Just checking out how simple imeem makes sharing audio files.
Time Magazine listed the service as a Top 50 Website for 2008.
Other sites in this space include HypeMachine, Pandora, Blip.fm and Last.fm, but none of them make it as easy to embed a particular track or album in a post, email or social media site as does imeem.
I cherish the election maps offered by the design team at The New York Times.
It’s good to see the overlap of these bubbles because it shows that red and blue co-exist in the same places. It’s a finer distinction than the red state/blue state point of view.
Another striking map is the Voting Shift map which shows where each party received more votes in 2008 than they did in 2004. There’s a very identifiable red streak from Texas to West Virginia that’s interesting because it’s so well defined, localized and contained.
Bill Moyers appeared on NPR’s Fresh Air today. He is one of our best journalists and he served on LBJ’s staff in the 1960s, so he’s well qualified to speak on the historic events transpiring in America today. He says “he felt a great stone lifting from our neck” but he also recognizes the racism that continues to exist in many parts of the American South.
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.” -Obama
See the text of President-Elect Obama’s inspirational speech at Grant Park in Chicago last night. By the way, Grant Park was the setting for a scene of another kind 40 years ago during the Democratic National Convention. I’m sure Obama’s team chose Grant Park in part for that reason. It’s a healing move.
Just hours into America’s new start, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Moscow will deploy missiles near Poland in response to U.S. missile defense plans.
Medvedev also singled out the United States for criticism, casting Russia’s war with Georgia in August and the global financial turmoil as consequences of aggressive, selfish U.S. policies.
He said he hoped the next U.S. administration would act to improve relations. In a separate telegram, he congratulated Barack Obama on his election victory and said he was hoping for “constructive dialogue” with the incoming U.S. president.
Medvedev also proposed increasing the Russian presidential term to six years from the current four, a major constitutional change that would further increase the power of the head of state and could deepen Western concern over democracy in Russia.
[via NPR]
The Wall Street Journal investigates more than stocks and bonds, for people who make money also enjoy spending money. As one of those people, I especially enjoy spending money on fine wine from Oregon’s top producers.
Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, who write the Journal’s “Tastings” column, suggest several pinots from the banner 2006 vintage, while also providing some background on the specialness of the fruit and the local industry that’s grown up around it.
We are delighted to report that Oregon Pinot continues its upward trajectory. The difference in the wines over the years is remarkable. We found again and again in this tasting that the wines have developed a confidence and depth that beautifully complement their lovely fruit. The wines have not only a purity of fruit but a purity of vision that is very attractive. Like Burgundy itself, these are wines that speak softly to the more romantic parts of our being.
The winemakers allowed the vineyards themselves, the fruit itself, the terroir itself, to star. This is what makes great Pinot what it is — an expression of place. When we tasted these wines, we imagined the vintners standing among the vines crushing a grape between their fingers, smiling broadly and deciding that the best thing they could do is not screw it up. This made the wines, on the whole, both tasty and relaxed, as though no one was trying too hard (though we know, of course, what really goes into this).
The couple’s “Dow Jones Oregon Pinot Noir Index” follows:
Domaine Serene “Evenstad Reserve” 2005 (Willamette Valley). $52.99.
Foris Vineyards Winery 2006 (Rogue Valley). $18.99.
Yamhill Valley Vineyards “Estate” 2006 (McMinnville, Willamette Valley). $19.95.
Beaux Frères 2006 (Willamette Valley) $54.95.
Francis Tannahill “The Hermit” 2005 (Willamette Valley). $41.99.
King Estate Winery “Signature Collection” 2006 (Oregon). $29.99.
Ponzi Vineyards 2006 (Willamette Valley). $37.99.
Roco (Dundee Wine Co.) 2006 (Willamette Valley). $39.99.
Make your own yearbook photo at Yearbook Yourself. Geek Sugar named the ad supported site “Website of the Day” back in August. It’s good for a laugh or two, not to mention a new profile picture for your favorite soc net.
Yesterday at quarter ’til six all the tables at Glisan Street acoustic music and drinking establishment, The Laurelthirst, were spoken for. It seems word is now out about Two Beers Veirs, and the band’s October series of free Wednesday shows.
