I'd liked to have had a interesting or suitably horrifying election day story to regale you with, but the whole experience was rather mundane. I didn't see any Republican and Democratic lawyers challenging anyone's right to vote. There were no arguments. There were no claims of voter fraud or intimidation. Nothing. The only thing out of the ordinary was that I had to stand in line for a lot longer than usual. And since it's unseasonably hot, I got to bake in the mid-morning sun for about 20 minutes.
I vote in an elementary school, and when the line finally moved so that I was actually inside the building, I noticed a full-sized suit of armor standing in a corner. It was holding what appeared to be a real sword that was over a yard long. I couldn't imagine having a suit of armor in my elementary school when I was growing up. We would've destroyed it. And I don't even want to contemplate what some of my classmates would've done with a sword.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Monday, November 01, 2004
Let's get primitive
Prehistoric Music Ireland features a history of prehistoric Irish instruments and they also sell several types of reproductions. [Link via The Presurfer.]
Foiled again
Yesterday at Metafilter I saw a post about the old "Trick Donkeys" puzzle. I've had a small cardboard version of this puzzle for eight or nine years and never could figure it out. (I'm a moron.) I finally got it yesterday after an online hint.
There's also a really cool version done in Shockwave.
There's also a really cool version done in Shockwave.
Early Recorded Sounds
As far as recorded sound goes, it doesn't get much more primitive than tinfoil.com. They have a wide selection of the earliest known recordings and Edison wax cylinders. They actually have a recording from 1878. It's unintelligible, but still, it's 125 years old!
Old Classic Hindi Songs
Old Classic Hindi Songs has a ridiculously large selection of, yes, old classic Hindi songs in .mp3 format. Many of these recordings are from Indian films.
It takes a worried man
I'm not huge on the Carter Family, but they are an fascinating and very historically important American musical group. If you're interested in sampling their music, The Carter Family, Guitar Chords and Lyrics quite a few .mp3's. [Link via gmtPlus9.]
Sunday, October 31, 2004
I wish I was a mole in the ground
I'll be so glad when this election is over. Unfortunately, if 2000 is anything to go by, this election won't be over for a month or more.
I think we'll look back on the 1996 presidential election as the last normal one we ever had.
I think we'll look back on the 1996 presidential election as the last normal one we ever had.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Origins of a Blues
Years ago I got into old blues tunes and one of my favorites was Muddy Waters' signature song, "Rollin' Stone", which came out in 1950. A year or two later I heard a song called "Deep Sea Blues" (I can't find the lyrics) done by someone named Tommy McClennan. It was from 1940 and it was basically the same song.
For years I wondered who the hell Tommy McClennan was and who wrote the song. My Muddy Waters album lists Waters as the author. I wondered if McClennan was actually Waters recording under a different name. Waters' real name was McKinley Morganfield. McKinley and McClennan are sort of similar. Kinda. Same guy?
Later, to confuse matters even more, I got a John Lee Hooker CD not that long ago with a song on it called "Catfish Blues", and it's the same song as "Rollin' Stone" and "Deep Sea Blues". The Hooker tune came out around 1950-51. Who wrote this damn song? (And the lyrics site I linked to above attributes it to Jimi Hendrix, who definitely didn't write it.
Well, yesterday I finally found an article on the song. The story ends up being far more complicated than I imagined.
For years I wondered who the hell Tommy McClennan was and who wrote the song. My Muddy Waters album lists Waters as the author. I wondered if McClennan was actually Waters recording under a different name. Waters' real name was McKinley Morganfield. McKinley and McClennan are sort of similar. Kinda. Same guy?
Later, to confuse matters even more, I got a John Lee Hooker CD not that long ago with a song on it called "Catfish Blues", and it's the same song as "Rollin' Stone" and "Deep Sea Blues". The Hooker tune came out around 1950-51. Who wrote this damn song? (And the lyrics site I linked to above attributes it to Jimi Hendrix, who definitely didn't write it.
Well, yesterday I finally found an article on the song. The story ends up being far more complicated than I imagined.
Burnt Weenie Sandwich
The Zappa Bootleg Page reproduces the cover art of loads of Frank Zappa bootlegs. (I could really do without the Zappa midi music playing in the background though.)
Internet Crime Archives
Internet Crime Archives is a really irritatingly designed page (they even have midi music you can't turn off), but there's plenty of interesting information.
Build Your Own Seismograph
A few months ago I wondered if there was a simple way I could build a seismograph or seisometer to measure earth tremors. I finally did some research online and found out there's plenty of material on making seismographs or seisometers. And this page has loads of links on the subject.
Of course, I'll probably never build one.
Of course, I'll probably never build one.
Make Room for Dada
I can't remember if I've ever seen the Digital Dada Library before, but it's an amazing collection if you're interested in Dada. [Link via Metafilter.]
Monday, October 25, 2004
Ick
Groupie Central is a messageboard of supposed groupies telling of sexual encounters with various celebrities. It's... um.... enlightening.
Kiss my bitter ass!
Bitter Waitress is a blog featuring stories of cheap customers and celebrity behavior in restaurants.
Music for an eclectic world
Actual discs! Real tunes! has a oddball collection of .mp3's and Real Audio files. The selection isn't huge, but it's interesting. I recomend the two Burning Spear tracks, the Agrovators cut, and Rev. Robert Wilkins' "Prodigal Son", which was done by the Rolling Stones on Beggar's Banquet.
Open Source Audio
The excellent Internet Archive has a section called Open Source Audio with nearly 3,000 public domain recordings. Lots of old blues stuff.
Public Domain MP3s
Public Domain 4U has three or four dozen public domain .mp3's. It's mainly old country blues stuff like Charlie Patton and Skip James, but there's other things as well.
