Between the Curds and Whey

Ride With the 40 Rider Profile: Bobby

2010-12-01T15:58:00.018-05:00

This is one of a number of rider profile I've produced for Ride With the 40.

Wunderdogs HD

2010-11-30T11:31:00.002-05:00

Watch Full Screen on Youtube

Another POV video of my dog Brinks walking along the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Shot with mini HD cameras for submission to the One Day on Earth collective as part of my Wunderdog series. We're still looking for interesting dogs to shoot. If you're in the tri-state area and want to learn more about the Wunderdog project and have your dog featured, contact me.

Walter: Thrown-Away Pit Bull Beats the Odds

2010-09-28T23:31:00.002-04:00

What can you say about a dog like Walter? He's a doggamn miracle! His story is far too common for Pit Bulls. Discarded and dying on Easter Sun 2010, he was rescued on the streets after being tossed out of a car, riddled with mange. Thru love and determination, Alex Darcey and Ro Juska stuck by the little, hairless, mange-riddled puppy-in-need.

Alex and Ro reached out thru Facebook and a blog to let people know about Walter's story. Thousands of people from all over the world became involved, donating money and posting well wishes for Walter's recovery. It wasn't easy, and it wasn't quick, but Walter's tenacity and spirit helped him to recover. Here he is, fully recovered, with Alex and Ro on the Today show.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Don't forget to Vote for Walter and Brinks on BadRaps' "My Pit Bull is Family Calender Contest!

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Weekly Brinks: 9-21-2010

2010-09-21T16:55:00.001-04:00

Weekend Brinks 8-28-10

2010-08-28T17:52:00.000-04:00

It's been a while so I'm doubling up this one!

Chihuahua Plays a Mean...er...Cute Game of Pool

2010-08-28T16:30:00.001-04:00

The cuteness factor is off the charts for this dark little mexican canine pool shark. I almost can't stand how adorable Amadeus is.

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Fat Cat Unimpressed

2010-08-23T11:16:00.000-04:00

Apparantly in Japan, they're just a ridiculously about pampering their pets as we are here. There's just something cuter about it when they do it compared to us. Check out this unimpressed Shirobu cat at its birthday party

Sara: Dog who enjoys swinging

2010-08-15T15:07:00.001-04:00

Sara is a Labdrador-Chihuahua mix, which is pretty crazy when you think about it. What's even crazier is that she enjoys the rides her owner gives her on the playground swing. She's actually holding on with her paws to give herself support as she swings thru the air. It's pretty cool.

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Cutest Corgi of the Day

2010-08-12T18:38:00.001-04:00

So gosh darn adorbzical!

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Adorable Dog in At-At Costume

2010-07-02T18:20:00.001-04:00

OMG. Though on paper, I tend to loath the concept of owners dressing their dogs in humiliating costumes, sometimes certain costumes just make me crack up and laugh, especially when the pooch seems to actually enjoy wearing it. This awesome canine has a grin much like my own Brinks that's unmistakable in the video's opening. I say this is the perfect combo of awesome owner, awesome dog and awesome costume.

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Hilarious Spoof of NYT Meet the Couples Videos

2010-06-30T14:55:00.003-04:00

OMG if you've ever watched any of the New York Times' shlocky,cavity inducing, "Meet the Couples Videos" you'll laugh your ass off at this parody. Very well done, funny people.

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Weekly Brinks

2010-06-28T20:09:00.005-04:00

Catchin' Scooby Snacks.

Spider Crab Sheds Shell

2010-06-22T12:14:00.000-04:00

Pretty amazing video of a captive Spider Crab shedding its exoskeleton. It takes a while in the video for the crustacean to actually do it, and for the first minute plus it just kinda wiggles (as much as a spider crab can wiggle) and moves about prepping itself, but near the end, the entire process happens rather quickly. Pretty cool. I better to the crab the end result felt AMAZING. I imagine it's like wearing an outfit 2 sizes to small for days and finally shedding it all.

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Orangutan and Dog

2010-06-19T23:30:00.000-04:00

Completely adorable and wacky friendship develops spontaneously between an orangutan and dog at a South Carolina animal Sanctuary. Suryia and Rosco, BFF.

Weekend Brinks -- Double Up!

2010-06-18T19:49:00.007-04:00

Hoppy the Deer

2010-06-16T13:40:00.001-04:00

There are times when magic happens between humans and animals, when care and love is shared unconditionally. In a time when the BP oil spill is seemingly ravaging the welfare of our planet, with pictures of oil soaked birds and wildlife everywhere, it's lovely to find a story like the one of Hoppy the Deer.

A Quebec couple found a lost fawn on their doorstep one day. Knowing that the sickly animal would not survive without their help, they took the little deer in and nursed it back to health, raising it within their home and on their land, with a little help from their cat, Tiptree.

As Hoppy grew strong and confident they released the maturing deer back into the wild, spotting him from time to time. It's a wonderful story of trust, hope and mutual growth. and Check out more on the official site, where their wonderful 30 minute documentary is available. Please support efforts like this that show what a wonderful world this can be when we gently walk along with nature, putting our best foot forward.

