Burp
Are women picking on men too much? Or has the media power base shifted, giving women the forum to speak out against the bad habits and attitudes of men? Well, if men are being abused on t.v., they’re not happy about it, and starting to speak up. Darn ol’ girls. They’ll stop once Arnie’s governor of California, won’t they? I know it’s not a universal truth, but I actually find Australian society to be quite egalitarian in the attitudes of men and women. Here, everybody’s football-mad.
05 September 2003
Fortress of Solitude
Or Bat-cave, anyway. This lovely home comes complete with bomb shelter, suitable for riding out a devastating nuclear attack, plotting your next bid for global domination, or conducting your secret identity crime-fighting activities, and at under $295K, it's priced well below other well-known headquarters.
Or Bat-cave, anyway. This lovely home comes complete with bomb shelter, suitable for riding out a devastating nuclear attack, plotting your next bid for global domination, or conducting your secret identity crime-fighting activities, and at under $295K, it's priced well below other well-known headquarters.
Urban Awareness
Sydney needs the Big Urban Game. In fact, if Minneapolis can do it, I think it’s worthwhile in every major city. (Can we use Monopoly™ tokens instead of the generic game pieces? I bags the Scottie.)
Sydney needs the Big Urban Game. In fact, if Minneapolis can do it, I think it’s worthwhile in every major city. (Can we use Monopoly™ tokens instead of the generic game pieces? I bags the Scottie.)
Everybody’s 007
Put on your wingsuit (with lightning jacket of course), jump in the car, and head out to sea. It’s no flying car, but it doubles as a boat, and that’s pretty good. What superhero gear do we want next?
Put on your wingsuit (with lightning jacket of course), jump in the car, and head out to sea. It’s no flying car, but it doubles as a boat, and that’s pretty good. What superhero gear do we want next?
Now I Get It
Ikea naming conventions have structure. This is the next biggest meme on the web. We all [have] shop[ped] at Ikea and giggled over the Billy bookcases. Now that we know that “billy” is an occupation, what does someone do who has that job? Does it have anything to do with books? If you ask someone for a particular lighting fixture, will you be accused of “swearing like a sailor”? (From Margaret Marks’ Transblawg, a specialist ‘blog within both the language ‘blog and law ‘blog specialities – talk about niche – by way of Boing Boing.)
Ikea naming conventions have structure. This is the next biggest meme on the web. We all [have] shop[ped] at Ikea and giggled over the Billy bookcases. Now that we know that “billy” is an occupation, what does someone do who has that job? Does it have anything to do with books? If you ask someone for a particular lighting fixture, will you be accused of “swearing like a sailor”? (From Margaret Marks’ Transblawg, a specialist ‘blog within both the language ‘blog and law ‘blog specialities – talk about niche – by way of Boing Boing.)
George Washington Bush
Maybe he wasn’t paying attention in school, or maybe in this more cynical age, the lessons we were taught have no real meaning anymore, or maybe this son of privilege just doesn’t care, and the American people are too weak, too entrenched in bureaucracy, too vast and disorganized to do anything about it, but unlike in the story of our first President, George Bush is a liar and it’s a long way ‘til November 2004. Maybe some nice ads highlighting the results would help.
(Yes, the LA Times link requires registration, but so what? Don’t you keep an email address just for spam? Works for me.)
Maybe he wasn’t paying attention in school, or maybe in this more cynical age, the lessons we were taught have no real meaning anymore, or maybe this son of privilege just doesn’t care, and the American people are too weak, too entrenched in bureaucracy, too vast and disorganized to do anything about it, but unlike in the story of our first President, George Bush is a liar and it’s a long way ‘til November 2004. Maybe some nice ads highlighting the results would help.
(Yes, the LA Times link requires registration, but so what? Don’t you keep an email address just for spam? Works for me.)
