The gates are absolutely beautiful.

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Thank you so much, Christo.

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POTD

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Lots of people seem to be panning Santiago Calatrava's design for a high-rise tower at 80 Front Street. I think it looks beautiful.

RIP: Arthur Miller

Apple's board of directors has approved a 2 for 1 stock split.

From this...

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...to this...

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...to this...

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...in just a few weeks. Christo and Jeanne-Claude's work, The Gates has started to take shape. The gates, covering walkways throughout Central Park, are going up. I did a quick walkthrough this afternoon and I'm really blown away.

I'm not sure why, but I find this project very moving. Massive orange gates covering footpaths from north to south. Beautiful, imposing, yet somehow flowing with the park in an eerie harmony. A small army of people putting it all together. It is difficult to describe or imagine the scope without walking through the park.

Something about the huge, temporary gates really touches me.

This weekend, the bolts of fabric attached to each crossbar will be unfurled, completing the installation. I can't wait.

If you are able, do come to see the gates. They come down February 27. But if you do find yourself in Central Park, please be gentle to the grass.

"Foreigners in Times Square can stop here...to exchange their silly pastel currency for the American dollar, the strength and nobility of which is reflected in: Our fine American artwork...our tasteful American fashions...and our subtle American fusion cuisine." [via Pop Stand]

Very funny. Read through to the link; you need to see the photos for the full effect.

I have just received word, though I have not yet verified, that there are cheating housewives in my area.

Apparently there is a problem here in New York with cock ring fights. What a silly thing to fight about.

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There was a guerilla fashion show today on 39th Street.

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A reaction to Fashion week that is taking over 6th Ave this week. A protest.

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It was fun. Good DJ, freaky fashion.

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Why is Christopher Lloyd playing Lawrence Lessig on The West Wing? Why isn't Lawrence Lessig playing Lawrence Lessig?

Did anyone see Wayne Brady on Chappelle's Show last night? Brilliant.

"Karl Rove is now, officially, in charge of pretty much everything at the White House.

But it's mostly just a title change.

President Bush's long-time chief political strategist is now assistant to the president, deputy chief of staff and senior adviser." [via the Washington Post]

From a Washington Post article about Rove's role in the White House.

The key paragraph in the piece:

"Critics see Rove's promotion as further evidence that this White House makes little or no distinction between politics and policy."

But The Post doesn't go far enough. This administration puts politics ahead of the Republic. That is the shameful truth.

T-Mobile has a feature on their site that will show cell coverage for a given address.

And they are honest. That X is my apartment, and there really is a big dead spot right behind it. Cool.

POTD

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Damn! Someone already has facecake.com.

"Are Amtrak subsidies equivalent to the monies used to prevent the commercial airlines from going belly up after 9/11? If the government pays to maintain private air transportation companies, why not rail?" [via Cox Crow]

Good question. Other than that (logical answer) airlines serve more people or that (cynical answer) airlines have more money, better lawyers and lobbyists, I'm not sure.

Regardless, I can't think of a better transportation investment than a national rail network.

When did Google start doing maps?

POTD

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I think everyone should read Media Matters every day. They are really, really good.

Did they just say that Larry David lives in Florida?

Ah, Londonist. So much to learn...

RIP: Max Schmelling