Google Zeitgeist 2008 – the spirit of the times.

Some tips for replacing violin/viola strings:

1. Replace only one string at a time.
2. Lubricate the string grooves in the bridge and nut with the lead of a graphite pencil so that the strings may glide over them easier.
3. Ensure that the string is wound around the peg in a way that brings the string in contact with the pegbox wall. This helps the string stay in tune, and also increases the instrument’s resonance.
4. When tuning the strings up to pitch for the first time, gently lift the string off the bridge by pulling upwards between the bridge and the tailpiece. This will prevent the winding from buckling or crushing at the bridge, and more evenly distribute the weight of the string.
5. If using gut strings, bring the strings up to pitch gradually.
6. When using a steel E string, use the rubber grommet that came with the string to prevent the string from cutting into the bridge. However, do not allow too much of the grommet to hang over the fingerboard side of the bridge, which would dampen the vibration of the string.
7. Use Hill-style fine tuners, other types use a mechanism that may protrude downward and scratch the belly of the instrument.

A rare performance film of Philippe Hirshhorn circa 1967.

An Italian artist who purposely shrouded himself in mystery and stood apart from popular artistic trends, De Dominicis exhibited very little in North America. He worked in a variety of mediums including sculpture, painting, film, and installation. Gino De Dominicis at P.S.1

One of the key villain scenes in the latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace, takes place at an outdoor performance of Tosca. From Wikipedia:

The sequence, where Bond stalks the villains during a performance of Tosca, required 1500 extras. The production used a large model of an eye, which Forster felt fitted in the Bond style, and the opera itself has parallels to the film.

The WaPo has an interesting write up about the scene. If you have already seen the film, or don’t mind spoilers, the clip is available on YouTube.

“It turns out that things that work very well are also very beautiful. It is sort of an ancient design concept that goes back to Pythagoras — that the universe is designed in … an aesthetic, rational way. That still seems to hold up in the case of the violin.” –Sam Zygmuntowicz

Oxford researchers compiled a list of the ten most annoying phrases in common use today. There are a lot of good ones in the comments, too.

YouTube has several new features, including the ability to add closed captions to videos.

This pretty much comes naturally to me, but in case you need some tips, the Boston Globe printed up a neat chart on how to nap.

I don’t use IM much anymore, but I have found myself using Facebook’s built in chat feature. So, I have been very pleased with the Facebook Pidgin plugin.

The 2008 MLB World Series set a record low for viewership. Like, lowest viewers ever. Even though I declared the season officially over after the Dodgers were knocked out, I actually ended up watching all 5 games, along with like fifteen other people.

Two weeks ago, my brother took his stock 1959 Chevy Biscayne up to the Little River Dragway in Temple, Texas for the Day of the Drags. That’s him smokin’ a ’59 El Camino in second gear.