The Root Of All Evil

71-year-old ex-financier Bernie Madoff was sentenced yesterday to 150 years in prison for swiping billions from trusting investors. One of the largest Ponzi schemes to date, Madoff plans to "live with pain" and "torment" for the rest of his numbered days. As Madoff's sentence gets tweaked by the courts, his once wealthier victims have yet to receive lost funds.

Another One Bites the Dust

OxiClean pusher Billy Mays was found dead in his Tampa, FL. home Sunday morning by his wife, now widow, Deborah. Mays' death, directly caused by heart disease, is one of the many celebrity deaths to hit the airwaves since MJ and Farrah Fawcett. Catch what's left of Mays' on late night infomercials, reminding us forever that we can make our whites whiter and our brights brighter, if only we believe.

How Fitting

Please buy this for me?  It's perfect. 

Jason Schwartzman of Coconut Records has just released a new video for "Any Fun," featuring the lovely Chloe Sevigny.

Any Fun - Coconut Records - Music Video

Filipino Prisoners Play Tribute to MJ

Remember the Filipino prisoners from youtube dancing to Thriller?  If you don't, here's a refresher course.  Anyhow, the guys are back with a tribute to Michael Jackson in their latest video.

"Just look over your shoulders honey!" 

England Belongs To Twee

Tonight at Kungfu Necktie! Starts at 10pm with DJ HTSHELL!

PAYOLA

Making Time gets postal with their first ever pool party. A collaboration between POPPED! and R5, this weekend's bash is taking over Medford's retro fab Flying W Airport Resort. According to Agnew, there will be $400 bucks worth of pool toys, plus a 7ft water rocket. Add in ice-cream sandwiches and Philly DJs like Dave P, Mike K, Adam Sparkles, the Broadzilla DJs (and more), Making Time's pay for play looks like the raddest way to party up this weekend. $17 with shuttle bus round trip, $12 without. So grab your suit and make waves at"the ultimate summer concerted destination in 2009."

I Love My Bicycle: The Story of FBM Bikes

I just saw this movie tonight. (Thanks Joe!) I encourage you all to go see it again tomorrow with me!

Moore College, the fun begins at 6pm, movies start at 8.

THE BOOKS

Kiwi photographer/artist Kelly Thompson gives the spotlight to the geeky chic and sexy in this month's exhibit at the Gorker Gallery. Depicting pretty bibliophiles in frames and tees, Thompson's prints prove one of the many reasons why "Bookworms Never Go To Bed Alone."

Drivers Wanted

According to this, Elliott Smith's '99 Passat is up for grabs on Craigslist for 4,000 bucks. All proceeds go to the SIMS Foundation, an Austin based nonprofit dedicated to helping local artists cope with mental illness and recover from addiction. If you're short on cash, donate your spare change here.

Tweet, Tweet, R.I.P.

Artists react to MJ's untimely death via Twitter. Here's the best of the tweets so far. Check out Pitchfork for more.

Les Savy Fav's Tim Harrington: My sons never got old enough to even be sexualized by Jacko! ...And that's why they call him too soon Tim
;-)

Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite: You bought the Elephant Man's bones and sent a statue of yourself round the world. RIP you amazingly talented loonball.

DOOM: A little bit of everyone died today, I can tell you a piece of me just did. Let's just say this is the first time I've watched MTV in a long time

Colin Meloy: Whoa. The deli lady started weeping while she was getting my greek salad.

The King Of Pop Dies

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has passed away at 50. Reports say he passed away from a heart attack at his home, though speculation on his health has been in the media for the past few years. Jackson was expected to make a comeback this year. Regardless, it is hard to deny that Mr. Jackson was the inventor of pop, and the king on the dance floor. You will be missed, sir. No one can replace those shoes.



You can view Jackson's classic, "Thriller," here.

Goodnight, Angel

Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett has lost her long battle with cancer. She was 62 years old. Rest in peace, angel.

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

Gays, the prez, and Marty Moss-Coane.
What's your take? LISTEN HERE.

Eye Candy

by Paperwhite Studio, NYC
$25 CLICK HERE TO DROOL

Fast Food Goes For Sex Appeal

Burger King [their latest ad]:


Quiznos [this came out in May]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LQpRQh2KSQ

The Death of Neda Agha-Soltan

After much debate, I decided against posting the video of Neda Agha-Soltan's final moments.  Some will argue viewing this video has gotten the world, especially women, to stand up and recognize the current state of Tehran.  Having been trained in trauma studies, however, I do not see an overwhelming upside to curing trauma with more trauma. 