Question: Why were so many old blues guys named things like Blind So-and-So? Why were all those guys blind?
Question: Why were so many old blues guys named things like Blind So-and-So? Why were all those guys blind?
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Finally
Hey Volume 22 finally made the Wayback Machine. I've been looking for it there for a year or more with no luck.
Search Requests of the Stupid
Yes, one again it's time to clear out the old stupid search request bin.
are there suppose to be a whole bunch of white bumps on my vagina?
Ahhh...ew.
spanking mom OR mother -monkey -brand -new -bdsm site:blogspot.com
If you find that blog, keep it to yourself, OK?
clowns frighten children
I've been saying this for years; why won't anyone listen?
na na nana sitting in the kitchen
Sometimes the internet confuses me.
pichers funny stuff that will make a seven year old light
I know of no humorous stories with anti-gravitational properties that are safe for children. Sorry.
poison dart frog market stats
I know the economy's bad, but I hadn't realized the poison dart frog market was in bad shape as well.
"No more small pee pee "
I'm proud to be the only site Google lists with that phrase.
generate nude men sign cartoon face breast flash
You do it first.
porno in north dakota
It's just like porn everywhere else except there's lots of snow.
Reflexology & goes on a rampage
Sometimes I love the internet.
wanking for fun and profit
Hell, I've been doing it for free all these years.
Internet Explorer grannies who like sex
But I use Firefox.
lyric "na nana na" 90's
The internet makes me sad sometimes.
we got smelly ear's
Well, good for you. Now go away.
naked school teacher pee "in front of class"
Teachers sometime have to resort to extreme measures to get students to pay attention these days.
you are, your ISP , s you are running on, your cover's blown
Sometimes the internet scares me.
Dukes of Hazzard, spanking
Uncle Jesse had to keep order some kind of way and spanking was his best idea.
il.kim porn.
OK, the search results for this just make me look unbalanced.
are there suppose to be a whole bunch of white bumps on my vagina?
Ahhh...ew.
spanking mom OR mother -monkey -brand -new -bdsm site:blogspot.com
If you find that blog, keep it to yourself, OK?
clowns frighten children
I've been saying this for years; why won't anyone listen?
na na nana sitting in the kitchen
Sometimes the internet confuses me.
pichers funny stuff that will make a seven year old light
I know of no humorous stories with anti-gravitational properties that are safe for children. Sorry.
poison dart frog market stats
I know the economy's bad, but I hadn't realized the poison dart frog market was in bad shape as well.
"No more small pee pee "
I'm proud to be the only site Google lists with that phrase.
generate nude men sign cartoon face breast flash
You do it first.
porno in north dakota
It's just like porn everywhere else except there's lots of snow.
Reflexology & goes on a rampage
Sometimes I love the internet.
wanking for fun and profit
Hell, I've been doing it for free all these years.
Internet Explorer grannies who like sex
But I use Firefox.
lyric "na nana na" 90's
The internet makes me sad sometimes.
we got smelly ear's
Well, good for you. Now go away.
naked school teacher pee "in front of class"
Teachers sometime have to resort to extreme measures to get students to pay attention these days.
you are, your ISP , s you are running on, your cover's blown
Sometimes the internet scares me.
Dukes of Hazzard, spanking
Uncle Jesse had to keep order some kind of way and spanking was his best idea.
il.kim porn.
OK, the search results for this just make me look unbalanced.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Groggy
Ugh, people. Why do I often feel so lousy after I wake up? And, no, I'm not hungover. Nor am I ill (at least not physically).
I wish I had a sort of temporary oblivion chamber. It'd be someplace where I could just shut myself off for a long period of time. I'd probably have to be sedated and maybe have an oxygen mask. I imagine I would also need to be fed intravenously and I would have to have a [shudder] catheter so I could get rid of wastes.
Well, it sounded like a good idea until the catheter bit. I don't want to get one of those.
Maybe I just need a good night's sleep.
I wish I had a sort of temporary oblivion chamber. It'd be someplace where I could just shut myself off for a long period of time. I'd probably have to be sedated and maybe have an oxygen mask. I imagine I would also need to be fed intravenously and I would have to have a [shudder] catheter so I could get rid of wastes.
Well, it sounded like a good idea until the catheter bit. I don't want to get one of those.
Maybe I just need a good night's sleep.
Friday, October 15, 2004
Detail, horrible detail!
The Zoomquilt is an amazing work of collaborative art done in Flash. [Link via The Cartoonist.]
It's pretty amazing. Things come to mind like Escher, Dali, and The Exquisite Corpse, but those aren't adequate comparisons.
It's pretty amazing. Things come to mind like Escher, Dali, and The Exquisite Corpse, but those aren't adequate comparisons.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Altered books, etc.
A couple of days ago in my comments for the A Humament post, Cindy mentioned book altering, a subject I didn't know that much about. Surprisingly, there's quite a bit online about it. I'm not sure I like the idea of tons of people ruining books, but it's a fascinating subject and I do like a lot of the examples I've seen.
Art-E-Zine's Altered Books page is probably the best showing of what books look like once they've been altered. It's a graphics heavy site, so be warned.
Who would've known there's an International Society of Altered Book Artists?
Jenny's Altered Books has several galleries of her work, whoever she is. Nice stuff.
The Altered Book Main Page has galleries, tips, links, etc.
Apparently some people mail the books and let others work on them along some kind of altered book network. That, naturally, reminds me of Mail Art.
The Electronic Museum of Mail Art is probably as good as any place to start to see actual Mail Art.
MAIL ART 1955 to 1995: Democratic art as social sculpture is someone's thesis.
Fan Mail appears to be new works from over 150 artists.
A.1.Mail Art Archive is a new blog I ran across recently.
