Of Interest (Literary I): 03.31.2010

+ Embroidery and literature, two arts not normally combined, meet in these embroidered samplers of Kurt Vonnegut's illustrations, including yes, the "sphincter" from Breakfast of Champions.

+ Somewhat related: there's an entire blog dedicated to literary-themed tattoos, called Contrariwise. Here's the Kurt Vonnegut category, including, yes, some sphincters. Pictured here is a Fight Club inspired tattoo.

+ Awesome short science fiction story: Tipping Point by Todd Stein, on the pulpy, quick-read site Popcorn Fiction.

+ Not like I need to have a special date dedicated to the activity (I wish I could free up more to do so), Do Nothing But Read Day(s) 2010 are designated for June 20 and December 19. I already have everything I need on the preparation list (sleepy cats!).

+ I'll fully admit to craning my neck on the train as I walk up the aisle to see what people are reading, even sneaking peeks at Kindles. CoverSpy collects what New Yorkers are reading in public (transit, parks, bars, etc.).

Of Interest (Design): 03.24.2010

+ More notebook pr0n: Scout Books, perfectly sized pocket notebooks. Swoon!

+ The Penguin "Literary Ink" cover designs look cool, but do some of these books need to be repackaged yet again?

+ Another reason to buy a house: to have blank walls to fill 'em with cool DIY Wall Art Ideas!

+ Don't know if I should laugh, cry, or stick my head in the oven: Clash, Kurt Cobain, and Blondie themed Chuck Taylors.

+ More specialized Moleskine notebooks to lust after: Passions. (At least the company provides a few free templates if you want to roll your own, DIY style.)

DIY Quick and Dirty PRINTERESTING SWAP!

Yesterday the PRINTERESTING! blog and The Print Center held a DIY Quick and Dirty PRINTERESTING SWAP, which I was lucky enough to be a part of. About 25 or so artists swapped their projects, including artists' books, limited edition silkscreen prints, photography, and more paper-based art. I was the only one there with zines, so I was a little nervous at first, but everyone was eager to trade. Photos of some of my swaps to come, but for now a few low-res photos (forgot real camera) from the event.

One of the swapping tables. I traded for an edition of the "YOU WILL DIE ALONE" print:



A selection of zines from the TEMPORARY SERVICES collective. (Many of these are also available on their site):



Yes, the toilet seat at The Print Center is even a type of printing press:



... and they have informative wallpaper in the restroom as well:


(Thanks much to Eli VandenBerg of The Print Center and RL Tillman and Amze Emmons of PRINTERESTING! for setting up the swap, as well as everyone who traded. Thanks also to artist Jen McCleary, who tipped me off to this event!)

Of Interest (Nom Nom Nom): 03.19.2010

+ One man's Museum of Foreign Groceries, a set on Flickr. Want some Pringles in Funky Soy Sauce or Wild Consomme flavors?

+ KitKats of the World! Raspberry! Green Tea! Brandy and Orange? Red Bean Paste!? But check out those package designs!

+ 1 Chicken, 17 Healthy Meals, 26 Bucks from the Cheap Healthy Good blog. (Also see the post Cutting Calories and Saving D'oh: 25 Lessons "The Simpsons" Taught Me About Cheap, Healthy Eating.)

+ In London and hankering for some bland British food? Want to experience live during and after WWII without the air raids? Then try Kitchen Front, a cafe at the Imperial War Museum serving up food made from ration-based recipes. This is a tie-in with the exhibit The Ministry of Food, about the problems of feeding the British public during the War(s). If you can't visit the museum, the web site has scanned pamphlets, cookbooks, food-related propaganda posters, old newsreels and much more.

+ When in Toronto, visit Sky Blue Sky Sandwich Company, a Wilco-themed deli. When in Greensboro, NC, stop by Sticks & Stones Clay Oven, the Ryan Adams-themed pizza joint. (No, seriously.)

+ While I doubt the validity of some of these, here's what to order off-menu at fast food places: 24 Secret Restaurant Menu Items. Some of these are just gross and really tacky: the "McGangBang"?

+ Related: The 15 Worst Fast Food FAILS (presented in an annoying gallery format). Hey, I kinda liked the BK Veggie Burger! There's McSpaghetti? And the Arch Deluxe! And the weird seaweed-based thing McD's tried. But there's no entry for the Taco Bell "lighter" menu from the mid-90s, which I practically lived on during grad school.

+ Saw this over the weekend on America's Test Kitchen and must nom: Stovetop Roast Chicken with Lemon-Herb Sauce.

