My Favorite Podcasts

I believe some of you boys enjoy podcasts quite a bit. I've grown to love them as well. I'd love to know your favs so I can expand my listening.

My top 5:

1. WTF w/ Marc Maron
2. I Love Movies w/ Doug Benson
3. Comedy Death-Ray Radio
4. The Steve and Craig Show-ESPN Radio
5. The Adam Carolla Podcast

Greatest Fight Scene Ever

Directed by John Woo

ed hardy boyz

The Ed Hardy Boyz: The Case of the Missing Sick Belt Buckle from Jon Daly

Coool

Here's a cool online video related to the new Resident Evil zombie shooting simulator. Embedding is disabled for this video :(

Link

(Don't mess with) Bill!

Taco Party Part IV

Apparently I'm up 2,199% in popularity, but in all honesty, in only feels like 1,588% tops.

Bill! Part II

In honor of Bill Cosby winning the Mark Twain Award of Excellence or whatever it was, I think its appropriate to post some of his gems. Nobody did it better in my opinion.

Bill!

Still the best.

PBR For Sale

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/top-stocks/default.aspx?feat=1351180>1=33002

A hipster favorite.

2009-2010 Green Bay Packers

A guy I know from Green Bay whose dad works for the Packers wrote this on his facebook status:

"I am sitting in Indianapolis watching a first class organization knowing full well what happens behind closed doors at 1265 Lombardi. The morons in that building are not only in coaching and personnel, but in Marketing, public relations, and accounting. If anyone wants to meet a real life George Constanza, go find Mark Shiefelbein. I think he has worked his way up to shopping for Ted Thompson. He gets paid to be Thompson's friend. I prefer to call McCarthy "Corky." Hopefully, "Life goes on" was on for more seasons than McCarthy lasts in Green Bay."

Now this doesn't surprise me one bit. It's a pretty well-known fact that Ted Thompson is one of the most socially awkward human beings ever, so i'm not shocked that they have some idiot on the payroll to be his pal. Andy Brandt, the Packers former salary cap guru who now writes for the nationalfootballpost.com, has written a lot of good stuff on TT and the inner workings of the Packers organization to support that.

McCarthy definitely needs to go. He has never done a single thing where you think to yourself "hey that was a smart call". His playcalling is so goddamn vanilla and predictable. I mean this is the same idiot who once took a freaking timeout just to decide whether or not to challenge a play. His decision-making is laughable at this point. What sucks is that if we fire him, there's no way the Packers get a guy like Bill Cowher or Dungy to replace him. That's because, assuming TT stays, he'll be under fire and no coach wants to go to any team with a GM on the hot seat, because if/when that GM gets fired, the new GM will want to hire his guy as head coach.

And fuck favre for going overboard with his celebrations and jumping around and crying like a little girl at the end. A lot of his passes were poorly thrown and any JV QB can hit an open receiver when he has time to sit back in the pocket and watch the entire goddamn Lord of the Rings trilogy before a defender gets to him.

It's time to face the fact that the Packers are simply not a good team. They've only beaten a middling Bears team at home and three of the worst teams in recent NFL history in the Rams, Browns, and Lions. The entire team lacks discipline. Their front 7 on offense is far and away the worst front 7 in the league. And they have a head coach who looks like he should be wearing a retard helmet at all times. Also, their kicker is terrible. I've maintained that Crosby sucks for a while now and he proved me right once again yesterday. This asshole has never made a single clutch kick in his entire NFL career. And that's not even getting into his weak ass kickoffs. He can't even get it past the 10-yard line. If this team somehow squeaks into a wild card spot this year, it will be solely due to a soft schedule. I saw no improvement in any facet of the game over the first 8 weeks of the season, so it's hard to believe that they will improve over the next 8.

Cypher

Mos, Em, and Black Thought join. Awesomeness.

Eating The Hottest Pepper in the World, The Bhut Jolokia (Naga Ghost Chili)

Kings of the World

Check this out:

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/article_c900c7fe-c326-11de-b7ed-001cc4c002e0.html

Now read between the lines:

For the purposes of full disclosure, Obama is coming to my city to visit Madison's king. That's right, he called me and asked if I would be available to discuss my scathing critique of Teach For America and other heated issues facing education, film, music, and television today. I look forward to sharing Bud Light and then taking him on a afternoon game of hoops.

Mayne Street: Sports Guy Mansion - ESPN Video

I Love You Steve Nash Part II

Funniest Man in the NBA???

Drum Master

Drum Master with Anvil from Anvil_The_Band

Sunday Night Serenade

Grebutron and I had a great time last time these guys came around. Anyone interested in round 2 at the Barrymore nov. 8th?

A Local Mecca

Anyone wanna take the judge out for wings?

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/university/article_438bb95e-bdc1-11de-9887-001cc4c002e0.html

Metal on Metal

I loved this movie. Check it out. It came out on dvd recently.

Last Hurrah

I am unfortunately travelling again. The unfortunate part is not that I'm travelling, but that travel takes me to Saginaw, MI. I wasn't sure where exactly I was, so I thought I'd map it.


View Larger Map

Since I've been gone a lot, my life partner and I had a going away bash last night. OK, it wasn't really a bash, but it involved some of my favorite things, including a going-away party (that wasn't for me).

We started with a lovely single malt scotch tasting at Barrique's. We frequent the wine tastings often, but this was the first time I had been to their scotch tasting. It was fantastic, but it pushed me to the limits of my capabilities. I had to stop and look at my WWDDD cuff links once or twice near the end (there were 8 total, each about a shot). My life partner doesn't like scotch and opted for a glass of wine instead. I came away with a good buzz and shopping list for later.

We had 8:00 reservations at Johnny Delmonico's. I had never been, but felt at ease the moment the coat check girl took our coats and provided us with a ticket. Our waiter was wildly attentive and the water guy was able to keep up with my scotch-induced thirst - I was actually really impressed, I think I consumed two gallons of water over the course of dinner. Like JC, I also had a going problem.

