JDot Unplugged

Giving It Something That Resembles Effort

2008-06-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

Moving sucks. Yup, stating the obvious. Moving from a 4 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom apartment is really kind of shitty. One has the tendency of accumulating a bunch of shit. So much so that one's roommate bitches to no end about the fish tank, the Trek, the DVD shelves, the plants, the blah blah blah.

I need to get rid of shit. I need to get rid of a bunch of shit. It's funny how something so quickly becomes so important at the moment, but then becomes ridiculous, borderline embarrassing after time passes and one has time to evaluate. I'm that one, and I need to get rid of a bunch of shit.

Shit for sale. Contact JDot for some primo-shit.

Spin Around

2008-05-28T23:15:00.000-07:00

Spent in disbelief, sorrow wages against self indulgence. Constantly wasted on the sinful shadows of this world, comfort comes in the form of below average social objectivity. Turning heads of friendly cheeks leave these thoughts expecting nothing else but similar despair.

Familiarity in wrong turns and deadening detail of self reflection cause my boredom to swim inside a bottle of fabricated pleasure. All one knows is what one feels when most detached from the immediacy of others. In this case, my knowledge breaks previous marks held by scientific men of public importance.

I need not commit a crime to enter my personal prison. I need only wake from the peaceful and suffocating darkness of my lifeless sleep.

Debut Episode of The Vacant Lot

2008-05-28T21:26:00.000-07:00

Ladies and yentlemen, allow me to present, in its entirety, the very first episode of the Jr. Kids in the Hall sketch comedy troup, The Vacant Lot (in 3 parts).

MOTOR - Flashback Video

2008-05-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

Videotown strikes again! (I've really got to get my shit together and get an article going on J.U)

Electro-punks MOTOR turn an 8-bit driving game into an intense visual representation of their hit single, Flashback. Enjoy! (Something of note: Early Industrial pioneers Ministry also produced a track titled Flashback. Seeping into the past seems to be a staple for aggressive electronic artists. I say, "GOOD FORM!")

O'Reilly Remix

2008-05-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

Classic stuff. I still can't understand why so many conservatives worship this guy.

Master Dub!

2008-05-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

One more for good measure

2008-05-06T16:13:00.001-07:00

"Today, I am the greatest of all time."

NO LAUGHING!

Saturday Morning Rants

2008-05-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

Ok. Wind me up, watch me spin.

Depressing technology: So, HD is here and you'd better damn well be ready. Those TV's you have, you know, the ones you've had since moving to college? They are no longer NORMAL enough for standard cable hook up. At least they won't be as early as February 2009 (which will seem like tomorrow believe me). So I keep seeing these commercials about how cable is going HD and I've got to call the number at the bottom of the screen to order a NEW AND IMPROVED cable box for my (now considered) LAME AND BASICALLY USELESS television. I haven't called the number yet out of sheer denial, candy coated with depression (not because of this as I kind of have my own thing going on) but I'm sure these boxes are not free. So, as an alternative to laying down big money on a tiny HD TV, I can settle for the set I have and get the box. That's NOT the kind of box I want to get.

The pool guy: Ok, people who have jobs and don't do them are lame. This may seem like an easily concluded statement, but the overall laziness of the working class everyman (or woman) in Southern California is really starting to mess with my positivity. "People just don't care" is what I think the bottom line is. But to their defense why should they? Oh yeah, BECAUSE IT'S YOUR FUKKING JOB! So our pool guy has a job. That job is to clean the pool. It's been getting warmer out and you know, we'd kind of like to use the pool. But this lazy bastard's been skimping on his 1 duty and our pool is constantly dirty. So the other day I wrote the lazy bitch a note. We'll see how long the upkeep lasts. (Why not just go with another pool guy? Exactly!)

Ok. That's enough rants for this morning. I need to step away from my ever present cloud of negativity (but if it's ever present how can you step away from it? I'm crafty) and start my day.

Happy Saturday you HD loving hords of modern technology (he typed while sitting in the living room listening to iTunes while typing on his MBPro after having played a game of baseball on his PS2. Yeah, I'm not a victim of cleaver gadgets).

