Swimming with the Razorfishes

Friday, June 04, 2004

These photos are just too good.

[via bdu]

POTD



Every day is filled with an infinite number of moments of great beauty. It is my deepest frustration that I can't capture them all.

Thursday, June 03, 2004

I watched Bill Clinton on CSPAN this evening. He was speaking at BookExpo in Chicago regarding his upcoming book.

I found myself on the edge of tears again and again. Not because I'm such a Clinton supporter, but because of the stark contrast between Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Immediately apparent: Clinton is a deeply engaging person. He speaks with a clarity and directness that George Bush lacks.

In discussing his book, Clinton tries to set himself in the context of history, and in the context of America's history. Not by jingoistic cliches; but in terms of shared experience and culture, reflecting his own life in America's history. He tells his story as a microcosm of America and America's story. I simply can't imagine President Bush doing this.

As Clinton talks about his political career, he tries to explain what his political opposition thinks and feels. He wants to understand why his opposition thinks they are right. Has President Bush ever done this? In his world of Good and Evil, is there room for understanding opposing points of view? Clinton presents the current republican / democrat split as an opportunity to affirm the union, to become a more inclusive country, rather than a political battle to be won at all costs. President Bush calls his opposition un-American, unpatriotic, or on the side of terrorists.

Clinton sees hope and inspiration in our country's current situation. I can't hear President Bush speak, however, without a sense of dread, of hope that things just don't get any worse.

Clinton delivered a fascinating, literate speech without reading from a script. He is tremendously thoughtful, and represents such a wonderful, practical application of 60's idealism. President Bush rarely speaks at length, and never seems at ease while speaking. When he does speak, it is often in generalities and catch phrases.

Seeing Bill Clinton speak reminded me what can be. This makes me terribly sad with how things are. Clinton's speech will be re-aired on CSPAN2 this Sunday, at 6:00 PM.

POTD

Tenet Resigns.

In a scene reminiscent of Neo's first escape from Agent Smith, Special Branch officers slapped the cuffs on Mike Devine at his office in Bristol yesterday, and took him away for questioning.

Devine, who plays in a Clash tribute band in his spare time, had sent a message containing lyrics from The Clash's Tommy Gun to his lead singer who had forgotten the words to the song.

According to The Sun, the message read:

"How about this for Tommy Gun? OK - SO LET'S AGREE ABOUT THE PRICE AND MAKE IT ONE JET AIRLINER AND TEN PRISONERS"

[Via readme.blog]

Rumors are that George Tenet, Director of Central Intelligence, is resigning. Interesting.

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

I misspoke yesterday. This afternoon we did an official count, and my project has seen six -- SIX -- babies brought into the world.

POTD

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Ha! Rodeohead is a medley of Radiohead songs played in a Bluegrass style.

[via Adacito]

At the risk of sounding cautiously optimistic, I think my current project at work may be wrapping up.



More than two years of my life, untold hours at my desk, crazy stress, every possible personal issue, two children born to members of the team; everything you can think of, it happened on this project. We still have three or four months of work left, but I think I see the end of it.

And, on seeing the end, I'm terribly excited.

Monday, May 31, 2004

Boy howdy. Spend the weekend offline, and you accumulate quite a lot of spam.

Does anyone know why Kate Moss is pole dancing in this video?



Odd, but a good video. Fantastic lighting.