We started with a fantastic dish of bacon wrapped scallops. They combined two of my favorite things, bacon and things wrapped in bacon. My life partner ordered the chicken and pasta soup and the Scottish Salmon. I chided the soup choice, but it actually turned out to be quite delightful. I chose the 14 oz New York Strip, medium rare, and a baked potato. Naturally, I needed a change from all the scotch, so I ordered a Woodford Manhattan (a Grey Goose Dirty Martini for the Missus).

We followed up dinner with a seasonally appropriate Apple Crisp before leaving for the penthouse rooftop dessert soiree. The soiree was actually a going-away bash for a friend of a friend, but it was dessert themed. We sipped cider and snacked on truffles before making our exit.

I only recall this to help get through my hotel room dinner of Lean Cuisine Chicken Fried Rice and Campbell's Chunky Soup. I can't wait for Wednesday.

Arizona: Eatin' Steaks, Drinkin' Scotch, and Stompin' Hippies - Part 2

Sunday
I woke up to my phone ringing to the beat of the pounding in my head. "We're going to Sedona, you should come." Sure, sounds like a great cure for a hangover - a two hour drive through winding mountain roads. I puked for good measure before leaving the hotel and slept off the worst of it on the drive.

Sedona is internationally recognized as the New Age capital of the world. What does that mean? A lot of fucking hippies with crystals and chakras and incense. My friend is apparently into that shit, because she got her Aura read. Needless to say, it was a challenging day. Other than the hippies, Sedona is pretty much just a tourist trap, not unlike the Dell's. One long strip of shops set with a gorgeous mountain backdrop. The girls were content shopping, I was content sitting outside looking at the mountains.

Dinner at Chipoltle. To make it more interesting I took the Mustang out for a spin and cranked Phoenix's equivalent of the Z. Bumpin.

Monday
Work 7-2, not too shabby. Some work back at the hotel accompanied by some Mad Men. No one was interested in dinner, so I flew solo. Ruth's Chris Steak House bugs the shit out of me. Ruth's Chris? What the hell does that mean. Honestly, I had never gone solely because of that retarded name. Any way, Macallan 12 yr and a filet mignon as thick as my hair. A fellow frequent flier was next to me at the bar watching the Packer game. When he heard that I pay for my own booze he offered to buy my next one, but I had a 6:00am flight, so I headed off to bed.

Tuesday
Write off for travel. Burger at Brasserie V. Good, but somewhat of a let down after 3 nights of fantastic steak.

Hey Phoenix - not too shabby. Thanks for the steak. I'd give it 4 out of 5.

Area hippy politician secretly inept

http://www.dailycardinal.com/opinion/manning-fails-to-represent-students-1.628455

JC sent this out, I thought I'd share for those not on the original email. Riveting journalism. Funny subject matter.

Arizona: Eatin' Steaks, Drinkin' Scotch, and Stompin' Hippies - Part 1

Phoenix, like Las Vegas and Dubai, is a city that wasn't meant to be. I think it becomes easier to see when you fly in to PHX. The Grand Canyon is God's line in the sand from when he said, "Come on, live here, I dare ya". I worked most of the flight, but when I ran out of stuff to do, I popped in Mad Men. That may or may not have influenced a lot of my later behavior.

Wednesday

Phoenix is well laid out. Leaving the airport is really not that difficult, especially if you have some idea of where you're headed. It's also easy to see where you're going because there are few buildings taller than two stories. I had reservations at the Courtyard off Camelback, nothing to write home about, but a decent place with a pool. The group I was traveling with decided on Cheesecake Factory. I think the high altitude had affected my testicles because I ordered a salad and didn't get dessert. Don't worry friend, I made up for it later.

Thursday

Up at 3:45 (AM) and worked until 2:00 (PM). I had more work back at the hotel, but at 6 I met up with two of the guys I was traveling with and we went to Houston's for dinner. Steak (1) and Woodford Reserve on the rocks. Best steak I'd had in a long time. We walked to Cheesecake Factory for dessert and a Maker's Mark. Good night.

Friday

Fortunately, I only worked 6 to 2, much better. Dinner sucked. Aho Al's for Mexican - everyone kept going on about the Mexican. It tasted just like fucking Pedro's. I would have rather gone to Laredo's. What the hell - plus, no scotch or steak. Then a lovely evening with Don Draper and the boys.

Saturday

I had the weekend off, but I had pretty much resigned myself to sitting in my room all day and watching TV. At about 11, I felt pathetic and went down to get some coffee. One of the girls I started with was in the lobby doing work. We entertained the idea of going to Sedona, but had some work, so we put Sedona off.

After a short stint of working, we decided to hit the pool. We ran into a couple other people and I decided it would be a good idea to start drinking - don't worry, it was past noon. Trader Joe's was just around the corner, so we went. I got a personal sixer of AZ brews and the girls got wine. We spent the afternoon drinking in the pool. I learned that being resourceful is a very important trait for the business traveler. You can find almost everything you need for a delightful day of drinking in your hotel. I got a bottle opener from the front desk, ice bucket for my beer from the room, and a mini fridge to store leftovers (hah!).

I had finished my six pack when we learned of a group going to Morton's for dinner. I was very much into the idea of more steak after the terrible Mexican experience. I owned Morton's. Start with a beautiful 15 yr Laphroaig, neat, and a french onion soup followed by a Woodford Reserve Manhattan and a perfect 22oz NY strip for dinner. Best steak I'd had in a couple days. Coffee and an Old Fashioned for dessert at the bar with a friend. We A-Steaked at a trendy bar nearby with another Manhattan. At this point, I think I had spent $100 on booze for the day, I felt pretty good.

Back to the hotel for a midnight dip in the hot tub and some vodka drinks with the girls (who had not joined at the bar). After that, I thought it'd be a good idea to go to a bar and things got a little sloppy after that.

To all you sports fans . . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/arts/television/04lidz.html?_r=2

I believe most of you know of my dislike for ESPN but this series looks outstanding. "30 for 30" begins Tuesday with one focusing on the Gretzky trade in 88', really i can't wait.
.