Hoppythedeer.com

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Now I'm singing with my Gay Voice

2010-06-06T18:38:00.001-04:00

This is so obvious, but well done, and hilarious. Jon Lajoi gets busy riffing on the boy band phenomena.

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Weekend Brinks

2010-05-30T17:47:00.009-04:00

Children Shape Shift the Darndest Things

2010-05-21T23:12:00.003-04:00

Can't wait til the nightmares start after watching this awesomely terrible, well-made, simply hypnotizing video.

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Aspire to Greatness

2010-05-21T14:44:00.003-04:00

Don't know about you, but I want to rock it all out while I'm here on this big blue marble. This new Nike Commercial is both hilarious, inspiring and incredible. Love it.

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The Weekly Brinks

2010-05-20T20:25:00.001-04:00

He's back...

Holy Diver

2010-05-17T09:53:00.004-04:00

Listened to a ton of Metal in High School. Holy Diver, for whatever reason, is one of the songs from my past that I often find playing in my head regularly for no apparently good reason. Sad to see Dio pass.

On Top of the World

2010-05-16T14:41:00.002-04:00

My Dad passed away in Oct 09 and I recently went thru some family photos. This one is just so precious to me.

Get Ready for Summer....

2010-04-26T11:47:00.005-04:00

Now that I'm getting better w the broken ankle and summer is right around the corner it's time to start getting back into shape. That means exercise, nutrition and a qualified physical trainer in my corner. I've decided that if I'm going to do it, and do it right, I gots to get Don Rickles and Buddy Hackett on my team. Apparently the Italian ladies like this sort of thing. See for yourself.

Tuffnutts.

2010-04-15T16:14:00.001-04:00

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Seal Has Crush on Woman

2010-04-14T19:21:00.003-04:00

I can't help it. I love cute animal videos. This one is a bit long, but pretty amazing in the fact that this huge seal can't hide its affection for a young woman on the beach. Both are very trusting of the other and it makes for a very sweet encounter. Cuteness trumps all.
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2010 - The year of the big break.

2010-04-13T14:01:00.009-04:00

I must say for all my insistence months ago that 2010 will be one of the greatest year ever for me, there's been some interesting developments -- that on paper -- would lend a casual observer to believe that my 2010 is actually on course to becoming the biggest shit-clown-year ever. I was expecting a lot of breaks to go my way. Boy have they ever.

For starters, in January, my wonderful old dog Demo passed on at the age of sixteen -- a dog I had lovingly written about in 2008's Demo: The Story of a Junkyard Dog -- my heart was broken. Then I ended a 5 yr relationship with my GF, a relationship that provided comfort and stability but little passion. Despite her being a great person, she was not the right one to move into the future with. Let's call this one, a broken home.

Regardless of my new freedom came definite insecurity, in the form of a much bigger rent and overhead, on top of demanding self-motivated expectations to ratchet up my career trajectory this spring. Still, I felt strong and liberated; like a new man. Sure I missed my dog, missed my girl, but I was emboldened by a hunger to take the bull by the horns, life by its tail. I was ready to jump right into the face of destiny and give it a great big kiss right on the lips.

Then a funny little thing happened in March. An accidental jump at a shop at which I freelance. I slipped at the top of a steel-framed, cement staircase, tumbling down nine steps. My flight came to an end on the stair's landing and my left ankle took the brunt of the force and simply went, "booyah!".

I'm telling you, it was like a horror movie. It was broken, and broken ugly. I will not show you the pictures because you might just be eating as you read this.

I spend the next 4 days in the hospital, got TONS of morphine, two plates, 8 pins, and the worst, most disgusting diet vanilla pudding I've ever had the misfortune of putting near my face. Sitting there in the hospital, I freaked out. I'm not good at non activity. Besides I had Brinks, my super awesome, super athletic, super sensitive, 70lb dog back home that needed to be taken care of, bills to pay, papers to file -- a life to live. So,feeling higher than Keith Richards on New Years Eve '71, I began coordinating with friends to walk the dog, got on the horn with Worker's Compensation to make sure all was copasetic, freaked out about being crippled for the next 2 months, and -- besides having a blood-dilaudid level of 99.0 -- was still in excruciating pain.

But I'll tell you something, nobody every benefited from being a Crabby Crabberson, or a Moaning Moana -- no matter what the situation. Sometimes you might have to scratch™ and break thru the surface of the fear and loathing to find the real truth in the situation: don't ever stop moving, no matter what broke your momentum.

So, after about 45 minutes of getting soaked in the middle of my own shitstorm of fear in that hospital bed, my gown on, my foot hanging off the side of the stump of my shin, I ended the negativity. Done. Time to clear the sky.

It's been 3 weeks since and just got my first check up with my Doc. My leg feels almost completely pain free (I got off the pain meds 9 days ago), I'm now a goddamn artist with the crutches, my friends have rallied around me like I was shitting bars of candy and gold, and I've got the summer still ahead of me -- and more importantly I'm single. Goddamn right I am.

You know what's a better babe magnet than a cute dog? A cute dog attached to the leash of a guy with a cast on his foot who's got a positive attitude. Now, I'm not on the prowl, but I'll certainly take any attention I can get. I'm not going to deny it. A nice hello, a sweet exchange with a cute gal -- makes me feel better than just about anything, well anything that doesn't come from a poppy plant, anyway.

