Rules for Fools VIII
Rule No. 11: If you don't start smoking, you won't need to quit smoking.
Tuesday, June 04, 2002
Thought for Food II
A friend sent me cookies today. They were good.
Paul conveys: Surprise.
Edible swag at the 'Rang.
Stephan gets his nosh on.
You could send me cookies, too. My address is to the left. Actually, you probably shouldn't. I only check the P.O. Box weekly.
A friend sent me cookies today. They were good.
Paul conveys: Surprise.
Edible swag at the 'Rang.
Stephan gets his nosh on.
You could send me cookies, too. My address is to the left. Actually, you probably shouldn't. I only check the P.O. Box weekly.
Monday, June 03, 2002
From the In Box: The Movie I Watched Last Night XX
For more fun try my online-only album or the movie my wife and I star in. -- James Kochalka
Unfortunately, the movie link above doesn't work for me. This is why, courtesy of James:
That probably means you have a Mac. It's a Windows Media File. You can get Windows Media Player for Mac, but it still doesn't work. That's what I see when I click the movie link, too.
However, if you can get on a PC and you have Windows Media Player, you should be able to watch the movie.
Thanks, James!
For more fun try my online-only album or the movie my wife and I star in. -- James Kochalka
Unfortunately, the movie link above doesn't work for me. This is why, courtesy of James:
That probably means you have a Mac. It's a Windows Media File. You can get Windows Media Player for Mac, but it still doesn't work. That's what I see when I click the movie link, too.
However, if you can get on a PC and you have Windows Media Player, you should be able to watch the movie.
Thanks, James!
From the In Box: Books Worth a Look V
Thanks for the review. Glad you found it interesting.
I do disagree that it's based on est training, in that est (and the new version, Landmark) contends that you can transcend your beliefs but not permanently eliminate them.
The DM processes (which weren't developed until after I wrote Re-create Your Life) completely eliminate long-held beliefs and conditioned feelings in a matter of minutes, which virtually everyone believes is impossible.
I just completed a weekend workshop in which I was training people how to use our processes, and three of the participants were psychotherapists. At one point one of them said, "This is magic. I've 'known' for years that what we've been doing here all weekend is impossible. But it's not. This is true 'short-term therapy.'" -- Morty Lefkoe
Thanks for the review. Glad you found it interesting.
I do disagree that it's based on est training, in that est (and the new version, Landmark) contends that you can transcend your beliefs but not permanently eliminate them.
The DM processes (which weren't developed until after I wrote Re-create Your Life) completely eliminate long-held beliefs and conditioned feelings in a matter of minutes, which virtually everyone believes is impossible.
I just completed a weekend workshop in which I was training people how to use our processes, and three of the participants were psychotherapists. At one point one of them said, "This is magic. I've 'known' for years that what we've been doing here all weekend is impossible. But it's not. This is true 'short-term therapy.'" -- Morty Lefkoe
Pieces, Particles IV
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications -- and now online -- might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks.
Comic-Book Clubs, by Don Allen, Comics & Games Retailer, June 2002
Start your own literary discourse on comics
The Girls at the Front, by Evgenia Peretz, Vanity Fair, June 2002
The handful of female war correspondents whose beat is whatever hellhole leads the news -- Christiane Amanpour, Janine di Giovanni, et al. -- are as tough as any of the guys. But there's a difference in how they work, the way they love, and the risks they run
Homer's Odyssey, by Casey Seijas and the Wizard staff, Wizard, May 2002
And the rest of the family too, as Wizard gathers the best comics references to appear on "The Simpsons"
Old Salts, by John Gould, Maine Boats & Harbors, June/July 2002
There's a lot to be learned on the obit desk of a small-town newspaper.
The People's Party, by Chris Wright, Boston Phoenix, May 31, 2002
Once simply a forum for expression, protests are more often becoming the greatest shows on earth
Romancing the C.E.O., by Suzanna Andrews, Vanity Fair, June 2002
Talented, seductive, and ambitious, Suzy Wetlaufer took the reins of the venerable Harvard Business Review a year and a half ago, at age 41. Today she's jobless -- and famous for all the wrong reasons. Her liaison with Jack Welch, G.E.'s idolized former C.E.O., is a case study in ethics and the price of passion
Six Degrees of Speculation, by Karen Wright, Discover, June 2002
Even in a small world, there's room for disagreement
U.S. Confidential, by James Wolcott, Vanity Fair, June 2002
The tabloid age began in the 50s with Generoso Pope's gore-splattered National Enquirer, and his obsession with Jackie O. touched off a celebrity hunt that would culminate in Princess Diana's death. But through mayhem and martyrdom, the scandal sheets have reflected America's gamy id, breaking news from the national gutter
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications -- and now online -- might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks.
Comic-Book Clubs, by Don Allen, Comics & Games Retailer, June 2002
Start your own literary discourse on comics
The Girls at the Front, by Evgenia Peretz, Vanity Fair, June 2002
The handful of female war correspondents whose beat is whatever hellhole leads the news -- Christiane Amanpour, Janine di Giovanni, et al. -- are as tough as any of the guys. But there's a difference in how they work, the way they love, and the risks they run
Homer's Odyssey, by Casey Seijas and the Wizard staff, Wizard, May 2002
And the rest of the family too, as Wizard gathers the best comics references to appear on "The Simpsons"
Old Salts, by John Gould, Maine Boats & Harbors, June/July 2002
There's a lot to be learned on the obit desk of a small-town newspaper.
The People's Party, by Chris Wright, Boston Phoenix, May 31, 2002
Once simply a forum for expression, protests are more often becoming the greatest shows on earth
Romancing the C.E.O., by Suzanna Andrews, Vanity Fair, June 2002
Talented, seductive, and ambitious, Suzy Wetlaufer took the reins of the venerable Harvard Business Review a year and a half ago, at age 41. Today she's jobless -- and famous for all the wrong reasons. Her liaison with Jack Welch, G.E.'s idolized former C.E.O., is a case study in ethics and the price of passion
Six Degrees of Speculation, by Karen Wright, Discover, June 2002
Even in a small world, there's room for disagreement
U.S. Confidential, by James Wolcott, Vanity Fair, June 2002
The tabloid age began in the 50s with Generoso Pope's gore-splattered National Enquirer, and his obsession with Jackie O. touched off a celebrity hunt that would culminate in Princess Diana's death. But through mayhem and martyrdom, the scandal sheets have reflected America's gamy id, breaking news from the national gutter
Books Worth a Look V
These are the books I read in May 2002. Jim Collins tries to read 100 books a year. As of this Media Diet entry, I've read 101 books since Jan. 1. I can stop now.
The Anasazi: Why Did They Leave? Where Did They Go? ed. by Jerold Widdison (1991)
Prepared after a panel discussion at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Colorado in 1990, this edited transcript offers several perspectives on the history and fate of the Anasazi, the precursors to the Pueblo Indians of the Southwest. Panelists touch on their society; the environmental, technological, and social reasons for their migration; and the similarities between them and their modern-day counterparts, including the Hopi and the Zuni. The at-times contentious discussion also tackles the role of anthropologist and historian. Linda Cordell's contributions are particularly insightful.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
A Brief History of Taos by Bob Romero and Neil Poese (1992)
There are places. And then there are places. Taos belongs to the latter category, a combination of the past and the present, the imagined and the real, the constructed and the actual. This 28-page history -- remember, the title says "brief" -- tackles all of Taos' dichotomies. Romero and Poese take on the city's Hispanic heritage, role as a trade center, Mexican affiliation, and absorption by the United States, featuring several insightful photographs and a wide-ranging look at the many faces of the small city. A good introduction.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.
Bygone Bar Harbor: A Postcard Tour by Earl Brechlin (2002)
This pocket-sized collection of vintage postcards from Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park shares snapshots of a world that was between about 1905 and 1950. Drawing on the archives of the Bar Harbor Historical Society, as well as his personal collection, Brechlin produces an extremely well-produced book -- the color reproduction is wonderful. "Bygone Bar Harbor" includes images of the people, places, and things that made the area a watering hole for the rich and famous during its golden age. Especially telling are the cards portraying the Great Fire of 1947. A stunning visual history.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Excellent.
El Santuario... a Stop on the "High Road to Taos" by Sons of the Holy Family (1994)
Having been raised among the Protestants, I missed out on a religious grounding in the saints and miracles. Plainness abounded. So I'm fascinated by shrines, pilgrimages, and experiences with healing. Located in Chimayo, New Mexico, El Santuario is a place deeply rooted in all three. And this thin booklet does much to detail its miraculous effects, history, and politics. Unfortunately, the pamphlet devotes a full third of its 30-odd pages to descriptions of the elements of its various reredos, or series of sacred paintings. That said, the writers do well to compare the sanctuary to a similar structure in Guatemala, a parallel other historians only graze.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.
El Santuario de Chimayo by Stephen F. de Borhegyi and E. Boyd (1956)
Better than the Sons of the Holy Family pamphlet, this booklet takes a more serious, scholarly look at the sanctuary in Chimayo. De Borhegyi draws stronger parallels to the sanctuary in Esquipulas, Guatemala, outlining the emergenc of the black Christ, the healing power of clay and soil, and how the legend was transported and translated to America. He also details the politics of the local families involved in the construction of the sanctuary -- and how the Santo Nino de Atocha cult developed as a direct competitor.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.
It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff (2002)
Former Navy Commander Mike Abrashoff offers 11 tactics and strategies he developed while leading the crew of the USS Benfold, an award-winning destroyer. Avoiding the gung-ho militarism that inspires so many leadership and management texts that come out of the armed forces, Mike espouses what he terms grassroots leadershp -- empowering the people you work with so innovation doesn't just trickle down the chain of command. It's a good, personal, and practical book.
Days to read: 4. Rating: Good.
Loretto and the Miraculous Staircase by Alice Bullock (1978)
This slim, 16-page booklet about the wooden circular stairway in Santa Fe, New Mexico's Loretto Chapel is an informal history of the engineering marvel. Perhaps constructed by Saint Joseph himself, the staircase has no central support and initially had no side supports. While there have been less breezy accounts of the "miracle" -- Sister M. Florian and Carl Albach's articles come to mind -- Bullock's pamphlet better fleshes out the reason for the chapel's near-completion (a jealous husband and a murder most foul) even if it doesn't try to out the original builder like some later studies.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.
Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends by Tim Sanders
A surprising thesis to come from Yahoo!'s Chief Solutions Officer, but a message many executives should pay attention to. At one level, Tim contends that -- gasp -- nice guys finish first, but at a deeper level, this book is a strategic networking handbook. Built on a foundation of knowledge, networks, and compassion, the book offers tactics and tools for strategic reading, productive and constructive introductions, and management that nurtures talent. I'm proud to know Tim and am bold enough to consider myself a lovecat. Meow.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Good.
Next: The Future Just Happened by Michael Lewis (2002)
The followup to "The New New Thing," this book takes another step and reveals how the Net economy changed people's lives, the law, familial relationships, the role of experts, fandom, copyright, and the mass media. Lewis does so by setting his sights on some pretty interesting characters -- a teenage day trader, an unschooled legal advisor, the hair metal band Marillion, the TiVo TV recording service, and the Unabomber. His language is lively, and his conclusions -- contextualized by a new afterword in this edition -- the start of a serious look at how much of the Net economy was hype -- and how much was misapplied gospel.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.
Old Town Albuquerque by Peter Hertzog (1994)
When we were in Albuquerque on the last day of our trip last month, it was extremely windy and the horizon was all but obscured by a sandstorm of sorts. So I'm surprised that Albuquerque has such a long history -- it strikes me as unhospitable, much like Salt Lake City must have seemed to the settling Mormons. While Albuquerque never experienced a great boom, Hertzog describes how the coming of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shifted the city's center away from Old Town. Perhaps if the landowners hadn't priced their plots so high, Old Town wouldn't be the chintzy tourist trap it is today. Not that much to see -- or read about.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.
The Passionists of the Southwest or the Holy Brotherhood: A Revelation of the "Penitentes" by Alex Darley (1893)
Reprinted by the Rio Grande Press in 1968 as part of their Classic series, Darley's narrative is a biased and exploitative representation of this primitive Catholic brotherhood. The "self-ordained itinerant preacher" aligned with the Presbyterians offers a supposed constitution and by-laws for the religious society, riffing off the near-fictitious literature ascribed to the Knights Templar. In so doing, Darley ties the Penitentes to Saint Francis, establishes the order as a formal Catholic organization, and decries their practices and rituals as primitive and abusive. Publisher Robert McCoy sheds more favorable light on the sect in the transcript of a 1965 talk, but the book -- while well-reasoned -- still reads sensationally and shallowly.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Good.
The Penitentes of the Southwest by Marta Weigle (1970)
As the precursor to a "fully documented book" that was in process several decades ago, Weigle's 16-page pamphlet is the strongest history of this archaic Catholic sect that practiced penance through the act of self-flagellation that I've read. Weigle analyzes the brotherhood's emergence, debts to St. Francis of Assisi, co-optation by the Catholic church, formal organization, and role in New Mexico as a mutual aid society. She also considers previous writing about the Penitentes, paying heed to the historical contexts of the portrayals.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale (1952)
Written in a slightly self-congratulatory tone similar to that of "I'm OK -- You're OK," this classic self-help book was penned by one of the founders of Guideposts magazine. I'm not convinced that personal success can be credited to prayer and faith, much less affirmations, but Peale makes a good case. Of immediate interest and use are Peale's parallels to learned optimism, creative visualization, meditation, and problem solving. There's a lot here, hidden among the daily affirmations and Bible verses Peale thinks readers should memorize.
Days to read: 6. Rating: Good.
Re-Create Your Life: Transforming Yourself and the World with the Decision Maker Process by Morty Lefkoe (1997)
I had dinner with Morty while I was in Sonoma County at the end of last month. His book describes the benefits of and some of the process behind his Decision Maker technology, which is deeply rooted in est training -- and a slight aside to Dianetics. At its base, the DM process is oriented toward helping identify and eliminate beliefs that are holding them back. Morty described the effects of negative self-esteem and beliefs, offers the principles of DM, contends that we create our own egos, and details several case histories -- bulemics, criminals, and AIDS patients who utilized the process. He also outlines applications in parenting, business, and social change. I wish he'd gone into the process a little further, but this is a good introduction to a valuable alternative to psychotherapy.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
The Sacred World of the Penitentes by Alberto Lopez Pulido (2000)
Ostensibly the most-accurate and -balanced volume on the Penitentes given its Smithsonian pedigree, this book is a disappointing analysis. Claiming to be the first book to be built on first-person accounts of Penitente participation, the tome is heavy on establishment and light on actual I-was-there narrative. Nevertheless, Pulido tried. Despite the writer's defense and positioning of "story" as a valuable historical tool, "Sacred World" relies heavily on interviews with a single Penitente leader. While Lupido's analysisof existing literature and suggestion of a third-order theory is appreciated, I expected more from the Smithsonian. Regardless, this look at practical Christianity and popular religious expression shows promise.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Fair.
Taos Walking Tour: A Self-Guided Tour of the Historic District by Char Boie Graebner (1991)
Taos, New Mexico, isn't that large a town, so you can walk most of its area of interest in about as much time as it takes to read this guide published by the Kit Carson Historic Museums. While I found Shirley Thompson's illustrations to be relatively sloppy, I enjoyed the tour guide's insights about the town's oldest wall, the Chinese wall (which dates only to the '80s), the Oakley House's past as a brothel, and the events that transpired at the Governor Bent House. More detail would have been welcome, but the book's breezy style doesn't diminish its usefulness. Get it if you go there.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook by Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (1971)
This little book is a gem. As the tome used to train Jehovah's Witnesses interested in becoming door-to-door ministers, or "publishers," the slim, dense volume is one of the better public speaking and sales books I've ever read. Parallel to Tim Sanders' "Live Is the Killer App," the authors include a lot of tactics for active reading and strategic use of source material. Sections also touch on active listening, developing better questions and answers, and overcoming skepticism and rejection.
Days to read: 4. Rating: Excellent.
Unleashing the Ideavirus by Seth Godin (2001)
According to the cover lines, Seth's book will help business leaders "stop marketing at people and turn your ideas into epidemics by helping your customers do the marketing for you." Almost a combination of Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" and Richard Dawkins' writing about memes, this quick read -- written in Seth's characteristically frenetic tone -- outlines how to unleash an ideavirus, as well as a formula that will increase the virility of your ideavirii. The fourth section, "Case Studies and Riffs" is awfully heavy on the riff side. Seth had a lot to say and didn't really know how to stop. Still, a thought-provoking if not totally groundbreaking book.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
When Los Alamos Was a Ranch School by Fermor S. and Peggy Pond Church (1998)
Before Los Alamos, New Mexico, played its role in the development of the United States' nuclear weapons strategy, it was a ranch school devoted to developing young men in a "safe and scientific manner." This reminiscence covers the camp's development, grounding in the Boy Scouts as its primary organizational model, evolution as resources became more or less available, and student body -- which included Gore Vidal. Several of the school's buildings remain today, and it's interesting to see how Los Alamos as a city grew up around this once isolated educational outpost.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
Work and Community in the West ed. by Edward Shorter (1973)
These six essays and excerpts go far to detail the history of work and its effects on people's family and social lives in the West. Given the publication date, it's understandable that Shorter only outlines three phases -- artisanal, industrial, and technological -- but the subsequent selections add valuable pieces to the limited puzzle. Mack Walker paints a productive picture of the role guilds played in early modern Germany. And George Sturt's portrayal of a wheelwright's shop is overly romantic. But Elinor Langer's socialist snapshot of life inside the New York Telephone Co. ably blends strict reportage and class consciousness. This dated collection is good for what it is -- and for the periods it looks at.
Days to read: 5. Rating: Good.
Why do some books get a link while other books do not? If a publishing company or author sends me review copies for consideration -- and if I review the book in Media Diet -- they get a link as well as a review. I don't review every review copy or galley I receive, and I don't always have time to track down author, publisher, and other book-related links in general.
Most of the books I review should be relatively easy to find via the Harvard Book Store and Powell's Books online ordering services. If something's out of print, check the Advanced Book Exchange first.
And if you'd like to send me a book to consider for review, Media Diet's address is P.O. Box 390205, Cambridge, MA 02139. Thank you very much.
These are the books I read in May 2002. Jim Collins tries to read 100 books a year. As of this Media Diet entry, I've read 101 books since Jan. 1. I can stop now.
The Anasazi: Why Did They Leave? Where Did They Go? ed. by Jerold Widdison (1991)
Prepared after a panel discussion at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Colorado in 1990, this edited transcript offers several perspectives on the history and fate of the Anasazi, the precursors to the Pueblo Indians of the Southwest. Panelists touch on their society; the environmental, technological, and social reasons for their migration; and the similarities between them and their modern-day counterparts, including the Hopi and the Zuni. The at-times contentious discussion also tackles the role of anthropologist and historian. Linda Cordell's contributions are particularly insightful.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
A Brief History of Taos by Bob Romero and Neil Poese (1992)
There are places. And then there are places. Taos belongs to the latter category, a combination of the past and the present, the imagined and the real, the constructed and the actual. This 28-page history -- remember, the title says "brief" -- tackles all of Taos' dichotomies. Romero and Poese take on the city's Hispanic heritage, role as a trade center, Mexican affiliation, and absorption by the United States, featuring several insightful photographs and a wide-ranging look at the many faces of the small city. A good introduction.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.
Bygone Bar Harbor: A Postcard Tour by Earl Brechlin (2002)
This pocket-sized collection of vintage postcards from Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park shares snapshots of a world that was between about 1905 and 1950. Drawing on the archives of the Bar Harbor Historical Society, as well as his personal collection, Brechlin produces an extremely well-produced book -- the color reproduction is wonderful. "Bygone Bar Harbor" includes images of the people, places, and things that made the area a watering hole for the rich and famous during its golden age. Especially telling are the cards portraying the Great Fire of 1947. A stunning visual history.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Excellent.
