I backed into this four-part video documentary about a rural artist, her work, and the creation of an iron chair, and in fact the episodes sat unwatched in my FireAnt queue for months.
This is not a portrait of an outsider hillbilly artist, nor does Potter engage in capital-a Art. She creates because it is what she does, inseparable from who she is, embedded in the objects and environment around her. She evokes for me memories of Christa's grandmother Edith in her garden, or of her aunt Jean making batch after batch of cookies and hard tack at holiday time, or of the new "angry pillow" Mom made for Ben this week.
The rhythm of the editing matches its subject, so set aside a half-hour to tag along as Potter collects wood in the forest, buys a case of beer for her alcoholic blacksmith, and gives a tour of her basement gallery (where "the cats pee").
Hosted on Deep Maps, a thematic exploration by videoblogger Will Luers (Taylor Street Studio) of video encounters with place.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Jon Carroll on Goose Poop
Living near the shores of Lake Merritt, we learned that what looks on the horizon like an endless lush green lawn around the lake is really a stinky squishy carpet of goose poop.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Flying Spaghetti Monster: Teacher's Valentine Card
Flickr has a gallery of Flying Spaghetti Monster photos.
Which isn't surprising. They have a group for everything.
If you've never heard of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, click here first. (Another FSM Valentine available there, too!)
Ramen.
Which isn't surprising. They have a group for everything.
If you've never heard of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, click here first. (Another FSM Valentine available there, too!)
Ramen.
Come Home, America
A glowing profile of George McGovern and a look back at his 1972 presidential campaign, in the new issue of American Conservative magazine (co-published by Pat Buchanan).
The Original Trogdor e-mail
So I'm three years behind the times, but finally reached the original appearance of Trogdor in a Strongbad email at Homestarrunner.com, including a lo-fi early version of the Trogdor heavy metal anthem.
Look back now, then check out Trogdor's Third Birthday, a montage of fan tributes, including Trogdor-shaped pancakes, custom license plates, and weakass Halloween costumes set to the big and loud Trogdor anthem.
Look back now, then check out Trogdor's Third Birthday, a montage of fan tributes, including Trogdor-shaped pancakes, custom license plates, and weakass Halloween costumes set to the big and loud Trogdor anthem.
Monday, January 23, 2006
A-List Entertainer to the Children of Power Brokers
Q: Hey! I want to clear $100K for a 2-day work week! How can I get in on the action?
A: Wear a dirty diaper on your head.
A profile of The Great Zucchini. Read to the end for the more sordid aspects of Z's life.
[Note to spouse: honey... I think you were a little hasty to abandon the birthday party circuit. One bad dinosaur imitation does not make or break a career.]
A: Wear a dirty diaper on your head.
A profile of The Great Zucchini. Read to the end for the more sordid aspects of Z's life.
[Note to spouse: honey... I think you were a little hasty to abandon the birthday party circuit. One bad dinosaur imitation does not make or break a career.]
Keeper of the Ashes
SF's Columbarium has over 65,000 people's remains and Emmitt Watson takes care of them all.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
ParentHacks
A collective blog of parenting advice from parents
Oh, and by "parents" they mean the iPod - MacLaren stroller - Getting Things Done - FlyLady - blog reader demographic.
...everything they left out of the instruction manual. oh yeah. there is no instruction manual.
Oh, and by "parents" they mean the iPod - MacLaren stroller - Getting Things Done - FlyLady - blog reader demographic.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Jon Carroll on DFW
Reminding me of why I loved David Foster Wallace's essay on English usage that appeared in Harper's some years ago, and that I need to get the new DFW book in which it is anthologized.
Quoted from DFW:
Quoted from DFW:
"A Democratic Spirit is one that combines rigor and humility, ie, passionate conviction plus a sedulous respect for the convictions of others. As any American knows, this is a difficult spirit to cultivate and maintain, particularly when it comes to issues that you feel strongly about. Equally tough is a DS's criterion of 100 per cent intellectual integrity -- you have to be willing to look honestly at yourself and your motives for believing what you believe, and to do so more or less continually."
Thursday, January 19, 2006
A Little Individual Attention Goes a Long Way
Steven Simpson is a special education teacher up in Snoqualmie, Washington, who would have an excellent blog but for the fact that it's probably easier who him to keep doing what he has been doing since 1995-- sending out a weekly email (under the less than cozy name, "Ed.Net Briefs®")
Sometimes its on educational trends or experiments (check out how Golden Retrievers are improving literacy in
Reading to Dogs), or sometimes as in this heartrending essay, it's on the frustrations of being a teacher: We Can Imagine What We Cannot Do
The main link sends you to an entry on classroom management, with a technique he learned from his mother:
Sometimes its on educational trends or experiments (check out how Golden Retrievers are improving literacy in
Reading to Dogs), or sometimes as in this heartrending essay, it's on the frustrations of being a teacher: We Can Imagine What We Cannot Do
The main link sends you to an entry on classroom management, with a technique he learned from his mother:
My mother has four children, six grandchildren, and a growing collection of great grandchildren. At 87 years old, she has raising kids boiled down to the two-step plan. She says if you feed a kid and stay in the same room with a kid, you can solve every problem there is.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Politicians Are From Mars, Judges Are From Jersey
Adam Felber writes:
If you’re following the Alito hearings, by now you probably know almost exactly as much about Samuel Alito as those who’ve been ignoring the hearings entirely.
If you’re following the Alito hearings, by now you probably know almost exactly as much about Samuel Alito as those who’ve been ignoring the hearings entirely.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Homeward Bound
by Linda Hirshman in The American Prospect
From our December issue: “Choice feminism” claims that staying home with the kids is just one more feminist option. Funny that most men rarely make the same “choice.” Exactly what kind of choice is that?
Apple ad? Copyright theft? [updated]
TBWA\Chiat\Day: Hey. We could do something kinda like this Postal Service music video.
Steve Jobs: Cool! I like that!
[two weeks later]
TCD: Here's what we shot!
SJ: That doesn't look anything like what you showed me. Why would you change it?
TCD: Well, that was just to give you a sense of mood.
SJ: This is crap. Go back to what you showed me.
TCD: Um...
[two weeks later]
TCD: Ok, so we've gone and reshot this band's music video shot-for-shot like you asked. We even got the directing team who did it the first time. It still somehow seems like a bad idea.
SJ: You guys just don't get it. This ad is great.
Follow the link to see the side by side comparison.
[Update 1/18: Confirmation that the directors of the music video were, in fact, hired to "re-" direct the television commercial.
Steve Jobs: Cool! I like that!
[two weeks later]
TCD: Here's what we shot!
SJ: That doesn't look anything like what you showed me. Why would you change it?
TCD: Well, that was just to give you a sense of mood.
SJ: This is crap. Go back to what you showed me.
TCD: Um...
[two weeks later]
TCD: Ok, so we've gone and reshot this band's music video shot-for-shot like you asked. We even got the directing team who did it the first time. It still somehow seems like a bad idea.
