Okay, over the years I've used that "randomness" tag pretty liberally, but I have to say that this is by far the most random thing I've ever come across. ESPN Page 2 writer, and Uniwatch founder, Paul Lukas is going on tour. No it's not a book tour, or anything for his website(s), he's actually opening for the rock band The Magnetic Fields....and he'll doing so by showing a random PowerPoint presentation....seriously. From Uniwatch via SbB....

Today’s lead entry takes a break from uni-related content, cuz I’ve got an unusual announcement to make. As most of you know, I’ve done several spoken-word gigs over the past year or so — readings, lectures, “performances,” whatever you want to call them. Now, in a really unusual twist, I’m going to be opening for a rock band, and I’m pretty excited about it.

Here’s the deal: My longtime pal Liz Clayton and I have been asked by our friends the Magnetic Fields (that’s them in the photo above) to serve as their opening act for part of their upcoming fall tour. Liz will be doing a PowerPoint presentation based on her awesome web site devoted to transparently repurposed fast-food outlets, Not Fooling Anybody (a few of you may have seen her present this same program at Union Hall back in January — it was hilarious), and I’ll be doing a PowerPoint devoted to … I’m not sure yet. My topic might be trade magazines (my topic at that Union Hall show), or it might be one of the other things I’ve presented lately, like the design evolution of butchery charts or the cultural history of the baseball cap. Or it might be something else entirely. I’m still deciding.

Liz and I, who are calling ourselves the Forewords, had hoped to do five or six shows on the tour, but it looks like logistical conflicts will limit us to just two: October 10th at the State Theater in Minneapolis, and October 11th at the Capitol Theater in Madison.

Now, I'm not all that into The Magnetic Fields, but that seems like a pretty awesome idea. If I was going to see a band I liked, I would much rather learn something I didn't know about than have to wait through a crappy band I've never heard of. This could have staying power. I'm thinking that the Dropkick Murphys should have Bill Simmons do a presentation when his new book comes out. Nothing bad could happen right?

And Now for Something Completely Different (Uniwatch)
Uni Watch Gives Rock & Roll, PowerPoints To You (Sports By Brooks)

So Dave's Football Blog has come through with one of the most random, yet equally as awesome, videos I've ever seen. Many of you might remember the photos that were posted of Stu, Principal Belding and Charles Barkley from last year's annual Jimmy V Classic Golf Tourney afterparty. Well, Stu was back at the party this past Sunday, and he really just wanted to sing some of Edwin McCain's "I'll Be". Enjoy!

Wow...just wow. I mean it wasn't bad at all, but Edwin McCain? Alright. In all seriousness, Stu was at a great event for Cancer research, a disease which he's been battling himself as of late. If the man wants to blow off some steam, and sing some emotional 90's slow rock, then I say let the man rock (holds up lighter)!

Stuart Scott Sings the Hits (Dave's Football Blog)

(P.S.- I'm not sure what Jay Harris is grabbing on in the above picture, so let's all give thanks to the invention of the mic stand.)

I know a ton of you have rather eclectic music tastes which is why you should be happy with the music selections that the newest edition of Madden has come up with. The news doesn't stop there though. The artists are going to get the star treatment with a feature in Billboard Magazine and appearances on Kimmel Live starting August 4th. Via Kotaku....

EA seems to want to make it clear that the announcement of Madden 09's official soundtrack is an event, and music boss Steve Schnur told Kotaku about a few more promotions to drive the point home: First, Target's pre-order bonus for the game will be an iTunes card that lets you download ten of the soundtrack songs free. Second, an artist from the soundtrack will be playing nightly on the Jimmy Kimmel Show beginning August 4th, and third, both past and current Madden artists will play at the first-ever "Maddenpalooza," an all-day music and gaming event in conjunction with the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on August 11th.

Seems like an ingenious idea if you ask me. Many of the artists aren't as widely known and it will serve them as well as the game to be on a talk show nightly. Here's the list....

Airbourne- Stand Up For Rock ‘N Roll
Busta Rhymes feat. Linkin- Park We Made It
Disturbed- Inside The Fire
Franz Ferdinand- Lucid Dreams
From First To Last- Worlds Away
Gym Class Heroes- I’m Home
Hollywood Undead- Undead
In Flames- The Mirror’s Truth
Innerpartysystem- Don’t Stop
Izza Kizza- Millionaire
K’NAAN- ABC’s
Kardinal Offishall feat. Lindo P- Burnt
Kidz In The Hall- Blackout
KOVAS- Wax On, Wax Off
Mindless Self Indulgence- Never Wanted To Dance
Rev Theory- Hey Yeah
Senses Fail- Wolves At The Door
Shinedown- Devour
The All-American Rejects- The Real World (Demo)
The Fashion- Like Knives
The Offspring- Hammerhead
Trivium- Into The Mouth Of…We March
Tyga- Diamond Life
Underoath- Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
Wale feat. Southeast Slim- Breakdown
Young Dre The Truth feat. Good Charlotte- Workin’

EA's Steve Schnur Explains The Hype Behind The Madden Soundtrack (Kotaku)

Well Bill Walton has something to say to you.......

"He's one of my favorites in the entire league. I think only cynics and the depressed don't like Vince Carter- Bill Walton"

Umm okay Bill......whatever you say.

You Tube- Nets 24/7

(The embedded version doesn't work. Until then you ACTUALLY have to click the link. But it's worth it.)