To say that I know very little about Turkey might be a vast understatement, but I found this article on AmericaBlog very interesting, and if you're looking for an interesting read, I recommend it:
Turkey's Political Intrigue
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ferret Hater-in-Chief?? Possible.
I couldn't resist posting this. If you have thoughts, feel free to share, but I saw a post today about Rudi Giuliani ranting on the subject of ferrets. I read the rant, it's not all that drop-dead amazing, a little twisted and strange, but more dumb and silly than outrageous. Anyway, enjoy.
Change is good
Hey man, there's this growing consensus that green think is the new cool, that environmentalists no longer have to be crazy hitch-hiking granola-eating hippies. They can be random skater kids, or grandmas, or anybody who just plain cares about the future.
In that spirit, a site that's been on the sidebar to the left is one I visit each and every day. I recommend doing so, as they have interesting articles all the time. Today, Worldchanging.com put up their list of things they couldn't cover but thought were cool for April. I recommend browsing because there's bound to be something there that catches your fancy.
I also recommend (as a regular read) Grist.
Since I'm recommending stuff, I also recommend Arcade Fire's new album Neon Bible, Nortec Collective (in honor of Cinco de Mayo!), and Sunset Rubdown. These last two things are both bands... and if you click on the link to Sunset Rubdown, check out their goofy little dorky picture, it's great and makes me smile.
Happy Wed nes day. Change is good.
In that spirit, a site that's been on the sidebar to the left is one I visit each and every day. I recommend doing so, as they have interesting articles all the time. Today, Worldchanging.com put up their list of things they couldn't cover but thought were cool for April. I recommend browsing because there's bound to be something there that catches your fancy.
I also recommend (as a regular read) Grist.
Since I'm recommending stuff, I also recommend Arcade Fire's new album Neon Bible, Nortec Collective (in honor of Cinco de Mayo!), and Sunset Rubdown. These last two things are both bands... and if you click on the link to Sunset Rubdown, check out their goofy little dorky picture, it's great and makes me smile.
Happy Wed nes day. Change is good.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Ground Control to Major Kucinich
The AP put out an amazing thing today. They asked all these supermundane questions of the various folks who are running for president. They compiled all the answers and are going to post one question a day for the next... well, week, I guess? I dunno. Anyway, if he doesn't become President of the USA, Dennis Kucinich wants to be an astronaut. Good stuff, I think he has the best answer. Mysteriously, John Edwards would be a Mill Supervisor, interesting choice there Johnny boy. Check out the rest of the answers here.
On the funny side, I also give some props to rebel Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (the governor who lost a 1,000 lbs on the Subway diet), and to Bill Richardson... great answers guys.
On the funny side, I also give some props to rebel Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (the governor who lost a 1,000 lbs on the Subway diet), and to Bill Richardson... great answers guys.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Wow, now that's Hipocracy!
So, the dude who was in charge of the Bushie effort to force the world's HIV/AIDs prevention groups to use abstinance rather than condoms turns out to have been a (married) customer of the DC madam. How do you like dem apples. For some analysis check AmericaBlog's coverage... where I found out, here.
It's amazing (or maybe it shouldn't be at all amazing by now) the rottenness that is hidden beneath the awful facade of this administration.
It's amazing (or maybe it shouldn't be at all amazing by now) the rottenness that is hidden beneath the awful facade of this administration.
Friday, April 27, 2007
More Happy Morning Wet Flowers
Springtime Wet12
Originally uploaded by Chambo25.
These flowers were just drenched... all of CT is right now... I've uploaded another 6 pictures to flickr, and this is one.
Bad T-shirts get Bad Treatment
So, here's one for the hackery files... my brother alerted me to this recently, and I couldn't resist sharing the super-fun ridiculousness here on the old blog. Anybody heard about the Todd Goldmann scandal? Wow, if you haven't it's worth poking into for a few minutes. He's no Alberto Gonzales, certainly more lighthearted fare than that, but my take is this:
If you've ever walked past Hot Topic or one of those zillion other stores that sell 98% crap and 2% actual cleverness and you've thought to yourself, "wow, those shirts really seem like they completely stole somebody else's joke and are cashing in." Well... you were onto something, only certain folks, this guy Todd Goldmann in particular took it one step further, grabbing folks' designs, artwork, ideas, jokes, etc. and making an industry off of them.