Mail Art sprang out of Fluxus. I've never really understood Fluxus, but then I don't think I've ever seriously tried to understand it.
Art-E-Zine's Altered Books page is probably the best showing of what books look like once they've been altered. It's a graphics heavy site, so be warned.
Who would've known there's an International Society of Altered Book Artists?
Jenny's Altered Books has several galleries of her work, whoever she is. Nice stuff.
The Altered Book Main Page has galleries, tips, links, etc.
Apparently some people mail the books and let others work on them along some kind of altered book network. That, naturally, reminds me of Mail Art.
The Electronic Museum of Mail Art is probably as good as any place to start to see actual Mail Art.
MAIL ART 1955 to 1995: Democratic art as social sculpture is someone's thesis.
Fan Mail appears to be new works from over 150 artists.
A.1.Mail Art Archive is a new blog I ran across recently.
Mail Art sprang out of Fluxus. I've never really understood Fluxus, but then I don't think I've ever seriously tried to understand it.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
More Randomness
The Icon Poet Creative Writing Toy takes a text you provide and replaces words with random syntactic equivalents. It sort of reminds me of the Oulipo's N+7 technique.
But is it a story?
Random Story Generator creates something vaguely resembling a story when you click a button.
Writing Machine
For many years I've dreamed of a writing machine that would spew out reams of interesting, uncanny prose; the Markov Textgenerator isn't quite it.
International Insults
Years ago in a thrift store I found a book called, The International Insult Dictionary. This book is apparently so out of print that I can't even find a mention of it online, but The Zompist Phrasebook is basically the same idea.
Example:
There's a corpse on the bed. Please change the sheets.
Il y a un cadavre sur le lit. S'il vous plaît, faites changer les draps.
Hay un muerto en mi cama. Por favor, cambie las sábanas.
Da liegt eine Leiche auf dem Bett. Bitte wechseln sie die Laken.
Example:
There's a corpse on the bed. Please change the sheets.
Il y a un cadavre sur le lit. S'il vous plaît, faites changer les draps.
Hay un muerto en mi cama. Por favor, cambie las sábanas.
Da liegt eine Leiche auf dem Bett. Bitte wechseln sie die Laken.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Saturday, October 09, 2004
A Human Document
In 1980, British artist Tom Phillips published a book called, A Humument. So what, you say? Loads of people you've never heard of publish books you'll never read. Well, what makes it interesting is that Phillips took an obscure Victorian novel and painted over each page so that only a few words showed through, effectively finding a new narrative in an old book.
I've wanted a copy of this volume since I first read about it in the late 80's, but it appears to be both out of print and very expensive. I'll probably never get a copy, but it looks like Phillips' website reproduces the entire volume.
I've wanted a copy of this volume since I first read about it in the late 80's, but it appears to be both out of print and very expensive. I'll probably never get a copy, but it looks like Phillips' website reproduces the entire volume.
Subvertisements
Subvertise.org has many examples of subverted advertising, art, polical images, etc.
Proof of mass stupidity
Dogpile's SearchSpy let's you view a real-time scrolling list of whatever people have been searching for. You can chose between a filtered or unfiltered version.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Collaborative Fiction
Ever feel like writing a novel or long story, but didn't feel like going through the trouble to actually write it? No? That's just me? OK. Anyway, Snoot's collaborative fiction page lets you write, and vote on, candidates to add to a continuing story.
They also have a binary fiction page where you can chose between different options at various points to change the direction of the story. And aparently you can add to these stories as well.
They also have a binary fiction page where you can chose between different options at various points to change the direction of the story. And aparently you can add to these stories as well.
Porn How-To
Ever look at porn sites and marvel at the web design? No, me neither, but just play along. At Graphix & Web Design Zone "you can find all the information you need to be a successful, innovative designer for todays fast moving Adult Design Arena." They have tutorials, free graphics, and god only knows what else. (Oh, in case you were wondering, it's not safe for work because it's, you know, porn.)
A Legal Conundrum
It's against the law to take illegal drugs, and it's against the law to steal, but is it against the law to steal illegal drugs?
New Invention
I've got an idea for a new invention: disposable toilets. Now before you dismiss this idea as stupid, hear me out. The disposable toilet wouldn't require cleaning; you'd use it once and throw it away. It'd be constructed similarly to paper cups: wax-coated paper or cardboard. I can imagine a dispenser filled with them in every bathroom in the world.
OK, now you can dismiss this idea as stupid.
OK, now you can dismiss this idea as stupid.
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Songwritin' the easy way!
Use Greg's Country & Western Song-Writing Machine and you'll be playing at the Grand Ole Opry in no time. Maybe not.
Here's my song, called "I Wanna Whip Your Cow"
I met her in the Stone Age wrestlin' gators;
I can still recall that plastic nose she wore;
She was smellin' kind of funny when she shot me,
and I knew that I would upchuck on the floor;
A Klingon said I'd stay a dwarf forever;
She said to me that Rolaids made her high;
But who'd have thought she'd bobsled with a robot;
She freaked out on the lawn and screamed goodbye.
Here's my song, called "I Wanna Whip Your Cow"
I met her in the Stone Age wrestlin' gators;
I can still recall that plastic nose she wore;
She was smellin' kind of funny when she shot me,
and I knew that I would upchuck on the floor;
A Klingon said I'd stay a dwarf forever;
She said to me that Rolaids made her high;
But who'd have thought she'd bobsled with a robot;
She freaked out on the lawn and screamed goodbye.
It's wrong, I tells ya!
Ah, the things one finds on the internet. Who knew there was a site devoted to sock monkeys having sex? Needless to say, it's not safe for work.