SJ: You guys just don't get it. This ad is great.
Follow the link to see the side by side comparison.
[Update 1/18: Confirmation that the directors of the music video were, in fact, hired to "re-" direct the television commercial.
Friday, January 13, 2006
What A Piece of Work is Man
DarkSyde writes a great introduction to evolutionary biology in DailyKos, including some great graphics.
Good grief, "evolutionized"? If the idea is self-adulation, I like Shakespeare's take better:
"Our school systems teach the children that they are nothing but glorified
apes who have evolutionized out of some primordial soup of mud,'' said House
Republican Majority Whip Tom DeLay, by way of explaining the school massacre
in Littleton, Colo.
Good grief, "evolutionized"? If the idea is self-adulation, I like Shakespeare's take better:
What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! how infinite in
faculties! in form and moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals!
No more for me, thanks.
The NYT review of the new season of "24" concludes:
"24" is a little like childbirth: by the end of each season, the process seems unbelievably long and painful, but once it is over, that is forgotten and most are ready to start all over again.
This got me wondering: It looks as if Ben is destined to be an only child, and after a season and a half of "24" I could not bear the stress of watching each week and gave it up. Are these somehow related?
"24" is a little like childbirth: by the end of each season, the process seems unbelievably long and painful, but once it is over, that is forgotten and most are ready to start all over again.
This got me wondering: It looks as if Ben is destined to be an only child, and after a season and a half of "24" I could not bear the stress of watching each week and gave it up. Are these somehow related?
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Un Fils d'état rouge: Atoning
Office cleaning strips away pretension. It’s tough to wear a false face when bent over a clogged toilet, working the plunger as shit water spills on our boots and pants. Or removing dried vomit from a carpet with a handheld steam cleaner. Nasty spills and messes keep us honest. There’s nothing conceptual about our work.
"Atoning at Night: A Janitor's Story," from Un Fils d'état rouge, the blog of writer Dennis Perrin.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
McSweeney's Internet Tendency: The 4-Year-Old on a Blind Date.
The sequel to: The 4 year old's work day.
The hilarity factor increases when your own child, is, in fact, four years old.
The hilarity factor increases when your own child, is, in fact, four years old.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
What's that on your chair, Judge Alito?
From the Washington Post:
Ministers Say They Blessed Seats Ahead of Alito Hearing
WASHINGTON -- Insisting that God "certainly needs to be involved" in the Supreme Court confirmation process, three Christian ministers today blessed the doors of the hearing room where Senate Judiciary Committee members will begin considering the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito on Monday.
Capitol Hill police barred them from entering the room to continue what they called a consecration service. But in a bit of one-upsmanship, the three announced that they had let themselves in a day earlier, touching holy oil to the seats where Judge Alito, the senators, witnesses, Senate staffers and the press will sit, and praying for each of the 13 committee members by name.
Ministers Say They Blessed Seats Ahead of Alito Hearing
WASHINGTON -- Insisting that God "certainly needs to be involved" in the Supreme Court confirmation process, three Christian ministers today blessed the doors of the hearing room where Senate Judiciary Committee members will begin considering the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito on Monday.
Capitol Hill police barred them from entering the room to continue what they called a consecration service. But in a bit of one-upsmanship, the three announced that they had let themselves in a day earlier, touching holy oil to the seats where Judge Alito, the senators, witnesses, Senate staffers and the press will sit, and praying for each of the 13 committee members by name.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Smart Growth, Too Early
The cover of the East Bay Express reads "GHOST TOWN: What if they built the development of the future and no one came?"
They're referring to Oakland's Fruitvale Village, of course.
But while they devote a lot of ink to the legitimate financial woes of the retailers who have moved in there, I found two key takeaways:
1. It's too early to sound a death knell on a smart growth project. (Although it would suck if the BART stations developing transit villages right now with private developer financing bailed on retail altogether).
2.Beignets.
I smell a Field trip!With coffee! And lots of powedered sugar! (And for us, it means a ride on a train. How can you beat that, kids? A train AND square donuts!)
They're referring to Oakland's Fruitvale Village, of course.
But while they devote a lot of ink to the legitimate financial woes of the retailers who have moved in there, I found two key takeaways:
1. It's too early to sound a death knell on a smart growth project. (Although it would suck if the BART stations developing transit villages right now with private developer financing bailed on retail altogether).
2.Beignets.
I smell a Field trip!With coffee! And lots of powedered sugar! (And for us, it means a ride on a train. How can you beat that, kids? A train AND square donuts!)
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Retrofitting Explained
This site was recommended by a guy who does earthquake safety consulting and was offering free consults to Berkeley Parents Network members.
It provides a stunningly clear, visual explanation of how retrofitting works to keep a house from falling off the foundation when 10,000 pounds of shear force hits it during an earthquake. I learned a lot, including that the despite fact that our house is bolted down, it still would probably slide off the foundation in an earthquake. It also explains very clearly what we could do to minimize that possibility.
Spend five minutes looking at this site, then check out your foundation.
It provides a stunningly clear, visual explanation of how retrofitting works to keep a house from falling off the foundation when 10,000 pounds of shear force hits it during an earthquake. I learned a lot, including that the despite fact that our house is bolted down, it still would probably slide off the foundation in an earthquake. It also explains very clearly what we could do to minimize that possibility.
Spend five minutes looking at this site, then check out your foundation.
Who Moved My Coal?
With all the parents of Thomas-crazed kids out there, don't you think there's a market for a management book based on the Island of Sodor archetypes and stories? (Recall "The Tao of Pooh.")
Example: In A Big Day for Thomas, Thomas gets his big chance to pull coaches rather than shunt freight cars after Henry gets sick. "Be quick now!" says Sir Topam Hat. "Don't be impatient, Thomas. We'll wait until everything is ready." says his Driver.
Thomas is faced with conflicting requirements from two different stakeholders. He is eager to please upper management and ignores the advice of his driver - the one who is clearly more in touch with the realities "in the field" - and sets off before the coaches are coupled. This results in a fiasco at the station and decreased customer satisfaction metrics.
Example: In A Big Day for Thomas, Thomas gets his big chance to pull coaches rather than shunt freight cars after Henry gets sick. "Be quick now!" says Sir Topam Hat. "Don't be impatient, Thomas. We'll wait until everything is ready." says his Driver.
Thomas is faced with conflicting requirements from two different stakeholders. He is eager to please upper management and ignores the advice of his driver - the one who is clearly more in touch with the realities "in the field" - and sets off before the coaches are coupled. This results in a fiasco at the station and decreased customer satisfaction metrics.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Video: Nice & Mean Art Show
An abandoned 1980s indoor mall in St. Louis is repurposed for an art show.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Welcome to Our New Readers
(This entry will stick on top until Jan. 1)
If you're just peeking at Blognabbit for the first time, welcome!
