The Most Sampled Beat in History

In 1969 the soul group "The Winstons" had a song entitled, "Amen, brother" which contained a drum break in the middle of the song that lasted 5.2 seconds long. This one drum break would be sampled with the first sampler machine in the 1970's and be used in hundreds of hit songs and even commercials in the 80's,90's, and today. The most reproduced five seconds in history is entitled "The Amen Break".

The Mandelbrot Set: Thumbprint of God?

Watch this amazing documentary on this Mathematical fractal that is a real example of infinity. Anyone that is interested in Mathematics, colors, or existence in general will love this documentary. Experience the "Color of infinity"

Fractals - The Color of Infinity pt 1/3

Fractals - The Color of Infinity pt 2/3

Fractals - The Color of Infinity pt 3/3

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (7/26-7/29) This Weekend!

I'll be there this weekend selling coffee at the Fair Trade and Organic Pierce Brothers Coffee Roasters (formerly Java Hut) coffee stand. It will be a great time with great people and great music. Make sure you try out the most honest and pure Dark Roast coffee around, our very own Fogbuster! Organic and Fair Trade, roasted by hand in Greenfield, MA. One of the only companies you would ever find me endorsing, Sean and Darren Pierce are really two great down-to-earth guys, they are really trying to make the world a better place one bean at a time.
The Pierce Brothers Coffee Website

Falcon Ridge Preview clip

(Performers list taken from the Falcon Ridge website)

Performer
Annie Wenz
Arlo Guthrie
Dar Williams
Dust Poets
Eddie From Ohio
Eilen Jewel
Ellis
Falcon Ridge House Band
Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
Glengarry Bhoys
Hoopoe the Clowne
Jason Spooner Trio
Jimmy LaFave
John Gorka
Lowen & Navarro
The Lovell Sisters
Lucy Kaplansky
Mia Dyson
Marshall Crenshaw
Mary Gauthier
Nerissa & Katryna Nields
Pat Wictor with Cheryl Prashker
Red Molly
Richard Shindell
The Rowan Brothers
Sam Lardner & Barcelona
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers
The Storycrafters
The Strangelings
Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines
Tracy Grammer

For those interested in who's performing on the Dance Stage, here's a list of confirmed Dance Stage performers.

Performer
Beth Molaro
Beverwyck String Band
* Charivari
Clayfoot Strutters
Culver Griffin & Country Spice
* George Marshall with Wild Asparagus
Jim & Madeline Christensen
Jimmy Sturr & his Orchestra
Kathryn Wedderburn
Patty O'Brien Melita
Paul Rosenberg
Ralph Sweet
* The Sevens
Tidal Wave

(* indicates an additional concert set.)

The Friday Night Summer's Eve Song Swap will feature Lucy Kaplansky, Richard Shindell, Mary Gauthier and Marshall Crenshaw.

The New Artist Showcase, one of the most popular events of the festival weekend, will be held from 12:00 noon to 4:30pm on Friday, July 27 on the Main Stage.

The following performers (listed in alphabetical order, not order of appearance) were selected from over 450 applicants:

• Anthony da Costa
• Beaucoup Blue
• Bob Sima
• Chris O'Brien
• Dawn Kenney
• Derek Aramburu
• Edie Carey
• Five2
• Heather Waters
• Jennings & Keller
• Joe Crookston
• Joe Jencks
• Judith Avers
• Ken Bonfield
• Lindsay Mac
• Nick Annis
• Randall Williams
• Ryan Fitzsimmons
• Sandy Cash
• Siobhan Quinn & Michael Bowers
• Stephanie Marshall
• The Whispering Tree
• Vienna Teng
• Zoe Mulford

Wednesday Wisdom

hen you come into a normal social situation(work,school,family), look over to your fellow human being and see how they remind you of yourself. This feeling also may be known as looking at someone being "cute", in the compassionate sense. You feel like you understand them and feel empathetic towards them. It doesn't only apply to children, but the "cute" feeling can be applied to older and older people the more honest you are with yourself. It is a great feeling.

-Song by Nujabes, Video Unknown

When Television Literally took over the Country

In the 1960 presidential election John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon to become the 35th President of the United States. For the first time in History a televised debate was held and many say this debate is what gave JFK the edge. Not so much for his debating skills but his good looks. Nixon, who refused to wear makeup had no chance against the alleged "playboy". The interesting fact is that radio listeners thought Nixon had won, and television viewers thought Kennedy won. In the end, television showed it's power to sway opinion for better or for worse.

Who is more important? The American Idol or the American President?

The importance of the dissemination of accurate information throughout our country has been compromised more and more in the last 100 years due the continued proliferation of the profitable media. The media's very intention was originally intended as a public service.

Here is a short clip from "The President & The Press", recorded at the Astoria Hotel, NYC Aprli 27, 1961

JFK describes the importance of public involvement and the problems of "Secrecy" and public distraction through the media.

Religion and the Stars: Do all religions come from the same story?

When I came across this clip, I knew I had to do another post today. On a surface level this appears to attack Christianity, but I believe you need to sit on the idea that the Bible may be based on even older stories. That is not discrediting, miracles, ideologies, or any of the great work that Christians have done. It is actually legitimizing the spiritual aspects of all religions I believe. It is also very unifying and much more profound to examine all religions from a Macro point of view. I would like to research this topic further. Until then enjoy the clip.

Brand it like Beckham! MLS more popular than the NHL?

