Archive for the 'Variety' Category

Listen to Bacon Sizzle on Internet Radio

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on October 9, 2008
in Variety
. 0 Comments

Tuesday night I was on Planet Comic Book Radio, with host Javier. We talked about every project I am in to, so the hour went by fast. Here is Javier’s summery of the show:

This episode of PLANET COMIC BOOK RADIO is probably the most wide-ranging in terms of topics! Jason Mosley writes web-comics, hosts a podcast called TALK OBJECTIVISM, blogs about bacon, and is a creative artist from Pittsburgh. I actually was a guest, twice!, on Mosley’s radio show, mainly talking about Steve Ditko, the legendary co-creator of Spider-Man and a follower of the philosophy of Objectivism. Jason’s an engaging speaker, with a strong drive for the things he believes in. Get an Active Mind and give this episode a listening. A is A.

You can listen to the two part interview on PCBR’s website: Part I and Part II

Since we are talking about radio shows I want to make an announcement, I am going to create “Bacon Radio”. Just like Talk Objectivism, Bacon Radio is going to be an interactive podcast. It’s going to be about the same stuff this blog is about, but to add a little something special to it, it’s going to be co-hosted by Sean Brett. Sean is the reliable bacon source I mention on this site from time to time. Bacon is just about the only thing we can agree on, everything else he’s is the opposite. I feel that this is why it’s going to be an interesting show.

We are going to start recording it Wednesday nights at 7pm EST. If you want to be part of bacon history, all you have to do is be at your computer by 7pm October 15th. Every Wednesday night I will post this show notes and a link to the show.

Planet Comic Book Radio appearance

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on October 6, 2008
in Variety
. 0 Comments

Tuesday October 7th, 2008 I will be on Planet Comic Book Radio (PCBR) with host Javier Hernandez, creator of El Muerto. The show is about independent comic books so we will be talking about my web comic Blue Monster Fire, which I produce with Matt Gondek.

The show starts 8pm EST and you can listen live from the PCBR website. Here is the flyer announcing my appearance on the show.

We will also be talking about an interview Javier helped setup for my podcast Talk Objectivism. He was able to book Blake Bell on my show to talk about the book he wrote about Steve Ditko, an Objectivist comic book artist.

It should be a lot of fun promoting and talking about all three of my projects.

I can’t cook bacon in the dark

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on September 16, 2008
in Variety
. 4 Comments

Last Sunday a really nasty wind storm blew through Pittsburgh knocking down trees and power lines. The little suburb that I live in called Bellevue was one of the hardest hit. My power went out around 9pm Sunday night and has not turned back on since. I called Duquesne Light and they told me that my power should be back on no later than Friday evening.

Thankfully I have a gas stove and hot water heater so I can still take a hot shower and cook hot meals. If it wasn’t for my iPhone I would have no outside communication when I was at home. It’s nice to be able to still check email and twitter to pass the time. I take my computer and iPhone to work every day to recharge them for the next night. I feel like a geek in the dark ages or a nomad looking for power to recharge my devices.

I hope to still update this blog when I find internet in the evenings. Also I would like to report that I cannot cook bacon in the dark. It’s impossible since I don’t have a cold cellar to keep it in or a light that can light my whole kitchen (cooking while holding a flash light is hard work).

If you have any ideas on how the pass the time without power please share them.

Update: My power is now back on!

Everyone needs a vintage looking vending machine

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on September 10, 2008
in Variety
. 0 Comments

Last month I told you about the USB mini fridge that could keep one can of pop or PBR chilled. Today I want to tell you about its bigger brother, the Retro Style Refrigerated Vending Machine. The vending machine can hold 3 different flavors of 6 cans each (18 total cans). You push the button of the flavor you want and enjoy.

This would be great for a living room or den. Think about how convenient it would be to not have to leave the living room to get a fresh beer or pop. It’s priced at 159.99, so I am not sure if the convenience is worth that. Now if it also dispensed cook bacon, it would be a no brainer.

The Go Plate: almost a good idea

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on August 27, 2008
in Variety
. 5 Comments

When I found the Go Plate, for the first 30 seconds I was like, “Wow, that’s a good idea”! Then I looked at the photos of the product a little closer. How are you supposed to drink your beverage and hold the plate at the same time? If you did all your food would fall out. This seems to only be good for people that drink beer through a straw.