Squirrel and Yogurt

I'm Sorry, I Thought This Was America

Courtesy of Buskus's Boy Bill Simmons

"For concerts, this was the boss's '99 Pedro season." -Bill Simmons

Remember to wipe off the keyboard ladies and gentleman.

Taco Party

Elegant Readings With Michael Ian Black: TACO PARTY - watch more funny videos

Coffee and Vagina

 

Let's Go Tripping . . ..

Anyone wanna hit up their show at High Noon? Please bring all your acid and mushroom binging hippie friends with you. I am looking forward to as much gut-wrenching unintentional comedy as possible. Seriously, look at these freeks, its gonna be great.

Uh Oh.

Insane killer on the loose in Washington State

The Boys are Back in Town . . .

Well at least a few of the original boys (Phipps and Rabin represent!)

http://www.avclub.com/articles/inventory-the-book-the-events,32945/

Join me in listening to my idols read and discuss their new book? Also, i'd be happy to lend anyone Rabin's fantastic memoir if you're looking for some fun, easy, and good old time pop culture filled reading material.

Always Double Down

http://www.avclub.com/articles/kfcs-double-down-sandwich,32804/

I can't wait for this to hit Madison. They pitch a great idea for the Super Bowl in here as well. Enjoy ladies and gents . . .

BlakRoc

Looks like a callabo with some potential. I dig the use of the blackberry as well.

SI on Michael Jordan

One for Buskus . . .

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-jordanhall091209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Boo Ben Konop

My boys Steve and Craig were talking about this on their weekly podcast out of Milwaukee. I thought it was pretty funny.

Games for Buskus: Episode 3

Here is a great game to fill in the yawning chasm that all of our lives have become. It's like Nanaca Crash, but you can shoot the little guy as he flies across the screen.

District 9 at the Local Cineplex

Now that I live in my parents basement and schools have as of yet not called me to babysit, I have a lot of free time on my hands. One of the best perks of unemployment is the tremendous amount of free time on my hands. I can surf porn, read tv blogs, catch the lastest podcast, work on my physical figure, peruse poetry, download all the hippest bands, write screenplays, and visit the local cineplex whenever I want. Unemployment really is a beautiful thing if you use your time right!

Now, after several friends and blood relatives equated viewing the new science fiction documentary-like suspense thriller District 9 as some sort of transcendental experience worthy of masterpieces like The Wire and Robocop, I became filled with enthusiasm and excitement. I thought maybe after making all those boring ass LOTR movies and that ridiculously awful Tenacious D rendition of King Kong, Peter Jackson finally stopped making movies to pay the bills and put his efforts into a "personal" dream project that he would care about and culture like somebody with artistic integrity.

First off, I learned at about 4 pm walking out of the theatre that Peter Jackson didn't even direct the fucking thing, simply lended his name on a producer credit. Instead, some hack named Neill Blomkamp directed it. The most notable credential he has on his profile is lead 3d animator on the Kurt Russell gem 3000 Miles to Graceland. Seriously, are you kidding me? Thanks Peter Jackson for giving the keys to a guy that has to include his directoral effort Best Ads Ever 2 as a triumph of his career. Also, thanks to the studio for marketing this picture as a Peter Jackson film. Not that I would ever watch another movie from that fatass after LOTR and King Kong. Apparently he's making The Hobbit now. What a hack. Peter Jackson has officially admitted the fact that he has absolutely no creativity by living off the ideas of JRR Tolkien and whoever the dudes were that created King Kong. I can just picture himself eating Dairy Queen while rolling around naked in pile of 100 dollar bills.

I just want to say District 9 was the the most overated movie of the year so far. I don't think it reaches the heights of the cliche ridden love unites all social classes shit flick Slumdog Millionaire but its close. I wanted everyone to die in the fucking thing. The movie relies on the premise of humanzing unhygienic, disgusting mouth breathing retarded aliens. It has too many plotholes and the 2nd half is just one big cliche-ridden action movie. I'm convinced Blomkamp spent his time playing Mech Warrior 3 while the studio came calling for a script so he had to steal from the game in hopes nobody would notice. I noticed Neill -- you need to get some better drugs. Also, I felt like puking 20-30 minutes into it due to either putting too much butter on my popcorn or staring at those repulsive creatures on screen.

Overall, I'd give the movie a C. I did enjoy the documentary style and the early excitment the first 15 minutes of the film delivered but I would love to argue with you over a case of blatz if you thought this movie delivered the transcendental experience Peter Jackson promised.

Shaq Vs.

Shaq "I used to play quarterback when I was little"
Roethlisberger "When were you little?"



The sports announcers are ludicrously fantastic supporting roles and the sideline babe adds authenticity to the farce. Thanks Carissa!

Thanks to JC for the tip.

Tobey Maguire films on location in Seattle

recent findings in a gentrified neighborhood

Observation:

The Echo Tap is a public house located near the Badger Bus depot. There is a bench near the front entrance which is frequently populated by the homeless/the homeless-looking. The bar seems to thrive during all hours - including the late morning. There are a large number of middle aged persons stumbling in, out, and near the establishment.

Hypothesis:

Based on the outward appearance of the public house, it can be inferred that the place is sketchy as fuck and is probably best avoided.

Experiment:

Two subjects, Slider (Subject A.qW) and j.patrick (Subject 42), consumed two alcoholic beverages at the dwelling of Subject 42. After consumption, the subjects walked approximately 40 paces to the site of the experiment.

Upon entering, subjects requested an alcoholic beverage from a bar tend. The subjects explored the area and discovered a pool table and dart boards on the second floor of the establishment. During the two hour experiment, the subjects played several games of pool and purchased additional beverages.

Discussion:

The interior was much different than what the exterior appearance would dictate. During the experiment, the subjects were adequately entertained and intoxicated.

Conclusion:

The hypothesis fails. The Echo Tap is the new Old Fashioned.