Useless, but slightly amusing
Like a lot of websites, the page for Sri Lanka's US embasy has a search feature, but this one displays all the particular searches for a particular letter. Like this one for the letter d. Why, I ask, would someone search the Sri Lankan embassy website for dog birthday parties? And why would the actual Sri Lankan embassy in the US use such a cheesy search engine?
Overalls? Chowder?
I was poking around the excellent Project Gutenberg yesterday and found an .mp3 of a recording from 1901 called, "Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder?" It's not even from a record, it's from a Edison cylinder. Most amusing. Put it on your iPod and astonish your friends. Or not. I don't really care.
Update: Here's the lyrics.
Update: Here's the lyrics.
Jazzmaster
See The Higher Evolution of Off-Set Waist Guitars: A Tribute to Fender's Jazzmaster and Jaguar Guitars for way too much information about Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars. [Link via Guitarz.]
I'm still kicking myself for not getting that used cream colored Jazzmaster I saw hanging in a local guitar store back in the late 80's. A few months later I got my much loathed Rickenbacker 480 for $200. But since I have the musical talent of a narcoleptic baboon, it doesn't really matter at this point.
I'm still kicking myself for not getting that used cream colored Jazzmaster I saw hanging in a local guitar store back in the late 80's. A few months later I got my much loathed Rickenbacker 480 for $200. But since I have the musical talent of a narcoleptic baboon, it doesn't really matter at this point.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Ugh, Another One
Eagle Settlement is another Blogger spam blog (for lack of better word), but this one's different from the previous ones I've found. Check out the profile of the person who made it. Scroll down the the bottom of the page and look at the blogs this person (or persons) has, and they're all the same kind of crap.
The Barn Door's Open
Earlier I was out walking and taking pictures (some are up at my moblog). As I walked down the sidewalk, I noticed my pants felt funny. I wondered if my fly was partially unzipped. It wasn't, it was completely unzipped. How long had I been walking around like that? My shirt tails were out, so maybe no one noticed.
Less than five minutes later, my pants felt funny again. I checked my fly and it was completely down again. Apparently Mr. Happy wanted some exercise. I zipped them up. Then I pulled the zipper up again as far as I could get it. Luckily, that was the end of it.
Less than five minutes later, my pants felt funny again. I checked my fly and it was completely down again. Apparently Mr. Happy wanted some exercise. I zipped them up. Then I pulled the zipper up again as far as I could get it. Luckily, that was the end of it.
"Is there an Al Koholic here?"
Beautiful Stuff: Ridiculously Large List of Silly Names. [Link via someplace I can't remember. Was it Metafilter?]
I Don't Like Bowling
Geoff Elder's Rocketry: "I'm obsessed with building rockets to launch bowling balls." Well, we all need a purpose in life.
Vintage Book Jacket Art
Livre de poche et hardcover has galleries of lots of 50's science fiction paperbacks. All the text is in French, but the site's easily navigated.
This Is So Wrong
"Hate married people? Tired of engagement news? Still want to sleep with your ex but don't know if he/she is in a new relationship? Breakup News is the place to get the announcements that really matter. Get the skinny on recently ruptured romances." [Link via Monkeyfilter.]
Monday, September 27, 2004
Here's Another One
FredJohnson2169 Blog is another one of those fake blogs designed to boost some questionable site's search engine ranking. This one is identical to FredPeterson8584 Blog that I mentioned a few days ago.
Are these generated by some program? How many of these obnoxious fake blogs are they?
Are these generated by some program? How many of these obnoxious fake blogs are they?
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Grandma
This morning I was talking to my maternal grandmother and she said that last night she dreamed my father was wearing a long, floral pattern dress. He told her only wore it around the house.
Minor Irritants
Haloscan's been acting a little flaky and not showing the correct number of comments.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Blah Blah Blah
Things have been dull around the old homestead the past few weeks. Since there's nothing going on, I haven't been writing much here, just posting a series of increasing lame links.
I have been posting photos again at my moblog. I posted some geese photos today I took a few days ago and yesterday I posted some shots I took when I went up to Richmond with my parents to see my sister. It's mainly dark shots of her disturbed cat, but there is one of an alligator.
And I've been posting stuff every other day to my new beverage review blog, Watch it Fizz, which is astonishingly pointless, but oddly enjoyable. Eventually this blog will only be updated once or twice a week because I don't want to go bankrupt and burn out my liver at the same time.
I have been posting photos again at my moblog. I posted some geese photos today I took a few days ago and yesterday I posted some shots I took when I went up to Richmond with my parents to see my sister. It's mainly dark shots of her disturbed cat, but there is one of an alligator.
And I've been posting stuff every other day to my new beverage review blog, Watch it Fizz, which is astonishingly pointless, but oddly enjoyable. Eventually this blog will only be updated once or twice a week because I don't want to go bankrupt and burn out my liver at the same time.
Root Beer Fanatic
anthony's ROOT BEER barrel has reviews of at least 270 different varieties of root beer.
Scientology and Celebrities
The scientology celebrities FAQ supposedly lists all the celebrities who've ever been involved with Scientology.
More Uses and Abuses for Blogs
A few weeks ago I linked to a blog that was nothing but endless links to the same site. Shortly afterwards that blog disappeared. I have no idea if my linking to it had anything to do with its disappearance.
Yesterday, while playing with the Next Blog button at the top of most Blogger pages, I found LarryJohnson5731 Blog. It didn't look right. Every post had something to do with grannies. And none of it made any sense. At the bottom of each post was an identical link, which naturally, was for a porn site.
I hit the Next Blog button again and found FredPeterson8584 Blog. This one looked exactly like the previous blog, but this one delt with panic attack. Every post was a portion of something about panic attack. The links don't appear in every post, but are all for the same panic disorder site.
Are these two blogs done by the same person?
