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August 06
August 31, 2006
Today I was browsing in Borders (only because Hathaway’s closed) and laid eyes upon a magazine I had never seen before. It was simply called, Good. Hmm, clever, I thought. Monosyllables and bold statements of purpose are catchy these days. But I was drawn in by promises of Neal Pollack and Minutemen. It says its mission is to “stimulate the culture of good by creating a dialogue of things that matter”. Intriguing. As I casually opened the magazine and flipped through the pages, my mind was almost accidentally blown away by design. I mean, I was utterly unprepared for a graph showing Paris Hilton’s rise to a 9.5 million dollar salary - it happened so fast! But finally, visually explained! And then a spread showing how much time and energy Americans devoted to watching and voting for American Idol versus the presidential elections? Why didn’t someone think of this before?
Then I noticed the most unbelievable feature of the magazine: You can subscribe for 6 issues per year for $20 - and 100% of the proceeds will go to the non-profit of your choice. What? This magazine is printed on high quality paper with high quality color and a section for STICKERS. Those things do not come free. Nor does Gary Shteyngart (author of Absurdistan) writing an extremely funny Top 10 List of “Why I love America” which a footnote says he got $2 a word for (”Number 3 alone cost us $146″).
Okay. I don’t get it. How can you put out a ridiculously good-looking magazine with well-paid writers and literally give away subscriptions?
The website explains:
We’re doing this because
1) it’s smart business and 2) we believe in this.
Let the secret be known—most magazines do not make money on subscriptions or newsstand sales. Traditionally, the best way to get a bunch of new subscribers is to send millions of pieces of unsolicited mail – junk mail – to people who might have some interest. We don’t like junk mail, and we don’t like the thought of spending millions of dollars on it. So we came up with the idea of giving away all subscription fees and allowing subscribers to choose which organization they would like to support.This whole thing is an experiment. If it works, we’ll actually spend less than half of what it traditionally costs to acquire subscribers. The success of this campaign will allow us to:
a) meet a self-selecting group of quality subscribers who find us through word of mouth, internet links, media coverage, our partner organizations, or the other crazy schemes we like to come up with;
b) raise significant money for organizations that will do something important with it; and
c) save resources and prove that you can do well by doing good.
Okay. I still don’t get it. But, holy crap. A magazine that’s completely committed to being good on all fronts? Some might say Good is the new Jesus.
Posted by: Lindsay Patterson in Uncategorized | Permalink 4 Comments
August 31, 2006
Walking home from kindergarten …
Ursen: “I think I’m gonna stab myself in the brain.”
Me: “Why would you do that?”
Ursen: “Because I just feel things and my brain only thinks.”
Posted by: darksandal in Uncategorized | Permalink 2 Comments
August 29, 2006
America groans collectively today - it wasn’t John Mark Karr after all. Not even close. Damn it. And we all thought we were justified in dragging up the most hopeless and loathsome case ever, again.
Even back in 1996, it didn’t seem that exciting. So, a mini-beauty queen is killed. Did America care about little JonBenet before she was found dead at the bottom of the stairs? Uh, not that much, no. Yeah, bad things happening on Christmas (Christ’s birthday, for christsakes!) are always pretty tragic. And there was something mildly creepy about a 6 year old wearing more makeup than a 45 year old divorcee on the prowl. But on the whole, the JonBenet thing called for local tragedy, not nationwide fascination. As it turns out, John Karr had about as healthy an obsession with JonBenet Ramsey as the woman who started this myspace page.
This guy must be completely getting off on all the attention he’s gotten. One minute he has a crush on a little girl in Bangkok, the next minute he’s an international superstar. He photographs really well as a pedophile. But ultimately he was a disappointment and justice has still not come for JonBenet. Her case is now four years older than she was when she died. Isn’t there some time limit after which we get to forget the whole thing?
Posted by: Lindsay Patterson in Uncategorized | Permalink 2 Comments
August 26, 2006
Come little daughter," I said to the youngest one,
Put your coat on, we’ll have some fun.
We’ll go out to mountains, the one to explore.
Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door.
Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door.
Come little daughter, I will carry the lanterns.
We’ll go out tonight, we’ll go to the caverns.
We’ll go out tonight, we’ll go to the caves.
Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves.
Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves.
Posted by: Craig Richardson in Uncategorized | Permalink Comments
August 24, 2006
For Immediate Release-
8/24/06
The Leechpit
Celebrates 3 Years of "bringing the rock"
When the Leechpit first opened
its doors in Sept of 2003, few thought it would last more than a few months.
Now, almost three years into their crucial, righteous, and holy mission to "bring the rock" to the kids of Colorado Springs, there is little doubt about the Leechpit’s
ability to thrive in a less than ideal socio-political environment. Now, the
only question that remains is how long the Leechpit will stay in The Springs.