The Pesto of Cities

Well its been 2 full days in seattle and I thought I'd give some quick first impressions. I'll just go ahead and say it, the first thing I've noticed is lots and lots of cute asians(!).

Also they have tons of kick-ass restaurants. Here's my Phở I'm eating (right now!). MMMMMM.

Another thing I've noticed is the pure hipness of the city. No offense Madison, but here in Seattle we have 3, that's right 3 American Apparel Locations. There are so many hip people walking around. Today I saw some guys in the U-district who were so cool, I'm pretty sure they ejaculate ice-cold PBR.

That's it for now.

Latest in Zombie Research

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8206280.stm

Sin-Sin Natti

So I was all up in the Cincinnati this week. After three days, I have pretty mixed feelings about the whole ordeal.

First off, CVG is actually in Kentucky. From what I hear, the best parts of Cincinnati are also in Kentucky (colloquially known as Cincitucky). It was part quaint collegy bar town and part Baltimore ghetto. It sorta reminded me of a less sprawling, not quite so industrial Milwaukee.

Evening 1 - arrive at hotel, shocked to find a Springhill Suite that is in awesome conditions. Showers have three faucets, one main head and two jets, eat your hear out bitches. No room service/restaurant, who needs it - full bar. nice.

Leave hotel, go to college bar area. Quaint restaurants, boutiques, and bars. Pizza at The Tavern on the Hill - pretty good food for a place that is bumpin' Brothers-style. Sleep.

Day 2 - work 14 hours. Dinner at Mitchell's Seafood Market at Newport on the Levee (Newport, aka Cincitucky). Crab cake and shrimp - that's what ohio does. Not bad, tried a Cincinnati local brew, some sort of amber, nothing to write home about.

Day 3 - sorta get lost on way to work. Stop to pull out GPS and get back on track. Stage left, a hooker enters. "Boy, whatchoo doin'?" Silence. "Roll on boys. ROLL ON." I roll up the window and quickly drive out. Work again. Dinner at Skyline Chili, apparently world famous chili chain in Cincinnati. I mean, it was pretty sweet, chili on f'ing everything - dogs, fries, salad. I went with the standard 4. Served on noodles, like Old Fashioned - interesting?

Day 4 - last day at work, verify directions prior to departure to ensure there won't be another hooker incident. Work more, then drive to airport. Shift/flight time don't align well - 3 hours til departure. Food at Max and Erma's in CVG. Reuben, mmmhhh. Tried a local Kentucky beer, again, nothing to write home about.

I'd consider going back sometime. My favorite part was driving into the city. From the airport, the country is like the rest of Kentucky or Tennessee, it's a pretty drive. The city itself is pretty cool driving into, especially over the bridge from the airport.

good times. shout out to the hooker.

It's been a while.

Oh TBR, much like MKDC before you, it looks like you're going the way of the long-term work project.

You know, that one where you start off really gung-ho, but the then slowly loose excitement for once you realize how much work it entails.

Or a power hour. We'll start drinking and loling, but after 30 minutes, we're more or less drunk and ready to pass out or go to the bars.

Or like chili I had the other day. I was super pumped to eat it and inhaled it quickly, but then was less enthusiastic when it came time to poop.

What's happened to us TBR? I feel like we've lost touch, like a couple who spend too much time working that they grow apart and one day realize they have nothing left in common, so they get divorced and split the kids up and the dad moves into some sleazy apartment while the mom slowly loses herself in martini three by the end of lunch.

Is it really that we have nothing left to say? I think not. What's the issue then? Go fuck yourself TBR, grow a pair and give me a call sometime. bitch.

DPF - or - In case I ever get remarried...

So I received an email at about 6:55 today, subject line: "The ------ (j.patrick) Wedding".



It was a link to this. I appreciate that my coworkers recognize my exceptional taste and dancing abilities.

blog of the day

In Search of...
the Best Bloody Mary in Madison

Lee Greenwood - GOD Bless The USA

i have a huge twat

hey stags, wanna keep up to date on the life of your favorite TOI? now you can, because, like most other douchebags in the world, I now have a twat. Now you can access my inane ramblings and latest bowel movement updates in real time.

i don't want to go on the record here, but i think twitter might just be the greatest argument against democracy.

follow my poops! - http://twitter.com/HulksyTwat

The Power of Dance

Here's a video that Dejen sent me. This is what I aspire to.

ilovehatecommercialz

welcome to my new section, "ilovehatecommericalz" where I will begin to share some of my favorite television commercials.

first up: The semi-new minute maid spot I've nicknamed "Spring Break 99." I like this ad for two reasons, first because the same situation actually happened to me at the mall last weekend. This one girl came up to me out of nowhere in the Women's deodorant section in JC Penney and was like, "I think you're the father of one of my kids."
Luckily I had just chugged a bottle of minute maid boost juice and absolut, which gave me the acuity I needed to yell "slut" super loud, and run out into the parking lot. I was pretty sure I had fathered her child.

Also, if you pause the video at the one second mark while he is turning his head, you'll notice how abnormally large his chin is.

Myriad Dancing Dads

Too hard to pick just one, so here are some bonus linxxx:

One, two, three. Happy Fathers Day.

One to close the season out.

CBC's Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 Intro montage video. 3 minutes. Pretty amazing video, even the use of the Coldplay song didn't irritate me. NBC didn't even bother doing anything like this. At this point, they should just broadcast the CBC feed in the US. Their coverage is far superior and it would probably save NBC money.

Pens Win!

Ordinary fucking people . . .

Inappropriate-Relationship-With-Your Dad Dancing

Or "Scouring-Pad Dad Dancing." BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE KITCHEN, FOLKS.

justin townes earle live at high noon

@high noon

Magic

Glad Dad Dancing

Gross.

back in business

pretty NSFW. Click here!

Set the tone for game 3

This is why the NHL is better than the NBA. Red Wings best be ready to go for game 3.

Mad Dad Dancing

In honor of the coming holiday and Liam Neeson's character in "Taken," let's enjoy some Mad Dad dancing. Note the seamless transitions in and out of hulk rage.