El Santuario... a Stop on the "High Road to Taos" by Sons of the Holy Family (1994)
Having been raised among the Protestants, I missed out on a religious grounding in the saints and miracles. Plainness abounded. So I'm fascinated by shrines, pilgrimages, and experiences with healing. Located in Chimayo, New Mexico, El Santuario is a place deeply rooted in all three. And this thin booklet does much to detail its miraculous effects, history, and politics. Unfortunately, the pamphlet devotes a full third of its 30-odd pages to descriptions of the elements of its various reredos, or series of sacred paintings. That said, the writers do well to compare the sanctuary to a similar structure in Guatemala, a parallel other historians only graze.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.
El Santuario de Chimayo by Stephen F. de Borhegyi and E. Boyd (1956)
Better than the Sons of the Holy Family pamphlet, this booklet takes a more serious, scholarly look at the sanctuary in Chimayo. De Borhegyi draws stronger parallels to the sanctuary in Esquipulas, Guatemala, outlining the emergenc of the black Christ, the healing power of clay and soil, and how the legend was transported and translated to America. He also details the politics of the local families involved in the construction of the sanctuary -- and how the Santo Nino de Atocha cult developed as a direct competitor.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.
It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff (2002)
Former Navy Commander Mike Abrashoff offers 11 tactics and strategies he developed while leading the crew of the USS Benfold, an award-winning destroyer. Avoiding the gung-ho militarism that inspires so many leadership and management texts that come out of the armed forces, Mike espouses what he terms grassroots leadershp -- empowering the people you work with so innovation doesn't just trickle down the chain of command. It's a good, personal, and practical book.
Days to read: 4. Rating: Good.
Loretto and the Miraculous Staircase by Alice Bullock (1978)
This slim, 16-page booklet about the wooden circular stairway in Santa Fe, New Mexico's Loretto Chapel is an informal history of the engineering marvel. Perhaps constructed by Saint Joseph himself, the staircase has no central support and initially had no side supports. While there have been less breezy accounts of the "miracle" -- Sister M. Florian and Carl Albach's articles come to mind -- Bullock's pamphlet better fleshes out the reason for the chapel's near-completion (a jealous husband and a murder most foul) even if it doesn't try to out the original builder like some later studies.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.
Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends by Tim Sanders
A surprising thesis to come from Yahoo!'s Chief Solutions Officer, but a message many executives should pay attention to. At one level, Tim contends that -- gasp -- nice guys finish first, but at a deeper level, this book is a strategic networking handbook. Built on a foundation of knowledge, networks, and compassion, the book offers tactics and tools for strategic reading, productive and constructive introductions, and management that nurtures talent. I'm proud to know Tim and am bold enough to consider myself a lovecat. Meow.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Good.
Next: The Future Just Happened by Michael Lewis (2002)
The followup to "The New New Thing," this book takes another step and reveals how the Net economy changed people's lives, the law, familial relationships, the role of experts, fandom, copyright, and the mass media. Lewis does so by setting his sights on some pretty interesting characters -- a teenage day trader, an unschooled legal advisor, the hair metal band Marillion, the TiVo TV recording service, and the Unabomber. His language is lively, and his conclusions -- contextualized by a new afterword in this edition -- the start of a serious look at how much of the Net economy was hype -- and how much was misapplied gospel.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.
Old Town Albuquerque by Peter Hertzog (1994)
When we were in Albuquerque on the last day of our trip last month, it was extremely windy and the horizon was all but obscured by a sandstorm of sorts. So I'm surprised that Albuquerque has such a long history -- it strikes me as unhospitable, much like Salt Lake City must have seemed to the settling Mormons. While Albuquerque never experienced a great boom, Hertzog describes how the coming of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shifted the city's center away from Old Town. Perhaps if the landowners hadn't priced their plots so high, Old Town wouldn't be the chintzy tourist trap it is today. Not that much to see -- or read about.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.
The Passionists of the Southwest or the Holy Brotherhood: A Revelation of the "Penitentes" by Alex Darley (1893)
Reprinted by the Rio Grande Press in 1968 as part of their Classic series, Darley's narrative is a biased and exploitative representation of this primitive Catholic brotherhood. The "self-ordained itinerant preacher" aligned with the Presbyterians offers a supposed constitution and by-laws for the religious society, riffing off the near-fictitious literature ascribed to the Knights Templar. In so doing, Darley ties the Penitentes to Saint Francis, establishes the order as a formal Catholic organization, and decries their practices and rituals as primitive and abusive. Publisher Robert McCoy sheds more favorable light on the sect in the transcript of a 1965 talk, but the book -- while well-reasoned -- still reads sensationally and shallowly.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Good.
The Penitentes of the Southwest by Marta Weigle (1970)
As the precursor to a "fully documented book" that was in process several decades ago, Weigle's 16-page pamphlet is the strongest history of this archaic Catholic sect that practiced penance through the act of self-flagellation that I've read. Weigle analyzes the brotherhood's emergence, debts to St. Francis of Assisi, co-optation by the Catholic church, formal organization, and role in New Mexico as a mutual aid society. She also considers previous writing about the Penitentes, paying heed to the historical contexts of the portrayals.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale (1952)
Written in a slightly self-congratulatory tone similar to that of "I'm OK -- You're OK," this classic self-help book was penned by one of the founders of Guideposts magazine. I'm not convinced that personal success can be credited to prayer and faith, much less affirmations, but Peale makes a good case. Of immediate interest and use are Peale's parallels to learned optimism, creative visualization, meditation, and problem solving. There's a lot here, hidden among the daily affirmations and Bible verses Peale thinks readers should memorize.
Days to read: 6. Rating: Good.
Re-Create Your Life: Transforming Yourself and the World with the Decision Maker Process by Morty Lefkoe (1997)
I had dinner with Morty while I was in Sonoma County at the end of last month. His book describes the benefits of and some of the process behind his Decision Maker technology, which is deeply rooted in est training -- and a slight aside to Dianetics. At its base, the DM process is oriented toward helping identify and eliminate beliefs that are holding them back. Morty described the effects of negative self-esteem and beliefs, offers the principles of DM, contends that we create our own egos, and details several case histories -- bulemics, criminals, and AIDS patients who utilized the process. He also outlines applications in parenting, business, and social change. I wish he'd gone into the process a little further, but this is a good introduction to a valuable alternative to psychotherapy.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
The Sacred World of the Penitentes by Alberto Lopez Pulido (2000)
Ostensibly the most-accurate and -balanced volume on the Penitentes given its Smithsonian pedigree, this book is a disappointing analysis. Claiming to be the first book to be built on first-person accounts of Penitente participation, the tome is heavy on establishment and light on actual I-was-there narrative. Nevertheless, Pulido tried. Despite the writer's defense and positioning of "story" as a valuable historical tool, "Sacred World" relies heavily on interviews with a single Penitente leader. While Lupido's analysisof existing literature and suggestion of a third-order theory is appreciated, I expected more from the Smithsonian. Regardless, this look at practical Christianity and popular religious expression shows promise.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Fair.
Taos Walking Tour: A Self-Guided Tour of the Historic District by Char Boie Graebner (1991)
Taos, New Mexico, isn't that large a town, so you can walk most of its area of interest in about as much time as it takes to read this guide published by the Kit Carson Historic Museums. While I found Shirley Thompson's illustrations to be relatively sloppy, I enjoyed the tour guide's insights about the town's oldest wall, the Chinese wall (which dates only to the '80s), the Oakley House's past as a brothel, and the events that transpired at the Governor Bent House. More detail would have been welcome, but the book's breezy style doesn't diminish its usefulness. Get it if you go there.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook by Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania (1971)
This little book is a gem. As the tome used to train Jehovah's Witnesses interested in becoming door-to-door ministers, or "publishers," the slim, dense volume is one of the better public speaking and sales books I've ever read. Parallel to Tim Sanders' "Live Is the Killer App," the authors include a lot of tactics for active reading and strategic use of source material. Sections also touch on active listening, developing better questions and answers, and overcoming skepticism and rejection.
Days to read: 4. Rating: Excellent.
Unleashing the Ideavirus by Seth Godin (2001)
According to the cover lines, Seth's book will help business leaders "stop marketing at people and turn your ideas into epidemics by helping your customers do the marketing for you." Almost a combination of Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" and Richard Dawkins' writing about memes, this quick read -- written in Seth's characteristically frenetic tone -- outlines how to unleash an ideavirus, as well as a formula that will increase the virility of your ideavirii. The fourth section, "Case Studies and Riffs" is awfully heavy on the riff side. Seth had a lot to say and didn't really know how to stop. Still, a thought-provoking if not totally groundbreaking book.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
When Los Alamos Was a Ranch School by Fermor S. and Peggy Pond Church (1998)
Before Los Alamos, New Mexico, played its role in the development of the United States' nuclear weapons strategy, it was a ranch school devoted to developing young men in a "safe and scientific manner." This reminiscence covers the camp's development, grounding in the Boy Scouts as its primary organizational model, evolution as resources became more or less available, and student body -- which included Gore Vidal. Several of the school's buildings remain today, and it's interesting to see how Los Alamos as a city grew up around this once isolated educational outpost.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.
Work and Community in the West ed. by Edward Shorter (1973)
These six essays and excerpts go far to detail the history of work and its effects on people's family and social lives in the West. Given the publication date, it's understandable that Shorter only outlines three phases -- artisanal, industrial, and technological -- but the subsequent selections add valuable pieces to the limited puzzle. Mack Walker paints a productive picture of the role guilds played in early modern Germany. And George Sturt's portrayal of a wheelwright's shop is overly romantic. But Elinor Langer's socialist snapshot of life inside the New York Telephone Co. ably blends strict reportage and class consciousness. This dated collection is good for what it is -- and for the periods it looks at.
Days to read: 5. Rating: Good.
Why do some books get a link while other books do not? If a publishing company or author sends me review copies for consideration -- and if I review the book in Media Diet -- they get a link as well as a review. I don't review every review copy or galley I receive, and I don't always have time to track down author, publisher, and other book-related links in general.
Most of the books I review should be relatively easy to find via the Harvard Book Store and Powell's Books online ordering services. If something's out of print, check the Advanced Book Exchange first.