Hostess Fruit Pies of Crime
Aren’t comic books just the most fabulous advertising medium in print? Who doesn’t remember the miniature spy cameras and x-ray specs and Charles Atlas body-building offers? And when you read about a bank robbery, don’t you always think, if only the police had had some Twinkies or chocolatey frosted cup cakes. Seanbaby remembers, and now you can, too. (Note to Patty Hearst: if you’re ever kidnapped by a bunch of fake revolutionaries again, evidently they’ll surrender for fruit pies.)
Aren’t comic books just the most fabulous advertising medium in print? Who doesn’t remember the miniature spy cameras and x-ray specs and Charles Atlas body-building offers? And when you read about a bank robbery, don’t you always think, if only the police had had some Twinkies or chocolatey frosted cup cakes. Seanbaby remembers, and now you can, too. (Note to Patty Hearst: if you’re ever kidnapped by a bunch of fake revolutionaries again, evidently they’ll surrender for fruit pies.)
Goofus and Gallant
Just in case you still have trouble with ethical dilemmas, this lovely teaching tool, originally published in the inestimable Highlights children’s magazine, is now available on-line in a Choose Your Own Adventure format. Each choice leads you through to the next stage of the story and another choice. What would I do? I know what I’d like to do: beat up Gallant for making me look bad!
Just in case you still have trouble with ethical dilemmas, this lovely teaching tool, originally published in the inestimable Highlights children’s magazine, is now available on-line in a Choose Your Own Adventure format. Each choice leads you through to the next stage of the story and another choice. What would I do? I know what I’d like to do: beat up Gallant for making me look bad!
04 September 2003
Stand and Deliver
With all the hype on either side over internet song-swapping and copyright, the RIAA’s recent actions to locate and prosecute pirates has now produced a counter-suite. nyfashiongirl is suing over violation of privacy by the RIAA. I have my doubts that she’ll prevail in court, but I imagine that the judge’s opinion will have to be fairly carefully drawn in order to balance the rights at issue. If the RIAA is immune from privacy restrictions, as they claim, does that mean they can use that immunity to spam internet users? Or do they only have immunity insofar as they are operating in the capacity of a private investigator? If Outside Counsel [no link] were running, I’d look for an opinion there.
With all the hype on either side over internet song-swapping and copyright, the RIAA’s recent actions to locate and prosecute pirates has now produced a counter-suite. nyfashiongirl is suing over violation of privacy by the RIAA. I have my doubts that she’ll prevail in court, but I imagine that the judge’s opinion will have to be fairly carefully drawn in order to balance the rights at issue. If the RIAA is immune from privacy restrictions, as they claim, does that mean they can use that immunity to spam internet users? Or do they only have immunity insofar as they are operating in the capacity of a private investigator? If Outside Counsel [no link] were running, I’d look for an opinion there.
Crazy Hep Cats
Dr. Geoffrey Wills of Manchester has published research that appears to show that jazz musicians are more susceptible to mental illness than other “creative types,” but based on the statistical use of Bud Powell’s life, I wonder if he took into account police beatings and head injuries?
Dr. Geoffrey Wills of Manchester has published research that appears to show that jazz musicians are more susceptible to mental illness than other “creative types,” but based on the statistical use of Bud Powell’s life, I wonder if he took into account police beatings and head injuries?
Blah, Blah, and then He Said . . .
Thousands of unremarkable people are posting their diaries on-line or does the Globe & Mail not understand ‘blogging? Yes, like the early days, the internet is full of “home pages” (remember those?) posing as weblogs, but there are also – even more – weblogs that serve a much different purpose. I’d say my ‘blog is better than a gossip column, but not by much, as it serves mainly for me to communicate my interests and opinions to a very limited audience, but who is the audience for Abbie the Cat or Tailors Today? If mainstream media embraces weblogging, either by setting up columnists with ‘blogs or hiring ‘bloggers as columnists (Instapundit is the prime example, but see also Andrew Sullivan), then surely there is more to the growth of the format than high schooler dishing. The level of specialization – whether topically as in “lawblogs” or “warblogs” – or regionally, as seen in the number of NYC-specific or ex-pat run ‘blogging communities, also show there is more to ‘blogs than gossip. I’d venture to suggest that quite a lot of information is being gathered and made accessible in ‘blogs that would otherwise be lost in the depths of the internet maze and that quite a lot of extraordinarily good and entertaining writing can be found on such “diaries” – more even than some columnists in the Globe & Mail are providing, if I can be allowed the odd catty remark.
