Rock A Bye Baby

I am sure that someone with a better grasp of music theory might be able to deconstruct this but I am mesmerized! This is essentially rock for your kids in a spoon fed version which would work for the first few months and then beyond in a bed time way. It is also complelety captivating for adults. The company (Baby Rock Records – www.babyrockrecords.com) states –

Baby Rock Records transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies, sending your little one to a slumberland of sweet dreams. Delicate instruments such as the glockenspiel, vibraphone, mellotron, harp and bells create a soothing atmosphere of sound. These charming recordings are sophisticated enough for everyone to enjoy, yet gentle enough for your little angel. This is cherub rock for a new generation.

Glockenspiel + Tool! Possibly the greatest combination in history, ever.

Check out their site or itunes for samples but the complete artist list is below -

Metallica – I must recommend this especially Battery.
Coldplay – Like their music is not baby enough already!
Radiohead – Maybe my daughters can explain Yorke to me.
Tool – God Bless Sober!
Pink Floyd – Wish You Here is still perfect.
Cure
Nirvana – Still shitty.
Beach Boys – ugh.
Queens of the Stone Age – Not as good as it could be.
Eagles – Minus the annoying Henley voice.
Led Zepplin
U2 – Nice. Very Nice.
Ramones
NIN – Trent’s life still sounds terrible.
Bjork – Very nice mixture.
No Doubt
Pixies
Bob Marley – Buffalo Soldiers is tops.
Smashing Pumpkins – Again, still shitty.
Beatles – Strawberry Fields is good.

To clarify, I am not advocating replacing real music for the above as my daughters love Marley, Bono and the the rest. However, this is nice bed time music none the less and it is making me want to take a nap as well.

Thirsty?

They look like normal flip-flops, right? Then I read the following text -

2597 Reef Drawm Specs:
- Comfortable, water friendly synthetic rubber nubuck upper.
- Contoured compression molded EVA footbed with anatomical arch support.
- POLYURETHANE ENCAPSULATED CANTEEN IN HEEL WITH SCREW CAP. CAP OPENS WITH INCLUDED EXCLUSIVE REEF CHURCH KEY/ FIN KEY.
- Unique shaker icon molded reef rubber outsole.

Any one of those statements/specs seem odd? I think No. 3 seems a bit out of whack until I see the below -

Oh, well I guess it makes sense now, I think. Check them out at Reef (www.reef.com) and then you can drop $45 and quench your thirst. I am still debating if I love this or hate it.

Summer Joy

Summer is almost here so it’s time to start stocking up on t-shirts which are as smug as I am. A few nice choices below –

You can pick up any of these fine items at Gawker (http://shop.gawker.com)

Cinema Noir Thoughts

Layer Cake. Very nice film I caught recently on late night HBO. Essentially a crime thriller (released in UK, 10/1/04)which bordered on film noir in a slightly lighter way. A rundown of the key players in case you need a little temptation but keep in mind that this is an English/Scottish ensemble cast which is deep in character actors –

Directed By –
Matthew Vaughn (Producer-Snatch, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels / Director-1st Time with Stardust coming in 2007).

Actors –
Daniel Craig – Everywhere now but really sharp in Munich.
Tom Hardy – Black Hawk Down
Jamie Foreman – I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
Sally Hawkins – The Painted Veil
George Harris – Black Hawk Down, Raiders of the Lost Ark (merchant vessel captain)
Colm Meaney – Star Trek (years and years of)
Marcel lures – Mission Impossible, Interview With The Vampire
Francis Magee – I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
Kenneth Cranham – Rome (Pompey-HBO)
Siena Miller – Factory Girl, Alfie (This was her first real movie)
Michael Gambon – The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Harry Potter (Multiple films), Toys, Lots of other movies

Lots of other smaller actors but too many too list. In addition, two films this will remind you of or if you like the following films check Layer Cake out –

–I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead – Directed by Mike Hodges starring Clive Owen, Charlotte Rampling, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and malcolm McDowell. If you like Owen or noir this is a great one but before you see this check out Croupier (1998) as this is Owen, Hodges and noir at its best.

–Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead – Not well received in the US but pretty good noir and a nice solid performance by Andy Garcia. Also with Christopher Lloyd, William Forsythe, Treat Williams, Steve Buscemi, Fairuza Balk and the great Christopher Walken.

Check them out if you can but I would recommend Croupier first and then your pick.

Copper Lovin’

After 7+ years of eyeing you my pretty, you are finally ours. We shall show you little mercy but lots of love.

Garlic will be touching and simmering inside of you very, very shortly. God bless you and the copper mine you came from.

And also Crate & Barrel.

Catch Up

1 week in China, daylight savings time and I am all fucked up. Sleepy and lazy would cover my current condition but it looks like I am waking up just in time to get exhausted over the weekend. I have so many things to post but first I do want to get some random Chinese trip items up so enjoy the next day or two of photos -

This is the fire safety kit In my hotel in Shenzhen. I so wanted to swipe this but on second thought reconsidered.

The view from my hotel in Shenzhen. The first and nicest of two hotels I stayed in.

A little ping-pong and pool at the factory. I opted not to challenge anyone and I think I made a wise decision.

Who says China is looking for the next Yao?

Lunch Time Observations From Dongguan, China

Simple but nice lunch today with two quick notes –

1. Fried pig ears are nice. A little chewy as you can imagine but nice.
2. Broccoli is so much better here.

What Do You Weigh?

Today at the lovely Grand View Hotel in Shenzhen, China I noticed the standard weight limit sign in an elevator that said the following –

13 Person Max.
1,000 Kgs.

Let’s step back and take a closer look at these numbers –

- 1,000 kgs. equals 2,204lbs
- Divide the total weight (2,204lbs) by the maximum number of people allowed (13) and you get 168lbs per person.

My question is this – if you took 13 average Americans do you think they would average 168lbs? Just a question.

Who’s House?

Mao’s House.

Ni hao from the big red one. More posts plus photos to be coming shortly on this eye opening trip.

Worth Every Penny

Congratulations Coach.