Hey, Leaguers. Those of you with kids might want to share this item with them.
Every year, for the past few years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has turned it's considerable resources to tracking Santa over American and other air space. You kids might be curious to see Santa make his way around the planet before he reaches your house.
Here's a link to the NORAD Santa Tracking website.
OR, you can track Santa with Google Earth.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Austin Books X-Mas Sale
Austin area readers may be interested to know that Austin Books is holding a substantial sale on Saturday. But it's also a Christmas party.
From their e-mail:
* 25% off ALL trade paperbacks (including hardcovers!) and manga
* 50% off select trade paperbacks (several hundred titles)
* $20 Gift Certificate given away every hour
* Cookies and Cocoa!
* Free Marvel Holiday Special Comic (while supplies last)
and
Yes, I am forcing Jamie into taking me.
From their e-mail:
* 25% off ALL trade paperbacks (including hardcovers!) and manga
* 50% off select trade paperbacks (several hundred titles)
* $20 Gift Certificate given away every hour
* Cookies and Cocoa!
* Free Marvel Holiday Special Comic (while supplies last)
and
Don't forget, it's a party! There's going to be delicious sugar cookies for everyone and hot cocoa. We're going to be spinning X-Mas tunes. At least one of us will be wearing some ridiculous X-Mas garb.
So join us and be merry, because our idea of surviving the holiday retail season is by sticking a party and major sale in the middle of it. Then we go home and have some Crazy Ol' Blitzen Brand Egg Nog. It's got kick.
Yes, I am forcing Jamie into taking me.
Drunk History
This series I found at "Funny or Die" brought back some painful, fuzzy memories from college. Leaguers may recall that one of side-effect of graduating from high school was that I sort of earned a History degree from the Univ. of Texas. Anyhow, what I liked about history (well, probably one of my favorite things in life) is real stories.
To some degree, I think that's why I prefer watching Discovery, History Channel, what have you to most hour-long dramas. Or even will listen to Nicole rattle on for hours at a time. But, there's so much real stuff out there that's kind of mind-blowing that I don't feel compelled to see Jack Bauer's latest water-boarding adventure.
Occasionally, back in school when I'd tied one or two on, I'd find some "in" in the conversation that would remind me of something from class, and I would feel compelled to share.
I imagine that when I relate most of my book-learnin', whether sober or otherwise, it sounds not unlike the work of...
DRUNK HISTORY
Here's a link to more. Beware the, uh... usual side effects of drinking a bottle of vodka, etc... There are swears, confusion, and some, uhmmm... purging.
To some degree, I think that's why I prefer watching Discovery, History Channel, what have you to most hour-long dramas. Or even will listen to Nicole rattle on for hours at a time. But, there's so much real stuff out there that's kind of mind-blowing that I don't feel compelled to see Jack Bauer's latest water-boarding adventure.
Occasionally, back in school when I'd tied one or two on, I'd find some "in" in the conversation that would remind me of something from class, and I would feel compelled to share.
I imagine that when I relate most of my book-learnin', whether sober or otherwise, it sounds not unlike the work of...
DRUNK HISTORY
Here's a link to more. Beware the, uh... usual side effects of drinking a bottle of vodka, etc... There are swears, confusion, and some, uhmmm... purging.
Top 100 people
I seriously would not take it upon myself to compile a list of 100 People of 2008, but nobody is paying me to be a full time blogger. Even then I'd think it a lot of unnecessary work.
But USA Today's pop culture wunderkind, Whitney Matheson, has done exactly that. And Jim Parsons it at number 35.
And Kanye West is at 37?
Man, if I was even on the same list as Kanye West anywhere, even on someone's "To Kill in 2009" list, I would be flattered. But to be 2 spaces in front of Mr. West?
Suck it, Kanye! Sheldon's emotionally challenged physicist is the new cool.
And if we're looking to off-kilter geniuses, then its not surprising that David Byrne sits at #34. Maybe next year, Jim.
I was going to mention other highlights, such as Samantha Bee at #39 and Kristen Wiig at #25, but the whole list is made up of highlights. But is anyone more highlightier than Mad Men's Christina Hendricks at #31? I think not.
But USA Today's pop culture wunderkind, Whitney Matheson, has done exactly that. And Jim Parsons it at number 35.