Thousands of unremarkable people are posting their diaries on-line or does the Globe & Mail not understand ‘blogging? Yes, like the early days, the internet is full of “home pages” (remember those?) posing as weblogs, but there are also – even more – weblogs that serve a much different purpose. I’d say my ‘blog is better than a gossip column, but not by much, as it serves mainly for me to communicate my interests and opinions to a very limited audience, but who is the audience for Abbie the Cat or Tailors Today? If mainstream media embraces weblogging, either by setting up columnists with ‘blogs or hiring ‘bloggers as columnists (Instapundit is the prime example, but see also Andrew Sullivan), then surely there is more to the growth of the format than high schooler dishing. The level of specialization – whether topically as in “lawblogs” or “warblogs” – or regionally, as seen in the number of NYC-specific or ex-pat run ‘blogging communities, also show there is more to ‘blogs than gossip. I’d venture to suggest that quite a lot of information is being gathered and made accessible in ‘blogs that would otherwise be lost in the depths of the internet maze and that quite a lot of extraordinarily good and entertaining writing can be found on such “diaries” – more even than some columnists in the Globe & Mail are providing, if I can be allowed the odd catty remark.
03 September 2003
Mob Mentality
Flashmobs, which have been discussed here previously, are essentially an internet phenomenon, making extensive use of mobile phones as an ancillary organizational tool. But the internet has a strange effect on the persons using it, in that the more time you spend there the more computer-technologically informed you become until EVERYONE’S A GEEK. It’s true. Witness the birth of flashblogging. In this activity, participants are organized to assail a single post’s comments. Like chatrooms, the internet takes social interaction and makes it antisocial. (Via Anil Dash.)
Note: Sydney had its first flashmob not long ago, and it sounded like fun. Sorry I missed it, but at least there’s a website where you can get information.
Flashmobs, which have been discussed here previously, are essentially an internet phenomenon, making extensive use of mobile phones as an ancillary organizational tool. But the internet has a strange effect on the persons using it, in that the more time you spend there the more computer-technologically informed you become until EVERYONE’S A GEEK. It’s true. Witness the birth of flashblogging. In this activity, participants are organized to assail a single post’s comments. Like chatrooms, the internet takes social interaction and makes it antisocial. (Via Anil Dash.)
Note: Sydney had its first flashmob not long ago, and it sounded like fun. Sorry I missed it, but at least there’s a website where you can get information.
Support Literature
Original screenplays are important, but if Hollywood is going to adapt stories, can we have more books in the mix and fewer comic books? Not that I mind: Spiderman was terrific, and I’d enjoy a nice Batman vs. Superman match-up. But as much as I can do without a live-action Cat in the Hat, making movies from books supports an art form I really love, and publishers don’t seem very open to non-genre fiction these days.
Original screenplays are important, but if Hollywood is going to adapt stories, can we have more books in the mix and fewer comic books? Not that I mind: Spiderman was terrific, and I’d enjoy a nice Batman vs. Superman match-up. But as much as I can do without a live-action Cat in the Hat, making movies from books supports an art form I really love, and publishers don’t seem very open to non-genre fiction these days.
First Rule of ‘blogging
I read Abbie the Cat Has a Posse because it’s funny, but I’m reading Tailors Today because it’s mental.
I read Abbie the Cat Has a Posse because it’s funny, but I’m reading Tailors Today because it’s mental.
Schooldays Fun
Aw, remember cutting up a sheet of paper and making snowflakes? Neither do I. But if you want, there’s a Flash™ animation page where you can make a paper snowflake. (Via Idle Type.)
