Uch, just SO good...

A power ballad, the might of which is only bested by the 80s-awesomeness of its video...

Ladies and gentlemen, When You Close Your Eyes by NIGHT RANGER.

Beernorah

Great googily moogily!  Apparently someone who shares my love of both craft beer and the Festival of Lights made this latkelicious menorah.  Shmaltz Brewing Company (the makers of HE'BREW) pump out some good suds, if you've never tried them.  And, apparently, their bottles make for great candlesticks.  Anyway, just thought it was cool--not to mention wonderfully inappropriate that there's a little kid behind looking in awe.  That's right, Mom and Dad, start 'em young.

Now You're A Man!

Just because.

MIXED BAG: Vampires/Tea Bagging/Almost Famous Edition

This weekend I bore witness to the newest installment of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn Pt. 1.  No, I didn't go willingly; I was stealthy guilted into it by my Wife, who's birthday was this weekend and who definitely used it against me (rest assured, husbands of the world...she will suffer greatly.  I will see it done).  Now, I'm not in the business of baseless disparagement...so, luckily, this next comment comes with a great deal of factual foundation: THE TWILIGHT MOVIES ARE SO, SO, SO, DOUBLE-SO BAD.  Watching them makes me sink into a state of awed, depressive frustration so much so that I have to consciously remind myself that people--not to mention my perception of modern day vampires--are not actually that ridiculous, lest I walk out of the movie theatre and impale myself on the nearest rusty spike.

Now, I will admit--and please know I say this with immeasurable amounts of self-loathing--that having seen the rest of the series, this installment is by far the best.  But understand that this doesn't speak to the greatness of this particular movie, rather the inaneness of the others.  The acting--to use the term loosely--is only debased by the scripting (oy vey) which, in turn, suffers at the hand of some seriously contrived plot lines.  Each movie is 90+ minutes of eye and ear-burning pain; basically, it is the cinematic equivalent of being tied to a chair while someone who just ate their weight in Chipotle farts into a ziplock bag and then fastens it, securely, over your head.

Moving on: The 2011 Video Game Awards.  Awesomeness.  Dorky and wonderful all at the same time.  Even if you're not a fan of video games--and for that, by the way, you should be cast into a fiery, Balrog-infested chasm--the annual VGAs are pretty damn entertaining.  Especially with this year's inclusion of a new notification system for when a winner's speech has gone on too long (see below).  Props to Bethesda Game Studio's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for taking home the Game Of The Year award.  Just thought I'd share

Finally, saw Kaleigh Baker live at Naks by the Tracks in Exeter, PA.  If any of you have the opportunity to see her, DO IT...she is phenomenal.  And the sax player that accompanied her was equally as stirring (ach, sorry, my man...don't remember your name!)  It was pretty outstanding, though...his saxamaphoning provided a perfect harmony to her Janis-like vocals.  And the intimate, smoky bar setting couldn't have been a more perfect venue.  Check her out...she is big-time talent.