tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28339929981156120542024-03-12T16:38:50.645-07:00Tranquil Mammotheverything else is just the internetHunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-6339923659387984562011-10-04T19:00:00.000-07:002011-10-04T19:45:18.576-07:00Thoughts on Adrenaline<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wuDz3Xna9ss/Toux9e086wI/AAAAAAAAAsU/acnnBgh87fI/s1600/semi-and-cars-speeding-on-two-lane-highway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wuDz3Xna9ss/Toux9e086wI/AAAAAAAAAsU/acnnBgh87fI/s320/semi-and-cars-speeding-on-two-lane-highway.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psychedelic Road Trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You're driving along a coastal highway. An eighteen wheeler slams into you, pushing you into the guardrail just inches from an ocean cliff.<br />
<br />
You are alone in the woods. A bear appears out of nowhere and belches a hungry growl just inches from your face.<br />
<br />
You are caught in a tornado. Your house is pulled off its foundation and thrust into a colorful fantasy land, crushing a local witch.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Adrenaline pumps into your veins and yells, </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"<i>Lift the house off of that witch!</i>"</span></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3oRsqekHQ_4/Touyfkam5QI/AAAAAAAAAsg/rBp3ZLnzPYw/s1600/house-on-witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3oRsqekHQ_4/Touyfkam5QI/AAAAAAAAAsg/rBp3ZLnzPYw/s200/house-on-witch.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witch legs are these?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Logic would tell you that lifting a house is impossible for a single human being with regular-human strength, but your ears are deaf to logic! You lift the house off the witch! You punch the bear in the face! You jump out the sunroof just before your car plummets to its watery grave.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3mxXUpte_E/TouyCUk0edI/AAAAAAAAAsc/b621ibHjf3M/s1600/Epinephrine-3d-CPK.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3mxXUpte_E/TouyCUk0edI/AAAAAAAAAsc/b621ibHjf3M/s200/Epinephrine-3d-CPK.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Globule</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Adrenaline </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(AKA Epinephrine)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b></b></span>Nature has a way of giving terrifying situations a run for their money, and it's a definite performance enhancer. Even professional athletes are finding new ways to harness this phenomenon for their own gains. Just before a match, star athletes typically watch a scary film in the locker room. They watch <a href="http://youtu.be/YDGw1MTEe9k">The Exorcist</a> then they go out and win big! Now you know why there are movie screens in all locker rooms! Does your local gym have one? If not, you can write a letter to your local congressman, congresswoman or congressperson. <a href="http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/letterscongress.htm">Here's how!</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ok-_GdSLHs/Toux_uWkiTI/AAAAAAAAAsY/lxFCazi9CBk/s1600/BearPunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ok-_GdSLHs/Toux_uWkiTI/AAAAAAAAAsY/lxFCazi9CBk/s200/BearPunch.jpg" width="157" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
P.S. Punching a bear's face might hurt your hand after the adrenaline rush has worn off. I'm icing my hand right now to reduce swelling.<br />
<br />
That is all.<br />
<br />
Next time I'll tell you about the time I went waterskiing with Botticelli's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandniece. <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I also might decide to show you how to put snakes under your bed sheets to create the "snakes under the bed sheets" look that is so popular these days.</span></div>
Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-18969082193912264252011-09-30T15:21:00.000-07:002011-10-06T02:12:38.702-07:00Mozart vs. Hunter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lx-4vMbQ4ME/ToYTxRZ3cUI/AAAAAAAAAr4/t2pfQOFwdSg/s320/Wolfgang-amadeus-mozart_1.jpg" width="218" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wolfgangus?</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">September 30th, 1791 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(AKA Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, AKA Moatsy, AKA <a href="http://golfwang.tumblr.com/">Golfwangus</a>, AKA Wuss in Boots</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>)</i></span> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">conducted the first performance of The Magic Flute at Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, Austria. This would be the last opera by Mozart to make its debut, as he died about two months later. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>He was only 35 years old!</b> (That's my age!)</span></div>
<br />
Mozart was a child prodigy, <a href="http://youtu.be/mkKt6zz6mws">born in the 50s</a>. The 1750s. According to a popular online encyclopedia of knowledge (albeit a publicly editable one, and therefore dubious and subject to scrutiny), Mozart "composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music." If you <a href="http://www.chinashopmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Picture-121.png">beat yourself up</a> about not writing more "pinnacle" songs (as I do), Mozart is someone you might masochistically compare and contrast yourself with. I made a fancy chart to illustrate this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tranquil Mammoth Challenge: Mozart vs. Hunter</span></b></div>
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" style="background-color: white;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td></td><td><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mozart</b></div>