Bubbles

2008-05-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

I happened to stumble across this very interesting site titled: I Heart Bubbles. Apparently they create sarcastic and funny comments on old ads and funny pictures.

As their mission statement reads: The I Heart Bubbles team is a tight group of humor loving individuals who enjoy making each other laugh. We scour the internet for any and every possible image to paint our Bubbles palette. The content of our Bubbles may include politics, music, movies, personal experiences, inside jokes, and vague obscure references. We hope you enjoy viewing I Heart Bubbles half as much as we enjoy making it.

Share the wealth is what I always say. Case in point.

VIDEOS, VIDEOS, VIDEOS!

2008-04-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

NOTHING BUT VIDEOS HERE ON JDOT UNPLUGGED!

HERE'S ANOTHER.

Boy Praises President

2008-04-24T13:01:00.001-07:00

Lancre Factory Video by JDot

2008-04-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Music by Yeah, I Figured That Much.

Abra Cadaver (1991)

2008-04-08T18:01:00.001-07:00

These 3 clips are the entire episode of the 1991 Tales from the Crypt classic, Abra Cadaver. Of all the Tales from the Crypt episodes I used to sneak in when I was in grade school, this one stands out more than any other (save for the Joe Pesci episode).

I'll admit, upon initial viewing, it's not as good as I remembered, but tracking it down and FINALLY finding it was well worth the 15 year wait. Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

More info on the episode can be found here.

This just in from BREWERS.COM

2008-04-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

After establishing himself as a full-time starter in 2007, Brewers Outfielder Corey Hart became one of just five Brewers to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in a single season.

He's also proven his mettle defensively, providing one of 2007's best highlights. In fact, Corey Hart said that robbing So Taguchi of a home run last season was his favorite baseball moment.

Join Corey Hart for an online chat on Wednesday, April 9 at 2:30 p.m. CST.

To join the chat, you'll need a FREE brewers.com account.
Register Now »

COREY HART STATS » | COREY HART PROFILE » | BUY A COREY HART JERSEY » | BUY TICKETS »

G.I. Joe!

2008-04-07T14:11:00.001-07:00

Funny video from co-worker.

West Coast Wax Vol. 5

2008-04-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

Jim Croce
As I stated before, I’ve been getting more and more into Folk Rock these days, and Jim Croce is my go-to-guy. The song Spin, Spin, Spin is a solemn (my favorite word as of late) tale about taking drugs and wandering through life. Jim Croce’s days were extremely few, which somehow makes him musically immortal. If not for this sad fact of dying before his time, Jim Croce would still sustain measurable weight among the best folk singing song writers of his and any time. In regards to his emotionally capturing songwriting ability, allow me to presents words spoken from the man himself:

You don't tug on superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don't mess around with JIM

Front 242
When I got into this worldly influential industrial dance band, I got REALLY into them. So much so that when I bought like 75% of their catalogue in a 2 week span, I didn’t allow myself the proper time to appreciate each album as its own entity. Instead I saw them as parts of a whole. So lately I’ve been giving Front 242, in all its majestic glory the attention it deserves. If you’re into electronic, attempt an early album of Front 242 to appreciate the foundation of modern electronic music.

Them

Last year I started my Van Morrison phase that I thought would end by the time fall came around. It’s been a year and Van the Man shows no signs of slowing down. This particular 2 LP set was given to me by my father under the condition that I burn the LP onto a CD for him. Fair enough. So now I have the double LP AND the album on my computer, ipod and cd. For those who don’t know, Them was part of the mid 60’s British Invasion wave. Sounding like early Stones mixed with the Animals, Them is surely a sight to behold.

They Might Be Giants
My all-time favorite band!

