Blog: Wine & Bowties

Before Lebron and Dwight redefined the term domination, Shaq was known as the definition of such. This is just a reminder. I think Shaq has the best dunk to dunked on ratio. I can't even remember a time when Shaq got dunked on. Shawn Bradley on the other hand .

Can't say a lot about Thom that hasn't already been said by just about every music critic on the face of the planet. The dude makes amazing music. Though his and Radiohead's songs aren't always instantly accessible, it's the kind of music that just grows on you. Every time you listen to one of their albums (or Yorke's fantastic solo album Eraser for that matter), you find something new to appreciate. His cover of alt-rocker Mark Mulcahy's "All For the Best", is a good example. On first listen I liked it. Now I can't stop playing it. [...]

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As a land or water dwelling crustacean, the hermit crab is one of natures most adaptable animals. The soft inner abdomen of the hermit crab is their most vulnerable area, and in defense seek out empty sea shells for protection. To further camouflage themselves, hermit crabs sometimes carry other organisms like anemones along as well, further disguising them from predators. Interestingly enough, when a hermit crab changes shells, often the anemone will also transfer to th e new shell and continue along with the crab. The lifespan [...]

The highly anticipated Church League Champions mixtape has arrived, and once again the Pac Div boys deliver in a major way. This shit is seriously dope. To be real, there's no limit to what a group like this can do. Clearly all three of them can spit, but just as important, they have the taste and discretion with beats to potentially make some classic shit. On top of that, they know how to rock a live show. "The moral of the story," says the group of the mixtape, "is never [...]

I'm not quite sure how they do it, but Urban Outfitters has managed to stay on point with theirs for a while now. Alarmingly on point to be frank. Here we have a corporation, that maneuvers like it's a local mom and pop store, just with extraordinary inventory. Although late on their adoption of the fixed gear movement, Urban Outfitters entrance into the bike game is a straight up power move. While riding fixed gear may be a growing trend, fucking with bikes is a lifestyle choice. For UO to associate with that is, quite frankly brilliant. [...]

I think we're just scratching the surface of where we're going artistically in the world. Amazing works pop up each day, people harnessing their talents to create lasting images. The work of Nicolas Evariste is no different. A remarkable photographer, his excellence is achieved through his passions, " I am passionate about everything related to the picture, a graphic designer by trade, I am also fanatical about painting, cinema, or literature. I like the image in all its forms!" Nicolas Evariste. wet dot net. [...]

Every summer has its anthems. The perfect music to have in the background while you're posted poolside with some good folks. As of right now, I think "Every Girl" and "Best I Ever Had" probably got the top spot if we're talking mainstream. The Very Best might not be on your radar yet, but I'm starting the campaign for "Warm Heart of Africa" for the official '09 summer jam. With Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig on the track, this one is definitely a winner. Personally, I'm with some good folks right now, and there happens to be a pool outside, so [...]

• Download Here » warmheartofafrica.mp3

This move was long overdue. D idn't we think this would be the best fit all along? Apparently Wade has been unhappy with Converse since last season choosing to rock an older model shoe rather than the most recent Wade 4's. In a statement in regards to Converse, Wade stated he, " didn't want to be in the Converse brand anymore because it seemed like they didn't know what to do with me." No shit . This is another huge acquisition for Nike, bringing one of the most recognizable and marketable basketball [...]

Today is the official opening for Livestrong and Nike's joint STAGES exhibition, a benefit for cancer awareness featuring art from an all-star lineup. Among the many artists contributing are KAWS , Jules de Balincourt and Cai Guo-Qiang. Says Lance Armstrong of the event, "it will project hope, strength and commitment to millions and carry the Livestrong Global Cancer Campaign all over the world. I am humbled by the effort and energy given by so many to bring STAGES to life." With some of the art world's most creative minds drawing inspiration from such a [...]

