Full on

So Microsoft debuted the XBOX One this week and the video game fanboys dropped trou and prayed to Lord Gates. With it, the next generation of consoles are all spec’ed out, and being built by poor children of other countries. Err, I mean by robots. Yes. Souless, never-hungry robots. Perhaps it’s a sign of the times, or just the fact that I’m getting older and crankier by the day (something I may attribute to being in proximity of several fine folks on this very site), but I’m finding it harder and harder to care. My generation was gleefully known as the ‘Nintendo Generation. When the original NES debuted, I was at the perfect age. With careful prodding, pleading, and sad-face-making, my parents dropped the $100 (a veritable fortune at the time for a lowly birthday / Chanukah gift) for the system. Elation, kiddos. Elation. Flash forward sometime later, and I was able to finagle the Super Nintendo when it debuted. I remember with near photographic memory the reflection of my beardless cherubic face in the glossy UV coating on the box… declaring all the amazing new games debuting with the console –none of which were included, save for Super Mario World. This cycle continued all throughout high school: the SNES begat the Sega Saturn (don’t judge me). The Saturn begat the Dreamcast (continue to hold that tongue). The Dreamcast gave way to the original XBOX. And I remember it so well; plunking down my shiny new credit card for the $650 charge (the system, a game, and the extra controller, don’t-cha-know), and then holing up at a friend’s apartment for what would end up being one of very few all-night gaming sessions. See, even in my early twenties I was a budding old man. But I digress. The newest line of video game consoles continue the trend to move away from entertainment add-on devices to full on hubs of all things do-and-watchable. Literal, visceral computers minus a keyboard and mouse. They’re WiFi-enabled, app-store-shoppable, and motion-sensitive. The XBOX One will apparently be ‘on’ all the time, and be able to take voice commands at will. XBOX, turn on. Bring up Netflix. Order me a pizza. Raise me my child. They’ve even showed a possible add-on that will project environmental graphics onto the walls and surfaces of your media room. I’ve seen the future folks… and I can’t wait to tell my son about how in my day our graphics were crappy and damn-it we liked it that way. So why all the hatespew, you ask? All allusions to getting older aside, it’s frankly a matter of taste. The commitment of time a child (or teen, or adult for that matter) can sink into a video game is mind-numbing. Pun intended. Games today simply try too hard to be immersive. One simply doesn’t turn on the game, play a level or two, and call it a night. Suffice to say, that is what Angry Birds was designed to do. With the next generation of systems on their way, this is the trend that will continue. The phone will be my Nintendo. The XBOX will demand I plotz for 90 minutes if I intend to game. The late Roger Ebert was adamant that even the best games were hardly art, I’ve never subscribed to that point of view. While Halo won’t sit on my shelf next to Inglorious Basterds, it certainly provided more smiles and provoked more thoughts than Kung Pow: Enter the Fist. But therein lies the blessing and the curse of modern gaming. The more video games mimic real life / real cinema / long-format stories, the more time and energy will be required of the player. Who here would watch The Godfather trilogy in 20-minute chunks? And while yes, this doesn’t include Madden, fighting games, or arcade games… even there Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are subtly demanding more and more of us as players – both in our time, and from our bank account). Madden may have that quick game, but the appeal (for those not online) is in the franchise mode-built for hours-long tweaking, prodding, and finessing. Fighting games demand the completest beat the game with every figh

The Odd Future crew have become an international force over the course of their existence, expanding far beyond music into a full on lifestyle movement. Their subsequent brand OFWGKTA will open a pop-up space at Tokyo's Opening Ceremony Omotesando as they expand their reach through physical retail in a traditionally fashion forward and hip-hop loving environment. Clothing aside, an OF claw vending machine, special graphics and Japanese exlcusives will accompany the duration of the pop-up which starts on May 31 at 6:00 pm with a "Hugging Party." The space will remain open June 13. Opening Ceremony Omotesando 6-7-1-B Jingumae Shibuyaku Tokyo Japan Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast.com