</td><td><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Hunter</b></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>point</b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 0</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Born in "Salzburg"</span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Born in Long Beach, USA</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mozart</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 3</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Learns to play the harpsichord</span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Learns to play with toys</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mozart</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 5</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Begins to compose</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Enters kindergarten</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mozart</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 6</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Visits Paris and London</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Performs publicly for the first time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<i>Louie Louie</i> on piano for 1st grade class during recess)</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Hunter</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 8</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Composes first symphony</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Learns to play clarinet (actually age 9)</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mozart</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 12</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Premieres first opera in Vienna, <i>Bastien und Bastienne</i></span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Forms first band, <i>Taurus</i></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mozart</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 14</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Receives the <i>Order of the Golden Spur</i> from Pope Clement.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">(<i>Order of the Golden Girls</i> would have been cooler)</span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Forms second band, <i>Little Seizures</i></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Hunter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Who cares about a <a href="http://www.oldschoolla.com/photos/GoldenSpur8dh.JPG">Golden Spur</a>?!)</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 21</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Toured with his mother hoping to find a court position</span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Joined <i>AFI</i> and toured the USA, Canada, Japan, Europe and the UK for the first time (not with his mother)</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Hunter</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 20s</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Composes some of his finest works that would continue to influence Western music for centuries</span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Wrote <i>24 Hour Party Zone</i> and many other less influential songs</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mozart</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 29</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Meets Haydn who praises him as "the greatest living composer"</span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Meets Paul McCartney and challenges him to a "bass off"</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
tie</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Age 35</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Dies on December 5th in Vienna and is buried in an unmarked grave</span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Still alive in Los Angeles </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(as of this moment)</div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
Hunter</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Total </b></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b>7</b></span></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>5</b></div>
</td> <td><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Winner: Mozart</b></div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
So as you can see, Mozart wins. That jerk Mozart always wins! I'll catch up to him someday!</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QddXOoqWRJk/ToYu5nUCG5I/AAAAAAAAAsA/whmwU-baCpw/s320/Mozartwins.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mozart always wins!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a modern man in a modern world, I have a few advantages over Mozart:<br />
<br />
1. I'm still alive. Mozart can't say that!<br />
<br />
2. I can play drums. Mozart probably never learned to "pound the skins"!<br />
<br />
3. Modern medicine. Mozart could have used it!<br />
<br />
4. <a href="http://Google.com/">Google.com</a> Mozart would've had to use <a href="http://www.google.at/">this</a>.<br />
<br />
5. Mozart was probably a total wuss. He is one of the most revered composers of the Classical era, but I doubt he could hold his own in a no-holds-barred street fight. Although I've never been in an actual street fight, I've seen way more movies about fighting than Mozart ever has. I bet I could use <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zhnhq_exYt0/SHgRb8w1f6I/AAAAAAAAAYU/qOC1PNXf_Pk/s1600-h/Crane+Kick+Karate+Kid+Retarded+Defeat.jpg">the crane move</a> from the end of Karate Kid on him and he wouldn't know what hit him...he's THAT FAR behind the times!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--x9S5MCX05M/ToYqQdPitXI/AAAAAAAAAr8/MRpkVGBQLGI/s1600/alex_masi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--x9S5MCX05M/ToYqQdPitXI/AAAAAAAAAr8/MRpkVGBQLGI/s200/alex_masi.jpg" width="171" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Alex "Neon Shark" Masi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next time I'm going to compare Mozart's life to that of Alex Masi (pictured to the right). I don't want to spoil it for you, but Mr. Masi has a few <a href="http://youtu.be/b0M7APvJkgE">tricks</a> up his leather sleeve. He has a trick on his chest as well.<br />
<br />
And either the time after that or three times from now, I'm going to compare my life to Strawberry Shortcake's life and share a recipe for vegan strawberry shortcake that will make you want to <a href="http://blogs.nyu.edu/blogs/po1/lighting_sp2010/strawberry%20vomit.jpg">vomit</a> in ecstasy.<br />
<br />
That's all for now.<br />
<br />
<br />Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com20Vienna, Austria48.2081743 16.373818948.0397668 16.0579619 48.376581800000004 16.6896759tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-17570577869916022912011-08-24T14:08:00.000-07:002011-10-07T14:55:56.831-07:00Press Release: Steve Jobs Steps Down<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jz_WVSi2Kk/To9ztmWgaRI/AAAAAAAAAsk/IOrrpilDb0k/s1600/JobsT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jz_WVSi2Kk/To9ztmWgaRI/AAAAAAAAAsk/IOrrpilDb0k/s400/JobsT.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></a></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">PRESS RELEASE: Letter from Steve Jobs</span></span></strong></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">August 24, 2011–To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:</span></span></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.</span></span></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.</span></span></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Mr. T as CEO of Apple.</span></span></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.</span></span></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.</span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-62347115758926943042010-11-13T03:06:00.000-08:002010-11-13T03:11:20.647-08:00Poison Oak? No. Questions answered with videos instead!<object width="500" height="702"> <param name="name" value="vyouPlayer"> <param name="movie" value="http://vyou.com/player/reg001"></param><param name="FlashVars" value="virtual_user=hunterburgan&display_name=Hunter Burgan&embed=true&player_style=vyouStyleSkinny01.swf"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed src="http://vyou.com/player/reg001" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="virtual_user=hunterburgan&display_name=Hunter Burgan&embed=true&player_style=vyouStyleSkinny01.swf" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="702" name="vyouPlayer" id="vyouPlayer"> </embed> </object>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-9832492750758975302010-05-09T18:31:00.000-07:002010-05-09T18:42:12.861-07:00Hunter Revenge - Little Baby - Yo Gabba Gabba<object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ShQLwBd8u1o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ShQLwBd8u1o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShQLwBd8u1o">Hunter Revenge performing the song "Little Baby"</a> from this week's episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen in your life? I can't say enough great things about the folks at Gabba, or about babies in general. This was a really fun opportunity and I will jump at the chance to do more things like this in the future. In fact, I'm going to go practice <a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/500/2588646/The+Beatles+JUMP.jpg">jumping</a> at the gym right now so I'm ready when I get the call.<br /><br />P.S. Thanks to AFI News HQ for putting this up on youtube.Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-17748604752177498692010-05-06T12:55:00.000-07:002010-05-06T13:10:45.225-07:00Bow Hunter<object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LC4DcQ9yRAg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LC4DcQ9yRAg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />People love to tell me that Hunter is an ironic name for a vegan. You think I didn't realize this already? I've been vegan since 2000 and vegetarian since 1992. I've had plenty of time to think about all the <a href="http://www.caithness.org/posterads2008/easter_egg_hunt.jpg">Easter egg hunts</a> I've missed out on. My name actually isn't ironic when you consider all the <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,961170,00.html">international treasure hunts</a> I've participated in over the years. Hunter is no more an ironic name for a vegan than <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Dickbutkus.jpg">Dick Butkus</a> is for one of the greatest linebackers of all time.Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-57010015235393045252010-05-06T12:41:00.000-07:002010-05-06T12:54:16.510-07:00Abraham Drinkin' TrilogyI just thought I'd post the entire Abraham Drinkin' Trilogy before I continue posting other videos. I don't apologize if you've seen this before. Your life isn't so short that spending an additional 30 seconds watching a humorous video is going to change things for the worse. However, if you die in the next 30 seconds, then I do apologize...although I can't think of a better way to go.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jeUnFWpNLsk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jeUnFWpNLsk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vATRemgE90g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vATRemgE90g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CCsKuzDxtSk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CCsKuzDxtSk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Take a minute and subscribe to <a href="http://youtube.com/tranquilmammoth">my youtube channel</a> if you haven't already. It's <a href="http://www.neodymsystems.com/ring/r_img/remake/well/samara_well1.jpg">well</a> worth the effort.Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-89861686284182562862010-04-07T05:54:00.000-07:002010-04-07T06:04:20.756-07:00Abraham Drinkin': An Intro to Flash<object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jeUnFWpNLsk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jeUnFWpNLsk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's my first attempt at Flash animation. This also marks my first attempt at re-imagining historical figures and the events that should have shaped history but didn't, probably because they didn't actually happen (or at least nobody knew they happened until now). I hope this doesn't land me in prison, but if it does, I'm going to get <a href="http://www.freewebs.com/salagos/bigs.bmp">really buff</a>.Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-40631222022038648332010-03-18T02:19:00.000-07:002010-03-18T02:34:34.075-07:00TranquilMammoth.com has a new banner!?<center>YES!<br />I thought I'd change the banner for the O-Ten.<br />What do you think? Tundra? Tar Pit? <br />Let me know with a click below!<br /><br />Also, I found this woman walking into a time warp on google street view.<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoXZIzLLwM4/S6Hw3LZ5PCI/AAAAAAAAArQ/1bVZcPX_8YU/s320/googled!.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449901854839880738" /><br /><big><big><span style="font-weight:bold;">GOOGLED!</span></big></big></center><br /><br /><small>P.S. I have an official <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tranquil-Mammoth/376061870664">Tranquil Mammoth facebook page</a>. Become a fan, "like it", or just ignore it with hatred in your heart.</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-91544910373798730752010-03-15T08:30:00.000-07:002010-03-15T08:30:01.138-07:00New York City! Opera! Vocal Outtakes!Guess what! If I get this job, I will be moving to <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/NYC-Skyline-1.jpg">New York City</a>!! That's right, the Big Apple! Home of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankees–Mets_rivalry">Yankees</a>, the <a href="http://www.1st-chess-sets.com/CHPics/cs076mets-lg.jpg">Mets</a> and the <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/">New Yorker</a><a href="http://thenewyorker2.blogspot.com/">!</a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">"How did this happen??"</span> you ask? Well, let me tell you. While browsing some of the websites I regularly peruse, I came across this <a href="http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/auditions/chorus.aspx">employment opportunity</a>. These are the highlights, for those of you who hate clicking on links:<br /><center><blockquote><span style="font-weight:bold;">METROPOLITAN OPERA</span><br /><small><span style="font-style:italic;">Announces the following vacancies:</span><br />CHORISTERS:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color=red>BASS or BARITONE </font></span><br />SOPRANO (<span style="font-style:italic;">No Mezzo-Sopranos</span>)<br />Resume deadline Midnight [EST] on March 30th, 2010.