This Means WAR!

If you are standing, you might want to take a seat. Maybe grab a glass of smooth brandy to help deal with this awesomeness. Today we received word from the one and only, Phil Butane. Now, granted, it's been a little while since we last had an update from Phil, but we always knew him to have his hands in some great projects, generally revolving around his work as a freelance film editor. But his current project? Our minds are officially blown. First, though, let's back up a bit. We met Phil, aka R. Cyn (pronounced 'arson'), back during our own stint as a hamster for Turn of the Century Pictures, a documentary film company located in a most spectacular penthouse suite in SoHo. Phil was the company's trusty editor in residence. Many a long hour we spent shootin' the shit with Phil in his darkened hole of an editing office, and we got to watch him evolve from a rookie editor into a confident, fully armed editor assassin. So when we eventually heard that Phil had left TOTCP to become that freelance editor of his dreams, we weren't surprised. Now, there is no denying that Phil is a talented editor. But it wasn't until he happened to let it slip that he occasionally performed as a hip hop artist, that we discovered Phil was also waving a serious freak flag behind the mic on the regular. Naturally we went to see one of his shows. We then were given a CD of some of his stuff, which we immediately downloaded and repeatedly enjoyed on our iPod. It was clear that Phil's passion, his calling, was in his music. So, when we heard today that Phil still does the editing thing, of course, but is putting most of his energy into his music, again it didn't surprise us. What does surprise us? Not only does Phil have a new album in the works specializing in the juicy, politically-charged content we love, but also a full-blown music video, multiple related websites, a band blog, and has been featured on the "Best of Myspace." You can check out his main website through the "Goldishack Guerrillas" link or go directly to his blog, "Guerrillas Speak", both under 'TCO Required Reading.'
BUT FIRST, ladies and gentlemen, TCO presents to you, the Goldishack Guerrillas performing, "Lazy, Fat, Stupid American, Featuring Rush Limbaugh" for their forthcoming album, "WAR": NOTE: Phil is the fine fellow seated to the right on the couch.

THE FOLLOWING LINK CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeK5HBGsUWg

Our American Idol

Even though it's snowing in New York City on the first day of Spring, and everyone is grumbling and tired because it's Friday morning, our hearts were warmed and delighted to find a new update in our inbox from Her Majesty, Jessica Roncker. We met Jess while serving as one of her lowly, confused interns at the Feminist Press, years ago, but our bond was beyond any sort of boundaries set by our office ranks--perhaps because we share a very similar sarcastic, highly intelligent yet arguably criminal wit that did not necessarily thrive within the confines of the Press. Jess left the Press not too long after our internship ran its course, and she has since gone on to leave Manhattan island for more solid ground in the Kentucky heartland. But not after first landing a most unexpected and entertaining job as a sweaty-towel-washing hamster for the American Idol Summer Tour for Season 4, the year of Carrie Underwood, hosted appropriately by Pop Tarts. We partied with her late one evening that year, when the tour roared through NYC, and we shared some special eye-contact with an over-zealous Constantine Maroulis and a greasy Bo Bice. The following year, the year of Taylor Hicks or more notably, Chris Daughtry and Kathrine McPhee, Jess returned to the Idol tour, and this time we attended one of the dazzlingly uncomfortable Long Island concerts and watched the season's top 12 give it their best shot. We left that concert with two unforgettable memories:
1. That of a drunken mother, screaming and jumping around near us up in the bleachers as her breasts all but flew out of her very low cut shirt. Next to her her teenage daughter slouched and scowled, bored out of her mind , looking around at the empty seats. The mother at one point turned to us and shouted, "It's my birthday!". Cougars don't set that bar too high, folks, and they don't ask for much.
2. Because we were the friends of a tour staff member, we were allowed back stage and promptly whisked into an SUV alongside a smattering of higher numbered Idols and their parents. As we flew out of the garage, past many more screaming mothers and their daughters, we waved--the windows were darkened, so all fans saw faintly were our waving hands, but that was enough to assume it was the hand of Chris or Taylor, a desperate dream come true. And at that moment inside the our vehicle, (un?)lucky Idol number 13, a tiny boy of a teenager who was tenderly referred to as, "Chicken Little," responded to an inquiry about his summer plans. "What I SHOULD be doing this summer is traveling on this fucking tour!" An amusingly bitter, bitter young fellow.
Now we are pleased to announce, that after putting in her time (she has been doing the summer tours ever since), and even getting some off-season gigs with such celebrity wonders as the Spice Girls--"I am watching little Beckham's run by me right now; David is so nice by the way," she wrote from the road on the reunion tour-- Jess has officially been promoted to American Idol Summer Tour MANAGER. She is now THE Big Cheese, running the entire show, putting out flames, checking into L.A. in mid-May and making the magic happen until the end of September. It's quite an amazing accomplishment, and we are so proud!!! Way to go, Jess! We can't wait to see you and another set of fantasmic 12 again soon on your way through the Big Apple! Congrats! You can check out Jess's hilarious and addictive blog, Ronckytonk, where she also includes notes from the road, under 'TCO Required Reading'.