Come support the I'll Fly Away Foundation Scholarship Program, enjoy great food in a fun atmosphere at Margaritaville Nashville, and be entertained by award winning and exciting talent! All for a great cause! The lineup includes: Grammy and Award Winning songwriters, Cordle Jackson and Salley, Sony Music Artist The Rhett Walker Band, International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Band of the Year Monroeville, Atlanta GA favorites The Deadfields, Commedian Josh Phillips, and many more new up and coming acts! Three of Nashville's premiere songwriters, Lary Cordle, Carl Jackson and Jerry Salley, have written for names such as: Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss, Diamond Rio, Gene Watson, Pam Tillis, The Osbourne Brothers, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Mel Tillis, George Jones, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Glen Campbell, Nancy Sinatra, Dolly Parton and a host of others. Now, as Cordle, Jackson and Salley, the trio offers the crowd a glimpse into their Grammy and industry award winning minds by performing and telling the behind the scenes stories of some of their greatest musical hits and original compositions. This outspoken 25-year-old son of a preacher was born and raised around the South, his mellow yet animated voice a sure mix of Georgia and the Carolinas. In that drawl, he tells an intense wild oats story tempered by God’s grace, a testimony that fuels the deep-fried rock and deep- down worship on Rhett Walker Band’s debut, Sony/Provident/Essential Records recording, Come To The River. Embracing a crossover sound between progressive bluegrass and acoustic country, the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Band of the Year, Monroeville, has caught the attention of music lovers on both sides of the track. Based out of the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg, TN, each member is multi-instrumental, and has been nominated for and or won awards from Dove, CCMA, IBMA, and or the GRAMMYS®. They have appeared at events such as Grey Fox, NASCAR, Rocky Grass, and devote much of their time with youth projects while on tour, appearing in front of already 12,000 kids in schools the first of 2013 alone. Their new project is slated to be released this summer. Americana/Folk-Rock group from Atlanta, GA, The Deadfields' live show is full on, honest energy from start to finish. Whether performing to a packed house or just the lucky few that happen to discover the room, no matter, The Deadfields’ show is something you can’t forget. The I'll Fly Away Foundation was establlished for educating young people through musical expression while preserving our musical heritage and providing scholarships for those who wish to go to school for a career in the music industry. Click here for more information. Presented by the Sheri Clark Agency, The AcoustiCana Journal and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Nashville. For more information and updates: http://www.acousticana.us/acousticana-series-cma Tags: CMAFly Away FoundationAcoustiCanaMargaritaville NashvilleBenefitEvent

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below! Name: Kirstin & Jeff Location: Los Angeles, CA Square Feet: 713 Division: Little What I Love About My Small Home: Our little home is a Casita Del Rio—it’s right at an entrance to the LA River in Atwater Village, and we’ve become full on river people. We are so lucky to have all these exotic birds, peaceful water, and stunning natural landscape steps from our house. And in the midst of LA freeways, it’s the weirdest thing. The location lifts the spirits with our house filled with reminders of places, people, and experiences that make us happy, and that inspires us to make our stuff! Having a lot of space means nothing if it doesn’t energize you to make your stuff, and there’s always projects happening here. But mostly we love our home because Mr. Furley (the coolest little doggie in the world) lives here. More

