Martin Wattenberg, an artist "whose work centers on the theme of mapping information," has posted a website that "draws musical patterns in the shape of transparent arches." Kind of interesting, but it reminds me of Robert Persig's comment that data without generalizations is just gossip. Wattenberg's maps show the repetitive nature of musical composition without informing us of anything. I look forward to his taking his technique to a deeper level.

<I>Locust Street</I> has a fabulous essay on the Johnny Burnette Rock and Roll Trio, along with three top-notch examples of what that group could do. Johnny, his brother Dorsey, and guitarist Paul Burlison just flat out <I>rocked</I> and the fierce rhythm and burning guitar of "Train Kept a-Rollin'" sounds remarkably fierce 50 years later.

Pretending he wasn't affected by this week's events, Huckleberry curls up in the comfy chair with a few good books. As a rule, he prefers to stay on top of contemporary literature, but he doesn't mind lying <I>next</I> to it in a pinch.

Regular readers will be aware that the semidetached brownstone next door caught fire this week and the Brooklyn FD battered down our door to make sure we were safe. One of the next door kitties is MIA, presumed dead.

A study indicates that a daily drink has health benefits. We can stop researching now&mdash;we have gotten the results we wanted.

Call me an elitist but I fail to see the attraction&#151for viewers&#151in the whole <I>American Idol</I> phenomena. Of course, television has made millions from televising talent shows over the years so I guess it's just me that's out of step.

"Stevie!"

<I>Engadget</I> has a nice tutorial on setting up a front-projection HT. It's pretty good, other than suggesting you DIY a cable set out of CAT5. OTOH, <I>Engadget</I>'s suggestion that you create a cutout of the different aspect ratios is a brilliant idea I haven't seen anywhere else. For the price of a few pieces of cardboard, you can save yourself from making a costly screen mistake.