Lagwagon
Something of considerable note happened to me on March 30^th. I bought the Lagwagon album Resolve (their latest) on vinyl and never gave it a spin. I set it under my turntable to mark the next album I would serve up. It sat there for almost 2 weeks, until March 30^th. I listened to the album and remembered my younger days of delivering pizza for Domino’s while listening to, at that time, Lagwagon’s entire catalogue. That prompted me to go to allmusic.com to read the review on Resolve. What I found shocked me to the core. Resolve was dedicated, and revolves around the death of original Lagwagon drummer Derrick Plourde. I hadn’t heard this, so I proceeded to type in Derrick Plourde’s name in Wikipedia.org. I found out, that EXACTLY 3 years to the day Lagwagon drummer Derrick Plourde, the person who’s dedicated album I was currently listening to, had died. I couldn’t help but think something of higher power was trying to show me this amazing fact. This instance will definitely be an experience that I’ll never forget.

A bit long this week. Please accept my shallow apology.

Ben Sheets: 1 - 0

2008-04-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets pitched a 5 hit shutout against the struggling bay area Giants. With 8 K's and allowing just 5 hits, Ben Sheets picked up his first win of the season. His opening day start resulted in a no decision and after pitching 15.1 innings this year, has yet to give up a run.

Ben is seen here in a moment of self celebration after the 7-0 Brewers victory. Through the first 6 games this year the Brewers are 5-1 and share a lead with the St. Louis Cardinals atop the National League Central.

President Boo-sh

2008-04-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

People really don't like George W. Bush?

#939 for the Man of Steal

2008-04-02T22:32:00.001-07:00

For acquiring this image, I'd like to thank the following:
Ryan Reiter for suggesting to me that we go halves on MLB.TV back in 2005. I've had it every year since.

To the Milwaukee Brewers for being the closest professional baseball team to me during my adolescent years. You were there when I was young in stature, and you're there now when I'm young at heart.

To my Uncle Jim for buying me a Beckett Baseball Price Guide subscription in 1990. Shortly there after I began collecting Rickey Henderson cards relentlessly.

To MLB.TV for showing baseball history highlights on their website. I just came across Henderson's #939 video tonight and I think I could die tomorrow a happy man.

And finally to Rickey Henderson. For being Rickey, for being fast, for being the best he could be, for holding his own, for producing the numbers, for PROVIDING #24, for mastering the game, for being such an historical impact during my young years, and lastly for being a Hot Dog.

An unspoken philosophy I cling to is "give credit where credit is due." This self-indulgent reward speech attempts to do just that.

John C. Reilly

2008-04-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

Another co-worker sent this.

Funny stuff.

Ellen Page

2008-04-01T11:28:00.001-07:00

JDot's comment: "I'll take it."

Brewers Win in 10!

2008-03-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

Well opening day 2008 has come and gone, and with it several twitching Cubby fans cry solemn tears. The Brewers pull it off in 10, no thanks to Gagne (pronounced: Gag-knee), and GREAT thanks to Tony Gwynn Jr.

“I’ve got a lot of lettuce ridding on these Brewers – Cubs games,” JDot told JDot Unplugged. “Yes it’s only one game, and yes it’s only the first game of the year, but my victory 12 pack is vaguely coming into view.”

Who knows what the chosen victory ale will be. I’m almost giddy in excitement at WINNING alcohol, and I’ve got 161 more games to ponder my seemingly plethora of choice ales.

West Coast Wax Vol. 4

2008-03-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

Front 242
I was on a 242 binge this weekend. Went through their early, early stuff: Geography, Back Catalogue, and Offical Version. I really dig how mature the band is on Official Version. That album definitely paves the way for their critally acclaimed masterwork, Front by Front.

Simon & Garfunkel
I can’t get enough of that Simon & Garfunkel sound. Great for those moods where you feel you’re all alone and you can’t connect with anyone. Exactly how I feel ALL THE TIME.

N.O.T.A.
I don’t know too much about these guys other than their obscure hardcore punk. I recently came across this great site: (site link here) where the guy uploads complete albums of hidden treasures he’s unearthed throughout the years. Since his main flavor is hardcore, I frequent that site often.

Sorry
Got this album from the link above as well. Decent Fuzazi style tunes. Like N.O.T.A., I’ll have to give each of these albums another listen before I can allow them to “sink in.”