An old classic revisited . . .

Lightsaber dance

Here are some light sabers.

Is Rock N Roll Dead?

http://www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com/sxswspeechdoc/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/05/20/van.zandt.save.rock/index.html


Enjoy ladies and gents! Time to get back to drinking and watching Mad Men.

Notre Dame

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/16/obama.notre.dame/index.html

Look how ugly they all are? I think they are just bitter about never getting laid.

Dance Lessons

Explanation starts around 2:15. Starts getting uncomfortable around 4:20.

wtf?

forgive the political post, but wtf? maybe we should also forbid car companies from charging more for cars that last longer or force salons to charge the same price for a man's haircut as a woman's wash, cut, and dye... anyway, men end up paying more towards the end of their lives. of course, i defer to my actuary-type cobloggers (pronounced kuh-bloggers, not koe-bloggers).

Health Insurers Agree to End Higher Premiums for Women
By ROBERT PEAR (The New York Times)
Published: May 6, 2009
WASHINGTON — Insurance companies offered Tuesday to end the practice of charging higher premiums to women than to men for the same coverage.
Karen M. Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade group, made the offer in testifying before the Senate Finance Committee.
It was the latest concession by insurers as Congress drafts legislation to overhaul the $2.5 trillion health care industry.
In November, insurers said they would accept all customers, regardless of illness or disability, if Congress required all Americans to have coverage. In March, insurers offered to stop charging higher premiums to sick people.
Ms. Ignagni said the industry would accept aggressive federal regulation, but would resist creation of a government-run insurance program of the type proposed by President Obama and many Democrats in Congress. The government-sponsored program would compete with private insurers.
Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, told Ms. Ignagni, "The disparity between women and men in the individual insurance market is just plain wrong, and it has to change."
She said she agreed the disparities "should be eliminated."
Mr. Kerry introduced a bill on Tuesday to prohibit insurers from considering sex as a factor in setting premiums for policies in the individual insurance market.
Women are often charged 25 percent to 50 percent more than men for insurance providing identical coverage.
In interviews last fall, insurance executives said they had a sound reason for the different premiums: Women ages 19 to 55 tend to cost more than men of the same age because they typically use more health care, especially in the childbearing years. Moreover, insurers said women were more likely to visit doctors, to get regular checkups, to take prescription medications and to have certain chronic illnesses.
Congress is considering proposals to provide tax credits or subsidies to millions of people with low or moderate incomes to help them buy insurance. Without substantial changes in the insurance market, such assistance would be worth less to women because of the higher premiums.

basement boys

Where are all the cool guys in this town?

This has nothing to do with Shaq

if you stare at this for 60 minutes (the time it takes for adaptation or possibly saccadic suppression from our automatic interpretation to affect temporal modulation) the picture opens in the middle and gives you the url for Kristen Stewart topless pics

Shaqlyte

Shaq's on a diet. lolz.

New poll is up

This is a chance to let TBR's voice be heard in the community. Get out and vote!

Remix

It's Vince with the Slap Chop.

What a punk.

Bring it Biaatch.

How Much Fried Chicken Can You Eat?

Now that the Chicago vs Boston series is almost over we can focus on a real man's sport.

TNY and TBR... we're like this

You may remember my ramblings on allowing the tea-baggers to secede. Today, quite serendipitously, I was listening to my pod casts and found that I have a friend in the New Yorker.

While Mr. Hertzberg may have put it a little more eloquently, he and I are on the same page. Moral of the story: I should write for the New Yorker and the South should be let go.

TBR: http://buskusreport.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-are-all-these-people-so-in-to-tea.html

TNY: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2009/05/04/090504taco_talk_hertzberg

Terrace anyone?

Your business card is CRAP!

I feel way outclassed.

British people dancing

Mostly posting this because of the little green and red pop-ups over the screen.

C-Bale, Remixed

I hope this hasn't already been posted... It's pretty catchy...



happy fridays.

Domers

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/obama-visit-to-notre-dame-provokes-debate/

I was not full of shit last night assholes. This school blows.

SuperBADge

http://www.nba.com/suns/video/2009/04/21/superbadge_090421.mpg.suns/index.html

Wisconsin

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060825

d o double gizzle

why are all these people so in to tea bagging?

What's up with all these tea-baggers?  I don't really watch the news, so I hadn't heard about this tax day tea party thing.  It's unfortunate that r(libertarians,nutjobs) is so close to 1.

I'm sort of a libertarian... I would prefer to have smaller government and less government involvement in my life than more.  But when I see people claiming to be libertarians marching around with signs like these, I question my libertarian inklings.  I can only hope that Nutjob -> Libertarian; and not Libertarian -> Nutjob.

Is it too late to give them the south?  Let them hate taxes, black people, france, science, mexicans, jews, diversity, wine, gays, Target, sex, foreign cars, education, and the rest of the world.  Maybe if we give them all of our wal-marts, dollar stores, and waffle houses they'll let us keep California.

The more I think about it, the better idea it sounds.  Let's secede from the south, who's with me!?

He can't decide which one to eat

Shaq is so huge

Powers. Is. Coming. Back. Fucking. Soon.

Oh My God

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4067162

The Greatest

Wendy's anyone?

Bill O'Reilly and Roger Ebert - RFID implants

Richard Simmons Edition

Brewer Baseball

Enjoy the star of the Milwaukee Brewers ladies and gents!

Mr. BUCKET

Daft Punk Friday

55 in for the win.

GUITAR HERO: METALLICA Coaches

I don't care that you don't care.

These guys running around are dumb, but I think that metal gear's Hideo Kojima must be a cool dude.

DP Friday

Hooraay

my one and only good idea.

so two nights ago, i said to myself, "self, i think we should have a beer." now, you know that my apartment is compact. from my love seat, i can reach the minifridge which contains my beer. when my beer comes from a can, this is good; however, when my beer comes from a bottle without a twist off cap, this is not good.

the main problem was that i kept my bottle opener (the wrench-esque one) on a stand next to the love seat. however, my life partner always removes it and puts it in a door in the kitchen (not in arms reach). she does this because "that is it's home". i have resolved this by creating a new home for my bottle opener.



it was quite simple really. i hammered a nail into the coffee table, on which i hung the bottle opener. now everything is within arms reach. i just wanted to share with you, in case you had similar problems.

if only i could find a similar solution for that fucking stupid kitchen table.