And if you'd like to send me a book to consider for review, Media Diet's address is P.O. Box 390205, Cambridge, MA 02139. Thank you very much.
Clothes Whore II
I want some new T-shirts. Nifty T-shirts featuring interesting, neat, and obscure designs. If you work for a company, publish a comic or zine, play in a band, run a record label, or produce a Web site -- and you have a related T-shirt -- send one to me care of the mailing address over to the left. I will not just wear your T-shirt, I will take a photograph of myself wearing said shirt and publish it in Media Diet. With a link to your company, band, or site, even. That's why they call me the Clothes Whore. I want to wear your clothes.
I wear a Large.
I want some new T-shirts. Nifty T-shirts featuring interesting, neat, and obscure designs. If you work for a company, publish a comic or zine, play in a band, run a record label, or produce a Web site -- and you have a related T-shirt -- send one to me care of the mailing address over to the left. I will not just wear your T-shirt, I will take a photograph of myself wearing said shirt and publish it in Media Diet. With a link to your company, band, or site, even. That's why they call me the Clothes Whore. I want to wear your clothes.
I wear a Large.
Clip-Art Comics IV
Dan Weaver's H4x0r Economist clip-art comics juxtapose photographs of Alan Greenspan and other world leaders with largely profane -- and pretty funny -- hacker speak. The best bit might be the Dance Dance World Economic Forum: Free Your Trade collage. Brilliant.
Thanks to BoingBoing.
Dan Weaver's H4x0r Economist clip-art comics juxtapose photographs of Alan Greenspan and other world leaders with largely profane -- and pretty funny -- hacker speak. The best bit might be the Dance Dance World Economic Forum: Free Your Trade collage. Brilliant.
Thanks to BoingBoing.
North End Moment XVIII
I just caught a co-worker restocking the office refrigerator with Heinekens and hard ciders.
Me: It's a little early, Bill.
Bill: Never too early for me.
I just caught a co-worker restocking the office refrigerator with Heinekens and hard ciders.
Me: It's a little early, Bill.
Bill: Never too early for me.
The Movie I Watched Last Night XX
Friday, May 10: Fight Club
Just as the Matrix made me want to meditate, learn a martial art, and go jogging, Fight Club is one of those surprisingly empowering and inspiring movies. I've been accused of having a thing for Chuck Palahniuk -- in a review of an Anchormen record, of all places -- but this was my first exposure to any of his work. In addition to the solid story and the impressive performances by Ed Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter (who was also excellent in Novocaine), I was especially pleased by the twists and turns the story took. I was also quite surprised by the movie's revelations, and I'm certainly not going to spoil things for you if you haven't seen this yet by saying anything further here. Let's just say: Shades of Memento.
Sunday, May 12: Spider-Man
I grew up reading Spiderman, and to this day it remains one of my favorite comic books -- and I'm no longer the panties-and-capes kind of guy that I was when I first started reading comics. The release of Spider-Man bodes well for the future of comic book-inspired movies -- particularly superhero comic book-inspired movies, given that Ghost World and From Hell were so well done. Hollywood has moved beyond the cartoony portrayals we received from DC in the Batman and Superman flicks, and Marvel's licensing folks have done well with this follow-up of sorts to X-Men. The filmmakers don't waltz all over the myth and origin of the character. They don't drastically redo the roles that the important characters in the long-running story have played for the last several decades. And they don't overly romanticize the story. The special effects were a little jarring -- when Spidey's spinning his web around the city, it is extremely clear that it's CGI animation -- but Tobey Maguire makes a convincing Peter Parker and Willem Dafoe is a deliciously evil supervillain. This could have been much, much worse. And it's pretty darn good for what it is. (Watched with my family in Santa Fe, New Mexico.)
Sunday, May 19: Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones
In stark contrast to Spider-Man, I wasn't really looking forward to seeing the new Star Wars at all. It sort of snuck up on me, given the hype surrounding the previous installation. And having seen it? I'm not sure what the future of George Lucas' franchise will bring. As a fan of the original Star Wars movies, I admit that I have a soft spot for the characters and storyline -- and the new movies do a lot to fill in the back story. But so much of it is expected -- or disappointing. I mean, Hayden Christensen's post-adolescent-yet-surprisingly-whiny Anakin Skywalker evolves into Darth Vader? More like Lord Dark Helmet from Spaceballs. Several of my friends didn't buy Yoda's moment in the spotlight, but I thought it was pretty rad. Just as I enjoyed seeing how Boba Fett became inspired to be a bounty hunter. And Natalie Portman? Meow. One more thing. If you're going to make a movie, please don't make it totally obvious which characters were written in because they'd make cool action figures -- and which scenes were "scripted" because they'd make an exciting sequence in the video game. I expected more out of the Clone Wars, and the next movie might share more of its events and outcomes, but watching this wasn't very satisfying. (Watched with my sister in Taos, New Mexico.)
Sunday: East Is East
Focusing on a Pakistani who relocates to England and raises a mixed-race family in Manchester in the early '70s, this movie is largely a series of stories about culture clash. The head of the household clashes with his British wife. He clashes with his sons as they in turn refuse the arranged weddings he organizes within the Pakistani expatriot community. The children of the family clash as they grow up in relatively close contact -- often three to a bed. But mostly, East Is East narrates the clash between expectations, dreams, and aspirations. The movie is also about love and respect within and without a family (one son is disowned after he leaves his Pakistani bride to be at the altar). In addition, persistent undercurrents of racism and repatriotization politics run throughout the film, which has several solid comic moments despite its occasionally heady subjects. The ending itself -- quickly following the movie's peak -- is surprisingly funny and might feature the film's best punchline. That adds a nice indication of hope to the reunion of the Pakistani fish-and-chips shopkeeper and his wife -- who begin to rebuild their family's future over half a cup of tea.
Sunday: Monkey Vs. Robot: The James Kochalka Story
Almost 20 minutes long, this video offers several different videos for the James Kochalka Superstar song "Monkey Vs. Robot." The song is interesting and fun, but it might not have warranted so many different video treatments. I was slightly disappointed in the quality of the animated videos, particularly because none of them incorporated James' artwork, but I quite enjoyed Nate Pommer's Kaiju Big Battel-like costumed staging. The video is worth watching, however, because of the live interview and candid footage punctuating the videos. My favorite parts include the footage taken at the Peking Duck House, where James worked as a waiter for more than six years, and the street scene in which James burst into song amidst a couple of sidewalk cafes. That sequence -- and the pastiche of live footage near the end -- shows James the consummate performer in his natural habitat, no matter how makeshift the stage. The man's a ham, and I'm glad he doesn't taken himself more seriously.
Friday, May 10: Fight Club
Just as the Matrix made me want to meditate, learn a martial art, and go jogging, Fight Club is one of those surprisingly empowering and inspiring movies. I've been accused of having a thing for Chuck Palahniuk -- in a review of an Anchormen record, of all places -- but this was my first exposure to any of his work. In addition to the solid story and the impressive performances by Ed Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter (who was also excellent in Novocaine), I was especially pleased by the twists and turns the story took. I was also quite surprised by the movie's revelations, and I'm certainly not going to spoil things for you if you haven't seen this yet by saying anything further here. Let's just say: Shades of Memento.
Sunday, May 12: Spider-Man
I grew up reading Spiderman, and to this day it remains one of my favorite comic books -- and I'm no longer the panties-and-capes kind of guy that I was when I first started reading comics. The release of Spider-Man bodes well for the future of comic book-inspired movies -- particularly superhero comic book-inspired movies, given that Ghost World and From Hell were so well done. Hollywood has moved beyond the cartoony portrayals we received from DC in the Batman and Superman flicks, and Marvel's licensing folks have done well with this follow-up of sorts to X-Men. The filmmakers don't waltz all over the myth and origin of the character. They don't drastically redo the roles that the important characters in the long-running story have played for the last several decades. And they don't overly romanticize the story. The special effects were a little jarring -- when Spidey's spinning his web around the city, it is extremely clear that it's CGI animation -- but Tobey Maguire makes a convincing Peter Parker and Willem Dafoe is a deliciously evil supervillain. This could have been much, much worse. And it's pretty darn good for what it is. (Watched with my family in Santa Fe, New Mexico.)
Sunday, May 19: Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones
In stark contrast to Spider-Man, I wasn't really looking forward to seeing the new Star Wars at all. It sort of snuck up on me, given the hype surrounding the previous installation. And having seen it? I'm not sure what the future of George Lucas' franchise will bring. As a fan of the original Star Wars movies, I admit that I have a soft spot for the characters and storyline -- and the new movies do a lot to fill in the back story. But so much of it is expected -- or disappointing. I mean, Hayden Christensen's post-adolescent-yet-surprisingly-whiny Anakin Skywalker evolves into Darth Vader? More like Lord Dark Helmet from Spaceballs. Several of my friends didn't buy Yoda's moment in the spotlight, but I thought it was pretty rad. Just as I enjoyed seeing how Boba Fett became inspired to be a bounty hunter. And Natalie Portman? Meow. One more thing. If you're going to make a movie, please don't make it totally obvious which characters were written in because they'd make cool action figures -- and which scenes were "scripted" because they'd make an exciting sequence in the video game. I expected more out of the Clone Wars, and the next movie might share more of its events and outcomes, but watching this wasn't very satisfying. (Watched with my sister in Taos, New Mexico.)
Sunday: East Is East
Focusing on a Pakistani who relocates to England and raises a mixed-race family in Manchester in the early '70s, this movie is largely a series of stories about culture clash. The head of the household clashes with his British wife. He clashes with his sons as they in turn refuse the arranged weddings he organizes within the Pakistani expatriot community. The children of the family clash as they grow up in relatively close contact -- often three to a bed. But mostly, East Is East narrates the clash between expectations, dreams, and aspirations. The movie is also about love and respect within and without a family (one son is disowned after he leaves his Pakistani bride to be at the altar). In addition, persistent undercurrents of racism and repatriotization politics run throughout the film, which has several solid comic moments despite its occasionally heady subjects. The ending itself -- quickly following the movie's peak -- is surprisingly funny and might feature the film's best punchline. That adds a nice indication of hope to the reunion of the Pakistani fish-and-chips shopkeeper and his wife -- who begin to rebuild their family's future over half a cup of tea.
