva).

I heart Buffy. I heart Angel. I heart Firefly and Serenity. I'm geeked out over Dollhouse. And NPH is all sorts of awesome playing himself, kicking Rachel Ray's ass, or being Barney. Now Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog? Awe. Some.

If I almost missed it, there might be other dorks out there who don't yet know about it. God save them.

James Franco.

I'm probably a little late with this, but I just found it, so to me it's new, and that's all that matters, because I'm the center of the universe.

Anyway, from FunnyOrDie, which gave you Pearl the Landlord, this is a series of videos that James Franco made with his brother. If you're familiar with acting, James Franco, or having an older sibling, then this is especially awesome.

Acting With James Franco Episode 1: "Sense Memory."



Acting With James Franco Episode 2: "Green Screen."



Acting With James Franco Episode 3: "Scene Work."

Elves.

I'm usually not that frequent a reader of The Onion. Not that I don't appreciate it, I just don't really need constant satire all day every day. I saw this though, and chuckled heartily:

Elf Finger Found In Box Of Keebler Cookies

The Awesomest Web Animation I've Found: Part I.

Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART

For a bigger version, click here.

Garfield Minus Garfield.

EW pointed out this website that shows Garfield comic strips with Garfield the character removed. It's oddly moving and depressing. For example: