Saying goodbye

posted by Anonymous : 2:41 AM

We here at Recoil would like to thank you for nearly 9 years of loyal readership.

Originally founded by Rick and Paul in 1998, Recoil has seen ups and downs and sideways and backways and poorly lit alleyways, all for good or bad. If you look over the archives, you'll see the expansive amount of work that went behind creating this humorous entity. I hope you've enjoyed our presence as much as we've enjoyed yours.

I recall getting my first piece published in the mag, "Idle Chat." I was extremely enthused to be associated with this publication, and highly enjoyed participating in its grassroots campaign to make some sort of dent in the Omaha scene (to my knowledge, there is no other regular humor magazine in this town).

In April 2004, the last full issue of Recoil was published on the web, and it was good. After 3 years of waiting, however, I'd think it's safe to say that there won't be another one coming. 'Tis a shame, but people grow up and move on, right?

While Paul has his thing going and Rick has his thing going, I might have something of my own going sometime soon as well. But the point is, that's the toll taken when people go their separate ways and become spread thin. And the result is a stagnant blog that becomes dormant and less frequented by web-goers.

I think it's safe to say we've hit our peak, and are now on the downside of the hill. But it was a hell of a good time while it lasted. I'm extremely proud to have been a part of it, and it has been a huge growing experience for me as a writer.

So again, I thank you so much for your loyalty, and I invite you to take one last look around before it all comes down.

Goodbye all.

-Mike

Labels: goodbye

4 Comments

NU says FU to RIAA Suits

posted by RICK : 7:43 PM

Here's a cool one via Gizmodo.

Labels: Media, True

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I've seen the light (and it has pretzels)

posted by RICK : 8:10 PM

Look, I'm a Snickers guy. Always have been. It has what you want in a candy bar. It has peanuts. It has caramel. It has nougat. Its in a bar shape. Nuff said.

But tonight I decided to try something people always talk about (this is usually how a tale of woe starts out). That something is Hershey's "Take 5." The five include: peanuts, caramel, chocolate, peanut-butter... ... and Pretzels.

The short answer is that the "Take 5" is awesome. The longer answer would be that the "Take 5" is the Magnolia of the candy bar world. It probably has no business being as enjoyable as it actually is.

Labels: True

1 Comments

Housekeeping

posted by RICK : 3:27 PM

In an attempt to jump-start this rarely updated blog (though Taylor and Mike's posts below have helped) I've been tinkering with "New Blogger" and seeing what's what. For starters I've ditched Haloscan for Blogger Comments (maybe to the dismay of some). Also, let's try to utilize the category tags. Specifically: True, Fake, Media, Projects and Info.

Now let's get posting.

Labels: Info

4 Comments

When the elements get you down...

posted by Stein : 9:25 PM

Ok, this goes along with MS's post for what's being called the Blizzard of '07 in Omaha:


...and this is just for your entertainment because you might recognize someone in it...

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Wish you were here :)

posted by Anonymous : 2:52 AM

On Thursday, Omaha felt the brunt of Mother Nature's icy fist in the form of one of the worst blizzards the area has felt in quite some time. The World-Herald said worst since '98. I don't remember said blizzard of '98, but maybe I was spared having to drive in it since that was the year I got my license.

This year, I got stuck on an on-ramp from the interstate to the busiest street in Omaha: Dodge Street (or technically called "West Dodge Road" at that specific geographic point). Yes, ON the ramp. Not on the street or interstate. Whoah was me when the city neglected to clear the top of the ramp that met with Dodge, where a PT Cruiser was hopelessly sputtering about, while I sat behind a Ford Focus and VW Jetta, both primed to try it next. Yes, it was grim. I was officially stranded in one of the most absurd places one can be. I tried backing off the ramp, but nay, apparently a spot I was able to clear on the way up was not letting me back down as I frantically tried to reverse my Mazda 6 through that impenetrable mess of slush/snow. I resigned to pulling back up the ramp behind Focus and Jetta. The drivers of those two vehicles got out and we huddled for ideas. How many ideas can you think of in that situation? Yeah, you can imagine how stupid we felt.

But thanks to a bunch of rogue snowplow drivers and car-towers(?) who came out of nowhere with their four-wheel drive trucks that just bounced around the snowy terrain like it was just a mound of dirt, the ramp got cleared out, ending with me turning my car around completely and exiting the ramp the wrong way after a plow cleared it and blockaded it from any traffic trying to travel up it with any normalcy. I did this upon the instruction of the snowplow driver who rolled down his window to fully articulate the plan: "There's no fucking getting past that fucker up there, so you're just gonna have to turn that fucker around and fuckin' drive down the ramp to get out." And no doubt he meant it. I had spent an hour and a half there, and was more than ready to not be there.

So, to anyone not in Omaha or anywhere in the midwest, that's what you missed. And to anyone in Omaha, if you happen to be driving on I-680 between the Blair/Irvington exit and Fort St. exit, look out for some badassed bermuda triangle-esque phenomenon where everything suddenly whites out and the road goes from half-cleared to full of that shit snow that sends your car wobbling awkwardly, on the verge of a tailspin. There's some sort of wind tunnel effect going on there.

