A viral video that’s actually worth it. Great idea, excellent execution, beautiful music.
You can see the maker’s website, and Jim Walsh has an article about the people behind it.
Favorite moment...in Paris when one of the participants slips and falls on the run in.
Note: I linked to the Vimeo HD version (because YouTube quality sucks); turn it off if it’s too jerky on your computer.
He rolls around on a skateboard and captures the moment when people look and say to themselves, “whoa”.
Several days ago I was trying to figure out the elevation of an elevation marker near my apartment. I couldn’t read it off the marker itself, so I scoured the Internet to see if I could find a topographical map of Manhattan. No matter what I searched for, or where I searched, I couldn’t find a map that displayed what I was looking for. I got tons of topographical maps for sale, but that really wasn’t what I wanted. After trying for what seemed like days (in actuality, it was 63 minutes), I broke down and asked my father if he had any idea on where to look, or even if he could look next time he was in or near the library. Less than a day later, he e-mailed me back with an answer to my question. He had gone to the NY Public Library and found the answer to my query in a matter of minutes using nothing more than the map room and a verbal question (thanks Dad).
In contrast, the first published collection of the plays of one William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon is generally known as the “First Folio”. It was published in 1623 and of the roughly 1,000 copies produced, about 230 are known to be in existence. In 2001, Christie’s auctioned one of the two still in private collections for over $6 million. Next to the Gutenberg Bible, it’s probably the most famous printed book in history. The NY Public Library has a copy, but access to it is limited to researchers “who demonstrate a need to use this irreplaceable material”, which is why I would probably never be able to see it. However, thanks to the University of Victoria, a scanned copy of a First Folio can be browsed online, in all it’s glory; and unlike the printed facsimiles available in bookstores, the resolution of the web copy at the large size is very, very good, and you certainly can’t beat the price.
A. O. Scott on “The Love Guru”:
No, “The Love Guru” is downright antifunny, an experience that makes you wonder if you will ever laugh again.
Adrienne So at Slate wonders if a bra could use breast motion to power an iPod.
LaJean Lawson, a former professor of exercise science at Oregon State University:
“It’s just a matter of finding the sweet spot, between reducing motion to the point where it’s comfortable but still allowing enough motion to power your iPod.”
Lawson further explains:
“Let’s face it—if you’re a double-A marathoner, you’re probably not going to get that iPod up and running.”
Wednesday, June 25th and Thursday, June 26th, from 8pm to 2am each night, HBO2 will air all 11 of George Carlin’s HBO comedy specials. My DVR is already programmed.
I really hope PBS replays all his “Thomas the Tank Engine” episodes.
Update: NBC will be showing the first episode of Saturday Night Live, which Carlin hosted.
He had way too many brilliant routines, but he was really great at pointing out the obvious, like this one about religion.
Since today was a sort of rainy Sunday, I decided to make something new for dinner. I didn’t go crazy and experiment with something complicated like Chicken Kiev, but I hadn’t made chicken piccata before, so it’s new to me. I love chicken piccata because of the light lemony flavored sauce, which is perfect for summer.
The American Numismatic Society moved their collection of coins from one building to the other this past weekend. Glenn Collins writes:
“The idea was to make this as inconspicuous as possible,” said Ute Wartenberg Kagan, executive director of the American Numismatic Society. “It had to resemble a totally ordinary office move.”
Uh huh. Ordinary office moves usually have a police escort. Sure.
The Times also has a slideshow of the move.
First public news was a Twitter tweet:
Are you ready to celebrate? Well, get ready: We have ICE!!!!! Yes, ICE, *WATER ICE* on Mars! w00t!!! Best day ever!!
After digging in a spot, several crumbs of material disappeared, melted, indicating water based ice. Precisely what Phoenix was looking for.
P. S. Yes, the lander said, “w00t”.
The best thing about this meal is that it takes about 15 minutes to make.
One downside is that I have to try to time things properly, and when you have to use the same saucepan to make the rice and steam the broccoli, it can be a little touch-and-go there at the end. Another downside is that the George Foreman grill cooks both sides at the same time, and sears them both, so the salmon doesn’t flake off as nicely as it does if you pan sear it or truly grill it. Those are both minor downsides that the ease of cooking relegates to nothing.
I liked him, but they need some sort of shake-up to get things going. It happened in Anaheim after a win. They just played at home for a week, and flew to California on Sunday night/Monday morning. Why didn’t they fire him before the trip? I don’t know how this works, but I assume they pay for his flight back?
Patrick J. Lyons from the NY Times writes:
Lori Mehmen [...] looked out her front door and saw a funnel cloud bearing down — and evidently had the presence of mind to grab her digital camera and capture this shot before taking cover.
If I looked out my front door and saw that, the only presence of mind I would have would be to grab a new pair of underwear and run. Great photo.
NBC will have a special edition of ‘Meet the Press’ to remember Tim Russert (who passed away this past Friday).
Although I hate politics, ‘Meet the Press’ is the one political show I watch (on occasion), and I watch because of Tim. He had such enthusiasm, he seemed fair, and he seemed like someone you could be friends with (even though he’s a Bills fan). He’ll be missed.
I’m the 40,000,000 richest person in the world. Woohoo! That and a token will get me on the subway.*
* That cliche is a little outdated, but “that and a MetroCard will get me on the subway” doesn’t have the same ring.
I would love to see the photo requests that are rejected.
Ironic that one of only a few non-processed ingredients is the one that makes you sick.
Twice as fast at half the price. I predict that there will be a NY Times crossword clue for an eight letter word meaning “BlackBerry killer”.
joshmadison.com is the ramblings and WOMBATs of Josh Madison, an all-around good guy living and working in New York City. At the time this page was loaded, jmdc contained 599 entries with 555 comments.
Here's a random link to something that might be interesting, but there are no guarantees.
Added “Woody Paige’s ‘Around the Horn’ Chalkboard Messages” to Projects
Jun 9, 2008
Changes Are Afoot
May 12, 2008
Added “Oreo vs. Chips Ahoy!” to Projects
Apr 22, 2008
Added “M&M’s Color Distribution Analysis” to Projects
Dec 3, 2007
Added “Toilet Paper Usage” to Projects
May 9, 2007
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