Music to My Ears XXIV
The Rogers Sisters rate so much more than a Soundtrack indicia item and I mostly review local-ish records in this category, so here's an unabashed, "I just got this record, I'm listening to it now, and I love it!" recommendation.

Based in Brooklyn, bandmates Jennifer and Laure Rogers also run the east Williamsburg bar Daddy's. And their band fits right in to the highly hyped scene sound there. Equal parts naive girl garage pop a la the Go-Go's and angular Chicago-style no wave like the Scissor Girls, the band revels in a sparse, sharply punctuated groove. Male member Miyuki Furtado any relation to Nell? -- plays Fred Schneider to the sisters' Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. Awesome, awesome harmonies abound, particularly in "Song for Freddie."

I fall in love with bands several times a year, it seems. And today? Tonight? I'm in love with the Rogers Sisters. File your Rapture and Radio 4 records and give this disc a spin. You'll fall in love, too.

Newsletters of Note VI
Fine, it's a catalog. But if I had a million dollars, this is exactly the kind of stuff I'd squander my new-found wealth on. The Winter 2003 catalog of Leadership Directories' guides to "who's who in the leadership of the United States" is an information and social network junkie's wet dream.

For roughly $350, you can subscribe to the service's quarterly directories of members of Congress, city and county government officials, state and federal officials, judges, executives, media workers, lawyers, and other people. Directory entries for the Corporate Yellow Book include direct contact information for officers and management, major subsidiaries and divisions, and the board of directors. And the News Media Yellow Book comprises more than 2,300 national news media organizations, covering executives, administrators, editors, and reporters.

And for a measly $3,300, you can gain access to all 14 directories online. Sheesh. It's like Lexis-Nexis for people! Any Media Dietician benefactors want to spring for the Corporate and News Media yellow books? My birthday's coming up at the end of February.

Comics and Commerce II
Highwater Books has offered all of the minicomics it distributes for your online ordering and reading pleasure. There's a lot of awesome stuff here. Stuff you'll be hard pressed to find anywhere. Stuff like the old Fort Thunder anthology Monster. Stuff like Tom Hart's old Wodaabe Comics.

Corollary: How I've Been Spending My Time
Way back in March 2002, I wrote about a "goofy little video game" that had captured my attention: Snood. Greg Costikyan is also smitten with Snood and has seen fit to explain why it -- and games like it -- don't get any respect. Here I come, you little buggers!

Thanks to Kottke.org.

Business Media Reportage Goes Bust, Now Boom? II
Research analysts at Jupitemedia Corp. have started blogging. David Card weighs in on content and programming, and media and entertainment. Joseph Laszlo expands on broadband and wireless technologies. And Lydia Loizides waxes expert on digital and interactive television, digital imaging, consumer electronics, and PC peripherals. The entries I've seen so far -- mostly one a day -- are relatively brief pointers to articles with scant commentary, but Jupiter's step into the blogosphere is an intriguing evolution for the analyst industry.

Thanks to Ross Mayfield's Weblog.

Soundtrack: Siouxsie & the Banshees, "Peepshow"

Telefun and Games II
If you live in Massachusetts and you'd like to register for the commonwealth's new Do Not Call list, you can do so online. Your phone number, your name and address, and whoomp: No more unsolicited phone calls from telemarketers.


Thanks to Bradley's Almanac.

Summer Fun
Ain't It Cool News is all over the forthcoming Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Concept art, a teaser trailer, and more. Oh, I can't wait for this. When will they make a Haunted Mansion movie?

Thanks to Boing Boing.

Blogging About Blogging XLIV
Goofy-looking Tech Central Station contributor Arnold Kling boldly proposes that "content is crap" and that the Creative Commons Licensing Project is insignificant. If it's so insignificant, what attracted Colonel Kling's ire?

He thinks that the Creative Commons is based on some hippy-dippy ideology that holds that content aggregators, publishers, and media companies are evil and that pure content is golden. I don't think it's based on that at all. I think it's a complement to copyright that can help protect the ownership and integrity of smaller media makers of all stripes. It helps people say that their work can be reused -- and helps them indicate how.

But Kling wouldn't understand that. His work is for hire. The article he wrote is copyright 2003 Tech Central Station. He has no say how it's reused. He sees no future income from his work beyond his salary of freelance wage. And if push came to shove, he might not be able to legally photocopy a printout of his own story at Kinko's.

Huh.

Workaday World XI
I went to the dentist this morning, leaning into the bitter North End cold and waiting awhile in the lobby because the fellow ahead of me had been 35 minutes late because of traffic. While waiting, I read the Wall Street Journal, and in today's Personal Journal there is not just one, but two articles about tooth care.

The Cranky Consumer Works on Its Smile
We test five tooth whiteners, from gel to dentist's chair; fighting the drool factor

Toothbrush Wars: Study Gives Buyers Much to Chew on
A power brush that twists removes more plaque than one that shakes

Speaking of drool, the chip in my lower front tooth -- a chip I got back in September while traveling -- seems to be OK, and I learned that enamel is "multifaceted." That means that it's got a series of cracks already running through it, and it's not uncommon for teeth to chip or flake. On the down side, I had quite a bit of coffee stain on my inside lower teeth, but the hygienist scraped it away without much effort.

On the scrape tip, does anyone else find anything slightly J.G. Ballard- or Crash-like about going to the dentist? There's the element of sadistic and masochistic artifice -- the scraping, the chair, the floss, the mirrors and lights, the devices you bite down on to hold X-ray film in your mouth. And there's the erotic undercurrent that comes from any situation in which you're being administered to -- hair dresser, nurse, dental hygienist.

Maybe it's just me, but all I think think about while biting down on the painfully awkward X-ray film holder was J.G. Ballard.

Workaday World X
It's not even February, and there's a bag of Necco Sweethearts large conversation hearts on the 'Rang at work. I just shook five into my fist. They say:

Darling (purple)

I Got U Babe (white)

That Smile (green)

Teach Me (pink)

Something illegible (orange)

The last one is interesting. Printed so the text bleeds off the top of the heart near the charming butt crevice, it could read something office-y and high-tech like "Fax Me." But it could also say "Frisk Me," "Pick Me," or something quite naughty. I don't think it's as easy as "Kiss Me" or "Hug Me," though.

What conversation heart phrases end in "me"?

Movie Location Nation
Ray Smith has developed an online resource showing what the San Francisco-based locations in the 1968 movie Bullitt look like in 1999 and 2002. An interesting media trigger for a then-and-now urban photography project!

Thanks to Memepool.

Daily Dosage II
Dan Pink, mastermind behind Just One Thing, is hanging up his hat. 2003 will miss you, Dan. Best of luck with the book!

Technofetishism XXVI
Much to my disappointment, Eudora 5.1 has a profanity filter. In folksy language, it cautions you against transmitting emails that may cause your keyboard to get washed out with soap, and even if you select Send Anyway, it doesn't send the email. What the heck? Checking my Eudora settings, there's a Mood Watch option that defaults to warning you if a message might be offensive -- and delays its sending even if you choose to forge ahead regardless. I changed my settings so I'm still warned -- in this instance I changed "shit" to "shiite" to skirt the filter -- but not delayed if I opt to transmit anyway. More than a year ago, Charles Moore asked whether Mood Watch was annoying or entertaining. This afternoon, I was annoyed. Debit, Eudora. Debit.

Hollywood If I Could
I like George Clooney.

No, not like that.

Clooney's someone who did an awful lot of shit before he got where he is today. He's been doing a bunch of interesting interviews to support Solaris and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and in one of them he commented that whenever he turns on the TV at 3 a.m., there he is in another terrible show, with another terrible hair crime. I think only Jean Claude Van Damme tops him for the visual archive of hair crimes committed over the last 20 years.

Once he found himself in a position of power on ER -- in a gift of a role as the understated maverick who could never lose sympathy because he saved children's lives -- he started pulling stunts. He was instrumental in the episode of ER that the cast did live, twice in one night -- once for the East Coast, once for the West. Then he got involved in producing a remake of Fail Safe as a piece of live televisual theatre. Then came film, and starting again, doing some shit, clearly relearning how to act again, because an acting style that's charming on TV just dies on film.

See how often he looks down, in those early films, retains cadences from TV. Then he hooked up with Steven Soderbergh. His head comes up, he learns economy and bigness at the same time. And in Soderbergh, one of America's cleverer risk-takers, he seemed to have found someone who thought the same way.

In another recent interview, he lays this out. He says that the nature of the film beast is that in five or 10 years, he won't be allowed in front of a camera, let alone behind it. So he needs to do the things he wants to do now, while he's in the position of power to make them happen. He comments that Solaris is flopping domestically, though it'll probably make most of its money back in foreign markets. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that they did it. The film is there. And it is -- I realise this flies against the face of all critics everywhere -- a good film. I always hesitate to use the word "emotional" when discussing story, as I fear I sound like the wreckage of Francis Ford Coppola talking shit about the Godfather movies in the beginning of his twilight years. But Solaris has an unmannered, mature emotional complexity to it. It is, in fact, a '70s art-film. It gets the best performance I've ever seen from Natasha McElhone, and Clooney is clearly fucking with his perceived star persona as the chilly, damaged psychiatrist. One of the character's friends calls him "a nihilist shrink."

I grabbed the original Soderbergh script down from Script-O-Rama, and there are some interesting cuts. Anything that added to the science-fictional tone of the film got cut. It's all in the inference in the finished film. It's genre deconstruction, concentrating on the thing the majority of sf doesn't do -- creating a real life in the relationships.

It may not be what anyone wanted to see, but it's the film they wanted to make.

At similar peaks, people in Clooney's position tend to do things that will maintain or crest that peak. Running to stand still. There's something admirable in someone who says, now I'm going to do the things I need to do until they kick me off the peak. -- Warren Ellis

Reprinted with permission.

Corollary: Blogging About Blogging XLIII
Yet again, the folks behind the Bloggies chose not to include photoblogs as a category. So photobloggers are organizing their own photoblog awards, the 2003 Photobloggies. My guess is that photoblogs weren't included because the Bloggies organizers define blogs as pages "with dated entries that have a purpose (in whole or in part) of linking to other sites." Additionally, "sites that are intended to be just personal journals or site news pages are not eligible."

So a blog is just a list of dated links, perhaps with commentary? Seems relatively narrow to me. What if the purpose of your blog isn't solely to point people to other sites? What happens to the short entries organized chronologically part of the definition? Short-sighted, Bloggies. Short-sighted. (Or "-sited," ha hee hum.)

Event-O-Dex XXXI
Monday, Jan. 13: Donna Barr, creator of the Desert Peach and Stinz, does a signing at the Million Year Picnic tonight. I think it starts at 5:30 p.m. While I usually don't enjoy signings, I think I'll stop by tonight. I've appreciated Barr's work since MU Press was publishing her and Steve Willis of Morty the Dog fame.

Wednesday, Jan. 15: Boston bloggers may very well gather for the International Blog Meetup Day at the Someday Cafe in Somerville. I've yet to make a Meetup, but you may find me there this week even though I have no interest whatsoever in the topic "Blogging During Wartime." In the back by the big red couch.

Corollary: Event-O-Dex XXVIII
I was unable to join Halley Suitt for her one-year blogging anniversary party last Friday, but Dan Bricklin was kind enough to share some of his snapshots of the event. David Weinberger was there, and they called Dave Winer to join the fun. By the looks of things, the Boston blog set is predominately male. All hail, Halley!

Hiptop Nation IV
Some random snaps from my weekend in northern Indiana.













And some distant shots of the refineries while driving through the park to lunch.





I find sights like that strangely beautiful.

The Restaurant I Ate at Last Night XVIII
For my grandmother's 92nd birthday Saturday, seven members of my family went to Phil Smidt's in Hammond, Indiana, for lunch. Originally opened in 1910, the restaurant's location is sheer accident. Phil Smidt and his wife were on their way to California when their train stopped in Roby, Indiana. The Smidts thought they were in Chicago, so they got off the train. The train left without them, and they decided to stay in the area. Imagine that!



Since its opening, the restaurant -- which originally included a boat livery because of its proximity to Lake Michigan -- has specialized in perch and frog legs. The restaurant is dotted with several display cases full of various kinds of frogs, and the restaurant's phone number is even 1-800-FROG-LEG. When I was a young boy, frog legs were my favorite "fancy" restaurant dish. And after being a vegetarian for 10 years, I ordered frog legs Saturday for the first time since I started eating meat again. They were OK. I'm not sure if I like the idea of eating a frog's legs, especially when they look so leg-like. But the perch was much better.



The original restaurant building burned down in 1945, when an underground gas pipe exploded. The restaurant is now located in a largely industrial area situated between a couple of parks near Wolf Lake, the oil refineries, and a soap factory. The smell of soap was strong in the air outside. Inside, the smell of cigarette smoke was strong.



My grandmother's wedding reception was at the original Phil Smidt's location, the one that burned down in the mid-'40s. Not too long into her reception, it was discovered that the wedding cake had yet to arrive. They called the baker, and it turned out that the cake had been delivered to another restaurant across town. While they weren't able to get the cake delivered in time for the reception, family ate it at a relative's house later that night.

Rock Shows of Note LII
Arriving back in Boston yesterday around 4:30 p.m., I was pleased that the Boston Chamber Music Society performance didn't start until 7:30. That gave me plenty of time to drop my suitcase off at home, head to Harvard Square for a quick visit to the Picnic, where Cheryl told me about the Art Club that she and TD have been organizing -- and to Charlie's, where I had my customary grilled cheese sandwich. Disappointed that Charlie's has stopped tapping both Red Hook ESB and Harpoon IPA now (my two favorite beers), I sought solace at the record store before making my way to Sanders Theatre at Harvard.

Part of me wanted to head home. That part exerted itself especially strongly after a relatively lackluster performance of Frederick Chopin's Cello Sonata in G minor. But I stuck it out through the intermission and was quite pleased in the end.

Opening the show, cellist and artistic director Ronald Thomas was joined by Randall Hodgkinson on piano, Fenwick Smith on flute, Dean Anderson on percussion, and Sandra Laub as narrator. The piece: Earl Kim's "Dear Linda," which was based on a letter Anne Sexton wrote her daughter while on a flight to St. Louis. Laub's recitation was clear and resonant, and I was impressed by the cyclical rough bowing in the beginning of the piece. Anderson's tympani, xylophone, and snare added a nice texture to the work, as well. The token "modern" piece of music on tonight's program -- the fellow behind me commented, "But he always goes back to the 19th century, doesn't he?" -- this is the kind of stuff that's going to keep me coming back.

Because the second piece, Chopin's cello sonata, was relatively boring. Perhaps it was the performance -- everyone other than Ruggero Allifranchini seemed a little low energy last night -- or perhaps Chopin's just not my bag, but this almost chased me away at intermission. I find it slightly odd that Thomas would showcase himself so -- the sonata consists solely of cello and piano -- when he's so front and center anyway. I don't come for the cello and cello alone. More small-group settings! More strings on strings! That said, there was some impressively quiet bowing at the end of the Largo, and the dual tones in the Finale were also worth catching. But on the whole? Not that great.

So, as I said, I almost left at intermission. I was getting antsy. I had stuff to do at home. And even though I had most of the row to myself this time -- last time it was pretty close -- I felt a little claustrophobic and needing to move. But I stuck it out. And Robert Schumann's Piano Quartet in E-flat made me glad I did. Hodginson continued to impress on the piano -- he's a solid player -- and Marcus Thompson joined Thomas on viola. The real bright spot here, however, was guest musician Ruggero Allifranchini. While most everyone else in the society is largely dead in their chairs, playing with little drama or motion -- and Thompson almost puddling in his chair -- Allifranchini brought an energy and a presence to the stage that the society needs more of. Sitting on the edge of his seat, as he would bow upward-moving passages, he'd tense his legs, rising in the chair with the music. No one else in the society seems to feel the music so, and the music is stronger for being felt.

Clearly, though, he's not all flash and dash. His playing ably led Thomas and Thompson -- in this setting, it was clear that Allifranchini was in control -- and I particularly appreciated the Allegro, Scherzo, and Finale. I know nothing about Schumann outside of what Steven Ledbetter penned for the program, but I'd like to hear more -- and this piece saved the society's Chopin bacon.

Soundtrack: Good Charlotte, "The Young and the Hopeless"

Up in Smoke II
Yeah yeah yeah, I was going to quit smoking in June. Then I was going to quit smoking during Christmas week. I did, but when I got back to Boston, I started again. Then I was going to quit smoking for New Year's. Clearly, while I have little trouble stopping smoking -- Christmas week was painless -- I also have little trouble starting smoking again.

Now I'm going to Indiana for my grandmother's 92nd birthday this weekend. I haven't had a cigarette in more than 12 hours. I won't smoke while I'm visiting with the fam, and I don't plan on smoking when I get back to Boss town. A friend recently called me wishy washy. I've got to have the willpower to stop. And stay stopped.

Related resources:

QuitNet: Includes a calculator for keeping track of how many cigarettes you haven't smoked, how much money you've saved, and how much longer you'll live

The Truth: Local zinemaker Rich Mackin works on this campaign -- chock full of research

Truth in Advertising: A collection of vintage cigarette advertisements from the age of innocence

CigaretteLitter: The facts about cigarette butts and litter

Big Brother Is Watching IX
Neil Hrab spent World Sousveillance Day with Steve Mann. His piece in Reason offers some interesting insight on Mann's concept of "Web ramps" -- streaming video shopping for items for the housebound -- and Ronald Deibert's work in applied activism.

Thanks to Utne Web Watch.

From the In Box: Technofetishism XXV
X-Tunes is cooler. Well, I haven't run yours, but X-Tunes takes up less screen real-estate. None, until you hit the hot-keys. -- Joe Germuska

Joe's right. X-Tunes is pretty cool. Step off, iTunes Tool!

Conferences and Community
It's official: I'm going to SXSW Interactive in early March. It's been awhile since I've gone to a conference like this, and I decided to get in while the $195 rate was still good. It'll be a good followup to my birthday at the end of February, and it's been ages since I've spent time in Austin. Ah, Austin.

Event-O-Dex XXX
Friday, Jan. 10: I'll be on my way to Indiana for my grandmother's birthday while the Agenda rock the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge. Art-damaged leftist manifesto-making garage rockers riffing off the Make-Up, maybe. Nice! If I weren't in the Midwest, I'd so be at this show. Crash! Crash!

Wednesday, Jan. 15: Lots going on at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge -- MC Traffic Cop of Sinus Brady, Larry Meyerhoff on hammered dulcimer, Ted Drozdowski doing blues slide guitar and drums, Peter Moore solo with keys, the Binary System, Mascara, and Sandro G's Portuguese and English hip hop.

The Movie I Watched Last Night XLIX
Shrek
Did people really like this movie enough to warrant scheduling a sequel for 2004? Ugh! Not only did I think that the animation was absolutely awful, the whole celebrity voiceover thing didn't work for me. Thankfully, Mike Myers' Scottish goblin wasn't always identifiably him, but Eddie Murphy's singing donkey irritated me to no end. A sort of Beauty and the Beast redux, the movie did have a funny allusion to lycanthropy, and there were a couple of nice moments -- the dragon/donkey romance and Princess Fiona's Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon martial arts moves. In addition to the celebrity voiceovers, I was also thrown by the pop-song soundtrack. Might have worked better with a straight-forward score instead of Smash Mouth, you know? I mean, Smash Mouth? Ugh.

Technofetishism XXVI
I recently realized, during a marathon CD ripping stint over the holidays, that I have almost 30 GB of MP3's on my laptop -- and a 40 GB hard drive. That's more than 8,000 songs. I've not experienced any challenges relating to that yet, but I thought it'd be a good idea to get an external hard drive. So I'm now the proud owner of a 40GB Iomega external hard drive. My first external hard drive ever.

Soundtrack: Gordon Gano, "Hitting the Ground"

Blogging About Blogging XLIII
C Monks pokes fun at people who blog about changes they've made to the design of their blog. I promise not to do something like that ever again.

Music to My Eyes VII
Reasons to love England: No. 23. The Cheeky Girls. "Come and smile. Don’t be shy. Touch my bum. This is life."

Thanks to Lunch Is Fun.

Technofetishism XXV
I'm using several new applications that I'm quite fond of. And I think Mac-using Media Dieticians might be, too.

Time Palette is a world time and mapping tool that offers several neat features. I now have a time bar across the top of my desktop highlighting local times in several cities around the world. There's a meeting scheduler that translates time-zone differences. And there's a local weather report window in which you can track meteorological phenomena in multiple locations. It's been clear in Minocqua, Wisconsin, for the last few days!

CookWare Deluxe is a recipe management tool that helps you search recipes by ingredient, compile grocery lists, and compose cookbook pages for printout. I've not really used it while cooking yet, but I have added a recipe for Nanaimo bars, a British Columbian treat.

iTunes Tool, despite one of the more ungainly icons I've encountered recently, is a handy iTunes add-on. Instead of keeping iTunes up and visible in its own window while you're listening to MP3's, iTunes Tool allows you to keep the window diminished but still retain control over your the iTunes player. With an extremely small screen imprint, the tool features play, pause, and skip controls, giving you iTunes control without taking up as much real estate.

Lastly, My DVD Library is a light application that will keep track of your, well, DVD collection. Developed to make it easier to keep track of what DVD's you've lent to friends, the program also features the ability to export your collection as an HTML file so you can post it on the Web. I spent some time last week or so adding my 70-plus DVDs to the app, and they didn't seem to stick. I'll let you know if I have further problems with the tool, but on its face, it seems pretty cool.

Event-O-Dex XXIX
Tonight, starting at 9 p.m., Emily of the Operators will host WMFO-FM's On the Town with Mikey Dee. The program will feature musical guests the Secret Channel and interview guest Jef Czekaj of the Anchormen. Turn on, tune in, and turn it up! You may even get to hear some of the early Anchormen mixes.

From the In Box: The Movie I Watched Last Night XLVIII
Will they remake the Hobbit? Peter Jackson, Ian Holm, and New Line talked about this, but I don't think that Jackson will be doing it. He's been making nothing but noises for a year about wanting to do something smaller and more intimate next, a la Heavenly Creatures (his Kate Winslet film about murderous sisters). Although, given that Fellowship made over $1,000,000,000 so far, and Towers will probably match (or exceed) that, I'm sure the Tolkien estate will get someone to make it. -- Joe Sizzle

Mention Me! XXVIII
A shout out to Aaron Bailey, who mentioned Media Diet in his blog 6:01 a.m. way back in November.

Also, hello to the folks at the Unknown News Network, who include Media Diet in their Link Library.

The Restaurant I Ate at Last Night XVII
Sunday: India Pavilion
Located on Central Square in Cambridge, this is self-described as the first Indian restaurant in Cambridge. Founded in 1979 by Mohan Singh Siani, who also runs Gandhi, Akbar India, the Taj Mahal, and India Food & Spices in the Boston area, India Pavilion is a comfortable, friendly restaurant. Sarah and I ordered the lamb vindaloo curry and the lamb pasanda, sharing a garlic naan and each ordering mango lassis. Not only did we make the mistake of asking for the food to be spicy -- the dishes were extremely hot, two lassis hot -- we ate way too much. We're not sure if it was all the yogurt in the lassis, but we were filled to bursting and had to ride out dinner on the big blue couch, glued to the television. India Pavilion isn't too expensive, and the food is good. But I'm surprised there were no Indian restaurants in Cambridge until 1979.

Tuesday: The Phoenix Landing
Even though I've lived in the Boston area since 1996 -- and on Central Square for more than a year -- I've never once gone to the Phoenix Landing, for dinner, for drinks, or for the DJ's. Last night, however, I met Andrea there for dinner. Surprised that the space is so large and open -- I was picturing a narrow bar-like space -- I was slightly confused by the Landing's equal trappings of bar and restaurant. Largely a bar, you can smoke in most of the space. But the menu -- and the ample table seating -- sings restaurant. Andrea got the apple-stuffed chicken, which appeared tasty, and I ordered the shepherd's pie. I've never had shepherd's pie before, and it's not really a pie, now, is it? Ground beef mixed with vegetables topped with mashed potatoes, and another order of mashed potatoes on the side really filled me up, so I didn't take too many tastes of Andrea's carrot cake. I also tried Boddington's ale for the first time. A little sweet for my taste -- I don't like hella sweet beers -- Boddington's blends smoothness with just a little bite. Not sure if I'll return too soon, but the restaurant seems to attract regulars from the neighborhood -- including a woman who works at one of the Central Square liquor stores. Oh, if you go and no one makes a move to seat you? Just seat yourself. They'll get around to serving you.

The Movie I Watched Last Night XLVIII
Do you really care what I think of the movies I watch? I've held off on publishing this entry because I can't really think of anything important or interesting to say. This might be the last entry of this sort. We'll see.

Dec. 22, 2002: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Surely you've seen this already. Maybe 17 times. Me? I've only seen it once, and not surprisingly, I quite liked it. I don't think it's as mature a movie as the first installment -- this one seems much more straight-to-video game -- but the Tolkien mythos continues to expand and delight. I'll have to rewatch the first one again -- and this one again, too, natch -- before I can really know how I feel. My question to you is: Will they remake the Hobbit?

Dec. 23, 2002: The Year Without Santa Claus
Lovely, lovely Rankin-Bass. The irritating Shirley Booth stars as narrator Mrs. Claus, who retells the tale of the year Santa Claus -- as voiced by Mickey Rooney -- decided to hang his hat and take a breather. While the characterization of Mother Nature falls flat and largely fails, her two sons -- Heat Miser and Snow Miser -- perform quite brilliantly. Watch this just for the paired Dick Shawn and George Irving musical numbers.

Dec. 26, 2002: Pleasantville
Usually, I'm pretty loath to watch movies more than once when there's, oh, so many movies I haven't seen yet, but watching this with my folks before heading back to Boston after Christmas week was a wonderful way to wrap up the visit. The concept -- getting sucked into a TV show -- is wonderful, and several cast members stand out. The ever-excellent William Macy is underused, but Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon take to their new personas quite well. Interesting political undertones as the film's plot begins to parallel the civil rights movement.

