Check out how cool this Winter Classic mask is that Scott Darling got made for the big day! What is your favorite part about it?
Nine Inch Nails make good on their 2016 new music promise
Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor tweeted last December about new music coming in 2016, and fans have been clamoring to see if he’ll actually deliver some fresh stuff before the year ends in two weeks. Well today, Reznor came through on his promise. The new NIN EP titled “NOT ACTUAL EVENTS” will come out direct from the band’s website on December 23rd via a digital download and “physical component” according to the band’s official website.
Here is the post detailing ‘NOT ACTUAL EVENTS’ release from NIN.com
THE INTENTION OF THIS RECORD IS FOR IT TO EXIST IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD, JUST LIKE YOU. CHOOSING THIS PACKAGE GETS YOU THE DIGITAL FILES AND WE WILL SHIP THE PROPER PHYSICAL COMPONENT TO YOUR HOUSE FOR YOU TO DEAL WITH, WHILE VERY LIMITED SUPPLIES LAST.
TRACKLIST
01. BRANCHES/BONES
02. DEAR WORLD,
03. SHE’S GONE AWAY
04. THE IDEA OFÂ YOU
05. BURNING BRIGHT (FIELD ON FIRE)
02. DEAR WORLD,
03. SHE’S GONE AWAY
04. THE IDEA OFÂ YOU
05. BURNING BRIGHT (FIELD ON FIRE)
Joining Reznor on this album is his recent collaborator on several film scores, Atticus Ross. The two have been quite complimentary of each other’s dark perspectives on making thought-provoking art, so this should provide some exciting results on the first NIN release since 2013. Ross is now an official member of the band. It’s worth noting the website also notes this new EP will be “unrecognizable”  in comparison to Reznor and Ross’s film score work.
And if this news didn’t energize you, NIN is also releasing “definitive editions” of their classic albums on vinyl.
It’s The End Of The Year As We Know It
In a lot of aspects, 2016 has been a bastard. Â These three sum it up nicely.
Try not to suck 2017.
<3 @laurenoneil
3D-printed Adidas 3D Runners
(from techcrunch.com)
The 3D Runners arenât going to change the sneaker world. Not yet, at least. For now, the technology isnât affordable or scalable enough for the mainstream shoe-buying public. The $333 price tag is simultaneously a nod to the technology that gave the shoes life and a reminder of its still prohibitive nature. But unlike the $700+ self-lacing Nike HyperAdapts that launched earlier this year in limited quantity, the underlying tech on Adidasâ new sneakers feel truly inevitable. (MORE HERE)
These shoes look amazing and everything but seriously WHEN CAN WE MAKE 3D PRINTER PIZZA??? Then I’d have a real reason to need these shoes to run off all the pizza dough.
âSaved By The Bellâ Pop-Up Announces National Tour While Extending Chicago Run
(from chicago.eater.com)
New Yearâs Eve was to mark the finale for Saved By The Max, the charming Chicago pop-culture pop-up that debuted in June based on the 1990s NBC show, Saved By The Bell. But hereâs a morning announcement: Theyâre extending the pop-up through May and adding new menu items from chef Brian Fisher, whoâs also killing it over at Entente in Lakeview. But the biggest news is that the pop-up will embark on a national tour after Chicagoâs run is done. The dates and locations arenât finalized, but Los Angeles should be an obvious stop.
Organizers Zack Eastman, Derek Berry and Steve Harris have now extended their run twice. Reservations for the Max have been booked solid for most of entire year, and it would seem the last six months have been stuffed with more than enough nostalgic âmember berries to sate fans of Zack Morris, Mr. Belding and Kelly Kapowski. Theyâve had celebrities, like Mario Lopez, stop by. (MORE HERE)
I still haven’t been. I really want to but Lauren told me when she was invited to the media opening night they asked her to check her phone at the door?? IS THAT STILL A THING?? Because…NOPE!! I’m sure it’s awesome though!! Love that it’s been so successful.