Bookmark this site. Come back often, or, if you're a technological adept of the the 21st century, add us to your RSS aggregator. Here you can keep up to date with Chris, Christa, Tim, Deirdre and offspring as they get in shape for various feats of athletic endurance, wrestle their professional demons, and travel to far off locales.
Actually, none of that shows up here. Mostly you just get to peek at our links du jour.
<how about we add a end-of-the-year holiday report here?>
<...can't we post a link to some more funny videos, instead?...>
<...how about the dancing badgers?...>
<...oh. That's soooo two years ago.>
We thought about adding a FAQ here, but no one ever asks us any questions about this blog. So feel free to ask questions via the comment section, and then check back soon for answers.
If you're just peeking at Blognabbit for the first time, welcome!
Bookmark this site. Come back often, or, if you're a technological adept of the the 21st century, add us to your RSS aggregator. Here you can keep up to date with Chris, Christa, Tim, Deirdre and offspring as they get in shape for various feats of athletic endurance, wrestle their professional demons, and travel to far off locales.
Actually, none of that shows up here. Mostly you just get to peek at our links du jour.
<how about we add a end-of-the-year holiday report here?>
<...can't we post a link to some more funny videos, instead?...>
<...how about the dancing badgers?...>
<...oh. That's soooo two years ago.>
We thought about adding a FAQ here, but no one ever asks us any questions about this blog. So feel free to ask questions via the comment section, and then check back soon for answers.
K vanden Heuvel: Small victories in 2005
A list of stories of a few steps forward from around the US. Civil rights, labor rights, the environment and more.
Vermont, New Jersey, Hawaii, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Wisconsin vote to raise state minimum wages. Meanwhile, the national minimum wage has remained stagnant for nine years...
Friday, December 30, 2005
A Bug's Eye View
Liam and Ronan each received a plastic prism for the holidays, the kind where you hold it up to your eye and you see multiple images of whatever you pointed at. Turns out, it works with a digital camera, too. 
Thursday, December 29, 2005
A quoi ça sert l'amour?
Breezy animated romance
set to music by Edith Piaf & Theo Sarapo
(4 minutes)
(French)
(Cute)
set to music by Edith Piaf & Theo Sarapo
(4 minutes)
(French)
(Cute)
Seeking the best of the best of
It's that time of year when I start craving top ten lists. Or best of lists. Of any category. I've already read the NYTimes film critic lists. They failed to satisfy.
Would anyone care to offer anything?
Would anyone care to offer anything?
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
SNL Rap video hits the internet big time
The New York Times is surprisingly quick at picking up this story, about the internet success of new SNL cast member Adam Sandberg, who got his job at SNL after being an internet success.
Complete with geeky picture of the Lonely Island boys.
Complete with geeky picture of the Lonely Island boys.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Wish List: No More Books!
Joe Queenan's NYT essay on the dangers of lent and gifted books.
Several years ago, I calculated how many books I could read if I lived to my actuarially expected age. The answer was 2,138.... In principle, there would be enough time to read 500 masterpieces, 500 minor classics, 500 overlooked works of genius, 500 oddities and 138 examples of high-class trash. Nowhere in this utopian future would there be time for [Steve Allen's] "Hi-Ho, Steverino!"
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Torturing Barbie
BARBIE, that plastic icon of girlhood fantasy play, is routinely tortured by children, research has found. The methods of mutilation are varied and creative, ranging from scalping to decapitation, burning, breaking and even microwaving.I wonder whether these researchers would point to Christa's practice of giving her Barbies custom "Dorothy Hamill" haircuts.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Cranky Bugs: The One Boy Show
The boy has started doing a dramatic interp version of the Thomas the Tank story "Cranky Bugs." He practices constantly: in the car or just walking around the house.
This is the original text:
Thomas and Percy love working at the docks. They enjoy the sea air and the sound of the gulls. But today the friends are hot and bothered. A crane is causing trouble. His name is Cranky and this is his first day at the docks.
And this is his interpretation:
TOP...uhh...PERCY...uhh...DOCKS...uhh...SEA...uhh...GULLS...HOTBAH!...
uhh...CRANE...TROUBLE...uhh...CRANKY...FIRST...uhh...DOCKS.
He's also currently working on a version of "Salty's Secret."
This is the original text:
Thomas and Percy love working at the docks. They enjoy the sea air and the sound of the gulls. But today the friends are hot and bothered. A crane is causing trouble. His name is Cranky and this is his first day at the docks.
And this is his interpretation:
TOP...uhh...PERCY...uhh...DOCKS...uhh...SEA...uhh...GULLS...HOTBAH!...
uhh...CRANE...TROUBLE...uhh...CRANKY...FIRST...uhh...DOCKS.
He's also currently working on a version of "Salty's Secret."
Friday, December 16, 2005
Greetings from Idiot America
Charlie Pierce of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me writes an article in Esquire on Idiot America-- our national culture of trusting our gut instinct and being suspicious of learning, fact, and reason.
Pierce explains why intellectually dubious enterprises, such as intelligent design, the invasion of Iraq, and the Federal Government's response to Hurricane Katrina, are shrugged off if and when they are seen to be mistakes. We're now a nation with a collective gut, instead of a collective mind.
...the rise of Idiot America today represents -- for profit mainly, but also, and more cynically, for political advantage and in the pursuit of power -- the breakdown of a consensus that the pursuit of knowledge is a good. It also represents the ascendancy of the notion that the people whom we should trust the least are the people who best know what they're talking about.
Pierce explains why intellectually dubious enterprises, such as intelligent design, the invasion of Iraq, and the Federal Government's response to Hurricane Katrina, are shrugged off if and when they are seen to be mistakes. We're now a nation with a collective gut, instead of a collective mind.
Angela Shelton's Survivor Manual: what videoblogging was created for
Angela Shelton is a filmmaker and a survivor of abuse. Her film, Searching for Angela Shelton that chronicled the survival story of herself and 47 others women was lauded at multiple film festivals and was featured on CBS' 48 Hours and Oprah.
Haven't seen the film, but I discovered her brand new videoblog, in which she is documenting her ongoing healing process.
First step: addressing her lifelong asthma. By episode 6/day 10 she's seeing some real results with the aid of an NMT (Neuro Modulation Technique) practitioner. By episode 7 (The Beetle Story) she's already attempting singing lessons.
Shelton is an onscreen natural, and the camera work and editing are crisp. It helps that she is aided by an actual *crew*, so she's freed up to be the main character/host.
But even in moments when a piece feels like a moment from a reality TV show, it feels more appropriate to the videoblogging medium (short, serial episodes).
And while I subscribe to several videoblogs, most are mundane moments or random visual or auditory bits done in a style that makes me want to see what the person comes up with next.
But here's a use of the medium that makes me want to subscribe to find out what *happens* next. Where's Shelton's story going from here?
Haven't seen the film, but I discovered her brand new videoblog, in which she is documenting her ongoing healing process.
