Blogger since 2002, political activist since 2003, geek since birth. Opinions informed by mixed-race, multi-ethnic, cis-female condition, further shaped by kind friends of all persuasions. Sci-tech frenemy, wannabe artist, decent cook, determined author, successful troublemaker. Mother of invention and two excessively smart-assed young adult kids. Attended School of Hard Knocks; Rather Unfortunate Smallish Private Business School in Midwest; Affordable Mid-State Community College w/evening classes. Self-employed at Tiny Consulting Business; previously at Large-ish Chemical Company with HQ in Midwest in multiple marginalizing corporate drone roles, and at Rather Big IT Service Provider as a project manager, preceded by a motley assortment of gigs before the gig economy was a thing. Blogging experience includes a personal blog at the original blogs.salon.com, managing editor for a state-based news site, and a stint at Firedoglake before landing here at emptywheel as technology’s less-virginal-but-still-accursed Cassandra.
I could listen to this piece on a loop. It’s Santiago de Murcia’s “Tarantela,” performed by noted lutist Rolf Lislevand. The instrument he is playing is as important as the music and his artistry; it’s an extremely rare Stradivarius guitar called the Sabionari. While tarantellas more commonly feature additional instruments and percussion like tambourines, this […]
Oye como va Mi ritmo Bueno pa gozar Mulata — excerpt, Oye Como Va by Tito Puente This Latin jazz song was on the very first album I owned — Santana’s Abraxas. I have no idea what possessed my father to select this way back in 1971 because he’s not musically inclined. I prefer to think he […]
It’s true That it kicks you in the teeth when you are least expecting Bad news Oh it beats you black and blue before you see it coming — excerpt, Bad News by Bastille This little ditty seemed appropos for today. I’m surprised it was just a B-side. Spin Factory BAD DOG, REUTERS — When […]
I admit it, I’ve betrayed my kind. I’ve been remiss in my responsibilities, haven’t been equitable. To fix that, you need a dose of estrogen, stat. This morning’s medication is Veruca Salt’s Volcano Girls. Feel better soon, eh? Wheels Mitsubishi’s Tetsuro Aikawa to leave, asks Nissan to name replacement (Bloomberg) — Announcement comes six days […]
This video fascinates me. I’ve watched it a number of times since Nerdist shared it last month; it’s the 24-minute long set by Freddie Mercury and Queen at the 1985 Live Aid concert held in Wembley Stadium. Nerdist noted the audience’s response reflects the speed of sound — the visible ripple of fans’ hands speeds […]
This morning feels like a fall from great height — disorienting yet certain to end only one way. Should have rolled over and gone back to sleep instead of mixing it up about politics during the wee hours. ~ yawn ~ The embedded video actually launches a playlist of Afro Celt Sound System. They’re a […]
If yesterday was all about the stupid, today is smart — as in Get Smart. I usually explore a jazz genre on Fridays, but this morning’s theme took over and found its own — well, what else! — theme music. This is the entirety of the piece from which the 1960s television spy comedy Get […]
Jeepers. I need hip waders. There is just so damned much stupid over the last 24 hours. It’s a veritable flood. The Future is here, and it’s stupid Law firm “hires” first artificially intelligent lawyer (Futurism) — Oh how nice. Treat human misery like a fungible commodity by using IBM’s AI ‘lawyer’ Ross to process […]
On May 12, 2015, the ACLU sent a letter to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission asking the EEOC to look into the disparity of women directors hired to produce big-budget film and episodic television. In October last year, the EEOC conducted interviews with women directors in film and television in response to the ACLU’s […]
This music video is the result of an insomniac walkabout. I went looking for something mellow I hadn’t heard before and tripped on this lovely little indie folk artistry. Not certain why I haven’t heard Radical Face before given how popular this piece is. I like it enough to look for more by the same […]