Oh, and regarding the photo above, that was actually included in an MSN article and is of a section of Dodge St. (in front of Family Fun Center, for those who know the area).

Wasn't there some talk of spring beginning soon?

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So Beethoven Turned A Frivolous Inspiration Into A Serious Quartet

posted by erin : 11:31 AM

I'm thinking about signing up to train for a triathlon. It's about six miles of running, 26 miles of cycling (maybe more) and a mile of swimming. Have any of you ever trained and raced in one or know anyone who has gone through this process? I'm not super super athletic, so I'm sure if I can physically do this. But I could be persuaded. Any advice?

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What's Old is New.

posted by RICK : 8:16 PM

Because I just can't get enough of this funk, funk, funk, I've decided to move WhatIsRecoil.com from "Old Blogger" to "New Blogger." Since I'm not entirely sure what this will mean for those of you who enjoy contributing to the site, I thought I'd give you a heads up -- THAT IS unless there is a large faction of the few people who read/write this site that ABSOLUTELY don't want to have to deal with having a Google LogIn.

I might not get around to it for a few days, so keep me posted in the comments...

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This Will Bring Life Back To The Tracker

posted by Stein : 8:40 PM

I have a job that pays me to do things like this:

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Let's think about this rationally (not one of my strong-suits)

posted by RICK : 7:44 PM

So after I finished reading all of the live blogging from this morning's MacWorld keynote, and after I changed my pants, took my pulse, and thought about things, I was still pretty damn impressed with the iPhone... more or less.

For the past six months or so I've been fairly certain that once my Sprint contract runs out, I'm going to get a smart phone. I love e-Mail (more than actual phone calls) and would like to be able to do so on the go. Web access sounds... eh, but if its there, and I'm paying for it, I'll use it. Most important, at this point, is the keyboard. I'm tired of texting with my thumb, and I'm tired of T-9 not knowing swear words.

The iPhone would do everything I want it to do.

It also will cost a small fortune. On the low end, the device will cost $500. Add to that $40 a month for Cingular service (anytime minutes is not something I go through on a rapid basis), and $50 a month for an unlimited data plan (if you don't get unlimited data, there really isn't a point to carrying around a wireless computer). After taxes and fees you're all ready well over $100 a month just to use the damn thing. All in all the first year of service, with the device would probably end up costing close to $2000.

Wow. That's a tad on the expensive side, no?

There's also the curious phenomenon that I actually can't see myself carrying this thing around the city. What if I dropped it? What if the screen cracked? What if a mugger took my wallet and I had to trade him the phone to get it back? What if I realized that I could just get a decent flip phone for free?

Apple Inc. is a cool company. I've always been a supporter, but I've also realized that its a company that makes products that are targeted at people like me, but who aren't me.

Unless I win the lotto tonight (for which I have two tickets). Then its iPhones for all!!!

Still, five years ago no one thought anyone would pay $400 for a four-gig MP3 player... and yet people did, and it CHANGED THE WORLD!... or something.

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If this doesn't pan out, there's always money in the banana stand...

posted by RICK : 2:21 AM

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GinCork's 2007 New Year's Challenge REMINDER

posted by Anonymous : 5:07 AM

Just one last reminder to all that GinCork is having its "Ring in 2007," where I invite you to call on or around midnight tonight to send your well wishes, songs of merriment, lists of new year's resolutions, or general expressions of self through the art of telecommunication. Intoxication is not required.

1-832-GIN-CORK
is the number.

I hope to hear from everyone in some form or another. Even if not, I wish you all a happy new year!

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Filed Under Micellaneous For Douche Bag

posted by erin : 10:38 PM

Go on a date with Vincent Gallo. Only $50,000 per night, $100,000 for the weekend. STDs sold separately.

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What Is Recoil endorses: Gutenberg! The Musical!

posted by RICK : 3:46 PM

In December 2003 (was it December? Maybe February '04) I was fortunate enough to see "Gutenberg! The Musical!" in its original, 45-minute, one-act version at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater here in New York. It was damn funny. And while I'm probably not as well versed in the goings-ons of the UCBT it seems like it could very well be the best thing they've ever produced (minus the exploits of the original cast). The intricacies of the production (which is presented as a backers audition by Gutenberg! co-creators "Bud and Doug") are so spot-on in music, script and performace its kind of amazing I saw it in what is essentially a basement for $7.

Three years later the show is now a 90-minute, two-act, Off-Broadway play. Erin and I went last night and by-god if it isn't even better than I remember. Look, I have no credibility when it comes to critiquing theater, but a show that features two men playing dozens of characters while switching between scores of mesh baseball caps to signify who's talking seems way more complex than, say, just dancing and singing while wearing a cat costume.

It's also funny. Did I mention that? It's very very funny. Imagine the funniest thing you've ever seen. Now imagine something that isn't quite as funny. "Gutenberg! The Musical!" falls somewhere between those two things.

The show is playing through New Year's Eve here in NYC. If you're around, its well worth the admission fee.

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