Sunday: Monkey Vs. Robot: The James Kochalka Story
Almost 20 minutes long, this video offers several different videos for the James Kochalka Superstar song "Monkey Vs. Robot." The song is interesting and fun, but it might not have warranted so many different video treatments. I was slightly disappointed in the quality of the animated videos, particularly because none of them incorporated James' artwork, but I quite enjoyed Nate Pommer's Kaiju Big Battel-like costumed staging. The video is worth watching, however, because of the live interview and candid footage punctuating the videos. My favorite parts include the footage taken at the Peking Duck House, where James worked as a waiter for more than six years, and the street scene in which James burst into song amidst a couple of sidewalk cafes. That sequence -- and the pastiche of live footage near the end -- shows James the consummate performer in his natural habitat, no matter how makeshift the stage. The man's a ham, and I'm glad he doesn't taken himself more seriously.
Rock Shows of Note XXI
I don't think I ever commented on the May 23 Anchormen show with Choo Choo La Rouge and Tony Goddess of Papas Fritas! Before I touch on Saturday night show at the Middle East, let me sneak in some edited notes from my Little Red Notebook:
Now that that is out of the way, Saturday night. I wasn't sure I'd make it to the Brett Rosenberg Problem's CD release party at the Middle East Upstairs, given my late night out Friday with Tammy, a friend from high school -- and spending most of Saturday with an ex I haven't really seen or talked to for several months -- but I'm glad that I did. I got there just as the Nines were starting their set, and after a jarring guitar chord that woke up the entire club, the power-pop threesome launched into an infectious set of amazing garage rock. Reminding me of some of the bands affiliated with Get Hip, the Nines also represented elements of sing-along punk rock a la the Riverdales and other Ramones interpreters. I could see this band again, and I'm glad they found a bunch of old singles in their attic recently.
By the time Brett Rosenberg and his two friends took the stage, much of the Handstand Command collective and its satellites were there: Jef and Jen, Deb from Hi-Fi, and three-fourths of Spoilsport. (To be fair, Handstand Command could very well be the other folks' satellite; I don't mean to claim them as ours -- or to eclipse their projects.) Brett opened with a slow, sensitive ballad -- a surprising beginning -- and then ran through many of the best songs from his previous CD -- as well as a bunch of new numbers from his brand new disc, which I'll review in Media Diet soon. His influences are clear, but his delivery is so direct and honestly enthusiastic that there's little sense of second-generation aping. As much as I like Brett and his music, I couldn't stick around for the entire show, though. Given the events of the past two days, I was a little tired about midway through Brett's set -- so I headed home, ears ringing and heart singing.
I don't think I ever commented on the May 23 Anchormen show with Choo Choo La Rouge and Tony Goddess of Papas Fritas! Before I touch on Saturday night show at the Middle East, let me sneak in some edited notes from my Little Red Notebook:
The show went well. Tony Goddess was a little lackluster in this Storytellers-style solo singer-songrwriter setting, but he was extremely nice. I kept hearing Shivika and Keith's voices in (and imprints) on the songs -- especially the older, more popular Papas Fritas numbers. Tony says that the band's basically been broken up since recording the last record. But they are playing two shows this summer, and Tony and Shivika have recorded a couple of songs together that will be released as a Papas Fritas 7-inch. Tony'd like to be in a band again. And he's got practice and studio space in Gloucester, so if you're interested, contact the man.
Choo Choo La Rouge was, as always, quite good. Their Robyn Hitchcock by way of Bob Dylan and Neutral Milk Hotel (rare instances) song stylings are really growing on me. And having listened to their CD several times, I appreciate more songs live than I did at first blush. And the Anchormen? We were OK. We were funnier than usual -- a little dark. And kinda low energy. But we were tight, I didn't forget any words, and people really seemed to like us. Special thanks to the two groups of strangers who danced throughout our set -- and to the woman up front and center who good-naturedly took our ribbing about her watch, etc. A lot of laughter tonight. Not all of it at our expense.
Now that that is out of the way, Saturday night. I wasn't sure I'd make it to the Brett Rosenberg Problem's CD release party at the Middle East Upstairs, given my late night out Friday with Tammy, a friend from high school -- and spending most of Saturday with an ex I haven't really seen or talked to for several months -- but I'm glad that I did. I got there just as the Nines were starting their set, and after a jarring guitar chord that woke up the entire club, the power-pop threesome launched into an infectious set of amazing garage rock. Reminding me of some of the bands affiliated with Get Hip, the Nines also represented elements of sing-along punk rock a la the Riverdales and other Ramones interpreters. I could see this band again, and I'm glad they found a bunch of old singles in their attic recently.
By the time Brett Rosenberg and his two friends took the stage, much of the Handstand Command collective and its satellites were there: Jef and Jen, Deb from Hi-Fi, and three-fourths of Spoilsport. (To be fair, Handstand Command could very well be the other folks' satellite; I don't mean to claim them as ours -- or to eclipse their projects.) Brett opened with a slow, sensitive ballad -- a surprising beginning -- and then ran through many of the best songs from his previous CD -- as well as a bunch of new numbers from his brand new disc, which I'll review in Media Diet soon. His influences are clear, but his delivery is so direct and honestly enthusiastic that there's little sense of second-generation aping. As much as I like Brett and his music, I couldn't stick around for the entire show, though. Given the events of the past two days, I was a little tired about midway through Brett's set -- so I headed home, ears ringing and heart singing.
North End Moment XVII
Walking up the back alley behind the Scotch & Sirloin this morning, I saw the most wonderful reflections off of our building's windows on the old folks' home opposite the chainlink-fenced parking lot.
Nue + Art = Nature.
The relections looked like some kind of urban petroglyphs or fractal graffiti. A couple of window patterns were even pulsing or vibrating as the glass flexed in the morning sun. Not a bad wake-up welcome.
Walking up the back alley behind the Scotch & Sirloin this morning, I saw the most wonderful reflections off of our building's windows on the old folks' home opposite the chainlink-fenced parking lot.
Nue + Art = Nature.
The relections looked like some kind of urban petroglyphs or fractal graffiti. A couple of window patterns were even pulsing or vibrating as the glass flexed in the morning sun. Not a bad wake-up welcome.
Friday, May 31, 2002
Fast Fiction III
Dang, I'm enjoying the Warren Ellis Forum this afternoon in the quiet, summer-hours slowness of work. I had no idea that Richard Kadrey was publishing short, short stories in Infinite Matrix. There are 22 available so far -- and new tales appear weekly, it seems. Time to catch up with the man.
Dang, I'm enjoying the Warren Ellis Forum this afternoon in the quiet, summer-hours slowness of work. I had no idea that Richard Kadrey was publishing short, short stories in Infinite Matrix. There are 22 available so far -- and new tales appear weekly, it seems. Time to catch up with the man.
Comics and Commentary
Scott R. Kurtz's recent run of comic strips at PvPonline takes alternative comics publishers and creators to task. It's a giggle-ridden tirade about talent, production values, self-publishing motivation, intentional obscurity, comics journalism, sales, and readers. Make with the clicky click already.
Scott R. Kurtz's recent run of comic strips at PvPonline takes alternative comics publishers and creators to task. It's a giggle-ridden tirade about talent, production values, self-publishing motivation, intentional obscurity, comics journalism, sales, and readers. Make with the clicky click already.
From the In Box: The Restaurant I Ate at Last Night V
In his book "Love Is the Killer App," Tim Sanders mentions that one of his networking tactics is to take a digital photograph of him and people he meets -- and then send that person the snapshot. He recently emailed me a photo of us taken earlier this month in San Diego -- but with a little twist.
Muggin' uglies.
I think it's time I take off my pants and jacket. This is a little Improper Bostonian for me.
In his book "Love Is the Killer App," Tim Sanders mentions that one of his networking tactics is to take a digital photograph of him and people he meets -- and then send that person the snapshot. He recently emailed me a photo of us taken earlier this month in San Diego -- but with a little twist.
Muggin' uglies.
I was gonna paste on Creed or Linkin Park or something. I gave you a break -- out of respect. -- Tim Sanders
I think it's time I take off my pants and jacket. This is a little Improper Bostonian for me.
From the In Box: Blogging About Blogging XXIII
Are you familiar with the Advogato "trust-metric"? They have the theory down to extrapolate a network of trust rankings that might mechanically realize the networks you're describing without them needing a name -- in fact, they would only be nameable as "yours" because the details of whom you trust and how much would be uniquely yours. No doubt patterns would emerge (like art movements) based on natural affinities.
Apparently the SourceForge project has adapted this idea to ranking developers, but I can't find any general write-up of how it works. Not sure if anyone else has implemented anything based on the ideas. -- Joe Germuska
Are you familiar with the Advogato "trust-metric"? They have the theory down to extrapolate a network of trust rankings that might mechanically realize the networks you're describing without them needing a name -- in fact, they would only be nameable as "yours" because the details of whom you trust and how much would be uniquely yours. No doubt patterns would emerge (like art movements) based on natural affinities.
Apparently the SourceForge project has adapted this idea to ranking developers, but I can't find any general write-up of how it works. Not sure if anyone else has implemented anything based on the ideas. -- Joe Germuska
Nervy, Pervy V
I cannot believe it. I haven't laughed so hard at a spam before, so I need to share this.
These have got to be the worst idea ever.
I cannot believe it. I haven't laughed so hard at a spam before, so I need to share this.
Take a walk on the wild side... and try something a little different.
Whitey-tighties are such a bore, and boxers have lost their appeal. Manties are made for the man who wants to be unconventional and not feel that he has to do what the crowd does. He is a man who is secure in what he does and does what he wants. What woman could resist him in a pair of these. They are the softest underwear a man could get today, while getting the support he desires.
Finally, fit and comfort all rolled into one for guys who want underwear that is fun to wear.
