Thriller

I remember being freaked out by this video back in the day! Before this video I didn't even know about werekitties!
Fun Facts: Thriller was released in 1982 by Epic records (it was Michael's 6th album) and the video for the song Thriller was released in December 1983. The video was directed by John Landis (who had done "American Werewolf in London" 2 years before). Michael was a Jehovah's Witness at the time, which is why the little disclaimer appears at the beginning of the video.
Also, the disclaimer after the credits is the same one Landis put up at the end of "American Werewolf". Thriller won the 1985 Grammy for best long form video and won a pile of MTV awards.
Here is the Bollywood version:

Dirty Jobs visits SkullsUnlimited

For those of you who have never processed specimens for an osteological comparative collection. Bear in mind that Skulls Unlimited does this on a much grander scale than a University or smaller operation would. Also, not everyone will use dermestid beetles or follow the exact same procedure.

Part 1


Part 2


Zooarchaeology nerd tips: SkullsUnlimited has a pretty sweet website that has many good comparative images and info on each of the specimens they sell.

Pipe Wrench Fight!

From the Best of YouTube podcast, a literal interpretation of "Take On Me" video by a-ha. I loved the "Take On Me" video when I was little (I thought Morton Harket was dreamy). This is back in the day when MuchMusic showed music videos. Ah nostalgia.
Simpsons nerd notes: all the guys in "Non-Threatening Boys Magazine" are named Corey.

p.s. The video was made by this guy (he also literalized the "Head Over Heels" video by Tears for Fears). There's a couple other copycat ones (someone did Radiohead's "No Surprises" and another guy did U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"), but none of them are as good as the a-ha one.

If movies had cell phones

I especially like the Romeo&Juliet one! This is why all of my suggestions for what people should do during movies would make crappy movies.

p.s. This video is from the college humour people. They're pretty funny (I like the metaphor free radio video).

Chickens! Concert Series #24: Neil Young

So I randomly got to go see Neil Young in Regina on Saturday (to the frustration of several NY fans that I know, mostly because I called him Neil Diamond a couple of times). It was pretty sweet! Neil just gave'r for sure (he was wearing a paint splattered blazer, I have field shirts that are Neil Young chic now apparently). I recognized all the old songs, which was fun and pretty much a common sentiment through the crowd judging by the degree of lipsynching. It was good times, Neil was really high energy and his band had such a great chemistry (his wife does vocals). One thing though, attached to the front of the drum kit was a telephone which they never used or anything. What's up with that?

Here's the breakdown of the show:

Opening bands: Everest and Death Cab For Cutie (you may remember Death Cab from this post; they actually sung that song too).

Neil Young (and His Electric Band) set list:
1. Love And Only Love
2. Hey Hey, My My
3. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
4. Powderfinger
5. Spirit Road
6. Cinnamon Girl
7. Oh, Lonesome Me
8. Mother Earth
9. The Needle And The Damage Done
10. Unknown Legend
11. Heart Of Gold
12. Old Man
13. Get Back To The Country
14. Just Singing A Song
15. Sea Change
16. When Worlds Collide
17. Cowgirl In The Sand
18. Rockin' In The Free World
19. Encore: A Day In The Life

This video is cool because whoever was taking it must have been standing right near where I was (a little bit to the left and probably 4 or 5 people closer to the stage).


p.s. I'm not going to do a band history or anything because I'm ignorant and I don't want to enrage any of the aformentioned frustrated people.

But, just look how many times he's been on the cover of the Rolling Stone!

C'est Magnifique!

Jon Stewart comments on the Canadian election


Also, for curiosity's sake check out what Jon had to say about the 2006 election:

This week in history

FYI The song she sings, "Anything Goes" from the Broadway musical of the same name, debuted on Broadway in 1934. So it checks out.
p.s. Thanks to D for being a nerd and posting this which led me to the promo poster.

Wiggum/Norris 2012 !

While Chuck Norris was denied as a Presidential candidate (check out a pro-Chuck campaign website here), in an almost unfathomable gesture of generosity Chuck has decided to forgo roundhouse kicking everyone and has put his hat in for vice prez. I'm still optimistic that Republicans might come to their senses and realize that Palin is a political insult to women, Americans, and basically all rational human beings everywhere (hmmm...a little harsh? Oh well). Also, I heard that Chuck Norris sneezes electricity! Try viewing the following propaganda material:

There is another candidate that I have extremely high hopes for! Check out his campaign website here. If ever a third party candidate had a chance to win I think he is the one. Wiggum/Norris 2012!

Green Commercials

The Green Party has just released their first ever national commercial campaign. The series of commercials features May on the train speaking about various issues. The commercials can be viewed at the Green's YouTUBE channel. I think this definitely reflects their growing popularity and importance as a party. As it stands, besides the "The Parties 2008" spots on CBC that are free for all parties (even fringe), the only parties with National ad campaigns are PC, NDP, Liberal, and now Green. I like the commercials, they're simple and constructive, not attacking.

