Smart squee.

This is a video everyone should see:

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.ca/flat2.asp?id=6852

Dove's onto something, but can it really affect change?

We'll see.

Let us know what you think.

Exclusive squee.

Here's some exclusive pics from squeeworthy artist Robin Thicke performing in New York City at the new Borders at Penn Plaza.

Robin Thicke is a fan of investment banking, mutual funds, and singing.


Robin is also a fan of my skilled camera work.*
*Holding cameras up over large crowds and hoping something worth showing comes out.


Robin Thicke and a Treo! (I told you they were squee.)

What to Listen to This Tuesday: 10/9

Nothing is inspiring me this week enough to persuade you to buy it, so I'm going to tell you what you should retroactively go and buy from two weeks ago. "Weird Al" Yankovic's Straight Outta Lynwood.

Weird Al may be admittedly "weird," but he surely isn't dumb. For one, he was his graduating class's valedictorian in high school, and has a degree in Architecture. Secondly, the guy is one of the best in the game at creating song parodies.

He's had some great moments in music parody history, including some of my all-time favorites, "Amish Paradise" (Bad Hair Day) and "Eat It" (Even Worse). Aside from being really crafty in the lyrics department, the guy also actually bothers to secure the permission from the original artists every time he does a cover. He doesn't need to. (Prince has yet to accept his invitation. Ever.)

His latest single, "White & Nerdy," a cover of Chamillionare's hit "Ridin," helped his album score a spot on the Billboard 200 (#9, his highest debut to date) and iTunes' Top 10 most downloaded songs. The video for the song is a little bit too hilarious for me to describe, so I suggest you watch it and try not to pee yourself with laughter.

The background dancing cameo by Donny Osmond did me in. Oh. And when he makes out with a roll of bubble wrap.

You'll see.



Squeeworthy tracks to download:

- "Confessions, Pt. 3" (Usher's "Confessions, Pt. 2")
"I haven't changed my underwear in 27 days! And when I'm kissing you, I fantasize you're a midget. I'm so sorry, Debbie. ...I mean, Bridget."

- "Trapped In the Drive-Thru" (R. Kelly's "Trapped In the Closet")
"I dunno. Do you wanna get something delivered? She's like, Why would I wanna eat liver? I don't even like liver! I'm like, No. I said delivered. She's like, I heard you say liver! I'm like, I should know what I said. She's like, Whatever! I just don't want any liver!"

Yummy squee.

"Chocolate or vanilla?" was probably the most confusing question I have been asked...ever while trying to ordering a Frosty at Wendy's. Don't you mean, "Chocolate or chocolate?"

Since 1969, there was no need to specify a flavor. If you ordered a Frosty, it was inherently chocolaty. In 2006, however, there is, so watch out.

I didn't even know there was such a thing until I was offered a choice. Out of pure curiosity, I elected to try the vanilla. I don't think anyone else knew, either. Wendy's should thank me for a 1% increase in Vanilla Frosty sales in the North East because of my story. I got at least five people to try the stuff.

Well, I've gotta tell you, it tastes exactly the way one think it would - like a Vanilla Frosty. If you're into vanilla, you'll love it. If you fear change or have a coco addiction, I think I should just let you be with the Original.

If you want to convert more VFF (Vanilla Frosty Fans), give them out for Halloween. (No, not the actual frozen dairy dessert. That would ruin someones hard-earned sweet stash. Coupons.) They're a great alternative to candy bars, unless you're lactose intolerant. 300 million Frostys are served at Wendy's every year, so they're in the minority on October 31st as far as I'm concerned.

This isn't the first restaurant-type establishment shaking things up. Beginning this week, Starbucks Coffee Company is sampling out breakfast sandwiches with their spiffy new warming station. I know many-a-Barista, and used to wear a green apron myself, so I was cool enough to try one last week.

As a fan of late-night breakfast sandwich snacking at rival Dunkin' Donuts, they're giving them a run for their money. Also, these are made in a really giant EZ Bake oven type device, and not a microwave. This, in a weird way, mimics the difference between Subway and Quiznos. It all comes down to liking things mmm...toasty.

Try them both and let us know if you think they're as squeeworthy as I do.

Did you know?
Research shows that nearly a third of adults have dipped french fries into a Frosty (or know someone who has). Whether or not this research is scientifically sound, I don't know.

What to Listen to This Tuesday: 10/2

In the spirit of "New Music Tuesdays" when new albums are released to stores and the Internet, I bestow you with a new weekly entry called "What to Listen to This Tuesday," every Monday. (Have I lost you yet?)

I'm basically giving you 24 hours to contemplate and buy. It would be pointless if I did it on Wednesdays. Unless you're Marty McFly.

This week, I am THIS close to breaking out a pocket watch and waving it in front of your collective faces to pick up Robin Thicke's new album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke.

