I’ll get to my usual list of stories that I think are cool and noteworthy but first this. One of my weekly rituals at work is checking the iTunes music store for anything that might strike my fancy. Usually, I’m in the market for exclusive live recordings from some of my favorite bands or other equally cool things but today I saw something that just goes above and beyond stupid. For just $11.99, you can pre-order your very own copy of the Live Earth performances. When you order your copy today, you get the live recording of John Mayer’s Waiting on the World to Change (I’m a self-professed Mayer fan, recovering Mayer addict but if I hear that song again, I’m going to hurt someone). But here’s the thing, there are 13 tracks … and you have no idea what they are when you throw down 12 of your hard-earned schekles to pre-order this compilation. But it gets better, when can you expect to see the CD that you pre-ordered? “Later this summer,” according to the description on the iTunes store. Unreal, so you have no idea what’s on it and you have no idea when it’s going to come out but you want me to buy it because with it, I can download the only song I know for a fact is on the record but it’s a song that I hate with such passion that for the three and a half minutes that song’s on the radio I wish I were deaf. No, thanks. Do the organizers of this concert really have that little respect for the people they’re trying to reach? I mean, really. Unbelievable.

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No, seriously…

A juror in England is being charged with contempt of court after it was discovered that she was listening to her MP3 player during a murder trial.

A Cape Cod man told a judge that he was a homophobic racist with a propensity for telling lies in an attempt to avoid jury duty.

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen dished out $12 million for a 40-foot yellow submarine.

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A pretty solid piece in the San Diego Union-Tribune on the decline of the sports trading card industry.

Ex-Purdue QB Brandon Kirsch wishes he had stayed at Purdue instead of acting like a petulant child and stupidly declaring early for the NFL draft. The reality is that there was a reason why Kirsch played behind Kyle Orton and why he was replaced in his junior year by redshirt freshman Curtis Painter — he’s not a very good quarterback.

The New York Daily News looks at which team is likely to land A-Rod when he opts out of his contract with the Yankees at the end of this season. What?! The Pirates didn’t make this list?! Come on.

Chicago Sun-Times columnist and resident screamer on Around the Horn Jay Marriotti volunteers himself for a ruthless beating in his column today.

Michael Jordan’s son, Jeff, becomes college basketball’s most celebrated walk-on.

Interesting story in the Dallas Morning News about former Nevada forward and Dallas Maverick Nick Fazekas.

Former Iowa guard Pierre Pierce is out of prison and back on the basketball court. I think that one of the lines in this story perfectly summarizes why people like Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson continue to find themselves on pro rosters. “He is here at the invitation of the Warriors, who are intrigued enough by his potential — and undeterred by his past — to offer a summer-league spot…” This guy has been twice convicted of charges related to sexual assault and just served an 11-month prison sentence. The people of the Bay Area should be vocal and make sure this guy doesn’t make the roster and represent their community.

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Well-rounded news…

Will there be an iPhone nano?

I’m tired of hearing about The Simpsons Movie but you can vote on just which Springfield is the real Springfield.

Head of EA says video games need to be more innovative.

Good piece in Newsweek on Digg founder Kevin Rose.

The heat of summer is hurting consumers at the pump in more ways than one.

Chicago film critics are not happy that Fox is trying to control press on their films by limiting press screenings.

The Kings of Leon are apparently at odds about drummer Nathan Followill getting married.

Bloc Party will be heading to North America for a tour this fall. Luckily for my girlfriend (who unabashedly hates Bloc Party), the band will not be playing Atlanta.

The Beverly Hills mansion of William Randolph Hearst can be yours for $165 million.

Spike Lee is saying he is not a part of ‘mainstream’ Hollywood.

More on J.J. Abrams’ mystery project.