EP available at live shows for $5
While we could have arrived earlier, we did manage to secure a spot on the padded bench in the back corner. I ordered Organic Tree Hugger Porter from Laurelwood Brewing Co. and a pinot noir for Darby and then prepared my ears for the old time offerings of Ms. Veirs and her collaborators (one of whom is the guitar player for The Decemberists).
While it’s not always fruitful to make comparisons, my first thought once the music started was how Two Beers Veirs reminds me of Ollabelle, a band we saw perform at Merlefest last spring.
According to Local Cut, Veirs says the title of her EP and group, “Two Beers Veirs,” was her dad’s nickname in college and once her friends discovered that fact hers as well. Neither could down much alcohol.
[MP3] “Spike Drivers Blues” by Two Beers Veirs
Things About Portland That Suck is kind of funny, I have to say. There are so many nice things about living here that you can forget, or simply choose to overlook the not so good things. Like the site’s Reason #56: Wannabe Suicide Girls.
Contrary to the beliefs held in the hearts of hundreds of scantily dressed, overly inked, dyed and pierced girls in Portland, they are in fact not ALL Suicide Girls.
I know it’s shocking… but not all of these “gorgeousâ€-yet-alternative girls actually get paid to take it off for the camera.
Some other zingers include Street Kids With Pets; Moped/Scooter Gangs; McMenamins’ Service; Dixie Tavern; Your Band; and White Guilt.
This site is on its way to becoming Portland’s version of the smash interweb success, Stuff White People Like.
According to John Foyston at The Oregonian, 12 Oregon breweries claimed a total of 21 medals at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival held October 9-11 in Denver. Eleven of Oregon’s 21 medals were gold, giving Beervana more than any other state.
Here’s the list of award-winning craft beers made in Oregon:
Alameda Brewhouse Black Bear XX Stout
Bend Brewing Co. Hop Head
Cascade Brewing Co. Cascade Kriek Ale
Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. Blonde Bombshell
Deschutes Brewery Bachelor ESB
Deschutes Brewery The Dissident
Deschutes Brewery Chinquapin Butte Golden Ale
Full Sail Brewing Co. Full Sail Pale Ale
Full Sail Brewing Co. Session Premium Lager
Hopworks Urban Brewery Organic IPA
Laurelwood Brewing Co. Himmelbrau Helles
Pelican Pub & Brewery Surfer’s Summer Ale
Pelican Pub & Brewery Le Pelican Brun
Pyramid Breweries Pyramid Crystal Wheat Ale
Pyramid Breweries Pyramid Apricot Ale
Pyramid Breweries Blackwatch Cream Porter
Rogue Ales Dry Hopped Red
Rogue Ales Hazelnut Brown Nectar
Rogue Ales American Amber
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. Hefeweizen
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. Drop Top
Alemeda Brewhouse, for one, is located right up the street. I’ll be sure to order a Black Bear XX Stout (a four time winner in Denver) next time I’m in.
BTW, check out this list of brewers located in Portland. To say it’s extensive is putting things mildly.
Romensko points to this fascinating interview with Chris Rose of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
SEVEN DAYS: How was the Times-Picayune perceived before Hurricane Katrina?
CHRIS ROSE: We’ve always been a very vital and vigorous part of the community here . . . What did not happen before the storm that happens now is that, when you get introduced as being from the Times-Picayune at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, people stand up and clap for you. We’re treated as heroes.
Katrina brought back that very poignant, meaningful mission of journalism — like it really, really mattered every day what came down on people’s doorsteps. Suddenly, high school students to folks 90 years old were reading the paper because we were the only ones people could trust.
The storm brought down a quintessential dichotomy in the community: There were those who cut and run, and there were those who stepped up, at great sacrifice. There’s no question, no question, the Times-Picayune stepped up. And in the vacuum of political and corporate leadership, we carried the fucking day in this town.
There’s also this bit:
The writers and the photographers were in the city and management was relocated to Baton Rouge by virtue of our building flooding. You take management and move them 70 miles away from staff, and we win two Pulitzer prizes. You think that’s a coincidence? That’s not only a paradigm shift to follow in journalism, but in any corporate structure.
Rose’s collection of columns, 1 Dead in Attic is now available from Simon & Schuster. Rose originally sold 65,000 copies of a self-published edition.