And Kanye West is at 37?
Man, if I was even on the same list as Kanye West anywhere, even on someone's "To Kill in 2009" list, I would be flattered. But to be 2 spaces in front of Mr. West?
Suck it, Kanye! Sheldon's emotionally challenged physicist is the new cool.
And if we're looking to off-kilter geniuses, then its not surprising that David Byrne sits at #34. Maybe next year, Jim.
I was going to mention other highlights, such as Samantha Bee at #39 and Kristen Wiig at #25, but the whole list is made up of highlights. But is anyone more highlightier than Mad Men's Christina Hendricks at #31? I think not.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Office Party
Tonight was my office Christmas party. Lovely, catered affair at UT's new hotel/ conference center. Well, by office, I mean the entire library staff and their families showed up. It was a few hundred folks as far as I could tell.
I'm still new, so I stuck close to people I know, met some new people, drank some coffee, ate some food, ate a cookie. It was, all in all, very festive. And, it was interesting to see how so many people related to one another. A lot of them have been there for a career, and some were back after retiring.
I've never worked anywhere before that was somewhere I believed I'd be for more than a few years. Or where people took it for granted that their jobs would be there tomorrow, even when I worked at other university jobs. I'm not sure I believe I'm set for life, but it's an interesting dynamic. And a nice thought.
I don't know. I'm not ready to say I'm settled in quite yet.
Christmas Schedules
I'm actually in Austin straight through, but thanks to the unique schedule of the University, I'm actually off starting tomorrow at 5:00 until after Jan. 1 (but we miss basically every other federal, state or other holiday).
I'm looking forward to some downtime that doesn't include unemployment.
There's a lot of "chore" type stuff I want to knock out, but if you're around and about, give me a shout.
This also means light blogging will probably also continue throughout the break.
Christmas Poetry
I was asked pretty specifically not to repeat my Holiday Poetry experiment this year. So, alas, you poor suckers. No Holiday poem this year.
Not that anyone ever seemed to read the poems...
I Have No Idea What is Happening Here
...because it looks like Santa is an unwilling participant in this image
Tonight was my office Christmas party. Lovely, catered affair at UT's new hotel/ conference center. Well, by office, I mean the entire library staff and their families showed up. It was a few hundred folks as far as I could tell.
I'm still new, so I stuck close to people I know, met some new people, drank some coffee, ate some food, ate a cookie. It was, all in all, very festive. And, it was interesting to see how so many people related to one another. A lot of them have been there for a career, and some were back after retiring.
I've never worked anywhere before that was somewhere I believed I'd be for more than a few years. Or where people took it for granted that their jobs would be there tomorrow, even when I worked at other university jobs. I'm not sure I believe I'm set for life, but it's an interesting dynamic. And a nice thought.
I don't know. I'm not ready to say I'm settled in quite yet.
Christmas Schedules
I'm actually in Austin straight through, but thanks to the unique schedule of the University, I'm actually off starting tomorrow at 5:00 until after Jan. 1 (but we miss basically every other federal, state or other holiday).
I'm looking forward to some downtime that doesn't include unemployment.
There's a lot of "chore" type stuff I want to knock out, but if you're around and about, give me a shout.
This also means light blogging will probably also continue throughout the break.
Christmas Poetry
I was asked pretty specifically not to repeat my Holiday Poetry experiment this year. So, alas, you poor suckers. No Holiday poem this year.
Not that anyone ever seemed to read the poems...
I Have No Idea What is Happening Here
...because it looks like Santa is an unwilling participant in this image
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The League's Musical Playlist, 2008
I'm running a bit dry for content ideas at the moment, which I attribute to the sudden shortage of links and wackiness Randy usually sends me, but which has abruptly dried up of late (what up RHPT?).
I've been doing some lists over at Comic Fodder for an end of the year wrap up. So far I've posted a sort of rambling pre-amble, and then a "disappointments of 2008" list. I'll be doing a "good stuff from 2008" list by the weekend or first of next week. So, click on those and enjoy them. Or not. You know, whatever.
But you're reading this far down thinking "Great! More comics nonsense. But what about THE MUSIC, man?"
Well, I'm going to be 100% honest here.
