Friday, November 30, 2007
Frank Sinatra: A Voice in Time (1939-1952) (popmatters)
In the 1940s Sinatra was the original template for the phenomena of the teen idol. After the war’s end and a brief creative recession in which he heroically did battle against the forces of stultifying novelty recordings which had infiltrated postwar American record stores (those with strong constitutions should track down “Mama Will Bark”, his sole concession to this fashion), he returned to the spotlight with one of the most amazing second acts in American history. Along the way he established a template for sophisticated adult musicianship within a pop context, which has rarely if ever been matched in the many decades since.
In the 1940s Sinatra was the original template for the phenomena of the teen idol. After the war’s end and a brief creative recession in which he heroically did battle against the forces of stultifying novelty recordings which had infiltrated postwar American record stores (those with strong constitutions should track down “Mama Will Bark”, his sole concession to this fashion), he returned to the spotlight with one of the most amazing second acts in American history. Along the way he established a template for sophisticated adult musicianship within a pop context, which has rarely if ever been matched in the many decades since.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
New Yorkers: Don't touch that bag! (nytimes)
One purse was found just sitting on a display shelf in the shoe department at Macy’s. Another one turned up downstairs, in Macy’s Cellar. Yet another rested on a chair in a Midtown McDonald’s, left by a woman who had stepped into the restroom.
One purse was found just sitting on a display shelf in the shoe department at Macy’s. Another one turned up downstairs, in Macy’s Cellar. Yet another rested on a chair in a Midtown McDonald’s, left by a woman who had stepped into the restroom.
In fact, all three items had been planted by police officers in plainclothes during the previous six weeks. And the three people who picked them up were arrested, and now face indictment on charges that could land them in state prison.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Another great holiday logic puzzle from coudal. I've got my answer in, and I'm keeping fingers crossed for the Chicago deep dish prize...
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
var'aq: the Klingon programming language. This page will have to do until O'Reilly title on this prints.
A great monowheels site with tons of pics and diagrams from the museum of retro technology. Want one!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Economic Consequences of Mr. Bush (Vanity Fair)
When we look back someday at the catastrophe that was the Bush administration, we will think of many things: the tragedy of the Iraq war, the shame of Guantánamo and Abu Ghraib, the erosion of civil liberties. The damage done to the American economy does not make front-page headlines every day, but the repercussions will be felt beyond the lifetime of anyone reading this page.
When we look back someday at the catastrophe that was the Bush administration, we will think of many things: the tragedy of the Iraq war, the shame of Guantánamo and Abu Ghraib, the erosion of civil liberties. The damage done to the American economy does not make front-page headlines every day, but the repercussions will be felt beyond the lifetime of anyone reading this page.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
SI has a gallery of modern NHL goalie masks. Don't waste your time - they're a bunch of airbrushed, NASCAR-inspired design casualties.
A better gallery is at classicmask.com, who chronicles the times when goalie masks were downright creepy.
A better gallery is at classicmask.com, who chronicles the times when goalie masks were downright creepy.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Friday, November 02, 2007
[sarcastic, but just barely] Best donut maker review/Indictment of complacent American consumerism ever.
Danny Wilcox Frazier's Driftless: Pictures from Iowa
(via gmt+9)
As rural economies fail, people and resources are migrating to the coasts and cities, as though the heart of America were being emptied. Frazier’s arresting photographs take us into Iowa’s abandoned places and illuminate the lives of those people who stay behind and continue to live there: young people at leisure, fishermen on the Mississippi, veterans on Memorial Day, Amish women playing cards, as well as more recent arrivals, Lubavitcher Hasidic Jews at prayer and Latinos at work in the fields.
(via gmt+9)
As rural economies fail, people and resources are migrating to the coasts and cities, as though the heart of America were being emptied. Frazier’s arresting photographs take us into Iowa’s abandoned places and illuminate the lives of those people who stay behind and continue to live there: young people at leisure, fishermen on the Mississippi, veterans on Memorial Day, Amish women playing cards, as well as more recent arrivals, Lubavitcher Hasidic Jews at prayer and Latinos at work in the fields.
Kos got screwed by Blue Shield on a routine medical procedure. Looks like they messed with the wrong guy.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
10 Reasons to hate cellphone carriers. Or 10 reasons to hate them even more if you've already arrived at the hatred point.