Thelonious Monk
"Again with the Monk?” Yup! Master Dub has his Miles Davis kick, I have my Thelonious Monk kick. While I was working for DWA I stumbled across a few Monk albums that I was able to import. Like last week, Monk is great early morning coffee drinking music. Very digable man.

Ok, we’re doing things a bit differently now. I’m not sure yet if this will be a reaccuring thing but instead of touching on specific albums, I’ll instead touch on the band. I listened to a lot of music last week. Bands that didn’t make the top 5 cut were: Elvis Costello, Descendents, Jim Croce, Naked Aggression and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Be sure to check back next week (probably late again) for more music you’re sure not to enjoy.

My name is Jingles Jerry and I approve this post.

In Honor of 34 Years

2008-03-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

The man, the myth, the Madison area legend Frybyrd turned 34 yesterday. Offered here is a brief photographic montage of said Byrd throughout the years. Enjoy and welcome to 34 Mr. Frybyrd.

Self Promotion

2008-03-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick slide show of a few advertisements the Yeah, I Figured That Much crew has put together over the last 15 months. We hope you enjoy. Click on the image for a larger view.

2008-03-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

This Video is Funny

2008-03-28T11:09:00.001-07:00

A co-worker sent me this.

Thanks co-worker!

The Smothers Brothers

2008-03-23T22:47:00.001-07:00

Yeah, so the dynamic relationship between these 2 brothers can faintly be seen between Yeah, I Figured heads GDub & JDot. Where Dick & Tommy Smothers were brothers from the same mother, GDub and myself are brothers from the same Father.

Anyway, although the audio is messed up throughout this piece, it cracks me up to no end. This song appears on the 1962 release The Two Sides of the Smothers Brothers with slight variation. When watching, keep an eye on Tommy portraying the adolescent youth (JDot) to Dicky's authoritative control (GDub). Good clean fun shouldn't be this damn good!

West Coast Wax Vol. 3

2008-03-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

Hot Chip - The Warning (2006)
Catchy, catchy, catchy electro-pop. Headed by the brain-rattling single Over and Over, Hot Chip's second album is great pop candy for the hook-catchy ear-hungry fools of modern pop who enjoy really fucking good music.

Thelonious Monk - The Best of the Blue Note Years (1991)
Although compiled and released in 1991, this "Greatest Hits" album was recorded between 1947-1952. I'm really starting to attach myself to Monk lately. Appreciating the steady coolness and groovy instrumentals that make for perfect early morning coffee sessions. Thanks to the Pharcyde for the "heads up."

Barracudas - (Omar's Mix)
I believe this is a compilation of tracks my buddy Omar got somewhere. I first heard these guys while on a trip to Sundance a few years ago. Omar drove and we listened to his cd's the whole way up and back. Surf heavy guitar pop with a youthful energy that demands almost constant listens.

Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things (2002)
It's a bit strange that this album appears on now 2 of only 3 West Coast Wax editions. I say that because I still don't know this album. I gave it a proper listen but even after that I'm left with a feeling of necessity to give it another spin in the attempts to really absorb the full potential that this album presents.

N.E.R.D. - In Search Of... (2002)
Master Dub will be happy about this one. Rolling in at number 5 on this week's edition of West Coast Wax is the flawless first effort by now legendary production team (+1) The Neptunes. In Search Of... is what all Hip Hop should sound like. If you don't have this album, and you like music, GO FUCKING GET THIS ALBUM! Ignore their second album (forever!) and play this until it breaks. Then go buy it again. It'll be worth it I shit you not.

Kool. Wave 3 (a little Barracuda fun there). For those who don't know, I comprise this list directly from my Last.fm account. Every Sunday night my previous week's top 5 "listened to" artists gets updated (sometimes it takes until Monday morning). Don't forget to click the album for an allmusic.com article. Bye for now.