The ABC Plan

Check out this website (thanks to Saskboy for the link) if you're curious about specific examples of the Conservatives flouting of law, order, ethics, the welfare of Canadians and other frivolities such as "the truth", "equality", and "human decency". My favorite is #1 because it is the most recent and is fresh in my mind but they're all good. However, I also like this one and this one (especially in the light of Harper's tough stance on crime for the election). And this one is pretty stupid and this one is quite interesting. Oh well I could go on and on. You know what I don't like? When a party that wants to be re-elected into power makes new campaign promises. It just makes me think, "Oh yeah? If you think these things are important why didn't you do them when you were in power?". If they were doing a good job, the best thing they would be able to say would be, "look at what we've done, we'll be doing more of that".

If you don't know, "ABC" stands for anything but conservatives. Since we are not a two party system, this plan leads us down the path of strategic voting, voting for a less desirable candidate to reduce the chances of an even less desirable candidate taking the seat. While I'm all for sending the conservatives packing, the trend of strategic voting should be taken with a grain of salt. Check out this list if you are considering voting strategically. There are relatively few ridings in which voting strategically would actually make a significant difference to the outcome. Also, remember that every vote for your party means more federal funding (if it secures more than 2% of the vote that is) even if it doesn't win seats. FYI, according to the list there are only 39 ridings in which Green supporters should even consider voting strategically if they favor the ABC plan.

Talking to Politicians: The NDP

So it looks like the NDP wins for fastest response. All the more impressive in light of it being bounced around a little. While providing little actual info I have to give them props for their record (they created the SHF which directly funded my own work so it's hard to find fault).

Here's what Heath Smith had to say:

Sent: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:22:13
From: "Heath Smith" hsmith@ndpcaucus.sk.ca
Subject: Re: FW: RE: policies regarding archaeology in Saskatchewan?

Dear Ms. CP,

Thank you for your email!

The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party does not have policies specific to cultural resource management, but more generally to the preservation and expansion of Saskatchewan arts and culture. New Democrats have traditionally been the political proponents of arts and culture in Canada. The Saskatchewan NDP, for example, was responsible for establishing the Saskatchewan Arts Board and ensuring that it received funding adequate to contribute to our communities. The Saskatchewan Party, by contrast, has recently diverted funding away from the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

On the topic of cultural resource management specifically, while still the government of Saskatchewan, the NDP established the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation. The SHF's mandate was "to provide financial support to heritage projects at the provincial and community level that seek to conserve, research, interpret, develop and promote Saskatchewan's diverse heritage resources."

For more information on the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, please follow the link here:
http://www.saskculture.sk.ca/funding/SHF.htm

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you, once again, for your email. I hope that I've been some help.

Heath Smith
Communications Coordinator
NDP Caucus Office
(306) 787-6546

For the sake of curiosity here is the history of the message (most recent first):

Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 1:31 PM
To: caucus@ndpcaucus.sk.ca
Subject: re: RE: policies regarding archaeology in Saskatchewan?

Hello Jane,
I am curious as to why you need my mailing address to answer my questions? I assume you wish to mail some materials regarding the NDP's policies? If that is the reason I would much prefer the more environmentally friendly alternative of an individual email response or perhaps you could direct me to specific online versions of the resources you are planning to send? Thank you for your very prompt response.
-CP

NDP Caucus Office wrote:

Sent: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:55:00 -0400 (EDT)
From: caucus@ndpcaucus.sk.ca
Subject: RE: policies regarding archaeology in Saskatchewan?

Dear CP:

Could you please provide a mailing address so that we may respond to your email?

Thank you,
Jane Baniulis
NDP Caucus Office

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:52 PM
To: caucus@ndpcaucus.sk.ca
Subject: policies regarding archaeology in Saskatchewan?

Hello,
I am an archaeologist in Saskatchewan. I'm currently attending the University of Saskatchewan Masters in Archaeology program but I have been living and working as an archaeologist doing cultural resource management in Saskatchewan for 4 years now. I was curious as to your stance on cultural resource management in Saskatchewan. Are there any plans for more resources or positive reform of the heritage branch in future? Perhaps more incentive for companies to follow protocol, harsher punishments for companies who willingly violate regulations or a better inclusion of historic sites within the legislation to protect our heritage? I know this is less of a hot button issue than environmental protection but I see the archaeology in the province being destroyed day by day and while this is somewhat inevitable in light of industry, there are ways to protect these resources through awareness, avoidance and archaeological recovery before they are lost forever. Does the NDP have an interest in these concerns and a plan to address them? Thank you very much for your time and any information you may have! Your reply will be very helpful in determining my vote.
-CP

p.s. Don't forget to check out the English language debates tonight (although the vice-prez candidate debates do have their own car crash-esque appeal). If you miss it the video of the debate will be posted on the CBC website tomorrow.