For those nights and days, when you want to be and feel a little special, naughty, and very sexy, these Manties are made for you. They are made of nylon and have the extra room where you need it, for the most comfortable fit there is... They can even be embriodered with whatever you want on them and make the nicest gift any guy can get. Birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, stag parties, divorce celebrations, etc. They have been sold worldwide for any and all occasions. C'mon ladies, give him a little gift made just for him. You might be suprised and glad that you did.
Panties are for the gals.
Manties are for the guys.
These have got to be the worst idea ever.
Sites on the Side of the Road IV
Everyone needs a hobby, I suppose. John Winter Smith is going to visit every single Starbucks in the world. According to his site, Starbucks Everywhere, he's visited more than 2,800 Starbucks so far. That's out of about 3,300. That's also about 85% of the Starbucks currently existing.
He's even hit most of the Starbucks in the Boston area, including the one near my house. The site sports photographs of the stores he's visited, as well as occasional commentary such as, "Chenille, or perhaps corduroy, curtains cover the windows." Now that's news you can use.
Thanks to Just One Thing.
Everyone needs a hobby, I suppose. John Winter Smith is going to visit every single Starbucks in the world. According to his site, Starbucks Everywhere, he's visited more than 2,800 Starbucks so far. That's out of about 3,300. That's also about 85% of the Starbucks currently existing.
He's even hit most of the Starbucks in the Boston area, including the one near my house. The site sports photographs of the stores he's visited, as well as occasional commentary such as, "Chenille, or perhaps corduroy, curtains cover the windows." Now that's news you can use.
Thanks to Just One Thing.
Blogging About Blogging XXIII
I try not to dip into the blog memes that everyone trumpets about to avoid overlapping with other blogs and commentaries, but occasionally, Blogdex gives me a mindful that I need to share and expand on. Take Henry Copeland's recent essay, "Blogonomics: Making a Living from Blogging."
My first instinct is to reactively debunk the essay, contending that an essay entitled "Zineconomics: Making a Living from Zine Publishing" or "Tapeconomics: Making a Living from Running a Cassette Label" circa 1991 would've been the epitome of naivete, but perhaps this whole "blogonomics" thing has some weight to it. Sure, his coining of blogs as un-media rather than "nu-media" reeks of hyberbole, but Henry offers some ideas worth considering and building on. As well as questioning.
Blogs will never upend traditional, mainstream media. They will feed it. They will complement it. They will challenge it. But we will probably never have what the mainstream mass media has -- and what we so desperately need: distribution and promotion. So I question Henry's position that this is a battle between amateurs and professionals, between entrepreneurs and established media organizations. The idealist in me would like to think that this could happen, but what we have seen in zines, in comics, and in music to date -- not that the DIY media history will continue to repeat itself -- is that people in independent media circles tend to step up into the mainstream, mass media -- perhaps stepping back down at some point -- or at least straddle the two worlds persistently. This is what I think is more likely to happen. Especially because folks in the mainstream are already dipping their toes in the DIY waters.
I'm particularly intrigued and enthused by Henry's concept of "capillarity." And I'd like to up the ante on Henry's portrayal of blogs as social networks -- and people reading blogs to eventually read other blogs mentioned in the original blogs (which is just like tracing the tracks of zine reviews, not to mention book-jacket blurbs). What I think will emerge are hives of bloggers... tribes of bloggers... either collaborating to co-create collective blogs such as the recently launched Listen Up! -- or even BoingBoing, which I read every day -- or nesting in loose confederacies like the blogrolls and link lists we can already find on so many sites. This could develop into networks of like-minded, -styled, and -experienced bloggers... either under a collective name brand that folks can remember, recognize, and find easily or in the loose-knit affiliation webs that currently exist. This isn't much different than a collaborative zine or collective record label... and takes steps toward building our own parallel news and media organizations. Move over, Fox. Or whatever.
What concerns me most about Henry's statements about the potential of blogonomics, however, are the parallels I see between the current state of blog services and the Webfarms of yore -- Tripod, Geocities, etc. Even during the heyday of the Webfarms, advertising wasn't a sustainable enough model to support the organizations' business needs and operations. And the Webfarms weren't identifiable enough as consistent brand names to warrant affiliation with the network as a whole. Sure, folks know Tripod. Folks love Tripod. But not every Tripod site falls under an umbrella that's consistent in terms of content, context, etc. Perhaps this isn't necessary. But if blogs are going to compete with mainstream media, we need to begin creating sustainable networks that involve the like-styled, -minded, and -experienced creators I mention above -- as well as a reading audience that's also like-styled, -minded, and -experienced. Otherwise, our demographics are going to be a mile wide and an inch deep. And that's not going to attract advertisers.
Of course, I don't even think blogs need to attract advertisers, but that's another story altogether.
I try not to dip into the blog memes that everyone trumpets about to avoid overlapping with other blogs and commentaries, but occasionally, Blogdex gives me a mindful that I need to share and expand on. Take Henry Copeland's recent essay, "Blogonomics: Making a Living from Blogging."
My first instinct is to reactively debunk the essay, contending that an essay entitled "Zineconomics: Making a Living from Zine Publishing" or "Tapeconomics: Making a Living from Running a Cassette Label" circa 1991 would've been the epitome of naivete, but perhaps this whole "blogonomics" thing has some weight to it. Sure, his coining of blogs as un-media rather than "nu-media" reeks of hyberbole, but Henry offers some ideas worth considering and building on. As well as questioning.
Blogs will never upend traditional, mainstream media. They will feed it. They will complement it. They will challenge it. But we will probably never have what the mainstream mass media has -- and what we so desperately need: distribution and promotion. So I question Henry's position that this is a battle between amateurs and professionals, between entrepreneurs and established media organizations. The idealist in me would like to think that this could happen, but what we have seen in zines, in comics, and in music to date -- not that the DIY media history will continue to repeat itself -- is that people in independent media circles tend to step up into the mainstream, mass media -- perhaps stepping back down at some point -- or at least straddle the two worlds persistently. This is what I think is more likely to happen. Especially because folks in the mainstream are already dipping their toes in the DIY waters.
I'm particularly intrigued and enthused by Henry's concept of "capillarity." And I'd like to up the ante on Henry's portrayal of blogs as social networks -- and people reading blogs to eventually read other blogs mentioned in the original blogs (which is just like tracing the tracks of zine reviews, not to mention book-jacket blurbs). What I think will emerge are hives of bloggers... tribes of bloggers... either collaborating to co-create collective blogs such as the recently launched Listen Up! -- or even BoingBoing, which I read every day -- or nesting in loose confederacies like the blogrolls and link lists we can already find on so many sites. This could develop into networks of like-minded, -styled, and -experienced bloggers... either under a collective name brand that folks can remember, recognize, and find easily or in the loose-knit affiliation webs that currently exist. This isn't much different than a collaborative zine or collective record label... and takes steps toward building our own parallel news and media organizations. Move over, Fox. Or whatever.
What concerns me most about Henry's statements about the potential of blogonomics, however, are the parallels I see between the current state of blog services and the Webfarms of yore -- Tripod, Geocities, etc. Even during the heyday of the Webfarms, advertising wasn't a sustainable enough model to support the organizations' business needs and operations. And the Webfarms weren't identifiable enough as consistent brand names to warrant affiliation with the network as a whole. Sure, folks know Tripod. Folks love Tripod. But not every Tripod site falls under an umbrella that's consistent in terms of content, context, etc. Perhaps this isn't necessary. But if blogs are going to compete with mainstream media, we need to begin creating sustainable networks that involve the like-styled, -minded, and -experienced creators I mention above -- as well as a reading audience that's also like-styled, -minded, and -experienced. Otherwise, our demographics are going to be a mile wide and an inch deep. And that's not going to attract advertisers.
Of course, I don't even think blogs need to attract advertisers, but that's another story altogether.
Music for the Movement
Shannon Okey informs me that she, Sooz, Brad, and other Boston-area (and elsewhere, I'm sure) bloggers are collaborating to produce Listen Up!, a collective resource highlighting music recommendations, MP3's, reviews, and show notices.
Listen Up! to Tom and Jef of the Anchormen.
So far -- I believe Listen Up! launched about 10 days ago -- contributors talk up innovative radio stations, Jane Siberry, weekend soundtracks, and the "shred metal" subgenre. We'll see how the blog evolves, but there are some good people involved. I'm not sure I'll throw my hat in that ring right now, but the site is worth visiting.
Shannon Okey informs me that she, Sooz, Brad, and other Boston-area (and elsewhere, I'm sure) bloggers are collaborating to produce Listen Up!, a collective resource highlighting music recommendations, MP3's, reviews, and show notices.
Listen Up! to Tom and Jef of the Anchormen.
So far -- I believe Listen Up! launched about 10 days ago -- contributors talk up innovative radio stations, Jane Siberry, weekend soundtracks, and the "shred metal" subgenre. We'll see how the blog evolves, but there are some good people involved. I'm not sure I'll throw my hat in that ring right now, but the site is worth visiting.
Thursday, May 30, 2002
It's an Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad World X
The John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising, and Marketing History at Duke University has developed a searchable online archive of more than 7,000 ads published in North American newspapers and magazines between 1911 and 1955. The collection, dubbed Ad*Access, concentrates on advertisements related to radio, television, transportation, beauty and hygiene, and World War II. Researchers can browse the collection by category and subcategory, as well as search for ads featuring specific keywords or images. The center also provides parallel histories of the categories, including a timeline of world events, to create stronger context for the collection.
Thanks to Weblogsky.
The John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising, and Marketing History at Duke University has developed a searchable online archive of more than 7,000 ads published in North American newspapers and magazines between 1911 and 1955. The collection, dubbed Ad*Access, concentrates on advertisements related to radio, television, transportation, beauty and hygiene, and World War II. Researchers can browse the collection by category and subcategory, as well as search for ads featuring specific keywords or images. The center also provides parallel histories of the categories, including a timeline of world events, to create stronger context for the collection.
Thanks to Weblogsky.
A Collision of Interesting Women II
Well, as the day progresses, it improves. I'm not as sheepish or concerned as I was this morning, and it looks like there aren't as many pieces to put back together as I thought there might be given my confusion and surprise last night. That's good news. I'm not a big fan of damage control.
Why "Collision of Interesting Women," though? Just felt right. I hope it catches on as the new term for a group of women. You can help with that.
Well, as the day progresses, it improves. I'm not as sheepish or concerned as I was this morning, and it looks like there aren't as many pieces to put back together as I thought there might be given my confusion and surprise last night. That's good news. I'm not a big fan of damage control.
Why "Collision of Interesting Women," though? Just felt right. I hope it catches on as the new term for a group of women. You can help with that.
Comics Crackdown
Chicago-area cartoonist Stu Helm, also known as King VelVeeda, is being targeted by Kraft Foods because of his nickname. According to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund:
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is defending Chicago cartoonist Stu Helm against Kraft Foods in a trademark dilution and infringement suit over Helm's nickname King VelVeeda. The Phillip Morris owned cheese food giant is suing Helm to stop using the name on any comics or illustration work and for punitive damages of three times the amount he has made from using the name. They are also seeking a preliminary injunction that would prevent him from using the nickname leading into and during the trial. Helm had been signing comics under the moniker for over a decade before Kraft took notice and is the author of the comics collection "Singles" and operates the website Cheesygraphics.com.
Helm had been defending himself against Kraft for over a month before he contacted the Fund for help. Within two days of taking Helm's call, he was in the office of CBLDF legal counsel Burton Joseph building a strategy for the case. Joseph agreed that Helm's long use of the nickname falls within the rights afforded him by the First Amendment and that he is being unjustly persecuted by Kraft. "This case represents a two billion dollar corporation trying to push the envelope in restricting the use of anything that resembles or ridicules a trademark," Joseph explains. "Kraft's complaint alleges that Stuart Helm's website cheesygraphics.com, which averaged about 350 hits a day by use of the designation 'King VelVeeda's Cheesygraphics' diminished or diluted the value of the Velveeta pasteurized processed cheese food that they sell. The facts seem highly dubious from Kraft's standpoint that any visitor to cheesygraphics.com would confuse King VelVeeda with Velveeta pasteurized processed cheese food."
Helm, Joseph, and the CBLDF see larger implications in Kraft's suit, and feel it's an important fight. "The law is in a state of flux with regard to trademark dilution, so it is more important than ever to protect the First Amendment rights of comic book creators who poke fun at the symbols of our popular culture," explains attorney and CBLDF Board Member Louise Nemschoff. "Claims such as the ones brought by Kraft against alternative comic book creator Stu Helm have a tendency to chill freedom of expression when it comes to such jokes, parody and commentary," Nemschoff adds.
Helm says, "Even though it seems like a small issue because it is a silly nickname, I feel that it's so far removed from the actual product that if I go down, it opens the door for a lot more action against a lot more people. It's a big issue. If it can happen to me -- and I'm so far removed from the product -- that sets a bad precedent."
Since taking the case, the Fund has spent dozens of legal hours waging Helm's defense, including the deposition of a Kraft executive and an appearance at the Preliminary Injunction hearing. "We are hoping first that the court will deny Kraft's request for a preliminary injunction and will ultimately rule that Kraft cannot prove any dilution of its trademark by the artist's nickname of King VelVeeda," Joseph says. "We're very confident, but the ultimate decision will depend on a case now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, Mosely d.b.a. Victor's Little Secret v. Secret Catalog Inc. (Victoria's Secret), and also whether Kraft's arguments are mere speculation or grounded in some evidence or genuine concern of market confusion."
"It's cases like this where the community's support of the Fund matters the most," says CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein. "Without our involvement Kraft could have steamrolled Stu into bankruptcy simply because they have more money and lawyers. We believe that Stu Helm is well within his First Amendment rights and are committed to defending them, despite the monstrous expense ahead of us. That's what the Fund was set up to do and this is what every membership and donation dollar goes into making happen."
Helm is grateful for the Fund's involvement in his case, but it's a hassle he never wanted. "I haven't tried to cut into their market by mimicking anything they do," Helm says. "I made a good name for myself doing what I do best which is my art and I just want to be left alone to do that."
Chicago-area cartoonist Stu Helm, also known as King VelVeeda, is being targeted by Kraft Foods because of his nickname. According to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund:
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is defending Chicago cartoonist Stu Helm against Kraft Foods in a trademark dilution and infringement suit over Helm's nickname King VelVeeda. The Phillip Morris owned cheese food giant is suing Helm to stop using the name on any comics or illustration work and for punitive damages of three times the amount he has made from using the name. They are also seeking a preliminary injunction that would prevent him from using the nickname leading into and during the trial. Helm had been signing comics under the moniker for over a decade before Kraft took notice and is the author of the comics collection "Singles" and operates the website Cheesygraphics.com.
Helm had been defending himself against Kraft for over a month before he contacted the Fund for help. Within two days of taking Helm's call, he was in the office of CBLDF legal counsel Burton Joseph building a strategy for the case. Joseph agreed that Helm's long use of the nickname falls within the rights afforded him by the First Amendment and that he is being unjustly persecuted by Kraft. "This case represents a two billion dollar corporation trying to push the envelope in restricting the use of anything that resembles or ridicules a trademark," Joseph explains. "Kraft's complaint alleges that Stuart Helm's website cheesygraphics.com, which averaged about 350 hits a day by use of the designation 'King VelVeeda's Cheesygraphics' diminished or diluted the value of the Velveeta pasteurized processed cheese food that they sell. The facts seem highly dubious from Kraft's standpoint that any visitor to cheesygraphics.com would confuse King VelVeeda with Velveeta pasteurized processed cheese food."
Helm, Joseph, and the CBLDF see larger implications in Kraft's suit, and feel it's an important fight. "The law is in a state of flux with regard to trademark dilution, so it is more important than ever to protect the First Amendment rights of comic book creators who poke fun at the symbols of our popular culture," explains attorney and CBLDF Board Member Louise Nemschoff. "Claims such as the ones brought by Kraft against alternative comic book creator Stu Helm have a tendency to chill freedom of expression when it comes to such jokes, parody and commentary," Nemschoff adds.
Helm says, "Even though it seems like a small issue because it is a silly nickname, I feel that it's so far removed from the actual product that if I go down, it opens the door for a lot more action against a lot more people. It's a big issue. If it can happen to me -- and I'm so far removed from the product -- that sets a bad precedent."
Since taking the case, the Fund has spent dozens of legal hours waging Helm's defense, including the deposition of a Kraft executive and an appearance at the Preliminary Injunction hearing. "We are hoping first that the court will deny Kraft's request for a preliminary injunction and will ultimately rule that Kraft cannot prove any dilution of its trademark by the artist's nickname of King VelVeeda," Joseph says. "We're very confident, but the ultimate decision will depend on a case now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, Mosely d.b.a. Victor's Little Secret v. Secret Catalog Inc. (Victoria's Secret), and also whether Kraft's arguments are mere speculation or grounded in some evidence or genuine concern of market confusion."
"It's cases like this where the community's support of the Fund matters the most," says CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein. "Without our involvement Kraft could have steamrolled Stu into bankruptcy simply because they have more money and lawyers. We believe that Stu Helm is well within his First Amendment rights and are committed to defending them, despite the monstrous expense ahead of us. That's what the Fund was set up to do and this is what every membership and donation dollar goes into making happen."
Helm is grateful for the Fund's involvement in his case, but it's a hassle he never wanted. "I haven't tried to cut into their market by mimicking anything they do," Helm says. "I made a good name for myself doing what I do best which is my art and I just want to be left alone to do that."
Rock Shows of Note XX
Four bands played at the final Handstand Command anniversary show last night. I caught sets by three of them.
After parting ways with the friend I hung out with at the Media Bistro cocktail party (I'm not using people's names in order to protect the innocent.), I arrived at the Abbey just in time to catch the end of Palomar, an amazing rock foursome that reminded me of Heavenly and Pest 5000. They were a lot of fun and seemed extremely friendly, to boot.
Next up, the Operators, who were celebrating the release of their new CD on Unstoppable Records, "Citizens Band". It's been forever since the Operators have played live, and their return to the stage was excellent. There've been rumors that the band was going to, well, disband, but Steph says that isn't so. Yay! Welcome back, Operators.
Lastly, the Pee Wee Fist. They didn't really float my boat. 'Course, I was in the midst of a bit of girl trouble, so maybe I didn't give them a fair shake. Regardless, a good show -- and an amazing end to the Handstand Command residency.
Four bands played at the final Handstand Command anniversary show last night. I caught sets by three of them.
After parting ways with the friend I hung out with at the Media Bistro cocktail party (I'm not using people's names in order to protect the innocent.), I arrived at the Abbey just in time to catch the end of Palomar, an amazing rock foursome that reminded me of Heavenly and Pest 5000. They were a lot of fun and seemed extremely friendly, to boot.
Next up, the Operators, who were celebrating the release of their new CD on Unstoppable Records, "Citizens Band". It's been forever since the Operators have played live, and their return to the stage was excellent. There've been rumors that the band was going to, well, disband, but Steph says that isn't so. Yay! Welcome back, Operators.
Lastly, the Pee Wee Fist. They didn't really float my boat. 'Course, I was in the midst of a bit of girl trouble, so maybe I didn't give them a fair shake. Regardless, a good show -- and an amazing end to the Handstand Command residency.
A Collision of Interesting Women
My computer has frozen -- and my browser has crashed -- during my last two attempts to think through the events of last night. I'm going to take it as a sign from above and not try to detail the confusing experiences at such great length.
Suffice to say, I'm having girl trouble. An ex called me at work yesterday afternoon. I took a friend to the Media Bistro cocktail party, which my most recent ex also attended. That friend and I shared an awkward but interesting moment on the street corner before heading our separate ways. And at the Handstand Command anniversary show, I hung out with two other women I'm crushing on.
Too much all at once. While I didn't do anything egregious, I'm afraid I didn't handle any of it very well. Apologies to all involved.
It's wholly inappropriate that my horoscope says, "Light up your house of intimacy. Love and loyalty flourish in an atmosphere of freedom," today.
My computer has frozen -- and my browser has crashed -- during my last two attempts to think through the events of last night. I'm going to take it as a sign from above and not try to detail the confusing experiences at such great length.
Suffice to say, I'm having girl trouble. An ex called me at work yesterday afternoon. I took a friend to the Media Bistro cocktail party, which my most recent ex also attended. That friend and I shared an awkward but interesting moment on the street corner before heading our separate ways. And at the Handstand Command anniversary show, I hung out with two other women I'm crushing on.
Too much all at once. While I didn't do anything egregious, I'm afraid I didn't handle any of it very well. Apologies to all involved.
It's wholly inappropriate that my horoscope says, "Light up your house of intimacy. Love and loyalty flourish in an atmosphere of freedom," today.
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Blogging About Blogging XXII
Perhaps because of the new Blogger Pro software, my archives are slightly dodgy, and the links aren't populating the $BlogURL$ value. I've emailed Evan to see what's what and hope to work this out soon. Thanks for your patience!
***
Evan's on the case. I've replaced the old tag with my base URL -- and the archives are now available again. Woot!
Perhaps because of the new Blogger Pro software, my archives are slightly dodgy, and the links aren't populating the $BlogURL$ value. I've emailed Evan to see what's what and hope to work this out soon. Thanks for your patience!
Evan's on the case. I've replaced the old tag with my base URL -- and the archives are now available again. Woot!
From the In Box: Mention Me! XI
Any before and after pictures? It'd be worth a couple thousand words... and you only wrote about 100. -- Rick Weller
This is Heath's head. Hair grows out of it.
It's not the best picture, but there's only so much one man can do in a day. Even if it's a banner day -- like the day I first post a photo to Media Diet. One for the history books, you betcha.
Any before and after pictures? It'd be worth a couple thousand words... and you only wrote about 100. -- Rick Weller
This is Heath's head. Hair grows out of it.
It's not the best picture, but there's only so much one man can do in a day. Even if it's a banner day -- like the day I first post a photo to Media Diet. One for the history books, you betcha.
Cover Story II
The May 10, 2002, issue of Entertainment Weekly gave a shout out to Life magazine's Cover Collection, and the props are well deserved. You can search and browse magazine covers dating between 1936 and 1972, when the magazine was a weekly. You can see past covers for today's specific date. And you can browse select sub-collections, such as the 60 "wackiest" covers, which sport images of terriers, roosters, and women kissing pillars. Wonderful stuff.
The May 10, 2002, issue of Entertainment Weekly gave a shout out to Life magazine's Cover Collection, and the props are well deserved. You can search and browse magazine covers dating between 1936 and 1972, when the magazine was a weekly. You can see past covers for today's specific date. And you can browse select sub-collections, such as the 60 "wackiest" covers, which sport images of terriers, roosters, and women kissing pillars. Wonderful stuff.
Pieces, Particles III
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks.
Alan Moore: The Wizard Q&A, by Mike Cotton, Wizard, July 2002
The writer behind WildStorm's ABC line chats about his refusal to work on a Marvel hero, why he'll never do a "Watchmen" sequel and how he might quit comics
Kicking It Up, Sports Illustrated, May 20, 2002
Female soccer players consider how far they'll go to sell their sport
Open for Business, by Adam Rapoport, GQ, June 2002
Advertisers and art directors keep telling women to spread their legs. Which is a good thing? Isn't it?
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks.
Alan Moore: The Wizard Q&A, by Mike Cotton, Wizard, July 2002
The writer behind WildStorm's ABC line chats about his refusal to work on a Marvel hero, why he'll never do a "Watchmen" sequel and how he might quit comics
Kicking It Up, Sports Illustrated, May 20, 2002
Female soccer players consider how far they'll go to sell their sport
Open for Business, by Adam Rapoport, GQ, June 2002
Advertisers and art directors keep telling women to spread their legs. Which is a good thing? Isn't it?
Mention Me! XI
My haircut yesterday has been garnering all sorts of praise and near-insult. Just now during lunch at the 'Rang, one of my bosses said, "There's a fine line between Dobie Gillis and Green Day. You walk it every day." Yesterday a co-worker said I looked like Tobey Maguire in Pleasantville. Someone else said I looked like I'd just arrived from the '30s. Rich posted, "This lunch was fun because Heath is finally getting that mop of his trimmed. I'm praying they wash it too," on Lunch Is Fun. All I know is that it was high time I got a haircut -- well, all of them, actually.
My haircut yesterday has been garnering all sorts of praise and near-insult. Just now during lunch at the 'Rang, one of my bosses said, "There's a fine line between Dobie Gillis and Green Day. You walk it every day." Yesterday a co-worker said I looked like Tobey Maguire in Pleasantville. Someone else said I looked like I'd just arrived from the '30s. Rich posted, "This lunch was fun because Heath is finally getting that mop of his trimmed. I'm praying they wash it too," on Lunch Is Fun. All I know is that it was high time I got a haircut -- well, all of them, actually.
North End Moment XVI
It never occurred to me that folks have to actually paint fire escapes occasionally, but on Prince Street just past Screen Printing USA, a man was painting a fire escape this afternoon. He had paint on his face.
It never occurred to me that folks have to actually paint fire escapes occasionally, but on Prince Street just past Screen Printing USA, a man was painting a fire escape this afternoon. He had paint on his face.
Managing Me-Mail
Phew! After 11 days vacation in New Mexico and a long weekend for Memorial Day, I had more than 3,000 emails waiting for me in my in box. Because I had guesstimated 4,000 in a conversation last week with Ryan and Simone, I was actually quite pleased that the count was so "low."
Thing is, I just now finished catching up on those 3,000 messages. Almost a week after I returned from vacation. So Mark Hurst's recent report, "Managing E-Mail: What Every User Needs to Know, hit me especially hard. I read it in my hotel room over the weekend in Sonoma County for Roy and Amy's wedding, and it's extremely useful. Mark says that email management is not about server-side filtering of spam. It's not about unsubscribing from all of the mailing lists you belong to.
It's about keeping your in box at zero messages. That's right: Zero messages.
Right now, having just caught up on my emails while away, my in box stands at just more than 600 messages, the oldest of which dates back to February. (Ashamedly, my personal in box dates back to January 2000 with 475 messages.) So I'm going to start following Mark's advice to keep my in box clean. Among his recommendations:
Concentrate on lessening overall persistent message count, not daily email volume. (Keep your in box empty.)
Delete all spam.
Handle personal emails before work-related emails.
Act immediately on work-related emails: Read, file, add to your to-do list, and delete.
Schedule when you do email.
Never reply to spam.
Filter incoming spam conservatively. (He offers several solid filtering tactics I've already begun to employ.)
Mark says all of that better than I have -- and at greater length -- and I heartily recommend that you download the report. I also encourage you to chip in with the $10 honor-system donation Mark asks for. The tool's well worth the $10. I just sent him some money via PayPal.
Phew! After 11 days vacation in New Mexico and a long weekend for Memorial Day, I had more than 3,000 emails waiting for me in my in box. Because I had guesstimated 4,000 in a conversation last week with Ryan and Simone, I was actually quite pleased that the count was so "low."
Thing is, I just now finished catching up on those 3,000 messages. Almost a week after I returned from vacation. So Mark Hurst's recent report, "Managing E-Mail: What Every User Needs to Know, hit me especially hard. I read it in my hotel room over the weekend in Sonoma County for Roy and Amy's wedding, and it's extremely useful. Mark says that email management is not about server-side filtering of spam. It's not about unsubscribing from all of the mailing lists you belong to.
It's about keeping your in box at zero messages. That's right: Zero messages.
Right now, having just caught up on my emails while away, my in box stands at just more than 600 messages, the oldest of which dates back to February. (Ashamedly, my personal in box dates back to January 2000 with 475 messages.) So I'm going to start following Mark's advice to keep my in box clean. Among his recommendations:
Mark says all of that better than I have -- and at greater length -- and I heartily recommend that you download the report. I also encourage you to chip in with the $10 honor-system donation Mark asks for. The tool's well worth the $10. I just sent him some money via PayPal.
My New Low-Key Local?
After a conversation in which my girlfriend and I redefined our relationship -- we are now "just good friends" -- we walked down River Street to River Gods, a relatively new Irish pub just steps away from Central Square. I don't know why I haven't gone there before, but I'll be sure to return soon. It's cozy, comfortable, and extremely well-designed. Our pints were reasonably priced, and we were lucky enough to check out the bar on one of their Eavesdrop listening party nights. Every Tuesday starting at around 9:30 p.m., River Gods hosts a listening party that includes the playing of a new or unreleased record. Last night, that record was the Belle & Sebastian soundtrack to Storytelling. Next week it's Chris Brokaw's new record. Then Guided by Voices.
River Gods has a full-fledged schedule of other events throughout the week, including a guest DJ night in which members of local bands spin discs and other activities. Folks in the pub last night included Arto from the band Mishima USA, a DJ from one of the area mod nights, and two friends of friends I had met at Mary Mary's All-Star Karaoke at 608 awhile ago. Seems like quite the place to see and be seen if you're into that sort of thing.
Me? I just like the pews. Woot!
After a conversation in which my girlfriend and I redefined our relationship -- we are now "just good friends" -- we walked down River Street to River Gods, a relatively new Irish pub just steps away from Central Square. I don't know why I haven't gone there before, but I'll be sure to return soon. It's cozy, comfortable, and extremely well-designed. Our pints were reasonably priced, and we were lucky enough to check out the bar on one of their Eavesdrop listening party nights. Every Tuesday starting at around 9:30 p.m., River Gods hosts a listening party that includes the playing of a new or unreleased record. Last night, that record was the Belle & Sebastian soundtrack to Storytelling. Next week it's Chris Brokaw's new record. Then Guided by Voices.
River Gods has a full-fledged schedule of other events throughout the week, including a guest DJ night in which members of local bands spin discs and other activities. Folks in the pub last night included Arto from the band Mishima USA, a DJ from one of the area mod nights, and two friends of friends I had met at Mary Mary's All-Star Karaoke at 608 awhile ago. Seems like quite the place to see and be seen if you're into that sort of thing.
Me? I just like the pews. Woot!