Jan. 7, 2003: Airplane II: The Sequel
It's been a long time since I've seen Airplane, but I didn't really warm up to this followup until about halfway through the movie. Lloyd Bridges is amazing. Chuck Connors briefly shines as the Sarge. William Shatner provides a fun self-parody. And Rip Torn hides in the woodwork. People seem to think that this was better than its precursor, but I don't see how that's possible. Netflix, here I come.

Anchormen, Aweigh! XII
The rough mixes of all of the songs slated for inclusion on the forthcoming Anchormen CD EP, "A Nation of Interns," are now available for your listening pleasure online. We're probably holding a listening party tomorrow night to pick the final mixes, so if you have any feedback or commentary, weigh in now. This record's taken a year to get this far -- exciting to be entering the home stretch!

It's an Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad World XIX
Maisonneuve offers an intriguing look at Big Fat Inc. and the emerging practice of lifestyle marketing in meatspace. That cute girl mixing the herbal drink with her vodka next to you in the bar just might be a paid plant.

Thanks to Utne Web Watch.

Among the Literati XXI
Kate Bolick uses the turn-of-the-century writings of Neith Boyce as a launchpad to consider the state of the single woman in New York City. As the only female reporter for the Commercial-Advertiser, the city's oldest daily, Boyce paints an independent picture of the life of the bachelor girl -- setting a possible agenda for the "singletons" of today.

Covering Comic Books
Joe Bates' online collection of weird old comic book covers is priceless.

Thanks to Die Puny Humans.

Corollary: Compact Discs and Collusion
Wired News reports on pending increases of the levy added to blank tape, CD-R, and other recordable media prices in Canada. The levy has been on the books since 1998, drawing consistent criticism.

Remember the stateside PMRC-led blank tape tax movement about a decade ago? Wow. Does anyone know where the US stands in terms of recordable media taxes these days? Ah, there's a 2% tax on CD-R's to help "combat" home recording. Most of that money goes to the labels, of course.

Mobile Magazines
In Metafilter today, Iconomy points to some little-known history of the Horn Book magazine, which concentrates on children's books and literature. In the '20s, before the first issue of the Horn Book was even published, Bertha Mahony and Frances Darling, employees of the Bookshop for Boys and Girls in Boston, embarked on a 50-city book caravan tour of New England to promote reading and writing. Literati lore is that the magazine got its name because Mahony and Darling would sound the truck's horn as they began business in a new community. Talk about taking the show on the road!

Compact Discs and Collusion
If you haven't jumped in on the proposed settlement of lawsuits brought by the attorneys general of 43 states, commonwealths, and territories, and by counsel for the plaintiff settlement class entitled In re: Compact Disc Minimum Advertised Price Antitrust Litigation, the clock is ticking.

From the Music CD Settlement Web page: "The lawsuits, which are currently pending in the United States District Court for the district of Maine, relate to the retail pricing of prerecorded music compact discs, cassettes or vinyl albums. Plaintiffs allege that the defendants conspired to illegally raise the prices of prerecorded music products by implementing minimum advertised price policies in violation of state and federal laws. All defendants deny all claims of wrongdoing asserted by the plaintiffs.

"The distributor defendants are: Capitol Records, Inc. d/b/a EMI Music Distribution, Virgin Records America, Inc., and Priority Records LLC; Time Warner, Inc., Warner-Elektra-Atlantic Corp., WEA, Inc., Warner Music Group, Inc., Warner Bros. Records, Inc., Atlantic Recording Corporation, Elektra Entertainment Group, Inc., and Rhino Entertainment Company; Universal Music & Video Distribution Corporation, Universal Music Group, Inc., and UMG Recordings, Inc.; Bertelsmann Music Group, Inc. and BMG Music; and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. The Retailer Defendants are: MTS, Inc. d/b/a Tower Records, Musicland Stores Corp., and Trans World Entertainment Corp."

Basically, if you bought a CD, tape, or record between Jan. 1, 1995, and Dec. 22, 2000, you're a potential member of the settlement group. If the proposed settlement goes through, people involved could receive up to $20 from the defendants. If the settlement group is so large that each participant would receive less than $5, the money allotted will be donated to various charities and nonprofits. You must file your claim by March 3, and there will be a hearing May 22 to determine whether the settlement is fair.

Price fixing is a serious offense. CD's cost too much as things are, especially with so little of the retail price making its way back to musicians. It takes about a minute to fill out the online claim form, and if you're an active music buyer -- and are upset by the possibility of this criminal commercial collusion -- join the settlement group. $20 isn't much, but it's a start.

Event-O-Dex XXVIII

Friday, Jan. 10: Halley Suitt celebrates one full year of blogging with David Weinberger and other special guests at high noon, Yenching Chinese Restaurant on Harvard Square in Cambridge.

Saturday, Feb. 8: Ken Field's 50th birthday fete with the Board of Education and other music at the VFW Hall on Green Street in Central Square, Cambridge. 8 p.m.

Rock Shows of Note LI
I'm a bit bleary eyed today, given the late night that Kurt and I kept checking out the launch party for Punk Rock Aerobics' 2003 classes at TT the Bear's Place. After the aerobics class ended, Hilken and Maura hosted an all-star selection of local musicians performing classic punk-rock songs acoustically.

Highlights included Jim Buni's rendition of the Replacements' "Swingin' Party," Tony Goddess performing Television's "See No Evil" with Ray Needs, and the Operators' version of the Buzzcocks' "Ever Fallen in Love." Among the last to leave TT's, we then headed to the Kendall Cafe to continue our conversation. I caught a cab home way too late for a Monday night. Sheesh, I need sleep.

From the In Box: From the Reading Pile XV
For your information, "Props" has a linoleum block-printed cover, not a screenprint. This accounts for the higher cost. You say this is "not worth the money." Although you are entitled to your opinions, please make sure you have all of your facts straight beforehand. You are more than welcome to contact me before printing your reviews of my work and I would be happy to answer any of your questions. -- Bruce Orr

Off the Shelf IV
Steve Portigal has updated his Foreign Grocery Museum. He's been busy since October 2001! The tooth-shaped toothpaste dispenser from Japan might be my favorite.

From the In Box: From the Reading Pile XV
Thanks for the spiffy review! I'm glad to see that you liked it. People respond well to Cochlea & Eustachia. I'm in the middle of another strip featuring them soon. I'm slowly building up to a larger narrative piece, but it takes time for me to figure out what I'm going to do. Most of my comics are improvised exploratory type things with minimal pre-planning. The results are mixed. Patience will prevail. Thanks! -- Hans Rickheit

Comics and Conflict
I've been a loyal patron of local comic book shops for about as long as I've been able to read. In Wisconsin, it was Capital City Comics in Madison. While I was in college, it was the crummy comic shop (RIP) in downtown Evanston. And since moving to Boston, it's been the Million Year Picnic. Because I'm friends with the owner and most of the staff of the Picnic, I get a pretty decent discount there, but lately, I've been thinking. What if I ordered my comics online every month?

The reasons to do so are as follows: A discount (which the Picnic beats, hands down), totally accurate pulling service based on my orders (which the Picnic is pretty good at, but not perfect), full access to Diamond's ordering database (which the Picnic has), and the ability to pre-order books once... and not again if I don't like it (something the Picnic doesn't offer).

To be totally honest, it's the last point that pushed me over the edge to sign up with and place an order for April's scheduled releases with Westfield Comics. My one beef with the Picnic is that their pull service only works with books you want every time an issue comes out. While the staff is great about occasionally putting something in my folder that I haven't asked for but might like, the pull service doesn't work that well for trade paperbacks, one-offs, and books I just want to try. As much as I disliked shopping there, the shop in Evanston handled this slightly better, with a monthly pull checklist in lieu of a standing subscription form.

So I'm giving Westfield a go. I feel a little guilty because I really like the Picnic, its owner, and its staff. But we'll see whether I like Westfield's service. (And even if I stick with Westfield, I'll still frequent the Picnic for conversation, minis, and signings.) Westfield offers a standing discount of 10-40% on most items, as well as an additional discount based on how much you order. I netted another 10% off because of my order's size. (Let's just say, I was unpleasantly surprised by how much money I seem to spend on comic books; I've never budgeted for this not-so-little media addiction.) They also ship once or twice a month, which means fewer trips to Harvard Square.

Huh. Should I feel guilty? Am I contributing to the death of the local comic shop? Or is online ordering good for comics creators, publishers, and readers? You tell me.

Music to My Ears XXIII
Before the Mr. T Experience show Saturday at Slim's in San Francisco, blogger Dr. Frank was profiled in the San Francisco Examiner, a newspaper for which I used to work. In the jealous department: The Hi-Fives reunited for the show. And this with Chris Imlay working as a designer for Mac Addict, too! Lucky, lucky San Franciscans.

These Links Were Made for Breaking? IX
Sometimes, being Slashdotted can bring down a smaller site's server. Flattering, but a hassle, for sure. In a friendly and helpful Kuro5hin piece, Zonker proposes some guidelines that the big, traffic-driving sites could follow to make sure they don't hurt the little guy.

From the In Box: Books Worth a Look X
I greatly enjoy your book reviews as well. "Days to Read" is a great stat, but maybe including number of pages wouldn't hurt as well? -- Michael Genrich

Your wish is my command. The January 2003 Books Worth a Look entry will include page counts. As Sarah has told me in the past, I read pretty quickly.

From the Reading Pile XV

Bucket Loader #5
Bruce Orr's packing up and heading to the west coast, and it seems that his last couple of comics are housecleaning catch-alls before he relocates. This 72-page comic collects pieces Orr did for his old minicomic anthology by the same name, as well as stories submitted to other anthology projects. I haven't seen most of these pieces before, but if you've read the previous issues of Bucket Loader, this collection might be ground already covered. Standouts include "Vandal," a futuristic look at the politics of graffiti; "Obsolete," a wonderful commentary on the illustration portfolio submission -- and flier-making -- process; and a couple of additions to Orr's "Linka" series, including a cute critique of environmentalism and pet ownership. Complete with his characteristic inking and innovative lettering, this is less abstract than the recently published Props, but as a collection, it's much less centered. It'll be interesting to see what Orr produces after his move. $5 to Bruce Orr, 232 NE Monroe Street, Portland, OR 97212.

Chrome Fetus Comics #5
Hot off the heels of Hans Rockheit's Xeric reprint Chloe, this 36-page collection of shorter pieces continues to expand on Rickheit's darkly surreal world of biological experiments and organic machinery. "Meander" is a dream-like linear narrative that involves inflatables, trains, and sex education. "Please Don't Do This" is a surprisingly shocking cartoon. "Cochlea and Eustachia" introduces two characters I hope Rickheit returns to. Two masked nymphets explore their environment while eluding a pursure. And "Folly" continues the cartooniness of "Please Don't Do This" in an almost Dean Haspiel manner. Another delightful surprise of an ending. Rickheit's artwork continues to improve, and even though I prefer his longer pieces, the shorter bits of punctuation -- like the bearhead sequences -- all add up to create the disturbing world that Rickheit's visions thrive in. $2.95 to Hans Rickheit, 81 Moreland St., Somerville, MA 02145.

Props
Produced in June 2002, this 20-page silk-screened short piece by Bruce Orr is a quick look at love and the threat of loss. A man walks into a bar and falls in love with the bartender. His overtures are almost thwarted by a police officer who soon finds a love of his own. The artwork, though still heavily inked, is more abstract that Orr's previous work, but it's good to see him experimenting with some new character designs and panel layouts. Interesting, but not really worth the money. $4 to Bruce Orr, 232 NE Monroe Street, Portland, OR 97212.

Studygroup 12 #1-2
Zack Soto's minicomics anthology is a wonderful addition to the ranks of self-publishing. These 68- and 84-page collections from 2001 and 2002 comprise unpublished material as well as pieces previously published as standalone minis. While each works well as an anthology, several creators stand out as noteworthy: Erik Van Buuren's "Progresshun;" the monthly Montreal Comix Jam reprints featuring Salgood Sam, Rupert Bottenberg, and Bernie Mireault; Souther Salazar's contributions to #2; David Lasky's "#28 Bus;" Ben Claassen's "Kit Kat;" Marc Bell's sketchbook reprints; and Soto's "Cloud Kids." The second edition reflects a more mature selection of comics outside of Victor Cayro's offensive and insensitive "The Beard and Baby Brother" story, and it'll be neat to see what Soto does next year. He's already come a long way. $5 or $10 to Zack Soto, 4212 Oxford Ave. #3, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.

Yut #1
This 52-page hodgepodge barrage of a comic-cum-zine combines the comic art of Daniel Morgan Landolt-Hoene with poems by several friends and what appear to be comics and zines that might have been printed previously as standalones. Of the comics, the one-page Jupiter strips are existential throwaways, while "Pro-Nun-See-A-Shun" and "Daydream No. 1" are interesting bits of autobiography. Adam Gray's poems are the best of the bunch, and Fletcher Johnson's conceptual short story begs notice. But all in all, Zut is an uneven effort. The 10-page "Book of Friends" by Zimminy Picket would've worked better as a one-off pamphlet, and the photocopier collages have the feel of an unfinished zine project. $2 to Daniel Morgan Landolt-Hoene, P.O. Box 43, Bristol, VT 05443.