Crystal Head Vodka

http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/444061

http://crystalheadvodka.com/

Lulz

Get this party started

Time to officially revive the Busky celebration that is DPF. Let's get this party started please (British dance link!).

Not enough for you animals? In that case I've got some fritos and grape soda in my van (NSFW bonus link!).

For Buskus

http://freedarko.blogspot.com/

Linkage

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/movies/15lim.html

NCAA POOL

N E one want to be in a ncaa pool for $5? if yes,

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_select_group

ID# 134643
password: krabbenhoft

Gervais + Elmo = Hilarity on 'Sesame Street'

The Wrestler!

Diet Pepsi-John Stockton Audition

Married to the Eiffel Tower

Here's a video about being sexually attracted to objects like bows or monuments or light sabers: Link.

We Goin Sizzla'

It's hard work making you look so bad. Anyone in for a basketball game this Saturday? Sunny skies, 50 degrees. Lets at least get some 2 on 2 going or something. We can't play during the badger game against Mich St. of course but sometime during the day. Who's in?

Mickey Rourke Wins Best Actor!

What should have happenend the night of the Oscars.

Thank You, Local News!

And now, the news in reviews...

Your dreams make me sad Cheryl Hintze
Soccer moms are taking to the parking lots to celebrate the opening of a new Target in Sun Prairie. Little do they know, there are already 3 Targets in Madison.

Our very own NBC15.com investigates:

Target Stores are bucking the bad economy and opening new locations across the country including bringing nearly 200 jobs to the Madison area.

Taking a cue from Badger Saturdays, a group of Sun Prairie mothers are partying in anticipation. It is a big day at the new Target in Sun Prairie but long before this very average store opening hits, the parking lot is playing host to a quite unique party. It is the furthest you can get from a men's tailgate party. No beer guzzling or burping here, this one is women only.

...

It is a tent and table that have seen a lot of tailgating action for things like Badger Games but never has a group pulled out all the stops like this for a department store. Kostelnik says, "I was handing out the flyer and people were laughing at me so yeah, I think they thought we were crazy." Close to two dozen women flow in and out, many of them stay at home moms just waiting for the doors to open.

Tailgater Cheryl Hintze says, "I'm so excited. To have shopping within two miles of my home is a dream."

...

At a party like this how could you not? When all is said and done the Sun Prairie store will employee 180 people.

We've Got Some Competition

http://www.02.01.snc1.facebook.com/pages/Buskus/35550531221

For God and Country, after feast, after sex

Best Movies of the Year: The Definitive List

My only criterion for being considered a 2008 movie is if it got its first US theatrical release in 2008.

In order:

1. The Wrestler
2. Reprise
3. Man on Wire
4. Gomorra– A drama about the mafia's influence in modern day Italy
5. Encounters at the End of the World
6. Rachel Getting Married
7. Synecdoche, NY – overly ambitious but great nonetheless.
8. Role Models
9. Milk
10. The Visitor-The dude who played Scott Templeton on The Wire's follow-up to The Station Agent.
11. The Dark Knight- Lot of plot holes. Enough said.
12. Slumdog Millionaire- Cheezy and contrived third act dropped it a couple spots.
13. The Foot Fist Way- Made 3 years ago but just hit video this year.
14. Milk
15. Che - Forgot about this gem.
-Forgot about this gem.
Didn't see: Frost/Nixon, Appaloosa, Doubt, Let the Right One In, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Revolutionary Road, Tell No One

This is America. That's how things are done.

http://www.badgerbeat.com/news/article/id/440982

Any thoughts?

I Should Probably Feel Bad About This

Recently, somebody in a mall asked me if I had lost weight. Well, the answer to that question is yes. The unanswered question, however, is how I lost that weight. Now, in a TBR exclusive, I will share my tried and tested weight loss secrets. Enjoy.

Teh Watchmen

Anybody wanna see this on Saturday? It is probably the most badass story ever. P.S. I can drive.

It's Friday

I finally see why Buskus likes basketball.

dirty rich kids

i just laughed for over 9 minutes

http://streetbonersandtvcarnage.com/blog/rich-kids-expelled-after-bizarre-protest/

TBR Breakdown of Obama and Rebuttal

I think it's interesting to see how Obama's campaign theme has continued to run through his first 36 days of his presidency. I'm on the hope theme, but it's sort of hard to buy it when I turn on the news, check the stock market, or think about Detroit. Obama says the right things, but in fairly vague terms. Frankly though, I wasn't really paying attention, I couldn't stop staring at that fox, Nancy Pelosi. She's a vision in green.

How about the rebuttal? First all, how did Louisiana get a Rhodes Scholar to go to their state? I'm pretty sure this guy took voice lessons from Kenneth, the page.



He spent a lot of time talking about how he and Obama have diverse backgrounds... thanks dipshit, I'm not blind. I particularly appreciated his yarn about his sheriff buddy and Katrina. Break his point down... I'm from India, don't trust government... lower taxes for businesses, tax credit for home buyers, Democrats are big spenders, drill for oil, TER-ROAR!, Amerrrrrica... don't monitor volcanoes, etc. Look buddy, clearly we need volcano monitoring.

To be serious for a minute, the Indian guy made a couple points I typically agree with. Unfortunately, he did it in the hick-ass way Republicans tend to do shit. I don't necessarily agree with everything the Prez sez, but I'm impressed by his ability to play well with others, especially given his massive political capital.

This is Just Great

Another entry in my random links section:

http://www.ineedanotherwordforvagina.com/

wiki fun

give up? check early life.

Games for Buskus: Episode 2

Here is another fun game that makes me think of Buskus. The object is to lure girls into your shopping cart with sweet tricks and then murder/suicide them. Go for the multiplier, dude.