More importantly is the fact that even with one good leg, right now I can still be creatively productive with my writing and production work. I can't work, but I can deal with things at the home, and nothing can be better for the soul than self expression. I may not be able to move as well as I could a month ago, but I haven't let myself become too hampered mentally. My brain, I'm pretty sure, is still intact.

So, I've got about 5 more weeks of a cast-type lifestyle, then rehab. Even after that time I'll be using a cane and walking around a bit slower, but I will be damned if my upward trajectory toward success is going to tripped up by this little accident. Not this guy, not this lifetime. I swear I'm going to have the best 2010 ever!

Brinks on the Brooklyn Bridge: Wunderdogs

2010-04-06T21:47:00.006-04:00

This is the first video in a project we are developing called Wunderdogs. The goal is simple and uncluttered: showcase the spirit and personality of dogs of all shapes and sizes within the control of a daily walk. A custom designed and fabricated steady cam rig allows the walker to both walk and film the dog at the same time.

By maintaining the integrity of the control, each dog's personality will come to the forefront, obvious for the viewer to see. Music may or may not be used going forward for each video.

This little mammajamma features my own dog, Brinks on the Brooklyn Bridge, with Kid Cudi's Up Up and Away as music. Go buy his song here!

Do you live in the NYC area and want your dog featured in the project? Contact me!

Amazing Pedigree Ad Super Slow-Mo Dogs Catching Treats.

2010-03-02T19:18:00.003-05:00

Well behaved dogs are always cute and deserve a nice treat for behaving so. Check out this incredible commercial spot by Pedigree that shoots a number of dogs at 1,000 frames per second eating their well earned snacks.

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My Dog, Demo.

2010-01-22T23:22:00.111-05:00

The other day, I buried my dog, Demo. He was one month shy of his 16th birthday. His heart was strong, his will to move forward never in doubt, but inevitably his body could not keep up with his spirit. Old muscles, having given their best, had nothing left to give.

It's been a hell of a ride with the scruffy man. Over thirteen years of constant companionship on my watch; non-stop tail wagging, one-way fetching, countless moments of bad manners, a rain-forest's worth of tree marking, more face-lickings served than McDonalds done customers, and about 6,000lbs of food eaten -- not all of it his -- and every moment of it all fueled by the unmistakable joie de vie gifted by man's bestest friend.

I experience my world in a very tactile way. I'm a dirtdog. I like tastes, touch, sounds, smells. I used to constantly grab Demo and nuzzle in close. Nutty ears I remember the most and his coat always smelled like a stuffed animal's. I remember very clearly when he was five years old, pulling him in while watching TV and holding tight, trying so hard to etch a permanent memory of the moment in my brain -- something to remember in the future when he was gone. Dog's bodies don't live forever, and knowing he was five, I couldn't help but think his life might be half-over. A 65lb Pit Bull can expect to make it to 10-11 years on average, certainly more, but who knows? I remember trying to soak the moment in, and hoping and asking the universe, "Just give me 10 more years with him."

A few years later the project that became Demo: The Story of a Junkyard Dog was hatched. Charles Schulz had died. To me Snoopy was the essence of dog presented in the most innocent of ways. I adored Charles Schulz for having created such terrific characters -- all the peanuts. Strangely, and to this day, still inexplicably, my mom has always referred to me as "Charlie Brown". Her reasons are forever unorthodox, but the connection is appreciated. Snoopy always felt like my dog in my child's mind.

Demo was my Snoopy and I wanted him to become Snoopy for a few others. Time will tell what the book's legacy will be. The shift in cultural perception of Pit Bulls is well underway and I felt like the book was the right one at the right time.

In his quiet moments, Demo was a haunted soul. The runt of the litter from a junkyard mother, he was forever looking for the teat that he had missed out on. He would often grow restless in the house and whine and pace, seeking something he could not find. He'd grab a t-shirt or sock and ball it up and suck on it. I would often comment to people that he was a spirit that had no master. He just truly seemed to be in searching of something beyond what I could provide.

In the lower east side of NYC, on Ludlow St, Demo was a celebrity. Out on the walk, he was gregarious and handsome, an unstoppable force of love and slobber. He wanted to say hi to everyone and everyone wanted to say hi to him. People adored him. Within that energy exchange this dog shined brightest.

I remember one late night back at Beauty Bar so many years ago, I was going to pick up my girlfriend at the time and brought him along as I always did. There was a guy hanging out who upon seeing Demo enter got down on his knees to give an unabashed hello to this strange, handsome dog -- expecting the same in return. I had Demo on the lead, and told the fellow that I'd let Demo go, but Demo was going to probably tackle him in the process. The guy didn't care. So I cut Demo loose and he knocked the giggling fool over, pinning him down and raining slobber all over his face -- to the guy's delight.

I think all Demo really wanted to find was love. Don't we all? Some crave it more than others, prioritize it on a higher rung -- and a dog's sense of it is different than ours, no matter what anyone says. But it's there. And Demo searched for it. Sometimes he found it kneeling down on a bar floor at 4am (hey, who hasn't?) and sometimes he couldn't find it no matter how hard he tried.

My dedication to him knew no bounds. Loves came and went, homes changed, friends faded into memories, but this dog stayed by my side, whether he belonged to me or not; we both belonged to the journey.

