Monday, February 15, 2010

How to Make it in America


After months of hearsay, HBO’s ‘How to Make it in America’ premiered last night with a bang. Quickly being dubbed the east coast version of Entourage, this new sitcom has more than just executive producer Marky-Mark in common. The show follows the lives of two friends in New York trying to hustle their way to the top. (Think Vince and Eric pre-Hollywood, lacking a quirky fat friend and utterly worthless brother of course). A third cast member of note is A Kid named Cudi. He initially takes on a purposeless ensemble role that will presumably blossom. If nothing else, he should direct a noteworthy soundtrack. The show still lacks identity, but is without doubt deserving of your Sunday night viewership. And don’t forget to turn the surround up for this one.



Along with the premier, HBO teamed up with Kid Cudi, DJ Green Lantern & Broke Mogul (DECON) to create “How to Make it In America: The Mixtape”. Hosted by Cudi, he chimes in through out the mixtape discussing the show, cast and his acting aspirations.The mixtape features a variation of music including Dan Black with Cudi, Phoenix, Lupe Fiasco and more. Download (below)
How to Make it in American - The MixTape

Saturday, February 13, 2010

2010 Winter Olympics: The 5-Ringed Circus

Excuse the cynicism and the seemingly bitter tone of this bout of antagonism, but the Olympics are nothing more than a modern day version of a Barnum and Baily 3-ring circus (on a much larger scale, of course). Let me start by pointing out the monies squandered on the Olympics. Earlier this month, the total expenditure on this worldly event was estimated at 6 billion dollars (600 million of that is coming from taxpayers, yeah, that's you and I). Thirty to 40 million of that total was poured into the opening ceremonies that finished up last night and can be described as an anti-climatic and overly exorbitant calamity that featured multiple lit-up bears, the cast of the Nutcracker, and an embarrassing cauldron malfunction. I'm not even going to comment on the much more deserving outlets that 6 billion dollars could have been redirected at with extensive benefit...

Friday, February 12, 2010

Professional's Toolkit (Part 1): Writing in Style

If you've recently jumped the one-in/one-out line and entered the potentially lucrative but oh so overrated world of Club 9-2-5 then I'd recommend doing so with style. Fashion statements at work come few and far between but one dimension that allows you to individualize yourself and express idiosyncratic flavor is through your writing utensil. A pen you may ask? Yes, however lame it may seem, equipping oneself with the right writing utensil is a statement of prestige and sophistication. It's time to drop the Bic that you found in the back of your desk and upgrade to a fine writing utensil that carries with it an air of "I'm about my bui'ness" mentality. A samurai has his sword, a general has his firearm, and the savvy businessman has his pen. So, we've provided below several different tiers of writing utensils that range from up-and-coming businessmen, to mid-level shot-callers, to the elite C-suite executive. Although it's not necessary to pick up MontBlanc's Limited Edition Mystery Masterpiece ($730,000), every businessman or entrepreneur should consider an upgrade immediately. So, what's your weapon of choice?


Up-and-Coming: MonteVerde, Cross, Parker, Shaeffer

On the Precipice: Versace, Waterman, Visconti, MonteGrappa, Delta

The Executive Suite: MontBlanc, S.T. Dupont, Cartier, Omas

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

What happened to beer pong?

With fair weather and free spirit around the corner, an abundance of music festivals have recently unveiled their prized lineups to the general public. We’ve seen Coachella and Bonnaroo garnish a majority of the attention, but what may be equally as impressive, is what lies in Nashville, Tennessee at Vanderbilt University. The Rights of Spring Music festival continues to play the part of David amongst multiple Goliaths. Following up a 2009 lineup that featured The Flaming Lips, Okkervil River, and N.E.R.D., Vanderbilt University students will ditch the frat parties, keg stands and late night runs to Taco Bell to hang with Ben Harper & Relentless7, Drake, Phoenix, Passion Pit, Cold War Kids, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and Doug E. Fresh for the 2010 show. If you’re looking to take a campus visit, we’d recommend April 23-24.


Cold War Kids - Audience

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Super Bowl Victor: Doritos or Saints?

Those that flipped the traditional TV script and watched the Super Bowl as the "commercial break" while TiVo'ing the commercials as the main source of entertainment are probably in the majority. The viewership that this media frenzy amasses (nearly 100 million) is impetus for an incredible price tag due to public attention that spurs subsequent traffic and brand saliency ($3.1 million for a 30 second ad slot!). Thus, we ask those that were able to sit from the start to the finish (and somehow make it through The Who), who the real winner of the Super Bowl was?

Sunday, February 7, 2010

The Nexxxt Generation of Fitness: The Shake Weight

I'm an advocate of working out and maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle, but whatever happened to doing it the old fashioned way (healthy diets and standard workouts)? America's obsession with quick fixes (try to find an infomercial without it saying "quick", "easy", fastest", etc.) and overreliance on paying for results has created a market for pseudo-scientific fitness products. Economics 101: Where there is market demand, opportunistic entrepreneurs and businesses are sure to surface with supply. Mix this with the sex sells mantra and some odd products are sure to hit the market. First came Carmen Electra's Aerobic Striptease, then came the Stripper Pole workout, then came Flirty Girl Fitness, and now this...

[Maturity test: Watch without laughing and we will send you an autographed bag of Swedish Fish.]