A Madonna Who Shows the Beauty in Going Overboard – The New York Times:
What makes a picture “good”?
This is the question Jason Farago strives to answer in this New York Times article focused on “Madonna of the Long Neck” by Parmigianino.
I’m not sure what it is, but this article drew me in and somehow inspires me. Maybe it’s the short review of great art or the witty discussion with shifting focus on different parts of multiple works of “Great Art.”
Whatever it is, I like it.
Tonight I reread some Edgar Allen Poe, one of my favorite writers since I was a child. I remember being heartbroken while riding home from vacation with my parents. The blood drained from my face as I screamed. I left a volume of Poe behind in a drawer, to be read never more.
Now, I have two copies of Poe on the shelf. Tonight I read:
Good times.
Download 11,710 Free-to-Use Photos of Roadside Americana:
The Library of Congress has published over 11,000 high-resolution shots of U.S. roadside attractions, and released the images (to which it had purchased the rights) into the public domain. The photos were taken by architectural critic and photographer John Margolies, who spent forty years documenting his travels along U.S. highways, photographing billboards, drive-ins, diners, car washes, mini-golf, novelty buildings, and other roadside constructions.
These are great and free to use! You can view all of them at the Library of Congress, though many are easier to review on Flickr.
Bridge Concert 10/22/16 Roger Waters “Hello In There” John Prine song – YouTube:
John Prine touched so many lives including mine. So many musicians loved his work and appreciated his muted style. Many covered his work, but this performance by Roger Waters (begrudgingly of Pink Floyd fame) is among my favorites.
They even performed this song together in 2017.
I hate COVID-19. It is taking so many lives from doctors to grocery workers, mothers, fathers, children, and so many great artists.
John. Hello up there. We miss you already.
At the time of this recording on Saturday Night Live (hosted by John Mulaney), David Byrne is 67 years old. I hope to be doing so well at that age.
TipBITS: Enable the Startup Chime on New Macs – TidBITS:
When Apple disabled the startup sound by default in 2016, it was discovered that a Terminal command could bring it back:
sudo nvram BootAudio=%01Unfortunately, that approach stopped working with Mac models in 2017, presumably due to Apple removing the option in a macOS update, and since then, new Macs have started up silently. Now, however, Twitter user DylanMcD8 has discovered a new NVRAM parameter that brings back the startup sound, even on the latest Macs.
sudo nvram StartupMute=%0
Also, the associated video is delightful.
On my way to enjoy some time downtown I was passed by a burgundy sedan weaving through slow traffic in a gentrified residential neighborhood going something like 100 in a 30 with a screaming state trooper trailing about 70 yards behind.
I hope the trooper got him. That driver deserves some time for “reflection.”
Anyway, I’m enjoying a Cortado at our awesome local shop while waiting for a gin tasting hosted by Castle and Key at our favorite bar. I’m looking forward to learning more about gin, how it’s made, and the best ways to enjoy it.
The Cursor blinks incessantly. Mocking me. Taunting me.
Blink. Blink. On. Off. On. Off. On.
On and on, marking the blank page.
The blinking Cursor makes me sad because no characters follow it.
Not Today.
Maybe Tomorrow.
This is a cool thing I found thanks to The Loop.
It’s amazing how many steps Zildjian takes to craft each unique cymbal.