…And my family members wonder why I don’t hook up the Wii to a flat-screen TV.

This pains me to watch.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In the spirit of Harry Potter being released today, I decided to spotlight a great video I found by Indy Mogul detailing an “epic rap battle to determine who is the ultimate wizard”. Basically, it’s a rap showdown between our hero, Harry Potter, and the dark wizard, Voldemort He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

I have to say, at first I expected to find a cheesy clip that I probably wouldn’t watch for more than 10 seconds. What I found, however, was a quite entertaining video done with catchy tunes, well thought out lyrics, good costumes and incredible makeup on Voldemort He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Seriously, the makeup is awesome!

Indy Mogul is a network “dedicated to film fanatics and aspiring auteurs alike. Our shows are focused on DIY filmmaking, cheap special effects, movie reviews and conversations with high profile filmmakers and special guests.”  For anyone interested in creating their own video including all the special effects and such, Indy Mogul has many tips and how-tos covering such areas as how they created Voldemort’s makeup to building props such as the Tommy Gun. Great job, guys!

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did.

Click here to view the embedded video.

EDIT: I have had quite a few emails asking me for the lyrics to this video. They’re actually listed on the YouTube video site under “Info” but I copied them here (and cleaned up the spelling a little bit) for anyone who is interested.

Lyrics

Voldemort:
I’m the darkest dark wizard in all of history
I’ll slay your ass out like Cedric Diggory.
With a wave of my finger Ill put you on the floor
You’s a punk ass little kid without Dumbeldore

I’m the best wizard rapper you ever will see
you’re a peewee witch midget with a dead mommy.
I’ve got multiple souls and can raise the dead
If you think you can win then you’ve been sorely misled

Harry:
You’s a big bald fairy, you think I’m scared of you
I smoked a basilisk and I’ll smoke you too.
I got witches in class I got witches in the halls
If you look under my cloak, you’ll see my Hagrid size balls.

I win at wizard duels, I win at wizard chess,
Got platinum coated DUBS on my Hogwart’s Express
You can’t touch me son, I drive magic cars
I dish out big hurt, you just pass out little scars!

Voldemort:
Poor little Harry, you’re such darling lad.
Do you miss your Uncle? Your Mom? Your Dad?
Oh that’s right, I killed ‘em, you’re little owl too.
All your friends are next, I’ll cut right through your crew.

You look like Marcy from Peanuts and your wand is tiny
Is that why you couldn’t close the deal with Hermione?
My boys are called death eaters, they’re black magic studs
They’ll make you disappear, they don’t care for mudbloods

You can never find me, it’s like trying to catch smoke
You can’t hide from me with your punk ass cloak.
You think you’re invisible, but I can see through that!
I’ll run up with my wand and go RAT-A-TAT-TAT

Harry:
Say it don’t spray it, your breath smells like a grave
Your teeth look like tombstones and your nose is concave
Your head looks like a golf ball, your face looks like a lizard
Here’s the toll free number for the hair club for wizards

The toughest gang around is the Gryffindor crew,
Wizards drive bys is what we do
When dementors try to ice me I step right up and own em
I crack a butter beer and say “Expecto Patronum”!

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique that I highly recommend.

• Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream.
• Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.
• Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.
• No one knows your secret place.
• You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called “the world”.
• The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
• The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

There! See? It really does work. You’re smiling already.

Just in case that didn’t work…here’s a video to calm you.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I remember the days of the Atari,the TRS-80 (affectionately called the TRaSh-80), the TI-99, large floppy disks and so forth.  My first computer was an old Apple ][ Plus with 48k of memory that my dad had purchased back in 1979, I spent many a night at age 9 writing my first text-based program in BASIC which I called 'Tunnels and Trolls'. I never finished the game but I was forever hooked on computers from that time going forth.

As we progress through the computer and information age, we leave a lot of memories behind us and tend not to look back.  I recently ran across some great videos commemerating some of the old technology and putting it to...well...let's just say it wasn't the original intended use but it does the old technology justice.

Enjoy these classic old school tunes by classic old school technology.

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen - remixed

Click here to view the embedded video.

Funkytown by Lipps, Inc. – remixed

Click here to view the embedded video.

KUDOS to bd594 for this ingenious work!

I was going through some old email and found this awesome video clip which I uploaded to share with everyone. Now let’s break down the scenario.

Hypothetical situation here.

Imagine it’s a beautiful day outside. A group of friends have gathered and decide to create some entertainment. They rummage through any materials they have on-hand. They gather a couple hundred yards of bungee cord, a seat harness, and a 4-wheeler. “Hmm…let’s make a carnival ride!”

Sound interesting? See for yourself!

DISCLAIMER – I have no clue what went into the creation of this ride so do not try this at home!

Click here to view the embedded video.