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.
Sorry, gang, I’ve got a lot of balls in the air today and not much time to write. I’ll try to come back as time permits to flesh out this post but no promises. I’ve been thinking a lot about the future — apart from the political realm, because that part of our future is […]
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 […]