Wisdumb: Smart and Not-So-Smart

Just got back from 5-day/4-night Las Vegas trip, and without a doubt, the highlight of the trip was seeing Cirque du Soleil’s KA at the MGM. I have seen three other Cirque shows in person, and I have seen another handful of them on A&E or Bravo. Every performance has been amazing… the traveling shows less so in comparison to the shows with permanent stages (though even the traveling shows blow away any other street, stunt or performance acts I have seen).

So, with a strong background in what to expect and with very high expectations of seeing something great, I was still completely blown away by KA. It was literally a jaw-dropping performance [and the people from Literally, A Web Blog have nothing to mock me here in that at one point I noticed I was sitting there with my jaw dropped, in a mesmerized stupor, not quite believing what I was seeing].

I won’t even attempt to describe the show as I don’t believe it is even possible to actually convey what takes place on stage in a meaningful manner. I searched the web looking for some good video to post of the show, but nothing I found did the show justice either. The small videos don’t capture just how epic the show is. However, this news piece by CNN gives you a nice peek into what the show is about and some really good background on how the show operates from a technical perspective.

Lastly, I am in no way connected to KA, the Cirque, the MGM or any of the performers/crew of the show. This review, or whatever this post is, is purely a result of me wanting to share with the world something I found so spectacular.

[However, if anyone from the Cirque wants to send me to other shows so I can review them, I will gladly participate - feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience… in fact, I have plans for this weekend, but I can move things around if need be.]

I’m guessing this isn’t a true real time continuous shot, but nonetheless, it is still pretty awesome:

Is this ugly, obtrusive, unnecessary? According to these people, the unmitigated answer is NO! In fact, they say it is “Enjoyable from any angle.”

Click image to see video.

If you read through their selling points of this new medium, they don’t even mention all the bonus press you will receive from the photos and TV coverage when the media cover the story when some poor kid gets his shoelaces caught in the escalator resulting in his legs being shredded. The tight shot of the puddle of blood covering your product placement or logo is sure to get a tight shot.

I just received a new spam e-mail amidst all the other Viagra and Ciallis and other erection related e-mails one receives all the time (at least I hope everyone gets these and they aren’t somehow targeted to me specifically).

This particular e-mail was for a product that:

“Naturally increase ejaculatory contractions and ejaculate volume associated with orgasms!”

Now, my first question is are there ejaculate volume associations for non-orgasms?

Anyway, is this a real concern for some men? Are there guys who are having sex, have the ability to get an erection, are able to climax, and then are somehow disappointed with how much comes out?

Really? I mean, other than the porno industry where there is a particular visual requirement related to this topic, is there a market for this product?

I have to admit, I find the idea of a porno director having to fire one of his male leads because of this problem fairly amusing. I imagine it goes something like this:

Director: Cut! What the hell? What’s wrong with you Woodcock?

Peter Woodcock: [ashamed] Wha, wha… what do you mean?

Director: What do I mean? Where’s the juice, man! I need Ol’ Faithful, not that little dribble.

Peter Woodcock: That’s all I got, I can’t give you no more.

Director: That’s it! You’re fired. Put on your pants and get the hell out of here!

I have been doing a lot of video editing, video capturing and/or motion graphic production lately for a few different projects. And in each case, the process has been more difficult than expected. So in appreciation of seeing someone else producing a seriously good video — and to keeping my recent trend of posting videos alive — here is a sweet video.

His website is pretty cool too and now in my linkroll.

This story about solar thermal power is just one of the many new solar-based concepts currently in development, currently operating or being planned for future implementation.

[I know this isn’t really related… but it is bizarre, and the chorus is apropos]

The “Do The Green Thing” people our promoting a new spot. The video was made by *play.
(It kills me to have to do this, but just in case, the video below shows people sans clothing, i.e., it may be NSFW)

I think it is a good spot… compelling, funny, very well produced, etc. However, I am a little confused over the message. From what I can tell, the producers only intent was to get people to lower their thermostats a little and use some body warmth to stay warm at night. That is basically their concept, get people to make small changes, a different once each month — which I fully support.

However, I saw this spot before researching this group. I think there is a much bigger message in the spot, if they would have acknowledged it. The penguins can be even more of a metaphor for mankind. If we all work together, we can survive…

So, my question is — are they making the bigger point, or is it just another one of the small things you can do (in this case huddle) to lower your energy usage?

Since I have posted some other great guitar and music moments, it is only fitting to post one in honor of Jeff Healey who just passed yesterday…

I always loved his version of the song and I know many guitarists are gently weeping over Jeff’s passing.