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Friday, June 20, 2003
Blogging About Blogging LXI The previous entry was my first using the new version of Blogger -- Dano. This, then, is my second entry. The next shall be the third. And so on. So far, I miss the same-window display of the post creation and management tools -- a lot -- but otherwise, it looks pretty good. We'll see how it grows on me. Comics and Community XIII With a little nudging from a friend, I've decided to go to New York City for the MoCCA Art Festival on Sunday, availing myself of the Fung Wah Bus that goes from Chinatown to Chinatown for the first time. I'll miss the Highwater Books fete Saturday night, but it should still be a fun day. Maybe I'll see some Media Dieticians there! Among the Literati XL Maura Jasper and Hilken Mancini of Punk Rock Aerobics have signed a book deal with Da Capo Press. The book is slated for publication in January. Thursday, June 19, 2003
New School, New Media Style II Now this is my kind of college! This summer, Jonathan Broad is teaching a course titled 875: The Blog at the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. While much of the curriculum seems to focus on the technical notes and bolts of blogging -- they're using Moveable Type, it seems -- the final week is the week to watch. The fourth week of the course will address blogs and the digital citizen, information ecology, peer-to-peer networks, and smart mobs. Broad is encouraging students to blog the class while in class -- and students are keeping individual blogs journaling their experiences throughout the course. Introducing, the Blog Class of 2003: Very, very cool. Reminds me of some of the zinemaking courses I saw pop up in the mid-'90s. Make sure you check out some of the conversation that's going on in the comments, as well -- particularly in this post about whether blogging is good or bad for shy people. I'll be keeping my eye on the course as it continues. Wisconsin rocks! Music to My Ears XXXVIII Two former members of the High-Steppin' Nickel Kids have formed a new musical group named Bread and Roses. While Morgan describes the band as a cross between Hickey, Gang of Four, and the Pogues, the few songs I've listened to so far bring bands such as White Collar Crime, Dillinger Four, and Citizen Fish to mind. Good stuff -- nice to see this new band gel! Business Media Reportage Goes Bust, Now Boom? XI There's a new business magazine in town! Scarlett is a Vancouver, British Columbia-based business-lifestyle magazine that "celebrates the achievements of women." The first issue looks like a pretty good read. News You Can Abuse IV This is pretty darn cool: The Wall Street Journal Online has launched a new feature on AOL Instant Messenger that allows you to get the latest news using this real-time tool. The type is relatively small even with the AIM window fully elongated, and I'm not quite sure I like the command-based interface, but if you're a media junkie like me, this might make another nice source to satisfy your information jones. Soundtrack: WNUR-FM From the In Box: Books Worth a Look XV In a comment to my previous entry, Media Dietician Gregory Blake indicates that there was also a Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot cartoon. Indeed, there was. The half-hour cartoon aired Saturday mornings on Fox for two seasons, totalling 26 episodes. Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Books Worth a Look XV These are the books I read in May 2003. The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot by Frank Miller and Geof Darrow (Dark Horse, 1996) There's just something about Geof Darrow's ultraviolent Richard Scarry by way of Martin Handford's Where's Waldo? artistic style that impresses me like little else. This collaboration with Frank Miller, following up Hard Boiled, updates the Astro-Boy, Godzilla, and Iron Giant storylines as it follows the adventures of an eager yet ineffectual sidekick and a massive mechanical hero. While Frank Miller is usually the standout in all he does, it is Darrow's art that shines here as he depicts dinosaurs, vehicles, buildings, people, and carnage like few others. The faux vintage comics covers depicting the adventures of the Big Guy and Rusty between 1959 and 1995 are an additional nice touch -- especially the erstwhile educomics. True eye candy for the comics reader. Pages: 80. Days to read: 2. Rating: Good. The Funco File by Burt Cole (Avon, 1970) At first, I wished that this was a collection of short stories, as the vignettes read more like Fredric Brown's short fiction than a proper novel. But it all comes together well with an impressive call back to the book's opening at the very end -- which might be the most impressive aspect of the novel. I was also delightfully surprised how long it took to explain what the title meant. For the most part, the book weaves the experiences and adventures of several parallel antiheroes -- a man who can trace blue light in the air with his nose, an "AWOL soldier conditioned to kill by reflex action," a woman trained in the mystical arts of erotic love, and a backwoods boy -- who team up to help the computing machine that rules and runs the world learn why human anomalies are actually the norm. Slightly more complex and impressive than The Probability Pad, this is a fine example of counterculture-influenced s-f. Pages: 254. Days to read: 10. Rating: Good. Future Boston edited by David Alexander Smith. (Orb, 1995) Much like Robert Lynn Asprin's Thieves' World or the shared-world stories written by Mike Resnick, this book collects the work of eight authors who outline the future history of Boston between 1990 and 2100. The city is reclaimed slowly by the sea -- on which Boston was built -- and aliens arrive, making for some fun speculative history. Largely drawing on members of the Cambridge Science Fiction Writers Workshop, the book includes several useful topographic maps inspired by USGS resources, as well as writing informed by a well-researched bible about culture, economics, physics, politics, and technology. Standout authors include Alexander Jablokov, Smith, Steven Popkes, and Sarah Smith. This is a wonderful example of locally inspired s-f with a strong sense of place. Kudos to all involved. Pages: 384. Days to read: 2. Rating: Good. Interface by Mark Adlard (Ace, 1977) A group of social engineering elite are sucked into a political web of intrigue as a highly dystopian mega-urban future is rewritten. The novel includes some notable extra-urban vignettes, as well as a Haruki Murakami-like mysterious cabaret singer and some nice Isaac Asimov-inspired robot characters. Even though the architect of the uprising was a pleasant surprise, much less his connection to the elite, the romantic resolution was relatively lackluster because, even though I'm a subscriber to the love at first sight school, I didn't feel the hero and heroine's connection warranted such loyalty or love. Still, a good first novel in this series. Pages: 218. Days to read: 3. Rating: Good. A People's History of the American Revolution by Ray Raphael (Perennial, 2002) Purchased to read in conjunction with a class on the American Revolution in Boston and Cambridge I took at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, this book is part of the series edited by the notable progressive historian Howard Zinn. Considering "how common people shared the fight for independence," the book looks at the folks who supported -- and often challenged -- the "founding fathers" of the United States. By analyzing the lost histories of how the working class, women, loyalists, pacifists, Native Americans, and African Americans contributed to -- and were affected by -- the Revolution, Raphael uncovers stories and context that I wish had been shared with me in junior high social studies. Raphael shows that the Revolution was in many ways a class struggle, but he also indicates that much of the conflicts were rooted in self-interest and ever-shifting alliances formed to further self-preservation -- and the nascent United States, even if it wasn't a truly unified collective fight for economic and political independence from England. A required read for any Media Dietician. Pages: 506. Days to read: 28. Rating: Excellent. The Probability Pad by T.A. Powers (Pyramid, 1970) The third novel in a loosely linked series penned by Chester Anderson, Michael Kurland, and Powers, this is the conclusion of a wide-ranging countercultural take on science fiction. While I've yet to read The Butterfly Kid and The Unicorn Girl, I'm fascinated by the notion of a genre adopting the trappings of a subculture -- much less a subculture adopting a genre to further its ethos and ideals. Even though the bottom fourth of the first 10 pages of my edition was torn off, the book gives us a pretty good idea of what happens when a subculture and mass media intersect. While at least one author was based in Haight-Ashbury, the book is set in Greenwich Village, which indicates some sort of distancing, if not market segmentation. The three eponymous heroes discover a confusing plot to take over the planet and, in the end, outwit the invading aliens. There's the usual hipster lingo, as well as some inventive slang and use of typography -- and a righteous happening at the conclusion. If you're a fan or aficionado of the late '60s -- or science fiction -- this is worth checking out. Pages: 144. Days to read: 2. Rating: Fair. Among the Literati XXXIX It'd be a stretch to call Glenn Gaslin an old college chum, but he is slightly older than I am, we did go to college together, and I do consider him a friend. That said, his novel, Beemer, just came out, and it's good. Really good. Look for a review next month. (That said, last month's book review roundup should hit Media Diet soon. Maybe later today, even.) Justin Chang of the Orange County Register recently interviewed Glenn about his wandering childhood, first book failure, and the deflationary realities of urban sprawl, advertising, marketing, and Orange County -- crafting a good look at the man between the covers and behind the book. Great press, Glenn! Street Art VI Metafilter contributor Plep rocks my world today with a roundup of street media resources: All of Duke University's Emergence of Advertising in America, from which the R.C. Maxwell archives are drawn, is worth exploring, but it's not all related to street art and media. Ravaging Radio XI Current National Lampoon COO Dan Laikin plans to start up a new version of the National Lampoon Radio Hour this fall with New York-based syndicator Network One. Original show alumnus Richard Belzer is slated to host the program. "The National Lampoon Radio Hour is ready again to girdle the globe with giggles!" Thanks to I Want Media. Corollary: Read But Dead XIII The publisher of the glossy luxury lifestyle magazine the Robb Report, William Curtis, has bought Worth magazine. The head of Curtco Media plunked down $2.4 million for the title, which hasn't published an issue since March. Word is that Curtco plans to build a family of magazines around the Robb Report. Thanks to I Want Media. Tuesday, June 17, 2003
From the In Box: Magazine Me XXXV -- Joe Germuska What are your favorite magazines? Let me know. The Movie I Watched Last Night LXX Amelie Jean-Marie Jeunet adds some elements of Luc Besson's cinematography in this magic realism-inspired romantic comedy. What a beautiful, beautiful movie. Basically the story of a young woman who's overly sheltered as a young girl because her parents externalized their neuroses on her, Amelie follows her physical and emotional blossoming after she leaves home to work as a waitress in a bigger city. Her child-like glee and love of life is inspirational, and her unrealistic -- although in the end successful -- approach to finding a lover is a joy to watch unfold. So many elements work well in this film: the social microcosm at the restaurant, the role photomats play, the fact that her boyfriend-to-be works in a porn shop, the produce clerk. And Jeunet's visuals communicate Amelie's innocent bliss and fine attention to detail extremely well. A pleasantly dark and comic approach to the love story. Excellently done, and well worth watching if you're late to this film like me. The Matrix Reloaded I finally caved last weekend and made my way to the Boston Common Loews to catch this movie before it left the theaters. While it's not as awe-inspiring or inspirational as the first Matrix movie -- an unrealistic expectation, as far as I'm concerned -- the movie is good at what it does. Damn good. The Wachowski brothers up the ante in terms of special effects with a couple of key scenes -- the ghost twins and the many Agent Smiths -- and, otherwise, the movie is just as impressive visually as the first one. Additionally, the widescreen shots of Zion and other environmental locations are quite nice, even if the Wachowskis risk falling into the Terminator trap if they continue to dwell on the robot war and probe sequences. The threat of the Matrix feels relatively hollow because -- outside of the Architect -- there's little sense or personality behind it. Storywise, the movie is just as rich philsophically as the first one, but the back and forth between exposition and action staggers. The first Matrix was a much more coherent movie. That said, the commentary on choice is welcome, and the Wachowskis explain more about the Matrix world and the myth of the One, which moves the movie ahead nicely. I felt like the Cornell West character wasn't worth all the attention -- much less including; any actor would've done fine. And I felt like the ending could've been less of a cliff hanger. Nonetheless, see this in a theater if you haven't already. It's meant to be seen on the big screen, not on TV. Corollary: Weblog Business Strategies 2003 Look, ma, I'm on MSNBC! Just goes to show that if you publish original writing in your blog, do something no one else is doing -- or in a more useful way -- and otherwise not follow pack journalism a la Blogdex, Daypop, and Popdex, people will sit up and take notice. Less quoting and linking, more writing. Original content, not just commentary. This is my recipe for Media Diet. Disclaimer: I (heart) Blogdex, Daypop, and Popdex. My point is that if everyone is already blogging about something, maybe you don't need to. Do the new. Event-O-Dex LXII Thursday, June 19: Handstand Command showcase featuring the Pee Wee Fist, the In Out, Asian Babe Alert, and the Mary Reillys gets merry at the Choppin' Block in Boston. Monday, June 16, 2003
From the In Box: Magazine Me XXXV -- Maura Johnston -- Jeff Buddle What are your favorite magazines? Let me know. From the In Box: Magazine Me XXXV -- Shannon Okey What are your favorite magazines? Let me know. From the In Box: Magazine Me XXXV Just thought I'd toss in my faves: -- Nate Rock What are your favorite magazines? Let me know. The Restaurant I Ate at Last Night XX Usually, when I order pizza for delivery, I order from one of the local pizzerias in Cambridge. But Friday night, for some reason, I had a serious jones for Domino's. Several things contributed to this jones, including a coupon in an advertising circular received in the day's mail, two Domino's commercials on the television, and memories of how good a slice of Domino's pizza tasted one late night at Paddy Burke's. So I dialed the number in the advertising circular. Even though that Domino's is located on the Cambridge side of Broadway, they didn't deliver to my address. They gave me another Domino's number. I dialed it, and they didn't deliver to my address, either. They referred me to a third Domino's number. I dialed it, and -- thank heavens -- they delivered to my address. So I placed my order: a large cheese pizza and breadsticks. "The coupon is for cinnasticks," the person at Domino's said. "Actually, it says breadsticks or cinnasticks. I'd like breadsticks." "OK, 45 minutes." After 45 minutes, Domino's calls to check on my address. The driver can't find where I live. I describe how the numbers don't quite run sequentially on my block, and Domino's employee affirms that the pizza is on its way. 30 more minutes pass, and I decide that after more than an hour, I should call them. I do, asking the status of my pizza, and the guy says that the driver rang my doorbell and no one answered. I said that the driver did not ring my doorbell -- and that I've been sitting in my living room since placing the order. Since the pizzeria called to verify my address, no one has called or run my doorbell. The Domino's employee affirms that the pizza is on its way. Finally, the pizza arrives. The driver is a little sheepish when I thank him for finally delivering the pizza, but that's little consolation. The pizza is no longer hot and isn't very good. Needless to say, I shouldn't have ordered Domino's in the first place, but I certainly won't be ordering it again any time soon. The experience reminded me while I rarely eat or shop at chain businesses -- ubiquity doesn't mean quality -- as well as an experience I had in high school. When I was in high school, I would occasionally book rock bands for school functions. One time, for a Students Against Drunk Driving lock in, I hired the Gomers to play. We couldn't meet most of the rider they requested -- which even included beer! -- but we did say we'd pay them and provide dinner. They wanted pizza, and the SADD advisor said he'd call Domino's. Dave said that we couldn't order Domino's because they supported anti-abortion rights activists. That is mostly an urban legend -- Domino's itself does not support anti-abortion rights activists, although its founder has and many people boycott the business for that reason. I may not approve of Domino's founder's political and spiritual beliefs, but that's not why I'm not going to order or eat Domino's pizza again. I'm not going to order or eat Domino's pizza again because their customer service is lousy and their pizza isn't very good. Hiking History V While walking to a friend's cookout in Quincy yesterday afternoon, I saw a granite marker near the Wollaston T stop on the Red Line. Turns out the that first Howard Johnson's ever was located in Quincy -- at the location of the marker on the edge of the T station's parking lot.    The marker reads: Site of the first Howard Johnson's store opened by Howard D. Johnson on September 3, 1925. This commemorative marker was erected by Howard Johnson's through the courtesy of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the city of Quincy on January 11, 1972. Howard Johnson's -- or HoJo's, as my dad called it when I was a kid -- started out as a drug store and ice cream shop that branched out along the Massachusetts shore before expanding into roadside restaurants and eventually hotels. HoJo's even operated a vending machine business that sold branded pop, gum, and other items. At its peak, there were 1,000 locations, many of which will soon be gone. In 1985, Mariott bought Howard Johnson's and converted many of the restaurants into Roy Rogers. Perhaps the most notable aspect of Howard Johnson's was its architecture, which combined the traditional New England colonial home with a bright orange roof to serve as a "beacon" for travelers. Why is the T stop called Wollaston? In 1625, Captain Wollaston, among the area's first European settlers, cleared some land in what is now Quincy. Quincy was once part of Braintree but split from that city in 1792. Wollaston is considered a "section" of Quincy, which was named after John Quincy, a relative of Edmund Quincy, who has a colorful history. Fascinating stuff for a Sunday afternoon! |
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