May 11, 2008
Instant Rimshot
I am going to have a ton of fun with this one at the cafe (via).
A Rainbow in Curved Air
Terry Riley’s 40-year-old album contains only two tracks, each a side long in the original LP format, now a tidy 40-or-so-minute CD. What is cool is that, though the CD lists at $11.99 and though iTunes sells it digitally for $6.99, you can get each track individually in MP3 format from Amazon for only 99 cents each! I bought the complete “record” last night for $1.98! I love the title track, but have only heard “Poppy Nogood” so far while asleep. (That is to say, I set my iPod up to play them both at bedtime and zonked pretty soon.) “Rainbow” is minimal maximalism, or maximal minimalism: a few charmingly repetitive and melodic elements performed in a richly toned, non-minimal fashion. Joy-inducing without being sappy.
Dear Clusterflock,
In defiance of the shocking exchange rate and all common sense, I am going to visit friends in London and Paris later this month. Both my hostesses have day jobs, so I’ll be at my own disposal much of the time. What should I do, see, or eat while I’m there?
Bonus points for activities that are free, cheap, or involve cake.
This Mother’s Day
Tell us about your mom.
TV Repair Shop (San Miguel, Philippines)
The Fiery Scotsman (AKA haggis basher), he shoots some fine photos, he does. They’re here. Take some time and browse the archives. (And thank Balkan ‘flocker Alek Lindus, not me, for the introduction.)
W
Life in These United States
Ah, Florida. Inspired by Deron’s post about the Land O’ Lakes (Florida) substitute teacher accused of wizardry, I pursued links that led me to coverage of the story by WLTX (Columbia, South Carolina). There I learned the Florida school district’s side of the story: the alleged wizard’s crimes were also said to have included “not following lesson plans” and allowing students to play on unapproved computers (circumstantial evidence, at the very least, of dabbling in the black arts).
And then I scrolled on down to “Today’s Top Stories” from WLTX, and that’s when I said to myself, “Ah, these here United States.”
• Deputies Search for Two Armed, Dangerous Men
• Man Arrested For Shooting, Killing Victim
• Teens Drown on Senior Skip Day
• 10-Year-Old Rape Victim Gives Birth
• Hulk Hogan’s Son Sentenced to 8 Months in Jail
• $5 Million Lottery Winner Killed; Ex-Boyfriend Charged
• Slight Risk of Severe Weather This Afternoon
eco-cool
Alternative fuel development isn’t just for four wheels. Motorcycle manufacturers are realizing that, while their current models are highly efficient, what will differentiate them in the future is design.
they put their pants on like everybody else, two legs at a time
A combination of parkour and getting dressed, these guys put on their pants two legs at a time. Make sure to watch through to the back flip.
I banish you!
A substitute teacher in Tampa, Florida performed a magic trick that made a toothpick disappear and was fired for wizardry.
Leftovers
May 10, 2008
Radiohead - Nobody Does It Better
Thom says, ” This is the sexiest song ever written”.
your right!
Goodbye To The Normals
‘We were drinking’
Vodka can cause terribly hilarious things:
Yuri Lyalin, 53, took a bus home, ate breakfast and apparently slept like a baby before his spouse noticed a handle sticking out of his back.
Incidents of Travel, 4
- May 10, 3:10 p.m., Denver, CO, stiff north wind, 45 DEGREES
- Kindergarten Soccer
- AKA, “Sandpipers on the Beach, Galveston, Texas, July 1967″
- Note to self: Avoid Colorado in May.
Dior Museum Celebrates Dandies
Legendary dandy Oscar Wilde once declared “One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art,” a sentiment endorsed by designer Christian Dior, who acknowledged dandyism as a significant influence on his fashion.
The Dior family home, now a museum, on the Normandy coast at Granville, this week opened an exhibition celebrating dandyism in all its manifestations that will last through the summer.
Bound Bond
Penguin Books are releasing remastered editions of the entire Ian Fleming James Bond book series.
They are gorgeous.
Everything Has To End Somewhere
A beautiful song from Things in Herds at the Fence Homegame festival in Anstruther, April 2007.
Great Tits Cope Well with Warming
“In our study population, the same old rules don’t work any more; so it’s an interesting question as to which situation is the normal one and which is the exception.”
I’ve Been Meaning to Ask
Is it third time’s a charm, or three strikes and you’re out?
Canadian train put in quarantine
A train in Canada with about 280 people on board has been put under quarantine, after one passenger died and several others reported flu-like symptoms.
The authorities say they do not believe there is a connection between the death and the illnesses.
um, is it me or is there some confusing contradiction here or maybe several
dear clusterflock
If you speak a language other than English, which one (or ones) are they and how did you learn them?
May 9, 2008
The New York Prophetic Times
(via kottke)
Crash, Burn, Get a Ticket
This just cracks me up. I mean, I know it shouldn’t be funny, but I just can’t stop laughing.