George Lucas in yet another baffling attempt to milk Star Wars for all it's worth

Photo courtesy of Jesse from Myspace

On my iGoogle, I have a feed of selected Rolling Stone articles. As I logged in this morning to use my e-mail, I glanced over at it. "LucasFilm Says 'Star Wars: A Musical Journey' Bound For U.S." Oh, no, I thought.

Turns out, it doesn't sound like the choreographed, sequined mess that I had originally imagined, but more of a weird, rock concert for sci-fi nerds; live orchestra, LED lights, projection screens and little boys with light sabers peeing their pants. All, I have to say is, "Really, George Lucas? Reeeally?"

That and, "I hope there are Ewoks."

Here, take a read:
The Rolling Stone article

"...you can ask me how, but only time will tell"

I've been listening to a lot of Ben Folds radio on Pandora lately. In the mix, I found this charming little song and wanted to share it with you all:

"All Will Be Well," Gabe Dixon Band (full song)

All WIll Be Well - Gabe Dixon Band

Shameless Product Promotion

I am a thrifty person. I'm also a stubborn person. Therefore, when one of my earbuds broke while I was working last summer, I popped the cover back on and continued on with my business...and when my earbuds started shocking me this winter, I ignored it, figuring that my iPod was a low enough power source that it wouldn't cause me much damage...when the sound started dying, however, I knew that I couldn't put it off any longer.

A lady I talked with in a TJ Maxx one time told me that she had tried many earbud brands and that the "Marshmallow" earbuds by JVC were the best ones. Assuming that she had no reason to lie to me, I decided to try them.

After a few days of contemplating whether or not to return them (they were $20 - a little pricey as far as earbuds go), I decided that that was getting me nowhere. I unwrapped them, squished them down like the instructions said, and put them in my ears.

JJJwwwwuummm. It was like I was hearing things in a vacuum. All of the ambient noise was drowned out, and I could actually hear the music at a lower volume.

The ultimate test was this morning when I took them to the gym. Sweaty people grunted, ellipticals spun and tennis-shoed feet pounded out rhythms on treadmills. Staking out an elliptical, I placed my article and cell phone in the holders, started pedaling and put the earbuds in. Suddenly, all of the noises of the gym were blotted out. It was just me and Jim Croce. (I know, kind of a weird pick for the gym)

Of course, they're not perfect. The cord makes a lot of noise when I walk and it kind of weirds me out that I can hear my own breath and heartbeat. The sound quality is alright, but not as high quality as with more deluxe headphones. However, for 20 bucks, they're pretty good. If you're in the market for some new earbuds, I'd definitely recommend these.

Top Ten: Love Songs

Happy Valentine's Day everybody! As some of you may know I sort of hate Valentine's Day (or at least the commercialized, couple-centric, artificial mess it has become). However, the main premise of letting people know how much they mean to you is a good one, and well...to be honest...most songs are about love of some sort, and so I felt that this was as good a time as any to address the whole love song thing. Enjoy, it is not often that I will dip into the sap like this:

1) "I'll Have to Say 'I Love You' in a Song," Jim Croce (full song)
This song is so honest and real. Plus, the idea of somebody writing a (damn good) song at 3 in the morning just to say "I love you" is pretty sweet.

ILL HAVE TO SAY I LOVE YOU IN A SONG - Jim Croce

2) "Your Song," Elton John (full song)
This song is just classic romance. Especially the part about the eyes.

Your Song - Elton John

3) "The Way I Am," Ingrid Michaelson (full song)
This song represents the everyday kind of romance which is more love in my opinion than roses and champagne and all that. It is a promise to stand by somebody through the good and the bad days and love them for everything that makes them them, faults and all.

The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

4) "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," Death Cab For Cutie (full song)
This song is sad and comforting at the same time.

I Will Follow You into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie

5) "Tiny Dancer," Elton John (full song)
I don't know why, but I freaking love this song. (I have a sneaking suspicion that it is partially the fault of that one "Office" episode)

Tiny Dancer - Elton John

6) "Echo," Incubus (clip)
Beautifully articulated.

Echo - Incubus

7) "Giving Up," Ingrid Michaelson (full song)
Say what you will about her, but Ms. Michaelson sure writes a mean (as in impressive) love song. This one spends most of the duration noting all of the doubts that crop up in a relationship, until the singer finally accepts that they don't care about all that.

Giving Up - Ingrid Michaelson

8) "Samson," Regina Spektor (full song)
Pretty. And sort of bittersweet.

Samson - Regina Spektor

9) "Gracie," Ben Folds (clip)
A different kind of love.

Gracie - Ben Folds

10) "(I Wanna) Call It Love," Sondre Lerche (full song)
Just too freaking cute.

(I Wanna) Call It Love - Sondre Lerche And The Faces Down Quartet