| June 21, 2005 |
Radio Memories
The  liberating
practice of recording content in MP3 and publishing it on the Web gets
another boost. (Take that, Clear Channel!) What better way to celebrate
an early mass communications medium than by disseminating it via
podcast? For starters, try "Radio Adventures," featuring an eyewitness broadcast of the D-Day invasion (complete with original technical difficulties). Or how about a 1943 Jack Benny program featuring Louis Armstrong? Next, listen in on "The Immortal Sherlock Holmes,"
from Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre on the Air. Non-professionals
produce and host most of these programs, so you don't get seamless
pieces of commerce, but labors of love. You can download the programs
to your MP3 player or listen on your computer. (Fast forward past the
commentary if you want.) Or just skip the whole thing and tune in to
Mariah Carey on your car radio for the 100th time. (in News & Media) |
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| June 20, 2005 |
Blood and Honey
Photojournalist  Ron
Haviv cemented his reputation with these photographs from the Balkan
wars of the early '90s. This online exhibit, courtesy of Photo Arts,
features text and pictures from Haviv's book Blood and Honey. Several of the images may be familiar -- his most famous photograph is of a Serbian soldier kicking a dead Muslim woman. The chapters run in roughly chronological order, from "Loyalty" and "War" to "Displacement/Replacement" and "Response and Failure," and the photos speak for themselves. You can also find an excellent New York Times profile of Ron Haviv, and listen to an NPR interview. |
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| June 19, 2005 |
tomatoes are evil
Sauron  of
Mordor. Darth Vader. Satan. Heard of 'em? Thought so. Well prepare
yourself for a new entity to be enshrined in that pantheon of malevolence. That's right, Tomato, the jig is up! Finally, someone is courageous enough to shine a light on your sinister history; finally, someone has the guts to publish recipes and sauces free of your crimson tang. And you out there...yeah, you. Don't believe it? Maybe you can't handle the truth. Listen and learn; this ain't just fun and games
no more. We quote: "Do NOT allow this abomination into your food, your
fridges or your lives." And remember, if you're not against tomatoes,
you're with them. You've been warned. (in Food and Drink) |
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| June 18, 2005 |
Exactitudes
Meet  the Gabberbitches. Shake hands with The Gentlemen of Rio de Janeiro. But, maybe, steer clear of the bouncers.
Sidle up to Exactitudes and spend some quality time with a sampling of
the world's citizens. With this photo series, a Dutch photographer and
stylist join forces to document the "striking dress code of various
social groups." They've captured the uniforms of teens, grannies, and leathermen. They've also classified Massalas, "Mister Wangs", and the Musulmen of Casablanca.
The project draws primarily from the streets of Rotterdam, but still
travels far and wide to document people by dress and stance. In the
process, it shows off the distinct style of many of the world's
citizens. Forget Vogue -- this is true fashion. (in Photography Exhibits) |
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| June 17, 2005 |
Threadbared
We  never
considered vintage sewing patterns to be creepy or uproarious -- until
we stumbled upon Threadbared. It seems Mary and Kimberly, two nice girls
from the South and the proud hosts of Threadbared, have this vast
collection of old sewing patterns, and they like nothing better than to
sit around and mock their acquisitions. For instance, they point out the modelesque woman from the 1940s who appears to have her hand trapped in a muff. Or the feather-haired couple in matching sweaters mugging happily in front of ... the apocalypse. And while we're willing to buy these three men hanging out in their pajamas, why is that guy brandishing a golf club? If you, like Mary and Kimberley, love all things vintage or all things snarky, this site may just leave you in stitches. (in Arts & Crafts) |
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| June 16, 2005 |
shufflehacks
Duct  tape
and soldering iron enthusiast Jim Younkin hosts this lively forum
dedicated to "hacking, modding, and pimping the hoo-ha out of the iPod
shuffle." Note -- these are "hacks" of the nuts and bolts, MacGyver
variety, not the database cracking kind. Witness the Baking Soda Docking Station, the custom JuicyFruit Gum Pack Cozy, or the iPod charger built directly into the chassis of an Xbox Controller.
Three cheers for slacker ingenuity! There are also several stirring
non-functional tributes to the iPod Shuffle, including a chocolate cake
and a spam canape. But our favorite has to be the hand crank-powered
iPod Shuffle charger, for when the power is out and the battery's dead,
but that bumping new Gwen Stefani jam is calling. (in Entertainment > Music) |
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| June 15, 2005 |
The History of the Batmobile
Hello  reader,
this is Alfred, humble manservant to Bruce Wayne. I'm glad I caught
you. I've been asked by Master Bruce to "unload" some of the
automobiles he no longer uses. You see, with his most recent acquisition taking up several spaces in the Batcave, we haven't the room to hold on to his collection of past Batmobiles.
Pity, that. I thought perhaps you may wish to take one or two off our
hands. All are in tip-top condition with low, city-only mileage. This
1968 model comes with iconic twin canopies and "Futura" design. For those interested in something a bit more low-profile, this 1949 Mercury coupe will do nicely. It might not look like a Batmobile, but I assure you it once held the title. There's also the 1989 version.
Sleek, elegant, and I'm told it spits flames. All are priced to move.
Stop by stately Wayne Manor and ask for "Al." Free cup of tea with
every purchase. (in Movies & Film) |
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