iTunes is killing the real cd, I find myself downloading my music from the iTunes store. There’s nothing like instant gratification. But there are times when I’ve gone out of my way and purchased the physical cd just to get a hold of the artwork (Menomena’s Friend or Foe, Antony’s i am a bird now, etc.). I’m excited about Antony’s new cd, The Crying Light, just look at Yoshito Ohno up there! I’m reading up on butoh and you should too.

The Moment blog at the NY Times has a piece about a Pantone/Gap collaboration on t-shirts. Don’t know exactly how different these are from American Apparel shirts, I’m interested in seeing them and trying that “Mimosa”  (pee yellow).

Sometime last week through my Google Reader I came across someone talking about the Monocle Weekly podcast. I gathered that The Monocle is a magazine, but without reading about the magazine I subscribed to podcast. I seriously enjoyed the podcast, it’s a nice mixture of politics, business, music, design, etc. This past Saturday Brian, Dave and I went shopping at Tretorn in Georgetown. I noticed Tretorn had copies of the newest issue of The Monocle, I decided it would be in my best interest to look into getting a subscription to the magazine. I was a little disappointed when the subscription didn’t seem to be a very good deal, I mean it’s definitely worth it to have it delivered (and you get a really nice-looking tote bag) but you are not getting any discount by subscribing. I’ll probably end up getting a subscription, especially since today’s episode of The Monocle Weekly podcast was just so good, it’s really well done, I couldn’t possibly give it a higher recommendation. Great job guys!

I’m lusting after BillyKirk’s shoulder satchel. It’s designed by two brothers who then have an Amish family construct their products. I’m trying to convince myself to get this satchel. I know that my MacBook Pro wouldn’t fit but it would be big enough to carry a book or two and some paperwork. It’s pretty slick-looking and has the air of a timeless piece. You can visit the page and read a little about how it’s made but frankly, the piece speaks for itself. It’s yet another bag that will keep me from visiting our local vegan cafe.

As much as I’ve read about the printing process you’d think I’d have a clear sense as to how it was done. I mean, if some guy could do it almost 500 hundred years ago… Anyway, I came across this video through UnosTiposDuros and I was just floored by the complicated process. Check it out:

Above: The iconic panel when the Dark Phoenix snacked on a star and toasted several billions living beings. This post was prompted by Marvel’s inability to handle strong women characters.

As muddled as Jean Grey’s story became I can’t help but think it didn’t have to be so messy. As I understand Chris Claremont’s conception of the Phoenix’s powers they are not unlimited. The young Phoenix was even defeated by Magneto one time. The Phoenix was basically a battery of potentially unlimited capacity… but she still had to be charged up with something external.

When attempting to repair the M’Kraan Crystal she wasn’t strong enough, she needed the life forces of two teammates. Of course, in the panel above she really charged herself up and became pretty unstoppable. But a good writer could have limited the Phoenix’s access to that much power and kept her as a team member. Many have said that having such a powerful team member renders the other X-Men obsolete and I completely disagree. Having a cosmically-powered Phoenix is one thing but the Phoenix before the whole eating star incident had limits.

Next time, I’ll try to formulate Grant Morrison’s ingenious way of getting rid of both Phoenix and Jean Grey (that bastard!).

There was a substantial windfall last month. I finally came to the following conclusions regarding that money:

1. Buying an Apple Cinema Display is asinine since my MacBook will be slowed down.
2. Buying an iPhone will be chumpy since I’d have to pay at least $150 just to cancel the Verizon contract.
3. Buying a MacBook Pro is imbecilic because I’ve not had my MacBook for even a year and it appears all the Apple laptops will be refreshed around September.
4. Buying a flatscreen TV may not be a bad idea.

The problem is that of all the geeky electronics listed above the only one that really tugs at my heart is the iPhone. However, my financial sense holds me back. I still remember when I used to be in debt a few years back when I was coming out of college. There was definitely a sense of purpose and triumph when I buckled down and whittled down my $3,000 debt to zero. Now I promptly pay my credit card twice a month and make sure the credit card company makes no money off of me. The credit company actually sends me money since I have a rewards card. But I also keep thinking that all of the things I listed are completley unecessary. . . I’m acting as if the money is burning in my pocket. Sometimes I have to be reminded that all I need is a coffee, a book and some sunlight to derive lots of satisfaction.

The little peasant is squatting. He’s already evacuated. There’s a brown pile there and it’s surprisingly realistic. Oh, the Catalans and their scatological fixation. I’m continually fascinated when I think about caganer figurines. What does this mean for a people? What does this mean for a culture?

Not only do the figurines exist, they are placed in Nativity scenes! Imagine preparing the solemn Nativity scene with shepherds, animals, Mary, Joseph, Magi, etc. . . and then placing a little figurine hidden away and squatting.

Something happened when the Conquistadores were crossing the Atlantic. As far as I know, Latin America is lacking this scatological component. We do not casually mention shitting on the communion wafer. In Mexico shitting on anything is not used as an insult, shitting is shameful. What does this mean about Catalans and Spaniards? On the one hand, I admire the idea that even at this great cosmic moment – the birth of the Savior – we mere humans still had to poop. I admire the figurines of famous people squatting and pooping. Yes, Zapatero, Bush, and the Pope all poop (and caganers of all of these people have been made). But on the other hand, isn’t this larger scatological fixation kind of weird?

I hate Winnie the Pooh. I hate his voice, he’s bland, he lacks charm, etc. Imagine my surprise when I found the Soviet version of Winnie the Pooh and completely fell in love with it! Not only is the animation charming, Vinni Pukh looks more like a bear, he has a cute raspy voice and he’s a little not-so-bright troublemaker. The episode I’m embedding teaches kids to be considerate when visiting. It’s just hypnotic and comforting for some reason:

If you find this mildly entertaining, then I suggest heading over to this think in pictures essay called Winnie the Pooh in Russia, it’s very well done.