In addition to rebuilding the Kiwibeak directory/homepage, we will be re-vamping the 'kiwiblog!'
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Scheduled for completion of the directory rebuild is tentatively set for August 1, 2008.
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official relaunch is set sometime September/October 2008.
The experimental music and art group the Residents launched their weekly TIMMY video project on YouTube in 2006. The short films were approximately 1-minute long and narrated a quirky little story from the mind of fictional 9 year old E-boy, Timmy. The videos were generally collaged and culled from various social guidance films, commercials, and documentaries. Of course, with the Residents, the focus of the films was comedy infused with quark and strangeness. The series started July 26, 2006 in a series of weekly short videos featuring Timmy telling anecdotes about his life and other strange stories. The videos are being released in the Residents Official YouTube page, and can be accessed through the Residents' official website and their MySpace page.
I've compiled 10 of the best video shorts (IMO) below---in no particular order. There are currently 30 videos altogether. Hopefully, the Residents will bring some more of these to the web in the future:
CONTROLS: use arrow keys, UP: accelerate; LEFT/RIGHT: steady vehicle hit ENTER to start over
A simple and neat Flash game. Draw your own course, design your world. Use your imaginative. FOR AGES 5-95. Intuitive drawing and selection controls pop-up in on the left and right on mouse roll-over.
The really cool thing about this game is that it allows you to easily save your map/world, just copy-and-paste the coordinates supplied after clicking the 'save' icon in a text document and save. Paste 'em in later, or find and share with others on the OneMoreLevel Free Rider Forums: click here
'Kiwibeak Raceway - Level 1.01'
(highlight & copy code below > click the load button in Free Rider 2 > paste in box)
In 1973, in response to the Yom Kippur War between Israel and Egypt, the Organization of Arab Oil Producing Countries began the infamous "Arab oil embargo" - any country that supported Israel in the war would stop receiving shipments of oil. That meant the United States, Japan, and most of Europe. The effect was devastating - soaring oil prices set off a worldwide recession.
Most of the affected countries quickly initiated plans to conserve energy: The United States lowered the speed limit to 55 mph and started programs like "turn off the lights at night."
But when the crisis ended, most nations dropped those programs and went back to their old ways. Denmark was different: being 99% dependent on foreign oil, it was particularly badly hit by the embargo. Determined never again to be at the mercy of their oil suppliers, the Danes kept conserving and worked to produce their own energy.
Ran across this video on youTube that I feel warrants a post in this category as it is completely insane, disturbed, deals with popular culture, and really is just super funny. Those who have sensitive ears and eyes will want to steer clear of this video. The collage weaves a narrative that involves themes revolving around relationship-obsessiveness (between Star Trek heroes, Kirk and Spock) and homo-eroticism. The plot ponders, 'what if they hadn't made it to Vulcan in time?' One of the better, imaginative video creations posted on youTube that will have some laughing hysterically, some crying, and some scarred for life. If you have a good sense of popular culture, and even more importantly, a strong sense of humour and are not easily offended, this is pretty darn F-U-N-N-Y.
WARNING: Contains adult themes and explicit language, those of sensitive nature, need not click! As a privileged blogger on the Kiwi-network, I must repeat the disclaimer, "†Kiwibeak.com is not responsible for what will be viewed on external websites."
Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars' 1956 album, 'Music for Lighthousekeeping,' is a classic relic and important album in the history of Jazz and American music culture. It's also a great record and one that turned me into a rabid Classic West Coast Jazz fan, particularly of the stable of musicians that have been associated with manager, bandleader, and bassist of the Hermosa Beach Lighthouse All-Stars, Howard Rumsey. One day, the native California jazz musician walked into the Lighthouse Cafe and persuaded the owner, in light of lagging liquor sales on Sundays, to try out having live jazz music performed every Sunday, giving birth to one of the most legendary music venues for Jazz. This new musical collective of performing musicians was dubbed, 'The Lighthouse All-Stars,' and was comprised of a large transient membership including many jazz greats. The Lighthouse Cafe became the hang-out of choice for musician and music-lover alike.
A Listing for the Lighthouse in the East Coast Jazz mag, Downbeat, in the late 1950s (left); The actual Lighthouse as it looked in the mid-1950s (photo, at right)
Read a fantastic article on Howard Rumsey and the Lighthouse All-Stars online in the May 2005 issue of Jazz Connection Magazine (www.jazzconnectionmag.com), CLICK HERE
Music For Lighthousekeeping, 1956, Contemporary.
This album was recorded on a series of Tuesday evening dates at Contemporary Records' studio, and I think you will find it just different enough from our other albums to make it interesting throughout. The material is programmed the way we might present the last set of a busy, swinging night at the Lighthouse. ---HOWARD RUMSEY, From the record's liner notes
Hermosa Beach (2005)
Record Date: October 2, 1956, Music for Lighthousekeeping features a truly stylistically unique and swinging hard bop sound, you know you're listening to the All-Stars from the start. Interesting, tight arrangements and exchange between the musicians make this a winner. Bob Cooper, perhaps the longest staying member (with Rumsey) contributes some favorite originals: 'Octavia,' a sublime ballad based on octave intervals, and 'Jubilation' (hear a sample below of the coda with piano into chorus and ensemble). Other tracks involve the pen of Bill Holman and even one number by the young Sonny Clark. Personnel on the record is: Bob Cooper, tenor; Frank Rosolino, trombone; Conte Candoli, trumpet; Stan Levey, drums; Sonny Clark on piano; Howard Rumsey, bass.
This album is an important document of West Coast Jazz of the 50s and showcases a great Lighthouse line-up. The title and cover are pretty cool too. Also sampled below is an excerpt from the opening burner, 'Love Me or Levey,' written by Bill Holman for Stan Levey, which features an opening chorus; Levey moving the tune through exchanges with Cooper, Candoli, Rosalino, and Clark; chorus reprise; Levey solo; a final chorus. A great album to relax to and have a few drinks or to listen to while cleaning your lighthouse.
1. Love Me Or Levey (Bill Holman) 5:40 2. Taxi War Dance (Young--Basie) 5:46 3. Octavia (Bob Cooper) 5:12 4. Mambo Las Vegas (Bill Holman) 5:23 5. Jubilation (Bob Cooper) 3:37 6. I Deal (Sonny Clark) 4:34 7. Latin For Lovers (Bill Holman) 6:57 8. Topsy (Durham--Battle) 6:47
