Code Owl

Watching the Election from Abroad

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:02:00 +0000

_{(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)}

Over the past eight years I’ve traveled a lot. I even lived outside the country for a year. For every stamp and sticker in my passport comes the memory of a conversation where I’ve had to utter a “We’re not all like that,” or a “That’s not really how the U.S. is… not where I live.” It’s only fitting that during this past election I was, yet again, away from the country on business. I watched with disbelief, with dear friends, as Barack Obama not only won the election but also redefined, to some extent, the electoral map including, including the very near and dear state of Virginia, whose historic divide from my now home state of Maryland and the union still haunts the entire region.

I did not sleep at all the entire night and the joy of the moment propelled me through the next day. Not only had the US elected its first minority president, but a man of peace, eloquence and intellect.

I found myself, throughout the day tearing up. I never quite realized home heavily the weight of the Bush years’ fear mongering, cruelty, deceit, incompetence and vehement anti-intellectualism pressed down every aspect of my life until now. And though I know I’m bound to be disappointed as President Obama makes decisions that move him from the iconic ideal to a compromised reality, I can’t help but feel a great curse has been lifted.

In the taxi on the way to the airport, a familiar conversation began. “You’re from America?” the driver asked.

“Yes.” I said.

A silence followed.

In the place where the driver usually begins to gently chide me about the war, torture, and being stupid and in the place where I try to apologize and say, “We’re not all like that,” was a wonderful quiet.

As I looked through the fog and darkness of the Scandinavian morning I finally spoke, “Yes, and I’m ready to come home.”

Flaming Fire on GSpot

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:51:00 +0000

A “'fireside chat'” between two of my favorite folks between Joseph Matheny of The G-Spot and so many other wonderful things and Patrick Hambrecht of Flaming Fire. They talk Nietzsche, JC and digital distribution. For those not familiar with the awesome of Flaming Fire, let this video get you started:

Ladies and Gentlemen... The Neo-Know-Nothings

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:47:00 +0000

Believe it or not I sympathize with the GOP. I respect the Republican stance of smaller government. I respectfully disagree on issues such as Abortion Rights, Gun Control and think we can find compromises that acknowledge both sides of the issue. But racist and xenophobic rhetoric that Ms. Palin has been inspiring lately is a lot more like the Know Nothings than the GOP. What's going on here?

I <3 Etsy Alchemy

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:31:00 +0000

I used Etsy's Alchemy to commission a portrait of Leo Szilard to hang next to my tub. I just the finished painting today. I'm so happy with the results! Check out the The May of Teck Club on Etsy for more great stuff.

Matthew Young Reissue

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:18:00 +0000

Yoga Records (Not much of a Web site) has reissued two Matthew Young records which have filled my mornings with dreamy sounds. There's a great interview with Young over at Carson Arnold's H(ear). You can pick up both albums DRM for cheap at Other Music Digital.

Silas tries the drums

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:15:00 +0000

Wrong Ride

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:28:00 +0000

The Great Schlep

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:29:00 +0000

See more Sarah Silverman videos at Funny or Die

A Painful Lesson

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:48:00 +0000

Silas learns that when you give something away you also don't have it.

Myth, Gods, and Video Games

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:38:00 +0000

Great little read on misaligned potential in gaming at Reality Sandwich.

There is an innate and real desire to see our dreams come to life before our eyes, and video games potentially lay the foundation for what we consciously have the ability to become: gods and myths of our own imagination, physically incorporating the balance between literal and mythical, among absolute endlessness.

Otlet's Protoweb

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:01:00 +0000

Full movie available at the Internet Archive. Also great article in NY Times.

LEGO Obama

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:45:00 +0000

Ben Cook has created a lovely LEGObama mosaic. Pretty much sums up where my time has gone this past week...

Red vs. Blue Brains

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:28:00 +0000

Jonathan Haidt discusses the Moral Matrix at TED:

Eagle Eye ARG

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:19:00 +0000

The Eagle Eye ARG is really, really great. One of the tough things about participating in these types of experiences is pacing and losing control of the dramatic element - I'm really impressed with how easy and down right scary this was. You'll need a phone by the computer and about 10 minutes to try it.

Uncle Sam & 911

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:42:00 +0000

Cartoon from Current TV struck me as having a surprising amount of heart!

LEGO Games

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:16:00 +0000

It's not often I read an idea for a game that hasn't been floated around the old Billund office before. But I thought this article had a pretty hilarious LEGO Seventh Seal concept. Very close to my LEGO Persona project that never made it through the Gate 0 process.

Papercraft Reason Center?

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:26:00 +0000

Saw this posted over on Boing Boing - a paper art version of the Scottish Rite Temple - AKA The Reason Center. The final, never published, chapter was indeed a paper-craft mask and Reason Center, err Masonic Temple on 15th ST. Thinking back, there were was quite a bit of interesting ideas in that project!

