Denise Gravine’s talk on “The (Social) Medium is the Message” was concise and informative. Instead of focusing on the social-network tools, she delved into the audiences and where are they heading. A summery of the talk could be found on her web site. It’s worthwhile to take a look.
Both WordPress and Movable Type are bringing social networking features to their tools, is blogging on its way out?
I don’t know. I still like the blog for longer, more detailed posts. Twitter is cool and all but who actually scroll back to read Twitter posts?
The basketball team did it. Now the tennis team is doing it too. That is some ignorant shit.
The Puppini Sisters’ “Jilted.” NPR:
A bassist plucks the big fiddle’s strings and makes them moan. Drumsticks tap out a languid beat. Then a sad woman begins her story of woe: “I bought another dinner for one / I sit and watch some pointless rerun…” Two other singers join her to lament their fate: “Jilted… again.” They’d even sat through football games to keep him! Now, the jiltees are engaging in classic self-destructive behavior, from “drinking gin” to “talking to the cat.”
The Rise & Fall of Ruby Woo is a fun album to listen to.
NPR profiles instrumental vocalist Betty Carter:
For nearly 50 years, Betty Carter was an irrepressible and incomparable practitioner of the jazz vocal tradition, with an intense, adventurous style and a booming voice. The fiercely dedicated and demanding vocalist was a pioneer in the music business, paving the route for scores of younger musicians.
Don’t you love it when a restaurant’s business card printed its web address on it, but it doesn’t exist? ThaiPlaceDC.com takes you to nowhere. Anyhow, my wife and I just had lunch at Thai Place, which is about .3 miles from my office. We shared a crunchy duck roll, pad Thai and fried tilapia with salad. The duck roll had a heavy sweet taste; the pad Thai’s noodle was hard; and the fried tilapia was just passable. The place, however, was packed. I assume that the cheap prices attracted customers.
I’ll be attending the IABC’s “The (Social) Medium is the Message” tonight at Tivoli Restaurant. The speaker is Denise Graveline, president of Don’t Get Caught and blogger of The Eloquent Woman. Will see how it turns out.
Being sick allows me to relax and revisit 10 of my favorites albums.
10. Nguyen Khang’s Trinh Ca: While there are tons of Trinh Cong Son album, this one feels so closed and personal because of Nguyen Khang’s raw voice and straight-to-the-heart delivery.
09. Quang Ly’s Noi Nho Mua Dong: His charming voice and unique delivery of the timeless ballads are hard to resist.
08. 5 Dong Ke’s Tu Tinh Ca: These girls know how to turn popular ballads into intoxicating a cappella style.
07. Thanh Lam’s Tu Su: This album was the pre-Le Minh Son era and Thanh Lam’s voice was hypnotizing without belting.
06 Hong Nhung’s Doan Khuc Thu Ha Noi: Listening to this album is like taking a musical tour of Ha Hoi. It’s a perfect concept album.
05. Tung Duong’s Chay Tron: Beside the mesmerizing bossa nova title track and the deep blues “Trang Khat,” the album showcases Tung Duong’s various styles.
04. Duc Tuan’s Doi Mat Nguoi Son Tay: Duc Tuan has done fabulous job of covering Pham Dinh Chuong’s tunes by giving them a fresh vibe.
03. Thuy Vu’s Thang Sau Troi Mua: I could listen to his deep, gentle, charming baritone all day. When will the next album drop?
02. Ngoc Khue’s Giot Suong Bay Len: Ngoc Khue has a musical style of her own and this album is like no others. It’s simply jaw-dropping.
01. Tuan Ngoc’s Giot Le Cho Ngan Sau: Here is a perfect album from song choices to arrangements to deliveries. Just amazing.
The flu came on Monday night and I should have took my wife’s advice and stayed home and rest. Went to work yesterday and it got worse. I had to leave a early and the commute home was hell. I got home and crashed out. My wife got out of work early and made me some chicken congee. I could barely eat. I feel a bit better today, but still hot and a bit disorienting. So I better stay home today to rest.
Isn’t it great to have a wife who takes good care of you when you’re sick? Her congee was great. It reminded me of the early days when we were just learning out each other. She was sick and I offered to cook some congee for her. When I came over to her apartment. It was already cooked and so I helped her out by ate two bowls. Man, it was the good old time.
It’s about time Lil Wayne cuts a studio version of “Pussy Monster.”