Here are some links to read up:
Coverage on SomethingAwful.com
Coverage on MikeTyndall.com
Coverage elsewhere... check out the t-shirt picture part way down the page text starting, "I had a Joke Here..." good stuff
Ok, that's all for now!
If you've ever walked past Hot Topic or one of those zillion other stores that sell 98% crap and 2% actual cleverness and you've thought to yourself, "wow, those shirts really seem like they completely stole somebody else's joke and are cashing in." Well... you were onto something, only certain folks, this guy Todd Goldmann in particular took it one step further, grabbing folks' designs, artwork, ideas, jokes, etc. and making an industry off of them.
Here are some links to read up:
Coverage on SomethingAwful.com
Coverage on MikeTyndall.com
Coverage elsewhere... check out the t-shirt picture part way down the page text starting, "I had a Joke Here..." good stuff
Ok, that's all for now!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Morning Flowers
Springtime Wet6
Originally uploaded by Chambo25.
It's been raining again in CT. If you're in New England, you're probably feeling a bit fed-up with so much rain... but it has its benefits.
This morning the sun came out over a completely drenched world. I took some photos in the front yard, and this is one of my favorite. I uploaded a handful more beyond this one... click the link to my Flickr page if you want to check them out.
Off to work!
Friday, April 13, 2007
No love for the RIAA
So... I recently read this: DNC hires RIAA shill
and then I followed up by reading this: DNC hires RIAA shill to run Public Affairs for Convention
and then I hopped onto the DNC website and sent them this:
Dear Sirs,
I'm writing to express my concern that the DNC has chosen to appoint Jenni Engebretsen to act as Deputy CEO for Public Affairs. It is also my understanding that Ms. Engebretsen is currently acting as Director of Communications for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). I have noted Ms. Engebretsen's previous credentials as having worked on Democratic campaigns, however as a lifelong Democrat, a young and concerned political observer, a contributor to Democratic candidates and a music lover I am greatly concerned at the conflict between the recent aims and actions of the RIAA (during Ms. Engebretsen's tenure) and the values of progressives and Democrats alike. On a similar note, it concerns me that our party would place someone in such a lofty position coming out of work to sell the actions of such a disreputable organization as the RIAA, especially considering what a poor job this group has done in convincing Americans to feel good about their actions in recent years.
When I heard news of this appointment, I was greatly disappointed, and would certainly appreciate a response if you feel there is any justified. However, my point more than requesting any sort of answer from you all, is to simply express my great disillusionment, yet again, with a party I believed to be progressive acting in ways that seem far from it.
Best of luck with this oddball appointment, I hope it is not a sign of the alliances and values that the party will be selling to America in 2008 and beyond.
Best,
John
I dunno...
Maybe a bit too much... but here's the thing: I know that the RIAA has been going nuts for the last few years, chasing its tail, doing ridiculous things, generally just being real dumb, but there's a bigger problem than that. The posts I link to above do a good job of presenting the fact that they've pushed eroding our liberties, and their efforts contributed to helping cover-up possible election fraud in 2004. I just don't think it's something I want to see a party I would call my party associate with.
Maybe that's why I'm never quite sure I should actually call myself a Democrat.
Either way, that's about the most developed political rant I've ever posted, so there you go.
Hope you liked it.
OH!, and here's a little more (appropriate) Vonnegut for ya:
"Thanks to TV and for the convenience of TV, you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative."
and then I followed up by reading this: DNC hires RIAA shill to run Public Affairs for Convention
and then I hopped onto the DNC website and sent them this:
Dear Sirs,
I'm writing to express my concern that the DNC has chosen to appoint Jenni Engebretsen to act as Deputy CEO for Public Affairs. It is also my understanding that Ms. Engebretsen is currently acting as Director of Communications for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). I have noted Ms. Engebretsen's previous credentials as having worked on Democratic campaigns, however as a lifelong Democrat, a young and concerned political observer, a contributor to Democratic candidates and a music lover I am greatly concerned at the conflict between the recent aims and actions of the RIAA (during Ms. Engebretsen's tenure) and the values of progressives and Democrats alike. On a similar note, it concerns me that our party would place someone in such a lofty position coming out of work to sell the actions of such a disreputable organization as the RIAA, especially considering what a poor job this group has done in convincing Americans to feel good about their actions in recent years.
