March 2006 Archives
March 31, 2006
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Slate on racial politics of Dave Chappelle's new movie. Good read
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Another great essay from Paul Graham. This time on the efficacy of software patents.
March 30, 2006
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Note: Even the Colorado Avalanche think Detroit will win the Cup.
March 29, 2006
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The Wings are gearing up for the playoffs. The NHL should be worried.
March 28, 2006
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Useful guide for grinding levels in WOW.
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My friend is a lawyer and wrote up a definitive guide to your legal rights as a blogger, particularly as it relates to your employer. Are you worried about getting fired for what you write on your blog? Read this guide.
March 27, 2006
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Newsweek on "Web 2.0." I've got a post in me sooner or later about the explosion of DIY content. For now, this will suffice.
March 25, 2006
My apple pie.
While cleaning today, I found a CD of my mom's Thanksgiving photos from last year and figured I'd throw them up on Flickr. The photoset includes special "Todd Making a Pie" photos. Enjoy.
March 24, 2006
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People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
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The DNC is knocking on doors across America. Good stuff.
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Why censure? Why now? A great case for it.
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
I went and saw me some Jenny Lewis and the Watson twins tonight, live and in concert at the world-famous Birchmere. An enjoyable show that really opened up her recent solo album for me.
First of all, this was my first time at the club while I want to like it, I can't really give it my full endorsement. It's a cool place with plenty of tables and chairs, which I like. But I was hassled by security for "taking pictures" with my cameraphone when there were plenty of other people taking photos with their flash and everything. Further, the joint is just in the middle of nowhere with no sort of public transit anywhere nearby.
The show itself, however, was solid if a little short. I didn't love Rabbit Fur Coat, but I thought it was quite good. The songs and the lyrics weren't anything special, but Jenny is just such a great performer that they couldn't help but grab you.
The live set really elevated my opinion of it, though. Interestingly, The hightlight for me was the performance of Jenny's backing vocalists, the Watson Twins. At first, they kind of creeped me out. I think the whole identical twins dressing identical is kinda screwy.
But I realized that the whole shtick behind Jenny's performance was really fantastic vocals and the Twins were a big part of that. Jenny has always had a great, full, and distinct voice. Add some carefully thought out backup singers ooh'ing and aah'ing and you have yourself a party.
The result was a vocal sound that as (A) even bigger than on the expertly produced album and (B) totally unlike anything you usually see at a rock show. Now, I've had a little vocal training myself and I've always appreciated really talented singers, so for me, this was a special treat.
March 23, 2006
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About the only complaint I have is that "thriving" is a bit strong...
March 21, 2006
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Cool new band I'm hearing a lot about. I want to read the review when I have a chance.
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A band I KNOW is cool. But I want to read this review later, too!
March 15, 2006
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Cool site on how to make lots of gold in Warcraft. Nothing cheating, just good strategies!
March 14, 2006
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100 blogs I probably need to read.
March 11, 2006
The Great Flickr Migration was completed today. Mostly 2005 photos this time. Some highlights:
Todd and Tracy at Calvert Cliffs - February 2005
Conquering Six Flags - May 2005
Tigers defeat Orioles - May 2005
Alan and the Pancakes - August 2005
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Mmmmm...donut burger....
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A rather mundane review of the next iPod killer. But the writer DOES nail exactly why the iPod is so superior to its competitors. It's all about the user experience...
March 9, 2006
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An excellent piece on the difference between Apple and Microsoft. Me? I'll cast my lot with the artist, thank you very much.
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New screenshots of the upcoming major release of Microsoft Office. I basically make my living in Word and it looks like this new setup should make the program work even better. Impressive.
After visiting twenty-five or so U.S. prisons, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported registering 107 detainees under eighteen, some as young as eight years old. The journalist Seymour Hersh reported in May 2005 that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had received a report that there were "800-900 Pakistani boys 13-15 years of age in custody." The International Red Cross, Amnesty International, and the Pentagon have gathered substantial testimony of torture of children, confirms by soldiers who witnessed or participated in the abuse.
The words above appear on page 119 of the hardcover edition of Our Endangered Values, the new book by Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States.
This is being done in my name. And in yours. I feel sick.
March 8, 2006
I bought a Flickr Pro Account today and have been dutifully transferring my photosets over to the Flickr service tonight. It's been a blast going through old photos and reminiscing, so I thought I'd highlight the best here!
The Gang in Vermont - August 2004
The Gang watching the Olympics - August 2004
Harvard-Yale - November 2004
Xmas 2004
The Myrtle Beach 90 - December 2004
March 7, 2006
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...speechless...
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George Clooney's politically correct acceptance speech at last night's Oscars. Good stuff. (Speech starts about 2/3 of the way in.)
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So I learned today that Kery opposed giving the line-item veto to Clinton. This is just nuts. I have no clue what he's doing.
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Touching tribute to Kirby Puckett. My dad and I were big fans.
March 6, 2006
March 5, 2006
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Classic send-up of the venerable NYC-based record store.
March 3, 2006
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saved for later
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saved for later.
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Simmons-Gladwell, part 2. Classic.
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Just to be clear: Tigers win. Tigers win.
March 2, 2006
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So of course a transcripted email exchange between Malcom Gladwell and Bill Simmons is both SMART and FUNNY. Where else can you learn that Erick Dampier is a metaphor for our nation's struggling schools?
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More Gladwell! He's started a blog!
March 1, 2006
He knew the levees could breach. And he went on TV and lied about it.
Just like Steve, I have "one more thing" to say about Apple's product announcements yesterday. In addition to the previously mentioned Mac Mini and iPod Hi-Fi, Apple also unveiled their very own classy leather case for your iPod.
I'm disappointed they didn't announce it a few weeks ago when I was in the market, but I've been shocked to hear how much the big tech commentators hate this product. I'm going to disagree with all of them because I think they're silly and wrong. Here's why.
The first big complaint is that this new case is, at $99, too expensive. This is silly. Of course everyone WANTS to buy things for far less than they're worth, but this product is surely comparable to others in its class. I was all set to spend $75 on a case that I didn't love because it was classy and well made. If this Apple case - which I'm sure is very high quality - was available then, I would have snapped it up.
More frustrating to me is the argument that this case "sucks" because it "makes you take the iPod out of the case to watch a video or use the controls."
This is just idiotic, but so typical of the "more is more" attitude that pervades gadget lovers. The iPod is beautiful. EVERYONE basically agrees with that. Why in God's name WOULDN'T you want to take it out of its case every once in a while? Further, have you SEEN the cases that have all sorts of cut-outs for the controls? UGLY!
I think the Apple case is very classy. I don't mind handling my iPod in order to use it. And I certainly admire the importance of aesthetics, some most techies just don't comprehend. (cf. Last week at work.)
I'm quite certain this will sell very well. I bet I pick one up for my next iPod.
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Mac Mini: designed to deliver absolutely smokin’ video playback
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Just to be clear, all three Swedish goals were scored by Red Wings. Look out NHL.