<br />Auditions to begin April 1st, 2010 until positions are filled <br /></small><span style="font-weight:bold;">HIGHLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ONLY</span><br /></blockquote></center><br />What luck! I'm the person they're looking for! I have the vocal range of a bass but sing more comfortably in a baritonal tessitura. Some would call me a bass-baritone. As a bass-baritone, the operatic roles I am suited for include Méphistophélès from Faust by Charles Gounod, Don Giovanni from Don Giovanni by Wolfgang <a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DXV8W6N8L._SS500_.jpg">Amadeus</a> Mozart, and Figaro from The Marriage of Figaro, also by Wolfgang <a href="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/e3/58/f9de9833e7a0684d32c61110.L.jpg">Amadeus</a> Mozart.<br />I think the Metropolitan Opera will find this video to be an adequate audition. If they need me to drop in on April 1st to seal the deal, I can certainly repeat this performance. Although I generally reserve that day for more <a href="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh294/chris_cambo/Motivation%20posters/MrT_fools_motiv.jpg">foolish</a> behavior, I suppose I can get serious for a brief demonstration of my vocal prowess. I hope the job pays well. I hear those <a href="http://www.manhattanlofts.com/">lofts</a> in Manhattan can get pretty pricey!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/88hSBhNT6tQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/88hSBhNT6tQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Back up plan: cast member on <a href="http://snlibc.jt.org/faq.phtml">Saturday Night Live</a>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-36646560433015444242010-03-12T17:28:00.000-08:002010-03-12T18:22:29.594-08:00Rabbit Plays DrumsMy good friend <a href="http://twitter.com/Gelatinhead">Ted</a> and I shot this video last May and I only just got around to editing it. I guess that's what happens when you don't have enough free time on your hands. Editing video takes a lot longer than one might assume, and time is never free. After I successfully edit a hilarious (or just bizarre) video such as the one below, people often accuse me of having <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">too much</span></span> free time or being bored to the point of creativity. I assure you that neither are true. I'm never bored, and I can never find enough time to complete all of the <a href="http://chocolatenailgun.com">projects</a> I undertake. Having said that, I'm sure you'll appreciate the following video even more.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zDW9iQ1tM9I&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zDW9iQ1tM9I&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />More videos will be coming soon! Subscribe now! Follow! ----->Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-21270325789061290822010-03-04T11:55:00.000-08:002010-03-04T14:10:28.233-08:00Eye On Music - Guest: Hunter BurganA year ago I was a guest on the classic music interview show, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Eye On Music</span>. I was pretty excited because as you probably know, Richard Bitterfeld has interviewed so many great musicians over the years. Everyone from <a href="http://www.ucpnet.org/images/coalition/TX/Robert%20Smith.mp3">Robert Smith</a> to <a href="http://www.benchmarkalpacas.com/CrimpsonII09.jpg">King Crimson</a> to <a href="http://nogoodforme.filmstills.org/panda.jpg">John Lennon</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Jones">Mike Edwards</a> has been a guest on the show. I've always held Richard <a href="http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6474292/Jumpstyle_Bitterfeld">Bitterfeld</a> in the highest regard and considered his music knowledge to be comprehensive. That is, until I was a guest on his show. I guess when you've been doing interviews as long as he has, you're bound to have a few "<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/kellar_the_magician_self_decapitation_vintage_mug-168237654011654917">off</a>" days.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pzcYx4PYrpo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pzcYx4PYrpo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><small><small><span style="font-style:italic;">Y'all know I got <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Mad%20Skillz">mad skillz</a> when it comes to def tambo beatz.</span></small></small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-52595333825585138712010-02-28T07:33:00.000-08:002010-02-28T09:58:43.497-08:00In The Studio With AFI - TambourineDear boys, girls, cats<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_comma">,</a> and dogs,*<br />I now present you with yet another "Behind the Scenes" video from the recording sessions for <a href="http://afireinside.net">AFI</a>'s <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/crash-love-expanded-edition/id330208841">Crash Love</a>. If you've already seen this video, that simply proves you know how to work a computer. If you're a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/334341@N25/pool/">cat</a> or a dog, then you have obviously overcome quite a few <a href="http://fun.familyeducation.com/exercise/activity/37126.html">obstacles</a> to reach this skill level. Good job! If you are watching this video for the first time and like what you hear, wow, you must be deaf. Actually, I mean def. Y'all know I got <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Mad%20Skillz">mad skillz</a> when it comes to def tambo beatz.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VOgeQG4-Yzw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VOgeQG4-Yzw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41-MQ3OQrYL._SS500_.jpg">Love and Rockets</a>,<br />Hunter<br /><br />P.S. If anyone wants me to play <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Tambourine">tambourine</a> on their record, send an email to badasstambourine@gmail.com <small> <small>(Serious requests only, please)</small></small><br /><br /><small>*I assume that the majority of my readers are either boys, girls, cats, dogs, or some combination thereof.