‘Super Mario Run’ is available now on iPhone: Is it good?
It’s a him, Mario ….on your iPhone! Nintendo released their first official mobile game exclusively today through Apple mobile devices, featuring the plumber like no other, Super Mario.The game is available now on iPhone, iTouch, and iPad. Nintendo will have the game available on Android phones at some point in 2017.
‘Super Mario RUN!’ is a vertical runner game that for a one-time fee of $9.99 has a revamp of all the classic Mario feels of jumping on Koopas and more on your smartphone. The gameplay looks pretty neat, but reviews are not saying it’s the be-all-end-all mobile game some might have expected. The reliable geeks of the Verge have a full review here . They say ‘RUN’ is not just “another automatic runner with a Mushroom Kingdom-themed coat of paint. Part of that is the look â a 2.5D visual style pulled from New Super Mario Bros. â and characters, items, and locations plucked from the NES and SNES era. But just as familiar is the specific sense of movement, the cleverly designed levels, the overall playful nature.Super Mario Run is a small but promising start, which is to say Nintendo, for all its innovations and creativity on its own hardware, is following the mobile gaming playbook to a T.”
IGN plays through it all in this detailed review covering the game play, graphics, and how the game delivers on it’s potential.
The biggest hangup about ‘Super Mario Run’ seems to be that the game is only available when you have an internet connection. IGN News has the info here, wher they explain why this is happening. This may hurt those of you who are careful of their data consumption or those not consistently tethered to a WI-FI network.
A Portable Record Player That Runs Rings Around Your Vinyl
(from nme.com)
In the late â70s, The Walkman made music truly portable. After the slightly wobbly CD equivalent, the Discman, we got Appleâs iPod and ultimate music-on-the-go goodness. Despite attempts with devices like the Sound Burger (watch it in action and want one forever), vinyl has never really been able to nail that freedom and mobility. Until now, that is. (MORE HERE)
Now I wish they would make a CTA train car version of this so I could combine my love of local Chicago trains and vinyl together.
INTERVIEW with Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco #Lounge
Panic! At The Disco live in the #Lounge
Panic! at the Disco in The Lounge
Wanna be the first to know who\’s coming into The Lounge next? Text LOUNGE\” to 312101 to get updates!
Uberâs self-driving cars in SF How long before they make it to Chicago
(from techcrunch.com)
Uberâs self-driving cars are making the move to San Francisco, in a new expansion of its pilot project with autonomous vehicles that will see Volvo SUVs outfitted with sensors and supercomputers begin picking up passengers in the city. (MORE HERE)
Lots of trust issues at play here and considering most modern GPS is unable to navigate Lower Wacker I doubt we need to worry about these self-driving cars coming to Chicago anytime soon.
New Chicago-Based App Could Help Soothe Winter Parking Woes
(from chicagoist.com)
Winter is in full, frigid swing, which means that parkingâeven more than usualâis squarely on the brain. Remnants of the weekend blizzard have been more or less shoveled out of the way, but the dibs vs. no-dibs debate has nevertheless re-raged, especially among those poor souls without off-street parking (i.e. most of us).
But a relatively new Chicago-based startup, ParqEx, has been working on a workaround. The app, which is headquartered in the West Loop and launched last year, allows users who have an unused parking space to it rent it out to those who need one, thereby sparing us all the indignity of so many patio-set-strewn streets. (MORE HERE)
This app looks cool and might be really great, but I have to say I’m a bit disappointed that it’s not just a kid and his little brother willing to save your spot for an hour for $5. Also “ParqEX” sounds so sophisticated, THE DIBS APP would’ve been everything!!
R.I.P Alan Thicke
2016 claimed another one. Alan Thicke passed away at 69. Apparently he had a heart attack while playing hockey with his son. The Hollywood Reporter has more HERE.
