Never heard this before. Captain Beefheart in Dylan mode and Frank Zappa in Paul Simon mode, tackling a Beefheartesque folk song.
Hollis Brown must be turnin' in his grave.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Eyes of Providence
Jimmy Page, wearing a shirt with an eye-in-the-pyramid design on the back. (That's Bill Graham, the famous promoter, with him.)
This shirt also starred in The Song Remains the Same.
And here's Alison Mosshart. (Picture found on Tumblr, so no credit for it.)
Result?
Best buddies!
(That last one is Ross Halfin's, if you can't
tell by the watermark.)
This shirt also starred in The Song Remains the Same.
Result?
Best buddies!
(That last one is Ross Halfin's, if you can't
tell by the watermark.)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
999, as it were.
How would tax burdens change if we were to go to Cain's SimCity 999 mix, you ask. Well, it would mean the rich paying so much less tax that you will get tired of scrolling down before you find out how much.
If your scroll finger is youthful and refreshed, try here.
If your scroll finger is youthful and refreshed, try here.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Hidden kitty
Most of my acquaintances said it took them an instant to find the cat in this picture. I have to say it took me five minutes.
It is really there, and not at all hiding.
It is really there, and not at all hiding.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Guy on a buffalo
Two Americana greats, with accompanying video of the guy on the buffalo. I laffed.
Bears, Indians and Such
Orphans, Cougars and Whatnot
Bears, Indians and Such
Orphans, Cougars and Whatnot
Go ask Alice--
Steve Simels of the awesome blog PowerPop found and posted this gem.
It's Grace Slick's original vocal track from White Rabbit, unaccompanied. It starts around thirty seconds in, after the introduction (which you can't hear) so be prepared for the silence. Early in the morning, which this is, I can't read very well and I read this as being the 'uncompressed' vocal track and wondered vaguely how much compression there was in 1966, and whether that's something Jefferson Airplane would have indulged in.
Simels thinks Jefferson Airplane have a pre-echo of punk rock, but on this evidence I have to disagree. It sounds like 1966 - I can hear the icy purity of Sandy Denny (of Fairport Convention) but each line seems to end with a warm, Germanic inflection that reminds me of Nico. I can't tell if Slick is doing this on purpose, or if it her own style.
I know someone who can't listen to female vocals. Listening to this outpouring of power and dynamics, I have no idea why.
It's Grace Slick's original vocal track from White Rabbit, unaccompanied. It starts around thirty seconds in, after the introduction (which you can't hear) so be prepared for the silence. Early in the morning, which this is, I can't read very well and I read this as being the 'uncompressed' vocal track and wondered vaguely how much compression there was in 1966, and whether that's something Jefferson Airplane would have indulged in.
Simels thinks Jefferson Airplane have a pre-echo of punk rock, but on this evidence I have to disagree. It sounds like 1966 - I can hear the icy purity of Sandy Denny (of Fairport Convention) but each line seems to end with a warm, Germanic inflection that reminds me of Nico. I can't tell if Slick is doing this on purpose, or if it her own style.
I know someone who can't listen to female vocals. Listening to this outpouring of power and dynamics, I have no idea why.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Kills: Kissy Kissy (Acoustic live)
I can't figure out a way to rip this video, so the best I can do is show it to everyone.
The Kills, singing Kissy Kissy on a rumpled bed somewhere in rock and roll ville.
[edited]
The Kills, singing Kissy Kissy on a rumpled bed somewhere in rock and roll ville.
[edited]
Death Penalty
So, as long as your skin color isn't white, it's okay for Georgia to kill you on suspicion you're a bad guy. They don't need to *prove* it, because it's up to you to prove you are innocent. I know that's not what it says in the law, but that's what it said in this case. Websites have taken down the assertion, but they always leave a trace.
You shouldn't have to prove you are innocent. The law says they have to prove you are guilty. Maybe that seems like nitpicking, but in a couple of days they are going to kill Troy Davis because he couldn't prove he was innocent.
