July 2007 Archives

Sam and I went to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo today for his company picnic. It was far too hot, I had an allergic reaction to something, and the IMAX movie we were going to see was sold out. But I did manage to get some awesome pictures! One of them, in fact, was good enough that I feel like posting it here for your desktop-type enjoyment. Pick the one that makes the most sense for your operating system and screen size. (The reversed ones work best for Windows peeps; regular, best for Macs.) FishFace Widescreen (1680x1050): FishFace Fullscreen (1600x1200): FishFace Widescreen (Reversed, 1680x1050): FishFace Fullscreen (Reversed, 1600x1200):

...at least, pardon the very very bare style for a handful of days. I'm restructuring, because I'm putting content on the web in no less than SIXTEEN BILLION PLACES, and I need to have one place. For my sanity, you see.

Check out the video of John Cage's 4'33" over at the Unclutterer, then come back. No, really, I'll wait. I would sincerely like to say that I am as capable of laughing as any other human being on the planet, and that I'm more appreciative of new forms of music than your average bear. But this isn't funny. And it's not music. If you want four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence, say so. And also? Don't invite an entire orchestra to come "play" it for you once you've custom-printed three-page scores for each member, containing only movement numbers and the word "tacet" (it is silent). You don't need a paintbrush if your favorite color is transparent, and you can do silence without calling up the philharmonic. Knowing as I do what magnificent sounds those instruments and their players are capable of, it very nearly causes me physical pain to see them assembled and abused in this way. Please have enough respect for the assembled talent and instrumentation to play some music. You know. They kind you can hear?