Soundtrack: Dirt Bike Annie, "Hit the Rock!"

Music to My Ears XXII
A baker's dozen of new record reviews!

And I Can't Wait "Hardcore Justice" EP
While I admire the band's intensity and idealism, presenting lyrics such as "He will learn about community" so they're indiscernable does no one any good. The lyric sheet represents an array of worthwhile manifestos addressing sexism in the scene, drug abuse, hardcore honesty, and responsibility, but the presentation clouds the content of the creative catharsis. Everything here should be said, but if your delivery mechanism is music -- recorded or live -- it'd be good if the ideas for solutions were identifiable. As it is, the record fails to get its points across. The spoken-word portions are more accessible and applicable, but the angry, acidic screamo sectopns are singing -- screaming -- to a choir. How big is your choir? Wouldn't you like it to be a little bigger? If you don't want people to join your choir -- or even hear your message -- keep it up. But as it is, hardcore records like this are vanity projects. Valid, but vain. Agitprop Records, P.O. Box 748, Hanover, MA 02339.

Baxter CD
This two-CD release is a discography of a Chicago band that was active in the mid- to late-'90s. Members later participated in bands such as the Lawrence Arms, Rise Against, and the Killing Tree. Shades of the Explosion by way of Fugazi, Baxter's sound is melodic yet intense, even if the shouted vocals and chunky guitars sound a little lackluster in the recording. "Burden" is the first song that really impresses me with some nice Dag Nasty moments. Baxter maintains this sound for the bulk of the record, never really breaking out or down. This is frustrating because the band had such promise -- a retrospective discography should be more impressive. "Sidelines" breaks the midtempo monotony and shows what the band is capable of, as does "Attempt." The second CD opens on a more promising note, sharing several unreleased tracks that were recorded in 1997, a year later than the first CD, which was previously released as "Troy's Bucket." The guitars are brighter, and the vocals are more intense. The bass on "Out of Reach," which was released on the "Lost Voices" 7-inch, is recorded a little heavy, but the songs on that record continue the new level of energy and intensity. Interestingly enough, so do the six songs from Baxter's 1995 "Red Tape" demo. Just goes to show that sometimes, raw is good. "Surge" is a silly bit of testosterone posturing, but "I Am a Cop" caps the demo with a wonderful Minor Threat-inspired burst. The final two tracks, recorded in 1998, again feature too-heavy bass and seem to be largely disposable, with out-of-tune singing and some sloppiness. The second CD is the standout here, but Baxter never really takes -- or loses -- control. The edge is missed. Will Not Clear Man, P.O. Box 911, Elgin, IL 60121.

Carpenter Ant "Never Stop Skating"
Skate rock, dude! With songs about dedication, dedication, dedication, this metal-edged hardcore expands on self-expression, honesty, intent, and transition. But despite its skateboarding allusions -- and illusions -- you can't really skate to this. Would Pushead be proud?
Carpenter Ant, c/o Union City Records.

Common Rider "Am I On My Own"
Featuring Operation Ivy's Jesse Michaels and Green Day's Billie Joe, this East Bay punk-rock superstar set features four songs of absolutely excellent pop punk with tinges of Michaels' reggae tastes. The title track is a quick hit of surreptitious sing-along, while "Insurgents" is a slightly more pretentious piece of futuristic fatality, shades of some of Naked Raygun's lyricism. Turning to the B side, Michaels' reggae and ska tastes become more clear. Suddenly, OPIV sans Rancid, makes more sense. I want to thank Billie Joe, in light of his major-label success with Green Day, for his work with Adeline Records, but I also want to thank him for his continued involvement with Bay Area punk icons such as Michaels. Songs like "Thief in a Sleeping Town" could've easily happened in 1989 as well as 1999, or now. Thanks, Billie Joe, for helping Chris bring this to life. Lookout! Records, 3264 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703.

Def Choice 7-inch
Another depressing hardcore record, this time from the Midwest. It is uplifting and inspirational because of its messahes about progress, the evils of advertising, work culture, nationalism, capitalism, the legal system, and pop culture. But it's sad because of the reach Def Choice has. "Handguns & TV Dinners" is a pleasing piece of blistering burst, and the Denis Leary sample opening "We've Got Our Money on You" is comic. Yet the thought behind -- and inside -- songs such as the anti-organized education ditty "The Institution of the Damned" and the anti-consumption screed "Baseball Cards to Colored Wax" is lost in its presentation. Within a subculture, it's always good to reinforce ideas of disagreement and discussion, but how productive is this? One sample says, "Don't let hardcore turn into rock 'n' roll." What if it did? What if more people could receive your revelations? Kudos for the booklet insert, at least. Def Choice, 1130 N. Pine Pl., New Lenox, IL 60451.

High-Steppin' Nickel Kids "Is It Wrong to Imagine the Impossible?" 7-inch
This Boston hardcore foursome should still be around. There's no reason why Massachusetts doesn't need -- and deserve -- a smartly political punk band a la Propagandhi, and I'm afraid that the HSNK were it. Even the song titles on this "special prerelease tour edition" 7-inch are in the style of Propagandhi and Dillinger 4: "Scratch & Win (Void Where Prohibited)," "We Wanted Adventure, We Got Adventureland," "The Good, the Bad, the Midwest," and "Now We Are 27." The music is moshy but tuneful, the vocals are raw but melodic, and the lyrics are thought provoking. RIP, HSNK. You will be missed. At least Andrew's still doing ziines. High-Steppin' Nickel Kids, 22 Mansfield St., Allston, MA 02134.

Lady & the Mant "Inexcusable" CD
Kathy Biehl has long been one of my favorite zine people. Attorney, editrix of the Cardhouse-meets-Lost Armadillos in Heat zine Ladies Fetish & Taboo Society Compendium of Urban Anthropology, creative visualization artist, and improv comedy troupe member, Biehl does a lot of different stuff. This 1999 CD, released when Biehl still lived in Houston, collects 10 pop and rock cover songs performed with two guitars, one keyboard, and "no sense." To a large extent, the songs, including "Ruby Tuesday," "Stand by Your Man," and the theme from MASH, remind me of the Gomers and the related house band for the Madison, Wisconsin, ComedySportz troupe. There are also a couple of novelty songs credited to R. Romanovsky, "Wimp" and "Guilt Trip," self-described by Biehl as the "best roman revenge song ever," which more accurately reflect where the Lady & the Mant -- Biehl and collaborator Rick Mantler -- are coming from. Next stop, as "Sunshine of Your Love" reaffirms: Dr. Demento's dinner theater. Fortuna Works, P.O. Box 184, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438.

Meridians Divided "Blind" CD
Opening with a cyclical instrumental piece highlighting Lauren Hurd's violin work and some tender guitar work by Rob Arnold, this CD eases in with a bit of Rachel's-like classical post-rock. Not a surprise, given the Chicago area's embrace of that sound, but Meridians Divided adds a nice dose of emo-infused intensity. Sleepy post-rock for the shoe-gazing set, this band would be quite at home with now-defunct Boston bands such as 71 Sunbeam and the Also-Rans. With the first vocal line of "Persistence," "Selflessly selfish for you," Meridians makes its case and then proceeds to build on it, touching on themes of love, fear, the passing of time, and loneliness. Ben Belich and Arnold's vocals are pleasant, and the band breaks up the hesitant tone of many of the songs with sone nice surprises. The title track introduces some impressive Kevin Seconds-like elements, again using Hurd's violin to good effect. At times I find the effects on the vocals and bass distracting, especially in "The Soil of Time," but songs like "Light Bleu" make it all worthwhile. A wonderful love song, "Light Bleu" incorporates an intriguing presentation of the verses that overlaps and weaves in and out of the music behind it. Nice. Will Not Clear Man, P.O. Box 911, Elgin, IL 60121.

The Profits "Propaganda Machine" 7-inch
With a female-led hardcore attack, this Boston band opens with a scathing commentary on the duplicitous objectivity of the media. The second song is an under-researched diatribe against biological threats, which, while sharply pointed, comes across as overly cartoony and therefore disposable. Closing off the first side, the band brings back a quick bit of female-expedited explosion ranting about jingoistic consumerism. The opener of the B side, "Fight War," is particularly appropriate give the current political situation despite the son's avoidance of offering solutions in lieu of visceral criticism. "Spoiled" is a more solid commentary, positioned well for Nov. 29's Buy Nothing Day -- critiquing consumption-driven economic development. The name dropping of local shopping centers is a welcome bit of Bostonia, and despite this record's overall shallowness and lack of solutions-oriented thinking, it's great to hear an angry, politically minded punk band in the area. The Profits, c/o Rodent Popsicle, P.O. Box 1143, Allston, MA 02134.

Ready to Fight 7-inch
There are eight songs on this record, one an SS Decontrol cover, a standard Boston HC shoutout, and for the most part, they're your basic aggressive screamo punk-rock numbers. The songs seem to be about pride, moshing, false neutrality, scene politics, wage slavery, and media commentary. A lyric sheet would help this, but not much, as it's overly guttural and gloss-over enough that they might not be saying much more than is readily apparent. That said, "Work Sucks" stands out as the most organized critique, adequately countering the band's misinformed criticism of email. Ready to Fight, c/o Cadmium Sick, P.O. Box 35934, Brighton, MA 02135.

Somehow Hollow "Busted Wings and Rusted Halos" CD
Comprising several former members of Grade, this Canadian four-piece recorded these 11 songs in about a month. For the most part, Somehow Hollow falls on the poppier side of Victory, opting for lighter weight singalong torch songs (line from "Halfway Gone": "I think it's you/oh, it's so you") despite the news release's hardcore rhetoric about solidarity and unity. Don't get me wrong -- the songs are fine; I enjoy the record -- but I'm perplexed by the clash between the tattooed old-school hardcore posturing and boy-band pop production that's running rampant through the scene these days. As tough guy as so many Victory (and Revelation, for that matter) bands want to seem, songs like "Halfway Gone," "Walking Clothed Foot," and "A Lesson in Longing" -- actually, most of the record -- are basically emo songs about unrequited or lost love, presented with a bit more pep and less noodling. Punk points for the Canuck reference "Kamloops" and the odd Lord of the Rings-listing "Witch of Glen Cedar Gate." Major debits for the jangly college-rock opening to "Never Let You Go." Damn you, Dawson's Creek! As strong as Somehow Hollow's power pop or melodic hardcore (or whatever this is) might be, the music comes across as, well, somehow hollow. Victory Records, 346 N. Justine St. #504, Chicago, IL 60607.

Striking Distance "The Fuse Is Lit" 7-inch
This is stereotypical Boston hardcore with moshy parts punctuating the more straight-ahead moments. The music begs little description outside of saying it's pleasantly non-metal, but the lyrics deserve some mention. We've got your generic hardcore hypotheses about rhetoric, the Establishment, conformity, rebellion, and innovation. Records like this actually make me sad. As inspired by and agreeable with their message as I am, I'm depressed by their half-assed analysis and choice of aggression rather than application. OK, I say. So what? What are you going to do? "Find a Way" suggests that we can discover answers within ourselves, and "The Fuse Is Lit" posits that self-satisfaction is self-defeating, but otherwise, what, really, is within striking distance here? Bridge Nine Records, P.O. Box 990052, Boston, MA 02199.

Will Not Clear Man Sampler CD
This four-song compilation is a sampler of the bands currently working with this Elgin, Illinois-based label. Seedy Sea Controversy's "Everyone's Crazy" opens with an energetic melodic number that's somewhat reminiscent of the Lillingtons, although not lyrically. The spooky spy-theme breakdown adds a nice punctuation. Burn Elgin, which could be Will Not Clear Man head Jeremy Hansen's band, contributes "Down," which is structurally similar to the opening track. The song is solid, but the vocals seem a bit thin. Nevertheless, the piece doesn't lose steam and the variations on the chorus at the end -- complete with Freewill-like backing vocals -- are awesome. The last two songs get a little emo and post-rocky, with Over and Over's relatively boring yet anguished screamer "About Face" and Meridians Divided's "Light Bleu" -- a standout from their full length. Over and Over can be dismissed, but I look forward to more Seedy Sea Controversy and Burn Elgin. An impressive small label. Will Not Clear Man, P.O. Box 911, Elgin, IL 60121.

Books Worth a Look X
These are the books I read in December 2002. I read about 180 books last year.

Ancient Joe: El Bizarron by C. Scott Morse (Dark Horse, 2002)
According to Morse's "Sources" essay included in this volume, this wide-ranging embrace of various myths, legends, and histories around the world centers on… love. Ancient Joe is a totemic every-hero who's been alive seemingly forever. This book, written and drawn between 1998 and 2002, collects several tales from the Ancient Joe mythos. Morse details Ancient Joe's acquisition of El Diablo's gold, a long-lost love, and his return to hell to find that love. It's an odd pairing -- Morse's quality artwork and an attempt at a Joseph Campbell-like cultural combination, as well as a sometimes shallow take on shared stories. I'm not convinced that the cartoony, carven Ancient Joe is the best protagonist for Morse's experimental exploration, but the stories as such are solid.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.