Now I know what your thinking, “Mosley, couldn’t you just take the plate off when you want to drink?” Sure, but that sounds like a lot of trouble. I would rather sit my drink down somewhere. Why add extra work for myself?

Here is my last beef with this thing, it’s too small. When I eat at a cookout I need a bigger plate, not a smaller one. It looks like you could barely fit a bacon burger, and few different kinds of potato salad (every cookout usually ends up with five different versions of this salad). I need a plate that can fit everything in one trip.

Since we are talking about cookouts, feel free to share your favorite bacon cookout recipes via comments.

Attention slow drivers: I hate you!

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on August 6, 2008
in Variety
. 10 Comments

On Monday I woke up a little late for work. Everything started off as planned for me to only be 5 minuets late. I took a fast shower, skipped packing my lunch, and didn’t check my email before running out the door. These were things I sacrificed to save time and my ass.

Once on the road, I was making record time. It was like the traffic lights knew I needed their help, they all turned green as I approached. At 9:00 am. I wasn’t worried, I had 7 more minutes to go until I had to be at my desk.

Everything changed when I noticed that I had caught up to the car ahead me a little to quickly. At that point I checked my speed and saw I had slowed down to 30 MPH. The posted speed limit was 45 MPH. I looked through their back window to see if I saw any sign of trouble. The driver looked calm and the car seemed to run fine.

After my close inspection of the car and driver, I noticed a speed limit sign ahead. I thought at this point they would notice the sign, check their speed, and correct their error. That didn’t happen.

The traffic behind me began to beep their horns and ride my ass. Me, being a peace-loving bacon-lover, I didn’t join in. Well…then again maybe I did ride their ass and point angrily at every speed limit sign we passed (we passed 4). I was pissed.

Finally, after my dream of only being 5 minutes late were shattered, we came to a light. Thankfully, they headed for the turning lane and cleared my path. When I passed them, I was sure to give them a few hateful looks.

Long story short, I was 20 minutes late for work because some ass couldn’t read a speed limit sign. I still can’t figure out why someone would drive like that. Did they really not know it was a 45 MPH zone? Also, if they were broke down, why didn’t they turn on their flashers and move to the shoulder? The only reason you have to drive under the speed limit is weather related. Other than that, you have no excuse.

At this time, I would like to point out that the car in the picture above is not the car I was stuck behind. If I would have been stuck behind a bacon car, this would have be a totally different post.

Wolf Parade and Ratatat

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on July 8, 2008
in Variety
. 3 Comments

Today the new Ratatat CD named “LP3” came out. After playing the hell out of their “Classics” CD I was really excited to hear what ear candy they had in store this time. If you don’t know, Ratatat is a two man instrumental band that blends guitar melody with alien keyboards. The music makes you want to day dream and create your own stories to the soundtrack. So I took a ride to the store to pick it up.

While I was at the store I noticed another CD I heard about, Wolf Parade’s “At Mount Zoomer”. After picking it up to better inspect the artwork, I saw it was only $7.99. For that price I figured it was worth the risk and took it up to the register with Ratatat.

After listening to both these CDs I am really impressed with Ratatat again. I never got the chance to listen to their first album (many people say it’s their best) but the 2nd and 3rd sound good to me. Wolf Parade was a pleasant surprise. Out of the two this one will be the one I’ll listen to the most. It’s slow, but hidden away are some real pop hooks and energy. I can’t put my finger in it but there is something special about this CD.

Ratatat “LP3” – Mirando

Wolf Parade “At Mount Zoomer” – Language City

Above are a few MP3 samples for you to check out. If you enjoy them, be sure to support the band and buy their Album.

The Unabridged Tokyo Police Club Interview

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on July 7, 2008
in Variety
. 2 Comments

A few months ago when Tokyo Police Club came to Pittsburgh I got the chance to interview Graham Wright their keyboardist. He was a lot of fun to talk to and I think the 12 minute interview went great.

There is a lot of hockey talk in the beginning of the interview because at that time the Pittsburgh Penguins were playing the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs. If you are not a hockey fan don’t worry that’s not all we talked about. We also talked about bacon, record labels, favorite colors, and technology, so there is something here for everyone.