First step: addressing her lifelong asthma. By episode 6/day 10 she's seeing some real results with the aid of an NMT (Neuro Modulation Technique) practitioner. By episode 7 (The Beetle Story) she's already attempting singing lessons.
Shelton is an onscreen natural, and the camera work and editing are crisp. It helps that she is aided by an actual *crew*, so she's freed up to be the main character/host.
But even in moments when a piece feels like a moment from a reality TV show, it feels more appropriate to the videoblogging medium (short, serial episodes).
And while I subscribe to several videoblogs, most are mundane moments or random visual or auditory bits done in a style that makes me want to see what the person comes up with next.
But here's a use of the medium that makes me want to subscribe to find out what *happens* next. Where's Shelton's story going from here?
Thursday, December 15, 2005
TV Stardom on $20 a Day
The NYT does videoblogging. Again.
This time in the Television section of the paper.
(Previously it was featured in Technology)
This time in the Television section of the paper.
(Previously it was featured in Technology)
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Postcards from Buster . Whitesburg, Kentucky
This morning, Buster meets two "old timey" secret agents, who fiddle, square dance, clog, and apparently need the latest Spy Kids gear to do it. Liam is spellbound.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Jon Carroll: On living in a bubble
"Is it any wonder real estate prices are so high? People want to leave, but they can't. Out There, people smoke in restaurants! OK, I'll pay a million-five for that hovel; just don't make me eat at a Denny's in Houston."
Friday, December 09, 2005
"Just a goddamned piece of paper"
From the world of alternative capitol hill reporting, this charming report of a president...a tad ambivalent about his oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Pinter's Nobel lecture
Excerpt:
It never happened. Nothing ever happened. Even while it was happening it wasn't happening. It didn't matter. It was of no interest. The crimes of the United States have been systematic, constant, vicious, remorseless, but very few people have actually talked about them. You have to hand it to America. It has exercised a quite clinical manipulation of power worldwide while masquerading as a force for universal good. It's a brilliant, even witty, highly successful act of hypnosis.
I put to you that the United States is without doubt the greatest show on the road. Brutal, indifferent, scornful and ruthless it may be but it is also very clever. As a salesman it is out on its own and its most saleable commodity is self love. It's a winner. Listen to all American presidents on television say the words, 'the American people', as in the sentence, 'I say to the American people it is time to pray and to defend the rights of the American people and I ask the American people to trust their president in the action he is about to take on behalf of the American people.'
It's a scintillating stratagem. Language is actually employed to keep thought at bay. The words 'the American people' provide a truly voluptuous cushion of reassurance. You don't need to think. Just lie back on the cushion. The cushion may be suffocating your intelligence and your critical faculties but it's very comfortable. This does not apply of course to the 40 million people living below the poverty line and the 2 million men and women imprisoned in the vast gulag of prisons, which extends across the US.
It never happened. Nothing ever happened. Even while it was happening it wasn't happening. It didn't matter. It was of no interest. The crimes of the United States have been systematic, constant, vicious, remorseless, but very few people have actually talked about them. You have to hand it to America. It has exercised a quite clinical manipulation of power worldwide while masquerading as a force for universal good. It's a brilliant, even witty, highly successful act of hypnosis.
I put to you that the United States is without doubt the greatest show on the road. Brutal, indifferent, scornful and ruthless it may be but it is also very clever. As a salesman it is out on its own and its most saleable commodity is self love. It's a winner. Listen to all American presidents on television say the words, 'the American people', as in the sentence, 'I say to the American people it is time to pray and to defend the rights of the American people and I ask the American people to trust their president in the action he is about to take on behalf of the American people.'
It's a scintillating stratagem. Language is actually employed to keep thought at bay. The words 'the American people' provide a truly voluptuous cushion of reassurance. You don't need to think. Just lie back on the cushion. The cushion may be suffocating your intelligence and your critical faculties but it's very comfortable. This does not apply of course to the 40 million people living below the poverty line and the 2 million men and women imprisoned in the vast gulag of prisons, which extends across the US.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Project Bandaloop
I've never seen San Francisco dance company Project Bandaloop live, but I still think their dance is fabulous. Maybe it's that they dance on location.
Well, more specifically, it's that their locations are three stories, or seven stories, or ten stories in the air. On the side of a building. Dangling from the Space Needle. You know, just to play with our conventional notions of "up" and "down."
Of course, dancing in Yosemite is breathtaking, too, and not just for the scenery. It might have something to do with the two thousand vertical feet of air between the dancers and valley floor.
Nice CBS Sunday morning featurette here.
Well, more specifically, it's that their locations are three stories, or seven stories, or ten stories in the air. On the side of a building. Dangling from the Space Needle. You know, just to play with our conventional notions of "up" and "down."
Of course, dancing in Yosemite is breathtaking, too, and not just for the scenery. It might have something to do with the two thousand vertical feet of air between the dancers and valley floor.
Nice CBS Sunday morning featurette here.
Wasabi Funyuns
Lowbrow and small time, underachieving and unpopular, Funyuns are the Roger Clinton of the Frito-Lay family.
Tastes better with Holiday Spice Pepsi!
Tastes better with Holiday Spice Pepsi!
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Goodbye, Moon
An Op-ed in the NYT on HarperCollins' decision to digitally remove the cigarette from Clement Hurd's photograph in the latest edition of GOODNIGHT MOON.
A fire blazing in the fireplace while Bunny sleeps? Suggested change: Get rid of it. At the very least, digitally add a fire extinguisher to the wall. And hello? Where are the smoke detectors?
New Colors for Old Paint Factory
To answer your occasional questions about what do I do all day: here's my latest web page. I get to create these occasionally for my work. Sorry about the Jurassic federal government style. (Imagine: using 'federal government' and 'style' in the same sentence. A first!)
Monday, December 05, 2005
Yacht Rock
From channel101.com, five episodes from the violent and melodramatic history of smooth pop music.
See! Michael McDonald join forces with Kenny Loggins
See! McDonald & Loggins take on Hall & Oates in a back alley fight
See! Steve Perry teach Loggins how to rock
Hear! Smooth music!
Winner, Best Show and Best Editing,
Channel 101 "Channy" Awards
c
See! Michael McDonald join forces with Kenny Loggins
See! McDonald & Loggins take on Hall & Oates in a back alley fight
See! Steve Perry teach Loggins how to rock
Hear! Smooth music!
Winner, Best Show and Best Editing,
Channel 101 "Channy" Awards
c
Staging 101
Jon Carroll's observations on the real estate staging phenomenon.
So what is this staging, the staging that adds the bucks to the bottom line? One word: throws. There are bloody throws everywhere. There must be huge throw warehouse somewhere; truckloads must disappear into the real estate universe every week.
No books are permitted in a staged house, except tasteful coffee-table volumes on Impressionist painters or architects of the early 20th century. And the books are rarely placed on a bookshelf. In the house across the street, one set was put on an ottoman -- and then partially covered with a throw.
