Official web site.

(Thanks Peter!)

Mansinthe (web site in German).

Purchase (Not yet available).

(via Notes from Somewhere Bizarre)

Don’t be fooled by shameless domain squatters, make sure you go to the OFFICIAL Bowlbetterology Myspace.

Regarding the domain squatting, Brenden Simpson said in an official statement: “The word spreading in the self-help community, and that word is “Bowlbetterology.” The Striking Science of Knocking Down Obstacles. Can you blame him for wanting to get in on the action?”

Yesterday was the first official Ultraculture Ritual. I would have written sooner about why I decided not to participate (so that someone could try to talk me into it), but I’m on vacation right now and didn’t have time.

The intention of the ritual was “Manifest Ultraculture as a working, open magickal collaboration, empowered to create positive change in the world, without causing suffering to any, and completely protected from misuse, corruption or interference from ill-meaning or self- serving forces.”

But… doesn’t the ultraculture already exist? From Jason’s first ultraculture manifesto:

Ultraculture is a term I (Jason Louv) coined during the process of editing the Disinfo anthology Generation Hex in early 2004, in order to connote a cultural movement I was witnessing based around the mass interest in magic and the concordent need to apply it to improving our thoroughly disturbed world.

And from the second: “Ultraculture is a word for a social movement that is quite merrily occurring all on its own.”

After this dream, I’m especially wary of trying to do a ritual to manifest something that has existed for years.

“All those who wish to participate will from thereon be considered aligned with the Ultraculture.” I thought I was already part of the ultraculture, so again, I’m not sure what the point is. It just seems like a waste of time to initiate myself into something I’ve been a part of for several years.

This is by no means an indictment of Jason Louv. I think he’s a good guy, and I hope to participate in future Ultraculture Sundays. But this one just rubbed me in the wrong way, and I just didn’t feel like participating.

Color me stoked: the next Tool album, titled 10,000 Days, will be released May 2nd. Here’s the tracklist:

Vicarious
Jambi
Wings For Marie (Pt 1)
10,000 Days (Wings Pt 2)
The Pot
Lipan Conjuring
Lost Keys (Blame Hofmann)
Rosetta Stoned
Intension
Right In Two
Viginti Tres

From: the Official Tool web site.

I’m sitting in front of a sound stage in the middle of a horse pasture watching robotic kids shift and rotate to electronic music. A computer thumps out crunchy, mechanical melodies over the funky beats oozing from turntables. Neon drawings float under the black light from the plywood dance floor. Off to the side of the stage, a guy sits cross-legged and meditates. I’ve been up since 6:30 in the morning, it’s 2:30 at night now, I’m freezing, and have no plans of going to bed. Fatigue has given way to fascination. I feel great.
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Hajime Sorayama is a world renowned artist known for his photo realistic depictions of the fantastic. Sorayama makes you believe the impossible with his fascinating erotica that blends in traditional fantasy and science fiction. He frequently melds metal and flesh to make beautiful futuristic pin-up women. His work has influenced countlessmodern artists and has appeared hordes of publications.

Sorayama was born in 1947 in Japan the son of a carpenter. He did exceptionally well in art during high school but had little interest in pursuing the field. He went to college to study Greek, but the Greek professor had left the university he attended. His sophomore year he started a school magazine called The Pink Journal which was criticized by both teachers and students. He grew to hate the place, dropped out, and went to art school.After graduating in 1969 he initially worked as a graphic artist but eventually became a freelance artist in 1967.

Further Reading:

The Shrine of Sorayama A wealth of information and a small picture archive. This site is an excellent starting point.