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I Would Never Eat Juiced Frog

But would whale be all right?

I found this essay by BBC correspondent Richard Black food (ahem) for thought. I have the same cultural blinkers as many of my fellow countrymen (and my liberal neighbors), although, having lived in the third world, I have eaten my share of "non-food" animals (insects, snakes, and guinea pig).

When I lived on a farm, we worried that the children would not understand the distinction between food animals and pets. We asked our three-year-old, Momo, if she liked the chickens.

"Yes," she beamed happily. "Fried!"

Random Plot Generator

Since most seven-year-olds can think better than the average evil overlord, maybe evil overlords should hire more seven-year-olds to design their diabolical contraptions. Or they could use this random generator. Hit refresh for a new set of talking points.

KT Tunstall

It's mid-afternoon and your energy is low. You need KT, stat!

Trends, Words and Otherwise

You know how it is when you hear a strange new word for the first time, and then, all of a sudden, you start hearing that strange new word everywhere? Where had that word been for the previous twenty-eight years of your life and why is it surrounding you now?

Truth is, that word had always been around, just waiting for you to discover it. Words are patient, and you just weren't ready for it until now. Timing is so very important, yes indeed. With that in mind, I suggest you start watching out for hemidemisemiquavers. They're everywhere, I tell you.

This weird trend…

Meet the Zimmers

You've seen the video, now meet the band.

Muti, Opera Detective

Muti talks about exploring the archives at the Conservatorio San Pietro a Maiella to "kiss a few [manuscripts] and bring them back to life."

Royale with Cheese

Pulp Fiction with robots.

Via Chris Sommovigo.

William Carlos Williams

Sound recordings of W. Carlos Williams reading his poetry.

They sound good to me
They sound good
to me. They sound
good to me

The Mighty Flea

The "frequently shirtless, frenetic bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers," has funded a music program in LA to help fill the void in music education left by state and federal budget cuts to music education programs. It is, unfortunately, an increasingly common gesture—Macy Gray and the Black Eyed Peas have also stepped up to the plate.

I say "unfortunately" because too many municipalities are abandoning sponsorship of such programs. I believe that music and arts programs are as vital to our youth as math, science, and the humanities. It is commonly accepted that team sports teach…

Additionally, In Addition and Furthermore,

Every now and then, work infiltrates my dream-life. Deadlines, forum issues, an e-mail I forgot to respond to — these and other things have, at times, disturbed my gentle sleep.

I don't like that. In fact, it kind of pisses me off. I don't get paid to think about work while I'm sleeping. It's not all bad, though. Last night was filled with work-related thoughts, but they were sweet. I dreamt I had an iMod.

Funny, but true. It was one of those dreams that seemed to last the entire night. I had an 80GB iMod and I filled it with so much music, and I listened happily as all…