Most people have seen the video footage already, and I will not be another blogger responsible for re-creating the scene for her family over and over again. Because of the current state of things, her family has been unable to partake in a proper mourning ceremony.  Let the image of their beautiful daughter remain unplagued by haunting media, I beg of you, give them that at the very least. You do not need to see a visual to realize how tragic it is for another innocent human life to be taken at the hands of politics gone astray. Long before Neda's death, it was clear Tehran was in deep turmoil.  Her death, along with many others, has just reinforced the need for help from the rest of the world.  We have been saying "never again," for years, let's put some action behind those words this time. 

Go here to learn more about Neda Agha-Soltan. 

Chris "Beat Her Down" Brown Gets Off Easy

[Above: The alleged photos TMZ obtained after Chris Brown's assault on Rihanna.]

R&B douche Chris Brown plead guilty yesterday, in the assault of ex (or current, no one knows) girlfriend Rihanna. He will serve a mere 180 days in domestic violence classes, and five years of probation.

The reason this burns me up inside is not because of the court's leniency on Brown's sentence. What bothers me is that Rihanna chose not to testify, a move that surely would have moved the court to strengthen the sentencing. There are some who will argue she just wanted it over and done with, to remove herself from speculation. I understand that. But I also understand she is a woman that many girls look up to, girls who, may themselves be in abusive relationships and are afraid to come forward. What kind of message is Rihanna sending them? Perhaps most important is her own justice, if not others. A stronger sentence will not erase what happened, but is nothing short of saying, "I am a strong woman. I am standing up for myself, and if the system shall serve me, I will embrace it." Pretending something is over with is not okay, Rihanna. I can only hope she respects herself more now than ever, and will not allow another abuser to lay a hand on her ever again. Domestic violence is never the answer. Respect of one's self is possibly the most precious gift possessed by humanity.

Funny Man Ed McMahon Will Not Be Forgotten

Late night TV legend Ed McMahon has passed away this morning.  He was 86-years-old. Comedy has lost another great soul. 

This is Why

I love Lady Gaga.

Obama Breaks his Promise

President Obama has promised the American people to post bills online five days after their passing, to give the people a chance to express themselves. So far, Obama has failed to do so.



You can view a video created by the The New York Times on the issue here.

Afghan Journalist Details Escape Plan

35-year-old Tahir Ludin, and Afghan journalist, has revealed the plan that helped him escape from seven months of being kept hostage. Ludin credits careful planning, weary guards, and a rope for his getaway.

[Above: Tahir Ludin's family, awaiting his return home. Credit: The New York Times]

You can read more here, as well as an account by Pulitzer-prize winner David Rhode, a NYTimes journalist who was also held captive by the Taliban.

Craiglist Killer to be Convicted

23-year-old Phil Markoff is scheduled to receive his sentence today for the murder of Julissa Brisman.

On April 14th, Markoff fatally shot 25-year-old Brisman, a woman he had sought for her masseuse services on Craigslist. Four days prior he had robbed a woman in Las Vegas, identified as 29-year-old Trisha Leffler.

Markoff could be charged with counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed kidnapping, armed assault with an attempted robbery, and two counts of illegally posessing a firearm.

Damn The Valley

Photographer Tom Hunter, an Afghanistan veteran and photographer for the Iraq war, will be displaying some of his work at the Cerulean Arts Gallery July 3rd - August 7th. As a former journalism major and aspiring international correspondent, this kind of work tickles me pink. With photos of the Afghani people and the crimes committed against them as part of his exhibit, Hunter hopes to show the many sides of the Iraq & Afghanistan wars. The event is completely free, so you won't want to miss it. And luckily for me, a special Q&A session is going to be held on my birthday this year, July 19th, with Tom Hunter from 1-4pm.

Food Inc.

Another movie about how you are what you eat..and that's not a good thing.

500 Days of Summer

Every time I watch this trailer I fall more and more in love with Zooey and that cutie from 3rd Rock From the Sun.

Una Fiesta

TONIGHT. 10-whenever. Get stoked.

We'll be there. Will you?

You will be missed, Gary Papa

54-year-old ABC sports anchor Gary Papa has passed away today, after a five year battle with cancer. He had been reporting sports news in Philadelphia since 1981, and will be remembered as someone who brought immense joy to the newsroom, whether you were a sports fan or not. My heart goes out to his wife Kathy, and his two sons, Tucker and Nathaniel.

In his honor, the annual 5K Run 4 Your Life race will continue this Sunday as planned. Papa was the chairman of the organization in support of breast and prostate cancer research. There will be dozens of Papa's supporters participating in the race on the parkway this Sunday, and honestly, I cannot think of a more meaninful way for Philadelphians to spend Fathers Day.

Bikes Are For Lovers

Joe Stakun's feature film debut "I Love My Bicycle" premieres Friday, June 26th at the Bicycle Film Fest. Hitting the City of Brotherly Love before screening in 20ish cities worldwide, Stakun's first will also be screening at the Philadelphia Independent Film Fest June 28th. If you're a biker or an indie flick fiend, make sure to show your love. Tickets for the 26th are $9. Get 'em while they're hot.