Yesterday, while playing with the Next Blog button at the top of most Blogger pages, I found LarryJohnson5731 Blog. It didn't look right. Every post had something to do with grannies. And none of it made any sense. At the bottom of each post was an identical link, which naturally, was for a porn site.
I hit the Next Blog button again and found FredPeterson8584 Blog. This one looked exactly like the previous blog, but this one delt with panic attack. Every post was a portion of something about panic attack. The links don't appear in every post, but are all for the same panic disorder site.
Are these two blogs done by the same person?
English Idioms
English Idioms - Sayings and Slang is a very extensive resource. Useful for when you want to look up the meanings of things like, "all wet" or "an axe to grind".
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Textual Instruments
Regime Change: A Textual Instrument: "Textual instruments make text playable in a new way. At first, as one encounters their workings, they are toys for exploring language — more flexible than link-node hypertext, more responsive than batch-mode natural language generators. With growing experience, these instruments can also become tools for textual performance."
The Racial Slur Database
The Racial Slur Database is (at least to me) surprisingly long. Or perhaps I should say depressingly long.
Friday, September 17, 2004
The Artist's Statement
Humiliated, Angry, Ashamed, Brown: A disturbing account of a photography student's run in with the police and Homeland Security. [Link via Grow A Brain.]
OK, Now I'm Scared
For the woman who has everything, except protruding nipples, there's Bodyperks Nipple Enhancers. No fair, I say.
Very Useful
It's annoyed me and I'm sure it's annoyed you, but now there's a solution, for I've found a site that shows How To Draw The Nipples Back On Victoria's Secret Catalogue Models Using Adobe Photoshop.
Miss Information
Miss Information is a blog about "The desperate life of a tormented library clerk."
Celebrity Death Sites
Celebrity Death Sites: "A list of celebrities, whose deaths were the result of murder or suicide, including the location of their death sites."
Hollywood, Satanism, Scientology and Suicide
Hollywood, Satanism, Scientology and Suicide appears to be an entire book. I read little of it.
No Sharp Objects!
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Bad Fads
The Bad Fads Museum: "Browse through the fun and fascinating fashion, collectible, activity and event fads of the last 100 years."
(And I usually hate splash screens on websites, but I don't mind Bad Fads' splash screen.)
(And I usually hate splash screens on websites, but I don't mind Bad Fads' splash screen.)
Soda Museum
Soda Museum: "Welcome to the largest online source for authentic Soda related items for sale in the world."
Old Wives' Tales
Old Wives' Tales: "Thrown salt over the shoulder? Got up 'on the wrong side of bed'? Slept with a piece of wedding cake under the pillow? Cross the street to avoid a black cat? Have blue blankets if a male child or pink because you were female? Found a penny, picked it up for good luck? Curious about superstitions, old wives' tales, and similar folklore trivia or sayings?"
In The Hat
In The Hat is a blog about gangs, crime, cops and politics in Los Angeles: "I welcome news and abuse from neighborhoods, cops and interested parties. All correspondence remains anonymous."
North Korea
NKZone is blog that's devoted entirely to North Korea. The explanation in the side bar reads, "This is a 'blog-zone' on North Korea: an interactive site that helps you stay informed and also helps you share what YOU know about North Korea with other people around the world. Have you been to North Korea? Do you know people who have? Do you have information and insights about North Korea that you'd like to share?"
The Soda Can Library
If you ever wanted to see a whole lot of vintage soft drink cans, then The Soda Can Library is right up your alley. If you don't have any interest in vintage soft drink cans, then it's probably not going to interest you in the least. Sorry.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Creative Commons Search Engine
Creative Commons search engine: "Full copyright applies to most stuff on the web. But this search helps you find photos, music, text, and other works whose authors want you to re-use it for some uses -- without having to pay or ask permission." [Link via Wiremine.]
Musical Plagiarism
"Ever notice a song whose melody sounds remarkably similar to some other song?" Then have a look at a list of Similar-Sounding Songs. There's even .mp3's to compare for yourself.
Similar to the above is Disturbingly Similar Songs, which also has .mp3's.
I love Led Zepplin, but they weren't quite original. Have a look at "A list of some of the songs Zep stole from other artists". And a far more detailed look at Zepplin's "borrowing" can be found at Led Zepplin's Influences.
"Oasis has often been acused of plagerism and Noel has never denied his tendency of lending material made by others, but he do not see it as a problem. Plagerism is more like a part of the Oasis style and sound."
The Copyright Website: "These are the sonic outlaws; people who have pushed the audio envelope, allegedly encroached upon another's copyright, and sometimes paid the price."
Over at Illegal Art you can read about, and listen to, Copyright and Music: A History Told in MP3's.
And if you've read this far, you might be interested in Columbia Law School's Music Plagiarism Project.
Since this whole post was about music plagiarism, I should probably admit that I shamelessly stole all the above links from Die Songähnlichkeitsliste, which also features a very long list of similar-sounding songs.
Similar to the above is Disturbingly Similar Songs, which also has .mp3's.
I love Led Zepplin, but they weren't quite original. Have a look at "A list of some of the songs Zep stole from other artists". And a far more detailed look at Zepplin's "borrowing" can be found at Led Zepplin's Influences.
"Oasis has often been acused of plagerism and Noel has never denied his tendency of lending material made by others, but he do not see it as a problem. Plagerism is more like a part of the Oasis style and sound."
The Copyright Website: "These are the sonic outlaws; people who have pushed the audio envelope, allegedly encroached upon another's copyright, and sometimes paid the price."
Over at Illegal Art you can read about, and listen to, Copyright and Music: A History Told in MP3's.
And if you've read this far, you might be interested in Columbia Law School's Music Plagiarism Project.