2008 was probably the year I paid the absolute least attention to music in my life. Aside from ACL Fest, I don't think I went to a single show*, which wasn't even true in Phoenix, I think. Or at least there I had tickets but didn't make it out. I confess that I was otherwise distracted and I'm getting old. I had a subscription to "Spin" I bought from some adorable little girl who was selling magazines door-to-door, and every time I opened that magazine, I felt like I had no idea what I was looking at. I have no perspective anymore to separate hype and that first blush interest in freshman bands from an actual romance with a band's music.
These days, I mostly listen to music in the car, at my desk at home, or not at all. I definitely no longer just sit and listen to an album while laying on my bed anymore.
Consequently, I think my tastes are as run of the mill as they've been since I bought "Invisible Touch" out of a record bin at "Skaggs Alphabeta" grocery when I was 12ish.
As I don't think I can say much about Best Albums of 2008, because, seriously, I haven't got a clue, I'm just going to go through my iPod's playlists entitled "2008 - 1" and "2008 - 2". I've made other playlists, but they're either thematic or generated by the Genius feature.
Some of these tracks became "skip" tracks. But I'll go ahead and be all-inclusive.
Begin your judging of my tastes in 3... 2... 1...
2008 - 1
1) Into the Open - Heartless Bastards
The sophomore effort wasn't as strong, but this track from this album is a favorite
2) Someone Great - LCD Soundsystem
An oddly sentimental tune from LCD Soundsystem.
3) Pretty in Pink - Dresden Dolls
Slightly different from the Psychedelic Furs' original, but I like it just as much
4) Just Like Honey - The Jesus & Mary Chain
An old favorite from, what...? Middle school?
5) Wake Up - Arcade Fire
I'm surprised this wasn't 30% Arcade Fire. But I think I listen to their albums so much that they don't show up on playlists. This song contains one of my favorite changes.
6) Bodysnatchers - Radiohead
One of my favorite songs of the year. I'm not altogether clear what it's about, but it rocks my socks off.
7) Orphan Girl - Gillian Welch
I actually really like Gillian Welch and was glad to see her at ACL Fest this year. Maybe my favorite set of the show.
8) Sleeping Lesson - The Shins
I'm not 100% on The Shins. They're a little wimpy for me, but I do like this tune.
9) Missing - Everything but the Girl
Straight up, Leaguers. This song is on, like, every playlist I have. I do not apologize.
10) Weapon of Choice - Fatboy Slim
I challenge you not to dig this song.
11) Shadowtime - Siouxsie & the Banshees
A highschool favorite
12) In Between Days - The Cure
I think I must have been going through some nostalgic kick when I built this part of the playlist. Also, I think I was learning the song on bass.
13) I Drove All Night - Cyndi Lauper
If you don't own it, I recommend Lauper's "12 Deadly Cyns"
14) Midnight Radio - Hedwig and the Angry Inch soundtrack
Have you seen this movie?
15) Fannin Street - Tom Waits
Yeah, its about THAT Fannin Street. Check it out, Houstonians.
16) Slippery People - Talking Heads
I'm a pretty big Talking Heads nut, and this song is a favorite among even all of their wide selection of great stuff. This tune also makes many, many playlist appearances
17) A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
Dude, I love this song, even if the lyrics make, literally no sense
18) Handle with Care - The Traveling Wilburys
I went on a Roy Orbison kick about a year before Orbison died (I guess in '89-ish). Anyway, this came out right before Orbison died and is still a favorite of mine.
19) I Know What I Know - Paul Simon
20) Penny on the Train Treck - Ben Kweller
I'm not totally sold on Kweller, but on a strong album, this is, by far, my favorite track. Nanostalgic, honest, and has some great lyrics.
21) Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
I think this song, despite the fact I've known it for years and years, but it seems a little more poignant these days
22) Sea of Tranquility - Siouxsie
Siouxsie comes back with a great tune that could easily have appeared on any of her mid-80's through the end of the Banshees.
2008 - 2
1) Walcott - Vampire Weekend
Was really intended to help me set the pace of the playlist. I don't know that worked out.
2) (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding - Elvis Costello
A perennial favorite
3) If You're Into It - Flight of the Conchords
If I have to explain, I can't help you.