Six years ago Demo came as close to dying as a dog can get. His entire head became paralyzed and he could not move any part of it, except for his tongue. Poetic, and fortunate. I was able to feed him blendered food with a gargantuan syringe, squirting it into his gaping, slack mouth while his tongue did all the rest. You can imagine the mess. Especially when he shook his head. While all the muscle in his head shrunk away, and his body wasted from fighting some unknown cause, I did everything I could with my girlfriend's help. His tail still wagged and his eyes still shined. I refused to give up on him. His spirit was alive, even if his body was betraying him. Theories came and went as to exactly what was going on, and how to treat it. Everyone except for my closest friends thought I was a fool.

Then, after three weeks, he started to slowly come back. It took many months, but he made it back. Bit by bit his jaw started to move. Bit by bit, his eyes that couldn't blink, started blinking. Bit by bit, his nose started sniffing. He came back. Muscle and weight returned. He was damaged, missing an eye and wobbly but relatively whole. Together we did it. Our partnership now complete.

Demo had never been a good listener. I took it as partial evidence of his detachment and "masterless" ideology. While commands never bent his ear, there was a shift over time after his sickness. He seemed to develop a bit of an inner peace, maybe an understanding of something fundamental. His whining faded away, and whenever he went looking for something, it was usually me.

After all those years, my search too had completed. I could finally see that he was my dog. He had found me. Maybe it just took a while for the two of us to realize. Maybe the conversation was begun that day over10 years ago. Maybe when I was holding tightly asking for 10 more years it was Demo who did all the listening.

Godspeed good buddy there will never, ever be a dog like you.

adopt

OK Go This Too Shall Pass Video

2010-01-13T10:34:00.002-05:00

I adore this video and the song. Perhaps it's the kilo of Purple Hash I smoked this morning, or maybe it's just cuz every bit of this thing screams, "funjuns!"

Anyhoot, the record company has disabled embedding of the video, but you can catch it right here and you should. The band is OK Go and the song is This Too Shall Pass. These guys consistently put out very fun, creative videos. If you haven't caught the video for Here it Goes Again, you might want to check the wifi connection in your spider hole and get on it right now.

This Too Shall Pass Video Link

I'm With Coco Too

2010-01-12T21:42:00.001-05:00

Thanks to YesButNoButYes for posting this great image and stating their solidarity for Conan O'Brien, who by my account is getting the royal shaft from typically unimaginative studio execs. Are you with Coco?

Pound for Pound an Inspiration

2010-01-12T13:39:00.003-05:00

You may not know of Joe Rollino, you may not know that Mighty Joe was 104 years young but appeared and acted to be decades younger. He was a famed strongman, able to perform amazing feats of strength and stamina. He was a vegetarian, avid health nut and man of many accomplishments -- a true New Yorker.

People admired and adored him, not just for his longevity but the conviction he had in living a long, active lifestyle. In his prime he weighed between 125 and 150 pounds and stood at barely 5' 5". Pound for pound, experts say, he was the strongest man of his time.

Unfortunately, yesterday he was struck down in an unfortunate accident by a vehicle in Brooklyn, and died soon thereafter. They don't make them like him anymore.

For more info: Via

I don't support the war, but I support the...er...K9s

2010-01-06T10:36:00.019-05:00

For as long as man and dog has worked collaboratively, dogs have been used in war. From armored combatants to military base mascots, they've been by the soldiers' sides. Some notes from around the web:

In 1942 "Dogs for Defense" began a modern military dog-training program that would supply the demand for man 's Best Friend" for combat units and security in the European and Pacific theaters of WWII.

Dogs have saved countless numbers of lives. In Vietnam, War Dogs are attributed with preventing over 10,000 casualties. In the past 60 years over 30,000 canines have loyalty served this country saving untold of Americans in battle.

Many of these dogs would have received gallantry awards - if awards had been issued to dogs - because they did their job and did it well. The only reward they needed for their bravery and loyalty to man was nothing more than food, water and the praise of their handler. - via

Check out this short article on Ringo, a bomb sniffing dog with the Marines in Afghanistan HERE.

The Weekly Brinks

2010-01-06T10:16:00.004-05:00

Acoustic Crowd Control

2010-01-04T11:15:00.003-05:00

Amazing video of one musician, one song, one Newark airport gate filled with tired, stranded travelers during last night's airport shutdown -- and one reason to believe mankind isn't all that bad after all.

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Hey, Let's Get in the "Car", Go for a Spin, and DIE!

2009-12-23T15:26:00.001-05:00

So this little video hit the web about a week or so ago, and I had hoped to uncover some more info on it. Apparently this is none though, so I'm going to give it a stab with a by-the-seat-of-my-pants-analysis:

This car was designed in Europe in the 50s by the little known female English engineer and inventor, Sue A. Sidle. Aside from it's amazingly compact size, the power train ran on gumdrops and rainbow vapors as well, putting it in a class of green technology far ahead of its time. The entire project was killed by Shamrock62 the UK Leprechaun Union. Backed by the IRA Shamrock62 put pressure on the UK automotive industry to blackball Ms. Sidle as they feared unmonitored rainbow vapor mining would diminish their ability to locate their lucky pot o’ gold.