Since this whole post was about music plagiarism, I should probably admit that I shamelessly stole all the above links from Die Songähnlichkeitsliste, which also features a very long list of similar-sounding songs.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Templates
Yep, I went and changed my template again. The other one, as boring as it was, was just fine, but it seemed a little faint. This one isn't faint.
In the past I've complained about dark background/light text layouts, but this one doesn't seem quite so bad. Any thoughts? Maybe I should put it up to a vote: Do you like this template or the previous one?
In the past I've complained about dark background/light text layouts, but this one doesn't seem quite so bad. Any thoughts? Maybe I should put it up to a vote: Do you like this template or the previous one?
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
The Fugitive, pt. IV
This afternoon I got back my reply from the state police. It's official, I have no criminal record. The database of the company my temp agency uses to check the criminal background of their prospective employees is obviously corrupt.
Problems, Problems
I've been trying to get the previous post to appear since last night, but Blogger kept choking. The Blogger Status page explained what was going wrong.
Now if I can just figure out what the hell's going on at Textamerica. Hours ago I posted three photos I took this morning and they've yet to appear on my moblog.
Now if I can just figure out what the hell's going on at Textamerica. Hours ago I posted three photos I took this morning and they've yet to appear on my moblog.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Inventor of the Leslie Cabinet
I put up several Leslie links yesterday, and I just found out that Donald Leslie, the inventor of the Leslie cabinet, died last Thursday at 93.
And while I'm here posting, have a look at Unearthing the Mysteries of the Leslie Cabinet. I forgot to post this one yesterday.
OK, enough.
And while I'm here posting, have a look at Unearthing the Mysteries of the Leslie Cabinet. I forgot to post this one yesterday.
OK, enough.
Monday, September 06, 2004
More Leslie Cabinet Stuff
Several days ago I linked to a site showing how to build a Leslie cabinet. Yesterday I found another one.
Something similar to a Leslie's innards can be seen at Inside the Fender Vibratone.
If you're curious about Leslie simulators have a look at the Leslie simulator roundup.
Interested in homebrew effects projects? I found a bunch of scans of late 60's Popular Electronics articles on effects, amps, and speakers.
I don't know why this stuff fascinates me. I'm a lousy musician and my guitar never gets played. I pawned my little amp years ago and never bothered to get it back. Maybe it's just fun to pretend.
Something similar to a Leslie's innards can be seen at Inside the Fender Vibratone.
If you're curious about Leslie simulators have a look at the Leslie simulator roundup.
Interested in homebrew effects projects? I found a bunch of scans of late 60's Popular Electronics articles on effects, amps, and speakers.
I don't know why this stuff fascinates me. I'm a lousy musician and my guitar never gets played. I pawned my little amp years ago and never bothered to get it back. Maybe it's just fun to pretend.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Mail Order Penis Enlargement!
Since I can't think of anything clever to write about today, nor can I scrape together several peculiar links, I'm just going to reproduce an email my sister sent me. I doubt she wrote it.
Follow these instructions EXACTLY, and in 3 to 6 weeks you will have received well over 50,000 inches of penis, all yours. This program has remained successful because of the inadequacy and vanity of the participants. Please continue its success by carefully adhering to the instructions.
Welcome to the world of Mail Order Penis Enlargement! This little business is a little different than most cosmetic surgery. Your product is not solid (sic) and tangible, but rather a service. You are in the business of extending penii. Many small of endowment are happy to pay big bucks for this service.
(The money made from the penis enlargement is secondary to the income which is made from people like yourself requesting that they be included in that list.)
NOTE: Make sure you retain EVERY Name and Address sent to you, either on computer or hard copy, but do not discard the names and notes they send you. This is PROOF that you are truly providing a service and should the AMA, FDA, or some other Government Agency question you, you can provide them with this proof!
Remember as each post is downloaded and the instructions carefully followed, five members will be reimbursed for their participation as a Penis Enlarger with one inch of penis each. Your name will move up the list geometrically so that when your name reaches the number five position you will be receiving thousands of inches in penis.
Dear Friend,
My name is Daniel J. Karnes. In September 1988 my life was repressed and the bible thumpers were hounding me like you wouldn't believe. I was never laid and my mental disability checks had run out. The only escape I had from the pressure of failure was my Apple computer and my bible. I longed to turn my fixation into my vocation.
This January 1989 my family and I went on a ten day cruise to the tropics. I bought a Double-Wide Trailer with CASH in Feburary 1989. I am currently building a Self-Worship Temple on the West Coast of Florida, with a private S/M Dungeon with room for all of my closeted friends, and a beautiful view of the bay from my women's shoes closet and wardrobe. I will never be underendowed again. Today I am equipped! I have over 400,000 inches of penis (33,333 feet and 4 inches! ) to date and will become a million-incher within 4 or 5 months. Anyone can do the same. This penis enlargement making program works perfectly every time, 100% of the time. I have NEVER failed to earn 50,000 inches or more whenever I wanted. Best of all you never have to leave home except to go to your mailbox or reconstructive surgeon.
In October 1988, I received a letter in the mail telling me how I could earn 50,000 inches of penis or more whenever I wanted. I was naturally very skeptical and threw the letter on the desk next to my computer. It's funny though, when you are desparately underendowed, backed into a corner, your mind does crazy things. I spent a frustating day looking through the want ads for a wife who didn't need sexual fulfillment. The pickings were sparse at best. That night I tried to unwind by booting up my Apple computer and calling several gay bulletin boards. I read several of the message posts and then glanced at the letter next to the computer. All at once it came to me, I now had the key to my dreams.
