Chris Ware's "Quimby the Mouse"

Quimby The Mouse from This American Life on Vimeo.

Cribbed from This American Life, one of my favorite radio programs. Featuring music by Andrew Bird.

More 5 Pointz

Taki 183

Taki 183 New York's "first graffiti writer" finally has a nice website here.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s writing began to distinguish itself from other forms of graffiti. New york City Youth began writing their names in public areas methodically.TAKI was by no means the first writer or even the first king. He was however, the first to be recognized by the news media. Being the first writer recognized outside the sub-culture ensured TAKI a prominent place in graffiti history. Taki was Greek born, named Demetrios and his “tag” was short for Demetraki, the alternative of Demetrios. The number 183 came from his address on 183rd Street in Washington Heights. He was employed as a foot messenger, so he was on the subway frequently and took advantage of it. He tagged streets subway stations and subway cars. In addition to the subway his name appeared in business districts of Manhattan.



On July 21, 1971, The New York Times ran an article about him on the front page of its inside section, titled “Taki 183″ Spawns Pen Pals. TAKI 183’s newspaper fame spurred competitive tagging in NYC as his tag was being mimicked by hundreds of youth across the five boroughs.

New effort by city to curb graffiti

From the Queens Chronicle. In a effort to combat scrachfiti people will now have to show ID to buy etching acid. The information will then be turned over to the vandal squad.

“Seven or eight years ago graffiti had been largely eradicated,” Vallone said. “But then irresponsible corporations ... started ad campaigns making graffiti cool. Kids are impressionable; they saw that.”

read the whole article here.

Dark Night of the Soul and Wilco

Here is a free alum to stream which sees Danger Mouse collaborate with Sparkle Horse, Frank Black, Iggy Pop, and of course the incomparable David Lynch. NPR, providing some of the best free music right now, is streaming the whole thing here. Also, if you haven't heard it yet, you can stream the new Wilco album here.

Hush Instillation

Lifted from Boingboing.net

Utah unmasked

At long last Utah has been unmasked. Gothamist recently released a photo of her on its website. Her writer days are certainly behind her now

5 pointz

OHHHHHH Canada, Eh!

Gently lifted from Boing-Boing

Alpha Tango Cocktail

Rockabilly Throwdown

Thanks to boing-boing for setting me straight with this clip. Danny Choo (the sites guest blogger writes

This video, and official release from Peter Bjorn and John, shows a day in the life of a very interesting guy with very big hair, and his dancing comrades. Whether seen as macho to a humorous fault or just so cool we can’t keep up, the dancers in Yoyogi Park have been at this for years.

An icy walk in the neighborhood

There are a few new things that have sprung up around the hood. Enjoy!

This was the first "09" tag that I saw

Taking the train or Papa loves baby

Click here to read "Taking the Train: How graffiti art became an urban crisis in New York." Thanks Google!

Also,I have been spending a little more time in the LES and Lower east side and Papa Loves Baby has been just killing it. Easily the most up tag of the moment. So there ya go...

Guess how happy I am...

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That we have a new President

Respect

Tilt Shift

Here is a photo I tried to make look like it was taken with tilt shift, Ehhh . Maybe you can do better?

2009

Happy 2009 everyone!

I was at the Guggenheim a few days a ago and it was fantastic. Their impressionist section is really small but they had a few pieces that I had always wanted to see. My father had a real thing about French impressionists so I always think of him when I see their work. I also saw the Kandinsky's and Catherine Opie's work. Now as my time off draws to a close and friends return back to their own states I have to settle back in to the hum-drum of everyday life.

Christmas past, New Years beckons

Back from MPLS, where did all the writers go? St. Paul?

Here is a little Christmas present from our friends over at Sucka Pants great blog and Rhymesayers.

This Moment in Black History - Obama the pres is you

Brother Ali - Obama you're the man

The image is from my trip to Bangkok this year. Got to love the penguin with the rainbow mohawk!

Happy Holidays

Here's a clip from Mr. Tom Waits to help us get over our respective holiday hangovers. God bless us everyone!

Merry Christmas

Back here in the middlewest and its cold. Some great new projects and possibiltys on the horizion Merry Christmas everyone!