Here is the full transcription of the interview:

Mr. Baconpants: When I found out that I was going to get the chance to interview you guys, I asked my readers to email me some questions. If these are a little bizarre, don’t worry about it.

Tokyo Police Club: It’s great. They’re from the public.

MBp: Yeah, they are. So obviously, it’s Pittsburgh, we’re in the playoffs—do you guys follow hockey at all?

TPC: Absolutely. But we’re not in the playoffs, so no.

MBp: Are you rooting for Ottawa?

TPC: No! Are you kidding? We can’t root for Ottawa. They’re the hated Senators from just up the highway. The other Ontario team, I can’t root for them. It’s rough. My two favorite Canadian teams are the Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers. When you like both those teams, you can’t you really like any of the other Canadian teams… So yeah, I don’t know, it’s one of those years when I guess I could just pick a team to root for. It’s not really fun if you’re not rooting for a team, but none of my teams are in it.
Continue reading ‘The Unabridged Tokyo Police Club Interview’

Six games I obsessively play on my Nintendo Wii

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on June 27, 2008
in Variety
. 7 Comments

Near the beginning of the year I finally got my greasy hands on a Nintendo Wii. So far I would say it’s been a fun and enjoyable investment. Since I am what they call a “casual gamer”, it was a match made in heaven. Here is a short list of the games I have been playing.

Wii Games:
Mario Galaxy – I am a big fan of Mario games and this is by far the best I have played on any of the Nintendo systems. It took me back to when I first played Mario 64 and was wowed by the 3D. This time Mario wowed me with is intuitive game play with the Wiimote.
Boom Blox – I read about this game in Wired Magazine when I was at the airport coming back from Philly. The very next week I ran out and bought it and have been happy with it ever since. It’s a great party game, since it takes seconds to learn how to play.
Smash Brothers – I don’t own this game but just about everyone I know does. Every time I play it, it’s a blast. If I ever see it cheap at Gamestop I will pick it up.

Virtual Console/Wii Ware:
Bubble Bobble (VC) – This is a classic that never gets old. When I need to mellow out this is the game I play. It’s best to play this game with a friend; since I hear that the last boss is impossible (I have yet to make it to the last level).
Dr. Mario RX – This game drives me crazy, but I still love it. If I feel like hating myself and yelling at the TV this is the game I play. It’s one of the most challenging Tetris clones ever made.
Toki Tori – I love a good puzzle game and after reading a few reviews I picked Toki Tori. So far it’s been an enjoyable game to play, but it’s not as challenging as I hoped it would be. But after playing Dr Mario for a few hours this is a good game to unwind to, since I can actually beat this game.

So those are the six Wii games I play the most. Let me know what yours are via comment or email.

How to survive a business meeting

Published
by
Jason Mosley
on June 17, 2008
in Variety
. 0 Comments

At work sometimes I have to sit through long boring meetings. I have learned over the years to tune these meetings out and still look active in the conversation. I am not saying that I do this every meeting, but I would say every 1 out of 3 meetings I am tuned out.

How to survive a meeting alone:

1. Bring Paper – This is essential, without it you’re forced to just look off into space. When you have paper you can doodle or make a to-do list for your week. This will give the impression that you are taking notes.
2. Day Dream – This one is tricky. You can only do it in meetings that you are confident that you’re not going to get asked to talk. If you think you will have to talk you’re better off sticking with the doodling method, you can doodle and still listen at the same time.
3. Bathroom Escape – If all else fails and you need to get out of there, leave for the bathroom. Doing this can buy you about 10 minutes of freedom, and hopefully when you return the meeting is wrapping up.

How to survive a meeting with a buddy:

1. Funny Face Game – If you have a buddy in the meeting with you, sometimes it’s fun to make faces at each other. The first person to laugh or get caught by the boss loses.
2. Secret Word Game – Before the meeting pick a business buzzword and see who can say it the most times during the meeting. After the meeting the highest word count wins.
3. Buzzword Bingo – Before the meeting make some Bingo cards with buzzwords or phrases in the boxes. The first person to get bingo and work saying the word bingo in the meeting wins. Remember, until you say bingo during the meeting, other players can still play their cards. So you’re going to have to be gutsy and quick-witted to win this game.

If you have any tips on how to make it through a meeting please share via a comment.