Are You Ready for the Supa Brutha?

2009-12-23T11:43:00.005-05:00

This is how it's done, kids. But seriously, how stoned does his drummer look?

And just in case you need more proof of how baddass a performer J.B. was back in the day, check it:

Iron Man 2 Trailer

2009-12-17T12:59:00.005-05:00

Okay, Daddy needs to see the movie now. The trailer looks awesome and I'm not fan boy-gushing here. This movie has two terrific comeback stars. Remember when Robert Downey Jr, was the guy who never met an 8-ball that he didn't like, and Mickey Rourke seemed hell-bent on becoming Palooka Joe? Now Robert Downey Jr has the movie world by the balls and Mickey Rourke is getting real roles again. I'm so psyched for Mickey Rourke. May his baddass star shine on like a supernova.

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Chai in the Winter

2009-12-17T10:35:00.008-05:00

As I get older, day by day, in this cruel hoax called life, I cherish my caffeine-time as I try to get my brittle bones moving, my soggy brain firing, and my tired ass motivated. In the summer it's iced coffee, six sugars sitting in the bottom, sucked up in a crunchy caffeine stream.

But in the winter, when it gets cold, I have to follow my coddled taste buds and turn to Chai as my daily pick-me-up. I do loves me some spice in the winter time. Well-seasoned sweets, seasoned savories -- it all makes me feel so cozy. I'm a New Englander by rights, so Pumpkin Pie, Indian Pudding, Bell Seasoning and the like are in my blood. It's only natural that Chai is my choice for a starter.

In India, Chai is the term for tea, but unlike tea around most of the world, Chai is prepared with more than just black tea leaves. There's a healthy amount of spice brewed into the mix as well, and can include cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, clove, and more. Chai is also served brewed hot with milk and sweetener, generally honey. Oh, and it's fucking delicious.

DON'T go buy those ready-made mixes with dried milk and sugar added in. They all seem too sweet to me. There's so many great sites with recipes for you to try. Just buy the above spices and some good Assam tea, and get busy in the kitchen finding the mix you like. I do 1 part cardamom, 3/4 part cinnamon, 1/2 part ginger and a pinch of clove -- all powder in water until it boils and then let it simmer for 15minutes. Add in my Assam and let it steep for 10 more. Add honey and milk and let 'er rip!

Weekly Brinks

2009-12-05T17:33:00.001-05:00

Q - What kinda dog smiles?

A - A happy one.

Baddass Shredding

2009-11-28T10:58:00.003-05:00

This isn't about Tony Hawk. Bam Margera or Mike Vallely gettin' all buck-wild on their boards, jumpin' rails, plantin' face, grabbin' air, grindin' nose, or eatin' shit. It's about good old fashioned destruction of inanimate objects -- with man-built machinery. American, man built machinery. I just hope they put a safety screen over the top. I'd hate to see what this thing would do to the maintenance man.

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The Weekly Brinks

2009-11-20T13:24:00.008-05:00

Happy Fall Friday.

click image for larger size.

Go Beans! Black Eyed Pea Soup - Yummy for the Tummy

2009-11-20T13:03:00.009-05:00

Don't fear the beans. Beans are great. This recipe kicks ass. Black eyed peas can sometimes have a really earthy taste to them, but not in this recipe. Like all great bean dishes, this one has amazing heartiness, without a great deal of effort. Vegetarians can swap in vegetable broth and bouillon for the chicken stock. BTW I doubled up the vegetable ratio and didn't seed my peppers and it was perfect in heat and flavor. Go beans!

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Ready to Puke in Your Mouth?

2009-11-20T11:16:00.004-05:00

I woke up this morning, brewed some coffee, toasted some bread and lathered on a nice swab of butter -- yummy, fatty butter. I brought it all over to the computer, clicked onto google news and within about 2 minutes proceeded to toss chunks onto my keyboard because of this story.

Apparently a gang of entrepreneurs in Peru are going around killing people, extracting their fat from the torsos and selling it on the black market. Mmmm-yummy!

They lure people with fake job offers, kill them, behead them, remove their limbs and then hang the bodies over lit candles to warm the torsos just enough to liquefy their fat so it drips into catch basins below. Are you hurling yet? Jesus Christ. And I thought I was morally corrupt for eating the occasional big mac

Authorities don't really understand the "why" but they do know that they caught a guy at the airport with two one liter bottles filled with human butter. (Just ralfed again.) Apparently, six people have been detained and they claim to have murdered over sixty victims in the past thirty years. It's crazy.

The alleged killers are claiming that they're selling the fat on the black market as a cosmetic ingredient, but authorities and experts are skeptical. Human fat it seems, is already readily available from living donors, from fatballs who don't exercise or eat correctly and turn to the plastic surgery industry to suck it out of them.

Anyhoot, the whole thing is creepy, and has ruined my breakfast, if not my eating habits forever. Hopefully, your stomach is stronger.

Well it's an Awesome Feeling of Inner Peace and Happiness

2009-11-18T09:43:00.004-05:00

Don't know about you, but this video makes me smile. And tap my toes.

