So it looks like YouTube has rolled out a new version of it's embedded flash video player. I use Youtube alot because they have such a huge content base, and I always embed the clips to the blog. But let me also say that the horrible video quality and ugly user interface bug me to no end. The new embedded player makes me want to never embed a youtube clip again. There are all sorts of annoying UI bits in your face - prev/next circles with no tooltips about what they do, OS X dock style expanding 'related' thumbnails (that arent even very relevant) complete with extraneous reflections and worst of all an overlaid "menu" that sit right on the video you're watching. And to make this all go away you have to mouse off for 3 or 4 seconds!!! GRRRR. Hit play below to see what I'm talking about.
So I guess this is what happens when you take Google's amazing design sensibilities and apply it to Youtube's already spectacular UI work. UGH. time to look for new embedded video options...
This is such a weird, demented animation by Bill Sneed that combines Little Red Riding Hood with frenetic Japanese commerical styles. The translations are eye-opening, as is the bizarre storyline.
I'd not heard of Monkey Majik before, but stumbled across this video of their song Change, that combines traditional Japanese shamisen instruments, english vocals with a rock sound. The Yoshida brothers on the shamisen are pretty amazing in this track. It works surprisingly well and I like it even though it's not really my cup of tea. Looking up Monkey Majik seems to indicate they're based out of Japan - which is quite fascinating for a (mostly) english singing band. This track (which is pretty cheesey) has them crooning fluently in Japanese.
Danny Choo.com has a humorous 'review of a Japanese product called Tenga that is bascially a self pleasuring device for guys that looks more like a cheap plastic thermos. With hilarious labeling such as "Sweet side" and "Bitter side" and a great 3-way icon, the 'review' itself is interesting beause he claims to have not actually tried the darn thing. Yeahright.