Rumored to be moving to "greener" pastures (aka Denver), the Leechpit has shown steadfast determination
and a fierce loyalty to the culturally deprived youth of Colorado Springs. And for now, the war wages
on. The Leechpit has vowed to stay the course, and continue to change the face
of our "big little city" one oppressed, jaded, and disenchanted kid at a time…
And of course there is going to be a party… Saturday
September 16th, 12-7pm The Leechpit will be hosting the "Leechpit 3rd
Anniversary Barbeque." Join us for an exciting day of rock’n’roll salvation, salivation,
gyration, revelation, and libation as we celebrate 3 years of "keepin’ it
real," "stickin’ it to the man," and of
course "bringin’ the rock."
Music, food, and drink, are all in order, as are giveaways,
huge deals, and hot "new" inventory, so grab the kids and head down to the
Leechpit’s 3rd Anniversary Barbeque Extravaganza Extraordinaire!
Anybody and everybody who is anybody will be there!
What: The Leechpit’s 3rd Anniversary Barbeque
When: Saturday, Sept. 16th
Where: The Leechpit. 708 N Weber
Why: All the "cool kids" are doing it!
More info: http://leechpit.com
Posted by: Adam Leech in COSsip | Permalink Comments
August 18, 2006
THE WHITNEY ELECTRIC (825 N Tejon St, next to Wooglins) (www.myspace.com/methadone)
These are our upcoming shows and events, complete with totally accurate and completely convincing genre descriptions- how convenient and cool!!! (note: additional bands may be added without warning to current line-ups)…
Sunday, Aug 20…The Assailant, Elphaba…8:30pm…$5 (Hardxore)
Saturday, Aug 26…The Lymbic System, Attack of the Giant Squid…8:30pm…$5 (Experimental/Electro)
Thursday, Aug 31…Drowning Dolphins, Spooky Harbor, The Ufio…8:30pm…$3 (Art Rock/Improv)
Sunday, Sept 3…Film Showing: Liquid Sky…9pm…FREE (Fuckin/Awesome)
Monday, Sept 4…Dogs of Ire, Rogue State, Think in French…8:30pm…$5 (Punk)
Friday, Sept 8…The Coma Recovery, Dia Dora Vida…8:30pm…$5 (Indie)
Monday, Sept 11…Security Threat, G-13…8:30pm…$5 (D-Beat)
Friday, Sept 15…The Emilies ft. Zero Reference, Cave of the Wolf, Alan, Pneumonia…8:30pm…Donations (um, Eclectic)
Posted by: JT in Uncategorized | Permalink 2 Comments
August 18, 2006
There’s a nice big reprinted (and slightly reified) version of my Free Shit From Focus on the Family article over at The Stranger.
Please forward the link to all interested in putting a foot up their wallet.
(many thanks again to Non-Prophet for the original tip-off!)
Posted by: darksandal in Uncategorized | Permalink 4 Comments
August 15, 2006
The mightily infamous Church Whipper will be appearing on Wednesday at McCabe’s as guest quizmaster for the Geeks Who Drink pub quiz. She’ll be presenting a round on local churches, as is her milieu. The quiz begins at 8 and is free to play. Yesssss!
Posted by: Aaron Retka in Religion | Permalink Comments
August 14, 2006
This just in, christians LOVE them some porno…
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Poll_Chr…raphy_0814.html
Posted by: Adam Leech in Uncategorized | Permalink 1 Comment
August 14, 2006
This from Jon Severson:
On July 25th 2006 the Brophy family was changed forever. Peter Brophy was hit by two semis while coming home from Cheyenne, WY. He was clipped by a semi while exiting off I-80 onto I-25 which sent his car into a spin after which he was then hit by a second semi. He suffered a catastrophic brain injury as a result. A long road is ahead for the family.
Many know Peter as the hard working Irishman who tended bar at Eden as well as helped run the night club. His wife has touched the lives of many patrons of the King Chef dinner, an establishment where she is a part time waitress at. Peter was the major breadwinner of the family of four children, and proud father of a newborn baby just months old at the time of the accident.
Needless to say this is a time of need for the Brophy family. An account has been set up at TCF Bank in the name of the Brophy Family Fund. Donations can be sent directly to the bank or dropped off at King Chef Diner. In addition to cash donations, shopping cards for Target, Wal Mart, and Safeway are also
being accepted as well as prepaid gasoline cards.Those of us who know Peter and have been proud to be one of the few he calls a friend, a title the very proud Irishman didn¹t hand out to just anyone. You had to earn it. A hard worker and great all around human being, it¹s obviously a tragedy that it happened. Which is why a few of us have decided to do something about it.
Thursday, August 17th we will be doing a benefit pub crawl through some of Peter’s favorite downtown establishments. Putting on this pub crawl will be McCabe’s Tavern, Jack Quinn’s Pub, Eden Night Club, King Chef Diner, and the Colorado Springs Young Professionals. The crawl will start at McCabe’s and
end at Eden with King Chef staying open all night long with a special post crawl party to be held at King Chef¹s back enclosed patio.If you can open your eyes, if you can talk, if you can walk come and join us for this pub crawl. Why? Because those are three things Peter cannot do and may never do again. Come celebrate the spirit of this Irishman in style with those who were close to him. Come celebrate that we are all lucky to be
alive this Thursday, August 17th 2006.Please forward.
Posted by: darksandal in Uncategorized | Permalink Comments
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