Via

Shots Fired Gunshot Recognition System

2009-11-17T12:46:00.004-05:00

Gunshot on south main st? This system monitors noise in the city, specifically identifying and targeting gunshots. They then alert the local police with specific info on exact location and approximation of weapon caliber.

The private sector has so much more money available to develop these technologies compared to state and city budget allowances. The fuzz loves it as it gives them a heads up on what they're dealing with and where. Criminals everywhere are now spending their loot on silencers.

The Faithful Dog Never Forgets

2009-11-13T15:31:00.001-05:00

And apparently it get's very little exercise while "daddy" is gone to war. Actually, very cute.

via:ScrapeUp

Driver's Seat

2009-11-13T10:40:00.001-05:00

Doing alright -- A little jiving on a Saturday night -- And come what may --Gonna dance the day away.

The Weekly Brinks

2009-11-11T10:02:00.001-05:00

Dog is my go-pilot,

Damn This is One Sexy, Pedal-Powered Hit and Miss

2009-11-09T16:04:00.006-05:00

Form vs function. Pretty vs practical. Cool vs convenient. Decisions to make, edits at stake. Fuck! I'm having a hard time deciding whether I think this bike, while really good lookin', is worth serious consideration as a mode of transport. Designed with the same crisp, minimal aesthetic JRuiter carries through their terrific interior component design, it's meant to break down the object to its barest components, visually and functionally.

Again, I love the look -- balanced with just enough visual tension lurking -- the size of the wheels, the insanely short wheelbase and the gentle upward lilt of the center line of the frame going back. There's the overhang of the seat giving the visual impression of a fender. The design lends a sense of action with minimal touch. And there's the matter of black and red-orange. Me likey.

Now, for the bad. Damnit! I want to love this little punk of a bike with no reservations, but alas, I cannot. Here's the breakdown:

The seat? A tad narrow. 100% body weight on my balls. Not so good.
No gears? No go.
Rear mounted pedals means tons of forward lean on the handlebars. Great for triceps definition not so much for comfort -- even for a short tripper
A short tripper? I can walk short trips and wear fly threads if I need to look cool.
Cool don't get you to school.
Short wheelbase = great handling. Except, what good is it when you're only moving 5 miles and hour? Tight turns at that speed means you fall over.

So, while I love looking at this gorgeous piece of work, the relationship is flawed once I consider it as a functional object. It's kinda like bicycle porn. It get's me excited, but fundamentally it never takes me anywhere.

Via

Douchebags United

2009-11-05T10:58:00.001-05:00

I'm so proud that I signed that Care2™ petition to help the movement.

Via

The Weekly Brinks

2009-11-05T10:41:00.006-05:00

This monkey is crazy.

Loser of the Month

2009-11-03T10:38:00.001-05:00

Hey, there's a reason some people are criminals. Sometimes they're desperate or stupid, or sometimes they're assholes. In the case of "Big Daddy" Kane E Kellet it's all about being a stupid asshole. This fine fellow was arrested for home invasion and aggravated battery recently. He allegedly hit a pregnant woman during his episode.

He's just misunderstood. Poor fellow.

To top it off, when he got to court where the judge asked Mr Kellet to raise his right hand to be sworn in, Big Daddy gave him the finger instead. Then he went off freestyle with a profanity laced tirade.

If only his mother had loved him more. If only everyone wasn't such a pain in the ass Kane could live his life in peace instead of breaking into his friends homes, beating them when they're in their third trimester and smacking them in the head with a flash light.

The good news? He's facing up to 30 years and the pregnant woman is okay, as is her unborn baby.

via

No Pigment? No Problem

2009-11-02T19:46:00.004-05:00

White may not be the new black, but for the mammals, birds and reptiles in this gallery, it certainly sets them apart.

Goodbye Until Next Year Great Pumpkin

2009-11-01T09:05:00.003-05:00

Weekly Brinks

2009-10-30T11:43:00.000-04:00

This is my dog, Brinks. He is handsome and I shoot a ton of candid shots of him with my iPhone. I figure he deserves a little face time on here once a week.

Wooden Dogs -- Craftsmanship

2009-10-26T09:51:00.007-04:00

Dogs are amazing. They've played an important role in my life since I began to learn how to walk. I've had big, sturdy dogs around me ever since. Labs, Collies and the bullies -- Pit Bull and Pit Bull mixes. The latter are undeniably more dear to me than any other. I'm convinced they're the best breed of dogs, period. It's the joi-de-vie in all dogs that make them such great companions, but I'm convinced that the bullies have it in spades.

When it comes to capturing that essence in 3D nobody does it better than artist and animal advocate, Tim Racer. Along with Donna Reynolds Tim is the heart and soul of BadRap, a San Francisco based organization that rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes Pit Bulls. When all hell broke loose with the Michael Vick scandal BadRap took the necessary steps to ensure that at least 10 dogs from the original 50 were placed in their care for evaluation, rehab and ultimate re-homing.

That selfsame, forthright passion and energy courses through Tim's jaw-dropping woodwork. As a fellow craftsman I'm blown away by the how much life he captures in his source material.