2008-03-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

JDot's Digables

2008-03-23T11:29:00.001-07:00

Hello. My name is JDot and this is an elementary list of things I dig:

Jesus Christ
Yeah, I Figured That Much
Political Dramas
Hardcore Punk
Positive Hip Hop
Monk (Thelonious)
Classic Rock
I Heart Bubbles
Records (vinyl)
RLC
Yeah, I Figured Crew
Creative Struggles
Desperado
Wax Trax!
The Mar (Har)
Baseball
Last.fm
Family (though not so much as of late)
Wes Anderson Movies
My iPod
Our Pool
Whiskey
R. Henley H.
Amoeba
Milwaukee Brewers
Alfred Hitchcock
Stanley Kubrick
Circa: 1976 DeNiro
RFTC
The Shape of Punk to Come
Vision Street Wear
Goodwill
Led Zeppelin Bootlegs
Photoshop
Harry Belafonte
C&P
The Kids in the Hall
Whiskey (Again)
Film Soundtracks
Brown Hair/Brown Eyes
Van The Man
JR Cash
Bucho
Bucho’s Whores
Manual Transmission
Ginza of Tokyo
Happy Wok
Snapper Jacks
JDot

For the Benefit of Others

2008-03-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

Minimal Effort

2008-03-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

I dumb myself. Why? I’m not asking you, I’m asking me. Why? I don’t know. LAME ANSWER! Ok, it’s easy? That’s your answer? Ok, dumbing myself divides me from responsibility. It lifts me up like a needle from a record and places me down after the record is over. So what, you don’t like the music? No, I dig the music. So what then? You don’t like your spent time and you “fast forward” through your digable time, why, boredom? Yeah, I guess you could say that. Why do you do that? I just answered that. LAME ANSWER!

This has been a confrontational Q & A between JDot & JDot.

What? You bitch!

2008-03-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

Yeah, well I'm still not over my last girl. WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?
What the fuck just happened?

What? You bitch!
Hey we need to stay together girl
Think about it
There was something about me and you girl
Look here

When God created human beings
I bet he didn't think of bombs and things
I bet he wonders why
Just like I never imagined it would be anything between you and me
I know 'cause I cry
I cry

You were my sunrays
Without you girl there was no days
Never dreamt to speak the phrase
But what the fuck just happened
You were the heart I owned
The beat just like a metronome
Can't breathe my heart is gone
Now what the fuck just happened
What just happened girl

I was always the one behind
You would run up and keep me in line
I looked up to you damn this hurts
All these years of discipline
Just to end up here at the end
Can you tell me what I've learned
What I've learned

We need to stay together girl
Hey
We need to stay together girl
Think about it

You were my sunrays
Without you girl there was no days
Never dreamt to speak the phrase
But what the fuck just happened
You were the heart I owned
The beat just like a metronome
Can't breathe my heart is gone
Now what the fuck just happened
What just happened girl

[2x]
You were my friend
My friend 'til the end
You were my friend
Now what the fuck just happened

We need to stay together girl
Hey
We need to stay together girl
Think about it

You were my sunrays
Without you girl there was no days
Never dreamt to speak the phrase
But what the fuck just happened
You were the heart I owned
The beat just like a metronome
Can't breathe my heart is gone
Now what the fuck just happened
What just happened girl

That's About All

2008-03-19T20:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, well I've been catching flack (actually 1 person commented 1 time) about me not contributing enough to my personal site. So, here I am. Now what the fuck?

So yeah, this picture was taken during the celebration of the first day of 2008. Seen here we have GDub, Frybyrd, JDot and Bucho. The photo was taken at the West Coast Yeah, I Figured That Much Office (does office get capitalized? I don't think so).

So yeah. There you have it. A picture brought into Photoshop makes for a great picture with text. That's about all.

West Coast Wax Vol. 2

2008-03-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

Bruce McCulloch - Drunk Baby Project (2002)
Bruce's follow-up to his endlessly pleasing debut, Drunk Baby Project is a bit of a let down upon first listen. I'd purchased this CD a few years ago and only last week did I give it another chance. What I found upon that second listen was 1) I am an idiot, and 2) Bruce will never NOT be funny.

Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV (2008)
There are a lot of NIN fans out there, and I am not one of them. I do however respect the man and what he's trying to do. Having said that, Ghosts I-IV is great chill music perfect for background music to any modern day scenario of work or pleasure. This all instrumental album (well, 4 albums actually) is a pleasant surprise, even for those not head-over-heals into his back catalog.

Zeke - Kicked in the Teeth (1998)
Zeke is fast paced pop-hardcore. Not for everyone, but just so happens to be my cup-o-tea.

Van Morrison - Moondance (1970)
3 key tracks on this 1970 masterpiece by former Them lead singer Van Morrison. Track 1: And It Stoned Me (amazing song of slow pace and youthful exuberance), track 2: Moondance (sounds like a Vegas show piece and great medium to show off Van the Man's vocal talents), and track 9: Everyone (fittingly used as the closing song to the flick, The Royal Tenenbaums).

Jimi Hendrix - The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)
I used to listen to Jimi Hendrix all the time in Jr. High and early High School. Then, for about 12 or so years I kind of ignored him. Listening to Jimi now is like unexpectedly seeing a family member or close friend you haven't seen in over a decade. It seems as though not a day has passed since singing all these songs in my parent's unfinished basement. Legendary music can do that.

Ok. Week 2 of the new and improved West Coast Wax. Be sure to click the albums for links to reviews written by people with more talent than me. Oh, and where the rest of the links will take you to allmusic.com, Ghosts I-IV will take you to the wikipedia.org article. Allmusic doesn't have a review up for that one. I guess it isn't officially out yet. Ok, bye.

Time's Wasted Foundation

2008-03-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

I would like to offer a clip of sound mind (rather than sound body). In so many words the content of this clip represents several tedious hours of research by several key individuals, specifically GDub and JDot.

Listen to clip here.

Dreadnok Advertising

2008-03-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Zartan’s super-special-effect-arm-wave action was created on August 25, 2005. The Yeah, I Figured That Much original beat was created on March 6, 2008. The piece was imagined, edited, and completed on March 15, 2008.

Almost 2.5 years in the making. Complements of Yeah, I Figured That Much.

West Coast Wax

2008-03-12T17:45:00.001-07:00

(Click the album for allmusic review)

ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT - R.I.P. (2008)
I was at this show. It was pretty bad ass.

SEX PISTOLS - NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS HERE'S THE SEX PISTOLS (1977)
This was probably the 5th or so record I ever bought. Got it at Half Price on the east side of Madison, WI. If you don't own this album you're an idiot. You can quote me on that.

BEASTIE BOYS - CHECK YOUR HEAD (1992)
This was one of the albums Grease had that after listening to it, I knew my life would be changed. I did, and it is.

This Japanese version has the Pass the Mic single attached to the end of it.

FRONT 242 - NEVER STOP EP (1989)
This is one of the many EP's Front 242 put out on the Wax Trax label. It's not bad. A few remixes and what not. If you dig electronic and/or industrial, you still might not give this EP too much attention. I dig it.

RILO KILEY - THE EXECUTION OF ALL THINGS (2002)
Got this one from Lance (Hi Lance! k'mon k'mon). Only listened to it in passing and haven't given it a proper spin yet.

I will soon.

Ok. Well those were the albums I listened to the most last week. Check back next week for another round of West Coast Wax courtesy of JDot and Yeah, I Figured That Much.

You Don't Want No Sweat Tea?

2008-03-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, well, ok. This comedian doing this bit was first seen by the Yeah, I Figured Crew (JDot and Grease) in early 2001. Grease and I would frequently quote the, "You don't want no sweat tea?" line for as long as I can remember.

I happened to stumble across the same comedian doing the same bit while at home in Los Angeles and quickly rummaged for my camera. What you see here is the tale end of a great bit, sure to bring a smile to the faces of at least a few crazies.

Greetings and Welcome

2008-03-12T16:30:00.001-07:00

As the clock continues to tick, this profile page will be updated with various shit that I happen to be up to.

JDot Unplugged will be updated weekly and will serve as an appendage to Yeah, I Figured That Much.

2007-08-22T16:11:00.000-07:00