</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-9058155000620107602010-02-26T05:24:00.000-08:002010-02-28T09:59:16.214-08:00In The Studio With AFI - Vocal HarmoniesDear readers,<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OiV_5kEt6A">Odds</a> are, if you're an internet savvy lad or lass, you've already found this <a href="http://www.all-color-gem-stones.com/images/yellow-sapphire-one.jpg">gem</a> on the world wide web. If not, then here you go. You're welcome. This is one of a few "Behind The Scenes" videos the record label shot while we (<a href="http://afireinside.net">AFI</a>) were recording our most recent record, <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/crash-love-expanded-edition/id330208841">Crash Love</a>. If you would like to purchase this record, please do. Here are <a href="http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/graphics/lynx3.jpg">a couple of lynx</a>. Over the next week or so I'll post a few other videos from in the studio. Hopefully this will excuse me from blogger's detention.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FxvULcGEAG4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FxvULcGEAG4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Yours sincerely,<br />Hunter<br /><br />P.S. I really like what you've done with your <a href="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/tanyeewei/hair.jpg">hair</a>.Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-26023450216086578212009-12-05T14:10:00.000-08:002009-12-05T22:06:40.177-08:00Ghosts and Cat Tribes<center><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Hunter, why haven't you blogged in 6 months?!"</span></center><br /><small>I hear questions like this all the time. People are curious, and I can't blame them for that. The truth is, I've been very busy doing this AFI thing, working on new Hunter Revenge material, but most importantly—writing a book. All of my "writing energy", as I like to call it, has been spent on this book. As of now, there is no release date for my book because I don't have a publisher. If you would like to help speed along this process by emailing your favorite publisher and demanding they publish my book, I cannot stop you. In the mean time, let's discuss the other reason why I haven't blogged in so long: ghosts.<br /><br />Back in June I hired some ghosts to ghostwrite my blog (ghostblog?) on my behalf. This made perfect sense, since I was getting busier and busier by the day and little time or "writing energy" for <strike>trivial</strike> important things like my blog. However, I failed to realize that ghosts use invisible fonts as a default setting. So to the untrained eye, it looks as if no blogs have been posted since June. Oops. I tinkered around with some of the ghosts' laptops and fixed this font problem. It won't happen again. In fact, here is one of the previously invisible blogs I "found" while I was tinkering. It's called,</small><br /><br /><center><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cat Tribes</span></span></center><br />When it comes to irrational fears I am sure snakes, spiders, and ghosts* are on most of our lists. However the one absolutely terrifying thing I am sure we can all agree on is the fear that we will one day be overthrown by a tribe of Native American Cats.<br /><br />The evidence of this potential threat is there we just don't want to accept it. The possibility alone is enough for us to place bells on the necks of cats so they are unable to sneak up on us, or more importantly, perform any type of ancient tribal ritual without being heard. Catch your own dreams, cats. Leave me out of this!<br /><br />I personally recall one of the more notorious tales of forewarned cat doom that dates back to the colonial era when the leader of the ancient Catnipashaw tribe declared a curse on the lives of all that "walked on two legs and dangled yarn, like empty promises, in front of the faces of his brethren. "<br /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 288px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoXZIzLLwM4/SxriKDZ1WkI/AAAAAAAAAqU/w8yT26FNKNw/s320/indiancat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411886564579301954" />This leader, a calico named <span style="font-style:italic;">Chases Own Tail</span>, made it clear that neither he nor anyone from his tribe would ever allow the land that was rightfully theirs to be stolen, food sources depleted by the white man, or laser pens to lead them in confusing circles and away from the sacred lands of their ancestors. He warned, "If you take what is rightfully ours, what we have owned for years before your arrival, your future will be paved in bite marks and scratches."<br /><br />You won't find much in today's history books about the sordid past of Native American Cat tribes. However, a lot of the way we share our space with the indentured servants of their tribe today is indicative of a past almost too dark to recall.<br /><br />After the famous defeat at <span style="font-style:italic;">Fort Scratching Post</span>, the captured cat tribesmen were taken to a makeshift prison, similar to that of an upside down laundry basket, where each was forced to sleep on piles of clothes and were given only a bowl of stale dried food that had been shaped to mimic meat but was mostly made of roots and vegetables. It was said some were even forced to accept the new religion brought by the settlers and to adorn their clothing.<br /><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoXZIzLLwM4/SxrmJhUf-_I/AAAAAAAAAqk/HDd9AFVYulE/s320/colonial_cat.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411890953476635634" />"We want them to understand their place," <span style="font-style:italic;">General Crazy Cat Lady</span> later wrote in her memoir The Fur On the Couch of Freedom. "If they think they can just walk around this land, batting at the ankles of every man that passes by, they're wrong. Our freedom is what we came here for and I'll be damned if they think they can take a nap on the pile of papers we call our Constitution."<br /><br />Research tells us these same captured tribesmen were also forced into small boxes with ground ceramic pieces lining the floor that they were forced to use to defecate and urinate in. It was said many of these prisoners suffered the agony of the ceramic pieces being stuck in their fur and toes and at times they were unable to walk.<br /><br />Tribal leader <span style="font-style:italic;">Sleeps In Sunspots</span> wrote about these crimes against his people after he was captured in battle and forced into slavery. "My brothers and sisters may have lost this battle but the war is far from over. Rest assured, we may come into your homes as slaves but we will leave as victorious enemies. The spirit of the tiger lies within our hearts. Never shall you rest easy as we occupy the spaces in your sink or threaten to steal the breath of every new born baby. We will raise our paws in unity against the common forces against us. We will chase the tail of freedom. No man, woman, or ball of paper will keep us from our destiny. Like the sun shall always defeat the moon, so shall we regain our rightful place. Mark my words. Meow."