A couple of songs

I generally don't want this to just be one of those blogs that simply links to stuff on the internet, but these two songs are pretty good, and I wanted to share.

1)Baby Got Back - Jonathan Coultron

This is a cover of the Sir Mix-a-Lot classic, that utilizes a guitar, banjo, mandolin and a white guy, singing. Very funny, but also kinda catchy.

2)B^3: Brainsbeautyboth - George Hrab

I heard about this guy on Skepticality, a podcast that takes a critical look at, well, pretty much anything that seems like it's worth taking a critical look at. I highly recomend it if you're looking for something smart to listen to. Anyway, George Hrab is a skeptic, and he's a musician. His songs emphasize the value of thinking for oneself. Brainsbeautyboth has some great lyrics and a funky sound. Download it.

Get Manly

I'm going public. There's a new link on the sidebar, and it goes to my new blog, Get Manly. Get Manly is kind of a self-help project. You can read all about it by visiting that site, but here's an abbreviated version of the 5-point plan that's central to the whole magilla:

1) Find the archetypes

2) Observe the archetypes

3) Compile a list

4) Emulate the archetypes

5) Learn a valuable life lesson

Go on over and check it out.

Stupid Boy Projects

A little while ago, Kendra recomended quite strongly that I read Yes Man by Danny Wallace (she also told me that he is her idol, "In a non-sexual way"). I just finished it. You can read the blurb yourself, so I'll spare you the plot description, but basically, it's about a guy who decides to say "Yes" to every opportunity that comes his way for six months. It's the first book I've read in a long time that threw me into fits of laugher. I'm glad I don't take a train to work anymore, because I know that if I were to read this book in that setting, the effort of trying not to laugh out loud would have me literally vibrating. It's a super-fast read, too. The way I see it, you now have no excuse not to read it.

So I liked it. But also! I feel inspired by it. Not inspired to say "Yes," more; although, yeah actually, I do. But to do something else, too. Throughout the book, Danny defends his Yes-saying to his ex, his best friend, and to the reader, insisting that it's not a "stupid boy project" -- a term his ex-girlfriend used to describe endeavors of Danny's that she deemed pointless. Danny insisted that there was a point to all this, even if he didn't know what it was. I haven't really made up my own mind whether or not being the Yes Man was a stupid boy project or not, but the results seem to work out okay for Danny in the end. Maybe a stupid boy project is just the thing I need.

I suck at parties.

I posted this on a message board Saturday morning.

Last night I went to a party.

I never learned how to be at a party correctly. I'm shy and bad at striking up a conversation, or even joining in one that's already started. My usual strategy at parties is to stand near a group of people so that to the casual observer, I appear to be mingling. This usually works for me, but it's not a lot of fun.

About halfway through the party, my friend Kendra punched me in the shoulder and said, "You need to be more friendly. Or more manly."

Oh, great. So in addition to my already palpable social awkwardness, I had now been emasculated. I stood around awkwardly for a few moments (or rather, more awkwardly than usual), then resumed the previously described strategy.

What's the secret, people? Is it alcohol? Do I need to start getting drunk at these things?

The immediate reaction was, YES, GET DRUNK.

Fine. I can't resist anymore. Pass the booze.