Dear Mr. President:
Former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance you revoked on Wednesday, is one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him.
Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.
– William McRaven, former commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, in today’s Washington Post. Damn. (thx to Jen for sending this to me)
The Venture Brothers is back for Season 7, and the AV Club has a great wrapup of 10 excellent episodes that explain why it’s such a great show. I just wish it wasn’t on at fucking midnight. Previously, previously.
Nikon just released a new version of its camera-mounted slide digitizer, the ES-2. For about $140, it’s a barrel that mounts to either a 40mm or 60mm Nikon lens, with a slide tray and a film negative strip holder. Looks like it’s getting decent reviews, and only recently has it actually been in stock. As I’ve mentioned before, my Dad shot slide film almost exclusively so we’ve got boxes of family history waiting to be digitized. I’d have to buy an appropriate lens to match as well, but it’s a lot better than $2K for a dedicated machine.
This is a list of 10 rules for students and teachers from John Cage, the composer and music theorist who was a contemporary of Brian Eno. I like number three: General duties of a teacher: Pull everything out of your students.
In the early ’50’s an investor proposed taking surplus PBY Catalina flying boats and converting them into flying amphibious yachts, and LIFE magazine did a photo spread. I’ve always loved Catalinas, the idea of having a go-anywhere adventure vehicle, and the style of the 1950s, so this is the center of a Venn diagram of awesome for me.
Hmm. File this under “future plans”: Apparently in Maryland it’s theoretically possible to use a set of license plates issued in 1976 on a vehicle built in 1976. Bennett has these on Heavy D, his D-series pickup. The rules are murky and apparently you must find an MVA employee in a good mood, but I could buy some used plates on eBay and tag the Scout with them. I think that red over white would look great on a purple Scout.
→ This is a syndicated post from my Scout weblog. More info here.
Wow, someone claims they have created a monobath for developing B/W film (instead of dealing with agitation, developer, stop bath, and fixer over carefully watched increments of time) to process film at home. I found out recently I have darkroom privileges at UMBC when I go back to teaching in the fall, and I intend to take full advantage of that shit.
As I walked out to my bright red wagon when we finished those tacos, I felt a thrill go up my spine as I unlocked the door. I have the ability to go anywhere, I thought. I am moving under my own power. It’s such a simple, every day thing that I can’t help but celebrate. Every day is now full of these small victories, and I’m slowly becoming master of my own destiny again.
Erin Marquis is the Managing Editor of Jalopnik, a car-focused blog I read every day, and is recovering from thyroid cancer. She wrote a great post on her first drive after getting back on her feet from treatment. Thyroid cancer is no joke–she’s got to deal with shitty medication issues every time she has to get scanned–but I can relate to the heady feeling of freedom that comes from the first drive after a long time off one’s feet.
Shocking news this morning: Anthony Bourdain killed himself yesterday, at the age of 61. Do yourself a favor and read the article for the New Yorker that kicked off his wildly interesting second career as a writer, explorer, and TV host. (previously)
When I was a junior in high school, my friend Adam handed me a tape with two albums copied back to back: Living Colour’s debut album and Bad Brains’ I Against I. It would be an understatement to say this tape changed my life. The Ringer has a retrospective on the 30th anniversary (shit I’m old) of Living Colour’s release.