Think about it. Wood: It's strong, earthy, stable -- yet maliable in the right hands. It's no coincidence that the same can be said about a dog. The reward is only equal to the effort given. The potential that may lie undiscovered or unappreciated within needs a capable guide to be extracted. In both "materials" Tim relies on his heart, mind, eye and hand to work in sync to honor the subject and the craft. I love it. A craftsman and an advocate who's own joi de vivre, joi du bois and joi de chien is worthy of all our appreciation.

Turkey Meatloaf on a Sun Night

2009-10-11T21:10:00.004-04:00

Everybody likes meatloaf, right? Hey, at least the guys I grew up with did. Meat and potatoes. No frills. Give me a big, steaming, stiff cinder block of beef, dried bread crumbs and ketchup with some mashed spuds and some coffee milk.

Don't you agree? You sure as shit would be either a fool, or 80 if you agreed with me. Now while I like hearty food, I can't do grandma's meatloaf anymore. What I can do is this which is the best non meatloaf recipe I've ever followed.

Usually I rework recipes that I get online, but with this one I only add in two minced stalks of celery to the recipe. The mushrooms give a nice moist consistency to balance out the turkey meat that tends to want to go dry in a loaf.

I actually don't love meat but I do like hearty foods and this bad boy has that angle covered.

The Bandit

2009-10-03T10:50:00.002-04:00

Mugshot Make Over of the Month

2009-10-01T13:32:00.002-04:00

This guy was busted in Florida this week.

He's not a perp, he's a canvas and with a BTCAW make-over, he'd blossom.

Via

You Tell Anyone About Our Secret, I'll Kill Your Dog

2009-09-30T10:18:00.004-04:00

Remember it's okay to say no, even to an adult. Safety is more important than good manners, and don't you ever worry about quality control regarding production value or character development.

Thanks to Wimp.com

Breasts: Happy Together, Let's Keep it That Way

2009-09-29T15:52:00.004-04:00

A cute, clever add out of the Netherlands to raise awareness for breast Cancer. Conceived by Grey Amsterdam Agency(great homepage animation), and directed by Chris Palmer of Gorgeous Productions.

Pink Ribbon Magazine - Two Girlfriends (English VO) - (2009) :30 (The Netherlands)

Thanks to Addland for the original posting.

A Devoted Dog Remembers

2009-09-29T13:55:00.003-04:00

Gotta love dogs. We certainly do and its stories like these that illustrate how worthwhile the canine/human bond is.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

thanks to Animal Ark for this one.

"Where the Wild Things Are" Free Streaming Soundtrack

2009-09-29T12:20:00.000-04:00

I've been listening to this while writing today and personally am enjoying it greatly. Like the movie appears, the music delivers a lovely mix of melancholy, light youthful frivolity and kindness to the ear. Give it a listen and see if it doesn't downright sooth your coffee-d soul.

Thanks to The Daily What for the heads up.

It's Your Ego, Dummy.

2009-09-28T15:12:00.000-04:00

I am so glad I never fell into the trap so many slaves-to-the-self do, y'know, the trap of the "ego".

How have you done it, you ask? Well, every morning I stare through the mirror into my bloodshot, hungover eyes and scream silently from the top of my lungs, "What have you done?!" over and over until I come to curled into a ball in the shower, my skin pruned and rippled like the back of Kirstie Alley's thighs, having washed away any sense of self, or responsibility. This ritual is repeated every morning and seems to suit me well, like a Hickey-Freeman.

How Well Do You Remember a Face?

2009-09-28T14:19:00.000-04:00

This test is fun. I did surprisingly well (95% and 85%) considering how suspect I generally am of my eye-Q.

Thanks to the Daily What for the link.

Dom Deluise is Reincarnated in India

2009-09-28T13:58:00.000-04:00

Thank Krishna! My prayers/meditations have finally been answered: One of my favorite comics and food lovers has finally come back from the dead! Apparently, Dom Deluise has been reincarnated in Indonesia as a teensy-weensy little 19.2 lbs baby boy, born on Sept 21st by cesarean.

At first I was a little disappointed in the mother's choice to go under the knife, but apparently, they don't make enough epidural to create a comfort zone when popping out a baby this size, even if it is the second coming of Captain Chaos .

The "official" reason given for the baby's size is said to be due to the mother's diabetes and the resulting excessive glucose from his mother during pregnancy. "He is greedy and has a strong appetite, nursing almost nonstop," Dr. Sitanggang said.

I know the truth and couldn't be happier. Long live, Dom Deluise, AKA Akbar Risuddin.

Source: Yahoo News

Jesus the Musical

2009-09-28T10:07:00.000-04:00

Does it make me a bad person that I think this is funny? I can't wait to see how he rises up from the MTA Bus Terminal.

Really, I'm a good person.

They Just Don't Build Em Like They Used to...Thank God

2009-09-22T13:46:00.000-04:00

Check out this great video from the Insureance Institute for Highway Safety, where they film a controlled crash test of a '09 Chevy Malibu slamming head-first into a '59 Bel-Aire. The results are eye opening.

Recession 2009 IPod Case -- Brilliant

2009-09-22T13:02:00.000-04:00

So you've spent the two bills on the phone plus the buck twenty-five on your monthly service but did you budget in an over-priced, gaudy case for your iPhone? Don't even think about it! You don't need a co-signer for this genius little wrapper.