Beg the Question by Bob Fingerman (Fantagraphics, 2002)
Previously released as Fingerman's comic book Minimum Wage, this reworked, excellently crafted book is perhaps the best introduction to his work. At more than 225 pages, Beg the Question reads well as a novel, tracking the main character's illustration work, friendships, new relationship, move out of his old apartment, and impending marriage. While Fingerman's artwork can take awhile to get used to, the writing is amazing. This book had me firmly planted on the big blue couch from beginning to end. There are some wonderfully comic moments -- including a friend's "spouting brownage" on his sheets and a surprise realistic cameo by Fingerman, Dean Haspiel, and Ivan Brunetti. Despite some off-register pages, this is a beautiful and believable book.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.

Be Here Now by Ram Dass (Lama Foundation, 1971)
Originally issued as a self-published pamphlet, this volume is really three books in one. The first section details Richard Alpert's self-discovery and transformation into Ram Dass, touching on his work with Timothy Leary and Bhagwan Dass, as well as his experimentation with psychoactive drugs and ashtanga yoga. The second section makes up the bulk of the book, a seemingly hand-stamped and -drawn primer to Dass' original philosophy. The final third of the book, subtitled "Cook Book for a Sacred Life," addresses the practical application of Dass' spiritual path, including advice on sleep, diet, asanas, engagement, meditation, and establishing a zen center. The resource listing at the end of the book is a welcome next step away from this insightful guide to self-discovery.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Weathervane, 1977)
This special edition of Dickens' 1843 holiday tale is lavishly illustrated by Arthur Rackham. I try to reread this every Christmas, and every year, the book reveals something new. This year, I was struck by Scrooge's visit to the tempest-tossed lighthouse and the thieves' selling of his plundered belongings. It's a delightful book rich with warmth and care -- a perfect Christmas reminder.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.

The Collected Omaha the Cat Dancer Vol. 1 by Reed Waller and Kate Worley (Fantagraphics, 1995)
Funny animal and anthropomorphic comics aren't really my bag, much less anthro comics that involve sex. But I have a couple of soft spots for the funny animals, including Arn Saba's Neil the Horse, Martin Wagner's Hepcats, and this historic furry book that's been on my radar as long as I've read comics. What I thought was your basic Eros-style furry porn is actually much more mature and complex. Parts commentary on the advent of blue laws in Minneapolis, mystery story, and softcore porn/love affair, Omaha has now risen in my estimation. The narrative has substance, the characters are multidimensional, and I'll have to give the next volume a shot.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.

Comic Books and Other Necessities of Life: A Collection of POV Columns by Mark Evanier (TwoMorrows, 2002)
Christopher Hitchens has stopped doing his column for The Nation. And Mark Evanier has stopped doing his column for the Comics Buyer's Guide. Funny thing, you rarely, if ever, see Hitchens and Evanier in the same place at the same time. Are they one and the same? You decide. Collecting columns that Evanier penned for CBG between 1994 and 2002, this book sheds light on the perspective of a true comics fan working within the comics industry. Evanier writes about alternate comics universes, his time working for Hanna-Barbera, the trials and tribulations of a comic book editor, shoplifting from the Cherokee Book Shop in LA, the LA Comic Book Club, William M. Gaines' role in the Comics Code controversy, his close friend Sergio Aragones, and other topics. Including several touching tributes to comics creators and co-conspirators, the book is as much a love letter as it is a look inside the industry.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.

The Complete Crumb Comics Vol. 4: Mr. Sixties! by Robert Crumb (Fantagraphics, 1997)
Collecting material created in 1966-67 for American Greeting Cards, as well as early issues of Yarrowstalks and Zap, this volume of the reprint series offers up some of Crumb's first truly underground comics. Also including pieces originally published in Underground Review, Cavalier, and the East Village Other, the book presents lushly colored, fully inked, and totally sketchy pieces that feature many of Crumb's iconic character. Snappy Bitts and Krazy Krax are here, as are Mr. Natural, Flakey Foont, Fritz the Cat, and Joey Tissue and the Dummies (band name alert!). The greeting card artwork is a welcome bit of ephemera, but republishing the Sad Book in full color was largely a waste of space.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.

Days of Love, Nights of War: Crimethink for Beginners by the CrimethInc. Workers' Collective (CrimethInc. Free Press, 2001)
The Atlanta-based CrimethInc. collective is one of the more impressive leftist- and Subgenius-inspired creative groups to emerge in the last few years. Between their columns in Maximum Rocknroll, Harbinger newspaper, and other micromedia activity (including this beautifully produced book), CrimethInc. is an impressively post-leftist and post-punk (in the truest sense of the term) non-organization. This book, then, is a primer to Crimethink. An A-Z sampler of sorts, the tome transmits CrimethInc.'s positions on anarchy, capitalistic culture, gender politics, the hypocrisy of history, image-driven ideologies, media manipulation, the politics of plagiarism, technology, and work. CrimethInc. practices what it preaches, critiquing while constructing. A how-to handbook for helping yourself.
Days to read: 30. Rating: Good.

The Files of Ms. Tree Vol. One: I, for an Eye, and Death Do Us Part by Max Collins and Terry Beatty (Aardvark-Vanaheim, 1984)
I suppose we can forgive Max Allan Collins his movie and TV tie-in novels. His mid-'80s two-color comics series and column for Asian Cult Cinema more than maintain his indie cred. Collecting material from Eclipse Magazine #1-6 and Ms. Tree's Thrilling Detective Adventures #1-3, this vintage volume showcases a long-gone gem of independent comics. Shades of a female Mack Bolan, Tree is a hard-boiled private investigator hot on the heels of a crime syndicate responsible for her husband's death. Full of references to pulp novels of the past, Ms. Tree is a rich read, and Beatty's Johnny Craig-like artwork is a joyful counterpoint to Collins' hard-boiled humor.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.

The Files of Ms. Tree Vol. 3: The Mike Mist Case Book by Max Collins, Terry Beatty, and Gary Kato (Renegade Press, 1986)
Not as impressive or enjoyable as the first volume in the reprint series, this edition collects the Mike Mist Minute Mist-eries and Mist-related stories previously published in Ms. Tree. Equal parts Ms. Tree and Encyclopedia Brown, the pieces comprise one- and two-page self-sleuthing stories, as well as a longer story arches featuring Ms. Tree gleaned from Ms. Tree #9, the Ms. Tree Rock & Roll Summer Special, and Ms. Tree 3-D (reprinted here in black and white). While the longer stories are enjoyable, the Encyclopedia Brown-styled pieces fall flat.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Fair.

The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov (Easton Press, 1986)
Call me a chump, but I've signed up for Easton Press' Masterpieces of Science Fiction collection. The books are expensive, but the production is lovely, and each book comes with Collector's Notes that detail the edition's content and context. This 1972 novel was Asimov's first adult s-f novel since 1957, and it's curious that he occupied himself otherwise for 15 years. It's a solid novel split into three parts. In the first, a scientific discovery brings limitless energy and abundance to the world -- while endangering it. In the second, an alien society in a parallel universe grapples with the same discovery. And in the third, Asimov takes us to the moon, where the political and societal implications are even more intense. The book is good -- I read it in one sitting -- and I can only hope that future selections are as impressive.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien (Houghton Mifflin, 1937)
Inspired by watching the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with mom and dad over Christmas, I decided to reread the Hobbit. What a wonderful book! I remember it being more complex when I first read it in junior high, but it's a clear-cut linear heroic quest of a novel. Tolkien's descriptions of Smaug, Beorn, and the other fantastic denizens of Middle Earth are wonderful, and it's funny how offhand Bilbo's discovery of the ring is treated. I'll read this to my children when I'm a father.
Days to read: 2. Rating: Excellent.

The House at Maakies Corner by Tony Millionaire (Fantagraphics, 2002)
Tony Millionaire, who once posed as Brian Ralph for a photo at a comicon -- and who wrote and drew these comic strips between 2000 and 2002 -- is brilliant. Chip Kidd, who designed this book, which reproduces one strip to an overlong page, is brilliant. Whoever chose the materials for the cover? Not brilliant. Every copy of this book I've seen has been prematurely scraped, indented, smudged, or otherwise damaged. Awful choice of library binding-like grey cover finish. The interiors, however, are breathtaking. Millionaire combines hyperreal period sketches of ships with the pottymouth laugh riot of Drinky Crow and Uncle Gabby. Well read in alt.weeklies such as the Stranger, Maakies is even more impressive in bulk. Kudos.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.

Propaganda Inc.: Selling America's Culture to the World 2nd edition by Nancy Snow (Open Media, 2002)
While I'm slightly doubtful that editor Greg Puggiero's tactic of padding the volumes that comprise the Open Media Pamphlet Series with lefty celeb commentary has merit -- this booklet alone includes an author's note, preface, foreword, and introduction that account for about a third of the text -- I'm glad to see a reprint of Snow's 1998 account of her time working for the United States Information Agency. Snow looks at the USIA's role in global propaganda efforts, analyzes the agency's history, and offers steps readers can take to improve media literacy and foreign relations. At the same time, Snow highlights a lot of fascinating ephemera: the Committee on Public Information's four-minute men, the complicity of Hollywood during World War I, tactics of propagandists, and the USIA's role in NAFTA.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Good.

The Spirit Archives Vol. 1 by Will Eisner (DC, 2000)
Books like this make me wish I had more money. While Marvel has excelled at publishing inexpensive reprint collections, including the disappointingly black-and-white but still necessary Essential anthologies, DC has erred on the side of $50 full-color archival books. Granted, they're absolutely beautiful, especially this wonderfully colored collection of Spirit Sundays originally published between June 2 and Dec. 29, 1940. Marvel's color reproductions have always suffered, but this collection trumps the Smithsonian book in terms of how the Spirit should be reprinted. As I can afford them, I'll continue to buy them despite Eisner's regrettably -- and perhaps now apologetically -- racist depiction of Ebony.
Days to read: NA. Rating: Excellent.

Spunky Spot: A Tale of One Smart Fish by Suzanne Tate and James Melvin (Nags Head Art, 1989)
Fourth in Tate's nature series, this simple story about a spot fish who avoids the temptation of worms is a not-so-thinly veiled anti-drug message sponsored by Just Say No International. Tate's script is silly, and Melvin's art is amateurish, but it's impressive that the Outer Banks have spawned a regional children's press -- and that Tate has created 25 books as part of the nature series, complete with teaching guides.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Poor.

The UFO Silencers by Timothy Green Beckley (Inner Light, 1990)
This lower-cost samizdat edition of the renowned UFO researcher's expose of the men in black is a single-sided, photocopied volume that, at 160 pages, might be incomplete. Drawing heavily on first-person and secondary source accounts of encounters with these mysterious UFO conspirators who attempt to quash research of and communication about sightings, the book builds and builds on its primary case -- that men in black exist -- but fails to deliver any real conclusions or advice for dealing with the possible alien or government agents. The most notable aspect of the book is its insight on UFO culture, as Beckley mentions many of the major UFO researchers, periodicals, and organizations.
Days to read: 9. Rating: Fair.

Video Girl Ai Vol. 5: Spinoff by Masakazu Katsura (Viz, 2002)
While the manga seemed to have run its course with the end of the anime series' six episodes, this manga, which hasn’t been available even as fansubbed anime previously, adds several wrinkles. One, Ai's "master" sends another video girl, the vampiric Mai, to win over Yota and vanquish Ai. Meanwhile, the amnesiac Ai and Yota continue their flirtation while he's turn between Moemi, his longtime friend, and Nobuko, who's more than proved her love to the ever-fickle Yota.
Days to read: 1. Rating: Excellent.

Soundtrack: The Fall, "The Infotainment Scan"

Manna for Media Dieticians VI
I have one (1) Shark MX E-Mail for Game Boy kit for one (1) lucky Media Dietician. The first Game Boy-gallivanting Media Dietician to contact me wins this free setup that offers you email on the go from your Game Boy Color or Game Boy Pocket. Basically, Shark MX provides an email client, phone dialer, calendar, address book, calculator, and clock, making your Game Boy a PDA as well as a games device.

No warranty, no return. First come, first win.

Soundtrack: Kiss My Jazz, "In the Lost Souls Convention"

Pieces, Particles XII
The following media-related stories recently spotted in print publications might be worth a look. Heads and decks, only. Heads and decks. Apologies for the long entry, but it's a 2K2 blowout!

2002: A Cell-Phone Odyssey by Rebecca Weider, Boston Phoenix, Aug. 30, 2002
We're intoxicated by new inventions. But sometimes progress can be problematic.

9-11 Amateur Radio in New York by Bart Lee, Popular Communications, September 2002
A private citizen's eyewitness report on ham radio's finest hour

Advertising by Jane Levere, New York Times, July 31, 2002
A dishwashing liquid capitalizes on cutting the grease on dishes -- and the oil on ducks.

Analyze Disk by Franz Lidz, Sports Illustrated, Aug. 26, 2002
Frisbee designer Ed Headrick left behind one beloved piece of sporting equipment -- and a strange last wish

Are We Still Bowling Alone? by Christopher Shea, Boston Globe, Dec. 15, 2002

The Attack of Stealth Pitches by Leonard Pitts, Chicago Tribune, Sept. 3, 2002
Advertisements by people we would never suspect

Book Reviewing, African-American Style by Wanda Coleman, The Nation, Sept. 16, 2002
It is incumbent upon any reviewer to grasp the diverse happenstances of what was once simply summarized as "the Black Experience."

