Features

Keeping Up (Vol. 12)

by Darren Paltrowitz

Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:

tintedwindows_250MUSIC: Tinted Windows – Set to make their live debut at SXSW, Tinted Windows is an all-star band to be reckoned with. Fronted by Taylor Hanson, the group also features Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, Fountains Of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger, and Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos. Shortly after their first gig, the group’s first album will be released through S-Curve Records on April 21st. Power-pop fans ought to be on the look-out for this project, which looks to be more than a one-off. (myspace.com/tintedwindows)

BOOK: Kathi Elster and Katherine Crowley “Working With You Is Killing Me” – At some point, everyone is bound to be have a difficult co-worker that makes their employment complicated. As international business consultants, Kathi Elster and Katherine Crowley address this and other matters in their book. Ultimately, the authors aim to bring readers towards reflecting before entering stress mode. Definitely not a bad reference guide to keep on-hand. (wwyikm.com)

ARTICLE: David Kushner “When Man And Machine Merge” – Ray Kurzweil can be classified as a “futurist,” since he has long been on the forefront of subjects like transhumanism and artificial intelligence. In this Rolling Stone Magazine article, David Kushner speaks directly with Kurzweil and gets perspective as to when man and machine may merge into one. While many scientists and historians alike may aim to refute Kushner’s beliefs, readers are treated to a distinct perspective about how things could progress in current trends continue.  (rollingstone.com/issue1072)

TOOL: Living Wage Calculator – It is unlikely that anyone reading this is entirely unaffected by the current economic conditions. While this column aims to provide some form of escapism from economics, the Living Wage Calculator is a free tool that enables visitors to see the average wages and expenses of their town, county, and state. At the very least, on a personal level, this ought to provide some guidance as to whether things are bad as they seem. (livingwage.geog.psu.edu)

SHOW: Star-Ving – David Faustino is best remembered as the actor portraying Bud Bundy on sit-com “Married With Children.” In a semi-autobiographical (very-loosely, if that) online series, Faustino portays a broke, out-of-work, divorced version of himself in Los Angeles. His partner-in-crime is fellow child star Corin Nemec from “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose.” Free of censorships, commercials, and laugh tracks – but heavy on guest stars -- the episodes are risqué. Viewers will need a Flash-enabled web-browser to watch “Star-Ving.”  (crackle.com/c/Star-ving

As always, if I’m missing something that’s worthwhile and deserving of column space, please reach out with an e-mail: darren.paltrowitz@gmail.com.

In the meantime, stay tuned for another 5 picks...

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