Grow Up Punk

CNN: Music a ‘mega-vitamin’ for the brain

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:45:26 +0000

Check out this awesome story, which talks about the power of music to positively affect the human brain in measurable and meaningful ways. We’re talking about neurological improvements, psychological benefits, and even physical improvement - from music. Of course this only confirms what we’ve known all along - music rules.

LINK: Music is a mega-vitamin for your brain on CNN

Black Metal Parents Will Love the Death Crib

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:54:13 +0000

Coolbuzz reports on this heap of “why?” - blade-covered baby stuff. Is this stuff for, like, Dimmu Borgir’s children?

This is art, of course, by an artist named Shi Jinsong. There’s also a stroller, a rocking horse of the apocalypse and more. Hit the link to see the full story.

LINK: Learn to be fearless by birth, real men do it always! on Coolbuzz

Etsy Highlight: Baby Mohawk Hat

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:09:37 +0000

When my little boy shows up, I might have to get this for him. It’s made of oatmeal heather wool and fits newborns through nine months. Pretty cool, but the product photos are super creepy.

LINK:Infant Oatmeal Heather Baby Mohawk Hat on Etsy.com

MUSIC - Cocksparrer’s Here We Stand

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:50:03 +0000

I get so many CDs in the mail each week, it makes me want to cry. I don’t want most of these CDs, of course, for a number of reasons. 1) Most of them are terrible. 2) Digital materials could easily cut out so much of the waste generated by sending people like me a mailer, a CD, a CD sleeve, and a bunch of paper telling me the selling points and stuff. 3) Most of them are terrible.

This Cock Sparrer CD, however, is a promo I’ll wind up keeping in my personal collection. And while I do throw on True Grit once in a while, Cock Sparrer are not at all one of my favorite bands. It’s just that this first-time stateside re-issue of 2007’s Here We Stand is simply too nice to ignore. That’s to be expected, of course, as it’s brought to us by the skilled folks at Pirates Press Records - the boutique record label side of manufacturing powerhouse Pirates Press, known for their ultra-high quality packaging (as seen in products from My Chemical Romance, Brian Posehn and Spiderman). Pirates Press might make stuff for the rich and powerful, but their personal tastes are a little more pissy.

This is a six-panel digipak that includes a bonus DVD. It’s got camo and silver foil and is cool. Lyrics included, so you can sing along to “Suicide Girls.” Oh, and the track listing on this release is different than on the original 2007 Captain Oi! Records release of Here We Stand. Apparently this new pressing has the band’s preferred sequencing. So that’s pretty interesting. Vinyl is out there, of course - 350 claret/blue and 650 red/white. But this CD is pretty nice, too, for a CD, and so I am going to keep it. How’s the music? It’s pretty awesome, especially when you see the band photo in the layout and realize that these dudes are fucking OLD. So good for them, with their still caring about stuff and still doing what they love. That’s how it should be.

LINK: Pirates Press Records

Earth Mama Baby Angel Cutesy Wootsy

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:23:28 +0000

Our pals at LeafyGreen.info have posted a review of the Angel Baby Kit from Earth Mama. I don’t know many people who want to dip their newborns in harsh chemicals, so products like these are certainly appealing. Earth Mama claims to use only the finest ingredients in their soaps, lotions and other products. Vegan and free of artificial things. Check out the review by clicking the link below.

READ: Earth Mama Baby Angel Products review on LeafyGreen.info

Etsy Highlight: Metallica Lighswitch Plate

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:39:09 +0000

This sweet Metallica lightswitch plate is triple-wide, and one of a kind. Great for your bedroom, bathroom, or wine cellar.

READ: Metallica Lightswitch Plate

Buy Shoes, Give Shoes to Poor People

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:46:52 +0000

Have you seen that new AT&T commercial featuring a guy named Blake Mycoskie, who informs viewers that he is the Chief Shoe Giver for TOMS Shoes? It turns out that he is, in fact, who he says he is.

TOMS is a cool company - for every pair of shoes they sell, the company gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. To date, TOMS has donated over 140,000 pairs of shoes to needy children. If you have a problem with that, you’re probably a shitty person.

TOMS makes shoes for men, women, kids and babies, with vegan choices available.

TOMS Shoes

Blake Mycoskie’s blog

FREE MONEY: Ditch Your Squat, Move On Up

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:11:48 +0000

If you think you want to buy a house, now is definitely the time. If you have a giant mortgage payment, now is the time to negotiate something better for yourself.

Before I re-financed, I had a 7.45% interest rate on my condo. I don’t know about you, but I hate paying interest when I don’t have to. After re-financing, my wife and I secured 5%. Way better.

Although true revolutionaries know it’s absurd to think one can own a piece of God’s Green Earth, now is a great time to buy if you’re thinking of making a home purchase. Interest rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage are below 5% as of this blog entry, which is totally cheap or something.

Under President Obama’s new guidelines, first-time home buyers now qualify for a tax credit of up to $8,000. That is pretty sweet, and you can read about it here:

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/