Get your Tenori-on

That's supposed to read like "get your groove on" but it also could mean "go buy a tenori-on" =P
















Tenori-on special event hosted at 1015 Folsom. I was not aware they had this side area for events like this separate from the meat-market main club floor. Very nice space. Saw a bunch of game industry folks in attendance. One commented with me how this space could make for a nice GDC party spot.
















What is Tenori-on? Tenori-on is a new INSTRUMENT created by Toshio Iwai, an artist who has specialized in audio installations. Check out some of these videos that cover his previous works.






















1) Gettin' my Tenori-on. 2) Not gettin' a Tenori-on $1200!!! It is being sold as a high quality instrument and as such the frame is constructed of magnesium (alloy?). Then a robot that has been trained by a Yamaha master metal brusher brushes the metal frame to a high quality finish. This process takes 20 minutes per Tenori-on which in factory terms is forever.

Here is a simple demonstration of the device.



Now the Tenori-on was invented with the notion that a non-musician could use it and create something interesting with it. The controls are a bit archaic but you know, so is a Saxophone.
















Some musicians were brought in to do performances on it.





















This guy was pretty good. He used a keyboard and maybe a laptop (for visuals only?) and created some great stuff on stage. I'll see if my video has good enough sound quality... (edit: added)



And while not as good as the above, here is a youtube video I found of a DJ just using the Tenori-on to create some great stuff. It's cool that this is performed live and that there is a level of skill differentiation so that it isn't just some toy.


















And me with the some what startled man. Toshio Iwai. This guy is a great inspiration.

TFBBQ/08

There was a BBQ. A TFBBQ.
















Except with our beloved fire barrel. So some dude Frank was brought in.
















EMF, you've been blogged. Take that witness protection program!
















Food was had.
















And lines were made.
















The food was free so how much can you complain?
















Apparently a lot. The chicken was dry, others deem the ribs chewy and unspectacular. When you aren't smoking marinated tri-tip in a barrel, it just isn't the same but I was content with free food, sunny weather, and good times.

Lemongrass Chicken

Ever since I got lemongrass chicken sandwiches from Bale's (different location?) in Hawaii, I have always looked for something to compare to that wholesome flavor. I don't even know if those were proper lemongrass flavors but man did they kick ass. If Bale's LGC is a 10/10, this dish from Pho Tudo ranks about a 6/10 which is pretty good but again, not great. The first few bites were rather blah but one I got to the bottom where all the flavor oils were, the flavor started picking up (naturally!). Chicken was nice (except for like the first 3 pieces). Got a tetanus (7 year booster) shot and blood drawn today. My arm is only a little sore. BBQ tomorrow.

[expletive expletive expletive]

While looking at calenders with Ed, we found that Robin Williams was doing some shows at Bimbo's. His Robin Williams on Broadway act was really funny so I thought I would check him out. Plus he is one of the biggest stand up comics of our modern time (post Pryor (haha), Carlin, pre Chris Rock).



The show was called "Working on Material" and the rough edges definitely showed especially when compared to my memory of his Broadway show but there were some good funny parts to his show. Pretty much all forgotten. He started with a schtick on the Olympic games and went on to some politics (Obama/Clinton/McCain) and then I think he went into a whole lot of boob talk. The first half of the show also had some weak audio but it got turned up later. So contrary to what the first sentence might lead you to believe, I went with Casey. We actually saw Alex Ness and his girlfriend at the show afterwards. Oh yeah, we sat in the back corner and the lights near the bar really made it hard to see. His face was a bit blurry at times which would have made a big difference. I probably would have laughed twice as much if I was able to see all his facial expressions. Here is some classic Robin Williams.



Anyways, so me and Casey went to Kennedy's (Irish Bar / Indian food, kind of like McWang's back in Yorktown) for a late dinner and then he showed me some stuff from his projects back at his apartment. I guess I write more when I don't have pictures...

Ducktales, woo-ooo-oooooooo!

I can't help but love this. I don't know if it's my inner child or inner geek but someone made a model of Scrooge McDuck's money bin. And while it's the money bin from the comic book and not the cartoon, it's still pretty cool.

See all the pictures here.

And for reference and general awesomeness.

The Digg report

Too bad I can't embed the video.
I swear someone (South Park?) must have killed the Star Wars Kid and reincarnated him into a bear.

Star Wars Kid reincarnated as Bear

edit: youtube to the rescue. It's a different video but most of the footage is the same. Actually there is more...

EPIC FAIL

So the first FAIL goes to me. I won't say why. Kevin might have an idea...





















I went to North Beach to 1) go to Molinari's Deli for some Italian groceries. Closed on Sundays = FAIL.





















And then I went to go to Tommaso's to try some pizza. Not open till 4pm. FAIL.
















Where is the flavor?
















Tried some pizza at a place called Mona Lisa. I want to cry...