<br /><br />It is uncertain if the threats made against us so many years ago will come to fruition. The docile ancestors we see today seem to have accepted their fate as our pets, at least for now.<br /><br />My suggestion? Sleep with one eye open (but definitely not two.) If your cat starts to bat at door knobs or seems to understand the working mechanics of the water faucet, take note. They're adapting. It won't be long before we see them hiding in cardboard boxes or preparing for attack inside a grocery bag. In preparation for capture, they'll try to block our access to technology by sleeping on our laptops or walking on the keyboard as we try to send a distress signal. They may try to physically cripple us by attacking our feet when under a blanket.<br /><br />Like <span style="font-style:italic;">General Crazy Cat Lady</span> warned in her memoir, "They will throw us off the path of war by disarming us with their charm. Never trust they stop plotting, regardless of the amount of time they seem to be sleeping. They're clever. And as they knead the blanket to ready for sleep, they too shall knead into the very jugular of our American freedom."<br /><br /><small>*inside joke for ghosts</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-13598141933570821382009-06-20T00:08:00.000-07:002009-06-20T02:36:58.909-07:00Toronto Nights: A Casual Ramble Blog<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DoXZIzLLwM4/SjyUzD5SzUI/AAAAAAAAAmo/8GOOCqqNgf8/s400/insomnia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349314062349159746" /><br />Some bloggers blog every single day. I am not one of those bloggers. Would you believe I don't even know how to type? What do other bloggers blog about? Real things? They just ramble on in a casual tone about their day? That's so boring...but I'm willing to try anything for a quick buck! Here's a "casual ramble blog" for you:<br /><br /><blockquote>It's raining outside right now. It was nice all day, but now I can hear the rain hitting the window of the hotel. I'm tired, but I can't sleep. I think this trip to <span style="font-weight:bold;">Toronto</span> has totally thrown my schedule off. Before I left <span style="font-weight:bold;">LA</span>, I was going to bed at a reasonable hour and waking up before 8am. Last night I slept from midnight to 3am and then from 6am until noon?! What a weird schedule! The only <span style="font-weight:bold;">coffee</span> I was able to find in a short period of time was Starbucks. It's odd—I never go to Starbucks when I'm at home or have a choice, but I flock to it when I'm out of the country. They must have a deep <span style="font-weight:bold;">psychological</span> hold on me. The coffee's never that great, and the baristas never know what they're doing, but it's consistently disappointing and that's what I count on. <span style="font-weight:bold;">AFI</span> had a four hour rehearsal today in some warehouse on a soundstage. We haven't really played a show in a while and our crew needed to run through everything, plus it was good for us to run over the songs again. I sang all my usual backgrounds and harmonies, and by the second time through the set, my throat was raw. I guess I'm out of practice. For the record, I'm over shouting. It really just hurts, and never sounds that great. My favorite vocals are the harmonies on <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Summer Shudder</span></span> and the ooohs during the intro and re-intro on <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Missing Frame</span></span>. Two of my favorite basses from the last tour cycle need neck/fret work and I am playing my old back up bass for the show tomorrow. I don't like it as much because it's a bit on the heavy side, but it still sounds great. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Fender</span> makes some great basses. I'm designing some new ones for after we start touring for real and I'm really excited about those. Nothing crazy...just cool colors. Tomorrow should be fun. It's been so long since we've played a show (KROQ's xmas show doesn't count because our set was so short) that even if it totally sucks, it will still be fun. I'm kinda <span style="font-weight:bold;">hungry</span>. I should have bought some chips or a <span style="font-weight:bold;">clif bar</span> when I had the chance. I think the rain stopped. I forgot to see if the show is indoors or outdoors. I suppose it doesn't matter. The stage is always covered. It's weird, I can't really remember that last time I was nervous before a show. I know I was nervous when we played <span style="font-style:italic;">Just Like Heaven</span> during the soundcheck for the <span style="font-weight:bold;">MTV Icon: The Cure</span> show, but that's because we were playing <span style="font-style:italic;">TO</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Cure</span>. I was probably nervous in my earlier AFI days when I was the new guy. I had to learn 15 songs in a month and then play in front of thousands of people with one of my favorite bands. The catch was—these were thousands of Offspring fans, not <span style="font-weight:bold;">AFI</span> fans, so I was too busy trying to win them over to be nervous. Did we win over any of their fans? I'd like to think so. I still run into people all the time that tell me that their first <span style="font-weight:bold;">AFI</span> show was on that tour. This was back in <span style="font-weight:bold;">May, 1997</span>. I turned 21 in the middle of the tour. <span style="font-weight:bold;">L7</span> was on that tour too. They called themselves our moms on stage. It was really an amazing experience to play such huge shows at that point in my life. There were many years of crappy shows and long van tours after that, so it was an unusual way to start a career with AFI...but I like to think that it has come full circle. In more recent years, we've headlined some of the venues from my first tour. Time is a funny thing.</blockquote><br />I feel like this isn't boring enough, and I apologize. The casual tone is working for me, but my thoughtless rambling seems to drift toward interesting things from the past. Let me try to focus on more mundane things from the present.