Dynamic Stall

The recent hoo-ha around the Calvin Klein billboard has me conflicted.

On the one hand, it IS too risque for a public space with the chillin’s and young impressionable folk to see. Unless we were France whose popular culture has been chock full of sexuality with nary an ill effect for eons. But we’re not. We’re schizo America–morally puritanical and superficially liberal–whose people are affected by media images with a disturbing regularity. I imagine it’s because we’re a young country and still just too impressionable!

On the other hand, I think it’s “Wow! Sizzle!”. It’s super sexy. And although it’s not going to make me buy the product (I already adore the CK line) it certainly may convert a few of the youngsters!

[I feel the claws of my puritanical ancestors reaching up from the grave to slap me up side the head!]

I’ve got a groovy gal pal out in Seattle who’s always doing something cool or going somewhere interesting. While perusing her latest Flickr uploads I was so impressed by her flower pics I just had to share! They are lovely! Check ‘em out.

I’m deeply saddened. I just learned that David Foster Wallace, an author whose work I thoroughly enjoy, died last year. Where the hell was I? Where was the media blitz? I found out from reading the comments in another blog. Comments, gentle reader! Not even a main post!

Why did the country not mourn the author of Infinite Jest with memorials and documentaries and a week-long televised wake?! Bloody tragic. I didn’t hear a PEEP from the media. And to make my heart hurt even more, he took his own life. My deepest sympathy to his wife and family. Such a brilliant talent gone at 46.

So to honor Wallace I’m signing up to participate in this event over the summer. You should too, gentle reader. It’s a hell of a read and I promise…you won’t be sorry.

One day when I go back to Boston I’m going to visit some of the key landmarks from Infinite Jest by taking the Wallace Memorial Tour and leave a tennis ball at each site. Corny yes, but I think Wallace would be amused.

RIP.

Since this year is ALL about reducing expenses I figured some of you may be doing the same. And perhaps you’ll find this list useful. The layout of the page is horrible so look hard slightly to the right of the main article text to see the 11 categories the sites are listed in. Otherwise, you’ll get a link to an atrocious alpha list with nary a tag or description anywhere. A pain in the butt when one is trying to determine IF the sites are relevant to one’s need.

Happy hunting!

101 Great Free Sites and Downloads You’ve Probably Never Heard Of – PC World.

I’ve been back in the traveling mindset lately and while doing research for cheaper-more interesting ways to do it, I ran across this Lifehacker bit. I did a quick perusal and its not so great for small towns, i.e., mine, but swell if going to a big city.

I found the issues raised in the Lifehacker comments definitely worth keeping in mind but not necessarily deal breakers.

Seems interesting, no?

Lifehacker – iStopOver Locates Rooms for Rent – Saving Money.