This is Why I Work Out a Lot

Hold Steady @ Majestic

i found these from the majestic show





also, this

WHERE IS MY TV?!

Dear FCC:
I watch TV using a rooftop antenna and/or rabbit ears. On February 17th, I abruptly stopped receiving analog reception. One minute, I'm happily watching infomercials on Fox 47 then out of the blue, no more analog signal... what the fuck? What's going on here?

I have received absolutely no warning and now I can't watch TV. What the hell am I supposed to do to get my free network TV back?

I Kinda Want a PS3

The Last One...EVER.

All good things must come to an end, and the caption contest is no exception. Naturally, Sam was the winner of the last contest. Saying "poop" at anytime is simply comedic gold. So here is the last pic that will be captioned. Enjoy it.

suck it charter.

Karma really does exist!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Paul-Allens-Charter-to-file-rb-14341240.html

Friday Night Fun

If anyone would like to get drunk with me tomorrow night, I'm planning on celebrating the fact that I am now 1/3 of the way to the venerable and ironic age of 69. Ironic? Yes, because when you're that old, no one's gonna want to do it with you.

The worst website Michael Ian Black has ever seen

The worst website Michael Ian Black has ever seen

Joydick

Yeah, NSFW.

Mmmmmmmmmmmsgafhah

http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/

President Obama is a Bad Ass Mothafucka'

I mentioned this yesterday to a few of the regulars around here, and now it is in convenient YouTube format. Hooray!

Legends of Springsteen

Apparently not Northrax?

For Buskus:

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A New Jersey factory that makes fenugreek seeds was the source of the mystery syrupy smell that wafted from time to time over New York City.

"Given the evidence, I think it's safe to say that the Great Maple Syrup Mystery has finally been solved," said Mayor Bloomberg. "I want to thank the City's environmental protection and emergency workers, as well as their colleagues in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, for their diligence in finding the source of the smell, which was a lot like finding a needle in a haystack. Air samples taken by DEP have confirmed that the odor in New York City was an ester associated with fenugreek seed processing. The Health Department confirmed that the odor does not pose a health risk, but I am pleased to know that our OEM and DEP smelling sleuths got to the bottom of this mystery." The International Frutarom Corporation factory in North Bergen was tracked down to be the source.

The city Department of Environmental Protection dispatched a team of inspectors earlier this month after the city's 311 system was deluged with calls from New Yorkers reporting the mysterious scent drifting through parts of upper Manhattan and Queens.

In 2005, hundreds of people in New York and across the river in New Jersey reported the strangely seductive odor.

At the time, Bloomberg said a slew of agencies - the NYPD, the Office of Emergency Management and the Health Department - investigated the scent and found nothing toxic or links to terrorism.

Hey Joe

Look.

KID STONED FROM DENTIST

WoW Lingo

A few things right off the bat:
When she asks for help he asks for Death Knights?
He says "pwn-zor"???
And I refuse to believe that guy is ranked top ten in anything. What a total complete chad.

Read it on Kotaku here.

Superbowl Springsteen Redux

One of my favorite baseball columnists weighs in on the halftime show

"we expected Springsteen to play for laughs and we got Springsteen and the E-Street Band playing the Max Figgenbaum Bar Mitzvah"

JC Live Blogs "The City: The Truth Hurts"

10:01PM: The girls are going to a birthday party for Whitney's old boss!
10:03PM: Erin is looking for a job. She's been soul searching for about a year and a half! SHE'S OCD TO A FULL! (JC thinks she's kinda cute, despite her full OCDness)
10:04PM: OMG She got the job!
10:05PM: This party looks bumpin'! Oh wow. Allie seems too skinny according to Kelly, Whitney's old boss.
10:07PM: Guy drama.
10:08PM: Kelly keeps pushing the skinny thing. Allie is upset. JC interjects: What's wrong with being skinny? She's pretty ugly, so it's a good thing that she's skinny. Ugly fat chicks are the worst. I can't tell how smart she is, but if she's smart and skinny, we got a winner. I'll just have to brown bag her fug-ass face.
10:10PM: We're at a commercial break now, but I just wanted to say that Clive Owen is awesome. I'm totally seeing The International. And Duplicity for that matter.
10:13PM: DID ERIN HOOK UP?! Looks like it. I don't know if I approve of this dude. I bet I could take him.
10:14PM: Whitney's apartment is bomb. Like, hella bomb.
10:15PM: Maybe Allie should dump her diet of coffee, cigarettes, and cum (the three C's) if she wants to put on weight.
10:16PM: Oooooh! I love this song! I retract my statement about Erin being cute. She looked alright in the club, though. She's liking New York. Wow, she used the word hiatus! Her coworker is sooooooo gay.
10:17PM: Adam and Allie make a cute couple. Her skinny ass should watch the booze, though. KELLY AND ALLIE MEET AGAIN. Dun, dun, dunnnnn.
10:19PM: Bitching about bitches. Quote of the night "The best part about going to parties with models is that nobody eats." Word.
10:21PM: Commercial break again. Damn, I want T Bell.
10:24PM: Tehehehehe, they work in the meatpacking district. Whitney is getting philosophical about body image. It's modeling, honey. Bitches need to be skinny.
10:25PM: These idiots cannot take insults. You were called too skinny. BooHoo. That's the easiest problem in the world to solve. EAT SOME JBCBs AND SOME DOUBLE STACKS, YOU CUNT!
10:27PM: Kelly is so not sorry about insulting Allie. She is beyond the industry standard of thin. Yikes. The modeling industry has got its priorities all wrong. Nobody wants to see anything jiggling when those bitches walk down a runway. Well, boobs jiggling would be OK. But not like all over the place. Healthy jiggle.
10:28PM: That's a wrap!

I feel like I should reflect on what I've learned in this episode. How skinny is too skinny? Has society put an unfair expectation on its women? What about the men of the world? Well, let me tell you, there's only one reason a man needs to lose weight: to make his dick look bigger. Ladies: just not too fat, OK? I mean, let's get serious. Classy fat doesn't apply to women.