We all know that even the basic rubber and plastic cases are way over-priced for the production cost, aren't recyclable, and lend zero cache to the owner. But this pulp mash sleeve? It brands the user and phone with green, recyclable hip-ness, and just a tiny splash of irreverence. Are you really going to spend twenty five bones when just one will give you almost as good of protection? And, you can get it personalized with Sharpy™!

So if you're into not wasting money, or contributing to global warming, get one of these and give your iPhone a squeeze. It's practically the same as hugging a tree!

Contact the manufacturer here and get them to produce more!

Original story found at Consumerist

Non Therapeutic Tools of Grieving

2009-09-22T12:01:00.000-04:00

I love this artist's wry collection. Real world objects that fetish-ize the emotions attached to loss and need. I really feel that for such a clear directive, the artist maintains a deft touch and never loses the connection with the viewer's sense of humor.

Check out the entire collection here.

Happy Birthday, Baby. Now Go Die in the Street.

2009-09-15T10:01:00.000-04:00

I can see it now.

GF Happy birthday, baby.
ME Wow, you shouldn't have.

I unwrap present. Inside box is the "Duoped".

ME Wow, really you shouldn't have. Um...what is it?
GF It's a "Duoped".
ME Yeah, I see. Um...
GF Well, go on, get on it!
ME Um, what?...

I try to get on it in our living room. The rug impedes any movement. I fall.

GF Not here, silly! Outside in the street!
ME In the street? In Brooklyn? Outside? By the gang headquarters?
GF Stop being silly! Now go outside and give it a whirl.

I head outside with the GF in tow. I try to mount the Duoped. I fall off, stumble and catch myself on a light pole.

GF I don't think you're doing it right. You're peddling too hard.

I try again. I fall off, twist my ankle and scrape my palms on the tar just like in grade school recess. I'm feeling pretty awesome at this point.

GF Be careful, you're going to break it.
ME Babe, maybe I should do this later.
GF Really?
ME Babe, I'm bleeding.
GF This is what the therapist talks about. Your fear of commitment.
ME Babe, I just don't want to get hurt, here.
GF Five years? We've been engaged for five year. Five years?
ME Okay, okay. I'll figure it out.

I get back on the death-machine. I manage to peddle one successful revolution and stay upright. This leads to more revolutions and a choppy, barely manageable forward motion. She claps.

GF Yay!

I stop, beaming like a jackass because I think I've made it through the fire.

GF Okay, we need eggs from the store.
ME Okay.

I try to hand her the duoped. She looks at it like its a dead cat.

GF No, ride over to the store. It's getting late, it'll be quicker.
ME But, Babe, it's downhill to the store.
GF I know the store is downhill. The ride back up will be good exercise.
ME But babe, I'm going to eat shit on the way down. The only way I'm getting back up that hill is in an ambulance.
GF Why do you have to swear? Why do you always have to turn it ugly?
ME I'm just trying to say that I'm going to get hurt.
GF You don't like the duoped.
ME That's not true. I...I really love the duoped.

She stares at me suspiciously. She's practically looking right through my eyes into my soul. She knows I'm lying. All I want to do is take the fucking duoped and shove it up the ass of whomever invented it.

ME Babe, I'm just worried that all you're going to get is a bunch of broken eggs.
GF So, that's what this is all about? You think I'd be an unfit mother?

Mickey Rourke's face

2009-09-09T20:04:00.000-04:00

Nuff said.

Cooking up Some Hot Bytes

2009-09-09T09:09:00.000-04:00

Okay, so maybe I've been known to waste countless hours, even days, on an absurd project that has no relevance or true value -- one that inevitably leaves me scratching my head a few days later, wondering, "I spent three weeks on that thing? WTF was I smoking?" No wonder my friends want me to join a 12-step."

Well, at least I've never had to look into the mirror after wittling away on a Custom Mini-Cooker PC. The shwag over in the Czech republic must be some cosmic catnip, Boiyeeee. I just hope they're using the table saw stone cold sober.

Running from the Crackheads on a Beach Cruiser

2009-09-06T11:48:00.000-04:00

We like well crafted things here at BTCAW. Hell, we appreciate the time, the effort and the passion that goes into fine work, whether it's a good cup of Joe or a beautifully engineered building. And while the peeps over at Core 77 have amazing taste and talent, I can't help but take a look at their latest collaborative venture and think, "Really? A $1,600.00 beach cruiser? Really." Sure the details are tight, and I wish I built myself one, but a Brooks Saddle on a fucking beach cruiser? A city beach cruiser. I think I get the joke.
Y'know what's even funnier? Some douche-bag Trustafarian dropping 16 Benjies on this beached whale and cruising around Bushwick like he's still riding around the campus up at Antioch while some strung-out, out of work construction worker leaps out of the shadows and jacks his ass and turns around and sells me the bike for 40 bucks -- because even a crackhead knows a beach crusier isn't worth more than that.
It's like building a rickshaw out of Agarwood and Ebony and pawning them off on the producers of this video as $5,000.00 Richshaws . Holy shit, I'm onto something... thanks Core 77!

A Good Dog for Starters

2009-08-31T13:10:00.000-04:00

And we're off. Howza bout a video of a good dog for starters?

Like the song? It's from Fujiya and Miyagi's Transparent Things. Now go buy it!