<br /><blockquote>My phone is always set to vibrate. It's been like that for years. It always surprises me when it gets turned off of vibrate by mistake and I actually hear it ring. About a year ago, I set the ringtone to "motorcycle" which sounds like vibrating. Problem solved. Tonight I watched the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Wolverine</span> movie. I didn't see it when it came out because everyone said it was so bad. <a href="http://rottentomatoes.com">Rottentomatoes.com</a> gave it an 8 or something horrible like that. I think everyone, including myself, was expecting something truly awesome. I walked in tonight expecting something truly sucky. It wasn't totally horrible, and since my expectations were so low, I kinda liked it. The writing was awful though. The lighting and SFX were so weird in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">New Orleans</span> fight scene that it took me out of the element. I think they tried too hard to put a bunch of actors and characters into the movie and just lost sight of what makes a good action movie. The popcorn sucked. I need to stop eating it. I never enjoy it. At least I stopped drinking soda a few years back. If I had soda tonight I would certainly feel awful right now. I'm excited to see the guys from <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rise Against</span> tomorrow. They're close friends and are passing through while on tour with <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rancid</span>. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Joe Principe</span> shares my love for coffee and we never miss a chance to get lattes. I can't wait to see them play in a couple weeks in <span style="font-weight:bold;">LA</span>. It's awesome to see your friends' bands doing so well. </blockquote><br />Come on...not boring enough!<br /><blockquote>I guess I should probably try to sleep. I don't have to be up early, but uninterrupted sleep is always the best, and those pesky hotel maids are always trying to break in and clean in the morning. I'm so glad I don't have to take time to wash and style my hair anymore. What a waste of time that was! If only I could have all that time back. I would have so much time on my hands! I could write <span style="font-weight:bold;">a thousand blogs</span>. It's raining again. Maybe it was always raining, but I just couldn't hear it. Okay, it's bed time for me. Blogger out.</blockquote><br />Wow! That was boooooooring! I hope I never try that again! Casual rambling blogs might be fun to read, but they sure are boring to write! Until next time, Tranq out.<br /><br />P.S. Which of the following should I do next? Another Psychedelic Photo blog? Horse Blog Vol. 2? A semi-irregular, Tranquil Mammoth multi-lingual statistic blog? Maybe another Tranquil Mammoth Challenge of 2009 like <a href="http://tranquilmammoth.blogspot.com/2009/01/horses-vs-fugazi.html">Horses vs. Fugazi</a>?? Leave me a comment and let me know which of those you'd like to see.Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-19593471247470774682009-06-17T01:42:00.000-07:002009-06-17T01:57:19.910-07:00I eat your horse!<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 399px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DoXZIzLLwM4/SjisgPct32I/AAAAAAAAAmY/34brTA7TouU/s400/checkmate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348214227405234018" /><br />I know you probably think that I've completely neglected this blog, and in a way you are correct. The truth is, I've been writing a lot, but not on a computer. I've gone old school. Notebooks. I am working on something big, and I will tell you more about it later. For now, I hope you accept this picture as a peace offering. I know it's an old picture you may have seen before, but I still think it's funny.<br /><br />P.S. I never blogged about the great loss we suffered. RIP <a href="http://tranquilmammoth.blogspot.com/2008/06/update-hunter-interviewed-by-bea-arthur.html">Bea Arthur</a>. Thank you for being a friend. Bea has been and will continue to be an important part of my blog.Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-39015169120320147482009-06-08T02:27:00.000-07:002009-06-08T02:50:40.267-07:00Bummo KISS<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DoXZIzLLwM4/SizaUsa28lI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Z2VpeeXh4LY/s400/bummo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344886906837987922" /><br /> This is my concept sketch for a new member of KISS. It's a KISSafied cross between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Kelly">Emmett Kelly</a>'s Weary Willie and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_the_Pup">Pete the pup</a> that <a href="http://www.joemcgrath.com/">Joe McGrath</a> named "Bummo." I was going to dress up exactly like this and approach <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Simmons">Gene Simmons</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Stanley">Paul Stanley</a> when they were recording next door. I was hoping that they would accept me as a new member/character of KISS. I was even willing to be flexible about what instrument Bummo would play. Washboard? Cowbell? Synthesizer? This was my best career plan yet...until Gene and Paul ate our <a href="http://www.uncleeddiesvegancookies.com/">Uncle Eddie's* Vegan Cookies</a> without asking. I changed my mind after that. As a result, the world will never get to see Bummo in real life. ;(<br /><br /><br />*Not to be confused with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Eddie">this Uncle Eddie.</a>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-64725463360927345592009-04-18T07:42:00.000-07:002009-04-18T07:42:00.193-07:00Hunter Burgan Q&A part 7 (of 7)<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYJ9r9PtcpY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYJ9r9PtcpY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I now present you with the seventh and final Q&A* vlog in a series of seven.<br /><br /><center><span style="font-weight:bold;"><big>LIGH<a href="http://www.windsun.com/pictures/Lightning1.jpg">T</a>NING ROUND!</big></span></center><br /><br />Now I can finally get back to regular blogs and videos! Let the normalcy commence!!<br /><br /><small>*Quak&r oAts</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-26988253111884896782009-04-17T18:02:00.000-07:002009-04-18T21:14:44.237-07:00It's getting kinda muggy in here...<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/TranquilMammoth"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 312px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DoXZIzLLwM4/SekqXbrR7UI/AAAAAAAAAlk/joAVz_a6nGQ/s320/TMmug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325834616396967234" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I know you want this mug!</span> How can I be so sure? Well, <span style="font-style:italic;">I </span>want this mug, and since we think alike, it's only logical that you would also want this mug.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><blockquote>"Coffee should be <br />black as love, <br />strong as hell, <br />& sweet as death."<br /> -Hunter Burgan</blockquote></span><br />So go <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/TranquilMammoth">get this mug!</a> Mother's Day is coming up!<br /><br /><small>P.S. The next vlog is coming verrrrrrrrry soon.