There's some really beautiful images and animation of what the world will look like without humans at the website for Alan Weisman's new book, The world without us. Images and animation are here.

eat out

I know what I think this means, but what does it mean to B&K Root Beer in Logansport, IN?

everything but the burden

Interesting article about Elvis' legacy in NYTimes--

How Did Elvis Get Turned Into a Racist?

I never really thought Elvis was a racist, but more found fault in the way that he made his fame from the style and songs of the black music scene. Kind of reminds me of John Waters' Hairspray where white girl Tracy Turnblad turns the Corny Collins Show upside down with her "negro moves"--but this ultimately leads to a fight for integration on-screen and off-. So, when is it theft and appropriation, rising to fame off the backs of those who cannot achieve the same level of recognition, and when is it a nod or prelude to social justice and activism?...

If you're ever in doubt...

* wait for a clear starry night
* put a crunchy mattress from an old pull-out couch in the back of a rusty truck bed
* cover it with blankets and pillows
* lay supine and look up
* get one friend to drive and one to lay beside you

There is a book at the library that someone thinks is funny.

It is called An Insect's Life. They said isn't it funny, an insect probably has such a boring life.

But then I was drinking coffee out of a jar on a ledge outside of this same library and an ant crawled into the creamy brown liquid.

At first I thought it was a leaf and I just drank around it.

But then I noticed that its legs were moving and I got freaked out and rescued it with my coffee stirrer (I had stolen it from the cafe).

The ant ran away, drenched in coffee.

I didn't know that Ball State in Muncie Indiana was founded on money from the Ball mason jar company.

But then someone was saying trivial facts about Indiana and I found out.

My friend is researching Ball Lightning, I have no idea what it is, but it sounds exciting.

Swimming in the north pole?!

Interesting tactic to highlight global warming, frightening that it is possible:

Swimmer rises to Arctic challenge

Jena 6

Just heard about a case in Jena, Louisiana where six black high school students are being charged (and one now convicted) for attempted murder for a school yard fight involving a white student. The facts and background are staggering... Democracy Now did a special on the case yesterday, featuring the voices of some of the accused, their families, and a feature of a forthcoming Big Noise documentary about the case.

Synopsis of the events on Pursuing Holiness
This blog is very good on keeping up-to-date on the case, a good one to watch.

Photo essay on While Seated
Opens with a photo of the infamous tree at the high school which was "traditionally" used by white students, symbolic of the racial tensions in Jena that allegedly set the stage for these events. Includes some videos and the promise of upcoming multimedia projects.

Democracy Now on Tuesday devoted entire show to the case