Be sure to check out The City on MTV Mondays at 9PM. And 10PM apparently.

Tramps like us and we like tramps

Super Bowl Sunday is approaching fast! Where's the party at? Who's bringing the Schiltz? Who wants to bet on the game? I'll take the Steelers because jesus freak Kurt Warner cannot will not win another Super Bowl as long as I live. Who wants in on a my Guess Springsteen's set list pool? Everybody puts in 2-3 bucks and picks 4 songs you think Bruce is going to play. Winner gets all the cash. Who's in? Who wants to spice up this boring Sunday tradition?

Secondly,
Just announced Jason Isbell and my boy Justin Townes Earle are playing High Noon in April? Who's with me? Who wants to recreate that legendary terrace summmer night years ago?

Anyone want to hit up the UCONN VS Marquette basketball game at the Bradley Center on Feb 25th? Big East Showdown for the ages. I know all you Wesley Matthews groupies might get your chance to reconnect. You know where to find me. Dudes . . .

wednesdayz lolz

go here, click on "full episode" and fast forward to the 8:45 min mark. listen 2 story.

up top

this is all over the internets but watch it again anyways. big ups to our own russ feingold

HIGH-FIVE INAUGURATION! - watch more funny videos

Fisting

I ♥ my job.

I received a meeting request today. Sam, this is probably for you.

Subject: Mustache Contest

When: Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:30 PM-6:00 PM (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada).
Where: Conference Room

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In case you haven’t heard… and yes you read that correctly.

I thought it would be fun to have a just-for-fun charity event this winter because after all, what else is there to do in the winter. For those of you interested, we are going to have the kickoff meeting for the Mustache Contest. Both men and women are invited to attend the event, after all we will need a panel of judges there too.

Prizes:
The overall best mustache­ will take home $25 (or a max of 25%) of the money raised.
The remaining 75% will go to support a charity of the groups choosing, or variety of charities depending on a group vote.

Why? To raise money for a charity to be designated at the kickoff… and to annoy your girlfriend, wife, or whatever all in the name of a good cause.
When? January 29th at 5:30 PM
Where? Conference Room
Who? Anyone you want to invite
Cost? A measly $10 clams

At the end of the contest, which will most likely be a month from the start date, mustaches will be judged on a variety of factors (factors to be determined at the meeting) by qualified mustache judges (what those qualifications are will be determined at the meeting).

Rules:
You must be clean shaven at the start of the contest. We will provide a Bic razor and shaving cream at the kickoff to ensure fairness.
No growing beards, goatees, fu-manchus, etc… Only mustache hair will be allowed on your face during the duration of the event.

If you can’t make it to the meeting, just send me a time stamped photo of you with a clean shaven stache’ along with your entry fee.

Awards for:
Most unusually shaped mustache
Most colorful mustache
Ugliest mustache
Worst mustache
Other?

If you’d like to help with the administration of the contest just let me know.

For some inspiration, visit the Mustache Hall of Fame

Carissa Lynch

Let's take a moment to salute this notable busker. Nine year old Australian Carissa wants a Playstation, has a violin. Does she beg her parents? No, she's no charity case. She just busks that thing. Busks it right up.

How does our story end? Pretty well. Is there anything beyond the reach of a good hard busk? Of course not, stupid.

End of an Era

Tomorrow, George W. Bush will no longer be our president. Some black dude is taking over. Things will probably get a lot more hip-hoppy up in this piece. They might even put a base line into the national anthem.

More importantly, tomorrow is a time for reflection. Will Bush be remembered as one of the greatest presidents in American history? Only time will tell. He has taught me a lot in 8 years, though. Bush took me through high school and college in supreme form. I learned that Brazil is big. Like, super big. I also learned that it is definitely OK to make up anything about third world countries that I don't like as a means to invade said country and then kill a lot of people. Hooray!

More things to reflect upon: the word "resolve" can never be overused. Being president is tough, guys, and he showed us that you cannot quit no matter how tough it gets. You might even say he showed excellent resolve. BENJONES!

Is our children learning? Perhaps. Let's not misunderestimate the nation's children. Wait, what?

War is fun. Let's face it, killing other people in the name of USA USA USA USA USA USA is totally worth it. Freedom isn't free, my friends. Freedom isn't free.

W has inspired me to simply be referred to by the first letter of my middle name. Feel free to start calling me "P." It's funny because P is like Pee, which is another name for urine. Example: "Where's Jeremy at?" "Oh, P is over there." "Who peed where?!" And then we laugh.

We should also reflect on the fact that nobody should be left behind as America plunges forward in an effort to secure its position as greatest country ever in the annals (super close to anal) of history. Especially children. We can't leave them behind. Why would we want to do that? Children grow up to became hot pieces of ass that we jerk off to while checking out porn sites. Or music videos, if you are paranoid about somebody looking through your history. Some music videos are just like softcore porn. You guys remember that music video of Britney Spears where she's on Mars? Total cameltoe action in that vid!

George Bush has inspired me to run for FEMA director. Is that an elected position? Who cares! it's the easiest job ever! I will be expected to aid those in crisis situations, but if I don't, the president will still love me. Hell, I might get promoted if I start shooting victims of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes!

Ultimately, however, we must remember one thing: Fool me once, shame on Dick Cheney. Fool me twice, shame on Osama bin Laden. Fool me three times...well, just don't mess with Texas. Where the fuck is Osama anyway? You guys think he gets cable in the caves?

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

NPH 4EVRZ

I'm on board

One time I saw Buskus eat 18 of these and wash it down with an above-ground swimming pool full of propel.  

Just Can't Escape You

On my second to last night I Okahandja, my brother was jamming some tunes off the satellite dish. What did grace my ears that fateful night? I'll let the youtube do my talking, for the youtube contains everything:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeaYhIGByQw
I'm headed back to the North on Wednesday. So I will have to say goodbye to the satellite dish, my connection to the stars.