I DEFINITELY LEGO N.Y.!

We received this great link today from arguably one of the most handsome members of the TCO community, Alex Broz. Currently residing with his equally if not more dashing wife in Brooklyn, New York, he found the following article posted in the Opinion section of the New York Times from Monday, February 2, 2009 to be inspiring. While it may be even easier to appreciate the artist's message if you do happen to live in New York City, there is no question that Christoph Niemann's work is universally touching. Here is the link for your enjoyment:

http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/i-lego-ny/?emc=eta1

Thanks, Alex!

Do it Yourself!

We received a great new update from the beautiful and amazing Brie Schwartz today, founder of BE, a company promoting better living through the power of meditative motion. BE regularly develops new interactive initiatives, such as YOGA INSTRUCTOR, described in detail here. Brie also recently came out with her own iPhone application, YOGA INSTRUCTOR, the link to which can be found in 'TCO Required Reading'. The second paragraph of the following description below includes a bit more too on what Brie has been dedicating her creative self to for the past 7+ years, on top of traveling around the world. Check it out!

YOGA INSTRUCTOR. BE your own guru.

The true definition of yoga is to yoke, to create union, to bring the mind, body, and spirit into one. No one knows how to unify this triad better than yourself, and YOGA INSTRUCTOR supports you in this practice.

These postures are a way of living; a science stemming from a several thousand year-old practice. The physical benefits of yoga increases cardiovascular, respiratory efficiency and body tone; decreases blood pressure; normalizes weight and endocrine function; improves immunity, sleep, strength, posture, balance, flexibility, and more. The psychological benefits aid your overall well-being.

You are the guru. No one can tell you better than yourself what your body needs. Yoga is a practice that helps you be more consciously aware of this unique union of your mind, body, and spirit. Through YOGA INSTRUCTOR, Brie Anne Schwartz, RYT, TTM, founder of BE, LLC a company dedicated to conscious living, will empower your personal yogic journey. Brie’s background encompasses yoga instruction of styles from around the world, international directorship and choreography of dance methods, qigong, martial arts, and other healing methodologies as breath, meditation, energy, and thai message. She has taught in North America, Central America, and Europe.

YOGA INSTRUCTOR is a safe and diversified yogic practice that you can take anywhere, anytime, and customize your practice. YOGA INSTRUCTOR reminds you that you’re the master of your health and provides the opportunity to practice at your convenience.

YOGA INSTRUCTOR details:

YOGA INSTUCTOR includes the three (3) most well-known salutations:

Sun Salutation A: Is a full practice in itself as it is a yoga salutation. It lengthens, strengthens, and tones ALLthe main muscles of the body while restoring the lungs and blood with healing oxygen.

Sun Salutation B: Is a full practice in itself, however it is more complicated than Sun Salutation A as it involves a high lunge which streches and strengthens your legs, tones the major hip muscle known as psoas, as well as brings flexibility and support to the lower back.

Moon Salutation: Is a full practice in itself as it is a yoga salutation. It also brings further focus on chest opening, balance, lower body toning, and flexibility of the entire back.

