Archive for February, 2008

Every Democrats favorite 2000 election scapegoat is running for president. Ralph Nader is by far the most progressive, interesting, and wise presidential candidate running for president in 2008. If you have 17 minutes to spare, watch Nader’s election announcement on Meet the Press.

Is Ralph Nader an election spoiler? I don’t think so. I am happy to see him running as he brings perspectives, intelligence, and voice for the people that no other candidate in the 2008 presidential election does. I am off to make my second donation to a candidate for a 2008 presidential campaign. Go Nader.

Apparently out space has a smell that is “a rather pleasant sweet metallic sensation.” That is according to astronaut Don Pettit from his last mission into space. I think we need confirmation of this. Dillon, would you mind launching yourself into space and taking a big, deep breath? When you get back you can report your findings here.

I, the inveterate lurker on cooperative blog, must post this evening to share my excitement about, of all things . . . the Grammys. Herbie Hancock just won best album of the year for his tribute to Joni Mitchell’s music. In Hancock’s acceptance speech, he said it was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album has snagged this prize. He won over the younger and far flashier contenders, Kanye West and Amy Winehouse. He won as a jazz pianist (you may know him from his funk album of the ’70s, Headhunters) covering the music of a woman best known for her folk singer-songwriter success in the ’70s. And yet both he and Mitchell are regarded by critics and musicians from all genres as the cream of the crop in their field for decades.

As you might guess, I am a big Herbie Hancock fan and an even bigger Joni Mitchell fan. Catching a glimpse of the album for the first time in Borders stopped me dead in my tracks, requiring Brett to entertain himself with computer literature while I skipped through snippets of tracks. And yet snippets did the music no justice. I quickly realized that this album required a contemplative listening as you were slowly drawn in and fed each new layer of each piece. It was meant to be a rich experience. In the day and age of three-and-a-half minute tracks that grab you, pull you in, hold you, and release you, I am estatic that my old-fashioned, out-of-date music tastes made a momentary blip in the popular music world.

Jon’s take on this is so spot-on. Kind of sums up just how stupid he was.

Check it out…

Courtesy of the onion.

http://www.theonion.com/content/radio_news/huge_animal_jumps_right?utm_source=onion_rss_daily

Consider writing your own six-word memoir (see examples here).

1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is your least favorite word?
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
4. What turns you off?
5. What is your favorite curse word?
6. What sound or noise do you love?
7. What sound or noise do you hate?
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
9. What profession would you not like to do?
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?