Kings of Leon

So last year when I was a WoW zombie for a few months and creating a blood elf huntress, the Hour with George Strombo(ulopoulos) was interviewing Kings of Leon in the background. It was my first introduction to the band on the verge of exploding exposure and popularity in the 'mericas. What captivated my attention about this band of brothers (and one cousin) is their past as a family of traveling Christian musicians having come from a family of Christian occupation myself. 

Kings of Leon's Christian up-bringing sheltered them from "secular" music, except the odd rock album their dad would play when their mother wasn't around. I'm guessing they grew up on some DC Talk, Hillsongs 

perhaps, definitely the Gaithers, Newsboys (No breakfast in hell). Apparently, "crimson and

 clover" was huge turning point for the young musicians who fell in love with the guitar riffs. 

Now before this band made it big in the US they were huge in the UK. While they received celebrity status across the pond, in the US they were largely unknown and unrecognized. This changed after opening for megabands like U2, Pearl Ja

m and artist Bob Dylan. During their interview with George (which I'm downloading now to ma

ke sure my info is correct) they talk about hanging out with Bob Dylan and how he encouraged them to write great lyrics.

On the band's official web p

age, the bio talks about Caleb Followill's (the lead singer/songwriter) s

truggle to fi

nd confidence in his voice through his lyrics. He says, 

"I just hid my singing for so long because I was nervous that people would listen to my lyrics, assume I wasn't intelligent because I'm from Tennessee, and pick me apart, so that's why I sang the way I did. But going into this, I knew these melodies that we were playing were too beautiful for me to fuck it up. I had to go for it."

With resilience and perseverance, the band has made thei

r album the number one seller on iTunes and sells out concerts across the world. 

Now I wanted to imbed their Use Somebody video here, but the option was disabled by request. So here's the link instead.

Smith and Kerns

For those men who enjoy a sweet drink, try the Smith and Kerns, or even better, it's bastard brother the Smith and Wesson. The Smith and Kerns is layered first with Kahlua, then followed by light cream, and topped off with Pepsi or Coke. The Smith and Wesson adds a shot of Vodka to the mix. Your final results is a layered popsicle looking drink with a masculine enough name as to not feel embarrassed in front of your business partners. 

Negroni

I have yet to try a good negroni yet. It's elegant in appearance but harsh in the pallet. It's like being hit in the mouth with a fistful of feet. Composed of an ounce each of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari then garnished with an orange and a splash of bitters, this pungent potion tastes horrible and invokes memories of Buckley's cough syrup commercials, "Tastes bad, works GOOD!" However, those who do enjoy the drink swear by it, so I'll just assume I haven't had one indie style yet. When ordering this retro drink, if your server looks at you sideways and needs to ask around to find out the recipe, change your order to a rum and coke. 

Home Wind Turbines can leave you green... with CASH

People have yet to catch on that going green means more money in your pocket. It saves you money and reduces your overhead costs. Which means more money for you to invest or spend elsewhere. For example, wind turbines in your back yard can generate enough energy for your home to reduce your utilities bill by 50-90 percent, and it is not uncommon for those with turbines to have bills of 8-15$ for at least nine months of the year. If you're spending what my landlord is spending on utilities, then that would save you easily around 100$ per month. Furthermore, having your own independent energy source will mean you're not susceptible to fluctuating energy prices.

The costs of a wind turbine can range dramatically from less than $1k to more than $7k. The Air X residential wind turbine retails for less than a thousand dollars, cheaper than solar panels. For a full review check out the greentech gazette. 

If a flying rotor is not your thing, or if the neighbors complain about its appea

rance, no problem, a Canadian engineer has made a rooftop turbine, the Mag-Wind Vertical Axis Turbine that makes no noise, is highly efficient, works fine during the winter, and is visually appealing. What's really neat about this turbine is that it uses the roof as a sail to funnel stronger winds into its metallic sails. Niagara WindPower will give Canadian residents a free analysis.

Wow, sounds like an informercial. I need to turn my tv off before i fall asleep.

Guerilla Gardeners Transforming Cities

Guerilla Gardeners are reclaiming ravished and ignored plots of land and rejuvenating and rehabilitating neglected city spots into planted paradise. What they do is find a plot of land that needs gardening, then plant whatever they want in that spot. It is technically considered vandalism since it's done on city property without permission. But the Guerilla Gardeners would prefer forgiveness over permission. Permission just takes too much time and effort.  Why? To make the world a better place. Way to go Guerilla Gardeners, you have my support, moral that is.