August 2007
Bowie's Berlin Era
David Bowie (1976 to 1980: The Berlin era) Bowie’s interest in the growing German music scene, as well as his drug addiction, prompted him to move to (West-)Berlin to dry out and rejuvenate his career. Sharing an apartment in Schöneberg with his friend Iggy Pop, he co-produced three more of his own classic albums with Tony Visconti, as well as aiding Pop in his career. David Bowie and Iggy...
“In science there is only physics; all the rest is stamp collecting.”
– Ernest Rutherford
A wish
That whatever my career is not end with headlines that include the adjective “toilet scandal-ridden”
Update on a previous screed: 37 days after ordering it and 20 days after being charged for it, my ViaTalk gizmo has arrived and is now in use. I have a “home phone” again. What a crappy way to begin a relationship with a company.
Early XTC
Inspired by Philip’s recent post, here’s the spoils of the morning’s quest for early XTC videos and performances. This is Pop Are You Receiving Me? Helicopter Generals and Majors (And, yeah, that is a 27-years-younger Richard Branson)
“If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end to end, I...”
– Dorothy Parker
lonelysandwich
“cut. print. there’s your iPhone commercial.” (via del.icio.us/merlinmann/tumble)
“The band listed every person who was present during recording on the album...”
– Loveless (album) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
“So I find men like Larry Craig sympathetic, a little bit tragic. Such a painful...”
– Nelson’s Weblog: politics / larry-craig
NPR: Sandy Bull: Little-Known, but Worth a Listen Sandy Bull’s music sounds like how you feel 35 minutes after taking acid, where you’re not exactly tripping, but there’s definitely something interesting starting to happen. Man was so far ahead of his time. Even 40 some years later (and 6 years after his death), he may still be.
Good beat, and you can dance to it
I will not be treated this way much longer. — Digg User, RickyF
This should be the chorus of “The Windows User Song.”
If the pun wasn’t intended, you should have edited it out.
“at Cold Stone Creamery after swearing never to return. Do they pay these girls...”
– Twitter / Jeff Robbins: at Cold Stone Creamery afte…
Merlin’s Index: ViaTalk Edition
Days since ordering ViaTalk VoIP service: 31 Days since being charged $258.90 by ViaTalk for (thus far) nonexistent service: 14 Unanswered emails to ViaTalk about this problem: 6 Number of service-requiring ViaTalk gizmos received: 0 Communication from ViaTalk on when I can expect anything to happen: 0 What my phone has done for 31 days when people call it: 0
Little Boxes Little Boxes is thought to be inspired visually by the houses of Daly City, California, as Reynolds lived in nearby Berkeley.
notes: The Sound Of Young America...is...
“Either way, Jesse Thorn must be stopped.” (via del.icio.us/43folders/tumble)
Indie MP3 - Keeping C86 Alive!: Minutemen One of my favorite MP3 blogs discovers one of my favorite bands. It’s like watching friends hook up.
Childbirth (Pain) The Huichol Indians have a tradition during childbirth where the husband’s testicles are tied to a rope, which is pulled by the labouring wife when she feels a painful contraction, to share the pain of childbirth. I suppose that’s reasonable. [more]
Keyword: Wilhelm Scream...
Films featuring the Wilhelm Scream, sorted by year (via del.icio.us/merlinmann/tumble)
Today’s Name of the Day: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Very fun to say. Try it.
“Just heard on the radio (in a piece about clothes moths) the phrase...”
– Twitter / But She’s a Girl
Patton Oswalt - “Stella D’Oro Breakfast Treats” Speaking of David Fincher:
SFGate: Daily Dish : Lohan Checks Into Rehab
“The Lodge was recently named one of the best rehabs in America by Town & Country magazine.” (via del.icio.us/merlinmann/tumble)
The Sound of Young America: I'm going on vacation.
Jesse Thorn’s going on vacation and leaving the Maximum Fun keys with Paul Scheer, Bill Hader, and me. Stay tuned for theoretical awesomeness. (via del.icio.us/43folders/tumble)
Poetry slams offer that rare opportunity to be both strident and pretentious.