So what is this staging, the staging that adds the bucks to the bottom line? One word: throws. There are bloody throws everywhere. There must be huge throw warehouse somewhere; truckloads must disappear into the real estate universe every week.
No books are permitted in a staged house, except tasteful coffee-table volumes on Impressionist painters or architects of the early 20th century. And the books are rarely placed on a bookshelf. In the house across the street, one set was put on an ottoman -- and then partially covered with a throw.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
This Season's War Cry: Commercialize Christmas, or Else - New York Times
Christa and I were just talking about this today, before I came across this. Although I was unaware of the pro-retail angle.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Michael Wolf | Hong Kong | Architecture of Density
A photo exhibition of urban population density. Most buildings photographed without any sky or ground visible.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Most confusing AP headline of the day...
"Food Critic Wins Bad Sex In Fiction Prize"
So what does the runner up get?
So what does the runner up get?
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Fritolaysia Cuts Off Chiplomatic Relations With Snakistan
"Preparing for a long and grueling war of nutrition, Fritolaysia imposed trade snacktions and set up a blockade of Snakistan's major ports, cutting off their commerce with Yumen, Mmmmadagascar, and the Chex Republic."
Recruiting My Kids for the GOP
I figure reading this book to my kids every night before bed is the one sure way of coverting them to the far-right wing of the Republican party. Was it ghost-written by Ralph Reed?
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
Kids Gone Wild
"We use kids like Prozac," he said. "People don't necessarily feel great about their spouse or their job but the kids are the bright spot in their day. They don't want to muck up that one moment by getting yelled at. They don't want to hurt. They don't want to feel bad. They want to get satisfaction from their kids. They're so precious to us - maybe more than to any generation previously. What gets thrown out the window is limits. It's a lot easier to pick their towel up off the floor than to get them away from the PlayStation to do it."
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Learning the Constellations
During the week of warm November weather two weeks ago, we took the boys outside to look at the stars, the moon, and Venus.
"Maybe we can see Bryan The Hunter," says L.
Must. not. laugh.
So I say, "You mean, O'Brien the Hunter?"
"Yeah, Bryan the Hunter."
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Jones Soda 2005 Holiday Pack
Five flavors: Brussels Sprout with Prosciutto, Cranberry Sauce, Turkey & Gravy, Wild Herb Stuffing, and Pumpkin Pie.
0 calories each. (Sweetened with Splenda brand sucralose!)
0 calories each. (Sweetened with Splenda brand sucralose!)
Friday, November 25, 2005
Cases Of Glitter Lung On The Rise Among Elementary-School Art Teachers
From the sidebar:
"Glitter deposits cause scarring, inflammation, and twinkliness of the lungs, leading to bedazzlemia--a condition in which alveoli are so sparkly that oxygen molecules are reflected away from the bloodstream."
"Glitter deposits cause scarring, inflammation, and twinkliness of the lungs, leading to bedazzlemia--a condition in which alveoli are so sparkly that oxygen molecules are reflected away from the bloodstream."
Chris Christmas Rodriguez: Vote him to replace Santa this year
Video of unknown origin, via Rocketboom.
Includes an astonishing and painful sight gag. It's late and I don't want to wake up Ben, but I'm screaming on the inside.
Includes an astonishing and painful sight gag. It's late and I don't want to wake up Ben, but I'm screaming on the inside.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Table for 10, please. Yes, I'm dining alone.
Taking My Personal Demons Out To Lunch At The Olive Garden.
By Andy Braaksma in McSweeneys.
By Andy Braaksma in McSweeneys.
Rockin' Christmas Lights
Over-the-top synchronized light show.
No information on whether this is real or an edited sequence of stills.
I'd bet money on the latter.
No information on whether this is real or an edited sequence of stills.
I'd bet money on the latter.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Doh! Locked doors thwart W's escape
Having surrendered all hope of inheriting the mantle of Ronald Reagan, Bush sets his sights on that of Charlie Callas.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Videoblogs at Anthology Film Archives
A nice promo about videoblogging, cut together to promote a series of screenings at Anthology Film Archives in NYC.
David Cross gets cross with Fox's Marketing Dept
Not sure where this originated; I picked it up on one of my video podcast feeds.
NSFSB (Not safe for small boys)
NSFSB (Not safe for small boys)
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Buy More Foil
On the Effectiveness of Aluminum Foil Helmets: An Emperical Study
Abstract:
Among a fringe community of paranoids, aluminum helmets serve as the protective measure of choice against invasive radio signals. We investigate the efficacy of three aluminum helmet designs on a sample group of four individuals. Using a $250,000 network analyser, we find that although on average all helmets attenuate invasive radio frequencies in either directions (either emanating from an outside source, or emanating from the cranium of the subject), certain frequencies are in fact greatly amplified. These amplified frequencies coincide with radio bands reserved for government use according to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Statistical evidence suggests the use of helmets may in fact enhance the government's invasive abilities. We speculate that the government may in fact have started the helmet craze for this reason.
Courtesy of John Beach.
Abstract:
Among a fringe community of paranoids, aluminum helmets serve as the protective measure of choice against invasive radio signals. We investigate the efficacy of three aluminum helmet designs on a sample group of four individuals. Using a $250,000 network analyser, we find that although on average all helmets attenuate invasive radio frequencies in either directions (either emanating from an outside source, or emanating from the cranium of the subject), certain frequencies are in fact greatly amplified. These amplified frequencies coincide with radio bands reserved for government use according to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Statistical evidence suggests the use of helmets may in fact enhance the government's invasive abilities. We speculate that the government may in fact have started the helmet craze for this reason.
Courtesy of John Beach.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
when first we practice to deceive
"The primary focus in the aftermath of Bob Woodward's Plame bombshell seems to be on the deserved destruction of Woodward's last bits of credibility as a journalist."
Oh, what a tangled web we weave.... plus a damn good conspiracy theory. Courtesy of Glenn Greenwald.
Oh, what a tangled web we weave.... plus a damn good conspiracy theory. Courtesy of Glenn Greenwald.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Snapea Copy
The copy on the back of the bag of "Snapea Crisps" (ingredients: green peas, corn oil, rice, salt) is jaw-droppingly bad, yet somehow also quite poignant. The tone seems inspired by an inter-departmental memo crossed with congressional resolution crossed with a 1940s newsreel.
"The pea has played an important role in dietary life and culture since the dawn of recorded history, and because of its nutritional value it has great potential for our dietary lives in the future. We are expecting to see the continuing development of "Snapea Crisps" as a delicate and tasty product which has taken advantage of the pea's original goodness, and we propose this product as a new type of snack."
The quality of the copywriting did not, however, keep me from eating two-thirds of the bag in a single sitting.
"The pea has played an important role in dietary life and culture since the dawn of recorded history, and because of its nutritional value it has great potential for our dietary lives in the future. We are expecting to see the continuing development of "Snapea Crisps" as a delicate and tasty product which has taken advantage of the pea's original goodness, and we propose this product as a new type of snack."
