The Vinyl Revolution

The age of mp3 piracy has produced at least one positive outcome: record companies are finally beginning to acknowledge the increased demand for vinyl by audiophiles who prefer the warm, rich sound of analog over the thin, compressed sound of digital formats like cds, mp3s, aac files, and every other dilluted format. To satiate the increased demand for high-quality records, EMI/Capitol have announced that they will be reissuing vinyl copies of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, as well as Radiohead's entire pre-In Rainbows catalogue. Combined with the vinyl reissue of M. Ward's Transfiguration of Vincent, it appears I will have no choice but to start redeeming the seemingly endless supply of Amazon credit card points I earned when I paid for my back surgery earlier this year. Maybe I should also break down and buy the $100,000 Continuum turntable I've been dreaming about for the past couple years?

The Second Most Beautiful Game in the World

I'm happy David Stern and his band of NBA referees decided to pull the plug on the season tonight (although it appears ESPN "journalist" Stephen A. Smith is just getting started with a daring summer story about how racism permeates everything in life--from the food we eat to the air we breathe). Anyway, now that the NBA season is officially over, I can focus on the most beautiful game in the world that isn't called college football.

Firefox 3: Download Day 2008

Firefox 3, the world's most functional Internet browser for both PCs and Macs, was officially released today. Of course, this news is nothing to get excited about if your name is Natalie Hall and you like slow browsers with security issues (i.e., Microsoft's Internet Explorer). But for those of you that want to enjoy "doing the Internet," you should probably download it: Firefox 3

Shifting Pixel

I used to think I could be a world-class photographer. But then I never bought a camera. So now I just appreciate what other great photographers can do and try to convince others that I know how to distinguish between good and bad photography. If I ever get cornered, I just say something about lines, textures, and the contrast between darkness and light. This particular picture can be found on one of my favorite photography websites: Shifting Pixel. If you've never visited Shifting Pixel, start with the "must see" group of photos (these are the photographer's favorite pictures).

Obama, I've Always Thought Your Big Ears Are Sexy.

Thank you for finally conceding, Hilary. And thanks even more for that passionate 30-minute concession speech today. I'm sure all of your "destitute single-mother" campaign contributors are happy to know they didn't waste their time and money on your losing bid to continue the 20-year "Bush/Clinton" dynasty.