Lazy Linguists

Music : Green Onions in Oslo, Norway

Mike — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:34:26 +0000

Perspective

Mike — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:02:19 +0000

Fifteen hour time lapse of the Milky Way from the Paranal Laboratory in Chile.

Kaossilator : 2nd Day

Mike — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:45:02 +0000

For Christmas, I received a KORG Kaossilator. It’s a tiny touchpad operated synth which is supposed to be pretty easy to get started on. After messing around with it for a day, I tried recording something. My input was a bit hot to the laptop and things get thick at the end…less is more. Very very fun little device.

I’m using a hidden 4-measure loop mode (usually it’s an 8-count 2-measure limit). You can switch it on by:

hold down the TAP / BPM and LOOP REC / PLAY buttons
switch the unit on
hold down the TAP / BPM and press LOOP REC / PLAY to access the loop count menu
switch it to the newly activated 16 count setting

Music : Computer Number Three

Mike — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:57:12 +0000

“Der Computer Nr. 3” from France Gall on German television in 1968. Note the outbreak of enthusiasm in the audience.

Quotes : Flawless Robots

Mike — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:45:40 +0000

For some reason, this quote by Christian Wulff, Minister President of Lower Saxony, really hits a note. He was quoted at the memorial service for Robert Enke, a professional goalkeeper who recently committed suicide after having privately struggled with depression for several years, saying:

“We don’t need flawless robots. We need human beings with rough edges, with all their weaknesses and wonderful qualities.”

The original German being:

“Wir brauchen doch keine fehlerfreien Roboter. Wir brauchen Menschen mit Ecken und Kanten und mit allen ihren Schwächen und ihren wunderbaren Eigenschaften.”

Wayback Machine : 1927 London in Color

Mike — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:03:58 +0000

Wikipedia Fascination : List of Megalithic Sites

Mike — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:49:50 +0000

A list of ancient sites that moved megalithic stones, organized according to the size of the largest megalith on the site. A megalith is a large stone which has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. In all cases at least one colossal stone over ten tons has been moved to create the structure or monument. Documented in recent times, there is a list of efforts to move colossal stones that used technology that wasn’t more advanced than the technology the ancient civilizations used.

- List of Megalithic Sites

Eye Candy : Now Leaving Colorful Colorado

Mike — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:13:01 +0000

Taken in 2004 on my 25 hour straight-shot trip from SD to Los Angeles. The next picture after this was of a sign “Now Leaving Colorful Colorado.” I can only assume that was the home of this stretch of highway.

Eye Candy : Autumn Slice

Mike — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:38:16 +0000

One day of color in the past ten. Nasty. The trip to work took a bit longer than usual for some reason!

XKCD : Legos

Mike — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:30:05 +0000

xkcd - a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

Eye Candy : Hundertwasser

Mike — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:48:55 +0000

In the style of Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser. Nice name, right? Found in the Uelzen Railway Station.

Eye Candy : Jungfernstieg Station

Mike — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:07:32 +0000

The Jungfernstieg station in Hamburg, Germany. This part opened in 1975 and seems to have retained its original flair.

Eye Candy : St. Nick Sleeper

Mike — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:33:00 +0000

…well that’s one way to secure your festive store mascot. Spotted outside the year-round Christmas store in Bremen, Germany.

Music : Russian Accordionist

Mike — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:21:03 +0000

found via BoingBoing

Eye Candy : Savanna Dry

Mike — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:11:19 +0000