The quality of the copywriting did not, however, keep me from eating two-thirds of the bag in a single sitting.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Hadley Equivocates
I so love the Yahoo! News photo editor who picked this shot.
Plus there's the context of the press conference, in which Stephen Hadley admits that when the President said "We do not torture," he meant to add "...all that often."
Plus there's the context of the press conference, in which Stephen Hadley admits that when the President said "We do not torture," he meant to add "...all that often."
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Emerging Video: Chin Puppets
YouTube is a Web site that lets you post, tag, and share videos online, sort of like Flickr but for video.
And it appears that part of the collective unconscious of teenagers with video cameras is that drawing faces on your chins and filming them upside down is funny.
There's numerous lip synch versions: samaolah's "I Just Wanna Live" and tantan's "Chin Karaoke" explore bubblegum pop (skip 'em both), stormheaven's more successful metal anthem "The Chins" (on page two of the results), and the accomplished taytay2k3's "Taylor the Chin" (two props: one for choosing opera, and the other for actually knowing the words to lip synch to-- although I'll confess at 4:50 its too long to sustain the joke). If you haven't seen enough, the out of focus work of groovy1 features Motown ("Chins").
Both NumSkullz's "Chin Man Episode #2" and ekarma's "Chinny Chin Chin" find that chin puppets swearing is hilariously funny-- I beg to disagree, but at least NumSkullz tried to give his puppet a character and create a sketch.
With just these few examples, there's enough body of work to begin to define a bold aesthetic of amateur chin puppetry:
1) Lip synched work requires choreography.
2) Live singing hasn't been explored-- it would be powerful.
3) Random face movement are funny in their randomness, but no one has connected these motions to character yet... what we are seeing so far are not puppets but proto-puppets, mere automatons.
And it appears that part of the collective unconscious of teenagers with video cameras is that drawing faces on your chins and filming them upside down is funny.
There's numerous lip synch versions: samaolah's "I Just Wanna Live" and tantan's "Chin Karaoke" explore bubblegum pop (skip 'em both), stormheaven's more successful metal anthem "The Chins" (on page two of the results), and the accomplished taytay2k3's "Taylor the Chin" (two props: one for choosing opera, and the other for actually knowing the words to lip synch to-- although I'll confess at 4:50 its too long to sustain the joke). If you haven't seen enough, the out of focus work of groovy1 features Motown ("Chins").
Both NumSkullz's "Chin Man Episode #2" and ekarma's "Chinny Chin Chin" find that chin puppets swearing is hilariously funny-- I beg to disagree, but at least NumSkullz tried to give his puppet a character and create a sketch.
With just these few examples, there's enough body of work to begin to define a bold aesthetic of amateur chin puppetry:
1) Lip synched work requires choreography.
2) Live singing hasn't been explored-- it would be powerful.
3) Random face movement are funny in their randomness, but no one has connected these motions to character yet... what we are seeing so far are not puppets but proto-puppets, mere automatons.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Christopher Walken: Still Dancing
Okay, so I've seen that Saturday Night Live now has a "Best of Christopher Walken" DVD available. But how did I miss this?
From 2001, the Grammy award winning and 6 MTV award winning Fatboy Slim music video "Weapon of Choice." Directed by Spike Jonze, and featuring the dancing feet of Mr. Walken.
From 2001, the Grammy award winning and 6 MTV award winning Fatboy Slim music video "Weapon of Choice." Directed by Spike Jonze, and featuring the dancing feet of Mr. Walken.
Jay Rosen: After Miller Let There Be Light | The Huffington Post
Reflection on the Judith Miller mess, and how she's done little to help any of us understand.
Judith Miller may be the only investigative reporter alive who doesn't care if you understand, because she does.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Sony Super Ball commercial
I've seen a 30-second version of this on tv, but the two and a half minute extended edit is, all right, I'll say it:
Breathtaking.
Breathtaking.
Monday, November 07, 2005
5ives Nails It, Again
Don't know how I missed this one. Got to fix my RSS reader.
Five rules from the NPR drinking game
October 13th, 2005
Nina Totenberg reads a transcript (1 drink)
oboe is heard (2 drinks)
Malcolm Gladwell reference (1 drink)
Scott Simon cracks himself up (1 drink)
Daniel Schorr mentions Watergate (3 drinks)
12 Songs
It may very well be, as Newsweek suggest, Neil Diamond's best album in thirty years.
The stripped down, intimate recording of Neil actually playing his own guitar while singing his own songs, all new compositions, was Rick Rubin's idea.
And while this model has worked for Rubin before, I have to say, to my ear, it just proves that Neil Diamond is no Johnny Cash.
Oh, and the link? It's to Neil's MySpace page.
I reserve the right to change my mind. I've only heard 8 tracks, and Neil's batting .250 right now.
The stripped down, intimate recording of Neil actually playing his own guitar while singing his own songs, all new compositions, was Rick Rubin's idea.
And while this model has worked for Rubin before, I have to say, to my ear, it just proves that Neil Diamond is no Johnny Cash.
Oh, and the link? It's to Neil's MySpace page.
I reserve the right to change my mind. I've only heard 8 tracks, and Neil's batting .250 right now.
More great TV that no one watches
Just to add to our cherished list of great TV that no one else seems to watch, check out Classic Arts Showcase on channel 32. Commercial-free, foundation-sponsored. Clips from decades of dance, theatre, music, opera. To watch the difference over the years in how classic vocal standards are interpreted is surprising. Also amazing: the agelessness of anything Balanchine. Think of it as radio on your TV. MTV as it should be.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Mike Brown's emails
Two days after Katrina hit, Marty Bahamonde, one of the only FEMA employees in New Orleans, wrote to Brown that "the situation is past critical" and listed problems including many people near death and food and water running out at the Superdome.
Brown's entire response was: "Thanks for the update. Anything specific I need to do or tweak?
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
New Albert Brooks movie
It may be that the trailer is comprised of the funniest moments in this movie. Still, it looks promising.
Friday, October 28, 2005
'05 Annual Performance Review: Albert Einstein
That's '05 as in 1905, of course.
Brought to you by Peter Norvig, he of the Gettysburg Address PowerPoint Presentation fame.
This is a patent office, Albert. Your job is to transform written patent applications into clear and precise language, and to study applications and pick out the new ideas of an invention. These are the priorities. Where does it say that your priorities are rewriting the rules of the Universe, unifying space and time, unifying radiation and matter, or demonstrating the existence of atoms?
Brought to you by Peter Norvig, he of the Gettysburg Address PowerPoint Presentation fame.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Everybody Hates Harriet
Before the name Harriet Miers fades from your memory, take a moment to savor the eyeliner in this caricature.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Truth, Lies, and Statistics
American armed forces lost in the Iraq conflict have now reached 2,000. Chris Bowers reflects on the numbers:
Iraq Body Count currently records the number of Iraqi civilian fatalities as at least 26,690, and as many as 30,051.