I realized that with the power of the computer I could expand and enhance this penis making formula into the most unbelievable penis enlargement generator that has ever been created. I substituted the computer bulletion boards in place of the post office and electronically did by computer what others were doing 100% by mail. Now only a few letters are mailed manually. Most of the hard work is speedily downloaded to other bulletin boards throughout the world. If you believe that someday you deserve that lucky break that you have waited for all your life, simply follow the easy instructions below. Your dreams will come true.
Sincerely yours,
Daniel J. Karnes
About six months ago I received the enclosed post in letter form. I ignored it. I received about five more of the same letter withn the next two weeks. I ignored them also. Of course, I was tempted to follow through and dreamed of making thousands of inches, but I was convinced it was just another gimmick and could not possibly work. I was wrong! About three weeks later I saw this same letter posted on a local bulletion board in Montreal. I liked the idea of giving it a try with my computer. I didn't expect much because I figured, if other people were as skeptical as I, they wouldn't be too quick to part with their penis. But, I buy lottery tickets weekly in my province and have nothing to show for it but ticket stubs. This week I decided to look at this as my weekly lottery purchase. I addressed the envelopes and mailed out one piece of my penis in each as directed. Two weeks went by and I didn't recieve anything in the mail. The fourth week rolled around and I couldn't believe what happened! I can't say I received 50,000 inches, but it was definitely well over 35,000! For the first time in all my years, I was adequately endowed. It was great. Of course, it didn't take me long to feel inadequate again so I am using this excellent penis enlargement opportunity once again. Follow the instructions and get ready to enjoy.
Please send a copy of this letter along with the enclosed letter so together we can convince people who are skeptical that it really works!
Good Luck,
Charles R. Smith
St Agathe Que.
Follow these instructions EXACTLY, and in 3 to 6 weeks you will have received well over 50,000 inches of penis, all yours. This program has remained successful because of the inadequacy and vanity of the participants. Please continue its success by carefully adhering to the instructions.
Welcome to the world of Mail Order Penis Enlargement! This little business is a little different than most cosmetic surgery. Your product is not solid (sic) and tangible, but rather a service. You are in the business of extending penii. Many small of endowment are happy to pay big bucks for this service.
(The money made from the penis enlargement is secondary to the income which is made from people like yourself requesting that they be included in that list.)
- Immediately cut off your penis at the base.
- Cut off the head of your penis, and pack it in ice.
- Take the remaining midsection of your penis, and cut it into 5 pieces of equal length.
- Immediately mail each piece to the first 5 names listed below starting at number 1 through number 5. Send penis only please (total investment your penis). Enclose a note with each piece stating: "Please add my name to your mailing list." (This is a legitimate service that you are requesting and you are paying your penis for this service).
- Remove the name that appears number 1 on the list. Move the other 9 names up one position. (Number 2 will become number 1 and number 3 will become number 2, etc.) Place your name, address and zip code in the number 10 position.
- Post the new letter with your name in the number 10 position into 10 (Ten) separate bulletin boards in the message base or to the file section, call the file, MAKE.PENIS.FAST.
- Within 60 days you will receive over 50,000 inches of PENIS. Keep a copy of this file for yourself so that you can use it again and again whenever you need penis enlargement. As soon as you mail out these letters you are automatically in the mail order business and people are sending you their penis to be placed on your mailing list. This list can then be rented to a reconstructive cosmetic surgeon that can be found in the Yellow Pages for additional income on a regular basis. The list will become more valuable as it grows in size. This is a service. This is perfectly legal. If you have any doubts, refer to Title 18, Sec. 1302 & 1341 of the postal lottery laws.
NOTE: Make sure you retain EVERY Name and Address sent to you, either on computer or hard copy, but do not discard the names and notes they send you. This is PROOF that you are truly providing a service and should the AMA, FDA, or some other Government Agency question you, you can provide them with this proof!
Remember as each post is downloaded and the instructions carefully followed, five members will be reimbursed for their participation as a Penis Enlarger with one inch of penis each. Your name will move up the list geometrically so that when your name reaches the number five position you will be receiving thousands of inches in penis.
- Daniel J. Karnes, 6394-B Tawney Bloom Mogi Donuts, MD 21045
- Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House of Misrepresentatives, Washington, DC 20515
- Emil T. Chuck 6394-A Tawney Bloom, Mogi Donuts, MD 21045
- Charles Brown 7690 Karnesville Road, Phobic, MI 48348
- William Davenant 8295 Hiding Closet Rd, Clarkston, MI 48348
- Peter Ruckman 14805 Rivercrest, Sterling Hts., MI 48312
- Steven Crisp 3718 Kings Point, Troy, MI 48083
- Mark Gengler 5748 Patterson, Troy, MI 48098
- Pat Robertson 666 God's Little Homophobe Road, Anti-Christ Hills, VA 48307
- Jesse Helms 20840 Tobacco Mercenary Street, Lung Cancer Hacks., VA 48038
Dear Friend,
My name is Daniel J. Karnes. In September 1988 my life was repressed and the bible thumpers were hounding me like you wouldn't believe. I was never laid and my mental disability checks had run out. The only escape I had from the pressure of failure was my Apple computer and my bible. I longed to turn my fixation into my vocation.
This January 1989 my family and I went on a ten day cruise to the tropics. I bought a Double-Wide Trailer with CASH in Feburary 1989. I am currently building a Self-Worship Temple on the West Coast of Florida, with a private S/M Dungeon with room for all of my closeted friends, and a beautiful view of the bay from my women's shoes closet and wardrobe. I will never be underendowed again. Today I am equipped! I have over 400,000 inches of penis (33,333 feet and 4 inches! ) to date and will become a million-incher within 4 or 5 months. Anyone can do the same. This penis enlargement making program works perfectly every time, 100% of the time. I have NEVER failed to earn 50,000 inches or more whenever I wanted. Best of all you never have to leave home except to go to your mailbox or reconstructive surgeon.