</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-66270661360950467432009-04-14T16:27:00.000-07:002009-04-14T17:02:20.292-07:00Hunter Burgan Q&A part 6 (of 7)<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wzDrmvw5K1k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wzDrmvw5K1k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />Dear readers, I now present to you the sixth part of the seven part Q&A* vlog. This one is highly anticipated, although that's only due to the fact that I've been too busy to upload it. Since <span style="font-weight:bold;">National Reggae Awareness Year</span> is coming up (2010), I've been spending most of my time trying to dread my hair. I've also been taking helicopter lessons. Not helicopter flying lessons, <a href="http://www.mailorderexpress.com/shop/prdpics/129036.jpg">helicopter</a> lessons.<br /><br />When you're done watching this, and all my other videos, read some of my older blog entries. Long before I was a vlogger, I used to actually write words!<br /><br /><small>*Queen and Aerosmith</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-53991350674751631912009-04-07T08:03:00.000-07:002009-04-07T08:03:00.686-07:00Hunter Burgan Q&A part 5 (of 7)<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/19ULnWTzvew&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/19ULnWTzvew&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />I now present you with the fifth Q&A* vlog in a series of seven. Since the apocalypse is on its way, let me waste no time in giving you your instructions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">You have until midnight to do the following:</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. </span>Watch it in HQ. (HQ is French for "high quality")<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. </span>Subscribe to <a href="http://youtube.com/tranquilmammoth">the channel.</a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. </span>Check your email.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. </span>Eat a <a href="http://www.quarrygirl.com/?s=sandwiches&x=0&y=0">sandwich</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5. </span>Tell 5 people about my <a href="http://tranquilmammoth.com">blog</a>/<a href="http://youtube.com/tranquilmammoth">videos</a>/<a href="http://twitter.com/tranquilmammoth">twitter</a>. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Who?</span></span> People that don't know about my blog.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6.</span> Watch the other videos again. They're even better the second, third, or twelfth time!<br /><br />I know you can do it! Don't let me down, or you'll be letting the earth and the moon down! Be brave and bold!<br /><br /><small>*Quarktoplax and Alphatine</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-84196853594695773942009-04-04T21:53:00.000-07:002009-04-05T01:05:56.529-07:00Hunter Burgan Q&A part 4 (of 7)<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xM1HZb16yjg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xM1HZb16yjg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I now present you with the fourth Q&A* vlog in a series of seven. Thanks for your patience. We (AFI) have been at our busiest this week and all my attention has been focused on our record. Well...except for when I made <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdev-ahhtE0">Broken Glass Everywhere</a>.<br /><br />By now you know the drill: watch the video in High Quality, subscribe to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/tranquilmammoth">my channel</a>, and tell your friends about it. Here's an idea...don't just tell them about it, SHOW it to them! Maybe if I get a million views I can sell ad space and pay off my student loans. Tell all your <a href="http://www.biolegend.com/pop_pathway.php?id=55">mammalian</a> friends!<br /><br /><small>*Quality and Action</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-91843311926752336852009-04-01T02:21:00.000-07:002009-04-04T22:22:07.139-07:00Hunter Burgan Q&A part 3 (of 7)<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/82QxtEInAVY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/82QxtEInAVY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I now present you with the third installment of my Q&A* vlogs. Has anyone noticed that they keep getting longer? Am I losing anyone here? I can always edit them down a bit. Let me know. I hope everyone is thoroughly entertained by these. Remember, these are your questions...I merely attempted to answer them. AFI is really hitting it hard in the studio right now, trying to get our record done, so you'll have to excuse my lack of writing/blogging. Just in case no one told you (although I doubt this is the case), you are invited and encouraged to <a href="http://twitter.com/TranquilMammoth">follow me on Twitter</a>. That's where I do the majority of my pointless, random, self-aggrandizing, laconic rambling. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Three things I want you to do:</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1.</span> As always, watch this video in High Quality. I shot and edited it in High Quality, so why would you want to see a different version of lesser quality? It just doesn't make sense. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2.</span> Subscribe to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/tranquilmammoth">my youtube channel</a>. I might not always post every video on my blog or even tweet about it. If you want first dibs on watching my videos, <span style="font-weight:bold;">subscribe</span>.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3.</span> Tell your friends about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/tranquilmammoth">my youtube channel</a> and of course, <a href="http://tranquilmammoth.com">Tranquil Mammoth</a>. The more people that read, watch, and enjoy what I do, the more I am incentivized to continue to do this stuff. I'm not sure why this is, but I'm sure it has to do with megalomania or egotism. Either way, we both win!<br /><br /><small>*Quips and Absurdities</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2833992998115612054.post-75566205065178082572009-03-29T09:00:00.000-07:002009-04-04T22:22:38.079-07:00Hunter Burgan Q&A part 2 (of 7)<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rOJ5dSgraAA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rOJ5dSgraAA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I now present you with the second Q&A* vlog. As I mentioned before, I will upload a new part every few days, so check back often! As usual, I dare you to watch the video in high quality...it greatly improves the viewing experience. Tabby really comes to life in high quality.<br /><br />Thank you for the questions. I hope you enjoy the answers!<br /><br />-<a href="http://www.rarariot.com/news.php">Hunter</a><br /><br /><small>*Quetzalcóatl and Aztecs? Quakes and Avalanches? Quads and Abs? kyoōˈ ən āˈ?</small>Hunter Burganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04787195508807906751noreply@blogger.com24