The Penultimate Word

By Daryl Cagle

This is a really creative video demoing Gmail, created by engineers in Google’s Moscow office. More on all the stuff that went into creating it here.

By stick figures.

And more clearly than most newspapers do.

(Via Making Light)

The Australian government has some scary advice for Aussies traveling to Canada, including:

Alberta and British Columbia are also subject to avalanches.

I guess that’s why Vancouver and Edmonton are such ghost towns.

Bush and forest fires can occur any time in Canada.

Why yes, Toronto was, like, totally leveled by the last one.

My favorite piece of advice is:

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens’ advice.

So if you see a red-red-red robin come bob-bob-bobbin’ along in a Windsor park, you better duck into a shelter until a warden tells you it is safe.

I have been across the border countless times and I had no idea I was in such danger!

(From my friend Robin Smith’s blog)

Stevie Ray Vaughan performing Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile at the Midtfyns Festival in 1988.

Every thousand years or so the Grammy people shock the world by giving the Album of the Year award to one that actually deserves the honor. Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters was named Album of the Year for 2007, making this year was one of those millenial events. River is an album of songs by Joni Mitchell, arranged by Hancock and played by his band and guests. One of the stronger tracks - they are all strong - is “Edith and the Kingpin” with Tina Turner. Tina justs nails it.

(This is a funny commentary on the usual Grammy stupidity.)

Afro Cuban Jazz Suite by Chico O’Farrill performed by the Chico O’Farrill AFJO (Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchetra? It’s not clear what AFJO stands for).

This diagram sorts it all out. More detail here.

What happens when over 200 people freeze in place for five minutes in Grand Central Terminal? Watch the video and find out.

[via Crooked Timber]

There are some jobs I could never do, and I am thankful for people who do them. What I killed today is the blog of vet tech who has to euthanize animals. It is a sad but touching site.

a 13-year-old basset hound in kidney failure. she was so kind and licked my face as i carried her in from the car for the owner. he was a sweet old man with tears in his eyes. i fed her an entire bag of treats and she kept eating ferociously even after the injection. her chewing slowed down and then she was gone.

(via Boing Boing)

NASA is transmitting Lennon & McCartney’s Across the Universe across the universe on its Deep Space Network on Monday, Feb 4, at 7pm EST. Cosmic.

Rufus Wainwright’s cover is better than the original, I think.

A pretty pleasant jazz arrangement of the famous Bach chorale by some guy I’ve never heard of.