"Independent, iconoclastic, innovative."

Representative Steve Cohen (TN-D) eulogizes Alex Chilton. (This is probably the only time The Replacements will ever be name checked on the floor of the US House of Representatives, as well.)

"I'm in love, what's that song? I'm in love with that song."

R.I.P. Alex Chilton, 1950-2010

Memphis Music Legend Alex Chilton Dies (Breaking news from his hometown paper, the Memphis Commercial Appeal.)

This makes me very sad. In memorial, I'll be playing nothing but Box Tops, Big Star, and Alex's solo stuff tomorrow.

This performance on The Mike Douglas Show is obviously lip-synched, but I have always LOVED the Box Tops' cover of "Soul Deep", written by Wayne Thompson, made popular by Clarence Carter. I love Alex's voice, I love the jangly guitar licks, I love it all.

Re: Cancelation of the Itawamba Agricultural High School prom

16 March 2010

Superintendent Teresa McNeece
tmcneece@itawamba.k12.ms.us

Principal Trae Wiygul
twiygul@itawamba.k12.ms.us

Re: Cancelation of the Itawamba Agricultural High School prom

Ms. McNeece and Mr. Wiygul:

Although I do not live in Mississippi, and am many years past prom-age, I am writing to express disgust and disappointment over the Itawamba County School District's initial decision to bar student Constance McMillen to attend prom with her girlfriend, then followed by the cancellation of the prom.

This was a truly bigoted and discriminatory action against Constance McMillen, as well as all gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, and questioning teenagers in the entire country. In addition to it being a bigoted and discriminatory decision, it was also a very dangerous and irresponsible decision, as it has basically placed the "blame" for the prom's cancellation on Constance McMillen. It has already been reported that McMillen has been the target of hateful comments, such as "Thanks for ruining my senior year." I can only imagine (in horror) the comments that are not being printed in the newspaper.

High school is a difficult enough time period for any teenager who doesn't follow the prescribed "mainstream" path, no matter if they are geeks (band, science, drama, or otherwise), non-conformists, independent thinkers, or questioning their gender and sexuality. By first baring Constance McMillen and her girlfriend from the prom, and then cancelling the event seemingly out of spite, you have not only made life worse for one girl who was brave enough to speak up, but for the many who are too terrified to do so.

If I were pious, I would pray for Constance's safety until the end of the school year. As an anti-theist, the best I can do is keep her in my good thoughts and spread the word about this situation.

Regards,
A.j. Michel

-------------------------
Resources:

Please send polite, well-constructed complaint e-mails to Superintendent Teresa McNeece (tmcneece@itawamba.k12.ms.us) and Principal Trae Wiygul (twiygul@itawamba.k12.ms.us).

Facebook Group: Let Constance McMillen take her girlfriend to prom.

ACLU Archive on Incident

(And a hat tip to Dan Savage for inspiring me to write this letter.)

Of Interest (Odds and Sods): 03.15.2010

+ Not updated nearly enough: WTF Comcast, strange descriptions of On-Demand programming.

+ xkcd presents a real life WALL-E tale, the story of Mars Rover Spirit, but without a happy ending. (This comic made me sadder than it probably should have.)

+ Some anti-DRM graphics of interest:

• Why DRM Doesn't Work, or How to Download an Audiobook from the Cleveland Public Library (I've experienced similar frustration with my public library.)


• If you are a pirate, this is what you get (Now, I don't pirate movies, but I also dislike all the crap they stick at the front of DVDs, especially when you can't forward through some if it. (Disney, I'm looking at you.) If you really want to understand how frustrating all of this can be, try to explain to a senior citizen that there are some things they can skip through, and others they can't.)

+ Godzilla Haiku: loving the beast in 17 syllables. My favorite so far:

60 Years of Donuts and Logos!

In the final issue of The Hungover Gourmet zine, which was about coffee (and you should really buy a copy), I contributed a list of "10 Reasons Why Dunkin' Donuts is My Weapon of Choice over Starbucks, and not a Single One of them Politically Motivated". Number 7 on the list was:

"Dunkin' has great logo design, always has, such as the 70s/80s logo with the name in a circle, like a donut. The current pictograph logo (representing the slogan "America Runs on Dunkin'") is quite aesthetically pleasing as well."

2010 is the 60th anniversary of Dunkin' Donuts - founded in Quincy, MA in 1950 - and the current coffee cups and donut boxes feature a collage of some of their old logo designs. I still love the "logo in a mug of coffee" version.