4) Sunshine Superman - Donovan
Dude! You have to love his tune.
5) Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
One of my favorite Fleetwood Mac tunes
6) Along the Way - Devotchka
7) Karma Police - Radiohead
My favorite Radiohead tune, but mostly because I enjoyed the hell out of trying to play it with Jamie and Jason
8) All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem
This song summed up more about how I've felt about the past two years or so than I really want to discuss
9) Descondido Soy - David Byrne
Infectious, danceable great tune
10) Shine on Sweet Jesus - The Flaming Lips
Ah, high school. I got my first speeding ticket to this song.
11) Smoke Detector - Rilo Kiley
I think Randy pointed out this album was better than I initially gave it credit for, and then I noticed I really liked this track.
12) What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy) - Information Society
Because it samples Nimoy, that's why
13) Ceremony - New Order
I barely remember New Order, and I can't claim that I was a huge fan then or now. But even a broken clock is right twice a day, and this song is particularly a good one. One day I want to cover it while employing a Dracula voice.
14) More Than This - Roxy Music
Sigh. Okay... yeah. It's practically adult contemporary, but it's Bryan Ferry at his most romantic, loungiest, hoping for a movie finale ending... Its the song you want to play when they guy wins the girl in a wordless ending and the picture dissolves to white before the credits roll
15) Sweet Little One - Kelly Willis
I just like Kelly Willis
16) Paper Planes - M.I.A.
My song of choice for summer, 2008
17) Out of Control - Kenna
Okay, this, Paper Planes and The Crystal Cat were all played extensively during the Alamo Drafthouse pre-show and I totally dug all three. if you'e looking for a song to add to your workout mix, I'd recommend this tune
18) The Crystal Cat - Dan Deacon
The lyrics are nonsense, but Deacon fills the musical bandwidth to such a degree it flips all the right switches in my head.
*I later realized this was a not correct. We saw Radiohead in Houston with Steven and Lauren.
I've been doing some lists over at Comic Fodder for an end of the year wrap up. So far I've posted a sort of rambling pre-amble, and then a "disappointments of 2008" list. I'll be doing a "good stuff from 2008" list by the weekend or first of next week. So, click on those and enjoy them. Or not. You know, whatever.
But you're reading this far down thinking "Great! More comics nonsense. But what about THE MUSIC, man?"
Well, I'm going to be 100% honest here.
2008 was probably the year I paid the absolute least attention to music in my life. Aside from ACL Fest, I don't think I went to a single show*, which wasn't even true in Phoenix, I think. Or at least there I had tickets but didn't make it out. I confess that I was otherwise distracted and I'm getting old. I had a subscription to "Spin" I bought from some adorable little girl who was selling magazines door-to-door, and every time I opened that magazine, I felt like I had no idea what I was looking at. I have no perspective anymore to separate hype and that first blush interest in freshman bands from an actual romance with a band's music.
These days, I mostly listen to music in the car, at my desk at home, or not at all. I definitely no longer just sit and listen to an album while laying on my bed anymore.
Consequently, I think my tastes are as run of the mill as they've been since I bought "Invisible Touch" out of a record bin at "Skaggs Alphabeta" grocery when I was 12ish.
As I don't think I can say much about Best Albums of 2008, because, seriously, I haven't got a clue, I'm just going to go through my iPod's playlists entitled "2008 - 1" and "2008 - 2". I've made other playlists, but they're either thematic or generated by the Genius feature.
Some of these tracks became "skip" tracks. But I'll go ahead and be all-inclusive.
Begin your judging of my tastes in 3... 2... 1...
2008 - 1
1) Into the Open - Heartless Bastards
The sophomore effort wasn't as strong, but this track from this album is a favorite
2) Someone Great - LCD Soundsystem
An oddly sentimental tune from LCD Soundsystem.
3) Pretty in Pink - Dresden Dolls
Slightly different from the Psychedelic Furs' original, but I like it just as much
4) Just Like Honey - The Jesus & Mary Chain
An old favorite from, what...? Middle school?
5) Wake Up - Arcade Fire
I'm surprised this wasn't 30% Arcade Fire. But I think I listen to their albums so much that they don't show up on playlists. This song contains one of my favorite changes.