Aw, remember cutting up a sheet of paper and making snowflakes? Neither do I. But if you want, there’s a Flash™ animation page where you can make a paper snowflake. (Via Idle Type.)
Sim City for Cheapskates
Enjoy Sim City™? Too cheap to buy a copy of your own? City Creator at your service. Have fun. (Also via Idle Type.)
Enjoy Sim City™? Too cheap to buy a copy of your own? City Creator at your service. Have fun. (Also via Idle Type.)
02 September 2003
New York, London, Sydney
At least the blackouts are getting smaller, but it isn’t ever summer here yet. Does anyone suspect a pattern? Nah, too easy.
At least the blackouts are getting smaller, but it isn’t ever summer here yet. Does anyone suspect a pattern? Nah, too easy.
Corporate Scalping
There has been graffiti advertising, where companies have mysterious and no-so-mysterious spray painting stencilled though a city or neighborhood, and now the corporations have taken to their bosom another marginally criminal subculture practice: scalping the tickets they sell. Ticketmaster is putting their tickets up to bid in an on-line auction format that will set the highest price for seats at concerts and sporting events at whatever the market will bear. The $2.50 to $13.80 service charge per ticket (depending on the processing option selected) wasn’t enough, and it no doubt galled the company to see hawkers outside the stadiums muttering, “got tickets? got tickets?” and reaping the kind of profit rapacious capitalists can only dream of – until now. I suggest going to see your favorite team or band now, because you’re not going to be able to afford it soon. Because the venues will share the proceeds on a pre-arranged percentage basis, direct sales are going to disappear, too, and only the Hollywood stars and corporate elite will attend a ball game at Yankee Stadium or a concert by any band signed to a major label.
There has been graffiti advertising, where companies have mysterious and no-so-mysterious spray painting stencilled though a city or neighborhood, and now the corporations have taken to their bosom another marginally criminal subculture practice: scalping the tickets they sell. Ticketmaster is putting their tickets up to bid in an on-line auction format that will set the highest price for seats at concerts and sporting events at whatever the market will bear. The $2.50 to $13.80 service charge per ticket (depending on the processing option selected) wasn’t enough, and it no doubt galled the company to see hawkers outside the stadiums muttering, “got tickets? got tickets?” and reaping the kind of profit rapacious capitalists can only dream of – until now. I suggest going to see your favorite team or band now, because you’re not going to be able to afford it soon. Because the venues will share the proceeds on a pre-arranged percentage basis, direct sales are going to disappear, too, and only the Hollywood stars and corporate elite will attend a ball game at Yankee Stadium or a concert by any band signed to a major label.
Who’ll Go a-Waltzing with Me?
The entire stadium during any Rugby World Cup match featuring the Australian team, of course. Despite reports that the song had been banned, in fact you can sing “Waltzing Matilda” at the game. You just can’t have two national anthems played. Seems fair to me, so don’t let your billy boil over.
The entire stadium during any Rugby World Cup match featuring the Australian team, of course. Despite reports that the song had been banned, in fact you can sing “Waltzing Matilda” at the game. You just can’t have two national anthems played. Seems fair to me, so don’t let your billy boil over.
01 September 2003
Sprung
Blue skies, mid-twenties temperatures . . . except for the fact that the birds have never stopped signing and the flowers have been continuously blooming, I’d be sure it’s spring. I am assured, however, that because Australia measures its seasons differently from the rest of the world, equinox or no, it is indeed glorious springtime. Meteorological prognostications are that with the termination of El Niño, we shouldn’t experience the same conditions as had been prevalent over the last 18 months.
Blue skies, mid-twenties temperatures . . . except for the fact that the birds have never stopped signing and the flowers have been continuously blooming, I’d be sure it’s spring. I am assured, however, that because Australia measures its seasons differently from the rest of the world, equinox or no, it is indeed glorious springtime. Meteorological prognostications are that with the termination of El Niño, we shouldn’t experience the same conditions as had been prevalent over the last 18 months.
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