Could you "prove" your innocence if the weight of the state was thrown against you, some day when they needed a perp? I couldn't. I'd be hard pressed to prove what I did 24 hours ago yesterday, never mind a year ago.
It's not a good idea to give the state the right to kill you. They might not always use their powers for good.
You shouldn't have to prove you are innocent. The law says they have to prove you are guilty. Maybe that seems like nitpicking, but in a couple of days they are going to kill Troy Davis because he couldn't prove he was innocent.
Could you "prove" your innocence if the weight of the state was thrown against you, some day when they needed a perp? I couldn't. I'd be hard pressed to prove what I did 24 hours ago yesterday, never mind a year ago.
It's not a good idea to give the state the right to kill you. They might not always use their powers for good.
Interwebz, health and privacy.
Google+ just went from private to beta...or so I'm told. I joyfully went over there to sign up with my real name...because they're big on real names...with my other email address. After about 30 screens I just gave up. It's not worth it. Why do they want to know all that stuff about me, and how do I keep it separate from anything else?
My company, a big health care firm, recently told me they were going to 'push' 'Gazelle' to my 'BlackBerry', a program that puts all my health records on line - for easier access, of course. And that was the same day I signed up for a $100 discount on my health care next year* if I filled in a questionnaire which I subsequently learned 'may' be shared with my insurance company. Am I really going to tell my employer and my health insurance company how much I drink, smoke, exercise and eat? I don't fucking think so. The tobacco questions were legally binding too, so I did answer them honestly. (I don't smoke, so it's easy to tell the truth.) Insurance companies drop you for any tiny thing they don't like. Why the hell should I tell them my eating habits for $100? My employer, you crazy.
I don't want my health records on line. I'm happy with them in big paper binders at my doctor's office. I trust my doctor (marginally). I don't want Google learning my real name and attempting to reconcile it with everything it finds on line (including Gazelle). It's bad enough it tracks this blog and this name everywhere. Watching my name pop up at the bottom of every news article I read because the comments sections is primed to accept my contribution is eerie enough. I've never signed up for Facebook and I never will. Employers now routinely ask for the Facebook name and password during job interviews. No fucking thanks. At least I can say with a straight face I don't got one.
You know, a couple of years ago, I insisted we get a static IP so I didn't have to convince the bank I was me every time I logged on. I think it's about time we went back to a dynamic one. Everyone I meet in real life knows who I am. You guys know who I am. I don't need Google following me around like a spaniel, or my company, or worse my health insurance, vacuuming up all the information I post on line.
*Health care this year - about $2000 from me and about $7000 from my company. Not exactly rock bottom as it is.
My company, a big health care firm, recently told me they were going to 'push' 'Gazelle' to my 'BlackBerry', a program that puts all my health records on line - for easier access, of course. And that was the same day I signed up for a $100 discount on my health care next year* if I filled in a questionnaire which I subsequently learned 'may' be shared with my insurance company. Am I really going to tell my employer and my health insurance company how much I drink, smoke, exercise and eat? I don't fucking think so. The tobacco questions were legally binding too, so I did answer them honestly. (I don't smoke, so it's easy to tell the truth.) Insurance companies drop you for any tiny thing they don't like. Why the hell should I tell them my eating habits for $100? My employer, you crazy.
I don't want my health records on line. I'm happy with them in big paper binders at my doctor's office. I trust my doctor (marginally). I don't want Google learning my real name and attempting to reconcile it with everything it finds on line (including Gazelle). It's bad enough it tracks this blog and this name everywhere. Watching my name pop up at the bottom of every news article I read because the comments sections is primed to accept my contribution is eerie enough. I've never signed up for Facebook and I never will. Employers now routinely ask for the Facebook name and password during job interviews. No fucking thanks. At least I can say with a straight face I don't got one.
You know, a couple of years ago, I insisted we get a static IP so I didn't have to convince the bank I was me every time I logged on. I think it's about time we went back to a dynamic one. Everyone I meet in real life knows who I am. You guys know who I am. I don't need Google following me around like a spaniel, or my company, or worse my health insurance, vacuuming up all the information I post on line.
