Assorted Links

1) What it feels like to be size normal in a super-skinny world. Interesting article by Jigsaw owner Belle Robinson.

2) Why are there so few women in Silicon Valley? Tip of the hat to Richard Florida for the pointer. Read here.

3) What makes a great neighborhood? Read here.

4) On the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. You can see the new music videos here.

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Best Twitter Sentence of the Day

With regards to activity of Eyjafjallajokull, the irascible Icelandic volcano, a Twitter user writes:

"Iceland's last wish: to have its ashes scattered all over Europe" -- market analyst

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HetPer's Compilation of Reviews

I have been asked a few times over the years to collect all of my music reviews into a book. Since the task seemed daunting when I first heard it proposed to me I thought I would do so at a later time as my time is spoken for as is. However, this past month I thought I would see what the quantity of the reviews was and it turns out that the collection is not too impossible a task to actualize. The music reviews alone are in the hundreds and if I select only the best one I could end up having a total of 100. This is a later project but definitely doable as the work itself, i.e., the reviews have been compiled over the years.

So, stay reading. The review book is coming up and I will certainly link to it here on HetPer as well.

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graph per http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/04/15/arts/16orch_600.JPG

Hat Tip to Spring

I usually tip the proverbial hat to the nice weather in the places I travel to. This time, however, the hat tip goes to my area. This picture was taken today literally minutes before it started to rain like cats and dogs. I call it 'celebration of caprice a-la-Spring'.

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Tracy Morgan on the Daily Show Made My Day

I enjoyed tweeting about this when it was live. Tip of the hat to Jon Stewart for booking Tracy Morgan.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Tracy Morgan
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

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LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening: A Review

Very often when I get asked what the soundtrack of my current life is I tend to give an answer along the lines of "you know, indie, synth-pop, a bit of Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, and, of course, LCD Soundsystem, a lot of that, actually. And a bit indie Brit, too."

I had been looking forward to LCD Soundsystem's new album as their 2007 highly rated album, "Sound of Silver," in a nutshell, blew me out of the water. The trance elements in new tracks like 'One touch' reveal one thing about the unique brand of music that James Murphy contributes: he does his music homework well.

The album feels the way a synth-pop a-la-80's is supposed to feel in 2010. Murphy gets adaptation. However, the album is not simply a 'tip of the hat' to previous styles and times. It is also innovative in its seemingly fragmented yet well put together wholeness. For instance, the end of one track "All I Want" actually made me think of Stravinsky's "Dance of the Adolescents". It's disjointed yet very much a part of the whole. Brilliant, just brilliant.

I've reviewed this band generously over the years and I've done so for good reason. Their music have brought me much joy and it has informed my life very well. You can read those reviews here, here, and here. Moral of the story: if it's high-frequency, chances are it's good, well, here at least. A few years ago, back in 2007 to be more specific, I rated LCD Soundsystem's album "Sound of Silver" as the best of the year. This new album might just rival the last. Such an exciting, new addition to one's music library!

My favorite tracks of the album would have to be in this order:

-All I want (this is a spectacular track!!)
-One Touch
-Somebody's calling me
-Dance Yrself clean (the way this builds up is nothing if not poetic.)

You may listen to the album for free here. If you're in the mood for synth, techno a-la-trance, electronica, and good ol' rock 'n roll, give it a try. The album will be released in the US on May 18, 2010.

Tip of the hat to Spin magazine for the pointer. Their cover is here.

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People like Optimists Because Levity Has Appeal

They do. Well, I know I do. Optimism, I believe, is not only informed by genetics but also by acquired behavior and learned skill. And it most certainly does not happen with ease and without effort. Becoming and staying optimistic feels, at times, like a full-time job and that's not a problematic thing necessarily. It is important to invest in the future, after all, and investments in attitude and outlook are as important as a healthy 41K plan.
I had an unusual conversation over sushi that got me to thinking afterwards.

"So, what is the secret to life?" asks my good friend and I find myself wrinkling my forehead as I didn't think I had heard him correctly the first time around. I look around in an effort to portray some sense of confusion to him and then added, "Secret? Ah. Hmm. Well, no talk of secrets before I've gotten my hypoglycemia under control, guy." We had ordered a few tuna rolls, California rolls, and, naturally some eel. I had exerted myself more than usual at the gym because, well, I got carried away listening to my new playlist. Something about putting Placebo and trance music in the same list, or something. Music tends to grab my attention fully and if I had a penny for every time I've heard, "you totally check out of the conversation when music's playing" then I could head to the Apple store in a New York minute to get the next gadget, I mean iPad. Come to think of it, it was the playlist's fault that one time when I got so focused on the music that I missed my exit to Denver and kept driving in circles around Colorado. But I digress and, of course, music is to be blamed for the digression. Today, it's Shostakovich's "Waltz 2" from Jazz Suite.