Brand New Jag by Rob Walker, Boston Globe, Sept. 15, 2002
The Clash sell luxury goods

Case-Sensitive Crusader by John Schwartz, New York Times, Dec. 29, 2002
Who owns the Internet? You and i do.

Comic Book Clubs by Don Allen, Comics & Games Retailer, June 2002
Start your own literary discourse on comics

Comic Strip Uses Clip Art As Antiwar Ammo by Cary Darling, Boston Globe, Jan. 1, 2003

CrossGen Makes Comics Returnable... from the Readers, Comics & Games Retailer, January 2003

Dear Orphan Annie by Jeet Heer, Boston Globe, Sept. 15, 2002
Why cartoon characters get all the best mail

Draw What You Know by Nick Hornby, New York Times Book Review, Dec. 22, 2002
Graphic novels are never dull -- try saying that about most works of prose fiction.

Drive Small by Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, Sept. 2, 2002

Dropping Logos That Shout, Luxury Sellers Try Whispers by Tracie Rozhon, New York Times, Sept. 15, 2002

Eggers Goes It Alone by Malcolm Jones, Newsweek, Oct. 7, 2002

Encyclopedias Still Speak Volumes by David Mehegan, Boston Globe, Dec. 30, 2002
People are going back to the source in print form

Ever Been to a Public Supper? by Brooke Dojny, Down East, July 20002
Some weekends the finest dining in town is at the local parish hall.

Extraordinary Details by Mike Cotton, Wizard, December 2002
Alan Moore's "League of Extraordinary Gentleman" packs in more Easter eggs and cameos than any DVD -- and Wizard points out and analyzes what you might have missed

Finding Black History's Lost Stories by John Fountain, New York Times, Dec. 29, 2002
Project aims to fill in gaps by moving beyond familiar faces

From Fan to the Man by Dave Marshall, Wizard, December 2002
JSA fan club founder gets crack at writing


Me, hardly working

Gay Old Times by Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, Sept. 2, 2002

Ghostwriting the Law by Karen Olsson, Mother Jones, September/October 2002
A little-known corporate lobby is drafting business-friendly bills for state legislators across the country.

Group Think by Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker, Dec. 2, 2002
What does "Saturday Night Live" have in common with German philosophy?

He Lit up HBO. Now He Must Run It by Bill Carter, New York Times, Dec. 29, 2002

Hold That Cell Phone, Chicago Tribune, Dec. 27, 2002

In Battle of the Band, Some Like It Low by Kathleen Brill, Boston Globe, Sept. 15, 2002

In Nod to Vinyl, Some Reject CD's Sound of Silence by Randy Lewis, Boston Globe, Dec. 28, 2002

In Whose Interest? by Ian Donnis, Boston Phoenix, Nov. 22, 2002
Broadcasters use a public asset -- the airwaves -- to make their money. So why do we let them take in millions in political advertising when mandatory free air time for candidates could raise the level of debate in political campaigns?

Israeli-Palestinian Battles Intrude on "Sesame Street" by Julie Salamon, New York Times, July 30, 2002

It’s Time to Turn off Those Bells and Whistles by Matt Richtel, New York Times, Sept. 8, 2002

The Joy of School Supplies by Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune, Sept. 3, 2002

Justices Call on Bench's Bard to Limit His Lyricism by Adam Liptak, New York Times, Dec. 15, 2002

"Kirk, Honey. It's Me, Spock!" by Julie Madsen, Utne, September-October 2002
Women's fantasies find a powerful outlet in these strange stories about odd couples

Laddie Come Lately by Seth Mnookin, Newsweek, Sept. 16, 2002
Has Maxim's babes-and-beer formula finally grown old?

Like the Song, Love the Car by Phil Patton, New York Times, Sept. 15, 2002
Music sells cars. Now car commercials are selling the music.

Look Who Shrunk the Computer by Jeffrey Zygmont, Boston Globe Magazine, Dec. 29, 2002
Wisecracking rebel Harold Koplow was a pharmacist before landing a job at Wang Laboratories. Then, on the verge of dismissal, he designed the first microchip-loaded, user-friendly desktop unit.

Mis-Fortune's Child by Maximillian Potter, GQ, December 2002
Since John Huey took over as the editorial director of AOL Time Warner's magazines, he has presided over an editorial bloodbath. In the space of one year, he has replaced the top editors of People, Sports Illustrated and Entertainment Weekly. In doing so, he has jeopardized almost $5 billion in revenues -- and spread fear through a traditionally sedate corporate culture.

Morphing Magalogs by Greg Lindsay, Folio, July 2002
With third-party ads and oh-so-subtle sponsorships, custom publishing spin-offs are posturing to look and work like traditional magazines

Music to Repulse Loitering Teenagers By by Shari Rudavsky, Boston Globe, Sept. 15, 2002
At Forest Hills, the T has new tack to extract youths: piped-in Pops

My Generation by William Upski Wimsatt, Utne, September-October 2002
A young visionary sizes up the emerging youth movement and tells us there's more where that came from

New Saint Reflects Lay Group's New Influence by Frank Bruni, New York Times, Oct. 3, 2002

The New Weeklies by Jeff Clark, Down East, October 2002
From York Harbor to Mount Desert Island, a flurry of newspapers is sweeping the coast.

Online Uprising by Catherine Seipp, American Journalism Review, June 2002
Many in the mainstream media dismiss the screeds of bloggers -- people who post their views on their own Web logs -- as so much blather. But to this Los Angeles writers, these maverick sites are well worth exploring.

"Operator, I Demand an Automated Menu" by Ron Lieber, Wall Street Journal, July 30, 2002
More companies train staff to aggressively pitch callers seeking customer service

Peeling the Onion by Kathryn S. Wenner, American Journalism Review, September 2002
With its often hilarious pitch-perfect parody of newswriting conventions, the Onion has attracted a dedicated audience for its print and online incarnations. Kathryn S. Wenner takes a behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together.

Police Scanners May Be Headed for Morgue by Carl Sullivan, Editor & Publisher, Nov. 25, 2002
Memorial scheduled in Caddo Parish?


The out basket

The Puzzle Guy by Raoul Mowatt, Chicago Tribune, Dec. 27, 2002
Man spends life keeping people gsues, er, guessing

Report on a Malfunction in the Zucker Unit by John Richardson, Esquire, October 2002
The man who saved television (i.e., NBC's "Jeff Zucker") is brilliant, decisive, and laconic, but is otherwise quite lifelike. All was well until we initiated a "humanizing" profile. We take up the story at this critical juncture.

The Revolution Will Be Televised by Jefferson Reid, Utne, September-October 2002
The top 10 counterculture characters in TV history

Rock and Roll Report Card by Ivan Kreilkamp, Boston Globe, Dec. 29, 2002
Critic Robert Christgau turns the capsule review into an art form

The Slow Lane by John Seabrook, The New Yorker, Sept. 2, 2002
Can anyone solve the problem of traffic?

Sublime Decay by Lawrence Weschler, New York Times Magazine, Dec. 22, 2002
Martin Scorsese and others may plead for the preservation of decomposing film stock, but a radical new film shows that there's unexpected beauty in those self-immolating archives.

Superhero Status Quo by Aaron Schatz, Boston Phoenix, Dec. 20, 2002
Marvel's gay cowboy changes nothing

Televisionary by Don Aucoin, Boston Globe, Sept. 7, 2002
Decades after the fact, the world is just tuning into the work of TV inventor Philo T. Farnsworth

Temporary Beauty by Christopher Hayes, Chicago Reader, Aug. 30, 2002
Poetry guerrillas hit the pavement.

That '80s Show by Mike Rubin, GQ, July 2002
Pulsing keyboards, vocoders and styles straight out of "Liquid Sky." The curious return of electro -- from Berlin to Brooklyn -- drags Reagan-era nightlife back to a club near you

That Guy Showing off His New Phone May Be a Shill by Suzanne Vranica, Wall Street Journal, July 31, 2002
New campaign for Sony Ericsson puts actors in real-life settings; women play Battleship at the bar

The Touch of Brian Graden, Rolling Stone, Oct. 3, 2002
The man behind South Park and The Osbournes seeks to reinvent VH1

Treehouse Residents Receive an Eviction Notice by Patricia Leigh Brown, New York Times, Sept. 8, 2002
A county decides that parks are not for residences.

Tribulations at the Trib by Seth Mnookin, Newsweek, Oct. 7, 2002
Now it's Bob Green's old employer that's being questioned about the columnist's scandalous downfall

Twisted Sister Frontman Still Wants to Rock by Richard Harrington, Boston Globe, Jan. 1, 2003
There's more than music to Dee Snider

Was Romenesko Built in a Daze? by Greg Mitchell, Editor & Publisher, Nov. 25, 2002
Forget Iraq, Osama, and the ad-revenue blahs: When a favorite Web site gets redesigned, all hell breaks loose in media land

When "Gangs of New York" Author Got Mencken Banned in Boston by Carol Schoettler, Chicago Tribune, Dec. 27, 2002

Where Did All the Womyn Go? by Loren King, Boston Phoenix, Nov. 22, 2002
Two local feminist standard-bearers survived almost 30 years of cultural upheaval and technological change. New Words bookstore and Sojourner newspaper have finally succombed, but they're looking to reinvent themselves.

W.S.J.: G.O.P., R.I.P. by William Safire, New York Times Magazine, Dec. 15, 2002
Newspaper war of initialese.

You've Got Mail by Simon Dumenco, Folio, July 2002
A meditation on the lost literature of letters to the editor of In Style -- and why such a letter may actually be a cry for help.

If you work for a magazine and would like to sign me up for a complimentary subscription, please feel free to do so. My address is in the grey bar over on the left.

Soundtrack: The Flaming Lips, "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots"

Mention Me! XXVII
Ross Mayfield's social network map offers a visual representation of links among members of Ryze's Blog Tribe. It also maps links among people who've identified each other as Friends within Ryze. I'm in there somewhere. While visually intriguing -- I didn't realize I was such a wallflower! -- this is the start of some substantial online social network analysis. Thanks, Ross, for taking this on!

Sites for Sore Eyes
It's a lazy week for me, so here are some relatively new sites to distract you from the relative Media Diet Quiet:

The Blogs of War: Dr. Frank of long-time East Bay punk band the Mr. T Experience blogs!

Exploit Boston!: "Greater Boston's independent guide to art, culture, and entertainment events"

Nerd: Joe Sizzle asked, "What would Media Diet be like if it were done by a nerd?" I bristled. Then I remembered: I'm a geek.

Random Web Search: A random word generator plugged into Google. Feeling lucky, punk?

Event-O-Dex XXVII

Saturday, Jan. 4: art opening for Robert Moeller's exhibit of new paintings (large oils in the Diebenkorn manner) at the Zeitgeist Gallery on Inman Square in Somerville

Tuesday, Jan. 7: Tubular Tuesday featuring DJ Boothnavy from Lifestyle and the Let Down, Love Your Enemies (tribute to Microdisney, featuring Aaron Tap, Paula Kelley, and members of Baby Ray), Scrapple, Declan and Wendy, and Endz in Z (featuring Paul Natale) at TT the Bear's Place on Central Square in Cambridge.

Blogging About Blogging XLII
The third annual Bloggies awards are underway. You can only fill out the nomination form once -- and vote once, natch -- so take a look at the nomination form, put on your blogging caps, and get involved. I guess. I'm not sure how I feel about stuff like this -- and I'm a nominating judge for the Webbies -- but I think that Dan Cederholm's a shoe in for best blog-related merch. Let the in crowding begin!

Mention Me! XXVI
I'm a thought leader! Fancy that. Seems I'm keeping some pretty good company.

From the In Box: It's an Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad World XVIII
Thanks for posting a link to my story. I got mentioned on Slashdot, too, so I got several thousand hits last week.

Just one thought: You mentioned it was "a bit Who Moved My Cheese-ish." I beg to differ. The story is more about the dangers of making change for change's sake or modernizing business processes and practices to go along with the latest trends, rather than as a result of actual analysis.

As well, having worked for over three years with a CRM company, I'm becoming more and more skeptical of CRM's claims, and the story reflects that too. I don't believe that the "relationship" a company has with a customer is anything like the relationship that CRM firms try to portray. Maybe I'll tackle it in another
ebook -- fiction or nonfiction. -- Jonathan Cohen

The Art of Protest
The New Haven Advocate recently published an excellent feature about the Beehive Collective's series of posters protesting Plan Colombia. The article touches on the role of anti-copyright media production, the importance of activist "convergences" as distribution mechanisms, and the United States' complicity in Colombia's human rights violations. Reporter Hank Hoffman indicates a deep knowledge of and involvement in protest-based politics, and this is one of the better accounts of a politcal collective's activities I've read in awhile. Worth checking out.

Thanks to Utne Web Watch.

Soylent Green Is... Corporations?
Early last month, local government officials in Porter Township, Pennsylvania, refused to recognize corporate claims to civil rights when it took steps to better protect residents from toxic sewage sludge. In 2000, one of the country's largest sludge-hauling corporations sued the township because it requested -- required -- verification of the safety of sludge dumped in the area. The complaint claims that the township is infringing civil and constitutional rights held by the company.

While the township's legal actions might merely be a response to the suits brought against them -- how can a company claim its rights have been infringed if the company has no rights in that locale? -- what interests me is this case's potential impact on the very nature of incorporation itself. Historically, incorporation emerged in the world of business to establish companies as quasi-legal entities that were responsible for the companies' activities -- an effort to shield the business owners and managers who in fact take action on behalf of those very corporations.

Part of the problem with the cases of corporate corruption we saw come to light in the last year stems from the lack of legal responsibility held by the executives of companies around the world. If an oil company, say, pollutes the ocean, the company is held liable -- not the business leaders that made the decisions that led to the pollution. Anything we can do to better hold executives responsible for the consequences of their corporate actions -- intended and unintended -- would be good, I think. Porter Township might be a step in the right direction.

Thanks to Utne Web Watch.

Comics and Commentary IV
Ninth Art has published a couple of good year-end round-up analyses of the state of the comic-book industry. In 2002 Backwards Paul O'Brien serves up a publisher-by-publisher recount of the industry's hits and misses, touching on some of the biggest comics events of recent note: the launch of Rawhide Kid and the emergence of manga. As welcome as his backward look is, he totally neglects independent and alternative publishers, which is a shame.

The Ninth Art crew didn't make that mistake when selecting the winners of their 2002 Lighthouse Awards, however. By recognizing Top Shelf as the publisher of the year and tipping hat to Slave Labor Graphics, Alternative Comics, Xeric grant winner Amy Unbounded, Roger Langridge, and Jessice Abel, the team shows that even though the Web site focuses primarily on the mainstream, big-publisher books, staff members continue to read comics that really matter. Kudos!

Hiptop Nation III
Some random snaps from my Christmas week in northern Wisconsin.

New Year's Daze II
Happy new year to Media Dieticians everywhere! I've been away from the net for a couple of weeks -- Christmas week in northern Wisconsin, the office network's been down since Monday -- and I've got to catch up on email and some work stuff before I dive back into Media Diet. I came back to 800-plus personal emails and about 1,200 work-related emails. Harrumph.

But I hope the holidays were relaxing and refreshing. May 2003 bring only the best in happiness, health, love, and good fortune! Media Diet will return to its regular frequency relatively soon, I hope.

Schoolhouse Punk Rock
From Revelation Records's Dec. 20 email newsletter:

A lot of people know that Revelation Records was originally going to be called Schism (a name that was later used by Alex Brown and Porcell for their new label). Not as many know that the reason the name was changed was that, according to Ray Cappo, Bold would only agree to release "Speak Out" on the new label if the name was Revelation. For those who don't know, "Speak Out" was originally going to be released by Wishing Well Records, but it took so long to come out that Ray was able to talk the guys in Bold into putting the record out on Revelation.

Who knew?

Tower of Power
An out-of-service water tower that was built as an Art Deco monument during the New Deal is being retrofitted to house Milwaukee's Department of Neighborhood Services. Next month, the octagonal tower will be outfitted with natural gas-fired microturbines, making a one-time landmark a model for sustainable civic energy.

War Correspendents' School
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporter Katherine Skiba recently participated in a six-day Pentagon training session for journalists sent to cover military conflicts such as the pending war in Iraq. Her first-person account of the experience addresses the primary purpose of the program -- ostensibly to make journalists safer -- while countering the potential misinformation overseas by having more American reporters on the frontlines. Skiba's story also sheds some light on the realities -- and horrors -- of war, something most journalists are probably ill prepared to face.

Here Comes Fandom Claus
The Chicago Tribune features an excellent profile of a Rankin/Bass fan who's gone on to make his fandom into a cottage industry. Rick Goldschmidt, a telecommunications worker, has authored two books on stop-motion animation classics such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, manages an archive that's often drawn on for books and other projects, and consults on commercial efforts such as Rhino's recent "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town/Frosty the Snowman" soundtrack reissue. The article is a good look at how fans can become expert historians.

Registration is required to access the Tribune article.

'Tis the Season to Be... AWOL XII
Tomorrow I head to northern Wisconsin for vacation Christmas week.

While I always hope to update Media Diet while traveling, if I don't, that doesn't mean that Media Diet is dead (long live Media Diet!). It just means that it's resting.

Worst case scenario: Media Diet will be back up and running Dec. 30 or Jan. 2. Happy holidays, everyone!

Hiptop Nation II
Some random snaps around the office following Fast Company's holiday lunch.

Rock Shows of Note L
Last night was a double whammy. First up, a great pop show at the Abbey Lounge in Somerville. Shumai, the Tardy, and Seana Carmody organized a Very Indie Pop Christmas show.


Shumai, or the Secret Santas

Originally, this was supposed to be an Operators show, but the band they were trying to bring up from New York City couldn't make it, so the event was rearranged. Shumai's powerful pop was better than what I remember of their Charlie's Kitchen show. I'm sure it was the sound at the Abbey, which is quite good. Cassie O's singing was beautiful, and Don's deadpan harmony added a lot.


One half of the Tardy

The Tardy also played a good set. Jef and Steph's harmonies were better than they are a lot of the time, and the duo performed with a lot of energy. The Psychedelic Furs cover piqued some interest in the crowd, and Jef accidentally invited everyone in the bar to the Q Division party after the show.


Carmody at Sea

Last up, Seana Carmody. The rest of Seana's band was home for the holidays, and to tell the truth, I enjoy her more solo and in scaled-back settings. Her solo stuff last night was wonderful, and the special guest surprises were quite interesting. One of the women from Victory at Sea came on stage to wait in the wings hiding behind the curtain and provide occasional backing vocals. And Seana's boyfriend sat in on drums for a song. Word is he hadn't played drums in six years. "This has been a long time coming," he said sheepishly.

After the show ended, a bunch of us headed over to Q Division for the studio's holiday party. It was a little weird practicing Tuesday, mixing at the Q on Wednesday, and returning with the band last night, but it was fun. And Q Division's holiday parties are always big doings. Most of Boston's rock and pop scenes was there, and if you'd have bombed the Q last night, the music world would be at a sizable loss. Thanks to Dave, Rafi, and everyone else who made us feel so welcome!

Hiptop Nation
My Sidekick was on a delivery truck at 9:30 a.m. today, and it got here about an hour-plus ago. I've been playing with the email client settings and getting organized, and I just tested the camera. Here's a snap of Hiromi, a woman I work with.



We're entering a whole new era in Media Diet, I think.

Also-Has-Beens
Sad news from the Also-Rans, one of Boston's more promising indie pop bands:

After some thought, we've decided that it's time to pack it in as the Also-Rans. It's actually a decision that came easy after the Denny's departure to California. We're just not the same band without him, and pushing on would probably have been half hearted at best.

In the spirit of full disclosure, we've uploaded all of our unreleased demo tracks to our Web site. Just visit the audio page, and make with the click and save.

We're really proud of most of these recordings. Some are works in progress, some might have been re-recorded for a full-length, and a couple others are just-for-fun covers of the likes of Small Factory and the Wedding Present. We're glad to finally be able to share 'em.

Before we go, there are a few people we'd like to thank... people that really did a lot for us as a band and as friends over the course of our all-too-brief existence.

Mr. Scott Sinclair put his faith, money, and time behind us, releasing our debut EP. Thanks, Sinc, and sorry about the coasters. Keep an ear and eye out for his band, the Model Sons.

Dave Norton of BakedBean.net and Certainly, Sir (and a ton of other former and future projects) helped us out a lot with shows and praise. It was appreciated, Dave.

Eric Masunaga & Ellie Lee deserve thanks for their kind words and support. We're grateful for the night at Oni, and the talk of future plans.

Much thanks to all the bands we shared a stage with, especially the boys from Pilot to Gunner and the Red & the Black.

To Amie and Megan goes our gratitude for the random roadie duties, the many rides, your forgiving ears, and for being at just about every show we ever played.

And lastly, our sincere thanks to our friends who stuck by us.

Happy holidays and our best to you in the impending new year.

Yours,
Matt, Mary, Chris, Denny, & Brad

I reviewed the band's EP in May, and while bummed they won't see any full-length recordings, I appreciate their offering the "back catalog" for download. Don't sit on songs people!

It's an Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad World XVIII
Jonathan Cohen of Damn Fine Writing ("taking the hell out of business writing") has written a 40-page e-booklet entitled Santa Claus Vs. the Marketers. It's a bit Who Moved My Cheese-ish, but given the holidays, the state of marketing and all, the story might be a fun Christmas read.

Newsletters of Note V
Last week I received the 2002-2003 edition of Spoke & Word, Bikes Not Bombs' newsletter. An eight-page tabloid newspaper, the annual update includes features about the organizations' activities, including projects in Ghana and Cape Ann. The newsletter also offers information on Bikes Not Bombs' drop-in program, Earn-A-Bike effort, bicycle recycling activities, and youth alumni. One of the best-produced newsletters I've ever received from a nonprofit, the paper also shares a letter exchange that explains the organization's name, as well as some statistics about the U.S. military machine. Bikes Not Bombs is well worth the support of Media Dieticians.

Factsheet Life II
Factsheet 5's former publisher, Seth Friedman, doesn't maintain a blog. "I only have time for so many projects these days," he says. Regardless, Seth's been keeping an almost-quarterly schedule with an email roundup of his favorite URL's called Seth's Web Picks. Here's his Dec. 17 transmission, the "non-holiday-themed fourth installment."

Wow, I'm almost keeping a zine-like schedule here. It's only been about three months since the last installment. Mostly fun stuff this time around, but we do start off with two more serious news-type links which I check into pretty regularly.

PR Watch is a great newsletter which keeps abreast of all the many things spun by PR agencies. Their "Daily Spin" is a like Project Censored, only it's updated nearly every day.

Memory Hole offers another bit of under reported news. What Russ Kick tries to do is keep track of information after it gets wiped away by the media censors.

Another fun Google-driven information tool. More fun that factual, Googlism offers definitions of things you though were beyond definition.

A couple of fun games, sure to pick you up if you are suffering from the Winter doldrums: Wrath and Pedestrian Killer.

Found Magazine kicks ass. If you can't get a copy, their web sight is the next best thing.

TouchGraph's GoogleBrowser is a very powerful graphical website organizational structure research tool type thing.

More fun stuff.

For computer geeks only -- especially tech support guys.

A nice personal project that is generously being shared with the entire world.

Most likely you've seen this one already. Nevertheless, it's still hilarious. I find myself returning to this page every time I see Michael Jackson's name mentioned somewhere.

Reprinted with permission.

Soundtrack: D.R.I., "Dirty Rotten" LP

Technofetishism XXIV
Tracking packages is a dangerous thing. Because I now know that my Sidekick arrived in East Boston 30 minutes ago. I'm not sure I needed to know that. I'm all a-twitter!

Soundtrack: The Southern Death Cult

North End Moment XXXII
As I was walking back to the Scotch & Sirloin building after picking up lunch at Dino's, I was stopped by a man asking for directions. He needed to find a train station so he could take the T to East Boston. But what he really needed was a beer.

Today, the man had been released from prison. He had just served a two-month sentence for domestic assualt and battery. "Got into a fight with the wife," he said. Upon his release, he'd gone to a bank to withdraw some money, but then he got lost in the North End. And now, he needed a beer. "I was walking around, but every place I saw was some sort of fancy bistro."

When I began to describe how to get to a cozy, smoky, old-man dive bar past Haymarket behind the Union Oyster House, the man said, "You drink? Do you want to go get a beer?" I said no, that I couldn't, that I had to head back to work. When we got to North Washington Street, I decided that it'd be easier to point him toward North Station and the bars in that neighborhood -- like the Penalty Box, which might be open at this time of day. I also thought it might be better if he didn't see what building I worked in.

So we parted ways on North Washington Street. The man who'd just been released from prison heading to the Penalty Box for his beer. And I heading back to the Scotch & Sirloin building to eat my lunch... and write this.

Anchormen, Aweigh! XI
The Anchormen went back to Q Division last night to mix a couple more songs for the forthcoming CD, A Nation of Interns. Between about 7 p.m. and 3 a.m., we completed two songs: "Audobon Park" and "Indecision." Here are some photographs from our previous mixing session.


What's behind the grey door?


Chris, doing bass-ic tracks


Abey meet world


Knob twiddlers Tom and Rafi


Blender envy


Guitar army


Our new drummer

The new rough mixes are available for your listening pleasure -- and feedback. Looks like we'll be heading back in by the end of the month.

Oh, if you run or work for one of those record label organizations and you think the Anchormen might be up your A&R alley, talk to us.

From the In Box: Hail Santa!
A friend showed me your site. Real cool. Here is the scoop on me and my project. If you could not post my email adress that would save me a lot of problems. You know how it is. Merry Xmas! -- The Santa Is Real Tagger

Event-O-Dex XXVI
If you don't want to venture to JP for the Mary Reillys show at the Milky Way on Thursday, here's a Somerville-side option that's also alluring:

Thursday, Dec. 19: A Very Indie Pop Christmas with Seana Carmody, Shumai, and the Tardy at the Abbey Lounge in Somerville.