When I heard news of this appointment, I was greatly disappointed, and would certainly appreciate a response if you feel there is any justified. However, my point more than requesting any sort of answer from you all, is to simply express my great disillusionment, yet again, with a party I believed to be progressive acting in ways that seem far from it.
Best of luck with this oddball appointment, I hope it is not a sign of the alliances and values that the party will be selling to America in 2008 and beyond.
Best,
John
I dunno...
Maybe a bit too much... but here's the thing: I know that the RIAA has been going nuts for the last few years, chasing its tail, doing ridiculous things, generally just being real dumb, but there's a bigger problem than that. The posts I link to above do a good job of presenting the fact that they've pushed eroding our liberties, and their efforts contributed to helping cover-up possible election fraud in 2004. I just don't think it's something I want to see a party I would call my party associate with.
Maybe that's why I'm never quite sure I should actually call myself a Democrat.
Either way, that's about the most developed political rant I've ever posted, so there you go.
Hope you liked it.
OH!, and here's a little more (appropriate) Vonnegut for ya:
"Thanks to TV and for the convenience of TV, you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative."
Thursday, April 12, 2007
R.I.P. Vonnegut
I'm pretty sad today about the passing of Kurt Vonnegut, but it also gives good reason to revisit what a great thing his books have been, to me. I know that one of the highlights of my year in AmeriCorps was the fact that we were in such Rural and simple accomodations quite often that I read a lot in the course of the year (perhaps more than I have at any time since). My reading list that year included Cat's Cradle, Jailbird, Breakfast of Champions, and other great books that weren't Vonnegut's that I definitely should have read by then... but was happy to finally work my way through (Catch 22, the Alchemist, Me talk Pretty One Day...).
For a couple years now I've been wanting to go back and read Slaughterhouse 5, and I think this is probably my best excuse. I recently watched (and wrote about in a recent post) the movie Mother Night, based on one of his books, and its narrative quality reminded me of why I love his books so much. I feel a great affinity for the joyful, creative, imaginative way that Vonnegut weaves his way through a story, and I am looking forward to hopping in bed over the next few weeks and reading a few more.
So, with that, I say, wherever I might be this evening, I'll plan on raising a glass to an American original, and a great man. Rest in Peace, Mr. Vonnegut. We'll miss you.
A lovely and appropriate sketch: Vonnegut.com
Obits: Time, NYT, CNN, AP
More expansive bio: Wikipedia
A handful of good quotes:
"Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be. "
"Call me Jonah. My parents did, or nearly did. They called me John."
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different."
"Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be said to remedy anything. "
"What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured. "
>>EDIT: "There is a tragic flaw in our precious Constitution, and I dont know what can be done to fix it. This is it: Only nut cases want to be president."
"And if I should ever die, God forbid, I hope you will say, ''Kurt is up in Heaven now.'' That’s my favorite joke."~University of Wisconsin in Madison on the evening of September 22, 2003,~
For a couple years now I've been wanting to go back and read Slaughterhouse 5, and I think this is probably my best excuse. I recently watched (and wrote about in a recent post) the movie Mother Night, based on one of his books, and its narrative quality reminded me of why I love his books so much. I feel a great affinity for the joyful, creative, imaginative way that Vonnegut weaves his way through a story, and I am looking forward to hopping in bed over the next few weeks and reading a few more.
So, with that, I say, wherever I might be this evening, I'll plan on raising a glass to an American original, and a great man. Rest in Peace, Mr. Vonnegut. We'll miss you.
A lovely and appropriate sketch: Vonnegut.com
Obits: Time, NYT, CNN, AP
More expansive bio: Wikipedia
A handful of good quotes:
"Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be. "
"Call me Jonah. My parents did, or nearly did. They called me John."
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different."
"Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be said to remedy anything. "
"What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured. "
>>EDIT: "There is a tragic flaw in our precious Constitution, and I dont know what can be done to fix it. This is it: Only nut cases want to be president."
"And if I should ever die, God forbid, I hope you will say, ''Kurt is up in Heaven now.'' That’s my favorite joke."~University of Wisconsin in Madison on the evening of September 22, 2003,~
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Cacti (who doesn't love a little cacti)
Home Made Macros - Cacti
Originally uploaded by Chambo25.
Fun macro picture of a bunch of mini little cacti from my mom's kitchen in Philly... had a nice visit this past weekend, and I really like how this photo came out.
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