Classic Coke

With the exception of alcoholic beverages like Rum & Coke or the trusty, quintessentially American Jack & Coke, I haven’t drunk straight Coca-Cola in years. I stopped some time in high school, while I was doing a biomedical science program. Around that time, I was becoming increasingly more aware of my health and how my diet affects it, not to mention, I had just seen Super Size Me; see Coca-Cola health effects. I made a conscious effort to refrain as best I could from drinking soda, until…

BOOM!

Yes, it is what you think it is. It’s a vintage Coca-Cola machine. Over the weekend, while working on my clearing my arteries with a little Lower Manhattan perusing on Black Friday, my bro and I ended up at Tekserve. It’s pretty much the spot for anything Apple, as well as terrific audio accessories for you audiophiles out there. While I was waiting to check out, I saw the machine, inserted a dime (yes! It was 10¢!), and thought to myself, “I can’t lose.” I hadn’t been to the store in a while so I wasn’t too sure when the machine was installed. Who cares? In any case, turns out it worked and I sucked down all 8 ounces of carbonated, food-colored goodness. And the Coke tasted so good. Like, really good, so maybe this Coke had some coke in it. I hope not. But again, who cares, really?

Check out this ad. “Not just wet and sweet, but vigorously satisfying”

Glass bottle, functioning vintage machine, classic American flavor, and good ol' sober fun.

coca-cola.com

tekserve.com

Something to blow your mind...

What's up, fellow Followers of the Rod!


I just wanted to share this awesome video with you all. If you haven't seen it already, I guarantee that you will watch this thing over and over again over the next several days...it's that mind-blowing (and by mind-blowing, I mean trippy as all hell). Anyone who likes nature and animals is going to love this. And anyone who likes nature, animals, and recreational drugs is really going to love this (shoutouts to our Dutch readers!).


WARNING: I advise that anyone who gets squeamish really easily stop watching at around 1:30. But that would be depriving you of some of the coolest scenes, and really where's the fun in that? Don't be a party pooper.



You will never look at sea stars the same way

Thanksgiving!

Charlie Brown: We've got ANOTHER holiday to worry about. It seems Thanksgiving Day is upon us.

Sally: I haven't even finished eating all of my Halloween candy.

Parades!

You may or may not have a drunk uncle in your family who'll scribe something incredible like Adam Sandler's Thanksgiving song.

And don’t be like me! Try to stay off the interwebs (after reading The Rod for hours) and enjoy your family, friends, free food, and football.

Yo, doesn't he really look like...

With a name like 梁 Da Merciless, I know I have a responsibility to make sure all my Rod posts are quality. This is why the following look-a-like compilation is unlike anything you guys might have seen before. I intentionally excluded the more obvious comparisons (everyone already knows that Sam Cassell looks like a piranha/martian), so my final product is something worthy of the coveted "badassness" label.

Check it out.

Greg Oden

Adam Morrison




















Juwan Howard

















Peja Stojakovic




















Pau Gasol

















Hasheem Thabeet



















Andrei Kirilenko







Chauncey Billups

+

Rajon Rondo

Bow Wow

Clipse x Big Sean x Mike Posner - Philadelphia

Friday night I got to see the Big Sean, Mike Posner and the Clipse at my school UPenn (woot woot)! “Keys Open Doors” live made my life…seriously. The Clipse are undoubtedly my favorite rap duo. Everyone from my hall freshman year just has to knowa good 60% of Hell Hath no Fury because of my ignorant ass.

Though I was excited for the show, I was a little apprehensive at first. The venue was a small and it had seats. Sure, all the tix were general admission, but this isn’t the Grammys. People actually need a little room to go nuts and do rude shit. Needless to say, the show was Supa Dupa(Big Sean song. Oh, you don’t get the reference? You will soon). Being a pretty big fan of both Big Sean and the Clipse, I was just satisfied to see them, but Mike Posner’s energy was a pleasant surprise. Not only did he have the crowd on his side but he had a bevy of sing-along-able tracks on his set list. Oh, and apparently he’s a senior at Duke. Much respect.


Find me (Waldo) in this video! At one point, me and my buddy enjoy a high five of epic proportions. Joy was in our souls.

Anyway, highlight of the night—along with said keys opening doors—I got to meet the Malice and Pusha in the flesh. They seemed like real chill dudes and they actually care about their craft. We didn’t chit chat too much, but I did manage to get a pack of Oreos from backstage. I got it for cheap.

Peace

mikeposner.com

uknowbigsean.com

myspace.com/clipse

Vampire Weekend- Cousins Video

So a couple of years ago, Da Merciless and I had a running joke when we watched MTVu: every band was Vampire Weekend. We always were fascinated by ridiculous band names like Wolfmother, Fuck, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc. Anyway, every band was Vampire Weekend. One day, though, we actually watched their video. It might've been A-Punk. It was awesome! After that, Vampire Weekend was Vampire Weekend. Contra drops at the top of next year and what I've heard so far (Horchata, Cousins) sounds like those good ol' bubbly, yet laid back college tunes (go Quakers!). Here's Cousins, the new joint.



vampireweekend.com

How's this for a band name? Bright Noisy Water (Yes, it's random and from a psych class I'm in.)

The only music video you will ever need to watch. Ever.

Meet Namata. Born in Cameroon but currently making his living in Denmark, this naturally-gifted singer/choreographer/director is a renaissance man of our generation.





The video of his hit single "Treasure in You" has everything any sane human being could possibly want. You have a relatively simple storyline which fits into the allotted time slot of the song (about 5 minutes here). There are attractive women who wear revealing clothing and oscillate in seductive manners. Finally, there is a female back-up singer who really hits the high notes with a grace which is rare among today's Rihannas, Keri Hilsons, and Justin Biebers. The last minute of the song could even bring Bolo Yeung to tears with its emotion.

As with many videos these days, this one is based on a love story which begins with early moments of disappointment and frustration, but ends with triumph, merth, and...ebullience. But unlike many videos these days, this one has Namata. I can honestly say that I have never been prouder to be a member of the human race than when I am watching Namata express himself through dance. It truly is a sight to behold. And not only is he supremely talented, but he also possesses character traits that everyone would be wise to emulate. The video (which is clearly based exactly on his real life) shows that Namata is a headstrong and confident individual who takes action when it is required. He does not second guess himself nor does he believe in fate. I will even go as far as to compare him to another awe-inspiring individual of our time.






Does this look like the face of a man who takes no for an answer?





Anyway, without further ado, check out the video in question. Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present: "Treasure in You"

Wale - Pretty Girls (Live)

This song is so chill. Go-go (watered down go-go) music isn't that bad either. Oh, and his new album Attention Deficit is incredible. If I were to make an album, it would sound like that. Seriously.

walemusic.com