"Still Alive"

There haven't been too many updates for a while but yeah, I'm... still alive. Which, coincidentally, is the title of the song I am about to plug -- Still Alive by Jonathan Coulton.

I recently played a game called Portal (awesome game, go play it!) and this song (yes, a YouTube link, sue me. Also, CONTAINS SPOILERS! Do not click if you intend to play the game!) played while the ending credits rolled. The lyrics make a lot of sense in the context of the game. References to Aperture Science, cake, and Black Mesa (yes, the Black Mesa, of Half Life fame) make this song full of win.


Warning: It's an insanely catchy tune. I am not responsible if it's stuck in your head for days/weeks/months/years (OK it hasn't been a year since the song was out, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be forgotten any time soon).

PS: The cake is a lie!

PPS: Or is it??

PPPS: Only GLaDOS knows!

"Live Earth"

On 7/7/07 a series of pop and rock concerts will be held across 8 cities to spread awareness about the global warming crisis. Millions, even billions, of people are expected to tune in on their TVs and radios (in addition to the tens of thousands already attending the shows themselves) and be a part of this event.

There are literally hundreds of artists going to be performing; so whatever your taste in music, you're likely to find something you like. But the music is just a medium, "save the environment" is the message. You must do your bit to save our environment.

Use less fuel -- use public transport, ride a bicycle, carpool. Use less electricity -- turn off lights and fans when not in use, replace bulbs by Compact Fluoroscent Lamps. Stop using plastics. Reduce the use of water heaters, air conditioners and room heaters. Save trees -- use less paper.

These are only a few of the things you can do. These little things can make a big difference. Remember the 4 R's -- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Restore.

Additional resources:

[1] The Live Earth website [http://www.liveearth.org]

[2] "Proper Education" - a remix of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" by DJ Eric Prydz. A music video with a deep environmental message [http://www.green.tv/eric_prydz_int]