What a delightful surprise it was to launch my Internet Explorer and discover my usual Google homepage replaced with automatic updates from Microsoft. A gentle reminder that Windows would be better named 'Back Alley Sally v6.66'. Today's update was different however. After years of boring ol' IE6 new IE7 was beckoning me to upgrade- after proper Windows validation of course. Soon I had a new 'blue e' icon, complete with a holier than thou golden halo. Or maybe the icon was meant to resemble IE as it's own planet with rings like Saturn, an all encompassing band of world domination. No, it's that big E with it's sick hula-hoop skillz yo!

As maxi pad manufacturers have known for decades, some things work better with wings. Now Internet Explorer has caught up with the likes of Opera and Firefox in terms of browser tabs. Microsoft shouldn't feel like a complete loser however, it's not like ie7.com is owned by the Windows hating, pro-Mozilla sort. Oh wait, my bad, it is! Proclaiming, "Neither this site nor Mozilla is connected with Microsoft." Thanks for the clarification.

Perhaps one should cease one's bashing of said Microsoft. At least they have caught up, and maybe with this version we won't have to decide to send or not to send... the error report that is. In fact I'm using Internet Explorer right now- and I always have. Does this make me stubborn, afraid of change, brainwashed even? Well no one fucking asked you! And yes, I will continue to use IE, now tabbed for my pleasure.

ABC's hit show lost will start it's third season on Wednesday, October 4th. ABC would like it if you would tune in with the millions of fellow television viewers to watch the primer and pay close attention to the high dollar advertising. Or you can go the other route and wait till the DVD is released to enjoy the season commercial free and at your own pace, the key word being wait. If you were like me and has Lost on the top of your Netflix queue while watching the first two seasons like a book that you couldn't put down, then patience may not be your kind of virtue. On the other hand watching the episodes on ABC with their commercial interruptions and week long cliffhangers may be just as grueling. Weather you choose to wait or not you can still push your opinion about Lost and it's deeper metaphorical implications on the offical message board. Meanwhile I'll be sure to lose some sleep tonight.

Fame and talent is often the volatile mix for a sellout artist. Many such individuals or groups will take the glittery path to MTV videos and riches and bitches, yet some will opt to take the road less traveled. On this route an artist stays true to the fans by not placing themselves on an unreachable pedestal. They will not change their style or vision because it is unmarketable. They will instead remain true to the art.

One such true artist is DJ Z Trip. Despite his monumental talent as a turntablist and fame both underground and mainstream, Z Trip has not become lofty in his ways. He has made himself available to fans though his website and forum. Making his music as available as possible, he will not bitch about bootlegging and sharing live shows like his money minded counterparts.

Z Trip's big break into the underground mainstream came with the creation of Uneasy Listening with DJ P back in 2001. I say creation instead of release because the album is illegal to sell and distribute due to the nature of it's mash-up style. According to downhillbattle.org, "Z-Trip signed to a major label and spent one whole year with a full-time employee working to get permission from the artists, publishers, and record labels whose songs he interwove. He got nowhere. " No need to fret, although the album is not available by legal means, you can still digitally own this masterpiece as the album is actively circulated by web servers and file sharing clients.

Those of you unfamiliar with Z Trip's work still may be wondering what the fuss and his music is all about. While mixing hip hop and rock is Z's most familiar sound, the beat doesn't stop there, beat matching that is. Ever wonder what Tina Turner and the Super Mario theme sound like together? How about Rage Against the Machine and Outkast? Or the Beatles in 4/4 time? These examples are just scratching the surface, just like the Z Man with his records. Then why don't you stop reading this and go find some Z Trip mixes for yourself. This article is over, so it would be a good idea now wouldn't it?

Rockstars may not be the first people that come to mind when you're thinking geek, but Soulwax's David and Stephen Dewaele are not your average rockstars. While these Belgium native brothers probably have no problem in the sack, they are truly music nerds. Using the label 2 Many DJ's, these boys started bootlegging and mashing up songs as early as 1999, a time when such bastard pop wasn't quite mainstream and definitely didn't have it's own Sirius station.

What makes a couple of rockstar DJ's so nerdy? It's the passion for music that is clearly expressed through their mixes. Genre segregation is not tolerated by this duo, and they will play anything in the name of boogie. While mashups such as "A Stroke of Genie-us"- which is a delightful blend of Strokes instrumentals and Christina Aguilera's infectious pop- are most noted by critics, it is the more subtle elements that are sure to impress the smart masses. Broadcasting political tracks from the likes of Steinski and Culturecide, mixing news feed with 'pounding techno music' and dropping P. Diddy's rant about 20 minute song versions is just the beginning into the depths of musical exploration.

But why take my word for it when you can see the Dj's playlist and hear their sets on a more than mediocre site? And if that's not good enough you can visit the offical 2 Many DJ's site complete with music videos and some creative web design.

Charlize struts her stuff as a dark haired Aeon Flux in the new movie of the same name, but she's been well known as a blonde bombshell in genre and more mainstream Hollywood for years. Check out her gallery here.

Continue reading "The Science in Science Fiction"

Claudia Black will reprise her role as Vala on Stargate SG-1 later this season and has been signed to be a cast regular for the next season of Sci Fi Channel's flagship program. She will join Farscape castmate Ben Browder who signed as a regular this season and will return next season as well.

We've revivied an old feature that we hope to return to a more regular happening here at Wirehed with the posting of the savory sex appeal that is Surface's Lake Bell. Check out her gallery here.