As of this writing, at least 3,450 Iraqi security forces have been killed since the start of the insurgency.
In addition to Iraqi and American fatalities, coalition forces in Iraq have suffered at least 199 fatalities, including 97 from Britain.
At least 272 contractors have been killed.
At least 58 journalists have been killed.
Iraq Body Count currently records the number of Iraqi civilian fatalities as at least 26,690, and as many as 30,051.
As of this writing, at least 3,450 Iraqi security forces have been killed since the start of the insurgency.
In addition to Iraqi and American fatalities, coalition forces in Iraq have suffered at least 199 fatalities, including 97 from Britain.
At least 272 contractors have been killed.
At least 58 journalists have been killed.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Across Laos on One Wheel
My storytelling colleague, Megumi, specializes in Japanese and Japanese-American stories. She once told me she was married to a man who's hobby was Mountain Unicycling. Like Mountain biking, but with one wheel.
Now she, her husband, and her 13 year old son are taking a trip to Laos.
And they're bringing their unicycles.
Now she, her husband, and her 13 year old son are taking a trip to Laos.
And they're bringing their unicycles.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Bathtime in Clerkenwell
Kickass animated music video of a song by The Real Tuesday Weld,
itself a resample from a Mills Brothers track.
itself a resample from a Mills Brothers track.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
You Know That Whole Valerie Plame Thing
If you've been having trouble following the Valerie Plame ins and outs of who's a source and who's going to be indicted and for what, Adam Felber ("Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me") puts it in a context that even a 6th grader could understand:
See, someone told Judy that Valerie (you know, Joe’s Valerie?) worked for the CIA. At first everyone was all, like, it’s gotta be Scooter who said it, or maybe Karl or even Dick, but Judy wasn’t telling and she got in like really big trouble for that, you know? Pat got REALLY angry about it and sent Judy away....
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Feeling the news at you
From Stephen Colbert's debut news hour:
Did you know that you have more nerve endings in your stomach than in your head? Look it up. Now, somebody's gonna say `I did look that up and it's wrong'. Well, Mister, that's because you looked it up in a book. Next time, try looking it up in your gut. I did. And my gut tells me that's how our nervous system works.
Did you know that you have more nerve endings in your stomach than in your head? Look it up. Now, somebody's gonna say `I did look that up and it's wrong'. Well, Mister, that's because you looked it up in a book. Next time, try looking it up in your gut. I did. And my gut tells me that's how our nervous system works.
Monday, October 17, 2005
WikiPedia: Made-up words in The Simpsons
Chocobots
Saxomophone
Rebigulator
Flunjers, Capdabblers, Smendlers
Saxomophone
Rebigulator
Flunjers, Capdabblers, Smendlers
Saturday, October 15, 2005
How Bob Iger Saved Network TV
Gazillionaire blogger/NBA owner/blogger Mark Cuban suggests that the video iPod --and specifically, the $1.99 download via iTunes-- will turn the revenue model for network TV on its head.
He also suggests that this revenue stream will make up for the loss of revenue as TiVo owners block out commercials and drive down the cost of advertising.
Even the worst primetime television shows have on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox get millions of viewers. If the network can convert a couple percentage points of viewers into downloaders, it can turn into decent money. 2 bucks a pop. 50k downloads per eps. Thats more money than a hit reality show like Survivor earns in syndication.
He also suggests that this revenue stream will make up for the loss of revenue as TiVo owners block out commercials and drive down the cost of advertising.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
For President Under Duress, Body Language Speaks Volumes
Wishing i could watch this clip (NBC's video is Internet Explorer 6-only), but Dana Milbank's description might be funnier than the reality.
When Lauer asked if Bush, after a slow response to Katrina, was "trying to get a second chance to make a good first impression," Bush blinked 24 times in his answer. When asked why Gulf Coast residents would have to pay back funds but Iraqis would not, Bush blinked 23 times and hitched his trousers up by the belt.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Liam held the snake today
"We have a snake at school and his name is Picnic.
And the story is: when they got it, I wasn't there. It was about as
big as a pencil.
It used to be close to its tail and they bring it to church one day
and it went into Lloyd's shirt and it came out his sleeve. Lloyd has a
daughter and when she was a baby she tried to say "Pink Snake" and
Lloyd thought she said "Picnic" so he named him that because it was a
funny name.
He stays there when school is not open.
He is a corn snake.
He has a bowl of water and a piece of log, I think when he is tired.
And this is the first time the corn snake has ever been to Lloyd's
house. Lloyd is a teacher at my new school-- I already started it.
And also when I was not there they had a kitty that brought in
presents-- not like Santa's presents-- one day it brought in a mouse.
Its claws were too sharp and the little mousie died and they buried
it. And they have the skeleton of the mouse."
And the story is: when they got it, I wasn't there. It was about as
big as a pencil.
It used to be close to its tail and they bring it to church one day
and it went into Lloyd's shirt and it came out his sleeve. Lloyd has a
daughter and when she was a baby she tried to say "Pink Snake" and
Lloyd thought she said "Picnic" so he named him that because it was a
funny name.
He stays there when school is not open.
He is a corn snake.
He has a bowl of water and a piece of log, I think when he is tired.
And this is the first time the corn snake has ever been to Lloyd's
house. Lloyd is a teacher at my new school-- I already started it.
And also when I was not there they had a kitty that brought in
presents-- not like Santa's presents-- one day it brought in a mouse.
Its claws were too sharp and the little mousie died and they buried
it. And they have the skeleton of the mouse."
The Blognabbit Special Election Challenge
Finding decent blog postings and smart op/ed pieces on state issues is more difficult than National ones, I think.
How many can we find before November ?
Link goes to UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies, for background on the ballot measures.
For finding the snappy blog entries, you're on your own.
How many can we find before November ?
Link goes to UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies, for background on the ballot measures.
For finding the snappy blog entries, you're on your own.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
The Best Gizmo You Don't Have
Videochatting is becoming a notable part of Ben's life.
Right after we end a videochat with Pete & Judy he asks to talk to Nana.
Right after we end a videochat with Nana he asks to talk with Ro-Ro and Liam.
Follow the link to Mark Morford's column this past Friday. Practically a love letter to apple's isight camera and ichat.
Right after we end a videochat with Pete & Judy he asks to talk to Nana.
Right after we end a videochat with Nana he asks to talk with Ro-Ro and Liam.
Follow the link to Mark Morford's column this past Friday. Practically a love letter to apple's isight camera and ichat.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Carol Lloyd: Buyer Beware
I stopped reading the Real Estate pages about a month after we moved in. I never liked the listings anyway. I always read the trends, the how-tos, the market predictions. I even read Carol Lloyd ("Surreal Estate" in the Chron).
Read her again today.
Now I'm going to have Nightmares. Even though we didn't waive any inspections.
Read her again today.
Now I'm going to have Nightmares. Even though we didn't waive any inspections.