*Health care this year - about $2000 from me and about $7000 from my company. Not exactly rock bottom as it is.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Scott Wade's dirty car pictures.
Writing art in dust on unwashed cars here.
The key is that he's not just creating an artwork, but the artwork changes over time, as dust settles and rain softens.
The key is that he's not just creating an artwork, but the artwork changes over time, as dust settles and rain softens.
Dinosaurs
When I was a little kid, dinosaurs were totally cool. After Jurassic Park, they were sick. But now I learn they are far beyond cool. They actually look like this.
Yes, they are giant furry man-eating chickens on acid with extreme prejudice.
It turns out that they've always had fluffy feathers, which is why they now have flight feathers. The crow or turkey vulture or parakeet watching you right now is a dinosaur. I kind of knew it by how they cocked their head when they looked at me, but now science has something to back that up.
Wired has a lovely article detailing the recent finds: dinosaur feathers in amber. The picture above is by Lida Xing as quoted in their article.
Yes, they are giant furry man-eating chickens on acid with extreme prejudice.
It turns out that they've always had fluffy feathers, which is why they now have flight feathers. The crow or turkey vulture or parakeet watching you right now is a dinosaur. I kind of knew it by how they cocked their head when they looked at me, but now science has something to back that up.
Wired has a lovely article detailing the recent finds: dinosaur feathers in amber. The picture above is by Lida Xing as quoted in their article.
The Raconteurs, MI Fest, September 17th 2011
Alas I could not fly to the opposite side of the country to see the legendary Raconteurs in concert at MI Fest yesterday. But I've heard about five accounts of their show and the verdict was they ROCKED.
Here is a most extraordinary version of Your Blue Veins.
Does Jack really plant one on Dean Fertita as they leave the stage? With his wife watching from the other side too?
A less snoggy view of Your Blue Veins.
Broken Boy Soldier.
Consoler of the Lonely
It's great to see these guys back in action. I've never seen the Raconteurs but now I'm desperate to do so. Hope the informal tour continues.
Edit: Here's Level.
Little Jack is the coolest person ever.
Astounding stuff.
Here is a most extraordinary version of Your Blue Veins.
Does Jack really plant one on Dean Fertita as they leave the stage? With his wife watching from the other side too?
A less snoggy view of Your Blue Veins.
Broken Boy Soldier.
Consoler of the Lonely
It's great to see these guys back in action. I've never seen the Raconteurs but now I'm desperate to do so. Hope the informal tour continues.
Edit: Here's Level.
Little Jack is the coolest person ever.
Astounding stuff.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Morning Doves
Here's a picture I took at at an eatery early morning Monday. This young couple came in to order breakfast and sit by the window. While they waited for the food, they looked, not at each other, and not at the view, such as it was, but only at their cell phones. It struck me as the inverse of Edward Hopper's Nighthawks - it's day instead of night, natural light swamps the electric light, the figures are in relief rather than lit, the waiter is not central, but absent, the viewpoint is looking out instead of looking in, and the characters are not loners engaged in picking up strangers, but friends ignoring each other while taking comfort in their closeness. And there is a door.
It's a cell phone picture. (What do you think *I* was reading while waiting for breakfast?) The resolution on the BlackBerry is terrible and most things come out the color of a mudflow with rainbow glitter sprinkled over it. In this case it's performed very well, although I admit I have adjusted the color balance in Photoshop. I may continue to adjust it as it's not quite perfect. Also, I do know about the Rule of Thirds - Photoshop even gave me a grid dividing this into ninths (unasked) when I cropped it. I ignored the tetchy critter.
It's a cell phone picture. (What do you think *I* was reading while waiting for breakfast?) The resolution on the BlackBerry is terrible and most things come out the color of a mudflow with rainbow glitter sprinkled over it. In this case it's performed very well, although I admit I have adjusted the color balance in Photoshop. I may continue to adjust it as it's not quite perfect. Also, I do know about the Rule of Thirds - Photoshop even gave me a grid dividing this into ninths (unasked) when I cropped it. I ignored the tetchy critter.
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