Where you may already know him from:

• Will Smith - "Switch (R&B Remix)"
• That Sprite commercial with the long-haired bike messenger
• Reruns of The Wonder Years
• The one good song from the In the Mix soundtrack

Son of Growing Pains actor Alan Thicke, Robin began his entertainment career as a young actor, and later segued into songwriting and producing for artists such as Brian McKnight, Usher, Jordan Knight, Christina Aguilera, Mya, and Michael Jackson.

His 2003 debut album, A Beautiful World, gained popularity with the lead single, "When I Get You Alone," featuring a sample of Walter Murphy's "A Fifth of Beethoven." (If you ever rented Saturday Night Fever or know Beethoven's original, you're nodding right about now.)

After collaborating with Pharrell Williams on "Wanna Love You Girl" and signing to StarTrak, Robin's new album was slated for a third quarter 2005 release. This was later pushed back to January 2006, then February, and then every subsequent month thereafter, driving fans like me absolutely psycho. This album is well overdue, and it's finally coming out tomorrow.

Featuring artists like Lil' Wayne and Faith Evans, this album manages to maintain his unique point of view, and delves into a bit more mainstream R&B, soul sound.

Why is Robin Thicke squeeworthy? If you're looking to diversify your iTunes playlist, this is the artist to make it happen. (He also looks really good in a suit.)

Squeeworthy songs:

• "Ask Myself"
• "Lost Without U"
• "Got 2 Be Down"
  

Smart squee.

Put away your books and break out the No. 2 pencil. Here's a math equation for you:

A man is walking across a railroad bridge that goes from point A to point B. He starts at point A, and when he is 1/4th of the way across the bridge, he hears a train approaching. If the train's speed is 60MPH, how many passengers onboard are reading a James Patterson book?

Answer: 1/3.

That's right. Take a look around you on any plane, train, or automobile and you are guaranteed to spot someone reading a James Patterson book. Deemed "The man who can't miss" by Time Magazine, Patterson may be better known to your parents as the author of the Alex Cross series, or the Women's Murder Club. To your friends, he's the guy that created the butt-kicking kids with wings.

Maximum Ride, a best-selling novel on the New York Times Best Sellers List, is not your ordinary book. It comes complete with an uber-cool website (MaximumRide.com), a message board popularized by almost 10,000 fans, a MySpace, and its own soundtrack! That's right. A book with a soundtrack.


I first discovered this series after learning about The Summer Obsession's involvement on the CD. Featuring more cool music by Holly Brook (The girl from the hook on Fort Minor's hit "Where'd You Go") and other up and coming artists, the characters "hand-picked" the bands and songs that represented them and their story the best.

Never one to turn down a great blog, the characters post updates on Fang's blog, letting "Flock" fans know what they're up to between books. With all the secret files and cool pictures, no wonder readers are addicted to this!

Their story is intense, fun, and funny. If you're a fan of sarcasm, take some notes from Max. If you like the tall, dark, and quiet type, you're bound to squee over Fang. (According to their MySpace, Iggy, the blind pyrotechnic genius of the group may be giving him a run for his money, though!)

The third installment in the series, Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, hits stores May 2007. Rumor has it there may be a movie in the works. With the cool wing special effects in the latest X-Men movie (Remember Angel?), this should be something no one wants to miss!


Squeeworthy site extras:

• Listen to the Holly Brook/Max Ride podcast
• Watch exclusive Max Ride videos from The Summer Obsession

Geeky squee.

I remember when I bought my first iPod. I couldn't wait to have all my music in one spot and not have to lug around some dumb portable CD player ever again. I could wait, however, to rip the hundreds of CDs I had accumulated over the years. Ew.

After tackling 14 stacks of CDs, seven hours of monotonous iTunes babysitting, and going near-blind thanks to the constant flickering glow of my monitor, I had to put all these dumb things back into their jewel cases.

Why couldn't I just bribe someone with a bag of Cheetos to do this for me, I wondered.

Look no further, because I am about to do you a huge favor: www.riptopia.com

Yup. It may not be for a bag of puffy cheese snack goodness, but your time, vision, and sanity are well worth the expense.

For a $1.49 per CD, you can have each of your discs ripped at 192 kbps (That's a good thing, by the way...) complete with cover art, shipping and insurance. Your CDs and a DVD containing your newly ripped music is mailed back to you, ready for your iPod.

If you're really lazy, you can buy a preloaded iPod from Riptopia. They're Authorized Apple Resellers, so you know you're not getting some refurbished first generation brick back. It's just like buying a brand new one from the Apple Store, but all of your favorite songs are magically on it, right out of the box.

In other cool iPod news, ordering your iPod through Apple.com allows you to get free engraving and free shipping.

Squeeworthy engraving suggestions include:

- This iPod is filled with Squee!
- Warning: This iPod contains squee.
- I squee for music!
- I wish I paid a bag of Cheetos for this.