Maybe not quite yet, but it seems inevitable. Soccer or (Football in the rest of the World), will without a doubt in my mind surpass the NHL and start to close in on the big 3 (American Football, Baseball, and Basketball) in both attendance, ratings, and even merchandising in the United States in the next 5 years. ESPN and the David Beckham import campaign are the driving force behind this quick shift in popularity and profitability.

Although things are looking good for the future of Major League Soccer it doesn't dismiss the fact that they have lost over 300 million dollars since their founding in 1993. The Los Angeles Galaxy and FC Dallas (formerly the Dallas Burn) have just started making a profit within the past few years.

David Beckham made an appearance at the 2007 MLS All Star game last night. His debut scheduled for July 21, 2007 may have to be delayed because of an injury he suffered with his former team, Real Madrid in which he developed a swollen ankle. Either way, Beckham is signed up to transform the MLS within the next five years.

Running for Enlightenment

Here is a collection of inspiration running films on YouTube that I discovered today. They coincide very well with the Non-profit organization that I am working on putting together. I will be putting together my own video detailing my plan for this fall and hopefully reaching out to people would like to join the cause. What is the cause? The cause is to take the most simple activity, running, into the realm of spiritual awakening. There are so many runners out there, running for exercise, running for entertainment, running for energy(yes, your body will be able to create more energy the more you run), and running for sport. I want to bring runners of all backgrounds and abilities together to run for a charitable cause. This will make the stress-relieving and healthy activity even more beneficial and more fun. Next time you run, try running with an honest purpose and feel the power inside of yourself.





My vision is to bring runners together to raise money for charity. They will not have to pay to run , but they will be wearing t-shirts that will identify them with this particular organization. We will run together at least every Sunday. Buy a t-shirt, run with a group, and people will be able to view the website by looking at the t-shirt. The viewers of the website will be able to engage in setting up marathons for local causes and donate. I'm not expecting to receive a lot of donations from the website rather bring awareness to certain marathons and road races where people will donate to run and watch the run. Hopefully these marathons and races will evolve into charitable festivals in which people will donate their skills, talents, and hard work to entertain and engage people while raising money, having fun, and creating community.

Never underestimate the human body

Welcome to Free Running.

A little inspiration leading up to a project I am working on this Fall.

Gold standard guy?

So here is a unique man to put into the mix for the 2008 election.

His name is Ron Paul, a canidate from Texas. Does he sound like a Conservative or a Liberal?

• He is against the War in Iraq whether it was initiated legally or illegally(happened illegally if you need to be refreshed)
• he considers himself a constitutionalist, against the "Neo-conservatives" which make up most of the Bush administration
• admits the administrations economic interests
• is a veteran
• want to bring the troops home now
• says he is sick of spending on "war and welfare"
• is against NAFTA
• supportive of any voluntary contracts(including, gay-marriage, prostitution)
• believes in the right to bear arms
• thinks capitalism is the philosophy of a true humanitarian
• against the EPA
• thinks green house gas estimates are overblown
• would like to eliminate department of education, dept energy, dept commerce, and eventually health and human services

I don't know if I would vote for him but he is an interesting guy, kind of reminds me of Jesse Ventura on some of his stances and his philosophies. You can try to guess his political affiliation, but your going to have to watch the video to find out.

Universal Healthcare: Idealistic, a human right, or practical reality?

As I was tossing and turning all night with a toothache, I realized I will have to find some way of getting help. I eat right, brush often, and do not have dental care. I am still paying off my dental bills from a year ago and am half way there. Untill I pay the debt off I cannot receive dental care I have been told. I am going to try to find a free clinic today and see if I can make something happen. Thank god I have Health Insurance right now because I am enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I am not the only person who often feels like they are caught “between a rock and a hard place”, or need a Doc without a card place.

I would like to discuss Michael Moore’s new documentary on the Health care crisis in the United States entitled “Sicko”. I saw the film a day after the premier in Northampton, MA. With most movies I go to see I feel like I’m gambling with my $10, but I knew any film by Michael Moore would hold my attention. In this movie Michael goes after the United States Healthcare system in general, but even more specifically the HMO’s.

I will not outline the movie here but I would say it has a little something for everyone and every citizen would be making a contribution to their society by just showing up and listening. I am not saying that this movie contains no bias and Michael Moore is some kind of savior. I do believe he is actually a power player in our country right now, but absolutely has a bias. But his bias is that other bias we need to come to a conclusion about our corrupt healthcare system. He is bringing to light the facts that the masses need to know. He is bringing that perspective that others must try to see. The media shapes our view whether we know it or not, but in Michael Moore’s case I believe his is using the media as a tool for change.

I know there are a lot of anti-Moore sites out there, and I know a lot of people think he is bringing idealistic liberal and impossible fantasies into the hearts of Americans. It is true that occasionally he may present selective information to prove his point. But he is not in denial of his persuasiveness. The media persuades us to pick the perfect product for every situation a human being may occur, so I see nothing wrong with Michael Moore persuading us using actual facts instead of the fantasies often presented in trying to persuade us to buy products. I honestly believe that Michael Moore, thinks he is right. He is trying to make the world a better place in his own way. You can absolutely disagree with his idealologies, methods, and some of the information he chooses to focus on. But I do believe he is sincere whether you think he is a sincerely off track or on.

Watch part 1 of Michael Moore's defense against allegations of "Fudging the Facts"


Michael Moore and Sanjay Gupta go head to head on the "Fudging the Facts" allegations with a tag-in from Larry King