Continuing Signs of the Apocalypse

Two of my least favorite things, incessant advertising and airport security theater are about to be combined. For the love of God, is ther e no place in America free from advertising?!

Dentists Really are the Worst Sort of People

Yesterday I took a few hours off of work to go to the dentist. If ever there was a rock and a hard place, that is it.

Mr. Hamrick, which would you rather do… stay in the office and be bombarded by endless crazy or go to the dentist and be bombarded by your own dental list of failures? Well, how about I lay down on the ground and you kick me the head repeatedly while I try to decide.

Anyway, I did it. The dentist. And though I have no cavities or other issues, she still gave me a prescription for a special mouthwash. Is that not the saddest thing you have ever heard? A 30-year old man with Prescription Mouthwash. I went out and bought a sliderule and a pocket protector just to complete the ensemble.

Accelerate Day!

REM’s new album, Accelerate, was released today, and it is awesome. Go and buy the Special Edition CD+DVD! Hooray!

Of course, that dirty little trickster Karma conspired against me again today. REM played at Rockefeller Plaza this morning, a short cab ride from my hotel. And where was I, stuck in a meeting! Blast and Double Blast!

The Upside of the Downside

I never imagined I’d find myself in the curious position of having so much more than my parents ever had, of having more, frankly, than I ever thought I would have—and yet simultaneously feeling like I’m falling behind, that I need to earn more, save more, invest more, acquire more. When did I begin to feel this anxiety of acquisition? How did I become such a jackass?

The Problem With Christmas

The problem with Christmas is not the batteries. The problem isn’t even really the stuff. The problem with Christmas is that no one much likes it anymore.

The Killers New Album

The Killers have released a collection of B-sides, rarities and covers, called Sawdust. Standout tracks include a live version of Sam’s Town, recorded at Abbey Road, as well as covers of Dire Straits’ Romeo and Juliet and Kenny Rogers’ Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.

Both covers are surprisingly good — definitely worth a download from iTunes.

The Nerd Handbook

Care and feeding of your nerd.

100 Ways to Say I Love You

Linzie Hunter’s illustrations of spam email subject lines. via Kottke.

NPR and twelve public radio partners have launched NPR Music, a free, multi-genre Web site showcasing the best of public radio music.