The world’s largest consumer-products maker Proctor & Gamble (NYSE:PG) has replaced Chief Executive Officer Robert McDonald with his predecessor A.G. Lafley. The decision ends McDonald’s four-year battle to help the company adapt to growing global competition and more frugal customers. McDonald has been under scrutiny from investors, who accused him of not doing enough to reduce P&G’s cost structure. Lafley, who started working at P&G in 1977 and was CEO of the company from 2000 to 2009, will start immediately and plans to continue McDonald’s turnaround plan designed to cut $10 billion in costs through 2016. Lafley is looking forward to reprising his role as CEO, saying, “The board called me and asked me if I would come back, and frankly, duty called. I’m back. I’m full on, I’m engaged, and I’m ready to get into the business.” NEW! Discover a new stock idea each week for less than the cost of 1 trade. CLICK HERE for your Weekly Stock Cheat Sheets NOW! Lafley built a legacy at P&G through his involvement in the Tide laundry division of the company, pushing for liquid and concentrated Tide detergents at different points in his career. He made a reputation as a prolific deal-maker when he spearheaded P&G’s $57 billion purchase of Gillette in 2005. McDonald was Lafley’s handpicked successor, but P&G has struggled under his leadership after the financial crisis. McDonald shifted P&G’s focus from premium brands to lower-cost products in response to a more frugal customer base, but it hasn’t been enough to expand sales or maintain P&G’s market share. Investor activist Bill Ackman has been pushing for McDonald’s replacement since buying a $1.8 billion stake in the company last year. When asked if McDonald was fired, P&G responded that, “Bob McDonald has chosen to retire from Procter & Gamble after 33 years of service.” In recent interviews, McDonald showed no sign of an impending departure, speaking about upcoming plans to visit P&G consumers. NEW! Discover a new stock idea each week for less than the cost of 1 trade. CLICK HERE for your Weekly Stock Cheat Sheets NOW! The board denied that Ackman had any role in the decision to replace McDonald, and went on to say, “The Board is confident that A.G. Lafley is the right leader to build on P&G’s momentum and continue to improve the Company’s results.” Don’t Miss: These 10 Companies Provide a Huge Medium For Online Advertisers. Read the original article from Wall St. Cheat Sheet

“Good Morning America” co-anchor Lara Spencer called it a “TV moment,” and indeed Mariah Carey‘s appearance on “GMA” this morning would certainly seem to qualify. The singer–there to launch “GMA’”s Summer concert series–said “oh shit” on-air (she later suggested that she actually said “shoot”), and the back of her dress popped open, though thankfully we were spared any sort of Janet Jackson ”wardrobe malfunction.” ABC News, to its credit, posted the video in full on Goodmorningamerica.com. WATCH: New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Race week is really, really close. It excites me sometimes to the point of not being able to enjoy it. I've tried everything from embracing it, being part of all the activities and group training sessions, and pretending it's party week. I've also hid out, stayed completely off my feet, and only read books. Both approaches have landed their fair share of good results and belly flops...The best things I've learned and try to remember...1. Enjoy every training session since they are fewer now (I love training)2. Have fun with the triathlete friends from other locations3. Trust. Trust the plan you have & the work you have done 4. Do chill out a little bit5. Think about the race, but not over think itWe are trying to maximize sunsets, as usual. It always helps me to sit with friends and family that I've had before I ever got into triathlon, somehow we never end up talking about triathlon. I really love the escape from protein powder flavors, new gels to try, and what I will wear race day. Admittedly, I do love to talk about those things too though, and mile splits, how far I rode bike, and what time I should go to bed. Just not during sunset, or at the beach for that matter... Last night was the moment where the athlete in me was full on living right through all the other roles of my life. We had 2 of the fastest high school girls from Hawaii, Kiwi pro Julia, and one of the strongest masters guy swimmers all throwing punches of trash talk like kids do. It got as competitive as swimming 3 of us at a time down the lane. I loved it. It felt like being a kid again where you have no intimidation or fear. You just go hard and talk smack as if you might just be heading to the Olympics. Of course we are not anytime soon, but our lane had that vibe and somehow, for the first time at masters, from a push, I finally broke a minute in the 100 free. The high school girls and Chandler do it all the time, every practice as if it was as easy as taking a bath, not me. They pushed me tonight and finally, it happened... I'm pretty sure it was a 58, for sure a 59, and without a doubt less than 60 seconds. I'm not sure its repeatable without all the fun we made our lane last night. Somehow it did in deed show me that an overabundance of fun in something you love can actually be good for you...My yogi sister has really been helping me a lot with the "just breathe" philosophy. It has never been easy for a girl like me who runs around life with a handful of dreams to just chill out, to patiently wait for some of them to come true. She challenges me mentally more than some of my workouts do! But, it has helped. I can run far now without an IPOD, be on my bike and actually "be on the bike", not looking at lava while wondering about dinner. She is teaching me things about myself and lack of limitations that baffle me. Today's practice (and sincere laughter in attempt) was about the most fun I ever imagined yoga/focus stuff could ever be! Notice though, she can put her hand in the rocks and not feel them, I on the other hand needed a mat, not quite there yet...With race week so close, I am really embracing my butterflies, they are filling me with pride. Pride because I'm about to do something I love and something I have put a lot of heart and sweat into. They are also reminding me to keep humble, to know that sport has a way of teaching us lessons that matter in so many areas of life. Alright little butterflies, let's calm down a tiny bit so I can sleep...Night!!Bree