Od course you know him best from “Growing Pains” but Alan Thicke had quite the music career going as well. He wrot the themes for “Different Strokes,” “The Facts of Life and more.
And who can forget his 80’s hit “Sweaty and Hot.” (I had no idea this existed either.)
RIP to North America’s dad.
@TheLouLombardo
Snapchat introduces Groups with up to 16 people, plus new creative tools
(from techcrunch.com)
Snapchat has added some new features, including Groups, a new group chat that lets up to 16 friends share conversation and media. Group chats self-delete after 24 hours by default, and Snaps sent within a group can be opened only once, and replayed only once, by each member of the group, just like a regular Snap. (MORE HERE)
As long as I’m not forced to wear the Snapchat goggles I’m happy!!
My prediction for the future: INSTAGRAM WILL BE THE ONLY APP. Think about it. IG adapts (steals) every feature of other apps. Video, Stories, now you can go LIVE. All ideas taken from Vine, Snapchat and Facebook. It’s only a matter of time. YouTube, you’re next!!
‘Star Wars Holiday Special’ is the worst Christmas special ever
Youtube movie guru Chris Stuckman reviews it all with original footage in his his âHilarocityâ series. Beware some NSFW language in the video above.Â
Itâs almost Christmas and most of humanity is also pumped about the release this week of a new Star Wars film, âRogue Oneâ so thatâs good  right? This reminds me that we should never forget the pop culture disasterpiece that is the âStar Wars Holiday Specialâ. Yes, you may have heard about it and feared how it insults that galaxy far, far away so you avoided but yet you clicked here.Â
It is without a shadow of a doubt, the worst thing to ever have the ‘Star Wars’ name attached to it. No matter what your opinion may be on the sci-fi blockbuster film series which has spawned billions in merchandise and spin-off content but among those faithful to the Force, they all know this thing is the worst. Most SW fans would rather be thrown into the Sarlacc pit if it meant they could avoid a repeat viewing of this âshowâ. George Lucas himself, has said publicly that he wished this special was never made or released to the public.
The ‘Star Wars Holiday Special’ aired only once on CBS in November 1978 on the wave of popularity after the first film, and it featured the major stars of the original trilogy including Harrison Ford, Mark Hammil, and Carrie Fisher. It doesnât appear like these actors are excited to be there, based on their on-screen performances. Fisher sings a song that is dreadfully awkward. Ford performs like heâs waiting in a dentist office. And Hammil has a scene where he speaks directly into the camera with his face looking like a Ken doll for some reason.
Milwaukee’s favorite movie maniacs Red Letter Media roasted the SW Holiday Special in this Best of the Worst episode. NSFW language!
And then a parade of C-listers from late 70âs like Art Carney, Bea Arthur, Jefferson Starship, and Harvey Corman. The real meat of this dumpster fire on television is performed by Wookies. Yep, Chewbacaâs family is the focus of this special while they just speak to each other in unintelligible language without subtitles. They then pitched to various segments that all involve someone looking at a screen, so a lot of people basically Skype with each other in costumes.Â
The  overall story is pretty thin as Chewbacca is trying to make it back to his home planet for outer-space Chrismtas which is called “Life Day” with the Empire chasing after Han Solo and him in the Millennium Falcon. Then from there itâs just this all-over-the-place mash-up of weird cameo scenes, spliced-in footage from the actual movie, cringe-worthy comedy, and songs that sound like they were not good enough for an way-off-Broadway musical. The only worthwhile piece from this might be the first appearance of Boba Fett, the bounty hunter who helped bring in Han Solo in the films and has grown to have his own dedicated fan base within the SW universe. He appears in a brief animated segment.
If you want to punish yourself with this special, beware.
Worst Christmas Song Ever?
I was fighting my way through a toy store yesterday. It felt like it was 100 degrees. The store was packed and they had nothing but Christmas music blasting. I was putting up with it until this come on. I honestly believe this is the worst Christmas song I’ve come across. So, please enjoy Cindy Lauper’s “It Feels Like Christmas.”