I'll be there, burning brightly on both ends before I leave for a quiet Christmas week in Wisconsin.

Politically Suspect
My friend Mat took this picture at the Bazaar Bizarre.



Embarrassing, isn't it?

Sentient Friction II
Ever wonder what it looks like inside the offices of Tor Books? Ernest Lilley steps in.

Thanks to Leslie Turek.

Rock Shows of Note XLIX
After Anchormen practice at the Sound Museum, Chris, Jef, Tom, and I headed over to River Gods near Central Square for the Neptune listening party. Every Tuesday, this cozy pub hosts a listening party, as well as resident DJs drawing on people in local rock bands. Things start late, so we hung out standing in the crowded room until a corner table opened up.

Wait, you say, didn't Neptune just have a CD release party. Why, yes, they did. But Neptune has recently released two CDs, so they're celebrating in all sorts of ways. "Listening party" is a bit of a misnomer because the volume while they were spinning the disc was way too low -- and no one was really listening. Fact is, what we could hear could have been any band. Every song sounded different, and every song sounde like a different band. Not the best setting in which to listen to Neptune. It's arguable that they are first and foremost a live band, but it would have been nice to actually hear the record as record.

Still, lots of people came out, and the place was packed. Energy picked up a little around 11:30 p.m., when DJ Geisslah took the decks in the arched cubbyhole of a DJ booth. We stuck around for several records, including a Clash song that we initially mistook for Radio 4 (for shame!). Then we left, Tom and Chris home, and Jef to the Lizard Lounge for the Texas Governor show. I wasn't such a rock star. I headed home, read some of Nick Hornby's new book, and hit the hay.

Mention Me! XXV
Shouts out to Chronopolis and the Bottomless Cocktail Party.

Corollary: From the In Box: Blogging About Blogging XXXIX
Thanks for writing. It's great to hear that the ecosystem could help you out! Another good place to look for backups is the Google cache and Internet Archive, if you've been around a little while. -- Phillip Pearson

Yeah. I should've thought of the Internet Archive.

Blogging About Blogging XLI
Kiruba Shankar interviews Cameron Marlow, creator of the much-loved Blogdex. In his ample spare time, Marlow blogs himself, and it seems that he, too, misses the Harvard Square Other Music.

Music to My Eyes VI
Tilman Baumgaertel's interview with Amy Alexander, the "ubergeek" behind the b0timati0n project sheds some strong light on an interest tech-art activity. Equipped with an air mouse, mobile keyboard, and Mattel Power Glove, Amy Alexander performs live as a human search engine. By inputting search terms into her custom b0timati0n software, Alexander obtains results that she can then manipulate, animating them as psychedelic projections and other patterns. The b0timati0n Web site includes a slew of stills, as well as a couple of streaming videos of Alexander in action.

Event-O-Dex XXV
I missed Supernova, much to my chagrin, but next spring brings what appears to be a promising gathering in Vienna, Austria. BlogTalk: A European Conference on Weblogs, is a conference slated to "inventory the current and emerging uses of blogs." The first day will focus on the personal and professional blogging experience, and the second day is more technically oriented, so only one day might pique my interest. But for 20 Euro, you can't beat it. I'm considering proposing a paper.

Technofetishism XXIII
I shouldn't have checked. I shouldn't have checked! But Amazon indicates that my Sidekick has shipped. Oh, joy! They estimate that it'll arrive between Dec. 31 and Jan. 13, but I can't see how that can be right. It's Dec. 17. Maybe it'll even get here before I head home for Christmas.

Oh, Andrea. You were right this morning. My Sidekick has shipped!

Mention Me! XXIV
A hearty Red Bull shout out to Daigo Fujiwara.

Blogging About Blogging XL
Extra large is right! Large and in charge. Thanks to the help of Media Dietician Joe Germuska, Blogger's own Evan Williams, and Myelin's Blogging Ecosystem cache, Media Diet seems to be back the way it was before the big Mozilla-Blogger blowout. Thank you for your patience, too. I'm surprised how thrown I was by Media Diet getting all goofy.

These Links Were Made for Breaking? VIII
Nick Denton recently gave props to Friendster, a new Ryze-like online networking service. On its face, Friendster seems to build on the legacy of ye olde Six Degrees, but I'm slightly frustrated.

One of the biggest opportunities for building social capital is the happenstance connection, the serendipitous introduction, the random interaction. And it seems that Friendster has built in the Web of trust concept to such an extent that you can only find, view the profiles of, and connect with people you already know -- or people they know.

This is perhaps a conscious design element, but because the service is in beta mode -- when you sign up, use the codeword "coke" -- I'm not sold on the concept. While I realize people appreciate the option of determining who can contact them and how -- think Net Deva -- I'm the kind of guy who'd appreciate an "open to anyone" option. (I've requested that Denton add me as a friend. We don't know each other, but we'll see whether blind contacts of existing members has any promise.)

As things are right now, I can either invite scads of people I already know to join the underpopulated service... or wallow in a state of blissful isolation. At least Joe's my friend. But I don't need Friendster to connect with Joe. Friendster, on the other hand, needs Joe and me.

That's How the Cookie Crumbles
On the back of my T pass for January, there's an ad for a cookie personality quiz. The upshot is that if I register my T pass number online, I could win some valuable prizes and parting gifts.

There's just one problem (outside of the idea of "registering" your T pass). This promotion with the MBTA is mentioned nowhere on the Patriots' Trail Girl Scout Council's Web site.

Searching for "cookie personality" and "MBTA" yields no mention of the contest or relationship. In fact, Girl Scout cookie sale information isn't even available on any of the top pages. Using the search engine, I can track down an inside page that says the sale starts in January, but you can't order cookies online -- and it seems odd that 14 days before the end of the year, the council hasn't started promoting cookie sales on their Web site.

I know, I know, get off the Girl Scouts' collective back, but really. This is how convergence fails. Maybe the Patriots' Trail Council should take some time on Thinking Day in February and reconsider how they advertise regional cookie sales. 'Cause the promotion on this month's T pass isn't worth anyone's while. And it's disappointing that what could have been an interesting T station to the Web traffic-driving experiment fell so flat so fast.

Event-O-Dex XXIV
Mark Hurst of Good Experience is organizing what looks like a great conference in May. Gel will be a one-day exploration of what it means to create a good, meaningful, and authentic experience. Hurst's got the design elements knocked down -- the gathering will be held at the New York Historical Society, and speakers include people such as Stewart Butterfield of the 5K Contest, Andrew Rasiej of the Digital Club Network and MOUSE, and Richard Saul Wurman of TED fame. The entry fee is a bit steep for a one-day gig -- $500 -- but the conversations look promising.

Blogging About Blogging XXXIX
Thank the gods for the existence of services like Myelin's Blogging Ecosystem. The project caches select pages, and I was able to snag the source code for the Dec. 10 Media Diet entries.

Myelin saved much of my bacon just now, and all that's left is fixing the permalink and archiving code. Media Diet's almost back on the attack!

From the In Box: Mix Tapeology
Found it -- see my blog for the link... -- Joe Germuska

Coming Comics
Yesterday I got a postcard in the mail from Highwater Books' Tom Devlin announcing the publication of Marc Bell's Shrimpy and Paul and Friends. (I reviewed Bell's mini "There Is Nothing!" in March.) The first book collection of Bell's comics comprises more than 160 pages of Shrimpy, his best friend Paul, and others. There's even a 16-page color scrapbook. Can't wait to get my hands on this! Brilliant, Tom. Keep 'em comin'.

Mix Tapeology
Pure Content's Sean O'Brien mentions a June 2002 Mojo magazine article about some research done on the nature and effect of mix tapes.

Two researchers from Hamburg University's Ethnological Institute studied almost 150 mix tapes compiled by about 100 people, including an 80-year-old man. The study found that compilation tapes can be used to communicate potentially tricky emotions; that mix tape makers have an affinity for "concept" collections, in which all the songs -- though stylistically different -- share a common musical theme; and that men find the mixed tape a potent way to share emotions. Nick Hornby, come on down!

After a quick search, I can't find any Web remnants of this study. Does anyone have a lead on the text of the actual research report? Might make interesting reading.

Hail Santa!
In addition to the "Santa Is Real" stencil art that's been popping up all around Boston, my friend Hiromi reports that on Central Square, a sticker that once read the same has been, shall we say, rearranged. From her email blog:

Update on "Santa is Real"... Apparently, neighborhood hoodlums bastardized several of the stickers posted around Central Square and rearranged the letters so, now not only is Santa real, but "Satan is Real" as well.

She was particularly upset by this because the stickers had been placed at children's eye level. Just great. Now we're gonna have a new generation of preteen Satanists to contend with. Just what I needed.

Science-Fiction Spam
In the in box early this morning:

If you are a reliable supplier of the below equipment, I am going to need the following:

1. A mind warper generation 4 Dimensional Warp Generator # 52 4350a series wrist watch with memory adapter.

2. The special 23200 series time transducing capacitor with built in temporal displacement.

While these time pieces normally go between $5,000-$7,000 a piece, I am having a hard time finding a reliable supplier.

Teleport to me within the next 48 Earth hours, and I will pay $40,000 2002 U.S. cash. Please only reply if you are reliable. Send a (separate) email to me.

Funny stuff, but not funny enough to validate my email address by contacting him to learn who he is. Any Media Dieticians got the 411?

Corollary: Blogging About Blogging XXXVIII
Nothing against Blogger, and nothing against Mozilla, but I'm pretty pissed off about what's happened to Media Diet. We'll see how long it takes me to repair the damage that Mozilla did, hey?

Please forgive our appearance during construction. Any further griping will find a home in my new blog Heath's Testy Test. I'll try to spare Media Dieticians my angst.

Blogging About Blogging XXXVIII
Evan says that what happened to Media Diet is a known bug in Mozilla and that he and others are working on a Blogger workaround. Ev also says that they thought the Mozilla bug had been fixed and that the bug only asserts itself if you have specific code in your Blogger template. I guess I had that code. Fingers crossed that we'll get back on an even keel soon.

Event-O-Dex XXIII
Lots of indie rock outlets this week!

Tuesday, Dec. 17: Choo Choo la Rouge, Jennifer O'Connor, Torrez, and the Texas Governor at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge.

Thursday, Dec. 19: The Mary Reillys, the Pills, and the Tint at the Milky Way in Jamaica Plain.



Friday, Dec. 20: The Ruby Lashes, Photoflash, the Charms, and Rick Barton & the Shadowblasters at the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge.

Blogging About Blogging XXXVII
I don't know what I just did to so drastically change the template of Media Diet, but I do know this. The Creative Commons Licensing Project is a good thing. And as soon as I can add notification of my license to Media Diet without botching the design, it'll be even better.

Seems, now that I'm poking around a little, that it's not the Commons at all, but that Blogger's templates have mysteriously stripped many of the links within Media Diet's framework. Even the Home and Archives links show up with link tags but none of the href's that certainly accompanied them previously. I'll email Evan and see what's what.

Technofetishism XXII
I know I've gone back and forth between Opera and IE as my default browser of choice, but I just downloaded Mozilla and am going to poke around with this for awhile. I really like the ability of having multiple pages open -- and being able to tab back and forth between them. Pretty nifty.

Workaday World IX
While much of Inc. has moved to New York City, some of the staff is remaining in Boston. Those folks moved at the end of last week from their old Commercial Wharf digs to the Fast Company offices. It's good that the moving chaos is over, and it's nice to hear some new voices and see some new faces in the Scotch & Sirloin building.

Mention Me! XXIII
I must say, it was an honor to have Cory make several BoingBoing posts while sitting at my kitchen table. I tracked down the lyrics to "Rubber Biscuit" on his Sidekick, and we came up with a LazyWeb challenge. It's gotta be all downhill from here.

Technofetishism XXI
OK, I caved. I just ordered a T-Mobile Sidekick so I can join the ranks of Hiptop Nation. Playing around with MacStumbler this weekend with Cory, I found that I can't really piggyback on any networks in the neighborhood because of my PowerBook's wireless reception. I might explore getting an external wireless card and RF antenna to see what's what, but for now, I think the Sidekick will be just fine.

Not since the iPod have I been so impressed by the design of a consumer electronics product. The Sidekick is basically the Web in your pocket. You can use it as a mail client -- keeping received emails on the server so you can still access them on your laptop or desktop -- and the Web browser is surprisingly efficient and easy to use. Googling from Cory's Sidekick on Friday night saved our bacon and got us to the Scrapple show. And in lieu of trucking my laptop home every night -- and then back again on the crowded T come morning -- I think that the Sidekick will meet all of my information junkie joneses. Especially since I can't really synch Pod2Go at home in the morning. Ah. Maybe it's time I invest in some of that high-speed Internet access at home. I'll need to cut some other costs to balance that, I think.

The only real problem is that the Sidekick won't ship until Dec. 24. I'm out of town until the 27th, so fingers crossed that it's here upon my return. Because seriously? I almost miss Cory's Sidekick more than I miss Cory.

Happy Birthday to Media Dieticians X
An email transmitted to Dave Farber's IP mailing list indicates that the 20th anniversary of the Net may very well be Jan. 1, 2003. Yet another reason to party like it's 2K2 come New Year's!