Connections. Added Complexity.
Links to things and ideas I've been enjoying. I can't be arsed to fill in the vias today.
Let Me Introduce...
Ok? I'd say it's about time I share some of the music that I've been digging of late.
Zen and the art of hip-hop:
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The G7 Welcoming Committee (the record label that put out the first two Weakerthans albums) has a great ideas page. New left-ish articles and essays posted every week. Check out their catalogue too.
Another FL.
Ellen Kooi - Photos: Colourful yet dark.
Nobody Said That The World Was Fair
Click thumbnails to view photographs.
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I took the bus down to the Winnipeg Art Gallery yesterday in order to check out the Tom Thomson show.
From today's Free Press: "The English-born friend and forerunner of the Group of Seven lived, fished, painted and guided in Ontario's Algonquin Park. Both a commercial designer and painter, his significant output was created between 1912 and 1917, with important works purchased in his lifetime. His reputation grew posthumously after an early and accidental death.
Click the following thumbnails for some fine examples of Tom's work: 
(Images found here.)
The show was really great. I was blown away by Tom's grasp of light/shadow and his (at times almost psychedelic) use of colour. However, I think the best part of the show was it's scope. It was really inspiring to be able to observe the evolution of Mr. Thomson's skill and style.
It is very tempting to believe that talented artists are innately talented. It's easy to overlook the years of dedication and hard work that go into perfecting ones craft. To quote a past posting of mine:
Sure, you probably have to be born with a certain propensity for your craft, but to say that the talent is purely innate is to show a total lack of respect for the true artist. It takes the kind of hard work and dedications that one rarely gets to witness in our present day of apathy. I'm talking total devotion to the point of near insanity.
This devotion was clearly illustrated at the Thompson show and as I said, I was quite inspired. I guess that's one of the greatest gift's of life: Inspiration is all around us. You might have to dig a little, but it's there. Use it.
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I've started a fotolog. Most of the images will be familar to regular visitors of this site. I really enjoy FL and I wanted to add to it. Check out one of the images I stumbled upon today.
Time
The chef asked me to take some winter snapshots. So, if you are interested in what an early winter looks like in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
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I was downsized by my employer a little under 2 weeks ago. Soon after that, I founded Clever Glutton Media and began to re-climb the corporate ladder. Today, I stand before you as the CEO of CGM and effective immediately, I will be taking a sabbatical year* to attend Glutton University. Some of the subject I will be studying at Glutton U: Music Theory and Composition, Digital Sound Manipulation, Macromedia Flash MX, Photographic Experimentation and Literature.
*Actual length of sabbatical may vary.
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On the literature front, I read Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's last night. Having never seen the movie, I didn't really know what to expect. What I discovered was a truly engrossing short story. The characters drew me into their world, their joy, their pain. Please tell me they didn't give the movie a typical Hollywood ending!
Truman Capote - A Black and White Tribute.
And perhaps on a related note, Raising a glass to the literary alcoholic. (Via Cupa)
Update:
Arachnophobes heed this warning: Do not follow this link.
why say yes to democracy when fascism works so well?
Guest entry by Dj Mose: I still can't get over this. My friends to the south seem to be headed to a strange place. This Toronto Star article from October 25th details some very disturbing trends. I'm hoping some of this comes to light for next year's US federal election. If freedom of speech is at stake, what's next? Will the second amendment be the next right struck down? We've all got a good reason to be scared... more than usual.
Trinity
A true winter's day deserves a true summer's memory.
Click on the thumbnail to view the triple triptych.
Stay Right Here
-> Low Res - High Res.
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Halloween has come and gone. What a blast. The punk and the Hippie. What a couple.
The punk Dj'ed too: a nice hip-hop / downtempo set at the Symptom Tech Halloween bash.
The following evening found us at a house party over at Chef Quix's place.
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Binary Star
Click thumbnails to view photographs.
Examples Of Progress
Two great Beatles tracks for you to soak in, now that we are all studied up on Beatles recording technology, (i.e. For the music geeks):
I Want To Hold Your Hand (Offline)
Tomorrow Never Knows (Offline)
The prior was recorded using a 4-track in 1963, the latter was recorded three years down the road. Even if you've heard these tracks 1000s of times before, you should download and listen again.
Novel Animality
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The news was delivered to me via their respective list-servs; A new stampete project; The winners of the dp light challenge; A server change and updates over at Ducan's place.
Past Lives
Ed Leith Cretaceous Menagerie:
Click thumbnails to view photographs.
A Blanket For Your Mind
Texture:
Click thumbnails to view photographs.
Guest photos (Courtesy of my mum):
Click thumbnails to view photographs.