#TheQuench: New Law Says Commercial Volume Must Be Turned Down

About Damn Time.

3 cheers for whoever made this law possible.

 I'm positive I'm not the only person who's fell asleep with the TV on only to awake to an uber obnoxious commercial blasting at my membrane 10x louder than the volume of normal.

I've come too close to throwing a heavy object at my TV as a result of this.

Thankfully, an angel has come down and answered my prayers:

CALM stands for Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation. The act is designed to prevent TV commercials from blaring at louder volumes than the program content they accompany. The rules govern broadcasters as well as cable and satellite operators.

 The rules are meant to protect viewers from excessively loud commercials.

Apparently, this became law years ago, but the FCC wanted to give the industry some time to ease in.

Well, times up.

Turn that mess down!!

Source

#TheQuench | New Music: Gilles - "Commencement"

Pronounced Jeelz.

Yep, I did that.

Nothing like some good ole originality to kick off the day. 

And lawyer turned rapper, Gilles, is all of that and then some. After graduating from the esteemed Emory University, (my alma mater) he was unsure exactly how to break in the rap game, so he did the most obvious choice: Law school! 

Indeed, all of that education has done him some good. His voice resonates with the young, educated and working class. This music is smart and infused with a perspective that's predominately missing from hip hop. Imagine listening to a rap song that isn't dumbed down and yet, remains catchy AND memorable. Kind of mind blowing isn't it?

Pretty refreshing.

Soooo, with great pleasure, I present to you, "Commencement," the first single from the upcoming EP, "Successfully Lost."

Watch.

What do you think of "Commencement?"

www.SuperGilles.com

#TheQuench: WTF is a Fiscal Cliff?

My brain hurts.

Where does is start? Where does it end? What happens if we go over? So many questions about this ominous topic. I'm not completely 100% on it, but here's my take of the basics:

WHAT:

Soon and very soon, tax cuts that George W. Bush put into place will officially expire and automated (severe) spending cuts and tax hikes will go into affect. Spending cuts in public programs like:

Energy research (Have you seen the polar ice caps?) 

Water toxic waste (Remember the BP oil spill?)

Clean water programs (Speaks for itself)

Among many others!

Uhm...those seem pretty important to me!

WHEN:

January 2 is the official deadline date.

WHY:

Because last year, President Obama and Congress could not come to an agreement on a budget. The President wants to increase taxes on those earning more than $250,000 a year. Republicans want to cut spending but really don't want taxes to go up. Both sides are being really stingy and holding up progress. 

Ridiculous!

Anywho, whenever you have a few minutes  take a look at the video below for a more detailed explanation.

BONUS: It has drawings! I  don't know about you, I'm a visual learner. The more pictures the better.





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#TheQuench: 'Glee' Star Amber Riley Shines Off Broadway

Mercedes is all growed up!

ET Online/Jarett Wieselman

Life does continue after "Glee" and Amber Riley is proof!

This starlet is receiving rave reviews for her outstanding performance in the off  Broadway show, "Cotton Club Parade" which wrapped up last night in New York City. The show celebrates the music of Duke Ellington and his influence on the Harlem nightclub. After a spectacular opening night, she sat down with ET Online to dish on the show and what's next:

ETonline: Why did you want to be a part of this production?
Riley: First, having Wynton Marsalis' [musical director] name attached to it and getting the opportunity to meet him was number one. I am obsessed with The Cotton Club era, Duke Ellington's music and everything that happened there. Dianna [Agron] actually got me a record player for my birthday, and all I listen to it is Duke Ellington, Lena Waters, Lena Horn and Dorothy Dandridge. All those wonderful singers. I'm just obsessed with that era – even the costumes, it was such a glamorous time.

ETonline: How does this compare to the Glee tour?

Riley: It's almost the same thing. Once you're out there, there's no "cut!" The tour was on a larger scale, but I've never danced as hard as I do in this. I break it down a little bit. People are going to be really surprised. I heard people in the audience go, "Oh?!?" It was hilarious.

ETonline: Is that the goal with this next phase of your career; to show them there's more to you than just Mercedes?

Riley: Yeah. I loved playing Mercedes on Glee; she's a fun character to play and I got to sing the diva songs, but I get to play an adult here. Even though I'm just singing in Cotton Club, I'm also acting in it. There's a story with my character. I feel completely different from Mercedes when I'm doing this. I feel like a woman and it's amazing. 

I'm lovin' this girl! I hope that she continues to shine and reach new heights in her career. As usual, I shall be standing by.

See original article here

#TheQuench: Why Washington is Mad - Gen. Petreus + Paula Broadwell Scandal

Shame.

(ISAF via Reuters)

This entire ordeal is a mess! In case you're wondering what's with all the hoopla, here we go:

Basically, Congress, and much of Washington are pissed at current CIA Director, General David Petreus. Well, last year, Petreus and Paula Broadwell, the author of his biography, were having an affair. Sending "flirty" emails back and forth. Bla bla bla. Not such a big deal right? Well, Ms. Broadwell apparently got super comfortable and developed diarrhea of the mouth, divulging top secret information during lectures and declaring the General her source! How fresh!

Members of Congress are upset because they found out about the FBI's investigation into the matter like the rest of us. The FBI is saying they have specific protocols in place that restrict the release of information And even the White House had no idea until the day after the election. (Supposedly.)

SMH. The General has stepped down from his position and Broadwell has gone into recluse. And now, Yahoo News reports that another high ranking general, the Commander of Armed Forces in Afghanistan to be exact, has been exchanging illicit emails with a random.

And the topic of the month is, "Why do powerful men cheat?"

Lol. Huh?

Since when does cheating have a face? Let alone a tax bracket....

Anywho, this is is an old story with a new face. Do you think the high level of attention is justified? Do you even care?

See original source here

#TheQuench: Nicki Minaj Opens Up About Mariah Carey Feud + Calls Out Barbara Walters

Ahhh yessss...

Ms. Minaj has relaxed, related, and released by finally addressing feud rumors between she and her American Idol co-host, Mariah Carey. On the latest episode of her new E! reality show, "My Truth" she speaks candidly about the beef, its players, and even blasts Barbara Walters for her involvement!

In summation, The Pink Pop Diva declares that what the cameras did not film was Mariah incessantly antagonizing her minutes before the now infamous argument between the two took place. Long story short, Nicki cracks and storms off to prevent any further escalation. Soo, she keeps quiet on it thinking the whole mess will blow over quickly. But alas! Somehow, Barbara Walters gets wind and proceeds to goes on record stating that Nicki threatened MC with a gun and that she is "unpredictable." To that Nicki says directly to the show cameras:

"Am I not good enough for you to get my side, because I'm a little black girl that raps?" she said, addressing Walters directly. "Because if I was J. Lo, you would've called J. Lo's camp. But are we not good enough for you Barbara? 'Cause you wasn't even there when I was on the show Barbara. So I guess I'm not good enough but I'm only good enough for you to tell people I'm 'unpredictable,' when you don't f-----g know me?"

Oh wow! Going in are we? And bringing race into the matter? Ooooowee! I sure do hope Ms. Walters responds. I shall be standing by.

Do you think Minaj had a point or was she being dramatic?

Original article here