Simpsons Extravaganza

With the Simpsons Movie just around the corner, the marketing buildup is approaching fever pitch. And I like it. Things to do in the Hollywood tie-in fun house:

  • Visit your local Kwik-E-Mart: A number of 7-Elevens are receiving a Kwik-E-Mart facelift for the release of the movie, complete with Simpsons-inspired products like Buzz Cola, Squishees, KrustyOs, and copies of Radioactive Man. Ashley and I visited our local Kwik-E-Mart in Mountain View (right across from the movie theater), and Ashley noted the barricades already in place for the inevitable nerd-riot that will unfold on the movie’s opening night.
  • Pick up a copy of Bazaar: The Simpsons are doing a full photo spread with the luminaries of the fashion world.
  • Visit a landmark: Hop on JetBlue, the official airline of Springfield, before Mr. Burns “improves” it. Maybe go to Britain and see the Cerres Abbas giant. Or visit Canada to see the CN Tower. Or just be done with it and go visit the official Springfield.

It’s all in good fun, and a hell of a lot cheaper than post-Harry Potter grief counseling.

There Goes My World Record

A little-known fun fact for the day: I am in the Guinness Book of World Records. Well, that’s not entirely accurate – I’m one of the 1322 guitarists that participated in Vancouver’s successful 1994 bid for a world record for the most people simultaneously playing the same song. The song was BTO’s “Taking Care of Business” and, to the best of my recollection, it went on for a deafening 77 or so minutes. Neither Robson Square, nor my hearing, nor my appreciation of BTO would ever be the same.

But all good things must come to an end, and yesterday Kansas City bested Vancouver’s record. I learned last night on The Colbert Report (where Stephen rocked out, incidentally) that on June 3rd, 1683 guitarists in Kansas City strummed their way through Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water” and into the record books.



And so ends my small part in guitar world record history.