Iranians Go Green

"Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters poured into the streets in Tehran on Thursday, nearly a week after a disputed election returned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power in what officials said was a landslide victory over his reformist rival.

Demonstrators marched silently until they arrived at the square, where some chanted "Death to the Dictator!" and "Where are our votes!" NPR

Despite the Iranian government's attempts to keep citizens silent, demonstrators continue to make themselves heard world wide through Twitter, fcbk, and blogs. Finally social networking serves the greater good.

Black On Black

New Shit. No cash. Awesome.

pop punk for life

After being crowned "the reigning pop punk woman of the world," it dawned on me that I do not even have tickets to Blink-182's upcoming tour. Tickets have since went from $15 to $20 in most areas, and I don't have a dime to my name.  Something in me keeps hoping the christ of pop punk will give me what I so desperately need...

Not even going to describe how long I followed this band on previous tours, how much trouble I got in for blowing my lunch money, and how many brain cells I killed blasting a song titled "Shit Piss Fuck." 

Excuse me, but fuck all the bands that followed after them.  (I'm talking to YOU Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco.  Sorry!) 

If you live in PA, here's your chance to make me a very jealous woman. All the NJ and NY dates are selling out. 

http://hersheyent.tickets.musictoday.com/HersheyEntertainment/moreInfo.aspx

Away We Go

Eggers, Vida, Mendes, and more. Plus the soundtrack beats Garden State any day. Now Playing at the Ritz East, premieres at County Friday. Who wants to come with?

P.S. Everytime I hear the title, it makes me think of this

@SenJohnMcCain

^ McCain gets cuddly with the ex-prez

“It’s not a matter of taking a side of the opposition,” he said. “It is a matter of trying to help the Iranian people achieve what is a basic fundamental human right, and that is a right to choose their own leaders and choose their own government.” John McCain, Politico

Big words coming from a man who referred to our Commander In Chief as "That One." In other news, McCain's new hybrid gets an exclamation point on Twitter. Tehran, not so much.

Miranda Miranda

^ The Hallway by Miranda July, Yokohama Triennale 2008

Quirky prolific author of "No One Belongs Here More Than You," and the brains behind films like "Are You The Favorite Person Of Anyone?" and "Me You And Everyone We Know," Miranida July at 35 is everything I wish I was and more. Having read a handful of her brilliantly awkward stories, I'm constantly crossing my fingers in hopes that she'll stop by Philly before the decade's end. Too bad she's presumably in Europe. Miranda, if you're reading this, I need you to come to Philly as soon as you can. Oh and by the way, I'm your #1 fan. Srlsy.

Almost Famous

According to R5 hottie/head honcho Sean Agnew and his fcbk status, D.I.Y folkster Will Oldham is chillin' it out at in Fishtown at the tragically hip KFN. As suggested by Agnew, "Go there and bother him."

STDs Vs. Valcor

STD Medication or Character From The Never Ending Story?
Compliments of McSweeney's Internet Tendency.



1. Valtrex
2. Suprax
3. Artax
4. Cairon
5. Famvir
6. Falkor
7. Aldara
8. Nighthob
9. Morla
10. Pegasys

Click Here To See What's What.

Ode to Antonio Picardi

I've never been one for older men, (save for Jude Law) never saw the appeal in movie stars like Brad Pitt or George Clooney. But upon reading The Satorialist today, I came across Antonio Picardi, half gentleman of leisure, half skate enthusiast. Ah, what I'd give to end up with a man like that, to have and to hold, to be buried next to after death do us part! Picardi's look is not only classic but simple. Of course, only a man with the utmost inner confidence could pull of a suit with skate shoes, (not pictured) but this man's got it. We could listen to Morrissey in my kitchen, a table for two with hand picked flowers from our garden as our centerpiece. Or we could get dressed up, pearls and bow-ties in tow, just to get a slice at Lazaros.

You can read his interview with The Satorialist here: http://syndicated.livejournal.com/thesartorialist/816663.html

Pinch me, I must be dreaming.

It's About Time For a Party at My House

One more week of work to follow this one and I'm unemployed.
1 out of 5 college grads are finding jobs in Philadelphia.
Whooooo! Here's to mass amounts of stress.


Until then, party at my house Saturday. If you're nearby, be there!

Dear J. K. Fucker. (No, not the former prez.)

