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Nick

Hello there, Giulietta

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And how are you today?  If anything could end an eight year German streak, it could be this lovely little Italian number:

There is still quite a lot of speculation as to whether Alfa-Romeo’s return to the States in 2012 will see the Giulietta‘s arrival.  After watching the launch video, I do hope that it is so:

Even if those in the camp of “we wish, but it’s unlikely” are correct, the sure to be arriving older sister, Giulia is an excellent alternative.  Especially if the rendered shots are to be judged.

Whether I can work up the nerve to walk into even a former Chrysler dealership is another matter entirely…

McQueen is dead. Long live McQueen.

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Alexander McQueen, fashion designer and visionary artist, is dead at 40. From his insane wax lipped models to Björk’s sequined face at Fashion Rocks 2003, McQueen has always “gone there” and then kept right on going, out into the dark realms other designers wouldn’t even venture (except maybe Karl Lagerfeld, but he lives there anyway.)  While his style has been over the top, McQueen always managed to keep it luxe.  He really seemed to be catching on in the mainstream of late, with his McQ line and the attention garnered from Lady Gaga.  Alas, we’ll never see just where he would have traveled next.  A sad loss indeed.

I recommend watching Björk’s “Alarm Call” video, directed by Alexander McQueen.  You can wear your wax lips while you do, if you so choose.

International shipping?

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Now, if I’ve registered to win a 2011 Audi A1 (which I have) as a US citizen (which I was able to do) and the car doesn’t go on sale here (as we’ve been told it won’t,) will Audi send one from abroad? Who covers that shipping?

Random Object Generator

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Installment #13:

DSC_0006

What is it? tiny Rubik’s Cube

What’s its deal? a random gift from Dusty

Where does it live? one shelf down from the Japanese vase featured in Installment #12

Any notable facts? I truly have no idea where Dusty got these, but they seemed to be given out frequently for a time – and I’ve still not actually beaten it

Comics (and print media) on the iPad

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You may have noticed that I’ve been entirely mum on the topic of the iPad over the last few days.  Well, the truth is, I desperately want one and will probably early-adopt a brand spanking new iPad into the house as soon as I can.  However, I haven’t really said much on the topic because I’ve been disappointed with a) the number of iPad hate posts that have been flooding my favorite blogs and news sources and b) the creativity of demonstrated apps from the Apple keynote presenters to developers in general.  The iPad has the potential to be THE electronic reading device and I was promised truly revolutionary, mind-rattling content that was just not delivered

However, digital comic book publisher, PanelFly seems to have its head in the game in a big way.  I’ve enjoyed their iPhone app thoroughly and I think the business model of comic sales in-app on a mobile device is brilliant.  I mean, it’s the perfect thing to sell someone who is probably looking for something to tide them over on the train, in the car (not driving) or in queue for the next cashier.  (I’ve talked about this in relation to iVerse, a similar idea, at my work blog, too.)

What makes PanelFly’s move to the iPad so delicious (and logical) will not only be the same things that make the iPhone app great: backlighting, control of reading experience, flexibility of reading experience, animation and a beautiful display for art.  Instead, it will be the innovations only possible with a large screen, fast processor and slant towards sexed-up traditional media consumption (vs. its sidebar position on the iPhone.)

If Gizmodo’s preview of the technology – and the collection of screenshots from PanelFly – are any indication, this will be huge.  And hopefully a preview of what the rest of a race of dying dead-tree publications will look like as they rise from the ashes.  I’ll own the iPad anyway…

Listen: IRM by Charlotte Gainsbourg

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The acting of Charlotte Gainsbourg was only made known to me after watching The Science of Sleep in 2007.  (Kate tells me that I saw her in an earlier role when we watched Jane Eyre but I really cannot remember doing so…and it would have come after, regardless.) While I find her acting compelling, I really had no compulsion to explore her musical career.

Which was – as my decisions sometimes are – a mistake.

To paraphrase Wired‘s brief review of the newest album, Gainsbourg is essentially the singing equivalent of tofu: she takes on the sonic qualities of the collaborator with whom she’s working.

On IRM, Charlotte has partnered with Beck, who served as producer, musician and vocalist. Happily, she doesn’t just sound like a female singer channeling Beck, though.  Instead, Gainsbourg absorbs all of what makes Beck spectacular, kooky and somewhat foreboding and then effortlessly pours it out again with her own (decidedly French) style.

So what’s to like on this recording?  Let’s start with the single, “Heaven Can Wait” and its delectable, disturbing video:

Charlotte Gainsbourg – Heaven Can Wait from Charlotte Gainsbourg on Vimeo.

My other favorites:

(I apologize if these videos vanish – her record label, Because Music, seems to be throwing a bit of a fit.)

Update: How I missed this fact is beyond me, but the album name IRM actually comes from MRI, a machine that Charlotte Gainsbourg spent much time in after having a cerebral hemorrhage.  She thought the sounds of the MRI would “make a great music.”  I had the exact same thought after being scanned myself two summers ago.

In defense of wagons

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Jalopnik (admitted wagon-lover hideout) has written a call to arms for all those in favor of the five-door. As a “Sportback” owner myself, I do view a day when my people can come out from behind such marketing speak to embrace our rightful place at the top of the automotive heap.

We are wagons. We are the future.

I would coat my life in liquid glass

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Nanopool, a German nanotech company, is shopping around its new liquid glass coating. Once sprayed on, any surface from fabric to metal to stone is completely protected from dirt, bacteria, stains and the like. Materials can be easily wiped down with nothing more than hot water and returned to a level of cleanliness normally associated with harsh chemicals or back-breaking labor.

I WANT THIS. I will spray it on my car, inside and out. I will coat my furniture in it. Dip my clothes in it. Cover my electronics in it. “Clyde, you’re going for a swim.” Etc.

Read the article and share my fervor:

Spray-on miracle could revolutionise manufacturing

(Thanks, The Independent.)

Two great posts from Gizmodo…

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Another sick day means a bit of web browsing. I found two particularly great posts without venturing any farther than Gizmodo today. The first is an unbearably adorable comic, originally from xkcd. Too cute for words. The second is a compelling collection of floppy disk-based paintings from artist Nick Gentry. Check out the images below or head over to either of the articles.