If you have some extra time and space to trick out your PS3 and a desire to kick some serious ass playing NEED FOR SPEED then here are the instructions.

(get your head out of the gutter)

I’m talking about memorability. In web parlance, they talk about the importance of stickiness. You can get people to your page but how long do they stick around? The longer they stick around, the better you’re doing… or something like that.

So let’s perform a little test.

I recently work on the latest crapfest from the director of the first two Harry Potter flicks (easily the worst in the series). In a desperate attempt to grab young viewers, this film features not one but two pop hits. The first is this little ditty.

The second tune is by this young lady who was featured not once, not twice but thrice on NPR (is this a sign of the apocalypse?).

When the credits rolled, it was the Ke$ha song that haunted my soul but the following morning I woke up humming Lady Gaga. Therefore, I posit that the Gaga song is the stickier of the two.

Do you agree or disagree?  Which song do you end up humming in the shower?

If you’ve ever met me in a bar or seen me in a decent restaurant and asked “what’s a good beer” then you’ve heard me give an impromptu lecture on brown ales or how a pilsener is different from a lager.  Yes, I’m a beer geek and it’s all because of a documentary called BEER WARS.

This week, that documentary is available on iTunes (and apparently my PS3 too but I can’t stop playing BORDERLANDS to check–help). Don’t believe me? Here’s the proof.

(that’s the documentary on the “iTunes->Movies” homepage sandwiched between NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU and some Hulk cartoon while I download the latest FRINGE).

Of course I’m biased (dear FTC, I worked on it for almost three years but I am not being compensated for this mention… but if the director wanted to buy me some tasty cupcakes I wouldn’t say “no”) but I think it’s a pretty damn good doc. Also, the “making of” was mighty interesting so I can’t wait for the behind-the-scenes book (hint, hint; nudge nudge).

“Tony’s 2009 Winter Mix” which is a collection of song I acquired from the second part of last year. Want a copy? This is what you gotta do.

• Drop a comment on my blog (not on Twitter, not on Facebook but on my Cinematic Arias blog) asking for the mix CD (be sure to leave the comment on this post’s page, not on another post’s page). I’ll email you for your mailing address.
• The CD will arrive with no track names. This is purposeful. I believe a good mix has a narrative composed from the collected tracks. Resist the urge to spoil the surprise of “what comes next”. Jump in the car and listen to the whole thing at least once before you pull up Shazam on your iPhone.
• By accepting a mix, you agree to come back to my blog and post your thoughts on at least one of the songs. It doesn’t have to be an essay, just a few sentences will do, but you do owe me your two cents.

But act fast because I only burned 10 of these guys and I’m not making more.

Speaking of which, a few of you owe me your thoughts from the last mix you received. Sean, Kate, Bella, Emily, I haven’t see your comments regarding the last two mixes you received. Come on, let’s hear what you got to say.

I grabbed her shoulder and said, “Cece, that’s AR!”

She had that “ah-ha” moment. She got it. For me, I had that moment when I dug into this issues of Esquire magazine (For the record, I’m a subscriber).

Let me back up. I received this issue of Esquire but didn’t even bother to open it (November was a busy month) until I heard this piece from On The Media (an awesome public radio show).

I then whipped out my Esquire, downloaded the required software, engaged my webcam and BOOM, Robert Downey Jr was talking to me.

If you missed that issue, worry not. First, download this software. Next, download these AR pages and enjoy.  FYI, you’ll want to hear/see the joke both during the day and after midnight.

On a final note, by the time you read this I’ll be on the east coast for a quick trip to see some friends. Expect the next handful of posts to be chock-full of dude adventures from the big island of Manhattan and the swamp that is DC.

Years later, I saw my friend Todd Sklar post his 25 most played tracks and that got me curious. I put together a new smart playlist and… before you look at this let me just tell you that I’m positive iTunes missed a lot of play counts.

That said, here ya go:

How about you? Why don’t you post your 25 most played tracks. Come on, we won’t judge you (much).

Need help? In iTunes, click “File”, then “New Smart Playlist…” and use these parameters (FYI, I did this on my MacBook Pro but I’m sure it’s practically the same on a PC):

Looking forward to those lists and have a great Friday.

What movies did she pick?

If I were you, I’d check out these flicks. I’m sure my baby wouldn’t lead you astray. And if that weren’t enough fun for this Friday here’s a link to Neko performing live; thanks to NPR for posting this for free earlier this year.

Happy Fun Friday!

Okay, I know most of are asking yourself, “Cover-what?” Allow me to explain. First, a bit of back story. I jumped on the podcasting bandwagon the second I got my first iPod. One of my first subscriptions was Coverville, a music podcast by Brian Ibbott that celebrates the art of the cover. When I started listening, it was well before the show hit triple digits; as of this writing they’ve just posted episode #633, the one referenced above.

I could go into a long explanation about the Coverville Countdown or the Coverville Hall of Fame but let me just say that episode #633 is wall-to-wall awesome and these songs might never be played on Coverville again. Want a preview? Here’s one track you’ll find in episode #633. Warning: this song is not safe for work.

If that doesn’t get you to subscribe, I don’t know what’s wrong with you.

Also, let me make a little pitch for Coverville. This is a free podcast, as in it doesn’t cost you anything. There’s only one or two commercials in the show and a list of sponsors at the end. Brian is a stand-up guy so he licenses all the music on his show and that’s a heavy financial burden. To ease that burden, he started the Coverville Citizenship program. Donate $40 and you’ll get a t-shirt, a DVD with the previous 100 episodes either as MP3 or AAC (which let’s you skip the commercials) and access to a bonus podcast.

Did I also mention that Brian put together a cover tribute to Spinal Tap? Did I also mention that it’s free, too?

So here’s your mission. First, subscribe to the podcast. Coverville is about to start their annual countdown so you’re guaranteed the cream of the crop. Second, download the Spinal Tap cover album. Third, if the first two things put a smile on your face do the right thing and become a Coverville Citizen. I’m a citizen and look at how happy Brian and I are…

(we’re also at the GABF but that’s another story)

Have a great Friday!

(Oh-my-God, my fingers are so tired from embedding all those links!)

Plus it’s the holiday season. Add to that the tough year I’ve had and it’s easy to see how my tendency towards quiet, amplified by working nights, results in resonant loneliness.

To shake it off, I turn to porn, kitty porn.

Note: I did not say child pornography, I said kitty porn, as in cute kitty videos like this…

or this…

or this…

I know, it’s a sickness but it gets me through the long nights.

For the record, I think I’m more of a dog person but puppy videos don’t quite do it for me like kitties.

…

Were you suddenly turned on?
Was that just me?
Let’s move on, shall we?

A couple of posts ago I explained why THE GREY ALBUM by Danger Mouse (with Jay-Z & The Beatles) is the undeniable album of the decade.

A few of you have heard of it but have never actually heard it.  Well, if you’re too lazy to Google it you’re in luck.

All I ask is that you leave your thoughts on my blog (not on my Facebook feed).

Hope you survive the shopping madness and happy Friday.