DeNA is continuing their partnership with Hasbro by releasing two new titles: G.I. Joe Battleground and Dungeons & Dragons Arena of War. G.I. Joe I expect will be much like the Transformers game where you collect and battle with cards from both the Joe and Cobra side. Arena of War, on the other hand, looks like it's going to be a full on action title based on the screens. We can expect questing, character leveling, and small team collaboration out of the D&D title. Both games will be free-to-play, and we can expect them something later this year for Android, iPhone, and iPad. Read more...

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When I wrote this a little over a couple weeks ago, it was because I thought that it is an interesting question. The struggle between the two "poles" of hockey at the NHL level is nothing new. There have always been big teams that played big ( and some that played the skill game regardless of their size! ), and teams built more on skill. The big mean team archtype have always kind of smirked at those of us that enjoy an up tempo game. They know what everyone is certainly seeing play out in front of their very eyes during these playoffs when it comes to what is and isn't a penalty in the regular season, as opposed to the playoffs. But, some of us got fooled. Me, Mike Gillis, and fans of the beauty of the game ( don't get me wrong. I love the "brawn" of the game. My favorite thing to do as a youngin' playing the game was to deliver a perfect hit! I just love the beauty of the game a bit more now...) all thought that, coming out of the 2004 lockout, that the new rule changes would make for a certain type of hockey. One exemplified by the Wonder Twins, Daniel and Henrik Sedin. The NHL, in 2004, changes how the game was being called, and rewarded speed and skill. Power plays that were successful, in part because they were getting more than a couple chances at it a game, we're becoming more important. I honestly don't remember the playoffs in the intervening years between then and now being any less entertaining as a result. But, defensemen were getting their brains scrambled at an alarming rate, and something, rightly, had to be done. Instead of still calling the rules of interference, that one change, of allowing defensemen and forwards to slightly hold up the onrushing forechecker at the blue line again, soon became full on, both hands out checks. As each round goes forward in the playoffs, just watch what doesn't get called at the blue lines. The rest is all attitude, size, defensive zeal Skilled size guys are the new "must have players" . Don't get me wrong. Skill is still important. It just seems that instead of highlighting Sedinery, the NHL decided that the hitting and violence should share the spotlight. I get that. I love both. But surely there is a way to call the game where they can actually call interference AND prevent the epidemic of concussions that were happening because of the out of lockout rule changes. You had a great idea NHL. The hockey was spectacular. Don't throw out the baby with the entertaining bath water. As evidenced by our GM's comments on the game,how it is played and called, and the changes that are required, and without trying to pat myself on the back ( and ending up spraining myself somehow anyhow! )... it seems apparent that me and the boss have been thinking similar thoughts. You cannot imagine the excitement that has engendered in this fan moving forward. Why? Because it sure sounds like the Canucks are going to start playing and building with the Big Boy Hockey idea in mind. In light of the recent results, rule changes brought in and then changed, and simply the way the game is called in the second season, if you can't beat em, join em! First up is the coach. Most of the readers here at least know that I was and am a fan of Alain Vigneault. Although I totally agree with the move yesterday, as the time had come, and the message had seemingly grown "stale" ( not to mention two first round exits. In the end, it is a results business ), I do think there might be a coach or two out there that might fit the mold better. As the "process" moves forward, we can get into that, but I imagine they will wait a bit until teams start losing out and consider dumping their own highly regarded coaches. For now, let me just list a few of the current coaches that play "Big Boy Hockey" to some degree. Remember, it does vary. One of the most successful teams this year is the Pittsburgh Penguins, and they definitely play a hybrid of the two solitudes. ( the kind of game