Trouted

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:14:00 +0000

JerkishTrout: Want to make memories with me?
Gabriel Walsh: ?
JerkishTrout: Oh noes
Gabriel Walsh: bot ? spammer? wrong person?
JerkishTrout: Pianist? I wish
Gabriel Walsh: ah bot
Gabriel Walsh: nice
Gabriel Walsh: Yes, I would like to construct a memory please
JerkishTrout: That sounds like a difficult task sir/ma'am
Gabriel Walsh: is this not the service you contacted me about?
Gabriel Walsh: "making memories"
JerkishTrout: No lol
Gabriel Walsh: how do I construct a memory?

devolves into bot obscenity and, of course, blocking.

In Memory of Morten

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:04:00 +0000

The Walsh family lost a very near and dear friend last week. Morten, a cherished friend of my Father and Step Mother, who came in to your lives when he began to restore the wonderful church across the street will be missed deeply, by myself and my family. Rest in Peace Morten.

Morten Nyberg
Millsburg, NY

Morten Nyberg, of Millsburg, crossed over in loving hands August 28, 2008 after a one-and-a-half year struggle with an aggressive form of cancer.

Sixty-one years ago Morten was born in Oslo, Norway. He came to the United States at 17 to live with his father and finish high school. Morten returned to Norway to complete his service in the Norwegian Air Force and to train for the Olympics in the Flying Dutchmen event.

His anthroposophical studies brought him to Emerson College in England, and to his first career as a teacher of children with special needs in Switzerland and the United States.

As an artist, he worked as an illustrator and restorer of paintings. His talents extended into restoration of old buildings, enhancing their original character and beauty. His latest project was the historic church in Johnson, NY.

His spirituality transcended sectarianism and expressed itself in his deep connection to nature and missionary zeal for social justice.

He lived his entire life demonstrating a commitment to his values: as an advocate of fair treatment for all citizens and as a pacifist.

He loved to share his passions such as kayaking, hiking, cycling, cross country skiing and discussing politics in the company of his friends.

He was dedicated to his family and friends. He was a most appreciative, nurturing and generous husband and father.

He is deeply missed by his loving wife, Sabine; his stepson, Sascha; his loving sister, Anette; niece Anniken; great niece Anine; nephews, "Little" Morten and Markus; stepdaughters, Megan and Beryl, and Sabine's family in Austria,

Family will notify friends about a gathering in Morten's honor.

Let's take to heart Morten's favorite saying: "Live simply so others may simply live." -Ghandi

New Swarm of Angels Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:36:00 +0000

There's a new trailer for "The Unfold." I donated to the swarm a couple of years back. I'm not really sure I like the direction (note the wanky yet generic guitar track and general "comin'-at-cha"-ness) it's all going in, but it's really exciting to watch.

Worlds Will Shatter - The Unfold trailer from Nine Orders on Vimeo.

Changing the way we think

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:24:00 +0000

Interesting article on BBC about technology and evolution:

Carr believes that the style of searching and exploration of links encouraged by search engines such as Google is changing the way heavy users think, reflecting that "over the past few years I've had an uncomfortable sense that someone, or something, has been tinkering with my brain, remapping the neural circuitry, reprogramming the memory. My mind isn't going - so far as I can tell - but it's changing. I'm not thinking the way I used to think".

Beach House Videos

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:27:00 +0000

Pretty Great live recording of Beach House playing a personal favorite, Apple Orchard, on Pitchfork.tv.

"When I go to the keyboard, I feel holy, like an angel over my head."

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:24:00 +0000

AP story on CNN has some great interview bits from Brian Wilson about his upcoming album, That Old Lucky Sun. He speaks about his writing process:

"When I go to the keyboard, I feel holy, like an angel over my head. I feel very holy. When we did (the Beach Boys hit) 'God Only Knows,' I felt holy about that too. A godly something comes through me," Wilson says, motioning with his hands. "I'm always thinking about melodies. The melodies come from my brain, and my keyboards. I play a really pleasant keyboard. It sounds so pleasant it makes me want to write melodies."

Kooky article on Harmonic Structures in the Human Body

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:58:00 +0000

Reality Sandwich has a wonderfully crackpotted article on how the author, Richard Merrick, was lead to believe "entire body as a form of crystallized music." I don't exactly follow how he got there, but it's really wonderful anyways and would make for some amazing fiction fodder.

"As I pondered what this could mean, it occurred to me that the circle implied an inside-out resonance of cells in the body while the square represented an outside-in damping effect to contain the outward push of cellular resonance. Like the standing wave and ring models in my interference theory, it dawned on me that all organic life could be defined as energy exploding outward into space that is then pushed back inward into specific shapes, presumably depending on which harmonic proportions are emphasized by the DNA. Looking back on it, this was a very difficult thing for me to accept at first. Like every student, I had been taught from the earliest age that space was a complete and utter void. Yet, I simply could not resist the logic of life as a form of resonance and space as a kind of damping container."

Read Building a Religion.

Minister of Longitude

noreply@blogger.com (brotherclone) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:22:00 +0000

The Music Tapes have returned. I was a little taken aback by how focused this new album is in it's rendering of innocence v. everybody. Freeing Song for Reindeer is contrasted to with a previous 7" only favorite Freeing Song by Reindeer showing a new found wisdom for Mister Koster. This album transported your humble listener immediately back in the world of stop-motion Christmas shows intertwined with beloved, now departed family members. And, although I can say with all sincerity, I don't think the creators of this record intended anything but joy, I was driven most strangely and abruptly to tears.