…I’m sorry.
@TheLouLombardo
New Taco Place In Old Town
(from chicago.eater.com)
OLD TOWNâ The second iteration of Broken English Taco Pub has opened. It’s a collaboration between Phil Stefani, Adolfo Garcia and Carmen Rossi. Carmen Rossi owned the former concept, Pomp & Circumstance, and partnered with Stefani and Garcia so they could manage the space. The upstairs and patio area aren’t ready, but check out the cool mural. Status: Opening tonight, 1400 N. Wells St. (MORE HERE)
I love their location in downtown off of Michigan Ave. 75 E Lake St, Chicago, IL 60601 They use local muralist JC Rivera aka BEAR CHAMP for some of their pieces. Their downtown location could use a better selection of music…ahem… Other than that I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve experienced so far. – Marconi
Holidays Gift Items That Make It Look Like You Tried
(from chicagoist.com)
The holidays are here, meaning your arsenal of emergency gifts needs to be handy. You know, for unplanned visitors, like your Aunt Martha and that coworker that you didnât actually expect to give you a gift (âThanks! Who are you again?â).
Not that you should browse this list just to prepare for those awkward situations. These are all items worth snagging to present as thoughtful gifts to friends…or yourself, because youâd actually want these babies too. Check them out below:
Dripo 2-in-1 Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Who doesnât love a great cup of cold brew? The Dripo 2-in-1 Cold Brew Coffee Maker not only makes the perfect mug, itâs portable too. Perfect for those days when you might be rushing to the office, or if you need an easy pick-me-up on the trails. Just add coffee, a filter, and water â and two hours later, youâll be happily caffeinated.
Buy now: Get the Dripo 2-in-1 Cold Brew Coffee Maker for $28.95, marked down from the usual $39.95.
Bring the party to the party with this portable Mini Flip Cup Set. Relive your college glory days without (as much) of the mess with controlled flippers, which will let you go easy on that trigger finger. Line up eight mini cups for a 4×4 game, and watch things start to get interesting.
Buy now: Get the Mini Flip Cup Set for $49.99, marked down from the regular $59.99.
Cat Wine Is A Thing That Exists
Have you ever wanted to buy your cat wine so you can be silly bbs together? I did and this happened. pic.twitter.com/EvjnC4ZBIz
— Anna Akana (@AnnaAkana) December 12, 2016
Anna is one of my favorite YouTubers!! Check out her internet films at YouTube.com/AnnaAkana
Queued Up #206
1. Highly Suspect â My Name Is Human
2. Joseph â White Flag
3. Artificial Pleasure â Iâll Make It Worth Your While
4. Phantogram â Same Old Blues
5. Glass Animals â Pork Soda
6. Mondo Cozmo – Shine
7. Japandroids â Near To The Wild Heart Of Life
8. Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam â In A Black Out
9. Twenty One Pilots – Heavydirtysoul
10. Love Thy Brother â Love Me Better feat. Ariel Beesley
11. Cage The Elephant â Cold Cold Cold
12. A Tribe Called Quest â We The People
13. Mainland â Empty Promises
14. Strand of Oaks â Radio Kids
1. Bleeker – Highway
2. Silversun Pickups â Latchkey Kids
3. The Jesus and Mary Chain – Amputation
4. Kongos â The World Would Run Better
5. American Authors â Iâm Born To Run
6. The Orwells â They Put a Body In The Bayou (Local)
7. Blaenavon â My Bark Is Your Bite
8. Rag\’n\’Bone Man – Human
9. Panic! At The Disco â Death Of A Bachelor
10. Sundara Karma â She Said
11. Missio – Twisted
12. Imagine Dragons – Levitate
13. Cemetery Sun â Fake Love
14. Kaleo â All The Pretty Girls
15. Night Riots â Nothing Personal
