Friday Music

It's Friday. I need music.

I went out for drinks with some friends last night and Mungerphut suggested a great topic for this week: The Elements--earth, air, fire, and water. So let's see what music you guys come up with for that.

You can link if you want to, you can leave your friends behind. 'Cause your friends don't link and if they don't link, well, they're no friends of mine.

What's All This Business Stuff, Anyway?

My friend Molly sent me an interesting question on my Facebook dealio last night.

Okay Bryan, what is this TSGB about? I haven't grasped the concept. Is it a place to network?

So I've been asking myself -- really, really asking myself -- just what the hot new phrase "That's Some Good Business" is really all about. The answer isn't a simple one, and perhaps it's best to start with a few things that TSGB (pronounced, roughly, tisgebuh by the kids) is not.

• TSGB is not just the first line of a bitchin' haiku
• TSGB is not just some catchy sticker slogan thought up by some businessman in a suit. (I almost never wear a suit.)
• TSGB is not just a widely-accepted generational catch-phrase -- it spans generations and has the shelf life of a Twinkie.

So I guess the simple answer is: That's Some Good Business is the hottest new phrase on the streets of the United States of America -- nay, the world. In fact, it's been translated into numerous languages already, much like the Bible and Baywatch. Following are some examples.

• Dutch: Dat is één of andere goede zaken!
• French: C'est quelques bonnes affaires !
• German: Das ist irgendein gutes Geschäft!
• Greek, even!: Αυτή είναι κάποια καλή επιχείρηση! (for you, Olive!)
  
• Italian: Quello è un certo buon commercio! (for you, Zee!)
  
• Japanese: それはよいビジネスである!
• Portuguese: Aquele é algum bom negócio! (for you, Devil Mood!)
• Spanish: ¡Ése es un cierto buen negocio! (for you, Dora!)

But it's more than just a catch phrase that defines goodness for people across the globe, Molly. It's a lifestyle. It's a cosmic connection with the idea that this world doesn't have to suck. It's a reminder that there are still people out there who believe in giving credit where credit is due, and they're enthusiastically slapping TSGB stickers on the backs of their cell phones to make sure that, while they're carrying on phone conversations, and as long as they're holding their phones in such a way that you can still see the sticker, the whole world knows how they feel. It's like one big celebration, Molly, where we, the warriors of the TSGB tribe, shout at the top of the highest mountain, as if life were one big retro Coke commercial:

THAT'S SOME GOOD BUSINESS!

That, my friend, is what TSGB is all about. I hope that clears things up for you.

If anyone would like to join the That's Some Good Business Facebook group, where you'll be sure to never miss the hottest news about the TSGB movement, you'll be welcomed with open arms. There are no obligations (beyond the initial contractual agreement to supply me with 25 percent of your annual income and a $20 gift card to iTunes), so I hope to see you all there.

Volcano

Friday Music

It's Friday. I need music.

And so does Teoh, who returns for another round of hosting RtN's weekly playlist. As always, the guest chooses the topic, and Teoh got a little crazy with this one. He said:

"I'd like to mix it up and see people's playlists consist of one each of:

- songs about money
- rock chicks who look scary in their music videos
- the whitest rap, like, ever
- music made famous by a commercial"

Interesting -- this one is pretty out there. As always, linkidy link link link.

The Feet is Opening the Pack

Today I asked our new intern Alissa if I could have a piece of gum, and she said sure, but the unopened pack was giving her a bit of trouble and she said, "The feat is opening the pack."

This instantly almost made my head explode, as I envisioned referring to one's own feet in the third person and as a singular entity.

"The feet is opening the pack!"

I almost died.

NuTsie

You know what rules? NuTsie rules. It's a lot like Pandora or the other "playlist" sites that are out there, but on NuTsie, when you want to listen to, say, Joseph Arthur, you can listen to all Joseph Arthur. It's a great resource and it'll make for a handy site on Fridays.

Animals as Allies

I think I heard a story about dolphins saving a surfer from a shark recently, or something like that, and I've been thinking about animals as allies ever since. How many animals can really be considered allies of mankind? I guess just two: dogs and dolphins.

Dogs are a no-brainer. There's even a best-friend cliche. They show concern for us all the time. Dolphins are of course more mysterious, and our alliance with them isn't nearly as solid. But it's pretty selfless when they help us in wild situations, considering the things we've done to them and the threat we continue to pose. What do they have to gain from rescuing a surfer from a shark? Do they think the surfer is going to head back to shore and convince everyone to stop killing them? They're less likely to be killed by the shark, and for this, I consider them true allies.

What about horses? Cats? Pet pigs? Do these animals care about us, or do they just coexist peacefully with us? Would they intentionally help us out in a tight spot if they weren't personally in that tight spot as well?

I don't know. The Electric Orchid Hunter will probably tell me there's a monkey in Africa that likes to give tired people back rubs. But for all I know, only dogs and dolphins really have our backs.

Speaking of TEOH, you should check out the photos from his laboratory in Colorado. There's some good business over there.

Behind the Back

Earlier, as I was walking back to my desk, I had a red Sharpie in my hand that I use for marking up pages, and I decided to toss it up in the air behind my back, spin around, drop back into my chair, and catch the pen, which had rotated several times in the air, in my hand, in writing position, ready to proof. Because that's the type of thing that I do. I think my success rate at this type of thing is usually pretty good, but in this case I was off by about 18 inches. Instead, the pen dropped on the back side of my monitor, hitting my mosque alarm clock and sounding off the chanting alarm.

A moment ago, I was in the kitchen, and I crumpled up the wrapper from my veggie wrap, and tossed it across the room behind my back into the garbage can for a perfect swish. I thought it went unnoticed, but my friend Hattica saw the whole thing.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm 2 for 2.

Bird Droppings

I've been thinking a lot lately about birds dying mid-flight. Certainly there are birds that have heart attacks or other instantly immobilizing health problems while they're flying, but I can't say that I've ever seen one just drop out of the air. Wouldn't that be surprising? Imagine if you were just walking along, or maybe riding your motorcycle or something, and a hawk comes crashing down on your head.

That would be surprising.

Friday Music

It's Friday. I need music.

Since I didn't post Friday Music last week, and I've been punished with reruns of horrible television shows, I've decided to take no chances this week and post it early. So here we go.

This week's guest commenter is my pal Rob Zero, who's a fellow editor and play bass guitar for New Jersey rockers the Jukebox Zeros. It's a kick-ass band that has been featured many times in our Racer X Films. He's also a regular here on RtN and Friday Music and a very cool dude.

The topic Rob has chosen is this: The Beatles. I think this is the first time a band has been a topic, so we're breaking new ground here. I'm looking forward to seeing how creative people get with their responses.

As always, please link to your suggestions.

AWOL, and an Offering

Sorry for dropping the ball on Friday Music last week -- I don't know what came over me. This Friday, my pal Rob Zero will be guest-hosting, and next week, The Electric Orchid Hunter will be at the reigns. That's two weeks of guest hosts; exciting!

In the meantime, I offer this, my discovery of the day, as penance. Mr. Martin Sexton.

Addictions

My pal Jeff has a great blog at Cigarettes and Coffee. If you haven't checked it out, I suggest you do. He often writes about comics and video games, but his mind wanders from time to time, and his latest post is about his current addictions.

If anyone knows where to get peppermint-stick ice cream in New York, could you let Jeff know?