In October 1988, I received a letter in the mail telling me how I could earn 50,000 inches of penis or more whenever I wanted. I was naturally very skeptical and threw the letter on the desk next to my computer. It's funny though, when you are desparately underendowed, backed into a corner, your mind does crazy things. I spent a frustating day looking through the want ads for a wife who didn't need sexual fulfillment. The pickings were sparse at best. That night I tried to unwind by booting up my Apple computer and calling several gay bulletin boards. I read several of the message posts and then glanced at the letter next to the computer. All at once it came to me, I now had the key to my dreams.
I realized that with the power of the computer I could expand and enhance this penis making formula into the most unbelievable penis enlargement generator that has ever been created. I substituted the computer bulletion boards in place of the post office and electronically did by computer what others were doing 100% by mail. Now only a few letters are mailed manually. Most of the hard work is speedily downloaded to other bulletin boards throughout the world. If you believe that someday you deserve that lucky break that you have waited for all your life, simply follow the easy instructions below. Your dreams will come true.
Sincerely yours,
Daniel J. Karnes
About six months ago I received the enclosed post in letter form. I ignored it. I received about five more of the same letter withn the next two weeks. I ignored them also. Of course, I was tempted to follow through and dreamed of making thousands of inches, but I was convinced it was just another gimmick and could not possibly work. I was wrong! About three weeks later I saw this same letter posted on a local bulletion board in Montreal. I liked the idea of giving it a try with my computer. I didn't expect much because I figured, if other people were as skeptical as I, they wouldn't be too quick to part with their penis. But, I buy lottery tickets weekly in my province and have nothing to show for it but ticket stubs. This week I decided to look at this as my weekly lottery purchase. I addressed the envelopes and mailed out one piece of my penis in each as directed. Two weeks went by and I didn't recieve anything in the mail. The fourth week rolled around and I couldn't believe what happened! I can't say I received 50,000 inches, but it was definitely well over 35,000! For the first time in all my years, I was adequately endowed. It was great. Of course, it didn't take me long to feel inadequate again so I am using this excellent penis enlargement opportunity once again. Follow the instructions and get ready to enjoy.
Please send a copy of this letter along with the enclosed letter so together we can convince people who are skeptical that it really works!
Good Luck,
Charles R. Smith
St Agathe Que.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
I Can't Find Anything
I have a favorites list longer than my arm. (Actually it's a bookmarks list since I'm using Firefox, but it's the same thing.) I can't find anything on it because there's no explanations of what anything is. I have a few things grouped in folders, but the majority of it is just one long, jabbering mess. I thought I'd figured out a solution when I decided in early July to do a bookmarks blog using the spiffy BlogThis! tool to quickly post to it as I browsed. This worked great until I'd try to find something. Since Blogger has no categories, if I want to find something, I basically have to scroll through an entire month of posts. Fun. To make searching easier, I put a Google search tool at the bottom of the page fairly early on, but it's practically useless. I'd say 2/3's of the time Google comes up empty-handed. So the bookmarks blog just doesn't work. I have two months of entries in no particular order that I can't even search with any sense of confidence that I'll be able to find whatever it is I'm looking for.
When looking for a solution to this problem, I downloaded a couple of different favorites/bookmarks organizers in hopes that I'd find something easy and quick that would allow me to actually be able to find what I'm looking for when I want to find it. None of the organizer programs looked like they'd solve my problem. But I didn't really want a program that would organize my bookmarks. I love the idea of my bookmarks blog because my bookmarks would be online so I could easily access them no matter where I was browsing.
A few days ago I stumbled across del.icio.us again. I'd seen this before, but had forgotten about it. I signed up yesterday and started playing around with it. Interestingly, it's pretty much the same thing as my Blogger bookmarks blog, except it has categories. It also may be quicker than using BlogThis! with Blogger. I'm sold.
When looking for a solution to this problem, I downloaded a couple of different favorites/bookmarks organizers in hopes that I'd find something easy and quick that would allow me to actually be able to find what I'm looking for when I want to find it. None of the organizer programs looked like they'd solve my problem. But I didn't really want a program that would organize my bookmarks. I love the idea of my bookmarks blog because my bookmarks would be online so I could easily access them no matter where I was browsing.
A few days ago I stumbled across del.icio.us again. I'd seen this before, but had forgotten about it. I signed up yesterday and started playing around with it. Interestingly, it's pretty much the same thing as my Blogger bookmarks blog, except it has categories. It also may be quicker than using BlogThis! with Blogger. I'm sold.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Watch It Fizz
Recently I found out a local grocery store was now stocking Mexican softdrinks, so I've been trying things like Barralitos sangria, Jarritos tamarind, and Senorial sangria. All interesting, but I think I could happily live without tamarind in my life. Anyway, I was poking around online, as I'm prone to do in times of great boredom, and found Peculiar Pops, which reviews at least one of the softdrinks I mentioned, plus a whole bunch of other ones, many I've never even heard of.
Update: I started a new blog called Watch it Fizz where I review oddball soft drinks.
Update: I started a new blog called Watch it Fizz where I review oddball soft drinks.
Things That Go Boom
Modern Firearms & Ammunition is a Russian online encyclopedia of firearms and ammunition of the 20th and 21st centuries. And, lucky for you, it's in English.
Mysterious Innards
For many years I've wondered what's inside of a Leslie cabinet. (And if you don't know what a Leslie cabinet is, you can stop reading now and go to the next pointless entry.) I've even looked online, but without luck. But finally I've found what I was looking for on a page about building a Leslie cabinet. So now the mystery's been solved. On to Bigfoot!
Mistranslations
Marketing Translation Mistakes: "Also, take these with a grain of salt...They may be contrived and not true, or if true, unrecognizably transformed."
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