6) Bodysnatchers - Radiohead
One of my favorite songs of the year. I'm not altogether clear what it's about, but it rocks my socks off.
7) Orphan Girl - Gillian Welch
I actually really like Gillian Welch and was glad to see her at ACL Fest this year. Maybe my favorite set of the show.
8) Sleeping Lesson - The Shins
I'm not 100% on The Shins. They're a little wimpy for me, but I do like this tune.
9) Missing - Everything but the Girl
Straight up, Leaguers. This song is on, like, every playlist I have. I do not apologize.
10) Weapon of Choice - Fatboy Slim
I challenge you not to dig this song.
11) Shadowtime - Siouxsie & the Banshees
A highschool favorite
12) In Between Days - The Cure
I think I must have been going through some nostalgic kick when I built this part of the playlist. Also, I think I was learning the song on bass.
13) I Drove All Night - Cyndi Lauper
If you don't own it, I recommend Lauper's "12 Deadly Cyns"
14) Midnight Radio - Hedwig and the Angry Inch soundtrack
Have you seen this movie?
15) Fannin Street - Tom Waits
Yeah, its about THAT Fannin Street. Check it out, Houstonians.
16) Slippery People - Talking Heads
I'm a pretty big Talking Heads nut, and this song is a favorite among even all of their wide selection of great stuff. This tune also makes many, many playlist appearances
17) A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
Dude, I love this song, even if the lyrics make, literally no sense
18) Handle with Care - The Traveling Wilburys
I went on a Roy Orbison kick about a year before Orbison died (I guess in '89-ish). Anyway, this came out right before Orbison died and is still a favorite of mine.
19) I Know What I Know - Paul Simon
20) Penny on the Train Treck - Ben Kweller
I'm not totally sold on Kweller, but on a strong album, this is, by far, my favorite track. Nanostalgic, honest, and has some great lyrics.
21) Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
I think this song, despite the fact I've known it for years and years, but it seems a little more poignant these days
22) Sea of Tranquility - Siouxsie
Siouxsie comes back with a great tune that could easily have appeared on any of her mid-80's through the end of the Banshees.
2008 - 2
1) Walcott - Vampire Weekend
Was really intended to help me set the pace of the playlist. I don't know that worked out.
2) (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding - Elvis Costello
A perennial favorite
3) If You're Into It - Flight of the Conchords
If I have to explain, I can't help you.
4) Sunshine Superman - Donovan
Dude! You have to love his tune.
5) Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
One of my favorite Fleetwood Mac tunes
6) Along the Way - Devotchka
7) Karma Police - Radiohead
My favorite Radiohead tune, but mostly because I enjoyed the hell out of trying to play it with Jamie and Jason
8) All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem
This song summed up more about how I've felt about the past two years or so than I really want to discuss
9) Descondido Soy - David Byrne
Infectious, danceable great tune
10) Shine on Sweet Jesus - The Flaming Lips
Ah, high school. I got my first speeding ticket to this song.
11) Smoke Detector - Rilo Kiley
I think Randy pointed out this album was better than I initially gave it credit for, and then I noticed I really liked this track.
12) What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy) - Information Society
Because it samples Nimoy, that's why
13) Ceremony - New Order
I barely remember New Order, and I can't claim that I was a huge fan then or now. But even a broken clock is right twice a day, and this song is particularly a good one. One day I want to cover it while employing a Dracula voice.
14) More Than This - Roxy Music
Sigh. Okay... yeah. It's practically adult contemporary, but it's Bryan Ferry at his most romantic, loungiest, hoping for a movie finale ending... Its the song you want to play when they guy wins the girl in a wordless ending and the picture dissolves to white before the credits roll
15) Sweet Little One - Kelly Willis
I just like Kelly Willis
16) Paper Planes - M.I.A.
My song of choice for summer, 2008
17) Out of Control - Kenna
Okay, this, Paper Planes and The Crystal Cat were all played extensively during the Alamo Drafthouse pre-show and I totally dug all three. if you'e looking for a song to add to your workout mix, I'd recommend this tune
18) The Crystal Cat - Dan Deacon
The lyrics are nonsense, but Deacon fills the musical bandwidth to such a degree it flips all the right switches in my head.
*I later realized this was a not correct. We saw Radiohead in Houston with Steven and Lauren.
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