auteur’s blog

Very simple idea: take YouTube - remove the videos and display more results per page. The result: instant gratification! Perfect for the times you want to listen to a particular song NOW! I'm listening to Rakintzis as I'm writing this ;P

http://streamdrag.com/

After a long absence (due to the incompatibilities between vox and Opera), I will try to resume blogging here. For the moment here's a great music podcast: Coverville!

Highlight shows include Kate Bush, Tears for Fears and more recently Johnny Marr covers!!

The sorry state of mainstream (and "alternative") music today shows not only by listening to a random radio station, but by seeing it as well!
From the Hometracked blog:
"As shown below, and forgive the hyperbole, much more than they sound the same all Linkin Park songs look the same. And while it’s easy to criticize the band for their overuse of a formula that’s by now cliche, the similarity between their tracks at least holds a lesson on the importance of song arrangement in pop music production.
The Linkin Park Formula

The standard Linkin Park structure looks like this:
Quiet intro: Each song has a relatively quiet two-measure intro.
The instrumental kicker: The full band come in together on the down-beat, and play two or four high energy measures, usually instrumental.
Quiet verse: The song eases off for a verse or two, heightening the dynamic contrast between the song’s sections.
Heavy chorus: Usually the same chords established in the kicker, with Chester screaming over top for added emotion."

See also the visualization of their tracks, it revealing!!

Yesterday it was a happy day, as it is the day Luigi's first puppies were born!! The mother, Lacta, is Italian. The puppies are:

• 2 brown females
• 1 brown male
• 2 black/tan males

The birth lasted about 2.5 hours and it was surprising in that we originally expected 3-4 puppies. I hope they will prove to be as good dogs as their parents!

On Saturday we had a great party for a great friend brother who left for Boston. Trampas is continuing his music studies in Berklee, and we feel a little empty. He was "the boy you loved to hate" and the best friend you could ever have at once! Hope to see you soon Trampini!!!

Just some photos from my recent holiday with Iliana in Lefkada and Ithaca in July. Lefkada had some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen, while Ithaca was a bit more picturesque. Now back in Athens :(

Lefkada Top 5

1. Porto Katsiki Beach (cliche, but great!)
2. Taverna "Eytyxia" in the Chora of Lefkada (maybe the best, authentic greek food anyone can find!)
   
3. Milos Beach (accessible by boat from Ag. Nikitas)
4. Egremnoi Beach
5. Zerolithos Fish Tavern in Mikros Gialo
   

   Agios Nikitas
   

   Egremnoi Beach
   

   Towels on the beach

Ithaca Top 5

1. Gidaki Beach (accessible by boat from Vathi)
2. Drinking cocktails by the sea in the bars of Vathi
3. Magnificent view and good cuisine in "Chani" restaurant near Lefki
4. Picturesque Kioni
5. Great Fish soup in Odysseas (Frikes)
   

   Milos Beach
   

   Vathi from above

I just have to share this video. It's about Microsoft's new innovative product Microsoft Surface (via Techcrunch).

 

 

Actually it is pretty cool and I think it will find many uses in leisure environments, as long as it doesn't feature Windows-like stability (i.e. none).

I finally watched Dimitris Papaioannou's "2" on Friday. While it was an ambitious project, it seems the choreographer/director collapsed under the weight of his own heritage (2004 Olympics opening ceremony).While it was flawless technically and the artistry of all involved was obvious (especially K.bhta's music), the message was absent. The only unifying theme was a gay perspective on modern man (a point also made by Nikos Dimou).

 

Yesterday, I watched something that lies on the other end of the spectrum: Gondry's "The Science Of Sleep". A low budget movie that didn't concentrate on the director's usual technique and trickery, but used them as tools to express something deeper. If liked his work with Kaufman, this is even better!

 

Still recovering from this year's "spectacular failure", I watched a movie that "captures the essence of losing", recommended by fellow AEK FC fan and friend Dimitris.
Game 6 based on a screenplay by Don DeLillo (of Underworld fame) is the ultimate movie about addictiveness to defeat and how the team you chose (whatever choice that is) shapes a big part of your life. I highly recommend it despite the low ratings has received.
If you haven't watched the legendary failure, you can through the magic of YouTube, albeit a bit twisted ;)