Overall Salutation Benefits: a full practice in itself, warms body, tones digestive system, strengthens abdominals, cleans respiratory system, normalizes endocrine glands, reduces fat, refreshes skin, increases flexibility, stimulates spine, and more. (Bodily Care: consult a doctor before practicing any yoga salutations; in all poses remember to breathe deeply, lengthen the spine, keep the chest open and shoulders rolled back, align joints when possible: wrists under shoulders, ankles under knees when knee is bent at 90-degrees)

PLUS…

YOGA INSTRUCTOR includes three (3) more sequences:

Grounding Root (a hip opening sequence)

Benefits: Although hip openers can be the most intense postures physically and emotionally, they are vital to our health, especially if you work at a desk: normalizes nervous system, eliminates stress, reduces back pain, supports knees, strengthens hip area from injury, and more. (hip care: if you had hip or knee injuries consult a doctor before practicing deep hip stretches, relax muscles and breathe deeply, never force yourself into a hip stretch)

Spiral Flight (a spinal twist sequence)

Benefits: maintains overall health by bringing oxygen and fresh blood to internal organs, keeps the spine flexible and strong, supports the musculoskeletal system and digestion, lengthens the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia around the spine, abdomen, rib cage, and hips, and more. (spinal care: if you had disk injuries consult a doctor before practicing deep spinal stretches, never force your spine into a posture, start and extend the stretch from the hip joint/sacrum, always lengthen the spine)

Tri-Warrior (a warrior and triangle fusion sequence)

Benefits: eliminates stress, protects back, increases respiration and circulation, strengthens abdominals, legs, leg joints, and shoulders, opens hips, and more. (knee care: if you had hip or knee injuries consult a doctor before practicing this sequence, ankles under knees when knee is bent at 90-degress; slightly bend knee if you have hyper-extension)

Extra! Extra!

On March 26, 2009, the New York Review of Books ran the following ad:



This particular project was the brain-child of Harper Collins Editor, Peter Hubbard, another one of our near and dear friends here in New York City. He casually fanned the ad in front of us over dinner one evening last week, simply saying, "Look." We of course did look, and then freaked out over such a great accomplishment. Originally, Peter's idea was to take an old classic of philosophical thought, and re-issue it, complete with a snappy new cover design, as a work equally as applicable today as when it originated. The result? Eight complete re-issued works, and a new Harper Perennial campaign, Modern Thought. Not to mention that in the process, Peter was formally promoted to full fledged Editor. You can find a link to one of his current side-works-in-progress, The Serialist, under 'TCO Required Reading'. Maybe Peter can help us with our forever inconsistent use of the old, crazy comma. Great work, Peter!

The Man, The Actor.

Back in August we received a surprise email from a great friend of many years, Will Godfrey, sharing his new acting reel. We knew that he had been living in California and that he was pursuing acting, but we were especially pleased to see just what a great actor he is. In 'TCO Required Reading' you will find a link to his IMDB page. Note, however, that he is known professionally as Wilton Godfrey. For your viewing pleasure, we now pass on his reel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG9K30xDxns

"The Very Secret Order..."

This came to us today from Lauren Hardage. Some of you may know her better as Lauren Moore, her name prior to getting married to Zach Hardage in the desert of Arizona in July many a moon ago. She currently resides in Corpus Christi, TX, while Zach is serving in the military. She is a freelance graphic designer and a very good one at that! See her link under 'TCO Required Reading'. Lauren writes:

I just ran across this online via a great design
magazine (Veer) + wanted to send it.
It's kind of neat; a downloadable "drill book"
for creatives.
Peek at it if you have a chance.

http://www.veer.com/download/pdf/veer200812_memberdrillbook.pdf

We would say do more than peek at this link. These are great exercises to keep that artistic right brain movin' and shakin', no matter your particular artistic talents. Not to mention, all of it is quite humorous (our favorite!). It may take a second to load, but it's worth it!
Thanks, Lauren!

The Comical Observatory welcomes you! We provide up-to-date information on a small but powerful nucleus of creatives and their ever-expanding work. Occasionally, of course, we will also offer our own timely critiques and post our own projects. Check back in again soon for our next official posting!