Dear J.K. Fucker,

It's not often that I get pissed off enough to the point where my eyes could slice a motherfucker, but congratulations!  You've got me to that point.  You do not own me, my life, or my friends.  I understand, you're counting on me to do a task you clearly cannot do yourself, but the beauty of it is, your existence means nothing to me.  You are like a moth to the flame, constantly spinning around my head, and man, I can't wait until that torch burns every last stitch in your wings. You're a hometown nobody seeking the fame, but guess what!  The only thing you're famous for is being the largest insect to ever grace an ass. Shiiit, I haven't been this livid since a middle school dance.  Your feelings are non-existent, so please, don't take this one to heart!  I know you won't, and I won't either.  Best of luck, you fucking twat.

xoxo,

me!

HOT SHIT

Bloody Boys Tee compliments of Built By Wendy
$45, why isn't this mine?

Drink Up Buttercup

Ex-alcoholic/current crooner Chan Marshall directs vodka commercial for 42 Below's surrealistic "OneDreamRush." Unveiling Ms. Marshall's dreams to the hungry eyes online, "OneDreamRush" showcases 42 shorts by various directors, 42 seconds each (including a quick peek inside Marshall's mind). She just might be the greatest after all. Click pic for dreamy deets.

Woody Knows Best

Aside from suing Dov Charney and bagging Soon-Yi, funny four-eyes Woody Allen reaches yet another milestone. Allen's current project, "Whatever Works," hits theaters June 19th, staring Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David and Manson's defunct girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood. Itching for the synopsis?

"The movie tells the story of a "genius" professor in New York who ditches his upper-class life for something simpler — winning, along the way, the devotion of a beautiful young girl from Mississippi who is almost 40 years his junior." NPR

An aging intellectual with a cranky disposition falls for a hot young number in hopes to solve his existential funk. Kind of like Annie Hall, nix the sobby romance and retro flair. Number 40 of his films, Allen's celluloid premiere looks like two thumbs up, even without ScarJo.

ALLEN GETS FRESH WITH TERRY GROSS

A Trip to the Vending Machine: Cheetos, Doritos, and Flats?

British designer Matt Horan has made dance parties that more enjoyable, with the creation of a vending machine that sells flat shoes for roughly $8. So after a hard night of bumpin' and grindin' (Do people still do that?) you can return home for that after sex in comfort. Unfortunately, the vending machines are only in Britain, but it's only a matter before America steals..I mean follows, the trend.

Gizzy B featured in PHOTO magazine

Now I see what the appeal is about her; too bad all the artwork is fake. Although, I guess it does kind of match her personality...thoughts??

Music for Men..what about the ladies?

The Gossip are back with their latest release, Music for Men. I'm not a fan, which is why I'm glad I got to listen to the whole thing for free here.

I hate this word but..seriously.

(Taken from 50yearstorm.)

No H8 Campaign

Last week I ran across this photo for the "No Hate" (NOH8) campaign, taken by an organization fighting for equal rights for the GLBT community. This photo was taken shortly after LA had their rally against Proposition 8. And I gotta say, Mark Hoppus, you could not be looking any better than you do in the name of equality.



P.S. - Someone get me Adam Bouska's number? I want my picture taken!

Trent Reznor is a Quitter.

All right, so maybe he's not a quitter. It's been twenty years since NIN released their first album, Pretty Hate Machine, so you can't blame the guy for being tired. Yesterday NIN played their last show ever in the United States at Bonaroo, finishing up their last performances this summer in Euopre and Asia.


"Don't be sad. I'll keep going. But I think I'm going to lose my ... mind if I keep doing this, and I have to stop."--taken from the AP

We'll miss you, Trent. But please, be serious about this and don't pull out ten reunions over the next twenty years.

Technology vs. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The riots in Iran began Saturday night. I recommend following the BBC and TehranLive for the latest information.

Taken from the BBC:

"All over the world people are monitoring unfolding events in Iran via the internet, where an apparently decisive election victory by the incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is being challenged on the streets.

Although there are signs the Iranian government is trying to cut some communications with the outside world, citizen journalism appears to be thriving on the web."

Hard Times

The Current Unemployment Rate: 9.1%.
Compliments of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Stats.

Monster Hospital

OBAMA THE CUTTER

He's baaaaaaaaaack.

Check out the trailer for Michael Moore's latest film endeavor.

Blood Suckers

Guillermo del Toro, the mastermind behind "Hellboy" and "El laberinto del fauno," recently released his first novel "The Strain." From the sound of its synopsis, del Toro's vamp friendly fiction will easily outshine "Twilight."

"The story begins on a runway at JFK airport in New York. A 777 has just landed and taxis to a halt. Once stopped, the plane stays put. All the window shades are drawn. And a mysterious black color appears on the fuselage.

Soon, airport authorities board the plane to find all but four passengers dead. And thus begins a vampire awakening that unleashes terror in Manhattan." NPR

Needless to say, I have to read this.

Art Lust

Molly Butterfoss goes ga-ga for legendary girl groups.
Thanks a lot Bona Drag (I hate being broke).