Installment #2:
What is it? three ceramic cats
What’s its deal? Xmas gift from me to Kate, representing Andromeda, Narcissa and Bellatrix
Where does it live? end table to the left of the couch
Any notable facts? predicted the addition of Clyde and Rigel into the household well ahead of time
Calvin Harris has produced a wonderfully imaginative video experiment using his single “Ready for the Weekend.” I’ve never heard of Calvin Harris, but if the goal was to get me interested in his music, it’s worked because this is fantastically clever.
Thanks, boffins. (And TrendHunter.)
Do you remember OiNK? I do, because it was the best damned music downloading service (that I’m sure we would never have used, legal beagles we all are, yeah?) It was an absolute dream to use, had everything one could ever want and, of course, was free. Gizmodo posted a great summary of a podcast by Greg Kot on the failings of the music industry – specifically, how these missteps produced piracy. I was both surprised and delighted to see author Dan Nosowitz openly proclaim his love for OiNK. In so doing he rightly pointed out that there has still not been a true competitor for this BitTorrent tracker, not even Apple’s iTunes. The story is worth a read, and the podcast is probably worth a listen (I haven’t had time yet, myself, but Greg was highly entertaining when he was at the Lit House this past Spring.)
My house is chock full of strange and interesting objects – so many that I often find myself zoning out while the stereo is on, trying my damnedest to remember what they all are. So, in an effort to aid in this process (and come up with easily generated blog posts,) I give you the Random Object Generator.
Installment #1:
What is it? antique Japanese teapot
What’s its deal? present from Lindsie to me two Xmases ago
Where does it live? impossible to assemble Danish bookcases in the dining room
Any notable facts? was an awesome surprise of an Xmas gift, especially since it came with four matching teacups
Besides, who doesn’t enjoy taking a look at the knickknacks and gewgaws that other people surround themselves with?
That’s how many hour long Zimbra training sessions I’ve taught between July 22nd and today. Three is the number of five hour long Blackboard Open Labs I participated in this week, too. It’s training season at Washington College and I’m exhausted. Glad to have new services going live, so very tired of supporting them already.
In other news, sometimes a photo opportunity presents itself on the roadside that just has to be taken. Mine appeared the other day on the way out of Chestertown. Colonial Chevy closed its doors as part of the autopocalypse, leaving behind a dreadful 70s store front and the wonderful slogan “Our Country. Our Truck.” emblazoned on the windows. Of course I had to take my Audi hatchback and park it on the grass-eaten pavement.
I give you “It’s my country, too.”
Kate is away and the weekend is promising to be nearly 100º. Lockdown at this house!
Three years ago(ish,) my very own chinchilla, Lola, went to the ash bath in the sky. This video that Kate just found on TV makes a fitting tribute to a remarkable creature:
.jpg "The Bachelor by Patrick Wolf")
As promised, here’s my review of Patrick Wolf’s newest release. I noticed that there was such a thing while Kate was leafing through Vogue UK or somesuch and saw his picture. In a flurry of excitement, I listened as Kate read Mr. Wolf’s description of his latest album as music for both soccer moms and Goth kids. Perfect – time to run to the computer at 1:30 am.
And I did. Which I’m glad for, because it’s wonderful.
It’s certainly no The Magic Position. A few tracks get close – “Hard Times,” “Vulture” and “Messenger” in particular – but overall, it’s a real departure into something more sonically lush. And it broods as much as Pat’s asymmetrical hair would lead you to believe it might. Think Lycanthropy or Wind in the Wires with the polish they deserved (not that they were bad albums.) At times, I had to be sure my iPhone hadn’t gone on to shuffle: “Oblivion” could be AFI, “The Bachelor” could be a clever classic rock remix, “Battle” wouldn’t be out of place at a skate park. Great to see some exploration of new directions, though it does make this album feel a bit like a playlist. “Count of Casualty,” my personal favorite, would sell you even if everything else was terrible.
Wolf-Boy has a new album. Expect a review shortly (I need another listen to really know it.) Until then:
James May – Captain Slow for the Top Gear fans – will be building a Lego house out of 3 million bricks at a winery in Dorking. As Jalopnik made sure to emphasize, a town called Dorking. It’s too perfect and I wish I could be there to see it. And take part in the building, since there will be a public building session as well.
I love James May. I love how he gets lost just about anywhere he drives. How he lives alone with his cat, as you’d expect. How he hosts a show about toys when not driving race cars (or racing cars turned into boats across the English Channel.) I loved how he drank half a bottle of wine while cooking in a challenge with Gordon Ramsey. And how he derives joy out of doing mental calculations of his fuel efficiency. Kate can attest to the last one, believe me. So this really takes the admiration to a profound new plane.