Cont.
He insists on asking the same question and after my third California roll I reckon I can attempt some kind of answer. The hypoglycemic levels were under control after all that that was as good a time to entertain a conversation as any. It was something to the tune of, "... well, let's see. Do your thing, do it well, invest in a good pair of Oxfords, always have some Clinique Chocolate Ice lipstick as you never know when you need it to add visual intensity to your day, be unapologetic about being optimistic, check all words of praise and criticism against your own self and core values, never deny yourself good nutrition and exercise, don't go a day without moving about, be hydrated, say 'no' to cigarettes and avoid being around cigarette smoke as good skin does not just happen, always have sun glasses on your person, tell your folks you love them once a week, and, uhm, well, maintain a clean living space. Other than that, hmm, beats me. You're going to finish that Cali roll, by the way?"

As I was talking I remember thinking that the question wasn't as cliched as I had first thought. I suppose that's why the adage says you think better on a full stomach. But, isn't being happy the one pursuit that informs all other achievements and ways of being in the world, after all?

I also added, bike everywhere if you can help it. Bike or run everyday. I have never been unhappy when on the bike and/or running. Never. And that is one piece of solid experiential knowledge that my friend needed to hear, I suppose. Ah, also, make sure to drive along Highway 1 at least once. The view is so spectacular, it will give added meaning to life." Then I really felt I was proving cliches to be true the more I continued to speak, ergo I opted for another tuna roll instead.

Subsequently, I asked him the same question and he said, "Ah, I ate too much. I have to think about it even though I asked the question first. I guess, I withdrew without depositing, eh?" To which I added, "well, next time you bring it up make sure I've had my lunch and I'm on a Macchiato break."
And, what a good way to dodge the question, I thought.

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graph per http://paulbuckley14059.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/sushi-for-2.jpg

Film 'Editing' and Cinema Paradiso

In the following montage you'll see images from films from the 1920's and '30s that the censors deemed too scandalous to show the movie-going public. It's a fascinating bit!




And of course what better film to use to explain film censorship that the brilliant ending of Cinema Paradiso?

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The iPad

Unless you've been living under a rock during the past couple of months, you've undoubtedly heard and read much about the iPad. One thing is certain about Steve Jobs and that is, he understands PR very, very well. Think back on the decade we just left behind and how the iPod faired. Not that badly, indeed. However, when the iPod first came out many techies were skeptical and not everyone jumped at the idea. Now, 5-6 iPods later, many of the same people are most likely among the first to try out the first-generation iPad.

The iPad is, simply put, the way of the future when it comes to information access and organization. I do believe that it will change much of how we read, watch TV, surf and so forth. It is rather hard to schlep a library of any kind and what easier way, at least at this point in our collective development, to do so than by placing the thin gadget in the purse/messenger bag?

If you're a fellow neophile then, much like me, you will be tempted to such a degree than you'll finally give in and get your own iPad. Think back on the days when you resisted to get the elusive iPod because you thought you already had a CD player (really, a CD player?!) and you couldn't justify such a splurge. But then a family member got you the first awesome 20GB iPod which then changed your life and how you viewed music and your music library. Subsequently, you simply had to upgrade and get a 60GB and after that the ipod Touch and right now you're most likely thumbing through your iPhone thinking how you'll justify getting the iPad.

Sure there are issues with with the iPad. It is, after all, not an infallible thing. However, this is not that kind of post. Let's face it, if you love technology, if you need to have access to a lot of information on a daily basis, and if you are used to being new info-oriented, then you will most likely convert to the ways of the iPad. And it delivers on aesthetics, too not that that's ever been Apple's problem.

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graph per apple

New Videocast: "Bored to Death" - A Review

In this new episode of Gendering the Media, I analyze HBO's new show Bored to Death. Bored to Death is a real treat especially to those who are in the business of literature and literature translated on the screen. In this analysis I mostly focus on the professional and personal relationship between the characters of George (Ted Danson) and Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman).


Note to self: Next time make sure to place the mic on the other side of the shirt. The episode will also be available on iTunes.

You may view the episode here.

Feedback welcome.

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graph per hbo