The HESSENIUS GROUP
(from Barry's Arts Blog and Update)
Barry Hessenius, former California Arts Council Director (back when it had actual funding from the state budget), used to send out weekly emails from his office. I was never impressed with his weekly emails, and so when I heard he was starting a blog, I shrugged. BUT:
"The Hessenius Group," a take-off on The McLaughlin Group television show, is a brilliant use of his blog. He assembles a team of top mover, shakers, and thinkers in arts administration, and fires off questions. Being online, it's not as fiery or as spirited as McLaughlin's show, but still, it's like being set down at an arts administration conference post keynote hallway conversation.
Okay, you really have to be interested in arts policy and nonprofit management to enjoy this... but the model is impressive. Well, after one episode, anyway.
This panel discusses the effect of a possible repeal of the Estate tax on the arts world.
And more interesting is the question: "ARE we seeing the precipitous decline in the presentation and support for alternative arts performances?"
In addition to suggesting that the term alternative means a zillion different things, the panelists suggest several factors, all of which I find fascinating:
1) the cultural conservatism of the last 20 years has shrank the audience for art;
2) the economics of art, especially of the last 20 years, is making it harder to produce art;
3) co-option of edgy art by for-profit which is actually making edgy material a mainstream source of revenue (i.e. HBO, Sundance) in broadcast media;
4) the arts funders have neglected the distribution channels of niche art forms
5) the Web is providing a new distribution channel and outlet for alternative voices and providing direct competition with previous forms of art-- not only for distribution-- but competing with the "values" of live art ("Digital media can be expected to challenge increasingly each of the special powers and values of live art (sensory immediacy, stagecraft, the communal experience, etc.) increasingly."
Barry Hessenius, former California Arts Council Director (back when it had actual funding from the state budget), used to send out weekly emails from his office. I was never impressed with his weekly emails, and so when I heard he was starting a blog, I shrugged. BUT:
"The Hessenius Group," a take-off on The McLaughlin Group television show, is a brilliant use of his blog. He assembles a team of top mover, shakers, and thinkers in arts administration, and fires off questions. Being online, it's not as fiery or as spirited as McLaughlin's show, but still, it's like being set down at an arts administration conference post keynote hallway conversation.
Okay, you really have to be interested in arts policy and nonprofit management to enjoy this... but the model is impressive. Well, after one episode, anyway.
This panel discusses the effect of a possible repeal of the Estate tax on the arts world.
And more interesting is the question: "ARE we seeing the precipitous decline in the presentation and support for alternative arts performances?"
In addition to suggesting that the term alternative means a zillion different things, the panelists suggest several factors, all of which I find fascinating:
1) the cultural conservatism of the last 20 years has shrank the audience for art;
2) the economics of art, especially of the last 20 years, is making it harder to produce art;
3) co-option of edgy art by for-profit which is actually making edgy material a mainstream source of revenue (i.e. HBO, Sundance) in broadcast media;
4) the arts funders have neglected the distribution channels of niche art forms
5) the Web is providing a new distribution channel and outlet for alternative voices and providing direct competition with previous forms of art-- not only for distribution-- but competing with the "values" of live art ("Digital media can be expected to challenge increasingly each of the special powers and values of live art (sensory immediacy, stagecraft, the communal experience, etc.) increasingly."
Thomas the Earworm
I was suffering a kind of Chinese water torture today as the Thomas the Tank Engine And Friends theme song sloshed around my head like a washing machine stuck on 'rinse'. Hoping to purge the earworm by indulging it, I googled one of the offending phrases and discovered someone else blogging about being driving crazy by that same song. Sub sole nihil nove est.
The power of the virus is mighty:
They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight.
Shunting cars and hauling freight.
Red and green and brown and blue,
They're the Really Useful crew!
All with different roles to play,
'round Tidmouth sheds or far away.
Down the hills and 'round the bend,
Thomas and his friends!
The power of the virus is mighty:
They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight.
Shunting cars and hauling freight.
Red and green and brown and blue,
They're the Really Useful crew!
All with different roles to play,
'round Tidmouth sheds or far away.
Down the hills and 'round the bend,
Thomas and his friends!
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Cog
This is sooo 2003. But for some reason, this Honda commercial popped into my mind today, so I thought I'd check to see if it was still around.
Yup.
By the way, it's two continuous shots. Can you find the cut?
Yup.
By the way, it's two continuous shots. Can you find the cut?
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
W's jaw twitch
Is the W robot malfunctioning? What is happening here?
Posted by Harry Shearer on the Huffington Post.
Posted by Harry Shearer on the Huffington Post.
Wal-Mart's Commitment to Our Communities
Blogger Bill in Portland ME recounts a high school teacher, Selina Jarvis, who:
assigned her senior civics and economics class "to take photographs to illustrate their rights in the Bill of Rights," she says. One student "had taken a photo of George Bush out of a magazine and tacked the picture to a wall with a red thumb tack through his head. ..."
According to Jarvis, the student, ... was just doing his assignment, illustrating the right to dissent.
But over at the Kitty Hawk Wal-Mart, where the student took his film to be developed, this right is evidently suspect. An employee in that Wal-Mart photo department called the Kitty Hawk police on the student. And the Kitty Hawk police turned the matter over to the Secret Service. On Tuesday, September 20, the Secret Service came to Currituck High.
"At 1:35, the student came to me and told me that the Secret Service had taken his poster," Jarvis says. "I didn't believe him at first. But they had come into my room when I wasn't there and had taken his poster, which was in a stack with all the others." She says the student was upset.
assigned her senior civics and economics class "to take photographs to illustrate their rights in the Bill of Rights," she says. One student "had taken a photo of George Bush out of a magazine and tacked the picture to a wall with a red thumb tack through his head. ..."
According to Jarvis, the student, ... was just doing his assignment, illustrating the right to dissent.
But over at the Kitty Hawk Wal-Mart, where the student took his film to be developed, this right is evidently suspect. An employee in that Wal-Mart photo department called the Kitty Hawk police on the student. And the Kitty Hawk police turned the matter over to the Secret Service. On Tuesday, September 20, the Secret Service came to Currituck High.
"At 1:35, the student came to me and told me that the Secret Service had taken his poster," Jarvis says. "I didn't believe him at first. But they had come into my room when I wasn't there and had taken his poster, which was in a stack with all the others." She says the student was upset.
1918 Influenza virus was Bird Flu
Quick summary by Gina Kolata, author of FLU, the scary book I read about the 1918 epidemic.
"This is huge, huge, huge," said John Oxford, a professor of virology at London Hospital Medical College, who was not part of the research team. "It's a huge breakthrough to be able to put a searchlight on a virus that killed 50 million people. I can't think of anything bigger that's happened in virology for many years."
Monday, October 03, 2005
US car exports booming--in Iraq
From the Boston Globe:
The FBI's counterterrorism unit has launched a broad investigation of US-based theft rings after discovering that some of the vehicles used in deadly car bombings in Iraq...were probably stolen in the United States.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