For the folks that are at their best between 1AM and 3. We got you. Some jokes to end the night, or perhaps start off your morning. Lesson learned here? Celebrate with caution. You never know when you might flop yourself. I know all too well. KP can tell you the story.

I've been listening to your mixtape all summer. I write to it. Sometimes when I listen I feel like I'm in another time and another place. 1982 to be exact. I'm not sure if my friends fuck with you yet. But I'll turn them into believers. We are on similar paths that have yet to cross, but when they do... But when they do. You see, the brilliant thing about your movement is that it's so difficult to define. And that's so very dangerous. Music for people rather than a demographic. This is the inaugural so I thought it only [...]

• Download Here » greyxsage.mp3

In October of 1974, Ali faced off against heavyweight champ George Foreman in one of the most legendary fights of all time, the Rumble in the Jungle. The fight was to be held in Zaire, prompting promoter Don King to assemble some of America's best black musicians for Zaire '74, a concert that would match the prestige and excitement of the event. Soul Power is a documentary following the story of that concert, featuring performances by Bill Withers, B.B. King, and the Godfather himself, James Brown. Built from the extensive archives of footage taken for [...]

Yeah, I already know. Think of this as another effort to get us all on the same page. Apparently this is the future. Microsoft Surface. This came out a minute ago but is on that PS9 hype. Technology is dope, but we have to be sure not to succumb to it. Let it ease our lives but not control it. I'm a little scared though. What are gonna be fuckin with in 2030?

Good times to come. Young Bob is set to perform at the yurple lounge tomorrow. Stunnaman too. For an excellent time, bring two friends with energy. Make a settled pregame mix. RSVP , and it should be a memorable night.

These days, R&B albums with a definitive sound are becoming more and more scarce. The concept of building a cohesive project with one producer is too often overlooked by singers looking to score hit singles with the "it"-producers of the moment. Fortunately, we have artists like Maxwell around to remind us of what it sounds like when the focus is on the whole body of work. If you haven't heard the single, "Pretty Wings" yet, get on it. [...]

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It seems as though the recession has created a trickle down effect of pressure that is effecting not only large supermarket chains but smaller grocers as well. With larger supermarkets lowering their prices to accommodate shoppers, independent businesses are feeling the squeeze. (BBC WorldNews) For the last 12 months, the BBC has been monitoring prices at one Safeway supermarket in central Washington. We look at the price of potatoes, eggs, meat, bread and milk, and we found that at this shop, at [...]

Said to be painted in Mali, world renowned street artist Banksy has struck again in Western Africa. Fresh off his efforts within the Bristol Museum , these pieces were said to be done about a year ago, only to be discovered now. How dope is that? A famed artist at large? But not even, because now the world fucks with him. Banksy probably travels the world, creating pieces along the way, finishes, kicks back, lights one up, and says to himself, "Damn, I'm killin it right now..." [...]

I fuck with a lot of the female musicians out right now. Gaga is probably the most iconic right now. Rihanna's gettin back on her horse, Kerri Hil's doin it, and Lil' Allen is featured below. But let's talk about Lil' Allen for a moment. Simply put, she writes great songs. Her lyrics paint imaginative pictures, yet they remain relevant as she portrays a bleak reality. Allen's prowess is exemplified on 22, as she touches on the role of society in the construction of a female identity. Nice visuals and a pleasant melody make this one a [...]

Trek Thunder Kelly is the truth. In the paintings featured here, Kelly juxtaposes cultural icons with corporate symbols , often creating an ironic contrast between the two. By rearranging familiar images in unusual ways, his art allows us to confront our commercialized culture head-on, challenging our concepts of sexuality and propriety along the way. Over the years, the Venice-based artist has built up an impressive collection of thought-provoking and controversial works, including these and these , for a few brief examples. More from him soon.

I could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a crown, Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways, And for your love song tone their rumble down. Take Harlem's heartbeat, Make a drumbeat, Put it on a record, let it whirl, And while we listen to it play, Dance with you till day-- Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl