Dan @ CMU.
August 31st, 2006 — 11:59pm
Fellow Hen Hud Sailor Dan Eisenberg has started a college blog, Dan @ CMU.
Archive for August 2006
McDonald’s thief.
August 31st, 2006 — 1:02pm
Man breaks into McDonald’s to cook, eat burgers. What the hell, Man?
Dylan profile.
August 29th, 2006 — 10:54am
The Mind is a Metaphor.
August 29th, 2006 — 10:24am
The Mind is a Metaphor is a database of 18th century metaphors for the mind. Once you make sense of the navigation, there’s some great stuff in here.
The end of Nickel Creek?
August 28th, 2006 — 4:22pm
I just got this email from Nickel Creek’s mailing list:
Dearest Listener,
After seven years of extensive touring in support of three records (seventeen years as a band), we’ve decided to take a break of indefinite length at the end of 2007 to preserve the environment we’ve sought so hard to create and to pursue other interests. It has been a pleasure to write, record, and perform for you through the years and we’d like to heartily thank you for your invaluable contribution to our musical lives.
Yours,
Nickel Creek
(Sean, Sara, and Chris)
I’ll be sorry to see them go — Nickel Creek has become one of my favorite bands. I highly recommend seeing them before they go on indefinite hiatus — you probably won’t get another chance, and they’re one of the best acoustic groups around.
UPDATE: Here’s a Billboard article with a little more info.
Edward Champion.
August 25th, 2006 — 8:42pm
Edward Champion’s Return of the Reluctant is a fun blog that focuses on literature, but covers all manner of interesting topics.
5ives.
August 21st, 2006 — 11:07pm
Five fake urban myths I’d like you to earnestly share with your friends and colleagues. From 5ives, a collection of amusing 5-item lists.
Lulu Eightball.
August 20th, 2006 — 5:58pm
Lulu Eightball is a comic which “currently runs in 6 alternative weeklies, one of which is in Iceland.” Written and illustrated by Emily Flake, the strip’s style lies somewhere between Roz Chast and Gary Larson — but more cynical and self-deprecating than the former, and more twisted and vulgar than the latter. It’s also hilarious.
Topics vary wildly. Here are few from my favorite strips: collective nouns, Paul Simon revisited, food additives, NPR, World War II, boxing, and children’s books. (At least one of these is bound to be offensive, and she’s generous with the swearing, so they’re probably NSFW).
TubeSock.
August 20th, 2006 — 5:44pm
TubeSock is a brilliant little piece of software that downloads videos from popular hosting site YouTube. Also, according to the creator, “Future releases of TubeSock will support additional web-based video services, such as Google Video, Porkolt, and by popular request, Pornotube.” ( already allows you to download videos, so I’m not sure of the usefulness there. I’ve never heard of of the other two sites.)
Anyway, there’s not much to say about TubeSock — it does exactly what it says. You plug in the URL of your YouTube video, and then choose your preferred format (MPG, MPG for iPod video, MP4 for PlayStation Portable, FLV, or audio-only MP3). It’ll automatically add the file to iTunes or your Movies folder if you like, too. Then you hit Save, and it does its thing. The results were, to my eyes and ears, just as good as the original YouTube links. Like I said, it just does what it says.
The shareware version only converts the first 30 seconds of each video. Registration for the full version costs $15. It’s worth it if you enjoy fooling around on YouTube, and doubly so if you have a video iPod or a PSP. Download TubeSock here.
Chaucer on games.
August 16th, 2006 — 5:19pm
For the cross-section of English dorks and gaming nerds: Geoffrey Chaucer writes about video games.
Inle Lake.
August 13th, 2006 — 9:31pm
Afterlife Telegrams.
August 10th, 2006 — 8:37pm
Afterlife Telegrams is a service that will have some termincally ill guy memorize a message for $5/word and then relay it to the deceased person of your choice when he dies.
AOL oopsie.
August 7th, 2006 — 7:52pm
Favorite cover songs.
August 7th, 2006 — 7:44pm
Today’s Vox Question of the Day was “What is your favorite cover song?” Too good to pass up, right? Here’s my response, copied from my Vox blog:
Cake – I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
Best parts: the gratuitous profanity in the first verse, and the slightly altered melody of “Oh no, not I.” That flat 7 is killer.Jimi Hendrix – All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan)
Not much to say about this one. Even Dylan admits it’s the definitive version. Best part: The beginning. It almost cranks the volume on its own.Victor Wooten – Amazing Grace (traditional)
A crash course on bass harmonics. Best part: the slide up to G followed by the high hammer-on (about 3:14 on the Live at the Quick version).Nickel Creek – Spit on a Stranger (Stephen Malkmus)
Indie rockers, meet wunderkind bluegrass trio. Best part: the electric mandolin in the background during the second chorus.Cream – Crossroads (Robert Johnson)
My favorite rock tune based on a 12-bar ever recorded. Best parts: Clapton’s second solo, and, of course: “Eric Clapton, please. Vocals.”James Taylor – You’ve Got a Friend (Carole King)
The definitive version, as far as I’m concerned. Best part: the guitar work. Taylor’s fills have never sounded better.John Coltrane – My Favorite Things (Richard Rodgers)
It seems odd to refer to a jazz tune as a cover, but oh well. Best parts: McCoy Tyner’s supremely relaxing piano solo, and Coltrane’s ridiculous sax line at 10:15.Mark O’Connor – Misty (Erroll Garner)
One of the prettier recordings I’ve heard. Best parts: Jane Monheit’s vocals, and O’Connor’s solo.Norah Jones – Tennessee Waltz (Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King)
It’s in the extra features of her live DVD, and it’s better than most of the concert. Best parts: the vocal harmony, and the rhythmic playfulness in the chorus.
Be sure to check out other Vox bloggers’ answers to this Question of the Day. (I still have an invite, incidentally, if this looks like fun to you.)